Chrissy and Nessa - Chapter Seven - I Loved the Mess

"I feel so good right now," Nessa said as she sat in the front passenger seat of Chrissy's car. "I feel like I can do anything I want."

"But you can't," said Chrissy. "It's very important you learn to control your urges. Cravings for blood won't be as bad as you may think but the need to give in to your strength or your lack of empathy for others will be strong."

"I know. You told me this already."

"I know that but its it worth repeating. You maybe stronger and faster but all it takes is..."

"Is a stab or bullet to the heart. I know you told me this already."

"You forgot beheading," said Chrissy.

"Whatever," responded Nessa.

Chrissy sighed and continued driving. New pups were always a pain. Years of mythology and lore and they think they know everything. Chrissy learned very early that before turning anyone it was very important that they learned all the rules by heart. New pups had a tendency of making their nest vulnerable to hunters by making mistakes. A lesson Chrissy learned the hard way. A lesson that delayed Chrissy's efforts to start her own nest until now.

"Why are my pointy teeth wiggly?" asked Nessa.

Chrissy glanced over at her.

Nessa was wiggling her canine teeth with her index and thumb fingers on her right hand and pulling down and adjusting the mirror with her left.

"I told you Nessa," said Chrissy. "Those canines are going to fall out and new sharper fangs are going to grow in like these." Chrissy opened her mouth to show Nessa her sharp fangs.

"Oh my god," Nessa responded, twisting her face in disgust. "Those are gross."

"You can file them down if you want but you're going to need them."

"I bit that guys throat out with no problem," Nessa said with a shrug.

"I know but it took effort and left a mess."

"I liked the effort," said Nessa. "I loved the mess."

Chrissy glanced over at Nessa. Nessa was smiling a sadistic smile from ear to ear. Chrissy began to wonder if the sociopath like behavior was a part of Nessa's transformation or if she always was one. If so then Chrissy was now positive she made a huge mistake in turning Nessa.

End of Chapter Seven

Chuck Wendig - Flash Fiction Challenge - Why I Write

When I was in first grade one of our assignments was to write a children's book complete with illustrations. We had help from the fifth graders. We wrote the stories and drew the pictures and they helped turn it into an actual book. What came out of the project was a book about a burglar breaking into my house and being beaten up by my dad as well as an uncontrollable passion for writing.

After the book was finished the first thing I did when I got home from school was fold white construction papers in half and make my own books. Without the guidance of the fifth graders my stories lacked structure but they were exciting and fun to make. I let my imagination run wild and created some of the most fantastical creatures and tales I could come up with. That freedom to let my mind run wild and just create filled me with so much joy I couldn't stop. Ive been writing ever since.

Eventually through school including a minor in English from college I learned to structure those wild fantasies and create entertaining stories. Well I hope their entertaining. I can't seem to stop. I love stories. I love hearing them, seeing them, feeling them and more importantly creating them. I love stories of all genres but for some reason I love writing about heroism and fear. 

I love stories that take us out of our comfort zone and places we never thought we could go. I love sitting in my room and creating stories that take me to mythical worlds and introduce me to people who can't even exist yet due to the lack of technology and magic. I love creating stories that people lack the inability to imagine. It fills me with an insane amount of pleasure I can't seem to get anywhere else.

Why I write is because I simply need to. If I don't I won't be able to function. My imagination is a wild animal that can't be caged or domesticated. It needs to roam free in the world and devour the minds of all who come into contact with it. I'm a storyteller. It's my identity. Storytelling is my life. Writing makes me feel good. It keeps me in a good mood and put me in a good mood when I'm in a bad one. Writing is easy for me but it isn't easy to write.

Writing is challenging. It takes a long time to get the story out there and into the world. It takes many hours alone in my room. Staring at a computer screen or down at lines paper. It's a fun challenge though. It's an epic battle with the page to spin a yard that can inspire people for generations. That's what makes writing so precious. It's hard but if you work at it in the end you will have created something. Creating is beautiful. Especially when you feel you've earned it by putting the work in.

I love writing so much I do it for free. I don't need a paycheck to motivate me to sit down and create for hours. Payment would be nice but the satisfaction of knowing someone was entertained by my story is payment enough. It cost me nothing to create but time and effort. It would be great to write full time and not just when I'm free to. However, I don't want to ever feel like writing is my job. The day I feel like writing is a chore and I rather lay in bed is a day I fear. I don't know what I would do if writing stopped feeling like a passion and more like pain.

Writing makes me feel great that's why I write.

Chrissy and Nessa - Chapter Six - School Forever

"School?" Nessa asked. "We have to go to school?"

It was morning and Chrissy was placings Nessa's bloody clothes, including her black shoes and socks, into a black trash bag.

"Yes, school," said Chrissy. "It's important we fit in. Two fifteen year old girls not attending school is going to seem suspicious."

"But we'll be fifteen forever. Does that mean we'll have to go to high school forever?"

"Yes."

"Well that sucks."

Nessa sat naked in the bath tub washing away the remaining dry blood off her skin.

"What are you doing with my clothes?" asked Nessa.

"I need to burn them," said Chrissy.

"Your going to burn my clothes? Can't you just wash them?"

"Washing blood out of clothes is not easy."

"What are you going to do with the body?"

"I'm going to have to burn him too somewhere."

"You know whats strange. I don't feel guilty. I killed that guy and I don't even care. He probably has a wife. Maybe even some kids. This is so awesome."

"If you need clothes you can wear some of mine," said Chrissy.

Nessa turned and looked at Chrissy. Chrissy was wearing her usual blue jeans and plaid shirt. She was dressed like a trucker.

"No offense, Chrissy but I rather go to school naked. I have some spare clothes in my book bag."

"Fine. I'll go get them."

Chrissy entered the living room and opened Nessa's pink jeweled two strapped book bag. She pushed aside a two textbooks, a make up kit and a small designer purse and pulled out a pair of black stockings, a mini jean skirt, a red black and yellow stripped sweater and a pink blouse.

It was obvious to Chrissy that Nessa was high maintenance. She began to wonder if Nessa was the right person to spend and eternity with.

"Do you have to burn my shoes?" Nessa asked. "There my only pair and I got them on sale."

"You'll have to wear a pair of my sneakers until we pick up some clothes from your house."

"Fine," Nessa moaned. "Do you have any sneakers in yellow? They'll match perfect with my outfit."

End of Chapter Six

Chuck Wendig - Flash Fiction Challenge - The Random Song Title Jamboree

Bad Blood

"Looking for a date?" she asked him. That familiar line she spoke too many times rolling off her tongue with ease.

"Not me in particular," he responded. "But my employer. he has shall we say, very eccentric taste and he can use your services."

"How much does these services pay?"

He said. "At least 20 grand."

"Are you shitting me?"

Carrie never believed in things that sounded too good to be true. She had been around the block a few times and new to take things with a grain a salt.

She was middle aged dressed in the usual hooker attire with curly black hair, too much make up and a cheap fur coat. Her piercing blue eyes looked at him with suspicion.

