"Dragon Valley" Chapter 4!

"Dragon Valley"

Chapter 4

      Freezing water pellets my body. I groan and shiver against the cold and try to open my eyes but all I can see is hazy mist. "Are you awake?" Kyle asks me in a strained voice. I squint and try to get a better look at my surroundings. "Don't move!" He screams at me and I freeze in place on his back. His back? 

      My eyes adjust and I realize that we are on one of the bridges in the Rain Zone. Fear prickles my skin as I hold my breath. Everyone calls this part of zone three the fall from grace. There are two bridges in this zone and both are encased by waterfalls on either side that put the massive size of the Niagara Falls to shame. 

      I feel Kyle slide on the icy and rickety bridge and my heart threatens to give out. I hold on to him as hard as I can until he regains his balance. "Kyle," I shiver, "Put me down. I will walk on my own." He snorts and ignores me. I have the urge to punch him in the shoulder, but I know that the chances of us living if I did that would be zero since the bridge is covered in sheer ice and it is old and there is no railing. I remain silent and still. 

      "Are you going to cause me any more trouble during the hike?" he asks. I shrug mentally. I don't plan on causing more trouble but I don't know what will happen. "What happened to you back there on the transition plain? I thought the effects of the needles were working their magic but after you fainted your breathing and everything was fine." I mentally shrug again. I would like to know what happened as well. 

      Kyle walks slowly and carefully as I think of an excuse I can provide for my fainting. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to remember what happened before I passed out. There was that horrible sound that I don't want to think about and the ground trembled. I smile, "I don't like earthquakes. I'm terrified of them." Kyle doesn't offer me any kind of reply so I don't know if he believes me or not. 

      For over an hour I cling onto Kyle's back as he moves over the bridge. Our conversation remains at zero so I don't know what he is thinking. But even if he doesn't believe my fear of earthquakes story I'm still going to use it as my excuse. After twenty more minutes I can see solid ground and part of the group. Kelly is sitting near the bridge and once she sees us she jumps up and yells at the others. Everyone gathers around and waits for us to cross to safety. 

      Once Kyle's feet hit the muddy soil he slides me off of his back and crumbles to his knees panting. Kelly hands him a bottle of vitamin water and he gulps every last bit. I fidget awkwardly next to him. After a few breaths he gets to his feet and stretches out his muscles. He turns to me and looks at me with intense eyes. "Faint again and I'm leaving you behind." I nod and he turns his back on me and walks away and finds a nice rock to rest against. 

      All eyes turn to me and the awkwardness increases. “What the hell happened to you earlier?” Jim asks me. 

      “I’m terrified of earthquakes,” I say flatly so everyone leaves me alone. 

      “Of course you are,” he mumbles and walks away. Everyone else walks away after giving me weird glances except for Miss Kelly Murken. I ignore her and find a spot to rest like the rest of the group. My body feels stiff and sore from being so tense. 

      “Want one?” I look up and Kelly is handing me a bottle of vitamin water. I nod and take it from her. I chug the entire bottle in a few seconds and instantly want more. I reach for my backpack and it's not on me. Kelly notices and walks over to where she was sitting and gets my bag. She must have carried it while Kyle carried me. I give her a smile of thanks and dig into my backpack for something else to drink and eat as well. 

      “I never thought you would be so much trouble,” Kelly sighs. She takes a seat next to me and rummages inside her bag as well. We both eat and drink in silence. 

I look around at my surroundings and I don’t know if we are past both bridges or between them. Everything looks the same. “Where are we?” I ask Kelly. 

      She flies up from the ground and starts stretching. “We are past both bridges. Kyle carried you over both of them.” My eyes widen I turn to look at Kyle, sleeping against the rock and his bag. He carried me over both? I look to Kelly and she nods at me. “Jim offered to carry you over the second bridge but Kyle said he got the hang of it going over the first one. I honestly just think he has a crush on you.” I look at Kyle again and he falls to the side.

