Round 5 – Part 1 prompt from the Fabulous Spec-Fic Smackdown 2024: Write a speculative story based on (1) the image below; (2) the song "Salt" by Ava Max; and a lasso. Specified genre: blend high fantasy with science fiction.

Word count = 3494

"Silas Blaze, the name. And dragon wranglin', my game."

The gnome drew down bushy white eyebrows and scowled, which gnomes were prone to do. "That supposed to impress me? And your price is exorbitant, to say the least."

Valzif Nammlester was one of the more fashionable gnomes I had ever met, and perhaps the most colorful. A multi-colored quilted vest partially covered a plushy red shirt, while a patterned red and green gnome-cap topped his head. A snow-white full beard and mustache billowed out like clouds from his round face. And what gnome wears sunglasses? Bright moonbeams through a high window illuminated Valzif as he sat within a subterranean office that looked more like a mushroom garden.

"The very best comes at a cost," I answered, puffing out my chest. "I'm sure your mistress understands."

The gnome huffed, and a snotty retort was interrupted by a female voice behind, "Is this the dragon wrangler, Valzif?"

"Aye, m'lady," the gnome answered, standing to perform a modest bow. "But the price... grossly excessive."

My eyes scanned the woman, starting low from above-the-knee black boots and working slowly upward. A looker, for sure. Partings in her long, tight black leather dress displayed a shapely thigh below and pleasant cleavage above. Thick dark curls, full red lips, and flirty lashes around impossibly deep amber eyes completed the allure.

And as Baron Harrington's daughter, the wealthiest land-owner in the northern provinces, she had considerable influence. The lady ran much of her father's operations and was known for a shrewd business sense. Best I keep our transactions on the up-and-up, as they say, but still...

Removing my feathered cap, I bowed with a flourish. "Silas Blaze, at your service, my Lady Gabrielle." Reaching out, I took up her leather gloved hand and placed a wispy kiss on slender fingers. Then, gazing into upturned eyes, I said in my smoothest voice, "Well known is your extraordinary beauty, my lady, but I think even the flourished words of a skilled poet could not do you justice."

Smirking, Gabrielle snatched her hand away. "And well known is your roguish charm, wrangler, and the broken hearts you left behind. So, spare me your gilded words."

"Some reputations are undeserved, my lady." Pursing my lips, I winked. "But some are."

"My dear friend, Lady Amilia, had little good to say of your reputation."

I gulped as heat came to my cheeks. Amilia and I had a wonderfully torrid fling, but did not part on good terms. "I shall not speak ill of the lady, other than to say there was a significant difference in relationship goals." That, and she became annoyingly clingy. "But I did rid her of a troublesome dragon, as promised."

"A significant difference, indeed, Mr. Blaze." After a pause in thought, she said, "Very well, I accept your proposal — only the one related to dragon wrangling — but have two additional conditions. First, you must not kill the dragon, rather release it back into the northern mountains from which it came."

I truly disliked killing the magnificent beasts, although sometimes unavoidable, so catch and release was my normal practice. "That is acceptable."

"And second, Valzif and I come with you."

Oh, no, no... That might reveal some secrets best kept hidden. "My lady," I hawed, "extremely dangerous is dragon wrangling, and the conditions are most deplorable."

Gabrielle opened her mouth in response, but Valzif jumped beside me and interrupted. "The wrangler speaks truly, m'lady. That is no place for a refined lady. Besides, dragons are well known to prefer gnome flesh, since we are so sweet."

I put a hand to my mouth to suppress a derisive laugh.

"Why, Valzif, was it not you who complained of boredom?" she said with a string of chuckles, which died away as she turned back to me. "Those are my conditions, wrangler. What say you?"

With a resigned sigh, I replied, "I accept."

A smile laced with smugness rose on her lips. "Splendid! We begin at dawn. Don't be late."

*****

True to her word, Lady Gabrielle met me outside the eastern gate on a clear, cool morning just as twin suns lifted above distant hills, painting high clouds in reds and oranges. A massive rock block wall surrounded Baron Harrington's expansive estate with iron bar gates at each of the four compass ordinal directions. To the west sprawled a vibrant city, and to the north, our goal.

"Good morning, my lady," I said with a bow.

I almost didn't recognize her, wearing sturdy work boots, black leggings, and a hooded cloak more fitting of tradeswoman than a high noble. A tight braid contained her long hair, and no makeup adorned her face. If anything, this attire made her even more attractive.

"Where is your short assistant?" I asked, looking back and forth.

"Oh, Valzif?" she answered with a half-grin. "It seems he became ill last night. Dragon fever, I suspect."

"My carriage awaits, my lady," I said, motioning toward my banged-up quad-wheeler.

