HEROES MAY DIE

Destrier had wandered throughout a good portion of Helovia already, seeking those with a scaly friend at their sides. It was not as easy as he'd originally thought it might be, for he knew very few with such. Dragons were a rather popular thing back home in the Edge, but for one reason or another, the Friesian had set off in search of others. Perhaps it was the simple need to stretch his legs and venture out on his own for some time, or to allow Tor some time alone with their children, he wasn't sure.

As he moved, the terrain began to change ever so slowly; the trees grew more and more thin, and the ground beneath his feet grew soggy, pulling his feathered feet in and making a terrible squelching noise whenever pulled free. Above him, the sun was high in the sky, as if the Sun God himself was watching over him during his quest. The heat intensified the repulsive smell of stagnant waters, and the winged beasts seemed to zone in on him all at once.

"No one in their right mind would be spending time here in this heat," his thoughts came as he slowed, eventually coming to a halt. Already it was becoming miserable here, for the bite of insects were rampant and becoming difficult to ward off, enough to force the stallion to turn back and head home.

However, the sudden sound of another had caught his attention, ears flickering for a moment as he listened. There were no voices to be heard, simply the sound of hooves in mud. Something within Destrier felt unsettled; what if it were a foal, long lost and separated from his mother? Or simply someone in need? Perhaps his sudden worries were extreme, but for Destrier, the mere curiosity he suddenly felt wouldn't allow for him to turn tail now.

"Hello?" His voice boomed as he continued on, picking his path carefully as his choice in dry terrain became fewer, and then nonexistent. It didn't take long for him to spot a greyed form ahead of him, undoubtedly an equine like himself, eyes cast to the sky and looking the epitome of agitated. Destrier could not recall ever seeing the other stallion before, and briefly, he wondered just what he was doing in a place like the Marsh on a day like this. Not that he could talk.

But as he drew himself closer and closer to the other, Destrier could not dismiss the blue creature flying overhead, and instantly he knew what it was. It was a dragon, of magnificent, iridescent blue, and idly the Friesian wondered if this grey stallion may be able to help him with his quest. But that would not be the first question to pass his lips.

"Are you troubled, brother?" The Friesian spoke up, drawing himself closer to the other, "Perhaps I could be of assistance."

BUT LEGENDS ENDURE