by LJ Davies
Even so, our flight-and-sight tactic was more difficult in the forest, as the density of the canopy blocked my view. I had to rely purely on scent, another of my acute senses that gave me an edge over my human companions. In another twist of irony, other villagers frequently asked if they could use my skills, thankfully Tarwin always declined. Not that I’d have worked for them without her approval regardless.
To think after all they say about me. I'd just help them. I inwardly laughed.
She'd opened the front door, stepping out in the cold once again and I knew there was nothing I could do to stop her. The moment I was outside the wind released a fresh torrent of freezing air upon us, that longing to sleep by the fire slipping further away as the moments passed.
There will be a fire when we're home and this time I'll just lay right in the flames!
Bracing myself against the bitter wind, I followed Tarwin as she headed away from the village towards the forest’s shadowy gloom. As we entered the tree line, I was thankful for the stoic trunks shielding us from the wind's harsh claws. The sun's light subdued by the rustling canopy; I homed my senses. Ears, eyes and nose scanning the shadowy world for anything unusual.
The endless expanse of trunks stood like wooden guardians in the shadows, gleaming pillars of sunlight breaking through the autumn leaves. Its light intermittently graced the moist forest floor, illuminating the shrubs and smaller trees striving to reach its celestial glory. The movement of my paws broke through the fresh blanket of autumn mulch, adding to my chill with each step and causing small amounts of dark water to ooze between my toes.
The fresh morning air filled my lungs, stealing some of my inner warmth with each expelled breath. Peering up into the canopy, I couldn't help feeling confined; dense trees weren't the ideal environment for a larger flying creature. I could hear the birds chirping and flapping while they flitted between branches, their sounds combining with that of rustling foliage. Wind liberated autumn leaves from their precarious perches, wilting red and yellow parachutes falling softly in front of me, while the sound of gently trickling water added to nature's orchestra.
We’d been walking for a short time when Tarwin stopped, I immediately thought she'd seen something for us to hunt. At least until I realised that a stream now blocked our way.
"I'll go first," she insisted, using a distinctive path of three mossy stones to hop over.
I followed her route across, being careful not to slip on the damp rock, quickly resuming the trek once I was over.
While we walked, I began to think about what her father had said, or more importantly, what he believed. I understood Tarwin's frustration, her father had certainly become very protective lately despite her attitude towards him. He didn't let her do much outside the village and although I took no real side in their arguments, in his defence there had been worrying stories about the forest. Rumours that people from other villages had vanished, hunters finding the corpses of animals torn and mangled and some claiming to have seen strange beasts.
No one had provided actual proof though, most of the stories were dismissed as myths that other villages conjured up to secure hunting grounds – grounds that were becoming highly prized as the population in the area grew. Regardless, her father was always wary of stories. He wasn't a superstitious man, he was smart, with a keen sense of danger. It was one of the many reasons why all the villagers respected him.
"I can't understand why he has such a problem with me being out here, he knows that stupid fish won’t be enough for winter," Tarwin grumbled with a huff.
Even so, I couldn't help thinking that she was being a little unfair. He had his reasons and I respected him for wanting to keep her safe. That's all I wanted to do too. Plus, I'd be hypocritical if I dismissed the stories. After all, I was a living-legend myself.
"Okay, we're here," Tarwin declared as we arrived in a large clearing, marking the usual starting point for our hunts.
I was always glad to reach it and escape the confines of the forest. Out here the brisk air was free to assault me once more, although after being without a source of heat for so long my scales had hardened to the relentless chill. The sun shone brightly, though its distant shimmer did little to chase away the cold.
A field of wild grass covered the open area between the trees, the trunks forming a weathered brown wall and their tops adorned with a barricade of dense, fiery-orange leaves. Off to one side, almost hidden by the swaying grass, lay a pool of still water. Next to the tranquil liquid sat an old log, its rotten carcass slowly decaying. Although I'd never seen them, it was a reminder of the trees that once stood here.
