Dragon’s Fang

Chapter 1: The Adventure Begins

“Which way do I go now?” wondered Lance out loud, scratching his head. The young man, named after a pointy stick, with a flame of hair that rivaled the sun’s brightness and crystal ocean eyes, stared down a dirt road that diverged, one path to the left and one to the right. The trail had seen many travelers just like him. Their story lay written in its many bulges and bumps and indents. The trod of horse, the rolling wheels of wagons, the footprints of traveler and pilgrims all had left behind their tales. Lance was just one of them, except his journey would leave behind a tale set on a dream.

The road’s division gave travelers one of two destinies to choose, a choice that would change his or her story from what it would be if the other path was taken. If one were to choose the left path he or she would find himself or herself heading to a small forgotten village, known only to a few others besides its residents. Forgotten because of what the left path would eventually lead one to, the Forbidden Forest. Rumors tell of a great evil lurking in that forest. Beasts of every shape, size, and grotesqueness await those who enter.

Now if one were to take the right path they would find himself or herself on a quiet journey to the Kingdom of Minthadia. Only joyful news had ever been spread of Minthadia.

Obviously to a normal person the right path would seem the wise path to choose. This occurred to Lance, but the left path could just lead him to his goal.

Lance sighed. He didn’t know which path to choose. Making decisions had never been a strong point of him. He decided that maybe if he rested the answer would come to him. After all he had all ready traveled far today and just laying down and closing his eyes for a few minutes couldn’t hurt. He dragged himself over to the side of the road, where the grass still thrived since it had never been trampled by feet, hooves, or wheels. The young man lay down on his back and shut his eyes.

It wasn’t long before sleep began calling him, taking him to a place where there was never night, never work, never failure, but instead only play, hope, accomplishment, and peace. That’s where he saw himself as a brave hero. His cape was blowing eloquently in the wind and his sword was glistening brilliantly in the sunlight. There he was facing his most dangerous adversary, a giant beast with scaly wings, foreboding crawls, and a sharp break, with smoke blasting from its nostrils in a continuing rhythm; a dragon. The creature threw back its head and shot a ball of fire towards him, but Lance needed only to jump, roll, sidestep, or slice his sword through the hot matter to prevent his unpleasant doom.

The lizard was no match for he, Lance. He ran towards the dragon, sword ready in hand, aimed straight toward the beast’s breast. The end would come for the unlucky monster and he would take his prize, one of the dragon’s many glistening sharp fangs, as proof of victory.

Only a few more steps now. The dragon could do nothing. It was completely petrified with fright. Lance couldn’t help but grin with joy. Soon all he ever wanted would come true because of this victory. Lance jumped straight up and raised his sword. He thrust it high above him, toward the dragon’s heart.

It was three inches away! Then only one inch away. A centimeter away when…

“Owww!”

…great pain hit Lance. He instantly awoke from his truly wonderful dream from a sharp pain in his foot that caused him to lunge forward and sit straight up. Now who could have spoiled his victory over this dragon and the completion of his goal? Even if it was but only a dream he did enjoy dreaming it.

A mantel flapped in front of his face, barely missing his nose, but still sending a pleasant breeze towards him.

Trotting followed and then more pain came as two others mistaked Lance’s feet for part of the road. They were two men, a great ten years older than Lance, armed with weapons. They wore dirty, once light brown, knee length tunics, with equally dirty tan pants and hair sprouted from all over their faces and heads. They weren’t peasants even though their rough appearance may give someone that impression, for they had swords, not the long bows a peasant would be armed with. They were either rouge knights or thieves. Lance’s bet was on thieves, since one of them did have an awfully fancy sword that bore the emblem of a kingdom far from its current location.

Now the other who had first stepped upon Lance’s foot and had awoken him from his dream was apparently being pursued by these two men. This person was completely hidden by a long black hooded cloak. Only the eyes of the person were visible. And were they gorgeous eyes. One could be lost eternally in their blue depths. This person, whichever it was, male or female, continued to run from these people, but stopped and turned around when he or she noticed the choice of paths he or she would have to make. The men followed. They all were completely ignoring Lance, however.

One of the men called, “Give us back the money you stole and you won’t get hurt.” How ironic, Lance thought. Here was a thief criticizing another thief.

