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Kaira wasn't afraid. She watched the dragon with curiosity. She had heard enough of them to know she was in danger, but there was nothing murderous about this one. His eyes were cold and arrogant, but deep inside their blue iris, Kaira could see Eternal Wisdom.

The dragon remembered the good times of his wild youth when he had been plundering villages. The girls were so amazingly terrified. They smelled fear. This one smelled rotten fish. He thought for a while and picked her up with his claws. Kaira closed her eyes, and they flew destination unknown.

Splashes of cold water brought Kaira round when the dragon plunged her into the river. It took her by surprise, and she got angry at first. The dragon was showering her with his mighty wings, pouring water all over her. It washed away her misery and fatigue, and she felt happy for once. Kaira laughed in her silver voice like a child. There was something contagious in her laughter, something that made the dragon smile warmly for the first time.

They flew back to the cave in silence. The dragon carrying her somewhat more tender in his paws, the girl feeling secure in his sturdy grip. She didn't know what was on his mind, but something was telling her that he wasn't going to kill her. When they arrived home, the dragon blew fire at the wood piled in the corner of the cave. Kaira found some dried meat and fruit in the nook, and they both had a nice dinner by the fire: the dragon, letting out puffs of smoke and the girl, leaning on his scaly belly. It was cozy and warm in the cave.