# Waiting for Boredom

Author: StGeorgesHorse
Tags: Dragon, Horse, Human, Story Progression, gopher

#18 of Robbin Red

Wrote the bare essence of this while in Chicago. Couldn't help myself. Nothing fancy, just one bit to connect to another bit.


  Two weeks passed and with it seven changes in
form for Sybeele. That meant seven new bodies for her husband to run through
their paces. He took it like a man every time. Overall, things had settled down
a bit. They had nearly forgotten about the pirates, and more seriously, little
Pomfrey. Therefore they were rather startled in the middle of their love making
one evening when the little banker suddenly appeared in their bedroom. At first
it was hard to say who was more alarmed. Then he realized he was back in his
home town and dropped to the floor crying.
 Jon-Tom
was in the middle of something he very much wanted to stay in the middle of,
but his wife pushed him off, dressed herself with a flick of her wrist and
dropped down next to Pomfrey. "What is it little one? After two weeks, you can't
be terrified of your equals anymore. I sense something more serious."
 His
eyes narrowed when he recognized her. He should have been terrified. He wasn't.
"You, madam, are a bitch of the highest degree. However, I get the feeling you
never meant me any harm. We will discuss this little episode at a later date.
Right now, I believe we have bigger problems."
 Her own
eyes widen at being called a bitch, but she restrained herself. "What is there
that could be worse than me, little one?" He looked from her to Jon-Tom, who
was still lying on the bed sporting an enormous hard-on.
 "This
town nearly came to ruin when this fool of a human drank that brew that turned
him into a dragon. But we have a bigger problem. A real dragon! A huge, ugly,
fire breathing monster! The thing settled on that scrap of sand you left me on
and began eating those pirates. That didn't bother me in the least." He got
thoughtful for a moment. "And I'll have you know I resent being classified as
one of them. I may be less than admirable, but I never killed another being in
my life. Business is, after all, business and hard to conduct when your client
is dead."
 Sybeele
was about to spell him away. Jon-Tom ran interception. "A dragon? They aren't
that common, even in my time." Pomfrey's eyes narrowed again. "Your time?"
 The
spellsinger tapped his wife on the shoulder. "Uh, would you mind getting me
dressed? It'll be less awkward." He was no sooner done speaking when he felt a
cotton shirt and leather pants against his skin. "Thanks!"
 He
turned to the banker. "We'll discuss what happened to you at a later date.
However, I'm warning you now that whatever protest you make will be met with
the same graciousness you've shown people under your sway. Do I make myself
clear?"
 "Yes
sir, you do. But my life will be worth nothing, as will all of ours, if that
dragon heads this way. In all the histories, there has only been mention of one
dragon, old Maarteel. He was neither a friend nor an enemy. We had a mutual
cause in those murderous insects. But he had to eat. Do you know what they fed
him?"
 It
wasn't a trick question, but it didn't have an immediate answer. He supplied
it. "They emptied the jail to feed him. Murderers, rapists, burglars; when they
ran out of those they started looking for anyone that didn't make the grade. This
new dragon won't have any qualms about eating everyone, without pausing to see
if they are quality or not. I have no intention of sticking around to see what
happens. If you changed into a dragon once, go back and drink more of that
brew. Otherwise, we'll never be able to defend ourselves."
 Sybeele
was ready with a retort, but her husband held up his hand. "That island is a
fair ways off. Why do you think that dragon will head here? I think we are
prepared to handle it regardless, but it may continue on down the coast."
 Pomfrey
dropped to the floor in exhaustion. "The thing was questioning those it ate,
before it ate them. It wanted to know where the other dragon was. Well, those
stupid sailors were terrified beyond reason, and were too cowed to properly
give directions to the town. I hid, and prayed, and promised to turn over a new
leaf, and so here I am I guess. But if that thing makes landfall, I won't have
time to take a bath, much less make amends."
 He
started to sob and instinctively reached for his hanky and was startled to find
it. He patted himself down. He was back to being dressed in his finery. He
wiped away the tears. "Oh, thank you, thank you!"
 Sybeele
was less than gracious. "Don't thank me. I want this big brute to know that it's
eating a fine, soft, rich, good-for-nothing banker if it comes down to that.
Now get out!" 
 He
scampered from their bedroom, and his light footfalls could be heard pattering
down the stairs. The door opened, and then slammed shut. She looked at him. "I
think I can handle a simple thing like a dragon. But I wonder how it heard
about you? It's not like anyone much leaves here except the fisherman. And for
that matter, why is it in this area? Perhaps it's just lonely?'
