Dragon Quest; Search for the Air Dragon (Book One)

[Bratterratt]

Ok, here it goes. This is just the first two paragraphs, but I want to know what people think...

The sun rose, orange and bright, to mid sky, lighting on a small herd of wooly beasts grazing on the sparse, dry brown grass growing in patches on the side of Brier Hill. A teenage boy stood amidst the large shaggy creatures, facing the city of Montegrin, a crudely carved staff in his right hand. A low bellow escaped a nearby wooly and the boy, Coryn, turned to gaze at the herd which he tended. A sorrowful expression washed across his face, as his eyes looked from one wooly to the next. Each was thin, their ribs showing clearly through their thick, brown hide. The soft curly wool, which each beast was named for, was also thin and missing in patches. The woolies lumbered about, pawing at the dry, dusty, bare ground, snatching small mouthfuls of whatever weeds they could find. Coryn sighed softly, and placed his hand on a nearby wooly. The creature lifted its broad head momentarily to look at its tender, then returned to snuffing at the dirt.

The people of Montegrin were in no better condition than their beasts. Famine had plagued the land of Tilmaria for years, ever since Coryn was twelve years old. Now, five years later, the herds and flocks had grown sparse, the gardens were no longer prosperous, and the river that had once flowed at the base of Brier Hill was only a small mud clogged stream. The people were all thin and dirty, the familiar feeling of hunger gnawing at their empty stomachs...

Tell me if you want more!

[wolfgirl159357]

O.o continue

[Bratterratt]

Lol, gladly! Here's a little more! It doesn't get exciting till the next chapter though... *sigh*

Coryn felt the nudge of a wooly at his back, awaking him from his thoughts. He turned and rubbed the creature’s head affectionately, then with glance at the noon day sun, Coryn turned and walked down the hill towards the small shabby cottage that he, his four year old sister, and father called home. The house was small, but had enough room for the family of three. A dusty cobblestone path marked the way to the wooden door, and a small window was placed at the front of the home. Thorn bushes grew around the cottage’s foundation, but Coryn could remember a time when his mother was still alive, and beautiful flowers in every color of the rainbow surrounded the house and the cobblestone walkway. The flowers died soon after his mother’s death though, withered and brown from the lack of rain. Coryn grasped the door handle and entered the cottage, leaning his staff against the wall for the time being.

“How was the herd, Coryn,” –his father asked, looking up from the wooden barrel he was assembling on the floor. Coryn’s father was a carpenter, and a skilled one at that.

“Mika still has not calved, I am worried for her. We have lost yet another female, Tina, I found her under the Briak tree this morning. The larger bull is no longer in good condition, I believe he shall be the next loss,” –Coryn spoke, with a sigh.

His father paused his work and looked up with worried eyes at his son, “I am sorry. But times will get better my son, they always do.” Coryn nodded and walked towards the table, where he picked up a small, stale biscuit, his lunch. “That is the last of our bread. Before you return to the herd, stop into the town square, and see what you can get with this. I would not mind a handful or two of rice, but take what is available,” –father told Coryn, handing him three silver coins from his pocket. The boy took the coins, clasping his hand tightly around them, for they were as precious as gold.

[wolfgirl159357]

Ohhhh go on

[Bratterratt]

Lol, ok. So, any critique for me so far?

Coryn turned to leave, but looked back over his shoulder as he heard a small exclamation. “Coryn!” –a little girl giggled happily as she bounded down the ladder from the loft and ran towards Coryn, her thin delicate arms extended out to her brother. A smile formed on Coryn’s face as he lifted the child into his arms.

“I must be off now, Aria. But I will return again tonight, after my work with the woolies is over,” –the boy told the little girl, clinging to him. Aria looked up at Coryn, her lower lip pulled into a pout.

“Can I come with you?” –the child asked, not pronouncing her words quite right.

Coryn shook his head sadly, “I’m afraid not sister, you must stay and aide father with his work. You can do that for me, right, little Aria?” Aria sighed softly, her disappointment obvious on her dirt streaked face. She nodded her head, and Coryn set her down gently, onto her feet. With a final loving glance, Coryn picked up his staff from the wall, and left, with Aria standing by the cottage door, looking longingly after her brother.

Coryn walked towards the city walls, and soon, entered through the open gates. A small wagon stood nearby, hitched to a bony wooly beast. Coryn walked past the creature and its burden, heading towards the city’s center, town square. Several shabbily dressed peddlers stood about, though no stands were set up, as there was not harvest enough to bother. Coryn approached a thin, older man, who held a basket of wares. The man spotted the boy and a toothless smile spread across his face. “What will you be in need of today?” –the peddler asked, his voice high pitched and throaty.

[SomebodyDude]

That is wonderful Bratt!It is wonderfuly descriptive and it begs you to read it!

[Bratterratt]

Aw, thanks! I'll post a little more, in case anyone want to continue...

“Rice; my father desires it,” –Coryn answered as he neared the man.

An unpleasant laugh erupted from the man, “Well, good luck to you boy. No one has had rice for weeks, but you are welcome to search if you please!” Coryn did not find this amusing, and with a slight frown, asked the man what he carried. “Well, I’ve got an ear of corn here, and a few strips of dried fish, along with a potato or two,” –the man replied, rummaging through his woven basket. Coryn nodded and looked at the few coins he held in his hand.

“Very well. I’ll take the fish and corn for the silver I have here.” –Coryn said, allowing the man to glance at the coins.

“You sure drive a hard bargain, but I’ll take it!” –the man replied greedily, handing Coryn the food in exchange for the three coins.

