Another World

by D. C. Gomez

“Who are you?” I asked, digging my feet in the ground as an invisible force pulled me toward him.

  “Who would I be?” the man asked, stopping a few feet away from us. “Weren’t you searching for me? You came to my house, defeated my guardian, and are searching for me.”

  “You’re the dragon?” The spell pulling me towards him broke, leaving me staring at him, unmoving.

  “You don’t seem pleased.” The dragon laughed, and the sound vibrated off the walls.

  “Madison, get behind me,” Sir Bertrant said, grabbing my shirt and yanking me back.

  “No weapons please.” The dragon snapped his fingers and Sir Bertrant’s sword and the rest of our weapons disappeared.

  “Now, little one, do you prefer this shape then?” In the blink of an eye, the man transformed into a traditional, overpowering dragon, sharp teeth and all.

  He was enormous. At least sixty feet tall, with purple and red scales covering his whole body. His tail had a mind of its own as it swept out in a circle, knocking his mounds of gold over.

  “Holy cow!” I screamed, hiding behind Sir Bertrant.

  “Hahaha, is this better?” The dragon laughed again, making the entire cave tremble.

  “Madison, you can’t be making demands of dragons,” Sir Bertrant whispered.

  “I like her. She has a total disregard for customs and traditions. Madison is it? Where are you from?” In a cloud of smoke and dusk, the dragon changed again, back to the form of the man with jet-black hair.

  “Don’t say a word,” Sir Bertrant told me.

  “Earth.” His warning came too late. The word had already left my lips.

  “Not from this world,” the dragon told me. “So, Sir Bertrant, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

  “You two have met?” I asked Sir Bertrant, looking between him and the dragon.

  “Never,” Sir Bertrant hissed.

  “Unfortunately, no, but his reputation proceeds him,” the dragon said. “I make it a point to keep up with all the knights in this kingdom and the ones beyond. Sir Bertrant is the only one that hasn’t come to find me. I started to feel neglected.”

  “You weren’t high on my lists of things to do lately.” Sir Bertrant straightened his coat and barely acknowledged the dragon.

  “Pity,” the dragon said in a sad voice. “This conversation might take a while, so we should sit.” He snapped his fingers and we were sitting in the middle of a throne room, still surrounded by the gold.

  The dragon sat on the most hideous throne I had ever seen. It was covered in jewels of every color that contrasted against various shiny metals, like a patchwork quilt of too many different patterns, but somehow it still came across as gaudy and super expensive. Sir Bertrant and I were given high-back chairs of pure gold. At least we had cushions on the stupid things that made them semi-comfortable. Reason said I should be afraid, but I wasn’t. However, Sir Bertrant’s face had turned bright red and he looked like he might explode at any minute.

  “Can we get to business now?” I asked the dragon. “We are on a tight schedule.”

  “Of course, you two have lots of stuff to do today.” The dragon tossed his legs over the side of his throne.

  “Yes, we do,” Sir Bertrant said, straightening in his chair.

  I took a moment to really watch them. The two of them were complete opposites, but somehow, they seemed almost similar. It was a bit uncanny.

  “We are here to take the girls away and ensure you don’t steal another one,” Sir Bertrant finished, ready to jump off his chair.

  “I haven’t stolen anyone,” the dragon told us.

  “What about those villages burned to the ground?” I didn’t like those crazy people but there was no doubt their town was destroyed.

  “Not me.” The dragon, appearing uninterested, played with his fingernails.

  “You are kidding, right?” I asked, forcing myself to close my mouth.

  “Don’t believe him. He is lying,” Sir Bertrant told me as he glared at the dragon.

  “If you didn’t steal the girls and burn those houses to a crisp, then who did? I’m sure someone wouldn’t be going around framing you for it.” I leaned forward, ready to smack him for one misspoken word.

  The dragon shrugged. “I don’t know if someone is trying to frame me, or who would want to. I’m just telling you I didn’t do any of the things you are accusing me of.” Sir Bertrant and I looked at each other, speechless, while the dragon continued. “Oh, where are my manners.”

