Saerlyn entered the glum village. Rumor said a dragon hunted here, demanding virgin sacrifices to sate its hunger. Saerlyn had heard otherwise, that “sacrifices” had been sold for gold in secret.

The headman Jefane, well-fed and oily, held court before his thatch-roofed house. He drew lots for the next offering, and girls dressed in white waited in terror to hear their fate.

“No more maidens,” Saerlyn said, interrupting the proceedings. “The dragon hungers for heartier meat.”

“How would you know?” Jefane scoffed.

She transformed, scaled and clawed and hungry, smiling. “Who better?” The headman was more gristly than he appeared.

Author’s Note: Saerlyn is a reoccurring character for me, and one of my favorites. As a woman or a dragon, she is impulsive and oft-times doesn’t think of consequences. But that said, she is invariably good.

Categories: Fiction, Rose Blackthorn | 7 Comments »