The Chronicles of Eryn; Book 1

Chapter 2

As soon as the village had caught word of Rash's arrival, all fear of the dragon had been forgotten. People had gone hustling through the paths, just to meet their 'savior.' Rash didn't mind. He was confident in his skills. By the time the sun was setting, everyone started getting more frightened. It appeared that the dragon mostly came out at night. Rash took note of this, he would have a greater chance attacking it in pure daylight, whereas it should be sleepy.

Everyone hustled into a network of underground tunnels that connected to every house, with a huge chamber in the center. It had been built after the first time the dragon had shown up.

Everyone was planning a huge feast, they already took for granted that Rash would succeed, and that if he didn't, he would fit trying and still deserved a feast.

Rash really didn't mind. Even if it was a death ceremony, it was social interaction, which even though he didn't miss it, he still didn't mind it every once in a while.

So as the sun set they all settled in the main chamber feasting. The population wasn't huge, only about 70 in total. Two extremely long tables seated them. The lights were long candles. And even though the village was small, they had a fair share of food and gold.

As they ate and chatted the hunter felt the need to ask the village chief, who was seated next to him, a few questions. 'So, what did the dragon do here?' He wouldn't have expected these many survivors from a dragon attack.

'The dragon came and did a number on all of us. We are a small village but we had a treasury. Near the center of our village. The monster took it all.' The chief said eating some lamb meat.

'All?' Rash asked gesturing to the candle holders, they were gold. He raised an eyebrow to prove his point.

The chief shrugged, 'Those are the people's possessions. The dragon only burned the treasury. Surprisingly no one and no other place was harmed. But it was enough. He all saw the creature and the power it possessed so easily.' The chief said.

'Wait, how long ago was this, exactly?' Rash asked as a free kids passed by chasing each other.

'Let's see...' The chief said counting in his head, 'I was 7 cycles old... I believe... Now I'm 48...' Then, doing the math in his head he responded, '41 short cycles.'

Rash chuckled, 'Well, it seems to me that cycles are the same length of time usually. And these last ones have actually been longer than usual.'

'The young one's right, Gulther, you have just been outsmarted by a youngun.' A big burly man who sat across from the chief exclaimed, reaching across the table and roughly patting Rash's shoulder. After giving him a good look he said, 'Pardon, I might have interrupted abit, lad.'

Rash laughed, 'It is fine. Mentioning the cycles, do you any idea what is causing them to longen as much?'

The chief sighed, 'I say it would be the maidens of the sun and moon. They are always at it with their wars. I would not be surprised if they have anything to do with it. Our world isn't getting any better as it is.'

The man rolled his eyes, 'Aye, relax old man, you aren't getting any younger as it is. Them legends gonna do something bout it real soon. You know how they be changing our futures all the time.' He said carelessly.

Rash listened intently at how their world was going. He knew that he had grown away from civilization, things happened which he had no knowledge of. So when he got a chance like this, he took it. 'How's the world working, kingdom wise?' he asked.

'Kid, we aren't exactly what you would call informed on those concepts. Take in mind we are too scared to even step outside our fences.' The man reminded Rash.

'Well, Erica does, does she not?' Rash asked, or more like demanded.

The chief laughed, 'Well, you see, Erica's parents decided that they rather be in the woods. I believe it was a foolish decision but every one to their own. They still don't have much contact with the outside world.'

'Mentioning Erica, where is she? Her parents came for the feast but she disappeared.' Rash said, he was quite curios as to where the girl had disappeared to.  There wasn't many places she could've gone to, right?

Randovf, who sat across from Rash, said, 'Erica, she probably went back to their cottage in the woods, the poor dear.'

Rash raised an eyebrow at his comment, 'Why poor?' He had heard other people regard her with the same title before.

'Haven't you heard?' the chief asked before taking a sip of wine.

The man across the chief commented, 'Her mother is sick with a sickness no healer has heard of before. She seems fine, but every once in a while she has these fits, she coughs up blood. Dark blood. And her eyes get all blank. Jhon tells me that whenever the girl sees her mother like that she dissapears off somewhere. Can't take the hurt, I suppose.'

'I see.' Rash said, but he didn't feel bad for the girl. Others had it worse, and he knew that much.

..............................

'You need more?' a voice came from the darkness.

A girl in a cloak nodded, staring off into the direction of the cave. 'Yes, I also have news from the village.'

'What news could you possibly bear?' the voice continued, echoing from the walls of the cave that it surely came from.

'A young boy, calls himself Rash, carries an enchanted battle blade, and comes with the intention to slay you. Also, he wants a dragon egg. He had a lucky guess that you'd be in Egg Laying season.' The cloaked figure informed the creature that hid.

'And did he say this out loud? Or was your mind reading ability necessary?' the voice demanded.

The cloaked girl sat on a nearby stone, 'Partially. Listen, if killing him isn't necessary, don't. I find him quite handsome.'

'Very well.' the voice conceded. 'I'll go scare him a bit. You must make sure he doesn't fight me right at the village.' it warned.

'Of coarse, I have a perfect idea. Do you want me to point  him in the wrong direction?' The girl asked.

'No. Send him to me, I'll teach him to try to kill me.' After a second it continued, 'Without ending his life, of coarse. As you requested. You have done well. I'll provide the ingredients necessary for your potion.'

'Thank you. I'll do as you say.' the cloaked girl said. Then she got on a chestnut horse and rode off.