Athest the Flame Starter
Once there was a silver dragon, his name was Darso the Fire Starter little is known about this particular character. No more and no less that he has left a son. And with the son he left a broken sword...
Her name was Atma Longstride. Most females in her times would simply be sewing or enjoying the pleasure of the court as well as a whore house. But as I mentioned, she wasn't an ordinary female. What she did was mostly a man's work. Hunting in the forest, working as a lumberjack and much more. It's quite rare that she was allowed to do so but still I suppose otherwise this story wouldn't make sense, would it ?
On a warm sunny day of spring Atma was hunting. Nothing out of the ordinary, just chasing a rabbit. The poor creature was chased and when finally it gave up its strength, it was stalked. Dripping in sweat, with leafs and branches in her hair Atma took aim. She sat there, waiting for the perfect shot while the wind allowed her to cool. The trees gently swayed from side to side, rocking in the simple rhythm of the wind when she heard a thud that echoed even in the deep forest. She heard trees cracking and while falling from the massive shockwave she allowed her fingers to slip, releasing the arrow afar. The rabbit ofcorse was smacked by a falling tree allowing the dream of a good supper vaporize into thin air. Atma on the other hand stood up and shrugging all the various parts of the forest that had landed on her she took a quick look around. Her hair were black, long and very messy. Probably she didn't even bother with them. He legs? Well... Man's legs one could say. Yes, the build was strong but what they lacked in grace they made up in length. Perhaps that's even where she got her name from hmm? Her arms? Tough, bulky. Hands covered with fingerless ruined leather gloves. The torso? Well, nothing much to tell. A thick layer of leather covered it. Waxed, used, with many marks of usage. Face? Oh... Now here's a story to tell. Her nose was rather supple. Unlike her frame. Lips were bright red, wide and gently curved upwards making her look like she was smiling. But a nasty smile it was, with thick brows and dark brown slim eyes she seemed more of a rouge that would smack you down if necessary than a graceful woman. Figures.
Now on with the story. Arrows aren't that expensive but still she decided to look for it, passing by the red spot with rabbit ears sticking out Atma had seen that few trees had fallen down. Two or three perhaps. But here comes the good part. When she came closer she saw a man hit with her arrow. An ordinary man, yes indeed. Worn officer boots, baggy linen pants, a black canvas shirt and what's most important, a large jug of mead by his side. Oh yes, the arrow! Well, let's just say that the poor man was close to loosing his children. Now, the amount of alcohol in him was so great that it simply erased the arrow from his senses.
His short brown hair were more than a mess, his green eyes were hmm... how to phrase that... Out? Well out as in "The bridge is out" if you know what I mean. At this point you could say "And so they fell in love". Bullcrap if I may suggest this words. What she felt then was more of an "uh-oh" thing. He didn't move and she wasn't sure if he was just drunk or dead. A swift jump towards him and she realized the truth. Sighting gently she kneeled by his side and gagging his mouth she pushed the arrow through his tight and broke the tip then pulled out the wood. Well one wood she did pull out, the other came out by itself. Now it wasn't anything she didn't seen before, still it made her blush inside but on the outside she did grin gently. Besides it was a bit her fault... Atma decided to take him home. Oh, he was about 90kg so for her it was like carrying a deer or so. Nice hunt.
When they reached her home, which more or less was a log cabin. Old rusty traps were scattered around, a crude stable with a cow and a stallion. A rack with furs that were either in middle of something or jut drying. The cabin itself has seen better days. Made out of thick logs... Yes that was basically it. Now inside was more of a junk room. Various items, from rugs to rags, from swords to bows as well as other "treasures" one might find by goblins or orcs. She threw him on a hay stack. One of many... in her home... She, herself, went off to find something more satisfying than a mashed rabbit for supper.
When the poor man woke up the first thing he felt was the gentle smell of cooking meat followed by a harsh pain in his right tight. He would have said something if not for the gag that was still in his mouth. Atma saw his awaking and instantly handed him a goatskin.
He pulled out the gag and instantly begun to drink like a mad man. That was a serious error since Atma filled it not only with water but with herbs that would hmm.... Speed up recovery from the poison that was alcohol. It was more than vile in taste. Allow me to skip the man's comments on this fluid. Still, they managed to exchange information. It would seem that his name was Aeriu Bigthorn. Yes, you may guess where from THAT nickname came.
By late night they had discussed adventures, life styles and much more. She was intrigued. His gentle and poetic speech combining with his small frame made him seem not a man. Most of all, he accepted her as she was, it would seem he almost enjoyed her manly posture and speech. Well in opposition to Aeriu she spoke rather rough, using a vocabulary of a lumberjack I would say. He told her all about his travels, mostly as a bard but sometimes as a fighter. He knew more than one joke and more than one way to approach a woman. Now what happened that night is not to be told. Unless one wants to hear about how submissive and passionate was Aeriu. Well let's skip that shall we?
