Vali And The Dragon

Chapter 1

(A/n: dawwww... cute... sorry 'bout not writing for a while!)

The sun rose over the horizon, a single ray shining through the curtains of a farmhouse into the eyes of a young man fast asleep, waking him. A soft snarl rose from his throat, as he stumbled, mind still cobwebbed from sleep, almost falling down the stairs, just catching himself just in time. A smile crossed his face, showing a mix of sharp fangs and flat teeth, his silvery-white hair wild and uncontrollable, freshly cut to jaw-length, curling around his ears and a single long strand, kept that way for luck, braided and beaded, hung down the front of his chest.

This was Vali, the son of an elf and a human, a simple farmer. At seventeen, he was more stuck in his ways and hard-headed than one who had lived centuries. He pulled on a shirt, and, barefooted, went out to check on the animals.

Vali went from animal smiling when he found all was right. Mooresong had been going through hard times lately... people were unpredictable and might try to steal entire herds of cows, entire fields of crops. A loud clucking scream interrupted his thoughts and, racing quick as the wind, was at the chicken coops in a short time.

~Something was in the coop with the hens. if they got slaughtered...~ Vali didn't want to think about that... His hazel eyes, that changed with his mood flashed a icy silver-blue, betraying his worry and anger, hidden by his calm, stoic demeanor. His ears pricked, he silently slipped inside the coop, searching for the whatever-it-was that was here with him.

He spotted a shadow, quick and silent, sitting on the floor, gnawing on something, he silently slipped up behind the thing and, breathless, snatched it off the ground almost launching it into the air, it was a dog... thin and useless, it whimpered, wagging it's tail as if this was okay to do, licking at Vali's upper arm.

He hissed in anger, dropping the starved dog, which clattered in a heap on the floor. "Go on. take the chicken and go. I find you here again, it'll be the last time you do." The dog, probably once a magnificent being, now reduced to scraps and filth, wagged it's tail and snatched the half-eaten carcass and ran, strangely fast, bowing as it passed Vali.

Vali crossed the floor, checking to see which one had been taken. He shook his head as he saw the empty nesting box, once belonging to the matriarchal hen, now empty and cold, feathers blown around and smaller chickens pecking around the spot... Vali stood up suddenly, he couldn't think straight... ~why... why did this have to happen... Mom... Dad... I'm sorry...~

Soft sobs broke from his throat as he collapsed onto the floor, shaking, feeling nothing as he crouched in the chicken coop, sobbing until his throat was raw and he couldn't form tears. He stood shakily, ~no time for a mental breakdown now...~ he chided himself. ~you have to get the chores done and sell crops first!~ Vali staggered out of the chicken coop, and worked to get everything ready, ~this would be his first season without Dad helping... or Mom waiting for them...~ He choked back another sob, clambering onto the wagon, and setting off to the market.

~TIMESKIP~

As he set up he was talking to the other merchants and farmers, collecting news on the happenings of the other kingdoms. Sealark was doing better, more fishing trades were needed because of famine in other kingdoms. Wiathane's potions were in greater demand than ever, needed for stamina, strength, and speed boosts as well as night vision to be able to harvest in the night. Lyfescourge though... none from Lyfescourge were present.

He smiled as the old fortune-tellers tent, patched and ragged, was set up. he had good memories of there... He decided he would go over and get his fortune told, for old times sake. He got up and crossed the isle, passing through the curtain and into the darkness of the tent.