The Dragon's Arena

Chapter 1 - Captured

(Pollian POV)
Pollian quivered with full blown fear. She couldn't see who her captors were, didn't know where they were taking her, didn't know why they were taking her away from her family and home. She had been dozing out in the sun, her fur rustled gently in the wind, and the sail that stuck up menacingly from her back soaked up the rays as if it was golden dew. Pollian was close to falling asleep when rough hands pinned her snout down to the ground. Before she could do anything a sack was pulled violently over her head and secured. Her four forelegs and back legs were dragged together and bound tightly. Pollian was ascending into the sky before she could think to try and escape. She heard a distant chuckle and tears built up in her eyes; her captor was laughing at her. It was some time before Pollian felt her captor slow; she had long ago pulled her sail close to her back because of the drop in temperature. At long last, she was dropped to the ground with a soft thud.

“That was easier than I thought it would be,” a voice off to Pollian's left commented.

“Yea, they stupid Layag was just laying out in the sun for us to carry off,” someone else said with a scratchy voice. Pollian guested they were a griffin or something similar.

“ARE YOU CRAZY!?” a deep voice roared so loud it made Pollian jump, “Is this what you flew off to do brother? To kidnap an extremely peacful creature? You disappoint me.”

“I didn't do it for your approval Drake,” the voice to her left defended himself.

“I doubt that our father would approve of this anymore than I would,” the individual called Drake spat back at his brother, “now send your thugs away before father comes, we've been looking for you all day.” Pollian could tell that the others present didn't need any further incentive because she could hear them scurry off. Drake and his brother must be important people and have a powerful father to have that effect so quickly.

“Draden! We have been looking everywhere for you,” someone new joined in the fray, “Where have you been?”

“Father, you’ll never guess what I found for your birthday,” the person called Draden spoke excitedly, “It's a Layag to fight in the arena.”

“The are-” Drake was cut off by his father.

“Draden, how did you pull that off?”

“He-”

“She,” drake interrupted. Until that moment, Pollian was sure that both of them had forgotten that she lay only a few feet, if that, away from them.

“What?” Draden paused.

“Your male Layag is actually female.”

“Ok, she was just laying out in the sun, dozing off. It was child’s play to sneak up on hi… her and bind her mouth and legs. Then I carried her back here.”

“Father, you must see that we need to put her back. Layags are thought to be not just incredible dangerous in general, but also very shy creatures. She has likely never been very far from the forest in which she grew up and is probably terrified right now. Can you not see how still she is?” Drake spoke with such emotion and conviction, Pollian’s heart soared with hope that his father would listen.

“You can release her after the celebrations, let father have a little fun. I’ve heard that Layags can kill with a single look like the infamous Basilisk,” Draden said nonchalantly.

“I agree with Draden, I do need to execute some criminals anyway and this is the best way to do it,” as their father spoke, Pollian’s heart fell, “Drake help one of the guards bring her to  the fermata’s den for the night.” Fermata's den isn't anywhere close to here, why would he say that? Pollian thought. After that, she heard several pairs of footsteps walking away.