She wrinkled her brow. "It seems rather, umm, unkept?"

Unkept was actually a charitable description. Designed for off-road dragon pursuit, the rugged truck bore the marks. Dried mud caked the dented cab and oversized wheels. Towed behind was a large box trailer with rusty metal mesh sides designed to hold a dragon.

"Well, dragon wrangling is a rather messy enterprise."

After tossing her bag behind the seat on my makeshift bed, which fortunately, I had tidied up, I switched on freshly charged power cells and we were off. We soon left the compound and nearby city behind, heading toward a farming community near the foothills where the dragon was recently sighted.

"I prefer to travel anonymously," Gabrielle said, then yelped, bouncing as we hit a chuckhole on the worsening road. "I'll pose as your apprentice." She drew down eyebrows in warning. "Keep in mind, though, that I still hold the purse."

Putting on a grin, I suggested, "Wouldn't it be better if you posed as, say, my lover? People would believe that."

The rolling laughter from her upturned lips stung like a paper cut to my ego. "Do you ever give up? But do keep trying — your attempts are most entertaining."

I put a hand to my chest. "So deep have you cut my romantic heart, dear lady, that I might never recover?"

Gabrielle sarcastically flicked a fake tear from her eye. "I would cry, but I have no salt for tears."

I was tall, muscular, and charming, with an irresistible smile — at least according to other women. But this woman was a challenge. "Why did you insist on coming along? Does dragon wrangling truly interest you?"

"Dragons interest me," she answered. "They are most fascinating creatures."

I nodded. "We have at least that in common."

"Are you familiar with the Dragon Lore?"

"Somewhat." Actually, I was quite familiar, but wanted to hear her version.

"Dragons were one of the few native macro-vertebrates that survived the terraform project before the first colonists arrived, even thrived. And as the planet warmed, they moved into the mountains where the temperatures were more to their liking. Mostly, humans and dragons ignored each other, but as our settlements expanded, confrontations occurred."

"And dragons didn't take well to that," I said. "They are temperamental, and tend to hold a grudge."

"Yes. Many powerful people wish to eradicate them. Yet, dragons are intelligent, noble creatures who have every right to exist in peace."

"I very much agree."

Gabrielle put on a warm smile. "And that was why I hired you and insisted that the dragon not be harmed. In a way, your work protects dragons from men, as well as men from dragons."

I nodded — she preached to the choir.

"Have you heard of the dragon riders?" Gabrielle asked, lifting a styled eyebrow.

"People who had an affinity for dragon-kind, almost a telepathic connection. But this is just myth." Actually, I lied — I knew it was no myth.

"I think the legends true. The ancient dragon riders forged peace between species and even rode the dragons into battle when invaders came so long ago. Do you believe riders still exist, wrangler?"

I turned my gaze back to the road ahead as my heart rate increased. "If it were only so, my lady."

"We need them again. Difficult times come." The following pause hung like smoke. Did she suspect? "Anyway, I want to see a dragon for myself."

Bringing the truck to a stop, I pointed up through the windshield. "Well, there it is now."

Eyes widened, Gabrielle jumped out and gazed at the long, winged silhouette heading north across a twilight sky.

"A big male," I said, moving beside her. "And I think I've wrangled that beast before."

"How can you tell?"

"Each dragon has a unique flight profile — the tail spikes and wing serrations. And that one has a tear in its left wing — probably from a fight with another male. It likely has a roost somewhere in those rocky hills further north." We watched the dragon disappear over a ridge. "Night comes. Let us find an inn, and tomorrow, we search."

The small village had only one inn, but it seemed peaceful and comfortable enough. After securing accommodations, I joined Gabrielle at a table. The tavern had an old-fashioned roadhouse vibe with a long polished wooden bar at one end, several wooden tables at the other, and a round rock fireplace in the middle. A crackling fire cast warm, flickering light across the room. Most tables were occupied and the sounds of quiet conversations filled the tavern.

"Only one bedroom was available," I said as I sat down across from Gabrielle.

Tilting her head, Gabrielle narrowed her eyes to slits. "Really?"

I held up my hands. "Honest. It does have two beds, though, and I promise to be a gentleman."

A pretty, young barmaid with long blonde hair placed two mugs of lager on the table, but then sat down between us. I couldn't help but notice her ample cleavage displayed by a tight bodice.

"Is it true you are dragon wranglers?" she said, eyes widening.

"Yes," I replied. "My name is Silas Blaze, and this is my apprentice, umm, Elle."

The barmaid's eyes widened. "Facing a ferocious, fire-breathing dragon must be sooo dangerous."

"A misconception, my dear. Dragons don't actually breath fire, but they are dangerous enough."

