Chapter 5 - A Daily Assignment

Rasp was impatiently waiting for Ash the moment he slid the door aside. He peered over at the trough. “Hey buddy, did you make sure to eat everything?”

Rasppp!!!

Yup, its all gone. Like always, everything was polished off. Even the bones had been consumed. The boy looked down hopefully to question the twitchy dragon, “You still hungry?”

It was something Ash asked the black dragonling after every meal. Most days the smart little dragon shook its head side to side in denial. Just like today.

Stifling his disappointment, the boy backed out of the stall and headed to some water barrels set aside in the main hallway. He dampened a rag and then went back to do post feeding cleanup.

Wiping down the trough, then sweeping and mopping the floor.

After a year of doing all these tasks, Ash had gotten plenty fast and finished his routine quickly.

Re-entering the stall to the further impatient dragon, Ash turned to the wall beside his bed. Hanging there on a iron stud was all of the dragonboy’s equipment.

The small dragon paced back and forth while Ash geared up.

He threw on a loosely fitted leather jerkin and then strapped a short dagger to his belt, along with a few empty pouches and a sling. Lastly, the youth grabbed Rasp’s quartz and secured it in a rucksack that he slung across his back.

Fully prepared, Ash suddenly froze in place while staring behind the antsy dragon’s head. Rasp quickly twisted to peer back before peering up suspiciously at the immobile human.

Ash struggled to hold a stiff face. The moment he lifted a leg though, Rasp charged off with an excited, sustained hiss.

He's catching on quicker. Messing with the little guy was fun, but lately the slim black was figuring out the dragonboy's tricks. Ash was proud of him.

People returning from the mess hall bemusedly stepped aside as Ash chased the black blur that was already halfway down the corridor.

“You silly lizard, wait for me!”

Once free of the building, Rasp allowed him to catch up. Then they hurried their way to the gates.

While the other dragons and their riders rested after their meals, for the past month Ash and Rasp instead took part in a special daily assignment. A scouting regimen dictated by the collective of instructors. It was now firmly their favorite part of the day.

It had reasoned that it might be possible to strengthen Rasp’s wings to the point of making up for the dragon’s smaller size. It had also been decided that Ash should be kept busy to not live up to the nicknames being bandied around.

Plus, it simply wouldn't do to have a dragon that could already fly stay cooped up for a long period of time.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t advisable for Rasp to fly low above the fort with the soldiers about. Which Rasp would since he wouldn't stray too far from his boy.

So every afternoon Ash and Rasp were permitted to leave the Skyfort for a few hours, descending into the valley below the walls. Leaving while the foot traffic within the fort was at its lowest.

The mismatched pair halted by the imposing fortress gate guardhouse, and Ash called out to one particularly burly armored man on duty. Rasp just focused on keeping the boy between him and the tall guards.

“Hey Roland, seen anything moving out there?”

The man straightened out of a slouch. “No, its been pretty quiet today. By the way, keep a smart eye out for your footing. The rainstorm yesterday was pretty rough according to the scout who made it in last night. Least, that’s what we heard from the morning shift. Might still be rough going out there if its soggy enough.”

Ash was surprised, “But it hardly rained here?”

Roland shrugged. “They said it poured something fierce after dark and everything was super slick. Just watch your step out there. Doubt you'll be happy if the commander has to send a squad out to go rescue you.”

Sounds like a good way to lose my off-base privileges. Won't be doing that. Ash nodded. “Alright, I will. We’re ready then.”

“Good luck and make sure to catch something for Rasp to chow on why don’t you.”

With a wave, Ash and Rasp made their way past the guardhouse, underneath the raised metal portcullis, and through the long stone passage to end up standing outside the fortress walls. The boy solemnly took in a deep breath before looking down the road into the forested valley below. The faint smell of rain lifted his spirits.

Rasp wasn't as nearly as solemn. No, the little guy was impatiently hopping in place looking up at the dragonboy with wide pleading eyes, ready for the go ahead.

“Hah, if you’re ready to go, get going then.”

That was all the encouragement Rasp needed. The dragon took a few bounding leaps before launching into the air under the boy's wistful gaze.

Someday that'll be us. Together. Ash then shook the stray thought away, adjusted the rucksack slightly, then proceeded down the well-trampled dirt road with Rasp gliding in slow circles overhead.