Fortifying himself with a deep breath, Marten moved closer to the white dragon and over to the tunnel wall. The dragon watched him attentively and moved over, coming closer to Marten.
“Now Jason!” Marten screamed.
Jason ran past the dragon and disappeared down the tunnel.
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Jennifer had just walked into the small cavern with the water source when Jason came tearing out of the large tunnel at a dead run, white as a sheet.
“A dragon! We found a dragon! It’s got Marten!” Jason screamed at the top of his voice.
Collin turned to look at Jason as the frightening words played through his mind. Jennifer hurried over to the frightened boy with growing fear in her eyes.
“A dragon,” Collin repeated not wanting to believe what Jason had just uttered. Surely he had heard wrong.
“A white dragon!” Jason continued his eyes wide with fright. “There’s a dragon down the tunnel, and it has Marten!”
“How can that be possible?” asked Jennifer, staring unbelievably at Jason. Could the two boys be playing a prank on them? “The mine entrance is too small for a dragon.”
“I swear, there’s a dragon!”
“Jason, can you take us to Marten?” Collin demanded. As frightened as Jason seemed to be, there had to be something in that tunnel.
“Yes,” replied Jason, wanting them to follow him. “It’s not that far down the tunnel.”
Collin turned to one of the older boys and told him to go get Anson and his father. The rest were to go to the main cavern and wait there with their families. Then he told Jason to lead them to Marten.
The three hurried down the tunnel and, after a few minutes, Jason came to a stop. “The dragon and Marten are just around this corner.”
Collin and Jennifer slowly edged around the corner and looked down the tunnel. They were both shocked at what they saw. Marten was pinned up against the wall still holding his lantern, and a large white dragon was standing just in front of him. It seemed to be examining the boy.
Jennifer and Collin stood there for several minutes, mesmerized by the sight. The dragon didn’t make a move to hurt Marten, but it was obvious that Marten was extremely frightened by the dragon’s presence.
Moments later, Andrew and Anson arrived and pulled Collin and Jennifer back to safety. Both of the older men looked back around the corner at the dragon.
“Where the hell did that dragon come from?” Anson said, breathing heavily. They had run all the way from the cavern. He was worried about Marten’s safety. He was so close to the dragon!
It was at that moment that Jennifer felt a strange thought form in her mind. “Cathy?” It seemed to ask. For a moment, she was shocked as she realized where the strange thought had come from. How can this be, she wondered.
Pulling herself from her father’s grip, she stepped back out into the center of the tunnel, staring in confusion at the dragon. The dragon was now gazing at her. For some strange reason, she knew that this dragon wasn’t a threat.
“Jennifer!” her father shouted, seeing where she had gone. “Get back behind the corner!”
“Marten, come over here,” ordered Jennifer, her eyes focused on the dragon.
Marten hurried over to them and went to stand behind his father. The dragon only continued to stare at them.
“Cathy?” It seemed to ask again.
Jennifer gazed into the dragon’s friendly yellow eyes and replied aloud. “No, I’m not Cathy, I’m Jennifer.”
“Who are you talking to?” her father demanded, perplexed by Jennifer’s sudden unexplained actions.
The dragon seemed to look sad at that answer. It sat partially down and gazed at Jennifer.
“Snowden,” the name seemed to come into Jennifer’s mind.
“The dragon says its name is Snowden,” Jennifer spoke to the others.
“You can hear it?” Collin asked, amazed, staring at Jennifer and then back at the dragon. “You can actually understand it?”
“No, I can’t hear it. I think its projecting thoughts into my mind. And yes, I can understand it.”
“What does it want?” her father demanded not understanding how his daughter could be communicating with the dragon.
“It’s smaller than the other dragons,” Jason said not quite as afraid as he was. He had stepped out into the tunnel and was staring curiously at the dragon.
“He’s definitely smaller,” Jennifer replied in agreement, thinking about the larger dragon that had been attacking the village.
Snowden rose back up on his talons and gazed intently at Jennifer. “Gilmreth,” the name came into Jennifer’s mind as well as a picture of the dragon that had been attacking them.
“Yes,” Jennifer replied surprised at the sudden clear picture that had formed in her mind. “He says the dragon that is attacking us is named Gilmreth.”
“Evil, bad,” the thoughts appeared in Jennifer’s mind.
“Snowden says Gilmreth is evil and very bad.”
“Tell us something we don’t already know,” Collin said quietly, still gazing in wonder at the dragon that was talking to Jennifer.
-
Snowden gazed at the human girl before him. Centuries in the past, a young human female named Cathy had befriended the dragon. The young human had become Snowden’s best friend. Then the madness had descended upon the dragons. They had fallen upon the humans, killing some and then later had fled from the great mountain where they had been created. Gilmreth had led the escape. Snowden never knew what had become of his young friend; he had never returned to the mountain.
Years ago, Snowden had found this valley and the humans in it. Secretly, at night, Snowden had purged their herds of all animals showing any signs of sickness from the ancient war. Now, Snowden only ventured out about once per year to feed on older animals. Then he would return to his cavern to sleep. Being close to humans seemed to give him comfort. He was not affected by the burning hunger that drove Gilmreth.
