Lo! Though the story of our ancestors may be forgotten as we pass down through the ages, make sure that the story of the wanderer be not forgotten. By night, the village quivered in fear - awaiting the rising dawn that would bring more attacks from the beast which stalked the lands. Each day, livestock (and sometimes kinfolk) would be snatched away to a grisly end. Nothing could save them. Soldiers dispatched by the local lord were as tinned food to the beast. Stored for quiet days, it lazily pried them out of their preserving layer. Fear stalked the land. Until the day SHE arrived. The Ranger. She swore to defend the weak and helpless from the beast. Tracking the beast to its lair, she lay in wait until morning. As he left, ready for the hunt, his nostrils flared in surprise. A tasty morsel awaited him. Today, he could save his energy. Slithering from his den, the dragon rose to his full stretch, expecting the fun of the chase as the prey ran. To his surprise, the manling spoke to him in the ancient language of the draconians. "This place is under my protection. Leave now, or suffer the consequences, noble beast." Huffing with amusement, he moved closer. "Nice try, breakfast," he hissed. To his amazement, there was no smell of fear on the creature. Instead, it sighed and almost whispered. "So be it." Swiping down on a concealed rope with her sword, the ranger released the arrow trap. Several tainted blades entered the beast's body. Immediately, he felt the poison sear through his veins. Roaring, he struck at the impudent manling. But it was no longer unmoving. A silver blade sheared into the dragon's flesh, as its wings beat at the tiny form of its foe. Satisfaction at the blood bursting from the face of the impudent attacker quickly turned to ice as the darting blade flashed into magical life. Like a striking snake, it plunged upwards into the soft throat of the ancient beast and penetrated his brain stem... Checking on her fallen foe, the ranger allowed the sadness in her heart to show. Why did they never listen? Why must these noble beasts always die? So be it. Her sword was pledged to the defence of those who could not defend themselves. Onto the next helpless village. Just once, she wished that they would leave her nose alone... Dodgy, Karate Kid based title? Check. Vague story to tie it in. Oh yeah... Erm, so Colm Jackson did another Gen9 thing. CJ Mercia at Daz. Had to go Fantasy this time. Am I happy with it? Not quite. Always extra things I want to do.