The Rise of the Dragon Riders

chapter one

(JANE)

Hi, my name is Jane and I am a dragon rider. My dragon's name is Scorch and we and the other dragon riders do our best protect this land... but I'm getting a head of myself. If I am to tell you my story we must go back to where it all started. My village. I lived in a fairly small village. Houses there and stores here, just an ordinary village. I used to live in a house with my mom, dad, and my older brother Sean. When I was six Sean left home and I never knew why. He left at night and never came back. Mother blamed herself for what happen and dad said it wasn't anyone's fault.

Everyone in the village says he wasn't normal anyway; he wasn't like everyone else. So, growing up without any siblings, dad would take me into the woods after we'd finished our work. He taught me how to fight with a sword and archery when I was eight. He also taught me how to track and hunt. Mother hated it because it wasn't lady like, but that didn't stop me. But one cold winter night my father got sick and wouldn't get better. That month he died. I was once again alone. To remember him, I would go into the woods and practice my archery after I had finished my chores.

My mother couldn't keep the job my father owned. He owned weaponry. So, we had to move in with my Uncle Johnny. Uncle Johnny owned a pie bakery. Manly right? But his pies were the most delicious pies in the whole land. Mother helps him out with them. He even shares some of his baking secrets, but I'm not the one for baking.

Six years had past since then, and that's where my story takes place......

I woke up that morning with the sun shining through my window and into my eyes. I leaped out of my bed, quickly made it up. I rushed into the kitchen where my Uncle Johnny was just finishing up breakfast. He has made oatmeal,
I could smell the delicious oats from my room. He had already placed the oats in my place. Topped with brightly colored fruit, I dug in.

Uncle Johnny chuckled as I chowed down. He knew I couldn't wait to finish up my chores and get into those woods. I finished eating, cleaned my bowl, and began my other chores. They included: sweeping up the kitchen, dusting the rooms, watering the plants and garden outside, harvesting the ripe fruit, and helping my uncle wash them off and prepare them for being cooked in one of his pies.

Once that was finished I rushed back to room, grabbed my bow and quiver. "Be back before supper!" I called to them while my mother said:
"Do be careful, Jane!" I know she worries about me, being in those woods, but those woods call to me, I couldn't help it! I raced through those doors and into the woods in a flash. I didn't know what would await me into those that faithful day....

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Bow in hand, quiver on my back I ran into the part of the woods I normally go into. I went to the spot where father used to take me. It was a perfect little spot for archery because there were six trees lined up next to each other. Father placed targets on each one for me. I drew my arrow then, zing! Went the arrow. Pluck! Yes! bullseye! I drew once again aiming at the next target. Zing! Pluck! Nearly hit it this time. Did the same thing for the next three. Bullseyes and nearly bullseyes.

I could spend hours here... oh wait... I do spend hours there, shooting arrows and practicing my aim. It was peaceful, no one to disturb me, no mothers telling me what to do... just me and bow and those targets. It was a time to let my mind wander, to think, and recollect. I always knew if it came down to it, I'd be the one to protect my family. Everyday I see it, the King's guards marching into the village, recruiting and searching homes. Everyday it seemed like we had to have eyes on the back of our heads. We never knew when something was going to happen, and if it does, I'd be the one to protect to my mother and uncle. Unlike them, I know how to fight, to defend....

I let another arrow fly. It whizzed in the air and it hit its target. Bullseye. I sighed. I reached for another arrow to only find my quiver empty. Setting my bow down I went to fetch my arrows. Lost in thought, I pulled each arrow out, only the sound of breaking branches did I snap out of my daydream. I listened carefully, thinking it must have been a deer or something, but the branches kept snapping, and leaves kept crunching. I whirled and quickly went for my bow. Just as I reached where I left it, a man came tumbling into the area. He looked tired and ragged. He clothes were torn, his long hair draped over his sweaty face. Worse of all, he looked wounded. He clutch his satchel to his chest like it was the most precious thing in the world.