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“Tell Snowden what Gilmreth has been doing,” her father said with a sudden idea forming in his mind. “Try to project with your mind like the dragon is doing.”
Jennifer carefully did as her father instructed. She pictured what Gilmreth had done and how he had killed the red dragon and drove the brown one off. How he had twice attacked the village killing many people.
“Fireheart, Braxam,” replied Snowden, recognizing the other dragons. He felt sad at learning of Fireheart’s death.
Then, for the first time, a complete sentence formed in Jennifer’s mind. “I will take care of Gilmreth. He will not harm your people again.”
-
Gilmreth opened his eyes and rose to his full height. Fire leaped from his mouth to scorch the ceiling of his lair. He would hunt again tonight. Taking to the air, Gilmreth flew toward the human village. He would not take as many tonight, just a few. The humans were a food source that needed to last. After tonight, he would be able to go without feeding for several weeks at a time as his hunger had finally lessened.
Gilmreth was almost to the village when he sensed danger from above. Looking up, he saw the form of a white dragon. Snowden! Gilmreth thought, recognizing his foe. Snowden struck Gilmreth in the back, digging his talons deep into Gilmreth’s skin, ripping off a hunk as he pulled loose and flew away, circling the larger dragon. Gilmreth roared in anger and pain from the sudden attack.
While Snowden was much smaller, with a wingspan of only thirty feet, he was much swifter in flight and more agile. Snowden carefully watched Gilmreth, seeking openings where he could strike the larger dragon. Snowden knew he didn’t have the strength to kill Gilmreth, but he could drive the larger dragon away from the humans. He felt guilty at sleeping through Gilmreth’s arrival in the valley.
Both dragons breathed dragon fire at one another, but neither was affected. Fire was not a threat to a dragon. Snowden suddenly darted forward and then, turning on his back, raked Gilmreth’s underside, drawing blood. Gilmr
eth screamed in rage and dove toward Snowden, only for the smaller dragon to dart quickly out of his way.
In Gilmreth’s demented mind, a thought formed. “Leave the humans.”
The two dragons continued to circle one another with Snowden occasionally striking painful blows against Gilmreth. Snowden was agile enough to dodge swiftly out of the way of the larger dragon’s attacks.
Several times Gilmreth tried to fly toward the human village, but each time Snowden attacked and managed to drive Gilmreth away. Gilmreth grew angrier, screaming his growing rage at Snowden.
For several hours the battle continued. Snowden used his speed and agility to strike painful blows against Gilmreth. He was using that same speed and agility to dodge out of the way when Gilmreth attacked. Only once did Gilmreth injure Snowden and that had left a bloody gash above the smaller dragon’s right wing.
Finally, feeling frustrated and defeated, Gilmreth turned and began flying away from the village. He would track down Braxam and kill him, then return to this valley. Snowden couldn’t protect it forever.
But Snowden had other ideas. He knew the only way to protect these humans was to force Gilmreth to fly back across the great ocean to the land beyond where they had been created. Snowden felt sad, realizing he would have to leave what had become his home. The young woman he had communicated with could have become his friend. So few humans could hear a dragon. Looking around the valley one last time, Snowden turned to follow Gilmreth.
-
Several weeks later, Collin and Jennifer were sitting in the large swing on Jennifer’s porch. It had been a trying two weeks as everyone moved back home and began rebuilding. Nearly a quarter of the village had been burned to the ground in Gilmreth’s last attack.
“I wonder how long Snowden lived in that small cavern?” Jennifer asked as she watched Marten leading his calf around down by the barn. The calf followed Marten now without the need of a lead rope.
“For years, I imagine,” replied Collin, enjoying the closeness that he and Jennifer shared. “We found a larger mine entrance on the far side of the cavern that Snowden used to come and go. Talking to some of the farmers, a number admitted to losing older cows for years that they were never able to find.”
“Snowden,” replied Jennifer, wondering how many nights while they were sleeping the dragon was flying above them, keeping their valley safe. She had learned of this from Snowden’s mind and explained to her father, Andrew, and Collin what Snowden had been doing for their valley.
“What I don’t understand is why he didn’t know the other dragons were here,” Collin said, feeling confused.
Jennifer looked over at Collin before replying. “From what I was able to learn when I was talking to Snowden, he spent much of his time in a deep sleep; almost like hibernating. I think that once he felt our valley was safe, his sleep periods began to last longer and longer. He didn’t know about the other dragons until I told him.”
“I wonder what will happen to him now?”
“He will follow Gilmreth until he has driven him back across the ocean,” Jennifer replied in a quiet voice.
She felt sad that she would never be able to talk to the white dragon again; she could have learned so much. She also wondered why she was the only one that had been able to hear Snowden’s thoughts.
Down by the barn, the small black calf followed Marten as he led it down to the small meadow where their other animals were grazing. For the small calf, life couldn’t be any better.
Collin reached over and put his arm around Jennifer. She turned and their mouths met in a long, passionate kiss. Jennifer felt safe in Collin’s arms. Perhaps someday the white dragon would return. When it did, maybe their children would be there to meet it.
