The sun had just risen over the blue mountain and the fog was beginning to peel away, revealing the forest in all its glorious splendor. From her position at the top of the great southern gate she had a breathtaking birds-eye view. He never looked back, not that she expected him to, it's suppose to be bad luck to do so. They're riding into battle, the latest in a long line of warriors from the village who had taken this same path in search of fame and the red dragon. No one has ever returned and the mighty beast has never failed to make its annual slash and burn trek across the countryside. Its a good bet that they've all perished. This year has been different though, there's been talk that this group of slayers is unlike any they've ever had. Led by the Black Knight Warrick, the first Slayer to achieve that status at the academy. Optimism was at an all-time high. There was plenty of talk that this was the year they finally rid themselves of the monster. Even the normally unflappable bard seemed to be enthused, getting up to dance a few songs at the celebration the other night. Something nobody can recall ever seeing him do. She had first seen him, when she was twelve and he was fourteen. He was tall for his age and extraordinarily strong. Already able to wield his fathers longbow and was hunting with the men. They had seen each other in town and at various celebrations from time to time, over the next five years. It wasn't until the night of the first full moon of hunting season, the day before they held tryouts for the academy that they actually met. Selwyn her fathers best friend was holding his annual feast. It was one of the highlights of the year, celebrating not only the start of a new hunting season, but the beginning of the new recruiting class. She was one of the wenches that night, serving food and drinks. Maybe it was the wine, but as she came over to refill his gourd he whispered in her ear to meet him outside. Half an hour later, she came up with a lame excuse and slipped out, he was waiting. The next day, he was one one of six men who made the final cut and was accepted into the academy. It was two years before she saw him again. By that time he was a full grown man, six inches taller and had graduated with honors. The bards post graduation party at the olde inne was even bigger and wilder this year and when he came to her afterwards, he was drunk and reeked of wine, smoke and cheap women, but she was glad to see him. Watching them ride away, she wasn't sure if she'd ever see him again. He had been confident though, promising to return in triumph with the heart of the beast as a present for her. They were approaching the entrance to the forest now and as one by one they disappeared from view, she waved and smiled bravely. That night she had the dream for the first time. Almost five months to the day, eight weeks later than usual, the Red Dragon rose up from heart of the forest and attacked with a vengeance. Four months after that, two weeks before the latest batch of Slayers graduated from the academy, she had a son. They named him Warrick after his father.
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