Just a FYI for starters..this is some of the first stuff I've ever writen, and it also is in no particular order right now. this is something I've just written a couple chapters, and will continue to just write them as I come up with ideas for it. Later to be put into some order for the sake of storyline, and continuity.
Let me know what you think in the Fiction reply thread in this area.
While entering the cave after his long hunt, Deo felt relief in the fact that he would soon be able to relax and enjoy a warm meal along with some well deserved sleep. As he approached the rear area of the cave he felt the hair on his neck prickle and immediately knew that something was amiss. As he lowered his heavy pack quietly to the ground and slowly pulled out the long dagger from his boot. Deo lowered himself to his knees and huddled into the shadows near the wall. He had thought of grabbing his sword, but the sheath was badly damaged and made a terrible screeching sound when being drawn.
Creeping along as quietly as possible he continued scanning the room for anything that looked out of place. After a few minutes he suddenly realized what it was. There was no smell or sound of Mesacadi. After realizing this Deo leapt to his feet, and ran for the furthest corner of the cave. It was black as night in the cave now, and as he tried to scan the area where She should have been he felt a slight breeze blow across his neck. As his instincts took over he spun around, attacking with the dagger in one hand as his other hand grabbed for the sword on his back. He was now facing the front of the cave, and could barley make out a figure standing in front of him. “Who are you and what do you want?” Deo screamed as the rage built up inside him. As no answer came he could feel his arms tensing and the adrenaline building inside him. It had been nearly 2 years since his last battle, and he was hoping that he didn’t forget any of the training that had saved his life so many times before.
Once more he yelled. “Who are you and what do you want?” This time there was a reply. “Please forgive my intrusion, but I come with news about a mutual friend.” The voice was weak and sounded as though the bearer of the voice was ill, but as he spoke it became stronger and more forceful. “I will ask you to lower your sword and sit with me.” After looking over the disheveled visitor Deo slowly lowered his sword, but would not sit. His training was telling him to still be wary of the man, and to not allow himself to be caught off guard.
As the man found a small outcropping near one side of the cave to sit on he produced a torch from out of his belongings, and lit it with a small flint and stone. After letting his eyes adjust to the light Deo looked closer at what he had thought would be an old man, but was shocked to find that the man looked to be at least five years younger than he, maybe more. “ I know, the voice right? “ well that’s something I picked up in my days as a member of the SONS a few years back, and I find it helps relax the average person and make them feel less threatened.” Then Deo responded “Let me guess, that’s when you would kill and rob them”. The young man nearly erupted off his seat and with a tone that would unsettle most people the young man said,““ KILL. Not once in my life have I wanted or needed to resort to violence in order to procure the items which I wanted.” “I may be a rogue, but I have honor and respect that was taught me by my elders from long before joining the S.O.N.S.” Then as quickly as he had exploded he calmed and sat back down on the cold rock that he had been sitting on.
A little stunned by the very fact that this young man was here was weird enough, but now it was turning into a lesson in honor, and respect. For his part Deo wanted nothing to do with any of it right now, and told him as much. “ Tell me this news you have before I stop being such a gracious host, and lay you down for your final nap you little stuffer”. A dit hesitant at first the stanger fianally spoke. “Well as I told you, I have news from a mutual friend that you need to hear.” “Mesacdi may be in jeopardy and I was given the task of finding you and relaying this message”. As Deo reached for the rolled parchment he could feel the magic in the scroll, and wondered if this was some kind of trick of the Zoren Legion, or if his friend was truly in danger. After a quick examination he found that the uneasy fear had faded, and he feeling that this truly was from Mesacadi. As he opened the scroll a small burst of energy shot through his fingers, but that was all that happened. It must have been meant for only him to see the message on the parchment. Because knowing Mesacadi if someone else had tried to open the scroll the small burst would have been more along the lines of powder keg exploding, and would have easily taken off fingers, hands and numerous other parts off of the victims’ body.
