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DHW

Part 6-1

Tale of the past.

Allen:

Damn I'm missing sleep. I'm yowling, lying against a cold rock below the orange colored sky, lightened by the sun, slowly rising between the picks of the mountains. The night was really long… and so short at the same time. I spent hours counting my story to the other riders, describing everything we've been through during our long journey, the corruption in the dragon realm and so much other things. They seemed very interested by the corruption part and also so anxious when Kyle told them that he suspected them to prepare an attack the imperial land soon….

• …And this time they will send all they've got to take over those lands. Finished Kyle with a dark tone.

I could see the nervousness in the other attitude.

• It's a stupid question I know but… would they stop if we give them what they want?

A slap on the back of his head is his answer.

• Repeat this once… just once… and I promise those words will be your last. I say, pointing a dagger at his throat.

• You stupide pile of shit! Shout another. Didn't you heard what they just said!

• I do… but….

• If we give them Kyo… and all the eggs they will only use those against us.

• So… we have to risk our lives for a dragon we know nothing of and a bunch of eggs… great… just fucking great.

• As much unpleasant as it sounds we have no choice. Reply the leader of the group.

We hear, coming from the outside long growls, wet slapping sounds, moans and grunts.

• Can't dragon be discreet when they mate? Ask the youngest rider.

• They always have to make it known to the whole world. Answer another. Must be an instinct thing. They are always loud when it comes to mating.

• It's even worst with females. Confirm Kyle.

We don't have time to continue, a mighty roar makes us jump as our tent shake violently.

• What was that?

• Was that… Kyo? I ask.

• Damn….

We rush out of the tent just to discover the group of dragons, three of them frozen in place, Tarken sleeping in the grass and Kyo pulling another dragon away.

• Hey… where is he going with my dragon! Yell his rider.

He run to Kyo and his dragon, just to be shoved aside by someone else.

• Let go of me! He screams.

• Don't worry he is safe with him.

I recognize the voice of my father.

• What are you doing here? I ask.

• I was having a really interesting conversation with Kaos?

• Who?

• The thing in Kyo's mind.

• Oh….

• He wants us to stay here. I say. No one must follow them.

So we stay here, waiting for some hours before coming back to our tents but I don't manage to find sleep, not for more than one hour or maybe two.

We are awaken by my father. Outside the sun has barely started to rise in the night sky but we can see some reddish lights in the distance. We go to where all the dragon have been sleeping. The first thing we notice is the strong smell of all the different males spilled essence. They are all sleeping, lying on their side or belly in the wet grass between whitish puddle.

As sleepy as I am I manage to jump right into one.

• Careful Allen you're walking straight… in… cum.

• God damn it.

My boots are covered of thick, still warm cum.

• Why do dragon cum so much?

• Don't ask stupid questions Allen. It's because of their size silly.

• Doesn't matter.

I watch around me. I count four dragon, three close to each other and Tarken alone, sleeping peacefully.

• Wake up sleepy head! Shout Kyle.

• Go fuck yourself… I'm trying to sleep. Mumble Tarken before rolling on his belly.

• Don't force me to do this.

• Let me sleep.

• Wake up! Yell Kyle before firing three shot in the sky. The loud noise is enough to awake everyone.

• I hate you Kyle. Growl Tarken.

• I know you say that often.

• Not often enough.

Tarken rise on all four, stretch his limbs, yowl, lick his snout.

I notice the dry streaks of cum on his head and back and his twin cocks hanging limply below him.

• Damn Tarken cover yourself for god's sake.

Tarken growls in annoyance but obey, hiding his drippy cocks behind a wing.

• What happened to you? I wonder.

• Ask Kyo for that. He answer. I was supposed to be on top… but this bastard….

• Language Tarken.

• Anyway he freed them of his influence and they pinned me and fucked me for a big part of the night. I love taking cocks but… even for me it's too much. My ass aches quite a lot.

• I can understand why when I see you from there.

• What do I look like?

• A big cock slut like always.

• Shut up Kyle.

• You're covered of cum.

• Great…. Kyo's gonna pay for that.

• Speaking of which… where is he? I ask.

• Don't know. I thought he was there. I didn't even noticed he was gone?

