The blade breaks the crust and slices, with a crunch, through the long loaf. A breeze catches on the grasses. The dappled shade of the tree slides over her riding leathers. The pillar of rock ends abruptly in a thousand pace drop. Below, clouds drift over the lush forests and glittering waterfalls. A rainbow dances in the mist. Other columns of rock extend into the sky around them, each drooping with vines and overflowing with water and blossom.
The dragon stirs, his viridescent feathers flashing oily blue and pink in the warming light. The rider lathes on butter to the bread. Floral notes waft by. There’s a lute on the saddle. Later, she might play them something. Then she thinks, no. There’s music enough here.
Paddy Dobson
18th April 2021