"Good morning Theo. What's for breakfast?" the silver dragon said with a yawn as he stretched his legs and wings.
"What? Oh, good morning Stormwing. Breakfast today shall be hard rolls, cheese, wild figs, some blackberries I found and the remainder of our milk which is going to spoil if we don't eat It." was the reply.
The dragon adjusted himself accordingly and sat by Theo. " I can tell you were thinking about something," said the dragon in a concerned manner.
"I was. I had a vivid dream last night. I have no idea what it meant or if it is going to influence my life at all. Maybe it was just an average dream. And do you think that if the army I just so happen to be enlisted in didn't know you were there they might have at least given me a horse?" "Of course I do but if they did you would either have turned it down or sold it cause you got me."
"The point is, they want me to destroy as many enemy structures as possible right?"
The dragon nodded.
"Okay so they would have probably given me some troops to help me right?"
The dragon nodded again.
"A horse would be helpful because going into enemy territory alone and on foot is literally SUICIDE!"
The dragon replied, "But you're not going on foot."
"But they don't know that! I don't know, maybe they want me dead or something."
" Cheer up Theo! If they wanted you dead they would have sent you on a suicide mission."
Theo gave Stormwing an odd look. Theo sighed and said "You're right, they do want me dead ... the question is 'why?' Well, about that dragon of yours. Do you think I can get rid of him?" The dragon nodded amiably before Theo continued. "You know I am somewhat glad I am quitting the army. Life just isn't as simple there as it used to be. Actually, it's because I do not...um, enjoy them thinking I am crazy talking to something that they think isn't there when you actually are. However, they cannot see you so that officially classifies you as unreal. I'm glad your on my side real or not. I'd hate to get eaten by something with as foul breath as you have."
The dragon said, "I'm glad you feel that way,"
Theo and Stormwing finished their breakfast and packed up camp. "You ready for battle Stormwing?" Theo asked as he slid his sword into his sheath.
The reply was "Do geese fly south? Of course I'm ready you ding dong!"
"O.k. just making sure you weren't going to get cramps or anything and decide that dumping me off at three thousand feet would make you feel more comfortable. I'm sorry about our argument last night, I was just a little ticked off at you calling me an immature little brat."
"Apology accepted." was the impatient reply. They took off with Theo on Stormwing's back. A hint of battle hung in the air. The wind swept past them as they flew through the sky. Theo's thoughts began to drift. Questions played through his mind for what seemed hours before his mind was brought back to the real world by Stormwing's warning: "Dragons on the left! Maneuvering for attack position!" The battle had begun!
"Stormwing dive!" shouted Theo but the words were not needed for Stormwing had already folded his wings and pointed his head down towards the earth. One of the dragons was doing the same. Stormwing and Theo started falling. Faster, and faster they went until the last possible moment to pull up. The dragon in pursuit did not pull out his wings fast enough and broke his neck in 10 places when he struck the ground. There were only two more dragons to go! They were 500 ft. above Theo and his companion. The dragons folded up their wings and began to dive. As if by magic(is there really any question about how this happens) the mist thickened. By the time the younger of the two dragons saw the tree below it was to late. The sharp point had broken through scales and body. The dragon would soon die. The other dragon however would not be so easy to kill. It pulled up as soon as the mist thickened. Theo and Stormwing had no choice but to try to gain altitude.
Stormwing flapped his wings and they started to rise. Higher, and higher they went until the unseen blow from the dragon knocked them hurtling through the air. When they recovered the opposing dragon was speeding straight for them! Stormwing turned and sped for their opponent. The collision would have knocked Theo from Stormwing's back were his feet not securely tied to the saddle. The dragons engaged in deadly combat and Theo's life was owed to a shield, which he had pulled from the saddle. The dragons circled slashing and snapping left and right. In a few minutes time both dragons were wounded and tired.
Seeing an opportunity, Theo quickly untied his feet and leapt onto the other dragon's neck. Fear of falling was never an issue with him but at this moment that was all he was thinking of. That was the number one reason he never liked fighting in the air. He had to do this. 'The sooner it is done, the sooner I do not have to worry about falling' he thought to himself. He pulled out his sword and struck at a little known spot right behind the head crest. The dragon's eyes widened in fear and surprise. He gave a scathing roar as his treacherous claws came down pulling loosened scales from Stormwing's chest. Using the last of his strength, the dragon struck the unprotected flesh with one paw and clawed Stormwing's head with the other. The dragon was now dead and falling. Theo leapt for his life towards Stormwing and for one terrifying minute, there was nothing between him and certain death. He landed safely on the saddle just as he realized that Stormwing did not have the strength to fly. He tried in vain to glide but he could not do it. They started falling faster and faster. Stormwing barely had time to raise his wings when they crashed. Theo was flung from the saddle and landed hard on the damp ground. When he stood, the sight before him tore out his heart.
Stormwing lay a few feet away form where he crashed. His scales lay spread around where he landed with a trail leading to where his seemingly lifeless body lay. His remaining scales were a dull lifeless silver. His wounds trickled blood and a pool had begun to form under his torn and ragged chest. His head lay limp upon a rock and his tongue dangled out his mouth.
"Oh no!" Theo said with a silent quivering voice. In his mind all the aches and pains, gashes and bruises he had were replaced by thoughts of grief and remorse. His eyes watered at the sight of his friend in such a condition. A war raged in his head.
"Should I stay and try to nurse him back to health and possibly get killed trying or should I leave since he's already nearly dead and most likely save myself? What would my life be without my faithful companion? How could I let this happen to him? Is he even alive? Oh, Stormwing..." He passionately wished for Stormwing to be alive.
