Hello everyone, hope all are well. This was my response to a very good prompt a while back. Looking back at it I realized how fond I was of it and wanted to try and write a continuation of it, maybe a small series of short stories. I would love any feedback, both of the original and this one. Thank you for reading, have a lovely day!

Part 2/Chapter 2: Vesper's New Home

Soft sunlight fell on the idyllic scene below, a stark contrast to the heavy rains mere weeks ago. The grass grew green and thick, bright flowers filling the air with sweet perfume. A small cottage stood in a glade, ringed by tall trees amidst the dense forest. It was small, walls of dark oak logs and a roof of thatched straw. A fence surrounded the little house, making a boundary that enveloped a garden as well as the home.

The grass beneath the fence rustled, a flash of dark brown fur between strands of green. A long nose poked through, sniffing at the air inquisitively. Cunning black eyes looked furtively as the rat slipped through the fence, making its way to the garden. A long grey tail flicked with satisfaction, teeth bared in hunger and the rat reached out to grasp at the tender new fruit.

A slight shadow passed over the rat and it paused, looking up with caution. It saw no bird, no potential predator and it continued to reach for the long hanging berry. Its whiskers twitched and sensing danger, it turned to flee but it was too late. A red form dove from the sky, a tiny roar heralding its arrival.

The small dragon struck, claws extended, and the rat squeaked in pain as the two rolled in the dirt. It bit back, clawing at the little red dragon but it found no purchase against the smooth scales. The dragon sprang away gracefully, wings beating as it flew over the rat. His chest filled up and a spurt of fire shot from his mouth, scorching the ground in front of the rat. The rat squealed, unprepared for such a defender and it fled back into the forest whiskers singed.

Vesper landed on the earth before the garden, head back with pride and wings extended. He roared again, a small sound that did not lack for ferocity, proud of his work well done. A self satisfied smirk crossed his muzzle and his tail flicked with amusement. "Run little thief! You shall not plunder from this garden. It's food is not yours to enjoy." He turned, kicked some dirt dismissively at the fleeing form, before beating his wings and flying into the air.

Vesper flew around the cottage, eyes watching carefully as he banked in the warm air. The sun felt good, his scales clicking comfortably in the heat. A small shudder went down his spine and into the tip of his tail as he remembered the heavy rains that almost claimed his life. The sky wept for days, flooding the creek where he had made his home with his coin and almost swept him away.

By luck and the grace of the Gods Vesper did not meet his fate that wet day. Instead he was saved by a passing human witch, picking him up along with his coin and taking him to her home. At first he feared she would demand his coin for her own, depriving him of his hoard in payment for saving his life. Instead the two have come to an arrangement. He would provide loose scales and other reagents for her as well as protect the home. Lace, the witch, in turn shared her home with him and promised to even pay him for his services, increasing his hoard.

So the little dragon happily accepted, taking his duties seriously as soon as he recovered from the deluge. He patrolled the grounds surrounding the cottage, keeping away the pests and those that would plunder Lace's garden. The little dragon's heart felt as light as his wings as he soared. In the past he would never fly so widely or freely, always worried about his coin embedded into the forest floor. Now he could fly without worry since it sat safely in Lace's cottage, well protected from thieves.

The afternoon passed comfortably. The tiny dragon rested on the roof, soaking in the sunshine as his eyes watched the grounds. He would take off and fly at potential scavengers, chasing away any that would steal from Lace. He even indulged in flying just for the sheer joy of it, the wind gliding over his crimson scales.

As the sun set he sat on the chimney top, head cocked and watchful. He turned to the east, and a smile crossed his face as the faintest humming could be heard in the still air. He launched himself into that direction, eyes scanning the path and he was rewarded in seeing a darkly attired figured picking her way through the undergrowth. A dark pointed hat bobbed up and down and her singing grew louder.

He flew lower, opening his wings wide slowing his descent. Purple eyes twinkled below the brim of the hat, bright white teeth gleaming from a tanned face. "Well hello my dear protector," she said as she extended an arm. Her voice resonated in his chest, like warm tea flowing down a chilled throat. She giggled as he landed on her arm. "I saw many perturbed critters today in the forest. More than a few bore singed whiskers and burnt claws, resentful eyes that looked in this direction. You would not know the reason would you?"

Vesper curled about her upper arm, head resting on her shoulder. He snorted, blowing a lock of raven black hair from her shoulder. "No good thieves. They will learn to not steal from you."

She chuckled again, the sound filling Vesper with pride and happiness. "Steal from us you mean. It is your home as well."

His scales clicked with embarrassment, hiding his face behind her shoulder for a moment. He coiled a little tighter and looked at the basket hanging from Lace's other hand. "A profitable day of gathering?"

She nodded, picking up the pace as they approached the little cottage. "Found some good plants in the Deep Woods, and some wilder vegetables that will taste delicious. I bet you worked up in appetite today."

Almost as if on cue Vesper's stomach rumbled and Lace laughed out loud, the cheery sound following the pair into the cottage.