      I look at Kelly and nod a thank you to her before I grab my bag and walk over to Kyle. I move him so he is against the rock again and sit next to him and let his head fall on my shoulder. For over an hour I let him sleep against me while waiting for the rest of the group to cross the bridge. Like an alarm, when the last person reaches safe ground he wakes up. He looks a bit confused as he sits up. He looks at me and I give him a soft smile. His cheeks blush and he rubs his hands over his buzzed orange hair. 

      “You looked uncomfortable tilting to the side so I thought I’d thank you by helping you get a nice rest.” I tell him, blushing myself. Kyle gets to his feet and helps me up and mumbles a quick thank you before he heads towards Jim. I grab my bag and position it on my back since I’m sure we are going to leave any moment. 

      Jim tells everyone to gather around. “All right everyone, we have about four more hours before we reach Dragon Village. There will be no more stopping until we reach our destination. Soon we will leave the Rain Zone and get right into the Dry Ridge Mountains that serve as the entrance into the village. There are dangers but Dry Ridge is a walk in the park compared to what you have already been through. Let’s get moving.” 

      We get moving and within a few minutes we are exiting the Rain Zone. A mile or so ahead of us Dry Ridge starts to climb towards the darkening sky. Until we reach the strenuous incline I enjoy the flat walk on firm ground surround by red and silver and purple trees. For the first time during this trip I am actually able to take out my camera and take pictures. The other group members take the time to have a little photo shoot of their own.  

      The fun ends soon because the incline starts. But my excitement bursts in my stomach and gives me extra energy to fly through the Dry Ridge Mountains. Dragon Village will be in my sight in about three and a half hours. I don’t care that my feet are throbbing or that my legs are burning or that I need a long bubble bath and nice long massage as I move up Dry Ridge because I am almost there.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my work. If you could provide a little feedback it would be greatly appreciated. Even though I don't put chapters up every day I am putting a lot of effort into this story every day. I know I still have a lot to do with "Dragon Valley" yet (since this is only draft one) but I hope that you are enjoying it and wanting to know what happens next. Comment if you have any questions! Thanks again! 

"Dragon Valley" Ch 4 Soon!

Waiting for "Dragon Valley" chapter four? I'll get it up. It's coming soon, very soon. Might even be up in an hour or so. =) 

"Dragon Valley" Chapter 3!

"Dragon Valley" 

