The dragon's den

As the man rode his horse across the vast fields, his ears were filled with the melodious whistling of the wind. Tostig couldn't help but yawn, feeling a sudden wave of weariness. He rested his head on his shoulders, taking in the scent of fresh wheat and dampness that filled his nose. His trusty steed started to trot, and he gazed up at the grey clouds, knowing it would rain soon.

As the rain began to fall, Tostig knew he needed to find a place to rest before the downpour became too heavy. Fortunately, he stumbled upon a settlement and quickly approached the nearest building for shelter. As he entered, the music abruptly stopped, and he was met with unwelcoming stares from the locals. Despite the atmosphere, Tostig knew he needed room to rest and rented one quickly, paying the owner three silvers.

Tostig struggled to drift off to sleep after shutting the door behind him. Eventually, his exhaustion took over, and he slept soundly. He felt renewed and invigorated upon awakening, eager to continue his journey. He departed the building, mounted his faithful horse, and rode forth with newfound energy. As he progressed, the trees became gnarled and twisted, signalling that he was drawing near. In the distance, he spied a small town, its structures in shambles and ruins. Puzzled by what could have caused such destruction, Tostig noticed an older man holding a lance, observing him from afar. Sensing danger, Tostig cautiously touched his sword, realising that not everyone could be trusted. In the distance, a towering mountain loomed over the land, a daunting obstacle on his path.

"I presume you must be Sir Tostig," he declared while expertly honing his lance.

With a confident tone, Tostig said, "If I may inquire, could you kindly share your name with me?”

"My name is Harald," he stated with confidence. "I hold crucial knowledge that may assist you in defeating the beast.”

“Do you know what it is?” Tostig asked.

“While I lack concrete evidence, I have witnessed a mysterious creature fly into our village numerous times. Additionally, a number of our livestock have vanished overnight without any explanation. Most recently, the creature in question launched a surprise attack on our guards, forcibly entering a newly reconstructed structure and making off with our most valuable treasure, the coveted jade coins.”

“Despite our attempts to recover the stolen goods by sending search parties into the nearby mountains, none have returned. Based on the creature's behaviour, we suspect it to be a manticore, although there is a chance it could be a dragon. I am fully prepared to defend our village with my trusty lance if it is a dragon.”

"I would appreciate it if you could provide me with additional information to help me better understand what you are referring to."

“I have a silver item that can diminish a dragon's strength and penetrate its tough exterior. It would be best if you took possession of it, as it will significantly assist you in slaying the dragon. I assure you, I have no intention of using it myself.”

"Many thanks," Tostig expressed graciously as he received the lance from the gentleman.

Tostig was taken aback by the seemingly effortless weight of the sword, though he made sure to sheathe it before bidding farewell to the man and embarking on his journey on horseback. The forest ahead of him was in a state of decay, and Tostig couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine. To combat the cold, he wrapped his cloak tightly around himself. As he ventured deeper into the forest, Tostig soon realised he needed to start a fire.

He dismounted from his horse and collected sticks, building a fire that soon crackled and popped, providing warmth and light. Tostig felt a sense of relief wash over him as he settled down on the cold ground, allowing himself to become enveloped by the peaceful quiet of the forest. He woke the next day, stretching in the process. Time to get going, he thought. He straddled up and carried on journeying to the dragon's burrow.

Not much further now, he thought. The mountain towered above the decaying trees, blocking the sun from view. Looks like I'll have to proceed on foot, he thought. He dismounted his horse and then trudged towards the cave.

Despite the bone-chilling gusts that whipped through the air, he persevered up the incline, hoping the physical activity would generate some heat. Although he felt a tinge of uncertainty creeping up, he reminded himself of the gravity of his mission and the importance of his selection. After a strenuous ascent, he finally reached the entrance of a cavern, and his heart sank as he was greeted with a ghastly sight that would undoubtedly churn the stomachs of most individuals.

