Flames danced in the eyes of a young knight;

the kingdom he had sworn to protect just a week

ago, was now in ruins. In his arms laid a small

baby, crying, covered in the blood of her late

mother. The king had given her to the knight just

before a beam fell, crushing and killing the

beloved king. The last words the king spoke still

rang in the young knight’s ears. “Run. Take my

daughter and run! Protect her with your life...” Just

before he could move, he felt the sting of a sharp

blade slice through his abdomen, missing the

princess.

He quickly turned around, drawing his blade

and cutting off the head of the one who stabbed

him. He ran out, jumping onto the first horse he

came across, he headed off into the mountains.

Rumor has it that a dragon lived there, deep in the

caves of the mountain. He hoped that the princess

would be cared for there. It was the only way he

knew the princess would be safe, for he knew his

life was coming to an end.

A few hours later his horse stopped at the

mouth of a dark and eerie cave, it was the same

cave rumored to have a dragon inside. No one

knew if the dragon was even alive since no one

had seen him since the kingdom was built, over

200 years ago. “Hello...” The knight called out into

the darkness of the cave, only to go into a

coughing fit, blood splattered on the ground from

his mouth and from his wound.

The knight called again, before collapsing to

one knee from the pain. A moment later, a deep,

heavy voice came up from the deep abyss inside

the cave. “Why are you here? Has the king finally

decided to have me slain?” The voice said, getting

louder as it got closer. As the knight looked up, his

eyes grew to the size of saucers as he stared up at

a creature he never thought he’d see. Barely

hitting his head on the lip of the cave stood a

crimson red dragon, his eyes shining like

emeralds. Scars covered his scaly body as he

glared down at the dying knight in front of him.

“The kingdom.. Has fallen...” The knight

croaked out coughing up more blood. “Her and I

are the only survivors, but my end is drawing

near...” he said gasping for breath. “Please protect

the only heir to my beloved king-” The knight

didn't finish. Collapsing, the life he once had, now

gone from this world. But before the knight’s body

hit the floor, the dragon caught the princess, who

was fast asleep, suckling on the blood soaked

blanket that she was wrapped up in.

The dragon sighed, made his way slowly back into the cave, as

he did the princess woke up and began to cry.

Alarmed the dragon quickly made his way over to

a pile of gold, he gently laid her down, using the

blanket she had to cover her. “You’re hungry aren’t

you...?” He asked rhetorically as he began to look

through his treasure for something to feed his new daughter.

“I guess I’m going to get a maiden from a nearby village to help feed you my dear.” Said the dragon as he grabbed a small basket and gently laid her inside, along with a few pieces of his gold. He picked up the basket and headed off into the night. As he flew he saw reminisces of the kingdom that his new daughter was from.Hours later, the dragon landed outside a small village. The people of the village honored his kind like a god, and would help him in any way possible. The dragon set the basket on his back and slowly made his way into the village, as he did the village’s elder came to greet him.

“Hello my dear, what has come for you to grant us with your divine present?” The elder asked, smiling up at the dragon, who returned it with a soft smile. “I seek a maiden, one to help me raise a child.” The dragon said, as he took the basket off his back, opening the lid to show the newborn princess fast asleep. The elder gasped as he gently lifted the sleeping infant out of the basket. “One of our maidens just had a child, but lost it at birth. I believe she would be willing to go with you to help care for this child.” She said as she led him to a small hut. The Elder gently knocked on the door, “Tiamat?” The elder said softly as she opened the door.

The dragon peered in and saw a fair young lady sitting in front of a handcrafted crib. “Yes ma’am?” Tiamat said looking at her elder, her eyes were puffy as if she had been crying. The elder smiled as she showed Tiamat the baby. “Our savior wants you to help care for his daughter. Will you go?” The elder asked

Tiamat’s eyes widened as she looked at the baby then at the dragon, then back at the baby. After a few moments of silence the dragon spoke up. “If you agree Miss. Tiamat, you will never go hungry and you can have everything you could ever dream of. This child is the only survivor of the kingdom up north.” The dragon said, Tiamat could sense a hint of pain in his voice as he spoke.

