Dolono's Dragon
In a land far from the corruptions of modern times there was a town called Alderen. A peaceful town that had a king and a queen and their son, Prince Dolono. And in this town there was a legend. A legend of a black dragon, who sits up at the top of Mount Durm guarding his hoard of treasure.
Many have tried to take some of the treasure, but few have survived. Those who have has gone simply mad by the sight of all the riches, or by the dragon's poisonous breath. They were the ones that walked the streets trying to look for young men foolish enough to go up there.
It was just that one day they found that fool. A fool that turned into a hero.
On a bright sunny day in Alderen, the towns people were doing their daily chores and what not. Most of them weary of what was coming their way.
A black mass flew over the town and the sound of wings filled the air. A woman screamed and grabbed her child. Husbands ushered their wives into their houses. But that didn't save them from the stream of fire that came forth from the dragon's mouth.
Inns burst into flames. Small little shops were kindling for nearby houses. The terrified screamed of the people filled the air and the dragon was gone.
The terrible massacre brought forth a rage in the people. Many have gone to the king to ask him to do something about it, but he only waved them away. He was the fool. He thought the dragon would never come back, but he did.
More people died and more people complained and pleaded for help. He turned to his only son and asked him to find him an army worthy of honor.
His son slipped on commoner clothing and slunk amongst the petty folk. He went to the remaining inns and asked for anyone who knew of the dragon's keep, but they just laughed and told him to find somewhere else. They were only scared.
On his last try he found a man who had been there. An elderly man who's hair was grey as the ashes that littered the ground. His name was Baldin.
In his youth he was a master swords man and he took on any challenge that came his way. When he heard of the dragon he couldn't miss his chance, but he barly escaped with his life.
Baldin told Dolono where to find those who would join him in his quest to slay the dragon. He would find them on the other side of town in an inn called Draco's Head. A place where stroy teller's and merchants went to converse.
He took the journey across town and reached Draco's Head. He pushed open the door and glanced around. There were many people sitting at the bar and tables scattered around the room.
He yelled out for the whole room to hear, "Who are brave enough to come forth and slay the dragon?"
Many looked up. Other's ignored him and choose to stare at their drink.
A young woman who seemed to be the age of twenty waved at him and told him to come over. He walked over and took the seat she offered. She leaned forward with calm features and olive green eyes. They reflected his young features and dark brown eyes.
"If you keep yelling like that, some of the people will think you've gone insane." She said. "If you wanted someone to help you slay the dragon you should have asked me."
Dolono looked at her as if she was the one insane. "But you're a woman. Shouldn't you be raising children?" He asked.
The young woman's eyes flared with anger. "I am no house wife." She said in a dangerous tone. "I suggest you watch what you say around me. Do you want help or not?" She asked.
Dolono nodded quickly and learned to watch what he said. A barmaid set a jug of ale in front of him and he pushed it away. He was only accustomed to wine.
The young woman stared at him. "What's the matter?Don't drink ale?"She asked and took the jug and downed it.
"Never touched it." He said and watched her.
"You're missing out." She said. "So, how many people are you planning to bring with you?" She asked. "You won't find many who are brave enough."
Dolono thought a moment and shrugged. "Never thought about it." He said.
The young woman scoffed. "That's the problem with people these days. They don't seem to think any more. Listen. I'll have your party ready by dawn and you just be ready." She said.
Dolono doubt this, but said okay. Before he left he asked for her name. She had called herself Amelia.
Dolono woke the next morning before daylight. He dressed, grabbed his gear, and walked out. In front of Draco's Head inn there was a group of men. Amelia being the only woman. She walked forward and greeted him.
"Well, say hello to your army." She said. The group bowed in respect and she rolled her eyes. She leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Just because you're prince doesn't mean I'll show any respect."
Dolono just shrugged and she moved back into ranks. She crossed her arms and stared at him. "Well, where to?" She asked.
Dolono pulled out a map the Baldin drew for him. He stared at it for a long moment and Amelia rolled her eyes. She grabbed the map and looked at it.
"You've been cooped up in the castle too long. We're right on the path." She said.
Dolono rubbed the back of his head and tried not to flush with anger. Amelia called to the other men and they started up the trail. People watched them go pass through their windows.
The group didn't stop until night fall. By then Dolono was starving and wondered what they were going to eat.
Amelia started a fire while other's went off to hunt. She tended the fire until one of the men brought out a rabbit.
Dolono grimiced as she skinned it and cut off the meat to cook over the fire. Soon, Dolono was ready to be sick and wasn't hungry any more.
Amelia barked at him. "Well, what do you expect?Where do you think all your food comes from?"
Dolono didn't want to think about it and didn't answer. He picked a spot and layed out his bed roll. He layed down and turned his back on the fire.