• Normal you were already sleeping?

• Hey I was tired.

I leave them arguing and start to walk around the camp, searching for Kyo. But after half an hour of walking I feel all hopes of finding him leaving me.

• Don't worry Allen he isn't gone. He isn't even far from here. Says my father when he join me with an appeasing voice.

• How can you be sure of that?

• I know where he is.

• Where?

• I'm not gonna tell you.

• Dad… please.

• No…. Leave him some space.

• We should have left already.

• Don't hurry everything.

• We are in a hurry.

• One hour or two won't kill you.

• Are you sure of that?

• No….

I come back to Tarken and Kyle who are still arguing, screaming at each other.

I don't know what they are talking about and barely care at all in fact. I just hear some words related to sex.

• Hey someone has seen my dragon? Ask one of the rider.

• Must be with Kyo?

• Great.

• Zarakay! Screams another. Where are you, you scaly motherfucker! Yell another.

It's only now that I notice two other dragons are missing, the one I saw leaving with Kyo and the young grey one.

• Where might they be?

We wait anxiously for two to three hours. I feel really worried now, Kyo don't answer to my mental call, only leaving a long silence and a feeling of emptiness in my mind.

Finally after so much hours of waiting I see Kyo and the two other dragons running in our direction.

• Finally. I say, relieved.

Kyo stops near me, breathing hard, sweating like mad.

• Where were you?

• Sleeping.

• And them?

• Same thing.

I slap him across the face.

• What was that for?

• You scared the hell out of me.

• I'm sorry Allen… really sorry…. But I had some things to do.

I hug his big scaly snout, warm gust of air from his nostrils washing over my face. But… you don't have to worry… I'm never far… I'll always be close to you.

• Fine… now that everyone is here can we go? Ask the other rider as they come near us.

• Yes… just leave me some time to tie everything up and we will be good to go.

• Nice… so let's fly straight to the capital.

• I'm afraid we can't do it.

• Why?

Kyo deploy his wing, revealing the whitish scar on his scales.

• My wing is injured… I can't use it for a week or two.

• Don't tell me we have to go to the capital on foot? Gasp a rider in horror.

• Don't complain you aren't the one who have to walk ad carry your fat ass. Reply the grey dragon.

• Well said Zarakay. Says Kyo.

All dragon are laughing in union.

• Enough! Let's go… we've already lost enough time.

I climb on Kyo's back.

• Forward!

• You know it sounded ridiculous. Reply Kyo with an amused smile.

• Shut up and walk.

• Sir, yes sir.

And this is how we leave once again, ready for the long way to the capital.

………

Watcher:

Finally we reached this human village, well, the scorched ruins that remains.

• What happened to this place? He ask in shock.

• I burned it down.

• Why?

• Do I ask you questions?

• No… but….

• Because I wanted! Is that a good enough answer for you?

He stay silent.

I take a deep breath, savoring with delight the smells of fire and burned things.

• I love the smell of death in the morning.

• But… it's not morning… we are in the middle of the afternoon. He protest.

• And the sight of destruction… of all this chaos… of all the blood spilled… of those consumed body…. Destruction is the most beautiful thing this world have to offer.

• You're so weird.

• Keep this mouth of yours shut please. I'm trying to appreciate this moment.

• What have happened to you to make your mind so… twisted? What kind of madness has taken over you?

• Keep asking questions like this and you're life is gonna end sooner than you expect it.

A dagger had appeared in my hand, pointing at his throat, the point slowly rubbing along the scales. I make it slowly rise, grinding the blunt side of the blade against his chin before putting the sharpened edge on his cheek for him to see the shiny blade.

• Crystal… clear… master. He rumble, fang barred like he was going to snap at me.

The sharpened blade disappear in a cloud of smoke.

In the most perfect silence we resume our walk through the ruins and the ashes. I see the cemetery filled by fresh tombs and, far in the distance the camp full of the remaining survivors.

• Some have survived… what a shameful discovery.

I think of burning it down.

• Don't even think about it. Growls the small dragon, his fanged maw close to my left ear.

• I have no order to receive from you. I reply.

• You've made enough destruction for today. He hiss in my ear. Leave those villagers alone… they've already suffered enough.