However, he remained composed, with his eyes fixed on the end goal of making things right. Gripping his trusty lance tightly, he cautiously proceeded into the cave, not wanting to rouse the slumbering dragon. Even when he accidentally stumbled upon a glittering hoard of treasure with the beast stirring from its slumber, he didn't falter, meeting the creature's piercing gaze with a steely resolve.

As Tostig cautiously stepped into the dark cave, he heard a sudden and deafening sound that echoed throughout the cavern. His heart raced with terror as he realised the source of the noise - a colossal dragon. The beast's booming voice demanded to know the identity of those present, causing Tostig to freeze in fear. He remained silent, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. The dragon repeated its question, its tone conveying a sense of urgency and a hint of aggression, leaving Tostig feeling even more vulnerable in the creature's presence.

In a moment of sheer terror, Tostig found himself staring directly into the eyes of the ferocious beast. With a deafening roar, it turned towards him and began charging rapidly. Tostig quickly assessed the situation and knew he needed to act fast to survive. He attempted to dodge the beast's attack while simultaneously attacking its legs, hoping to weaken it enough to gain the upper hand. However, despite his best efforts, the beast proved to be a formidable opponent, much stronger and more resilient than Tostig had anticipated.

The dragon's bellowing voice echoed through the cavernous room as he unleashed a torrent of flames towards his unwelcome guest. His eyes glinted with malice as he vowed to make the intruder regret ever leaving his lair.

Tostig found himself in a treacherous battle with a fierce dragon. He narrowly avoided the creature's scorching fire and struck it in the ankle with his weapon, causing it to cry and bleed profusely. However, his attempt to climb onto the dragon's back was foiled as the creature hit him with its powerful tail, knocking him back and causing him to lose his breath. Despite the intense pain, Tostig refused to give up and continued to defend himself. The dragon moved in for the kill, but Tostig used his lance to split its scales and injure its knee.

It roared, thrashing madly, fire escaping its mouth. Tostig dodged its tail, missing him by inches. Now's my chance. He had noted the broken scales around its heart, so he got up and charged while the dragon still flailed. Unfortunately, the dragon detected this and booted Tostig, causing him to skid across the ground. His armour had become useless, so he began tearing it off, leaving him with regular clothes. That isn't good. The dragon charged at him again, breathing fire in his direction. Unluckily, Tostig needed to be faster and had burn marks on his left arm. He yelled, dropping the lance.

With unwavering confidence, the imposing dragon advanced towards the human, its eyes fixed on its prey. The creature proclaimed with certainty that the human stood no chance against it alone, its determination evident in every powerful stride.

As the dragon was about to finish him, his horse galloped in, kicking it in the underbelly. The dragon stumbled, falling backwards with a tremendous crash. The man lifted himself, grunting in pain. He retrieved the lance off the ground and prepared to finish the beast. The dragon went to stand back up until Tostig came over, thrusting the lance into its heart so far only the wood was visible. The dragon grunted, goggling at him, then its eyes rolled back, and it lay motionless.

Tostig's heart swelled with pride as he extracted the lance from the ground. However, his elation was short-lived as the weapon suddenly snapped in his grasp. Undeterred, he remained focused on his goal of finding the valuable coins he was seeking. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Tostig's persistence was rewarded as he stumbled upon the precious green pieces he had been searching for. Realising that he would need to rest for the evening, Tostig settled in for the night. He consumed a crisp apple and attempted to drift off to sleep, but his mind was too preoccupied with the day's events, causing him to toss and turn restlessly.

He stirred the next day, satisfaction flooding his brain. I may as well head back to the village, he thought. He pocketed the jade bits, then led his horse down the slope. After that, he mounted her and set off. Harald greeted him warmly, disinterested in the news of his lance.

“At least it did its job,” he said reassuringly, “I could always make myself a new one. Anyways, where are the coins?"

Tostig handed him the jade pieces, Harald thanking him repeatedly. He waddled off to bed, leaving Tostig to embark on his adventure back home. He galloped past the quiet village and vanished into the night.

1626 words.