Soon after every one had eaten, Amelia walked over and shook his shoulder gently. He rolled over and looked at her.
"If it makes you feel any better I picked up a few apples. Here." She placed one in his hand and walked back to the fire. He sighed and took a few bites out of it.
With the fire put out, it grew cold. Sleeping was put into shifts, just in case. Amelia had the first watch.
Dolono woke up suddenly and shivered immediatly. He walked over to Amelia and sat beside her.
"Can't we make a fire?" He asked.
Amelia shook her head. "We can't. It'll attract too much. Most of the dangerous animals are awake at night."
"Oh." Dolono said and looked at the ground.
There was a pause between them before Amelia spoke. "What makes you think that you're strong enough to defeat this dragon?" She asked.
Dolono shrugged. "I'm strong enough. I have good skills. I was taught by the best of the best." He said.
"And yet you can't even stomach looking at a fresh kill and you can't even read a map right." She added in.
"Okay! I missed out on those classes. Give me a break." He said, angrly.
"I can't. We're hear and we need all the help we can get." She said.
Amelia stood up and went to her bed roll. She layed down and called out to him. "You can start by taking up the next watch." And with that she fell asleep.
When she woke up she looked over to see Dolono shivering violently. She shook her head and walked over.
She rubbed the back of her head. "Maybe I should have told you that you can wake up someone incase you start to get cold or fall asleep. I figured that you'd know that." She said.
Dolono stared up at her."I-I was only doing it to prove to you I could." He said.
She walked back to her pack and pulled out a small pouch. She walked over to Dolono and crouched down in front of him. She reached into the bag and pulled out some sort of brown bean.
"Eat this. It'll wake you up and make you warmer." She pushed it into his hand and went to start another fire.
Once everyone ate breakfast, they started moving again. Soon, the air got thinner and it got colder. Everyone pulled out fur lined clothing. Even Dolono.
Amelia had stopped to look at the map through a snow storm. She shivered and huddled against herself. Through chattering teeth she called to the others to keep moving. The snow was practically up to their knees.
By night fall they had to risk a small fire. If they didn't they'd all freeze to death. They took shifts to watch out for the dragon. He was the greatest of their problems. They were getting close.
Once daybreak, they discovered that one of their men had froze to death. They didn't have time for a proper bruial so they decided to move on.
Thankful for the clear weather, Amelia looked up the mountain. She tapped Dolono on the shoulder and pointed towards the left top of the mountain. There was a cave.
Now they had to be on their guard. They were so close now that they thought they could hear the dragon's growling.
They moved quicker now, knowing that they were almost to the top and close to the dragon. Most of the men thought of the treasure, including Amelia.
At the mouth of the cave they looked in. The sounds of heavy breathing could be heard. They creeped in and tip toed through the opening.
Swords drawn they approched the end of the cave. They could already see the gleaming gold and jewels scattered about the ground. Amelia was itching to grab some.
They reached the pile and a wave of panic swept through them. Where was the dragon? He was now where to be seen.
They turned to each other and in hushed whispers to discuss what to do. They were so wrapped up that they didn't hear the beat of wings.
Dolono was getting this feeling he was being watched. He glanced around and in the corner of his eye he saw something. He spun around and stared into the red eyes of the dragon.
The dragon roared loudly and clammered towards them. Amelia shouted commands and the group scattered. For a moment the dragon looked confused.
Amelia shouted again and took advantage of the dragon's confusion. The men, Dolono, and Amelia all started to swing their swords at the dragon. They aimed for the wing span and his's eyes.
Dolono wasn't paying any attention and the dragon grabbed him in his mouth and closed it shut on him. Amelia dropped her sword and screamed. For the first time frightened for someone else.
The dragon's red eyes turned on her and she stumbled back. The dragon reared it's head and prepared to strike, but before it could it stopped.
Amelia stared at it and wondered why it wasn't going to kill her. She looked at it's stomach and watched as something pushed itself out. The dragon roared as a sword split up it's middle. It collapsed on the ground and Dolono crawled out.
Amelia ran over and grabbed him in an emotional embrace. Dolono stared at her in shock, but was then turned to fear as the dragon came back up and went to snatched them up in his jaws.
Amelia stood up and swung Dolono's sword, severing the dragon's head from it's neck. It fell to the ground and the group stood in silence.
"It's dead." Dolono choked out.
The group cheered and rushed towards the treasure. They packed up what they could and headed home.
Dolono brought Amelia and the group to the castle to tell his father of the news. They were knighted and the remained of the treasure was used to rebuild Alderen. What they brought back, they kept for themselves.
Dolono and Amelia's relationship went further. In the spring, a year after the death of the dragon, they married. And from then on, the now new Kingdom of Alderen was safe from anything that came it's way.
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