Beyond this World - Dragon warrior (Book 1/?)

Chapter 1 (Part 1)

In the land of Deckos, many people lived as peasants in village houses guarded by the kingdom's stone walls. Some had the luxury of becoming knights for the king's army. On the other side were adventurers, who got to see the world. The outside world was dangerous, for the world is filled with magic and many monstrous creatures and mystical beasts and not many people dared to confront them. Some knights were found cowards when it came to slaying one of the creatures. However if they manage to do so, they are praised for all eternity and have written down their names in history.

A young man by the name of Aaron Fletcher was on his path to knighthood; positioned as a squire to one of the most known knight of the whole kingdom Sir Cameron; a man that caused awe among the common folk and nobles as he passed by them. As a man of honour and a loyal servant to his king none dared to dismiss his word as unreliable or untrustworthy. He took his squire and left for his usual patrol.

The chain armour chimed to the rhythm of the horse's gallop. The boy with black curly hair gazed around trying his best to memorize his surrounding if he was to one day patrol this area. Sir Cameron spied at him, turned his gaze back on the path and smirked. He thought to himself how much the boy behind him had grown; he raised him and had every reason to be proud. Cameron taught him how to wield a sword and how to fire an arrow and it made the boy one of the best among his peers.

"Sir Cameron...?"The boy called out to him. Cameron turned to meet his eyes waiting for whatever question was follow up. "How long before we return back to Arkbowel?" He could tell from his eager eyes he had something on his mind, he was usually thrilled to be outside.

Sir Cameron smiled, hummed and looked at the sky that turned pinkish. "I can safely assume around 3 to 4 hours. However it's getting dark, it would be safer to settle for the night and continue onwards tomorrow." He carefully deduced their plan. He recalled there being a clearing up ahead to the left.

They got off their mounts and gathered the wood for the fire while there was still some sunlight left. It got dark soon, and the fire crackled; its sparks flying towards the sky. Sir Cameron poked at it with a stick, shuffling the branches around; Aaron took out a piece of bread and split it in two then handed a half to his mentor. Cameron took a bite out of it.

"We will need more wood for the fire." Cameron hunched over preparing himself to stand up; Aaron jolted up instead, startling the knight ever so slightly.

"I'll take care of that, there is no need for you to worry about that. I'm younger." The boy replied and rushed off into the dark forest. Cameron yelled behind him, cursing his name for acting rash and underestimating his mentor's capabilities.

His eyes still haven't adjusted to the darkness so he stumbled several times over. Aaron liked accompanying Sir Cameron but even so he'd desire some freedom to his name and Cameron understood that so he lets him run wild sometimes like the wild spirited person he was.

The forest echoed from the chirping of crickets and some nocturnal birds and critters. He walked around carefree for the most part when he heard a sound unusual to nature; a sound of rattling chains. He knew well he shouldn't approach carelessly should it turn out to pose a danger to him; moreover he should return to Sir Cameron and inform him about it.

But he didn't; something told him not to do that. Was it his pride that stopped him; thinking that if Cameron saw him cowards back, he wouldn't be seen as worthy anymore? Aaron strained his ears trying to narrow down the location of the sound which was somewhat difficult with the chirping of crickets. He slowly approached and with caution.

The chain rattling became more consistent, intertwined with another sound, a sound of struggling and growling. He peeked from behind a tree. A wolf with ashen grey fur that got caught in a hunter's trap; it growled and bit its ankle attempting to free itself before noticing Aaron's presence. The wolf's aggression turned towards the human boy; it snarled and retreated backwards as much as it could.