It took us a few days to get back home, but going back was always a nice feeling no matter how long it took.

Our village was small, nothing out of the ordinary. Small market small huts and houses and everyone knew each other. This was usually coming in handy especially when some creature was nearby everyone knew whom to hire. Most people were also friendly and easy to talk to so it wasn't hard to find a companion for a trip or hunt either. Morgan, however, was always the first one I would ask to come with me. He was a good student. Listened very carefully and didn't ask questions about strategies until they were fruitful. Along with being a student, he was a great friend.

As we approached the outskirts I saw two little boys running towards us. I smiled at them and Morgan chuckled next to me saying "There it is, your greeting has arrived."

I got off my horse and the boys started to excitedly ask me questions. They were one of my neighbour's sons and as they claimed every time, 'future hunters'.

As we were heading back Morgan grabbed the skin and horn off of my horse and headed to the elders to get the reward and hopefully selling the items. I wasn't as optimistic about the second part but it might be worth trying.

Meanwhile, I dropped the kids off at their house and headed to my house. Even though I was considered 'the best' in my profession I never like too much luxury… Or maybe it was more of a fact that I don't like to stand out. My house was pretty much the same size as all the others, with a slightly bigger land. I released my horse from the saddle and headed towards the doors but before I reached them they opened and Natalie stepped out. As always she looked calm with a small smile on her face. I smiled at her feeling all the tiredness go away in an instance but then behind her one of my other neighbours walked out.

I tilted my head and greeting them both “It is so good to see you, my love,” I said as I hugged Natalie. She didn't react which was quite the usual for her.

Then turned to the man “Hi Paul, good to see you.”

He shook my hand “You too Darren, glad you made it back. Natalie was getting worried so I came over to try to give her a peace of mind.”

I looked down at her and she swatted at him, “You don't have to say that.”

It's good to know that she was worried but there was no need. I smiled at her once again while she looked at me with a grin “Welcome back.”

I always felt like she was tiny but in reality, she was one of the tallest girls around it was just my stupid height which made me into a giant compared to her.

She got on her tiptoes and gave me a small peck after which she asked, “So, the job was successful?”

I nodded sighing “Took forever but all done.”

She grinned even wider while Paul left after his goodbye.

Once we went into the house I just talked about the hunt, for some reason she was always keen on knowing what happened. Not many women would be. As I finished talking, I leant back in the chair I sat in feeling the exhaustion catching up to me. I ran a hand through my dark, wild hair only wanting a good night sleep under a roof. Natalie seeing me smiled sheepishly and was about to say something when a horrendous sound filled the room. The ground and walls shook as the growl resonated from the outside. We looked at each other and left in a hurry to see what happened. When I opened the doors and my view was obscured by a giant tail I knew straight away what it was.

Without looking up I mumbled in annoyance “Dragon…”

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