NOTE:
Dragon of Legend is published and available for purchase on Amazon. This version is closer to the original rough draft and thus lacks editing, differs in certain aspects, and does not include bonus chapters that come with the published version.
For further details, please visit my profile. To purchase the book see the external link.
Due to the large volume of comments I am having difficulty replying to questions posted as comments throughout this book. Therefore, if you have a question then feel free to send me a PM as I can usually get to these easier.
Dragon of Legend: Destiny
A shape hurtled through the air, casting a shadow in the lands below. Creatures of all shapes and sizes scurried for cover, none wanting to catch the eye of the majestic beast that passed overhead.
In a meadow, far away from the approaching danger, birds chirped as they flew over a small meadow. Eyeing the ground below for fat worms, they dove every so often to catch an unlucky one. As they gobbled down their early breakfast, a single butterfly flew through the field. It settled down on a yellow flower for a moment, as though to rest its weary wings. Then it took off once more, flying past a sleek doe which stepped out from among the foliage.
The doe looked right and left before gracefully walking over to the bubbling stream that made its way through the meadow. Her nose twitched as she followed the smell of water. While her ears rotated, her eyes darted around the clearing, searching for any sign of a threat.
Finding none, she relaxed. Upon reaching the stream, she took one last look around before lowering her head. As she drank and the cool water trickled down her throat, the doe's tail twitched in satisfaction.
The butterfly continued on its way, the gentle breeze making it wobble slightly off course. Yet, it flew bravely on. Passing by a rusty sword, which had most certainly seen better days, it descended and landed on a hand. Here, it folded its wings, seeming to have decided to rest.
The hand belonged to a figure of a girl. She lay there, in the middle of the grass, her eyes closed. Her long black hair was spread around her and a smile touched her lips she soaked in the warm sunrays. Were it not for her rising chest, any passerby would have thought her dead.
A large shadow passed overhead, momentarily blocking the sun. The doe's head snapped up as she tensed in visible fear. The birds' singing ceased. Forgetting the worms, they flew for the shelter of the trees. Her whole body trembling, the doe turned and followed the birds' lead, bounding for the cover of the forest behind her, away from the danger she sensed coming. The only remaining creatures were the girl and the butterfly, neither of whom seemed to have realized their impending doom.
Suddenly, a majestic male dragon landed but a few feet away from the girl. His feet sank into the ground, crushing the grass and soil below his weight. His scales, an eerie silver which verged on becoming white, glittered as the sun rays bounced off them. He gracefully arched his neck, folding his wings as his eyes came to a rest on the figure lying in the grass.
Lifting his lips, he revealed rows of razor sharp teeth. Tail swishing, he advanced. The ground trembled with every step as he approached the girl who still hadn't moved an inch. The butterfly on her hand quivered slightly, as though ready to flee. Yet, it stayed bravely with the girl it had decided to use as its perch.
The dragon was upon them. As he came to a stop his yellow eyes gleamed as they stared down at his trapped prey. Mouth opening to make use of his arsenal of teeth, he lowered his head.
Akira... his voice echoed almost hauntingly in the girl's mind.
He was inches from her face when Akira's nose suddenly wrinkled in obvious disgust.
"Scales!"
The dragon froze.
"What did you eat?" Akira lifted a hand to pinch her nose. "That smells like a rotting carcass!"
The dragon withdrew his head, lips falling to cover his teeth. Disappointment filled his eyes at the obvious lack of surprise. His tail dropped and he sat on his hunches with a heavy thud.
Akira's eyes flew open to reveal a pair of clear blue eyes. As her other hand twitched, the butterfly took off. It fluttered into the sky, seeming to have not a care in the lands as it left behind girl and dragon.
I'm sure it doesn't smell that bad, the dragon's voice spoke in Akira's head.
Redemption, trust me. One whiff of that and every female dragon in the lands would make a beeline for the mountains. Akira sat up as she thought this.
The dragon, Redemption, responded with a snort of obvious disbelief.
With a mischievous grin, Akira got to her feet. Sure, don't listen. You can't say I didn't warn you. She brushed herself off. Looking up, her gaze wandered to the white dragon's back. Her eyes narrowed before they darted to Redemption's face and then back to his back. Ree, where's your saddle?
Her dragon tipped his head back to stare at the sky. You know, I think I may be getting hungry.
Akira crossed her hands on her chest.
