“Haha! Did ya see that Wardley! Did ya see the look on the little mites’ face?”
“I did, I still think we should have left the pile Bordo, the poor child. We were trying to protect him, not confuse him!”
The sound of rushing feet and cracking branches followed after the voices as the two rushed over the forest floor.
“Ack, you think too much dragon!”
“And I’m afraid you think too little Dwarf.”
The dwarf’s gruff laughter pierced through the underbrush. “The little man-boy will forget all about it by lunchtime I’m sure of it!” A flurry of birds exploded from the canopy above them as they rushed past. “Oy! You made me a promise, we stayed until well after sunrise! Why in the Sun’s great glow are we still runnin’?”
“I thought we were having a bit of an adventure.” The dragon purred playfully, the footfalls fell silent. “We are far enough along if I fly low they won’t see us. Alright, Dwarf, a promise is a promise, jump aboard.”
Bordo whooped in excitement. With a mighty whoosh and a flash of gold and forest green, the two flew skyward leaving the canopy swaying in their wake. The pair took to the skies shooting straight for the clouds leaving the forest path peaceful once more.
>>>—->
The mighty dragon soared effortlessly as an eagle above the pillowing silver lining and out of reach from wondering eyes. The cackling dwarf clung to the ridgeline at Wardleys neck and reached his arm toward the fluff of a cumulonimbus. He drug a finger through the water vapor like a rudder through a river and watched the clouds disburse and slice apart in his wake.
“You never told me humans would be so easy to read!” He called above the breeze as they exploded through a gathering storm cloud.
“They are not so different from your kind Bordo, I wouldn’t be so quick to judge.” Wardley chastised. “They are more clever than you think.”
“Oh yeah? Well, what is it they are so good at?” The dwarf challenged.
“That’s not for me to say.” Wardley smiled. “They will come into themselves soon enough and you will see for yourself. Think of them for now, like your younger brothers and sisters.”
“Eck, yeah, yeah, you say that, but I don’t remember bein’ so easily tricked and deceived.”
“Well, you weren’t the first of your kind, many many generations came before you, and believe me, they were more like humans than you would believe in their beginnings.”
“Well, I don’t much like my kind either if you don’t remember the state you found me in. They all but knocked me from the nest.” The dwarfs’ face hardened. “didn’t like that I saw through their charade, much like I see through these ‘umans you seem so fond of.”
“They are my responsibility to look after Master Bordo,” Wardley responded evenly, taking a deep breath in. “I love the smell of fresh rain, don’t you?”
Bordo didn’t seem to hear the question, his mind still pinned to the humans they’d left behind them. “I don’t see what you see in ’em that’s all.”
“Give them time. It’s okay that you don’t understand their importance yet, I wouldn’t expect you to, after all, you are still growing yourself. As am I.” The dragon reassured as they descended through the clouds to reveal the mountain range below.
“I still don’t understand why you don’t just reveal yourself and get it over with.” The dwarf grumbled.
“It is against the rules, that’s why.”
“But they made it over the mountains. Wasn’t that the deal?”
“Yes, but then they turned away and fled. We are not allowed to intervene until they are ready.”
“Oy? And how do you plan on decidin’ on when that is?” The dwarf prodded.
“When they come to us without fear of what they don’t know, that’s how…”
“Aren’t you the least bit curious to know what they are made of? Why not test ’em out an’ see if they can handle you, technically they passed the test.”
“I don’t go by technicalities, my duty is to cater to their best nature, cultivate that and allow them to grow naturally.” Wardley’s eyes shone at the notion. He looked into the distance at the approaching valley.
“There is still so much for them to learn, I must be patient.”
“Oh boo! You dragons and your codes, I’ll be long dead at the rate your goin’ before anything comes to pass. Maybe they just need a little push, that’s all. As their big brother, maybe I can do the trick.”
“Don’t push your luck Dwarf. Keep talking like that and I’ll dump you into the glacier pond.” Wardley dipped dramatically toward the turquoise lake below them causing Bordo to squeak with anticipation.
“You wouldn’t dare!” He screeched.
Wardley rumbled with laughter. If they’d been closer to the clouds it might have been mistaken for thunder.
“You talk big little dwarf, but deep down you’re still soft. I saw you playing with those baby rabbits the other day.” Wardley chuckled as Bordo tensed on his back. “Putting them into the hollow of that dead tree for safekeeping. Don’t think I don’t see you.”
They swooshed over the final ridge of snow-coated mountain peaks and broke into the warm air of the hidden valley. The contrast between the frigid mountain range and the brilliant green of the meadows below always took the dragons’ breath away.