As he read the note Deos’ expression never changed nor did he move a muscle in his body. After reading the note he asked the young man to borrow his torch. Deo slowly brought the torch down towards the firepit, and then lit the couple other torches on the walls in the rear of the cave. The young man sat quietly in the shadow of his own torch and waited for some type of reaction from Deo. Who now was seated on an animal pelt near the fire, and after placing the scroll into the fire and watching it disintegrate he got to work on cleaning and cooking his kill from his daily hunt. Patience was one thing the young vagrant had in spades, but not when it came to things that could possibly impact his own life or the path he would travel in that life. “Pardon me sir. Not to interrupt your thoughts, but I was wondering if there was anything in the scroll written to me, or about me”? After a moment Deo stopped cutting and turned to the young man still sitting near the entrance of the cave. “ You are welcome to stay and have some food, wine, and sleep”. “ For now if you must talk make the conversation about whatever you like, and come morning we will speak on that subject”.
At that Deo went back to his work at hand and paid no heed to the guest that he had just acquired. The young man moved closer to the fire, and watched Deo closely as he went about his business in the cave.
After a meal at which neither person spoke, Deo left the cave saying that he would return in a while, and for the young man not to leave the cave for his own safety. As he watched Deo leave the cave a wave of thoughts and ideas hit him. He spent the rest of a restless night in the cave thinking about what it all meant, and what the scroll had to say that had made Deo open his home to him.
As he lifted his head and looked towards the fire that should have been out by now Deo was surprised to see the visitor working the coals back to a small fire and beginning to prepare some small animal on a spit.
He allowed himself to fall back to sleep for a short while longer, with the strange feeling of safety that he only had felt when in the presence of Mesacdi. When he next opened his eyes he awoke to the pleasant smell of freshly roasted meat, and could only smile back as he looked at the bright, fresh face of this strange young man that was staring back at him. The smile that was returned made it obvious that he had been anxiously waiting for the talk about the scroll all night. And even though he had managed to contain it this long it was starting to show in his expression that he would explode soon if he was not told about the scroll and the mysteries that it held.
After taking a few bites of the meat that was in front of him, and getting his wits about him Deo shook off the last of the sleep and started to speak. “ Well my young guest you surely have more patience than that of most youth your age, which is an accredit to your life teachers up to this point.” “ Well after reading the scroll from Mesacdi I know a little of why she sent you with the scroll instead of one of our other more trusted curriers”. “ All that was written I would not tell you yet, because not all is known to us.” However young “Buck Lake “I can tell you that Mesacadi is in no more danger than any other dragons are these days. At the mention of his name he started to interrupt, but a quickly raised finger by Deo stopped him short and he sat quietly while Deo continued. “ Also I’m not much for company other than her, but she swears that you will be of use to not only myself, but also to her in the near future, so with that I welcome you to my home for what it is, but I will tell you only once that if your little weasel fingers are ever in my things and I catch you I will turn you into bait for the multiple animals that I trap. Except for your skin. You see skin has a wonderful ability to dry and make some wonderful parchment that most rich people covet Because of its smoothness. I will not hesitate to make money and gain food from your body if you try anything. Do you understand this?” With a slight nod and a sickened look on his face all he could say in reply was, “uh huh”.
Now back to the scroll. It mentioned that you are good with a bow, and that in a pinch you can survive on your own for a short time. I had figured that from the fact that you made it here without any help, and also when I awoke to the rabbit being roasted on the spit. I will now tell you that I read of your quest to find you birth father, and that you have devoted a good portion of your life so far to finding him.” As this was mentioned Buck slid to the edge of his seat and was listening intently. “ The answer to that question unfortunately lies with someone other than myself. However Mescadi also stated that she would be deeply great full if I were to assist you in your search for at least a short period of time while she’s tending to other matters”. “I’ll let you collect your thoughts, and your belongings, and when I return we can be on our way”.
Without answering a single question Deo left the cave to quickly check a few of his closer and more fruitful traps for animals, so they would have fresh meat for at least the first section of their journey to Twiel. After that they would have to purchase or barter for a few things if they couldn’t get anything fresh during the journey. In the worst case it is only a two-maybe three-day walk to Locke and they could live off of nuts, berries, and river water until they arrive.
