You Meet a Dragon

You throw yourself into a bush at the sight ahead. That shouldn't be here. Rather, that shouldn't be anywhere. You're rather familiar with the area thanks to the numerous heroes who schlepped you're armor through here to sell in the next town. There's no shortage of poison creatures, and you even knew of a few rare encounters with low level dragons, but a Dragon Lord? He'd have to be at least level ten to select the growth path, meaning the best you could hope for was marginal physical superiority and skill with a significant inferiority in speed.

But that's just implausible. It's the bard at his side that really makes this impossible.

"This sword is too light. I think I need something a little heavier." The beast growls

"Well, I can't help with that right now." The bard whines as she begins her explanation. "That's the only sword I have at the moment. Most of my marks were Hunters and Healers. I have plenty of bows, staves, robes, and even a wooden mace from a beginner barbarian. Most of the people in this area are Elves and they don't generally use heavy gear."

Hm, so the floozy has equipment for Erin. Judging by her tense muscles, your mage doesn't seem to appreciate the bard's comment.

Don't like the girl?

"She's a PKer."

I'm sorry?

"She's been leading elves out here to kill them." Ah, that had happened before to a few heroes you'd known, but it didn't really register as something special. You really don't see why killing one beast would be any less moral over another, but you suppose nobody wants to be the hunt.

We could kill her.

Erin scoffs, "With a dragon bodyguard?"

I can take the dragon, but I'll need you to work with me. Start by casting Absorb Armor.

Erin nods and begins charging her spell. It takes time, but your opponents haven't seen you yet. Erin launches her spell on our unsuspecting targets, and their clothes scatter in follicles that sweep into you.

The bard immediately launches into song and the dragon wastes no time in starting his search for his attackers. Likewise, you separate from Erin without missing a beat, returning to your metal form. Only Erin is unprepared, going into her inventory to get some gear over her naked body. It takes too long since she isn't familiar with the gear you'd found yesterday, and the dragon rips the bush from the ground before she could defend herself.

The dragon bears down on her, a look of disappointment at his prey, but plenty of malice to carry his attack. Erin had gotten a pelt vest and some short-pants over her body, but now she could do nothing against this beast.

But you promised to take the dragon, and true to your word, you blindside him to the ground. You press your advantage and dive on top of the reptile and beat him senseless. His defense is high enough that even your mighty blows only chip his health, but you are stronger than him and able to keep him down.

Then the ballad changes, and the beast bursts up, throwing you from its back. He takes to the sky for all the good it'll do him. He rears back and spits a glop of poison at you. Is this guy a moron? You dodge for the hell of it, but with your speed, some of it manages to nick your right shoulder. Damn does that hurt; the monster had corrosive acid.

Erin fires wildly into the air. He dodge's easily, but it's enough to keep the beast's attention off you for a moment. It's enough time to address the problematic bard. She's too fast for you to catch, but thankfully, you do have a ranged attack, of sorts. You wind back like a pitcher and lob your own gauntlet at the bimbo. It takes her by surprise, and you soon have your fingers digging into her throat.

Her pretty voice comes out gargled, and the dragon's buffs disappear. She claws at the gauntlet, but she lacks the strength to free herself. You take the opportunity to trap her left hand in yours, keeping her from using her inventory. The beast roars in anger as Erin manages to hit it with a flurry of spells. It divebombs at Erin, but you have something to stop that.

Your haunting aura seizes control of the bard's vocal cords and forces a guttural dirge from her lips. The dragon plummets, falling short of his target and grinding into the ground. He takes significant damage, and you're afraid the bard might accidentally get the kill, but he manages to hold on long enough for you to stomp his head to paste.