The Brownlen Saga

Chapter 1

When the dragon attacked the castle, Joshua was already so deep into Brownlen woods there was no way he could get back home in time.

Joshua heard the loud roar from overhead as the massive dragon made its way north to the castle. The beast was so large it momentarily blotted out the morning sun. Huge, leathery wings beat the air as death raced toward the castle. Running as quickly as he could, Joshua slung his bow over his shoulder. He flipped his gray woolen cape over the bow to secure it as he leaped over the fallen logs in his path. He knew the woods well and he knew how fast he could run but he also knew he couldn't outrun a dragon.

The dragon's tail whipped the air as it flew, making a low, menacing swoosh that added to the ferocity of its approach. As it neared the castle, the bellowing sounds, the heavy beating of wings and the slashing tail were all designed to bring terror to the inhabitants of the tall stone building. The dragon slowed slightly as it reached the walls to the castle, its yellow eyes scanning for the weakest point. Dipping its huge head, the dragon flew suddenly eastward, toward the tallest and thinnest turret.

Its wings beat furiously at the air as the beast gained speed, deadly eyes focused on the small archer tower. As the dragon made its approach, the huge wings snapped close to its sides and the dragon became a missile, intent on destruction. At the last second the dragon heaved out one monstrous wing. The heavy wing smashed into the narrow turret, burst through the stone as if it were made of kindling and the solid heavy blocks crashed to the castle courtyard below.

Living in such a remote area in the middle of Brownlen Woods, the family had long ago learned to be self-sufficient and could easily live off the land. But as their land holdings grew, the family began to employ workers to help run the large homestead and work the farm fields. As they purchased more and more land around their castle, they slowly infringed on dragon territory. Everyone in the family had a healthy respect for the dragons and as long as the dragons stayed away, the family would leave them alone. But over the last few months, more and more dragons began to leave the woods and attempt to destroy the castle and the Brownlen family.

The family had only minutes to make it to safety when they heard the howling of the dragon. Sir Billy of Brownlen and his wife Ami had just completed their morning meal and were settling in their resting chairs when they heard the alarm. The guards in the courtyard had spotted the approaching menace and ran to sound the warning horns. Jumping quickly from their chairs, Sir Billy and Ami ran to the outer courtyard. Six of their seven children were gathered to practice their archery and knife-throwing skills on the west courtyard. Their seventh child, Joshua, had left early that morning to scour the woods for materials for a new longbow. He was making a gift for his youngest sister and wanted to pick the wood himself.

"We can't wait for Joshua!" Sir Billy cried. "We need to get everyone to the cellar now!" Sir Billy pulled Ami toward the narrow steps and called out to his children to follow. Their two girls moved quickly after their parents through the low stone opening. The four sons quickly gathered up all the bows, arrows and knives before they ran down the winding staircase. The oldest son Matthew, yanked the heavy wooden door shut and secured it with the wooden beam.