The Dragon's Tear

With my palms itching and with a restless heart, under a moonlit sky, I walk alone down the lonely street. I am looking for my contact.  For there is a strange tale of a contest.1

The treasure it was said, none alive could ever get, as it would mean that they would have to enter Drakken Draconus' Lair.2

I found my contact with beginner's ease, since this would be my real first test as a young thief. There was this gem, priceless, and pure, none had ever seen it before.3

My contact tells me how a few have left to gather this gem, but, he says, none have ever returned. And rumor has it the dragon ate well those days. 4

Some say I am the best, the best at what I do.5

It is not easy being a young thief, and a girl. A girl not even above the proper age to be alone. 6

Now armed with information, I head out on my way. Dressed only in my favorite outfit - black leather that covers me from head to foot. Not a sound do I make as my weapons are well hidden, and I have a smile upon my face.7

I knew of this Drakken Draconus. He had a debt to pay me, and I was wondering if he would remember that day.8

***9

It was summer and I had just turned ten.  While everyone in the orphanage played, I went for a walk, like I always did. I did not belong behind the walls - the world was to be my home; but first I had to leave, and a young girl was not allowed.10

They let me wear the black clothes no one else wanted, and though I had to wear skirts and blouses, I added a few new things to mine, in the middle of the night. Hiding areas for those stones and knives I liked to carry with me.11

That day was different than the rest, for a dragon was at war with us. They told all us kids to hide, so to the forest I ran, taking with me all my things, for I was making my break. I heard a noise from up ahead; the cry tore at my heart. Laying in the grass in a field was a black and angry looking dragon. 12

I know now that I should have been afraid, but the thing was in pain. Its wing was damaged and its blood pooled on the ground. Not really knowing why I did as I did, but my package fell down as I ran to it. Using the slight skills that I had been taught, I tended to its wing, mending it the best I could.13

It promised me a boon that day, providing that I was willing to brave entering its lair.14

***15

Who would have thought that to get the precious gem was to walk into Drakken's lair?  'Tis my boon I will claim and the treasure will be mine. 16

Reaching this dragon's cave was really not that hard. The mountains were my only care, for falling would mean my death. 17

Though Drakken Draconus was known to be the meanest, and the darkest of all the dragons, I walked in to face this so called beast, showing no fear for it at all. As a matter of fact, I was humming a simple little tune. It was the same tune I hummed that day that I healed him in the grass.18

Knowing that showing fear of any kind would be my own downfall, I smiled as he raised his head. He remembered my smell even after all these years and the sound of my song.19

"What boon do you seek young thief?" he wanted to know.20

"Why I want the dragon's tear," was all I told him.21

He moved aside with sadness in his eyes, and revealed a giant tiger's eye - the largest I had ever seen, larger than a table. That was when Drakken shed a tear, and as his tear hit the floor, there were tiger eyes everywhere. 22

"These will do my big friend," I said, as I loaded up my bags. Only the newest ones did I take. After all, I was after 'The Dragon's Tear'.23