"I can assure you miss. I'm speaking the truth."

"What's your name?" she asked.

"You can call me, Rothschild."

He had well groomed brown hair and an expensive looking black suit, a shiny platinum watch and glasses that seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. He wreaked of cologne but the premium kind.

She got into his car. Even though he gave her bad vibes. She didn't know what to think or say. He just drove for hours. He said nothing to her and she couldn't think of anything to say to him. Eventually she became bored. Her eyes began to weigh on her and she wanted to sleep. But she couldn't. You're vulnerable when you sleep, she kept reminding herself. Don't fall asleep.

She woke up in an empty room. No windows. No decor. No clothes. Nothing. She wasn't scared. She was just angry. Her current predicament wasn't surprising. She felt stupid for trusting him. This was supposed to be her big ticket. Her opportunity out. She should of trusted her instincts. But there was something about him. Something that felt honest.

Then a voice emerged from a speaker.

"Hello, darling. Are you confused? Are you scared?"

"Fuck you," she responded.

"Great answer, my dear. That's the one I was expecting," said the voice.

Then the voice disappeared. She stood there. Confused. But ready. Ready for whatever was coming next.

The only door in the room slid open and a figure entered. The figure was hard to make out at first then the lights switched on and what appeared was something she had never seen before.

It was a beast. Or a man. Both maybe. She couldn't quite tell. He was tall, smelly and fury.

"What the fuck is that?" she asked.

There was no response. The beast just stood there. He turned his head to the side like a confused puppy and continued slowly walking toward her. The closer he got the more she realized it was a man dressed in weird suit.

She began to do something she had never done before. She backed away. She wanted nothing to do with this man. Whatever sick intent he had for her she wanted no part in.

"No. Come on," the voice said. "This is not what I expected from you. honey. you're supposed to be tough. A true bad ass. Don't tell me your afraid of a little furry love."

"Fuck you!" she responded.

"Why don't you direct that attitude towards my friend. He loves that kind of talk. Mr Tiggles, why don't you show our new gal pal how much you like that kind of talk?"

Mr. Tiggles then began to remove the bottom half of his costume. Revealing his human legs and very human member.

She looked at him disgusted. Even absent of the fury costume he was still incredibly furry down there.

"This is fucking weird. I want out of here right now, goddammit!" she said.

"Oh come on, sweetie," said the voice. "Don't be like that. I paid good money for you to come here and play with my friend. Why don't you do your job and play along with us?"

"I said I want out. You can take your twenty grand and shove it up your ass!"

"Well I'm sorry to hear that, honey but its too late to back out now. We had a deal."

"My name is Carrie. I'm not your fucking honey. And I said I want out."

"Mr. Tiggles, can you do me a favor and show Carrie a good time? She needs to relax."

Mr Tiggles screamed and charged after Carrie. Carrie raised her foot and kicked Mr. Tiggles straight in his crotch.

Mr. Tiggles screamed again at a much higher pitch and dropped to the ground, grabbing his privates. He removed his mask revealing a middle aged balding man.

"Well that was very anti climatic," said the voice.

Carrie slowly awoke in Rothschild's car. He focused on the road as he drove Carrie close to wear he picked he up at.

Carrie felt her body and noticed a lump in her pocket. She pulled out a bundle of cash.

"I wouldn't go flashing that around if I were you, Carrie. Would you like me to drive you home instead. I can make sure you make it in safely."

"Like I want you sadist knowing where I live."

"Alright, Ms. Carrie. This is your stop then."

Rothschild pulled over to the street corner Carrie is all to familiar with.

"What's that guys deal anyway?

"What guy, Ms. Carrie?"

"The voice."

"I don't know. Some people just have bad blood."

Carrie slammed the car door shut.

Rothschild watched from his rear view mirror as Carrie walked away in the distance, clutching her cheap fur coat.

The End

Chrissy and Nessa - Chapter Five - What's Next?

After the horrid screams of the man finally stopped Nessa emerged from the room covered in blood.

A large blood stain covered the front of her white sweater jacket and dripped down her black mini skirt. Her teeth and mouth were covered in blood and she has a wide smile on her face as if she had just had the experience of a lifetime.

"That was fucking fun," said Nessa.

She removed a pink scrunchy from her long black pony tail and shook her hair out.

"I feel like a new woman." She walked over to Chrissy and looked into her green eyes. "Whats next?"

End of Chapter Five

Chrissy and Nessa - Chapter Four - Let's Take This into the Other Room

The man followed Chrissy into her house with a brown paper bag and a six pack of beer.

"Are you parents home?" The man asked.

"No," responded Chrissy.

"Where's your kitchen?"

"Down the hall and to the right."

Chrissy watched as the man entered her kitchen. She could hear him ripping two beers from the six pack and placing the rest in the fridge.

When the man came back he was wearing a huge smile on his face and carrying a can of beer in each hand.

"You want one?" asked the man.

"Sure." said Chrissy.

Chrissy smiled and grabbed a beer from the casually dressed man with graying hair in his mid 40s.

"You want to sit down?" Chrissy asked, forcing a smile.

"Sure," the man said.

As they sat down in front of the television the man glanced over to the kitchen. "How come you don't have any food in there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Food. You don't have any in your kitchen."

"I haven't gone shopping yet."

The man smiled and put his arm over Chrissy's shoulder.

"This is nice," he said.

Chrissy smiled and flipped through the television channels.

The man stared at Chrissy for a beat and placed his beer down on the coffee table in front of him. With his left arm still over Chrissy's shoulder he reached over with his right hand and placed it over Chrissy's left thigh.

The man looked into Chrissy's eyes and smiled.

Chrissy glanced back at the man. Despite being an obvious perv the man wasn't ugly. He had a well built body, chiseled features, hazel eyes and a slight dimple in his chin. His graying black hair made him look classy and distinguished not old. If Chrissy had a type maybe it would be him.

Chrissy had to remind herself that tonight wasn't about pleasure it was about survival.

As the man closed in for a kiss Chrissy whispered to him, "Let's take this into the other room."

"Which one?" he whispered back.

"That one," Chrissy said, pointing to the one Nessa was currently turning.

End of Chapter Four

Chrissy and Nessa - Chapter Three - Let's Take Mine

"Hey you lost?" the man asked as he approached Chrissy's driver's side window.

"No. I'm fine," Chrissy responded.

"You sure? I know this area pretty well."

"I'm fine."

Chrissy was sitting in her car. She was parked in the parking lot of a twenty-four hour gas station. She knew it wouldn't be long before some man became fascinated with her. Perfect targets for food. Nessa was going to be pretty hungry when she woke up and Chrissy wanted to make sure her pup was well fed.

"Are you all alone?" the man asked.

"Yes," answered Chrissy.

"Pretty little girl like you shouldn't be alone," said the man.

Chrissy was well over a hundred years old but as a result of being bitten when she was just fifteen years old Chrissy would forever have the appearance of a fifteen year old. So for all intents and purposes Chrissy like Nessa was fifteen. However, she was not a little girl.

