“Which one of you can kill a genie?” I heard Dragon Little’s voice carry through the cramped Infinite Corridor in the belly of Bonny’s Revenge.
“Me!” “I can!” “Me!” “I think I can.” “Me!” “Me me me!” a chorus of voices answered.
A dragon’s hearing ist so acute, I heard the poor genie gulp.
I also felt uncomfortable hearing Dragon Little’s question.
It was inevitable for Dragon Little to eventually kill creatures. Certainly with the dangers that await her, the creatures that are looking for her and will no doubt eventually find her - she would learn to kill or live a life in which she would wish she was dead.
And yet… She was only five years old. She was the most innocent real creature I have ever seen in my horrible life. It would be sad to see her go down this path. Sad… but necessary.
“All right,” I heard Dragon Little. “Who wants to go first?”
“I will go first,” I heard a strong voice. It was a voice I recognized, since he spends many hours talking with Dragon Little when her father ist away. But I did not hear his voice in the chorus that answered her first question.
“General Hawk?” Dragon Little asked. “How can you kill a genie?”
General Hawk was indeed a slayer of thousands. But he was a tactician. A powerful hawk creature with burnt wings and strong talons. Of all the superpowered creatures imprisoned in Bonny’s Revenge, he seemed the least likely to be able to kill an all-powerful mystical genie.
“It does not matter, Nestling,” he answered calmly. “It is enough that I tell you that I can. And our friendship should be enough for you to allow me to do it.”
“No, no, me!”
“Me!”
“I… gotta go…” This was the genie’s voice.
“You. Stay. Here!” Dragon Little commanded. When she commands, it ist with force. The genie apparently stayed there.
“All right, General Hawk. Go ahead. Do you need me to open your cell?”
“No need, Nestling. Just put him here in front of me.”
“Go.” There was quiet. “Go!”
“Going. Jeeez!” said the genie.
“Genie, I will soon kill you,” General Hawk said quietly and calmly. “Even though you have committed no crime. Even though you are not a criminal. Even though all you did was try to help. Even though you are a creature of good, imprisoned by villains. Even though you are not a villain. Joy Shelley the pirate has spoken, and she ist honest, truthful, and a hero. So I will do as she says.”
Another short period of quiet followed.
“Are you willing to die at my hands for the crime of being annoying?”
“Yes,” squeaked the genie.
“Very well,” replied General Hawk with his deep voice. “I will count to five. One… Two… Three… Four…”
“Stop!” Dragon Little shouted.
I heard her sigh. “Never mind. Maybe he doesn’t… I changed my mind. You! Come with me!”
“Yes, ma’am,” the genie squeaked again.
In a few seconds, Dragon Little and the genie from the lamp emerged back onto the deck.
Behind them, I heard many creatures grumble in disgust. And one muttered, “Hmmm… Good job, Nestling. I’m proud of you.”
As for myself, I was not sure if I was disappointed that she did not take that first step at that time or if I was proud of her for choosing as she did. As for what happened next, I will tell you tomorrow.
—Told by The Red Dragon