“We are NOT asking that dragon for direction,” Pricilla
growled.
“And why not?” queried Portia.
“Because you can never trust a dragon. Ever!”
“Fine!” Portia could feel her frustration boiling toward a
head ache. She took a deep, calming breath. Better.
“How do you suggest we find our way if we don’t ask for
direction? There’s no one else around to ask.”
Pricilla’s brow furrowed as she thought.
“Where’s that map we bought from Old John?”
Portia pulled the frail and tattered map from her back pack
and began to unfold it. Pricilla reached for it and before Portia could release
it, it tore along the worn middle seam, a sizeable stretch of plotted territory
disintegrated and wafted away on the cooling breeze.
“Now look what you did,” Portia fumed. “You ruined it!”
Pricilla huffed. “Well, if you had just handed it to me like
I asked…”
“But you didn’t ask me to hand it to you. You asked where it
was and before I even had a chance to look at it, you grabbed it and now look. It’s
getting dark and we’ll never find our way to Middle Brook in time.
“Keep your pantaloons on Portia,” Pricilla rejoined. “It’s
not as bad as all that. It seems like the weather is warming at least. And the
moon is making it as bright as day.”
Portia looked up from the map and saw the reason for the
bright light and warming temperatures. The moon had indeed risen while they
were arguing, but the illuminate and heat was coming from the dragon who had
crept oh so stealthily closer to the young ladies.
“Ahem,” the dragon uttered, sparking slightly. “May I be of
some assistance?”
Both girls were now eye to eye with the glowing behemoth.
“Umm. Err.” Pricilla was at a loss for coherent words.
“Yes,” said Portia. “We are trying to get to Middle Brook
and we need to be there by 7:00 pm. It’s very important.”
“It’s urgent,” echoed Pricilla shakily.
“I see,” said the dragon with a sly smile. “And what will
you give me if I help you?”
“Ahhhhh…,” stammered Pricilla who had still not regained her
ability for original thought and speech.
“You can come with us,” volunteer Portia. “It will be an
excellent adventure, and we would love to have your company.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” said the dragon. “My name is
Diane by the way.”
“Hello Diane,” replied Portia. “I’m Portia and this is my
cousin Pricilla. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Meet you,” mumbled Pricilla.
“Excellent! Middle Brook is just over that hill,” crackled
Diane. “What are we going to do there?”
“Why shop of course,” said Pricilla, finally returning to
her senses now that the conversation had turned to her favorite topic. “We’re
going to a fire sale at the Middle Brook Mall.”
Diane smiled. “Fire sale? Perfect!”
And off they went.
