Sauragia

Part I: Saurahall/Chapter 1

Astron looked around with absolute wonder. The pupils in his shimmering golden eyes narrowed to thin slits against the glare of windows in the bright morning sun as he did. So this was it: Saurahall. His father hadn’t been kidding when he had told him it was the finest city in the entire Realm of Cardolin. He had passed through several cities in his native South Country to get here. Some had been nice; others less so. But none were as nice as this one. A tingle of excitement swept down from the tip of his snout to the vestigial digits of his hind claws as he set off down the main street.

Like most Alvarosaurs, Astron was slim and agile with a well-proportioned and fairly flexible tail. His scaly reptilian skin was a light green made slightly darker from long days in the sun, and like all males he had a low crest running from between his eyes to the base of his neck. His had attractively wavy peaks, though others’ could be spiky, ridgelike, or smooth. He was a bit taller than average and had a pair of almost matching scars running the length of his forearms from a childhood accident. Otherwise his appearance was not that notable. At least, he didn’t think so.

In his vibrant new surroundings, the wide-eyed farm boy found his head turning this way and that to take everything in. His ear slits were assaulted from a hundred directions at once by the bustle of the thriving morning market, and his eyes by the many colourful wares being sold. He watched in awe as a massive covered wagon lumbered past, hauled by a couple of huge cow-like creatures he had never seen before. He couldn’t wait to tell his father about this!

Such was his interest that he promptly found himself knocked flat on his rump as a dino in a bit of a rush smacked into his shoulder.

“Oh! I’m terribly sorry there, lad,” said the other, an Alvarosaurus of middling years, as he helped him up. “How very clumsy of me.”

“No, it was my fault,” said Astron dusting himself off. “Wasn’t watching my step.”

“Ah, yes. Not a good idea this time of day.” He gave the youngster a quick inspection. “You’re not from around here, I’ll wager. South Country, perhaps?”

Astron nodded. “That’s right.”

“What’s your name then?”

“Astron, sir.”

“Astron, eh?” He extended his claw. “Captain Humphreys at your service.”

Astron’s eyes widened as he shook the proffered claw. “Captain of the Guard!”

“Guard? No, Saurahall Defence Force. At any rate, what brings you to our fair city just now, hmm?”

“I was looking for the Palace.”

“Well, you’re certainly on the right course then,” said Humphreys, turning to point the way. “It’ll be the rather towering structure at the end of this street. Can’t miss it. I could walk you there if you’d like.”

“No, don’t trouble yourself, sir.”

“Right. Well, good day then, Astron.”

And in a flash the officer was gone.

Astron tried not to look too embarrassed as he proceeded. Not five minutes in town and he had already quite literally rubbed shoulders with an officer of Saurahall. He wished he hadn’t looked like such a donkey in front of the fellow, though at least he’d been polite enough about it. His father had been right about that too: The citizens here really were friendly sorts, and the sense of community was incredibly strong.

As he ambled down the avenue he tried to keep an eye on where he was going while still taking in the interesting and in some cases downright beautiful sights and sounds that made up Saurahall. Even with its impressive array of paved streets and sturdy stonework, it was not an enormous city by most standards. The atmosphere of natural beauty provided by its numerous patches of greenery complemented nicely the aura of safety projected through its high, solid walls. And despite its ancient foundations, the air was alive with possibilities. Yes, this was definitely the place for a young dino to get his start. And there, just ahead, was his starting point.

He stopped at the opposite corner a moment to admire the grand façade of the three-storey Palace at Saurahall. The gates were guarded, but wide open as though anticipating his arrival. Here at last was his destination, his reason for making the week-long journey from home. He checked his pocket to make sure he still had the letter of recommendation written in the nearly illegible scrawl of his father. Yes, there it was. Astron did not know exactly what it said, for despite his mother’s best efforts, written words remained but a jumble of scribbles to his mind’s eye. But he knew it would help him, and that was what mattered. He adjusted the battered old sword at his right side to make a good first impression. All set! And so, heaving a sigh from his broad, well-muscled chest, he started across the busy way.

As he came to the open Palace gate, a spear-toting Alvarosaurus wearing a leather jerkin with the emblem of the king upon it accosted him.

“Greetings, young sir,” she said with a toothy smile and a lazy salute. “What brings you to the Palace this fine morning, eh?”

“I came to see the king,” replied Astron politely. “I have a letter for him.”

“A letter, you say? Can we see it, please?”

“Certainly.” Astron pulled it out and passed it to her. She opened it up and read it aloud to herself in a low murmur. But Astron was far more interested in the second guard. He was much younger—Astron’s age minus maybe a year or two—but had a solid build, especially in the legs. They were the legs of a runner. And he had keen, observant eyes besides. They were certainly keen in observing Astron, anyway. He smiled at the youth, who smiled warmly back as the first guard finished reading.

“So, you’re Argon’s lad, are you?” she said, giving back the letter.

“Hm? Oh! Yes, I am.” Astron nodded. “You knew him?”

“Not really. He resigned a couple days after I joined. But find a guard here what doesn’t know who old Argon is.” She winked, then nodded at her companion. “Take him in, Johnny. The king’ll be pleased to see you, I’ve no doubt.”

“Thank you, miss.”

“Right this way, Astron sir,” said Johnny in a most amiable tone. “You’ll like it here, I think.”

“Thank you. I’m sure I will.”

The young guard headed off toward the impressive rectangular keep. Astron followed through the gate and into the grassy front courtyard of the Palace at Saurahall, his tail giving a rare twitch of excitement along the way.