"Would you like to hang out with me?" the man asked.


"Hang out with you?" Chrissy asked, in the most naive and innocent way possible.

"Yes. We can maybe rent a movie tonight or have a drink?"

"I'm not old enough to drink," Chrissy responded, playing along"

"Well you don't look old enough to drive either, but I wont tell if you won't. My car's just over there."

"Let's take mine," said Chrissy.

End of Chapter Three

Chrissy and Nessa - Chapter Two - Signature Look

Chrissy sat in the front seat of her car, drenched in blood. She was parked in front of her one floor house. Nessa's blood had stained the front of Chrissy's plaid button up shirt and some had even gotten on her blue skinny jeans.

Chrissy opened her trunk door, revealing Nessa pale dead body. Chrissy grabbed Nessa and swung her over her shoulder.

Chrissy's house had two bedrooms. One was empty so Chrissy decided to leave Nessa there until she turned. She entered the room and laid Nessa out on to the floor. She realized Nessa's mother was. She took Nessa's phone and texted Nessa's mother.

Hey, Mom :). Staying at Chrissy's tonight. See you tomorrow. Love you <3.

Chrissy had met Nessa's mother two months ago. She knew Nessa's mother was too wrapped up in her own life to care too much about who Nessa stayed the night with and where. But she figured it wouldn't hurt to take extra precautions.

Chrissy threw her blood stained clothes in a trash bag to be burned later. She washed the rest of Nessa's blood out of her straight blonde hair.  She changed into another pair of blue skinny jeans and yet another plaid button up shirt. After more than a hundred years Chrissy was positive she had finally found her signature look.

Chrissy and Nessa - Chapter One - You Promised

"Aren't you going to bite me?" asked Nessa. She had a puppy dogs eyes face complete with a poked out bottom lip.

"This isn't funny," said Chrissy. Her wide intense eyes glaring at Nessa.

"You promised you would turn me, Chrissy. You can't back out now. You said you cared about me," said Nessa. She pointed her finger at Chrissy. Her long back ponytail waved in the wind.

"I never said that, Nessa. In fact, I distinctly remember telling you we don't care about anyone."

"But you care about me," Nessa responded. A wide smile on her face.

Nessa was beginning to annoy Chrissy. Chrissy could feel her anger and frustration bubbling.

"We don't care, Nessa. We can't."

"Prove it," said Nessa.

With the flick of her wrist Chrissy grabbed Nessa's right index finger and snapped it.

Nessa let out a piercing scream and stumbled backwards into the row of yellow lockers outside the school.

Chrissy crouched down in front of her. "You see, Nessa. I don't care. I can't.

"You promised, you promised!" Nessa screamed. Streams of tears rolling down her cheeks as she held her broken finger tight.

Chrissy stared at Nessa. She did promise. But not keeping her word wasn't a huge issue for Chrissy.

The whining was starting to get to Chrissy and she thought about snapping Nessa's neck to make it stop. But the clean up would have been even more annoying.

Chrissy sighed and pulled Nessa up on her feet by her neck. She swung Nessa around so her back was to her front then she craned Nessa's head to the right and bit into her neck.

Nessa tasted sweet, pure, refreshing. Chrissy couldn't help but hold her tighter. Her eyes glazed over in pleasure as waves of Nessa's blood ran over her teeth and flowed over her tongue then swam down her throat.

Chrissy removed her head from the crane of Chrissy's neck and stared at the sun for in a daze. Nessa's young clean blood made her feel good. She looked back down at Nessa's neck and watched as the blood poured out of the fresh wounds and down her shirt to the floor.

Nessa's eyes began to flutter. A result of the massive blood loss. Her body began to convulse.

Chrissy held Nessa tighter. She placed her mouth back over the gushing wound and mopped over the rushing blood with her tongue. With every pulse the blood sprayed into Chrissy's mouth. Nessa shook harder.

End of Chapter One

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Thirteen - The Journey Home

I found my horse Lavros wondering the woods on the journey home to Princess Luquasia's kingdom. He was drinking from the river. I had to fight the tears that began to form in my eyes when I saw him. I was already in a bad state I didn't want the princess to see me become even more of a lady.

With one hand grasped on the stern I rode Lavros as Princess Luquasia braced my back. She was kind enough to rip off parts of her dress to bind my ribs and fasten my arm until they could be properly healed.

It still hurt to breath but the pain was beginning to subside.

"You shall come to my kingdom, Lady Saura," said Princess Luquasia. "My people will fix your wounds and you shall be looked after till your wounds are gone."

"What will we tell your father the king of me?" I asked.

"We will tell him that you are Lady Saura, slayer of dragons and my hero. And if being a woman bothers them so then they will deal with me for I am now also a dragon slayer."

I smiled at the thought. A princess dragon slayer. Although I guess it is as strange as a lady dragon slayer.

"I have people princess," I said. "People who have healed me after every battle I have needed them."

"Very well, Lady Saura," said the princess.

The princess embraced me lightly so as not to squeeze my ribs and I rode on.

We rode the rest of the night and by day break we were out side the kingdom walls.

"We're here, princess."

"So we are," responded the princess. "I will miss you, Lady Saura."

I moved to climb off my horse, wincing in pain.

"No don't, Lady Saura," said Princess Luquasia.

The princess climbed off the back of my horse.

"Promise you will visit," said the Princess. "Promise me this isn't the last I will see of you."

 I knew not what to say. I simply smiled. I have never visited a virgin lady I have rescued from a dragon before. Princess Luquasia request was new to me.

The princess smiled back and began to walk toward her kingdom. She stopped turned around and ran back to me. She placed her foot on the stirrup stood up on the horse and kissed me.

"I will tell your tale Lady Saura and they could believe me or not."

The Princess climbed down and began to run towards her kingdom.

I stood underneath the tree. The same tree I waited under for payment for her rescue. I watched as the kingdom doors opened and welcomed with cheers her safe return.

Princess Luquasia was in the distance now, unable to see me clearly but she looked over her shoulder towards me as her people embraced her and smiled.

The End

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Twelve - The Yellow Tail

It felt like days after my battle with Yellow Tail in the skies.

I was weak and tired now that the fight was over,

As he lay on the grass motionless I climbed off of of him and began to stumble away. The adrenaline from the slaying was beginning to fade and I wanted to get back to Princess Luquasia as quickly as possible.

I worried about her, where had she gone, did she try to journey back home alone. did she try to walk back through the outlands. My fears turned to the image of her lying slain in the desert by the hands of some merciless savages who cared not that she was a frightened princess seeking home after the most horrid of waking nightmares.

I stumbled away from Yellow Tail half in another world. I was not yet ready to walk but I had to. I had to get back to her and make sure she knows that Yellow Tail is no more. That she is finally free from that beast of pure evil.

However, determined as I was I could not walk away fast enough to escape that ferocious appendage of Yellow Tail.

The appendage which I have chosen to name him after.

Without warning and with my complete surprise it rose from the rocky sands of the outlands and swung toward me with mighty force hitting me in the arm and knocking me a short distance back into the air then down again into a sand covered rock.

