Scratch

Prologue
         There I was, burrowed deep in the heart of the cave, heat and warmth surrounded me. It was dark, just how I liked it.Now I could sleep
       
         I awoke I must of slept for two hundred years, a thick layer of dust lay on top of me dulling my scales. I still felt sleepy, but I got up on all fours and spread my wings, stirring the dust around me. It got up into my snout and I tried to hold it in but I couldn’t I snorted a little then sneezed fire, achoo. Achoo, achoo achoo, it echoed all around me, startling some bats that were deep in there sleep. I groaned this is not what I planned to happen, I stretched my legs, and carefully spread my wings making sure not to replay the scene, it felt good, really good. I started walking toward the outside of the cave, ready to fly again, and feel the chill air on my neck. There were many routes, and tunnels, and only a dragon couldn't get lost  between all the twists and turns they had in store for you. I started my short journey to my hoard first, to make sure some other dragon didn’t sneak in and steal it. I arrived and peaked in through the side, I was scared that it wouldn’t be there. From what I could see it was all there, a sigh of relief swept over me, I walked in and jostled some things getting my way to my most prized possessions, there were only four items that were most important to me in my life and they were, a scale from my father who was a great hero, but sadly passed away just last year. And there was also the treasure map that led me to the forgotten lands, where I am today. The third item was a gift. given to me by my love. It was a crown with three gems the size of a tile, placed in silver outlining. it was worth very much, i named it the Three Queens crown.The other item, I could keenly remember, five hundred years ago when I was praised and thought to be a leader because of one of my heroic deeds, I saved another dragon from certain doom, and in return giving this goblet, made of pure gold and said to be made from those in the legends. I almost fell asleep again imagining it in my head. When I opened my eyes I suddenly felt awake again, I scanned the table the items lay on, satisfied.



chapter 1
I Overheard
          “We have to do something I demanded, there has already been seven attacks, can’t you see that we must do something?” “calm down Eliza, your overreacting. We must be patient about this”said one of the protectors/guards. “Overreacting, five are already dead and most are scorned or badly burnt by the dragons”. It was no use wouldn’t let me into the meeting, he never does. I knew I was old enough,but no, only the elders were allowed into the meeting. It was unfair, I should be allowed to know what was going on, and everybody else to. The the elders were discussing what to do about the dragon attacks, and that’s all everybody knows at this moment.

         But no one was expected to have a back up plan on how to get in on the secret meetings, but I remember last year when I stole some devices from the humans, and spent all summer learning how to use them. When the elders found out that I went into humans territory I got in big trouble, the elders didn’t find out that I had brought one of the humans devices back though. It was a spy camera, small enough to go inside the building undetected, because it got my unicorn smell on the camera, making it easier to hide, because unicorns have a very keen sense of smell.


         After the meeting was over, everyone was crowding around the elders eager to hear what they had to say, the oldest elder called Grayhorn let out a strong neigh to get every one quiet. Unsurprisingly it worked and silence fell over everyone. We could hear the elders trotting over to the middle of the crowd, making sure everyone could hear what they were going to say. “We are going to send the strongest of unicorns out to scout the area and possibly find and defeat the dragons terrorizing our herd”. Everyone automatically began whispering to one another. “was this a good idea” I heard the one closest to me say and heard another say “ who will be chosen to go on this quest”. “Silence” Matisse practically screamed, “anyone of age may be coming, we need armor, and the warriors will set out at dawn. And Grayhorn, Matisse, and Oakway (the 3rd elder) galloped off and into the distance. At night I would sneak back into the building to get the spy cam, to hear the whole discussion.

         It was night time, and as far as I knew everyone was sound asleep, I walked like a spy, very aware of my surroundings. I couldn’t even hear my own foot steps. All of a sudden I heard a noise, it sounded like one of the elders. I acted quick and lay down silently against an old oak tree. From what I could see it looked like Matisse, he was talking to someone in the shadows. I wondered what he was up to at this time of night. I couldn’t hear them very well, all I could hear was “There are going to be ten scouts going out before the warriors, they will go in all directions staying fairly close together. Do not harm them but let them get a glimpse of you so they know that your out there, wait in till they send the warriors out to attack, they will be sent out in groups of ten, there being three groups. Burn them all to the ground using your skills on fire breathing” then they departed. Was Matisse a traitor? I had to tell someone I waited till I knew they were absolutely gone then I cantered off. I had to find someone I could trust, could I trust the other elders? or not, and what would happen if they find out that I heard there little discussion?


