[ IP ] Sword for Hire

`` I assume you understand why you were called upon, human.'' The beast's voice was was as large as a mountain and as boisterous as a crumbling one. The surface beneath the man shook and old wood cracked. 
 
 `` Mum always taught me you can assume all you want,'' the warrior responded, `` But you never get the whole answer unless you ask for it.'' The creature tilted its head at him, staring curiously as though his words were not what he expected. 
 
 `` Hm,'' the beast grunted, `` You seem rather calm, considering what you're speaking to.'' 
 
 `` In hopes of offending you, I've seen things not as surprising as a talking dragon. Killed things, much more surprising.'' The dragon stared at him with a pair of blazing eyes, from where the man stood, they actually waved and danced as well as radiated like a campfire. How he was able to see, if he could see, was beyond him. 
 
 Tales lingered around, of a dragon residing in the dead woods he himself charred. No one was able to explain its motivation or where it came from, villagers not too far from the forest merely stated that animals came stampeding through, and the panicked view of smoke and fire soon followed. But there it stood, as true as any myth that many simply wished were nothing more; Photuris, a beast of fire lied and spoke with the same mouth that scorched his home. 
 
 `` Allow me to ask human, what do you have to live for?'' 
 
 The question, caught Verge off-guard. Naturally he's faced off beasts that attempted to trick him with obscure philosophies, all of which he answered with a heavy blade. But to receive a sort of invitation from this beast and asked something so personal, Verge almost felt violated. 
 
 `` My life,'' Verge opened, `` Consists of me making sure my blade remains sharp, for any and all occasions.'' 
 
 `` So nothing,'' refuted Photuris, ``'' Excellent! That works for me.'' 
 
 Verge was unsure of how to retort, but the beast moved on, `` I'll be frank, human, I'm dying'' 
 
 Verge raised an eyebrow at the statement, feeling as much sympathy toward the statement as a squashed bug. `` And what's that benefit me for? If anything could probably make a bit of coin having you around and thrash out on a village or two.'' 
 
 The beast, laughed. He let out a rather hearty and wheezing chuckle that threatened to split the ground at some distance and open a crater for something poor to fall in. Smoke puffed from his nostrils like two overworked chimneys. But it was soon killed off by a loud cough that took its place in throwing off the lands geology. Verge could've sworn he heard a tree fall over somewhere. 
 
 `` Oh trust me,'' continued Photuris, `` I would if I was as spry and youthful. I however lost that bloodlust with age. Otherwise that village would've been burnt down as well.'' 
 
 `` Really?'' asked Verge, looking around at the blackened match sticks that were once proud and strong, `` Could n't have figured that on my own.'' 
 
 `` Oh please, this is nothing. This was just to make sure no one bothered to come up here and disturb me as I rest my weary old bones,'' The dragon attempted to lift himself as he changed his position, Verge hearing out grunts of pain as he moved ever so slightly, `` However,'' he continued, `` It wo n't due forever.'' 
 
 `` Others will come,'' Verge offered, `` Whether the villagers simply ca n't live in peace with the constant reminder you're up here.'' 
 
 `` Or some young and arrogant'hero' comes up and attempts to take my head as a trophy.'' 
 
 Photuris grunted once more at the idea of such an occurrence were to come. Verge thought of all the young boys he trained and grew with, only to lose them to their own egos and fire. Oh he knew, more will come. They will come with everything they can bring to bring some recognition and false fulfillment to themselves. 
 
 `` Where does it come with a dragon writing me a letter for my presence?'' Verge asked. 
 
 `` Stay here,'' answered Photuris, `` And protect me till I die.'' 
 
 `` I do n't suppose it'd be faster to stick my sword into your skull.'' 
 
 `` Oh it would,'' Photuris agreed, `` Possibly less painful even. However that is simply not how I wish to go.'' Photuris reached over somewhere behind his massive body, grunting as he moved. As his large arm came back into view, there was something between his large, clawed fingers. A chest of old but maintained wood. The lock on it was polished and the only sort of light in this dark place. Of course it went defeated compared to the massive amount of gold and jewels he revealed with a simply lift. 
 
 Verge jumped off his dead tree to inspect the treasure. He noticed a dark square on top of mount. Picking it up, it was a book. 
 
 He held it up to view and asked, `` What's this?'' 
 
 Photuris reached out and gingerly took it out of Verge's hand. `` That,'' he replied, `` Is something you may view after my final breath.'' 
 
 `` You keeping a journal?'' 
 
 `` A reminder. For all of you to know that we were n't all destruction and malice.'' 
 
 `` A dragon who can speak and is more literate than a majority of the population, witnesses or it did n't happen.'' 
 
 `` Then I suppose you have more to live for than previously thought.'' Photuris shut the chest and hastily placed it back to where it came. `` Now move along, I believe you have a job to do.'' 
 
 Verge stared up into the beast's firey eyes, and proceeded to kneel over and say, `` Yes, my lord.''
