Tortillas

Chapter 18: Dragon Transformation

Things were progressing quite nicely for Kenric and his little dragon crew. Of the original fifteen humans, eleven were still part of their blood experiment. The other four had dropped out after one month because their eyesight and hearing got noticeably better and it made things a little too real for them. They liked dragons well enough in theory but turning into the fantastical beast was too much. The remaining eleven were so excited by their improvements that they doubled down on the blood consumption. It’s lucky their group was so small or Kenric might begin having trouble supplying all the blood they needed. As it was, he just collected a little bit from his arm each night before he went to bed and he was able to sleep off any ill effects.

Three months later, Kenric was beginning to notice other dragon traits in his crew. They were smelling increasingly smokey, like they had a little fire just beneath the surface, and they were becoming a bit peckish. Dragons, especially young dragons who have not learned the necessary self-control, are known for their hot tempers and these humans were no exception. Kenric knew their experiment would not stay hidden much longer if the transformation continued at this rate. Luckily, all the members of his dragon crew were young and a little bit restless, always wanting to go off on one adventure or another. He decided they needed to go on an extended exploration to get away from the other humans and complete their experiment. They needed to see him as a dragon and try shifting forms themselves.

Kenric took Nova aside and explained their fast arriving quandary. He suggested that they all go on a trip to meet his family, explaining that they lived about three months away by foot. He told Nova first because she was the most likely to succeed in convincing her father, the village leader, to give them all his blessing in leaving. Kenric did not want any humans to feel abducted or forced and he definitely didn’t want the village chasing after them in some ill conceived notion of rescue. Sure enough, Nova’s father was able to see the benefits of an extended exploration for his fidgety youths. He sat down with Kenric and had a serious conversation about their safety and when they could be expected to return. Kenric told him nine months to one year from now, just to be safe. He also warned the chief that some might not want to return, enjoying life in his homeland or wishing to stay with other groups they might meet along the way.

Honestly, he was very nervous about bringing this group of humans turned dragons (hopefully) to his family. But they would need more guidance than he could give them if they successfully shifted and his family needed to know they were no longer alone. So, at long last, Kenric left the little village with eight other humans, three decided they would rather not leave home for that long after all.

The journey was uneventful, full of hiking through the forest during the day and learning about dragon lore around the campfire at night. The humans had basic survival skills and gathered nuts and berries as they walked and every few days Kenric would go hunting and come back with meat for them to dry and eat. All in all it was turning into an excellent adventure, even with the rising of tempers. Kenric knew they would soon feel the dragon heat inside themselves and be ready to attempt to shift so that night he told them his secret.

“Some of you may have wondered how I know so much about dragons,” he began without preamble, “the truth is, I speak from personal experience. I am a dragon. You have all been drinking my blood to become like me.”

The stunned silence was broken by Nova’s slow clapping. “Very nice, Kenric, you almost had us there. If you are in fact, a dragon, wouldn’t we have noticed by now?”

“I think you do know, actually, you just haven’t accepted it yet. Where else would I get blood and scales to show you? How else would I hunt so successfully? Where else would I have learned all the stories and lore of this mysterious race none of you have ever seen? Of course I am a dragon. You just need to open your minds to the reality in front of you.”

“Show us.” Nova was nothing if not direct.

“Very well, I will not be able to communicate with you as a dragon so hold your questions until I shift back.” Kenric had purposefully led them to a large clearing for the night and with the help of the full moon, they would be able to see him shift quite well. He backed up a respectful distance and slowly increased in size and scaliness until, about ten awe-inspiring seconds later, he was standing in front of them in all his ruby glory. After three minutes of silence, Kenric was about ready to shift back as he was not accustomed to such staring.

“Wait!” Nova cried just as he began his shift. Slowly, ever so slowly, she closed the distance between them. Cautiously, she raised a hand to his chest and gently, almost reverently, she stroked his scales with one finger. Kenric, sensing the importance of her acceptance, slowly lowered his massive head until they could look each other in the eye. He stayed there, very still, until she placed her hand on his nose. A little choked giggle escaped her and that was all the invitation he needed to blow a puff of smoke in her face. Her giggle evolved into a full belly laugh as she breathed in the dragon smoke that had begun to feel like home.

“We can really become like you?” She whispered. Kenric slowly nodded his giant dragon head. “You’re magnificent.” Nova declared, more to herself than to Kenric. Kenric slowly backed away and shifted back into his human form. Ready for the questions to begin.

“Since we will surely be up all night discussing this, is anyone up for making a little snack?” Kenric looked hopefully at his eight companions, willing them to still see him as their friend and not a monster.

“I think tortillas would cook up nicely on this fire.” Nova offered the olive branch he needed. She, for one, was not going to pass up this new adventure. These are the tortillas she made.