The Dragon Hunt

The rain was slowly falling down over the world, the wind calling out, and the clouded sky, keeping the sun for itself. The land was old, the mountain peaks raised high, the damp sounds of the swamp below could be heard in the rain. A lightning broke through the sky, a loud thunder echoed in the mountains after it. On a small path along the mountain side, a man leading his horse stops and looks up at the sky. His face is covered mostly by his brown hood, his body hiding under the large cape. A second lightning torn the sky, it lit up the face of the man, it was rugged and dirty, yet living, his eyes was tired but strong and determined. After the light had escaped his face and it was once again shadowed, he continued to walk, leading his horse next to him.

The lightning and thundering had come to it's end, the wind had seased, just the rain slowly falling from the sky, the sun light was reflected in the thousands of rain drops, falling down upon the mountainside. The sun had crossed noon, it was heading down again. The man left his horse by a small tree along the mountainside. He unstrapped a large bow, quiver and sword from the horse packaging. He swung the bow over his shoulder, he strapped the quiver to his belt, and the sword to his back. The man patted the horse calmly on its forehead before beging to walk along a small passage in the mountain, He walked for untill he found a clearing, he looked up the sky, the rain slowly falling on his face, the water slowly ran down his face, giving him a sad and humane appearance. He took up a small bag hanging from his belt, he opened it and looked down. In the bag, a gland at the size of an apple lied, it was still covered in blood, giving away a feint smell, the sun light passed over it, making it reflect it slightly in a sick way. The man walked up to the middle of the clearing, he turned upside down on the bag, allowing the gland to fall down on the ground, the threw the bag to the side, the kneeled down over the gland, gripping a sharp stone next to it, he raised the stone and brought it down. The stone landed on the gland, making it burst, like when someone walk over an apple. He left the stone and gland on the ground, walking calmly for two larger rocks at the side of the clearing.

The sun had begun to set, the rain still slowly falling. The man sat there between two large rocks, holding an arrow and his bow in his arms, waiting... A roar torn the silence of the mountains, a dragon had appeared in the sky, circling around the area before finally setting down in the middle. The dragon was slightly bigger then a adult gryphon, the beast sank it's head, smelling on the gland. The rain and feint sunlight danced over the wet dark coloured scales, giving it a noble and mighty feeling. The man raised his bow and put the arrow against the string, pulling it back, he held his aim at the dragon who raised it's head towards the sky, it quickly lowered it's head in direction of the rocks as the sound of the arrow whistled through the air, and then piercing the base of the dragons right wing. The dragon let out a roar and charged towards the man, he quickly fired a second arrow, hitting the dragon at the base of the neck, making it lower it's head a bit as it still charged. The man dropped his bow and took covered behind the largest rock as he begun to unstrap his sword, the dragons head appeared between the two rocks, the strong jaws biting in direction of the man. He got his sword lose and fumbled with it as he headed for the clearence.

The ground was muddy from the rain now, the man in the hood and cape stood there with a large broadsword in his hands, the dragon had turned around, taking two steps closer, looking at the man, the man looked back, seeing his own reflection in the eyes of the dragon. The dragon raised up on its' hindlegs, spreading the wings and giving out a fierce roar. The man charged at the dragon with his sword raised as the dragon roared, it quickly brought down both front legs with their fierce claws for the man, he swung the sword, managing to give a larger cut over the right claw as he ducked away. The dragon fell as it failed to stand up directly after the hit, the man had now passed up behind the dragon, raising his sword as he failed to notice the tail. The tail stroke quickly and strong over his back, knocking him off his feet, making his sword fly and slide along the mudd. He rolled over on his stomach, gasping for air from the strong hit as the dragon charged at him, the first attack was a slam with the head, sending him rolling roughly several meters over the ground and rocks. He looked up at the dragon with fear as it charged at him again, he quickly reached for his boot as the dragon widens it's jaws and he feelt its' breath. In the last moment he managed to draw his knife and planting it deep within the jawbone of the dragon, the dragon retracted its head, swinging it widely to the sides, letting out a fierce roar over the pain of the knife, that now was planted into the bone, piercing every muscle and scale on the way.It waved its claws around, the man failed to avoid the claw that now ripped his right eye out.

The man stumbled up on his feet in panic and rushed for the sword that lied several meters to his side, the dragon gave out a roar as it saw him,ignoring the knife and rushing after him. The man looked over his shoulder, seeing the dragon, he was exhausted already, the battle would end soon, he knew it was over. He fell and grabbed ahold of the sword hilt, it feelt heavy in his hand as he swung it around, the large heavy blade seared deep into the neck of the dragon, it feel to the ground, still moving and twisting, the man ripped the sword out and swung it a second time for the same spot, managing to sever the head of the dragon.

The dragons head fell into the muddy ground, the body had fallen together, making a few last movements before stopping completly. He sat there on his knees, barly able to hold his sword up with both hands, he was breathing heavily, his eye had begun to grow tired. He dropped his sword and crawled up against the dragons dead body, he ran his fingers over the hard scales, admiring the beast that he just fought. He took up a few herbs from his pouch and chewed up on them, before spitting it out in his hand and putting it against the lost eyesocket. He held his hand against it and leant back, resting. '-It's over... Now for the next challange... the night'. The man said before falling asleep.