Marlina studied the creature curiously. He was not at all impressive compared with the others in the stable. He was rather skinny and had pitiful wingfins. His snout was a bit long for her comfort and she wondered just how maneuverable he actually was.

“He is within your range, dearheart,” Sethender the Stablemaster prodded gently. He was a gruff merman but he had known Marlina since she was kneehigh to a brine shrimp. She was a hard worker and sweet as kombu. He knew her family could not pay generously for a sea dragon but he was willing to sacrifice the lame dragon for a measley piece of human plastic.

Marlina bit her bottom lip as she watched the dragon from the confines of the glass bottle Sethender kept him in. Finally with a sigh that included bubbles to agitate the water flowing from gills, she nodded. “I’ll take him.”

The Sea Dragon flew like lightning to the opening of the glass. Marlina and Sethender blinked in unison. Marlina’s jaw dropped and then she grinned. The sea dragon winked.