Chapter 1 [Puretext]
[due to errors of many kinds it has been reread by a good friend and fixed up for your pleasure]


His first journey, Northwind was accompanied by a group of twenty or so of his fellow Dragonians on a night, cold and quiet. The only sound that filled the air was the soft crunch of the snow under their boots as they ascended the cliff. The light flicker of the torches they held and the leather armor they wore were the only warmth they could manage as they ventured through the frigid weather. Outraged and impatient from the cold one Dragonian chattered “Why are we on this bloody mountain?! It’s freezing!” Another responded “Because Claws, we got to clear out a bit of ‘Cats’ from the mines, remember?!”

At age eighteen and it being his first time on such a journey, Northwind had no idea what the term ‘Cats’ was all about. Although due to the cold his mind was on nothing more than finishing the mission and getting back home, where a warm fire could be made and he could finally defrost.

Suddenly knocked from his dreams, Northwind heard the shout of the group leader’s orders, “Hey, Guys get by the doors! It’s gonna get a bit warmer real soon!” The Dragonian shared a sigh of relief at the thought of warmth. As they gathered by the doors they readied themselves, pulling their axes, swords, maces and staffs from their backs and getting into fighting stances.

Northwind hesitated, was he really ready for this? He looked at himself, the leather armor he wore, the back strapped to his back holding food and medical supplies, and finally down at his short sword. The sword he had carried for the past eight years, inscribed with words he could not understand. Drawn from his thoughts he focused on his fellow warriors. He looked up just in time to see one of the Dragonian slide open the door. He tensed. Not even fully open, a flaming arrow shot through the cracked door, slammed into the chest of the Dragonian. The force of the arrow knocked him back four, five steps and down he went. Sliding off the cliff, if he wasn’t already dead, his end was fast on its way. “Damn… Alright men get in there and clear the place out!” The leader ordered. As everyone else shot past him ready to get some payback, Northwind hesitated and took a moment to register what he had just witnessed, the death of an old friend.

Swept up by the crowd Northwind was soon in the midst of the mines. Unsure of what else to do, he blindly charged into battle. Suddenly an axe came flying at him, he narrowly dodged the attack.

Sliding into action Northwind reached the attacker, once there he looked at the enemy, completely surprised to see a tall person, covered from head to toe in thick brown fur; he wore leather armor on his chest and around his legs. As Northwind raised his sword the ‘Cat’ blocked him. He made an attempt to hit Northwind with his axe but Northwind quickly tucked his strong wings close for protection and lunged his sword into the ‘Cat’s’ chest. As the sharp sword tore through his body and plunged into his heart, the ‘Cat’ screamed in pain. At the sight of the crimson, red blood running down the sword Northwind’s blade he was filled with an uncontrollable feeling of power. More! He wanted more! Over powered by adrenalin Northwind dodged the attacks and returned them as if they were nothing. Suddenly an unseen attacker pounced; he kicked Northwind against the wall. Pinning him against the solid rock the ‘Cat’ tried to hit him in the head. Northwind used his new found strength and spun out of the creature’s grasp narrowly dodging the attack.

Suddenly one of the Dragonian’s yelled, “Bomb! Run guys! Run! It’s gonna blow! RUN!” just as Northwind finished his attack. The young Dragonian looked back and watched as six of his group members ran out of the mine. Before Northwind could finish the ‘Cat’ off; his victim scurried off followed by another. Knowing he has missed his chance of getting out with the other Dragonian he follows the ‘Cats’ down the tunnel.

After running a short way Northwind heard the Boom of the explosion and saw and felt the tunnel shake around him, knowing the tunnel he was leaving would soon collapse; he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Once in a safer area Northwind slowed to a stop and thought “Ha! Death will not have me today!” As he tried to caught his breath. He sank down to the ground, dropping his sword and opening his bag. He pulled out some salted meat and slowly chewed it. Not that it was the best tasting meat he had eaten but that he needed something to help him get back on his feet. He sat there what felt like hours, getting back his breath and mind while chewing on his salted meat. He suddenly started hearing a soft whimpering sound coming from down the tunnels. Unsure of what was to come he grabbed his sword and got to his feet. He waited uneasily. It didn’t seem as if anything was coming but he still heard the noise so he grabbed his bag, slung it across his back, and made his way precautious toward the sound.

He was almost there, just a little farther. He could see the faint light of a flickering fire, reflecting off the cold, tunnel walls. Gripping his sword he charged into the tunnel screaming an angry battle cry. He ran, sword in hand ready to plunge the point into yet another victim. Time slowed down as he saw the face of the injured, helpless ‘Cat’. He realized just in time that he could not kill the poor creature and quickly diverted his sword and struck the rock that had fallen on the ‘Cat’s’ leg. The furry creature was horrified; the look of ‘This is how I meet my maker’ was obvious on his face. “Oh gods and goddesses help me! Please! Please don’t kill me! Please!” Cried the immobile ‘Cat’.

Returning his sword to its sheath, Northwind gave the ‘Cat’ a pity filled look and then looked at the rock baring down on the creature’s legs. Taking a moment to study the rock, Northwind put his hands on it and with all his strength pushed. Though his efforts he got no where, the boulder barely moved. From behind him came a chilling voice “Get away from him Dragonian!” gripping his sword tight Northwind replied ‘I’m trying to help him!” “And how do I know you’re not going to kill him? Hmm?!” the voice inquired. “Umm, Because I’m trying to move this rock off him? Northwind replied. “Yes… well I don’t trust motive. No one should ever trust a Dragonian! NOW DIE!” the chilling voice replied. Northwind turned and got ready, he did not know if he should attack the creature or to block him, although he really didn’t have to decide on much when the attacker disarmed him and pinned him to the floor. Once disarmed and pinned he realized that the attacker was surprisingly a female ‘Cat’ … that was trying to claw his face off now. Dodging her attacks in the small room he had, he pushed her off of him and against the wall. Northwind punched the dazed ‘She-Cat’ straight in the gut just hard enough to knock her out. Catching the incapacitated ‘Cat’ he gently laid her on the ground and tied her arms up with a strap from his bag; so that when she regained consciousness she would not attack him again.

“Why don’t you just kill us?” the immobile cat asked as Northwind slid down next to him. “Because you reminded me of something, besides she and I were having a bit of a miss understanding and I need help anyways.” Northwind explained. “Hey, watch her for me and wake me when she wakes up?” The Dragonian asked. “Um … Ok Mr. Dragonian… person.” The Cripple ‘Cat’ replied. Northwind then sighed and closed his eyes knowing he needed sleep after the events that had taken place so far.

---

Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

This is my work please do not copy this or use this for commercial
link of proof is on my DA page here [Link]