As Deo was leaving Buck was trying to sort out what had just happened. He was sure that this man held the answer to who his father was, and from the things others had told him recently Deo was his father. Maybe he was having trouble believing it himself. Who knows? Not knowing that you have a son and then he all of a sudden shows up at your doorstep. At the same time Buck had to admit that he might not be his father, and that if the search needed to go on then hell saddle up and let’s get a going.
Deo returned shortly before mid-day and was carrying an impressive pouch of meat. He had taken the time to clean the kills while out in the forest, partially to have a bit more time to think things through for himself, but mostly to use the entrails and such inedible parts as bait so when he returned from this jaunt his traps would still have some value.
As they started their walk down the mountain to the trails that would lead them to the traders road neither one of them seemed inclined to break the silence, but the need for more information was to great for Buck to handle and he finally broke the silence. “ If you’re not my father then why are you willing to help me in my search”? Deo paused in his steps briefly as he was caught off guard by both the break in silence and the fact that he really didn’t have an answer. After a few moments he replied, “I owe it to Mesacadi, and I feel a bit of sorrow for anyone who doesn’t know there own parents”. While that made sense to Buck the next part brought all of the confusion right back. “ I said that the answer to whom your father is needed to be answered by another man.” “That only meant that I don’t know if you are or you aren’t my son. We need to go see a gentleman in Locke to get the answer to that question, and I couldn’t allow you to go off on your own not knowing where to go, and I guess I need to find out the answer also”.
After the answer Deo gave Buck had no reply to that and decided to process this new information by himself. The two continued walking and eventually they started to talk about some of the things that interested them, and continued on until dusk started to settle in and they decided to settle down for the night in a small clearing that had some shelter from the element, but allowed them to look at the stars without to much trouble. As night started to darken and the moon was fully up, Deo sat staring up contemplating what if, why, and of course who? Meaning who is she. Who is the woman that had wooed him and unbeknownst to him had his child if in fact Buck was his son? The more he thought about the possibility of having son to transfer his knowledge of the world to he also came to the realization that he could not remember any women with the sir name of “Lake” or for that matter anyone at all. Deo had never been a very free person when it came to matters of the flesh nor the heart so he felt it was more and more unlikely that Buck was his son.
On he other side of the fire it was a very similar situation. There were so many thoughts to process and not one person that he could trust with any of it other than himself. As his eyes scanned the darkness for any of the few constellations that he knew Buck thought about the stranger that lay near the fire and what if he was his father? Would he be interested in having any form of relationship with him, or would he only stick around because he had to? Deo seemed a good enough person, and if Mesacadi had faith enough in him to share a dwelling with him there must be something good in him worth learning about and from. The one thought that came back was that he did not want him to stay because he felt obligated too. His father whomever it is would need to stay out of desire to share time together, and to learn from each other. Buck knew that he would be fine without a father, but he still yearned to find out who it was.
As the fire trailed away to small piles of embers and the darkness closed in on them they both had one simultaneous thought…. What if?
-- Edited by snootch2danootch at 01:20, 2006-08-21
As the amber light of dusk filtered through the sparse fall leaves overhead I turned my eyes skyward and was left gasping for air at the sight of a massive blue figure bearing down on my position. While I had hidden myself from the terrors of the invading forces and been successful in avoiding their capture I had also thought myself to be well hidden from the beast. But what came next was an even greater surprise to me than the fact that she had found me. I was lying on my belly trying to be as inconspicuous as possible and as I risked a quick peak out from the leaves and branches of the hedge. I was looking directly into the flaring nostrils of the great blue dragon. At that moment I felt my life fade and was readying myself for the finality of death. Then I looked up into the eyes of this creature and in that instant I had seen the ageless face of life and realized that the years that had made up my life were nothing but an instant to this ancient and timeless creature.
My years had seemed an eternity to myself, and I felt I had lived a full and relatively complete life of 23 years so far. As I stared at the glimmering scales I felt as though I might as well have been a speck of dust in the air. Then as I steadied myself and attempted to stand so as to die with honor and dignity I heard what in the years to follow would become a sound that would alight my heart and warm my soul. Laughter, and not an evil laughter either, but instead this was the grandest laughter that I had heard in all my life. Nonetheless I was not one to let my guard down. So I rose to my feet and pulled my sword from its sheath and readied myself for not only the battle I couldn’t win, but the one I would unbeknownst to me not have to fight.
