Cracks spread along the dragon’s scales with blood dripping down. As Rowan observed the damage, he also realized that the weapon responsible for the wound was missing. Since there was no trace of the arrow, it must have exploded when the arrow head struck the scales. It was just as Rowan feared. The arrow had exploded from the overload of mana jammed into it. The arrow could not contain the energy infused into its body and exploded. However this news wasn't as bad as Rowan thought because he learned something from the explosion. The red dragon could be damaged. While the current wound isn't fatal, at least Rowan now knew he had a viable way to harm the dragon. Now he only needed to focus on this opportunity and weaken the dragon even further. The important thing was that he could hurt this legendary monster. And the dragon knew this too. “RROOOOAAARRR!” The red dragon released a roar. Mirth was no longer visible in its eyes as it had been replaced with anger. Anger that the food it had been playing with actually hurt it. It was not going to give anymore time for the food to run. It was time to end this little game. The small explosion caused by the arrow had forced the dragon to land on the ground, knocking a few trees down in the process. Rowan watched as the dragon crouched, an uneasy feeling already growing in his heart. He had seen the position before. It was when cats were about to go in for the kill. Rowan spun around and began to run away, but it was already too late. The dragon leaped at him with outstretched claws . Fortunately Rowan prompt actions allowed him to dodge the incoming claws, but the dragon actions were too fast. Almost as if teleporting, the dragon instantly passed Rowan, but not before leaving three long claw marks on his back. “Arrgh,” Rowan groaned in pain. He needed to end this and fast. He knew he could only whittle the dragon's health little by little with arrows and poison, but he was accumulating more damage as time passed. At this rate Rowan would succumb to his wounds before the dragon would. The dragon had inflicted at least twenty cuts on him, both big and small, and he only hurt it once. A completely uneven tradeoff. The red dragon took off once again after it passed by Rowan. Its wings pushed it forward and it circled the sky to build up speed. Rowan knew he had seconds before the dragon descended on him once again so he reached back for an arrow, only to realize a fact. Two of his quivers were missing. He had been too engrossed from pain that he didn't even realize the dragon's last attack must have ripped off two of the experimental quivers. At least one still remained, but he needed to be extra careful and make sure his only remaining quiver didn't get cut off. These arrows were his current lifeline. He had to make sure each arrow count, especially the poison. Rowan wasn't sure the poison from the last arrow attack entered the dragon's body since it exploded. There was no time to reach from the remaining quiver as his hand awkwardly grasped the air. Rowan could only jump backwards out of the dragon's way when it approached. Just as he thought he was clear, something flew out from the dragon. Rowan didn't have time to register what it was before he was hit in the chest and sent flying. Several trees were destroyed in the process as his flying body crashed through them. Agony. Pain. Rowan’s mind almost blanked out right there and then. It took a moment for him to regain his bearings. He found himself lying on top of a broken tree trunk. HIs whole body aching from the last attack. It felt like his chest was on fire and whole body protested every movement he made. As he struggled to get up, there was something he needed to know. What had hit him? The dragon’s fangs and claws were nowhere near him when he was sent flying. The answer soon came to him after he asked the question. The tail. The dragon had swerved itself at the last moment to send its tail at Rowan. Truthfully, it was a brilliant move for the dragon, but a terrible one for Rowan who had to suffer its impact. This showed the dragon was intelligent, more intelligent than most monsters as it was able to deal with Rowan after he hurt it. It knew that Rowan was only paying attention to its claws and fangs so it hit him with something he was inattentive to. Rowan needed time right now. Time to think of a strategy to deal with this intelligent monster. Time to let his body heal. Time to figure out how badly his body was damaged. However, time was a luxury he could not afford. Just as Rowan figured out what had struck him, something grabbed him and he felt himself pulled into the air. The dragon's claws seized him in the few seconds he needed to regain his senses. It knew it had caught him off guard and was not going to let Rowan go anytime soon. Rowan saw the trees become smaller as the dragon lifted him out of the forest. He could feel the wind flowing pass him. Normally he would enjoy the wind rush through him as flying in the sky was a novelty he had never experienced. Unfortunately the current situation was anything but normal as he dangled from the dragon's claws. The wind flowing past him only made his wounds ache, but the pain made his mind sharper. Rowan didn't know what the dragon had in mind with the human boy, but he had a few ideas. Any minute now the dragon would try to end his life. It was just a matter of how. Small wonders why he hadn't been crushed in the dragon's grasp yet. Rowan tried to figure out his options. He still carried the bow in his right hand. Despite being sent flying, he never let go of his bow. It was a good thing, but he couldn't even grab an arrow as he was awkwardly positioned facing the dragon underbelly. The dragons claws were suffocatingly tight around his body. It was a miracle that it had not crushed him right now. However parts of its claws ripped through parts of his shoulder which made moving his arms difficult as he wanted to scream out in pain. Rowan was not going to give the dragon that satisfaction. Just as he expected the dragon suddenly open it jaw and snapped at him. The dragon mouth was so close he could smell the raw blood in its breath. Rowan was not going to let this chance go. He instinctively lashed out with his free hand with all his might. With whatever mana he could muster, he forcefully pumped it into the blow. There was no explosion like last time and no visible impact when his fist met the dragon's mouth. However there was a reaction as the dragon must not have expected the incoming blow. The claws loosen around Rowan's body and that was all he needed to wiggle himself free. For a second, Rowan's body felt weightless as there was nothing to keep it airborne. Then he fell straight down.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.