• Fine.

I finally can take a quick glance at him. He looks… different. Something has changed… but I can't tell what. The only thing I'm sure of his the shadow in his purple eyes.

• So let's just search for them.

• What are we looking for?

• Traces physical and magical of course.

We soon cross a small river with clear gurgling water by a stone bridge.

• Hold on a sec… I think I saw something.

I jump of the bridge and land in the water and swim to the bank. There I notice the trace of something big that have been lying in the grass. A bit further on my left I see another form printed in the grass and even some white traces.

• Did you found something interesting?

• There were dragons here.

• Nice.

• Come here… I think you can help me.

He makes a few steps backward.

• Come on… don't tell me you don't know how to swim.

• I don't… I never learned….

• The best way to learn is by trying.

He doesn't look too convinced.

• I don't know… it looks deep from up there.

• Not that much. You're not gonna drawn in it.

• Ok… if you say so.

• Sf only you could just drown. I mumble to myself.

But god never listen and realized any of my wishes and, even if he fall flat in the water and stay a long minute below the surface before emerging, coughing and spiting water. He kind of walk on the river soil, his head barely above the water and manage to reach me and, when he is on dry land shakes violently, covering me in water.

• Cold. He says, shivering.

I realize I just forgot a small detail: this bastard can fly.

• Sorry I'm an idiot. I apology.

• Why?

• I forgot you could fly.

The dragon seems angry but he laugh.

• I forgot too.

• Anyway let's see what we've got here.

He walks around as I examine some footprints left in the dirt.

I notice he has stopped in front of the white coating the grass and is now smelling it with curiosity and interest.

Then I change of angle I notice something protruding from the slit between his legs.

• What have you found?

• Seed…. Seed was spilled there.

• And….

• That's all.

• Does it look old for you?

• No… it must have happened recently.

• I saw some fresh prints coming from a dragon. They go in this direction. I say before designating the camp.

• Do we have to follow them?

• Yes.

We follow the still fresh trail, mustn't be old, not more than a day. After ten minutes of walking we arrive in a large clearing not too far but enough of the rest of the camp to have some privacy. There they are obvious sign of the presence of dragons, claw marks on the dirt, large puddle of white, the musky scent of males and many other things. I see him walk straight to the nearest white pool, lowering his head until it's just above the gooey surface and start to smell it, taking in the strong pungent scent, his nostrils twitching and flaring. I even see his agile tongue slip out of his maw and plunging right in the gooey substance before retreating in his mouth. After a few minutes of investigation I hear him moan. When I turn my gaze to him it's only to discover him head dipping in the white puddle, devouring the thick, gooey musky liquid with restless abandon. Between his legs standing proudly out of his hiding his cock, the black flesh coated in his own lubrication, heavy globe of pre gathering on his pointed tip before falling in the grass. The rest of him isn't quite bad but in nothing impressive: a five or six inch long tapered spear of flesh, barbed on all the surface and an apple sized knot at his base I have already seen better. He look already close of an orgasm.

• Hey…! Hey! Snap out of it! I yell before slapping him in the right cheek.

He open his eyes wide and move back, his snout covered of whiteness he lick hungrily.

• Dragon are really dirty creature. Eating spent cum… that's gross.

• Says the guy who find pleasure in destroying things.

• Touché….

He look satisfied and lick his snout.

• Well aside of eating cum what did you discovered?

• I… smelled dragons… lot of them.

• How many?

• Don't know… four or five… maybe more… can't be sure.

Five dragons or more…. Fuck!

• What?

• They must have made contact with the imperial dragon riders.

• I suppose it's not right… for you at least.

• No… not at all you idiot! You've been slowing me down since we met.

• Hey you are the one to blame.

• What! Are you kidding me?

• No. You're the one that wanted to go on foot. I could have flown all the way to here. He reply before shoving me hard. I fall right in one of the filthy pool of this sticky essence.

• You son of a whore! I roar in anger.

• Don't insult my mother you….

He don't have time to finish. My sword appear in a flash in my palm, ready to strike. But when I try to stab him, he dash aside and catch the blade, holding it in his mouth. We pull on the blade from both side but… this young bastard has much more strength than I suspected he could have. The handle slip of my hand as he throws my sword away.

