A warm breeze teased my skin to twitch as I opened my eyes.  The area around me was unfamiliar as I recalled resting in a forest that welcomed me and my stories many times.  Everything was dark and no trees could be seen, but as my vision focused I began to notice something in the distance.  Its movements were wavy as it shifted and turned in a methodical dance.  It drew nearer and its features were becoming clearer, yet it continued to move in a very entrancing fashion.

    Its eyes were yellow and its form was sleek as its long, cylindrical body sprung forward on tiny feet.  Small shadows outlined the shinny, red scales that protected it, yet that did not spellbind me as much as its fierce yellow eyes that held emotions of strength,  wisdom and fury all at once.  Sensing these emotions I continued to watch it, as if I sought to be entrapped in its ancient rhythm and opening my ears, I heard its fateful words:

      “Reality’s charm?”  I dared to ask it, “You act as if you are a dream!”

      Those words flowed from my mouth as a rushing river with no control, yet sought to quench the fear that this creature was real.  It was so powerful it had to exist and yes, I have heard of dragons from other lands, but those that my family spoke of…looked nothing like this one.

      Yet it was obvious that it heard my words as it spoke with a loud booming voice.  Sensing my free spirit, smoke began to flair from its nostrils as it moved closer to me:

     It was then it sprung forward and its long, snakelike body began to wrap around me.  Its scales began to glow, until I felt it grow hotter against my fair skin.  All I could do was tremble and cry out in the hope someone would hear me.  As no one else came forth from the darkness, I fell weak against the dragon as it continued.

    Its embrace was growing so tight that I began to feel my body convulse as I sought air.  Then I finally managed to gasp and opened my eyes wide.  I was laying under a tree where the shade sought to protect me from the heat of the wilderness, and welcoming the forest’s serenity, I took a deep breath and placed my hand against my chest.  It was then I noticed I was not adorned in my common Celtic garb, but wore mysterious red silken robes that were tied around me in an oriental fashion.  My eyes grew wide as I wondered how could this happen?!  I never saw such fabric in my life!

    I stood up and further examined the robes.  Suddenly my eyes grew wide as I saw the prints of the beast within the shimmering fabric.  The dragon’s embrace had not let me go and realizing he was alive, I ran from the forest to warn the people of Vogelburg it was coming!