As I steadied my sword and my nerves the dragon spoke to me. “ Please lower your sword, I’m not here to do you any harm.” As she spoke I was astonished to see what I could only call a cat’s grin creep across her face. There is one thing in this world that I will never forget. That is the frightening sight of a dragon “attempting” to smile. As one of the few people on the planet who have witnessed a dragon smile and lived to tell about it I will explain. The mouth of a dragon is not designed for smiling. It can open twice as large as it’s length similar to some snakes, it has strength unmatched, but smiling is an innate skill that is not something most dragons possess. It takes a concentrated effort to get even the slightest form of a grin. Then she asked me once more to lower my sword, and continued to assure me that I was in no danger.
I was not totally convinced of this fact, but I did as I was asked just on instinct alone. She then introduced herself as “Mesacadi”. I did not immediately reply, but not out of fear, but out of shear surprise that this monster was not killing me, and was also trying to speak to me as if I were meeting a person at the local tavern. I knew that at any moment she could take my life, and I decided that whatever game she was up to it was worth what little extra time it gave me to spend on “Doa’el”.
For as much as my instincts told me to remain calm and that everything was alright, my training as a warrior told me to stand up fight and die with honor. At that moment I had a brief period of clarity and it came to me that that was the reason I was fleeing from my pursuers in the first place. I was running from the fact that their beliefs were tainted, and in my eyes I could no longer follow the rules of the Zoren legion. Honor doesn’t come from mindless death be it brave or not, and I could not allow them to win by my attacking an obviously undefeatable foe. So I will allow myself a few more breaths of freedom, and if she attempts to bring me back I’ll make one last mad dash for freedom. I know it will be a short run, but I will not be in the hands of those whom I detest.
As Mesacdi spoke again Deo felt that she was trying very hard to calm her voice so as not to scare him, but also because of the need for them to not attract any unwanted attention. “I come here to help you, and to help myself as well,” Mesacadi said as she raised her snout to the treetops and sniffed the air. She continued after a few moments, “We are safe here for now, but they will search here soon enough, and I pray that we are gone by then, because there are more dragons out looking than just me”. “I ask you to believe me when I say that I mean you no harm”.
After looking straight at the dark blue eyes for a moment something lifted in Deo’s heart, and as he put his sword away he said, “please forgive my doubting mind, but I have never been in close proximity to a dragon that wasn’t either in battle, or sleeping.” With that said he stood up, straightened his back, and announced himself. “ I am Deo Lightstaff”, and bowed deeply as if meeting a member of royalty. As he did this Mesacadi brought her head down to his level and said, “ I am Mesacadi”. After stating her name she again attempted what she thought was a very good-natured looking smile. When she did this Deo asked her to stop snarling at him, and then he would be perfectly content to join in this little voyage. She stopped smiling, but at the same time he looked at her she appeared to almost be pouting now. “I’m sorry if I upset you, but I get the distinct feeling that you want to have me for a mid-day snack when you do that”, Deo said as he tried to figure out what exactly was going on between himself and this creature.
With a few attempts under his belt Deo assured Mesacadi that he would get up on her this time, and that he needed no help. Subsequently with a gentle thud he hit the ground and sat motionless. “Are you hurt she asked?” Of course he wouldn’t say yes even if he was, but the truth was that the only thing hurt was his pride, and following his fruitless attempts at climbing up onto her back Deo allowed her to pick him up and place him in the safety of the space between her shoulder joints. Then just before leaping into the air she gave a quick glance back to see him clinging to her as a child does to their favorite toy. “Please get that look off of your face”, she said as she took to the air giggling.
As they soared above the treetops Deo had time to consider all that had happened to him in what had quickly become the queerest day he had ever experienced? As he got comfortable on the dragons back his mind began to wander.
