Draegon Rider History (Draft 1)

Chapter 3

Rising early in the morning we were up before dawn. Biding my brothers a farewell for a few days I promised to meet back at our original campsite in five days' time. Not leaving me a whole lot of room to actually hunt as getting to the preferred hunting spot on my trail was a good two day trek.

The journey to the silver mist valley wasn't a problem. In fact it was nice to relax with just my thoughts and the sound of nature. Though the problem being I didn't come upon any good prey to hunt. The valley not being in any better condition.

Getting out of the saddle I squatted down close to the dirt, searching for any signs of large animals such as elk, deer or even wolves. The only tracks I found belonged to a large sized herd of mountain deer. Though the tracks they left were at least a day and a half old, the herd having been scared off my an enormous predator. If the faint footprints were anything to go by.

Carefully moving debris I finally gain a bit of luck as a smaller herd of deer passed this way about four hours ago, slowly heading further into the mountains. If my luck held out I could catch up to them. Judging by how the green of the trees brightened along their trail, the herd was heading for a watering hole.

They weren't the only creature heading for the watering hole. The massive creature that had probably chased off the larger herd of deer had made its way towards that destination as well, having marked up the trail with claw marks near the tree roots or having stripped trees of their bark. Along with weird shiny green stones occasionally littering the way.

Wanting to inspect those stones closer I picked one up, gently fingering the smooth glittering surface. The edges being rounded but the outer portion having a sharpness to it. The one I picked up, rivalled the length of my palm. Scales! They were scales!

There was only one creature with scales with unique color that held unique properties, a material that was every black smith's dream. Dragons!

A dragon had come this way. I had to take extra precaution when nearing the water hole, in case the dragon ever showed up while I hunted the herd that was currently on the move.

Just as I had predicted the herd of deer stopped at the watering hole, drinking deeply of the mountain pond while a few of the herd members stood watch while grazing. To not alert the deer I had left the horses tied up a bit further down the trail, while I currently hid behind a cluster of trees.

The wind shifted unexpectedly causing my downwind position to become an upwind position. The deer now alert to my presence. Taking a handful of leaves I crumble them into the wind to mask my smell, and sneak away into a better position within an area of tall grass.

The deer now content that the predator moved away grazed the grass near the pond more willingly. Silently drawing an arrow from the quiver by myside I string it onto my new bow. Pulling back on the string but not firing just yet.

Eyes sifting through the relatively small herd, searching for any sick or wounded deer. Near the edge of the herd limped a young male. He had claw and teeth marks on his back legs, rump, and neck. Showing he had been in a scuffle with either mountain cats or wolves. It was only a matter of time until he succumbed to his wounds.

Deciding to put him out of his misery I took aim. Just as I was going to release the arrow a sea green dragon came charging out of the woods, starling the deer. Not see a better opportunity I force myself to stand and follow the wounded male, aiming for his heart. Taking a quick breath I let the arrow fly on the inhalation.

The arrow flies quickly through the air and hits the male but it doesn't not kill him. Instead it sticks within the chest cavity as he flees the area with his herd. The whites of his eyes showing as he stampedes away into the safety of the trees.

Yelling my frustration I stomp my way out into the open where the sea green dragon is happily shredding the skin off from the doe it had killed. "You stupid reptile! You could not have waited another two minutes at least for me to kill that wounded buck? Thanks to you my family's livelihood ran away!" I wanted to throw my bow but managed to quash that desire. Instead I ran my fingers angrily through my hair, making a mess of my pony tail.

The dragon growled show its bloody teeth in warning. "You are lucky I don't kill dragons. In fact I even saved one of your cousin's hide once!" I jabbed an angry finger in the air, huffing through my nose. The sea green dragon then quieted down in favor of watching me as I paced back in forth.

Not wanting to let the whole trip out here be a complete waste I sigh, pushing my loose hair out of my face. Approaching the edge of the water hole I search for any signs of animals that I could find within the hour.

It appeared a fox had been near the area not too long ago. Ignoring the dragon watching me I follow the tracks left by the fox. The trail led me back down the mountain, gathering the horses I kept a careful eye on the fox trail, not wanting to miss another chance. It also didn't hurt that I collected the dragon scales I happened to find on the way, making sure to place them in a pouch tied to my waist.

Half an hour later the fox burrow came into view. Dismounting I craw up closer, waiting for the appearance of the fox. It took another two hours until a little black nose stuck cautiously itself out of the burrow. Holding my breath I readied my weapon, waiting for the rest of the fox to slip out. When he did I let my arrow fly, hitting its mark true.

It wasn't a deer but it'll have to do. Picking up the carcass I prepare it as best as I can for the journey home. Then strapping it to the pack horse. Hearing the twittering of pheasants I take out another two arrows. Tossing a rock into one of the bushes sends a flock into the sky panicking. Where I pick a couple of them off. Their bodies dropping in flight. Feeling slightly better I stuff them into one of the bas tied to the pack horse.

The threatening words of my mother's warning popped into my head as I glanced up in the sky. Feeling it would be better to home before the week's end I start to head down the mountain. The trip feeling as though it had been wasted.

I was at the half way point to the base of the mountain when I decided to stop for camp, and let the horses rest when they were spooked by a huge body dropping down from the sky. Managing to calm them after several minutes I whip around to scold the very being that caused the commotion.

No words came out however as the dragon dropped the carcass of the deer I had been hunting earlier, along with two others down at my feet. My mouth flopped open at the obscene sight in front of me. The dragons tail lightly moving behind it as it lowered its head close to the forest floor.

"I guess this means we are at a truce." I smile, holding my hand out towards the dragons head. Slowly it bumped its nose against my hand. Deciding to get to work, I prepare two of the three deer for the journey home, placing them in homemade bags. Cutting off a good sized portion of the third I set the strips over the fire I had going.

Dragging the rest over to the dragon. Who had in fact not left directly after but instead laid a few feet away, silently watching me work. "You can have the third. There is no way that I need this much anyway. Now why did you follow me? I doubt it was to apologize by getting me the deer I had been after." Dusting off my hands after letting go of the third buck.

The dragon grinned toothily, which had me nervous in a heartbeat. I jumped when it extended out one of its leathery wings. The wing edge was pushed into my hands by the dragon who eyed me carefully. Running a hand over the portion of the wing I held my fingers came back bloody. Slowly I prodded the dragon to fully extend its wing.