I hear the bones in my arm snap and I can feel the crack of my ribs.

I tried to breath but the pain of my lungs would not allow me to do so. All I could manage was a low wheeze which only caused the pain to grow more.

To make matters worse moving my head to lay eyes on the dragon prove to be even more difficult a pain of intensity seemed to take over my neck.

I laid still. With my back turned to Yellow Tail I could hear him putting every effort he had towards lifting himself up.

I reached towards the sword but it was to far away to grasp. I was defenseless against the dragon and I prepared to meet my end as I heard Yellow Tail take giant breaths mustering the strength to gather fire.

My last thoughts were toward my fallen husband his scarred face coming out of the darkness to rescue me from my caved prison. The eyes of all the dragons I have slain and the faces of the all the princesses and ladies and common woman I have saved from the dragons despite knowing their parents had no coin to pay for their safe return. My very last thought began on Princess Luquasia the latest in a long line of those I have saved but somehow the most impact full.

There was something special about Princess Luquasia. Something that caused the dragon Yellow Tail to break from his nature and pursue her at all cost as if she was his dragon egg stolen from him in the night.

As I lay slumped over, the pain becoming stronger, I closed my eyes. My last thought on Princess Luquasia. I hope she made it home. I hoped she was safe. I hoped Yellow Tail never finds her again. Soon after killing me I hoped he dies and Princess Luquasia goes on to live a full happy life and makes changes that will better this realm forever.

Unwilling to give up I reached once more for the blade but it was no use. My broken body would not allow for it and it was too late already. I could feel Yellow Tail  breathing on my back. In moments I was sure to be engulfed in flames.

It was then that I heard a faint sound in the distance. A sound barley heard by me but seemed to be heard by Yellow Tail in loud volumes.

I tuned my head as slowly as I could toward the sound, careful not to injure my neck further. In the vast distance standing in white amongst the desert sands of the out lands was Princess Luquasia yelling. The dragon crawled past me toward the princess screaming that horrid wail.

The princess continued to yell but I could not hear what she was saying. Was she yelling to me or the dragon.

I could see her walking closer as the dragon limped toward her. He was unable to fly do to the damage to his wings he sustained during our battle in the sky.

I knew then that I had to save her. Stop her from what ever she was doing. After all this I was not going to let it end with Yellow Tail taking her. The dragon was dying and I was going to make sure it finished dying.

I braced my broken ribs, stiffened my neck and let my broken arm hang as I rose to my feet. Breathing was painful but I was determined to rise, grab the sword and make my way towards Yellow Tail who seemed to ignore me in favor of the still yelling Princess Luquasia.

As I stumbled toward the dragon, his golden Yellow Tail swaying in the air behind him, Princess Luquasia's yell began to get louder. I slowly began to understand what the princess was yelling.

"Come, Yellow Tail! Come and take me!"

Princess Luquasia had decided to become brave and show the dragon no fear. A bold choice but I feared it was unwise.

I tried to yell to her but speaking only caused more pain.

It was then that the princess stopped yelling and from behind her back she revealed a rather large sword and with all her might she made a mad dash toward the limping Yellow Tail.

I reached out my hands in great fear. I motioned for her to stop but Princess Luquasia continued to charge.

Yellow Tail tried to breath fire. I could see his mouth widening, his lungs heaving but he could produce nothing. A long trail of blood followed his large scaly body with each step and his wing stretched and flapped horridly.

Yellow Tail tried once more to breath but the princess leaped from the ground to the top of Yellow Tail's head and stabbed the sword right between his eyes. I stopped surprised at this sight and for the second time in a day everything went black.

End of Chapter Twelve

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Eleven - To the Clouds with Yellow Tail

My first thought was the dragon, Yellow Tail had mistaken me for Princess Luquasia but as we flew higher I soon realized the dragon made no mistake but was attempting to get rid of my presence once and for all.

The massive gold tail held me by the waist but was slowly moving up to my chest removing the air from my lungs. It was then that I reached for my newly acquired sword and stabbed the dragon's bright yellow tail.

He let loose a horrid wail and loosened his grip on me. I breathed in deep and took another strike at the dragon's tail.

Yellow Tail, however, ignored my efforts and instead flew higher into the clouds. The air began to thin and despite Yellow Tail tail's removal from my lungs I found it hard to breath once more.

Yellow Tails plans for me became unclear. Was the dragon hoping to drop me to my death or perhaps he planed to suffocate me amongst the clouds.

I began to feel my body weaken. I watched in a daze as the blood from Yellow Tail's tail flowed from his open wounds and down to the distant world below. Despite this, he seemed to be getting stronger. More determined to journey me to the clouds and the mysterious world beyond them.

The grip of his tail seemed to be getting tighter once more.

I could feel my strength withering away in the wind and I knew it was only a matter of time before I expired under the grasp of the dragons golden tail. I had to conjure all of the strength I could to defeat the ferocious dragon.

I gripped the handle of the sword as tightly as I could and swung with all my might at the dragons sun painted tail.

It was then that he released me. But with a quick thrust of my wrist I jammed the sword in his tail allowing me to stay on by holding the protruding swords handle.

I then began to climb up Yellow Tails back causing him to move in agony as he tried to throw me off of him.

I knew that slaying yellow tail now would surely cause us to both fall to our deaths. But I also knew another chance at slaying Yellow Tail would be rare.

Still weak and struggling to stay atop of Yellow Tail I raised the sword high above my head and forced it back down into the base of Yellow Tail's back.

He roared in pain and let out a burst of fire that could ignite the sky.

The thrusts of my blade began to become too much for Yellow Tail and it caused him to slowly descent back down the earth below.

My strength was returning to me and with each new burst of energy I pushed the sword harder into the back of Yellow Tail.

Inches from the earth I could  hear the breath burst from his lungs and I could of bet with all the coin I had that Yellow Tail was dead.

End of Chapter Eleven

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Ten - The Trading Grounds

Whether slaved by dragon or man the torment is the same. You are a pet, property at the mercy of thy master's will and exist to only satisfy his or her's every need.

Lord Galtrak met this to be Princess Luquasia and mine's fate but I had different plans.

We were at the trading grounds. A part of the outlands used for tradings of good and services including people.

Lord Galtrak's men put us in a large cage filled with other woman. All of whom seem to come from lower families. Although they weren't ladies and princess such as Princess Luquasia and I they were no different than us. If I am  to free the princess and myself than these ladies I shall free as well.

It was nightfall and we were to be sold at daybreak. In the cover of night I planed to free us all from this unfortunate fate.

"How do you plan to free us?" asked a woman named Maulra. "Only the guard has a key and the cage is made of solid steel. I doubt you know the first step in rescuing us."

"Mind your tongue," said Princess Luquasia. "Lady Saura is a dragon slayer and earlier
this day she rescued me from a ferocious beast if anyone is to rescue us from these foul men it is Lady Saura.

"Princess you speak nonsense," said a women. "The existence of a woman dragon slayer is fantasy."

