The Dragon Slayer

Damian

"So," said Sam as I entered our barn, "how was work?"

"Oh-" I stuttered. I've completely forgotten how to talk. I could feel my lips still tingling from the kiss with Adrian, "the usual."

"That's good. I went into town and bought us some great bread. Amethyst gave it to me for half price." he said.

"Well that's great!" I exclaimed, " Amethyst is really nice!" Amethyst is a farmer's girl I know from the market. We first met right after my parents died. She seemed concerned so I told her my story and now, whenever her and her father come into town to sell whatever they've made, she gives it to us cheaper than any other vendor.

"Yea...almost, motherly." Sam said dreamily. I understand why though. Amethyst was always kind and gentle and loving to me and Sam alike, even though she's only a year older than me. Her caramel tan skin and bright green eyes have such a comforting feel. I suddenly felt guilty that I wasn't like that to Sam.

"Well, I'm starving so lets eat!" I said.

We had a great dinner of wild nuts, vegetables, and fresh bread This was one of the only times I have ever felt full.

"Well," said Sam, giving his stomach a satisfied pat, "I think that was the best dinner yet."

"Mmhmm," I agreed, nodding my head, "C'mon let's get to bed."

The next week flew by, uneventful. Adrian didn't say a word about the kiss, so I decided it was best not to press the topic. The days went by so fast that suddenly I found myself already at Sunday, the day before the great migration.

Me and Sam went to the town stadium, the place where the participants and their loved ones would await the rule calling and the pricking. The pricking is a rather disturbing ritual in which each participant must make a cut in their arm and let the blood flow into a tray, along with the other contestants' blood. Just one big bloody mess, and it smells disgusting. I'm pretty sure they spread it all over the stadium so the dragons you fight smell it and go nuts.

We walked up to the podium so I could write my name down. I looked at Sam and he had a solemn expression on his face, which I took as 'go ahead and do it'. I picked up the fountain pen and tried printing my name as best I could. I only went to school up to grade 5, so I wasn't the best. With my had shaking, I wrote Avalon James and put the pen down. Me and Sam walked over to a row in the stadium and took our seats up front. Just in time too; an announcer had gotten up on stage and started to, well, announce.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" he bellowed into his funnel - shaped cone that amplified his voice, "Would you please stand for the presence of his Royal Highness, the Duke of Gladvaria, Damian Gladvaria!"

Trumpets played and the crowd clapped and cheered as the handsome-faced Duke walked up. He was dressed in robes pf black and red, and his hair and beard were expertly trimmed. Even though he is about forty years old, he doesn't look it. Some people make up stories that he sold his soul to the devil to keep young, but I don't like thinking about that.

"Thank you, everyone," said the Duke through his clear, loud voice, "and welcome to another years' Migration!" he looked around expectantly, waiting for everyone to clap again. When we did, he seemed satisfied, "The rules of the migration are simple. Survive. The last contestant standing wins. All contestants need their own suits of armor, shields, and swords. All participants who signed up must attend, or there will be, penalties," he stopped here, sneering at the crowd, and then continued, "The lucky contestant last standing gets a prize of 1000000 relids and the honouable title of Dragon Slayer. Thank you all for signing up and have a good day!"

The crowed clapped and cheered, me and Sam along with them. In reality, I didn't mean it. But I plastered a fake smile on my face anyways. When Damian walked off stage, we met eyes, and, for a split second, I saw his sneer falter. But the next second it was back, as charming and evil as ever.

We left with a brochure on what to prepare for in the big migration and walked home in silence. I kept dwelling on the moment when me and Damian's eyes met. I couldn't take the silence anymore so I decided to break it.

"IthinkDamianisevil!" I blurted out.

"What?" asked Sam.

"I think Damian isn't the leader he seems to be."

Sam raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes," I said, and when he began to look skeptical I added, "Just hear me out."

I told him the whole story, and I even added the part about Dad telling me not to trust him. By the time my story was done, we reached home.

"Okay, so lemme get this straight," he said, "You think that Damian is evil because he stopped smiling when he looked at you and the fact that Dad said not to trust him?"

"Yea, basically." I replied. "Do you believe me?"

"Of course I believe you." Sam said, and relief swept over me, "But how can we get everyone else to?"

Hmm, good question, I thought. "Maybe we could get a few people to listen to reason, then, bit by bit, we'd have everyone on our side. But other than that it's just me and you."

"And Adrian." added Sam.

I blushed. The topic of Adrian hadn't come up until now. I didn't want Sam to notice me blushing so I pretended to scratch the side of my head, letting my hair fall in front of my face. "What makes you say that?" I asked.

"Well, I dunno, he trusts us." he pointed out.

True. He does trust us. So it's three against Damian. Oh and his army of a bazillion soldiers on top of that.

"Yea... And maybe Amythest too...." I trailed off as I sat down on some hard hay. I brushed some hay off the ground beside met reveal my father's old sword and shield, the ones I would be using tomorrow.

"Well, the best thing I can do about Damian is win his big migration. Just gotta sharpen my shield and sword." I said getting up on my feet. "You wanna come?" I asked Sam.

"Where to?" he said.

"Blacksmith's" I replied.

"Yea why not? Beats sitting here all day." he said.

I smiled and ruffled his hair. We then both made our way to the blacksmith shop, together.