Adventures of Aurora - Ch. 3

Chapter Three



Far away, in a crumbling castle northwest towards the border that divides the human territory from the gryphon and dragon territory, Scarr sat. His long, dirty claws tapped impatiently on the stone of the crumbling throne on which he sat. Through a window in the stone wall, bright moonlight shone onto the dirty floor. Scarr growled angrily and called for his advisor, also the command dragon of his army, Argentia.

Argentia came running through the broken doors immediately at the sound of Scarr’s voice. “Yes, sire?” he asked, bowing to Scarr. Scarr was a large black dragon, very similar to his brother, Windnyte, although he was entirely evil. Scarr, the eldest brother, had always thought he was more important than Windnyte. But mother had loved Windnyte best, leaving Scarr in the shadows to develop a black heart and a hatred towards his brother.

Scarr was jealous of his brother. Jealous that Windnyte always got the attention of their mother, jealous that Windnyte was now leader of Evernyte Valley, jealous that every dragon knew of Windnyte and loved him. Scarr wanted the attention. He thought that because he was older, he should be the leader. But Windnyte was leader because, unlike Scarr, he cared for others.

“My spies have informed me that Windnyte is leaving Evernyte Valley.” Scarr growled. “They are migrating, to a valley in the north. This may be my chance to seize what is rightfully mine. Get the map, we must plan an attack.”

Argentia retrieved a map at his master’s order. Scarr took it and placed it on a rotting table. He traced what would be the dragon’s migration route with his claw and stopped at the point when they would be nearest to his castle. “Here,” he said, “ is where we shall attack. On the edge of the Horned Canyon. The dragons should be tired, and we shall catch them off guard!” Scarr began laughing maniacally. Argentia joined him.

“Go and gather the army, we will leave shortly.”



Meanwhile, back at Evernyte Valley, the dragons were preparing to start their journey to the new valley. Caves were checked quickly to make sure nothing was forgotten, then the dragons all made their way to the center of the Valley where Windnyte was waiting. Some of the older dragons refused to leave, saying that they were born in Evernyte Valley and would die in Evernyte Valley. Once every dragon was ready, Windnyte began speaking.

“Say farewell to your old home. Perhaps someday we shall return, but for now we must let Mother Nature do her work and allow the prey to replenish. It is a shame that some of you refuse to come with us, I only hope that you will come join us again if you change your mind.

“Little ones are to be kept in the center of the group so they do not stray. Let us begin.” Windnyte gave the signal and hundreds of dragons leapt into the air. Aurora’s heart was beating faster than ever.

As she flew over the mountain, into unknown territory, she felt upset because she was leaving her old home. But she tried to think positive, imagining all of the new things there would be to do at the next valley.

Flare came over to join her, and they began chatting excitedly about the new valley.

“Starlyte Valley…” Aurora said. “ I wonder what it’ll be like.”

“It can’t be much different than Evernyte Valley. All valleys are the same.” Flare said in a bored tone. “What I’m wondering is if we’ll see any gryphons! Do you think they will attack if we do? If they attack then I’ll get a chance to use my amazing flying skills!”

Aurora rolled her eyes as Flare went on about her “amazing” flying skills. She took one last look behind her as Evernyte valley disappeared over the horizon.

The dragons flew for a day, then decided to stop at the Horned Canyon. As they neared the canyon, Aurora saw why it was called “Horned Canyon.” At the entrance to the canyon, two rocks shaped like a dragon’s horns rose above everything else. Aurora stared in amazement, she hadn’t seen anything like it before.

The dragon’s all rested at the top, near the rocky horns and high above the river that was winding through the stone at the base of the canyon.

“Mum?” Aurora asked as they landed on the ground.

“Yes, Aurora?” Shimmer replied.

“Will we see any gryphons?” Shimmer laughed.

“No, dear. Gryphons and dragons usually stay very far from each other. I doubt they would come close to a group of dragons as large as us. The only gryphons around here in the South Kingdoms would be the traveling merchants. They rarely fight, and when they do it’s usually to defend their lives. Don’t worry, we’re safe with Windnyte around.”

“I see…”Aurora whispered to herself.

“Anymore questions?” Shimmer asked. When Aurora shook her head, Shimmer walked away to be with some of the older dragon mothers. Aurora went and found Flare looking over the cliff.

“What are you doing?” Aurora asked. Flare shrugged her green shoulders. “Looking for gryphons, I suppose.” She answered.

“Mum told me none are around here.” Aurora told her.

“Maybe your mum lied.” Flare replied, but she walked away from the cliffs edge anyway. They both looked back in the direction they had come from, where the Frozen Sea lay. It was always frozen, and was said to be where the Ice Palace – a royal palace built entirely of ice for the Star King and Queen – was said to be. One the horizon, the sun was setting.

“It’s so magical.” Aurora commented. Flare snorted.

“You still believe in magic?”

“Sure, why not? What about fairies, couldn’t they use magic?” Aurora was taken

by surprise at her friend’s reply.

“Aurora, no one has seen a fairy in years since the humans sent them into hiding.

Even the dragons are starting to think they’re nothing more than a myth.”

Aurora didn’t really have anything to say. Flare had made a good argument, so she went back to her parents, where she fell asleep quickly.

Scarr had witnessed everything.

“The number of dragons has increased. Why did no one tell me about this!” Scarr roared to Argentia. Argentia cringed, but didn’t say anything. He did not need another scar to add to the many already on his body.

“This will make things more difficult…” Scarr told no one in particular.

“But sire, many of the new dragons are young ones. With no battle experience. It should be easy.” Argentia commented nervously.

“Yes, you are right. Fly back to the castle and get the army. At moon high we attack.”

The moment Scarr had been waiting for since his years as a hatchling was finally within his grasp. That night, he would get what he felt he rightfully deserved. Power.