“I’ll do it...” She whispered softly as she looked down at the infant cradled in the elder’s arms.“I will help you care for the child.” Tiamat said as she looked up at the dragon. He smiled, grateful his daughter would have a mother to help her learn how to be a lady. “I will wait as you gather your things and say your goodbyes.” The dragon said as Tiamat nodded. After a while Tiamat came out with 2 trunks full of her things. “I’m ready.” Tiamat said softly as she looked back at the empty home. The dragon smiled and gently set his hand on her shoulder.

 “It will be alright my dear.” He said softly as Tiamat nodded, looking back one more time at the home she had known since childhood. “Don't worry my dear. I'm sure you’ll be able to come visit us.” The elder said as the dragon helped Tiamat onto his back, their daughter cradled happily in her arms. “Before we leave, this is payment for your kindness.” The dragon said, handing the elder the basket. Inside were 100 gold and silver pieces.

“This should help your village thrive and grow.” He said as the elder smiled and gently kissed his forehead. “Thank you. You are very kind.” She said as the dragon started to flap his wings, taking off into the rising sunlight. “Bye!! We’ll miss you!” The women of the village yelled as Tiamat waved goodbye.

As they flew, Tiamat broke the silence. “You never told me yours or your daughter’s names.” She said as the dragon slowly descended into a field. “My name is Rakugosha. As for her... I don't know what her late mother and father called her.” Rakugosha said, frowning a bit, Tiamat frowned looking away. “I'm... I'm sorry I asked...” She began to say, “How about we give her a name. She looks to only be a few hours old, so I don't think many people know about her yet.” Tiamat said, then smiled as she looked down at the baby fast asleep in her arms, Rakugosha smiled as he helped her down off his back.

“What names did you have in mind?” He asked, Tiamat thought for a second then smiled. “The child I lost was a girl, I had planned on naming her Kaida Beda.” She said softly as she tried to keep from crying, Rakugosha noticed and gently wiped away her tears with his claws.

“Those are beautiful names. May I ask, what do they mean?” He asked as they walked toward a lower cave that was connected to his above.

Tiamat blushed softly as she smiled. “Kaida means little dragon and Beda means warrior maiden.” She said softly, Rakugosha smiled as they made their way up into his cave.

“I’m sure she will grow into the beautiful meanings of her new name.” He said softly, smiling.  Just then, Kaida started to wake, she whined softly as she opened her eyes and peered up at her new parents. She began to giggle and reach up at them.

“It seems that she has grown very fond of you Tiamat.” Rakugosha said chuckling as Tiamat nodded smiling. She gently lifted Kaida up and kissed her forehead.

 “And I’ve grown very fond of her as well. Thank you for choosing me to help care for her.” She said leaning back on his side. Rakugosha smiled, he leaned forward, he gently licked her cheek.

“You are very welcome my dear.” He said as they walked over to a clear area to set up the crib so Kaida could rest.

***

A few months had passed since Rakugosha adopted Kaida and began a relationship with  Tiamat. At the moment Tiamat was trying to teach Kaida to walk and talk.

“Come on baby girl, you can do it.” She said sitting a couple meters from Rakugosha and Kaida. Rakugosha chuckled softly as Kaida just stared at her mother before going back to playing with his tail. “Kida, look what mama’s got.~” Tiamat said shaking a small sack filled with gold pieces. Kaida babbled at her then used Rakugosha to pull herself up and slowly began to walk toward her mother, trying to get the sack. Tiamat smiled wide, hugging Kaida as she fell into her arms. “I’m so proud of you my dear!” She cheered. Kaida squealed, kicking her feet while laughing at her mother’s reaction.

Rakugosha chuckled as he got up and walked over to his family. He laid down and curled around them, using his tail to hold them close. “Thank you my love.” He said softly nuzzling Tiamat’s neck.

She began to blush as she looked at him. “Whatever do you mean dear?” She asked, a light pink hue danced on her cheeks, making the large dragon smile.

“You’ve helped me care for this little warrior.” He said chuckling as Kaida climbed onto his back. “Careful little one, we don't need you falling and getting hurt.” Rakugosha said as he guarded Kaida from falling off his back