Of Men and Dragons--Part 1

    This is one of the first stories I wrote.  The only fiction I had written up to that point was what I had written for a creative writing class and perhaps another random story or two.  My point is, it is not very well written.  However, I enjoyed writing it at that time.  So, enjoy this story that has been hidden in the dust bin and was never completed.  Yes, that habit started early on.  *sheepish grin*  By the way, I just made up the title on the spot because I never bothered to name the story.  So, if it seems cheesy, that is why.  Enjoy!

 

   Robert coughed hard, trying to clear dust from his throat and vent some of his frustration out on something.  “Come on, horse.  Gimme a break.”  His brown eyes narrowed and he bounced the loop of the rope in his hand, preparing to cast it at the wild horse once again.

    The stallion reared and let out an angry cry.  It was wired and upset.  With another scream it galloped towards the fence, a wild look in its eyes.  Surprise filled Robert as he realized its intentions.  Dust swirled up and around the horse as it reached the fence and then shoved itself upward into a soaring jump.

    “No!” Robert clambered over the fence and hastily threw the rope.  The horse could not escape, he would not allow it.  The moment the stallion landed the rope settled about its neck.  Robert could not help but grin.  “What a perfect throw,” he thought, “I doubt anyone else could hav- Umph!” He opened his mouth trying to draw in air.  Sticks and rocks scraped his elbows and tore at his pants and shirt.  In front of him, the black tail of the horse streamed.  Panic coursed through Robert’s body; he had to let go of the rope.  Yet, his hands seemed glued to it.  Pain shot up his side as the horse turned sharply, swinging him into a boulder.

                                                                                    ~

    Black dots swam before Robert’s eyes when he opened them.  He raised his head slightly, stopping when pain pierced his side.  It was night-time.  Was he near the ranch house, or had the horse continued to drag him away from it?  He slowly raised himself into a sitting position.  “Oh!’ He groaned. 

    Suddenly, from behind him, he heard the crack of a twig.  “Hey, Steven, is that you?”  Robert called out, hoping it was his brother.  “Could you come give me a hand?”

    Silence.  Then, cold metal touched Robert’s throat.  “Who are you?” an unfamiliar voice queried.  Robert turned his head slightly, his eyes straining to make who was standing next to him.  “I asked,” came the voice more forcefully, “Who are you?!”

    Trying to keep unneeded fear from tainting his answer, Robert said with a forced calm, “My name’s Robert, and what are you doing on my property?”

    “Your property?  Ha!  I happen to know that this is not your property.  Do you know where you are?  You are in Ventigo!  The home of the elves!  In fact, the very land you are sitting on does not belong to anyone but the birds and the beasts and the plants.”

    Great, thought Robert, Not only am I hurt, but I am with some loony guy who thinks he is in the land of the elves who is an animal rights person.  “Listen,” Robert said, hoping to talk a little sense into the guy.  “I don’t have a clue what you are talking about, but I think you must be confused.  My home is right over there,” he waved his hand towards the left, “and I would greatly appreciate it if you would help me there . . . after you put down the sword.” Robert slowly edged away from the sharp point.  I wonder where he got that thing.  I am definitely going to have to report this guy to the police.

    “Your home is over there?  Whatever, there is nothing over there but a lake.”  The man grabbed Robert and yanked him to his feet.  Pain shot up Robert’s arm, and black dots made their appearance again.  A firm hand shoved him forward.  “Move!” 

    “Alright, alright,” Robert muttered, gently massaging his hurting arm.  For the next hour, he and the crazy man walked over uneven terrain to who knew where.  Whenever Robert began to stop to rest, the man poked him in the back with the sword.  As time passed Robert became painfully aware of the full day’s work he had already put in.  His feet felt like lead.  Finally, not even the fear of being stabbed in the back with the sword could keep him on his feet.  Pain and exhaustion won out.  Robert could hear the man threatening him.  Before he could defend himself blackness claimed him.