“I do look forward to the day I can share all of this with them. It will be a joyful reunion indeed.” His voice was wistful. His eyes glistened in the golden sunlight as he readied for landing.
“All’s I’m sayin’ is that things have a way of happenin’ despite yer best efforts, you know that as much as I do Wardley.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice. “since ya mentioned those baby bunnies, I went back to check on them not just yesterday mornin’ before we left an’ a fox had gotten into the stump. Perfect example o’ what I’m tryin’ to say.”
He jumped gracefully from the dragons back and walked toward the river to splash water onto his face and wash up.
“I’m sorry to hear that Bordo. That is tragic indeed, but humans and rabbits are much different from one another. If anything is to happen to them, it will be in spite of me not because of me.” His voice boomed with promise. “As long as that is the case, I’m sure that whatever happens will be for the best in the end and lead to the greater good.
The cheeky dwarf rolled his eyes behind the dragon’s back, mimicking his words silently.
“I wanted to thank you for how you handled things back there, you did the right thing not showing yourself, I appreciate your restraint,” Wardley called over his shoulder after shaking himself and ruffling the scales along his back.
“aye, didn’t wan’ to make ye mad, it’s a long walk back.” The dwarf lowered his voice to a mumble. “though it’s not like they’d know the difference between me and them. Silly creatures.”
Bordo’s grumbling made Wardley laugh. Bordo glared over his shoulder when the dragon didn’t respond. “Out with it then dragon, I’ve been spendin’ enough time with you to know when yer thinkin’ something about me.”
“Oh, it’s nothing, I was just thinking of how perceptive you are…” The mischief in Wardley’s tone followed the handsome creature as he disrobed and leaped into the water the dragon continued once his friend resurfaced. “For a dwarf anyway.” His toothy grin glistened in the warm sun.
Bordo’s eyes squinted into a frown as he splashed water at the dragon. Wardley roared with laughter. The sound of it was so loud it echoed joyously through the entire valley.
“Ha-ha, you think yer so funny do ya? Did it take ya all eternity to come up with that one?” He splashed out, again and again, each time Wardley danced around to evade. Between the adventure, they’d just returned from, and the great fun he was having with his closest companion the happiness Wardley felt seemed to bubble up inside of him. His chest grew hot, and a deep rumbling issued from his belly.
The dwarf’s eyes bulged as the sound of rumbling grew louder and brilliant golden light as bright as the sun began to form in the dragon’s chest.
“Wardley, what’s happenin’? Are… Are you alright?”
The dragon didn’t respond, his eyes squinted to slits, as if he might sneeze, his front legs lifted from the ground in anticipation.
URP!
Bordo ducked beneath the surface just in time, as a jet of flames shot from the dragons’ wide-open jaws.
Bordo peeked from beneath the waterline in time to see the last of the fire hiccup from Wardley’s mouth with a mighty burp. Both fell silent as he smacked and licked his lips, clearly surprised at what had just happened. All at once, Wardley grew excited.
“Did you see that dwarf?!” Wardley exclaimed, his eyes radiated golden light for a moment before the smoldering heat receded. Bordo shielded his eyes as he made his way toward the edge of the river bank.
“How could I miss it, you nearly burnt me to a crisp ya great lug!” Bordo sputtered. He was turning red, the dragon could almost imagine the water bubbling and boiling in the dwarfs’ sudden anger. “You almost killed me, and… and what was that?! What under the great blue sky did I just see ye do?”
The mixture of awe, confusion, and anger seemed to tickle the dragon, he roared with laughter. “I am so sorry Bordo! I, I couldn’t seem to contain it. I am sorry I nearly turned you to a crisp but you should be excited too! That’s the first time I’ve ever breathed fire!” He let out a roar of excitement. Bordo flinched and ducked again, just in case.
“I…” He stuttered, crawling quickly from the water he pulled his robes over his frame once again, suddenly unsure of himself, and the world around him. He’d known his massive accomplice could fly and was all but indestructible, but this. This was new. This was unheard of to his kind. “I never knew you could do such a thing. Why are ya laughin’ you could ‘ave took my ‘ead!” He backed away from Wardley uncertainly.
“Oh don’t be dramatic dwarf, you dodged beautifully!” He smiled again showing his massive teeth.
A prickle of deep-seated ill-will replaced the awe he’d felt moments before and climbed his spine. Bordo bared his teeth as it bubbled to the surface. He didn’t share the dragons’ excitement. Instead, he felt betrayed. It wasn’t so much about the fact that Wardley had almost turned him to ashes, he was more upset that the dragon had never told him he had the power of the sun right inside of him the entire time they’d conspired together. Not only that, but he was now pretending the ability was completely normal, nothing outside the ordinary. As the idea took root, Bordo felt a deep resentment building beyond his ability to control.