-
Snowden beat his wings steadily as he flew. Far ahead of him was a small speck. His keen eyesight allowed him to see that it was Gilmreth. Below them, the ocean stretched away as far as the eye could see. They were returning to the land where they had been created. Someday, Snowden knew, he would return to the great mountain.
For some unknown reason, Snowden felt that Cathy still waited for him there. There was a destiny he was meant to fulfill. He was mystified by this strange feeling. Sometime in the future he was sure he would learn what this feeling meant. For now, Snowden was satisfied knowing that the humans behind him were safe. Toward the east Snowden flew and toward the future that awaited him.
The End
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Turn the page for an introduction to Snowden the White Dragon.
Snowden the White Dragon
A Dragon Dreams Novel
Chapter One
For days, Snowden pursued Gilmreth relentlessly across the vast blue ocean. Twice, Gilmreth had turned and tried to return to the green valley that Snowden had driven him away from. Both times, after a brief and intense battle, Snowden forced Gilmreth to turn back and resume his flight across the water.
During each short-lived battle, Gilmreth had roared in anger at Snowden, trying to drive the smaller dragon away. However, Snowden was too fast and agile. In each attack, Snowden had managed to draw blood, which had further infuriated Gilmreth. Snowden was determined that Gilmreth would never be a threat to that isolated group of humans again. There were so few humans left in the world Snowden was determined that these would survive.
Snowden felt deep sadness at having to leave the humans. At the very end of his stay in the green valley, he had met a young girl that could have been his friend. Now that was behind him, and he faced the unknown once more. Watching Gilmreth in the distance, Snowden continued to fly over the deep blue ocean water.
At long last, Snowden saw a shoreline upon the distant horizon. He knew that he was nearing the end of his strength after the long flight. Each beat of his wings was harder and his breathing was heavier. The exhausted white dragon was relieved that Gilmreth had not attacked again. Snowden didn’t know if he could have forced the larger dragon back once more.
The sky was cloudless, with only a few white ocean birds joining the dragon in his flight. Their high-pitched cries reached Snowden’s sensitive ears as they neared the dragon. They were curious as to what this enormous creature was up in the sky. Snowden glanced at the birds in surprise. Very seldom did he encounter life of any kind on his journeys.
The green valley he had vacated in his pursuit of Gilmreth had been an exception. Now that he had driven Gilmreth from preying upon the humans, Snowden hoped they would survive. Peering intently ahead with his razor sharp eyes, Snowden could barely make out his adversary. Gilmreth had reached the shore and turned toward the north. Snowden knew that Gilmreth was beginning to hunt.
The seabirds screamed their challenges in more piercing cries at the interloper. Never had they seen a creature so large. The birds circled Snowden, wondering what type of bird he was, and then broke off to skim above the blue ocean waters seeking small fish to eat. They had lost interest in him and returned to their relentless hunting.
Snowden watched them for a moment, feeling the loneliness his life demanded. He thought he had found a friend in the young woman back in the green valley. Very few humans could communicate with dragons. However, the threat Gilmreth posed to the humans had prevented any hope of making a new friend.
Snowden knew that he needed to hunt soon to replenish his waning strength, and then patrol the shore to make s
ure Gilmreth didn’t attempt to return to the green valley across the ocean. Snowden hoped Gilmreth would continue on and not attempt to go back.
As soon as Snowden reached the shore, he noticed that Gilmreth had turned again and was flying inland. Snowden flew toward the south, beating his powerful wings in a steady, fluid motion. Snowden needed to hunt; he would worry about Gilmreth later.
Peering down toward the ground, Snowden saw a lifeless, desolate land. The trees were dead, and occasional shattered ruins from the Worldfire littered the landscape. Like so much of the world, there was nothing green or any signs of life. The world after the Worldfire was barren and nearly devoid of living things. But Snowden held out hope; the white sea birds had to have come from somewhere. He could feel his stomach demanding food.
For several hours, Snowden flew south along the shore. The dragon’s thirty-foot wingspan grasped the air and pushed him steadily in a southerly direction. Below he saw the whitecaps upon the ocean and a scattering of multi-colored seabirds seeking fish to feed upon. Occasionally, one would dive into the water and come up with a small fish in its beak. Fish were not an option for Snowden. They were too small and lacked the nourishment he needed. He could hear the ocean waves breaking against the shore. Other than the seabirds, everything was lifeless.
The sun was just about to set when Snowden saw a sight he hadn’t witnessed since right after the Worldfire: there was a ship on the horizon. The dragon peered closely at the distant sailing vessel. It was moving toward the south at a leisurely pace with its sails capturing the light evening breeze. Snowden felt excitement and new strength flow through him.
The sailing ship could only mean one thing; humans still lived on this side of the ocean. This was something Snowden hadn’t expected. The great dragon hesitated for a moment, not sure what to do. Where there were humans, there would be other types of life also. Humans tended to raise animals that Snowden could feed upon to replenish his strength. Snowden was the oldest of the immortal dragons. He was also the wisest. Humans could be a significant danger. Years past, powerful humans had created the dragons. Snowden would have to be extremely careful. These humans must not learn of his presence.
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