William stormed the streets. His thin shoes slapped the pavement as he walked. No direction, no plan, completely alone in his furious thoughts.

“I’m bored.”

William paused midstep and slipped out of the flow of foot traffic on the street.

“Who, said that?”

“Hi!” A tiny upside down Sapo appeared in William’s vision.

Will grabbed his floppy hat, pulling it off his flour dusted red hair. “How did you get up there!”

“Oh human’s rarely notice me!” Sapo answered.

Will was unsatisfied. “Look Urial put you up to this? Or Aimu?” Will asked accusingly.

“They don’t even know I’m here!”

Will groaned. There were going to be anxious discussions when he got home.

He walked a bit further and moving to a green area. There were some fruit trees and a small community garden. A bench gave him enough privacy to talk to the dragon.

“What are you doing!”

Sapo slithered around William’s neck. Gently biting his tail he looked like a little porcelain necklace. He positioned his head just below William’s ear.

“You don’t need to speak loudly I can hear ya.” Sapo’s oddly posh voice whispered just below William’s ear.

Will dropped his voice. “Why did you follow me?”

“Oh I read about it in novels! If the man and the woman are separated they return together even more in love. Every time. Since Urial broke your cart. Figured I would join you!”

“Urial...” Will paused, “didn’t break my cart.”

Sapo paused, “She seemed to think she did.”

“She!” Will paused, “She, probably bumped it.”

“Oh then she broke it!”

“By accident” Will groaned, talking to the dragon was a struggle sometimes

“Still broke it!”

“It wasn’t her intention.” Will defended.

“Still broke it!” Sapo repeated.

Will rubbed his brow, which conveniently covered his mouth as he hissed at Sapo. “She didn’t mean to do it. It’s not the same as accidentally doing something.”

“Baker! You are coming with us.” Twin burly voices ordered

Will was grabbed roughly by the shoulders and dragged to a standing position. “What did I do.” He stared at his accusers and groaned. Two guards, angry, belligerent and probably lacking in the wit’s department.

“You are coming with us!” the guards announced, “Come quietly.” the taller one grinned, “Or make it fun for us.” he waved their baton dangerously close to Will’s chin.