"Bait" by J. Thomason

 The bait - an old, sick farm horse - awaits his death as part of a dragon trap.

 The dragons rise at sunset. They hate light but they need its warmth to live, so they gather strength from it while it is dying every night and not going to last long. In the dark they can see well, and their sense of smell and hearing are very good. Like a hawk, they will kill their prey and hold onto it. If anyone comes near they will protect their food, and not leave it behind. If dragons could not smell metal, it would be a good idea to chain the bait where it can't be dragged off, but dragons know metal, and can stay away from such traps.

 Instead, the poor dying horse is left tied by a light rope, which in it's weakness it cannot break. Even pulling away will not help this horsey now :S

Soooo I just wanted to ask you to look at my other colored pictures. Black and white pictures are okay, colored pictures are not okay. They stink. Enough said.

Here is the alternative story for those who are squeamish:

 Poor horsey was lost in the forest and his rope got stuck to a bush. All day he waited and finally his dragon friend is coming to rescue him. WOw.