It lands blade first in the grass where it stay stuck.

I have to admit his strength and speed are not bad, far, still from impressive, but not that bad for a young dragon like him.

• Whatever it's not the time or place for argument we have other things to do.

• You admit you're defeat. He taunt me.

• You'll pay for that, don't worry. I answer with an almost gentle hit on his chin.

We both laugh in a surprising amusement.

• I think it belongs to you. He say giving me back my sword now coated in dragon saliva.

• Next time clean it before. I mumble in disgust.

He just smile.

• So… you were talking about flying… Let's give it a try.

• Flying… flying! With you on my back. He say, half laughing, half serious. Only in your dreams.

Is he mocking me?

• So why are you bothering me with that?

• Just saying.

After a few seconds of silence he says timidly.

• I mean… you're so heavy for me. All the other dragon that were there are much older than me… except for one. Anyway I'm too… young to carry you.

• And maybe you lack a bit of practice.

• No… not at all.

• Are you sure?

• Well… just a bit….

He look at the blue sky above us; in his eyes a needy glow, a urge to just take off, climb higher than any other creature could reach and just fly, enjoy the emptiness and the freedom offered by this infinite space, just savor the sensations of flying that goes beyond imagination. Trap a dragon in a cage and leave him inside for a long period of time. It's not the fact of being caged like a beast but the need to just stretch their wing and fly denied to them that will drive them mad. And I'm speaking of experience. It's one of their greatest instincts, a thing they know how to do since their hatch day. It had been the same thing for generations and generations.

• If you want to fly do it but be quick I won't be here for long.

• Thanks.

He nuzzle me affectionately and take flight. I see him rise in the blue until he is barely a small black point in the sky.

I can't suppress a smile when I see him dive in my direction and have to lie in the grass to avoid him when he fly right where my head was an instant before then climbing again.

I laugh as I get up.

• Hey try and dodge that! I scream.

I throw a dark ball in his direction, he roll on his side and the projectile pass just above him.

• Too easy! He scream in return.

• You want something harder!? Try this!

I fire a bunch of projectile in his general direction. He avoid them all, chaining loop, rolling, dives and brutal turn.

• Not bad… not bad at all.

I rise a hand and, in a flash of pure darkness my bow appear. The black material look as hard as steel but is supple as a reed and light like air. Along the shiny metal like surface are drawn ancient glyph glowing slightly. The ancient weapon is pulsating in my hand, surrounded by a dark aura, energy coursing through every fiber of it.

A arrow appear, I take the energy made rope and draw the arrow, aim at him.

• Catch! I yell then shoot.

Once again he surprise me. In an astonishingly fast motion he catch it with an incredible ease, his jaws clamping shut around the arrow when it pass by.

He look at me with a toothy smile, the arrow in his mouth when it explode, engulfing him in a cloud of thick black smoke.

I see him dive out of the cloud coughing and breathing hard. He land near me, gasping for breath, smoke puffing out of his mouth every time he cough.

• Sorry. Are you ok?

• Yes… I'm fine.

• You didn't see that coming right?

• Not at all.

He turn his gaze in my direction and, I'm brutally send away by a powerful force.

I roll in the grass. After a few seconds of unconsciousness I open my eyes to see him standing above me, pinning me to the ground under his claws.

• You didn't see that coming.

• Well done. I admit.

He really start to interest me… a bit more and I'll have to show him a hint of respect.

I feel something poking around. Soon a musky male scent reach me.

• Get off me!

• Ok ok.

• How can you fly with this thing out? I ask when get up.

Surprised he twist his neck to have a look at his own gender and warmly blush when he realize he is hard and leaking pre.

• I didn't even noticed it was there.

I suddenly feel something, a presence.

• Silence. I order.

I try to concentrate on this feeling. Slowly a smile form on my face.

• He is still alive….

• Who?

• I'm surprised no one managed to kill him….

• What?

• Silence!

• Ok… ok.

• Come to me….

• I'm already there.

• Shut up!

• You're really strange sometime.

• Slave… come to me… come to your master. I call.

• Who are you talking to?

