�Owww, it burns master�� Roger replied dropping the unfinished sword on the floor.
�BURNS!!! I�ll show you burns!� The angry man hollered and picked up the weapon from the ground.
Terrified, the fox slowly backed away from the anvil and his furious master. He knew the objection would earn him punishment, but running would only make it worse. The infuriated blacksmith swung the blade toward him and pressed it against his arm. The red-hot steel burned right through his clothing and fur, scorching a large patch of skin.
An agonized scream could be heard throughout the ranch as the young fur scurried out of the workshop. Still inside was his master, laughing cruelly.
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�Oh my god Rodger! What happened?�
Rodger relaxed as Tyrone started to lick the wound. Tyrone was a large, muscular, teenage wolf fur that had watched out for him ever since coming to the secluded ranch 7 years ago. The wolf cared for him like a brother.
�Old man Petrakis didn�t like the way I was holding the sword is his workshop. It was burning my hand and I let go. Those stupid things are just for decoration anyway� �
�And he did THIS to you!� The elder wolf growled angrily and then stormed out of their tiny shack.
Rodger ran after him but the injury slowed his pace. He was only able to catch up at the master�s workshop. As he approached shouts could be heard from inside.
Then, without warning, the door burst open and the two tumbled out. Tyrone and Petrakis started rolling around on the ground pummeling each other. They both looked ready to kill.
�Stop it!� Rodger yelled and ran off into the woods.
The young fox didn�t know where he was going, just away from that ranch. However by the time Rodger stopped he was completely lost and alone among the trees. The only thing left to do was continue walking. He wasn�t sure if he�d ever find his way back but perhaps�
Suddenly a dark shadow engulfed the sky. Something big had just flown overhead. Rodger started to run again, only to be followed by the shadow. He ran faster and faster until exhaustion overtook him and�
�SHIT!� The young fur hollered.
In all the confusion, the fox had run out of the woods and into an open field. That was the last place to be with an airborne predator around. Quickly he got up and turned around but that�s when it landed.
�Now where did a young fur learn such harsh language?� A 30ft tall green dragon asked.
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The gentle sound of birds chirping awoke the young fox, he must have passed out. Was it a dream�
�Are you alright?� A powerful voice inquired.
Rodger immediately curled back into a ball and cried out, �Please� Please don�t eat me��
�Easy there little guy, I�m not going to eat you.� The dragon replied in a reassuring voice, �My name is Heartwing. What is yours?�
�I�m� I�m Rodger.� The terrified pup answered.
�Nice to meet you Rodger. Are you lost?�
�Ah� No� I mean� I was just out for a walk and� Well my friends will be looking for me� They have guns!�
Heartwing let out a soft laugh, �You�re not a really good liar Rodger. Are you a runaway?�
�Well sort of� I�m� a slave.� The fox replied softly.
�Oh. Well you look hungry.� The dragon replied, then moved to the side exposing a small fire and roasted rabbit, �Have something to eat.�
Putting apprehension aside, the young pup rushed over and ripped into the rabbit. It had been so long since he had good meal, and even longer since he had meat.
Heartwing watched as the hungry fur gnawed and said, �I had a feeling you�d be hungry. Tell me how did you get that nasty burn?�
�Master was displeased with me� Master always seems to be displeased with me over something��
�Oh�� The dragon replied sympathetically, �How long have you been his slave?�
The pup�s heart sank as he replied, �For as long as I can remember. The master said my parents sold me.�
�That�s awful.�
�Well Tyrone��
�Tyrone?� Heartwing interrupted curiously.
�Tyrone is my friend back on the ranch. He grew up in a village of furs near the Nimbi Mountains but was kidnapped by slave traders as a pup. He thinks I may have been from the same village. �
�Village of furs, huh�� Heartwing replied in deep thought.
�Are you going to turn me in?�
�No.� The dragon announced with a smile, �But it�s going to be dark soon. Stay with me tonight and I�ll protect you. And I promise things will be alright tomorrow.�
Picking the last pieces of meat off of his meal, Rodger watched as the massive dragon laid down on his side exposing a soft underbelly. The pup knew it was a jester of trust.
Slowly he walked over and laid down against the enormous tummy. After getting comfortable, Heartwing covered him with a wing. As Rodger laid there next to the huge beast, he felt safer than he had in a long time. Perhaps things were going to be alright.
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As morning broke Rodger carefully lifted the gigantic wing off of his body, trying not to wake his newfound guardian. The friendly dragon�s gentle caress had kept him warm throughout the bitter night. Heartwing�s unsolicited kindness was something the pup was not used to, but definitely appreciated.
