Part 4: Krisr

After Indyana and Pierre left, Krisr placed the lovely blue egg in the corner near his stool and wrapped it in a blanket. Then, he went back to performing for a time. Finally, around dinner, Hillman, the tavern owner, told him to take a break for a while. Perhaps he was interested in maintaining his chief performer's health, but Krisr had the feeling that it had more to do with the fact that he had almost gotten decked by an angry husband after flirting harmlessly with his wife. Either way, Krisr was glad for the break, and, after grabbing a bowl of stew and a cider, he settled down onto his customary seat.

Curious, he pulled out the egg. Since it was summer, it was not yet dark. Indyana and Pierre seemed to have been gone quite some time, however, and Krisr was wondering if the egg missed them.

"Hello," he said to the egg. "How are you doing?" Krisr knew that dragons were often aware of what was going on outside their eggs well before they hatched. "My name is Krisr, and I am the fine entertainer of this establishment. You must be wondering about me... sometimes, I wonder about me too. That's besides the point, however... let's see, where to start... I guess I'll tell you how I met Indyana.

"A few years ago, when I was a strapping lad set forth into the world, I ran into a spot of trouble. You see, I've always been an entertainer, but I haven't always had such a respectable job. When Indyana met me, I was being forced to work for table scraps at an inn in West Hoshin... I don't suppose you know where that is... it's east of here some ways. Funny, if you think about it, but East Hoshin is even further east. Anyways, the owner of the inn treated me like a filthy dog. I'd talked with him about getting a raise... or any payment at all for that matter, but it usually resulted in threats and beatings. The night that Indyana was there, the owner was kicking me around, as was customary, and she decided to step in. After having words--and a few blows--with the innkeeper, it was decided that I should accompany her out of town. Best for most parties involved, really... except for Indyana.

"As it turned out, Indyana was on a bit of a quest at the moment... rescuing some artifact from the hands of a dark warlock. Its name and the name of its possessor won't be spoken here... too dark for a respectable tavern. Well, Indyana tried to dump me off with some friends, but I was having none of it. I was convinced this was the adventure for me! So, I tagged along. Got into quite a lot of trouble, as I remember... but I helped out too. In the end, Indyana got the artifact, and I got a new attitude on life. I'll admit sometimes I have trouble still... I guess one of the problems with being a professional fool is that no one takes you seriously. However, now I'm no little boy who gets kicked around... and that's thanks to the influence and instruction of your father's bondmate."

Here Krisr paused, as though to gauge the reaction from the egg. "Yes, I guess she did help me out a lot," he said, thinking aloud. "What's that?" He said, tilting his head, as though he could hear the egg. If he listened close, he thought he might... maybe a little voice in the back of his head... or was that his own conscience? "Why thank you, I've always thought I was rather brave and dashing too. Takes courage to face the world with a smile, you know." He paused again. "Glad you agree."

Krisr grinned to himself, enjoying playing with the egg. He probably shouldn't... if Indyana saw him, she would probably sigh and shake her head the way she did whenever he did something foolish. "I probably shouldn't be doing this," he said, putting his thoughts into words. "I do have an excuse though... I'm keeping you from dying of boredom. Believe me, I know boredom too. I long for an adventure... anything! Entertaining is well and good, but why couldn't I get a job being someone's plucky sidekick? You know, facing enemies with a sheepish grin, relying on my wits to talk my way out of things... that's the life, I'll tell you." Krisr waved a finger and the egg and then sighed. "Someday, I'm going to get out of here... find a partner in crime, or heroism, as it may be, and have adventures the likes of which minstrels will sing about for ages!" Krisr could almost imagine the egg nodding enthusiastically and encouraging him. "I'm glad you agree! Yep, adventuring is the life for me! Hey... agree... me... ha, I feel a song coming on!"

"Don't you dare..." Hillman growled as he walked by. Krisr pounded a fist to his chest in a salute.

"As you wish, capitan," he said. "I guess not then," he added to the egg. "Oh well... don't suppose you're hungry, are you? What's it like in there? I don't remember before I was born... I guess it's a bit different being in an egg. Is it cramped? Are you ever bored? I think if I was in an egg, I'd be bored... and hungry. I think I'd get out as soon as possible."

At that moment, the egg suddenly jumped in Krisr's hands. He gasped. "No, wait, scratch that... Indyana will kill me for giving you ideas!" The egg, however, didn't seem to listen. It shook and Krisr could feel the tiny dragon inside pounding at the walls. Suddenly, the egg shell cracked. The crack widened and spider- webbed out. Finally, with a last jolt, the egg shell broke apart and a tiny dragon hatchling poked her head out of the egg. She stared at Krisr and made a sound like a bird chirping. Then, she shook off the rest of the egg, showering Krisr's lap and the floor with bits of egg. Seeming proud of herself, the hatchling chirped at Krisr again and cocked her head. Krisr stared down at the perfect little dragon wyrm sitting on his lap.

Raina Lynn

"Well, that was unexpected," Krisr said to her. She seemed to shrug and chirped again. "Indyana's going to kill me..." He moaned. The Bishel Dragon wyrm chirped reassuringly and nuzzled his arm with a tiny, smooth snout. Krisr grinned. "You're right... she won't kill me... I'm too entertaining to die quite yet." The wyrm let out a few whistles. Krisr stared at her, and he seemed to know what she was saying. At least, he thought he did... perhaps he was making it all up. When he thought that, the wyrm let out a short, downwards chirp. No, you're not making it up! He thought he heard her say.