“I didn’t steal anything from you,” the cloaked figure replied. The voice was feminine. Then she said in a voice that only she could hear. “You simply gave me this money.” She added louder, “Please let me be.”

A damsel was in distress Lance realized. Taking care of these two low lives for her would be excellent practice for slaying a dragon and he couldn’t just let these men accuse a lady like this.

He leapt to his feet as quickly as he could. He clasped the sword shaped pendent around his neck in his hand, prayed for success, and tore his hand forward, ripping the string that supported the pendant. Moments later he was grasping a beautiful sword. Its blade was spotless and glistened. The hilt held a grandly sculptured emblem of a fierce fiery dragon curled up in a tight ball.

Lance sprinted to the aid of the cloaked woman. The two thieves had all ready taken their swords out from their sheaths and were advancing upon her. Lance swiftly jumped in front of her. Everyone looked at him questioningly. Who was this stranger, who had no involvement in the problem, that had just stepped in? The girl starred puzzled at the back of his fiery head. The thieves glared at him, both surprised by his interference. Their faces changed quickly, however, to have expressions of disgust, yet full of amusement. After all he had just interrupted them, but a little sword practice could be quite entertaining.

“Don’t worry,” Lance said to the girl. His eyes darted from the person behind him to the men in front of him and then to the sharp points of their swords. “You’re safe now. I’ll take care of them.” Even though he said this with his voice being completely stable; not a syllable shook on the tip of his tongue, his was body was shaking and his sword also quivered in his hands. He gulped. He had never fought against anybody like this before, not against anyone that would slice him in two without a second thought. Even so he tried to remain as calm as possible. He, Lance of Catron could defeat anyone…couldn’t he? Yes, he could! He would defeat these two and someday he would even defeat a dragon. Greatness ran through his veins, after all.

“I thank you,” the female whispered and she backed away a few feet.

The men snickered and one of them stepped forward toward Lance. His companion followed. They looked over Lance for a moment. Lance wasn’t the strongest looking man and they figured this would be an easy victory. They both raised their swords, ready to strike.

“Lance, you can do this,” he told himself. “You can!”

And with those words of self confidence Lance was flying forward. His sword flashed as his two opponents whipped down their swords upon him. Both of their attacks failed as Lance’s sword leapt in front of him and took the hit for him. Again they tried to attack. One sliced his sword at him from the left. Lance blocked it. The other attacked from the right. He just as easily dodged it. Now it was his turn to be on the offense. He brought his sword down upon a thief, splitting the air and the man’s flesh. Quickly Lance spun around and raised his sword high. In one final swipe the battle ended. The thieves lay motionless on the ground, with blood gushing from their cuts and Lance stood tall, unscarred, with only the blood on his sword to prove he had ever fought.

Or at least that is what Lance wanted to happen; hoped would happen. But the reality of what happened is this: Lance flew forward, his feet setting fire to the ground as he did. Then all of a sudden his foot halted, stopped by a truly wicked object to ruin his great attack, A.K.A. a giant stone. He felt himself falling and felt his sword slip from his hand. The only hit he managed to connect in the entire fight was with he and the ground. Oh, and did that hit smart as the ground’s little swords known as weeds stabbed his face. Lance quickly looked up, for fear the men would attack him as he lay there. To Lance’s utter amazement, however, he saw his sword flipping through the air. Then he heard a moan of agony as the blade sliced through the leg of one the thieves.

The man collapsed to the ground, wincing in pain. Lance’s sword continued to believe it was a bird for a few more moments and then when it finally believed otherwise it fell to the side of the dirt road. The uninjured thief ran to his companion, who cradled his bleeding thigh, moaning like a wolf to the moon and hissing like a snake for his friend to aid him. The thieves shot disgusted looks at Lance, who lay staring at the scene in disbelief. The man who wasn’t hurt swung his arm under that of his friend and then, together, they hobbled away.

Lance continued to lay on his stomach, watching them stumble down the right path of the road, which led to Minthadia, until they were but small dolls in the distant. He stayed where he was, ashamed, and hoped the girl who he had pathetically rescued would also take a path away from him, so he could wallow in self pity for a while. But instead he noticed a hand stretched out to him, hovering in the air inches away from his nose.

