(Page 1 of 3) Dragon Blood Chronicles Chapter 1 Part A by Benjamin SotoSUMMARY: Long ago after the birth of the universe the Dragon Gods and the Goddesses of the Tiger fought many epic battles for control. Some were good. Some were evil. All died and all would eventually be reincarnated to usher in a new era for a changing world.For more stories by Benjamin Soto visit www.benjaminsoto.blogspot.com
Deep within the cover of trees in the Vernan Forest, and outside the populated city of Co'dana the sound of swords striking could be heard. The strikes were slightly louder than the rushing water of the river that moved through the forest, or the sound of birds chirping high above in the treetops that dimmed the rest of the sun the clouds did not. Small animals rushed for cover rustling through small piles of leaves, and hid in the dirt of the earth as the cling of steal upon steal and stomps of human footsteps took over the serenity they knew. Two men were the crux of the noise foreign to the ambiance of the forest, and they were none other than the young Drax Dukane and the older warrior Cervantes.
A man older than the two combined had every movement captured by his eyes while comfortably seated on a log that rested on the earth not more than ten feet away. He was known as Teoak Dukane, the former General of Emperor Alutron's army, and while watching the battle a slight tinge of embarrassment rushed through his body as Drax's performance was barely adequate.
Drax blocked for his life as Cervantes struck downward with all of his massive upper body strength, and he could feel himself sink into the earth of the forest as Cervantes pressed down even harder with his sword. The eighteen-year-old youth found some strength and pushed back with his sword causing Cervantes to stumble while fighting to regain his balance. Time was not wasted and Drax dodged another strike made against him by the bald swordsman and found refuge behind one of the many large trees in their surroundings.
"I'll teach you not to run boy!" Cervantes yelled.
Drax used the little time he had to catch his breath while resting his back upon the bark of the tree, but before he knew it Cervantes charged around his right side yelling like a madman with sword high in the air. Drax happily slid his back down the tree ducking the strike made at him and allowing for Cervantes' sword to get caught past the bark and into the thick wood. Without a single moments hesitation Drax held his sword to the neck of the bald warrior.
"Could it be?" Drax relaxed and loosened his guard a bit as he pulled the rest of his long black hair not already in a ponytail behind his ears. "Could the hired sword truly be growing slower in his later years?"
Cervantes simply smiled to Drax ignoring the comment. Drax smiled back to his trainer looking upon the scar on the bald warrior's left cheek as it moved with the smile. The only time Cervantes ever smiled to him like that was when he was in the company of a good woman, and the other time was when...
Drax jumped back as a small blade cut through the air his stomach had occupied. The youth fell over a small hill to a lower level of ground smacking his back on the earth and feeling the shortness of breath take over his lungs from the impact.
The youth panned the forest floor with his eyes looking to the dirt and small creatures running atop it and over small rocks with leaves scattered about, and then from the corner of his eye he could see the sun glistening off of the hilt of his sword.
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