 Jon-Tom
remembered Falezemar. He was lonely because he was a socialist. Overall, he was
a good hearted dragon, but in the end, he was still a dragon. And dragons had
to eat. This one apparently didn't take to finding sustenance in the ocean. A
pity really, considering the size of some of the unintelligent species that
abounded there. 
 "Lonely?
Dragons are few and far between in my time, much less now. I'm certain it is
lonely. Maybe you'd better transform me and allow me to investigate. The sooner
we get to the bottom of this mystery, the better off we'll be. And yes, I know
you have to power to handle it. But if you go using it all the time, you'll
soon be as bad as Eve, using it to solve her problems instead of using her
head."
 His
wife was prepared to argue. It dawned on her he was correct. If she was going
to use magic, why not change him into the dragon one more time? It wasn't
likely he would come to harm from one of his own. If he did, she would be
there, on the fringe, in case the matter got to be too hot to handle. "Alright
dear. You'd better step outside. I think my bedroom mood is rather in shambles anyway."

 They
walked downstairs, out into the open air and breathed in the crisp air. He gave
her a dainty little kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you in a few hours. I can't
imagine this will take longer than that to resolve this little problem. If it
does take longer, you'll know, I'm sure."
 The
change in his body was immediate. Wings sprouted, scales formed, and a furnace
stoked in his belly. With a spring he launched into the air, reaching the
clouds within ten wing beats. In another five he was heading back to that
little spit of land sitting in the middle of the ocean. As he flew, he wondered
at all the trouble and difficulty he was having. He didn't mind; not really,
but he had understood that this job was supposed to be perfunctory. Here he was
a dragon again, going to investigate the presence of another dragon who was
eating pirates like hors d'ouerves. He wasn't too worried about the pirates.
They were the worst kind of scum, and they were fortunate in not being eaten because
of his personal morality. Apparently this other dragon had no scruples when it
came to lunch.
 When he
came within sight of the island, he could see smoke rising. Since there was no
volcano, it seemed to confirm the presence of another fire breather. He wasn't
certain how he felt about that. It would be the first time he would be pitting
himself in an even fight, should it come down to that. It gave him mental goose
bumps.
 Along
the shoreline the palm trees were smoldering, and the undergrowth was scorched
and blackened. He half expected to see dead bodies strewn around, but then
remembered that they would not have gone to waste. He glided with his wings
locked for about a mile before he found his quarry. It was sleeping in a pile
of glowing coals, the remains of trees, huts and victims.
 Circling
for a few minutes, he took the time to decide how to broach the inevitable
meeting between them. The one laying there asleep appeared to mass more than he
did. That made him cautious. He chuckled to himself that that was the first
time he had entered anything with the slightest trepidation. "Oh the heck with
it. It's now or never!" he muttered. He dropped like a rock, back peddling in
the air just before he touched down. Ashes and sparks flew skyward.
 The
other woke from its slumber. Its head came up, displacing burning bits and
smoldering leaves. "Oh ho! I did smell another of my kind, born on the winds
that cross the sea. Strange tho. I thought most of dragon kind be dead or
worse. The last dragon to inhabit these parts was ole Maarteel. Now he knew how
to show a girl a good time!"
 Jon-Tom
found the situation had just taken a turn for the worse. Not only was he facing
a larger dragon, he was facing a female one. Roseroar had made a lovely dragon,
but this thing was obviously old and more than a bit gnarled. He wouldn't say
ugly exactly, just tired and worn looking. It also didn't help that she had a
bit of burnt flesh stuck to her lip.
 "Hello!
My name is Jon...Aiden Drake. I'm not originally from these parts." 
 She
stood and began circling him, sniffing and mumbling. "Curiouser and curiouser.
Methinks you are not what you seem to be, Jon Aiden Drake. Methinks you stink
of something other than dragon. And I'm no fool. Aiden used to mean fire in
another tongue. Drake needs no explanation. My own name is hardly draconian in
nature."
 His
interest in her changed. "I normally go by Jon-Tom. Aiden Drake was a nickname
given to me by the locals after I accidentally turned into a dragon. So yes,
I'm not a real dragon."
 She
chuckled. "Not a real dragon. Oh honey pie; you're a real dragon, just not a
natural one. Neither am I. Perhaps you've heard of me? Everyone used to know me
from one end of this ocean to the other. Then came the war with the Plated
Folk." She paused for effect. "My name is Almachtigah. You can call me Alma for
short."
