Lost Rider- Book 2

Six

Lorelie is in the picture.

The horse, rider, and fox, galloped on for hours. The road was empty and the only people Lorelie had seen were the hunters, and Tyvyana. Finally, after a whole day of travelling, a small town came into view. The torches were lit and some firelight could be seen from house windows.  

The wall around the civilisation, was sturdy yet strong. Magnum slowed his pace as they neared the gates. This town would probably be protected by guard dragons, due to the fact that it was where Barnock the great had hatched.

Barnock the great had been a magnificent beast, with dark blue-grey scales and brilliant sky-blue eyes. Most of the existing legends state that he is the son of the sky and the sea. Many, many, moons ago, Barnock assisted in a war. Warning the King and queen before the enemy army could enhance their march.

He was the first dragon to be ridden by a human. His rider being the King. When the war ended, Barnock made an alliance with his rider and the kingdom. As long as he lived, peace would settle between dragons and men.

Though, he had not been seen for many years. Some say he'd gone into hiding. Others say he was killed by hunters. But, Lorelie believed he was out there, watching, and waiting for the right moment. After all, if he were dead, there would not be peace.

A grey dragon flew over the wall and landed in front of the horse, rider and fox. She growled fiercely at them. Lorelie was unaffected by the growl, having heard that same growl a thousand times over.

"What is your business here?" The dragon asked. All guard dragons were trained to speak humanly, Incase a mind-barrier was too strong for them too break. All except for the bright ones, if a guard dragon had eggs and one hatchling was too bright of colour. They became a wild.

"I seek a tavern, and Inn to rest in" Lorelie replied, pulling gently on Magnum's reigns as he hopped from foot-to-foot. The steed had been around dragons before of coarse, but none were this big.

The guard narrowed her eyes. But, eventually decided that nothing was suspicious about the trio. With a nod of her head, the town gates opened and Magnum quickly trotted past the dragon.

The settlement was alive with voices. Mothers told stories to their children, and elders told them tales of Barnock the great. A group of scrawny little boys ran around the streets laughing and sparring with wooden swords. Men returned to their beds, after a long days work

Few stopped to stare at the hooded rider, most stared at the fox perched on her shoulders. But others barely glanced her way. Making it to the centre of town, Lorelie noticed the huge statue built in the middle. A large dragon, with a crystal star around his neck. The dragon-rider immediately recognised him as Barnock.

Tearing her gaze away from the magnificent monument, Lorelie walked Magnum over to the Tavern and Inn. A large stone building on the far side of the town square. After removing Ronyo from her shoulders, the ginger dismounted her gelding.

"Stay here, boy" She muttered to Magnum, rubbing his neck. Magnum snorted, eyeing some other horses tied to a post. When he came to realise that his new master wouldn't tie him up, he relaxed and began to much on weeds.

Laughter boomed from inside the Bar, as well as horrible singing voices and yelling men. However, when Lorelie entered, everything fell quiet. Most of them glanced down at the little fox that poked his head out from under her cloak.

"No animals allowed" the bartender warned. Disregarding his warning, Lorelie scowled at the man and took a seat at a table in the corner, hidden in the shadows. Ronyo lay at her feet comfortably.

The chatter had resumed in the small tavern, luckily the scratchy singing didn't start up again. The dragon-rider sat there for a couple of hours, contemplating the day's events. Becoming bored, Lorelie got up from her seat and made her way to the counter.

"A room" She stated, dropping two silver coins on the bar-top. The bar tender seemed nervous, he hurriedly grabbed the coins in one handful.

"R-Room 3" Lorelie raised and eyebrow, she lifted her head a little, so that he could partially see her face in the light provided by the fire.

"Come, Ronyo" Lorelie called, treading lightly up the stairs. Ronyo hurriedly got up and followed his master.

"Strange one, she was" a coal miner said to the bar owner.

"She's one of 'em riders" the owner replied cooly, wiping the bar down with a cloth.