I look myself over, my scales look full of color again, and my body feels well rested. I think it's time I head home to Hickory. I swam over to the shore before stepping out of the brisk cold water. I could feel the nice warm breeze blowing across my scales providing them with enough chill to freeze the attached water, or blow it off. With a quick leap and a flap of my wings, I took to the sky.

The mountain was already in view as I soared above the trees, and valleys below. I smiled, and couldn't wait to show Hickory everything I had learned. I smiled, it is going to be a great day! I felt genuinely happy.

I started approaching my mountain when I noticed a strange smell in the air. Like things have burned recently. Strange that I smell this, Hickory usually only burns well dried wood as to not produce smoke. I looked down the mountain as I approached, and noticed further down the mountain there seemed to be places which had burned, and smells of rot. I quickly looked to Hickory’s home to notice his hearth was not burning today. A chill ran down my spine. I bolted down to Hickories home.

“Hickory!” I yelled, but after waiting I got no response.

Concern built up quickly. I looked around and saw rotten corpses of wolves, and some humans. People came here to attack Hickory. I saw more corpses, and what remained of what looked like humans lived here with fires. Looking down at the base of the mountain I can see much more disturbance down below.

I jumped down the mountain, and landing at the base, I could smell the humans. They were here. I looked into the direction of where they traveled. For trying to attack my home, these humans really messed with the wrong dragon.

I leaped to the air and took off in the direction in which the humans came from. The scent is faint so it could be a day or two old. Humans can only travel so far in that time. I was proud of Hickory, I knew he fought back, but no one takes my Hickory from me. I soared through the air even faster following the trail in which the humans left behind.

The marks in the ground long lines pressed into the ground showed in which direction they went. Following these is simple enough. I kept going when I saw far ahead, smoke rising from the ground. I had found their camp.

Hurtling myself forward once more I called on all the water mana in the air making serpents in which to follow me. Approaching the camp, I could feel the anger rising within me. No longer was it at a simmer, it was boiling. I wanted to get my friend, no, my family back. Hickory was mine!

I roared loudly, challenging any of these humans who might feel brave enough to face me. I cross the serpents behind the camp on the other side from me blocking off their escape. If they wanted to leave, defeating me was the only way.

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I landed with some force, causing the humans to stumble and struggle to stand. I roared again to make sure they knew resisting me was senseless. I could crush all of them instantly, but if Hickory is here, I might hurt him too.

“Where is Hickory?!” I roared at them.

The humans panicked to figure out what to do, till a human which looked more decorated then the others came out. He looked more well taken of then the rest and wore what Hickory called clothes that looked different too.

“Hickory is his name? Well you see, beast, he isn't here. He was sent ahead of the re-” He got that much out.

I immediately rained down ice spread across the camp, sending one right through the man's chest easily as big as the man's head hole pierced all the way through. The rest of the humans started screaming and crying for help, as the two serpents rushed at the camp and barrelled through it destroying everything in their wake. The camp was demolished in seconds. Just as quickly as the screams started they went silent.

I hurled myself into the air and took off, continuing along the path the humans were taking to see if I could catch up to the ones who took Hickory with them. If this is a new human population, then this time I will demolish it on purpose.

***

My head is pounding, my wrists hurt, and I can't see anything. I seem to be tied onto an animal of some kind which another person is guiding. I am not sure where we are now, but trying to make a move to escape would not be wise. I could be right next to a cliff. I am guessing since I hear stones clattering underneath me.

The jostling of what's carrying me does not feel good. This must be a horse. I can't tell how many are with us, but I only hear clatterings of rocks, and it feels like we are moving fast, but the problem is, I can't tell how many are here. We are forward of the main march, I left too many injured to be moving at this pace. Knowing my ability or habit to set fire to things they must not want to stop and let me have a second go at burning them.

Suddenly the horses stopped and made noises. Far in the distance a large roar echoed followed by loud noises. I could tell what that noise was. It was Lost and she was angry. I chuckled knowing that she was coming. I just have to hope that she finds me.

The horses started running again at full speed, maybe with new incentive. The person moving me wasn't too happy with my chuckle and slammed something hard into me. A grunt escaped my lips. They definitely were not happy, but I was smiling. I knew what was coming.