Campsite

 

            The lake was peaceful, quiet, and surrounded by the vast forest. The perfect place to camp, Charlie thought. Byron picked a good spot.

            Of course I did, came Byron’s reply to Charlie’s mind. Go ahead and set up your tent. I’m starving and I’ll be back once I find a deer or something.

            Charlie smiled. Byron was always hungry. Working out the soreness from the day’s traveling, Charlie set up his small campsite. He started a fire and waited for Byron to come back with some food. The smell of the wood smoke made him realize how tired he was. He lay down in the soft grass and closed his eyes.

            The next thing he knew, Charlie was being kicked awake. “Hey, you!” a rough voice grumbled. “Tell us where your money is, and we’ll leave quietly.” Two dirty men watched Charlie as he shook himself awake. Both men had rusty pistols pointed right at Charlie’s heart.

            You might want to come back now, Charlie told Byron.

            Byron roared in reply.

            To the two men, Charlie said, “Okay, okay. Just give me a minute.” He started rummaging through his pack. “I don’t have much.” He pulled out a small coin purse and emptied it into one of the filthy men’s hands. Two silver coins fell out.

            The other man came up and shoved Charlie from the back. “That all you got? Where’s the rest?”

            Charlie looked at the two men calmly. “Yes, gentlemen, that’s all I have.”

            “Not good enough,” the same man said. He took Charlie’s pack from him and started dumping everything out. Charlie’s things were soon strewn all over the ground.

            The men were getting more and more angry as they kicked through all of Charlie’s belongings. Charlie just watched them patiently and said, “Byron’s coming.”

            The men ignored him. One of them found Charlie’s pocket watch and howled with glee as he showed it to his companion.

            “He’s almost here,” Charlie said, sounding a little bored.

            One of the men glanced at Charlie in disgust. “We can take care of both of you together. Don’t worry about that.”

            A roar announced the arrival of Byron. Now the men looked around nervously, trying to see where it had come from. Suddenly, Byron was there. Landing right in front of the two men, the great orange dragon roared in their faces, covering them with hot steam.

            The men screamed as they tried to escape. Before they got far, Byron was able to easily fly and land in front of them again. They turned to go back the way they came, but Charlie was there, his great sword held out in front of him.

            Realizing that they were trapped, the men immediately threw down their pistols and kneeled down to beg. “Please don’t hurt us!” they cried.

            Charlie locked his steely gaze onto their faces. “I’d like my things back, please.” He held out his hand and one of the men put his money and pocket watch into it. Looking up at Byron he thought, Now what should we do with them?

            Let me roast them. Steam came angrily out of Byron’s nose.

            That won’t be necessary. They’re scared enough.

            The two men cowered in front of Charlie, awaiting their fate.

            Aloud, Charlie said, “You’re lucky that we’re going to let you live.”

            Whimpering, one man said, “Oh thank you, kind sir.”

            Sneering, Charlie said, “Don’t thank me just yet. If I hear of any thieving from you two again, I won’t be so kind.” With a wave of his hand, his great sword vanished. “You can tell all your friends that Byron, the fire-breathing dragon, and Charles Coleman, head mage, will be patrolling this land.” Charlie’s plain travel clothes vanished, replaced with deep purple robes.

            The men, who had been whimpering before, now were crying out in terror. “We’ll spread your message, sir!” They cowered and shook in front of Charlie.

            “Now, get up and leave.” Charlie pointed to the woods, and the men tripped over one another as they took off into the trees.

Nice, Byron thought proudly.

            Thanks for your help, friend. Charlie patted Byron’s leg appreciatively. Did you bring anything to eat?

            Of course. He held up a hunk of deer meat and handed it to Charlie. This is yours. I’m going to get a few more. He launched himself into the air and flew off, looking for prey.

            Thanks. Charlie started to prepare the meat for cooking.

            If anyone else comes to bother you, you’ll have to wait until I’ve finished eating.

            Charlie smiled as he watched his friend disappear over a rise. He wasn’t worried. He and Byron would always look out for each other.