Vikings Book 1: The Dragon tamer [Rewriting]

Chapter V - The Challenge

As the princess led me into the castle I've properly introduced myself as we walked.

"My name is Hitch your majesty." I said.

"I see." She replied, "So, you have travelled alone for quite sometime now?" Emily asked.

"Yes, I have." I said, "In search of other dragon trainers in fact."

"Oh really?" She said, "Then you came to the right place, but this task won't be easy even when I aide you."

"Yeah." I said, "But there are more dragon trainers than just us, we simply need to gather them."

Wow... was she just not cute but kind in heart as well... The way her styled, elegant hair was naturally brown when the light catches it...

"Hitch? Hitch?" She said.

gods I must've been staring..

"Ah yes?" I murmured.

"I said how do you suppose we get to them?" She said, as she sipped from her coffee.

"Uhh, I have a list of their names and locations." I said, as I handed it over to her.

"Really? Did you make this?" She asked.

"Actually, no." I said, "A man gave it to me."

"Who is this man?" She asked, yet again. "How do we know we can trust him?"

"Well I only know his name, His name is Karthus Do Couteau." I said, "And the information on the list is accurate so.."

"Weird, but indeed he helped in a way." She said, "Anyway have you met my dragon yet?"

"I believe no, I haven't."

"Follow me then." She led me through a hallway of fine paintings and furniture of golden linings. We passed another corridor and went out to an indoor garden, a perfect habitat for a Treesnape. The brushes of the garden were so green then fabricated with multicolored flowers. The Treesnape came out of hiding, it changed its color. It positioned itself behind the princess.

"What's his name?" I asked.

"Hahaha." She laughed, with grace. "Her name is Shyvana. She's female."

"Oh, sorry." I said, "Most dragons I've met are male."

"She's unique." Emily said, "I found her on the forest while I was playing around when I was young. I found her badly wounded by traps, I took her home and raised her ever since."

"Captivating." I said.

The Treesnapes were truly mysterious and amazing creatures. Her hide was silken and glowed in the light, pretty much like her trainer. Her wings were not as large as Xenoch's but good enough as well, her tail had barbed spikes on it.

"Would you like to race?" She challenged me, "one lap around the forest, no flying, just pure raw speed."

"Sure." I accepted, "But I have to warn you, Xenoch and I never lost to a challenge."

"Hahaha." She laughed, "Well you haven't met me."

She mounted Shyvana, and I whistled for Xenoch to come. Both dragons seemed anticipated by the race, I mounted Xenoch and followed Emily out of the kingdom to the forest. She halted Shyvana at the entrance to the forest, a path laced through the forest.

"Just follow the path, first one to come out wins." She said.

"May luck be ever in your favor." I said.

"Hahaha, for you as well, fair sir." She said, "Here is where we'll start."

"One, two, three... Go!" We said in unison.

The dragons spurred with blazing speed, both of us neck and neck from the start of the race. Many hazards were easily avoided by the dragons, other animals of the forest stood still as if wondering what was going on.

"Your dragon is quite impressive I might say." She said, as we dashed with speed. "But can you keep track of us? Shyvana it's time to disappear."

They both vanished... the Treesnape used its left wing to cover Emily as well..

We've lost them.. but not the race!

"Let's go Xenoch!" I rallied him, "We can win this!"

The path was coming to a close and still no sign of Emily and Shyvana.

How will I know if they took a shortcut? Dang it..

"Xenoch, can you smell them?" I asked him, "Are we ahead?"

Xenoch nodded.

Only a few more meters.. We can do this..

Something lingered above us. I dont know if it's them or not, but I have to focus.

Yes! I can see it, the finish line is just ahead.

Before we exited the forest, I glimpsed back to check on Emily but a figure above us dove in front and took the lead.

"Hahaha." She laughed "Trick's on you!"

Pretty, Tactical, Competitive,Kind.. What other nice trait does she have? Well maybe because it's part of the royal blood..

They've reached the forest clearing right before us. Xenoch seemed to be okay with that, so am I.

I hopped off of Xenoch to congratulate Emily.

"Wow." I said, "You got a few tricks up your sleeve."

"Thanks." She said, "That was the most fun I had in years, guess I had clearly no one to race with."

She shook my hand and hugged me.

"You're not that bad yourself." She said, as she mounted Shyvana again.

Well I was paralyzed until Xenoch came over and seemed to laugh at me.

"What are you laughing at?" I told him.

Little devil, he's supposed to be on my side...

"Hahaha." Emily laughed, "You're funny, atleast your dragon knows something about love."

"Whatever." I said, "Let's go back to your castle your majesty."

I mounted Xenoch and we made our way back to her castle.

Wait? She knows that I have a-?

I decided to let it pass.

[A/N]

Hey! Thanks for reading! I've put a lot of effort in editing this chapter don't forget to vote! 10 more chapters to go :(