Forces

Forces

In what seemed a flash to me, years of mercenary work passed. With skirmish after skirmish under my belt, my knight trusted my council in job choice and strategy. She had shown me her maps and charts, my eyes now seeing the world mapped out. To our west was a deadly sea and stretches of dead water. To the south and north were frozen wastelands, east was kingdoms full of all sorts of nasty monsters. The Sand Boars, a group of nobles we often fought for, were part of a Ungulate prejudice collection of city-states, these ranges from equines, bovines, pigs and piratically any other hoofed animal. Though surrounded by herbivores like myself we had killed ponies, boars, diamond dogs, it didn't matter. Just as long as we got paid, I would take all but the most bastardy work. (You know, slaving runs and cold blooded murder.)

During the winter of my nineteenth year, I spent a day counting the silver I hadn't spent on necessities for a gift. My talented cooking friend Dew Berry was turning nineteen also that spring. Another day, sitting out in the frozen air Dew Berry stitched cute little fur caps while I was splitting wood. I had a saddlebag designed for carrying wood and with Dew's help I headed inside with some fire wood. Behind my back Dew put a rabbit fur cap on over my ears, she giggled like a child while I huffed playfully. Inside the main room of Bufordox Manor, I piled up some wood in the low fire. Even as I sat back on one of the canvas couches I admired at how the fire leaped up at it's new food.

I straightened the fur cap on my head and smiled over at Dew Berry,"Is there anything you can't do?"

Dew Berry laughed, sitting on the other end of the couch,"Ohh...swing a sword like you, Pea. You're as scary as the boogie man stories I've heard!"

I put a mock face of despair,"Oh, really? I'm beside myself with grief!"

Dew Berry laughed and I couldn't help but follow. She became a beautiful and curvaceous mare while I was muscular and had a boyishly short mane. It crossed my mind one and awhile at how I may have become a mare like her, quiet, shy and kind. I usually shrugged it off, thinking of this as just silly teenage thoughts.

In the comfort of the fire's warmth I fell asleep. Hours later I heard a knock at the door. I woke up rather sharply and looked around for Dew, she was nowhere to be found. I decided that she most likely went back to the kitchen for dinner, my internal clock told me it was night anyway.

I opened the front door and found a sparrow headed griffon bundled up in a dozen scarves. She held up a trembling talon and handed me a frosty note. Without warning I drug the griffon inside, the frail creature hobbled over to warm herself by the fire while I read the note:

To Alia Bufordox and Pea Gravel,

I, Terbirus Conduix of the Sand Boar Clan, am in need of services. There is a scourge in my lands, a blood red serpent.  He had been extorting my citizens for decades but recently he's grown more voracious. He has consumed over fifty head of cattle and laid siege to one of my fortresses. I need the expertise of a dragon slayer and I will provide anything you request within my power in exchange of the execution of this beast. The dragon's name is Wiktet the Lamb Cruncher and for his death money is no object. Any who accept this offer come to the river port Ber Juan.

My jaw dropped. Wiktet...he was the reason I lost my 'home' on that ranch. I had waited ever since that night for an opportunity like this. The little sparrow griffon looked at me from next to the fire. I motioned the messenger to me to take a letter to Terbirus. She pulled out a blank sheet of coarse paper and a fine charcoal pencil for mt message.

"Dear Terbirus Conduix," I began,"I, the squire to Alia Bufordox, accept your job offer. We will go to your estate within the month and remove your infestation," I said with my head held high. I felt proud of myself sounding as educated as that noble, on paper that is. The sparrow scribbled away and quickly finished.

She held the paper to me with the pencil in the other hand,"Sign, please madam?" she asked in a frail voice.

I took the charcoal in my mouth with a fake look of confidence. I couldn't write, what should I sign with? Suddenly the idea hit me, I'd just sketch out my cutie mark on the bottom of the paper. After making my mark the sparrow griffon rolled the letter up and tied a yellow ribbon on it. She waved to me and briskly went out the front door to fly in the icy air. Dew Berry walked up the hall from the kitchen. She had to bump my shoulder to divert my gaze from the door.

