Harold and Jessica sat in their room waiting for Richard to return from work. Short on money they were staying in a creaky old Inn that had missing floorboards and a thick musky smell that wrinkled their nose. The bed was hard compared to the luxurious beds they had back at their now destroyed castle and Harold was growing sick of it.
"How much longer do we have to deal with this?" Moaned Harold.
"I don't know," Jessica replied.
"So how are we going to get out of here?"
"I don't know".
"Then what's the…"
"I don't know!" Shouted Jessica. Harold didn't respond but remained quiet for a few minutes before speaking again.
"Does Sir Richard know what he's doing?" Jessica looked at him but didn't respond. Just before she could find words Richard stepped into the room wiping sweat off his face and throwing a small bag of coins on the bed causing it to creak.
"Where's the rest?" Jessica asked as Richard slumped into his chair.
"He changed the deal" Richard grunted.
"What? He can't do that! You're a knight!" Harold said exasperated.
"He doesn't know that".
"Well maybe he should".
Richard sat up looking directly at Harold, "Harold we've been through this".
"Yeah and it's stupid reasoning"
"Harold", Jessica said "We need to keep a low profile".
"Why!?" Harold shouted "We're Gallants! We shouldn't be wallowing away in a smelly old Inn that are only scraping by with money. Only the peasants should do that!"
"Those 'peasants' are the ones your father devoted his life to keep safe", Richard said glaring at Harold.
"Yeah and they treat us with respect and give us what we deserve!"
"Harold it's not…" Then there was a bang shaking the entire room and breaking one of the beds legs.
"Oh my god" Jessica whispered staring out the window. Richard jumped up from his chair to have a look and saw a building on fire. Without a word he dashed out the room with the kids following.
They ran through the streets and reached the building. Fire poured out of the windows as residents fled the building. Brushing ash out of their fur and hair they gathered themselves as locals went in to help. Richard however noticed one grey wolf was looking frantically around shouting.
"Ashley! Ashley!" He shouted as panic entered his voice. Fearing what's happened Richard went over to him with Jessica and Harold following. He tapped on the wolf's shoulder grabbing their attention.
"Where did you last see them?" Richard asked. The wolf just pointed up the building to a window on the third floor.
"Up there but I don't see them out here" the wolf replied on the verge of tears. Richard looked up at the building seeing the flames intensifying. If the kid was still in the building they wouldn't last much longer and there was no sign of firefighters. They were going to die.
He took off his bag throwing it at Jessica and ran towards the building. Jessica shouted back but he didn't hear what they said as he climbed the side building. The wood was hot to the touch but he kept going, blocking the pain as the embers crumbled at his feet. Flames shot out next to his head as he climbed and pulled his way up.
He soon reached the window and clambered over. Lifting himself up he could hardly see from the smoke and the fire crackled away destroying everything it touched. He covered his mouth with his bandana to protect him from the smoke and started looking for the pup.
"Ashley!" He shouted trying to hear for a voice or see a small figure amongst the flames. "Ashley!" Shouting again but there was no response. A roof support creaked above him. Time was running out. "Ashley!" Still no response. Pushing through the heat, he went further into the building. Fire was dancing all around him as the smoking intensified. "Ashley!" Still nothing.
He then came across a door. Pushing it open he saw what looked like the remains of a wooden pony and cot. He looked around and saw that he was in a kids bedroom. His gut told him that it was Ashley's and looking around he saw a wardrobe. "Now if I was kid…" he thought to himself as he went up to the wardrobe and opened it. Sure enough a grey wolf pup was staring at him, eyes wide with fear.
Richard showed his hand to the pup. "You're safe. Daddy is looking for you", the wolf's ears perked up at that. "Come on, let's get you back to daddy now". The pup hesitated, unsure if they could trust him but they grabbed his hand. Richard took the opportunity to pull the pup out the wardrobe and pulled him close to his torso covering him up with his wing to protect them from the flames.
"Hold on tight Ashley, tighter than you have before". The pup did so digging their claws into Richard's scales making him wince. He then went back the way he came and soon approached the window. But then a support crashed down in front of him causing the floor to collapse taking him with it. He braced for impact keeping a tight hold of the pup and tumbled forward but managed to stop himself from falling into another hole, flames shooting up like a volcano.
With his way out blocked he looked around for another way out but with the smoke intensifying he couldn't see any natural light from the windows. He made his way through the flames looking for another way but the heat and smoke were getting to him. Short on breath and he knew he was only moments away from blacking out but adrenaline kept him going. He had to find a way out.