“Thank you,” she said sweetly and pushed her hand closer to his face, hoping he would see it and accept it.

Reluctantly Lance accepted her hand. She helped him to his feet. No sooner than she did he turned away from her because of shame. “It isn’t anything to be grateful for,” he whispered. “It was a disgraceful victory.” He walked over to where his sword lay and picked it up. The sword instantly turned back into the small sword pendant it had been before. The girl did not see the weapon’s transformation, however. Lance starred at it for a moment. Just like always he had managed to mess up. He quickly tied it around his neck with the string that was wrapped around it. Wasn’t this sword suppose to prevent that; wasn’t it suppose to better him?

“Oh, no, no. Don’t say that,” the girl scolded. “It did it’s propose. And I am truly grateful for your aid.” She walked around him so that she could face him. Though her mouth was hidden Lance could tell she was smiling by the squint of her eyes. Her smile made him feel a little better. He gave a weak smile back.

“May I know the name of my brave savior?” she inquired sweetly.

“Oh…I’m Lance, Lance of Catron.” Lance blushed slightly from the praise. She truly had an angel’s voice. He pointed to himself.

“Really? Of Catron. I don’t recall seeing you.” Her eyes were wide with astonishment. “Hmmmm…” She looked him over carefully. She studied his face. She looked him over head to toe. Her eyes scrunched with annoyance as she couldn’t remember him. Hadn’t she seen him before? His appearance was quite unique and she did have excellent memory. Bright fiery, ocean blue eyes, tall, maybe a little lanky, were all noticeable characteristics. His nice new, clean tunic, gorgeous sword, and flashy cape proved he must have been a nobleman, but she couldn’t remember ever seeing him or for that matter, hearing of him.

Lance glanced nervously at her as she examined him and backed away as she moved closer for a better look. He wondered if she was like this to everyone she met or if she recognized him. Did he know her? He certainly couldn’t tell if he had met her before. She had her face covered. He wondered why. Was she so terribly hideous that she had to hid her face? Could someone with such a beautiful voice and eyes be anything but angelic in all her other feature?

“No,” she said at last, backing away from him a few steps. “Can’t say I remember you.” She shook her head slowly.

“Um, excuse me,” Lance said, slightly nervous. He was about to ask one of the questions that had been eating his mind. “ I hope I don’t sound rude, but do I know you?” He awaited her answer.

“Oh, no. I can’t say you do.” She shook her head and then her eyes became crescent moons turned over on their sides from her smile. “But where are my manors Father is always asking about?” She raised her hands up towards her face and placed them upon her dark cloak which hid her face. “I am Lena!” she exclaimed cheerfully. “Also of Catron!” She pulled the cloak away from her face. Lance was completely flabbergasted from what he saw.

She truly was an angelic being. She was more beautiful than the diamonds that twinkle in the sky at night. They were just ugly stones compared to her and the only reason they sparkled at all was because their tears of jealousy glistened in the light. She had a long tail of brown hair wrapped behind her in a tight braid. Her lips were rubies sculpted perfectly upon her face and her skin was as pale as the moon. She was perfect; absolutely flawless.

She smiled at Lance as he continued to stare dumbfounded at her, with his mouth hanging open and eyes wide. Oh , how that smile made Lance feel alive. She looked so much more radiant when she smiled.

“So,” she began, trying to start a conversation. “Why is my brave hero roaming so far from home and where is he heading?” Lance’s cheeks turned red when ruby red lips formed the words “brave hero”. But he couldn’t help enjoy the praise. After all being praised by a being as spectacular as her was what a normal man could only dream of happening and would never experience the real thing.

“Well,” stuttered Lance. “I-I d-don’t really know where I am going.” His blush deepened, but not because of his lack of directional sense, but because of how her diamond eyes sparkled with interest due to his answer. She looked just as pretty as ever. “But I do know I’ll find what I’m searching for!” he added with confidence, trying to impress her with the idea that he was on a quest. Yes, girls loved that sort of thing. A brave handsome man searching for something was enough to make a girl’s heart skip a beat.

“What are you searching for?” She was completely interested.

Lance paused before answering. He wondered if he should tell her. He didn’t know her very well, but one quick glance at her face was enough to make him decide. Nothing could be wrong with telling the angels of his quest. He concluded that she’d either believe him very brave or utterly insane.

