EC - Heat of the Desert

Winter, 326 of the Third Age
Featuring Khairo
Khairo's Magical Awakening Quest, Part 4
In reply to: Visions and Choices

Khairo’s heart stopped.  He had known about the increase in basilisk activity, but not that dragons were affected by the weather as well.
Idiot… of course they are!

“I seek refuge from the wretched winter, Great One,” he replied, praying to any gods who might be listening that his voice didn’t tremble.  “The storm is powerful, and the sand is warm!  I thought, perhaps, I might winter here, next to your might, and that of your kin.  Why should I fear basilisks, when such glorious guardians as yourself patrol the desert sky?”
He thought quickly - he needed to flatter the dragon, get him talking about himself. 
Thank the gods I left the herd at the oasis…!

“I admit, I have not spent much time near dragons, and the loss is truly mine!  I have never seen such majesty as you, Great One.  The colour of your scales astounds - like rubies!  You catch the sun like a living jewel!  You must be the finest and most regal of your kind, are you not? Surely you have no equal!”

The dragon looked at him with interest, and he couldn’t tell if the great brute was interested in Khairo’s worth as a snack or as a source of praise.  Vulcanos weren’t exactly Khairo’s area of expertise - having grown up in the Blooming Territories, he was more used to dire wolves and goblins… a ghoul on very rare occasions.  He thought he might have seen a sky scribe at a distance once or twice, and finnicks, of course, but a vulcanos?  No, that was beyond him.  His parents had always said if he should see a vulcanos shadow on the horizon, he should run into the trees, or into whatever shelter he could find.  

There was no shelter in the desert.  

“I stand in awe, Great One!” 
Was he groveling enough?  He hated it, but he hoped so.  

“If only your kind roamed more widely - unicorns the world over would love to experience the awe that fills me even now!”

If it saved his life, he’d grovel until the dragon got distracted enough not to notice his escape.  It was his only chance.

****

Not pictured: Khairo's life flashing before his eyes as he channels his inner Bilbo.
I tried for "hazy" and got "sepia" instead... but hey, I tried.