The Dragon Tree

Nightmares

Nightmares

Tonka walked out of the meeting hall after everyone had left. He headed up the stairs. The rain had stopped and the peak of the sun was showing.

He walked up he stairs and noticed the cape had been taken. He walked into the master bedroom. Kosmin's and Vanessa's items and clothing had been removed and replaced with Tonka's items and clothes. He stood in the doorway.

His room felt the same as it had felt when he came here after being scared at night when he had nightmares and would sleep with his father.

Tonka stepped in and closed the door behind him. He took of his helmet and placed it on the table across from the bed. His arm band slipped off when Tonka unhooked the links. He placed the armor on the stand. His chest piece popped off nicely along with every other piece. He left the helmet on the table and the sword was laid at the edge of the bed.

Tonka walked to the closet and slid open the doors. He grabbed some old pants and slipped them on. He walked up to the mirror. His chest bare revealing a clean stomach with muscles rippling. He had a cut from his hip down to his knee but it was covered.

Tonka's brown hair was slightly dirty. His long hair reached down to his neck and it was slightly matted. His pristine blonde eyes stared deeply at himself. His thin lips were caught in a tight frown. His face covered in dirt and mud. His light skin tattered in mud. He walked to the sink in his room and splashed water on his face. He washed his face then sat on his bed.

He stood back up and closed the shutters of the window and closed the blinds. Tonka then walked over to the door and locked it. As he walked to his bed he noticed a slight smudge on his helmet. He rubbed it off with his thumb and spit. And stared at the reflection he saw. He saw his father's face and his mother's eyes. He missed them both. Before he could dwell on their loss he turned and laid in bed.

He rolled on his side and reached to turn off his light. The lights went out and he closed his eyes. His muscles relaxed and his mind traveled.

Tonka began running through the woods. They weren't the woods outside of Kai it was somewhere else. He continued to run. And run. He tripped a few times and stood back up. He began to see small cuts on his legs and arms. From up ahead he heard a tremendous roar. Tonka froze in fear. Not knowing to go forward or head back to wherever he came from. He continued to run forward. His heart pounding a thousand times a second.

He ran his fastest. Feeling his legs give way he stopped to take a breath. His instinct made him whistle. But it wasn't Cail that met him at his side. It was a Dragon. The dragon waited patiently. Tonka stood. He drew his sword. Wait. Where was his sword. He turned it wasn't dropped. It just wasn't right. He would not ride this beast. Its same kind killed his father.

He ran forward ignoring the beast. But it followed. Arrows began to be fired. The dragon flew above him and landed behind him. The dragons massive wing swung to the side of Tonka.

This beast was defending him. Tonka stopped and turned.

"Ok. If you're here for me, then lets go." Tonka grabbed one of its horns off of instinct. He swung around and rested on the dragons neck. The weak spot was gone it was replaced with a saddle and reins. He whacked the reins against the dragons wings.

The dragon took flight.

A larger dragon was insight ahead. Someone was on it as well. Dad. Tonka waved. No response.

He stood on the dragon and waved. The larger dragon collided with his. He tried grabbing the wings or the reins. It was helpless. He began tumbling to the ground. He screamed. Nothing came out. His father stared down and smiled. But it wasn't his father. Who was it? Tonka tried grabbing the dragon again but it was out of reach.

He screamed as much as he could. Nothing was being spoked.

Tonka woke startled he screamed and threw his blankets off. His head ached. He stood and it was hazy. He started leaning then he grabbed the bed post. Tonka's sight began to get better. He held his face in his hand and took a deep breath. He stood and pushed open the window shutters and the blinds. It was at least 10 in the morning. He leaned down and rested his elbows and arms on the ledge. He breathed deeply.

He continued to think of his dream.

Why? Why would his father try to kill him? Why would a dragon defend him.

Nothing made sense. It was confusing. He sat on the floor and laid his head back, staring at the ceiling. Tonka's heart pounded. His hands trembled slightly. He lost the will to fight his thoughts and fell asleep again.