Child of Fire (EDITED)

Chapter Two

Chapter 2

I treaded lightly on the decaying leaves that littered the ground. I spied a doe across a small creek that ran parallel to my location. Quietly I drew an arrow from the quiver that was slung across my back. Knocking the arrow I drew back the string.

Closing one eye I aimed for its heart, a swift death is what I desired. I took no pleasure in killing, but I did what I needed to do to survive and keep my family's bellies full. Taking a deep breath I let the arrow loose. As the arrow flew to its mark but something spooked the doe at the last minute causing her to bound just out of reach. The arrow lodged itself into the trunk of a tree behind where the doe had just been grazing.

"Damn." I swore stomping my foot. That could have been dinner for the next week. One thing was for sure was that I was not the one to spook her. So what had?

A roar exploded from the south, it tore through the forest causing anything within the vicinity to spring into action; bolting away. The roar was bone chilling, it sounded like nothing I had ever heard before.

"What in the world?" I spoke aloud. I knocked another arrow and began to head towards the noise. I knew I should not but something was drawing me forward, something unexplainable. I slipped from tree to tree using each as cover. Another roar erupted just ahead; I froze smashing myself against the nearest tree, heart thudding in my chest. As the roar died I peered around the tree.

My eyes caught the fleeting glance of a massive creature, merely a blur. Taking another glance around the tree I acquired a better view. The beast was unleashing fire amongst the trees catching a few afire. I quickly tore my eyes away from the extraordinary scene.

"Do not let it go! Kill it! Kill it! Kill that damned beast." Some man hollered. When I looked again men surrounded the creature throwing spears in an attempt to pierce its scaled hide. It seemed the men were attempting to slay it. Other men threw large iron hooks towards it embedding into its thick hide.

My eyes widened at the inhumane treatment. The beast was thrashing wildly in attempts to free itself. But the savage men did not cease in their expedition; they continued to abuse the creature. Upon closer inspection I realized the men bore the seal of the royal family on their chest plate, royal knights. Why in the world would they be out here, and trying to capture such a wild creature?

"Kill it!" the man yelled again. They could not kill it! That would be awful, inhuman, and why would they kill such a marvelous creature?

The animal slammed into the earth, the ground trembled at the fierce impact. The creature made a whimpering sound that resembled sounds of defeat, as if it was ready to be slain.

A man in full armor stepped up to the creature. He raised a long silver sword; from the way it rippled in the light it had to be Glamoric steel.

My father had taught me about Glamoric steel many years ago. Most people would not have recognized this sword as anything special, but Glamoric steel was a blacksmith's gold. It was incredibly rare and a privilege to work with. Glamoric steel was ten times stronger than traditional steel and cut through flesh like butter.

He grasped the hilt in both hands raising it till in was to the height of his chest. The man raised the sword swiftly up then down flashing, it flashed the sunlight as it was plunged into the soft flesh of the creature. It bellowed in pain, not a roar per say, but a high pitch scream, a scream that seared through my soul. The beast could have been savage but it was still living, breathing. Now it was nothing more than a carcass left to rot.

"The last dragon is DEAD!" shouted the man whose sword was still sticking from the beast's chest. As he yelled the words held not an ounce of pride and what did filter through was regret.