Dragonstone, early one morning.
The lowborn girl Nettles carried the silver stag Logar had given her and, as she did every day, bought a live sheep from the villagers before dragging it up the slopes of Dragonmont.
She had been doing this for a long time now—every single morning, without fail.
Ever since she'd spotted the wild dragon that kept stealing the villagers' sheep, Nettles had made up her mind to tame it.
At first it had just been a wild idea, something to try. But after meeting Logar and hearing his encouraging words, she had never stopped.
She still remembered exactly what he'd told her: Anyone can be the hero of their own life. You just have to be brave enough to reach for it.
When he said it, he'd even gently ruffled her messy hair, smiling warmly—like an angel.
She had also been in the crowd the day Logar tamed the Cannibal and landed in all his glory.
For the handsome, dashing, and utterly magnificent Sea Burner, Nettles felt a mix of gratitude and something deeper—something that made her heart flutter every time she thought of him.
She had been thrilled when he claimed the king of wild dragons. Watching him soar across the sky on that ferocious black beast had left her breathless. He looked so incredibly cool!
And now she wanted to ride a dragon of her own and stand beside him. Only then could she truly repay the kindness he had shown her.
With that thought burning in her chest, Nettles quickened her steps up the mountain.
A skinny girl dragging a heavy, struggling sheep, every footstep crunching over loose stones, her ankles bleeding from the sharp thorns that lined the path.
Lord Sea Burner said I could do it… so I will!
The thought of finally riding beside him gave her strength. She gritted her teeth and kept hauling the sheep forward.
By the time the sun climbed high enough for its rays to pierce the trees and light the valley floor, Nettles finally reached the hidden hollow where Sheepstealer liked to lair.
She had barely stopped to catch her breath when several dark shadows burst from the bushes. The leader stared at the coin purse tucked in her belt with naked greed.
It was Jesse, the village bully from the fishing hamlet, flanked by two of his thug friends. They made their living shaking down the weak.
He had noticed Nettles buying a sheep every single day and had been wondering where a filthy pauper girl got the money. Today he'd finally caught her.
"Hold it right there!" Jesse and his goons blocked the valley entrance, sneering. "So that's how a gutter rat like you can afford a sheep every morning. Hand over the silver—now! Or we'll make you regret it."
Nettles' heart lurched. She dragged the sheep back a step. "I don't have much left! I spent it all on the sheep, and it wasn't stolen!"
"Liar!" Jesse lunged, grabbing for her belt. "A scrawny bitch like you couldn't have that kind of coin unless you stole it. Give it here, or we'll throw you to the wolves!"
Nettles was malnourished and weak. She struggled, but the thugs pinned her easily. The frightened sheep bolted free and ran.
"Let me go!" Tears stung her eyes as she fought, but their grip only tightened.
She knew Jesse and his crew wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted. Today was going to be bad.
"Refuse a polite request, will you?" Jesse raised his fist with a vicious grin. His friends pressed down harder, eyes gleaming.
At that exact moment, the sky went dark.
Jesse and the others looked up in shock as a deafening dragon roar shook the entire valley.
A huge grey-brown shadow plummeted like a falling mountain. Wings snapped shut. Wind and dust exploded outward as it landed with a ground-shaking thud.
Stones flew. Bushes flattened. The earth itself trembled.
Sheepstealer had descended from the sky and now stood between them and the fleeing sheep.
It snatched up the fat ram in its jaws, fangs piercing flesh, but didn't swallow immediately. Its amber eyes swept coldly over every human present.
That single look carried the pure, ancient arrogance only a dragon possessed.
Jesse and his thugs froze, their sneers dying on their faces.
"S-Sheepstealer?!!"
Their blood ran cold. Legs shaking, they released Nettles at once, barely daring to breathe.
The dragon's sulfurous breath washed over them. Its massive body stood like an unmovable wall in front of the girl.
"Wonderful, Sheepstealer! I've been looking for you everywhere—I thought you'd left!"
Nettles scrambled to her feet, face lighting up with joy and disbelief.
But then she remembered the thugs still standing there, and her smile faded. With them blocking the way, she probably wouldn't get another chance to tame the dragon.
Jesse and his crew, however, felt their souls leave their bodies. This was a dragon—one bite and they'd be torn apart.
Still, they saw Nettles standing in front and refused to run just yet. They stayed rooted in place, trembling, hoping the wild dragon might eat the girl too so they could snatch the silver scattered on the ground.
Sheepstealer ignored the cowardly thugs completely. It lowered its head and tore into the ram, ripping meat and swallowing in huge gulps. Blood ran down its jaws.
It ate fast and greedily. In moments the sheep was nothing but bones.
When it finished, it didn't fly away like usual. Instead it seemed to catch the scent of Nettles' blood and the tension in the air. Slowly it rose, towering over her, and stepped closer.
Under the terrified stares of Jesse and the others, Sheepstealer's massive shadow fell across Nettles.
It lowered its great head until its rough snout gently touched her bleeding hand. A low, rumbling sound—almost a purr—rose from its throat.
Nettles gasped, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Sheepstealer… you… you finally accept me?"
Trembling, she reached out and stroked the dragon's rough scales as if in a dream.
All the mornings spent climbing the mountain in rain and wind, enduring the villagers' mockery and the thugs' harassment, even getting hurt—every sacrifice had finally won the dragon's trust.
Sheepstealer answered with a deep, contented rumble. It stood still, its brown-grey body gleaming in the sunlight.
"From now on, you are my partner… and I am your rider."
Nettles took a deep breath, gathered every ounce of courage she possessed, and looked straight into the dragon's eyes.
Sheepstealer threw its head back and let out a thunderous roar that shook the valley. The sound no longer held wariness—only acceptance and loyalty.
In the next breath, Nettles stepped onto the dragon's lowered wing, grabbed the neck ridges, and climbed onto its broad back.
Sheepstealer spread its wings and launched into the sky with majestic power, carrying her high above the valley. The wind from its wings sent leaves swirling in a wild dance.
"N-no… she actually tamed it?!"
Jesse's jaw dropped. All his greed and arrogance vanished. He spun and ran.
"Run! The dragonrider's going to kill us!"
The other thugs bolted after him, tripping and stumbling out of the valley so fast they didn't even dare pick up the silver coins lying on the ground.
Who would dare mess with a dragonrider?
High above, Nettles rode the wind, looking down at Dragonstone and the fleeing bullies. A bright, relieved smile spread across her face.
She had done it. She had successfully tamed Sheepstealer.
"Lord Sea Burner… I can finally stand beside you now."
Gazing toward the Narrow Sea, her heart soared with excitement.