Whuffy has a minion!

Shadow the Kelly

Dragon of Heaven

He lay with his head tucked between his paws, looking out on the vast cloud towers of Paradise. Somewhere in the distance his family soared in a majestic column, patrolling the furthest reaches of the sky and guiding new arrivals to their unique little corner of Paradise. He would join them someday when his wings could bear his weight. For now he was confined to the cloud on which his mother had placed him, a sort of playpen for a young dragon.

He looked up as a shape began to take form just a few feet away. The dog was a handsome creature, his rich golden coat streaked with red. Warm brown eyes took in the dragon's appearance from snout to tail-tip.

"I've seen everything from squirrel bandits to a coyote princess but I've never seen a creature that looks like you. What do they call you?"

"I'm a dragon of course." He flapped his useless wings for emphasis. "My family has guided the incomers of Paradise since time began."

The dog sat, raising a leg to scratch at his ruff. The action was force of habit. He had noticed right away that the annoying fleas that had plagued him all his life were mercifully absent. "You're a pup then. When I was a pup my girl claimed me. She named me Shadow because she was always tripping over me." Shadow's tongue hung free in a doggie grin. "It was a good name."

The little dragon sighed. "I won't have my name until my wings grow in."

Shadow gave his head a good shake. "It feels so strange not to wear a collar anymore. It was a gift from my girl, to protect me if I ever got lost. She used to call me her Whuffy when we played together." He barked his excitement. "Hey, that's what I'll call you!"

Whuffy leapt into the air, spinning in circles as he hovered over Shadow's head. Even a newborn dragon could hover. "I have a name! You just wait until my wings come in. I'll show you all the best places in the sky."

Shadow's ears dropped. "They're sure to be beautiful, but I could never go exploring without my girl. What if she came looking and couldn't find me?"

Whuffy tilted his head. "Before Mother placed me hear I used to listen to my uncles talk about guiding humans but I never had a chance to see one. What are they like?"

Shadow thought it over for a moment, looking out on the great blue expanse before him. "Some are cruel and some are fools but some are almost creatures like us. No human will ever master the intricate verbage of the animal tongue but my girl could speak, in a way. She knew to bring me kibble when I was hungry and to pet me when I was lonely. That is why I must wait for her arrival, no matter how many years it takes.

Whuffy flopped down beside Shadow, following his gaze to where the clouds dropped away. "I've never had a friend like you, Shadow. The wait won't seem so long if we watch together."

Story by Pureflower
Profile by Ringo