Feldora

Forest's Edge

Renny was getting closer to the edge of the forest. The trees were now spaced out and the forest was safer. At last Renny reached the edge of the forest. He gazed out to see a small village nestled in the bend of a river. In the distance he could see a castle. But the castle was hazy with smoke and many of the towers had been snapped like twigs.

Renny wandered if there would be any old food in the village. He trekked across the farmlands towards it. At last he reached the edge of the village. Food carts trundled by and many people were shopping but an aura of sadness surrounded the village. Renny managed to grab a bread roll off of a cart without being seen. Suddenly, a commosion arose.

"Revenge against the dragons!" people screamed. Many of them wielded spades and pitch forks. "We must strike back against the dragons and destroy their eggs. To the dragon nesting plateau!" the mob screamed. Renny looked at them curiously. Dragons must have attacked this village recently.

Renny had never seen a dragon up close but he had seen their majestic forms soaring high above the forest. They looked so cool. The mob set off towards the forest. Beyond the green trees that Renny called home rose a tall cliff. The Dragon Nesting Plateau.

What if the people harm the forest on their way, thought Renny. People who wern't used to the forest terrified the harmless animals and attracted the dangerous ones. I'll follow them, Renny decided. The mob made their way back across the fields. They entered the shadows of the woods, Renny following close behind. There were about thirty people in total. They hacked their way through the undergrowth, scaring away small animals.

At the end of the day, the people reached the deep woods. They would need to cross it to reach the plateau. Renny gulped as the trees turned black and their dark leaves blocked out the light. The branches whispered threats. Some of the people showed signs of fear but they didn't turn back.

Suddenly, a roar filled the air. A shape hurtled across the path, dragging down a man. It was a black tiger with blue stripes, a creature known as a yin. The yin returned to strike again but a heroic person hit it with a shovel. The yin growled and slunk away to enjoy the prey it had already caught.

These people don't belong here, whispered the trees. Renny stopped and listened. It was unusual for the trees to speak in words.

They will be gone soon, Renny replied telepathically. The trees rustled angrily. One dropped a branch and it narrowly missed the mob.

Suddenly, determined stomps appeared behind Renny. He ducked into the bushes as another group of people came into view. It was a girl in a long dress surrounded by armoured guards.

"What do you think you're doing!" the girl shouted. The people wheeled around, their faces pale with shock.

"Greetings, Princess . . . Lestra," a man said. He said the name as though at first he couldn't remember it. That's odd. How could you forget the name of your own princess, Renny thought.

"We, we are going hunting for the dragon eggs. In revenge," the person said, unsure of how the princess would react. She stared at him for some time.

"Well I'm coming with you," she ordered. The other people nodded blankly. They kept on jounying well into the night. At midnight, a familiar sound echoed through the dark trees.

Yuk tik tuk ti ta.

Yuk tik tuk ti ta.

Renny looked out into the darkness, searching for the Spindler. He could see its silhouette in the shadows.

"Get the repel runes ready," barked a soldier. Renny looked at them curiously. Repel runes were very usful but hard to make. Suddenly a spindler leapt in front of the group. Its white eyes were wide open and Renny felt himself being drawn towards it. A person at the front ran towards the spindler.

"No!" someone shouted.

"Repel!" a soldier shouted as he threw a rune. Renny gasped. The rune was made from marble! À cream coloured flame shot out of the small white charm. The flame leapt over the heads of the people and hit the spindler in the head. The spindler shut its eyes in that silent pain before galloping away.

The group settled down for the night. They cast protection runes before setting up tents. Renny made a small nest of leaves just out of the circle of light. Just as he prepared to sleep, footsteps sounded behind him.

"Who are you?" a voice asked. Renny shot up onto his feet. The princess stood before him, her face lit up with curiosity. Renny prepared to run away into the woods but the princess grabbed him.

"I won't hurt you, I just want to know why you're here," then princess said. Renny's eyes scanned her nervously.

"My name is Renny," he said slowly.

"Well Renny come sit with us, you look like you're hungry," said the princess. Renny slowly followed her into the firelight. The princess offered him a bowl of soup. "My name is Lestra," said the princess. Her eyes were curious but a cloud of sadness hung around her head. Renny wondered why.

"What are you doing here?" Lestra asked. Renny looked at her unsurly. He looked around the camp at the brown tents pitched around the clearing in the dark woods. Eyes glittered in the darkness but the strong marble runes kept them at bay.

"Its ok, we can talk in the morning if you're not up to it," said Lestra. Her eyes were kind.

"I live in the forest. I can't remember my parents or where I came from. I called myself Renny," he said. That was his story. He couldn't remember past when he was around nine. He was about twelve now.

"Well, Renny, you can travel with us. We're going to avenge my sister against the dragon Kersus. Join our quest," Lestra said. Renny nodded nervously. He was given a spot in a tent where he was to sleep. But sleep didn't come for a long time.