Then an explosion and a great wall of fire appeared behind him, the heat singing his scales. He was out of time and there was no clear way out. He had failed. This was one battle he had lost. Of all the things that he thought he would die from, fire wasn't high on his list. He expected to die slaying a great wraith or a demon but not a fire. But at least it was honourable. He died trying to save a kid's life.
The kid. No, he couldn't die now. Not with a poor pup clinging on for dear life and what of Jessica and Harold? Promising their father he would take them to the safety of their brother's home and see that promise to the end just like how the lady Chiron would. He had to find a way out. He had to. Then another explosion and a great fire was rushing towards him ready to engulf his flesh. He roared and put his hand out in a final bid of defiance. The fire split down the middle rushing past him leaving him unscathed.
For a moment Richard froze. What just happened? Fire doesn't behave like that does it? But another explosion snapped him from his daze and he ran through the building trying to find another way as another support beam fell to his left nearly taking him with it and then he saw it. Light from a window. Without thinking he bolted towards it and jumped through it smashing what was left of the glass, landing hard on the street.
A crowd of people surrounded him seeing if he was alright, the grey wolf among them. "Ashley. Where is he?" He said half crying. Richard unfurled his wing revealing the pup still clinging for dear life but let go the moment he saw his dad.
"Daddy!" The pup cried as the wolf grabbed him and hugged his dear pup crying tears of joy. The crowd cheered, celebrating the pup’s safety as Richard just laid there for a moment catching his breath. As he pushed himself up a couple of members of the crowd helped him to his feet.
The wolf went up to him patting Richard on the shoulder. "I can't thank you enough," the wolf said through tears. "Is there anything I can do to repay you?"
"He could do with some new armour". Richard turned to see Harold. "His old set got destroyed. That won't do for the house of Gallant"
"The house of Gallant!?" The wolf responded, "You must be the young Master Harold! I thought your entire family was killed. But of course your excellency, I will make sure your soldier has the finest armour this town has to offer!" Before Richard could say anything the wolf had run off. He then looked at Harold with a scowl on his face.
"I thought I told you to NOT throw your title around!"
"A lot of good it has done for us. Now we can actually live with the standards that the Gallant family deserves" Harold shouted causing people in the crowd to turn their heads.
The crowd then burst out talking. "The Gallants?" "They're still alive?" "I thought their kingdom was destroyed?". Everyone was now looking at them just as Jessica pushed through the crowd.
"There you are Harold. Don't run away from me like that…"
"The lady Jessica!" Someone shouted causing Jessica to stop in her tracks. "It's a miracle!". Now the crowd was up in arms, all of their attention focused solely on the three of them.
Jessica looked at Richard before turning to Harold replicating Richard's scowl. "You told them!?"
"Jessica," Harold said "We don't have to live like paupers anymore. We can live like lords again and Richard can get new armour and protect us better. Aren't you happy?"
Jessica was silent and then looked at Richard. He shook his head. Jessica looked down before looking back at Harold with a smile. "Yeah. I am."
Richard was left agape with shock as they hugged each other. "Come on Jess, let's celebrate". Harold then ran off just as Jessica was about to follow Richard grabbed her arm.
"I expected more from you", Richard said deeply. Jessica shook her arm away.
"Well the damage is done now. Might as well embrace it." She responded, running after Harold. Richard just stood there not sure on what to do. Their cover was blown making the process of getting them to their brother all the more harder. Thinking of a solution he was interrupted by a large heavy tiger wrapping their arm around his shoulders.
"Don't be such a glum man, celebrate! You're the talk of the town! Everyone will sing songs about what you did today! What's your name draggy?" Unable to wriggle away from the tiger's strength Richard had no choice but to play along.
"My name's Brandon." He lied and before he could say anything else he was being dragged through the streets unable to get away.
Unbeknownst to him a woman skulked away from the crowd into a side street. Making her way into a small abandoned stable she pulled out a small box from her robe and opened it. A set of mirror shards flew out of it forming a circle in front of her. She muttered an incantation and her reflection was replaced with that of a man with a missing eye.
"What's the urgency?" He replied in a booming tone. "I have a knight’s ceremony to attend and I don't…"
"The Gallant children are still alive," the woman interrupted. The man grunted with a smile.
This is a badass commission I got from LittleBadWolf
Big thanks to enigma530 for checking the spelling and grammar
Richard belongs to me
"How much longer do we have to deal with this?" Moaned Harold.
"I don't know," Jessica replied.
"So how are we going to get out of here?"
"I don't know".
"Then what's the…"
"I don't know!" Shouted Jessica. Harold didn't respond but remained quiet for a few minutes before speaking again.