We walked through the rough grass to the water’s edge and upon our approach my eyes turned to the pool’s shimmering surface. Several lilies floated in the centre, however, the cooler climate this late in the season prevented their normally beautiful flower display. I wouldn't usually pay much attention to such minor details, but out here I needed to be able to detect even the smallest change. I didn't believe there was any immediate danger, though if there was, I’d be a fool to be caught off guard.
The sound of Tarwin jumping up onto the log pulled me back from my sentry duty and my head snapped to her position.
She's not in any danger. Just relax a little. I told myself over and over.
Unlike her father, I respected what she felt she needed to do, and suppressing my mind’s overprotectiveness, I forced myself to accept that the threat was all in peoples' heads.
Tarwin sat on the end of the log nearest to me, just beside the mangled sprawl of unearthed limbs that were once its roots. She double, then triple-checked her gear. As she did, I walked over to the edge of the pond and peered down at the white dragon staring back at me.
Urgh, one of these days I'll really have to get my scales cleaned again. I noted, spying small specks of dirt as I cocked my head.
"We won't be able to hunt your reflection," Tarwin joked, hopping down from the log. "Ready?" she asked, her joyful attitude immediately replaced by seriousness.
Dismissing the thoughts about my reflection, I switched my mind into hunting mode. Tarwin walked ahead, bringing the curved wooden frame of her bow forward and holding it low.
"Ready when you are," she said, glancing over to me.
Her words immediately prompted me to spread my wings and start running. This was the reason we hunted from this clearing, although I could take off from a standstill, a run up made it easier. Charging through the clearing with my wings outstretched the winter wind whipped up under the leathery membranes. I became lighter until with enough speed and a firm flap of my wings, I launched up into the air and clear of the trees, climbing on the natural updrafts to my usual hunting height.
It was without a doubt my favourite part. From up here I could see the forest spreading out beneath me, a radiant ocean of orange, yellow and red. The wind caused the restless treetops to flow like waves, lapping around the clearing like an island of green. A line of fallen leaves along its edge even formed what could be mistaken as a radiant yellow beach. To the south was the ocean, its distant scent permeating the air. While to the north, mountains said to be the home of fire birds rose to meet the sky.
As I climbed the clearing became nothing more than a green smudge on the seemingly eternal expanse of autumn leaves. I could see Tarwin signalling she was ready with a wave, I responded with a dip of my wing. It was how we communicated – our only real link between two very different worlds. Flying always filled me with a sense of freedom, I often wished I could show her what it was like. Though I was nowhere near big enough to carry her and she seemed quite content on the ground.
She responded to my aerial motion by moving towards the trees and out of view. For a moment my lack of visual contact sparked a sense of unease, even though I knew there was no way I could possibly see her all the time. I calmed my nerves by focusing on her scent, giving me the same reassurance that any view could offer. Satisfied she was safe, I resumed my normal hunting activities, proc
essing a mental list in my mind as I'd done countless times before.
First job: find a suitable target. Second, memorise its location and signal to her.
Every one of my senses scoured the forest, all intent on fulfilling the first objective. The wind rushed past my nostrils, filling my lungs with fresh air as I analysed every scent it carried. Besides the usual smell of damp trees and the salty scent of the distant sea, there was nothing that caught my attention, while I was half focused on keeping Tarwin’s scent to ensure I didn’t glide too far from her.
That was when my attention was drawn to a new smell, something I'd encountered before, its sudden presence heightening my caution.
The scent of rotting flesh, led me to believe that there was a dead carcass below. Usually such a smell wouldn't draw my attention. Something long dead was useless to us. My increased caution and a small amount of curiosity got the better of me and I slowly drifted downwards.
No sooner had I adjusted my course, than the smell vanished as mysteriously as it had appeared. I circled the area I was sure had produced the odour. Straining my eyes to see through the canopy, there was no sign of anything. No dead animal or festering cadaver.
Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks? Urgh, I'm letting it get to me again.
I felt like a total idiot, I was sure it had been real. My mind's not even that good at tricks!
Torn between what to believe and what to ignore, I scoured the area again, scanning every treetop and dark hole in the colourful sea. If something was dead, something may have killed it – and that meant there might be a real threat.
Simply dismissing it would be careless and after a few more minutes of blind circling, the scent I was looking for caught my attention. The revelation sparked an instinct that quickly dismissed my concerns, and I swiftly focused on a small clearing beneath me.
First objective: find a suitable target - check!
With my mind no longer clouded by caution, I slowed my wing beats as I circled silently. Assessing the situation from my aerial vantage point, my sharp eyes locked onto my quarry amidst the trees. I knew I should be alerting Tarwin, but her scent was some distance away, and by the time I caught her attention the prey might have moved into a more concealed spot. Seizing my window of opportunity, I decided to descend, landing carefully on a solitary pine tree and positioning myself downwind of the target.
I accidently dislodged a few pinecones as my claws dug into the bark for purchase. I watched with a combination of frustration and dread while they crashed through the branches to the ground, striking it with a sound that seemed louder than thunder. I winced at each thud, but surprisingly the noise unintentionally worked in my favour.
Startled by the sudden disturbance a deer emerged from the cover of the trees, running out into the secluded clearing and halting on a large rock in the centre. The sun's rays illuminated its majestic coat in an almost golden glow. I prowled down the trunk, ready to cancel my approach just a few steps from my target. Focused on the prey, I prepared myself for the lunge, my rear legs coiled, wings pressed tight against my side. Razor-sharp teeth and foreclaws poised to sink into the deer’s hide.
I focused on its every movement, right down to the rise and fall of its chest as it took what were to be its final breaths. I was just about to strike when, without warning, it bolted. I instinctively lunged, propelled by the power of my coiled legs. The deer was only inches from my claws before it vanished, leaving me to crash into the rock, sending a sudden jolt of pain through my body. All I managed to see of my quarry were its hind legs disappearing into the forest as I groggily lifted my head.
No, so close! I inwardly cursed, pressing a forepaw to my aching snout.
Shaking off the impact's dazzling effects, my anger morphed into concern for what had startled the beast.
It can't have been me? That approach was perfect!
My keen eyes scanned the tree line, from my grounded position the darkness under the canopy looked more menacing than ever. There was nothing, I couldn’t see, smell, or hear anything abnormal.
That all changed when the mysterious smell of rotting flesh suddenly returned, and even more worrying was the fact that this time it was moving towards me at an incredible pace.
How can a dead animal move?
I jumped back up into the tree faster than the deer had bolted. Digging my claws deep into the bark my legs propelled me up the trunk in a shower of splinters. I didn't stop until I reached my previous vantage point, this time remaining perfectly still.
To my surprise the scent didn’t come from below, it quickly flew overhead, shaking the treetops, accompanied by a screeching wind. I peered out as the mysterious object flew off into the distance at a speed I didn't think I'd be able to match. With my heart racing, I rushed up until the tree began to bend beneath my weight.
The shape had vanished and for a moment I thought I’d imagined it. I knew I hadn’t when the symphony of distressed bird calls erupted from the forest, as did the prominent, lingering smell. Spreading my wings, I jumped, only just catching the breeze and managing to take flight. Then I remembered my secondary mission, the one I'd appointed myself – Tarwin!
Devoting every ounce of my focus to locating her I scanned the surrounding area, cursing myself for losing track. To my relief I quickly found her. She was in the same place, only this time her scent was accompanied by the smell of rot. Instinctively I knew something was wrong and without thinking I dove as fast as I could towards her, crashing through the trees, branches and leaves. My scales bore the brunt of the damage the scattering foliage caused, though I couldn't say the same for my soft-skinned wings. They were tattered by the vegetation.
