19 Comments
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Liz Zimmers's avatar

This was just excellent and powerful! I want to read more about the dragon and the boy! More about the market!

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s an idea I could work up into a novella when I have time to sit down and think about it. I’ll see what happens xx

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Yes, please!

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Rostislava Pankova-Karadjova's avatar

This my favourite of your stories I’ve read so far! I believed every second of it, could see every move and shift and colour of the dragon, and the ending - incredible. Your writing is truly inspiring!

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

Thanks so much! It’s a strange story (for me) in a nightmarish setting. You commented on the colours, which is great, as I see a Dickensian gloom, and silent, hostile workers fading into the fog. It made my skin crawl writing it.

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Adriaan Odendaal's avatar

I absolutely love how you evoke those Beasts from Medieval paintings, almost as if from a lost history. And with that you also wrest them from the cliches of contemporary fantasy, which sometimes makes my nose wrinkle.

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

I’m pleased it struck the right chord with you. I don’t understand the fantasy obsession with dragons either. They’re stupid, grasping, cruel, and think only about hanging onto wealth they can’t use. Just like the worst kind of human beings really.

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Douglas Bruton's avatar

ooooh I like this world you have made. And it feels like there is more to come! Thanks for this. x

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

I think it’s a story that runs on repeat for centuries. Same dragon, same kid, different customers.

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Margaret Lesh's avatar

I was afraid something would happen to the dragon. :) Well done.

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

That dragon can look after itself. It’s the nasty little old kid you want to keep your eye on.

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Liz Gauffreau's avatar

A highly original story! I enjoyed it.

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

Thank you! I’m glad you like it xx

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Liz Gauffreau's avatar

You’re welcome!

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Ricardo Alberto's avatar

Awww, snap! Loved this 🔥 I’ve always been fascinated by dragons! If you are too, you should check out the anime, Dragon’s Dogma, on Netflix. I loved it! 🐉

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Ricardo Alberto's avatar

Dragons are rad 🤘🏼

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

I think this is the only dragon I’ve ever written. They’re not my favourite fantastic beasts to be honest. I enjoyed the dragons in Earthsea though. Thanks for the suggestion! xx

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Joan Spilman's avatar

Enjoyed this very much. Well written and suspenseful. No flying cars or spotted pigs suddenly falling from the sky to distract from the sly cunning, the slow awakening, and the giggle of the belly.

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Jane Dougherty's avatar

Glad you liked it. I think it must have been inspired by a nightmare..

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