Song Fables

Hey, Runner! (Part 1)

A light blue and purple painted the sky of the kingdom, with wispy clouds that were glowing a golden color from the sun that had just passed the horizon. Bustling city streets with cobblestone pavement and brick buildings that lined every corner, which beamed with life. All of these buildings led to giant palaces and castles that rose over all else. Mountains, oceans, and giant caverns decorated the terrain, looming ominously in the distance. What was most different of all, though, was the dragons. 

Large reptilian creatures, some threefold bigger than whales, some reaching heights taller than giraffes when standing, and almost all of them being carried by large wings that let the wind guide them. Dragons of different species and varieties where numerous, flying through the air at top speeds or perched upon rooftops and spikes of castles. 

In a carriage sat a young man, with a light complexion and dusty dark hair that almost covered his eyes. He watched from the window as cities passed by him, turning into towns, turning into rural farming populations, where almost no one lived. 

"So, your heading to the grand finals, hm?" His chauffeur looked back at him. "Must be scary. I heard the race was going to have one of the largest turnouts in history."

Tin's heart dropped deeper into his stomach, a sense of dread consuming him quickly as the driver spoke more. "Yep. More people have been interested in the sport lately, I think it's because of how many dragon breeders that have been popping up recently. People are able to get their hands on one more easily." He replied, looking backwards to try and see his dragon, Hera, who had been put to sleep in a large cage that was being carted along to the finals. 

"Rumor has it a lot of the competitors don't even have a proper license yet." The chauffeur spoke in a hushed tone, as if he didn't want others to hear him, despite there being no one else in the carriage. 

"I'm sure they get disqualified. Of course they would. No one wants any cheaters or felons representing their kingdom." Tin sighed, shaking his head. He worked and studied for years to get a dragon riding license, and to see others, especially talented racers, who hadn't done the same made him sick. 

The rest of the drive was mostly monotonous conversation, something Tin absolutely despised. 

Finally, they arrived at the foot of a grand palace that stood hundreds of feet in the air. There were paths that led visitors around it, but seemingly no way to get up to the actual building. Tin got out of the carriage and admired the architecture, how stable the palace stood, elegantly above all else, gold and white reflecting off of it. He stepped back and unlocked Hera's cage, coaxing the beast out and onto the grassy plains that they both stood on. 

"Good evening, beautiful." Tin's hands went to either side of Hera's body, which was covered head to toe in microscopic silver scales that got larger and larger at her back and tail, which swayed around the both of them. Hera's head lowered to meet with Tin's, and her eyes closed as he held her head close to him. Her back arched and she stooped further down to the ground, blowing cool wind on Tin's face which blew his hair away from his eyes. 

Hera was a magnificent beast, with large horns that curled up from the back of her spiked head. She had rows and rows of razor sharp teeth and soft scales that pointed up and went down her long neck like a horse's mane. Two wings sprouted from her shoulders, fleshy and almost see-through when put under light. Her claws where just as sharp and numerous as her teeth, and her hind legs tapered to a slim tale that floated in the wind. Hera was more thin and nimble than other dragons, due to the fact that she was of the air variety, bred to fly and harness wind. All her scales were completely silver, except for her eyes and belly scales that looked pearly white.