It had all started as he awoke in his camp that he had been staying in for the past few days. As he opened his eyes to what should have been a bright, beautiful, cloudless morning Deo was astonished to see multiple figures flying overhead. While at first he thought they must be on a routine scout mission he suddenly realized that one of them had started to circle overhead, and that in turn alerted the others. With as much quickness as possible he grabbed his belongings and started for the deepest part of the forest where even the smaller of the dragons wouldn’t be able to fly down into. As he ran he cursed himself for allowing himself to get complacent and to camp in such a wide-open area. Soon enough he slowed his pace and took a quick break. He had doubled back along the opposite side of the forest as soon as he had hit the thick underbrush so they would hopefully continue on in the direction he was going originally.
Then as Deo’s day seemed to be slowing down. He was strolling along a deer path, and he came across a small sheep that must have gotten separated from its flock. Deo instinctively drew his sword and killed the youngling. After a bit of time cleaning the meat and pelt from the body he quickly packed it all away in one of his pack and threw the rest into the underbrush. Realizing as he walked that if there was a young sheep out here there must be a farm also. With this in mind he stopped and tried to plan which way the sheep had been traveling and to follow that general direction. A farm meant possible shelter from not only the Zoren legion, but also the rain that had started to fall.
Before he actually had seen the farm he heard it. “How stupid am I?” His mind said to him as he started to run away from the sounds of the armor clad men that were now searching through some poor innocent family’s home looking for him. “ Deo, what made you think that you could just walk up to some house in the middle of this realm and expect to not only get lodging, but maybe a bath and or a warm meal?’ Deo had taken to talking to himself the last few days, and he didn’t particularly like the answers he gave himself. Now he moving along at a slow trot and following no particular path. At this time all he was trying to do was put some space between himself and those who would have him locked away for the rest of his life. “Don’t you figure that somewhere I should be able to find a nice spot to lay my head and call home without the worries of prison?” “Well of course, but it will have to be somewhere out of the way and not known to have a contingent of the military nearby”. At that he yelled at himself to shut up and keep to the task at hand.
While managing to slow back down to a walk, and starting to think about what next. He discovered that when he yelled at himself he had apparently offended that part of his mind and it was content not to come back right at this moment. Oh well Deo thought as he continued walking.
As the trees started to thin and the breeze of late afternoon brushed across his face Deo started to daydream, and as he did he was again abruptly awakened from this as a large shadow crossed overhead. Looking up all thoughts said run, and run he did. Headlong into a low-lying hedgerow and over he went in a jumble of flailing arms and legs. Landing hard and trying to catch his breath Deo inspected himself for injuries, and when he found nothing wrong he rolled over and started an inventory of his gear. “Oh isn’t this just my luck”. He said to himself as he reached for his packs and found that the one with the fresh meat was still there, but the one with all his cooking tools, and other essential gear had fallen off during his hurried flight. Just then he heard a sound like the fluttering of a thousand doves taking flight, and he jumped under the cover of the hedgerow. While under there he managed to find his other pack. As per his day it happened to be about four feet away from the hedge, and he wasn’t about to run out and get it. “Imagine that”. The voice said to him as he looked at the pack and all he could do was lay his head in his pack and realize that this pack would not help him hide from a dragon.
Deo was abruptly awoken from his thoughts when he felt the wind start rushing by him at an extraordinary speed. “Why are you going down so fast?” He yelled at Mesacadi, but either she couldn’t hear him, or she chose not to acknowledge that he was speaking. At first he thought it was the first until he glanced back and spotted another dragon following them in this dive at the mountaintop that was rapidly approaching them. Deo now had truly felt what he thought was every type of fear in his life. He had been through bloody battles that he never should have survived, a deadly illness that claimed half of the first unit he was assigned to, and he had even encountered a rogue dragon while on patrol. But this however seemed to bypass anything that he could have ever thought up. Even in his twisted and confused little mind right now. Plummeting towards a mountain peak on dragon back without a harness. While being chased by another dragon. Even though the other was smaller than Mesacadi it would still have no trouble helping them find the ground faster than necessary.
