Pippa was back in town. She was madder than a wet hen and a singed wet hen at that! She had gone to Arcania to search for the jujube herb that would make the magic gourd happy so that it would play sweet music for her. She knew there was a very ugly mean dragon that would be waiting to possibly eat her, as the jujube herb was very precious to witches. It had many magical qualities. Witches prized it most of all, for they gained more powerful spells if they used it in a ritual with a special incantation. The witches would do anything to get the herb, but feared the dragon as his only meals were those foolish enough to attempt to get the herb.
Pippa had been terrified, but she desperately wanted to hear the magic gourd playing and after having offended it, she knew that the jujube could appease it. She just knew it. Upon arriving at the mountain where the dragon lived that contained the Jujube she had floated gently over the rocks. She knew that the dragon slept at that particular time of day, but was always able to wake up if a meal approached. The dragon it was rumored had tried to eat a very powerful witch one time, and after he ingested her she had set his insides on fire by magic, causing him to spit her out. This it is said is how dragons had gotten the ability to breathe fire, and that is why dragons were so mean, as they had constant indigestion. As a further punishment the witch decreed that the dragon's sole purpose in life would be to guard the jujube plant. He would have to live forever on the mountain never to see his home again. He would also only get his meal from the occasional human or supernatural who dared to trespass on his mountain, so he was constantly hungry. Pippa knew one small slip and she would be breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Pippa had made it half way up the mountain and heard the dragon snoring. The most dangerous part was yet to come. The dragon slept in front of the cave where the jujube was stored by the dragon. All she had to do was get past the dragon, find the jujube in the cave, get out of the cave, down the mountain and then she was home free. Unfortunately though Pippa being a fairy was of a nature very curious. She came upon the sleeping dragon, and instead of stealing right past him, she stopped to check this creature out. She had only heard of dragons not seen one. She floated closer cautiously. She wanted to get the jujube, but she had to take a closer look at this fearsome creature. The dragon was humungous! He was of a pale green slimey color, with a long snout with large nostrils that emitted smoke. His mouth which was slack in sleep had teeth that were at least 20 inches long each. His huge hands which were resting under his snout had 30 inch nails sharpened to a fine razor point. The scales on its back were sharp like knives as well. His tail was about 10 feet long and was only a quarter of this monster's body. She couldn't help it, not having seen this creature before she had to stand looking at him. Pippa stole closer to the dragon, and got a whiff of its breath. It smelled like a decomposing body, skunk and rotting food together! Pippa had been standing near the dragon. Deciding she had lingered long enough she started to float again to move past this beast into the cave. Unfortunately for Pippa a huge gust of wind arose, and because she was floating she lost control and was thrown into the dragon. He immediately woke up!
The dragon was startled awake! What had just hit him? He was disoriented, but saw out of his eye what looked like a tasty fairy. Oh he loved fairies. They were his favorite meal. They had the sweetest taste to them. Was he still dreaming? No, it was definitely a fairy!
Pippa was terrified knowing there was not a chance of getting that jujube. All she could hope for was to get off the mountain without becoming a meal. Pippa started to float backwards, but dragons were not only huge and had a long reach with their oversized snouts, but his claws would give him good footing on the mountain stones. It was said dragons were very agile in spite of their size and quick.
Pippa took off, and the dragon chased after her. What had seemed such an easy short trip up the mountain now seemed like it was a journey of 2 days. Pippa was losing ground. The dragon's mouth was but a couple feet from her. She could feel his breath on her back. She wasn't going to make it! The dragon was about to lunge forward and close his large jaws around Pippa. Pippa all of a sudden turned around to face the dragon. The dragon was so taken by surprise he stopped and stumbled a short distance down the mountain. Pippa decided her only hope was to talk her way out of this. Fairies were very amenable and had been known to be able to charm the worst monsters of history. In fact it is said that a fairy had charmed the snakes off of Medusa's head. True, it like everything else, was just a legend and not proven, but she knew she had no other choice.
Pippa: Sir, please do not eat this poor creature. I am but a small insignificant fairy, and would not make a satisfying meal at all.
Dragon now stunned that this little fairy was directly addressing him, forgot he was hungry for the moment.
Pippa having seen the dragon stop took courage and approached a little bit closer: I am but come to get some of the jujube herb. I mean you no harm. Please if you let me get some and go my way peacefully, I promise I will send you a nice meal back. She didn't know who she would get or how, but hey she was desperate. Besides I can see you are rather a handsome creature and I can see you have a kind face.