"Oh I assure you Lady Saura is a dragon slayer and she will save us all," said the princess. "Tell them Lady Saura. Tell them I speak the truth."

The truth I thought was that Maulra may be right. I was absent of my sword and armor. The cage was solid steel. Freeing us would not be a task of ease. But I dare not tell them that.

"The princess speaks the truth. I may be a lady but I am Saura, slayer of dragons and  I mean to free us all."

"And just how do you plan to do that, Saura, slayer of dragons?" said Maulra."

Maulra asked a good question. If I was to devise a plan to escape the proper time would be now. But it seemed fate had other plans.

The princess slowly approached me and whispered in my ear, "he's here."

I turned to her, confused. "Who's here, princess?"

"Yellow Tail."

Surely the princess's capture by the dragon Yellow Tail had made her delusional. I have not known a dragon to be that persistent in chasing a virgin.

"That can't be true, Princess Luquasia. I assure you Yellow Tail is long gone and set on other things. We have more urgent problems to attend to.

"I know he's here," said the princess. "I can feel it."

"Princess I assure you it is only fear you are feeling."

I spoke to soon. Just as the words left my mouth a loud scream was given in the distance followed by a bright light which I was most certain was a ball of fire.

"What was that?" asked one of the women.

More screams were let out from our captors. Always accompanied by a bright light. Then there was no mistaking it.

A man towards our cage covered in flames. A flame that did not go unrecognized by me. He was covered in the flames of a dragon's breath.

His hands grasped the bars of our cage. He stood inches from my face. Melting. I recognized him instantly it was Lord Galtrak's son.

He looked at me "dragon," he let out. "The dragon is killing everyone." With a blazing hand he handed me a key through the bars and fell dead from Yellow Tails breath.

"Dragon?" asked Maulra. "I don't fear the dragons, I haven't been a virgin for quite sometime nor have most of us."

"I'm pretty sure the men haven't either," said a woman. "But this dragon seems to be killing them all the same."

I could see the flames more clearer now. They were getting closer and the princess grabbed my arm. Illuminated by the moon light I could see him. His large scaly wings, his red eyes and his long golden tail.

"What are you waiting for, dragon slayer? Free us!" yelled Maulra.

I took the key handed to me by Lord Galtrak's son and opened the large cage door. The women burst out to their freedom and I grabbed the princess and followed suit

"Come, princess. We must hurry before he sees us."

"It is not sight that has allowed Yellow Tail to find me, Lady Saura. I fear it is smell. We will never be safe, never."

"We will," I assured her. "All I need to do is slay him."

 "How, Lady Saura? You haven't a sword."

"Than I shall get one."

"From where, Lady Saura?"

"From one of the fallen," I responded.

I reached down and removed a sword from the charred remains of a fallen tribesman.

"Lets go," I said the princess.

As I led Princess Luquasia away from the trading grounds I began to realize that there was no escaping this beast unless I slayed him.

I stopped and looked up towards the sky. Yellow Tail hovered there in mid air. Flapping hiss large wings, his large head turning left and right looking for the princess. He then flared his large reptilian nostrils and it was then that he smelled her and turned towards us. It was then that we locked eyes and he stared at me. If dragons faces can make the expression of human than I'm more than positive his face would convey a message of annoyance at the constant site of me.

Yellow Tail widened his large mouth and let out a large ferocious breath of fire. Then with the force of a strong wind and his eyes locked on mine he flew straight towards me as if falling out of the sky.

Princess Luquasia screamed as I made an attempt to slice him with my sword but the attempt failed. Yellow Tail moved his head slightly to the left and the sword missed his large head by inches but he continued to fly past me and instead wrapped his long golden tail around my waist and carried me toward the sky.

End of Chapter Eleven

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Nine - Lord Galtrak the Savage

Lord Galtrak and his men shoved Princess Luquasia and I into a cage attached to a wagon.

I wrapped my arm around the princess as she began to weep.

We were going back to the outlands to be sold and I began to fear that Yellow Tail was lying in wait by the forest.

Lord Galtrak's men had no knowledge of what they were in store for if my fears were true.

"Where are they taking us?" the princess whispered in my ear, as we journeyed through the forest.

"Back to the outlands," I responded.

"They can't, Lady Saura. What about Yellow Tail? He will kill us for sure."

"Fear not, princess. I will keep us safe."

I was unsure if keeping this oath to the princess would be possible. Lord Galtrak and his tribe of savages may be fools but they are still a significant threat to the princess and I. But the fear of a dragon is far more greater than the fear of savages.

"Lord Galtrak, you should know that it is unwise to be in our presence at this moment."

"Why is that, Lady Saura?" asked Lord Galtrak.

"We are in the sights of a vicious dragon. I fear he is waiting for the princess and I at the edge of the forest near the outlands.

"What a tale, Lady Saura. Dragons do not wait for princess. They hunt them.

"She speaks the truth!" screamed the princess. "I admit I lack knowledge in the ways of dragons but this dragon has shown an interest in me and surely if you take us back to the outlands he will kill you and your men."

"Lord Galtrak what are they talking about?" asked one of Lord Galtrak's men.

"You fool," Lord Galtrak responded. "They spin lies. Keep quiet and mind your duties."

In the distance I could see the dead sands of the outlands but between the trees I could not see the presence of Yellow Tail. I began to hope that Yellow Tail was long gone. That he had deiced to move on to find another virgin lady.

We entered the outlands from the forest and began journeying west.

"Where are you going to do with us?" I asked Lord Galtrak.

"I'm going to sell you of course. I doubt I will make much coin from you. A lady dragon slayer leads not much to be desired but the princess will surely make me a large sum. Or maybe I will give her back to her kingdom and fetch the reward for her safe return from the fire islands. That will gain me much coin I'm sure.

"You are a fool, Lord Galtrak."

"And soon my dear, Lady Saura I will be a rich fool.

The heat from the outlands was strong and I could feel myself weaken. The princess fared no better. She began to daze in and out. Keeping her alert was beginning to become to much of a task.

"Stay awake, princess."

"I cannot, Lady Saura. I am so tired"

"Be strong, princess. We will make it through this."

"I'll try, Lady Saura."

"Don't try, princess. Do."

"What of Yellow Tail?" asked Princess Luquasia.

"Will it return to take me again?" asked the princess.

"Fear not,  princess. If Yellow Tail wanted to take you he would have done so by now. The dragon has most likely returned to the fire islands and has forgotten all about you.

"I am thirsty, Lady Saura. I fear I will die of thirst."

"Lord Galtrak," I yelled.

"What is it now, Lady Saura."

"We require water."

"Worry not about water, Lady Saura. When we arrive at the trading grounds you will have more than enough water. We will keep you nice and fed so you can appear well for potential buyers."

"The trading grounds are nearly half a day away the princess will die from the heat before we reach them and your dreams of coin will vanish.

"Stop!" yelled Lord Galtrak.

"What is it, Lord Galtrak?" asked one of Lord Galtrak's men.

