Tag: writingfiction

Part 7 – They have a fire ball

The flock learnt to move as one. A collective that would strike at the target, each carefully given a code and when spoken or signalled, would strike with a roar to strike fear to all who may hear, followed by the burst of fire on the target and the remains either to be devoured straight away, or be to left to be reviewed spoils of war after the battle. A field would be seen so rich in bounty, that each dragon could explore and see what would be worth their attention to consume.

Rumour, fear or simply myth created by stubbornness. The tales of the flock in force was one that would be told from village to village, town to town. It was to be expected that when an army left and met them on open ground, the end was expected to be the same.

Death.

Or, if a wise leader was able to get there in time, surrender to at least save their army. This would normally cost them in wealth, often land. Sometimes their head.

It is true, the flock would move as one and devour all they found. But to get them to do so was to hold up a piece of food big enough, often a carcass of the latest animal to be slaughtered for their training, and then launch it.

It needed to be thrown. Far and fast. They wild dragons had learnt that to hit a food carrier meant some form of punishment. This could be seen to be held in a cage for a while, being in the shadow of a building appeared to do the most upset, keeping them away from the sun did something a soldier once noticed. But to fire at food that was near the food carrier. This was different. Shouts and screams used to follow but with a growing number of wild dragons in the field, catching which was one did the damage was difficult for the untrained eye.

But each creature had their own markings. Own ways of moving or differences in their wings. Those who trained everyday knew each one by sight. But looking to see them punished was not one they would always support.  

From the food providers point of view, the fire hurt, a lot. So, a series of engines were quickly being developed in their spare time for simply flinging of food far, fast and over the group. These engines would slowly be perfected and were one of the earliest advancements from this time to actually continue to be used into the future. Along with the detachment of engineers that were to be the heart of the army when siege was the tactic deployed in battle. It seemed the drive to stay alive or unburnt was the only motivator needed for the improvement of semi-automatic engines. These would later develop to not just be an accurate method of throwing a heavy weight, but a reliable reload system meaning two teams could feed the engine. It may have first come feeding a larger group of dragons, but later an efficient way to hit an enemy’s defences or even better, the enemy was to come.

The number of dragons slowly grew to 17. It was first thought these were pups that would grow to some potential size to strike fear into anyone by just appearing. This wasn’t the case. But with feeding, and for a longer growth idea, breeding, growth was hoped to be possible. But for growth, food was needed, and for nutrition for an animal that was difficult to motivate to move without food, this generally meant growth around the middle. This called for a better way for exercise. And this meant the flock had to move.

No one is quite sure how, or when, but eventually the planning turned to the fastest animal around. Horses. So, an attempt to get horses involved saw the inevitable set of mixed results for the trainers. One, dragons like horse meat. Two, horses don’t like fire. Three, when the food behind the horse is ignored, the individuals riding the horse begin to make a calculated move when the fire gets close and a small bush is in sight.

Did you know that when a horse gets loose, they tend to run. They can run quite fast, and quite far. This saw the spoils of the Great Expedition find their way charging, or flying to be more precise, after a series of horses who had lost their riders, and each found their own stables for safety as what else is any living thing to do when being chases by a flock of dragons spitting fire at you.

Stables, as most things are, were made of wood. They also have a large supply of hay nearby. Dragons, tend to follow horses when they realise their meat is tasty and they have caught their attention. They also like it more of the well-done side of medium in case it comes up.

The first set of stables were easy to hide and cover up as a training exercise due to them being firmly under the control of the army or those who have graciously given their own grounds over to the training of the Kingdoms next up and coming weapon. Every land owner knew that if they could sit around in a dinner table and boast they had the latest thing trained on their land or built with the very trees that they could see from their home, guests were more likely to think better of you. But as horses became harder to find due to them either being eaten, or so scared that no matter how hard their trainer whipped or bribed them, they were now a stay-at-home horse, eyes had to go further afield to find options. It were these horses, particularly one called ‘7 fields’ after their pace to run 7 fields with ease, ironically why it was chosen, that brought 6 dragons with it one day when it had got loose and came charging into the stables.

The fire began in a semi contained point. Luckily a group of stable boys had water nearby to put it out quickly. Sadly, for them, as the flock of 6 dragons search for food, the fire not only spreads quickly, but has multiple starting points that they were quickly out numbered along with also being surrounded themselves were it not for a stone building they managed to run through.

