[ TT ] [ WP ] The King has sent you , a wandering mercenary , to slay the Dragon and bring the Princess home . However , upon arriving at the Dragon 's Keep , you learn the Princess was not kidnapped , but instead is a runaway .

`` 50,000?'' 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 `` A mighty sum. A job for your realm's metal horsemen, not a wandering mercenary your uh... Feudalship?'' 
 
 The man next to the king, probably an advisory, frowned at the disrespect. 
 `` Our knights are not enough, as you can see.'' The king responds, glancing to his side. 
 
 The strangely dressed mercenary turns his head on the table next to the king in his throne. A disturbingly neat array of what were clearly the metal helmets of the horsemen in this realm. 
 Well, FORMER horsemen more like. The helmets were burnt to crisp. It smelled like the kind of meat one would never eat. The smell was familiar, but he could n't quite... 
 
 `` You are a knight of your own realm, are you not? If the gold is not enough for you... I have other ways to persuade you.'' 
 
 The traveler stands up with a sigh and takes the paper with the face of the princess with the bounty. He could n't read the language of this place, but the paper had her face in it. Would n't be great if one brought a random geisha or something instead of the one this `` King'' wanted. 
 
 At least compared to Daimyos, Kings are willing to talk to you without a veil covering their face. 
 
 The ronin arrives at the Dragon's Keep. The cave's mouth was enough to swallow a castle whole. He gulps, and sheepishly steps in. He finds a green scale inside. 
 
 `` Wait a minute...'' He mutters. He laughs loudly, causing a huge scaly dragon to show up faster than a snake could bite. But the ronin kept laughing. 
 
 `` BEGONE HUMAN. I DO NOT WISH TO BE DISTURBE-'' 
 
 `` Takahisa, that is no way one talks to his older brother.'' The ronin laughs. 
 
 The fearsome dragon, one large enough to swallow 50 men whole, suddenly looked very nervous. 
 
 `` A-Aohn?'' 
 
 `` We were to look for Western Dragons to see if we can find more of our kind. Here I was expecting such a dragon...'' Aohn looks behind the dragon. `` And yet you were here faster than I. I also see that you found something else instead...'' 
 
 The princess blushes behind the scaly green one. Aohn looks at Takahisa. 
 `` No clues?'' 
 
 `` Stories. But that is all. Humans are strange beings brother! They make up events in made up places.'' 
 
 `` Well.'' Aohn looks up and down at Takahisa. `` You're clearly not made up... What's your plan now, brother?'' 
 
 `` I will escape this land with my beloved, and show her my home. I will end my fruitless search for Western Dragons.'' Takahisa looks into Aohn's eyes. `` Brother, please come with me.'' 
 
 Aohn looks down sadly. `` I'm afraid I ca n't Takahisa. We and our other brothers are the only dragons around. If we are to continue our race, we must find a dragon we can mate.'' 
 
 `` But brother, why does it matter? No matter what, we Eastern Dragons will never be the same as a race.'' Takahisa looks at the princess. `` Why does it have to be other dragons? Our whelplings will always be a half-breed, but why must they be dragons? Besides, you are well past your prime mating age, you must find a mate now or your whelplings will wither early.'' 
 
 Aohn smiles. Takahisa was right. There were no more female Eastern Dragons around anymore. The last one was their mother. And it seems like the Black Scaled Dragons he searched for all these years, were merely myths created to scare children. 
 
 Aohn tips his straw hat down. `` I am afraid my search will continue for a little while longer brother. May we meet again in our homeland and beyond.'' 
 
 Takahisa nods, flying away to the Far East, his home. 
 
 The princess felt like a true goddess. Truly, no other maiden could ever have a husband who could grant the wish of flying like hers! She leans against the flying dragon and asks. 
 
 `` Dearest husband, is the Far East a wonderful land?'' 
 
 Takahisa laughs. Humans from this realm speak funny. 
 
 `` Yes my mate. Tis' a beautiful land full of honor and tradition.'' 
 
 
 
 
 
 A strangely dressed mercenary sits down in a nearby tavern. 
 
 `` What'll it be stranger? I have ale, even some wine if you have the coin.'' 
 
 The stranger looks at the bartender. 
 
 `` Have you seen any dragons?'' 
 
 My first attempt at a writing prompt ( Or for that matter, posting anything ). Would deeply appreciate any advice: D
