I cried out as my knees were scraped painfully against the stony ground, "Please, no! Martin, have mercy on me."
The man that dragged me by my chains looked back with pity in his eyes but his mouth remained in a firm line.
"I'm sorry, Jason; but the council has decided you are this year's sacrifice. Now, please be quiet. I'd like to get away before the dragon knows you're here."
We continued up the bleak mountainside and I grew more and more afraid. Each year the city below paid tribute to the dragon that lived atop the mountain in exchange for his services in defending against outside invaders. At first it had been only in treasure, but when the dragon hit maturity his tastes in payment changed. He began demanding a young man with each year's deposit of gold and silver coin. This year, at only the age of nineteen, I had the misfortune of being selected for the "honor" of serving the dragon.
Martin was looking around furtively; they were so close to the dragon's lair now that he would have no chance to hide if he emerged. Quickly, my chains were clipped to a stake in the ground. Martin gave my shoulder a rough pat.
"Good luck."
And then he was gone, sprinting away over the stones.
I sat huddled in my thin deer skin coat, waiting. It seems like an age passed before something stirred on the mountainside. A plume of smoke rose from the dragon's cave, dark and swirling. I watched, sandy blond hair shaking as my body trembled. Then, slowly, as if he was emerging from deep slumber, the bronze colored dragon uncurled from his cave.
Massive wings unfurled. His head swung around and I knew I was being observed. The glittering creature suddenly launched himself into the air, leathery sails letting him glide to where his tribute was waiting. Huge talons touched down with a crunch. I stared up at the massive creature, gulping. His body was thickset, with four long limbs ending in sharp claws. The dragon's neck and tail were long and supple and the former had a graceful curve to it. Aggressive eyes leered at me from under a crown of horns. A few teeth poked out from scaly lips, and a curl of smoke emanated from his mouth. He would have been something beautiful, if it wasn't for the fact that I would more than likely be murdered under his talons within the hour.
Without warning, the dragon stepped forward and ripped the chain free from the stake. His hands were almost the size of my chest. He whipped his head around, fixing me under a severe eye.
"Hold onto my neck, and don't try anything stupid."
His voice was like distant thunder; quiet but with the edge of a threat to it. I complied and reached his arms around the beast's neck. Huge claws clasped around my back and then we were aloft.
Frigid air threatened to slice at my skin the creature shot through the sky. We touched down at the mouth of the cave and the dragon practically threw me to the ground. I grunted as the dragon leaned over me.
"My name is Attor. Yours?" he asked, emerald eyes flashing with what seemed to be curiosity.
"Jason," I croaked, still winded from the rough landing.
"Mmm. Strong name. I hope you hold up to it."
I felt a chill go down my spine at that. Attor stepped towards me and I scurried backward, further into the cave.
"Oh, little Jason, don't be so frightened. I'm not going to kill you."
His breath was not what I was expecting; it smelled sweet as if he'd been chewing on roses.
"W-why do you have me here then?" I asked, voice quivering. He backed me up against a wall.
"Because there are so many more fun things we can do."
My body went ridged at what he was suggesting. Attor leaned in close, so close I could see the flecks of gold in his eyes. He parted his mouth, revealing a forked tongue nestled among dozens of teeth. He breathed out and more sweet scented air enveloped me. My guard was dropping; I could feel it. Something on his breath was working against my panicked mind.
Gentle hands scooped me up and I willed myself to fight but my arms hung limp and useless. Attor carried me further into his lair. There were three passages that met here. My captor took the left. We entered a high-ceilinged cave with a fire smoldering at the far end. Despite that, the air was cold. The dragon set me atop a pile of fabric pieces. I watched, practically immobile, as he threw a few logs on the fire and hissed out a stream of flame to set them ablaze.
"I'll keep you warm; don't worry," he rumbled from across the cave.
As the dragon stomped back to where I was laying, he grabbed a bag from a niche in the wall. I didn't pay much attention to it once he set it down. The huge male encircled me and proceeded to flip me on my back. I was slowly regaining control of my body and managed to lift my arms and slap his muzzle as he leaned to sniff me. Attor jerked back, a grin creeping over his snout.