Thru the Heart of a Dragon

The Fate of the Dragons

Elwood, he didn't like his name much that is until Ergina said it for the first time. He was hovering over the waterfall hoping to catch sight of her. He never understood what first drew her to him. It sure wasn't a display of strength. He is nothing compared to her. She is a silver dragon. There isn't another around like her. Others do not dare to oppose her, all know silver dragons are the powerful creatures. He, nor any other, isn't a match for her. "She is so beautiful....even shimmers in the moonlight," he said , outloud. "Ahhhhh," he sighs, he sorely misses her when they are apart. She is also magical being raised by Merlin, the Great Wizard. She has the power to persuade the thinking of other dragons, making her the one they sought after with problems. That is why he is seeking her now. The dragons are in trouble.

They have just returned from their journey to the outlands. Every few years, they venture away searching for future places to live or hide if need be. This time it was different. They didn't see many dragons. The ones they saw looked sick. When Ergina questioned them, it was said that a great Vampire had been in the area feeding off of the blood of the dragons, making them sick. After the attack, the dragons lived but only for a short while; most eventually died. It was rumored that a Great Wizard had killed the vampire. Whatever happened, the attacks had stopped and the few that remained feared to leave.

Ergina feared what she had been told. A Vampire feeding off of the dragons, she had heard of this type of beast. Vampires are creatures of the dark that never die. How could such a vile thing stay alive. Death comes to all in this world, why not them. Elwood knew that Ergina needed to talk to the animals of the forest to warn them as well as to find out what they knew. He was hoping he'd find her here taking a rest.

He thought of Ergina's strength and then thought of his own. He was the opposite of his mate He could barely hold his own in a fight. Ergina helped defend him many times which made him feel unworthy of her. It should be him that defended her. She never made him feel inadequate in any way. He wondered what the other dragons thought when they saw her helping in his battles. She came into this world with the ability to disappear in order to escape her enemies. Sometimes in their play, she would disappear on him and it infuriated him. Merlin helped her develop the ability to talk to humans. He, on the other hand, could not disappear; however, Merlin also took great pain to help him develop human talk.

He and Ergina had been together for many years, so many he had lost count. She always made him feel like he was the most important thing in her life. If only he could prove to her that he too could be a protector. If only he were a more powerful dragon. He knew that was how life was in this world. The dragons shared this place with all kinds of creatures. Good and evil powers exist. Who is to say that one is more important than another. All need to find a way to co-exist together. Battles are won today and lost tomorrow. One species goes extinct and another evolves; such is life on this planet.

The dragons have kept themselves to the mountains closest to the large bodies of water. They feed mostly on the large prey coming from the deep that jump into the air. They have kept away from the humans. They have managed to co-exist.

Elwoods' thoughts turned to King Teffix who has become the most feared in the land. He has taken to hunting dragons. He has captured one of the dragons, keeping him chained inside a huge cave. The dragons can hear his cries of pain. As other dragons come to help him they are ambushed by the King himself. It is unknown to most how the King can accomplish this without his army. He has ordered his men to stay away and guard the castle. They obey him because they fear him. A person who can control the dragons is a mighty man and should not be challenged for fear of their own deaths.

Due to the King's assault on the dragons their numbers have dwindled. The dragons could retaliate on the humans but they dare not. It is rumored thru the dragons that the one captured dragon was raised by Merlin, the mightiest magician that has ever lived. If it is, why hasn't Merlin rescued him? The dragons have searched for Merlin but he is not to be found It is also said that King Teffix is trying to bring Merlin back in order to use his powers to become an even greater king. Others believe that the dragons are so few in numbers now that they cannot risk their extinction at the hands of this wicked king.

They are wrong, of course. No one would suspect that King Teffix is under the spell of the Vampire Crutex. Leon Crutex has grown tired of hunting for his food. He has found that the dragon has an endless supply of blood. His solution to his problem is to hold the one dragon captive only to lure other dragons in for his attack. He is as wicked as the people think King Teffix.

Crutex fears nothing. He thinks he is invinceable. One would think his way of life could last forever. He has not given a thought about his own demise.The blood of the dragons is unlike any other he has tasted. The first taking of dragon blood was such a rush. It was thick and sweet. He couldn't get enough. It didn't seem to bother the dragon either. It was as if he were a mere bug biting the big creature. The dragon got irritated and clawed him off and that was that. That first feeding kept him satisfied for a few days. Crutex has not felt the effects of using strictly dragon blood. He has not heard of any other vampires stalking the dragons. He is growing in power, waiting for his time to control all.

All in this region fear the King. How much more would they fear him. He would have no problem in controlling the land. People here have not been in direct contact with his coven. They are growing in numbers and soon, soon they will come to know and fear them. Soon he would have no need to use the King in his pursuit of the dragons. He only used the King to control the people.

Crutex did not know of the affect the vampire bite was having on the dragons. He had no idea that it was causing a deadly reaction in the bloodstream of the dragon. The dragons were not regaining their strength after being brutally drained. It makes them vulnerable to any sickness that comes around. They aren't able to go to the waters for food. They will have to start taking food from the forest. How long will it be before the food supply is taken from both the vampires and the dragons?

Crutex learned that the land had been the home of the Great Wizard Merlin. He cannot understand why he has not come. If he does make his appearance, will his powers overtake him? The Vampires have their own magic. They may not be able to cast spells but they can control or manipulate other beings through just their thoughts. The Wizard's spells won't work on him, he's sure of it.

Could it be that the dragons would become extinct at his hands? Could their freedom be written in their future? Whatever happens, something needs to happen to save the dragons and soon. This is the reason that Elwood has come in search of his beloved. She needs to meet with the dragons to calm their fears.