A Trip to Extinction
#3 of Stories
The razed wall had been left untouched, the citizens of the society tucked away deep into the mountains minding their own, knowing it was most likely a lost cause to even try and repair it. The rubble was not in the way, so it bothered no one, and was thus soon forgotten, though the image of the dragon that had burst through the wall was not very soon to be left in the dark with the looming fear of that the dragons might return and destroy the last of them was sure to make even the most able-bodied warrior among them tremble.
The large beast lowered her head down to Bartleby's own, her near-scorching breath washing over his face like heat radiating from a furnace. She spoke then, and there was a vicious growl to her tone. "Where is it, you pitiful little human?" She asked, and contrary to what one might think - at least where they resided - the dragon spoke their language better than most of them did.
He gulped soundly as he gazed in fright at the fearful countenance mere inches from him. Those sharp lethal teeth bared in a threatening snarl and her ruby, molten eyes that seemed to flow like pure lava. "Uh," he began, his voice already a stuttering mess. "I, uh, I don't... know?" He blurted out, absent-mindedly taking a step backwards.
The dragon narrowed her eyes, and for a moment, Bartleby swore he could see the spark of a flame from within them. She lashed out with a forepaw, sending two stone tables flying and crashing into the mountain wall behind them, crumbling into naught but gravel from the force of the collision.
"You dare lie to me, mortal?!" She roared out in anger. "Tell me where it is, or I will doom your kin's very existence where they stand!"
Bartleby winced, reaching down towards his bag. He knew he had no choice but to give it up. His movements were hesitant, and he almost pondered removing his hand fully, when suddenly, an agitated voice rang out.
"Bartleby! Do ye truly wish fer us all ta perish in this damned hellhole? Give 'er the friggin' egg an' be done with it!" He shouted, raising one of his arms up into the air.
Bartleby could not help but cover his face with the palm of his hand, slowly dragging it downwards, which to some seemed quite comical, judging by the low, held-back chuckles coming from the crowd of people now gazing at what went on in front of them. The chores, the slamming of hammers against steel having died down.
"Yeh, tell tha whole damned Earth I've gone an' stolen a blasted dragon egg, why don't ya? Fer cryin' out loud." He muttered, though just as he was about to continue his ranting, another roar interrupted him.
"Enough!" The dragon snarled, baring her teeth. "I cannot believe I am putting up with this insolence. I should tear you to pieces where you stand, fool! Return to me what is mine - now - or perish in flames along with the rest of these... these scoundrel!" She growled threateningly while her head rose up.
"Okay, okay! 'Ave some freakin' patience..." Bartleby grunted, and at long last reached into his bag to bring out the stone-like, oval egg. With a sigh, he presented it to the dragon before him, using both hands to ensure it wouldn't by accident fall to the ground. "There y'have it. Happy?"
A huff that seemed to be of relief came from the dragon as her head lowered, and her jaws closed carefully about the egg, securing it in the warm confines of her maw. Without a word she turned and began crawling her way out of the massive hole in the mountain wall she had created upon her entrance.
An eerie silence spread throughout the settlement, nobody dared to even speak a word. Slowly but surely, however, as the event had passed, the crowd of people began to disperse, and they all went back to dealing with their own - chores, jobs and bartering - things returning more or less to normal. Bartleby and Williams, however, stood frozen solid in the same spots as before.
"By me beard... So that's them overgrown lizards? Hoho. We're screwed." Bartleby said.
"Well observed, ye daft moron. Ye 'ave only gone and gotten us all killed in about five minutes. Well done." Williams sneered with a shake of his head. "Get ta work, need tha' lil' wall up n' standin' again. I dun' even want ta think o' the tunnels we'll have ta rebuild."
"Aye, good thing we dun' need half o' them." Bartleby sighed. "Right. Tell ye what. Meet me in the, ah, 'spot' in 'bout an hour. We've a few things ta set straight." He said.
"A few?" Williams blinked, reaching out to tap Bartleby's forehead with two fingers. "We've an entire world ta set straight."
The razed wall had been left untouched, the citizens of the society tucked away deep into the mountains minding their own, knowing it was most likely a lost cause to even try and repair it. The rubble was not in the way, so it bothered no one, and was thus soon forgotten, though the image of the dragon that had burst through the wall was not very soon to be left in the dark with the looming fear of that the dragons might return and destroy the last of them was sure to make even the most able-bodied warrior among them tremble. The once dark and dim tunnels now had an almost constant ray of sunlight shine in through the hole. Each and every sound that came from the winding tunnels induced more fear - each wind that came from the outside making somebody somewhere look over their shoulder.
Bartleby was walking on a pathway that led him up towards a tower that served as a vantage point - the only vantage point - to keep track of what happened in the valley and warn about possible dangers lurking. He walked up the long, circling staircase - fortunately still standing after the previous event - that was enough to leave him dizzy and with a wish for a hill to roll down so he'd not have to use his legs.
Once the top had been reached, he swore he could see a keg of beer waiting for him there. Imagine his dismay when the keg took the shape of Williams, and actually spoke!
"Took yer time. Thought ye said an' hour." He grinned.
"Oh, shut yer keg-- hole, shut your hole, Williams," he grunted in response. "These damned stairs are a death trap, y'know. We need lifts!" He panted, struggling to catch his breath.
"Nae, ye jus' need some excercise, tubby. Now then. People are obviously goin' ta blame this whole wall thing on ye, even though they dun' seem to mind much at tha time bein'. What we need ta do is make sure these lizards dun' get back in ta bite us - or return at all fer tha' matter. We need ta fortify, prepare, build n' train new folk. I'll make sure tha's taken care of in due time. Wha' you n' I need ta worry 'bout right now, is the lizards. We 'ave ta find a way to get to 'em. Let's start with jus' findin' 'em. Get 'em where they live and where they dun' expect it.
Bartleby couldn not help but laugh. "Lad, are ye completely insane? Hit yer head on a rock or somethin'? Y'want ta wage war on 'em? Yer crazy. Did ya see the size of tha' thing? One swipe o' it's claws an' we're down twenty man. One breath o' flame and I dun' even want ta think o' tha numbers! We dun' stand a friggin' chance!" He shouted.
"Nae, yer right, we don't, but I know someone tha' might jus'..." Williams said quietly.
Bartleby's breath stopped, and he eyed Williams with a stern look on his face. "Ye think he can? I guess we dun' 'ave much of a choice, anyway." He sighed. "Y'know the way? I'll be goin' with ye. Things might get bloody."
"Aye, ye had better come. They'll gut me if I come alone with such accusations and reasons. Do we go now, then?" Williams asked, his tone grim and grave.
Bartleby fidgeted where he stood, his foot kicking at the stone floor beneath him. He nodded. "Tha' sooner tha' better. Let's go. Oh, ye never answered. I do hope ya know a way 'round. I think Miss Lizard destroyed our main route." Bartleby gestures a bit randomly with his hand.
"Shite. Great. We'll have ta find our way 'round it then. Them tunnels go everywhere an' beyond, so it shouldn't be much of an issue." He said, cursing underneath his breath. "Wha' a mess. I'm eager ta pin this whole thing on ye, y'know. Be glad I'm yer friend at tha' moment."