Muzzle first, I crashed into a bed of wet leaves, a small blessing, given the harder alternatives. With no time to think, I raised myself up and shook off the damp vegetation. My eyes darted around frantically, instantly locking on to something utterly and horrifically unbelievable.
Flanked by shadows and illuminated by the rays of sunlight penetrating through the hole my emergency landing had created, stood a menacing shape. Despite its smell, it was very much alive and appeared remarkably familiar, as if I'd seen something of its likeness before. Then it hit me, it looked like me, albeit with one distinct difference – its wings weren’t at its side; instead, it appeared to be using them as support for the front of its body, like forelegs.
Whatever it was raised its head to reveal a large, muscular neck, the slender surface shimmering in the fragmented light. It sniffed the air several times, each breath making a raspy sound as if its throat was parched dry. From its mouth snaked a long, forked tongue, the wet surface shimmering as it probed the air. I froze, remaining silent.
Thank the spirits for small favours. I thought, as despite my rushed entrance, it didn’t seem to be aware of my presence.
My eyes fixed on its peculiar tongue as it performed its unusual dance several more times. Curiosity spawned so many questions. This creature was the closest thing to me I’d ever seen.
Is it a dragon? Maybe another breed like with the hounds? Does it know what I am? Does it know where there are more dragons?
Retracting its tongue, it turned to face me, allowing a full, unobscured view. Through my veil of dread, I could now see it was less like me than I'd first thought. Dark-green scales covered its serpentine body with even darker brown under-scales. Scars and pieces of flayed flesh sprawled over its dark hide. The placement of its wings now made more sense, as my assumptions regarding its front legs were confirmed.
My speculation was cut short, when whatever it was released a menacing snarl, revealing a ferocious set of teeth set in a wide, gaping mouth. A spiny frill on the back of its head stood on-end, quivering and rattling like the village shaman's maracas. Its yellow, snake-like eyes stared right at me, peering round the bony horn on the tip of its wrinkled snout. I'd no idea how to react – was it a sign of aggression, a greeting, or a defence response?
There were so many possibilities
, I wasn’t taking any chances – it didn’t look friendly to me, and no part of me wanted to make any assumption about its intentions. I wanted to have positive contact with the first creature I'd ever seen that resembled me. Even so, if it was aggressive, I was in grave danger, primarily because it was at least three times my size. Either way, I locked eyes with it, fighting back the urge to run. From my previous experience hunting aggressive animals, I swear it looked somewhat hesitant to approach.
A noise from the bushes behind me brought our standoff to an abrupt end. My head twisted sharply at the sound of rustling leaves, the snapping of small branches and the rapid, thudding of footsteps. I turned, half-expecting another creature to come charging at me, only to realise I'd taken my eyes off the one in front of me. Considering my vulnerability, I looked back from behind my wing to see it appeared equally intrigued by whatever was approaching.
The fact that I was expecting a monster didn’t help when, to my surprise, Tarwin burst through the undergrowth. In her haste she failed to notice the shallow embankment until it was too late, and she stumbled to the ground. I’d no time to react before a second monster erupted from the undergrowth behind her, scattering branches and leaves in its wake. It cleared the embankment in one stride, hopping clear over Tarwin as she lifted her head. In its haste, it slipped clumsily on a bed of wet leaves, crashing to the ground with a yelp-like hiss.
It was then I realised that the first creature had returned its attention to me, and without warning it launched itself my way. I saw its drooling teeth in all their gruesome perfection as its maw hinged wide open, ready to snap shut and sheer me in two. I instinctively dropped to the floor, covering my head with my wings. My reaction gave the beast little time to correct its course, forcing its huge mass to flounder overhead before crashing into the undergrowth behind me.
Jumping to my paws, I turned to face the second creature. Recovering from its daze, it appeared to be preparing for an attack of its own. This time I was ready to dodge, assuming it wouldn’t fail to hit just as its predecessor had. My plan was thrown into disarray when Tarwin screamed my name and without thinking I turned.
