Gotcha! Page 2

Gotcha!

(Page Two)

A sudden flash of movement to his right caught Rankith's attention. Dipping his wing tip, he began a shallow spiraling descent and extending his senses Rankith began probing the narrow valley below him. The child was here, he was certain. And although the scamp may have learned how to shield himself from his parents, he was quarry for the best hunter in all the Dragonlands!

Again, Rankith spotted a hint of movement in a large clump of brush growing near the valley's small stream. The child was undoubtedly aware of Rankith's presence overhead and was attempting to conceal himself. Smiling to himself, Rankith decided to have a little fun of his own and teach this little Dragon a lesson he would not soon forget. Pumping his great wings, Rankith quickly climbed higher into the air once again and flew towards the valley wall directly opposite of the hatchling's hiding place. Giving voice to a very convincing bellow of frustration, Rankith soared over the valley rim deliberately angling his body so the sun glinted impressively off of his crimson scales.

Once he knew there was no way the hatchling could see him, and shielding his own mind very tightly, Rankith quickly circled back around to the mouth of the valley and slipped back in. No other Dragon could fly as silently as the Guard Leader and Rankith now flew as silently as if he were infiltrating the black heart of a demon's domain, skimming just above the valley floor with barely enough speed to keep himself airborne.

Suddenly cupping his wings Rankith touched down so softly he didn't even disturb the butterfly sipping nectar from a nearby cluster of wild roses. As softly as fog he crept up behind the little Dragon concealed within the bushes. He could even hear the child laughing softly to himself. Probably rehearsing the story of how he outwitted the mighty leader of the Guard to tell his friends later, Rankith thought to himself behind his own very tight shields. Well, under ordinary circumstances Rankith might have allowed the child to keep his little "victory," but these were not ordinary circumstances and it was time to teach the child that sometimes obedience was vital to survival.

With lightening quick reflexes, Rankith lashed out with a golden-taloned hand and grabbed the little Dragon by the scruff of the neck and pulled him into the open.

"GOTCHA!" he bellowed and heard a satisfying yelp of terror from his now captured quarry. Rankith then dropped the hatchling unceremoniously to the ground, legs, wings and tail in a tangled heap.

"So, think you are the clever one do you?" he asked, towering over the frightened child in apparent furor, his own wings spread wide in an imposing spectacle. "So clever that had I been a goblin raiding party you would now be on your way to be sacrificed!" Rankith accompanied his words with mental images of the butchered remains of a Dragon child surrounded by dancing goblins and a leering demon.

Stunned by his sudden capture and unable to escape the raw images he was shown, the youngling began to cower and hid his head under one wing. Rankith held his position for a moment longer before relenting and furling his own wings along his back. He then sat down next to the child and gently reached over and nuzzled the child's shoulder. Very few had ever seen this side of the aloof Guard leader and even those who knew of it's existence would have been amazed at the radical switch in demeanor.

"Come now, Rolth, none of that... not from one with the courage to explore so far from home," Rankith said, then added as the little Dragon's head popped up in surprise at hearing his name, "Yes... I know your name. Your parents are very worried. You must understand that your mother and father have good reason to keep you close to them. We are entering a dangerous time... far too dangerous for one as young as you to be wandering around alone."

Rankith then sent the hatchling images of his parents in obvious distress when they realized their hatchling had used his abilities to run off. He showed the fear in their eyes as they followed the chief Elder to ask the Guard's assistance in finding the child before disaster could befall him.

"Even now they worry, fearing what may have happened to you for we are too far away for a direct mental sending to reach them." Not that I haven't already had it relayed through my scouts back to them that you are safe, Rankith thought very privately to himself. By now Rolth was no longer trembling in fear from his capture by the Guard leader. And though his small wings were drooping somewhat is shame for the distress he caused at home, his little head was up and he was looking at Rankith with understanding in his eyes.

For the first time the little dragon spoke saying "I am sorry, sir. It was just such a wonderful day for exploring and I was sure I would be home before I was missed, and..."

His young voice trailed off as he choked back a small sob. So contrite was his tone and so disappointed in the knowledge that his explorations were most probably at a permanent end that Rankith again did something that would surprise all who did not know the aloof Dragon very well.

"If you will give me your solemn promise that you will never again disobey your parents while living under their care, I will bring you back here one day soon. I know these lands very well and can show you many wonderful places to explore." As Rankith spoke, Rolth's eyes grew wider and wider and he began excitedly dancing from foot to foot.

"I promise! I promise! I promise!" Rolth squeaked in delight.