The Black Dragon spoke to Chakik. it’s voice rumbly and scratchy. “Little Squirrel. What makes you so bold as to stand upon my back?”
Chakik was momentarily stunned. The last thing he remembered was the horrible sound of it’s round black teeth gnashing and snarling at him as it bore down on him. The Black Dragon was actually speaking to him. “I…I…meant no disrespect sir”, he managed to stammer. “I am the smallest in my family and thought if I touched you it might impress my brothers and sisters…”
“Do you think I am magic?” growled the Dragon, its words like rocks tumbling against each other in a fast moving stream.
“Yes”, stuttered the squirrel. Chakik was not sure why he answered this way, no story had ever mentioned the Black Dragon having powers beyond it’s crushing head.
“If I were magic, small one, what would it be to you?” the Dragon spoke slowly and deliberately. The little squirrel sat motionless in front of the great beast, not knowing how to answer.
The Black Dragon was growling slightly at him, but he did not feel afraid or threatened by it now. It seemed as if the Dragon wanted to help him somehow. Without futher thought Chakik blurted out “I wish my cheeks could carry as much food as the clouds!” The Black Dragon said nothing but continued it’s low growl. This went on for what seemed like ages. Finally it rumbled louder and it’s eyes glowed even brighter, staring straight through the little squirrel.
“And why should one so small wish for something so grand?”
“My family would not have to work so hard gathering food and they could be proud of me…” Chakik hoped it would stop him from being called ‘little cheeks’ as well, but he didn’t think the Black Dragon needed to know about that. He sat very still after answering, his head lowered before the great, strange creature.
“You amuse me little one. A squirrel with cheeks as large as clouds…” The Black Dragon grinned as it spoke. “As you dream, so shall you see.” With these words the Black Dragon roared and screamed and lunged toward him. Chakik fell over backwards, hitting his head against the rocky scales of the Black Dragon’s back as its head passed over top of him.
Everything went dark. Again.