"Dinner" -Sunday Scribblings

An Abby and Across Eldamar Story

Time was precious. This elvish version of the Amazing Race was intense and Abby knew she was behind. If she wanted to complete her quest and go home she would have to hurry. She wanted to be airborne and on to the next city as soon as possible but preparations still had to be made.

She had arranged passage by dragon to the next city. It took the least amount of coins and she wouldn’t have to worry about temperamental magical clouds, which normally left her wet and miserable. She also purchased bread, cheese, and dried fruit hoping it would be enough to last her for this leg of the journey before returning to the flight stables.

Abby was glad to see the young dragon Fenwick* waiting for her in the take off clearing. He was busy munching out of a feed bag. As soon as he was done they could go the stable boy told her. The idea of flying made Abby tingle. It was her favourite mode of travel and magical clouds were not the same. And not only would she be flying she would be flying with a dragon she knew. They would be flying together again. So far meeting Fenwick was the best part of her travels. She walked over with the stable hand and gave the young dragon a pat on his flank. He removed his head from the bag and turned to look at Abby.

“Hello Little One” Fenwick’s voice sounded loud but she knew she was the only one who heard.

“He’s finished” the stable hand said, “if you would like I could help you mount.”

“Thank you but I think I can manage.” Abby replied as she secured her gear to the saddle with a leather strap. She would eat her simple dinner in the air to save time. Next she tapped Fenwick’s side and prayed that she remembered how to do mount on her own. She placed foot on a stirrup and swung herself up. She was a natural rider, to those in the clearing she looked like a dragon trainer not a novice who had only been riding a few times.

Abby waved to those who were watching. Some had been kind while she had been with them. It was a pleasant town and if she could stay longer she would. But there were cities to visit and she needed to keep moving. “Up” she yelled to Fenwick and the next thing she knew they were in the air heading north.

Things were good for awhile. Then Abby noticed they were flying lower than any of Abby’s pervious dragon flights. The young dragon seemed to be struggling to stay stay on course. He was dipping and going up suddenly and weaving back and forth. It was almost like he was drunk. Did dragons drink? What would intoxicate a dragon?

“Fenwick are you alright?”

“Noooo.” His voice wobbly and weak.

“What’s the matter? Can I help?”

“I feel…” They dipped again and Abby’s stomach did hip flops. This was worst then airplane turbulence.

“I feel like I’ve eaten dragons’ banes. It’s horrible” Fenwick moaned. “I think someone put dragon’s bane in my food. There is nothing you can do. It will either wear off or kill me.”

“What!”

“Wear off or kill me. Are you deaf?”

“I heard you, I just can’t…” Abby stopped and realized it wouldn’t help the dragon. “We have to land.”

“I’ve been looking for a place to land but we’re over the Great Forest and there are no clearings in sight. I think we’re going to crash!”

The dragon turned his wings slightly to a gliding position. They were slowing down but not fast enough. Abby was starting to see details of the trees. They were going to crash and there was nothing she could do. Fenwick was struggling just to keep them from dropping like a rock right then and there. Any moment they would fit the tops of the trees.

The End

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*I am torn between calling the baby dragon Fenwick or Albus. Which name do you prefer? Leave a comment and let me know.