Before any further conversation, a bell ring sounded from the kitchen behind the bar and she jumped up. "Your food must be ready. I'll be right back."

"She is rather attractive," Gabrielle noted as we both watched her swinging hips disappear into the kitchen. "Would you pursue her?"

"True, she is quite attractive," I answered. "But did you not notice the gold ring on her left hand? I do not pursue married women--"

"My dear wrangler, perhaps you have some scruples."

"--unless they pursue me first."

"I take it back. You're despicable."

After a pause and a swig of lager, I gazed into Gabrielle's eyes. "The barmaid was right, you know. Catching that dragon will be dangerous, and... Well, we should grab on to as many of life's pleasures now while we still can."

Gabrielle's lips slowly transformed into a wide grin. "Oh, that was your best one yet."

*****

The next day eventually found us at the base of a long rocky ridge where a shepherd reported seeing the dragon roost. He was particularly happy to see us, since the dragon had already taken several of his sheep. The terrain had turned decidedly steep and rough, and from now on, we would have to walk.

A cool, scented breeze swayed tall green grasses and wildflowers at our feet. Higher on the ridge, scattered brush and heather filled spaces between boulders and reddish sandstone spires. I already noticed several caves that a dragon might favor.

"Care for a morning hike, my lady?" I asked.

"Don't mind if I do, wrangler," Gabrielle answered with a grin. "But won't a dragon be away now?"

"Dragons are generally crepuscular, preferring to hunt in the twilight, then returning to roost during the day and night."

After strapping on blaster pistol and a bulky backpack, we took off along a winding game trail.

"You will not shoot it, would you?" Gabrielle asked, glancing at my sidearm.

"No. Dragon scales are stronger than steel armor. A blaster would hardly scratch them, only angering the beast. The only kill shot is through the open mouth when it tries to bite you."

"Ohhh..."

After a long climb, we reached the exposed ridgeline and weaved between boulders and purple heather patches. The sky, clear and deep blue, afforded us grand views of green fields and small villages in the south valleys, while to the north, the jagged white-tipped Drakos mountains dominated the horizon, the natural home of dragons.

"It's beautiful up here," Gabrielle noted, as she spun around.

"Indeed," I said as my eyes traced her curvy form. "And so is the landscape."

She froze for a moment, then a laugh escaped her lips. "That one took me by surprise."

On my lead, we descended along the north face toward a series of caves set in light-brown limestone outcroppings.

"We are close," I said as we approached a wide cave.

"How can you tell?"

"I have a sense of these things."

"Maybe, it is only the anticipation," Gabrielle said, shaking her head, "but I have this odd feeling of dragon presence."

Interesting. Could she be sensitive?

Jagged rocks like teeth lined the entrance of a yawning, dark cave. If the ridge itself was a monster, this would be its mouth. Damp, chilly air spilled out from the darkened depths. Scattered sheep bones and ripped wooly hides, some freshly killed, marked the threshold, confirming my intuition.

"This is the place," I said in a calm tone, betraying the tension that tightened my sinews.

After shucking my backpack, I extracted what looked like a huge, stubby gun with a short, wide bore and cylinder-shaped magazine. It required two hands to heft.

"What is that?" Gabrielle asked.

"An auto-lasso — my own invention. If it works, it will ensnare the dragon."

Her eyes widened. "And if it doesn't work?"

I answered with a shrug. "If not, a hasty retreat is advised. Did I not tell you dragon wrangling was dangerous? Well, this is the dangerous part. Still with me?"

Gabrielle tightened her lips and nodded. "All the way."

A sly smile grew on my face. "I look forward to going all the way with you, my dear lady."

Clamping her eyes shut, she groaned. "That's not what I meant."

With Gabrielle close behind, I crept into the cave. A flashlight attached to the auto-lasso cast a beam into the darkness, yet not reaching its full depth. We tip-toed around fallen, jagged boulders, silent but for careful footfalls and hushed anxious breaths amplified by the rounded cavern.

Eventually, we reached the cave back, where the ceiling met the floor within a puddle of still water. While only a hundred paces behind, only faint light from the cave entrance reached us.

"Where is the dragon?" Gabrielle whispered, putting words to my question.

"I don't know--"

A whoosh of wings and a deep huff stole away my words. Something massive blocked the cave entrance light. Slowly, carefully, we turned in unison to find the angry gaze of two slitted red eyes. A puff from twin nostrils on a wide, scaled snout blew a warm, musky breath around us. I had always admired how stealthy dragons were.

For two heartbeats, everyone stood like statues. Then all hell broke out.