"Come on Pea, dinner's ready," She glanced at the door,"Are you waiting for someone?"

I shook my head,"No, don't worry about it. I do have some new to announce at the table though."

Walking to the large table where I had eaten a thousand times before, I moved with a different strut. Alia sat at the head of the table with brass goblet of wine while the mules, blacksmith and gardener sat further down. I sat next to Alia, as I usually did. Dew and one of Alia's mules served the wonderful smelling dinner while everypony else waited. Once served a roasted vegetable or two I began a casual conversation with my knight while the others chatted about the weather.

"So, Mistress," I said cutting a piece off of a carrot,"A letter came in from another Sand Boar Noble tonight. He's offering a real big reward."

"Aye lass,"Alia said sipping wine,"Let's hear the job."

I thought for a moment about how to word it to my advantage, "How's your skill at dragon slaying?" I asked casually. Everypony else immediately went dead silent and Alia had a pained look on her face. I looked around  desperately,"Is it something I said?

"I've never taken up dragon slaying," Alia said flatly with her eyes shut.

"Why? Are they too much for my knight?" I said in hope to compliment her...it didn't.

"I'm not going to kill another dragon, you wormy toad," Alia growled. Her dragon-like features seemed to stand out particularly more tonight,"Though I'm part dragon, I never lived them,"Alia put a claw to her forehead with a solemn look,"Do ya know why my surname is Bufordox?"

"Yes, it was your father's name correct?" I recalled.

"Aye, an' you know who was the only dragon I killed?" Alia sighed.

"No mam, you never told me about your career in dragon slaying," I said intently.

Alia pounded the table, knocking over her wine,"Then how the hell did you find out about it?" She shouted.

A lump formed in my throat,"I answered the letter that came in today. It was from Terbirus Conduix, he offered a job to kill a dragon for whatever price we set."

Alia slumped in her chair,"The dragon I killed was a blood hungry yellow one. The treasure hoarder and burns villages kind...."

I felt confused,"So? All dragon do that anyway, and this one deserves it. No, all dragons deserve to be hunted down."

Alia sighed,"That dragon's name was Bufordox, my father. He didn't recognize me, but I had to kill my father because of the kind of beast he was. I won't spill any more blood of my kind. "

I stood up, furious. I pointed a hoof at her,"Your kind? I've killed dozens of my kind in your name!  Wiktet, he's the one with a price on his head! I want revenge for what he did to me!"

Alia looked off into space away from me. I stood there breathing heavily while she thought. She waved a hand at me,"Then go. I won't stop you, but you're not going to be my squire if you do."

Smelter, Sweet Summer, the mules and Dew Berry all looked at the two of us in despair. They neither wanted to go against their mistress or wanted me to leave. Dew Berry stood up, surprising everypony present. She stood trembling with a quivering lip.

"I-If she goes...I g-go too!" she stuttered.

Alia rose an eyebrow,"An' what are you gonna do, throw a salad at a dragon?"

Dew's nerves calmed down enough for her to speak,"No, but I'll do anything it takes to back up Pea Gravel!"

I had conflicted feelings about this, but with Dew Berry backing me up I looked confidently at Alia. The dragon pony was teary eyed as well as I did.

"So ya really are going, aren't you?" Alia asked, somewhat choked up.

"I am. Don't try to stop me, hypocrite," I said bluntly.

Alia covered her face with one hand and waved me away with another. It felt like she was shoving me away with that dainty wave. I knew she could have stopped me, possibly kill me. Another part of me felt like she should. The rest were silent while I headed for the main door, Dew looked back once then trotted up next to me. I had a stony face as I shoved the door open and stomped into the cold. Dew shivered when a flurry plowed by, I think I felt it, I was probably to shaken up to care. Dew followed me into my cabin and watched me pack a bag for supplies. She offered to help but I told her to pack her things too. She turned and left quickly. I reminded her that living out on the road, required clothes. Not just to keep warm but to cover other bits up, we didn't want someone peeking where they weren't invited.