How about a juicy deer? The dragon got off his hunches and stretched. I think I smell one nearby. He turned, his tail flattening grass to either side as it swished.
Akira wasn't about to let him go. "Redemption!" She spoke out loud.
Her dragon slowly turned his head.
The saddle.
Redemption blinked innocently. Err...I lost it?
How does one loose a saddle?
More blinking. Oh, it's quite possible.
It was strapped to your back!
The white dragon raised his head, as though to try and look somewhat more dignified. It came loose.
Both straps?
I told you it wasn't worth your mother's pearls.
And you didn't notice it slip?
I was a bit preoccupied.
With what?
Redemption paused for a moment, as though considering. With flying.
With an exasperated sigh, Akira let her hands drop to her side. She glared at her dragon. I should have known better than to entrust it to you. Destiny would surly have looked after it.
Redemption cocked his head. Oh cheer up. It was itchy and uncomfortable in every way. I say we're better off without it. Who needs a saddle anyway?
And how do you suppose I stay on your back?
The white dragon's tail swung in thought. Ah...I see. His tail stopped swinging. Well, it looks like we have a slight problem.
Without a word, Akira picked up the sword that lay in the grass. She pointed it at Redemption. This is your fault.
The dragon's head lowered in shame.
Ignoring him, Akira raised the sword so that she could better examine the blade. Her fingers traced across its dulling edge. Perhaps if I traded this in we could get another...
A snort from her dragon made her eyes snap to him.
Sorry. His head lowering even further.
With another sigh, Akira returned her attention to the blade. Who am I kidding? I don't think anyone would pay even a draco for it. She tilted her head back and stared at the sky. What we need is a miracle.
A shadow passed overhead.
She's here, Akira thought, her eyes lifting to the sky. Redemption did the same.
They were in time to witness a female dragon circling above once before making a glorious descent. Her blue scales, which had once been the bluest of blue, were fading with age. Yet, they made the dragon look all the more noble.
No sooner did she land than she dropped a brown bundle she had been carrying in her mouth.
You found it! Akira rushed over to the object which now lay in the grass. She dropped to her knees next to it. Placing the sword down, her hands carefully examined the leather bundle. Its edges were frayed and it was tattered to such an extent that the cords hanging from it looked like they would snap at any moment.
Akira felt it all over before letting out a sigh of relief. It's alright.
Redemption slowly made his way over, head stretched as though to see if the object really was the detestable object he had so conveniently lost earlier.
Akira's eyes lifted to briefly meet those of the blue dragon. Where was it?
The dragon hesitated. Her eyes darted to meet Redemption's. In a tree.
A what? Akira turned to glare at her white dragon. He refused to meet her eyes. "Ridiculous," Akira muttered out loud. She picked up the saddle and got to her feet. Ree.
The white dragon hesitated a moment before he slunk over, his head down. He shot a glare at the saddle on the way, baring his teeth slightly at the loathsome thing.
Akira ignored her dragon's reaction. When he reached her, she threw the saddle on his back and readjusted it before working on the straps. Redemption squirmed, yet he didn't think a word.
The blue dragon watched, her wise eyes filled with amusement. Standing next to the white dragon, it became apparent that she was smaller in build, as most female dragons were. Unlike Redemption, her scales were smoother and thus more delicate looking.
There. Akira stood back to admire her handy work. I'm sure it won't fall this time.
The white dragon arched his back. Turning his head, he sniffed at the saddle on his back before recoiling in obvious disgust.
Ignoring him, Akira turned to the blue dragon. Thank you, Destiny, she told her.
The blue dragon, Destiny, lowered her head and Akira scratched it affectionately. Something like a purr rumbled in the dragon's throat and she closed her eyes.
The sound of something scrapping made Akira pause and Destiny's eyes shoot open. Her head snapping around, Akira found Redemption rubbing his belly against a rock.
"Ree!" She sprang towards him.
Redemption froze. His guilt filled eyes travelled to his rider. It itches, he complained.
Fine. Akira put her hands on her hips. I'll just ride Destiny instead.
On second thought. Redemption jumped away from the rock faster than a bee could sting. I think it suites me quite nicely. He arched his neck. It could quite attractive in a way, right?
On you? Not in the least, Akira thought dryly.
Destiny chuckled. It came out as a deep rumbling in her throat. Abruptly, she froze. Almost simultaneously, the dragons lifted their heads in the air, sniffing the breeze.
