The Trap

The dragon swooped over the young girl lying prone in the clearing. It craved the magic radiating from her cloaked body like a shivering man needs the heat from a fireplace, but it still refused to come too close in its approach, timing its dive to sweep well above the treetops. This was the fourth time it had repeated the same pattern and it began yet again. It drove its elephantine body upwards using gossamer wings that should have been unable to achieve such a feat, before twisting into a spiral, winding upwards. At its zenith it looked like a wren on a balustrade to the warriors crouching under cover in the thick, damp undergrowth of the forest, yet they knew that it would perceive any movement even from that great height.

The dragon started circling, as if it were waiting for movement either from the girl or by threats that its otherworldly senses might be able to interpret. The men below trusted in their magical talismans to shield them, some clutching them tightly and many with their eyes closed. As they waited, the dragon changed its flight and began sweeping from East to West in long lines across the clearing and large tracts of the forest. After more than ten minutes it began circling again and then dove towards the girl.

The watchers anticipated it would pull up as it had done four times previously but this time the dragon descended past the tops of the fir trees and with a flurry of wings landed beside the girl. Fir needles flew from the branches, filling the air with the sweet scent of the forest before the aroma of brimstone and phosphorous began to permeate the surroundings. The warriors held their breaths, quietly praying not to be noticed. They knew better than to make any noise or any movement and had been training for months to do nothing until the monster was incapacitated.

The dragon had settled on the ground, but was not static. Its head swung from a serpentine neck, scanning the surrounding area, fiery eyes glancing regularly back down at the girl lying next to its large four-clawed feet, drool dripping down onto her still form. Its tail thrashed from side to side, as if daring any interloper to approach. Seemingly satisfied with its surroundings it peered closely at the girl, focusing on a bejeweled necklace wrapped around her neck. The jewel was a deep blue and as the dragon watched it began to brighten. The beast reared back spreading its wings wide.

The wings, broader than a house, sparkled as if they were reflecting the sunlight through a thousand fine crystal glasses, but as they flapped, trying to propel the bulky body skyward, this light became progressively dimmer. The dragon, seemingly recognizing an unexpected danger turned its head, looking at the ineffectual wings and then gazing intently at its surroundings. Its feet danced over the ground, nearly crushing the girl beneath them.

The warriors took this as their cue to attack and they roared as they rose, hoping to confuse or startle their prey. They brandished spears tipped with hardened steel and straightened them as they charged towards the dragon.

Ten men died instantly, flame immersing them and devouring their flesh as the dragon forced fiery doom from its gullet. Turning its head, it propelled more fire at another group of twelve to its right who collectively fell to the ground flapping their arms and rolling in what should have been a futile attempt to remove the source of their agony. Yet two succeeded. The third group, directly behind the dragon paused as the head swung round to face them. Several screamed as fire lashed out at them then forced a smile through smoldering flesh and burned beards as they realized the dragonfire had lost its power. They strode forward realizing that their foe could now neither flee nor burn them from a distance.

But this was still a dragon, a beast of immense power, and with a flick of its tail it knocked six men off their feet and one it flung into a tree. None arose. Its jaws grabbed the nearest man still standing and crushed him, foot long teeth penetrating armor and skin before destroying organs and bone. The other attackers paused.

Skikagir Kareem, renowned fighter and head bodyguard to the council of wizards took a deep breath then flung himself at the beast from the side. His greataxe struck the left wing, which shattered, intricate snowflake patterns flying through the air. The dragon roared and kicked its leg out at Skikagir crushing his chest armor and flinging him across the clearing into several other fighters.

Without pause the beast charged forward, away from the girl and the clearing, hurtling through an unfortunate group of men who were unable to move fast enough to evade it. Then it was gone. Crashing through trees and bushes. Crushing anything in its way.

“Leave it”, ordered Marandir, the chief wizard. “We have what we need.” She reached down and took the necklace from the prone body of the girl. It now pulsed, like a heart, with a glow so deep it threatened to drag the magic user in. She resisted the urge to keep looking, knowing her mind was at risk.

“We have it. We’ve captured the magic from the dragon and with it I can protect our realm.”

Faron walked over to Marandir as the girl awoke and sat up. He ignored her confusion, as he ignored the moans and screams of the injured warriors. Their tasks were done.

“If only there were another way,” he said, “They are beautiful creatures.”

“There are plenty of them, replied Marandir, “We need their magic.”

Faron sighed as he picked up a piece of wing as intricate as the finest lace. “I suppose you are right but I feel we may one day regret our actions.”

“Perhaps. But this beast magic will secure the walls of the castle from the siege towers of our enemies, grow mighty crops and bring us fame. We will live our days out like kings and that is all that matters. “

She looked around, taking in the destruction, “and there is power enough to yet save the lives of those still breathing here. Take the gem and do your work healer. Worry about the future another day. Today we taste success.”