This story was written for my AQ mailing list (if you want to read more AQ stories or find out about them go here: Amazon Quest . Right now I am in the middle of a research paper, so my writing is kind of...out there (in my opinion). BUT anyway...enjoy the story!

Dragon's Blood

Deep in the forest of the Amazon Island was a hut. In this hut sat the amazon, Rae. Rae was doing note cards for her research paper for the Academy. She was clearly in a bad mood. "Can you believe this?" she screamed. "One hundred cards. How in the world am I going to do a hundred!?" She grumbled and sat on her bed with the cards and her information. "Why me? Just why me? While all the others are out on adventures or sparring or whatever, here I am doing stupid cards." Rae fell back on her bed, when there was a knock on the door. "What do you want? I am busy! Get away!" "Rae, it's Saran. I'm not going away. I need to talk to you. This is very important." Rae slid off the bed. She was kind of ashamed. Saran was one of her good friends, and she had just screamed her head off at her. "Sorry! I'm coming." Rae opened the door. "Hi…" Saran gave her a weird look. "Are you all right? You were screaming." "Yeah it's just cause of these stupid note cards. Research papers are so annoying." "I know how you feel. Now, I'm here because I need you to do something. This is very important to me." "Ok shoot." "I need you to go back to Scotland." "Scotland? Yes! Woooohooo! No more paper!" "But wait. I need you to get something for me. A sword." "A sword? What for? There are plenty on the island…" "This is a special sword. Now look," Saran pulled out a box. "The sword has the same crest as this box. This is very important." "I'll do it." "Will Loa go with you?" Rae looked at the ground. "No. I want to do this myself. Loa's busy." Saran decided not to ask any further questions as far as that went. "All right then. You know you have to travel through the portals to get there. I'm not sure that Queen Cyan would want you to go…knowing that this is for me. I'm grounded, and well, I don't think that she'll be too happy." "I understand. I'll just tell the Queen that it's really important." "I'm counting on you Rae." "I won't fail." Then Saran left. Rae quickly packed her bag with a few things, took her sword and went to the portals.
Rae went to the Queen. "Queen Cyan!" The Queen appeared. "Yes, Rae? Is there something that you need." She looked at Rae who had all of her traveling stuff. "Let me guess…you want to realm-travel?" "Well…yeah. You get the gold star!" "The gold star?" "Never mind." The Queen sighed. "Don't you have work? A paper or something?" Rae rolled her eyes. How in the world did everyone know about the paper? "Um….yes. But I've been working really really hard on it. I have a head start and everything!" Rae gave her best smile and crossed her fingers. She hadn't even done her note cards yet. The Queen eyed her suspiciously. "I don't believe you. Tell me the truth." Rae gulped. "I really was working hard. But…please. Everyone has been doing all sorts of fun stuff and I've been stuck in my hut writing a paper. I never get any free time anymore. I just might go crazy if I don't get some time to breathe." She dropped on the floor. "Please…please…please! I am begging you!" Queen Cyan stepped back. "Rae, you scare me sometimes. Go ahead and go. If it'll keep you from acting like this again then just go." Rae jumped up and smiled. "Thanks. See you whenever I get back." "Wait where are you going?" "Scotland! Bye!" The Queen sighed. "Scotland?" she muttered. "What in the world am I going to do with that child?"
Rae jumped into one of the portals. She was instantly transported to Scotland. She looked around. She was in a forest of some sort. "I've got to find that clan again," she said out loud. Rae decided to just walk on, hoping to find them. She knew that she was in the area where they were. She knew their music and their colors. She was just uncertain as to exactly where they were. Suddenly there was a gust of wind over head. Rae ducked in surprise. The trees were bending…almost touching the ground. Rae barely had time to look up, but when she did she caught a faint glimpse of a creature. It was a huge winged creature. "A dragon?" she whispered uncertainly. "Right you are," said a voice from behind her. Rae turned around. "Ewan!" Ewan looked at her closely. "It's you. The Amazon…Rae! The friend of Saran." "Yes!" He grabbed her into a huge hug. "My dear, how are you doing? Where are your friends? What brings you to these parts?" "I'll tell you…but where's your clan?" "Oh they're all around here. Hiding." "Hiding?" "I'll explain later. Answer my questions." "Ok. I am fine. My friends are all on the island. I am here alone. I am on a mission for Saran and I need your help. There. I answered your questions, now