  The dragon snapped his fingers and from behind his throne a door appeared. A gorgeous young lady in a gold gown stepped out. She rushed to the dragon and knelt by his side.

  “Yes, my Lord?” the girl asked.

  “Darling, please bring our guests some refreshments,” the dragon told the girl, who turned to acknowledge us. How did she miss us?

  “It will be my pleasure,” she replied, then skipped out of the room.

  Seriously skipped…

  I sure hoped she didn’t try that trick with our refreshments.

  “If you didn’t steal anyone, where did she come from?” Sir Bertrant asked. “I have never heard of dragons having human help before.”

  “I bought her,” the dragon replied with a smile.

  “Ohhh.” I choked on my own spit. Sir Bertrant slapped my back a couple of times to get me to breathe again. “I’m good,” I mumbled, waving my hands around before Sir Bertrant dislocated my back.

  “Are you sure?” Sir Bertrant asked, holding me by the shoulder.

  “Yes, thank you,” I told him. After catching my breath, I turned back to the dragon. “What do you mean you bought her?”

  “Exactly what I said. I traded gold for the girl.” The dragon turned, his level stare burning into us. “Does the trading system work differently in your world?”

  “No, the purchase of goods works the same way there. But the selling and buying of humans has been illegal for at least one hundred years. We are here to set those girls free,” I announced, jumping to my feet.

  “Oh really.” The dragon raised one very groomed eyebrow. “How are you planning to do that?”

  “He got me there.” I sat back down deflated.

  “We will battle you for them,” Sir Bertrant announced.

  “Are you crazy?” I asked, slapping his thigh.

  “She does have a point. You have no weapons, no magic, and no help,” the dragon told Sir Bertrant, pointing at me. “I paid good money for those girls. I expect something of equal or greater value in return.”

  “How many girls do you have?” I asked, not liking where the negotiations were going.

  “A few here and there,” the dragon replied as the wall behind him opened again.

  Five girls came out, skipping, and each wore an exquisite gown that would make a Ms. Universe contestant jealous. The dragon snapped his fingers and coffee tables appeared around Sir Bertrant and me. Four of the girls placed little dishes of food on both tables. One of the girls poured a golden liquid into the crystal glasses. Everything in this place was extravagant.

  “Please enjoy,” the dragon told us.

  “Why are you eating his food?” I whispered to Sir Bertrant, who was busy digging in.

  “I’m sure the food is not poison. If he wanted to kill us, he would have done it already,” Sir Bertrant told me with his mouth full of food. “Wow, this is amazing.”

  “Thank you, it’s a personal recipe,” the dragon told Sir Bertrant.

  “Can we focus here?” Both men turned towards me. “We are here for the girls and to stop you from taking anymore. Or buying anymore, if that’s the case.”

  “Where are you planning to take them?” the dragon asked me.

  “To their homes…” I stopped myself mid-sentence. Why would I return them to people who traded them in the first place?

  “Not as simple as you thought?” the dragon asked me, taking a glass from one of the girls.

  “Nobody should be mistreated as a slave
.” I crossed my arms and pouted like a five-year-old.

  “It seems your definitions and mine are very different.” The dragon sipped from his glass casually. “I’ll make you a deal. For a fair price, I will give you all the girls that want to leave my domain.”

  “You would?” Sir Bertrant and I asked at the same time.

  “Of course, for a fair price,” he replied.

  “What’s a fair price?” Sir Bertrant asked.

  “I like beautiful things as you can tell, but even beauty gets dull after a while. I want to be entertained,” the dragon explained.

  “You want us to dance for you?” I asked the dragon.

  “Dance? No. I want your memories,” he finished, licking his lips. Sir Bertrant and I just blinked.

  “I’m confused, what memories?” I asked after a few long minutes.

  “That’s up to you. You can pick any, as long as it’s a sad one,” the dragon told us.

