A Delicious Surprise

As Fred locks eyes with the dragon, it is only for a brief moment, but it feels like an eternity. He is awestruck at the majesty of this great beast, seated comfortably behind a very large cauldron and cook-fire flanked by large overturned crates spilling out their contents of carrots, garlic, onions, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms onto the hard stone floor. The dragon holds a large partially-charred carrot between its left thumb and forefingers, comically too small for the large clawed hand cradling it as it swiftly slices thick rounds off of the carrot into the cauldron, which is emitting an absolutely heavenly aroma.

"Well, hello there," speaks the dragon in a tired, almost sarcastic tone, raising its head up, not breaking eye contact with Fred as it finishes slicing its carrot and, without looking, deftly retrieves another from the pile to its right. "I wasn't expecting company."

The dragon angles its head a bit to its right side as it lifts the carrot to its face and lets out a brief jet of blue flame, roasting the carrot and filling the chamber with its sweet, earthy aroma. Fred's stomach growls as he realizes he is quite hungry, having skipped breakfast this morning in favor of hastening his journey to the dragon's lair. The dragon gestures to a small boulder draped with a partially-threadbare rug. The dragon's slick, black, iridescent scales reflect a dancing pattern of firelight onto the walls and floor of the chamber.

"Please, have a seat," it says flatly, proceeding to slice the freshly-roasted carrot into the cauldron.

Fred stands agape in shock, jaw trembling for a few seconds before he...

1. ...Manages to choke out a single word: "...What??"
2. ...Remembers the incantation he memorized from the dragon's own Book of Curses.
3. ...Is overcome by his fear of the dragon and the unexpected bizarre situation he has found himself in and proceeds to faint.

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