Dragon haven't having spoke in years his voice was gruff and raspy: What makes you think I would trust you? Why should you bring me a meal back? If I let you go, you will leave and I will still be hungry. No, you will be my next meal.
Pippa almost crying: Please sir, I mean no harm. I just came to get some of the jujube for a man. He has this magic gourd which plays music, and he promised to have it play for me again. The magic gourd might even if pleased enough with my offering allow me to play it. I, in my ignorance, offended it, and he says that the only way the magic gourd will play is if it is rubbed with the leaves of the jujube. Please it plays the most beautiful music, it would make even you moved to tears. I just have to get the jujube and appease it so I can hear it play again.
Dragon thinking magic gourd?
Dragon: What is this magic gourd you speak of?
Pippa It has a stem with knobs sticking out on both sides, with strings running down the stem into the belly of the gourd. The belly has a hole over which the strings rest, and when you press the strings on the stem, and run your fingers over the belly beautiful music plays.
Dragon who had more encounters and meals out of strolling minstrels then he cared to remember as they were a tough grisly meal, knew of what this fairy was speaking. It wasn't a magic gourd, but a guitar! She didn't really believe it was a magic gourd who could be appeased did she?
Dragon: Are you referring to a guitar perchance?
Pippa: A git ar? Pippa mispronounced. What is a git ar?
Dragon in spite of being hungry was amused. He hadn't laughed in ages, as his life wasn't the sort conducive to laughter. A rumble started in his stomach that for once wasn't hunger pains, but yet slightly familiar. A low growl came from deep in his throat, his stomach started to shake.
Pippa was terrified. She had been scared before, but this was truly terrifying. This dragon was going to eat her. Pippa realizing she had no choice stood there with her eyes closed. That way she wouldn't see the end coming. Next thing she knew she heard this loud wheezing, gasping, sounds that sounded like a sick cow.
Pippa opened one eye not being able to bear it anymore. To her surprise she saw the dragon mouth open laughing! He was laughing. Pippa not understanding why he was laughing didn't care, she was delighted. Maybe she would be allowed to go after all! She jumped up and down and clapped excitedly.
The dragon started laughing so hard he snorted and fire came out of his nostrils searing Pippa accidentally!
The dragon seeing Pippa standing there seared, with this wide eyed look of surprise laughed even harder. He was downright guffawing!
Pippa was angry now. First the dragon chased her, and scared her, he just shot fire at her singeing her, and now he was laughing at her it seemed.
Pippa: You beast you are laughing at me. I have never been so offended. If you are going to eat me, do it now, or else tell me what is so funny!
Dragon finally catching his breath and grateful for the laugh decided that this fairy should live, and that he would tell her why.
Dragon: I have not laughed in years, and forgot how wonderful it is. I thank you for the laugh, and for that I will trust you, and let you leave, and bring me a meal of your choosing. Please I beg you though, bring not a roaming minstrel as their hides are tough and scrawny. They play this "magic gourd" and perhaps that is why their taste is so sour. But I will not send you with the jujube.
Pippa hearing she wasn't going to be eaten sighed with relief, but still being some angry demanded again to know what was so funny and why she was not to get the jujube.
Dragon: My dear little one you have been hoodwinked by whoever told you that. The magic gourd you speak of is known as a guitar. It is made by men who specialize in the art of making them, and they are nothing but an object with no magical powers or intelligence of any kind. It is the men who are taught to play these guitars that get the music to come from plucking on those strings. That guitar would not work no matter how many jujube herbs you rubbed on it. He just wanted to get rid of you for his own purposes and you fell for it. This whole scenario was so incongruous and the look on the fairy's face was so incredulous he started to snort and guffaw once again.
Pippa was really mad now. So Rainbow Ivy had sent her on a wild dragon chase it seemed and made a fool of her! It wasn't bad enough that she had made a long tiring journey to risk her life, almost got eaten by a dragon, barely escaped with her life, but to round out the humiliation she had this same dragon laugh at her for being a fool, and singed for her troubles.
Dragon: Thank you fairy for the laugh. I promise if you fulfill your promise to me, I will never eat you or any of your descendants ever as long as they are on this earth.
Now go before I lose control of myself and eat you in my hunger.
Pippa left filled with relief, but also with a cold hard rage. Rainbow Ivy would pay. She would fulfill her promise, and now she knew who the dragon's next meal would be.
