Hey everyone! I have the lovely pleasure of hosting Friday Fiction this week! I do hope you can stop by and join in the fun. All you need is a story to share and a way for folks to comment. Then add your name and link to the widget below!
Author's Ramblings: I've got dragons on the brain. *wince* Sorry! I'm afraid this piece might make far more sense in my head than on paper, but it simply won't let it alone and Gayle, well, she just likes getting her own way and then I decided on emptying my head a bit, so here we go! It is an excerpt from a WIP, so be warned. It is rough. Do enjoy the read and let me know what you think. Love it? Hate it? Not quite your cup of tea? Leave a comment and let me know. Cheers!
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| Found on Google Images. I thought it fit. |
Christian Fantasy : Contemporary : Excerpt
“Is she here yet?”
“Not yet. I can’t hear her.”
“Check again.”
“Already did. Stop talking.”
“She’s running late.”
“By half and parsed seconds. Shut up.”
“She’s running late, Todd!”
“As if I don’t know that, would you calm down
already?”
“They could’ve gotten to her by now!”
“And if they did, then neither of us would be
standing here so calmly.” He huffed. “For goodness sake’ Gayle, get ahold of
yourself!”
“I do have a—oh shut up, you big-!”
“Shh. Is that her?”
“Oh, so now you’re hearing her?”
He glared at her, but the look was somewhat tempered.
“You’re dancing on ice.” He muttered. “Were it any other man here but me.” He stuffed
his hands deeper into the pockets of his thin jacket.
“Don’t talk to me about ice.” She shivered. “And
never mind, you love me anyway ‘cause I’m adorable, remember?”
“I’m trying. It’s rather hard to do.”
She stuck her tongue out. “I hope you’re right and
that better be her.”
“Cold?” He stomped his feet as quietly as he dared, using
the movements to push his energy over him to provide what tentative warmth that
he could. Winter was really the worst season out of them all.
She scowled at him.
His hands fell out from his pockets and he rubbed
them briskly together. After a moment, he extended his arms.
She eyed him warily. “We can’t.”
“If they were going to find us, they’d have done it
by now.” His arms fell back to his sides and he brought his hands up to blow on
them. His breath made the customary puffs of white in the wintry air. "What sort of dunce do you take me for? Surely you don't expect me to watch you freeze simply because you don't feel like using your brain."
Her smile trembled. “She’ll be here, won’t she?”
“She’ll be here.”
“You’re sure?”
“Hawks came through for you, kiddo.” He snagged her
coat sleeve and gave it a good tug. She tumbled back into his arms and he
hugged her close. “He’s never let any of you kids down.”
“I’m not a kid!”
“You’re centuries younger than me and therefore that
makes you a kid, youngling.” He pressed a kiss to her cool forehead. “You are
freezing.” His brow furrowed together. “Aren’t you regulating your body heat?”
“Like I have time for that.” Her teeth began to
chatter. “Where is she?”
“Hush.” He tightened his hold on her. “You’ve plenty
of time. Start now. Are you trying to give me grey scales?”
“No need, Tracey’s got that all covered.”
He growled, low in his throat.
She ignored it.
“Start!”
“Don’t wanna!”
He let go and gave her a shove forward. “That wasn’t
a suggestion, child.” The hint of ancients tinged his voice. “Now, before you
freeze to death.”
She sniffed, skittering back a few safe steps. “I’ll
be fine. I’m half ice anyway, what’s it matter?” She hopped a few times. “Hawks
should be here by now.”
“It’s Hawks, of course he’s not here yet. You’re changing
the subject and I’ve noticed. Try harder next time.”
“I hear something.”
“I can’t sense her yet. It’s nothing.”
“I heard something!”
“You’re hearing nothing!” This time, his blue eyes
flashed a dark shade of grey. “Now, Shura!”
There was a half-angry shriek and then where the
young woman had been standing, a small dragon crouched, shivering in the shelter and shadow of the cold woods.
Todd’s frown eased a mere fraction. “You have your
own self to blame for that.” He scolded. “Center your energies and push them
outward. Use the effort to generate some heat and then direct it where you need
it.”
A whiny snort came from the little creature—a delicate,
scaled figure no higher than his waist, a brilliant snowy-white with sky-blue
runes tattooed across the broad back and strong shoulder blades. When the snort
didn’t earn a reply, the dragon attempted a whimper.
The man didn’t bother to answer that.
Something rustled ahead in the bushes and his head
whipped around in that direction. “Stay!” He growled to his side and leapt
forward, morphing in mid-motion, a blur of green and brown.
Angry snarls and a sudden backlash of energy fanned
out into the little clearing where Gayle waited. She fell over onto her side
with a squeak of surprise, scaled wings and paws struggling to right her in the
aftermath.
Todd.
A keening wail built in her throat, but she didn’t
dare release it. They’d been through that conversation before he’d agreed to
bring her along. She must remain silent. He’d extracted her honorable promise
that she would.
He gave her no choice.
The white dragon quivered for a moment, a faint
sniffle coming from the slender snout.
Crashing underbrush signaled the approach of
something.
With some effort, she drew on her natural talents,
calling up the chameleon-esque ability to blend into her surroundings.
Relief swamped her a moment later when a humanoid Todd
stumbled back to her, a golden armful, cradled close to his chest. There were
several angry slashes on his formerly flawless face. The redness streamed down
in shaky, sluggish rivulets.
“Take her!” He thrust the armful towards her as the
white dragonet morphed from beast to beauty in a heartbeat. “She’s safe. Keep
her safe.” His dark eyes pierced through her. “Swear it on your honor, Gayle.
May The One go with you. Do not stay back for me!”
A roar sounded hollowly behind them.
The instinctive shudder that spasmed through her
human body drew a strangled cry that lodged in her throat.
“Your honor, Gayle!” Desperation showed in dark eyes
that were rapidly fading to blue.
“Todd-!”
“You must protect her.” He whispered. “Do not let all the sacrifices up to now go to waste for the sake of your own selfishness, child. Go.” This
time, the full weight of his ancient tone swept over her.
Gayle choked. Tears streamed down her face, a silent
cry burning up as she realized what he was doing. She could not—would not—be able
to deviate. The Voice sang through her veins and prompted the transformation
that sprouted thick, leathery wings from betwixt her shoulder blades.
Warmth flooded through her body as she shed the
caution that had demanded she hide her very self—her dragon aura. The energy
rippled through her in powerful, successive waves. With a powerful heave and a
quiet grunt, Gayle was airborne.
Soft snuffles came from the precious bundle in her
arms and she dared to look down. A cherubic dragonet of shimmering gold and
jade peered sleepily up at her. The unguarded and innocent expression was
marred by the backdrop of shaking trees as they rose higher in the air.
Flame and smoke began to show.
Gayle drew a shaky breath. He’d win. He always won.
Trees crashed. Roars vibrated through the chilly
air.
She squeezed the bundle to her chest, vaguely aware
that the baby dragon had shifted forms to a human toddler—sensing her distress
and not knowing how to handle it in its true form.
A horrible, terrible cry rent through the air.
She cried as her wings carried them to
safety.
© Sara Harricharan.
A/N: And, well? Did you like it? LOL. To clarify, the idea is dragons who use halfling forms, appearing human until their natural forms are required. I am also using the idea of dragons being protective of their young and living for centuries, so Todd is a rather old, elder dragon and Gayle happens to be a youngling who he's mentored for a bit. Shura is also a nickname for female dragon/youngling. Todd means it as an affection and somewhat of a last resort. Anyway, thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed the read! ^_^
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