Cinderpuff, the dragon
“You know I don’t trust you any further than I can spit a bilge rat!” shouted Blackheart Bill, the most formidable pirate that sailed the seas.
“I trust you no further than I can toss an anchor!” replied Scarlet Sally, equally the most formidable pirate to rove the seas.
Bill pleaded with Sally, “But we need each other to get our treasure back from that treacherous sea dragon, what’s gone and taken it.”
“That’s as might be! But the moment my back is turned, I’ll feel your knife, I’m sure!” said Sally.
“No, no, we deal with that pesky dragon, get out loots, and divvy it out, all fair and square,” explained Bill.
“And say I go along with you. What do we do about that dragon? He’ll be guarding it, snarling and breathing fire,” asked Sally, ever practical.
Bill had a wide, ghastly smile, “I have a plan, so leave it to me. I know what to do!”
“I bet you do! And it better be a good one.”
Later that day, the pair of fearsome pirates met and boarded a small rowing boat. Bill took the oars.
Sally chastised Bill, “Put your back into it, man! We don’t have all night!”
Bill just grumbled and rowed harder. They reached the small rock island, home to Cinderpuff, the mighty fire-breathing dragon, the scourge of the sea and all pirates and their treasures. No one knew how the dragon did it, but steal treasure it did, leaving only scorch marks on the timbers of the boat. They pulled the boat up onto the shore and made their way to the cave where rumor had it, the beastly monster would be found.
Bill, ever the coward, pushed Sally in front of him, “Go on, you saw the map last, you lead the way!”
“You better have a way to get rid of the dragon!” she said with a raised fist.
“Oh, don’t you worry, miss, I’ve got a plan!” said Bill, brimming with confidence.
They approached the cave. “It’s a bit smaller than I expected,” commented Sally.
Sally ducked and entered the dark cave.
Bill followed her in, a small oil lamp for light. The cave was dark and dank and smelled of oranges.
“What is that smell?” asked Sally.
“Oranges,” said a grumbling voice in the blackness at the back of the cave. Bill pushed forward with the lamp to get a better view of who had spoken. The light rested upon a small dragon, impeccably dressed, resting on a chaise longue. A bright white silk shirt, supple leather trousers, and tall black boots, with the tops turned over. His long green tail swayed back and forth. He had half a peeled orange in his sharp and glossy claw. “Would you care for one?” he offered.
Taken aback, Bill refused, “No, thank you, I’ve eaten. No, we’re here to collect our treasure is all. The treasure that you have taken from us.”
“Oh, I see. Well, I’d love to help with that. But the treasure is now mine and I intend to keep it,” said the dragon, with a broad toothy grin. “It’s a little hobby of mine, “He reflected, “More of an obsession, really. I collect treasure, always have done.”
Bill pulled out his sabre and waved threateningly at the dragon, still behind Sally, “Well, Sally here says you should give it back, it doesn’t belong to you.”
Sally elbowed Bill in the ribs, “I said no such thing!”
“I just want what’s mine, back, if it pleases you, Sir Dragon,” said Sally in her poshest voice.
“Ah, well, no. You see, like Pirates code and all that, Dragon’s code says you never give away your treasure.”
Bill, moving back into the shadows a little further, said, “It seems we have come to a bit of an impasse then, Sir Dragon.”
Bill manoeuvred his way towards a chest overflowing with gold coins and treasure of all sorts. “Keep him talking,” Bill whispered and nudged Sally with the point of his sword.
Bill crouched down and with great care placed choice jewels and gold in a sack he brought with him.
“I say, Pirate! What are you doing back there? You know I count everything. I know exactly what I have,” the dragon said as he leaned forward for a better look. The light caught his impressive teeth and claws.
“Oh, nothing, don’t mind me!” said Bill, stuffing a golden chalice into his sack. It was full. Now was the time.
He stood, “Just leaving, actually!” said a happy Blackheart Bill. He rose and grabbed Sally and tried to give a hard shove towards the dragon. Sally, not as stupid as Bill looked, had anticipated this kind of thing and had been waiting patiently. Sally grabbed Bill’s wrist and bent it behind his back in one fluid movement.
“Now, Sir Dragon, as per our agreement. I get to take my treasure back, and you get this awful pirate in return,” said Sally, struggling to keep Bill under control.
“A deal is a deal, Pirates code and all that.” The dragon ran its bright red, long, forked tongue over its pearly white teeth. “Not had a fresh pirate in ages. Pirate a l’orange!” The dragon chuckled.
“Take your treasure and go, I’ll prepare my dinner!” the dragon eyed the plump pirate with hungry eyes.
Sally gave Bill a hard shove towards the dragon. Cinderpuff caught Bill with his sharp claw. “Sorry, Scarlet Sally, best you leave my treasure where it is for now, and just leave. I’ve had a change of heart. Ha, Ha, blackheart! That’s you, that is!” Laughed the dragon, sparks, and smoke erupting from his nostrils in his mirth as he lifted Bill into the air.
Sally turned sharply, grabbed the sack that Bill had filled, and ran. She’d have to deal with that dragon again soon when he came looking for the contents of the sack. But she’d be ready for him!
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