Crispin fluttered just off the edge of the cliff where Arsenic fluttered impatiently. The wind gusted, throwing the anxious dragon and defiant fairy off balance. Arsenic set himself down on the cliff and looked at Crispin. Crispin was struggling against the gusty breeze and finally he came to rest beside Arsenic on the cliff.
“Hard to look intimidating when being tossed around like a ragdoll by the wind isn’t it?” There was a tinge of humor in Arsenic’s voice. “I have the same problem with the slightest breeze.”
“It is highly frustrating,” Crispin’s voice was resigned to being forced from his position of strength in the air. “Right, let’s get down to it then shall we?”
Arsenic laughed, “Fire away. I have nothing to hide.”
‘What exactly is it that you think you know about me? About my supposed actions between the covers of dusk and dawn.”
Arsenic stared at Crispin, watched as the gusting wind caught his silky white coat and ruffled his fur. Crispin appeared not to notice, but Arsenic knew that the wind was seriously messing with Crispin’s plans to look intimidating and fearsome. He smiled slyly to himself but Crispin caught it and worried for the first time that Arsenic knew his secret.
“Alright, mighty dragon I will tell you what I know. In return, I want one thing.”
“What do you want? No wait, strike that. I refuse to make promises under duress or blackmail.” There was a growl in Crispin’s throat but Arsenic seemed undeterred.
“Fine, but I’m sure after I tell you what I know and what I want you will agree.” There was a hint of barely contained laughter in Arsenic’s voice.
Crispin rumbled something under his breath but failed to say anything in response. He sat there next to Arsenic, fluffy white tail wrapped in close. Arsenic was fluttering next to Crispin’s face so that he could look him in the face but Crispin noticed the slight but persistent shiver that consuming Arsenic.
“Look, I can hear you if you are on the ground and not fluttering about in the breeze like a flower petal being tossed about on the wind. Tuck in under the warmth of my tail and I’ll lower my head to listen.”
Arsenic considered the proposition for a moment before conceding that he was cold and it was a struggle to maintain his position in the wind. He conceded gracefully and landed. Crispin flicked his tail open and Arsenic slipped in. His crimson coloring a bright red stain against the snow white of Crispin’s fur.
Arsenic was immediately warmer, the shivering ceased and the feeling began to return to his fingers and toes. The wind was growing fiercer and the sun was slipping further and further behind the clouds. “Looks like a storm is brewing, are you sure you will be capable of getting us back to the village?” There was a hint of concern in his voice.
“It’s a wee storm, nothing I can’t fly through. Besides even if I can’t, I’m sure we can take cover in one of the nearby caves. Now stop stalling, what exactly is it that you think you know?”
Arsenic nodded his head in agreement and then spoke, his voice low and rumbling deep in his slight frame. “I know that under the cover of darkness, you slip out of Zovah’s house and you wander about the village doing good deeds that go unnoticed by the villagers. I’ve seen you take loaves of bread and excess fruit and vegetables and deliver them to families that have slightly less than they need to thrive. I’ve watched you weed flower beds for those that are aging. I’ve seen you fly through the window of a restless child who is having trouble sleeping. I’ve listened to you purring to settle a restless dreams. I’ve watched you curl up and warm the bed those that have recently lost a loved one.”
Crispin listened and while he listened, some of the starch and vigor slipped from his stiff and proper bearing. Arsenic was huddled between his body and tail spilling his secrets like wine from a bottle.
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