“Another secret.” He growled, brushing his hands over his wrinkled frock.
“can yer ‘umans breathe fire as well?” He spat.
The words stung. Wardley was surprised at his friends’ reaction. Instead of celebrating, Bordo was tossing a wet blanket over his joy.
Anytime Bordo had accomplished any of his milestones he had been the first to congratulate and celebrate the dwarfs’ achievement. Whether it was bringing a flower back to life or falling a tree with a single swing of the ax, Wardley had been his biggest fan.
“I beg your pardon, whatever do you mean Master Bordo?” Wardley frowned.
“Benah Nah Nah…” The dwarf mocked, sticking out his tongue in lazy disgust. “Don’t play dumb with me dragon!”
“I haven’t kept any secrets from you.” Wardley took a step toward his companion, Bordo in turn stepped back, the sneer on his face grew.
“Master Bordo, that is no secret. That’s what we dragons call the eternal flame. Each of us contains it, though, it only shows itself when we are good and ready, only once we’ve matured, don’t you get it? This is exciting, I’m so glad we could share this moment together!”
Wardley’s excitement dwindled as Bordo turned him a cold shoulder, looking out over the mountain peaks they’d come from.
“Ha!” The dwarf laughed contemptuously. “So I should feel special, should I?”
“Well… yes, I would hope so.” Wardley was hurt and confused now, feelings the dwarf seemed much more pleased at sharing. A darkly satisfied smile gathered at the corner of his lips.
“Bordo, it shows itself at first for a young dragon in times of great happiness, great anger, and great sadness.” The dwarf was intrigued. Wardley watched the tension fade from his companions’ shoulders. The sign offered him hope, he continued quickly, eager to share more if it would bring his friend around to see things from his side.
“We dragons must be careful with what we know, knowledge can be a dangerous thing in the wrong hands.” He closed his eyes, repeating the words that had been told to him by the elders on the dragon council while he was still in training to take over the responsibility of watching and rearing the humans from afar.
“Some creatures can’t handle their own truths, let alone those of other kinds. In the beginning, they know very little of themselves,” Wardley closed his eyes, ignoring the warning flowing in on the breeze around him. “That’s why we dragons are crucial for those who exist around us.”
He pressed on, willing the dwarf to be more receptive. “I am still growing as I said, but once we come into our full nature we may help others along their journeys as well. For those brave enough to search and find us, we are allowed to guide them with the infinite wisdom offered us by the winds themselves… It is our duty, and pleasure to rise above and see each situation from all sides.”
The wise words of those before him echoed powerfully over Wardley’s mind. Bordo nearly turned green as the dragon spoke of the power concealed inside of him, he remained silent, nodding slowly as if he understood and agreed.
“I thought you knew,” Wardley smiled warmly, his heartfelt lighter at sharing his deeper nature with his oldest friend. Especially since he seemed to be in agreement. Bordo turned to face his accomplice. His face betraying nothing.
Imagining the matter was settled Wardley flopped to the ground and rolled happily in the grass, looking up to Bordo as he ruffled his scales for a good scratch. He took a deep breath, “aaaah, isn’t it great to be back in the valley again? This place is wonderful.”
Bordo watched his carefree companion, nodding slowly once more.
The dragon seemed light as a feather completely unaware of the dark thoughts budding in Bordo’s busy mind.
Behind the dwarfs’ interested nods and ill-placed grunts of agreement, he was concocting a plan so devious, even he was ashamed of himself, though, only for a moment. The musings seemed to come too naturally not to be destiny whispering in all around him.
Bordo watched Wardley, for a moment he was aware of the innocence in Wardley’s nature, for one so old and wise, he was still such a child in that way. Here he was, exposing his secrets to a lone dwarf, creatures known for their jealous nature and desire for high status… a kind viciously loyal to their own, and yet, he’d been disbanded by every last one.
Maybe dragons don’t have all of the answers after all. He sneered to himself.
“So, you see,” Wardley finished his thought, beaming back at Bordo. “By bearing my secrets to you, I’ve given you the ultimate gift a dragon can give. Now your thoughts and desires will remain yours until you choose to share them with me. Even should I want to, I can no longer have access to your mind and heart!”
At this Bordo’s eyes glistened, his grin grew until all of his teeth were showing. A cackle bubbled up uncontrollably and even then Wardley didn’t think to suspect he might have ill intentions toward him. He cleared his throat and turned to face the dragon once again.
“So you mean to tell me this ‘hole time, you could ‘ear the wind an’ read my thoughts as well?”
Wardley nodded vigorously to confirm what he was saying was true before interjecting with, “Well, yes but I never did, you are my friend.”
