Kingdoms of Ethirebard: Silver Eastcastle

Chapter 4

When Sira opened her eyes the sunrise hunting group was about to leave. She went toward them and saw Doldrurth, her mentor. Doldrurth saw her and beckoned her with his tail.

"Can I come?", asked Sira.

Doldrurth nodded. The sunrise group and Sira made their way toward the forest. The cool breeze of Spring felt good on Sira's crystal pelt. The soft undergrowth made it comfortable and easier to walk over. The thick canopy leaves of the forest provided shade for the dragons. Everyone halted. Sira could hear a small deer pacing the area. It hasn't sensed the group. Everyone including Sira, dashed for the safety of the trees. Only one dragon stood his place. Hemclock, a dark green dragon, dropped to a crouch. It crawled very slowly toward the creature. The deer hasn't sense him, yet. Hemclock sprang toward the deer. The deer burly had time to react, but Hemclock grab it from the back. His claws dug onto the deer's skin. Blood splattered the leaves. Hemclock grab the dead deer by its broken neck.

Sira smell rabbit. She saw the rabbit a few dragon tails away. She dropped into a hunting crouch. Sira moved quietly toward the rabbit. The rabbit hadn't sense her. Sira spranged at the creature. The rabbit, startled, ran the opposite direction of Sira. Sira was too quick for the animal to escape and caught it in her mouth. The smell of blood tickled her nose. Some was dripping into the undergrowth. A cold breeze swept her. Spring was coming. Tiny flowers and greenery already sprouted beside her. She padded to the group. The rabbit dangling in her jaws.

"Good job, Sira.", said Doldrurth.

The group padded toward the camp. Doldrurth helped Hemclock with the deer. While Fern had two magpies dangling from her jaws. Cloud had three water voles on his jaws. They emerged from the forest. The sunlight hurted Sira's eyes. But she adjusts to the sun.

"Very good. This will be on your traineeship. Volunteering on your own.", said Doldrurth.

Sira took a piece of the deer and went to her usual place. A big tree that was lopsided into the clan provided shade. Sira padded toward the tree. Mallow was taking a rest. She had a few scars. Sira knew that Mallow had been in battle training. Sira dropped her piece. And it woke Mallow up. She stared blankly at Sira before looking down.

"Wow. This is big. Are you going to eat it all?", asked Mallow, hoping for Sira to say no.

"Of course not. I brought for the both of us. Now dig in!", exclaim Sira.

The meat tasted delicious as Sira galloped the rest of the deer. Her stomach was content, and it didn't growl like before. Doldrurth padded toward Sira. She stood up and gave herself a quick shake before leaving the comfort of the shade.

"We are battle training. Meet me at the battle ground arena.", said Doldrurth before turning around.

Sira walked to the battle ground arena. The ferns brushed her pelt. A small clearing opened. Doldrurth was nowhere to be seen. Sira walked to the center and examine ever corner of the clearing. There was a loud noise and Sira jerked around just to see Doldrurth crash into her. Doldrurth pushed her to the ground blocking every escape route she could think of. She struggled to free herself, but in the end, she gives up.

"That's how you do a surprise attack. Now you try."

Sira nodded and left the clearing. She was a few away. Sira dropped into a hunting crouch and walked slowly to Doldrurth. He was examining the area looking for her. Sira pounced on Doldrurth. Doldrurth ducked around and grab Sira's tail with his mouth. Sira collapse into the clearing.