Minnow and the Swamp Dragon

a dog named Minnow protect his young Elf brother. Written for 300 word contest.

The dog was half Maned Wolf and therefore had longer legs than most hounds. His mother, being a large shepherd, Minnow, who was misnamed, was bulkier than most and could be quite ferocious when aggressively protecting his young Elf 'brother'.

Fly was short for an elf of four, but he ran and gamboled as a much older lad. One day Fly's two mothers (Fern and Pine) tied a ribbon about the dog's neck and challenged Fern's boy to chase and retrieve the blue tinted tangle. Knowing the game the great dog ran towards the stream and with a mighty leap landed upon the other side. As the dog turned and waited for the young boy to wade the small water, he was taken aback by the sight of Fly stopping short on the bank.

Living within the Immense Forests in the Southern borders of the Known Lands was interesting enough without being as close to the Endless Swamp as they were. A swamp dragon, miniature as it was, was closing in on the copper skinned lad. His laughing had turned to feverish curiosity.

Fern, fearing for her son's life, called to her men. Three of Fly's fathers raced towards the scene following Fern and Pine. The carnivorous creature was closer than before as the small child, hands outstretched, and saffron hair blowing in the breeze, moved closer to his doom.

Minnow growled and leapt the stream again. With white fangs bared, and his black mane raised the courageous animal fought the reptilian like beast. The parents of Fly stood watching as the faithful dog withstood slashes across his reddish muzzle, and a scorch mark of sparks from the toothsome mouth and yet was victorious in dragging the fiery fiend from his charge.

Astounded, the crowd watched the swamp dragon retreat.