Akira noticed the change at once as both dragon's tensed, their tails growing ridged. What is it? she couldn't help but ask.
The blue dragon lowered her head, her yellow eyes brimming with worry. We should go.
Destiny? Akira wasn't about to let it go.
Redemption was still sniffing the air, his nostrils quivering at the scent. I smell fire... His tail swished. He seemed oblivious to the look the blue dragon shot him as he continued, and blood...human blood.
Before he had finished, Akira picked up her sword. She pulled herself into the saddle on Redemption's back.
Ree.
Redemption spread his wings and launched himself into the air.
Wait! Destiny followed.
Redemption rose higher into the air. He shot up above the trees with the grace only a dragon could possess. The meadow was left far behind with but a thrust of his wings.
As the horizon stretched out before her, Akira immediately caught sight of the smoke which poured into the sky. She felt Redemption shiver beneath her.
I smell death.
Akira didn't reply. Her eyes were glued to the smoke. She could imagine the angry flames that were the cause of it, licking at everything and anything in their path as they mercilessly ate it all. The very thought made images rush through her head, images she didn't want to recall.
Screams echoed in her mind as memories surfaced and old wounds threatened to open. The sensation of blistering heat on her skin and the smell of burning flesh filled her thoughts. Akira's mouth went dry. Her palms grew sweaty as her breath became rugged.
Run! The familiar voice yelled in her mind.
Akira! She blinked as Redemption's voice pulled her back to reality.
We're leaving, Destiny declared firmly. The blue dragon had come to hover beside Redemption. She turned away from the fire, heading in the opposite direction. Redemption followed.
As the smoke disappeared from her vision and was replaced with clear sky, a thought hit Akira. Isn't that where a village is?
Neither of her dragons responded.
Realization filled her. That's where I bought the saddle! Akira twisted in the saddle to stare back at the smoke. Is it a raid?
It's none of our concern, Destiny thought grimly as the two dragons continued to fly away.
Akira bit her lip as she turned away. But...people could be dying.
No response.
She blinked back tears as memories continued to rattle in the box she had stored them so carefully in. No one helped us back then... Her hand tightened on her sword. If someone had come... She lifted her head. We have to help them.
Don't be ridiculous. Destiny didn't even look back. There's nothing we can do.
Akira stared at her blue dragon's tail in disbelief. Nothing? She turned to see the smoke was even further away. Did you perhaps...smell dragons?
No reply from Destiny.
No...only horses and mankind, Redemption thought.
So...no dragons? Akira spirits rose. Then we can certainly help! It should be easy with the two of you!
There are no dragons, yet, Destiny replied. She continued on her course, showing no sign of changing it. They may very well be on their way.
In that case, we need to go before they come!
Akira. The blue dragon sounded exasperated. That's not a good idea.
People need our help!
People die every day.
And yet we can help these ones live!
We're not going, and that's final. Destiny didn't once shoot a glance back.
You're not my father!
And yet he entrusted you to me!
Akira bit her lip. Her fingers tightened around the saddle. "Don't bring him into this," she whispered. "Any of them."
Sorry... Destiny's tail dropped somewhat. But sometimes it's better to leave things as they are...
Her dragon's words were lost to her as Akira turned to shoot one last glance at the smoke.
Run! The familiar voice from her past screamed in her head again.
I think it's best if we just go back and lay low until the raider's pass... Destiny was saying.
Shutting her out of her mind, Akira turned her attention to her white dragon. Ree?
You know... Redemption sounded uncertain, she has a point...
I won't let others suffer the same fate as I did. Not when we can help. We're going. She knew that in this bond with her dragon she had the final say.
So stubborn, was the Redemption's reply. However, he didn't hesitate to listen to his rider. Dipping his wings, he turned around. He scarcely made a sound as he stopped following Destiny, who was still having a conversation with Akira who wasn't listening.
How long do you think till she notices? The white dragon asked.
Let's not find out. Akira leaned forward as she stared at the smoke that was visible on the horizon once more.
She swallowed the bitter bile rising in her throat. Is this what our village looked like from afar? She couldn't help but wonder. She pushed the question away as soon as it rose.
Are you sure about this? Redemption asked softly.
The smoke grew closer.
Absolutely. Akira's lips formed a thin line of determination. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?
I don't know... Redemption replied as he continued on his path. A lot?
We'll be fine, Akira said, more so to convince herself. Her heart was racing as the danger ahead drew closer, just fine.