Dragon's Head Village: The Birth of a Friendship, part one

Crispin and Arsenic quickly made their way back to the village, each intent on making a better future for the village.  Crispin flew straight for the herb garden that grew at Buttercup’s tail, still not believing that this insane plan concocted by Arsenic was viable.  Arsenic held on tightly to the fur around Crispin’s neck, straining to see over the dragon’s head and failing to see anything more than trees whizzing by.

The village came into view and Crispin slowed his flight, being more careful to avoid being seen by villagers out and about.  Arsenic tightened his hold and leaned down close to one of Crispin’s ears and said, “There he is, Flinn.  Stop on the outskirts of the garden so we don’t startle him.”

Crispin nodded his head to indicate he understood and came gliding to a stop on the very outskirt of the herb garden.  The rosemary and lavender were in bloom and the garden smelled wonderful to Crispin.  Arsenic slid off the dragon and regained his equilibrium as his wings fluttered open and lifted him just off the ground.  He glanced around and didn’t spy any villagers, besides Flinn, in the garden.

“Let me go talk to him first, alright?”  Arsenic’s voice was whispered and hurried.

“Alright, but if this is going to work then I need to meet the boy and get a sense of his personality.”  Crispin growled in return.

Arsenic nodded his head and fluttered off.  Crispin watched as the crimson wings fluttered toward the child, a moving red flash among a sea of green leaves and purple flowers.  He was still dubious about the whole plan but he was willing to give Arsenic the benefit of the doubt.

Arsenic flew toward Flinn, going over the plan in his head and offering a silent plea that his instincts were true.  He approached Flinn and smiled as he heard the lad humming to himself.  He waited patiently until the tune was completed and then he perched on the lad’s shoulder.

“Hi Flinn, that was a beautiful tune.”

Flinn spun around looking for the familiar voice but somehow Arsenic always managed to remain just out of view.  Arsenic laughed and then fluttered up and into view.  Flinn laughed, “Howdy Arsenic, I didn’t expect to see you today.”

Flinn was a small boy for his age, slim with pale brown hair and laughing green eyes that seemed to laugh of their own accord.  He was holding a basket filled with various herbs and flowers for his mother undoubtedly.  He seemed content but people saw what they wanted to see.

“I have been thinking about our last talk.  Did you mean what you said?  Do you really want to help make life here better?”

Flinn nodded his head vigorously, his brown hair sliding into his eyes.  “I’m bored.  Mother doesn’t think I have any potential but I just know she’s wrong.  I know all kinds of things but I don’t necessarily want to spend my days and nights brewing potions.”

Arsenic smiled and settled back down on Flinn’s shoulder.  “Do you know Crispin?”

Flinn shivered and nodded his head, “I know of him but I’ve never met him.  People say he is a terror but somehow I find that hard to believe.  After all, how fearsome and terrifying can a kitty cat dragon be?”

Arsenic heard this and also heard Crispin come roaring out of the edge of the garden where he had been waiting.  Arsenic had to give Flinn credit, he didn’t flinch as the white fur ball came hurtling toward him, teeth bared, eyes flashing angrily.  Flinn stood his ground and watched the show Crispin was putting on.  He was utterly unfazed by the display of anger and threat, instead waiting patiently for the posturing to end.

“You must be ‘The Terror of the Village’.  I’m Flinn, pleased to meet you.”  His outstretched hand was covered in dirt and grime which he didn’t even try to brush off.

Crispin stared at the outstretched hand, curious about what was expected of him.  Arsenic burst out laughing and whispered something in Flinn’s ear.

Flinn shook his head and lowered his hand saying, “Sorry about that I wasn’t thinking.  What is the proper greeting for a dragon?”

Crispin stared up, this was a question he had never been asked and didn’t know the proper answer too.  He sat down and stared up at Flinn pondering the answer.