• Didn't I just told you to shut the fuck up?!

• You're boring.

I ignore him.

• Slave… come to me… come… don't deceive your master….

• Damn we are alone… who can he possibly be talking to? This guy is defiantly mad. He mumble a bit too loud.

• Keep this mouth of yours shut or you'll have to answer to my sword.

He grumble something under his breath but I don't listen anymore, focused on the dark presence. I feel it hears me. A long cry echoes through the valley.

• What was that?

• Yes… that's it… come to me… let nothing stop you.

The ground seem to shake below my feet as I hear some sound like someone was hammering the mountains themselves.

• Careful… there's….

• I think your head is gonna make a nice trophy if you keep talking.

• But….

I make a sign and an energy bond appear around his snout, forcing his snout shut. He make muffed sounds of protestation but I ignore him; until I feel the cold and hard touch of the blade on my skin and the strong hand grabbing mine when I reach out for my sword.

He force me to drop it, almost ripping my hand apart in the process.

• I wasn't expecting to meet you so soon Watcher. Say the voice of what I guess is an old man. And never would I expect you to do such basic mistakes.

The man force me to turn around. I can finally see his face. He has the look of an average old farmer in his passed clothes smelling sweat and other things and, even the fragrance of alcohol.

In his right hand he hold an old but still sharp sword, the blade still pointed at me.

I stare at the shiny pure metal surface of the blade, going from the pointed tip to the handle and the magnificent blue sapphire incrusted in the decorated hilt. In a light reflection I finally notice the ancient glyph on the blade. They are not a lot of swords like this one. They are really rare and pricy, specially made for only a small group of people: dragon riders. If this guy has a sword like this one he must be an old dragon rider… so… a worthy opponent if he dared to fight. Or he could just be a looter that stilled the sword on a dead body and only use it to look important among the community of the village.

• First… never reduce to silence someone who try to warn you of an upcoming danger. Two, never fool around close to an enemy place. Three; always stay on guard.

So he is an ancient rider… fuck my life.

• What do you want old man?

• Make you pay for what you have done to those people.

• Oh so you are the hand of justice, the avenger of those poor farmers. I laugh. You'd dare to fight me… you… an old man.

• Don't underestimate me Ordan.

• How did you called me?

A boiling anger rise in me when I hear this name pronounced for the first time in ages, this cursed name.

• How do you dare to call me by this name!?

He smile, amused. The dragon stare at me, listening with obvious interest.

• Even after all this time it still have the same effect on you. The old man say in a calm voice.

• No one… you hear me… no one dared to call me that name. I roar in anger. Because they know what are the consequence for that. Do you want to perish elder?

• You're the one who die this time. He reply.

• You think you can defeat me?

• Don't underestimate me.

• I have a question. I say

• I know what you're gonna ask; why would I risk my life fighting you? I just want to make sure you never reach them.

So this guy know and is ready to sacrifice his life to protect them. Brave but useless.

• So you want to fight… well… let's get into it… but don't expect an honorable death.

• I wasn't expecting any gift from you anyway. Take out your sword and prepare yourself to fight.

• Just leave me a sec to grab my sword and….

A rippling pain shouts through my spine when I feel the cold blade penetrate in my side, cutting through flesh like it was just a leaf.

I roll on the ground, manage to take a hold of my sword and jump on my feet, a hand tightly pressed on my side, warm blood leaking from it.

• What… don't tell me you were expecting a loyal fight? Say the old man so naturally, his sword tainted by black blood.

• And I thought riders were person of honor and pride.

• Only in public you should know that. Here we are far from the capital and all the rules of combat, here, the only rule is kill or be killed.

• I like the spirit. I answer. In seconds we are fighting, sword clashing together. The only thing we ear is the sound of steel against steel, the only thing we see are blades and sparks every time they meet.

For long minutes .e fight like this, stabbing, slashing, dodghing, blocking the others strike without even managing to touch the other.

• You still fight like one of us! Shout the old man after another last moment blocking attack.

• I trainee those who trained you. I reply. But I didn't show them everything.

I mumble a few words, a dark glow surround my free hand seconds before I slam it into the ground. From the point of impact dark spikes erupt, sharpened like razor blades, going straight in his direction. He jumps aside, avoiding the deadly line.

