Story inspired by bpkelsey’s amazing Dragon Fire chop.I glance at my wife over the head of our sleeping son and I can see she also knows the hunter is out there. But we can flee no further. Our strength has reached it’s end and all our tribe has perished. We three are the last of our clan.
They’d descended into our ancient valley homeland in a great terrifying rush. At first we had thought them to be just dumb beasts to be killed and chased away. But we were so very wrong. They were cunning and vengeful, killing all that came before them. Soon all the game in the valley was dead or had fled. We chose to do the same.
Scattered and fleeing for our lives, we have been slaughtered one family at a time. We scratch out a bare existence here in the upper reaches of the mountains, hiding in caves like rats in a hole.
Tonight we lit a fire even though we know it can be seen for miles in the crystal clear mountain air. It was that or freeze to death by morning. And it was that light that drew the hunter to us, like a magpie to a glittering piece of gold.
Rolling one of the heated rocks closer to where my son lies curled against the cold, I pause to absorb his visage into my memory. This forsaken cave is the closest thing to a home he has ever had, having spent his entire life on the run.
I move to the opening and observe the cliffs below. “It’s out there, I can feel it.” my wife says, joining me in my study.
“Indeed. We can stay here until it roots us out of our hole like a couple of terrified mice or we can take the offensive. Perhaps that would be unexpected.”
Nodding her head wearily, the queen of my heart replies, “We can only face them as we have always done, bravely and fiercely. Remember, we do this for our son.”
“Agreed. I expect it’s working it’s way along the cliff base to position for a direct assault. Shall we try a two-pronged attack?”
With a humorless grin, she nods in agreement. “I shall attack head-on while you come in from the flank. Perhaps our combined attack will be enough.” After a quick touch to my cheek, she throws herself off the side of the cliff.
Glancing over the edge, I see her descending slowly in a graceful wheeling pattern, reminding me why I had pursued her for my mate those many years ago. A sudden tenseness in her wings breaks through my reverie and I realize I have lost precious time getting to my own position.
Flinging myself from the cliff, I glide along the cliff-side to prevent appearing as a large shadow against the clear night sky. Dropping lower and banking around to come back up the ravine, I cast about for the intruder that I know is there.
Suddenly a lancet of brilliant lightning leaps up from the ground to strike the cliff-side just above our cave. The dislodged rock crashes down, sealing the entrance to the cave. Burying our son.
With the realization that the hunter has just been waiting for us to exit the cave before sealing it, I feel all hope desert me. This creature is well-prepared and has a plan. And that plan obviously is meant to leave us no chance for escape.
My wife’s scream of rage burns through my anguish, as her flame ignites the mountain air and splashes down upon the ravine floor. Swooping in at a tight angle, she means to bathe the beast until it drowns in flames.
Once again the lightning leaps up from the creature. But the lightning does not strike my wife as she rushes in. Rather it strikes the air below her with a mighty crack that echoes off the ravine walls. Even from where I am, I feel the sudden drop in air pressure as the disappearance of air from beneath my wife causes her to falter. The rush of air into the empty space forces her down to crash into the rocks with a horrific impact.
Seeing attack is futile, I have only one option left. I must save my son if at all possible. Landing on the ledge of the cave, I dig in desperation, knowing in my heart it is for naught. Time slowly passes as I work my way inward and the hunter approaches.
Having been a master of fire my entire life, I wonder if lightning will feel any different.
