[CW: POV changes that should be intuitive enough and the usual, blood, death, gore, vulgar language.]

  A group of armed and armored people were moving through the forest with a sense of superiority. Six warriors walking without a care in the world. Pushing through low branches with loud snaps and raised voices they tactlessly traveled like they were the apex predators of the forest.

  "I still can't believe we got that contract! That shit was so fucking easy. They made this forest out to be some kind of death trap and we haven't seen anything dangerous." The one in the lead merrily shouted. In the middle a woman spoke more rationally, "Derick shut the fuck up. There's a void damned dragon den around here, one that's recorded and proven to be dangerous as hell. You read the reports too, an aggressive red that's known to kill anyone that enters its territory." Incensed the leader, Derick called back, "Fucking quit it with that, Sarah. I told you those heroes left at the same time as us to kill the damn thing. There's nothing in this forest but some weak ass monsters, dragon made sure of it. Its literally never been safer." Huffing in frustration Sarah kept her mouth shut and tried to keep alert, well aware that more dangers existed than they had seen but aware she can't dissuade her stubbornly stupid leader.

  Walking a little while longer, the leader gets bored of the silence almost immediately. "Cook boy! What do you think, anything dangerous in the forest? A particularly vicious squirrel perhaps? A single starving wolf? Don't worry, I'm sure we can protect you!" Laughing like he told a hilarious joke, the 'cook' just keeps walking not even gracing Derick with a response. "Nervous little man? Come on now cook, surely you have something to say! Grace us with your wisdom, I need some entertainment for this unbelievably boring hike!" Next to the idiotic leader a large man with an oversized sword laughed. Sighing, the 'cook' finally took the bait and responded. "I keep telling you, its Asher. not 'cook boy'. I fight just as well as any of you. And of course there is danger here. Wolzards, Iron Wolves, Giant spiders, potentially Bandits moving in to capitalize on the dragon's supposed death. The dragon itself may not be dead, as well."

  Bowling over in laughter the leader tries to respond "Wol- Wolzards?!" Laughing some more, he stops and leans against a tree shaking it with his unbridled joy. "Wolzards! Who the hell came up with such a terrible name. What are they, wolf lizards? Please tell me they are wolf lizards!" With a suffering sigh Asher says, "Yes. Wolf Lizards. I agree its a bad name. Don't underestimate them. As big as ponies, tough scales, sharp claws and fangs they move in packs of up to 5. Worst of all they have a horrible tendency to fight to the death instead of retreating. Horribly dangerous, if we came across a full size pack I'm running away. You should too." Laughing again even harder the leader responded, "Run away the useless cook says! You would run away from something so fucking stupid as a 'Wolzard'! Keep staying in the rear cook boy, we'll protect you!"

  As the leader continues to make a ruckus at the front of their group laughing and jibing at Asher, the quietest one of the party fell back a bit and walked shoulder to shoulder with Asher. Asher took a look at them and recognized them as Daniel, a shorter man wielding a few too many daggers on his body and the skill to use them. Asher respected Daniel is likely the most dangerous one in the group, but Asher knew none of the others respected Daniel either. The nimble man was quiet and shy, and assholes like Derick and his right hand man 'Killer' only respected how much of an asshole you could be. Nudging Asher with his elbow, Daniel gave Asher a small smile and a nod while continuing to walk in sync. Asher thought to himself, One more day in this stupid group and we'll be back at the city. Thank the void Daniel is here, he might not talk much be without his gentle support I would have snapped and killed Derick days ago. Silver linings and all that I suppose.

  In the middle of the pack, the remaining adventurer matched his pace with Sarah the ranger. "Hey uh, Sarah. So, cook boy is just being a moron right? There aren't actually any real danger's here… right?" Sarah, sighing again and silently cursing being surrounded by a bunch of idiotic men, retorted quietly, "Asher, not 'cook boy', is correct. Which any of you would know if you bothered to do even a little prep work for this mission. Derick is going to get us killed at this rate, but he has the contract proof so we're forced to follow him back to the city. Stay alert Rodger, we may need to fight eventually. Or, if the worst happens and we do come across a full pack of Wolzards? We'll have to run no matter what that meathead Derick says." The nervous man slows for a moment, visually upset, trotting to catch up again he whimpered out a few words, "But.. But Derick said-" Cutting him off with a scoff the irritated archer simply sneered and said "Ugh. Boys." and slowed down to walk closer to Asher and Daniel. Instead of moving back towards the quiet ones, Rodger mumbled something to himself. He puffed up his chest and paced forwards to join Derick and his right hand man.

  "Hey, uh. Derick! Killer! Wait up. Those cowards think there's something in these woods, I'm sticking with someone who actually knows what's going on." Fragmented the party continued on through the forest, after another hour of relative quiet Derick stopped the group, turned, and shouted once more, "Alright men and cowards! River is coming up if our map is right! We should be hitting the deepest point so we'll follow the river bank till its shallow enough to cross without drowning in our armor and then make the city by nightfall." A chorus of grunts of affirmation were all he got in response. Scowling, Derick kept on, mumbling something about "ungrateful".

