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There was much disbelief as the extremely large dragon transformed into a man. A very naked man. They stared with dropped jaws.

“Admire all you want. I understand my beauty isn’t something you’re used to.” Argent tossed his head and thrust out his muscled chest.

“How is this possible? I don’t understand,” Griff stammered.

“I told you there was a special bond between the blooded and dragons. You hold the ingredient that allows us to change shape. In this case, because you are male, I become male. Should I have ingested a female’s blood, then?—”

“We’d have ourselves a naked woman,” Monty exclaimed and then frowned as he noticed Simhi ogling Argent. “Hey, you shouldn’t be looking. It’s not proper.”

“Don’t be telling me what’s proper.” Simhi waved away his complaint, then to Argent, “You must be chilly. Monty, give him your coat.”

“Why me?” he squeaked.

“Because Griff’s only got that vest, mine is too small, and Kreed only owns the one. Don’t be a baby about it. We all know you’ve got several coats on board.”

Argent wrinkled his nose as a grumbling Monty stripped off his jacket and handed it over. “This material is coarse,” the dragon-man complained.

“Sorry, Princess, I left me silks on board the ship,” mocked Monty.

Argent glared. “I am really regretting not eating you before shifting shapes.”

“Speaking of shapes, how long can you hold this one?” Griff asked.

“A while, although greatness such as mine is hard to contain.”

“Not too pompous, is he?” Kreed murmured to Monty, but his deep voice carried.

“There is no point in being coy when I am superior.” Argent tilted his chin.

A chirping from the sky had Griff frowning. “We should get going before something decides we all look tasty enough to eat.”

“As if they would dare. However, I am intrigued by the thought of leaving this place for somewhere new. Let us depart.” The arrogant Argent strode barefoot and bare-assed—the coat barely covering his nether regions—to the edge of the dock where the skiff bobbed.

In short order, they were rowing. And “they” meant everyone but Argent, who stood poised in the prow.

It was Monty who whispered, “You think that cock he’s wearing is just for show?”

Argent’s head whipped around, and his lips curved as he said, “Would you like me to give you a demonstration?”

Monty recoiled. “Nah. I’m not into that kind of bed play. Just wondering.”

As did Griff. “I thought dragons were sexless.”

“Dragons are. But when we transform into an avatar, we are fully functioning.”

“So you can make babies?” Kreed boldly asked.

“How do you think the blooded came into existence?”

Griff lost his rhythm as that sank in. “Are you saying one of my ancestors fucked a dragon?”

“Yes. The resulting child, while not a dragon themselves, carries an affinity. Hence the bond. I’d have thought that obvious.”

“How was it supposed to be obvious?” Griff huffed. “It ain’t like the history books spoke of dragons.”

“Because you tried to eradicate us. Used us and abandoned us,” Argent hissed, his pupils turning into vertical slits that glowed.

“Not me!” Simhi declared. “Me and Kreed, we never leave no one behind.”

“You might if you thought it would benefit you.” Argent’s lips turned down.

“Back in the day, dragons agreed to give our lives and blood to contain the threat because the blooded who pleaded for our help promised we would be brought back as soon as Zhos was contained. Only they lied and kept us in our dormant state.”

“Well, at least you’re here now,” Monty unwisely stated.

“A thousand years later,” snapped Argent. “And now, Zhos stirs once more because your ancestors did not find a permanent solution, meaning dragons will be expected to save humanity. Only this time, I won’t be giving my life. Let the humans reap the reward of their inaction.”

“What of dragons? Won’t you be affected too?” Monty pointed out.

“Do not pretend to care about our wellbeing. Humanity has proven they don’t care about us.”

Griff would have liked to retort but couldn’t. He would have likely felt the same in Argent’s bare feet.

The mist clung to the skin, moistening it, as they rowed in the dark—hopefully not in circles. Argent seemed to know where to go as he kept correcting their course. “You’re going too far left. Bring it back straight.”

Griff didn’t have the energy to argue, so they listened to the bossy dragon’s commands.

When they emerged from the fog, lo and behold, the ship appeared.

He’d never been so glad to see it, and the crew onboard gave a mighty cheer once they realized Kreed and the others had returned with their captain.

It didn’t take long to come alongside and clamber to the main deck, but before they did, Griff gave all of those in the skiff a warning. “No one says anything about Argent being the dragon. Understood?” Everyone nodded but Argent’s expression turned stubborn.

“You would hide my grandeur and make me out to be a simple human?”

“You will do as I say if you don’t want a superstitious crew tossing you overboard,” Griff snapped.

“Should they attempt to harm me, they would regret it.”

