Mavrik rolled onto his back and stretched his 30 foot body out on the warm grass beside the hedge. He closed his eyes and sucked on the thigh bone of his most recent kill. "Ah, cattle," he sighed contentedly. "So stupid, and so big." As he lay dozing a sense of danger came upon him. He rolled onto his stomach and sniffed the air. There was a faint smell of humans, but it was not close. He raised his head over the hedge to spy out the surrounding fields.
There was a loud report in the distance to the right. He snapped his head around to see what made the noise, but could see nothing but a black speck against the sky. He frowned, then realized with horror what was coming. He leapt into the air and beat his powerful wings down at the same time, the first beat of his flight
. Too late; the ballista shot passed easily through the wing membrane, shattered the small bones that gave his wings their shape in flight, and buried itself in the ground where Mavrik had lain and instant before. He roared in pain and tumbled to the ground. Flight was impossible.
Across the field came angry shouts from the humans. He raised his head again and could see the ballista crew reloading the weapon. Nearer were many farmers with pointed tools. They were running toward the hedge. Mavrik considered his options; he could apologize for invading their land, or he could flame them.
He ran, long bounding steps that carried him away from the humans. A quick glance over his shoulder made him redouble his efforts. Mounted Knights! They had jumped the hedge and were riding in a line toward him. Each bound made his injured wing hurt abominably but he dare not slow. A hedge loomed before him and he leapt. To his horror there was no ground on the other side, just a short cliff and the icy waters of the Whelming River.
He fell in with a great splash, swallowed a mouthful of water and felt the heat of his flame vanish. The last time this happened it took him days to get it back, but right now he had more pressing problems. He surfaced and looked at the knights standing at the top of the cliff. Mavrik knew he could not out run them, but as long as he stayed in the river they could not attack.
The cold water soothed his wing but he could not stay here, as it was only a matter of time before they brought up archers. He needed help and he knew which wizard would aid him. He turned and swam downstream. The knights trotted along the bank beside him, shouting and jeering. "Coward!" called one.
"Bugger off!" shouted Mavrik without stopping. "I haven't done anything."
"Come on! I can do you with one arm!" laughed the knight.
End of Part 1