'"We must nourish our product for fear they will kill over from the heats of the outlands," Lord Galtrak responded.

As one of Lord Galtrak's men approached the cage in which we were kept I had thoughts toward attacking him, killing Lord Galtrak, his men and their horses and taking Princess Luquasia with me to safety but the flames of the bright sun had weakened me and the pain from my back wound began to return from the cramped space of the cage. I had hopes that the water would return my strength and give me the ability to save us both.

The princess held the goblet over her mouth and drank as much of the water as she could.

"Save some for Lady Saura my dear princess," said Lord Galtrak's man.

He snatched the goblet from the princess and handed it to me.

I drank as much as I could.

Lord Galtrak's man reached for it.

I grabbed him by the wrist and he stared at me with intense eyes a bit of fear hidden in them.

"Let him go!" yelled Lord Galtrak.

He removed his sword and inserted it in between the bars straight towards the Princess Luquasia.

"Let him go or I will slit her precious royal throat."

I held on tight to the man's wrist,  preparing to snap it.

"I just want another drink of water," I said.

"I will slit her throat, Lady Saura."

"As if you care more for your man here than you do coin."

"I care when the man is my son, Lady Saura."
 
I looked towards Lord Galtrak and he truly seemed frightened for the young man. I could also tell he truly met to do the princess harm. I took another sip from the canteen and handed it back to the frightened son of Lord Galtrak. I released his hand and he pull it back towards him quickly. he then looked at his father and slapped me across the face making sure to quickly close the cage right afterwords.

"No more problems from you, Lady Saura," said Lord Galtrak. "Or it will be your throat I will slit."

As the carts moved on towards the trading grounds the princess embraced me tighter.

"I'm scared, Lady Saura," said Princess Luquasia. "I'm trying not to be but I'm really scared."

End of Chapter Nine

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Eight - By the River

I awoke laying over the back of my horse. I was unsure how I got there or who was riding my horse. When I turned my head I could see the back of Princess Luquasia.

I opened my mouth to speak but found myself absent of voice.

"Lady Saura. You're awake," said the princess. "Speak not. I will get you some water."

It was then that I looked up to see we were riding along side a river in the forest.

Princess Luquasia stopped the horse alongside the riverbank and steeped down.

I began to climb off Lavros but found it difficult.

"Let me help you down, Lady Saura," the princess said.

The Princess held on to my waist to keep my steady.

I then began to feel dizzy and stumbled back into Princess Luquasia. My back was whole but it felt as if it had been sliced in two by the dragon's talon.

"Sit, Lady Saura," said the princess. She helped me to sit on the forest ground. "I will fetch us some water by the river."

Princess Luquasia removed a water pail from my belt and walked down towards the river.

My back began to seize burning already it was beginning to heal. I removed my armor from my upper body and loosened my shirt. I placed my hand up the back of my shirt and felt for the scar. I winced in pain when I finally reached it. I removed my hand quickly from my wound and stared at the blood on the tip of my finger.

Princess Luquasia returned from the river with a full pain and handed it to me. The princess took sight of my bloody finger and her face twisted in disgust.

"Oh the sight of blood has always frightened my," said the princess. "Worry not, Lady Saura. My father will see to it that your wounds are treated properly."

I took a drink of the water and poured some of it on my fingers to wash the blood away.

"I can not," I said.

"You can not what, Lady Saura?"

"I can not be seen by your father. I can not be known."

"Because you are a lady?"

"Fear not, Lady Saura. Once my father the lord king hears tale of my heroic rescue he will not pay attention to the matter of you being a lady."

"He may not but others surely will."

"Well I know your a lady and I care not. If not for you, Lady Saura I would of surley never been rescued from that Yellow Tailed monster."

I did not share in Princess Luquasia's optimism. I've seen many a female warrior fall victim to the jealousy of men.

"I must clean my wound," I said.

"That is a great thought, Lady Saura," said the princess. "We shall bathe before arriving at my kingdom. Come I will help you."

The princess lifted my arm over her shoulder and led me to the river.

Princess Luquasia and I removed our garments until we were completely bare. We then walked into the river to bathe.

"It has been ages since I have felt water on my skin," said the princess. "This is a welcome change to the heat of the beast's cave. Turn you back toward me Lady Saura. I will help to clean your wound."

I placed my long braid over my shoulder and and turned my back towards the princess.  She stared in shock as she noticed the many scars I have acquired from dragon slaying.

"Lady Saura you have the wounds of a knight," she said.

The princess began to pour water on my back. I could feel it flowing down across my long fresh wound. 

"Lady Saura?"

"Yes, Princess Luquasia," I responded.

"How did you become a dragon slayer?" she asked.

She pulled my braid from over my shoulder and began to unravel it.

"It is a long horrid tale, princess."

"You know my tale, Lady Saura. Tell me yours."

Princess Luquasia was right I did know her tale and so few people knew mine. It would be a great release to be able to tell it.

"Fine Princess Luquasia I will tell you my tale." As the princess began to pour water over my hair I told her my story.

"I was a lady of the House Alcourt. A virgin of fifteen. One day I was playing in the forest. Chasing butterflies with a catcher.  I could hear the screams of a dragon but at such a young age I know not the screams of a dragon and mistook the sound for a rather large bird." The princes began to tie my long hair back into a braid."But it was not a bird it was a dragon of emerald green with golden flecks amongst its many scales. And he used his long tail to capture me. He then took me away from the forest then over the vast dead outlands and to the dark caves of the fire islands."

"Were you rescued?" she asked.

"Of course, Princess. By a dragon slayer of the name Rothello."

"Was he handsome, Lady Saura?" asked the princess.

"He was," I smiled. "He had a rather large burn from a dragon's breath across his face but it made him appear fierce and exciting. Rothello was in the dragon's cave looking for gold but when he saw me he came to my rescue instead. I fell in love with him instantly and he took my hand in marriage. He taught me the ways of dragon slaying, amongst other things.

"Where is your Rothello now, Lady Saura?" asked the princess. She grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me towards her. A smile on her face.

"He is gone," I said. "Killed many moons ago by a dragon. I dragon I have slayed in my dreams many a night.

"That's horrible, Lady Saura," she said. Her smile fading.

"It was a long time ago," I said with a smile. "Come, Princess. I feel much better now. Let's return to your kingdom."

I held her by her hand and lead her out of the river onto the fresh green grass.

We got dressed and headed back to my horse when something felt different. I turned around looking in every direction.

"What is it, Lady Saura?" asked the princess.

"Well, well, well," said a voice. "If it isn't, Lady Saura, slayer of dragons and a virgin princess."

I recognized the owner of the voice instantly. It was Lord Galtrack, leader of one of the many tribes of the outlands.

He removed himself from behind a tree along with many others of his tribe.

The princess clenched my arm tight.

"I'm afraid we have a problem, Lady Saura. You didn't pay for protection," he said with a sadistic smirk.

End of Chapter Eight

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Seven - The Return of Yellow Tail

It was a long effort but I was finally able to get the Princess Luquasia to sleep.

