Hidden Dragon

 

Hidden Dragon
words - 429

The feeling persisted.  Something lurking at the corner of his eye.  If he could only turn fast enough or sit quiet enough, some secret may be revealed.  He had always believed in wonders.  Other people never understood; from parent's bemused smiles to sibling teasing, he'd learnt to keep his council.  Mentioning a hidden stalker would alarm, stories of things to fear.  Worried looks, or judgement.  But he didn't feel afraid.

Hidden eyes following him, a sense of companionship when he felt alone, but never crowding him.  A taste of magic on the air as winter chills crept in and trees turned to golden, russet hues.  Fresh after the heaviness of summer.  Fallen leaves crunching underfoot with satisfying sensation.

And there.  There on the turn, the sun hitting a leaf just right to reveal the hidden.  A dragon.  A dragon unfurling on a clear patch of path.  A mere shadow to those lacking magic in their soul.  Magic sang to him and he knew it was real.

Proud raised neck, flared nostrils.  Wings a fine sharp sail, big enough for the creature to sweep through many skies.  Tail curving with poise a ballerina would envy.  Both prim balance and tease.

'Are you my watcher?'

Alone on the wooded path he paused, stooped but didn't venture closer.  Wonder filled him, warming him like a flame.  Heart singing for the joy of it.  He felt silly as a playful child, rejoicing in a well spun tale.  A bird sang and there was rustle to his side, the glance away was enough.

When he looked again his follower was hidden.  The leaf held on to it's secrets, though the path of the sun was unaltered.  Standing with a sigh he still felt watched, an awareness following his footsteps home.

The next day he took the route again, how could he not?

This day however he was not alone.  A man shared the path, lounging against an ancient trunk as though waiting.  There was something graceful about his form, even bulked in a heavy coat, russet scarf tugged by an errant breeze.  His hair matched the bark he rested against and his eyes when he turned were Whiskey hued, burning with the heat of a hearth.  A hint of smoke played around fine nostrils and expressive lips, but there was no sign of tobacco.

'Hello'
The sun peeked through the trees to shift focus, creeping up on them to reveal shadows.  High wing tips and an arched tail that danced with nerves.  He felt the smile that broke across his face.  His admirer smiled back.