The boy tucked the parcel beneath his patched shirt, and with a nod, turned and left the city, leaving the greedy old man and his coins behind. Coryn returned to Brier Hill and was greeted by the woolies, each glad to see their boy once again. Giving each a soft pat on the neck, Coryn walked through them, up to the top of the hill, where he could watch each creature alone. He sighed, then sat on the ground, his staff lying across his lap. Coryn looked down across the hill, gazing at the herd with his watchful eye. With a deep breath, Coryn looked across the horizon at the distant mountains, the peace of the moment overwhelming.

Chapter 2: The Travelers

(Will post if anyone wants!)

[wolfgirl159357]

post

[Bratterratt]

Lol, you make me laugh. Ok, here's part of Chapter 2!

The next few days went as usual, with Coryn tending the wooly beasts, and the land still in famine. Then on the seventh day of the fourth month, as Coryn sat on the peak of Brier Hill, the sound of the city bells reached his ears. The boy sat up straight, his curiosity strong. The bells only rang occasionally and only when needed. Coryn rose from the dusty ground on which he had sat, brushed himself off, then began to walk in the direction of the city leaving the wooly beast herd for now. As he entered the city walls, Coryn saw others gathering. It looked as though most of the people had already gathered, but still there were more coming. Coryn spotted his father and Aria nearby in the crowd of people, and made his way towards them. Aria spotted Coryn and waved, her smile growing big as he grew near. Coryn stopped, standing beside his father now, craning his neck to see what the city was gathering for.

His father rested his hand on his son’s shoulder, and Coryn lifted Aria onto his shoulders so the little girl could also see. Before long, it was apparent what the bells had been rung for. Three travelers had arrived, from a city far away, the city of Ethar. Coryn could see the three now. There were two men and a woman. The first man was tall, and built heavy, but like all in Tilamaria, his face was hollow, and his clothes hung loose off of his broad shoulders. A large scar marked his cheek, making this man look fierce, one not to be messed with. The second man was shorter, and built more delicately than the first. He looked younger perhaps Coryn’s age or close. His hair was a dirty tangle of blonde curls, and his eyes were a piercing blue. The woman was built slightly, like the second man, but instead of blonde, her long hair was a rich dark brown, almost a black color. Her eyes were brown as well, and almond shaped. She did not look like a citizen of Ethar, as most from there pale, with light hair and eyes. Coryn narrowed his eyes, there was something very different about this traveler, something that he could not quite grasp.
The boy’s thoughts were soon interrupted, as a shout rang out from a man standing next to the travelers, calling the crowd’s attention. A hush came over the crowd, and the man’s voice was more easily heard.

[wolfgirl159357]

ya and dont laugh keep typing!

[Bratterratt]

Ok!

“These travelers are from Ethar, they wish to take shelter here, in Montegrin, for a few nights.” –the male called out, his voice loud, reaching each person of the crowd easily. As soon as these words had been said, Coryn began to hear members of the crown murmuring to each other. Some said that there was not enough food to share, they were starving already, and three more bellies to feed would only make matters worse. Others were afraid of these travelers, saying that they could be thieves or sorcerers. The murmurings grew even louder when another shout rang out, asking for a place that the travelers could take lodging.

The crowd stood looking at each other, not one person offering their home, until to Coryn’s surprise, his father called out, “We have a little room to spare. If the travelers wish, they may sleep at my home.”

Quickly, the matter was settled, and the crowd dispersed, each giving Coryn’s father a glance, some of resentment, other of simple fear. But Coryn’s father ignored the looks and along with his son and daughter, led the three travelers to their cottage outside of the city walls. The three spread out their blankets and made themselves as comfortable as possible on the floor of the cottage. Aria looked at the travelers with wide eyes, and clung frightfully to Coryn, her little fingers clasped tightly around the bottom of his shirt. Coryn did not fear these strangers, but instead was curious, for they must have seen many interesting things in their travels. Coryn’s father offered the three what little food they could spare, and they accepted the offering graciously.

[Heather]

Cool!

[wolfgirl159357]

keep goin

[Bratterratt]

Here's more!

The large man finished quickly and then cleared his throat.

“My name is Brion. This is Jacom, my younger brother and Shindra, a friend.” –Brion spoke, gesturing to himself and the two others.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Brion,” –Coryn’s father replied, with a nod towards Jacom and Shindra, “This is my son Coryn, and my daughter Aria. If you need anything throughout the night, Coryn and I are at your service.”

Brion nodded then looked at Coryn curiously. “What is your age, boy?” –he asked, his voice deep and gruff.

“Seventeen years, sir,” –Coryn replied, his own voice quiet.

“Seventeen. Jacom is almost nineteen years, you two are close,” –Brion said, rubbing his beard as he spoke. Coryn looked down to where the blonde Jacom sat. The other boy looked back, a crooked, comical smile on his face. Coryn nodded, then turned and picked up Aria.

“It’s time for you to sleep, sister. Let us take you to bed,” –he whispered softly to the little girl. She smiled up at her brother, and then rested her head on his shoulder. Coryn exhaled a deep breath, then climbed the ladder to the loft. He set Aria in her bed gently and brushed her straight blonde hair out of her face. The little child whispered a “Goodnight”, then turned over and closed her eyes. Coryn pulled the covers up to her shoulders, then turned and climbed the ladder back down to where the travelers sat.

“Come, boy. Sit!” –Brion spoke heartily, gesturing to a spot on the floor close to himself and the other two. Coryn did as Brion said, and sat cross-legged on the dusty floor. Coryn’s father lit the lanterns on the wall, as the sunlight was fading quickly. Then, without another word, he retreated to his own room, where he would sleep. Coryn breathed in deeply, now he was alone with the travelers. Brion sensed Coryn’s uneasiness, and with a laugh, began to tell a story.

[wolfgirl159357]

go on