The ageing Wizard stood at the edge of the jagged cliff overhanging the rocky twisting river. His hooded black robe covering all except his long white beard and his gnarled hands. He was gripping his staff waiting for the ugly beast to rise to attack again. This battle had been continuing since the Wizard found the beast at first light. He knew this was the water dragon responsible for taking the villager’s sheep. He had followed the river for two days until he spotted the dragon. It had taken a deer at the river’s edge in the early twilight of morning.
It was his responsibility to protect the village from all sorcery and demons. He had taken the oath, as his father had, and as his father’s father had taken before him. For as far back as anyone could remember, the Sarcaine Sorcerers of Flaymore had stood guard over the village of Brackenshire. The Wizard was the last of the long line of Sorcerers who had sworn to protect the mountain village. He had never found an apprentice worthy of the calling and the villagers thought there was no use for wizards in this day and age. After all there were no dragons left. Until a month before, sheep had begun to disappear. No one even thought about a dragon being responsible for the losses. It had been a hundred years since anyone had even heard of a dragon. One morning a milk maid had spotted the dragon gulping down sheep, two and three at a time by the river’s edge. She went howling through the village.
When the elders heard of this, they sent for the old Wizard and told him it was time for him to earn his keep. The Wizard did not believe it to be a dragon at first. He thought the wench to be lying to get attention. Until he studied the tracks at the river. Then the Wizard went directly to the ancient books to study and to prepare for the hunt. The ancient books told him everything he needed to know about this particular type of menace. It explained thoroughly, the water dragon’s strengths and weaknesses. It also explained what kind of energy blast to use. He studied and meditated for hours before he had finally saddled his horse and packed his provisions. Then he rode out of the village to pursue the dragon.
The beast rose from the river. Its huge head swayed back and forth level with the Wizard. The blueish/green water dragon had blazing red eyes full of hatred and malice. Three horns sat atop its head. The beast’s mouth was full of razor sharp fangs, each a foot long, dripping with deadly poison. The large crystal at the top of the Wizard’s staff glowed blood red.. He clutched his staff in his right hand. When the dragon would lunge, the Wizard would leap precisely at the correct moment to avoid the razor sharp fangs of the beast. At the same moment the Wizard would land lightly on his feet. He would gesture with his left hand releasing a powerful blast of energy sending the dragon screeching back into the river. As the Wizard waited for the next attack , he could not avoid seeing the irony. You unholy beast. You are the last of your kind. As I am the last of mine. I grow weary of this battle. I do not know how much longer I can continue. I do not know any longer which one of us will prevail. But, our battle is to the death.
The Wizard yelled, "It is time, Serpent of evil! " The dragon burst out of the river almost on command. It paused a mere ten yards from the Wizard. Its mouth gaping wide. The Wizard could smell its foul breath. The dragon’s head swayed back and forth as it studied the Wizard. The dragon lunged. The Wizard was a split second too late. The spur on the dragon’s neck nicked the wizard’s shoulder, laying open a wide wound. The poison from the spur blurred the Wizard’s eyes and his head swam. He only had one chance. He fought off the fatigue and the effects of the poison just long enough to concentrate all of his power and energy into one final blast. The crystal on top of his staff exploded. At the same precise moment the dragon’s head exploded. The Wizard fell to his knees. After a few moments the Wizard struggled to his feet. The wizard staggered ten yards almost making it to where his horse was tied before falling face first into the mud. The villagers would find his body there days later. The final battle was over.
Love, romance, innocence, intrigue, danger, and lust. Life is complicated, and love even more so. Life, and love, can be hazardous to a lady's health. Especially if she's fallen in love with a married pop star.
The Fight Begins!
Retired! New start! Murder!
Todd, detective lieutenant, has retired from St. Louis, Missouri and has moved to Ford Valley, Arizona. When Todd’s ex-wife is killed in a car accident, Todd fights for custody of his teenage
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