THE MOMENT
"Looks like someone's home, boys. Let's pay them a visit," Bandit Captain Seamus gave the order with a forward wave and his men began to surround the cottage. Seamus and his entered the Dragon Forest in search of loot. Even a fledgling dragon was worth its weight in gold and he prepared his men well for this endeavor. Finding a cottage with smoke rising out of the chimney was an unexpected bonus. Should they not find anything of value inside, the cottage was close enough to the edge of the forest to make a great base of operations. It was an easy decision to take it over.
Seamus watched his men with a proud grin on his face; then, he blinked and everything was different. His men stood on the front porch about to kick in the door when he last saw them. After he blinked, they were all on the floor around him and two unknown strangers stood directly in front of him. They weren't there when he closed his eyes; but, the surprise startled him and he jumped back with a loud yell.
"Shhhhh," the young, red-skinned woman held a finger to her lips. She wore a crisp white blazer with a mirror-finished silver tie that almost looked like chrome. The man with her was an ancient, wrinkled man with stringy silver hair pulled back in a ponytail. He wore a loose black button shirt with orange detailing on the front with orange and silver Bermuda shorts. Black socks with orange flip-flops completed his ensemble.
"This forest is protected by Chroma Corp.," the woman said with a soft voice. "I don't care why you're here; but, you don't belong. Leave and do not return," she said.
"What the hell is Chroma Corp.!?" Seamus asked with full volume. It wasn't a conscious decision; but, deep down he wanted to rebel against being shushed. The woman sighed and a bright, crystalline, ruby-red crown appeared overhead as she stared into Seamus' eyes.
"From now on, you will only talk in a whisper," she said. Then, the crown faded.
"Of course," he whispered with a nod. "But what's Chroma Corp.?"
"It doesn't matter," she replied. "Take your men and leave."
"What about whoever lives there?" Seamus asked. He was growing angrier with each whisper he uttered. But, as much as he hated it, he had no idea how to stop. The concept of raising his voice seemed to have vanished from his mind and whispering was the only way he could communicate.
"He's a dear friend that has earned his place in this forest. You are not," she said. "I'd really like to have this situation done already. He's an old guy and you're intruding on his nap time. This will be the last time I ask; take your men and leave."
"And, what if I don't?" Seamus chuckled with a whisper. He was about to concede until he noticed his men stirring. If he could stall a little bit longer they would be on their feet and easily take down a short woman and an old man. The woman tilted her head at him, then she looked at her ancient partner with an amused expression.
"I supposed it's not obvious...," she grinned as she turned back to Seamus. "...but, you're really missing a key detail here. You're in a Dragon forest. My name is Ruby, this is Tim," she introduced them. "We're dragons, by the way." Seamus realized the red skin on her face looked almost like red scales. But, the old guy didn't seem to have any draconic features. The pair had been so distracted by Seamus that they didn't notice the men were already getting to their feet. Two of them that came up behind Ruby and Tim nodded a signal at Seamus to let him know they were ready to act.
"Now!" Seamus whispered the command and they didn't quite hear it. It took them an extra second to act; and, in that time, Seamus blinked.
He opened his eyes again to find himself chained to a large boulder in a dim, firelit cave.
"Where am I? What's going on?" he whispered frantically as he looked around and tried pulling on the chains.
"You didn't leave when I asked...," Ruby's voice spoke up behind him. She was in the shadows and walked forward into the light. "...so, now you get to find out what happens."
"What about my men?" Seamus asked. He wasn't concerned for their wellbeing as much as he hoped they were still around to help somehow.
"Their punishment won't be as severe; they were just following a stupid leader," Ruby giggled.
"I'm sorry!" Seamus uttered a quiet apology. "I'll take my men and leave the forest. We won't come back!" But, Ruby shook her head.
"It's too late," she said. "You and your men have already left the forest." As she spoke, a new sound called Seamus' attention. He looked and saw a goat-sized red dragon crawling into the light. It moved slowly until it spotted Seamus, then it dashed at him. The creature immediately went for his leg and Seamus kicked it and kept it away with flailing limbs. Then, a bright red glow overtook the firelight.
"Sit still," Ruby said. The crown over her head disappeared as soon as she gave the order and Seamus dropped his legs. The baby dragon immediately bit into his meaty thigh. Ruby spun around and walked out of the light.
"Nooooooooo...," he whispered as loud as he could while remaining still.