Later I walked back outside in the icy wind with my leather armor strapped on and my iron sword at my side. I stood waiting for Dew, chuckling a bit to see her walking up bundled in a coat that ran down to her hooves and her face covered in a scarf. She had a knapsack and another coat which she draped over my back like a blanket. She put the fur cap she made back on my head, I suppose I dropped it on the way out.

I looked into the snowy night,"Ready Dew Berry?"

She looked up at me,"I...I guess. Looks like we don't really have a choice, do we?"

I laughed,"Nope! Let's go kill us a dragon!"

Walking out on the open plain, we eventually walked into Breeze. The little merchant town had only it's core residents living there, everything else migrated south already. Dew tailed me while I headed through the town, possibly for the last time. We were peeked at from the windows of a few houses, they were probably wondering who in their right mind would be traveling this time of year. I checked any shop for food to buy, but all the vendors were out of salable stock. It was simply too cold for more devilries to come in.

I grumbled curses under my breath as Breeze faded out of view behind us. Dew Berry and I walked in silence for hours, trudging through the cold. I could tell Dew was nervous, terrified even. I walked closer to her.

"Have you ever been this far from the manor before?" I asked.

She sighed sadly,"Yeah...ever since Alia bought me I...I never really wanted to go anywhere. She had taken me on some long trips though, so I can pull my own weight around. Don't worry about me not being able to defend myself, I'm no child."

"Alright bud, this'll be a cake walk then!" I smiled. Dew shrank away. I leaned over,"Something wrong?"

"I know we're friends...but you outrank me, always have. I suppose I'm...I'm your slave now?" Her words came out timidly through the scarf.

I straightened up and looked forward,"Alright, and as your master, I say you're free."

Dew tripped and face-planted into the snow. I stopped and looked to see if she was alright. Dew looked up at me with bright, awed eyes.

"I-I'm free?" She asked.

I helped her back up. punching her playfully I grinned,"You bet your ass you are!"

Dew laughed to herself. The taste of freedom was sweet for her,"Are we ever coming back to the manor?"

"You don't have to but I am," I shook off the cold as we walked,"That's home for me. I really don't know what I would do if I didn't work for Alia."

"Maybe we could be mercenaries," Dew giggled," I could cook up a poison and you could put it on your sword!"

The trip to the mountains was a surprisingly easy one. Almost three days passed to the foot hills and now Dew and I were at the pine forest on the mountain. We hiked up the dividing mass of rock for another two days and finally peaked over to the other side. We both stood in the this mountain top air and gazed at the desert below. The massive dry expanse before us looked much warmer then the peak we stood on. Happily trudging through the snow we made our way down the much rockier side of the mountain. With some more hiking, we made it to the foot of the mountains. The desert in front of us was dry but cold.

Rationing out the little food we had, we both trudged into the bleak expanse. Several days of wandering passed until we found a road. The broken down dirt path had a sign post with several blocks of wood pointing in different directions.  To the right was a mining town, to the left was another town like Breeze. A sign above the mining's one said,'Ber Juan'. Remembering the notice, this town was the place to go. Dew followed me happily down the dusty road.

After a day, we made it to the mining town. Smelters were ablaze next to the clay houses in the small town. Ponies with picks ans shovels hurried around. Of corse, there were some other kinds of critters laboring away at the quarries with collars around their necks. Dew pointed out that some of the houses and smelters were newer looking then the others, some were complete ruined. Some ponies were building new walls over scorched ground. As we walked, I noticed worn down depressions in the dirt. Old dragon footprints.

Leaving the mining town, we saw more signs of Wiktet. There were scorched trenches and blackened bones. We avoided making campfires during the night and huddled together instead. After what felt like an eon or longer, a wide river came into view. Ber Juan's river. We followed the river bed for awhile and cresting over a hill we saw the city.