Chapter 3

       After three more hours of fighting the Needle Forest we reach a flat plain bare of everything except wet soil, dry dirt and rocks. Roughly 100 feet away I see the craggy downward slope that will lead us to the Wind Zone. With constant wind storms and winds reaching 200 plus miles per hour at times, the Wind Zone is even more dangerous than Needle Forest. 
      "How are you feeling?" Jim comes up to me. I jump up and down and do a cartwheel to show him and the people lurking about that I'm just fine. He nods and looks onto the group. "We have a 15 minute break. Eat, have a bathroom break and take a breather. We leave in 15 minutes flat.
       I immediately dive into my pack for food and an energy drink. A shadow lingers over me and I look behind me to find Kelly looking at me oddly. "Can I help you?" I sound more rude than I want to be. 
       "Lynn, I saw your hand-" She shakes her head. "Never mind. I just want to make sure you are okay." I tell her I'm fine and she accepts it. She sits next to me in silence and eats with me. I finish my energy drink, a bottle of strawberry flavored water, and four chocolate and coconut protein bars. The only thing that fall did to me is make me absolutely ravished. 
       We start our descent into the Wind Zone. We are not even in the actual zone yet but I can feel the wind urging me to fall on my butt. I'm sure it will happen. I reach the dry ground and wipe the dust off my goggles so I can see better. I feel like I'm in a red sea. The stone almost looks like it has dyed red with blood. 
       After being in the Wind Zone for 45 minutes we have to find shelter in one of the caves carved into the valley wall. The winds scream so loudly against the metal door over the cave opening and makes me cringe. The door is welded together from various sizes of heavy metal, and every time the wind smashes into it, it shakes and I think it is going to shatter like glass and kill all of us in the tiny shelter. My mind and nerves tremble in fear for over an hour. 
       Luckily, the rest of the trip through the Wind Zone is bearable and we don't have to make any more stops. I climb up the craggy mini mountain that mirrors the one I had to climb down not too long ago, and when I reach the top my breath freezes in my lungs. The misty but pure green landscape and trees so tall and big that they block the sun and sky make my heart beat like it has never beat before. Zone three, the Rain Zone, is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. 
       The pools of crystal clear water covering the ground glisten like diamonds. Unlike the dirt and soil transition space between the Needle Forest and Wind Zone, this is beautiful and serene. It’s so beautiful that it's hard to believe this is the most deadly of the zones. But then again, sometimes the things that are the most beautiful are the most deadly. 
Kelly comes up to me and admires the scenery with me. "We are almost there," she smiles. "What's the first thing you are going to do when we get into the village?" 
       I glance around to find Kyle. He notices my glance and narrows his eyes onto me. "Probably be drug to the clinic," I sigh. "After that-" A shock of pain erupts through my body and makes me scream. But something echoes my scream. An earth shattering grumble roars through the sky from the direction of Dragon Village so loud that it makes the ground shake. Fear and terror rocket through my body and make me crumble to the ground. I weep and shake. What is this feeling? 
       "Lynn! My God Lynn! What's wrong?!" I hear Kelly scream but I can't answer. I tremble and shake my head. My fingers dig into the wet earth as I gasp for a breath, unable to get air into my lungs. The sound tears through the air again and clouds my vision. I feel sick but it slowly stops as I lose consciousness.

________________________________________________

Sorry for taking so long to get chapter three up! I got absorbed into writing chapters five and six so I forgot. I have a one track mind when I start writing. Chapter three is short so I will probably add chapter four today as well. But I'm going to finish chapter six and move into seven so I don't know what will happen. Thank you so much for reading "Dragon Valley." I can see my page views increasing and it makes me excited. If you have anything to say please say it. If you can't think of anything that is fine too. I hope you enjoy chapter three and my future chapters! 

-Danielle 

"Attention to Detail" - Poem

"Attention to Detail"

Danielle Myre 03/12/2013

Words don't speak for themselves,

You put the meaning into them. 

Silence won't help, 

Those actions tell all. 

You read the book, 

But I read between the lines, 

I don't mean to stare, 

But I pick up every detail. 

Those slight movements, 

I measure every piece.

Don't try to avoid, 

I will notice that too. 

My eyes can't stop watching, 

And my mind won't stop working, 

Gears twist and turn, 

What will the product be?

My attention to detail,

I don't want to miss what I've been waiting for,

But will I read too much? 

Or see just enough? 

"Because I Love You" - poem

"Because I Love You" 

Danielle Myre (March 2013)

What can I say that I haven't already said? 

Not a day goes by without me telling you how much I love you. 

Because you are important,

I tell you I love you. 

Because you are great, 

I tell you how wonderful you are. 

Because you are my mom, 

I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

You are important, 

And needed by so many. 

You are the greatest person I know, 

And have such a beautiful heart. 

You are my mom, 

And my best friend. 

Everyday because of who you are, 

I will repeat myself just so you know... 

...Because I love you.

Poem for my mom

"Dragon Valley" Chapter 2

Note: This is chapter two of my story "Dragon Valley." If you read chapter one I hope you read this one as well! Please leave a comment if you wish to provide any feedback! I would greatly appreciate the criticism. 