Pippa had been terrified, but she desperately wanted to hear the magic gourd playing and after having offended it, she knew that the jujube could appease it. She just knew it. Upon arriving at the mountain where the dragon lived that contained the Jujube she had floated gently over the rocks. She knew that the dragon slept at that particular time of day, but was always able to wake up if a meal approached. The dragon it was rumored had tried to eat a very powerful witch one time, and after he ingested her she had set his insides on fire by magic, causing him to spit her out. This it is said is how dragons had gotten the ability to breathe fire, and that is why dragons were so mean, as they had constant indigestion. As a further punishment the witch decreed that the dragon's sole purpose in life would be to guard the jujube plant. He would have to live forever on the mountain never to see his home again. He would also only get his meal from the occasional human or supernatural who dared to trespass on his mountain, so he was constantly hungry. Pippa knew one small slip and she would be breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Pippa had made it half way up the mountain and heard the dragon snoring. The most dangerous part was yet to come. The dragon slept in front of the cave where the jujube was stored by the dragon. All she had to do was get past the dragon, find the jujube in the cave, get out of the cave, down the mountain and then she was home free. Unfortunately though Pippa being a fairy was of a nature very curious. She came upon the sleeping dragon, and instead of stealing right past him, she stopped to check this creature out. She had only heard of dragons not seen one. She floated closer cautiously. She wanted to get the jujube, but she had to take a closer look at this fearsome creature. The dragon was humungous! He was of a pale green slimey color, with a long snout with large nostrils that emitted smoke. His mouth which was slack in sleep had teeth that were at least 20 inches long each. His huge hands which were resting under his snout had 30 inch nails sharpened to a fine razor point. The scales on its back were sharp like knives as well. His tail was about 10 feet long and was only a quarter of this monster's body. She couldn't help it, not having seen this creature before she had to stand looking at him. Pippa stole closer to the dragon, and got a whiff of its breath. It smelled like a decomposing body, skunk and rotting food together! Pippa had been standing near the dragon. Deciding she had lingered long enough she started to float again to move past this beast into the cave. Unfortunately for Pippa a huge gust of wind arose, and because she was floating she lost control and was thrown into the dragon. He immediately woke up!
The dragon was startled awake! What had just hit him? He was disoriented, but saw out of his eye what looked like a tasty fairy. Oh he loved fairies. They were his favorite meal. They had the sweetest taste to them. Was he still dreaming? No, it was definitely a fairy!
Pippa was terrified knowing there was not a chance of getting that jujube. All she could hope for was to get off the mountain without becoming a meal. Pippa started to float backwards, but dragons were not only huge and had a long reach with their oversized snouts, but his claws would give him good footing on the mountain stones. It was said dragons were very agile in spite of their size and quick.
Pippa took off, and the dragon chased after her. What had seemed such an easy short trip up the mountain now seemed like it was a journey of 2 days. Pippa was losing ground. The dragon's mouth was but a couple feet from her. She could feel his breath on her back. She wasn't going to make it! The dragon was about to lunge forward and close his large jaws around Pippa. Pippa all of a sudden turned around to face the dragon. The dragon was so taken by surprise he stopped and stumbled a short distance down the mountain. Pippa decided her only hope was to talk her way out of this. Fairies were very amenable and had been known to be able to charm the worst monsters of history. In fact it is said that a fairy had charmed the snakes off of Medusa's head. True, it like everything else, was just a legend and not proven, but she knew she had no other choice.
Pippa: Sir, please do not eat this poor creature. I am but a small insignificant fairy, and would not make a satisfying meal at all.
Dragon now stunned that this little fairy was directly addressing him, forgot he was hungry for the moment.
Pippa having seen the dragon stop took courage and approached a little bit closer: I am but come to get some of the jujube herb. I mean you no harm. Please if you let me get some and go my way peacefully, I promise I will send you a nice meal back. She didn't know who she would get or how, but hey she was desperate. Besides I can see you are rather a handsome creature and I can see you have a kind face.
Dragon haven't having spoke in years his voice was gruff and raspy: What makes you think I would trust you? Why should you bring me a meal back? If I let you go, you will leave and I will still be hungry. No, you will be my next meal.
Pippa almost crying: Please sir, I mean no harm. I just came to get some of the jujube for a man. He has this magic gourd which plays music, and he promised to have it play for me again. The magic gourd might even if pleased enough with my offering allow me to play it. I, in my ignorance, offended it, and he says that the only way the magic gourd will play is if it is rubbed with the leaves of the jujube. Please it plays the most beautiful music, it would make even you moved to tears. I just have to get the jujube and appease it so I can hear it play again.