• Not bad but a too obvious move.

• Who are you to give me a lesson?

And with a renewed rage the combat restart. My hands shake with every impact of his sword but I know he does to, I see he is weakening after each strike. Even more than just the strength of the body, it's now our will that is pushed to his limit, our inside torn apart by every energy drain of every spell we cast. We are now standing in the middle of a scorched land, the earth cracking and trembling below our feet. We are standing face to face, panting, blood dripping from cuts and bruises all over our body. We stare at each other, preparing for the last strike. We run to each other. At the last moment I slide on the ground dodging his sword but I miss my attack too. When I get up I see the perfect occasion to strike. He can't block this attack and fall to the ground, a hilt protruding from his back. Before he can even fall on the ground I draw another one and trust it to the hilt in his chest.

A victorious smile appear on my face.

He cough, spiting blood, gasping for breath.

• You lost.

He laugh.

• What's so funny?

• It was a great fight.

• A fight you lost miserably.

• Indeed.

He cough again.

At this precise second the dragon manage to break free of the spell muzzling him and rush to the bleeding old man.

Ho observe him in fear, with careful touch try to examine him.

• He is bleeding badly….

• I know.

• He's going to die.

• Does it look like I give a shit about it to you?

• Don't bother him with that young one… his heart is only filled with darkness… he doesn't care about the other… hatred blinds his judgment. He is only the dark reflection of the man he was once… now… just the good obedient pet willingly bowing in front of the one he promised to slay.

• I don't care about your life but I can make sure you die quicker, much quicker.

• Can't you be merciful for once?

• No….

• Don't you have respect for your opponents?

• Hey I let you have your fun; can't do everything.

Even the dying old man laugh between two difficult breaths.

• You… cold bloody monster… you fucking beast with a heart of stone.

• Have you finished? I'm tired of hearing you insult me.

• Go fuck yourself.

He turn around and return to the old man.

• Don't cry on me young one… I had a long life… full of adventures I would have enjoyed counting you… but in the end… I'm happy… after all… there is only death at the end of the road. No one can tell what their life will be like, but everyone know where it will end… in the cold embrace of death.

• It's typical of human… when they are dying they talk and talk for hours. Why can't you die in silence?

• And you why can't you just shut the fuck up! Scream the dragon.

His tone seems a bit deeper than usual.

• Do you have something you regret? He ask.

• No… I'm… in peace with myself.

The old man stay silent for several seconds but finally say in a whisper.

• Maybe one… I regret I couldn't save you Maria… but… soon we will be together again….

• Oh so sad… continue like this you're gonna make me cry.

• And I'm gonna make you bleed if you keep talking. Growl the dragon.

• Oh… I'm scared.

• Ignore him….

They keep talking for what seems hours until the old man call for me.

• Ordan… come here… please.

• Told you to not call me by this name. Anyway what do you want?

• Come closer….

When I do he grab my hand with an impressive for a dying man, hold it in his grasp while he search for something in his pocket with the other. He hold something in it and force me to take the small object he hold then let go of my hand.

In my palm lies a small object. When I take a quick glance at it I freeze. What I'm holding is a old looking ring. It look precious by the look of it. It seems like an ancient piece of jewelry made of a mix of shimmering gold and shiny silver. On the top of it, inserted in the ring a small black gem surrounded by four small diamonds. The main part of the ring, made of a long circle of silver is covered of ancient runes. The outer part is made of gold. When I look at it from up close I notice the surface is strangely shaped: it look like miniature dragon scales. I turn it in every possible direction until I notice, gleaming in a sun reflection a long inscription writen on the internal face of the ring. I don't have to read it… I already know what it says.

• Where did you get that?

• He told me… to give it to you.

And with those last words he die, surrendering his last breath. On his relaxed face a satisfied smile I'd love to reduce in bloody shreds.

I hear the dragon yelp in surprise then some strange sounds.

I turn around and see the dragon on his back, a look of immense fear on his face as he is held to the ground by a dark form, claws slightly digging in his shoulders.

• What's that thing! He scream.

I smile, amused by is struggling, his vein attempts to free himself.