As the princess rested by the fire I began to ponder her story. The princess told it with great conviction and I felt the truth in it. However, the actions she told of Yellow Tail were unusual for a dragon. In all my seasons of dragon slaying I have never heard of a dragon slaying their virgins to make room for only one. Although I did find it strange to find only the princess in the company Yellow Tail. Dragons with the power and size of Yellow Tail are know for keeping many virgins and pieces of gold in their caves. And a dragon with the reputation of Yellow Tail would surely have many virgins and pieces of gold.

I soon convinced myself that her tale was born out of delusion, bought on by being captured instead of truth. I chose to trust in my years of dragon slaying instead of Princess Luquasia's tale. That was of course until I heard the powerful flaps of a dragon's wings.

Surely it was the sound of another dragon I thought. On his way to one of the many kingdoms to capture a virgin lady. Or perhaps to obtain a some gold. Surely the tale of Princess Luquasia can not be of truth I hoped. But the tale was true and before my eyes I saw the great body of Yellow Tail eclipse the moon. His Yellow Tail bringing light to the darkness. My blade still protruding from his belly.

As Yellow Tail approached with rapid speed Princess Luquasia awoken from her sleep.

"No!" she screamed. "It's coming for me, Lady Saura. It's coming for me."

Absent from my blade I dared not stay to battle the dragon. I grabbed the princess by the wrist and led her to my noble steed, Lavros. We climbed on top of him and with one crack of the reigns we rode as quickly as we can with Yellow Tail still approaching us.

I rode Lavros as fast I could unsure if he could handle the speed. Yellow Tail began to scream as he flapped massive just above us. He began to stretch out his long talons, reaching for the princess.

"It's going to get me," said the princess. "Please don't let it get me."

It was then a thought occurred to me.

"Reach for my blade," I yelled.

"I can't see your sword, Lady Saura."

"It's in Yellow Tail," I responded.

"What? I can't, Lady Saura. I can't."

"You have to, Princess Luquasia. Yellow Tail will kill us both if you don't."

I took no pleasure in scaring the princess but with out her assistance this rescue would have been a short one.

Yellow Tail screamed as the princess reached for my blade lodged in the dragon's belly. I held on tight to my reigns as the princess held tight on to me.

"I can't Saura. I can't reach it!" she screamed.

Yellow Tail was growing more enraged. His efforts to grab the Princess Luquasia from my horse proved to be a challenge for him.

"You must, princess," I said. "You must are the dragon will take you again."

The princess reached and I watched as her fingers lightly grazed the hilt of my sword. She reached farther spreading her arm out as far as she could. Then she grabbed the handle of the sword and with one quick pull she removed it from the belly of Yellow Tail.

We screamed in excitement as Yellow Tail roared in pain and used his ferocious wings to thrust himself further into the air.

In the distance I could see the mighty trees of the forest where the outlands ended. I knew that if I could just get under those trees It would make it difficult for Yellow Tail to get around them enough to recapture the princess. Despite his persistence of her surely he would know it wise to give up.

I looked towards the sky anticipating the return of Yellow Tail but the sky was blank o his presence. It seemed Yellow Tail had finally had enough. Then as of out of thin air Yellow Tail flew at rapid speed out of the sky and clawed me across the back as we entered the forest.

I began to grow dizzy as I watched the dragon scream in frustration at his inability to fit in between the tall trees of the forest to finish his pursuit of us.

It was then that everything went black.

End of Chapter Seven

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Six - The Tale of Princess Luquasia

The Princess Luquasia and I had been riding all day when night began to fall over the sky. We began to feel tired and it was on two occasions that the Princess Luquasia almost fell of Lavros due to exhaustion.  I decided we were at a safe distance from the fire islands. Far enough to set camp for the night before our days ride to Princess Luquasia's kingdom of Landwall.

As the princess lay asleep I started a fire to keep us warm and fed my horse some corn and water. While doing this I realized it must have been ages since the princess ate and drink and I decided it was important to wake the princess up for fear she would die in her sleep of starvation.

I shook her shoulder gently as not to startle her even more and held a hand full of corn out for her. She took to my hand quickly consuming the small pile of corn straight from my palm. I had to pull the water away from her soon after, for fear she would drank it all to quell her dry thirst.

"Who are you?" the princess asked.

She began to once again devour as much food as she could.

"Easy," I said. "This food must last us a days ride.

"Who are you?" she asked again.

"I am Lady Saura, slayer of dragons."

"A dragon slayer. But you are a lady."

"Of this, I'm well aware."

"I find it hard to fathom that my father would purchase the services of a lady dragon slayer."

"As far as you father knows, princess he still hasn't."

"The dragon is dead then? You slayed it?"

"No. I'm afraid not."

"No. I saw you sword pierce it's belly. Surly you are mistaken, Lady Saura."

"I'm afraid it takes more than a sword in the belly to slay a dragon," I responded.

That's when I realized I made a grave error after rescuing the princess from the clutches of Yellow Tail. I forgot to retrieve my sword from the dragon's belly. The absence of the sword will make us vulnerable to the elements of The outlands. But I dared not tell the Princess Luquasia this.

The Princess Luquasia rose from the ground. "Then surly he it will come after me again. That vile beast will take me again." She began to pace the desert sands back and forth, lost in a panic.

"Fear not, Princess Luquasia. The dragon, Yellow Tail, will not come this far into the outlands for an escaped virgin princess. He will most likely move on and search the lands for other virgin ladies to capture.

"No," she said. "You don't understand. This Yellow Tail as you call him is obsessed with me. It will never let me go."

She began to walk towards Lavros.

"Come!" she yelled. "Come, lady dragon slayer. We must ride to my kingdom before the dragon approaches.

I could understand not Princess Luquasia's sudden panic. In all my years of dragon slaying I have yet to hear of one who showed affection for a specific virgin lady or piece of gold. I was positive the Princess Luquasia was mistaken in her fright.

I ran to the princess and held her arm before she could mount Lavros.

"Calm yourself, Princess Luquasia. Dragons do not become obsessed."

"You understand not, Lady Saura."

Princess Luquasia calmed herself. She once again sat upon the desert floor. It was then that she began her horrid tale, tears gently flowing down her rosy cheeks.

"There were many of them when I arrived at it's cave."

"Many of what?" I asked.

"Virgins, Lady Saura. Many of them. And it... killed them all. That bright Yellow Tail, covered in blood. I thought for sure I was to be slayed next. But it didn't. It left me alone when it was done slaughtering them. Then it devoured their bodies. It licked its cave floor clean of their blood. It kept me there. And every once in a while it would rise up to smell me. It would place it's nose directly in front of me and inhale. Those instances seemed to last forever. It seemed to wanted me and only me. We must go, Lady Saura. We must go before the dragon me again."

End of Chapter Seven

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Five - Leaving Fire Island

I carried the Princess Luquasia over my shoulder, away from Yellow Tail's cave. It was then that I heard the piercing sound of a dragon's scream. I turned to see the giant scaly face of Yellow Tail poke his head out of his large cave.

