:: http://www.geocities.com/dragynmistress ::
:: By Jennifer Vromant			   ::
:: jen_vromant@yahoo.com		   ::
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Spoof - Chapter 10

Spoof, Kynder, and Safyr slowly made their way back to the den.  Spoof carried Tala on his back.  They walked down the little path with their heads down.  Ebony was lying in front of the cave and soaking up the warm sun rays.  She heard them approach, and looked up when she realized who the footsteps belonged to.  Since Spoof was about the same size as Ebony, she didn't see the little body on his back.  She watched Spoof warily and growled a warning to him before asking Kynder, "Where's my baby?"

Kynder couldn't look her mother in the eyes and stared at her feet.  Spoof bent down and gently let Tala's body slide to the ground.  Ebony's eyes went wide with disbelief.  "My- my- my baby!" she cried as she rushed to the body.  She sniffed at it and nudged it as if willing it to wake up and stand.  Spoof edged away, afraid that Ebony would blame him.  And she did.

Ebony looked up at him and screamed, "You killed my baby!"  She lunged at him with her claws outstrechted like a wild cat's and hate burning in her eyes.  Spoof sprang aside and growled at her as he lowered his head.  He had never fought another dragon before.  Ebony lunged at him again and landed on his back.  Her sharp teeth clamped around the base of Spoof's neck and she started scratching like a fury.

At first Spoof didn't know what to do, and he screamed out in pain.  Then instinct took over him and he spread his wings and took to the sky.  His wings worked double because of the extra weight, and he strained to get as high as he could.  Ebony didn't notice they were airborne and continued scratching in blind rage.  Spoof flew higher and higher.  He dove towards the mountain side and flew towards it as fast as he could.  At the last moment he turned and Ebony crashed against the wall.