The tavern

I was in a tavern once
Eating on my own on one of the long tables
Some men were eating near me
They had been drinking, but not a lot
Not yet
Laughter jeering
Eventually the arguing
I picked up my bowl and moved to the other end of the table
A lean and muscular dragon sat on the opposite side
– Soldiers.
I looked up from my bowl at the dragon
Then down the table at the men
– Do you know why humans train?
I looked back at the dragon
– Because in their natural state, they are unfit for fighting.
I blinked
– Do you know why dragons do not train?
— Why?
I asked
– Because in our natural state, we are always fighting.
I furrowed my brow
Thinking he was making a derogatory statement against the humans
But the dragon stared only at me
At the other end of the table, sounds of violence began to build
The dragon stood up and left
When I remember his voice now, I hear no malice in it
Sadness perhaps
For the humans or the dragons though, I do not know
Perhaps both