“Imprintment” — FWG Flash Fiction for 4/19/2025
- Rob Johnson
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
Why are babies of any kind universally cute? I’m thinking it’s so we don’t eat them.
The prompt is:
IMPRINTMENT
The devastation was total. Pastures and farms were hit first, then villages, towns, and finally the valley’s city with its stately homes and church spires. Mordrag made no distinction between the good and bad, the pious and sanctimonious. They all fell before her wrathful fire. Their screams seemed to come directly from Hell itself as they echoed and rang down the valley.
And it was all my fault.
Understand that my mission was to save the people from Mordrag’s foraging among the mountain herds. To city folk, the loss of an occasional ewe or heifer might seem a small price to pay for the spectacle of an ancient dragon riding the updrafts and soaring across the sky. They might even welcome the increased tourist trade such sightings bring. But, to our families in the high pastures, each one meant hungry nights to come.
We knew she was laying in stores for her coming brood, and if they hatched, this valley would be their hunting ground for the century it would take for them to mature. Something had to be done.
I was chosen because my family had hunted the highest caves for generations. My plan was simple: wear the pelt of a giant mountain bear; sneak in to smash the eggs; leave behind the bear’s scent and spoor. With only the mountain’s largest predator to blame, Mordrag should move on in search of another mate.
I waited. She went hunting. I snuck in and…there was no egg. In the nest, the cutest baby dragon in the world looked at me and burped a tiny flame. With the little fella under my arm, I ran from the cave, dropping the bear pelt in my haste.
Now, I can’t even give it back because the little bugger follows me everywhere.
THE END
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