“Have you ever heard of the legend of a dragon’s fang?” he asked her. Lena shook her head, but her eyes stared intently at him, never leaving him. “There are legends that tell that if a man possesses a dragon’s fang he will be the strongest creature alive! His sword will be able to slash through the strongest armor!” He swung his hand, holding a imaginary sword to prove his emphasis. “So I, Lance of Catron, seek this power.” He raised his hands and formed them into tight fist. “I will find a dragon and slay the beast. Its fang will be my prize.”

He expected to hear her giggling or at least see her staring at him in bewilderment, which would clearly indicate that she was thinking something to the sense of, “I better stay away from this man. He’s insane,” but she did no such thing. Instead she looked at him hard, very much interested. Then she exploded with admiration. “An adventure! Lucky you to go on such a miraculous journey!” She added with a pout. “Oh, how I wish women were as free to come and go as men.”

“You really think it’s so amazing?”

“Oh, of course!” she exclaimed with a smile. She paused and added sadly. “But you don’t know where to find a dragon, do you?”

“No…I don’t.” Lance looked at the ground, a bit embarrassed that he had no idea where it was he was going.

“Don’t worry so. I know exactly where you need to go!” Lance’s glaze rose upon her. He was curious. Could she really know where he needed to go to find a dragon? She continued, speaking more to herself than to Lance. “Oh, yes. He would know.”

“He?”

She nodded. Then raised her arms in the air and exclaimed like a tournament announcer. “He is the wisest man in all the lands. He is a descendant of the great Merlin himself. All the kings go to him for advice. Oh, he is never wrong. His brilliance rivals that of his ancestor. He is Garsidos, the wisest magician of all!” She lowered her arms and added with a shrug, “Or at least that is what they say.”

Lance’s thoughts filled with happiness and hopes. She was an angel! An angel that was helping him on his journey! Once he found this “Wise Magician” he would find the location of a dragon. He’d then find that dragon and once he had slain it he would be the strongest man in all existence! “Where can I find this magician?” he asked her, his eyes wide with anticipation.

Lena thought for a moment and placed her index finger on her lips and looked slightly up. “I believe he is found…” She thought for a moment longer, dusty off the cobwebs on the books of knowledge hidden deep within her mind. “…past the Forbidden Forest.” She turned around and pointed down the left path of the road they stood on. “So if you go down this path, sooner or later you’ll reach his castle.” She turned back around and smiled at Lance, but he was not smiling, instead he was shaking with fear. “What’s wrong?” she asked a bit confused.

“Past the Forbidden Forest?” Lance shouted, squealing slightly. “but dangerous monsters roam in there and no one who has ever entered has ever returned!”

“Nonsense!” she exclaimed, shaking her head. “Of course, no one has ever returned, they have all came out the other side of the forest.” She eyed him slyly. “Besides a brave swordsman, such a yourself, wouldn’t be afraid of a few beasts.”

Lance thought over the idea of going into the Forbidden Forest. He needed to find a dragon and this magician was probably the only soul alive that knew where one was. He was Lance’s only hope of ever finding the creature. Without the magician’s help Lance knew he would be looking all over the land for years and still would never find what he seeked. Even though there might be creatures and dangers in the Forbidden Forest he could take them, couldn’t he? He was brave…well, kind of. He couldn’t let Lena know he was afraid. He had to make her think he was brave and an admirable person.

“You’re right!” he said at last. “If I’m going to fight a beast like a dragon, I can’t let the Forbidden Forest frighten me!” He clutched both of his fists and brought them towards his chest.

“Of course, you can! A dragon is so much more frightening than a forest!” Lena agreed, with the sly smile never leaving her face. Lance, however, was oblivious to the grin. “Say, I’m going that way as well. Could you escort me to Symphona? It’s only a little way past the magician’s castle. It’s not proper for a lady to be traveling about by herself, you see, and I would so enjoy some company and I would feel ever so much safer with a skilled knight such as yourself.” She gave him that irresistible smile.

Lance blushed as she called him a “skilled knight” and his temperature rose even more when she smiled. “Of course,” he replied, trying to hide the red of his cheeks. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t help a lady who needed aid?”

