DragonTribes #1: RiverTribe

Chapter 3: The GrasslandTribe (OG)

Almost to the village, Alicia bumped into Turtle, who stopped unexpectedly. She peered down the parade line. Tanu was also looking ahead. Why did Daddy stop?

Tanu looked back at Alicia and waved her forward, "Leave Alli, she'll be fine."

Alicia looked at him worried, dropped the rope, and walked cautiously to Tanu. Tanu was looking at Daddy, who was staring at the sky. Alicia looked up, not knowing what Daddy could possibly be looking for.

"Tanu, Alicia." Daddy called them cautiously.

Tanu dropped the ropes and they walked to Daddy.

Tanu looked at the sky then Daddy, "What's-"

Daddy held a finger to his lips and continued looking in the sky.

Alicia listened carefully. She could faintly hear wing beats. Tanu returned his gaze to the sky. Daddy froze and pointed East. What looked like a flock of large birds was coming towards the RiverTribe.

Tanu gasped, "Hurry, we need to warn the Tribe!"

Tanu sprinted down the path. Daddy dropped the ropes and picked Alicia up. She clutched to him, afraid. She didn't know exactly what was going on, but she knew something was. Daddy sprinted after Tanu, who was a good distance ahead.

Tanu ran through the village and straight into the Chieftan's tent. Daddy froze and stared at the tent. He brushed Alicia's hair with his fingers, trying to calm her. Alicia looked over his shoulder. The dragons had followed them back to the tent. They stood staring quizically. Alligator looked to the East.

Tanu burst out of the Chieftan's tent and ran around opening every door and yelling, "Another Tribe is coming!"

People rushed out caring important belongings to them. Mommy ran to Daddy and Daddy put Alicia back on her feet. Mommy had a painting and Alicia's doll in her arms. Alicia ran to Mommy and grabbed the doll from her. She held it close to her heart.

Daddy looked concerned and spoke to Mommy, "I'm going to get Pike."

Mommy shook her head, "Please don't. Leave him, he's not trained enough. You can train another one."

Daddy kissed Mommy's cheek then ran down towards the pens.

Mommy held Alicia close. All the village, except Daddy, had gathered in front of the Chieftan's tent. Alicia glanced at the painting in Mommy's other hand. It was of Mommy holding Alicia when she was a baby, Daddy stood behind Mommy with a hand on her shoulder. They were both smiling and looking at little Alicia.

A beautiful dragon emerged from the tent with the Chieftan on her back. He sat in a polished saddle. Amazon had reins from her jaws to the Chieftan's hands. She stood proudly, the sun shining on her blue-green scales. She had gems, blue ones, embedded into her scales and green gem earrings. They both were painted yellow, the markings of a leader.

"Everyone run downstream, unless you are willing to stay back and defend." Chieftan Taurence said clearly.

Chaos broke loose. Many people fled. Mommy stayed and looked in fear at the approaching flock of dragons. Alicia pulled at her shirt, but her gaze was locked.

The dragons gained quickly. Alicia could see them clearly now. The dragons were red with black flame details.

"The GrasslandTribe..." Mommy muttered.

Mommy shook her head and realized they were still standing there. She clutched the picture tighter and grabbed Alicia's wrist. She ran with the crowd.

Red dragons flew to the ground causing dirt to fly everywhere. They blocked the RiverTribe members' path. Everyone stood, uncertain what to do. Every dragon had a rider from the GrasslandTribe. Their faces were emotionless.

A larger dragon landed behind the members and sauntered towards Amazon and Chieftan Taurence. The dragon and its rider were also painted. Instead of gems embedded into the dragon's scales it had permanent scars. One that particularly stood out to Alicia, the scar started at the dragon's nostril and glazed just above its eye. Amazon hissed at the dragon, but it just grunted in return.

"You must be the Chieftan of the RiverTribe." The rider scanned Amazon and Chieftan Taurence," I am Chieftan Rei and this is Scorch."

Scorch turned an ear to his master, but kept the other towards Amazon.

"And what are the FireDragons doing here?" Chieftan Taurence studied Scorch.

Chieftan Rei grunted, "We find your presence pestering. We want you to move away from us."

But aren't we closer to the ForestTribe than them?

"We don't mean any harm..." Chieftan Taurence trailed off.

"Well, we do." Chieftan Rei tapped Scorch's neck.

With that Scorch hissed and shot fire at Amazon. Amazon shot a jet of water in defense. The water swallowed the fire. The dragons once blocking the members' path had dispersed and set the village ablaze. People fled even faster than before. Mommy tried to run with the crowd, but Alicia fell and Mommy had to stop. Mommy helped her up. I'm sorry. Mommy sighed and brushed her off. They ran again, but at a pace Alicia could handle. Alicia held her doll tightly. They slowly fell behind.

A FireDragon landed in front of them with a thud. It hissed and opened its mouth to spray fire, but instead it got a mouthful of water. It reared up, flapping it's wings, and its rider fell off. A green-blue dragon slammed into the FireDragon. It was none other than Alligator, and on her back, Tanu.

"Hop on!" Tanu extended his hand.

Mommy pushed Alicia up behind Tanu. Mommy handed Tanu the painting and pulled herself up behind Alicia. Tanu glanced at the painting then handed it back to Mommy.

"Go, Alli!" Tanu pointed down the river.

Alli galloped forward. Alicia found it very uncomfortable on her spine, but she was held firmly between Tanu and Mommy.

                                ***

Chieftan Taurence and Amazon stood wearily in front of the remaining Tribe members. The majority of them survived. Except Mommy and Alicia knew one who didn't. Pike did not return with the other dragons, and neither had Daddy. Mommy didn't cry, but she kept glancing from the painting to the smoke rising from what was their village.

"Unfortunately, I believe this is still to close for their liking. So for safety reasons, we will travel farther west down the river. Children and elderly can ride the dragons if they become tired." Chieftan Taurence guided Amazon farther west.

Tanu lifted Alicia up and put her on Alligator. He grabbed the other end of the rope and followed the lost members. Mommy nodded her thanks to Tanu and looked behind her a final time. Alicia looked back to, trying to keep back tears.

Goodbye, Daddy. Goodbye, home.