The Princess Luquasia began to stir in my grasp. Her eyes opened slowly. She was weakened from her days in captivity. She looked over my shoulder to see the bright eyes of the dragon and she let out a scream that rivaled Yellow Tail's wail.

I held her over my shoulder tight and ran as fast as I could down the rocky hill. My faithful steed Lavros waited below ready to carry us out of the burned dry island.

I turned my head back to gain full sight of Yellow Tail. Yellow Tail's wings were spread out and with two quick flaps of them Yellow Tail head taken flight and was above us a great distance. The Princess Luquasia screamed loudly at the sight of him and braced me as hardly as I braced her.

Towards the end of the path I could see my faithful horse Lavros, waiting patiently. Yellow Tail was above us now and I feared at any moment he would release the full fury of his dragon's breath. Or if not on I and the Princess Luquasia then on my faithful horse of golden brown.

To my surprise Yellow Tail did not release the full fury of his Dragon's Breath. Instead he hovered above us and stretched his claws out. Yellow Tail was preparing to recapture the princess.

I released the Princess Luquasia to the molting ground and unsheathed my sword. The princess screamed and ran down the hill towards Lavros. But instead of coming towards me as expected, Yellow Tail instead, flew towards the running princess. With my sword in hand I chased after the flying dragon waving my sword in the air in hopes of scaring away the large dragon. It was then that Yellow Tail decided to release the full force of his dragon breath.

The ball of fire eclipsed Yellow Tail. With one flick of my wrist I released my shield from by back and shielded myself from the hot flames of Yellow Tail's breath.

I've been burned by dragon's fire before and it's intense. Dragon fire is more powerful than fire born of wood.

When the fire of the dragon vanished I unshielded myself to see the Yellow Tail snapping his long talons at the Princess Luquasia. He was trying with all his might to capture the princess in his grasp once again.

It was then that I threw my sword into the belly of Yellow Tail. Yellow Tail, in pain, flew away from the princess and into the side of a mountain. The dragon hit the mountain with such force that it cause him to loose consciousness and fall to the burnt road.

The princess smiled at the sight and climbed on to Lavros. I followed suit and the Princess Luquasia braced my back as we rode past the sleeping Yellow Tail and out of the fire islands over the bridge and into the vast desert known as The outlands.

End of Chapter Five

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Four - The Cave of Yellow Tail

Most think in order to rescue a virgin or claim a handful of gold one must slay a dragon but the truth is many slayers have received great riches by never slaying a dragon. The ability of stealth and trickery is usually all that is needed when dealing with dragons. Most dragons have two many ladies and too much gold to keep a watchful eye on all. All that is required is to locate the princess and hope that the eyes of the dragon are turned on other matters and sneak away with her in to the night. For dragons it is out of sight, out of mind.

When I approached the cave of Yellow Tail I expected to hear the screams of many but was surprised to hear none.  For a dragon with a representation such as Yellow Tail this was most confusing. All I could hear was a lady crying and the heavy breathing of a beast. A sleeping beast.

Yellow Tail was asleep and the Princess Luquasia was left unattended.

I steadied myself and prepared to enter the cave.

She was standing there, the Princess Luquasia. Dirt covered most of her. Her cheeks were moist from tears and her hair was long and matted but it was her.

Before her laid Yellow Tail. A giant dragon of green and a tale of blinding yellow. It laid across its cave floor directly in front of her and me.

Princess Luquasia appeared asleep as she lay against the side of the cave wall. Her hair blowing in the air at each exhale of the dragon's heavy breathing.

I was unsure of my next move. It was important not to startle the princess for fear she will wake the dragon in her excitement of her apparent rescue.

I unsheathed my sword and approached the princess with steady caution. She laid sobbing, unaware of my presence. When I reached her I moved my hand across her cheek gently, startling her.

"Princess," I whispered.

She did not respond. She instead stared at me blankly unable to tell if this was real.

"Princess," I repeated.

Her eyes began to flutter and slowly began to rise to her feet.

"Princess are you okay?" I asked her in a soft whisper.

She looked at me. Her bright brown eyes starring daggers into me. Then her eyes fluttered,, closed shut and she slowly drifted back to the ground, having fainted.

Many years as a dragon slayer has increased my strength more than most ladies. I was able to lift the Princess Luquasia over my shoulder and remove her from the hostile cave of the dragon Yellow Tail.

As I carried the princess toward the cave exit I took one last look back at the ferocious dragon. I studied him as he lay asleep in the dark cave. My next move will be to carry the princess as quickly as I can out of the cave and out of fire islands without the dragon Yellow Tail's knowledge. I knew that if I could preform this simple task than the threat of Yellow Tail would be of no consequence to me.

End of Chapter Four

Lady Saura, Slayer of Dragons - Chapter Three - The Fire Islands

It is said that in the middle of the fire islands there is a throne and on the throne sits the charred body of Ragu, the former lord of the fire islands.

Its mountainous caves made it the perfect the home for the dragons and after knights and dragon slayers moved them from their homes they took to the fire islands then known as Ladena Island. It is said that they took it over by burning the lord of Ladena to death who refused to leave his throne to the dragons.

At night you can hear the screams and cries of the virgin ladies, kidnapped by the dragons and by day you can hear the roar of the dragons breath and see the flames burning in the air.

One of the challenges of rescuing a lady from a dragon's cave is finding the right dragons cave. There are many dragons and even more ladies in need of rescue. Some dragon slayers simply come to the fire islands, find a lady who appears to be of great wealth, rescues her and returns her to her home in hope of a great bounty. Some run the risk of going straight for a dragons gold. Which is not advised, because dragons protect the sight and smell of gold much more than they protect the smell of  virgins. A breath of fire is never spared when it is for the golden shine of gold. Other slayers, like myself, take specific bounties to rescue specific ladies. Payment is much higher due to the risk and the difficulty in finding the specific lady. These dragon slayers have great knowledge of the island and if the detail of the dragon given is specific enough finding the dragon becomes less of a challenge. Experienced dragon slayers of the fire islands know exactly what caves belong to which dragon.

The princess of Landwall was taken by a well described dragon. The dragon was described as being large and green with a tail of golden yellow. A large dragon with a yellow tail is well know amongst dragon slayers. He has captured many a lady and is possessor of mounds of gold. I know the cave of this Yellow Tail well and a bounty this high is well worth the rescue.

The closer I come to the cave of this Yellow Tail the more I hear the screams of captured ladies. Screams of fear and terror. But I must block those sounds from my ears. I come only seeking the rescue of one lady. For more than one will be to greedy and the overwhelming effort to rescue more than one will surely be my downfall.

I must remember I seek only the princess of Landwall. The Princess Luquasia. She has been described to me as dark of hair, this of face with eyes of brown. When taken by Yellow Tail she was dressed in the color of the clouds and a headband of silver lay on her head.

It will be hard to ignore the cries of the other ladies trapped by Yellow Tail but I must do so if I am to successfully rescue the princess and collect my bounty.

End of Chapter Three