It was too late for the party, unfortunately. The dragon had slayed each of them one by one, and the last remaining member lay a crumpled and bloodied figure, tangled in torn wizard’s robes on the ground. Soon he would be gone too, the beast mused mirthfully. Still, the human’s eyes were trained on him.
“Memorizing the visage of your killer in death, wizard?” The dragon chuffed, “Haven’t you fonder thoughts to think of before you die?”
The mage kept his gaze fixed on the dragon, his gaze oddly defiant.
“Do you somehow think you can fight me?” The dragon raised its head and roared. “You are nearly dead yourself!”
The mortal smiled as he outstretched his arm, as he would cast a spell. The dragon nearly crushed him underfoot then, because of the gall of this man.
“I may be a dead man, but you aren’t long for this world either.”
Those were the last words the wizard had said. The dragon payed no mind to them, as all the wizard did was conjure a brief flash of light, like a blue lightning strike without any fire. Clearly, to the dragon, the wizard’s spell had failed, and the beast swiftly relieved him of his life.
By morning the next day, the dragon had fallen terribly ill, sicker than he’d ever been. He felt even worse as he remembered the wizard’s remark about his education. The beast’s already battered and vile-feeling body wretched as it recalled…
“You’ll see what a self-taught wizard can do.”
Under normal circumstances this meant nothing but hubris. But now, if there was any truth to this, the dragon may not be able to find someone able to treat his cursed affliction.