  Trudging on the group hit the riverbank. To some of the groups surprise Derick had managed to actually get their location right. They were right on the deepest part of the river as it rushed by. The white foam bursting over a few rocks also confirmed they wouldn't be crossing here. Stepping forward Sarah pat Derick on the back saying, "Well color me surprised, I didn't think you'd actually navigate us properly. I was prepared to walk in circles and be forced to camp out here." With a slightly mocking laugh she continued, "So take us away captain. Which way to home?" Glaring at Sarah with a very real glint of fire in his eyes Derick retorted, "Thank you for your confidence, coward. Follow me." As he started to move down the river a horrible clanking could be heard quietly. Derick scowled at the group, "Who the hell is clanking their armor! Stop that, its annoying as fuck." Looking at each other, nobody was clanking. Nobody but the 'Killer' and Derick even had metal armor to clank

  With a dawning realization Asher, Sarah, and Daniel all shared a look and drew their weapons. With panic in his voice Asher whisper shouted, "Its FUCKING Iron Wolves. Fuck. Fuck. We're so fucked. Robert. Robert!" Turning and snapping his fingers at Robert's panicked face, "Robert! Focus, your our linchpin here, Iron Wolves are extremely sensitive to Lightning. You need to-" A deafening chorus of howls cut Asher off as the largest pack of Iron Wolves any of them had ever seen showed up. A dozen, Maybe two. Asher tried to get Robert's attention, get him to do anything but the deafening clang of so many iron wolves metal fur drowned out any sounds. Physically shoving Robert forward, Asher directed at the wolves with his hands trying to get Robert to cast enough lighting to scare them off. In the panic and shock, Robert ran forward meeting the first iron wolf with his blade. Infused and crackling with electricity he swung with all his might. With a clang that shook his sword arm so bad he nearly dropped his sword he bounced off the Iron Wolf's thick metal fur. The lightning infused into his blade was so weak that it only elicited a yelp and a flinch from the lead wolf, the wolf just behind it leapt up at the separated and exposed Robert. Slamming into his chest the wolf tackling him to the ground, bit into his throat, and Robert was no more.

  In the back Asher watched with wide eyed awe. The stupefying combination of the tremendous amount of Iron Wolves and Robert's suicide charge left him slack jawed. Too stunned to act himself, Derick took a single step forward and started to spray waves of flames from his hands. The Iron Wolves collectively danced back from the flames as Derick held them off. A deathly quiet filled the air as the wolves surrounded them on every side except where the river was, all holding still and ready to charge to take them as soon as the fire mage stopped. Derick spoke with panic suffusing his voice, "I- I- I can't keep this up forever. A minute, maybe two. Chase them off! Scare em away, your a fire mage right cook boy? Do some fire magic and help me out!" Asher continued to just stare dumbfounded, unresponsive in his utter surprise. The quiet Daniel with his daggers drawn also stood aside, his face filled with dismay. Instead Sarah stepped alongside him and started pushing with her wind magic, "Derick. I normally use my wind to help my arrows, I can't do any huge spells like you can. But if I push some extra wind into your flames that will push them further, or make them burn brighter? Right?? Something??? Gods I don't wanna die, please don't let me die Derick." Derick started to respond but was caught off by an earth shattering roar.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Asher whipped around and looked across the river, and there stood the crimson dragon that the hero's obviously failed to kill. He considered this for a moment. Ah. So this is how I die. A useless fire mage with an incompetent party. Stuck between a pissed off hero slaying crimson dragon, and an impossibly large pack of Iron Wolves. Brilliant. Just. Brilliant. Sorry mom and dad, I never did learn to make fire.

  Zephyria stood across the river bank watching the idiotic but brave band of adventurers make their final stand. I really don't want to save them. I really really don't. But I have to, don't I? I need a bath, which means I need this part of the river. Its the only section that looks deep enough to even sink most of me. Zephyria watched the one with a sword and shield sprint forward, slam his sword into the head of an iron wolf, and the be killed immediately. By the void, they have no teamwork at all. She spotted a mage move forward slightly and create a tentative peace. From across the river she couldn't hear what they were saying, but it seemed panicked. Ugh. I need at least one of them alive to take this damn arrow out of my side. And, maybe they will have some information on those supposed heroes that dishonored my mother. Void curse these fools I do have to save a bunch of idiotic adventurers. Fine. Might as well make an entrance, put on a show worthy of a dragon. Zephyria lacked much control with wind magic, but pushing a bit of her heart-flame into her lungs she let out a roar that shook the world around her. Striking a gallant pose as the puny humans looked at her, she took a step forward, then two, then three, accelerating into a sprint she spread her wings and leapt over the river with only a small twinge of pain from her injured wing leather.

  Landing in front of the group she dramatically flared her wings out making herself look as big as possible and shouted "FEAR NOT MORTALS! YOUR SAVIOR IS HERE! YOU MAY NOW CRY IN THANKS AS I SPARE YOUR PATHETIC LIVES!" Pushing as much power from her heart-flame as she could into her maw, she charged the biggest bolt of lighting she had ever produced. A pause for drama, and BANG! The world turned white as her eye membranes protected her from the worst of the flash. Her ears rang faintly as an impossibly bright bolt jumped from her maw. She watched as one Iron Wolf died, then two, then three. Seven. Seven keeled over dead, the bolt chaining off their highly conductive metal fur from one to another. Four more visibly smoked and staggered to the ground. At the edge of the chain a half dozen more yelped. As one the not quite as deafening clang of a tremendous amount of iron wolves turned tail and fled. Not yet looking back Zephyria stepped forward, channeled lightning into her claws, and finished off the four that had been stunned.

