Shadows of Old

Chapter 1

Tarske Forest was peaceful. The wind blew through the trees, sending leaves traveling across the ground. Small animals scampered along the forest floor and birds floated between trees. Gentle chirps from the birds and snickers from the creatures sounded through the woods, reverberating around every nook and cranny.

I had always loved these sounds. They were calming and alluring. The ambiance of the forest I knew as home called to me, willing me to stay. And so I did. I would be its protector until someone else came along, but this was my job.

The forest thrummed with magic. I could feel it in my bones and veins. It made me feel alive.

I walked along the forest ground, my bow propped in my hand.

Since I had become its protector, the creatures that lived here - both big and small - had come to care for me and favor me. We had a mutual understanding. The smaller creatures liked me particularly as I was a warm protective presence.

One creature was very fond and sat ahead of me in a clearing where wildflowers grew proudly. And what a magnificent creature they were.

Ahead was Amrenelle - an ancient forest dragon that exuded danger. Her scales were made of what looked to be tree bark and moss grew along with the scales. Her legs looked like narrow tree trunks with sharp talons. And on the top of her head were tree branches shaped like antlers, and they sprouted lovely pink flowers.

Upon meeting Amrenelle for the first time, she took a liking to me. She had bestowed upon me the responsibility of becoming protector of the forest and vowed to be a faithful partner, along with assisting in travel.

Today was a Wednesday and we were getting together for a ride. Every week, we went on an air patrol to scout any areas of danger that would need to be investigated and taken care of.

I had come to the forest under mysterious circumstances, not really remembering who I was except that I used to be a magician of sorts in a city by the water. And that I remembered my name.

I walked into the clearing and Amrenelle bowed her head to me. I bowed back.

"Afternoon, Daphne," the ancient dragon spoke.

"Afternoon, Amrenelle," I replied.

I crossed the field and walked right up to her. As a customary greeting, I placed my forehead against hers and she gently nudged me. I stepped back and offered her a smile.

"How has your week been?" I asked.

She let out a huff, which would have been perceived as annoyance if you hadn't known her. That huff actually meant that it had been a decent week and she wished for more entertainment.

Amrenelle looked at me. "Dreadfully boring, but otherwise, I have no complaints."

I smiled. "That's good, I suppose."

The dragon unfurled her wings and I took that as my sign to get on. I swung my leg onto Amrenelle, pulling myself up. I held onto the moss in front of me and she stood up.

Once I had a good grip, she took flight, shooting up into the sky. We flew past the canopy of the trees and were soaring above them, surveying that land below us.

The land looked healthy and unharmed. There were no signs of fire and there weren't any signs of danger.

That was until a deep guttural shout sounded somewhere in the east. My head whipped in that direction and I leaned down to talk to Amrenelle.

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

I could practically feel the dragon roll her eyes. "I hear everything tiny human."