Winter stood behind the curtains, after a small second of hesitation, he peeked his head inside. "Hello," he called with a toothy grin.

  "AAAAH, WHO- WINTER!" The scavenger jumped off his seat, tripping on his own feet and almost hitting the ground. Thankfully, he caught himself and straightened up under the dragon's amused glance.

  "I said to stop that!" The scavenger exclaimed in a clumsy draconic. "I don't like it."

  Winter chuckled before reaching for something in his pouch. "I found you something."

  But before he could show him, another voice came from another room.

  "[Maple? What's happening?]" Another scavenger quickly came into view. It was Mountain - he had learned that was her name from the pictures and miming like what was done for Winter and Maple. She looked up and saw Winter's head. "[Oh.] Hi Winter." She waved at him with a smile on her face, relieved the mess wasn't caused by anything bad. He waved back and got a scroll out of his pouch.

  "You wanted more scrolls, for translation, right?" He asked Maple.Winter had figured out a while ago that Mapleleaf wasn't his name - he was just trying to find a way to identify the tree he was named after.

  "Yes!" The scavenger nodded and jumped on his feet, he walked to Winter and grabbed the scroll with both his hands. It was always funny to see him hold onto them, dragon sized scrolls were as large as their whole arms and always a bit heavier than they could handle. Maple held it with both his arms and wavered toward the back of the room where he dropped it on a large desk.

  "You early." Maple said once back. "You stay?"

  Winter shook his head. "No, I was invited. I must go to Jade mountain." His heartbeat fastened at the prospect of seeing his friends again. "Starflight is interested in my studies."

  Maple stared at him for a few seconds. "What?"

  "Oh, Starflight, another dragon." Winter said, clearing any misinterpretation.

  "Ah, all right." Maple responded, sounding a bit disappointed.

  Winter raised a claw up. "But someone should visit you in a few days. Two someones actually, they'll help you."

  Mountain looked at him with confusion, then she turned to Maple. "[What did he say?]"

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  "[Some people will come soon I think, he said they'll help us.]"

  "[Who?]"

  Maple turned back his attention to Winter. "Who?"

  "Their names are Sky and Wren, a dragon and another scavenger." Winter answered. "They both speak Dragon and Scavenger - they can teach you."

  "Oooh." Maple responded. A thoughtful look came over his face.

  "Lake?" Winter inquired.

  "Yes." The older scavenger chose not to stay in Sanctuary with the other two, though he lived nearby. He was still nervous around dragons, despite Winter making it clear that dragons aren't eating scavengers anymore. To Winter, Lake definitely seemed like the kind of individual who tries to learn as much as possible - he would love to be with someone who could effectively teach him Dragon.

  Though Wren might be quite the handful to deal with. Sky too.

  I wish I could watch what happens between Maple, Mountain, and them. It would be hilarious. Winter though with a small smile.

  "Lake is a good teacher, he misses it. If he becomes good enough, he could accompany you?"

  Maple's suggestion made itself clear in Winter's mind.

  "Yes! Good idea!" he responded. If he could have a scavenger with him during his trips, that could help to make understand his work to the rest of the dragons, but that would especially help when he'll meet other scavengers! Like an interpreter.

  "I'll ask him." Maple said, to which Winter nodded.

  There was a small pause, only broken once Mountain spoke up.

  "[So who's coming?]"

  "[Someone like us, a dragon and a human. They will be able to teach us the dragon language.]"

  "[We should prepare for our guests arrival then.]"

  "[You're right. I will find Lake, I have a proposition for him.]"

  "Well, I have to go then." Winter said.

  "Goodbye Winter." Maple said. "See you in days."

  Maple and Mountain waved, and Winter waved back. He would be gone for a couple of days, but it'll be fine - the duo was well-known in Sanctuary right now as the only two scavenger residents. A lot of dragons will be willing to help them with anything. Mountain's draconic wasn't perfect but Maple was good enough in case of anything.

  They would be fine.

  So he took off, carefully closing his pouch and making sure the copy of his scroll about scavengers was still inside, and took the direction of the Jade Mountain Academy.

  *****

  The Invincible Lord was staring into the distance once again, looking over the land he wished to conquer. But this time, it wasn't bitterness that he was feeling, things had changed, and for the better. Copperhead, despite being the usual bootlicker he was, had managed to prove himself useful for once.

  Whilst he didn't understand a lot of what was done during the experiments, he made sure that the notes taken by the others were clear, concise, and detailed. Those notes were now being put to use - more expeditions were being formed for the cactus. The scholars of the city were thinking up ideas on how to apply the plant.

  I lost the dragon - but gaining this knowledge should be worth it in the end.

  Dragon-killer weapon experiments were underway now - craftsmen were designing and constructing possible weapons. Testing for some should begin in a few weeks, once more of the cactus was gathered. By the end of the year humanity should have a working prototype weapon - one that can finally trump a dragon.

  And I will finally conquer this world.