Fated to rule

Back to duty

Next day Norrick had to leave the baby alone at his dwelling. Taking a quick breakfast, just a slice of bread and a glass of milk which he got from cow, grazing behind the cottage, he stepped to the baby. 

"I am sorry, little one, but I have to leave you here. I have no one to care about you since I live alone my whole life. The road could be dangerous, although my duty is to manage it." looking on the child he sighed. "I wish there would be another option, but I can´t see any. I will hide you up to the shelter, don´t worry, and I promise I will be back as soon as possible." Taking the small baby to the hiding spot, he looked sorrowfully.  Damn it is harder then I thought, and it is only a day since I met him , flashed in his head. He was about to leave a defenceless child in one of the dangerous places in the realm, but he had to.

He set out the journey. Where was he headed? No one knew.

The path through the forest was difficult even for him, acquainted and well-trained ranger. Sighing in relieve, he wiped off the sweat from his forehead. Now, on the extensive grassy field was the time of the journey passing much faster since the soldier didn´t have to stop every moment and take off cobwebs as it was in the forest. It was caused by giant and bloodthirsty spiders, using these webs to hunt offspring animals living there.

Seemingly friendly, hayfield was carrying one type of danger. There was nowhere you could hide when the threat came. Going through the meadow, Norrick was leaving behind significant track that somebody was there. It could be seen only by some creature above, but still, rangers didn´t like when anybody could spot them. 

Having an uncomfortable feeling, he looked around, spotting a beast across the sky. It was just a baby dragon, but he knew, where is the small will be an older, much bigger and hungry one. 

He quickly stopped his march and hid under the dark green cloak. The bigger drake appeared as he foresaw. Female dragon, twenty times larger than an adult horse,  flew right above the baby. Truly great beast armed with long sharp claws, fangs, skin no blade could pierce and an ability to spit the fire out of its mouth was putting the bravest men in fear. Spotting tracks in the field, she made a few cycles right around the place, where was Norrick hidden under a piece of cloth. Luckily for the ranger, younger dragon kept in his way, not caring what was his mother doing  Seeing that her baby is far from her. she waved by her mighty wings with such a strength it would destroy a building. After a few seconds, the beast was back to her young one, letting the unknown object be.

With increased heart rate ranger got on his legs and moved on. 

The journey took more than four hours to get to the first large city, Guenill. He passed around a few smaller villages similar to Dollage, but none of them was the place, where his appointment should hold on.