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Mountain Fires

Rated: E · Fiction · Nature · #2363225

Thorn takes up the mantle to fight against an age old danger

It was totally, one-hundred percent against the rules to be in the Great Cave but as long as Thorn crammed himself in the shadows and squinted so the light bouncing off the craggy stone didn’t reflect off his eyes and give him away, he could crouch and listen. He had successfully spied before, many times over the years, though as he grew his hiding spot was becoming a tad more cramped.

Tucking his tail closer to his body, he almost fell asleep until an urgent voice echoed in the cave.

“Master, salamanders have invaded the forest below the mountain and are leaving a trail of flames as they migrate north! All shall perish without your aid.”

Thorn risked a quick peek. The speaker was a regal looking deer buck, his head of horns bowed low in respect to the mighty dragon that ruled the Iron Mountain. Thorn shut his eyes when Eimbor’s voice boomed in response.

“What has that to do with us, Darby of the Fields? The world lying in our shadow is responsible for itself.”

There was the sound of movement. Thorn carefully shifted his head and perked his ears, imagining Darby lifting his head and daring to look in the Mighty One’s eyes. He shuddered at the thought of meeting those golden orbs.

Darby must be the bravest creature in the World Below to risk such a confrontation with Eimbor, Thorn thought.

“It has everything to do with you, Eimbor! You are powerful enough to stop them, to turn them from their path of destruction. It is your duty to protect us.” There was a clear stamp of an outraged hoof.

Okay, maybe more stupid than brave, Thorn grimaced.

“The World Below is not my concern.” Eimbor’s huff created a steam that filled the cave and warmed Thorn’s scales.

“We were once friends and promised allies,” Darby’s voice was soft and low.

“Allies?” Eimbor’s laugh filled the chambers. His voice became a hiss. “Any friendship we might have would be of unequal balance, don’t you agree Darby?”

“So you will do nothing?” Darby’s voice grew all the more quiet.

“Indeed,” Eimbor agreed. “And with that said, our meeting is over.”

Thorn listened as Darby’s hooves tapped across the stone floor and faded away, back to the World Below. He waited as Eimbor’s heavy presence faded before carefully unfolding himself from his shadowy corner. He stretched his muscles, releasing the kinks that had accumulated, and stared, unblinking, at the cave entrance. Already he could smell the acrid smoke from the woods below.

Thorn reacted with a sudden recklessness and launched himself out of the cave. Black wings unfurled and he hovered on an air current to observe the World Below. Wild animals fled from flames that consumed everything they touched and, narrowing his eyes, he could see the salamanders marching, their scorching bodies blistering the ground as they traveled to the north. He had never seen such a sight but he had heard stories of the blazing migration from his grandfather’s father.

“Every one-hundred years they awaken and trek to their breeding grounds,” Old Ignis had spun the tail when Thorn was just a hatchling. “It is our duty and our honor to guard and protect the World Below when this menace awakens. My father’s father protected the woods, as did my father and I, when the salamanders came. When they resurfaced again from their deep abode my son took up the defense and next they emerge, your father will safegaurd this land. And someday, my little wyrm, you will take up our mantle.”

Only father has become too arrogant to help, Thorn realized. He puffed out his chest. Eimbor might dishonor their long standing oath to protect but he would not.

Swooping over the tops of the burning trees he flew towards the salamanders. Uncertainty pounded in his heart. Old Ignis had never explained exactly how to protect the World Below from the salamanders. With a burst of speed he caught up to the front of the salamander line.

I can’t destroy them, Thorn reasoned, staring at the flaming amphibians. They were part of the World Below, a world he was meant to protect. Besides, he highly doubted any blast of flame he could generate would harm the creatures.

He noted that while they marched with focused determination toward their destination they did so while meandering over a wide range, causing more sparks than they would if they were traveling in a straight line.

Can’t fight fire with fire but maybe...maybe I can guide them on a safer path.

Thorn eyed the northern woods, untouched yet by flame. A spark of an idea came to him. Folding his wings he dove toward the World Below. Opening his mouth, he belched out a line of fire, igniting a smoldering path of heat. Banking hard in the sky, he turned and held his breath, his wings slowly beating in the air. The salamanders took a moment to notice the burning warmth but soon they were writhing against each other, fighting to crawl over the burning line on the ground. They clustered together and continued their trek, their destruction confined to the pre-burned trail. Thorn grinned and flew ahead of them, scorching a path for the little beasts to follow until they reached the ocean. The water roiled as the amphibians dove to their breeding grounds.

Thorn sighed. His job wasn’t quite done. Flying back to the burning woods he used his massive black wings to beat out flames. His powerful feet stomped out sparks until the fire was squelched.

Darby stepped out from behind a charred tree. His front legs folded as he bowed to Thorn.

“Thank you.” The words were simple but heartfelt.

Thorn bowed back. “It is a pleasure to serve.”

He turned his eyes back to the mountains and took a deep breath. It was time to face his father's wrath.

Burning Inferno ▼︎

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