It was a beautiful morning. The sun shone brilliantly over the mountain range. The birds had yawned awake and begun their daily serenade to welcome a brand new day. Wardley woke with a cold prickle over his scale-ridged spine. He shook it away and took flight.
It had been weeks since Bordo had stormed from the valley. His absence was beginning to weigh on Wardley. The dragon took a deep sweeping breath and beat his wings to catch up with the wind. Where has my dwarf friend gotten to? He released the question into the air currents as he exhaled.
The trees beneath his wings swayed this way and that as if accepting the question and sending it every which way. After he had done a sweep of the valley he landed again in the soft vibrant meadow near the babbling brook for a cool drink of water.
“What is Bordo up to?” Wardley murmured under his breath as he mosied along the tall grass. “He’s never been away for so long, I do hope he is alright.” He frowned and then perked up as he neared the glimmering edge of the bank.
“Well hello,” He purred, dipping a clawed finger to tickle the giggling river. A swarm of sunfish glittered in around him, curiously nipping at the newcomer. Light shadows escaped beneath the canopy above the brook to dance with the water, bringing it to life.
“Hello, Master Wardley!” A small voice squeaked in, breaking through the dragons’ play. He nearly lept from his skin before booming with a roll of laughter. A small otter was watching him from the water’s edge, a cheeky smile stretched through its features.
“Well hello my little friend,” He beamed back.
“What has you so deep in thought, dragon?” The curious creature piped.
Wardley chuckled. “Well, I was thinking of many things, but at the moment you asked I was thinking of how much the humans would love this wonderous place. If only they knew it had been made just for them, they would let go of the fear in their hearts and brave the mountains in a beat.”
A note of sadness played through the dragons’ tone. Though speaking his secret thoughts aloud offered some sense of relief. His heart grew warm toward the little rogue who’d joined him. He watched him fiddle with a closed clamshell, preparing to break it apart over his sleek belly. “And you, otter? what of life concerns you today?”
“Ha!” The joyful critter flipped quickly and dove beneath the surface. Wardley watched him smash his lunch twice on a rock beneath before bobbing up victorious. The clams mouth wide open. He flashed the dragon a toothy grin. “I have no concerns, only lunch, and sunshine! So long as these paws can crack the clams I feast on life is grand, dear dragon!”
They shared a laugh. After the otter wished Wardley a good day he disappeared into the swift current to search for another tasty morsel. The dragon watched him as he went. He was staring off down the edge of the river, following it through the valley when a soft breeze swam in around him.
“We’ve found your dwarf,” there was a tremor of foreboding. “Bordo’s been seen by the crows at the other side of the mountain pass.”
Wardley’s eyes widened. “He’s been to see the blood elf, the wise sage of the enchanted forest, and now seems to be on a direct path to the village of the humans.” The answer given by the wind was troubling at best.
“What is he up to…” Wardley remembered the explosive nature of their final conversation. It felt different now, in retrospect. Less benevolent, reflecting back Bordo seemed genuinely upset, and it had all begun with an unplanned burp of fire through a shared belly laugh.
Though the dwarfs’ reaction marred his jubilation Wardley had felt inclined to forgive him, their friendship was special and the dragon had missed him every moment since. The feeling didn’t seem to be mutual. His frown deepened as he decided it was time to investigate further and follow up.
Without further thought he sprung agilely from the lush grass, beating his wings into the wind they created.
With a final look of longing, he left the valley once again. The misty mountain passes loomed closer and then swept easily beneath him. Frost and icicles collected over his strong scales. He picked up speed as he became more certain of Bordo’s intention. Even though Wardley was still mystified over what the motivation might be, it was becoming clear that the dwarf was set on meddling with the humans he’d worked so hard to protect.
He needed answers and the only person he would be able to get them from was Bordo himself.
“That’s what I get for releasing secrets,” Wardley admitted into the wind. It brushed over his face with warm assurance as he passed over the last of the mountain peaks and into the edge of the enchanted forest. I should alert the others before they find out on their own. He thought reluctantly.
He reared back in mid-air and looked straight into the sun. “Great dragons…” He closed his eyes, calling to mind his mentors. “I may have cause for grand council.”
The winds swept their own ways to deliver the message as Wardley beat his wings, thrusting himself back into motion. He flew low toward the canopy. He is near, the wind whispered. Wardley beat his wings backward, slowing himself as he hovered, causing large whirlpools to form in the leaves below. He fell gracefully beneath the treetops and fell to the forest floor below.
The dragon dug his claws into the dirt and sniffed the air. He closed his eyes, thinking of the troublesome dwarf. After a pause, the dragon snapped to attention and with all the stealth of a panther he set off toward the treeline surrounding the village they’d visited together just weeks before. It might be too late to catch him. the thought urged him forward more quickly.
“Booooooordo!” The mighty rumble burned hot in his throat.