Dread wings blotted out the sun, and the people working the fields looked up. Initial confusion turned to raw, naked terror as the descending shape became clear.
"Dragon! Dragon! The devil has come to claim us!" As one, they scattered to the four winds, raising the alarm, carelessly dropping their tools in their flight to safety.
Young Astrud the Unlucky lived up to her name when she tripped over someone's scythe, and fell with a cry. Was left behind, all alone. The ground quaked as the beast landed nearby, and she could feel its hellfire breath wash over her. Closing her eyes, she curled up into a ball, whimpering. Waited for the teeth to rend her. For the devil's pet to devour her.
Human. What do you call the small, furry, four-legged animals?
Astrud froze as a voice suddenly thundered inside her mind. What? Had she gone mad in her final moments?
They look soft and sleep a lot? the voice prompted her.
Her mind must have cracked from the terror coursing through her veins. Why was she thinking about cats of all things in the hour of her death?
Ah. Cats. echoed, as if tasting the word. Thank you.
The dragon seemed to be taking a very long time to swallow her, and Astrud dared to crack one eye open — only to soil herself when the beast's massive triangular head was right there, looking at her with an alert, attentive expression. It whuffed softly, ruffling her hair.
Tell me, what do they eat?
"It's you, isn't it? The voice in my head?" Astrud accused the giant beast. "Aren't you going to eat me?"
Did you want me to? the dragon asked, its mouth opening in a giant yawn, showing rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth, and the roiling furnace deep in its throat.
"No!" Astrud quickly replied, giggling nervously. "I was just... checking."
This was ridiculous, but the beast'd had every chance to end her life, so she was just... going to trust it. Go along with this... insanity. Sitting up, she dusted off her smock. "So, you want to know about cats."
Yes! What do they eat? Do all day?
Astrud thought for a second. "Well, cats eat... mice. Fish." Her hands made a big circle, encompassing the totality of cat food. "Smaller animals, basically."
Ah. Interesting.
"As for what they do... I think cats do whatever they want? Sleep, hunt, sleep..."
Yes, I have discovered this to be true, unfortunately. The dragon stared intently at Astrud. Can they be... herded, like your sheep?
It sounded almost hopeful, and Astrud felt bad for laughing in the beast's face — that feeling quickly turning into fear for her life when that giant head reared up, affronted. "Sorry, sorry! It's just... a funny mental image. But no, I don't think anyone's ever managed. Like I said, they do what they want."
The dragon's head slowly came to rest before her again, and it blew out another hot breath, sounding... aggrieved.
I was afraid you'd say that.
The silence stretched between them.
Astrud grew very self-conscious under the stare of those big, big eyes, pinning her in place with their unblinking gaze.
"Wh... What?" Was it going to eat her after all? She tried to look... not delicious.
The sudden, expectant Would you like to try? caught her by surprise.
"H... Herding cats? For you?"
Or at least tempt them away from my hoard, so I don't accidentally... sit on them. the dragon conceded.
Astrud considered the offer to go... work for a dragon, to take care of its... cats? Her miserable life working the land for her parents. For their lord. For the rest of her life, or at least, until she married — which she wasn't looking forward to.
It was reckless. Impossible. Couldn't last.
Her eyes bright, hungry, Astrud asked "When do I start?"