The closer we got, more burned the outer city looked. We saw buildings big and small surrounding a large, wall. This wall surrounded a church-like stronghold. The center Piece of Ber Juan was two massive towers with a more house shaped building holding the three structures together. I could tell that Dew was growing weary of the journey, but it was coming to an end shortly. Walking through what once were fields for farms or cattle, were now stamped flat or scorched beyond repair. We arrived at the surrounding buildings around the Stronghold, ruined buildings and ruined citizens were the majority of the bleak scenery. Once well inside the city, two guards approached us. One was a unicorn stallion with chain mail armor and a blue tunic. The other was something I had never seen before. It was in yellow-orange robes were padded like armor but ornate like a priest's robe that left little to the imagination of it's shape. I could only assume it was a magician like the unicorn next to it but it's anatomy was so...different.

It's face could be described as a hairless ape's but with a straight-as-aboard spine, also with much larger forehead and eyes. The ape's face looked down at me, I could only assume 'she', was some strange creature from the east. The unicorn stallion stepped forward.

"Who are you two?" The unicorn's voice barked.

"I am Pea Gravel, squire to Alia Bufordox. The dragon pony knight from over the mountains. I was heard a request of services about the dragon problem," I said eloquently.

The hairless ape and the unicorn looked to each other. The tall, weird thing waved the unicorn away and knelt down in front of me. I tried to look straight at it. Her skin was tanned, the mane (I guess?) was a dark brown brown,  and her hazel eyes looked warmly at me. I wasn't sure if she was luring me or just being friendly. Dew shrank behind me to avoid the ape's vision. She smiled, her lips were painted purple as well as her eyelids.

"Hello Miss Gravel, my name is Sister Rochelle," She said extending a hand. I looked at the smooth skinned, five fingered, tan thing and placed a hoof on it. I was aware of 'shaking hooves' but hands worked too.

I wiped my hoof on my leather armor and looked at the 'Rochelle',"Hey there...Rochelle. You're here to take me to your master?"

Rochelle stood up to her lofty height and laughed again,"I see you really are used to this kind of work," She started walking down the rubble covered street and motioned us to follow,"This way, Lord Conduix has been eager to see you...even though Mistress Bufordox isn't present."

Dew crouched next to me as she led us through the streets. Rochelle held her hands together inside her enormous robe sleeves. I a little more noticeable then usual, since the varied creatures living in the city watched me and Dew walk down through the ruin. Among the masses, a hoof-full of things that looked similar to Rochelle watched too. I moved with more of a cocky trot and Dew did her best to keep up, avoiding eye contact with the watchers.

I looked up at Rochelle,"Sooo...Rochelle, what exactly are you?"

She seemed surprised and a little offended,"You've never seen a human before?"

"Nope, I'm glad too, bipeds are'mt my cup of tea," I said contorted.

She cleared her throat,"Umm...well, I...I understand. We're uncommon...out here, I'm really from out east."

I grinned,"I thought you were. All the weird things come out of there, right?"

Rochelle huffed lightly,"Yes, mam."

I was escorted to a tall, thick wall and through a oak tall door I was presented with the even bigger Cathedral. Rochelle led us through the doors of the Cathedral. Inside was a surprisingly small main hall, with small rugs in rows stretching from near the door all the way to the other side of the hall. At the end was a statue of a horse lit up by large brazens of fire. The statue itself was feminine, curvaceous and elegant. The details struck me as silly though. On the back were large wings, understandable. There was also a horn like a unicorn's on it's head though, odd combination. Our escort led us down the isle where we saw several creatures, mostly ponies, bowing on the carpets mumbling to themselves. Most of them wore similar robes as Rochelle did. Dew mustered up enough courage to look at the human.

"Uhh..R-Rochelle? What is this place?" she asked meekly.

"A church of the Sun Goddess. You see the statue of her down there?" Rochelle pointed a dainty finger at the smooth statue.

Despite the quiet I laughed,"You all worship a horse?"