Chapter 2
What should we do
                                         
        The clan was migrating south to find a  hiding spot,because the humans took over the area. It was terrifying, I'd never seen a human before and I wasn't planning on. it was a dark night and my thoughts were twirling in my head, the dragons were breathing fire to be rid of them, but only more came and they brought powerful weapons. We had to evacuate the area we couldn't defeat them. Two dragons died that night, now I wished that dragons didn't have so powerful a memory. Those dragons were my parents, Azon, my father and Nila my mother, and my name is Ralie. Each dragon was different, my mother had an iridescent shine and the most lovely eyes, they were almost hypnotising as her voice you wouldn't be able resist not doing what she said when she asked you to do it. As my father, he was a powerful dragon, some have described him as a warrior or even hero. And out of all the dragons he was the most powerful, a rare breed The great red welsh dragon. Not only was he the strongest breed he was the leader of the clan, and now I am to take his place. You may be wondering how does a weak human kill a dragon, the only way a human could kill a dragon is to pierce  them where there neck and jaw attach, but it has to be with a special blade or spear made out of a diamond, and the handle needs to be made out of steel.

         Before the humans came, our clan kept the peace. My father and other warriors would scout the area to make sure that no other dragons were causing trouble, But lately there has been some trouble, these deformed dark dragons have been terrorizing the unicorns. And because we are migrating to a new area, we will have to wait till we found a new place to live to be able to stop them.I was worried about the unicorns, they are the most lovely creatures, and shine like a evening star. Dragons adore them , but for dragons to attack them is just outrageous. Why would a dragon attack a unicorn, they would have to be out of there minds. Possibly they think that the Unicorns have some kind of information. Maybe the deformed dragons are trying to find land that the humans haven't taken over, but why would unicorns know that? I knew that probably wasn't it, but it was a start.

         That night the older dragons and me, held a meeting that we had to attend. There were many arguments. I Yelled “ silence, we have to handle this the right way, now what are we going to do about the dragon attacks”. An elder person suggested that we should send out spy's to track them and a younger dragon said that we could wait for them to to come out and try to attack the unicorns again, then pop out before they can harm anyone and fight them. I said we can try to form an alliance with the unicorns to fight for them when needed, and they can do something for us in agreement. There were murmurs from the members as they debated what we should do. All of a sudden a very little dragon spoke up, quieting the crowd, “ Why don’t we combine all of the ideas together, send scouts to found out why they are attacking, and make an alliance with the unicorns so we can “pop” out when the deformed dragons try to attack”. This was probably the best idea I've heard all day, I replied with eager “ little dragon, that was amazing of you to think that” I was in awe, how could a mindless little kid think of something so, so, intelligent. To end the meeting I said we shall combine the ideas and send scouts out right away so we can learn more about them, in til we have found a new home.


Chapter 3
The spy cam

         I decided that I will get the spy cam before I tell anybody about Matisse being a traitor, because I don’t know who to trust right now. I silently snuck into the building and looked around for the spy cam. I remember placing it in the corner, so I headed over there. And it was exactly where I had left it.

         I pushed it out of the mound of dirt, I had to carefully carry it in my mouth because I couldn’t carry it with my hooves. Just then I realized the sun was coming up! That meant the scouts were leaving right now, and soon the warriors would be sent out to try and attack the dragons, I needed proof that Matisse was a traitor. So that they will not make the mistake of sending the warriors out.


          I took the spy cam and retreated past everyone luckily no one was awake yet, I went to my secret hiding place, it was across the river where no unicorn had gone, no one has ever gone across the river that's what made it secret. It was dragon’s territory, although I'd never once seen a dragon there. It has been so long since I've been here. The instant rush of wind flew upon me, carried be the river’s currents, waving all my mane out and about. I felt the chill air on my neck and bathed in it. If only everywhere could be as peaceful as this place, I thought. Once my moment of peace was gone I came back to reality. I glanced down at the spy cam I'd dropped when my heart was warmed by the wind, I nudged it with my horn, setting it up right. I pressed the play button with the tip of my horn and it started. I could hear the audio booming out of the speakers. There was allot of commotion, as they discussed what to do. It seemed the other elders were unaware of the prospect of Matisse being a traitor. And with that I suddenly galloped off as fast as I could to speak with Oakway and Grayhorn about the possibilities.

          I arrived at the hill where most of the others were awake, I scanned the area looking for the elders,I set my eyes upon Grayhorn speaking  to a mid age unicorn, that was probably a warrior unicorn that was going to fight once the scouts arrived back with the news that they had seen the dragons on the  west side of the river or something like that.

