This is my first submission, so please be don't be mean, but I do welcome feedback.
It was the custom of the village in the valley to offer part of each harvest to the dragon that lived in the mountains and protected them. Once every 10 years all the unmarried women of the village were presented to the agent of the dragon for inspection, a human who was whispered to be a sorcerer because he was willing to interact with the dragon. One of these young women would be claimed as a sacrifice to the dragon; the woman never returned.
Some said that the fate of these women was to be eaten. Others said that the dragon forced them to take care of their young. There were yet other tales, each of the horrible fate for the woman. Mothers used the dragon as a threat to misbehaving children. After all, since the women never returned, and a new one had to be given every 10 years, it could not be a happy ending to a life, could it?
Over the years the village had come to interpret the degree as being for the village's virgins to assemble to be chosen for the sacrifice. Also over the years, many resented having to offer their daughters and sisters to the dragon. After all, did they really still need to offer a woman to the dragon? Weren't their grains and fruits and metal crafts and linens good enough?
So the villagers formed a plan. Just before the time of the harvest, in the tenth year, most of the eligible young women were quickly married off, or given to men to lose their virginity so they could not be among those offered. However, there were some who were not so lucky, and there were some that were still quite young, barely more than children. The day of the offering came, bright and sunny, and the villagers watched the dragon's agent leave the mouth of the cave near the top of the mountain and begin winding his way down the path.
The dragon's agent was a very tall, muscular man, with tanned skin, and dark hair and eyes, but he always looked this way and never seemed to age. He wore fine clothing with metal embroidery that was rumored to be worked in gold thread. He always carried a staff and as he approached the village, his expression was one of boredom. All villagers, unless too ill to walk, were required to be present at the offering of the harvest tribute and selection of the sacrifice.
The dragon's agent looked over the cart and the donkey attached to it, then to contents of the cart, and then over to the women assembled for selection. After looking at the girls, he dryly said, "You know, there was a time when the best was offered to the dragon and it was considered an honor to be chosen to come back with me to meet the dragon. Now you offer him children. He will not find this acceptable."
The head of the town's elders stepped forward. "Sir, unfortunately the other women of the village have not been virtuous and have allowed their virginity to be claimed. What you see here are all that remain."
The agent snorted lightly. "The agreement your village made with the dragon was not for virgins, but simply for unmarried women. Present all your unmarried women so that I may make my selection on behalf of the dragon and return home."
"But Sir!" the elder protested, "Some of these unmarried women are pregnant or have small children."
"Fine," the agent said, his exasperation plain. "Present only those that are not pregnant or have children."
The elder looked back on the crowd and women and families began weeping. "Come forward," he said. A few reluctantly ventured forward.
"I still don't think this is all," the agent said angrily. "Elder I am going to examine your offerings for one minute and if all the eligible women are not present, then I will tell the dragon you no longer wish to continue this arrangement."
While the villagers had all claimed before the agents arrival that they did not need the dragon's protection, when faced with the possibility, they all actually panicked. "No, no Sir! We do wish to continue," the Elder protested, knowing afraid of the horrible wars and calamities outside the valley. He turned back to villagers. "Bring forth the women now!" The weeping and protests continued as members of other families grabbed young women and pulled them out of their family's arms and pushed them forward, everyone terrified that the agreement would be broken. The agent turned back and examined the new offerings.
On the edges of the group a plump woman past the blushes of youth with brown hair walked forward on her own, and stood with the weeping woman who were gathered there, patting their backs and offering comfort though most seemed to sneer at her efforts. "What are you doing?" one of the villagers shouted at the woman. "He wants the young, pretty women, not you!"
"But I'm unmarried," the woman said calmly, though clearly she was not favored of the villagers.
"You're a widow," shouted another, "The dragon doesn't want you."
"Well if that's true, I won't be chosen," the woman said with a soft smile. "And this way, no one can say that I did not do my duty in offering myself."
The agent watched this woman who was probably in her mid-30's. Her breasts were full, but so was her waist and hips. Yet she seemed to be calm when all around her acted as if the world was ending. "What is your name?" the agent asked the woman as the villagers watched flabbergasted.
"Mara, Sir," she replied, with the same calmness.
The agent stepped closer and watched the woman, and then he realized that while she appeared calm on the outside, her pulse was thundering wildly. He motioned her forward from the other women and then walked around her, as if examining her from all sides. He watched as she blushed and he smiled internally. "Well Mara, it appears that thanks to you, the others will be spared. You are my choice."
All the villagers seemed to gasp in shock and begin murmuring among themselves. Mara was also shocked and stood there for a moment before saying, "Very well, Sir. Should I pack my things?"
"You won't need them," came the agent's reply.
Mara nodded, then looked back toward the village, then up to the path the agent had come down and asked, "Are you ready to go then Sir?"
The agent was impressed with her bravery and wondered why she had not asked so say goodbye to anyone. He took the donkey's reigns and without a word began the trek back up the mountain. He would look back every so often to make sure she was following. When they reached the opening of the dragon's cave at the top of the mountain the agent directed the cart inside and then heard Mara take a deep breath as she walked into the cave.
Mara followed the agent around a series of large tunnels and then came to a large room with many pillows, blankets, and rugs strewn about. The agent directed Mara to a round slightly raised platform that was enclosed on three sides with mirrors. He watched her for a moment as she stood there.
Mara herself wondered what would happen to her now as the agent just stood there looking at her. She also wondered when she would meet the dragon and what he would look like. She was surprised when she heard the agent command, "Remove your dress."
"Don't you think we should wait for the dragon?" Mara asked slightly nervously.
The agent laughed and went to the center of the room and began removing his clothes. Mara turned her back to him, blushing and closing her eyes. Then she heard the agent command, "Turn back around and open your eyes." When Mara did so she realized she was looking at the dragon. She quickly realized that the agent and the dragon were the same.
"But how?" she uttered, confused. Then watched as the dragon again assumed a human form.
"Magic," he replied as if it was obvious. "Dragons can assume a human form any time they wish. But Mara, I've told you to do something, and you haven't done it. You belong to me now, and I always expect immediate obedience."