you answer mine." "That darn dragon. He's been after our clan for months now. He's always stealing any riches we have or taking our men. We've been hiding in this forest, but we can't hide forever. As the head of the clan, I fear for all of us." "Oh…that explains the creature I just saw. It was a dragon…but I thought that dragons were kind. I mean, the dragons around our island are." "Well I suppose that some could be kind. But not this one. He's nasty. His name is Gorlnith." "Gorlnith…" "Now, you said you needed my help. What can we all do for you?" "I am here for a sword…" Ewan looked shocked. "No…you…it can't be." "What? I need to get this sword for Saran. She says that it's very important." "You really are…the one." Rae frowned. "The one? What are you talking about?" Ewan called for the clan to come out. "Look here, everyone! She's the one! She's our savior!" "Hold it!" shouted Rae. "Can't you explain this to me? I don't understand what you're talking about." Ewan was clearly excited. "Sit child. Listen to this story. Legend says that in our time of great trouble…that our warrior from thousands of years ago would return. The warrior would not be from our clan. The warrior wouldn't be very old…and that he or she would ask for the sword. Don't you see? We are in a time of great trouble. You are an outsider…a young outsider. And you asked specifically for the great sword. You're the one…who's going to slay the dragon." Rae jumped up. "Me?" she squeaked. "Dragon??? You've got to be kidding me! I'm a warrior, yes, but not one who's trained to slay dragons! I don't even know how to deal with evil dragons! I slay warlords. I slay barbarians. I don't slay dragons!" Ewan fell to his knees. "But you must. Please. We're counting on you." Rae shook her head. "Let me think this over for a few minutes. It seems that everyone is counting on me these days…"
And so Rae sat on a stump and thought for some time. She had made a promise to Saran that she would get the sword. She also knew that it was her duty as an Amazon to help people in their times of need. She was unsure about how to deal with the evil dragon. Would it listen to her if she talked to it? Would it burn her to a crisp with its fiery breath? Would it devour her whole? And the big question on her mind was…was she really the great warrior who would save Ewan's clan? Rae buried her head in her hands. This was all too much. Ewan came and sat beside her. "Do you mind if I sit here?" "No…go ahead." "About that sword you were talking about…" "Saran's sword?" "Yes. You see, she told me a long time ago that I must keep it for her." "She was…" "Part of our clan? Yes. At one point she was. What happened was this: one day she and another clansman were practicing their combat skills. All of a sudden, Saran just totally went berserk. She killed the man she was practicing with. She felt that the sword had something to do with it. So, she left it here with the clan, and went on her way." "Wow…I never knew." "But," continued Ewan, "What annoys me is that she didn't come back for it herself. She sent you to come get it. Then again, it could be fate. You are our great warrior. You must slay that dragon." Ewan pulled out the sword. "This is Saran's sword." Rae shielded her eyes. "It's so bright…like it has a power…" "You could be right. Anyway…the legend says that the great warrior will come for the sword…and slay the beast with it as well." "So what you're saying is that I am going to slay the dragon with Saran's sword and then return it to her." "That is what I am saying. You must slay the dragon first or the sword will not return with you. As I said, I think it had a power of some sort. Like a mind of it's own." He handed Rae the sword. She felt a small power surge, but shook it off. It could only be her imagination. "All right. I guess I'll have to go after this dragon. Where is he?" "He could be anywhere. But his home is in the caves not far from here." "Then I'll start there." Ewan jumped up. "Clansmen gather round! Here is our great warrior! She will slay the dragon and all will be well again!" The clansmen talked among themselves. Finally one spoke up. "Wise Ewan are you certain? She's just a wee one…" "She is strong. She is most certainly the great warrior of the legend." "How will we know if the dragon has been slain?" "That is easy." Ewan turned to Rae. "You will bring back the great jeweled necklace that the dragon wears around his neck. It is then that we will really know that you are our great warrior." Rae nodded. "Good clansmen, I will do my best to restore the peace." "Then be off with you," said Ewan. "You have a difficult mission now. We wish you the best of luck!" The clan cheered as Rae started out. She sighed as she walked on. "Luck…" she muttered. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to need it?"
