DRAGON AWAKENING

Journey Exposed

               Gairron awoke to the sound of hooves in the nearby forest path. Slowly as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes he got up. He threw on his dark green cloak and his blue eyes flashed grey in the dim light of the morning. His pet squill looked up from its nest in the corner next to Gairron's thin sleeping mat near the back wall of his tiny cabin. Gairron smiled reassuringly at the small lizard like creature and gestured for him to go back to sleep.

"I'm sure it's only Shadow that we hear, go back to sleep", he whispered softly to the now fully alert squill.

             He then stepped quickly but quietly out the door after stopping briefly to pick up his powerful recurve bow and quiver full of arrows. The sound of hooves in the forest had stopped moments previously and his friend and his loyal horse Shadow had yet to appear in the clearing. Gairron knew what was happening a second before the arrow hissed past his left ear but didn't even flinch as it thudded loudly into the tough wood post right behind him.

He shook his head in annoyance and called out into the forest, "For the hundredth time stop trying to scare me with your stupid prank, it's damaging my home".

After a brief pause with no response he rolled his eyes and called out again, "I know it's you  Leon get over here with Shadow".
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           Leon wondered in amazement at how his friend just stood there not even phased by the arrow next to his head. After hearing his friends words he disappointedly walked into the clearing to greet Gairron. His horse Shadow followed him loyal to the bone. Leon stopped briefly at the edge of the clearing and turned to Shadow.

He spoke jokingly to his horse in a defeated tone, "We will get him one of these days".
 
         Shadow sensing his masters feelings shook his mane in amusement. Leon smiled and then as Shadow nudged him  towards his waiting friend with impatience pawing at the soft earth below him. At last Leon pushed his way out of the undergrowth and walked towards the waiting figure of  Gairron. When he arrived at the entrance Gairron smiles and whistles three quick notes and Varn, rushed out the door of the house and leapt up onto Leon's messy hair.

"Gairron nice to see you to but please get your squill off my head", he says as he swats at Varn trying to dislodge the squill from his hair.

          Gairron laughs then whistles again and Varn jumps the short length between the two friends and lands on Gairron's shoulder chirping cheerfully.

"So Leon what brings me the pleasure of this unexpected visit?", Gairron says as he strokes his pets neck.

The pleased look leaves the other boys eyes as he says simply, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news Irron but your uncle is dead and your cabin is being taken from you by the order of lord Felleos." The older boy then hands his shocked friend a parchment.

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          Gairron stares at the piece of parchment that was taking away the home he had loved since he could stand. He looks up at his friend confused as Leon pulls two long packages from Shadow's saddlebag and gives them to Gairron, now close to tears.

"What are these Leon?" , he says despair obvious in his voice.

Leon smiles weakly and says, " I know I'm a few months late but they are your birthday present. They took me weeks to forge."