(February 20, 2025)

“What to read, what to read?” Arwym thought as they stared at the towering stacks of books in the room.

The books aren’t organized in any kind of logical way. Sort of by genre, though there was significant overlap, and a little bit by size, but there were hardcovers mixed in with the paperbacks.

Years of building their collection, piling titles on top of titles, always promising to read them when there was time. And bit by bit, they made their way through—even as bit by bit, they added more.

Arwym’s gaze landed on one cover in particular—dragons!—and they reached for the book… when a noise among the stacks made them freeze.

(April 25, 2025)

With careful steps, Arwym made their way around the shelf to the next row of stacks. Empty. Yet the sound was continuing. Getting louder.

They clutched their book to their chest, the only defence they had against whoever—or whatever—might be in here with them.

When they rounded another row, a shadow reared up on the wall. A towering beast with long teeth and claws the length of Arwym’s arm. A squeak escaped their throat, but they swallowed the rest of the scream, not wanting to alert the creature that they were here.

On tiptoe, they approached the corner, but there was no beast.

Arwym dropped their gaze to the floor. Where a tiny dragon sat on top of a stack.

(May 29, 2025)

“Oh!”

Arwym hopped backwards and ducked behind the books.

Cautiously, they poked their head above the stack to eye the dragon. Its purple wings were tucked against a green-and-purple body, and large golden eyes stared at her with… annoyance?

Arwym frowned and stared back at it. What did it have to be annoyed about? It was in their home. On their books.

“Shoo,” they said.

The dragon huffed, and a tiny puff of smoke drifted from its nostrils. “I will not shoo. You have been summoned.”

A shiver ran down Arwym’s spine. “By whom?”

The dragon rolled its eyes. “The queen of course. So come along. And don’t you dare wear… that.”