After watching a certain recently-released fantasy movie, I was inspired to write something about a dragon and a mortal warrior that ensnares their attention...and affection. I hope to continue you this in two other parts. I hope you enjoy!
*****
The sounds of gold coin and precious gems cascading down the piles of wealth echoed through the caverns.
Scatha's head rose from her claws, sated slumber broken by the racket. Irritation mounted when the cavern's entrance remained empty.
The precious goods slid down the mountain she nested in as she lifted her scaled body and unfolded her wings. "Show yourself, puny thief or wretched knight. I grow tired of your skulking about."
Scatha's voice was a booming growl in the quiet. "You won't like it if I find you first."
Another slide of treasure had her head whipping to her flank. Several moments of silence passed.
"I know you're there, I can hear your breaths." Scatha prowled forward. The hushed breathing halted on a gasp.
A small figure stepped from behind a towering pillar of stone. Scatha blinked, suddenly intrigued. Yes, this figure was smaller than those humans who had dared enter her lair before.
Her eyes narrowed and she lowered her great head, hot breath blowing over the human's frame and making its cloak billow.
With a quick, easy movement, the human had its sword drawn and shield up. Eyes as green as emeralds gleamed behind the battered war helmet. Plump pink lips were parted around even breaths. The leather armor the human wore hid most flesh, but did little to conceal the natural curves of a female.
Intrigue burned in Scatha's mind. No male human had ever captured her attentions thus.
"You are a woman," Scatha confirmed, sniffing curiously at the female's shield. "I assume you think you know what you're doing with that get-up."
The honed blade whistled through the air inches from Scatha's nose. The dragon easily snapped the weapon from her grasp, heated mouth melting the forged steel in seconds.
"I-I've killed dragons before, great one. You would do well to fear me." The little human's voice trembled a bit, but she held her ground.
"Oh, no doubt." Scatha chuckled, swiping out her clawed paw.
The shield was shattered upon impact. The female withdrew an arrow from the quiver affixed to her thigh.
"You think to use arrows against me? I'd like to meet the last dragon you killed that way, little girl."
"I am Elisa the...The Strong! I am not a little girl!" Beneath the cheek pieces of the helmet, her face flushed.