With a roar that reverberated through the cavern, the dragon lunged, snapping with an enormous jaw lined with sharp, dagger-like teeth. Yanking Gabrielle with me, I dove to the side and slid across a flat, slanted boulder. We landed in a heap, splashing down in a shallow puddle. The auto-lasso clattered down in a gravel pile, but too far away to reach.

Extending broad leathery wings for balance, the dragon leaped on the boulder and extended its neck toward us. Half-crawling, and half-stumbling, we scampered away, narrowly avoiding a snapping bite. I cried out as sharp pain blossomed in my thigh where a fang ripped through my pants.

Crawling on hands and knees, we stuffed ourselves under a low overhang. Jumping back and forth, the dragon poked its open snout at us, but couldn't quite reach through. Only here in the cave confines did our smaller size prove an advantage over the massive beast. Indignant, the dragon let out another deafening roar.

We were trapped at a stalemate. And dragons tended to be persistent.

"Well, he's in a bad mood," I muttered, stating the obvious.

"You think?" Gabrielle snapped back. "How do we get out of this?"

My eyes scanned across the cave, barely making out shapes in the darkness. Tilting its head, the dragon looked back and let out another huff. For a moment, we just stared at each other as I tried to connect, to link our minds. But all I could read was irrational rage, and the dragon locked me out. Pulling back, the beast roared again.

The auto-lasso laid ten paces away, its attached flashlight casting a round beam against a rock wall.

"I have an idea," I whispered. "When I take off toward the cave entrance, you go for the auto-lasso and shoot while the dragon is distracted."

Gabrielle's eyes widened. "How do I shoot it?"

"Simple. Just point and pull the trigger. It will do the rest."

I crouched while my eyes scanned a weaving route through the rock, staying where the cave ceiling still hung low so as not to be easily caught.

"Ready?" I said with a deep breath.

Gabrielle leaned over and placed a kiss on my cheek. "Don't die, Silas."

As the kiss left behind a blossoming warmth, I grinned. "Now, I have more incentive."

With another breath, I bolted out of our protective hole, shouting, "Hey, dragon! Catch me if you can."

Sure enough, the dragon took pursuit, loping along from boulder to boulder with wings partially extended, surprisingly agile despite the limited space. I dove to avoid a jaw snatch, then rolled along the loose rock to duck under a whip of its spiked tail.

As I found myself cornered between a boulder and rock wall, I called out, "Now would be a good time, Gabrielle."

To my relief, a sharp pop echoed through the cavern. With a hiss, coils of high-tech cable lashed out in spiral paths, wrapping and encircling the dragon in its grip. The dragon bucked and roared, but the lasso would not be denied as the coils constricted.

Eventually, the dragon stopped struggling, and laid prone on the cave floor. I approached slowly with a hand extended to touch its snout. "Easy now. I won't hurt you." The dragon's emotions washed over me: sadness, grief, anger becoming resignation. Through our mental connection, I broadcasted compassion as best I could. "Let's get you home."

As I set about cutting away the lasso coils, Gabrielle's eyes widened. "You... You're a dragon rider. I knew it!"

Slowly approaching the dragon, she extended a hand like I had and stroked the dragon's head. Tears traced her cheek. "He grieves for a lost mate that evil men killed. No wonder he was so angry."

My jaw dropped. "Gabrielle... You have the dragon affinity, too?"

"I believed so, but until now, I was not sure." She turned to me. "Silas, we have to protect these magnificent creatures. Their home must become a safe sanctuary."

I nodded. And Gabrielle had the political influence to do that.

The dragon calmly followed as we left the cave. Outside, the beast's iridescent blue scales shimmered in the bright sunshine as it stretched, then settled down beside us.

"It's a long walk back to the truck. Or," I said, winking, "we could ride a dragon."

Gabrielle's eyes shot full open, as I helped her onto the dragon's scaled back. We held on to horn-like protruded scales.

"Woo-hoo!" she shouted with arms extended high as we circled the hills while the wind fluttered her hair-braid. Her joy was infectious, reminding me of my first flight.

As we landed with a thump beside my truck and dismounted, Gabrielle collapsed into my arms. "Thank you, dragon rider. Truly, you are my hero."

"Hmm," I said, returning the hug, "does the hero then get the girl?"

She giggled. "As much as I enjoy watching you flail romantically, I should tell you that we have something else in common: we both prefer women."

I pulled back and stared. Things made more sense now. "Really?"

"Really. Sorry to disappoint."

"No. It's actually better this way. It means I haven't lost my touch." I extended a hand. "Friends, then?"

Gabrielle grasped my hand and shook. "Friends."

"Let's get this dragon back home," I said, gesturing toward distant mountains. "Then we begin your training as dragon rider."

https://youtu.be/qDjPCMs7ivU