"Does Sir Richard know what he's doing?" Jessica looked at him but didn't respond. Just before she could find words Richard stepped into the room wiping sweat off his face and throwing a small bag of coins on the bed causing it to creak.
"Where's the rest?" Jessica asked as Richard slumped into his chair.
"He changed the deal" Richard grunted.
"What? He can't do that! You're a knight!" Harold said exasperated.
"He doesn't know that".
"Well maybe he should".
Richard sat up looking directly at Harold, "Harold we've been through this".
"Yeah and it's stupid reasoning"
"Harold", Jessica said "We need to keep a low profile".
"Why!?" Harold shouted "We're Gallants! We shouldn't be wallowing away in a smelly old Inn that are only scraping by with money. Only the peasants should do that!"
"Those 'peasants' are the ones your father devoted his life to keep safe", Richard said glaring at Harold.
"Yeah and they treat us with respect and give us what we deserve!"
"Harold it's not…" Then there was a bang shaking the entire room and breaking one of the beds legs.
"Oh my god" Jessica whispered staring out the window. Richard jumped up from his chair to have a look and saw a building on fire. Without a word he dashed out the room with the kids following.
They ran through the streets and reached the building. Fire poured out of the windows as residents fled the building. Brushing ash out of their fur and hair they gathered themselves as locals went in to help. Richard however noticed one grey wolf was looking frantically around shouting.
"Ashley! Ashley!" He shouted as panic entered his voice. Fearing what's happened Richard went over to him with Jessica and Harold following. He tapped on the wolf's shoulder grabbing their attention.
"Where did you last see them?" Richard asked. The wolf just pointed up the building to a window on the third floor.
"Up there but I don't see them out here" the wolf replied on the verge of tears. Richard looked up at the building seeing the flames intensifying. If the kid was still in the building they wouldn't last much longer and there was no sign of firefighters. They were going to die.
He took off his bag throwing it at Jessica and ran towards the building. Jessica shouted back but he didn't hear what they said as he climbed the side building. The wood was hot to the touch but he kept going, blocking the pain as the embers crumbled at his feet. Flames shot out next to his head as he climbed and pulled his way up.
He soon reached the window and clambered over. Lifting himself up he could hardly see from the smoke and the fire crackled away destroying everything it touched. He covered his mouth with his bandana to protect him from the smoke and started looking for the pup.
"Ashley!" He shouted trying to hear for a voice or see a small figure amongst the flames. "Ashley!" Shouting again but there was no response. A roof support creaked above him. Time was running out. "Ashley!" Still no response. Pushing through the heat, he went further into the building. Fire was dancing all around him as the smoking intensified. "Ashley!" Still nothing.
He then came across a door. Pushing it open he saw what looked like the remains of a wooden pony and cot. He looked around and saw that he was in a kids bedroom. His gut told him that it was Ashley's and looking around he saw a wardrobe. "Now if I was kid…" he thought to himself as he went up to the wardrobe and opened it. Sure enough a grey wolf pup was staring at him, eyes wide with fear.
Richard showed his hand to the pup. "You're safe. Daddy is looking for you", the wolf's ears perked up at that. "Come on, let's get you back to daddy now". The pup hesitated, unsure if they could trust him but they grabbed his hand. Richard took the opportunity to pull the pup out the wardrobe and pulled him close to his torso covering him up with his wing to protect them from the flames.
"Hold on tight Ashley, tighter than you have before". The pup did so digging their claws into Richard's scales making him wince. He then went back the way he came and soon approached the window. But then a support crashed down in front of him causing the floor to collapse taking him with it. He braced for impact keeping a tight hold of the pup and tumbled forward but managed to stop himself from falling into another hole, flames shooting up like a volcano.
With his way out blocked he looked around for another way out but with the smoke intensifying he couldn't see any natural light from the windows. He made his way through the flames looking for another way but the heat and smoke were getting to him. Short on breath and he knew he was only moments away from blacking out but adrenaline kept him going. He had to find a way out.
Then an explosion and a great wall of fire appeared behind him, the heat singing his scales. He was out of time and there was no clear way out. He had failed. This was one battle he had lost. Of all the things that he thought he would die from, fire wasn't high on his list. He expected to die slaying a great wraith or a demon but not a fire. But at least it was honourable. He died trying to save a kid's life.
The kid. No, he couldn't die now. Not with a poor pup clinging on for dear life and what of Jessica and Harold? Promising their father he would take them to the safety of their brother's home and see that promise to the end just like how the lady Chiron would. He had to find a way out. He had to. Then another explosion and a great fire was rushing towards him ready to engulf his flesh. He roared and put his hand out in a final bid of defiance. The fire split down the middle rushing past him leaving him unscathed.
