(Dragonkin) Dragon Rider by C.E. Swain

open, and a look of shock on his face. One of his servants spoke quietly to him, before backing up again, and Falendor regained his composure. Captain Brannor was stunned as well, and he stood looking from the target to the man, and back again. One of the onlookers broke the silence, as he said with amazement in his voice.
       "By all the gods, he's a Dragon Warrior!" The man shouted.
       This brought a roar from the crowd, as men yelled, and applauded.
       "It was truly an amazing shot." One onlooker said.
       "I would never have believed it, had I not seen it with my own eyes." Another of the onlookers said.
       "Where did he come from?" A man asked his friend.
       "Alenvale I think." His friend replied.
       "He is not from Alenvale." The regent said, as he walked up to the crowd, followed by Captain Brannor. "Which means he entered the fair under false pretences."
       "I never said I was from Alenvale, and the rules never said you had to be from a town, just that it must be represented." Menimeth said. "And changing the rules after the summons is false pretences. You should talk to your man about that, it could reflect back on you, and we would not want that. Would we?"
       "You are right sir." Captain Brannor said, defusing any chance of a confrontation before it could begin.
       "You are the champion of the fair, and the guest of honor at the banquet tonight, and your friends are invited as well." The regent said with a smile. "Then you will make your choice of the gold, or a request to be granted, if it within my power to do so. Now go and rest, and think about what you will choose."
       The crowd cheered once more as the regent turned to walk away. Only Captain Brannor noticed the man wrapped in his cloak, emerge from the trees at the edge of the fairgrounds, and walk in their direction.
       "We have an unexpected guest, it appears." He said, as he watched the man move closer.
       The regent stopped and turned to look at the stranger who approached. Some of the men who were making their way from the fairgrounds to their rooms and camps, stopped and looked to see what was happening. Others went on about their business, discussing the day's events, and paying no attention to the newcomer. Chanry stepped in front of his master, and stood there with a look of defiance, holding Menimeth's bow in his arms.
       The man approached the crowd, pulling back his hood just before he reached their location. He was around five foot six inches feet tall, and dressed in Elvin silk garments. A circlet of gold with a diamond set in the middle was on his head, and his boots were made of soft leather, that went up to his knees. His blond hair fell down his back, and was tied with a gold clasp at the shoulders.
       When he reached the regent, he bowed and gave the traditional greeting of the Elves. Then he turned and regarded Menimeth with large almond blue eyes, and a friendly smile.
       "I have not seen an exhibition of marksmanship that good in a long time. And your style of fighting is known in the Elvin Kingdoms, though I have never seen it used until today."
       "Thank you sir, you are too kind." Menimeth said, as he looked at the Elf.
    "You do not know me then Menimeth?" He asked.
       "Have we met before sir?" Menimeth asked. "You know my name, so you must know me."
       "I apologize for my manners. My name is Litlorn, son of Loran, lord of the western kingdom of Latrelarn and member of the high council of the Elvin kingdoms." The elf said, as he bowed low before them. "We must talk later my friend, but for now, I need rest."
       Litlorn turned, and walked up to the regent. He handed him a scroll and bowed to him before he spoke.
       "I have traveled very far, and I am in need some rest. Do you have enough room for a prince of the Elvin kingdoms sir?"
       "We would be honored to have you stay, and hope you can attend the banquet tonight. We honor our champion and his