• What are you waiting for? Help me! He squeal.

• Right on time slave. I say calmly before recovering my daggers.

• I'm always ready to serve you. Answer the beast. What do I have to do with him?

That's the question. I could just let him massacre him, turn him in mess of torn flesh in a pool of blood and I'll be free of his annoying presence. But… in the same time I know I shouldn't but… I'm starting to attach to him. He is quite handsome and… make a good distraction. And… damn those pleading eyes staring at me, begging for help are so cute.

• Let go of him. He is on our side.

• As you wish master.

He free the small dragon that immediately stumble upon his feet.

• Listen carefully slave… I have a new mission for you?

• It will be my pleasure to accomplish it for you.

• I want you to search for a group of dragons and humans.

• Where are they?

• They are heading to the south, probably by the largest roads, on foot. They must not be far, maybe one day of advance not more.

• I'm already on my way.

• Wait I'm not finished yet. When you will be close to them don't attack, not until I give you the order to do so. I want you to be my eyes and my ears, follow them wherever they go but always stay hidden in the shadow until the right moment come. Do you understand?

• Yes.

• Now go… and don't disappoint me.

The creature run away.

• What was that thing?

I stay silent and start to walk.

• Hey… where are you going?

• Continuing my mission.

• Wait for me!

Like before we walk side by side.

• O… Ordan. He calls out after a long moment.

I grab his snout force his jaws open and put my dagger's blade on his tongue.

• Say this name just once and I'm gonna cut this lovely tongue of yours. Is that clear?

He nod, unable to talk.

After long hours of walk on the mountain road we stop in a cave. The small dragon, tired like he is quickly fall asleep, curled in a tight ball on the cold stone floor.

I sit against a wall and close my eyes, plunging in this deep meditation.

Several insisting bump wake me up.

• What. I growl.

• Can't sleep.

• What can I do about that? Leave me alone.

• Can I just… lay down by your side?

• Fine but don't make any noise.

I end up with his body glued to mine, his head on my legs.

• Hey I'm not a fucking pillow.

He makes himself more comfortable.

• God damn it.

He stay there, eyes half closed, staring at the outside.

• Ordan….

• You really want my fist in the face.

• No… I just like the name.

• Not me.

• It sound… ancient….

• It is.

• I like to pronounce it.

• If you continue I'm gonna kill you.

After a long moment of silence he calls me again.

• Ordan.

• What? And stop calling me by this name.

• Can you count ma story?

• Why?

• To sleep….

• Do I look like a story teller?

• You look like crap.

• Fine….

I stay silent for a minute or two then say.

• Once upon a time in a foreign land was a great kingdom. The land were in peace, no threat. The king of this land had two son his wife gave him before she died. The two brothers were always together, loving and caring to each other; they grew together, trained together, made traps together, were punished together, always defending the other when he needed. The older one was more of a fighter drawing his sword for any occasion, leading the army into glorious battle when the war came to their lands. He was loved by his peoples, blessed by their cult and priest, followed by his soldiers. Stories were counting his glorious battles all over the kingdom. His brother was more discreet, was more often planning than running blindly into a battle. When his brother was in the middle of the battlefield, his sword in hand, covered of the blood of his enemy, he was in the king's castle, going through all the politic and other problems of the realm, deciding of the strategy for the next battle where his brother would take part, dealing with all the diplomacy with other kingdoms, making sure that the realm would function correctly.

When the old king died the older brother was supposed to become the new king but he refused and offered his place to his brother and, in reward he gave him something he had wanted since his youngest age.

• What was it? Yowl the young dragon, eyes half closed.

• Dragons. He was fascinated by dragon. He always loved to go in the wildlands, lie in the grass and observe the magnificent beasts for hours, even days. When people asked him why he was taking such risk approaching those deadly creatures he just answered he found that appeasing to see their gracious flight, their simple lives and instinct driven action. They are not embarrassed by all those things us human have.

• What did his brother exactly? Mumble the dragon in a half awake state.

• He gave him what he wanted. His brother took a hundred man and left the castle. Everyone awaited for month with no news of them. Everyone thought they would come back with one or two dragon, dead or alive, as trophy but he came back with a batch of eggs.

