Dragon's Tear

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Title: Dragon's Tear

Author: Huma Dragonbane

The sun began to rise over the mountains to the east. The ground still damp from the evening dew. To the north a fire burned where a housewife cooked a meal for her children and guest. A guard weary from his all night duty walked his post on the eastern rampart with newfound energy from the thought of the morning meal and a warm bed. A thief twirled a steel coin from his nightly haul. The sun ever rising now had cleared the mountains shining its light and sending forth its warmth.

However the city inside the walls remained dark. A perpetual shadow looming over it. A gust of wind as something flew overhead startled an early rising boy starting his morning chores. The smell of sulpher and brimstone following in its wake.

A rat used to the sunlight shrinks back into its hole in fear. "To the east!" is heard from the battlements. Specks on the horizon ever increasing in size could be seen. A glint of steel yet not entirely of steel was apparent.

Wind rushed through the hair of the half-elf as he sweated beneath his armor. He disdained armor yet he knew he must wear it for this.

They flight knew they had to retake the city, and at any cost. Ahead lay their goal. The once proud city that he called home. Now that city lay before him covered by the shadow of the citadel. A castle torn from the ground by powerful magics. It hovered above the city before them.

Before he relized they were almost upon their target. Large creatures poured from the citadel and flew towards the dragon flight with frightening speed. The half-elf's mount dove for the nearest, the color of the night sky, it was a majestic yet horrid beast.

As it turned to face the oncoming duo the half-elf's mount beltched. A gout of flame poured onto the black dragon's head and shoulders killing it almost instantly. As the half-elf watched he saw a flash in the corner of his eye which was followed by a heavy wind.

A red dragon had flown by, its talons mere inches from tearing away the half-elf's head. The half-elf pulled his mount hard left towards the attacker and braced his weapon. His mount lunged forward in the air nearly striking the dragon, his hand went numb from the vibrations in his weapon.

The dragonlance sank deep into the abdomen of the enemy dragon. An agonized roar filled the air about him, and the dragon began to fall. The half-elf's mount lurched forward and down.

The dragonlance had become lodged in the body of the larger dragon. The half-elf's mount tried desperatly to fend off the talons of the red dragon as all three plummeted to the ground. The red dragon let lose another agonized roar as the dragonlance tore free.

A shock....and the world about the half-elf faded. All time stopped. All sound silenced.

Raindrops. Falling from the heavens, cold raindrops landed on the face of the half-elf. It was night. The half-elf looked to the plains on his left.Bodies lay strewn about friend and foe alike. Worried the half-elf looked to the city. On the battlements guards walked that were not human. Wings spread forth from their backs and long tails dragged the ground between their feet.

The citadel still loomed over the city. The half-elf looked to his mount. Cinder, a silver dragon, and his friend lay still on the ground.

At the last moment he had positioned himself to take the brunt of the fall and cushion the rider, his friend. The half-elf stroked the unbreathing side of the dragon as the rain receeded. "I will see you soon friend." The half-elf turned and walked towards the city gates, sword drawn. The moon now breaking through the clouds lit up the plains and reflected a single tear on the half-elf's cheek. A tear for a beloved friend. A dragon's tear.

A friend lost is a peice of ones self lost. Reflect on youself as you reflect on this tale.

-HD