Rae walked cautiously through the forest. She soon spotted caves in the side of a cliff. "That was too easy…" she said to herself. She approached the caves. The air smelled like a brush fire. She was almost to the caves when all of a sudden five trolls jumped out at her. "Ahhhhhh!" Rae screamed, and almost let go of the sword. She had heard stories about trolls…but she had never seen one. They were the ugliest things that she had ever seen. "Ah ha!" cried one of them. "What do we have here?" *That must be the leader* thought Rae. "Duh boss…it's a girl. A young one." "I know that you idiot!" The head troll eyed her. "She'll make a tasty snack." *Yeah in his dreams* thought Rae. She quickly pointed the sword at the trolls. "Don't move! Any of you! I've got a sword and I am not afraid to chop you all up into pieces!" She hoped that she was convincing…at least a little. The trolls were a lot taller then her…and she was very outnumbered. "As if you could even scratch us. My dear, why don't you just put down the sword and save yourself the torment?" "Yeah right. I prefer to keep my life thank you." "Then what are you doing around this cave? I assume you know what lives in here." "I know. That's why I'm here." "Why am I holding conversation with my appetizer? Get her!" shouted the head troll. The four other trolls came rushing at her. Rae swung the sword blindly. It was as if the sword was guiding her. *Is this the power that Saran felt* she asked herself. She stopped swinging the sword. All four trolls were dead at her feet. The head troll looked at her with fear in his eyes. "You…you're that legendary warrior!" was all he said before he ran off into the woods. Rae looked at the sword. There was not one drop of blood on it. *This is too weird. And what is this legendary warrior stuff? How is it that everyone knows about it but me?* Rae looked around, and then at the caves. She decided that it would be best to become invisible. She cautiously approached the caves…and entered the main one. She tiptoed deep into the caves. The burning smell stung her nostrils. Suddenly she was surrounded by piles of gold, jewels, and many other riches. *This has to be his treasure horde* Then she heard the sound of giant wings flapping. The dragon was here. Rae quickly went to a corner…and waited. The great dragon, Gorlnith entered the cave. He was a huge magnificent dragon with greenish silver plated scales. He wore a huge jeweled necklace around his neck. He came into his cave, and sat on his treasure pile. He sniffed the air. Something was different. There was somebody here. "Whoever is hiding…come out now! I can smell you…I know you are over there!" He looked straight into the direction where Rae was hiding. His gaze sent chills up her spine. She stepped from her hiding spot…she knew that she was invisible…but could the dragon see her? No, she decided. He could only smell her. So she decided to speak. "Gorlnith!" she shouted. "Ah the voice of a maiden." "I'm no maiden. I'm here for one thing only! To rid the land of your evil!" The dragon laughed, spewing flames everywhere. Rae ducked so she wouldn't be scorched. "You are a funny one aren't you? What makes you think that you can slay me? Judging from your voice…I'd say that you are still young. A teen. Now, what can a teen maiden possibly do to me?" He laughed again, sending out even more flames. Rae got caught by the flames. But she didn't burn. Her clothes were charred a bit, but she wasn't injured. Then she felt the cold stare of Gorlnith. "Uh oh…" she whispered. He could see her. Somehow his flames dissolved the invisibility. The dragon stared at her. "You…you are here to slay me? I really do need a good laugh you know. I can tell that you are a smart one. Too bad you won't live to share your knowledge with the world." "I'm not giving up that easily!" The dragon sighed, sending smoke up to the roof of the cave. "And it really is too bad that they sent such a pretty maiden. Oh well, time for my appetizer." He breathed flames at Rae, but she held up the sword…the flames bounced off of it. "Now really, why am I always the appetizer? It's just not fair. I am never part of the main course!" This threw the dragon off guard a bit. "What? What are you blabbering about?" "I am worth much more then a mere appetizer! Too bad for you though…I'm not your appetizer!" She ran for the cave entrance. The dragon flew after her, spitting flames. Rae ran out of the cave. The dragon followed. He flew high into the air, and rained flames down at Rae. She dodged them as best as she could. Suddenly he began swooping down at her. She flipped back, and rolled over the ground. She stood once again. Gorlnith turned around, and came back at her. Rae looked at the sword. She had an idea…but she could only have once chance. One mistake and she was…the appetizer. Rae closed her eyes. The dragon was almost upon her. Using all of her strength, Rae hurled the sword at it. She heard a shriek. And suddenly there was blood raining on her. The dragon was falling from the sky. Rae ran back to the cave. The dragon hit the ground with a thud. Rae cautiously went out to investigate. The sword had flown…right into the dragon's evil heart. Gorlnith, the evil that had been tearing apart the clan for months, was now dead. Rae pulled the sword from the dragon. Rae was covered in dragon's blood…but the sword wasn’t. "There really is something about this sword…" she said out loud. Then she took the huge necklace. It weighed her down, but she was able to carry it. She began to make her way back through the forest to the clan, but before she did, she took one last look at the great Gorlnith. "I did it…I slayed the dragon."
Shouts of happiness were heard when the clan saw Rae coming in the distance. "She's back! The dragon is dead! She's the great warrior!" Rae was caught up in all of the commotion, when Ewan appeared. Rae stuck the sword into the ground and kneeled. "Ewan, I have done what you asked. Gorlnith is dead. Here is his necklace as proof." Ewan took the necklace from her, and raised in into the air triumphantly. "Clansmen! Rae is truly the great warrior from the legend! We are free!" He then turned to Rae. "Stand, my child. You truly have the great warrior's spirit in you. You are her." Rae pulled the sword from the ground. "Go get your treasure. It's waiting for you. I really should be returning to the island." "Yes. The sword is yours. Take it to Saran." Ewan pulled out a rolled up sheet of parchment. "Take this too. It's a map. Saran will need it." Rae took the map and put it into her bag. She decided not to even inquire about it…she had had enough adventure. Rae shook Ewan's hand. "Thank you for helping me fulfill my mission." "No, thank you. We will see you again someday, great warrior?" Rae smiled. "Maybe…I'll come back someday." Then she turned and held up her hand. The portal to the island appeared. Rae stepped through it…the sword went with her. Finally she was on her way home. She decided that once she got back she would give the sword and map to Saran…and maybe ask a few questions about it. Then again, with all the adventure that she had…she would be quite content with doing her note cards…then again…maybe not.