First Time Being Published - Part II

 Here's a preview of Xavier's selected work.

 

The Taint

 

Foratarof got out of bed like every other day. He went outside and saw it, the Taint.  The Taint is an infection that infects everything it touches: everything. Foratarof ran to the town hall to sound the alarm but it was too late. The monsters had arrived. They were killing everyone in sight. He saw people he had known his whole life die before his eyes. They were all gone. There was no hope, until he saw it. The egg. He could be one. A dragon-rider. He ran like lightning. He knew if he could get there fast, he might succeed in getting the egg to hatch. He threw out his mind. It did not take long to find the dragon’s mind; it was bright and shining like the sun. He tried to contact it, but its mental barriers were too strong. He ran even faster.  When he reached the egg, he touched it and it  exploded with a shower of colour. And there it was, his dragon. It was a cyan dragon. Its scales were pointed and sharp. Its claws were black daggers, capable of piercing the strongest of armour. He knew that he should run from the Taint, but the dragon’s beauty was overwhelming. Then the dragon contacted him.  His voice was deep and powerful as he said, “Come, let us slay these monsters.” He wanted to refuse but he could not, he was too overwhelmed to say no. So he ran towards the city with his magnificent blue dragon, Adodyppalsyppah.

Ten years later.

 

As the sun went up the Silverwood Tree died. Omega knew then and there his death was near. The Silverwood Tree, their only protection, was gone and he knew whose fault it was. The king. The king was mad, he and his dragon. They had set fire to the tree. They would all die. He climbed to the top of his house and saw that there was a red glow coming from the outer wall of the town. It was a silly thought, but if it was an egg he could kill the king…

Xavier Brooks (age 12)

Symmes Junior High School

Gatineau, QC