         I tried to walk calmly up to him, but I was bursting with terrifying news and set out in a canter. Soon he was right in front of me, I stammered at first, thinking of what to say. Then spoke“I need to speak with you in private, it’s urgent” He obeyed and we walked into the building where the meeting was held. “Whats so urgent at a time like this” Grayhorn said after a awkward silence that lasted no longer then three seconds. I explained to him what I heard Matisse say the night before and that he was talking to someone in the shadows over by the big oak,a little ways away from the rest of the herd. He seemed to understand what I was saying , and absorbed it all, and with that he replied “ but just what were you doing at that time of night”, I said sheepishly “remember when Oakway caught me going into human territory, well I took one of the humans devises and recorded you during the meeting” He didn’t respond to that and seemed kind of irritated, but said calmly as he could “I will talk over the chances of Matisse being a traitor with Oakway”, we departed. Just before he cantered out of the building he flicked his head my way and unexpectedly said “i shall want to see to that device this afternoon”.


Chapter 4
Making an Alliance
       Just another day of travel, each day seemed to reiterate, we fly over a pasture or field, not one landscape different from the other. Same routines, and there is just no time to have fun. I wished at this moment i were a kid again, at which i would have described my self as free, and well now i have responsibilities, not that was a bad thing but everyone is depending on me at that moment, and what makes it worse is that i don’t have any parents to help me lead, i am on my own. There is no more playing around.

        Finally, we have a change in schedule. Today we are going to try and make an alliance with the unicorns. We sent scouts to find the herd yesterday evening, to tell them that we are coming, just to make sure that they know we are not the dragons that have been attacking- We wouldn’t want to pose as a threat to them

   It was was arranged that we would meet this morning

     I was getting prepared, In five minutes i would be the one facing the Kings of the unicorns. I had my scales oiled so that we would create an impression on them, because quite frankly they are just not getting along with the dragons.

       Once we arrived, i was led into a building. if i were going to describe it as anything, it would be beautiful. They must of had the fairies come in and decorate the walls. A nice shade of blue was painted, as if they were trying to make a replica of the sky at sunset, with olive green vines running up the wall, flowers,of all kind, purple, orange, and a hot pink were everywhere you looked. And purple and magenta sparkles were spread throughout the walls and floors.

      “Admiring the scene, we had some help. But in no time we had it perfect” I turned to see what looked like, one of the elders. I took one last look scanning the walls trying to trap the loveliness in my mind, “beautiful”, i was in awe.

      “well back to business, you want to make an alliance?”, said Gray Horn interrupting my beautiful moment.  “Well yes” I replied awkwardly. “I want to form a friend ship with the unicorns because we can help each other in times of need, like your having some um... dragon problems”, “yes it seems we are having dragon problems-he paused for a moment before continuing- and you think you could help us with that”.

-While that was going on, Eliza galloped through coniferous trees, getting pine needles in her mane, to the point that her hair looked like a wild forest, who’s branches were tangled together.

“Oh no” Eliza said, gasping for breath as she entered the herd, was she to late? Did they already send out the troops? “Eliza, what happened to you? you look as if a bird made a nest in your hair”, a few other girls whinnied in reply- more like a smirk. I took the time to wipe the dust from my face, walking disgraced toward the building in which the meeting was being held- unknowing that they had canceled the scouting because of it-because of the meeting.

Once again the guard was standing in front of the door way. This time I didn’t bother to try and plead that he let me in, I trotted into the bushes where the a creek ran through. I Lay down where a patch of sun skirted through the tree’s leaves. All that for nothing i thought.

When I awoke, I felt something sharp poke me. I got up and leaned down to get a better look. “it was shiny, no, more like sparkly. With the tip of my horn i managed to nudge it out of the dirt. I gasped. It couldn’t be, no way, that isn’t possible. And in front of me was one of the Three Queens Crowns.


Chapter 5
The Three Queens Crown

I immediately went into action. This was worth millions of colors (In unicorn language colors are like money, 1 color = 1 dollar bill, A color is a magically colored stone.)

Where would i hide it? Could i trust Grayhorn? When, whats, wheres. It was all to much to take in. One moment i am peaceful, the next moment dragons start attacking us, the third moment i find that Matisse is a traitor- but I don’t have any evidence, and now, I find all dragon’s most prized possession- The Three Queens Crown.

Could this be what the dragons are looking for?

When i reached a decision i hid the crown by wrapping it in some leaves and putting it in a pit, where I finally covered it up.
Next i would have a discussion with the dragon prince - since i knew i couldn’t trust the elders.


Chapter 6
The Dragon Prince

Just as the meeting ended, the Dragon Prince walked out. I trotted over-little ways away from him. “Hello” i said after we where a while away from the herd “ meet me behind the old oak at midnight, i have something to show you- that's extremely important” and with that i cantered into the woods.