His mind was made up. He walked over to his beloved friend and his eyes welled up at the thought of him dead. He kneeled down beside the lifeless looking head. A warm breeze was coming from the dragon's slightly open mouth. Stormwing was still alive! There was one problem though. Now that Stormwing was seriously injured, he could no longer work the spells to keep himself invisible. He would have to defend his friend then. A chill wind forced him to think of his surroundings. He glanced around. They were probably somewhere in the mountains considering the patches of snow he saw. He would have to find shelter. He stroked the dragon's head and stood. With one last thought, he walked into the forest.
He decided to follow a stream to see if there was a cave close to it. They would need access to water. He listened to the birds sing and the squirrels chattering. He listened to a twig snap. A twig snap. There should not be any elk here at this time of year. He stopped dead in his tracks. He looked behind him and on all sides but could not find the source. An arrow whistled past his ear. His legs worked automatically as he leaped into a run. He ran for all he was worth following the stream and dodging arrows all the way. His running was incessant. There seemed to be a million archers hiding in the trees waiting to pick him off. He was beginning to grow tired. Arrows continued to follow him. His legs ached, his side ached, and he just could not run anymore. The stream opened into a lake a little further on. If he could just make it to the lake... A new energy seized him and made him run. If he could just make it to the lake... More arrows rained down on him. Almost there... He made it!
He dove into the ice cold water and more arrows followed. He still was not out of danger. He swam forward, his face hitting cold rock. He swam along feeling the cliff and suddenly nothing. There was an opening! He swam in eagerly. His sword fell out of his scabbard and he dove down to retrieve it when a big black arm circled up from the depths and wrapped around it. Another arm came up and another. He was surrounded by arms! One of them started to come after him!
He swam out of the way into another arm that wrapped tight around him squeezing the air out of him! He needed his sword. His hand grouped at his belt looking for anything sharp. The arm squeezed tighter. His and flew automatically and stabbed the arm with one of his daggers! The arm loosened and he swam as fast as possible towards his sword. He pulled it out in time to see the ugly face of a giant octopus rise out of the blackness. The things you run into in an innocent little lake! An arm started moving towards him and he slashed at it! He swam towards the face with sword in hand dodging the creature's eight arms! He stabbed the creature in the eye just as another arm wrapped tight around him! He stabbed again and the arm loosened! The creature started sinking all arms limp. He continued to swim the direction he was going with his sword in one hand and a dagger in the other. One problem though. He was almost out of air. He kept swimming. He HAD to get air. Frantically he swam to the surface half expecting to run into rock. Now he was out of air. He desperately needed air. His head broke surface and his lungs filled with the sweet nectar called oxygen. He took many deep breaths before he swam to shore. He was in an enormous cave with a patch of dark moon herbs along the wall. There was the lagoon, which he was waist deep in and plenty of room, capable for holding a 2-ton dragon like Stormwing. Now how to get him here?
A disastrous thought struck him. What happened to Stormwing while he was gone? Did the enemy find him? He had to get back to his friend! He swam under the wall again and cautiously raised his head from the water listening for the archers. When it was apparent, they were gone; he got out and quietly ran back to Stormwing, thinking of a plan along the way.
Stormwing was exactly as left and still alive. Theo was relieved. He quickly started setting up large snares in a meadow filled with moose. He then cut down 11 10-ft. tall willows. He tore off his shirt and cut it into strips. He then used the strips to tie the willows together and he used his cloak to make a bed to hold Stormwing on the makeshift sled. He returned to the meadow to find he had caught three moose. He tethered the moose together tied them to the sled.
He walked over to Stormwing and said, " Stormwing, I'm going to get you to a safe place but I need you to get on the sled."
Stormwing slowly rose and crawled to the sled and slowly lay down upon it. His breathing was coming in deep haggard gasps. His silvery scales were corrupted by coppery blood, which no longer flowed freely.
The dragon solemnly whispered to Theo "It would not be dishonorable to abandon me. Do not deprive yourself of a chance to live."
"Don't waste your breath." was the un-enthused reply. Theo commanded the moose to begin walking and they were off. They traveled along the stream barely stopping until they reached the lake. "Stormwing you need to hold you're breath."
The dragon nodded.
Then Stormwing slipped into the water. Theo removed the tethers from the moose and let them run free. He then joined the dragon. He pulled the dragon out a little ways and said, "Hold you're breath!" Down they went into the water. They swam under the wall and up to the surface. Theo waded out of the water and made a bed of Dark moon herbs for Stormwing. He then went around gathering tinder and wood, which he put in pile. He laid out his supplies to dry. He now said, "Stormwing you have to get up and walk to the bed because I can't carry The dragon obeyed. Stormwing slept shortly after laying down.
Theo swam back out and took his weapons from the sled and hid them in a bush. Theo took his bow and arrows and went to get food. He came upon a family of deer. As Theo set his arrows down quietly he prepared his bow. He pulled an arrow silently to his ear. Theo could feel the strain of the corsair string. He aimed carefully and let it loose. The arrow whistled straight and true and struck the heart killing it swiftly and painlessly. Theo silently thanked the deer for it's sacrifice as he pulled out the arrow and picked up the carcass.
Theo brought it back to the sled and set it down while he chopped up the willow trees. When he was finished chopping wood, he gathered the deer and some pieces of wood and swam it to the cave. He set everything down and went for another load. When he was finished getting all the wood he sat down and used the dry pieces of wood that he had found earlier to create a fire. Theo chopped up the dear meat and put it into a cooking kettle that was filled with water, boiling it over the fire. He added various spices to create a stew. When it was finished cooking he sat down exhausted but with rollicking spirits . He watched the raucous dancing of the fire and ate his stew contentedly. For the first time since Theo could remember, life was perfect and peaceful. It is unfortunate that Theo can't see the future.
