I had fallen asleep. I could already tell that my neck would be sore for days, as I had unintentionally shifted my position during my rest. The pain had probably woken me up. On the bright side, I felt more energetic and none of my extremities were numb, so the cave’s warmth had done me good. As I considered whether to rest longer before leaving, a voice interrupted me.

  “You finished resting, stained one.”

  Ah. The cave’s resident had noticed me. The way it addressed me filled me with dread for some reason, so I chose my words with caution.

  “Yes. Thank you very much for your understanding. If you wish, I can leave immediately.”

  The air in the tunnel rippled, and I realized that it was laughing. “Not necessary. Come closer, so I can see you.”

  After a moment’s consideration, I left my sword where it laid and cautiously rounded the bend, finding a massive cavern, with a magnificent golden dragon resting at its center. To my consternation, it was surrounded by a hoard akin to those in storybook illustrations… I had been certain that such things did not exist, but it seemed the fables were true and dragons – or at least this one – were indeed fond of gold and gemstones. I returned my vision to the cavern’s resident, lest it decide I had intentions for its possessions. I knew better, after all.

  “Thank you for allowing me to rest in your dwelling, great one. I was in quite a predicament, and you saved me.”

  The scales on its face shifted in a way that I chose to interpret as a smile, and its eyes narrowed. “It was no inconvenience. To have a visitor again is nostalgic.”

  “May I ask a question?”

  “Speak freely, visitor. I shan’t bite, unless necessary.” It laughed again.

  “Do you often have visitors? Until recently, I was not even aware that dragons dwelled in the kingdom. If humans encountered your kind often, I would have expected to hear tales of such.”

  “With some regularity, though by your standard, not so. And most do not speak of meetings.”

  “I see. I was warned that your kind’s existence is a great secret, so I understand.”

  It shifted its body and stretched, yawning wide, akin to a cat. I hoped it was not yet necessary to bite. “I welcome the occasional visitor, but caution is wise. To protect them from wandering beasts.”

  I sighed. “Yes, if you’ll forgive my complaint, the beasts are quite a problem as of late. I hope our intrusion in the area was no trouble for you… we deemed it prudent to cull their numbers as soon as possible.”

  It chuckled. “You disturbed my slumber, but I have time to rest. The sound was interesting. Tell me.”

  As I related the events leading up to this point, its eyes narrowed, and it tilted its head. I couldn’t help but interpret its mannerisms as if it were human and supposed I had drawn its interest. It interrupted me.

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “You moved snow with sound? Clever. Which human taught you that?”

  Hm. “I’m not certain. I learned it somewhere when I was younger, I think.”

  The dragon licked its lips before responding. “Or you always knew, perhaps?”

  What? “Pardon me, great one, but I think there’s a misunderstanding… I’ve met someone with memories of a past life, but I am from here.”

  Its head, previously lying casually on the ground, rose gently before shaking from side to side. “Understanding you lack, but it is truth.”

  “This… is the first time such a thing has been suggested to me. I don’t doubt your wisdom, great one, but I find this hard to believe. If such a thing were true, wouldn’t I know?”

  It chuckled. “Memory is fallible for beings limited. When a XXXXXX crosses whens or worlds, it need not carry weight. It is well-served to cross unburdened.”

  It tilted its head again. “By your color, you seem greatly burdened already. The added weight of memory would crush you.”

  I had considered this possibility before, to be fair. Until now I had chosen to ignore the question of how Helian’s practice sheets were so legible to me. But if it was true, wouldn’t she have noticed? As I contemplated, it continued.

  “You say you met one wandering XXXXXX. That is a shade which stains you. It is pleasant, I would meet them. Are they near?”

  I shook my head. “No… my apologies, great one, but she is elsewhere. If you wish… I will spare no effort to bring her here. I am certain she would be thrilled to meet you.”

  It smiled. “My last encounter with a visitor was long ago, so it is proper that the world is blessed with two. I had grown concerned.”

  Anything that troubled a dragon had to be very, very significant. “Concerned about what?”

  “You have noticed the weather. The beasts too are abnormal. These things are part of a XXXXX, and it has run overlong. The XXXXX is regulated by your kind, along with mine, and the XXXXXXX.”

  Bursts of static intruded in my mind along with the message the dragon meant to convey to me. I suppose it was natural that I’d struggle to understand its thoughts.

  “It sounds as if we bear some responsibilities. Have we been remiss?”

  It shook its head. “No. All is nature. When then arrives, you will know.”

  That felt ominous, but at least for now things were fine. “You said I am stained. Could you tell me by what? I don’t quite understand.”

  A vibration resonated deep in its chest. “When in contact, XXXXXXXX makes color XXXXXXXX. Do you understand?”

  I frowned. “I’m not sure. Is it… like how stones leave a mark when rubbed together?”

  It chuckled. “Akin. You bear many. Three large. Them, another world, and XXXXXX.”

  This last one sounded like the word from our discussion of the weather. “You mentioned that last thing before. Is it a living creature then? An important one?”

  “Yes. It regulates the world and brings your kind across.”

  Oh. “The tree?”

  “You could call it one.”

  I swallowed. “I must confess my encounter with it did not end well, great one.”

  A vibrating noise from its chest again, deeper, and longer this time. “Few do. It is older than I, and not so wise. Tell me.”

  Once I completed my explanation, the dragon laughed deeply, for so long that I worried I would become a snack. Then it spoke once more. “A new story. Most entertaining. I know why you bear the stain. I shall deal with it.”

  As it said this, its mouth opened wide, and a glow rose from deep within its throat.