With that thought in his mind he clasped his arms as tightly to her back as humanly possible, and closed his eyes. While waiting for the inevitable he was shocked to here his friend say something. “Tell her to let it get close and when it’s close enough I’ll attack it with…. Well I’ll figure something out”. “Ok now that is definitely the last thing I ever want to hear from you, and I mean it this time”. “Every one of your ideas are dangerous and make me hate you even more”. “Goodbye”.
As he came back to reality Deo decided to yell one more time at her and see if she could hear him. “What’s going on?” He yelled. “We’re being chased by one of my old nest mates you idiot what did you think was going on?” Oh I know maybe it’s a contest to see who can fall the fastest, and hit the ground hardest?” Meacadi said with just a little bit of sarcasm in her voice mixed with a bit of anger. Just for kicks he yelled back again and instantly wanted to punch himself very hard in the face to help shut him up. “ Why don’t you slow down and when he gets close I’ll attack him”. “What was that last part?” She asked. “Never mind it was nothing”. As Mesacadi went back to what needed to be done, Deo was nursing the chunk of tongue that now swelled in his mouth. Hoping that he would come out of this alive and with at least most of himself intact was his only hope right now. Deo now rested not only his head, but also his hopes on the shoulders of this creature that for some reason was protecting him.
She had figured that she might have been followed, but of all her nest mates she would never have expected “Stavious” to be the one to find her. He was a strong, swift young black, but she had never thought him bright enough to track her. Amongst his peers he was nearly unmatched in aerial combat, and could hold his own when it came to magic, but his mental state was easily toyed with. Most of his foes could easily get him to “rage”, and with that knowledge Mesacdi started to play games with the young black. “Well it’s about time that you showed up”. She said. No reply, but he dipped his head into his dive am little further, and she knew that he was now a future victim. “How about we settle down in that small valley there and talk this over like civilized beings?” “No, I guess I need to consider you a threat, but I really have trouble envisioning you doing any harm too me.” Now he was starting to snarl, and as he showed his teeth Mesacadi could hear the intake of air as Stavious was preparing to attack with a blast of searing acid. She started to bank slightly to the left, and as he dipped to her right shoulder and started to spit the acid at them Mesacdi quickly pulled up close and near the black’s hind quarters. With a quick, small blast of electricity into his leg he banked away, and temporarily broke off the pursuit. After regaining some altitude, and checking on Deo she started taunting the young wyrm again. “I realize that a beast like you must feel like this fight cannot possibly be won after I wounded you like that, and as such I accept your surrender”. Mesacadi’s statement was oozing with sarcasm and yet another attack at his ego. His reply although expected was surprising in it’s tone. “Well yes I am gravely wounded and I would like to surrender, but I think I have it in myself to attempt to continue”. Stavious was not known to be a big talker during a fight, and this was worrisome to Mesacadi. He was noticeably upset and her plan to start his rage was working, but it seemed as if he were holding back. As if waiting for something or someone, and then she realized that he wasn’t the only dragon on the hunt. “So when does the real hunter get here so I can stop playing these children’s games and really start to fight?” She said this as much to get him even more riled up as she did to take the time to look for his backup. “Child?” “How dare you call me a child you ancient beast of burden”? His rage was at its peak now, and as she looked for the help that must be coming his acid breath belted her hard in the hindquarters. The acid burned her tail, splashed across her legs and up onto her back. Mesacadi felt the burst of pain as it settled onto her scales, but she knew that it was merely a scratch. “How does it feel to know that I will be the one to end your tragic and dreadful existence?” Stavious bellowed as he banked to get into position for another pass.
That was all she had been waiting for. The young black had raged himself into the point of no return, and now she would teach him the error of his ways. With the agility of a hawk she quickly turned a complete 180 degrees, and attacked her boastful attacker. She let loose a large blast of electric energy, and as he tried to dodge that she lunged at his exposed underbelly. With her claws quickly tearing through his scales, and her sword like teeth biting deep into his neck Mesacadi had briefly forgotten about her passenger. Deo was clinging for his life to the scales of her back, and try as he might he couldn’t help but think that he was about to die and become a large and unknown splotch of red inside of flattened armor lying on the forest floor. “Hey at least you’ll be able to feed some poor hungry animal”. His friendly voice chimed in. At that same moment She had realized the danger that Deo was in being underneath the two dragons as they battled. With well-trained skill and the natural ability of a dragon Mesacadi tilted the two grappling dragons and brought herself to the top. As he fell back onto her back he realized that he had to do something before all three of tem became food for who knows what animal when they hit the ground.