  With a dramatic slow turn, Zephyria folded in her wings and stood as tall and elegant as she could manage while caked in blood and an arrow in her side. "Mortals. You are now in my debt. I have tasks and questions. Assist me, answer my questions, and you may go."

  Asher was pretty convinced he had pissed himself. He wasn't quite sure of anything anymore. Before him stood a blood red dragon. His thoughts started to race like a dragon at top speed, Wait, no. It's coated in blood head to.. claw? How is it covered in blood so thoroughly!? I can't even tell what color its supposed to be! Can't actually be a red, even I know reds breath fire. And its size?? Its- It's so much smaller than I thought a dragon would be. Its like a particularly big draft horse, but far, far, longer. I thought dragons were supposed to be massive behemoths! And lightning! What dragon breaths lightning! Fire, Ice, Acid, yes. But Lightning!? What? I don't understand what in the void is happening.

  Asher's panicked and running thoughts were interrupted by 'Killer' making himself known for the first time during this entire fight. The normally silent man roared out, "THE BRAVE WILL NEVER BOW TO A DRAGON!" and rushed towards the beast with his disconcertingly oversized and unwieldy sword. Taking the top for the most embarrassing death Asher had ever seen, the dragon simply snapped its head out crushing Killer's head like a- well like a human head in an angry dragon's maw.

  That's when the dragon spoke the last thing he ever thought he would hear in his life. "Oh. Eww. Human brains taste awful." It lifted its gaze onto the remaining adventurers, "Anyone else feeling brave?" and with that simple question simply gave up trying to understand what in the cursed void was happening and just went with the flow. Taking several steps far more confident than he felt, he spoke, "Heroic dragon! We surrender to your mercy. Tell us your tasks, ask us your questions, and we will be forever grateful for your generosity."

  "That's more like it. First-" The dragon stuck its muzzle far too close to his face for comfort. The smell of fresh blood filling his nose, "-you are my favorite of this bunch. Brave in a smart way. Follow me back to the river bank." Turning its bloody visage towards the remaining adventurers it spoke again. "You three. Carve into the dead Iron Wolves and bring me their hearts. We must honor the dead if we are to uphold our dignity." Without turning to see if anyone had followed its orders, the beast walked towards the beach and laid partially on its left leaving its right side exposed. Following obediently, the beast spoke to Asher once he got close again. "What is your name, brave one?" Asher paused at that for a moment, looking into its eyes. "Asher, your greatness. Just Asher." The dragon eyed him for a moment, considering its response. "Asher. A fine name. My name is Zephyria, its a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Well then Asher I have a problem you are suited to solve. You can use that dagger on your hip, correct?" Once again Asher hesitated before responding, Must be a she from that name. Right? I can't just ask, what if she eats me? What could she possibly want from me and my dagger that doesn't have to do with harvesting the kills? "I can, yes ma'am." Nodding a bit, the dragon lifted her wing out of the way to expose a half broken arrow sunk into her flesh. "As you can see, I have an unwelcome passenger. One I cannot remove myself due to its position. You will carve it out and remove it so I may bathe my scales and return them to their luster. Have no fear, I will not harm you so long as you do not try to take advantage of this moment." Asher faltered for the third time this conversation, each time she spoke it surprised him in a completely different way. "Yes my lady. I will do my best to ensure there is as little damage as possible." The dragon graced him with what he hoped was a look of gratitude. "Thank you little one, you may begin when you are ready." Taking a steadying breath Asher steadied his nerves best he could before stabbing the blood soaked dragon that just saved his life and killed one of his allies.

  With careful and deliberate sawing motions trying to make the wound as small as possible Asher extracted the arrow. This would still be a grievous wound on a human, and she's not even flinching. What in the void has my life come to? My family never prepared me for this. They prepared me for so much but, not this! Holding a blooded arrow in his hand and watching the fresh wound on the dragons side bleed he presented the arrow to the dragon. "My lady, the arrow is removed. You may draw your bath now if it pleases you." With a visible tilt of her head the dragon looked at him confused, he blushed a bit when he realized he was treating her like this was a noble bathhouse and not a blood soaked dragon in the woods by the side of a river. "Ah, uh. The arrow is out, you can rinse off in the river now. Like you.. said you wanted to?" With a terrifying series of sounds that took Asher a moment to realize was laughter, the dragon stood up and shook slightly. Looking at him she spoke, "Thank you, Asher. It is a tremendous relief to have that out of my side." Turning back to the river the dragon waded into it, the water coming most most of the way up her torso. As the river was stained red with a truly spectacular amount of blood released by the dragon crouching, rolling and doing everything she could to get the blood off, Asher was left in awe at the sight.

  She's beautiful.