I was terrified! A dragon had just carried me away. What was I thinking? Going to a dragon, exposing my whole life to it, then asking for help? I was insane. I had no idea what was going to happen to me. I was probably going to be eaten. What else would he do with me? Let me go? No, I don't think so. I tried to enjoy the flight, but I was to worried about the end to remember much of it.

He landed on a small island covered in lush vegetation. He landed in a clearing with a cave in the ground. He picked me up in his maw and went into the cave. The tunnel got narrow and he had a hard time squeezing through, but he was very gentle with me. I was getting curious again, and started wondering where he was taking me. I also was wondering why he didn't just eat me here?

But then the tunnel opened up into a cavern larger that I had ever known existed. But inside, it was bright as day. There was a lot of vegetation, and a large lake in the middle. He took me to a ledge on the wall that had a smaller tunnel going deeper. He roared into the tunnel, and someone came out. He bent his head to the person, then flew away. I was left on the ledge with the stranger, wondering what to do. I just stood there, waiting for the other to talk. Finally they did.

"Why are you here?" It sounded feminine, but she was wearing a mask so I couldn't see her face. I wasn't sure why, so I said "I don't know." She seemed to accept that answer. I didn't know what to do. She motioned for me to follow her, then she turned and went into the tunnel. I did as she said and followed her.

She stopped in a smaller cave and turned to face me. She took off her mask, and underneath it was a beautiful face. She had light blue eyes and light blond hair. She looked at me a moment then asked me a question. "Who are you?" I looked down. "Everyone calls me Runt, but my name is Brunt. My dad was the blacksmith on my island, Thor's Fist. Who are you?"

"My name is Liyna. What else would you like to know about me?"

"How did you get here?"

"I was also taken by a dragon. It happened when I had a son, and he was about 7 months old. I lived on Thor's Fist also. I am glad that you are alive, my son."

This was my mom? How everyone said she was dead. When I was very little. My dad was never the same after that, or so they said. "How?"

"I am your mother. Do you need evidence? I know this is a lot to take in, but I would like some news."

"Well, dad is dead. He died during a raid recently. We have a new blacksmith, Joel. Chief Fentin and my dad were coming up with ways to kill me discreetly, but they didn't work. Dad put me in dragon training, and I was the best in the class. Soon I would have to kill a dragon, and I knew I couldn't do that. Now I suppose Orchid will be the best. She will be glad of that, and that I won't be living with them any more. I was living with them because it was that or be an outcast. The others won't like that I'm gone, but they won't mind that I'm dead. The whole village hates me, with varying degrees. I always thought it was because I was small and weak and couldn't kill a dragon. I'm sorry if this is bothering you. I'm just dumping it all on you, and I hardly know you."

She smiled sadly. "I'm sorry that you had to live like that. Part of it might be my fault. I also couldn't kill dragons. So I knelt before one and bared my life for him. I asked for help, and next thing I knew, I was here. So part of me lives in you."

"I did the same exact thing. I was terrified when he picked me up, and I am afraid that he was getting annoyed with my thoughts directed at him. I am sorry for that. Can we go back out and see more dragons?"

"Yes, but I have one question for you. If you couldn't kill dragons, how did you get good?"

"If you and a dragon would let me, I'd show you. I don't think that it hurts the dragon too bad, but it immobilizes them. If you have a dragon that would be willing, I'd do it, but I don't want to do it without their permission anymore."

"Actually, I do have a dragon that enjoys being the guinea pig. She would be happy to help. Let's go, and I'll call her." So we left and found ourselves greeted by a sky blue dragon. She greeted Liyna first, then spoke to me in my mind. I heard you want to try something! Can I help? I smiled and walked up to her. I came up behind her and jumped up onto her back. I found the dip and thrust my fist in it. She collapsed under me. My mom looked impressed. "I don't know what to do now." I admitted. "I do though. Here, do the same thing here." She pointed at a dip right behind the neck. I did, and she got back up. It didn't hurt to bad. Where did you learn this, Liyna's hatchling? "I figured it out on my own." I told her. She flew away. "Interesting." Was all my mom said.

It was weird having a mom after going through life without one. I never told her much more about my life, even though she probably wanted information on her son. I didn't want her to know that everyone beat me up and hated me, and I just let them. I never once fought back, never. They all knew that.