Rochelle sighed a miffed sigh,"That's the way she's portrayed. I am but a member of the Sisterhood that watches over the Cathedral." We reached the alter before the statue with tall doors on either side of the hall. Rochelle smiled a almost fake smile,"I will go tell his Lordship that you're here. He'll be down shortly."

I sat on the floor and leaned on the alter, it felt warmed by the brazens on it. Dew had somewhat of a religious reverence and stayed a few feet away from the statue. I yawned, she sat waiting.

A little while later, a booming voice called from one of the doorways,"Ahh, my champion has come!"

I looked up to see Terbirus Conduix of the Sand Boar Clan. He was a boar, with four large tusks, a sun painted on his sloping forehead, grey blue eyes old and blind, draped over his back was large black cape with gold trim. The most surprising thing was that the oddly tall Rochelle only came up to his knee, Terbris was monstrously big. That sure explained why all the doors were so large. The floor shook slightly with every step he took, Dew nearly feinted when his massive head came close to us. His mass took my field of view and he had a voice to match.

"Greetings, favored champions," His voice sounded like one that would belong to a scholar's. One with oceans of wisdom," I'm sure you know my name by now, so I'll save the formalities for later. I have many wanderers who have answered the call of chivalry for my dear Ber Juan. It pleases me that someone as small as you two have traveled here," He looked at me with his failing eyes," I sense that you're a earth pony, one who is uniquely adept in combat. You've brought a...normal earth pony as well."

Dew's fear melted away. She looked somewhat comforted by his presence,"What kind of boar are you?" she asked,"I...we've never seen any pig so large."

Terbirus laughed warmly,"I, little one, am a Ermathian Boar. My forefathers were conquers and masters of the arcane. I have chosen a more...humble path of life. But that is not the centerpiece of your stay. I would like to know what you need for killing the dragon, as soon as possibly available."

I put a hoof to my chin with a scheming smile,"I need a sword. Enchanted by your finest mages to make it strong."

"Done," said Terbis hurriedly,"Anything else you require?"

I kept a straight face but the mind inside exploded from the possibilities,"How much gold can you pay me?"

The giant boar pursed his lip,"I promised as much as you could carry. Is there anything else?" He seemed timid asking me whatever else I wanted.

I looked out at the creatures bowed in prayer. I wasn't after them, I just needed to think. Out in the middle of the left side crowd I saw an aged but familiar face. I saw the pig that owned the ranch I lived on as a child. I remembered how hard he worked my father and took advantage of my mother, a wicked smile crept on my face.

"Him, that pig over there," I pointed,"He'll carry gold for me."

Terbirus looked up to see the pig I chose, the fat pig looked up with a confused look. He snorted loudly and the pig scrambled forward. He plastered his flabby face to the stone floor,"Your Lordship, you called for me?"

I folded my arms and grinned,"Hey, rancher! Remember me?"

He looked up to my face. His expression was blank,"lo siento , mam. I don't know your face."

I leaned forward,"Do you remember Paco Gravel or Nina?"

The pig froze. I saw sweat beads roll off his forehead,"No, no. I don't know who you are talking about."

Terbirus looked at me with a stern look on his massive head,"Do wish to own this rancher is servitude?" I nodded a resounding 'yes' and Terbirus looked at the pig,"It doesn't matter if you know her or not, your much more expendable then the gold I was going to offer."

The pig  bawled in penance to Terbirus, he clung his dirty hooves to the giant boar's robe and pleaded for his life. Terbirus snorted again, angrier this time. The pig shrunk back and looked at me. He hung his flabby head low toward me,"Hola maestro..." he sighed defeated.

I looked over to Rochelle who stood patiently,"Hey monkey face, where are we going to sleep?"

Rochelle looked to her lord who shrugged,"I suppose..."Rochelle began,"You could sleep here in the stronghold. I'll send for our finest blacksmith for your sword."

