A Simple Collection Of Short Stories

I never intended to own a slave—least of all a dragon slave. But fate has a twisted sense of humor.

It all began with what should've been an ordinary day. I'd decided to take a new route around the mountains, searching for rare herbs. The air was crisp, the sun warm on my back, and I felt at peace for a while. That is until the ground betrayed me.

One moment I was walking, and the next, the earth crumbled beneath my feet. I tumbled, arms flailing, down into a gaping maw of darkness. Rocks scraped at my skin, and my breath caught in my throat. Just as panic began to set in, I slammed into icy water—a hidden underground river. The shock of the cold stole my breath, and in that instant, I swore I caught a glimmer, a faint sparkle in the water.

Then everything went black.

I awoke gasping, my body sore and waterlogged. The oppressive darkness of the cave surrounded me, broken only by faint luminescence trickling from the hole in the ceiling above. It wasn't much, but it was just barely enough to see.

I had no choice but to move. Staying still meant freezing to death, or worse. I picked a direction, any direction, and started walking. The damp air was heavy, and the echo of my footsteps was my only companion.

Hours passed. Or maybe it was days. I had no way to tell. My legs ached, and I felt the first flickers of despair creeping in. That's when I heard it.

A low, guttural growl echoed from the darkness ahead.

My heart practically skipped a beat as I paused, my face paling in terror as I registered the sound.

I slowly crept forward, trying to keep the sound to a minimum as I investigated the source of the noise. There, I saw it.

Chained to the floor with bindings so huge they seemed to disappear, a dragon was there, staring right at me I stumbled back, fear gripping me as I stammered, "P-pls don't hurt me, oh great dragon, I mean no harm." However, to my utter surprise, the dragon started speaking.

"Free me from these chains, little one." It said, its voice a low rumble.

"What would I get from it?" I replied, regaining my confidence now that I realized that the dragon could do me no harm.

The ginormous creature before me seemed to sigh in exasperation before saying, "Free me, and I shall grant you any wish as long as it is within my power."

With a nod, I began to search around the cave walls for anything that could help me in my search. 

After an unknown amount of time had passed, I finally found it. Located in a secluded part of the cave lay a lever that seemed to be connected to the chains.

"Before we do this, I need to make sure that you will fulfill your promise and grant me my wish" I said as I prepared to pull the lever.

"Fine, I swear by my dragon lineage that I, the great dragon Urzrath, will not bring harm to you in any way, shape, or form and that I will do my best to fulfill one wish of yours" as the dragon finished its speech, the whole cave seemed to rumble in response to the dragon's words.

Satisfied, I pull the lever. With a loud bang, the shackles fell off the dragon as it spread its wings. "Finally! Freedom at last" It sighed in relief as it spread its wings. " Now, what do you want little one?"

Gathering up my courage, I said "I want you to help me gather herbs" The dragon's eyes widened in shock before hissing in anger. 

"NEVER!" It screeched, "I would never help a lowly being do such menial tasks" 

Out of the blue, it lunged at me, mouth open, roaring "I guess you have to die then! HAHAHAHA"

However, before it could reach me, strange ethereal ropes bound it and held it firmly to the ground. Instinctually, I knew that this dragon had become my slave.

Thus began the journey of a legendary dragon tamer who's name would be written down in the history books for centuries to come.