"Dragon Valley"

Danielle Myre 

Chapter 2

        Besides the deadly needles on either side of us as well as hovering over our heads the path seems pretty easy to deal with. But then again I've seen photos of this path and I know that we haven’t reached the enclosed section yet. I lean to the side and glace forward. In roughly a mile and a half we will reach the enclose. That’s when things will get though. 
“So,” Kelly interrupts my thinking, “What made you come here? Why do you want to see Dragon Village?” I shrug since I'm unable to tell her my reasons. 
“Do you know the story or legend or whatever it is about Dragon Village?” She smiles, wanting to tell the story. I shake my head and tell her not really. 
“Well,” she pauses and clears her voice, “Once upon a time, 500 years ago to be precise, a wizard named Aiden and a dragon slayer named Adalynn…” Kelly looks at me and I give her a tight smile. Yep, I have the same name as her; probably because we are related, maybe. I’ll be keeping that to myself on this trip. 
“That’s pretty cool that you two share the same name. Anyways,” Kelly continues, “Aiden and Adalynn traveled into Dragon Valley to hunt down the creature that had been killing so many of their brethren…” 
As Kelly is talking I get lost in the story that I’ve read again and again. Adalynn was ordered by her father and mother to go to Dragon Valley and kill the dragon and destroy the village. She brought two of her friends and the two best fighters beside herself on the journey but both died before reaching Dragon Village. She met Aiden at the village. Both mistook each other as the dragon's helper and tried to kill each other but during their fight they realized that neither had the intent to kill. They realized that they were after the same thing: to kill the dragon. 
Aiden and Adalynn partnered up to destroy the dragon but after fighting him for months they only managed to damage themselves. They tried one last attack but that also failed. That’s when they knew that the only way to stop the dragon’s raging destruction was to seal him inside the village and then seal the village itself. For two weeks they made preparations as well as let their magical power build up for one final attempt to stop the dragon. 
Their last attack succeeded. They were able to seal away the dragon and the village with all the magic both had. But in doing so they lost all their power and forgave the power for future generations. They waited for several days on the outskirts of the village to make sure their seal held. Before they left they created another barrier and seal with the objects they blessed before the fight. They saved their time. 
However, because they gave up their magic to save lives, they were rejected by their families. But that didn’t stop them from starting a family of their own. After they left Dragon Valley they couldn’t seem to part. Their lives were bound together and found no pain or suffering in the rejection of their own family. Even if they didn’t feel pain I still felt sorry for them. The family they grew up with suddenly denied being them. But I guess if they hadn’t done that I wouldn’t be here. 
“And that’s the story,” Kelly smiles at me. “How was it?” 
“It was good. Thanks for telling me,” I act. 
“You’ve really never heard it?”
“Nope,” I say honestly. “I’ve never heard it.” I’ve never heard it because I have read it several times.
I found Adalynn’s journal in my dad’s old safe when I was seven. He didn’t know much about it except that it has been passed down through the family. I’ve been studying it every day since that day. I pretty much know everything about it but I couldn’t stop myself from making photocopies and bringing them with me. I like having the pages near. I believe everything in there is true, but part of me doesn’t believe or maybe I just don’t want to believe. That is why I’m personally going to Dragon Village. I want to see everything with my own eyes. I want to find all the answers to the questions that I’ve had for years.
“Alright,” Kyle speaks up. “We are going to be entering the enclosed portion of the Needle Forest.” He drops his bag and opens it up. “Put on your long leather coat and gloves. I know it will get hot but the leather will reduce the chances of the needles touching your skin as you move through. We have a five minute break before we move again.” 
Five minutes seems to drag on continuously. I stand impatiently as I wait for the group to start moving forward. This sudden overwhelming eagerness is eating me. But finally, we start moving and I have to remind myself not to rush or I will hurt myself as well as the others. The last thing I want is to be the cause of someone’s death because I couldn’t remain calm like how I was taught during classes. 