Terbirus sighed,"I'll take my leave, my studies need attending. I shall be off with one last piece of information for you, Pea Gravel, Wicktet attacks about once or twice a month, usually when the moon is full," and with that he left back for the upper levels of the hold.

Rochelle said she'd lead us to the black smith that was close to a market, Dew and I could get some new supplies. Rochelle and Dew Berry walked ahead while I stared at the pig. He twitched nervously, not sure what I was going to do.

"Master...I don't see why you picked me as a slave. I'm fat and old, I can't do any work-" He stopped when I held up a hoof.

"I don't remember your name and I'm damn sure I don't want to learn it. If I'm not mistaken, being a mount is still a punishment for criminals or slaves right?"

The pig shrank back, now getting an idea of what was going on,"W-what are you going to do?"

I pulled a dagger from my bag. He squealed internally with wide eyes as I unsheathed the blade. I held it with a smile,"Alright, piggy. Be a good boy and stick out your tongue for master..."

Dew and Rochelle were down the street a ways before I caught up to them. The human didn't seem phased but Dew almost hurled. I sat on the pig's back while he had a makeshift bridle and reins tied on him with a scrap piece of leather tied his mouth shut. I rode up to Dew and the human, who I was now almost eye level with, due to the height boost. The streets inside the walls were pristine, the buildings untouched. The residents gave a variety of looks at me and those I was with. Rochelle led us to a busy market, and citizens avoided our path, particularly mine.

The market was full of amazing smelling food, wonderful sculptures, beautiful clothes, ornate rugs, fetching looking slaves, deadly shaped weapons and most of all, sly merchants. I grabbed a stick fried food out on a counter, the merchantmen was about to protest but he saw my sword and that I was riding another creature. We reached a more militarized themed part of the market, filled with weapons, armor and those who make or sell them. We approached another human looking similar to Rochelle was pounding a piece of red hot steel on an anvil in a armor shop. Rochelle waited until the loud clanging stopped before she talked to him.

"Marco, do you have a moment?" Rochelle asked.

Marco turned around. His tan skin was covered in soot from the forge and sleek from sweat. He was even taller then her, and had grossly defined muscles. Unlike Rochelle his head was completely bald save a sooty rag for a bandanna. He looked at Rochelle with hazel eyes like hers. They looked at each other with googly eyes but they both looked the same to me.

Rochelle hid a blush with her robe's collar,"Marco, his Lordship Cordiux hired this pony here to help out with Ber Juan's dragon problem..."

Marco's face swelled up like a balloon then burst into a fit of laughter, Rochelle joined in a little too. He was still giggling when he looked over at me,"So..he he...you are the great and powerful mercenary from across the mountains? It's too damn funny, a horse trying to kill a dragon! Come on Rochelle, tell me this is a joke!"

The look I made weakened his goofy smile,"Yeah it's me, fuck monkey. If you have a problem with me trying to kill it why don't you haul your faggot ass out there and kill it yourself?"

Rochelle and Marco looked at each other for a moment. The blacksmith smiled meekly,"Sorry, mam. We're just not used to ponies doing a...bigger thing's job," I scowled at this and he quickly used his bandanna to clean off his soot covered face,"So, you're here to get a sword? Well you came to the right place."

I drew out my sword to show him the size I was trained with, he took the piece of iron in his hands carefully. He tested its weight and sharpness then nodded,"Yes mam, you really do need a better sword. This one's going to the pits!"

Dew looked up at him,"What's wrong with it? It's been working for Pea for years."

Marco tried to act professional,"Well...I'm not sure how horses sharpen their swords but this is...very dull. I'll make you a fine sword though."

I grinned,"You better, you and your girlfriend's ass depends on it!"