For a moment Richard froze. What just happened? Fire doesn't behave like that does it? But another explosion snapped him from his daze and he ran through the building trying to find another way as another support beam fell to his left nearly taking him with it and then he saw it. Light from a window. Without thinking he bolted towards it and jumped through it smashing what was left of the glass, landing hard on the street.
A crowd of people surrounded him seeing if he was alright, the grey wolf among them. "Ashley. Where is he?" He said half crying. Richard unfurled his wing revealing the pup still clinging for dear life but let go the moment he saw his dad.
"Daddy!" The pup cried as the wolf grabbed him and hugged his dear pup crying tears of joy. The crowd cheered, celebrating the pup’s safety as Richard just laid there for a moment catching his breath. As he pushed himself up a couple of members of the crowd helped him to his feet.
The wolf went up to him patting Richard on the shoulder. "I can't thank you enough," the wolf said through tears. "Is there anything I can do to repay you?"
"He could do with some new armour". Richard turned to see Harold. "His old set got destroyed. That won't do for the house of Gallant"
"The house of Gallant!?" The wolf responded, "You must be the young Master Harold! I thought your entire family was killed. But of course your excellency, I will make sure your soldier has the finest armour this town has to offer!" Before Richard could say anything the wolf had run off. He then looked at Harold with a scowl on his face.
"I thought I told you to NOT throw your title around!"
"A lot of good it has done for us. Now we can actually live with the standards that the Gallant family deserves" Harold shouted causing people in the crowd to turn their heads.
The crowd then burst out talking. "The Gallants?" "They're still alive?" "I thought their kingdom was destroyed?". Everyone was now looking at them just as Jessica pushed through the crowd.
"There you are Harold. Don't run away from me like that…"
"The lady Jessica!" Someone shouted causing Jessica to stop in her tracks. "It's a miracle!". Now the crowd was up in arms, all of their attention focused solely on the three of them.
Jessica looked at Richard before turning to Harold replicating Richard's scowl. "You told them!?"
"Jessica," Harold said "We don't have to live like paupers anymore. We can live like lords again and Richard can get new armour and protect us better. Aren't you happy?"
Jessica was silent and then looked at Richard. He shook his head. Jessica looked down before looking back at Harold with a smile. "Yeah. I am."
Richard was left agape with shock as they hugged each other. "Come on Jess, let's celebrate". Harold then ran off just as Jessica was about to follow Richard grabbed her arm.
"I expected more from you", Richard said deeply. Jessica shook her arm away.
"Well the damage is done now. Might as well embrace it." She responded, running after Harold. Richard just stood there not sure on what to do. Their cover was blown making the process of getting them to their brother all the more harder. Thinking of a solution he was interrupted by a large heavy tiger wrapping their arm around his shoulders.
"Don't be such a glum man, celebrate! You're the talk of the town! Everyone will sing songs about what you did today! What's your name draggy?" Unable to wriggle away from the tiger's strength Richard had no choice but to play along.
"My name's Brandon." He lied and before he could say anything else he was being dragged through the streets unable to get away.
Unbeknownst to him a woman skulked away from the crowd into a side street. Making her way into a small abandoned stable she pulled out a small box from her robe and opened it. A set of mirror shards flew out of it forming a circle in front of her. She muttered an incantation and her reflection was replaced with that of a man with a missing eye.
"What's the urgency?" He replied in a booming tone. "I have a knight’s ceremony to attend and I don't…"
"The Gallant children are still alive," the woman interrupted. The man grunted with a smile.
This is a badass commission I got from LittleBadWolf
Big thanks to enigma530 for checking the spelling and grammar
Richard belongs to me
Category All / Fantasy
Species Dragon (Other)
Gender Male
Size 1280 x 905px
Excellent story and very great picture! Glad you both are fine! And a good benefit you got when the cover got blown, but I wonder will it bring bad stuff upon you three later?~
Let's hope for the best and fear for the worst.
Let's hope for the best and fear for the worst.
I don't know but I'm going to have words with that boy
Sounds like the young man will need a stern talking to.
My advice is not to try to force it. The best way to help a young child is to set up a scenario such that they can draw conclusions on their own.
Lessons you learn for yourself have staying power that most don't.
Lessons you learn for yourself have staying power that most don't.
Fireproof scales have proven useful, haven't they? A dragon dying to fire would be pretty uneventful.
Hopefully, Harold didn't completely mess up everything... Maybe that large tiger could help out, an extra set of eyes and muscle is always useful.
Hopefully, Harold didn't completely mess up everything... Maybe that large tiger could help out, an extra set of eyes and muscle is always useful.
Something tells me it was more than fireproof scales
Comments