Wanted: Dragon (standard:fantasy, 8540 words)
Author: N Nocida	Added: Jun 06 2007	Views/Reads: 2868/1971	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A father and son reunite to embark on an adventure to slay a menacing dragon. Along the way, they begin to mend their troubled relationship.

Arcas opened the shutters to allow the summer's night breeze to freshen
his stuffy laboratory. The breeze eagerly blew through the window 
carrying with it the scent of summer flowers. The old wizard welcomed 
the cleansing air with joy after many frustrating weeks of seclusion 
among stacks of books and potion making equipment. Painstaking and 
meticulous experimentation had erased his lively smile and tested his 
abilities to the limits. However, the nurturing breeze caressed his 
senses and allowed a satisfied smile to return. 

From his second story laboratory he peered across the grove of majestic
pine trees that grew along the perimeter of his home. He could see the 
ruins of Castle Ravenrook in the distance framed by the moon's white 
light. The powerful light even illuminated the mists nestled among the 
western hills near the infamous ruins. Arcas noted the absence of 
crimson light from the land's second moon. He quickly calculated the 
complete time he spent isolated within his laboratory according to his 
record of the moons' phases. He realized that the passing of time was a 
few weeks shorter than he anticipated. He smiled confidently. He was 
proud of his ability to manufacture a potion within a short time span. 
Arcas's trustworthy apprentice Sylmus called to his master from below 
the second story window and waved happily. He was delighted to see 
Arcas emerge and was eager to discover the results of his master's 
experiments. Sylmus had taken responsibility for the daily chores and 
maintenance of his master's home during his seclusion and was growing 
tired of the tedious work week after week. Arcas motioned for Sylmus to 
come upstairs and view his handiwork, and Sylmus did not hesitate. 

With his finger Arcas traced a path along the winding coils and tubes
emphasizing to Sylmus the mechanics of the apparatus. Eventually his 
finger came to rest on a small vial. He presented the vial to Sylmus 
and the apprentice lifted it close to his nose and sniffed the sweet 
scents that wafted gently into the air. 

"What is it?" Sylmus asked handing the vial back to Arcas. 

"An elixir that will give the man a strength of a thousand horses."
Arcas proclaimed, throwing his arms about with such drama that he 
nearly toppled his equipment. "But it still needs to be tested." 

Sylmus watched excitedly as Arcas carefully poured the vial's contents
into a small dish and placed it in a small-occupied cage. A thirsty rat 
eyed the full dish curiously almost suspiciously, but eager to quench 
its thirst, the rat eventually prodded its snout into the liquid. 

"The effects will be more prominent in the morning." Arcas promised. 

He watched delightfully as the unsuspecting rat drank the potion. The
hope of a successfully manufactured potion began to unfold before his 
eyes. Weary and frail from imprisonment the rat began to show subtle 
signs of regaining strength. However, the true test would be conducted 
tomorrow when the rat would be forced to pull a loaded cart. 

Arcas could hear the rumbling footfalls of a horse approaching. He
dashed to the window followed by Sylmus. He wondered who would be 
visiting him this time at night. He could not see past the shadows 
hiding among the trees just ahead of the nearby road, and could only 
offer an inquiring Sylmus an incredulous look. Concerned, Arcas swept 
past his apprentice and dashed downstairs remembering to grab his 
magical staff along the way. Equally concerned Sylmus followed his 
master down the spiraling stairs and through the heavy iron doors that 
provided entry to their home. He joined his master on the cobblestone 
path leading away from the keep and listened carefully to the 
increasing sounds of the approaching visitor. Arcas anxiously tightened 
his grip around his precious staff hoping he wouldn't be forced to 
unleash its dangerous magic on some intruder. Soft pale blue lights 
flickered in the wizard's eyes as he tried to focus magically into the 
darkness to get a better view of who was approaching. 

"Eric." Arcas whispered joyfully yet incredulously. 

He let the staff slip from his hands and it bounced off the stone path.
Sylmus winced as the staff drummed against the ground. Then he sighed 
with relief when potent magic wasn't accidentally released from the 
impact. 



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