Chimera

 

     The wars were tiresome. I couldn't recall a time before the wars. They fought and we were raised as soldiers. They couldn't figure out what combination of human and animal would become the best soldiers. They experimented on us and told us that we were special mythical creatures. I never felt special as much as I felt the urge to tear myself apart to separate human and animal. Each side of me wanted different things and I was constantly battling my dual nature while battling the enemy. There were many of us battling within ourselves.

     I fly over the city looking for traces of magic from cast spells. Wherever I could smell or see magic would be where our army would need to strike next. The wizards were not careful as they devised new ways to destroy us.

     It all began with a dispute over land. The human population had grown and was expanding into new territory. That territory was disputed and the wizards claimed to own it. Negotiations broke down and now the battles have been happening for over twenty years.

     I smell the magic in a green valley below. I flap my indigo wings as hard as I can and I head back to camp. I see the tents and fires below. After I land,  I make my way to the captain's tent. She is a wolf. I see her pacing across her Persian rug. "Captain, I found a strike spot," I say. She sniffs and grins her sharp teeth at me. "Good job soldier, stand down until battle."

     I join the group and have a drink. It's dragon ale and I feel my scales tingle as I sip from my metal cup. A coolness fills the air and a silver smoke surrounds us. The air smells of anticipation.

     A loud battle cry is heard and we all rush off to do what we were born to do. I fly even faster after the dragon ale. I see tents below in the valley where I felt magic. I move in closer and feel the burning in my chest. My hatred for this war fuels my fire. I open my mouth and fire descends upon the wizards' camp.

     Below I see the blazing tents light up the sky in red and orange. I see a wizard run out of one of the tents. I swoop down to deal the fatal blow, but when I see his eyes I can't do it. Instead, I swoop down and pick him up in my wings. This is going to be an interesting day.