Bordo nodded apathetically. “Well Dragon, it appears I knew very little o’ you ’til now.”
“I’m so happy we are having this discussion then! It feels so good to share with you!” Wardley ignored the warning nipping at his gut. “I can explain it like this, you are a Dwarf, which means, you have the ability to commune with the birds and the bees and conspire with the trees to grow and flourish. You can cultivate and create entire environments for other living creatures to live and grow within! As a dragon, I am one of many keepers of the wisdom of the wind and all the secrets it chooses to pass along to me.”
He leaned in conspiratorially toward the dwarf casting his shadow over the grass between them. “As you know, my individual task and title is The Keeper of Humans, which is why, as much as I would love to spend time with them I have to wait until they come to me.”
Bordo looked over the fields, taking offense where none was meant. “I’m good for more than flowers and trees. You aren’t the only one who knows the nature of things, dragon.”
Wardley drew back as Bordo continued. “As you may have noticed, I spend my time riding the skies with Dragons, not those of my own kind… and by choice.”
The pressure built between them, Wardley could no longer feel his connection to the Dwarf as he listened frantically for signs of hope at rekindling it.
“even if they ‘adn’t banished me, I’d ‘ave left at some point, they were boring and now, they’re getting on with those fantastical blumberers, the fairy folk always bobbin’ about building in trees and playing pretend.” Bordo looked back at Wardley with a new taste of distrust playing over his expression.
Wardley nodded, doing his best to take in the dwarfs’ side of things. “You’re right friend, I shouldn’t just assume you understand what I am saying, I will try to be better at explaining if you will allow. I know you are good for all kinds of things not just what your nature conveys naturally.”
“I think you’ve been treatin’ me like a child…” Bordo crossed his arms staring bravely into the face of the guardian towering above him. An emerald glow had encompassed his entire body. Wardley waved his tail back and forth in excitement, waiting for Bordo to catch on that he’d risen to a state of his own nature Wardley hadn’t witness from him so long as they’d walked together. The dwarf seemed not to notice in his building anger. He was so consumed in anger he couldn’t see himself. Bordo squared up with the dragon, ready to fight at all costs.
Wardley lost his patience, “Master Bordo, I only treat you as you deserve to be treated, if you feel I am treating you as a child, it’s only because you are acting like one.” The dragon began. “Maybe that’s why you are so set on interfering with the humans, are you upset that they haven’t faced the same turmoil as your kind? Are you jealous of their peace?”
“Their peace?!” The dwarf roared. “Did ya not see what I saw back there? Don’t fool yourself dragon, they are on the verge of chaos! So much so they got some creature out there ready to pounce on their weak point and the only one issued to ‘elp ’em is so delusional about their state of peace ‘e’s apt to be no ‘elp at all!”
Wardley reared back, taking in the new accusation. Were they really? Had he missed something? Was he so certain of their ability to overcome the dangers they were faced with that he’d allowed them to fall victim to something he’d never seen before?
He glared down at the brazen dwarf. “Now you listen to me, I’ve shared secrets with you that you are not to use against any other living creature… The humans will face trials yes, but they will overcome, you watch.”
“Oh, I’ll watch alright,” The dwarf snarled, a dark grin full of promises Wardley didn’t appreciate poured over his face.
“Dwarf, I am warning you, keep yourself away from them…”
Bordo blinked, surprised and almost certain the dragon must be reading his thoughts.
The dwarf turned toward the mountain range they’d come from and started walking away, “Goodbye, dragon.”
“Bordo!” Wardley’s deep voice carried through the lively valley, sent birds of paradise fluttering into the air between them, “Where are you going?”
“Wherever I please dragon, you don’t rule me.” Wardley’s ears fell flat against his head as he watched the dwarf retreating in the direction they’d just come. His sad eyes followed Bordo.
“Bordo, you are my friend, nothing less, please come back!” His heartfelt plea was met with a mirthless laugh as the dwarf continued on his way without so much as looking back. Wardley watched until his companion disappeared behind a rolling hill and into the trees.
He will be back soon enough. Maybe some time apart will do him good. Wardley told himself.
The dragon looked around the beautiful valley prepared for those courageous enough to cross the mountain passes surrounding it on all sides.
He closed his eyes, picturing the small boy facing the unknown so bravely.
He chuckled in spite of the situation, “Someday that little human will find this place.” He breathed the hopeful intention into a gust of wind that carried it away. “Then this will all be worth it. Then Bordo will see what I see.”
The dragon lifted his eyes skyward. He’d had his first taste of fire. A slow smile built over his features. He shook himself, sending the remaining droplets of molten energy clinging to his jaw into the grass surrounding and made his way back to the river for a wash and a good hard think.