With her standing in front of him with such uncertainty he still could not make the promise in the exact manner she hoped, not even to ease the expression away. He still remembered her as that little girl with the huge smile shaping those flat human teeth into something amazing- chasing him around that cozy home of her parents. He’d missed her like his father must have missed his tailfin. Because of that he could look her in the eye and promise something with confidence: “I will keep you safe.” It wasn’t the dragon riders he was worried about. He’d keep her safe from them but they would never hurt her- it was this tribe her worried about. 

When she seemed satisfied with this response he shifted back, waiting patiently for her approach and exposing his bare gums to prove the truth of his previous claim. While it would be amusing to spook her, her hands were already shaking so bad that she may collapse in failure of her heart should he so much as make a sudden movement and so he was still. 

So clumsy was she and he impatient with her movements. He rumbled deep in his throat at her foolish request and tipped his head in order to look back her with one eye. Casually he moved from the cell, pausing momentarily only to gobble up a few of the tasty fish she had abandoned in their path. How could he possibly resist? But he knew there was no savoring or completing this meal so after gulping down only a couple he slunk away from the remains and as they fell beneath the moonlight, dashed forward and leapt for the sky.

His wings scarcely made a sound as the snapped open and he caught a draft of the wind, carrying them higher on gentle currents. Drifting lazily like a small boat on a calm sea. He purred to assure of their security- this high up the dirty Vikings down below in that village, wouldn’t be able to touch them.