Several days passed in Ber Juan. Due to my promise, I was treated like royalty. Servants listened to my every whim and fed me wonderful food. Dew kept quiet for those few days. Five weeks went by, no attacks, and I gained a few ponds from the gifts of food. Soon my new sword was presented to me, it's blade was polished to a blue grey shine. I could tell it was made in a hurry but it didn't seem like a faulty weapon. The hilt an pommel fit on either side of my face nicely, making a small guard for my head. At the hilt was a crest of a golden sun on both sides, I knew their Sun Goddess bullshit would creep in somewhere. The blade had a hilt made of dark wood and bands of gold. I made a sash around my leather armor for both my new and my old swords, better two then one right? Marco and a variety of other blacksmiths awaited my approval. I nodded proudly.

The next day, I will admit, I looked rather nervous...no scared shitless. I was in cow skin armor, riding out of the city on a tongueless pig. Dew used her new found freedom and stayed in the comfort of the Stronghold of Ber Juan. I decided to patrol the last few farms and wait for the dragon. That night was supposed to be a full moon. The air felt warmer, was spring already coming?

That evening, as the sun set over the horizon, I heard a awful sound. Over the ridge of sand dunes in the distance sprawled the dragon Wicktet. His body was in full momentum his tawny limbs sped his body across the desert while sparks flew out of his jagged maw. The ex-rancher pig I was riding squealed (well...like a pig) but I drove him onward. I heard the sound of alarm bells from Ber Juan's and what citizens were outside them swarmed to the safety of the mighty stone walls. Wicktet stamped the few crops that grew and coming close to the outlying city, belched flame on the already scorched buildings.

As I rode nearer, I noticed the look in his eyes. They weren't the malicious ones that haunted my childhood nightmares, these were completely thoughtless eyes of an angry animal. The rust red dragon dove his face into the streets scooping up the straggling runners and squelched them between his teeth. Formulating a plan, I jumped off the pig and kicked him. He went into a blind panic and squealed obnoxiously loud and Wicktet turned his head.

The dragon began following the pig though the crumbled streets while I looked for a suitable trap. To my luck, I found two massive pieces of stone (remains of an outer wall?) leaning against each other with only a piece of timber keeping them stable. I waited until the pig ran nearby until I tried to loosen the trunk. With all of the training I had gone through and strength I gained, it took almost every ounce of energy to move that trunk.

Wicktet was just where I wanted him, he stayed still while he pawed at the pork he caught. Unknown to him the boulders rolled and landed onto his long tail, crushing half of it under their weight. He roared and tried to lift the rocks off but they barely budged. He squirmed and trashed around trying to free himself. I climbed over one rock and jumped on his wingless shoulders. He didn't notice me so I used his back quills to get to his head. He felt me there but before he could do anything I gouged his eyes out with my sword. He thrashed his head around and threw me off.

The blistering heat me from his flames that he belched in desperation to kill me. Dodging his talons I slit the tendons at his wrists and his torso toppled to the ground. His neck still trashed about with his jaw snapping blindly in attempts to catch me. I strutted just out of reach and he smelled me, a smile crept across his lips. Being so close to him I saw that he really wasn't that big, only a little bigger then Terbris. That didn't make it any less frightening though.

The dragon hissed,"Sssssooo...the little runt who's madre I maimed and padre I burned. How are they, Pea?"

I drew my new sword with a vengeance and shouted at him,"You're in no spot to talk shit! You know how long I've been waiting to kill your bastard ass?!"

He cackled,"So their dead I take it. Good, you cretins don't deserve glorious deaths."

I stepped forward, well aware he could blanket me in flame,"Well, Lamb Cruncher, I don't think you deserve one either!"

He opened his jaw for a jet of flame but I jumped in his maw. He shook his head around more but I got a good footing from his teeth. The oncoming river of flame glowed from inside his throat and the heat singed my body. Before the floodgates opened again I thrust my sword up into his top plate. His body shivered and his mouth collapsed, probably more from shock then the actual strike. I pulled my sword out and crawled out of his mouth with his reeking drool and blood on my armor. Heat radiated from his maw and his blood sizzled. I stared at the dead dragon for almost ten minuets to see if he'd try to get up. The scaly corpse began cooling off so I headed back to the gates to tell the good news. From behind me a voice growled.