The porcupine trees get closer and closer with each step I make in the enclosed. My heart hammers away in my chest as I glance off to the sides to see each of the dead drops on either side of me. I saw pictures when I was taking my preparation classes but those pictures were nothing compared to the real thing. Two dark seas of poisonous needles surround me and that doesn't include the ones that I brush up against or the ones I have duck under. 
To avoid all the needles I move gingerly but despite being careful I feel myself start to fall. The ground gives out under my feet and I slide over the edge, screaming at the top of my lungs. I reach for anything and everything to stop me from falling further and slowly I slow down. But more fear creeps over me as my blood bubbles out of my torn glove. I look at my cut hand and the needles producing from wrist and hand. Effects start almost immediately but I feel fine despite the fear coursing through my veins.  
  "Everyone stop!" I hear Kyle scream. I glance up and he is carefully leaning over the edge with a panicking Kelly. I move my wounded hand out of his view and try to show him that I'm okay. "Adalynn," Kyle yells, "Don't move. You are centimeters away from the needles!" I nod and he turns his back on me. 
With Kyle busy talking to the lead guide or doing whatever it is he is doing, I take that opportunity to pull the needles out of my hand and throw them away from me. I slip my glove off and look at the damage. My hand is cut up pretty badly but I can pass it off as an impact wound instead of being stabbed with needles.I have pass it off as just that since I'm just fine even though I should be in complete shock right now and throwing up blood or something along those lines. I guess can add this to my list of why I should believe that I'm the descendant of dragon slayers. I smack my forehead on the soft, cool soil and shake my head.  
A heavy rope hits my shoulder and makes me look up. "I'm coming down to get you!" Kyle yells with concern.  
Kyle clips the rope onto his waist and gets ready to start his descent but I yell at him to stop. He almost falls with surprise. "I'm fine. Nothings broken. I can climb up by myself." He looks at me, dumbfounded, along with several other people. I grab the rope and position my feet properly so I don't slip down any further  I start climbing up to the group, making sure that I don't touch any needles. I'm immune to their effects but I can't exactly explain that to them.
Once I reach the top, Kyle and Jim and everyone start suffocating me. Kyle notices my hand first and snatchers it from my side. "I'm fine," I say quickly. "It was just from the impact." He doesn't buy it. 
"I saw you grab a needle bush Lynn," Kelly speaks up. 
I sigh and shake my head. "If I touched one they didn't touch my skin. I'm fine. Doesn't the poison coating these needles kick in immediately? Do I look sick?" 
"You're extremely pale!" Kyle snaps. 
I snap back, "Of course I'm pale! I fell and almost died! But I didn't. I'm fine!"
"I think you should go back," Kyle and the lead guide say in perfect harmony. 
I get to my feet and brush off all the dirt off of myself. Kelly hands me a travel pack of baby wipes and I take them to get the mud and dirt off of my face. I take another one and clean the debris out of my hand. It hurts but I don't let it show. "I'm not going back," I tell the instructors. "I'm fine. I really am." They don't look like they are going to budge. "Then I will go by myself," I say, moving forward and passing everyone in the group. 
I stop when Kyle grabs my arm and yanks me backwards. "You will get tested at the clinic in Dragon Village as soon as we get there. Now give me your hand so I can bandage it." I give him my hand without hesitating and watch as he puts cream on my hand and gauze over every small scrape. "Tell me if you feel sick. You have no idea how dangerous this poison is." I nod and he lets go of my hand. 
Kyle leaves my side but Kelly comes up to me and stands next to me without saying a word. I watch Kyle and Jim rally up the rest of the members and get them back on track. This time Kelly, Kyle and myself are in the lead. I like it better this way.

"Dragon Valley" Chapter 2 Coming Soon!

Right now I am working on my story "Dragon Valley" and will be posting Chapter 2 very soon. If you enjoyed the first chapter I hope you will enjoy the rest. As I am posting these, they are a little rough and even though I have read over them and checked them I won't have my end product until a few weeks after I complete the last chapter. At that time, when I make all of my changes, I will post the complete story and let you see what I have changed and tell me what you think. If you have anything to say, please say it. I need all kinds criticism. Thank you so much everyone!

-Danielle