~

    Robert jerked, and sat up.  Where was he?  Around him light flooded in through dirty windows and an empty door frame.  Unfamiliar walls and a ceiling seemed to be staring out at him through knots in the wood.   I guess last night was not a dream.  “But if it wasn’t, where is the man that kidnapped me?” he muttered, while trying to lay his tousled brown hair in a sense of order.  Disgust filled him as dirt came off on his hand.  He slowly slipped off the cot on which he had been laying.  What a dump.  If this is where that guy lives, I don’t blame him for going crazy.  Dirt covered the floor and walls, and the cot that had served as Robert’s bed was, well, Robert didn’t even want to touch it. 

    He took one step out of the cabin, and then stopped.  In front of him, gigantic mountains rose high into the sky.  White fluffy clouds danced around their middle keeping the rest of their mass hidden in the fluffy folds.  Robert squinted his eyes trying to see their tops.  He shook his head in amazement.  They could not be seen.    

    “Good morning!” came a musical voice.  Robert jerked in surprise and whirled around.  A young girl with slanted eyes and a pert nose was watching him.

    “Good morn-hey!  Why are your ears pointed like that?” 

    The little girl tossed her golden hair with a laugh.  “Why aren’t yours?  I guess Lyden was right.  You aren’t an elf!”

    “Who’s Lyden?”

    “The elf that found you.  Don’t you remember?”

    “Well, I never really got to see his face, and it wouldn’t matter even if I had.  It isn’t like he introduced himself to me.”  He brought his eyebrows down in a scowl.

    The girl let out another tinkling laugh.  “Since you haven’t seen it fit to ask, my name is Lydell.  What is yours?”

    “Robert.”

    “Well, Robert, follow me.  I am sure you wish to resolve your being here as swiftly as possible.”

    Robert hesitated, and then realized that, since he had no clue where he was, following the girl was his best bet at getting out of here. He followed the girl, which he judged to be about ten into a forest of stately trees.  Lush green grass, with groups of flowers scattered about, grew under the canopy of leaves.  Birds that he had never before seen lept from branch to branch letting out calls that made him want to sing and dance.  The girl seemed to have no reserves around strangers and laughed and chattered while, every now and then, turning around to see if he was still following her.  Robert entertained himself part of the time by studying her clothing.  She wore a green dress with brown piping.  It looked common enough, what caught his attention was a small belt that was buckled around her waist with a dagger hanging from it.  Did all the young girls around here go around armed?   For the most part he ignored what the girl said.  Then he heard a word that caught his attention.  “Did you say dragons?” he stopped and stared.

    “Yes, haven’t you been listening?” she glared at him for second, then continued.  “As I said before, we live quite peaceable here except for the dragons that plague us ever now and then.  They are violent creatures, and there seems to be no hope for their befriending.”

    “You talk as if they could be befriended; as if they could talk.” 

    “They can.”

    His eyes widened in shock.

    She reached down and gently fondled an orchid.  “They don’t speak like you and me; however, they can communicate through the mind.  And before you ask how we know, we know because they overpower us with their minds so we can’t defend ourselves.”

    Robert looked around him at the forest, suddenly feeling chilled.  “But it feels so safe here.”

    “But it isn’t.  Not a bit.”  She cocked her head, “However, perhaps someday we will be able to break through to the dragons.  Many of our old songs and ballads speak of such a day.”

    They continued on in silence; Robert pondering on what she had said, and the girl seemingly content to study the surrounding wildlife.  Then once again, her musical voice took wing, and he found himself hearing descriptions of the animals that they caught sight of now and then.  Some of the animals were the same as ones that lived near his house, while others where as different as the day is from night.  This place was most certainly a wonder.  Yet, even the beauty of it did not keep fear from wrapping its fingers around his heart.  This place was most certainly not anywhere near where he lived, and how he got here, and who these people where, was an even bigger mystery.