Everyone was surprised and he gave no explanation. Barely a week later a dragon came to their lands, roaring is anger across the sky, screaming for vengeance, he landed in the middle of the city, making all the people run in fear. The dragon was ready to burn everything down if what had been stolen to him wasn't gave back. You see… all the eggs he came back with he had to take them away from somewhere, or someone. But when he came, face to face with the mad with hatred beast and started to negotiate with her.

• It was a… dragoness?

• Indeed and she wanted her eggs. She was talking a bit of human language, enough to understand and to be understood by everyone. The prince surprised them all by negotiating with her. Negotiating, him that was more willing to fight than talk with those of his kind was speaking to a beast, offering her to stay in their land with her clutch, to find a good place for her to live and promised her safety and food. She accepted of course and moved to a forest near one of their village. The prince kept his promises and brought her everything she asked. It all worked like this until the day where the eggs hatched. On the twenty of them only thirteen broke, the other were… empty if I can say so. He saw them grow for one year. The dragoness was satisfied of her new life there. No more she had to hunt for hours and hope her catch would be enough to survive. One day she asked to the prince what he wanted in return; why exactly he made her this offer. He only asked for one of her child. At first she refused, protecting them like only a mother could do but, in the end, after long month of endless talk and negotiation she finally gave up and gave him one, a small grey male. Peoples say they heard the males cry and pleas for day when he was taken away from his mother caring embrace. The prince raised the dragon away from everyone, taught him how to talk in our language, how to fight, how to use the magic in him to much greater purpose than just breath a few flames here and there until he finally manage to bound himself with the dragon. Of course he let him some freedom, allowed to visit his family whenever he wanted when he was in age to fly on his own but he quickly stopped. He could barely approach her, his brothers and sister never let him do. They hated him, not because he wasn't like them, that he had the scent on human on him, but because he had been chosen by the benevolent prince. It was just pure envy.

During all this time other dragon had been gathering around the kingdom, interested by the prince offer. Soon the prince had to deal with fifty families of dragon and only asked in return like he did with the first female, a child of every clutch, male or female. Soon he had to train too much dragon he had to teach other how to do so. The very first dragon rider order was born. Dragon were trained to fight, side by side with their newly formed human riders, they took part in epic battles, changing everything on the battlefield. No one could resist us, they won battle after battles, covering themselves of glory. They gained power and influence among the humans, were respected by their peoples, feared by their enemies, big statues were built in their names, golden temples made to honor them.

But all have to end one day right? The prince lost his dragon in a battle. He ended up trapped, thousands and thousands of foe around him, ready to kill him. He fought until the end, overwhelmed by waves and waves of enemies. He couldn't fight, nether defeat them all. In a last desperate act his dragon sacrificed himself, saving him at the same time. He charged all the energy inside him and made himself blow like an enormous bomb just after sending him away through a portal, far from the battlefield. The prince could just watch and feel in despair his dragon, his closest friend, the one he cared the most for die in a last memorable, brave act, taking thousands of them with him in death. But, even with his sacrifice the victory was to their enemies. The prince, only filled by anger, only seeking vengeance came back to his native lands, not willing to restart all with a new dragon, no, he tried to force all those he could to come with him in a final attempt to avenge his fallen friend. They refuse, all of them. Betrayed, he left the kingdom, screaming that he would do it alone, that he didn't needed dragons or human to help him in his quest of vengeance. No one never saw him after this day. Some say he died in a futile attempt to murder their enemy's king, some other he died miserably after years of drinking in a dark alley, his heart consumed by hatred and sorrow. Others say he accomplished his vengeance, made them perish by the edge of his sword in the name of his dragon then, either became a mercenary, traveling across the lands slaying whoever would dare to stand in his way. Other believed he went to the highest pick of the northern mountains and lived there, alone, away from humans or dragon, finally in peace.

• It's kind of blurry.

• It's what is fascinating about this story, you can give it the end you want.

• I hope he found peace. Mumble the dragon before closing his eyes.

• Me too.

• Ordan…

• Yes….

• Is that… your story?

• It could be… it could be. I whisper, slowly rubbing his cheek as he fall asleep.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2