"You, Land-Crawler!" A distorted voice echoed from Wicktet's direction.

I turned with a wrathful stare,"What the fuck?! i thought you...were...dead..."

Wicktet was still limp, still looking dead. His eyes were now blue-white spotlights and similar light was coming from his mouth. Something was using his body as a puppet,"You have the gaul to attempt to slay one of my children?" the voice had a powerful sense of command to it.

I cocked my head to the side,"Who's this?"

"I am the Serpent Father, The Blood Dragon, King of the Rocites. My name is Grunebelfot Boraxutzar, in your simple tongue," the voice growled.

"Borox?" I asked stunned.

"If that's the name your feeble mind can comprehend, yes," the voice scoffed,"I don't take my children being slain lightly. I know where your 'home' is, Land Crawler. If you return there you shall find bones and ash. This is all," Then the light faded.

The embers from Wicktet's flames blew through the night air. I use the last of my energy to run to the castle. Running over rubble and pieces of timber I hammered on the front gates,"Dew! Dew, we need to leave, now!"

The gates opened and along with a multitude of citizens Rochelle and Dew greeted me. They ran around to praise me. I could only stand panting while Dew came up to congratulate me. Rochelle announced to the crowd that they'd hold a glorious feast for me, but I had more pressing matters.

I grabbed Dew by the shoulder,"We...have...have to go. Now, Dew!" I panted.

"Why? We're going to have a party, don't you want to rest?"

I drug Dew along weakly,"...Alia...everyone at the manor...their in danger!"

Dew looked to the crowd,"Ummm....sorry everyone but...we have to get home!"

Four tall stallions stepped forward,"You saved all of us, now you just leave?" One asked,"Let us at least help you back home!"

I blinked tiredly at Dew. She rolled her eyes and sighed,"Alright boys, carry Pea Gravel and I'll lead you up the mountains."

The crowd was confused. They were expecting a large celebration for their savior but now she was just leaving. The stallion's ringleader lifted me on his shoulders and leaving the city dazed, we headed to the mountains at a quick pace. The stallions were a little fast for Dew, so one just gave her a ride. They ran though the night and into the morning, covering a pleasing amount of ground. At mid-day my stamina returned to me and I ran on ahead with Dew. Two stayed with us to help out on the other side while the other pair went back home.

Almost without stopping, we scaled the mountain and over to the other side. The pace double when we went downhill and within a day we were at the foot of the mountain's pine forest. The run across the plains was a blur and all too late, we found the manor.

There was a acre of blackened earth where the manor once stood. The embers were days old, little smoke flowed up. When we came closer and tread solemnly through the ash the smell of burnt flesh hung in the air. At the center of the manor's foundations was a pile of bones, what was left of the manor staff. I even saw a skull with two horns sticking out the back.

I was speechless and crushed, though Alia was cold I had loved her like a mother. A carnivorous, bat-winged, sword swinging mother. Dew sat and cried, she didn't plan on coming back but never thought something like this could happen. The two stallions were unsure of what to do, one tried to comfort me but I nearly broke is nose from a punch. They staggered back and I went back to sitting and mourning silently.

Hours passed...the stallions already left and we sat in the light of a prairie sunset. Dew was sitting quietly and curled up. Without warning I lifted her up and began draggin her along the ground.

She kicked at me,"Pea?! What are you doing?"

I didn't look back at her but she knew what I was thinking,"We're going to kill whoever did this!"

Dew got up and blocked my path,"Pea, I know your stong but you can't go off and hunt dragons!"

"Why not, I already killed one didn't I?" I asked bitterly.

Dew stamped her hoof,"I don't want to be alone! If you go through with this you'll get yourself killed!"

No one was really that compassionate to me save my late parents. My bitter look melted away and I hugged Dew. She inhaled sharply from surprise.

"Maybe alone I'll get wrecked, but with my best friend I can handle anything!"

Dew pulled away and punched me,"Don't drag me into this, stupid!"

And that's where the story really kicks off...