Oren was going to kill a dragon.

He had this plan for years. Carefully constructed. In his mind he had played it out a thousand times, how he would present the head of the beast to the king. How he would be accepted into court life because of it. He would become renowned throughout the kingdom for the destruction of such a beast.

A beast was what they were, after all. They destroyed livestock, villages and livelihoods.

It was not a task he took lightly in any way, either. He had been planning this expedition for years. Carefully devising and plotting where these dragons return to after every hunt. Communicating with nomads about where they passed the dragons on their travels. Over time he built a careful map, noting down the caves where it was likely he would find a dragon. Then Oren spent months collecting tools. Swords, armour, supplies. Everything he could possibly require for this endeavour.

The journey itself was more brutal than he anticipated. Getting the thick shrubbery that lined the mountainside took days, the nights were freezing.

But when he finally located the cave he was after, it felt as though it was worth it. There was no going back on any of it now, no hesitation allowed. The soreness of his muscles did not stop him to brandishing his sword and entering the cave with that same, unwavering determination.

Yet, among the heaps of gold and bones there was no massive beast to be seen. Nothing of the sorts.

A child.

So small, so… harmless. Oren steps closer nervously, lowering his sword as he approaches their form, coins shifting beneath his boots. A hybrid. A bizarre mix between human and draconic features. Despite his common sense, he reaches out and places a hand on their shoulder to wake them.

He felt conflicted. There was no way he could kill this child. Despite the fact that he had set out here to do this very thing. He was finding himself far more curious how a child like this could even exist.

“Wake up…” his rough voice breaks the silence, he’s never been good with kids.