“I’d rather we avoid trouble to start with. If anyone asks, you were a child raised on Verlora after the apocalypse. Your parents died. We found you.”

“As if anyone would believe someone as refined as me could emerge from that squalor.” Said with a sniff.

“You know, some of the prettiest blooms I’ve ever seen grow in the most inhospitable places,” Simhi offered. “They’ll think you’re rare, like those flowers.” An analogy that soothed the ruffled dragon but led to Monty scowling.

When Griff set foot on the deck of the ship, cheering erupted as the crew celebrated his return. He endured the backslapping and managed to hold back his tears. These people were family to him, and it was good to know he’d been missed.

Argent stood to the side, observing, and when Griff introduced him as a rescued guest, to his surprise, Argent bowed his head and said, “I owe my life to your captain.”

A grand concession that lasted only until the dragon saw its assigned quarters. The very same tiny cabin Avera used when she was first aboard.

“This won’t do.” Argent planted hands on his hips and shook his head.

“It’s all we’ve got.”

“Given my elevated status, I should have the biggest cabin.”

“That would be my room and I’m not handing it over. Not to mention, my crew would find it odd if I gave it to a refugee.”

“But this space is so… so…” Argent waved his hands. “Small.”

“Compact yes, but still better than being alone on Verlora, wouldn’t you say? So buckle it. If you don’t like it, the continent’s that way.” Griff pointed.

Argent’s lips pinched. “You’re much bossier now that I’m wearing an avatar.”

“No shit.” Griff didn’t mention it had much to do with the fact Argent could no longer drop him on inescapable ledges. “Now, if you’re done whining, I’ve got to check on my ship.”

“Very well, you have my permission to attend your duties.” An imperious Argent waved him off.

Griff was still shaking his head as he emerged onto his deck. Kreed saw him and wandered to his side.

“Where to, Cap?”

“The smart thing would be to go home and hide from the coming shitstorm, but…” He sighed.

“But we ain’t ones to run from a fight. So, does that mean we should set sail for Merisu to rescue Her Highness?”

“You do realize extracting Avera will be hard, if not impossible.”

“We can’t leave her to that fucking emperor,” Kreed swore.

“Agreed, but not sure how we’re supposed to steal her. If he still intends to marry her, then she’s likely to be heavily guarded.”

“She’s wily. If we can get word to her that we’re nearby, she’ll find a way.”

“I don’t know if the crew will want us to do something so foolhardy.”

“You’d be surprised. Why not ask them?”

So Griff did. Standing on his poop deck, he addressed them. “I’m sure you’ve already heard about Verlora’s problems.”

“It’s true there’s giant bugs and a dragon?” shouted Kelly from the back.

“Yes. While the volcano has calmed, things on the continent remain deadly.”

“You survived,” another crew member pointed out.

“Barely,” was his dry reply. “That said, knowing of the danger, it might be possible for a well-prepared team to begin clearing out the issues plaguing Verlora. At the same time, it should be known what once stood tall has crumbled. The city is a ruin. Beyond the broken buildings, the emperor has had his people looting it, meaning there is not much left that is of use.”

“We started over once before on Saarpira,” reminded Garth, a man old enough to remember living in Verlora.

“We did, and I think with hard work we could make Verlora great again, but before that begins, I have a favor to ask. As you probably already know, Queen Avera has been abducted.”

“By that old fucker in Merisu,” someone shouted.

Griff tucked his hands behind his back. “Yes, the emperor has taken her and plans to make her his consort against her will.”

“We can’t let that happen, Cap. The queen deserves better,” Monty replied, leading to some nodding of heads. She’d won over his crew during their last voyage and time on Saarpira.

“Agreed but rescuing her will be perilous. The emperor will not be kind to those caught trying to flout his will.”

“The emperor can kiss my balls. She’s one of us,” Monty shouted.

“She is, but is she worth risking everyone’s life?” Griff posed the question. While he had no doubt in his mind, others might not feel the same.

“We have to save the tiara queen. She’s the one who will set Verlora free,” Kelly yelled.

In response to his claim, the crew began to sing the “Ballad of Rebirth”, a song that many took to be prophecy. A poem that strangely enough started to make sense.

The small yet mighty tiara

expelled from her home,

will travel to the land of mist.

No weapon but her courage,

and the strength of her fists.

Facing the mighty foe,

staring death in its face,

a sacrifice to make.

Blood to bind,

a promise to keep,

to defeat what’s now awake.

She’ll sail across the oceans

with a treasure worth more than gold,

awakening the dragon

to face a mighty foe.

Atop its back she’ll swoop right in,

bravely and with grace,

to kill the monster woken,

and save all from a dire fate.

And with that as their belted reply, they set sail for Merisu.