"This is very strange," he said, feeling a bit lost. "I've never talked to a dragon."

Well, I've never talked to a human, the wyrm seemed to be thinking as she gazed at him.

"This isn't exactly talking," Krisr observed. "Pierre, although he doesn't talk aloud, at least seems to have words and a voice... you don't though. Why is that?"

*Because she's just hatched,* a familiar, telepathic voice said. *You can't expect her to have the energy for telepathy right off.* Looking up, Krisr realized that Pierre was standing right in front of him. Behind him was Indyana, clutching a large egg. Krisr flushed and wondered how long they had been there and why he hadn't noticed. His mind raced for an excuse.

"Umm, Pierre! Indyana! I didn't see you come in. Erm, I didn't do this! I mean, she came out on her own! Erm, sort of... I may have mentioned something about not wanting to be in an egg... but it was her doing, not mine! Umm, here's your daughter, Pierre. She looks just like you... except without legs. And she's prettier. Uh, not that you aren't pretty, I mean, handsome... dragon-ly and all, but yeah... errm... she's hatched." Krisr winced, waiting for a reprimand. Pierre, however, seemed to grin, and Indyana didn't look angry.

*Well done, Krisr,* Pierre said, surprising him, *and you too, daughter.*

"Huh?" Krisr said, confused. He hadn't done anything worthy of praise, had he?

"It seems you've got a new friend, Krisr," Indyana said, not clarifying matters any. Krisr fixed them both with a blank look.

*You've bonded with my daughter,* Pierre said bluntly. Krisr's blank look turned to one of shock.

"Me? Bond a dragon? You're crazy! I can't! I mean, look at me... I'm a professional idiot! And she... she's a red! You know, wars, bravery, fighting... totally opposite me!" Krisr stumbled over words, feeling suddenly like his world was spinning around and he was being thrown off.

"Well, some things may never be explained," Indyana said, "but I think she's already decided to stay."

"You can't," Krisr said to her. "You're supposed to find a better bondmate... you know, a brave warrior or a fearless fighter. Why would you want to stay with me?"

*I need a plucky sidekick?* Krisr heard a distinctly child- like voice say in his mind. His jaw dropped. Indyana and Pierre, however, laughed.

"She's got a good point," Indyana remarked, laughing.

*Yes, she's got her mother's wit,* Pierre chuckled.

Hey... Indyana's laughing, Krisr thought. She never laughs at my jokes... I think we may have something here!

*A dynamic duo,* the wyrm said quietly, and Krisr got the feeling that Indyana and Pierre hadn't heard that comment.

"Well... I guess you're right," Krisr said.

"We will let you two get acquainted," Indyana said, smiling. "We have another egg to worry about." She patted the large egg she supported in her arms.

*Yes,* Pierre agreed, *but before I go, may I recommend something?*

"Of course," Krisr said.

*A name," Pierre stated, then he and Indyana walked away towards a table at the back of the tavern. Krisr watched them go with a dumbfounded look. All of this was still quite shocking.

"I don't know about being 'plucky sidekick' to a dragon," Krisr said to the wyrm eventually. She stared at him and blinked.

*Why not?* She asked.

"Well, I'd always imagined traveling with a big, brave warrior. You know, the typical strongman and lithe, comedic sidekick duo... like Hercules and Iolas."

*I'm brave,* she commented, "and I'll be bigger."

"True..." Krisr said slowly, still thinking.

*Besides, maybe you don't have to be 'plucky sidekick'. Maybe you can be 'good intentioned leader', who sometimes gets into trouble and needs help, but always gets the job done with the help of his trusty partner... like Inspector Gadget and Penny and Brain!*

"Who?" Krisr asked, confused.

*Hmm, something Indyana knows... from what I understand, Inspector Gadget wants to do things and save the world, but sometimes he misses details or needs help, and then his daughter, Penny, and Brain, an intelligent dog, help him out.* The wyrm herself looks confused at this point.

"And she thinks I'm strange," Krisr said, rolling his eyes. The wyrm tilted her head.

*What do you say? Partners?* She asked. Krisr grinned.

"Partners," he affirmed. "Besides, as a red, I'll bet you could learn some nifty attacks. That paired with my agility and quick wit should see us through anything."

*So, now that we're partners, how about a name?* The wyrm asked.

"Dragongirl?" Krisr said, pretending to be serious. The wyrm gave him a look that seemed to say 'I don't think so'. Acting as though in deep though, Krisr continued. "Bitsy, Realm's Fiercest Fighter?" The wyrm growled and scrunched her eyebrows down. The look was so comical that Krisr burst out laughing. "All right, all right..." He said. "Let me think."

In his head, he ran through all the names he had heard as he looked at the little wyrm. She was a beautiful bright red, with large liquid eyes and a sweet countenance. Finally, after a few minutes, Krisr found one he liked.

"How about Raina Lynn?" He asked.

*Raina Lynn,* she repeated, sounding it out. After a moment of consideration, she nodded. *I like it.*

"Well, Raina Lynn, welcome to Hillman's Bloody Notch," Krisr said, making a rolling bow gesture with one hand.