Jonathan jumped up hastily as his deep slumber was shattered. He tore the sheets off of his body checking to see if it were still human. It was that dream again, that same dream. The one that was so vivid, yet�
�Sir Jonathan, Sir Jonathan�� A young messager shouted as he burst into the bedroom. �The Mayor has sent for you. King Blackton�s army is approaching!�
�Tell the Mayor I�m on my way.� Jonathan replied and watched the panicked boy rush out.
He knew this day would come, perhaps it was reason for the dreams. Maybe someone or something was trying to prepare him for this day. It was his duty to the community. It was his reason for being�
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Jonathan quickly climbed up the steep incline that led to the hilltop. He joined the Mayor and his aids in watching the army approach. There were soldiers as far as the eye could see, at least a thousand or two. The sound of marching feet and clanging armor filled the air.
�What response did the negotiator get from King Blackton?� Mayor Thomas asked one of his aids.
�Unconditional surrender or he attacks.�
�But Mayor Thomas,� One of his aid�s interjected �The last city that surrendered to him was burned to the ground! We must summon the beast now!�
The mayor looked over to Jonathan solemnly, �He is right. Are you prepared?�
Jonathan looked down at a large wool sack and answered, �Yes.�
�Very well, send the signal.�
Carefully Jonathan reached down and lifted a large wooden horn from his sack. The horn was trimmed with gold and ancient symbols. It had been passed down generation to generation in his family for hundreds of years. It almost seemed to have a mystical radiance to it. However it�s only purpose was to summon the beast.
After taking a deep breath he blew into it three times as legend required. The deep sound seemed to echo throughout his very soul. Although the horn was barely audible over the noisy army below somehow everyone heard it. Within moments the men on the hilltop found thousands of faces, and hundred of arrows, pointed straight at them! The thunderous army down below was now completely silent.
�Mayor Thomas this is your last chance!� Blackton shouted from below, �Surrender or Die!�
Jonathan looked over to the Mayor who had the appearance of defeat on him. He always the suspected the Mayor didn�t really believe the legend but it had to be true�
A tear rolled down the mayor�s cheek as he faced the King, �Very well, we surren��
AAAHHHH!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
Everyone turned their heads at once upon a gigantic creature that just appeared and landed in the mist of the men. Several dozen soldiers lay underneath its enormous feet! The lucky ones were crushed like ants underfoot while several others were trapped in agony, only partially flattened by the impact.
Jonathan initially looked away from the horror below but felt compelled to turn back around. As he looked over the beautiful dragoness, adorned in gold and silver armor, it occurred to him that she was the same one from his dreams. His heart sank as his gaze met hers and for a moment it seemed as though she was smiling at him.
�ATTACK!!!�
The dragoness gave an amused grin as thousands of arrows bounced off of her gorgeous body armor. After a few seconds of allowing this assault she started to trample the hordes of soldiers below. At first she would trap the men underfoot and then slowly press down causing them to compress gradually and excruciatingly. But she quickly grew weary of this cruel game and began to stomp down more rapidly.
As Jonathan watched the hopeless battle below a wave of energy blew though his body. Suddenly he fell into a trance; it felt just like his dreams. He was in the dragoness�s body, he could feel everything she could.
Emotions and sensations flooded throughout his mind so rapidly it took a few moments to sort it out. Then he could feel the soldiers crushing underneath her bare feet. The soft little bodies popped and crunched underneath her soles. It felt like walking on a cloud of warmth that sent a quiver up her legs.
Screams of agony and terror that filled the air below left her with a cruel satisfaction. These scrawny little insects continued to fight despite their weapons causing only the slightest annoyance. And for their all their sorry efforts she would simply step on them. The whole experience felt like a surge of pure power and ecstasy.
Despite the vividness of this spell Jonathan had no influence over what was happening. The dragoness was definitely in control. Somehow she just seemed to be sharing the experience with him.
After what seemed like an eternity she released him and he fell to his knees. The dragoness�s spell left him exhausted yet filled with demented contentment. It was an incredible experience that rivaled even sex!
As the fog cleared from his mind reality set in. In the valley was the aftermath of the massacre. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of men lay in a pool of twitching gore like flattened like bugs. Most who managed to survive the engagement were left to die slowly clenching their devastated bodies. The real lucky ones were in the distant reserves, a thousand strong, which were able to retreat before reaching the battlefield.
Somewhat dazed, Jonathan was helped up by the mayor. His heart was racing yet he felt weak and tired.
�Jonathan are you alright?� The mayor asked.
�Yes. How long was I� I mean�� Jonathan stuttered bewilder.
�The battle has been over for 5 minutes my boy! Once the army stopped attacking the creature flew off.�
Still somewhat in shock, the young man gathered up his things. The mayor and his assistants did not ask about the trance. Instead they allowed him to leave in peace, for the price of victory was still to be paid.
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After a long walk home Jonathan could finally see his ranch in the distance. It was nice to have the privacy of a place away from the village but getting home was often quite a task. However none of that mattered now since he had to put his affairs in order before�
BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
As Jonathan climbed up off the ground and turned around, he knew it wasn�t an earthquake. The first thing he saw was a pair of bloody feet. The young man immediately dropped to his knees. �Have you come for me?�
Instead of an answer, the creature bent down and placed an open palm next to him. Obediently, Jonathan climbed onto the awaiting hand and fell back to his knees as he was lifted into the air.
