As I traveled through the forest I passed by yet another tree in a clearing. This one though was mostly dead , but had a strange glowing symbol imbedded into its trunk. I approached the tree and exhaled mana particulate so that I could study it. The particulate traveled through the air like dust in the sunlight, visible only to those that could see the almost imperceptible magical auras that permeate the world. It's floated over to the sigil and swirled around it as if caught in a gravitational spiral headed for collapse. This told me that the mana was going though to somewhere. As the mana particulate reached the center it altered its shape to reflect a change in the mana on the other side of the bowl.
I dipped my finger into the dust before it passed all the way through and stuck it in my mouth. My tongue came alive with the almost fruity sensations of the Fae Wildes influence on the mana. A word also formed into my mind, sassaphrass. This indicated to me that this tree was in fact a portal to the other side and that It required an activation word to work. I backed away slowly not wanting to be trapped into fae shenanigans. As I walk away I heard a rustling in the bushes from up ahead and I saw a pixie fly out. A small humanoid that was about the size of a small cat, that had crystal clear dragonfly wings.
She buzzed past my head and I just ignored her existence. I kept walking as if I didn't see her. Which apparently was not common enough in these words. As she stopped. " Hey wait. Don't just ignore me. I am a magical pixie. We're fun. " she said as if she was trying to tempt a child to play with her.
I looked at her for the first time. " I wasn't ignoring you, I was being polite and letting you attend to your affairs. "
She smiled at me. " so can I ask you something?" She said buzzing around me.
" ask away. " I said being weary of her goals.
" will you be friends with me?".
" I don't know you?" I said to her.
" I swear I mean you no harm I am a good pixie. "
" swear it thrice. " I say to her.
" what?" She said with a confused look on her face.
" Swear that you mean and will bring me to no harm thrice and I will believe you. "
" Huh, ok. I SWEAR THAT I mean you no harm and I will not bring you any harm. I SWEAR THAT I mean you no harm and I will not bring you any harm. I SWEAR THAT I mean you no harm and I will not bring you any harm. " she then smiled at me. " tee hee I didn't figure you to know such an old law. Your full of surprises friend. "
" alright friend. I am going to town. "
" wait, can I come with you?" She said suddenly.
" Why does a pixie want to go back to town with me. "
" I came from town. I have been wandering around the forest looking for a portal to my world for the past two months. I DONT WANT TO BE HERE ANYMORE. "She practically screamed at me.
I pointed to the tree and asked, " do you mean the portal right over there? " I said pointing at the tree. .
" What!! you know where the portal is? " she asked.
" Yeah. it's a real shame that the word to go through it was being talked about so casually by that hare and turtle. " I said giving her a knowing look. " the hare was pretty upset that it's code word was sassafras. "
She looked at me for a long moment. " you are... something else arnt you. Something good. Someday we will have to have tea. " she said.
" safe travels friend. " I said to her.
" bye now. " she said and flew off toward the portal.
I let friend go. She couldn't tell me her name, or ask for my help. She couldn't thank me. All of these things have weight and strings for a fae. Strings that if given to the wrong person could hasten her into a display case like some bug on display. I continued my journey. Maybe someday she could return the favor.
I wondered around the woods watching the mana when I saw the tail tale sign of mana flowing to a large population of sapient creatures. It never lied about that, and it was distinct from the mana draw of a powerful magic entity.
I wasn't going to reach the town or village by dark by the looks of things if I didn't travel the way the bird flies. So with a swish I took to the air and began flying in the direction if the town.
Unfortunately before I could make it to the unknown village a shadow approached from behind and above me. The predators position. I had enough time to fling a single spell in its direction and tuck my wings.
I cast a blinding flash and with a roar I knoticed the scary form of a dragon soar through the air where I was a moment ago.
I held my composure and prepared for a fight. Still I called out. " hail dragon. Why do you attack me?"
After a moment it wiped it's face one more time and spoke to me. " Not that it's any of your business. But I am contracted by the court to protect this area from your kind demon filth."
" I take offense to that. I AM NOT a demon. And you should remember that. "
" horns, wings, tail, looks like a demon to me. " the dragon hissed at me with rage.
" You do realize you just called yourself a demon right? Besides I am leaving this area for that village over there and I will not be returning. "
He said sizing me up. He could definitely see me now as I could see his large eyes narrow and refine lik an eagles.
. " you think that I will let you go?. Just like that? "
" I do not see why a handsome thing like you would ever let one such as I go. But I believe the words state that I must be driven from the area not killed. "
" hah. You would take the chance to flirt with a dragon who is trying to kill you? To assume the words of my contract with the court."
" of course I would take the chance to flirt with a majestic male specimen such as yourself. "
" Its a shame, I must kill you demon, for the words of my contract do not say driven from the area. "
" It is fortuitous then that I am of no infernal nature and have never been called demon by any other then you."
The dragon paused. Looking at me for a long moment. " I know of no mortal races in the area with horns, wings, and tail. Certainly none of which would face off with a dragon of my size without trembling in their boots "
" what you say is true, for I am of no mortal lineage. though I am not a demon, I am a manavore. "
The dragons belly rumbled. " I have heard of your kind, only in passing. An entity with no physical flesh who takes on a personified form when fed fat on mana energy. Exempt to the frailties of flesh. If this is true then touching your skin should be proof of your words. Do you dare get close enough to allow me to examine you?". Said the ten ton killing machine with wings.
" I have no need to fear a dragon of your age Mr...?"
" dragon is fine. "
" ok Mr. Dragon it is. I have no need to fear dragon claw, tooth, or fire. However if you attempt to imbue your weapons with mana I will know and I will flee. "
" you have my word . No harm shall come to you until after the examination. "
I flew closer, carefully. Making sure that the dragon was not using magic. It reached its massive palm out and I landed on it. Touching it with my hand.
" so it is true. I can sense from where your flesh should be that you are of no mortal lineage. You may leave in peace manavore."
" I am glad you believe me now. I am headed to the village. In that direction. I will not set foot in your wood again without consulting you first. "
" then be on your way to Hollowshire, Malin. " the dragon said dismissively. Dropping me out of his hand. " and may you entertain me on a better day ".
I fell for a bit watching the powerful musculature of the great beast fly away. Back toward the forest. I then twisted mid flight and began to glide in the direction of hollowshire. My curiosity about the nature of Mr. Dragon stronger then ever.