Unfortunately there was unfinished business awaiting the fox on the ranch. He knew that Tyrone would be severely reprimanded for last night�s events. Perhaps if he pleaded with Petrakis, Tyrone wouldn�t be taken to the auction block. Maybe he would be allowed to stay�
That single thought drove the pup as he rushed through the forest. The creature left behind would have protected him but Tyrone was like a brother. He had to do something!
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The journey back took most of the day. However, after several wrong turns, Rodger finally made it to the familiar fields of the ranch. Under the cover of night, he then made his way to the old shed that was home.
�Tyrone? Are you here?� Rodger whispered softly as he entered the shed carrying a candle.
�Rodger�� The wolf replied in a labored voice, �What are you doing here?�
�I thought if I turned myself in Petrakis wouldn�t take you to the auction.�
�NO�� The wolf cried out and stepped into the dim candlelight, �Why did you come back!�
Shocked, the young fox let out an uncontrolled shriek. Tyrone�s face and proud body had been beaten viciously. Dried blood and open wounds covered several spots of the wolf�s fur. And the once defiant look that filled his eyes was gone, replaced by a soulless glare of defeat.
�What happened?�
�Master beat me ruthlessly for attacking him. He wanted to make an example to the others.� The wolf replied and coughed up some blood, �But thankfully in all the commotion... Well we all thought you got away.�
�But�� The fox started to reply but was interrupted by a pound on the door.
�What�s all the racket in there?� A cruel voice demanded.
�Run� RUN!!!� Tyrone shouted and shoved the pup out the back door.
As Rodger scurried away he heard a loud crash, then Tyrone growling, and�
BANG!!!
�NOOOOOO!!!!� The fox hollered.
A moment later, Petrakis crashed through the shack�s back door and pointed a shotgun at him. Then there was another shot and the fox felt a deep burning sensation in his leg. The unbearable pain caused him to collapse on the ground.
�Now I got you, little shit!� The blacksmith roared, �You�re not going to be running away any more!�
The fox closed his eyes and� Petrakis started to yell???
BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!!
Rodger looked up just in time to see a large mass fly by. Subsequently, Petrakis dropped his gun and started running for the forest screaming. The mass followed as the blacksmith scampered into the forest. A moment later it dived into the dark woods and there was a horrific scream. Then silence�
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�Rodger� Rodger� Wake up little guy.�
The pup forced his eyes open and found Heartwing smiling down warmly. Past the dragon�s smiling face he could see an orange glow coming from the forest.
�Ah� My leg hurts.� The fox moaned and grasped his bloody limb.
�Don�t worry my young friend, I went for help� Well sorta� But the important thing is that help is on the way.� The dragon replied and pointed towards the approaching glow.
�Who are they? How did you��
�You�ll find out Rodger.� Heartwing replied with a smile, �However I must leave now. I had to do some rather� Ah� let�s say� annoying things to get their attention. Besides you�re the one they need to find.�
The pup slumped his head down and asked, �Will I ever see you again?�
Heartwing only replied with a smile and then leaped into the air. Within a few moments his massive body was completely out of sight, hidden among the dark clouds.
As if on que, the source of the glow emerged from out of the woodland. Dozens of furs, carrying torches and guns, came storming towards the ranch.
�Where did it go?� One of the furs hollered.
�I just saw it over by that shed.� Another answered.
The bright, unified, light illuminated the area when the crowd approached. Their torches gave off more than enough flame to enlighten the shed. At first the furs approached cautiously, then one of them broke ranks and stepped forward.
�Rodger� Oh my god� RODGER!�
The young fox�s ears and nose perked up. That voice� that scent�.
�Papa� PAPA!� The pup replied instinctively.
The elder fox ran over and gave him a gentle hug. For a few moments they just sat there embracing each other.
�We thought we�d lost you Rodger.� The fox explained with a tear in his eye. �Why did you run away?�
�Papa I didn�t run away. I was kidnapped and sold as a slave!� The pup replied crying.
�Well it doesn�t matter now. All that matters is that I found you and we�re going home.�
Then another alarmed voice caught everyone�s attention, �There�s another one in here. He�s been shot too.�
A moment later a large bear fur carried out Tyrone. He had a shotgun wound in his shoulder but was alive.
�Guess old man Petrakis can�t shoot straight.� Tyrone announced sarcastically.
�Let�s get these two to the hospital.� The bear fur announced, �We can worry about that dragon later.�
With a sense of purpose, the crowd headed for the tree line. Rodger�s dad told him that the village was only a few hours away on foot. Just a few hours and he would be home.
As the horrible ranch disappeared in the distance, the pup realized that Heartwing had kept his promise. Tyrone was going to be fine, old man Petrakis would never hurt them again, and they were going home. Everything was going to be all right, thanks to the kindness of a big green dragon.