Not really know what to do exactly he decided to try and rope himself to the dragon. “Oh son-of-a bitch! The rope just so happened to be in the pack that he dropped in his attempted escape in the woods. Well with that option gone his only chance of helping was to try and scale the dragon inch by inch and get his sword into some vital point on the black. The first part appeared to be the harder of the two parts, but then he realized that the only spot that a human with a sword could hope to injure a dragon were on the head. And Deo recognized the inherent danger involved in getting close to a dragons’ mouth, let alone one that is currently engaged in a life and death battle with another pissed off dragon. Meanwhile they continued to fall at an ever-increasing speed towards their untimely demise.
“What about his wounded leg from the first blast?” He said to himself as he looked over to see the hind leg of the black reaching up towards the wing of Mesacadi. Reacting as quickly as possible he pulled his sword from the sheath and dove at the leg burying it past the hilt and up to his wrist. Not believing the strength that he had just displayed he withdrew the sword, and thrust it into the same wound with every bit of power he could muster. This time Stavious howled in pain and released his grip on Deo’s mount. Deo had plunged his sword into the leg deep enough that he was up to his elbow as the black pulled away. He could feel his arm sliding out of the bloody mess that was Stavious’ leg. “Help me!” He yelled at the top of his lungs as he felt himself pull free from the leg.
Freefall was a very interesting feeling, and if it weren’t for the impending impact Deo knew was coming he thought that he would rather enjoy it. What with the wind blowing in your ears, the feeling of freedom from all attachments, and that everything was peaceful in the world. It was just too bad that he would be dying at the end of his flight. Just as he thought all was lost the large talon of Mesacadis’ claw plucked him from the air.
The relief he felt at that moment was tremendous. As Deo looked up at her and opened his mouth to give his thanks he noticed the large wound near her neck, and it extended almost all the way to her left shoulder joint. Mesacadi said nothing, but she was clearly loosing what strength she had left and would need to land very soon to have the wound tended to. Choking back his emotions Deo yelled to her “are you alright?” even though the answer was obvious. Still no reply from the great blue was coming, “Please land as soon as possible so I can look at your wounds”, Deo added as he again felt tears well up in his eyes. This creature doesn’t even know me, and yet she risked everything to save my life. Why? Was all he could ask himself?
They landed in a small ravine near the tallest section of the mountains. As they did so Mesacadi nearly crumpled to the ground immediately. Deo leaped from her back and ran towards her wounded neck. The wound was deep, but fortunately not very wide. With guilt in his eyes he turned to look at his savior, and said the only thing he could think of. “Thank you.” With a slight chuckle she answered, “You are very welcome”. As she did a blast of pain shook her body and she laid her head on the ground, and closed her eyes.
After what were only a few moments, but seeming like an eternity to him Deo asked her if there was anything he could do to help, or anything she needed? “Well you could get me something to eat,” she said in short gasps of air. The pain was obviously bothering her, but if she wanted to eat he would get her some food. As Deo lowered the pack off of his shoulders, and was pulling out his knife and sword he suddenly realized that she was quietly giggling at him. Before he could even ask, the answer hit him flat in the face. How could he possibly hope to feed a hungry dragon? He had no bow to shoot any prey, if he did he didn’t know anything about where they were, and lastly (but most important) how would he get enough meat to feed her back to her by himself. As he stepped around to her head Deo asked her with a slight chuckle “is there anything I can do for you that is possible?” Mesacadi opened her eyes and again shared her grin with him. As he smiled back at her, he realized that they would be helping each other through whatever they could for at least the very near future. With that knowledge he began to do what he could for her wounds and thanked the gods that this day was over.
