Fireball

Khalid

For many years Fireball spent his days playing with his friends until late afternoon. When the shadows grew long he flew off to meet his father, as he returned home from serving the wizards.

Fireball and Khalid never came directly home. After meeting up and flying over the mountains together, they dove down into the thick forest, thousands of feet below. It was there that they weaved through the woods at very high speeds. Khalid was much larger than Fireball, but his precision, was unmatched. Fireball was faster than his father, but not quite as agile. His skill improved each time they zipped through the trees, narrowly missing so many along the way. Khalid often managed to clip off a few coconuts from the palm trees, as an offering to Malvina. His son was impressed that he could do this without slowing down. The two dragons never took the same route twice, always testing their limits.

Once through the forest, they flew along the narrow stream that led back to their cave. Malvina had dinner ready and as they ate, Khalid told stories about the wizards. Fireball was fascinated by these stories and dreamed of someday meeting a wizard.

One sunny afternoon, as Fireball played games with his friends, he lost track of time. With dusk closing in, he quickly left the group and flew off, attempting to reach the daily rendezvous point with his father, without being too late.

The clouds started to roll in, so Fireball rose high above them, maintaining his speed. He was trying to make up time, not wanting to keep his father waiting. Arriving a little later than normal, Fireball searched the sky. He loved to watch his mighty father cruise along high above and then at the last minute, swoop down in front of him. But that evening, Khalid was nowhere to be seen.

As the clouds thickened a light rain started to fall and darkness began to set in. Fireball found cover under some trees and continued to search the sky for his father. The night grew dark and Fireball became worried. Perhaps his tardiness had caused him to miss his father? Or perhaps the wizards had need of him well into the night. Khalid might already be home, worried about Fireball.

Fireball waited a little longer, but there was still no sign of his father. The rain was heavier now and it was dark. The young dragon knew his mother would be worried, so he decided it would be best for him to head back home.

Flying up high over the mountain tops to avoid the rain, Fireball had never felt so alone. His whole life he had flown this route with his father. As he reached the other side of the mountain, he had no desire to dive down sharply as he always did each day with his father. He glided down gradually, never dipping below the treetops, until he reached the river, which led him home.

As he entered the cave Malvina hugged her son, relieved. Her relief was short lived as she realized that Khalid was not with their son. Something was wrong, Fireball was alone.