Pies and dragons

In a quiet, magical town nestled between hills and forests, there is a charming bakery called The Pie Maker. The scent of fresh pies attracts locals and travelers. But this bakery is special—it's the heart of a young witch.

 

“What’s your secret ingredient?” asked a dreamy-eyed man.

 

"Just a little magic,” Eliza replied with a smile.

 

"Eliza, will you marry me?” he asked, taking her hand.

 

Everyone cheered and jeered.

 

“No, I won’t," she said gently, pushing him aside.

 

The room sighed.

 

"He’s already married," Eliza declared.

 

“You’re a heartbreaker,” a fairy joked.

 

"I'd rather be that than ruin a marriage," she said.

 

The fairy looked embarrassed but said no more. Suddenly, a rumble at the door revealed a half-giantess.

 

“There you are, Earnest," she said gruffly. "Come home with me." She lifted him with one hand and left.

 

The patrons laughed at Earnest, who struggled to escape.

 

Eliza’s baking made men fall for her, which helped her business.

 

Every day, at least three declare love, but she always refuses. Though magic in romance is risky and often ends badly, it clearly boosted her business.

 

"Time to make deliveries,” said Sarah, the elf assistant.

 

"Thanks, Sarah,” Eliza replied, taking off her apron.

 

"Where’s your bike?” she asked.

 

“Behind the shed,” Sarah answered.

 

Eliza stepped out of the cottage to the regret of half the patrons. She grabbed two pies to deliver to Edward Stanley. Once she got her bike, Eliza placed the pies in the front basket and rode off. She preferred biking over flying, as brooms were outdated. Starting with speed, she ascended to about thirty feet. The faster she pedaled, the faster she went. Then she reached the house, which was old, wooden, and large enough for several bedrooms. Eliza sighed upon landing. She and Edward Stanley had never gotten along since childhood. His outspoken nature always frustrated her. It was odd that he ordered two pies daily. When she reached the door, she hesitated briefly. Then it opened, revealing the man, tall, with an ordinary face and features contorted in frustration. “Oh, it’s you,’ he said, frowning at her. "Yup,” she replied, handing over the pies. "That will be ten, please." Edward handed her ten coins from his pocket. Just then, a small green dragon with a fiery red tail bounded through the doorway, excited. Edward grabbed its collar. To Eliza’s surprise, the dragon went for the pies. "No, Moody, not now,” Edward said, pushing the dragon back inside. Eliza looked at him, then at the dragon.

"Do you feed my pies to the dragon?” she asked.

"Yeah, it’s the only thing he’ll eat,” he replied. Eliza was stunned.

"So, I made pies for a dragon every day?" she asked after a moment.

Edward looked unsure. Then he said, "Well, yeah."

 

"So, your dragon is in love with me?" she said. "What? Why would he be in love with you?” Edward asked, looking at the dragon. Moody looked up at her excitedly. "Magic, of course," she boasted. “It’s my best trait." "You used magic on my dragon?” Edward asked, furrowing his brow. "Not exactly,” she replied. “I used a love spell on the pies.”

“Why would you do that?” Edward accused.

“Because business is good and magic makes money.”

“Well, fix it,” he demanded. “Magic is dangerous?”

“Sorry, I can’t,” she said, frowning. 

“Typical witches using their powers without thinking of the consequences,” Edward said, frustrated.

She laughed, "Consequences? My magic has none."

“Oh, right, I forgot,” he said sarcastically. “You’re clearly the exception.”

“What does that mean?” she snapped, crossing her arms.

“You’re just an immature witch and don’t understand anything.” He said, glaring at her.

 

Eliza looked at Edward, astonished. “Well, if you feel that way, I am taking back the pies.” She said, reaching her hand for the pies.

 

Edward pulled his hand back, since he was A foot taller than her; she couldn’t reach them.  

 

“Well then, you ask for it.” She grumbled.

 He was about to ask what when she suddenly pressed her heel into his foot, then hurried away from the house.

Edward, in pain and surprised, yelled, “Well, that was uncalled for.”

 

Eliza ran to her bicycle, out of breath and angry.

“That guy’s full of it.” She grumbled, grabbing her bike roughly. Then, as she was about to get on it, someone grabbed her, and everything went black.

The next moment, she could hear voices; it sounded like three men.

“Yes, we got her,” a voice said excitedly.

“Now, let’s see whom she will marry,” another said.

 “What? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Eliza exclaimed.

“Oh, she’s awake.” Said the last man. “Let’s take off the bag.”

 

A rough-handed individual seized the bag and pulled it away. Standing before her were an ogre, a fairy, and a human, all of whom she recognized from the bakery. She found herself in a dilapidated farmhouse filled with dusty tables and farm equipment, lying on the floor and restrained with a rope. 

“What are you people doing?” she yelled. 

The three ignored her.

“Miss Eliza, which one will you marry?” the Human asked, gesturing at the rest.

“None of you,” she said, disgusted, moving to a comfortable position    

“Well, you’re going to have to,” the fairy said  

 

“I will not,” she said defiantly. This seemed to confuse the men, and they backed up to a safe speaking distance, or so they thought. 

 

“Oh, what do we do now, Barg?” the fairy said, looking over at the ogre.

For a few minutes, the men fought over who would marry her until a voice interjected

“How about you all marry her?” 

 

They all turned. Across the room, Edward stood in a doorway, smug.

The men looked at each other for a moment.

“Sure, we could do that,” said Barg.

“What? No way!” Eliza said. “Help me, Edward, don’t just stand there!”

She started pushing against her restraints.   

“Not now, this is just getting fun,” he said, smiling. “No consequences, remember,” reminding her of their previous conversations.

Eliza was stunned that he would bring this up while she was in this desperate state, but realizing her situation, she knew deep down it was her fault. The two stared at each other for a long time, while the others continued to talk about her like she was not there.

 

Then reluctantly, Eliza relented. “Ok, you win; magic has consequences”

“Oh, really.” He said, raising an eyebrow.

    “Just help me, please.” Eliza pleaded.

 

“If I must,” Edward said, putting his fingers to his lip and whistling.

Moody the dragon came bounding into the building, rushing toward the three men, who noticed too late.

Edward came to Eliza’s side and started to untie her.

“Thank you,” Eliza Said. “And you were right.”

“Well, I am glad you admitted it now,” Edward said, holding out his hand for hers.  

“Hey, don’t get too cocky,” she said, standing up on her own.

“I won’t,” he said, winking. 

“How did you find me?” she asked

“I saw them take you.”

“Well, let’s go,” she said.

 

The two could hear Moody outside, chasing the three men. Edward and Eliza were about to join Moody when two of the men came bounding back in.

The elf and the dwarf looked on with surprise at the two figures, but they were too slow to escape as Moody swooped in, carrying the third man in his jaws, and landed heavily on the other two. The young dragon had now captured all three men, and Moody appeared as happy as he could be.

 

"Good dragon," Edward praised, patting him proudly.

 

Moody wagged his tail happily as the third man struggled to free himself from his jaws, while the other two were knocked unconscious. Eliza hurried to fetch the sheriff while Edward kept a watchful eye on the three men. They were subsequently arrested, but Eliza learned an important lesson that day. From then on, she decided never to use love magic again, recognizing it as a dangerous weapon that should never be wielded for personal gain.