Chapter 5

Chapter 5
In Search Of Dragons

The survivors stood stunned and crying staring at the tunnel where lava still poured out into the valley below. Screams and whimpers were almost deafening as the dwarves began to realize who was missing. Dusty stood next to Rhysh just as stunned as the rest knowing that he too barley escaped himself. Elda emerged from the survivors to stand by Rhysh “how could this have happened? Our people have lived in these mountains for genrations.... there has never before been volcanic activity here. We have lost almost a third of our people, and the town is most certainly gone. I just do not understand”. Deep in thought Rhysh just stared off into the distance, not a word passing his lips. After a few moments of silence he spoke with a calm tone “This was no accident, it was an attack”. The small group within an ear shot gasped with sudden shock and murmurs ran through the crowd. “Attacked! How? Who? We are a peaceful people! No one would attack us!”.“What force could do such damage?” Elda yelled. Rhysh broke in “A Dragon. It is the only possible explanation. Dragon fire can burn through rock and even steel.”. A silence engulfed the crowd as Elda began to speak “Dragons are peaceful, there have been no attacks since the Dragon Wars, and all of the Rune Stones were destroyed. Even if one was still out there why would some one use it to attack us?”. All at once an ear shattering screech filled the air as an enormous red dragon flew from the trees taking flight toward the horizon. “I do not know, but I intend to find out” Said Rhysh watching the dragon fly into the distance.
After the dragon was far out of sight Rhysh turned to Elda “Take the survivors to Oakruam I will find out what evil is behind this. This attack must not go unpunished”. “You can not do this alone” Elda said with a sadness in her voice. “Let me send some men with you.”. “No you will need all the able bodied men you have here to make it to the capital city unharmed” Rhysh said bitterly. “ I will go with him” Dusty said in a voice too low for anyone to hear. Realizing this, he repeated a second time almost in a yell “I will go with him.”. All eyes were suddenly on him, paired with faces of shock and confusion. “This is not your fight young lad we can not ask you to push your own journey to the side for us.” Rhysh added after a moment. “If it wasn’t for you and your people I would already be dead, it seems I should repay the debt and I wont take no for an answer.” Dusty said putting on a defiant grin. The small group of dwarves huddled together murmuring softy so Dusty couldn’t hear. After a time they separated. Elda spoke first “It seems you may have come to us at exactly the right time Dusty Gray. You will go with Rhysh, but know it will be a dangerous journey that you may not survive.”. With a gulp dusty said “ I understand.”.
The group slowly began to disperse, Elda yelled to all “We go to Oakruam! Collect what you can find, we leave at first light.”. Dusty was standing on the edge of the cliff as the sun began to rise, watching the mountains in the direction the dragon was last seen flying. Ryhsh came to stand beside him “If your coming with me I cant have you unarmed. Someone brought this out of the fire with them”. In his hand he held a spear about 2 feet taller then Dusty. “It may be a little long for you, but it's better than nothing. I hope you know how to use it.” Dusty took the spear from his hand staring at it wide eyed for a moment “of Course I do” Dusty said with a slight bit of cockiness in his voice. Then thinking to himself “How much different can it be from the broom stick I used to play with back home?” Ryhsh and Dusty stood there staring into the rising sun, knowing that one hour later they would set out to find the dragon and whatever else might be down that dangerous path.