OVERTURE — The dwarf in the woods

The worst trouble of all, though, had been over the dwarf.

She found him lost in the forest, lying beside a rock. He had fallen and hurt his head. At school, Skyblue had learned that dwarves were despicable creatures. They worked in mines, digging up diamonds and other precious stones, which surely meant they wanted to steal the dragons’ treasures.

That was what she had been told. Skyblue had searched the history books for a dwarf who had actually stolen from a dragon, but she had never found one.

She stood looking at him. How could someone who could barely lift his head be a threat to anyone?

Dragons made herbal remedies that could cure almost any ailment. One healer treated creatures who came from the most distant enchanted lands. Skyblue decided to take him to her.

She gently gathered the dwarf in her forepaws and took flight.