 Sadly,
the name meant nothing to him. He was four hundred years in the past, and on a
different world. He knew a lot, but he didn't know everything. He had come
close once, but it overloaded his brain. Besides, if you knew everything, what
fun would there be left in life? Well, besides sex.
 He made
a little bow. "I'm sorry to say I've never heard of you." Before she could
protest, he held up his hand. "I'm not from this time, and I'm not from this
world. So don't take it personally. There are many things I'm ignorant of."
 "Different
time and different world... Let's say I believe you, which I don't. What world
and what time are you from?"
 He
sighed. "My home world is called Earth. I'm presently some four hundred years
in the past; my past. From the time I came to this world it's about three
hundred years in the past, more or less."
 She
snorted a bit of flame in his direction. "You seem awfully unsure of yourself.
Can't you be more accurate?"
 He
grinned. "Lady, if you ever get yanked from your own world and drawn into
another, and then release an all-too-happy-to-meddle goddess who happens to be
able to time travel; see how well you can keep track of the years. I'm over a
hundred now, with no end in sight."
 Alma
unfurled her wings. "OK. For argument's sake I'll believe you. Ain't gonna be
no harm in doing so. But what's you doin' as a dragon? And what are you when
you ain't wearin' scales?"
 "Human.
That's how I was born, and that's how I hope to die. But life has seen fit to
throw me into all sorts of situations, and this present one is just another in
a long line of interesting predicaments." 
 She
snorted again, this time a little hotter. "Human? Ain't no human's ever had no
power. Magic was done by the blessed folk. But then, maybe times changed
things; who's to tell? I wasn't a dragon until we found out they were effective
against the Plated Folk. It took all me magic to do it, but I managed it.
Problem was, once the war was over, I couldn't change back, and no wanted to
help poor Alma. Tends to make you bitter. Of course, old Maarteel made life a
bit more interesting, but even he died in the end. Me, I don't know what I did,
but I seem to age much slower. Life gets to be tough when there's no end in
sight." Then she jerked her head in his direction. "You said that too! How
come?"
 He
sighed. "We can discuss that later. How long have you been a dragon?"
 She
looked skyward as she answered. "Since the war. So I suppose about as long as
you've been alive. I'd give about anything to turn back to myself, grow old,
and die. Of course, a few children would be nice." She looked up at him. "You
know, you and I might be able to fix that little problem right now!"
 He
backed up a bit. "The offer is nice, but I'm committed to another right now."
He mumbled something she couldn't quite hear.
 "What
was that?"
 He
choked on his own smoke. "I was saying that I'm married now, and that I have
many wives back in my own time. And I really don't need to have dragon cubs
flying about setting fire to the landscape. I don't think I'd be doing anyone
any favors. You see, when I'm not a dragon, I happen to be the mayor of
Hobarrow."
 Her
eyes narrowed. "Hobarrow. I didn't realize I was that close to home. I wonder
if any of the wizard's guild from my time is still alive. I am still hungry
after all."
 He
stood up on his back legs, trying to be intimidating. She only laughed. "Oh sit
down, you idiot. I was joking. Do ya think I wouldn't recognize vermin when I
found them?" She was referring to the pirates. "I have nothing against nobody.
I knew it was a fool thing to do when I did it, transforming meself, but the
warmlanders needed all the help they could get. I just didn't think I'd be
stuck for the rest of me life. And what a life its been. Spent twenty years at
Gortholem prison as chief executioner. I don't have bad taste, just a taste for
the bad I guess." She chuckled ruefully.
 During
all this he had been thinking. "Alma, would you be willing to change back if you
could?"
 She
lowered her eyes to glare at him. "Don't go offering up what you can't deliver
you naked ape. Then again, you aren't what you seem to be, so someone or
something is making changes." She was silent for a bit. "You know, now that the
offer is made, I'm not certain. The things I've done as a dragon are not bad...if
you think of me as a dragon. But if I change back, those things will be viewed
in a whole other light. I'll be trading one misery for another. I'll have to
debate with meself for a bit. Would you mind coming back tomorrow?" He made a
bow and flew off, back towards the mainland.
