The Dragon by The Shore

Chapter 4

   The next day Uriah and Keryanna are riding through an open field on the northeastern edge of the island. The air starts to become thick as the grassy fields begin to grow rocky and ridged. The two travelers reach over the hill and see the ruins village built into a rocky mountainside. Massive rock spires loom into the sky having been worn down over the years from constant barrages of storms, the once vibrant village is now nothing but a hollow shell that once held life.

   "What was this place? "Uriah asks aloud as they slowly ride into the outskirt of the village.

   Keryanna looks around."My ancestors lived here centuries ago. They fled to the forest after a great plague swept through the village killing countless fairies.

   "Should I be worried? "Uriah looks back to her.

   "No the plague died out many years ago. Quite suddenly from what I was told. I wouldn't be worried if I were you

   Suddenly they hear a thunderous sound. Uriah quickly jumps to the ground and pulls his sword. We need to get inside one of the buildings I don't think we are alone out here." Keryanna nods as they lead Madellia into a nearby hut and they shut the doorway and windows with what little remains of the wooden shutters.

   Uriah gets down on his knees and crawls to the window. The sound gets closer and begins to come one after another as that of heavy footsteps undoubtedly followed by that of metal scraping on the old stone walkways of the village streets. Peering through the broken shutter his vision partially obscured, all Uriah sees is a massive creature nearly twice the size of the building they inhabit, covered in bronze colored scales that reflect the light. He looks on in amazement at the little bit of the creature he can see as it walks by, its tail dragging along the ground, the scraping coming from large blade like tips of the beast's tail. The shadow of the creature covers the building as it passes. Uriah looks over to Keryanna and sighs. As he gets up to walk to her the ground beneath him crackle ever so slightly, Uriah halting not to make a sound listens to see if the beast heard him, but only the sound of the wind blowing through the old village is heard from outside.

   Keryanna looks to him and before they know it the wall in front of them both burst open the massive beast breaking through the wall its massive teeth shining like silver as it bites down attempting to catch them. They quickly run out of the damaged hut as the beast shakes the rock and mortar off of its neck and back. Medellia escapes and runs off on her own leaving Uriah and Keryanna to flee on foot." Quick this way" Keryanna yells to Uriah as she pulls him down an alleyway, the beast in pursuit bursting through and crashing into buildings as they swerve and turn through the village streets. They come into a large area, as they stumble through old shops and stalls suddenly a massive gust of wind nearly knocks them to the ground and they are suddenly cloaked in a veil of shadow.

   Looking into the sky, Uriah stutters and stumbles as he stands up ." D-D DRAGON!" Uriah yells in fearful amazement at the sight of the beast's large leather wings stretched out over 50 feet. The dragon soars through the sky in an arch before flying back down towards the two. A bright glow begins to shine from inside its mouth as it roars toward them, Uriah quickly looks around and thinking back to the night before he equips his shield."Keryanna get behind me!"

   Keryanna looks to him" Are you insane! a few swords are one thing, but a shield cannot defend against dragon fire!"

  "Just do it !"He barks the order at her, and she ducks behind him as the dragon unleashes a massive plume of fire. The fire strikes the shield with its mirrored surface shining in the blazing heat but protecting Uriah and Keryanna.

   As the dragon lands breathing more and more fire at the shield, the force behind it begins to cause Uriah to lose his footing and start to slip" I have an Idea. "Keryanna says as she leaps out from behind the shield off to the side." Dragon you want fire! I'll give you fire !" The dragon ceases its assault on Uriah turning its attention to her. Uriah stands on in amazement as her eyes begin to glow and her wings erupt in a roaring flame from her back. She flies into the air above the dragon; she unleashes a volley of fireballs at its face, the dragons bronze scales merely absorbing the hit leaving only a char mark on their surface. It roars at her and swings its tail. She dodges the strike quickly having to avoid again as it raises up to bite her.