Category: Writers Block
The men had dispatched their sick companions, and buried the dead under rocks, revealed by the steadily falling rain. They were collectively numb with grief hungry and disillusioned.Pharlain stood shakily by the cave entrance he raised a hand to Altar who waved, and removed his coat to let the rain wash off the congealed blood, clinging to his upper body the ticklish trickles of cold rain refreshed him and Pharlain enjoyed the feel and taste of water now he no longer craved it "are you fit to walk I would like to carry you but you may not trust me" Altar waited for a reply while wiping moistened blood from his hands he looked evey inch the warrior and again a ripple of fear travelled through the men "I will always trust you but I would prefer to walk at least for a while"
Altar was about to joke when a thunderous roar drowned out every sound he dived outside, expecting to see Lyla bearing down on them, but the sight that greeted him was astounding a coal black dragon, mouth agape with fire, burst out of a cloud lined with silver light and howling a battle cry "I've heard this cry elsewhere but that was 5 years ago!.." Lyla's fire snaked from every opening in the cave as she exploded from the entrance like a meteor,without hesitation she joined the stranger and together they hurtled down the valley intent on destruction. Pharlain had known this would happen,he had listened more closely to the fanciful rumours from the remote valleys, of vicious black dragons and their liking for war, the settlers had mocked his warnings and now their best fighters were either dead or too badly injured to be of any use."We must light a fire above the cave to warn them! Move.. here light this and try not to lose sight of the black fella he's Malduin's son!" 4 men were fitted with ropes and sticks, while 3 more held the lighters and tinder,the rain had stopped and a brightening moon dropped fitful spotlights of silver on the tainted ground.
"Did you see him black as pitch and twice as ugly as his father" they built the beacon as high as possible and hunkered down to protect the virgin flames from the wind "I can't begin..if this IS Malduin's son there is no point in trying to warn anyone by the time we have this lit he will..." the boy was unable to answer, as a huge menacing shadow passed overhead.
He glanced up into darkness the moon was obliterated and he saw only a outline "Dohze moi! light the beacon please we must warn them somehow!" The fighters avoided each other's eyes afraid of what they might reveal Pharlain appeared and his reaction was as expected "what did I tell you huh! You laughed didn't you, dont take him on,Pharlain's gone mad! Do you know who that is!" he pointed to the shadow as it turned and plunged downward to within 20 feet of the ground.The men flattened themselves against the rock and prayed as Malduin screamed above them,his talons scraped the rock, at the last minute he lifted them the dragon was playing with them
Arrows whistled past the dragon yet he had the audacity to hover close to his old cave, and breathe jets of blue fire his flame was more treacherous than Lyla's where hers was scalding, Malduin's was freezing, as his frigid breath swept in like the bitter NE wind the men shivered convulsively and hid in every available crevice. Icicles hung from the roof and the weak fire was reduced to ashes, it hissed and smoked then died. Altar threw on his coat and a sheepskin he knew it was futile but he needed time to psyche himself up for all his bravery in battle, Altar was mortally afraid of Malduin.
His sword hand shook and his heart thumped, he was sure this was his last night on earth Pharlain joined him as the 7 men fit for battle, finally lit the beacon, and scrambled down to gather their weapons "this is hopeless no one has ever defeated Malduin..." as he remonstrated with Altar a sleekit look came into his now clearer eyes, the black dragon had a greedy appetite and would eagerly snap up a free meal even in the midst of battle,if they could convince him to eat a victim of Sarlen fever, his fire would die and he would succumb soon after,however many had tried this and Malduin had out foxed them all."OK you who knows the dragon so well how do we fool him" Pharlain knew the black dragon better than anyone in the valley he had studied his life for years "he hasn't fed properly being so busy hunting for his son, I'll unearth a body, it's as well that I'm immune right"