The Dragon's Faith

Fast

DANE:

"Who are you?" I demand, peering at the boy. I thought I heard a rustle in the bushes nearby. Whatever, I'll take care of that later.

"I'm Joseph!" The little boy chirped. "I want to join the Fast! I'm always the best at running in school; I got a 5:23 mile time!"

5:23?! My mile time, which was the fastest in Fast, was 4:55! Considering how little he is now, he'll out run me in a few years! Never mind that, I'll get rid of him by then!

"Who's sweet little son are you?" I asked in a baby voice. I heard a few snickers, but they were put out by his answer.

Marsy.

RANJINI:

Dane went out hunting again. I wonder what he's doing. Whenever Dane goes out hunting, it's to plan an attack. I hope it's not attacking Clever, though, because I specifically told him not to, and I, being the advisor, should have enough power to have him listen to me. We have an agreement with the Clevers, and I really want to keep it.

The war on the Royal Order has been raging for around 17 years now, but each year the Dragon demolishes our best people. Totally ruins survival of the fittest, right? At least nobody else has succeeded yet, either. I would expect Strong to win, but as they're not the sharpest pencil in the box, they haven't won yet.

CRASH! Screams filled the air. What is happening?! Everything was quiet until this chaotic uproar. I looked out the window calmly. It was the Dragon Of The Kingdom!

I raced out to the front of the Court where the Dragon was. It looked angry! Why, this was one of the first attacks from the Dragon! I wonder if the Dragon is just targeting us. Maybe afterwards it'll go to another Court to terrorize the people. Good thing Dane isn't here; he would go up and battle it!

DANE:

"What?!" I grabbed Joseph by the scruff of his collar. "What did you say?"

"I-" Joseph whimpered.

"Speak louder!" I demanded for answers.

"I said-" Joseph was cut off again.

"I said speak louder!" I roared.

"Marsy! I said Marsy!" Joseph screamed.

"Okay." I set him down; roughly. I began in the baby voice. "Now, does she know you're here, my little Joseph?"

"Ye-I mean no. She doesn't know I'm here." Joseph replied bravely.

"Okay." A plan began to form in my mind. "So how about we make Fast your new home?"

"Sure!" Joseph agreed happily, already falling for the plan.

"And at midnight, we'll go to Clever to say a final bye-bye."

You should know already, I was planning to take Joseph hostage. He was mighty important to Marsy, and I wouldn't let her forget that. Tonight, Fast will take on Clever, but with Joseph, we'll win the battle easily. Maybe Ranjini can think up some other ideas.

RANJINI:

The Dragon left Fast in two things: ruins and terror. If there was one thing I could say right now, it would be that the Dragon attack was devastating. Hundreds of our brave Fast army died trying to-not even kill, mind you- ward off the Dragon. It seemed that the Dragon was angry about something. But, even as I was the smartest Fast, I couldn't figure out why. I mean, the Dragon should have known what it was in for when it agreed to be part of the Royal Order, but that's just what the Royals said.

I hope Dale comes back soon. I can't do anything without having to talk to him first.