As I did, I noticed something really interesting. The dragon was actually pretty tall. I was a decent 5 feet, 10 inches tall. The dragon was a good 6 foot 5. I was just caught off guard because Shank was 7 foot 8. He blocked our escape route. "Not so fast, you damn weaklings! I want my prize. He can't go so easily after he started a fight that he could not finish!" I looked at the dragon. I said "Please have mercy on us. Shank is a bit of a hothead, but he has a human wife and kids that he takes care of. Can you let him off with a warning this once?" The black dragon looked confused. "This useless whelp has a human wife and children!? What did he do to deserve that!?" he demanded. I started the story before Shank had a chance to wake up. Shank groaned as he stirred awake. I ignored him as I held onto him still. I still was telling the big story. By the time he could stand on his own, I was only halfway to the present. The dragon stopped me. "Stop now. I get it already. These humans must be pathetic if all of them rely on you for protection." I looked at him and said "Maybe you could protect them too."
He blinked and thought about it. "Hmm. Humans can't stop from killing each other and other races. I bet that the treasure will be a draw for fights too. I guess they can try to claim me if they are brave enough. I won't fight for just any human." From there, we were dismissed to tell the villagers about it. We each went to our own. This was a step in the right direction. If he took a liking to another villager, that would mean more protection from all the outsiders. It would also mean that the reclamation of the gold and silver could continue. Once we told them, the young men were really excited. They could be chosen champions and exalted warriors too. There might have been some of note before, but none had accomplished the feats that our champions had done. It also did not hurt for non warriors to try. With the guidance of a Blade Spirit, all of the needed combat skills would come easily. If I was a human, I know that I would try. It was something that I wanted to see, so I was around the dragons village. The dragon had taken their biggest house in the empty village as a residence. That was nice for him.
The Blade Spirit was really lewd. I guess I should have known that from how he had sex with Shank the day they met. The black dragon splayed himself on the bed. "I'm the strongest spear that you humans have ever seen. If a puny human like you is brave, you can try to pull my spear from my body. If you can't or displease me, you're going to be kicked out! Understand!?" he explained. They nodded their heads, but it was clear they had no clue what to do with the naked dragon laying on the big, bed before them. It was on the verge of collapse, straining under his weight. I did not know what I would do in their shoes. None of the men were 5 foot 9. That meant even laying down the body of the Blade Spirit was large and intimidating. As the days went on, men from the villages can to visit, but none of them were able to succeed. It did not stop some of them from trying their very best. Some would try it multiple days in a row. It was a puzzle that they could not solve. Some tried to bribe him with gifts of food or trinkets. He would accept them, but it did not help their causes. He kept killing outsiders.
