Vikings Book 1: The Dragon tamer [Rewriting]

Chapter I - Beggining

Year 364 I.E. Pre Kollosus (123 years after the scourge)

"It was the hottest day of summer, and the sun on my back was digging in its claws like a frightened chicken as I struggled to walk down the dusty road, heading back to town." The traveling bard said, from the stage of the tavern.

A place filled with half-rats and church-bells, stench of cheap mead wrapped around the room, the walls of the tavern where somehow made of rich Mahogany wood, tables filled with junk and spoiled plates of meat and apparently drunkards too.

"Then the most oddest thing happened." The bard continued, "The rain-swollen clouds turned the afternoon dark as a coffin. Near the frigid mountain of Meril, snake like limbs draped over the abandoned peak of the mountain. With wings like a black curtain big enough to hide a mare within it."

The crowd watched him with rapt attention.

"It was a dragon!" The bard continued, "But not just any dragon, its form stood confident in the peak of the mountain, a black magnificent beast with humongous horns, impenetrable steel-like skin, wings etched with scars, that's when I realised it was a Snape Drake! One of the last of its kind. Its eyes gazed upon me like the cold night. It breathed heavy smoke but no fire came out. I rushed back home and warned the others but it turned out that the dragon didn't mind me. And so it went forth to venture the vast lands of Raxus."

The crowd was somewhat disappointed by the bard's story. They were booing and hissing at him. Could be worse, wait until they see what I have to offer.

By the way, I'm Hitch. A blond haired boy, tall, freckles on the face. You know, average looking guy dressed in gas-pipes and not too shabby clothing.

The stench of the place bombarded my nostrils, pulling me back to the horrid reality of the tavern.

"Poor lad." I said, "People here hate dragons. If only I was there to help them..."

"Who are you talking to?" The Barman asked.

"Nobody, tough crowd you got here." I said, "One glass of your finest whiskey please."

The bartender whipped me up a glass and I helped myself to it.

"Who are you boy? And what's your bidding in these parts?"

"Hitch is the name."

"What makes you say you could've saved them?" The Barman asked, "Dragons are impeccable creatures, they can't be tamed."

"That's what they all say." I replied, "But I believe there is a chance for peace."

"What makes you say so? Have you encountered a dragon that didn't try to kill you?" The barman said.

Three others including the barman laughed at me. I guess it was time.

I let out a loud and sharp whistle. My companion bursts through the door, at first they couldn't see it. Then they all screamed. Xenoch slowly crawled inside the bar with hostility.

"Dragon!" A woman bawled, the others were too afraid to speak or move.

"Aye, it is." I proclaimed, "This is a mighty Scorlock. They are gentle and intelligent creatures."

The dragon growled at me. "Oh yeah, His name is Xenoch. He is about my age, 25 to be exact."

"You see? They're not as dangerous as we think." I explained, "With enough loyalty and friendship we can tame them."

"Who are you?" A stranger in a hood asked. "A boy walks into a bar and proclaims he can tame dragons?"

"My name good sir, is Hitch." I said, "And I am seeking people's support in taming dragons."

"What makes you think we would help you?" The man said, as he lifted his hood. "What makes you so sure that we can trust these beasts?"

"First of all they are not beasts, they are companions." I said, "And like I said earlier with enough trust a dragon can be your best pal."

"Like hell we will!" The crowd shouted.

"Go get them!" A woman shouted.

They all ran and grabbed anything as a weapon. I managed to duck behind Xenoch and his tough dragon skin made the blades bounce against it. I signalled him to go and he grabbed me by the shoulder and took off to another town.

"You mongrel! Don't come back with your hideous monsters!" A random citizen shouted.

"Well." I said, "Time to move on to another town."

Xenoch let out a complain, I scratched his head. "It's alright, somebody's gonna come to our help."

The next town we are going to is the town of Sorthal. I once remembered my dad taking me there and buying me an axe so that I can defend myself from dragons. I let out a sigh and forced myself to forget it.

It was already dusk and Xenoch was growing weary. We better get settled for the night.

I caught some salmon on the river for us to eat. Xenoch had already started a fire.

I couldn't be happier that I was worthy enough to ride him. He was the last of his specie.

His hide was thick as a rock, its wings as big as the curtains of our clan hall. His white skin was elegant clearly showing the rest of its kin that he was superior. His form, normal compared to his stout kin.

Oh what a magnificent creature! I told myself.

We were completely opposites. I was a ragged man who grew up in the streets. When I got older I joined the town's knight guards. But then I decided that this was not for me.

I am not like this, even as a child I am one of those who give more rather than leeching on others.

Until one day I met Xenoch. I was head of the attack squadron that was supposed to destroy their nest. I found him trapped in boulders of rocks and so I helped him, my men saw me and charged the dragon. All of my men died because they were the first to attack. These creatures didn't mean to harm us, I couldn't save them. When I returned to town they called me a traitor, I was thrown on exile just because I couldn't kill a dragon.

But the harsh Earl of our town couldn't accept the tragic fate of his guards. He told the guards to take me captive and execute me in the dungeons.

It was so bright that night, for the first time I didn't feel afraid that I was going to die.

It was that night that Xenoch saved my life. The dragon returned the favor!

And so until now we stick together side by side in search of others who are willing to learn the secrets of the dragons.

--
Author's Note:

Hey! This is the revised edition for chapter one, tell me what you think of the changes. Thank you so much!

-SE