Braith_rewrite

Braith awoke with a start. The sudden jolt sent shocks of pain throughout his entire body. A steady pounding beat mercilessly at the inside of his skull.

What happened?

He tried to push himself up but his right arm collapsed in pain from the pressure. Once again, he found himself lying on his back staring up at a hazy sky. The trees were burnt black. He glanced down at the burnt flesh of his arm and his eyes widened in shock. Half his hand up to his elbow was black and the rest of his arm was still slick with blood. Carefully avoiding putting any pressure on his injured arm, he managed to ease himself slowly back into a seated position.

A quick surveillance of the immediate area around himself revealed that the ground he sat on was charred black and stained with blood. Everything was scorched, and there was evidence of something having rampaged viciously. He was surrounded by carnage and not too far away were other bodies lying motionless in the soot-like dirt.

What happened?

His mind was foggy. Obviously some sort of battle had taken place and he had been a part of it. He pushed himself agonizingly to his feet and limped over to the nearest form to check for a pulse. Nothing. He did the same to the others closest to him but all were dead.

In the earth not too far from where he himself had lain as one dead he spotted a footprint of some kind. He moved over to this and saw that whatever had made it was big with claws that gorged the earth. At the sight of it, a string of familiarity tugged at the back of his mind. He sat down and stared at the print, hoping whatever memory lurked at the recesses of his thoughts would be brought forward.

He recalled a dark cloud descending and fire raining down on him. Wind had beat against his face. And then, he’d fallen.

His thoughts returned to the print. Memory burst into full light as a barrage of images stampeded through his mind, the fog clearing. The sudden onslaught drove him to his feet, and he staggered from the head rush that came as a result. A nauseating pain made him double over so that he fell against the remains of one of the standing trees for support.

They had been at war; Sarenth and Frethengor. He was Sarenth’s Champion. Somehow, Frethengor’s Champion had managed to gain the upper hand and claim victory. An ambush? That part he couldn’t remember fully. He just knew he had faced against the black dragon.

Dragon!

He pushed himself from the tree and glance furiously in all directions but could see nothing. “Elkana!”

Braith? You are alive?

His body tingled at the familiar sound of her voice spoken directly to his mind. He could hear the sweet sounds run through him like fresh water, but there was an edge of pain to her words.

Yes. I am alive. He allowed his thoughts to transport to her along the link that bound the two of them together as Dragon and Rider. I appear to have been badly injured, but somehow I am alive. Where are you?

They have me Braith. You must save me. They believe you are dead. Frethengor’s Champion plans to make a final stand against Sarenth.

Where do they have you?

Right now I am not sure. We are in a field and they have me strapped to a cart. They plan to take me back to their castle and do who-knows-what to me. Braith, please save me.

Braith turned in a slow circle but all he could see was trees. He knew that if they were able to communicate then she couldn’t be too far away. Somewhere close by.

Closing his eyes, he listened. He could sense the emptiness of the area where he stood, the lack of breath. Listening deeper, he opened himself to the forest and allowed its very soul to wash over him.

A new sound came to his ears. Distant but very distinct. It was the sounds of men shouting and the clanking of metal. His eyes shot open, and he limped in the direction he knew the sounds to be coming from. He ambled for what felt to be quite some time before the noises grew closer.

He came upon a high ridge and with his injured arm cradled safely against his torso, he slowly pulled himself to the top. Upon reaching the top he could see down into a treeless valley. There, surrounded by a large contingent of armed soldiers, was his dragon. She was badly wounded but the men nearest her continued to attack her violently with their swords and spears.

Elkana. I see you.

Braith! Where are you?

I’m sorry, Elkana. I cannot save you right now. If I rush in with that many soldiers, we’ll both be killed.

A large black shadow at the edge of the field then separated itself from the trees. Braith hadn’t noticed it before. The shape unfolded itself to reveal large wings and a long, elegant neck. The black dragon lifted its majestic head and roared. The sound was terrifying and yet somehow exhilarating at the same time.

Instantly, all sound ceased.

A man stepped out from behind the dragon and raised an armour-clad fist.

Braith recognized him instantly and a seething rage flared up behind his retinas. He looked away and tried to calm himself knowing that rushing in at that moment would be suicide. Every muscle in his body was tensed and ready for action.

“We have experienced a great triumph!”

Braith looked back at the sound of the man’s voice.

“See how we have captured the great silver dragon, now burned and beaten, her rider lying dead in the forest.”

The men cheered.

That’s what you think. Braith allowed a small grin to creep across his face.

“And now those maggots of Sarenth will be plunged into defeat. They have lost their Champion! With their hero dead, who can stand in our way? This war is now in our favour. Sarenth will fall!”

Again the men raised their weapons and cheered.

“Come, N’Kar.” With these words, he swung himself up to the base of the dragon’s neck. “Let us take our prize back to Frethengor where we shall celebrate our upcoming victory. This battle is ours!”

The dragon took off into the air with a mighty beat of his great wings. The men watched the departure before mounting their own beasts; Giant Krakh’s: half wolf, half bear.

Braith watched as the troop left. Anger clouded his vision and rage welled up in his heart. He waited until the valley had been emptied before allowing his frustration to leave his body in a loud roar.

Braith. Save me. Come to Frethengor. Once I am freed, together we can save Sarenth and end this war once and for all.

“I will save you!”

He closed his eyes as hot, angry tears threatened to burn down his face. Then, in a pain torn voice, he raised his head to the sky and roared once more. “ELKANA!”