Who is your best friend? For how long? Why?

What ticks you off by just seeing it? Hearing it?

Do you get cold easy? Hot?

Do you like animals? Children?

Are you fascinated by the idea of aliens? Space? Cars? Boats? Chinese? German? French?

Sure, it was exciting to meet a dragon. Of all the stories I learned about Yao, I loved the ones about dragons best. That was enough for me. But why’d He go and choose me to be a priestess?

This village has always been my home, always will be. My sister, my daughter and her little girl, my nieces, they all need me. And I’m over sixty! Yao can’t expect me to leave now, to go traipsing about to places I’ve never even dreamed of. He should have picked someone else, maybe one of the young men who hanker after the wide world.

When the dragon first breathed Yao’s spirit into me, I knew an impossible joy. (It’s fuzzy today; I don’t remember it clearly.) Then we went on my first flight. Oh, the exhilaration! I’d love to try it again. But Yao told me I'll have to leave here if anyone discovers what I am. Let me serve Him here, among my own people. That’s all I ask.

The start of my story (10 years later):

My name is Ida. I’m an elder in the village of Split Oak Hill. The split side of that old oak rotted away, but the locals know which hill we mean. We get more foot traffic now, folk on the way up into the mountains where Oldth, the last dragon priest, can still be found on occasion. Visitors don’t give our little village much notice, but then they don’t know who I am. No one does, except Oldth. It’s the bargain I made with Yao; I keep my secret, and He lets me stay here with my family.

Problem is, my younger sister died last month, of old age. I spent the last eight years taking care of her. Her daughter won’t speak to me, and that started before I burned down the family lodge by mistake. Narwa, my favorite great-niece, has turned her back on Yao, along with half the young men and women of the village. She sneers when I walk by! It’s that Mahon, with his idols and his talk of how Yao abandoned us. I’ve about given up on them.

Now my granddaughter Glynnis wants to go marry some builder down in the valley, after spending one week getting to know him. I can’t blame her, the men here are hopeless. She needs a traveling companion; who knows how long the journey will take. Yao’s been pressing on me again, I can feel His urgency, so I’m about ready to give in and do whatever it is He has in mind. Its not like things are working out here the way I expected! What better escort for my granddaughter than a dragon, after all?

The second/third chapter, 30 years later:

I’ve traveled farther than I knew this world could stretch, and learned a new language, and converted a heathen country. In that land they call me Odrae, and I am revered. Even better, they revere Yao now. You should have seen them dancing in the streets!

But here in my homeland, idol worship has a death grip on my people. They are doomed but don’t know it, and I don’t know what is coming. Yao lets me wander about the countryside preaching, but He won’t let me display my dragon shape. The faithful are so few! I’m afraid our time is running out.

- I guess I look like anyone’s grandmother, only a bit more vigorous. In my village I used to go about in bare feet and practical farming dresses, but overseas I learned to appreciate fine robes and leather slippers. Now that I’m traveling again, a sturdy crafter’s dress and boots are all I need.

I’ve not seen my dragon shape, and MrsBrown is still working on that bit. (Strangely enough it doesn’t seem terribly important.) The real questions are, what type of frame do I have (light and fragile or strong and heavy), and how big am I? It’ll depend on what the story needs…

- My happiest memory is the day my daughter was born, and the worst is the day she died. I’ve lost too many people in this life.

- My best friend? That’s easy. My sister Lanal knew me better than anyone, and I was the only one who would put up with her. I still miss the old biddy.

- Things that really get me mad: Any idol, or any mention of the names of that cursed pantheon, or any of their heathen priests. Would you believe, my neice Narwa has taken their vows? And when I looked up my great-granddaughter, it turns out she is married into a noble family that supports the false church. Thank Yao that Glynnis brought her up right! Their son Renan is studying at a Yaoish abbey, much to his father’s embassment.

Don’t let me forget the crawlies. I destroy them every chance I get. They used to be smaller, about cat or dog sized. But last week I found one as big as a pony and ugly as sin, chasing down a farmer on an empty stretch of road. I didn’t get there in time to save him, but I scorched the crawlie.

- Do I get cold or hot easy? It’s a mixed bag. I stopped aging when I became a dragon, but even then I had trouble staying warm. But Yao’s gift means I can generate a great deal of heat. So just watch out if I’m in a mind to toast someone! (Don't get me wrong, I have never scorched a person. Just the occasional crawlie.)

- Do I like animals? Who doesn’t like animals? Especially mutton. I used to enjoy animal companionship, but predators have a different perspective.

- Children? I’ve always had a way with the children, and they love to hear my dragon stories. I love children more than the average gran, perhaps because I value their innocence so highly.

- Are you fascinated by the idea of aliens? Space? Cars? Boats? Chinese? German? French?

You’ve lost me. The only thing that made a bit of sense there is boats, and I’ve no wish to ride one ever again. I’d much rather fly.

- I am afraid of losing Narwa forever (I’m still hoping she’ll turn around). And of seeing this generation pass away unredeemed. And I’m afraid that I might be the last dragon priest/ess, with Oldth gone so long. What is Yao up to, anyway?

(NOTE: if anyone can suggest a better name for a class of monsters that come in all shapes, colors, etc., all twisted and unpleasant… I’m not sold on “crawlie”.)

But the elders are the rightful keepers of our knowledge. Renan would do better to focus his energy on memorizing the sacred stories. I don't need a book to tell them!

He oughtta be out doing something useful. What a waste!

I wear whatever comes to hand, so long as it reasonably comfortable and preserves my modesty. I’m not partial to floral.

So what, you're like the matriarch there where you live?

I used to think my purpose was to serve as matriarch for my extended family, and the rest of my village. But then Yao turned my life upside down. He expected me to give all that up and go do who-knows what. I should have known that clinging to my old life would have negative consequences.

What is the most exotic thing you've ever done in your life (exotic by your people's standards, that is, not mine)?

Flying--as far as I know there are only two dragons in the world now. And of course serving Yao. When I finally heeded His call and left my village, He sent me across the sea to the land of Iduna. Talk about exotic! Very few of my folk have ever been there. They are a wealthy people, with ties to many lands on that continent. But everywhere I went they worshipped the Mehda. I never would have believed they would want to hear about Yao. But He let me show them the dragon. They knew there was no power in their gods, and they were ripe for the truth. Living in Iduna, learning to be a dragon priestess, leading a nation to their redemption… that’s pretty amazing for a simple villager! They tore down every temple, replaced their political structure, changed their trading policies, and freed their slaves. I still can’t quite believe the course Yao set me on.

But here’s the most exotic part: sometimes Yao speaks to me. It’s not just a sense or a feeling, but the very presence of the Creator! His voice is sweeter and more terrifying than I can explain.

Is there one thing that you wish you could change about your past?

What's your favorite place to eat; and what's your favorite item on the bill of fare?

Your beverage of choice at day's end?

A bum asks for a little moolah. Yay or nay?

If you must know, I have a preference for roasted meats, especially goat, and for bread sopped in goat's milk. But not if the goat eats bitterweed; I can taste it!

If anyone is in need, they know they can go to the nearest Yaoish chapel. A widow once asked my help with a cleric who gave the best portions to the younger women. All he needed was a good talking-to. When I checked back later, he had moved on.

There are places where tithes have dropped off to the point where there is not enough for everyone, and of course Searos takes no care for its poor folk. In those cases, I gladly give to anyone who asks. But usually I don't have much.

--Ida