Short Stories From Kori and Dargon, Volume 1

An Uneventful Morning (Ch 1)

Dargon awoke with a yawn. Stretching his wings, he observed the sunrise from the safety of his cave.
"Overslept again," He muttered to himself. "If I don't find anything today, I'll starve."

It had been over a month since he had eaten his last meal, and starvation was a possibility within the coming weeks.

He glanced towards the back of the cave, then outside, towards the snow-capped pines of the mountainside.
"I have to find something. I have to."

He stepped outside, the cold winter air refreshing in comparison with the stagnant air inside the cave. The snow crunched under his massive feet as he walked out into the gray light.

The only thing missing was the sound. No birdsong filled the air. Not a single breeze disturbed the snow on the trees and cliffs around him. "Too silent," he said to himself.

He smelled the air for any hint of predator or prey, also scanning the snow for tracks, and there they were, clean in the snow; Deer tracks. He could smell its scent in the air. 'Finally, food,' he thought to himself.

He carefully followed the tracks, making as little sound as possible. He couldn't afford to mess up.
The scent slowly grew stronger and stronger as he followed the tracks.

'Slow.. no sound,' he thought. His orange scales would be a dead giveaway in the green and white surroundings.

Finally, he saw it. It was a large buck, a prize catch would be an understatement. He dropped into a crouch, preparing to dive for its neck. 'I'll live,' he thought gleefully.

Suddenly, the snow itself seemed to rise and snatch the deer. Upon the realization that his survival depended upon this kill, he dashed forwards at whatever entity was trying to take it from him.

It was another dragon, but unlike the natural warm color-hued fire dragons in the area, this one was white. He could tell that this dragon wasn't like most, but that didn't make a difference. He needed this kill.

He tackled the dragon, trying to get the deer. It slid away, grunting heavily.

"This is my kill," She hissed at him, "Mine!"
Not responding, he grabbed the limp body and took off, the female dragon roaring behind him.

He chanced glancing back, only to see the dragon skulking back into the trees. He let out a sigh of relief. He would live.