The black dragon rested in his cave. Frankly, he was bored. Sitting around in a cave all day get boring. Usually his friends from the nearby town of Dragid (he was always honored that they named a town after his tribe) visited him frequently. But none had been by his cave for at least a week now. He really liked the little humans (the fact that he had once been smaller than them he would just ignore, it WAS centuries ago). He would do something that he had not done in decades... he would leave his cave.
The dragon rose his great bulk, dislodging a few stalactites from the roof of the cave. He stretched his wings and was slightly surprised to see that he couldn't fully extend them. When had the cave shrunk? He hunched down and took a few steps before realizing that he was too big to fit through the exit. By Althena! Had the whole cave gotten smaller on him?
"Looks like there's only one way I'm getting out of here," he boomed in his deep voice. "I just won't like it."
He concentrated for a second and made his body as it was centuries ago.
"There, now I'm smaller," the small, furry creature said, in a definitely higher voice. "Now to see why I'm being ignored."
The small dragon was surprised when he saw the town. He had not seen it in years... yet this was not as he remembered it. There was a wall around it, apparently it had been hastily set up. There were men marching around holding spears, and everyone he saw seemed jumpy. Was Dragid under attack? He fluttered over to ask one of the guards. But he was only able to open his mouth before...
"Ahh, what manner of creature is this?"
Another guard turned.
"A flying cat? 'Tis not natural, it must be a spy for the dark wizard!"
"But..."
"You'll not have our town! And you can tell your master!"
The guard swung a spear, barely missing the misunderstood dragon.
"But I am..."
"Begone!"
The other guard stepped forward with his spear. The dragon decided a retreat was in order and flew away from the guards.
"I won't take such treatment..."
He reassumed his natural form, and looked down at the guards, who suddenly had less bravery than they had against the winged cat. The dragon wanted answers, he picked one of the guards.
"Will you quit worrying?" he told the shaking human hanging from his claws. "I am the black dragon, I have been a friend to this town for longer than a century!"
"Oh I'm s-s-sorry s-s-sir..."
"Look," he said, putting the poor man down, "I just want to know what's going on."
"Its... t-t-t-the..."
"And stop stuttering!"
"Yes sir" he said, and began talking quickly. "We received word that Vane has been conquered by an evil wizard. He is starting to attack towns with his magic and hordes of horrible creatures. No one has been able to stand before him. We are preparing in case he attacks our town."
"So that's what's going on," the dragon pondered... and didn't notice the guard sneak off. "I must tell Althena."
The black dragon extended his great wings and took off for Althena's tower, toppling some of the hastily built walls around Dragid. People all over the town looked up and muttered to each other. The black dragon was involved now, the wizard wouldn't have a chance.
Alighting in front of Althena's tower, the dragon sank his powerful hind talons into the rock. His head level with the top of the tower, he called.
"Goddess Althena, I must speak with you."
A beautiful woman appeared on the balcony of the tower. She radiated love, warm and kindness. The dragon had to bow his head in awe and respect.
"What has brought my faithful servant here? Your need must be urgent."
"My lady... it has been brought to my attention that an evil wizard has been causing trouble on the world. He has captured Vane... he must be stopped."
Althena looked towards Vane, sadness in her eyes.
"Yes, of this I know, but now is not the time."
"But... the humans are in trouble."
"I share your sorrow."
"My lady, give me leave, I will..."
"No, if you attack the wizard you will die. He is too powerful."
"But... I am a dragon."
"One will arise who can stop him, one who will become a dragonmaster. Until that time there is nothing that can be done."
"I understand... I shall return to my sanctuary and await this one."
The dragon waited. Weeks passed, and they turned into month. Occasionally someone from Dragid would come to talk to him and he heard that the wizard (who's name appeared to be Zir) was moving onward. He had captured a few towns, and killed many people. Where was this one? Where was this man who would be dragonmaster? He had friends among the humans, and hearing of deaths distressed him.
A month had passed since he had last heard from one of his friends. He had to know what was going on. Once again he left his cave.
"No... this cannot be."
Dragid was gone. Where a town, once filled with life and joy, had been, there was only rubble. Using his talons he sifted through the remains if the town. Someone had to have survived... someone... anyone. He found only death and destruction. The dragon was angry... He growled and turned to his cave. His friends would be avenged. Zir would die. He would wait no more for this chosen one.