The Dragon Riders

It was no use, he couldn’t sleep. He’d lain on his narrow bed for hours but sleep was elusive. He’d tried counting, reciting some of the poetry that Mrs Wendell had taught them that day at school, thinking of the most boring subject he could think of but nothing would bring forth the welcoming arms of Morpheus.

He sighed and flung back his blanket before sitting up on the edge of the bed. The floorboards beneath his feet were cold to touch, a sign that winter was on its way. Soon snow would cover the ground in a thick blanket, shielding the earth from the harsh winds that would blow across this land. He would be trapped on the farm when that happened, the trail into town impassable until Mr Soames was able to bring his snowplough out to the farm.

After putting some thick clothing on, he crept through the house and out of the back door. It was a clear night, the sky reminding him of the blue velvet cloth in his grandmother’s display cabinet whilst the stars were like the small glass stones that lay scattered amongst the trinkets on display. His grandparents had visited so many wondrous places, returning with magnificent tales and amazing trinkets.

Down the stone path he crept, scrambling over the gate rather than opening it so that the hinges did not squeak and give him away. His mother did not like him going out at night when he should be sleeping. The pasture across from the house was damp beneath his feet, the moisture seeping through the thin leather shoes he had slipped on. He ignored the chill and scrambled up the slight incline to the top of the hill and his favourite viewing point.

On the hill he could see all around the farm, the different fields for the animals, the farm buildings where his family worked and the large cottage that his grandfather’s grandfather had built and he now lived in. In the distance he could see the lights of town and the silhouette of his favourite tree where he liked to laze away summer afternoons before his grandfather called him to do his chores.

There was a fallen tree at the top of the hill that he liked to sit on. The old trunk was wide enough for him to lie on and stare up at the stars in the sky. With a sigh, he lay back on the trunk and stared up into the heavens. Somewhere up there was his father, his mother had told him, watching over him and the rest of the family, keeping them safe from harm. Most days he didn’t mind his father being in heaven, he’d gotten used to it as time had passed but there were some occasions when he wished his father was there with them. Today had been one of those days.

Another sigh escaped him, deep and heartfelt. Men had come to their town, loud and aggressive, threatening all who crossed their path. They had hit his grandfather, pushing him to the ground before being rude and nasty to his grandmother. His father would never have allowed that. His father would have ensured those men left town without hurting anyone. His father would have protected them.

The stars twinkled down at him, their presence strangely reassuring to his troubled mind. Was it his imagination, or were the stars starting to spin around and around in a vortex pattern? He sat up on the log, a frown creasing his forehead as he watched the stars. This was not normal. Stars did not spin around and around unless…

Excitement clutched at him, coursing through his veins making everything tingle. His mouth opened and closed but no words came out. He could not talk, only watch and wonder. His father had told him of such a rare phenomenon, something that was rarely seen in their area because there was no cause for it.

Perhaps there was a need for it now. Perhaps the arrival of the bad men had created that need. Whatever the reason, it was a rare event to observe and one he was not planning on missing. With a smile of anticipation chasing away his sadness, he drew his legs up and rested his chin on them so that he could comfortably watch the arrival of the Dragon Riders.