  “You want us to trade our saddest memories in return for the girls?” Sir Bertrant asked. “That sounds too easy. What is the catch here? Dragons are not known for being charitable. Just look at your cave.”

  “No catch at all. You give up the most painful moment in your life and everything else associated with it.” The last part the dragon said quicker.

  “That means if I gave you the death of my grandmother, I would forget all about her?” I asked, feeling my heart shatter again at the thought of her.

  “You will never hurt for that person again,” the dragon told me.

  “But I won’t remember her.” Tears were fighting to come out.

  “Why would you hold on to something that causes you so much pain?” the dragon asked without a hint of humor in his voice.

  “Because those memories are usually tied to our greatest happiness.” Sir Bertrant squeezed my hand. “You don’t only take the bad. You are taking everything. The value is greater than what you paid for the girls.”

  I agreed with Sir Bertrant. The price for my grandmother was immeasurable. From behind the throne, more girls started to come out. The original six and at least twenty more. Couldn’t the lives of twenty-six healthy girls be worth the memories of my grandmother?

  “Is there another way?” I asked, hoping for a miracle.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “I can share my memories with you. All my memories,” I concluded.

  “Madison, no,” Sir Bertrant told me.

  “That’s different,” the dragon told me. “Girl pages are a lot more resourceful than conventional ones. What else?”

  “What do you mean what else? The deal was only for a memory. I’m sharing all of mine and you want more?” I was ready to stomp my foot.

  “How old are you? Fifteen? Maybe sixteen years old?” the dragon asked me.

  “Fourteen, why?” I asked cautiously.

  “I am over a thousand years old and you think a simple fourteen years of memories is going to entertain me for long?” He was still laughing when he finished.

  It was a sad moment when you realized your adversary had a really good argument.

  “Fine, what else do you have in mind?” I was so bad at negotiations that even Sir Bertrant covered his face.

  “Since I’m going to be losing some of my ladies, it’s only fair if you come and take their place when I need it,” the dragon told me.

  For a moment, I wanted to agree. This was perfect. I was leaving in a month so I wouldn’t have to do this long and the girls would be safe. I was ready to say yes when I heard my grandmother’s voice in my conscience telling me to be a good person. Reminding me to always be an honorable person. If I agreed, knowing I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my arrangement, would that make me an honorable person?

  “I can’t,” I replied.

  Sir Bertrant dropped his hands to stare at me.

  “Is your freedom worth so much more than theirs?” the dragon asked.

  “That’s not it,” I replied. “I won’t be able to fulfill my side of the agreement. I’m supposed to be going home in less than a month.”

  “I’m impressed. You had an opportunity to deceive me and you didn’t. I’ll take the deal.” The dragon stood from his throne.

  “What deal? I won’t be here,” I told him as he strode towards me.

  “We will make the most of the time that you are here. Please give me your left hand,” the dragon ordered, extending his hand towards me.

  “Madison, this is crazy,” Sir Bertrant told me.

  “We have no weapons, gold, or magic, so if you have a better plan, I’m all ears,” I replied, watching him. Sir Bertrant shook his head.

  The dragon took out a gold ring from his coat and I hauled my hand back.

  “What is that?” I asked, holding my hand close to my heart.

  “A promise ring,” the dragon said.

  “I’m not getting married to you,” I said, annunciating each word.

  “What are you talking about? This is a promise of our agreement that you are planning to fulfill, and a way for me to get a hold of you,” the dragon clarified.

  “Oh,” I said softly and handed him back my hand.

  “You have some strange traditions in your world.” The dragon slid the ring on my finger.

  It felt like I was drenched in cold water. My entire body was covered in goosebumps. This was more intense than Sageri’s health potion.

  “What is happening to me?” I asked, shaking everywhere.

  “What have you done?” Sir Bertrant tried to get closer, but the dragon raised his hand and Sir Bertrant froze in his chair.

  “Nothing. I’m syncing her life energy to mine, nothing crazy. Now everyone just relax so I can finish,” the dragon replied.