�Do you bow down out of respect or fear?� The dragoness asked softly.
�Both master.� Jonathan replied nervously.
She laughed softly, �You�re honest Jonathan. That is good.�
�How� How do you know my name?�
�I think you already know the answer to that.�
�The visions?�
She smiled down on him warmly and replied, �They�re more than that little one. We have much to discuss.�
With a whisk the dragoness extended her magnificent wings. Jonathan hung on tight as she leaped into the air and headed for the clouds. A few moments later the exhaustion and shock got the best of him.
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�Ohhh, my head is throbbing�� Jonathan mumbled out loud as he climbed out of bed.
It took a few moments for the confused man to recall the day�s events. However that only led to more confusion, as it was obvious he wasn�t dead or at home.
Then he noticed the dozens of people at her feet. On the right foot they appeared to be scrubbing off blood and gory remains. On the left one another group was painting toenails on the freshly cleaned paw. From the look on her face, the dragoness seemed to be rather enjoying the attention.
As he approached, Jonathan observed the servants as they did their daunting task. Strangely they didn�t have the appearance of normally filthy and malnourished slaves. Instead they
Still confused, he made his way to over to her and an open palm. His new master had spotted his approach and was waiting contently. Once there he climbed into her hand and was lifted up to a smiling face.
�Did you sleep well little one?� She asked sweetly.
�Yes master.� Jonathan replied obediently.
�That�s good but you don�t have to call me master. My name is Ronnie.�
�Yes mas� I mean Ronnie.�
�That�s better.� She replied and started to gently rub a finger down his back.
It occurred to Jonathan that Ronnie probably takes good care of those who serve her. She had been nothing but kind and gentle to him from the beginning. And her other servants seemed to be well taken care of also.
�Ronnie where did the others come from?�
She looked down at her feet and smiled, �There�s a large village over the next hill. The people there take care of my needs. Some of them take care of my armor and clothing, others tend to the livestock I eat, and a few special ones volunteer to tend to my� other needs. All who serve me have their needs taken care of by the rest of the village. In turn I protect the village from invaders. It�s not much different from the deal your ancestors made with mine for your village.�
The symmetry of their arrangement left Jonathan in awe. He had lived his whole life aware of the legend he was entrusted to fulfill but the idea of another village having a similar deal� That never crossed his mind.
�So I�m to be another of your servants?� Jonathan asked apprehensively.
�No, you�re special. You have the vision.� Ronnie replied and gently wrapped her fingers around his body.
A burst of images and emotions instantly filled Jonathan�s head. He was in her body again but this time it was different. This time Ronnie�s gentle side, her kindness, dominated the experience. Instantly he knew that she would never harm him or the others who take care of her. Her love for these people was strong and it was something that couldn�t be denied.
As he allowed his mind to settle he could feel dozens of little hands caressing her feet. He could feel the men cleaning and massaging her sensitive soles. It felt surprising pleasant and rather soothing.
Then Ronnie�s feelings for him appeared. She saw him as a messager for his people. Someone to teach them that she�s not some monster to be feared but a goddess to be worshipped. Someone who would protect them from the evil people in the world. It was how she wanted all her �little ones� to see her.
Ronnie gently released her grip on him and laid him back down in her hand. �Now that you know what I want I�ll take you home.�
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�Jonathan are you sure you�re feeling alright?�
�Yes. I�m telling you that she�s not a monster! She stopped Blackton!�
�Jonathan�� The mayor replied and put his arm around his shoulder, �We know the legend is true. You summoned the beast and she stopped Blackton. But Jonathan she slaughtered a thousand men to do it��
�Men that were going to slaughter us!�
�Listen Jonathan you had a difficult day yesterday, we all did. I�m not doubting that this creature took you away, none of us are, but dragons are EVIL! That is why we only summon them when needed. Just consider yourself lucky she choose to spare you.�
�But mayor she�s not��
�ENOUGH!!!� The mayor shouted, �Jonathan you did what had to be done for the community. We are all grateful for that. But I don�t want to hear anymore of your friendly dragon tales!�
The mayor walked over to his door and opened it. Jonathan hung his head and stormed out. There was no convincing him or the village counsel of the truth. They were just too set in their ways.
Worries over how to fulfill Ronnie�s wishes troubled him the whole way home. However someone waiting for him when he got back. She didn�t say a word but greeted him with a smile.
�Ronnie they won�t listen.�
�Yes I know. But that is allright. Legends are formed over time and passed down from generation to generation. Just plant the seed and make sure it gets passed on.� She replied.
�I understand.� Jonathan replied, �Will I ever see you again?�
�Yes, our paths are forever linked.� Ronnie replied and extended her wings. �But for now I want you to live your life. And remember I will always be here if you need me.�
Then with one powerful leap she was airborne. As he watched dragoness disappear into the clouds somehow Jonathan knew that his life would never be the same.
Acknowledgements:
- Ronnie, the artwork contained on this page, and the �Dragoness Stomp Comics� are copyrighted to Markie. Used with permission.