The Lost Shifter

Tenebris Dracones

Keirnan Ballantyne

    I was heading to the meadow to go on my usual afternoon flight, I needed to clear my head after spending all day in the training grounds. The king wants everyone training together in case we go to war with one of the human kingdoms. There have been more killings in recent weeks. Thirteen villagers and a few soldiers have been unfairly murdered. Guards have been set up around the castle, and army patrols have been doubled around the boarders. Everyone has been told to stay in the kingdoms' boarders while flying.

    Once I get to the field just outside of the village, I quickly shift into my great black and red dragon and leap into the air careful to avoid the eyes of patrol. We have spent everyday since the first killing training. My father is considered a War King. He is always in the front lines with his men, never on the sidelines. He has participated in four wars during his thirty-five year reign. In his early years it was said that he was indestructible, but now his belly is a little rounder, his once night black hair is a little greyer, and his face is full of the wrinkles marking his aging. The only thing that hasn't changed over the years are his hard depthless black eyes.

    When I turned twenty, Father decided it was time that I took on more responsibilities around the kingdom. I've been dispatched to two different kingdoms already to arrange more allies and I've also been assigned to help the villagers with any of their disputes. I have hardly had any free time between training and being in the village in the last three months. Tonight was the first time in almost two weeks that I have been able to go on my flight. It was easy to get past the patrol and soon I was soaring through the clouds.

    The sound of thunder in the distance drew me from my thoughts and I realized that it had gotten much darker and that I flew much further than I had originally planned. As I was coming down from the skies, I saw a small cave by a river and quickly landed next to the water. When I was done checking the cave for other creatures, I quickly found something to eat and laid down on the cave floor. Staring the rock wall, I decided to take a few days to myself before heading back home. The sound of rain hitting the ground eventually lulled me into a dreamless deep sleep.

    I awoke to the sound of someone shouting and quickly shifted back into my human form to investigate. As I exited the cave my feet sunk in the fresh mud from last nights' rain. Pulling myself free of the mud and heading towards the river, I noticed a young man about my age trying to pull a cart with two black and white horses out of the mud. Thinking that he could possibly give me a ride to the nearest town and map, I jogged over to him and asked, "Excuse me, Sir? You look like you could use some help?"

    The boy nearly jumped out of his skin, flinging his hand to his chest and exclaimed, "Heavens above, you scared the crap out of me!" He leaned against the neck of his horse to steady his breathing.

    "I'm sorry. I heard you shouting from down the river; I figured I could lend a hand and get directions to the nearest village." I said as he finally collected himself. Reaching my hand out for him to shake I announced, "My name is Keirnan Ballantyne, I lost my means of travel a few miles back."

    "Charles Lockwood. Call me Charlie." He said as he wiped his hand off to shake mine. "If you wouldn't mind pulling the reins as I push the cart, would you? I'll give you a ride to my village, it's just up the road about five miles."

    I nodded and grabbed the reins while he went to the back of the cart. "Pull!" I heard him shout. I hissed at the horses to move as I pulled on the reins. Both horses quickly started to move forward and soon were back on solid ground. I moved the reins over their heads and handed them to Charlie as he climbed in the seat. He gestured to the spot next to him and I jumped up dusting myself off as a adjusted to the seat.

    The ride back to his village went by without anymore incidents. Charlie spent the whole time telling me about his new fiancé. Her name is Briella and they have been courting for a little over six months. Charlie is actually only a year younger than I am despite his boyish features. When we reached the outskirts of the village I asked him if he could drop me at the nearest store with a map.

    As I hopped off the cart Charlie gave me directions to his plantation. "My mother would have my head if she knew I didn't offer you a place to stay. Once you have everything you need head come on by." With that, he snapped the reins and was bumping along down the road.

    After locating some new clothes and few other things I might need for this trip, I went up to the counter and asked the shopkeeper if he had a map. "Yes, Sir. That'll be fifteen silver."

    I heard the bell above the door ring as I handed the man his money. When I looked up I saw the most beautiful brunette girl that I have ever laid eyes on. Her hair reached the small of her back and was held out of her face by a purple ribbon. She walked passed me, her ocean blue eyes glancing at me only once and would swear she was blushing. When I realized the shopkeeper was tapping the counter, I quickly dropped the money into his hand. With one more glance at the beautiful woman, I opened the door and headed towards Charlie's estate.