The village of Ehujti is now seen as a central place for markets with villages coming from far and wide to sell at. This might be because of the range of people who travel there which then brings more to share and find a good item to bring back. Or how there are often small items a person could get to show their love for their partner. But it is far more likely linked to the very generous lack of the King’s taxes on all those who enter and sell, the open trade laws and the ability to police itself allowing the village to keep what they take in from any trading that may happen there. The actions that saw 7 Fields become 7 servings, the damage to village and the near riots that followed when the village found out their own army had stolen their horses, then affectively attacking the with wild animals. To keep the village calm, and to prevent word from reaching the rest of the Kingdom, a generous deal was struck that would last until all was forgiven. With such vague terms all the inhabitants need to is never say ‘I forgive you’ to a representative of the King and it stays. Many have tried and the King has since promised an equally ridiculous reward if anyone can get them to say it with 2 witnesses. 

Since then, the local mayor with the many generations that have passed from the early failing to train the dragons, still stands with his back to the King when they arrive to the village to open the annual opening of the year long market festival. Normally joined with all those in the village as the King leaves.

So it can be said, there was a success for getting a group to be trained to move as one together without the need for food to entice them.

The death of a king

Death was always seen as a women, they bring life into the world, it should only stand to reason that they should be the ones to collect life when it has run its course.

This is a scene that is part of something bigger. In theory it is the start of it, and thinking about all the mistakes writers do (so many blogs on this topic!), making it the beginning makes sense, to paraphrase the advice many have said, ‘start with the action… not describing a person’s day’.

So here is a scene where the passing on stability leads into what to do next?

Just to help make it make sense, the title ‘Utwelda’, roughly translates to King of Kings. It is meant to symbolise the unifying person who have had oaths of loyalty to from the different kingdoms of man.

As always, hope you enjoy and please share any comments.

—The Death of a King—

The clouds gathered around the tops of the mountains, slowly they marched down the slopping sides. An old saying is ‘a battle will come to end when one side has lost their troops’. It is not a very good saying, but as no one is able to show any reason why it is not true, it has stuck around. However, it is the battle with the weather that came to the mind of the dying Utwelda. He has seen armies rise, troops come at him with sword, axe and hammer with all failing. He was still there, breathing. Just. 

Around him stood the myriad of people he had known for many years. Some were his close true friends, some were his council from the Kingdoms who advised him and others were those waiting to see who would respond but also felt a sense of duty to be there. The chill in the room was held a bay with the layers of animal furs helping to keep the Utwelda warm. By his side where his children and wife. His wife, who had long brown hair tied behind her, sat holding his hand. Her clothes were made of browns and yellows showing her modest side that had been with her all her life, all except for her necklace. This was a gift form her husband and the bright colours stood out as it hung in the air from her neck. With each breath the Utwelda took she held his hand, remembering how he had united the human Kingdom, but still had time to teach their children to ride a horse, drive a cart and wield the weapon of their choice.

They would never be able to marry someone who might be Utwelda, a blessing and a curse of being their fathers children, but one that had stopped any one family taking control of the Kingdoms of men should they be united. A decision their husbands took to not allow power to be within on family. But they were ready, they had been brought up to be in a world without their father should he have fallen in battle. But now, he was slipping away on a cold night to age. 

The clouds, like the true enemy to life, continued its march down the hills. She was on her way. Death was always seen as a women, they bring life into the world, it should only stand to reason that they should be the ones to collect life when it has run its course. Men, end life early, often in battle but it is often seen as man’s duty to protect life but in doing so, often seen to end it before She can come to collect her children.

As the Utwelda managed to open his eyes he could see his wife and children there with those behind a blur. Those closest to him smiling and holding back tears. He had lived a long life. The goblin horde had been kept at bay when the winter pass opened across the sea. He held his wife’s hand, and with just his eyes managed to say how much he loved her, how proud he was to be able to be her husband and how happy he was to be there with her through it all. 

To others he was the Utwelda, but to his wife, he was hers, no title was needed nor did a title change how they were with each other. Equal partners together. Slowly, she bent down and whispered into his eye, ‘You have one rule remember’.

The Utwelda coughed and the sign of yet more blood was quickly whipped away by the First Chamber Guard. Ever faithful soldiers who swore protection to the crown. They had stood watch for their King, and stayed when he was crowned Utwelda. They knew they would soon perform their last vigil together and it would be an honour so few had seen. How often do kings survive to see Her come to collect him? But those thoughts were for another day, another time.

‘Your one rule, in all of this’, the Queen continued to whisper just light enough so only he could hear. ‘You were not to die on me’.

The silence of the room broke as the Utwelda began to laugh, his body heaved with all the energy he had left. His smile came bright as so many had seen before. He looked at his wife in the eye and, unable to speak, gripped her hand. 

Later She came to take the Utwelda away. The room filed out slowly as the physician checked for any final signs of life. Soon only the family and the Chamber Guard remained. Outside those who had been called to prepare to look after his body for the funeral waited for the family to leave.

However, for those who filed out to share the news of his passing, to begin each Kingdoms remembrance traditions, thoughts about who would, or who could, replace the Utwelda rose quickly. Some considering if one would even be needed if the period of peace within the Kingdoms of men was secure.