Never Too Anything

Never Too Anything

“I’m too old for this.”

Malverna hobbled over to her broom and tried to get on it.

“I know I’m only 500 years young, but broom flying just won’t cut it tonight!”

“Nonsense," said her dragon familiar, Scalder; you’re just a little seized up! Let me get the WD40...”

“No, I just won’t go!” the witch whined.

Scalder looked thoughtful.

“I could take you wherever you want to go. I’m full-grown now and strong! Conjure up a comfy seat with a back rest, stirrups and reins and you’ll be ready!”

Malverna tapped her chin mole with her longest fingernail.

“But how will I get on?”

“I’ll stretch my head and neck flat. Then you can climb up my snout and I’ll slide you onto my back by raising my head gently until you are behind the base of my neck.”

“Let’s get that equipment on board then,” the witch said. A few conjures later, all was ready.

Scalder got into position. With difficulty, Malverna got onto his snout. When she was ready, the dragon raised his head slowly. To her surprise, the witch slid down the long neck to the seat on the dragon’s back. She even said ‘wheee’!

“Let me get my seatbelt.”

Once she was secure, she slapped the reins on Scalder’s neck, and they were off. Just in time, Malverna remembered to enlarge the door.

They flew for hours, and the witch felt not a twinge of age. Scalder kept up a running patter like a talkative cab driver. Once they crossed the moon six times and did a loop-de-loop in front of it, it was time to go home.

“Moonlight therapy does the trick every time,” the witch sighed as she sank into her lumpy bed. Scalder was already asleep and snoring sparks.