Chapter 46: They Want to Hire a Dragon
After my report, Sedol’s people remained in groups debating whether to halt eastern travel, move cargo anyway, or find guards who weren’t readily available.
I listened from enough distance not to block work.
A stranger approached.
“Val, may I ask something?”
“…What?”
“You flew east?”
“…Yes.”
“I want a favor. Guard a cart.”
The request was unexpected.
The man sent cargo east and feared letting it depart after the attack, but didn’t know how long he could wait. If wolves appeared, even driving them away would help. He offered payment.
I had protected Rue and aided travelers, but no one had asked to hire my strength for transporting goods.
“…How far?”
“Along the eastern highway. Not to the final destination—only through the dangerous area.”
“…We don’t know which area dangerous.”
The man faltered.
Other men argued about whether a dragon could escort horses and whether the request meant using me.
“…Wait,” I interrupted. “I protect it?”
“Yes. Drive off wolves. There’s a reward.”
“If I do once…will ask next time?”
People averted their eyes.
The man answered honestly.
“If necessary, I’ll want to ask. But I don’t expect you to accept every time.”
That made sense. A flying dragon stronger than wolves was an obvious choice.
“…I protect Rue. I won’t always be in Sedol.”
“I know.”
“…Then can’t always do.”
“Understood. Asking doesn’t make it your permanent job.”
I considered.
“…You may ask. Whether I do it, I decide.”
The man smiled wryly. “Naturally.”
Elmer returned and heard the proposal.
“The manor doesn’t forbid it,” he said. “Val decides. But we don’t yet understand the eastern road. First decide whether the cargo should leave at all.”
I had my own reasons not to answer immediately.
“…I return Rue.”
“Now?”
“…Yes.”
I had promised Lina a report. The chief should hear about the east. And too many unplanned matters had arisen to accept this one on momentum.
“Will you consult Rue before deciding?” the man asked.
“…Final choice mine. But I will talk.”
I wasn’t asking permission, but leaving the village affected its people.
Elmer supported that.
The man told me to find him in Sedol if I chose to accept; others would likely ask too once today’s news spread.
“…Many?”
“Of course. Anyone moving goods would want a flying guardian who can drive off magical beasts.”
I looked at my larger body, wings, claws, and fangs. In Rue they protected the village. In town, some people saw a different use.
That wasn’t inherently bad.
But one job might not end with one request.
After the man left, I asked Elmer, “…Will humans use me for transport?”
“Do you want that?”
“…No.”
“Then refuse.”
“…Simple.”
“Why make it difficult? Help when you want. Say no when you don’t.”
That was welcome advice.
“But ask exactly what they want. Protecting one person and delivering an entire loaded cart safely aren’t the same, even if both are called guarding.”
I remembered it.
As the crowds dispersed, I said I would return home.
Elmer escorted me through town. People still kept distance, but their gazes had changed. Some now recognized me as the dragon who had flown toward the bridge. One cargo worker stared at my back as if imagining a load.
“…Won’t carry it.”
“What?”
“…Cargo.”
Someone nearby burst out laughing.
“You were thinking it!”
“Only a little!”
Outside Sedol, Elmer asked whether I had seen the town.
I looked back at the houses, people, and goods; at the humans who complained when I blocked work, mobilized to save the injured, and tried to hire me.
“…I saw a lot.”
I took off toward Rue.
Sedol was far more familiar than when it had been smoke on the horizon, yet I had more questions now: the eastern wolves, the flow of goods, and the humans who wanted my labor.
None needed an answer today.
First I would report what had happened and then decide whether to guard the cart.