BurningRod

Chapter 5

Jackson didn't have to ask. The stallion leaped forward, almost throwing Jackson off it's back. Just like in the forest, his hooves thundered like lightning, except this time, his ears were pinned with a look of terror. His wings were pulled in tight to prevent drag.

The vicious beasts ran in a pack behind them, gaining with every step.Their fur was shaggy and their ribs showed like skin and bone.

The winged horse was foaming at the mouth. They neared the other side of the mountains. The had run at least seven miles without stopping. Jackson was weak and didn't know how much longer he could stay on. His tightest grip was loosening. The wolves were still behind them. Jackson couldn't hold any more. He let go and fell hard to the ground.

The wolves neared. He couldn't do it. He'd die and never make it home. But before he the beasts got to him, Jackson saw the blurry vision of the black stallion bucking and holding his ground between Jackson and the wolves. The horse's neck rounded and so did his back as he threw himself around at the wolves and again, scooped Jackson onto his back. He had just enough time to turn and hold on again before BurningRod took one giant, long, jump up onto a ledge of the mountain with his wings spread wide. He and Jackson both fell to the ground breathing hard as they watched the wolves turn away in defeat because they couldn't reach them on the mountain.

Jackson and the horse slept there that night. The winged creature kept him warm under his wing as it rained.

When the sun marked another day's beginning, the horse nudge Jackson awake. He got up and gave the animal a hug around the neck. He had protected Jackson with his life and Jackson would protect the animal with his.

They made it up and over the mountain before sundown. They had time for a break of water and food from the sack. Again, Jackson thanked the man in his mind.

He wondered how far they'd made it and how much farther they'd have to go. Ahead of them was a field, this time with shorter grass an occasional forest here and there.

The stallion dragged his feet most of the way. Jackson let him walk. He really felt for the horse now. The strength and beauty in ever step he took, it was amazing. They'd make it back together, even through the challenges.

Life seemed to repeat the same misery over and over again.

Heat.

Hunger.

Thirst.

Jackson would refill the water sack when they reached a stream and more food was provided by fruit trees along the way and also some berry bushes. The stallion mostly ate by grazing in the field's grass, but sometimes ate apples from the trees if Jackson would pick it for him.

For several days, Jackson traveled with the horse. They regained strength.

They had to be home soon. Thought Jackson.

He could see that ahead were some trees. could it be home? Could it be the same forest with the nature path and his bike left on the bridge like the man had said? No. It wasn't. It was just another obstacle in the way. Jackson promised himself the, never to get his hopes up again before really knowing if, what ever he was hoping for, was really there.

He sighed, "Common BurningRod."

With a playful leap forward, the stallion went on into the shade of the forest. It was peaceful and quiet except for the sound of the whistling birds and BurningRod's hooves trudging through the leaves of the forest floor. The creature would flick his head awkwardly every time it would hit a spider web.

The winged horse's body furry body was now hardened in mud and his left back leg was lit with red blood from the wolf attack. Luckily, he wasn't limping and didn't seemed bothered by it too much.

They both had regained much of there strength already.

Home can't be much farther. We haven't run into any dangers since the mountains. I think the troubles are over, lets just get home. He thought.

Suddenly, the birds stopped chirping. The pegasus stopped walking. Jackson got off his back.

"What is it buddy?" He looked at the horse. BurningRod was completely still, his ears straight up, his eyes wide, his nostrils huge, and he was looking deep into the woods.

The only sound now was a strange breathing sound. It was very loud, as if the wind itself needed to breath. But it wasn't the wind. It was the breath of a huge living creature.

And then Jackson saw it.

A dragon.