  Less than ten seconds later, everything was over. I stopped shaking and I could breathe again. I ran my hands over my head and body to make sure I hadn’t grown any extra body parts, like a tail. Sir Bertrant did a quick inspection and we both agreed I looked normal.

  “Now that we are done with that…” He paused, his eyes closing and a smile passing his lips. “My but your memories are juicy. Yes, this will be a good trade after all. I need explanations for so many things. Now, how many of my delicious ladies would like to return home.” The dragon turned on his heels and approached the group of girls.

  “What is he doing?” I asked Sir Bertrant.

  “Good question,” Sir Bertrant replied, staring at the dragon as he circled all the girls.

  “You are all free to go, who wants to leave?” the dragon asked the group, but nobody moved.

  “If they leave, could they come back?” my little skipper asked.

  “No, my darling. Once gone, they are gone forever,” the dragon replied. “Limited time offer ladies. The price has been paid.”

  “Wait, can I get out of this deal if nobody leaves?” I asked the dragon. I was not planning to hang out with him for nothing.

  “Sorry, no going back on your part,” he replied, glancing over his shoulder at me.

  I sank in my golden chair and Sir Bertrant did the same.

  “I guess their previous life was a lot worse than this,” Sir Bertrant concluded.

  “It appears,” I replied.

  We waited patiently for what felt like hours when three girls came forward. All three were crying, but at this rate, I didn’t care. I gave up my freedom for them, and they had the nerve to be upset about it.

  “This is a very traumatic moment for the girls, so I hope you don’t mind departing in the morning,” the dragon told us.

  “Are you serious?” I asked, ready to beat those three.

  “Fine,” agreed Sir Bertrant. “Anything to get us out of here.”

  “Great, you both can be a guest of ours tonight,” the dragon told us.

  “No thanks,” Sir Bertrant said, jumping from his chair. “We will wait outside by the river.”

  “Yes, that is a great plan,” I told Sir Bertrant. I was not excited to be staying the night inside the cave
of a dragon.

  “As you wish,” the dragon replied, and the girls all ran away crying.

  Sir Bertrant had started walking back to the entrance when I stopped. “What should I call you?”

  “You are the first human in over five-hundred years that have asked me that,” the dragon told me. “You can call me Propenquus.”

  “That might be tough to pronounce. How about if I call you Mister P instead?” I hope he wouldn’t try to eat me for offending him.

  “Mister P.” The dragon seemed to savor every letter in his mouth. “I have no idea what a mister is, but I like it. Just for you Madison, I will be Mister P.”

  “Thanks. Good night Mister P.” I gave him a quick salute and ran as fast as possible after Sir Bertrant.

  This was the weirdest day of my life. If falling down the garbage shoot was strange, this was definitely on a whole new level. I should have been scared, but everything was so new it kind of excited me.

  It took me a while to fall asleep. I gave the horses a play by play account of everything that took place inside the cave. Thunder was thrilled by the events, but Lightning was pissed about the trade. At some point during our journey, Lightning had claimed me as his human. He did not appreciate that major life decisions were made without his permission, and he was equally unhappy about the ring. When I tried to take it off to demonstrate how harmless it was, the thing wouldn’t budge. That made the horse even more upset.

  I had to agree with that part.

  Thunder and Lightning went to sleep a little after dark. They were both tired and I couldn’t blame them. We rode on their backs, so they carried all the burden. Sir Bertrant went to scout the area in case more robbers appeared. I was wide awake when I decided to visit the guardian. If anything went wrong, I was not that far from the camp site. I promised to show him some moves, and I had plenty of time. The Guardian seemed surprised I came back, though.

  “Are you ready for some lessons?” I asked the Guardian.

  “Right now?” The Guardian walked slowly towards me.

  It appeared humans in this kingdom weren’t very good at keeping their word when it came to other species.

  “Why not? Unless you have something better to do.” I pointed at the surrounding rock formation.