GET HIM NOW!” An Luke Havrick slams his staff on the floor, shattering the marble beneath it. The thud of boots racing across the marble floors. His men holding their head down hoping to not be the target of his anger. 

“War is coming. I must not let the element of surprise go to waste. I finally was able to win over two more Lords to help. Now it should be an even fight.” He mumbles to himself.

He walks over to the window, looking just right he can see the flag of the captain, the golden eagle wearing a crown. He longs for it to be his, not theirs. Getting help from them, it was the right choice. It will be what pushes them to victory. They should have more fire power now.

“I will avenge you, my son.” He whispers. A dark shadow follows him close.

     ~~~~~~~~~

About ten miles northwest.

A flock of crows take fight, calling through -out the woods. The sudden noise spooks Alred as he’s racing through the forest. He stops, looking around. The dimly lit forest hiding shadows everywhere, leaves dancing in the wind. The sun is getting ready to set. He’s not sure if he should walk through the night.

“I have to get back to the capital.” He mumbles. Jumping over the logs in his way. The leave crunch under each step. The birds are singing and the squirrels are scurry about. He’s cutting through the forest in hopes they won’t be able to catch up with him. He knows he can handle himself in a fight but not a whole Lords army.

I should’ve stole a horse. He should have e brought a lot more with him. One clear crystal, two fire and one earth.  The Havricks manner is only about a day and half ride on horse back. Alred knows he has his work cut out for him. He kicks a small stone, it slams into a tree with a loud bang.

An eerie feeling settles over the forest, making his freeze in his tracks, something is not right. The shadows are growing larger, the sound of the forest have grown faint. Only for a loud whooshing noise to be heard. His hand grips his trusty staff. He pulls out an earth crystal and slides in a fire one as well. He picks up the pace, pushing himself into a full run.

He lungs burn and his legs are starting to cramp. He continues to push ahead, weaving through the trees, the whooshing sound only growing stronger with each passing minute. 

He pulls his staff around. Its about his height. Two roots at the bottom twist around and follow into a point. At the top, a lantern shape covers the spot where the crystal goes.

Strong flaps of the wings, Alred knows there are only a few creatures that can make this sound. He gulps at the thought of having to fight one.

He can feel the pressure of the wind blowing over him. The thrust of each flap as the creature holds itself up. Alred hurries and ducks behind a tree. Just as he does, the snapping of trees end with the ground shaking. He presses into the tree, he tries to calm his breathing, praying it will leave.

His mind scrolls though all the creatures it could be: Griffin? Wyrven? Mammoth Owl?  or… No. The last option is nearly impossible, there are not that many creatures that can fly and make a landing like this though. 

The silence is deafening. The only sound Alred can hear is the blood pounding in his ears, and his lungs screaming for more air. Then, from behind the tree, comes Deep large sniffs, the leaves rattling across the ground, back an forth. Each breath like a puppet master. 

“I know you are here, human.” She drags out the word human. One would have to listen carefully to catch the sight feminine sound of her voice. The ground shakes as she takes a step. “I mean you no harm. Come out to speak.” she says in a calm voice, knowing that she’s more likely to get what she wants this way. 

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Alred pushes deeper into the tree. Both his hands clutch his staff. Slow, deep breaths, Alred can feel his heart begin to settle. Dragons can talk! In all of the research he had done, Alred had never read this. Countless centuries of Mages have studied them. 

What could a dragon want with me? He ponders. Question after question start form, racing through his mind. His urge to run over there grows, but he digs his heels into the ground instead. 

“How do I know it’s the truth?” He inches closer to the edge of the tree. As he peeks around the tree, the dragons flexes her wings, Alred quickly retreats back into the tree. 

“Human, if I wanted you dead. I would have already eaten you and left this place.” She purrs. 

She’s right. There is no way this tree could stop her. No, she’s didn’t even need to stop and land to get me. I’m nothing compared to her. 

Sucking in a deep breath, and with every ounce of courage he can find, Alred walks out. His staff ready at his side, I know I can’t beat a dragon, but I’ll fight if I need to.

Watching the ground and slowly looking up Alred sees the whole dragon. Her light blue scales shining in the sunset. Each scales seems as if outlined in black, making the blue pop. Her long neck reaching the tree tops. Black horns curve back atop her head. Golden eyes glare down at him. 

His eyes can’t, no, won’t leave her. Everything about her draws him closer to her. He wants to run his hand across her scales. This is impossible, he thinks. 

Dragons hate mankind. 

Legends are told of dragons that used to befriend humans. On the day that humans learned magic from them, the world became a darker place. 

“Aekhmm,” Alred jumps, taking a step back. Pulling his staff in front of him. “Human, I under stand what must be going through your head. There is one I seek.” 

             ~~~~~~~~

At the edge of woods, about 5 miles from Alred.

“Sir, the hounds are leading us into the forest. Why would he go this way, and not take the main road?” A soldier asks

Frank Havrick sits a top his horse, he plays with his beard. Its dark orange hair looking like its on fire from the setting sun. He looks around, and looks at a odd man sitting on his drake. 

The drake looked plain and boring for a monster of its size. Plain brown skin, a smooth, long, purple tongue flicks back an forth. Its red eyes locked on him. 

The man though, his skin darker then the night sky on a cold winter day. His eyes are white and pupilless, his short hair is blue like the hottest parts of fire. Its flopped to one side with the rest of his head shaved smooth.

“Vane,” he looks up from the drakes back. “Do you think they can track him?”

“Ha, Old man, they can track anything.” He smiles wide, he whistles. They bolt into the woods. He had them smell Alreds bag. He didn’t think I was watching. Brat.

         ~~~~~~~~~~~

Back into the woods.

What is she looking for? I heard some dragons were known to collect gold or jewels. 

“May I, ask what it is you seek?” Alred bows lightly. 

The dragon lowers it head, her hot breath blowing through his hair. Rich iron smell and rotten meat. Alred holds his breath. 

“I seek someone worthy. Someone who can fulfill a task,  that I need done.”

“Am…Am I worthy?” Alred straightens his back. Puffing out his chest.

“Time, still has not given that answer. Meet me at my cave. There we will decide your fate, human.” Her wings thrust down, wind blowing everything away. Her body lifts off the ground. “Head west, towards the rising sun. There you will find my cave. Now hurry, you have guests.”

She trusts harder, shooting higher into the air. Her body hiding in the night sky.

Amazing.