What? Who was that mysterious unicorn? And why did she want to meet me behind the old oak?

I suppose i shall tell my advisor. He would know what to do.


Chapter 7
Meeting at Midnight

Well it was almost midnight, my advisor suggested i go. On one condition- i will have to bring backup. I was only going to bring him though. The unicorn said it was important, and i trust a unicorns word.

The old oak was on the end of the dragons territory, you couldn't miss it, it was massive. And i was planning on meeting a mysterious unicorn there.

Instead of flying we were going to walk, we decided we didn’t want to attract any attention of others during the journey. The old oak was only three miles west of here. An easy walk for a dragon.

Thirty minutes later- My advisor and I arrived at the tree, the unicorn was already there.

“So why did you want to meet” i inquired. She asked if there was anyone else here with me. “Yes, but only my advisor” I replied. “I can’t trust the Elders with this, so i thought I might be able to trust you” she whispered. And i used my previous knowledge about unicorns to have sense about how bad a problem is if one unicorn can’t trust their Elder.I was about to ask why she couldn’t but she interrupted my thoughts “it’s a long story- and i have something to show you.Wait here please”. She galloped off.

Chapter 8
The Dragon Prince and The Three Queens Crown

It was right there, the exact place I buried it earlier today. After I undid the dirt loosely packed on top of the crown i renewed it’s leaves, making sure that it wasn’t to be harmed  or seen.

A minute later I had brought it back to the oak, where the dragon prince still stood expectantly waiting. “Go on open it” i said unsure of what he would think.At first his expression was surprised then it was worried. The first thing he asked was “What is your name? My name is Ralie”. I was surprised that was the first question he blurted out - out of many questions that were to be.

“Well Eliza, are you aware of this objects history? And why can’t you trust your Elder?” the prince’s advisor asked. “I overheard something i shouldn’t have heard and found that one elder or all could be traitors- that’s why” I said quietly. “Well what are we going to do? and is this what the obscene clan(That’s what they started calling the evil dragons) is attacking your herd for?” Ralie asked. In the end the advisor suggested that we lay out all of our questions to answer them at once. Here were our questions.

Why can’t you trust the Elders? : They are traitors

Could The Three Queens Crown be what the evil dragons are going after? : We think so

Why would the obscene clan think the unicorns had The Three Queens Crown? : We don’t know

What will we do now that we have the TTQC(The Three Queens Crown)?:
We will spy on the Elders, watching them night and day to get any more information on our situation

Should we have another scouting-

“What do you mean another scouting” The advisor asked in question, “They had a scouting today- didn’t we?”. Before the confusion continued Ralie informed me that they had canceled the scouting, because of the meeting.Well that was a relief i thought.

“But if the Elders didn’t know - and they are the connection to the obscene clan - why would the dragons suspect that we the unicorns had it”. We came up with a few predictions.

I said that maybe there was a tale about it being lost in unicorn territory. Ralie suggested that the Elders made a bargain with the dragons- the Elders would do something for the dragons, allowing the dragons to explore our land, but the only way that the dragons could explore our land unsuspected- they would have to attack. The advisor (by the way his name is Eli) agreed with Ralie. “But what would the dragons want from us” I asked. “That’s the question” “what would the dragons want from you, the unicorns” Ralie stated. 

Chapter  9
Mischievous Eliza

Back at the herd, it was almost one o’clock in the morning. I was planning on searching for the Elders- just to see if they were up to something tonight.

First place I  went, was the last place I saw Matisse. Behind the thick stubby tree where i hid, it didn’t surprise me that Matisse was there. What surprised me was the fact that all  the elders were there no dragons. I could faintly hear them chatting.

“Matisse, she suspects us. You let her see you when you told the dragons our plan” said GrayHorn. “So, what could she possibly do? Its not like anyone would believe her even if she told someone” Oakway stated. “She has weapons. Didn’t i already tell you that. she was spying on us. And we didn’t even suspect of her. She could come up with enough evidence to prove it.” GrayHorn reminded the others. “Well, we have the dragons, there could always be an accident” Matisse laughed an evil traitorous laugh along with the others.

An accident. I wish i didn’t know what they meant when they said it. Just thinking about it made me feel sick.

When i woke up it was at least later then ten o’clock. I opened my eyes i felt groggy. Once again my hair was in a mat of tangles. No one commented when i got up though. I could barely put one hoof in front of the other. Then I remembered last night, I had to find Ralie!

Not long after I took my mother’s old map out. The edges had wrinkled and teared. The inks used to make the map were long lasting, so I could see the map clearly- even though it was probably made three hundred years ago, or around there. - to be continued

Last edited by babbet (2011-10-18 21:53:53)