“Oh, you’re too kind!” Lena jumped up and down with joy, throwing her hands into the air. She was going on a real adventure! She stopped hopping and spun around on the ball of her foot. She bent her neck to look at Lance. Her lips were stretched as far as they could go. “Shall we be going?” she asked before heading off down the path, kicking up dust and dirt behind her, which hovered in the air momentarily and then settled back down.

Lance starred at her, surprised at her reaction. It had been more than he expected. A simple, “Thank you” was what most women would reply, but she reacted like traveling with him was the greatest thing in the world. Maybe if he was some dashing Prince Charming he could understand, but Lance was just ordinary looking; plain. He quickly hurried after her when he saw she was all ready to the part of the road where it diverged. When he caught up, they took the left path, leading them to the Forbidden Forest, the Wise Magician, and the start of their adventure.

“You know,” Lance said as they trotted along. “I’m not really a knight.” He looked down a bit, saddened. That had been a dream of his. Lena glanced at him, eyes full of wonder and curiosity. “I have always wanted to be one. I was a squire a while back, but then I broke my lord’s sword. He never allowed me the chance to become a knight after that. He said I was unfit to be a knight. I was a disgrace. I was too weak.”

His new companion looked at him sympathetically. She knew what it was like to be unable to reach your dreams. She had always been held back from reaching hers. She wanted to say something to cheer him up, but suddenly Lance’s spirits rose. He threw back his head and smiled.

“That’s why I’m on this quest. I’ll prove I’m strong; that I’m capable of being a knight. I’ll prove it to everyone.” The sun’s rays beamed down on him and a gentle breeze blew, making his hair dance like the flame it resembled. The ray was that one of hope. Lance knew he would someday reach his goal. His smile made Lena believe that she would reach hers as well.

“I’m sure you will,” she said softly, with a smile on her face.

The two travelers followed that windy trail until it brought them to the small village before the forest. The village was in complete destruction when they arrived. The small houses were missing walls and roofs. Sprinters of wood and straw lay everywhere. In some area’s the only proof that a house had ever existed there was the wood and hay left behind where it had once stood. Tools and belongings of the villagers could be found all over. Stones from the blacksmith shop and the church were broken and scattered here and there. The baron’s small castle no longer stood over the little hatch houses. There was not a soul in the village; not a person, not an animal.

“I wonder what happened here.” Lance said. “Do you think a king’s knights did this?” He turned to her, wondering what her opinion was.

“No,” she answered. “I don’t think they’d leave it in this state. I think they would burn the village down.” Lance nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with her. “Something else did this.”

“Kaaaawww!” cried something from above them. The flap of wings followed with a gush of wind. Lance and Lena looked up, knowing they would find the answer to their wonders. A giant griffin stared down at them. Its red glowing bird eyes were thirsty for blood and hungry for meat. Its lion’s tail slithered behind it as it flapped its giant feathery wings. This had been what destroyed the village. Its giant claws had tore apart the houses and other small structures. It had slaughtered the animals and sent the people to flee far away.

Suddenly it dove down toward them. Its great black wings spread out as far as they could stretch, its break was opened wide, drool hanging slightly from the corners of its beak, and its talon were reaching for the two humans, its next meal. Its speed increased as it descended upon them. It fell faster and faster through the air.

Lena was paralyzed. It was coming straight towards them, but she couldn’t move. She was too frightened. Lance was scared also.

It was only a few feet away now. It was going to grab them and take them away to feed. Lena closed her eyes and a small scream escaped her lips. She knew the worst was coming, but she prayed that this was only a dream gone terribly wrong. Then she felt hands pushing her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw Lance’s face before her. It became further and further away as she fell to the ground. Then his face was gone, he was gone. The griffin swooped down and grasped him in its talons and then sped back up towards the clouds. A look of shock on his face was the last she saw of Lance.

The griffin flew higher and higher until it was as high as the clouds. It circled around once and then flew off into the Forbidden Forest, where it was quickly hidden by the towering trees.

Lena stared up into the sky for a few moments, watching the sight with shock and disbelief. He had been standing next to her moments ago, but now he was gone. “Lance,” she whispered. And then when the full reality of what happened struck her. “Lance!”

-Chapter one’s end-

Ryoko of the Black Knights