 When he
got home, his present form drew some excited attention. It was in part due to
Pomfrey, who was running around declaring doom. When Jon-Tom was recognized for
who he was, the townsfolk began berating the little gopher. Sybeel stepped
between him and them, turned to her husband, who in a blink reverted back to
his normal self. That drew gasps from the crowd. Before they could question
him, he blurted out, "There is another dragon. She is not going to come here
and cause destruction. I have offered to help her with a problem. At this
moment, she is deciding whether or not to take it. So for now, go home. As you
can see, I have matters under control."
 There
was a lot of grumbling, but they did finally disperse, with the exception of
one. Huntchy stood his ground. "A dragon is nothing to take lightly. Look at
the harm you did without even trying! Who is this beast that she would want or
need our help?"
 Jon-Tom
eyed his wife. "Since you'll be the biggest part of this, what say you walk
with us? Huntchy may have some valuable insight into this matter and his
historical knowledge may prove invaluable." She shrugged in a what-else-do-I-have-to-do
manner and fell in step.
 "This
dragon is real, no doubt about that, but she's about as natural a dragon as am
I. She's apparently an old wizard or sorceress from the same time as Maarteel
and the old Plated Folk wars. According to her story, she turned herself into a
dragon to help fight, and when it was all over, she was unable to change back.  She's been roaming the world since, if I get
her story correctly. I told her we could help."
 The
horse was thinking this out. "There were a number of wizards who put their
lives on the line for the defense of our survival. There was Kertoy, Mellomin,
Preebo, and Almachtigah. They all died protecting the warmlanders from the
invasion."
 Jon-Tom
jumped. "That last one. Tell me about him!"
 "Not
him; her. There were very few powerful female wizards, but she was an
exception. Of course, her very nature was imbued with magic. Stories say she
resented others who could do magic. Other stories claim the other wizards
shunned her for her abilities. My family has a story that says she was
beautiful and selfless. I think perhaps I even have a painting of her at the house.
She had beautiful gray eyes and the longest white hair flowing down her neck.
But it was painted after the war and with nothing but a description to go on.
It was said she used her magic until it ran out. For the average person, that
would be like bleeding out from a wound."
 "Alma...
Who would have guessed?" It was Jon-tom mumbling to himself. 
 "Alma?"
Asked Sybeele. "Almchtigah? Are you saying this dragon is a long lost wizard?
But that doesn't make any sense. Why would she leave this place if it was her
home?"
 Jon-Tom
coughed. "A dragon has to eat, doesn't it? She could hardly stay and eat her
friends and relatives. She left to keep the peace. She even was the executioner
at some prison place or another."
 Huntchy
looked green. "You cannot possibly be talking about the real Almachtigah! She
was peaceful, and kind, and would harm no one! She might have turned into the
appearance of a monster, but she would never have become one."
 He
would have remarked more, but a gust of wind nearly knocked them over. No
natural wind, it was the back draft from dragon wings. In a rather stern voice,
she spoke directly to Huntchy. "Monster? A dragon is no more a monster for
following its life cycle than you are for following yours. It's true that things
have been done I ain't proud of, but I've done me best to alleviate them, if
you know what I mean."
 Jon-Tom
was a bit surprised. "I thought you wanted a day to think about it! Why are you
here already?" 
 "Well
ape-boy, I'm tired. As it is, I may keep going for centuries longer. I may not
consider myself a monster, but I'm tired of surviving in a manner unbefitting
someone of my birth. Your equine friend is rather correct in his remembrance of
my former self. That is why when I needed to eat, I ate criminals. I have a low
tolerance for the evil and twisted and heartless. But they do digest. You'd be
surprised the depths you'll stoop to survive.
 Sybeele
had been content to listen. She put out a hand and brushed her fingertips down
the rough and ragged scales. She stopped and smiled. "I try not to judge too
harshly. My husband here has done things he's not proud of, but he saved my
life in doing them. I would hope he doesn't feel the need to apologize too much
for his actions. There are always going to be bad people out there. Some will
change, most will not. It's good to know that there's some good use for those
of the latter persuasion. As for changing you back; I can do it whenever you're
ready."
 The
dragon could feel a little electricity already running through her body. "Just
like that? No incantations or powders? You must have far greater power than I
ever had if you can change me without the proper preparations! If you can do
it, then waste no time. I'd prefer to be back to meself sooner rather than
later!"
 She had
hardly spit those words out when she felt the internal wrenching. Her vision
blurred and when she could see clearly again, it was from a much lower center
of gravity. She looked from one to another and smiled. The human female smiled
back, but the two males just gaped. Of them, the horse fainted and fell over.

Source: https://sofurry.com/view/611705