The Dwarf Dragon - Chapter 3

Well; there isn't very much to say, although the fact that I didn't make illustrations for it because of the busy time I have. BTW, I hope you'll like this chapter too. Enjoy! - Family life - In the evening, a loud, angry Bradycneme scream has left the forest. - It was a torrid day in Hateg. The scorching sun was craking the dry ground here and there. The animals were hiding in the shadows, in the safety of their nests and hidings, trying to escape the hot and unbearable air. Brighteyes's parents were relaxing too, right under the shadows of the trees, while the three younglings were playing fight: Brighteyes jumped on the neck of the brother, that collapsed under his weight. The sister quickly jumped in her brother's help: she lunged toward the smallest sibling. Brighteyes, then, anticipating her movements, dodged to left. The angry little female issued a hiss, and jumped again in her brother's direction. With an agile movement, Brighteyes dodged again, and sent his sister 2 feet on the right. Then, his brother lunged straight to Brighteyes, that was situated near a fern. But, again, the smallest Balaur dodged, jumping over the poor brother, that didn't stop running, and felt directly into the fern. Then, the extenuated and humiliated brothers went to their father, and started sleeping tired. Brighteyes dominated them. Although smaller, weaker, and outnumbered, he dominated them using his intelligence. In fact, he gave proof of being the smartest of the family, even since his birth, a month before. He often distracted the members of his family for taking the first piece of flesh from the meal. He was just different. And he didn't know why. It seemed strange to him also the fact that the little Bradycneme, met some time before, was so large at his age. Brighteyes was remembering him well. The Bradycneme chick was as big as an Elopteryx, the entire body covered in black feathers, except of his tail, that was black with red strips. The small Balaur remembered him in horror, keeping the sign of the Bradycneme's presence on his own snout... Suddenly, the Balaur female woke up with a yawn. Playful, Brighteyes jumped on his mother's back, rubbing his snout in her white and soft feathers. The female turned her head, and started licking her calf on the back. Then, they started playing, hopping here and there, while the male and the two brothers were sleeping together. Brighteyes had a special relationship with his mother: she was the most affectionate and playful with him, and the little Balaur didn't mind that. And now they were there, having a good time, him trying to reach his mother, and she dodging him every time. However, it wasn't frustrating or humiliating for him. It was likeley funnier. But the young and inexperienced Brighteyes didn't know the importance of that game then. - It was evening. Brighteyes's family was eating the Telmatosaurus old bull they just killed. The smell of blood was very strong, and it was starting to attract all kind of predators and scavengers: rats, small mammals, seagull-like birds. However, they were promptly chased away by the male Balaur. Then, after a while a bigger predator made his presence: it was a Bradycneme. Brighteyes's parents quickly got up, and started to hiss nervous at the black animal. He wanted to challenge them, but saw the smallest of the three-chicks, and stuarted staring at his snout. Brighteyes recognized him: he was the black Bradycneme, with the red-striped tail. He was black terror, the giant chick. Brighteyes was impressed: at only 3 weeks of life, the chick was already as big as the two Balaurs! The Bradycneme screamed loud and angry at the Balaur calf, and then got chased away by the Balaurs. As quick as he appeared, it also disapeared, right in the deep shadows of the forest...