Time’s Price

On a lonely mountaintop, an unprecedented meeting unfolded. There stood a king, looking haggard and weary. The “worthy” leader of men, Cadmus stood without his sword nor shield before the Queen Mother of all dragons.

She towered over him, her fury barely contained, as Cadmus stared up at her scalded face, knowing not just fury etched her face, but sorrow. Equally, she knew he was to blame.

“How dare you,” the queen mother said. Her voice rumbled like thunder in the night.

Cadmus spread his hands wide, imploring her. “How could we not,” he said.

“Do not–” Her words cut off, and she threw her head back, roaring. “Do not make this sound like it was his choice.” She knew the decision had been his alone. No, his and the dragon king’s. Together. Always together.

At least until the choice had been made.

The human king stood silently. Her pain washed over him, ingraining every moment of the choices which had led them here. A glittering gem was not enough for this. They’d bought time. True. But what would that time cost them?

The queen mother snapped her head down, and her eye focused on him. “I will make you pay. I will make you know my sorrow.” Drawing back, she breathed in, preparing her fires. But not one which would burn.

The human king stepped away. No doubt he wondered what she wrought. No fire which would burn though. Not even him.

No, she would not blast him. He remained the last thread holding the dragon king to this world.

A green mist ripped out of the queen mother’s gullet and rolled over Cadmus, leaving him standing as he had before. Cadmus twisted, following the mist as it rolled down the mountain into the sleeping hamlet below,

“What have you done?” the human king asked.

The dragon queen laughed. “Only what I promised.”