As the morning light shined upon the window, gently teasing the sleeping woman, Aeriu was already to go. He sat down by Atma's side. He brushed her hair gently and awaited her awakening. Soon she would open her eyes and hear the true story of Aeriu. Or should I say Darso? Once outside, he showed his true form. Atma was more than terrified, wondering, what would come out of this. Darso on the other side turned back to human form. Smiled and held her tight, well as tight as he could. He whispered "I'll be back when our son is born". For the first time in her life Atma felt deserted and alone. He vanished in the skies. She was left there, crying. Non the less in the next few days she found that she was visited from time to time. During the night Darso would appear and bring her love letters and gifts. He would never speak of the reason why they can't be together.
And so nine months passed. A baby dragon was born. Or more exactly, half dragon. With the birth of the child Darso appeared. They rejoiced. Atma had some hard times, almost running away, afraid of her own child but still Darso gave her hope. He was there unseen by her side. The child was named Athes with a nickname to still be made.
The half dragon grew and grew. His mother trained him in the arts of the forest. However Athes wasn't much of a patient type. He preferred to slay a bear instead of chasing a deer. Well if you'd ask me I'd go to the market and buy my food but oh well. But meat is not everything, he was learnt how to survive in hostile environments as he traveled with his father, who surprisingly with contradiction to his character showed him the ways of a fighter. Well... not far does the apple fall from the tree? And so our young half dragon ventured into the world of swords and armor. Not to mention how adept he was with animals. To some extent animals were more of his friends than humans. Why? Guess...
Not all lives are all too happy. Dark times came as well. A horrid and sick force was at work. Oh no, by no means, not orcs, not ogers or some other beasts... Humans it was. As well all should know, Dragoria is a peaceful land. But not always. We have that dark mage's tower in the west. Lands of the undead to east. To the north human kingdoms are placed and north is all but lands of titans. Our King, Drahau, he is a titan as well. Body made of stone and soul made out of lightning he rules our lands with a rewarding but non the less iron fist. Not to say he's doing a great job. But non the less, undead rested in their graves, titans and dwarves stood still as stone they dwelled in but the ever present and unstable humans were the cause of this cataclysm. If one should ask what caused the war... Well I would say I do not know. They say a portal was open, or gold it was. No one exactly knows. But one thing is sure. The death of Lord Henneth the Gray occurred just before the official war declaration. The southern Kingdoms of Daramid , Helloh and Razewind united and entered our lands. They raped, plundered and pillaged. Well, all armies do that, don't they? Tough luck for our hero there. They all lived near the border and were the first ones to experience the horror that was to come.
Darso stood brave, protecting his family but not even a great silver dragon is mach for an united army of three kingdoms. He was slain leaving no more than his book behind. His blood spilled upon the land as Atma and her son run away, ran fast, towards the unknown. Some say that other silver dragons enraged by Darso's death came and fought with the advancing army. As for our hero, he along wit his mother managed to reach a hidden village of the Silver Leaf clan. Elves allowed them to stay in their home, the Elderoh-tir. So more than a month passed when the forests started to burn, carrying the smell of war. Ofcorse Dragoria's army was more or less victorious but an alliance had to be formed. Silver and Brass dragons, along with titan mercenaries and regular Dragoria soldiers managed to repel the enemy. Athest as a warrior, said farewell to his mother and enlisted. At first he thought war as all but glory. In the end he would end up in a savage carnage. Where there was no glory but death and gore. Only the thought of his mother and what happened to his father kept him alive. As he traveled with the army he learn the hard ways of life. About theft, greed, about people. And from what he learn he was confused. In one way, humans could be amusing, joyful and great companions. To his sadness they could also die unexpectedly. The other side of human nature was distrustful, fearful and aggressive creature. A mindless swarm.
And so our hero kept on venturing. Counting years that pass. The war was over when 30 of them passed. Wounded in soul and with few titles he came back only to see grave of his mother who died at the age of 80. All that he was left with was grief. Sadness and that feeling of hopelessness... He prayed to the gods and made a tombstone worth of a king. That was all he could do. Marking Elderoh-tirs position on his map he ventured to the cliffs of fire where the silver dragons dwelt. His story was heard. He received a broken sword that belonged to his father once. And a tale, tale of love, tale of trials. It would seem Darso was a caring and loving father but he , just like his son now, didn't trust humans. He wanted to run away from Atma but the knowledge that she was carrying his son as well as that feeling born in his heart towards her changed it all. Not knowing what else to do, Athest ventured to a port-town and decided to leave all of this behind. His lost friends, his lost enemies, the graves of his father and mother. And so he ventured.... Towards another adventure.
Short story by Golem
Read 764 times
Written on 2007-02-24 at 22:19
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