"Chapter 1 - Surrender" by Dawn Jane Holliday

Chapter One

Farrel hesitated, the hammering of his heart sounded in his ears. His chest heaved with every inhalation. The terror he felt inside could be seen reflected in his gaping eyes. He couldn't give up. Not now, he'd come too far. From behind the tree where Farrel hid he could see they were closing in, two of them now, with the same determined look strewn across their faces. He glanced the other way, there were no obvious threats, but the sheer darkness of the forest gave him cause to vacillate. Farrel looked back at the fiery figures, then at the forest. He drew in a deep breath and took off with trembling limbs.

The worn beast raced into the darkness, branches flying at him form all directions, the wind whipping at his face, he didn't know where he was heading, he had no time to think about that. All the while the thunderous beat drew closer and closer, he could almost smell the sweat as it dripped of their scaly red skin.

Anxiety swelled in Farrels stomach while his lungs frantically drew in the smoky air. As the sound of the two dragons breathing heavily behind him became audible, the paralysis of surrender rose up Farrel's spine. His legs gave way and the exhausted beast fell to the ground. As far as Farrel was concerned this was the end. His tattered body barely twitched, as his restless mind carried him far away… The sounds of chaos faded and were replaced by sweet melodies whilst his dream took him across the plains of time, to another place. Where never before had he known fear...

***

When Farrel regained consciousness he was being dragged through a vast dingy cave by the two scornful looking dragons, swollen with pride. The only light came from the looming smoulder of flames that shot up from underground pits, or burnt on torches hanging from the walls. Shadows slinked and noises resonated in the darkness. The smell of burning was impossible to escape.

The caves dusty tunnels began to widen and eventually lead to a space like a room. Inside, the moon coated everything in silver. Stalactites clutched the ceiling, some almost touching the ground.

The three silhouettes made their way around the pits until they reached the darkest corner. Towering above them was an opening in the cave where dragons flew out into the night or returned as day drew near. The full moon, beaming through the opening caught the shine of an eye, in the midst of the darkness. A moment later an enormous clawed foot penetrated the moonlight. Farrel struggled; the others tightened their grip. A voice pierced the silence. A voice as cold as January frost, and as relentless as the autumn rain. "This is the third time we have caught you trying to escape Farrel, I warned you what would happen." 

A vacant expression clung to Farrel's face as his heavy head hung low to the ground. A scarlet coloured dragon kicked him in the stomach, he didn't cry out in pain, merely clenched his eyelids tightly together and whispered "I am tired Agnoscia, tired of you, tired of this, tired of living. Do what you will, I do not care anymore."

The black dragons flaming eyes smiled sardonically, "can it be? After all these years, Farrel the brave is admitting defeat?" Agnoscia ordered the two dragons to release Farrel and leave them alone.

The creature' s limp body fell to heap on the floor and caused a ripple of dust to sprinkle the air. "You will have no need to escape anymore," Agnoscia hissed, " I am putting a curse on you that ensures no unicorn could ever help you, you will become the dragon form you have taken on, and remain as you are… forever."  Farrel's body heaved as he let out a defeated sigh. The great black dragon drew in the musty air through his flared nostrils, then released his breath in an almighty explosion of thick grey smoke that surrounded Farrel and pierced his scaly skin. He didn't stir. Agnoscia circled his seemingly lifeless body,” still so reluctant to care?"  Farrel released a lonely platinum tear.

Agosnia faced away from Farrel, turned his head, and with an almost devious tone said” I am informed that the creatures are meeting at the peak of Mount Sperare tomorrow evening." Farrel pretended not to hear but couldn't hide the fearful pounding of his heart. "Seeing as you no longer care for anything, you will be my spy, and lead them all straight to my trap."  An evil glint emerged in the cold eyes of Agnoscia. Farrel scrambled to his feet and trembled in the darkness. "Farrel? Is that clear?"  "I.. I w.... I wont do that Agnoscia, do with me as you will, but I will never.. never deceive my friends."  Agnoscia bellowed a thunderous roar that caused Farrel to shudder and echoed throughout the forest, he stormed across to one of the tunnels and barked back to the quivering beast” Fine, forget it, I will order my slaves to go out and kill them all." Farrels ears pricked up, his heart pounded in fear and his terrified eyes begun to sting. Agnoscia swung round, and just as he was about to leave Farrel screamed out "Wait,” A shadow of a dragon turned to face Farrel, who was hesitantly heading towards him. "I'll go. Just don't kill them."  He said, before looking dejectedly at the floor. The black dragons eyes seemed to gaze right into the very soul of Farrel. "I know you," he sneered, "no tricks this time Farrel. Do you hear? There's nothing you can do. If you do fail to meet this task I have others who wont." At that Agnoscia slunk away into the gloom of the tunnel.

Farrel emitted a groan as the passive stars gazed down at him through the opening. He could see no escape route this time, no last minute tricks, and now it wasn't only his own fate at stake. He looked back at the stars. "I have no choice! But what do you care… Oh great sky who sees all and speaks nothing. How can you let it end this way?"