Dragon thinking magic gourd?
Dragon: What is this magic gourd you speak of?
Pippa It has a stem with knobs sticking out on both sides, with strings running down the stem into the belly of the gourd. The belly has a hole over which the strings rest, and when you press the strings on the stem, and run your fingers over the belly beautiful music plays.
Dragon who had more encounters and meals out of strolling minstrels then he cared to remember as they were a tough grisly meal, knew of what this fairy was speaking. It wasn't a magic gourd, but a guitar! She didn't really believe it was a magic gourd who could be appeased did she?
Dragon: Are you referring to a guitar perchance?
Pippa: A git ar? Pippa mispronounced. What is a git ar?
Dragon in spite of being hungry was amused. He hadn't laughed in ages, as his life wasn't the sort conducive to laughter. A rumble started in his stomach that for once wasn't hunger pains, but yet slightly familiar. A low growl came from deep in his throat, his stomach started to shake.
Pippa was terrified. She had been scared before, but this was truly terrifying. This dragon was going to eat her. Pippa realizing she had no choice stood there with her eyes closed. That way she wouldn't see the end coming. Next thing she knew she heard this loud wheezing, gasping, sounds that sounded like a sick cow.
Pippa opened one eye not being able to bear it anymore. To her surprise she saw the dragon mouth open laughing! He was laughing. Pippa not understanding why he was laughing didn't care, she was delighted. Maybe she would be allowed to go after all! She jumped up and down and clapped excitedly.
The dragon started laughing so hard he snorted and fire came out of his nostrils searing Pippa accidentally!
The dragon seeing Pippa standing there seared, with this wide eyed look of surprise laughed even harder. He was downright guffawing!
Pippa was angry now. First the dragon chased her, and scared her, he just shot fire at her singeing her, and now he was laughing at her it seemed.
Pippa: You beast you are laughing at me. I have never been so offended. If you are going to eat me, do it now, or else tell me what is so funny!
Dragon finally catching his breath and grateful for the laugh decided that this fairy should live, and that he would tell her why.
Dragon: I have not laughed in years, and forgot how wonderful it is. I thank you for the laugh, and for that I will trust you, and let you leave, and bring me a meal of your choosing. Please I beg you though, bring not a roaming minstrel as their hides are tough and scrawny. They play this "magic gourd" and perhaps that is why their taste is so sour. But I will not send you with the jujube.
Pippa hearing she wasn't going to be eaten sighed with relief, but still being some angry demanded again to know what was so funny and why she was not to get the jujube.
Dragon: My dear little one you have been hoodwinked by whoever told you that. The magic gourd you speak of is known as a guitar. It is made by men who specialize in the art of making them, and they are nothing but an object with no magical powers or intelligence of any kind. It is the men who are taught to play these guitars that get the music to come from plucking on those strings. That guitar would not work no matter how many jujube herbs you rubbed on it. He just wanted to get rid of you for his own purposes and you fell for it. This whole scenario was so incongruous and the look on the fairy's face was so incredulous he started to snort and guffaw once again.
Pippa was really mad now. So Rainbow Ivy had sent her on a wild dragon chase it seemed and made a fool of her! It wasn't bad enough that she had made a long tiring journey to risk her life, almost got eaten by a dragon, barely escaped with her life, but to round out the humiliation she had this same dragon laugh at her for being a fool, and singed for her troubles.
Dragon: Thank you fairy for the laugh. I promise if you fulfill your promise to me, I will never eat you or any of your descendants ever as long as they are on this earth.
Now go before I lose control of myself and eat you in my hunger.
Pippa left filled with relief, but also with a cold hard rage. Rainbow Ivy would pay. She would fulfill her promise, and now she knew who the dragon's next meal would be.
Pippa arrived in town singed, and upset. Finally the experience she had just gone through hit her. Her eyes widened in disbelief and distress. She couldn't believe what had happened. Now that she was safe she felt like falling apart. The rage for now was overtaken by the fear she had just gone through. She felt like crying, but she had things to do.
.
First she would get herself cleaned up, and then she would find the wickedest witch who lived in the catacombs to help her pay back Rainbow Ivy for his treachery. She knew going to the evilest witch of all time was a risk, but she had survived her encounter with the dragon and lived, and her life meant nothing to her now unless she could pay back Rainbow Ivy. Oh yes Rainbow Ivy was going to pay, and being eaten alive by the dragon was going to be something he was going to begging for by the time she was done with him. At least that was the plan.