The boy was not a fool. He knew dealings with mages could be dangerous. His own uncle had been driven mad by one, but he was desperate. His father had died n the Thyrrian Wars , and his mother had died in childbirth. Now he and his younger sister lived in the inn and earned just enough to feed themselves. He needed the mage’s help.

He arrived at the mage’s hut. He was about to knock when the door swung open. An old man stood on the threshold.

“Ah, Thesus, is it? I have need of your help. Come in, come in.”

Thesus stepped into the cramped hut and stared at the walls of books and the bottles of strange-colored liquids. The mage strode over to him, his staff thudding on the hardwood floor. “I am old, Thesus. I cannot maintain this façade forever.”

“That you are an old retired forester who likes to remain close to the trees?”

The mage shook his head. “Have you heard about the dragon sightings lately?”

“You’re a Dragon Hunter?” Dragon Hunters were renowned for their skill of tracking and killing dragons.

“Oh no, my boy. Quite the opposite, actually,” the mage chuckled. “Kneel down, Thesus.”

He knelt.

“Bloodarius Nevendar is planning to take over the entirety of Silnoc. You must stop him. I can give you only two things to help you on your way. First, Lithas.” The mage pulled a large bronze sword from its sheath and placed it in Thesus’s hands. “Second, I give you Ashvar!” As he said this, the mage pounded his staff once on the ground.

Suddenly, a transformation took place. The mage’s cloak melted into wings, his hands thickened into powerful talons, and his face was no longer the smiling one of a kindly mage. He was now a huge golden dragon, barely fitting in the cramped space of the small hut.

“Do not be afraid. I kill only enemies and I know you are not one.”
    
Thesus smiled and leaped onto Ashvar’s back.