[ WP ] The Deep Woods are a fearsome place , filled with screams and lights and terrible magic . But in the depths of the forest lives an ancient dragon who constructs all the sounds and sights to keep people away , because he just wants to be left alone .

Erodar passed through the forest, leaf littered earth crunched underfoot. He tried to guess the time of day by the sunlight which scattered down through the canopy. Nearly noon he thought to himself. 
 
 “ Don ’ t let your guard down, ” he muttered. 
 
 He ’ d left the village just before first light, keeping a steady pace through the Deep Woods for hours. At first the screams of terrible unseen monsters haunted him. Thousands of evil eyes scrutinised his passage. Apparitions, spectres, and demon creatures appeared at the edges of his vision. But he ’ d pressed on, sword loose in its scabbard. He had trained his whole life for this, to bring whatever terror lied within the forest to an end. Erodar would slay any number of beasts if it meant his village could prosper again. Just to feel safe. But that was a time which only the elders spoke of. 
 
 As he ’ d progressed the sense of fear had calmed within him. He wasn ’ t sure if his senses were becoming dull to the fearsome stimuli. Perhaps he ’ d managed to bypass the outer dangers without contest. He had let his sword lounge untouched in his sheaf for over an hour by now. 
 
 As he walked the forest became lighter, the air more fresh. The trees lost their charred appearance, their colour became a vibrance which fascinated Erodar. His training and adventures had taken him many miles away from the village. He ’ d seen great cities their architecture a true wonder of human ingenuity. Once he was gifted a tour through an ancient elven garden. There, flora and fauna the likes few humans had ever seen thrived. But here in the deepest part of the Deep Woods, a sight even more exquisite treated him. 
 
 The magnificent trees of silver bark and rainbow hued leaves began to thin. Erodar passed into the glade dumbfounded. Before him lay a great blue dragon. Not one of the flies which littered the marshes to the South, a real legendary beast. It's form was larger than even farmer Jan's storage house. Each scale was the half the size of the warrior ’ s shield. They shined brighter than polished steel. 
 
 Erodar reached for his hilt. 
 
 “ No need for that here, Erodar son of Tomas. ” A deep voice rumbled from the creature, though it didn ’ t appear to move. “ I plan on causing you no harm. ” 
 
 “ What. Who are you? ” His voice shuddered as he made a conscious effort of holding his arms out away from the blade. “ How do you know of my name? ” 
 
 “ My name is… ” The great dragon closed its eyes as if in deep thought. “ I appear to have forgotten my name in my solitude. I am the guardian of this forest and all the lands and creatures of Nerstland. I have watched you grow human. I watched you even as an infant look to my forest, the anger it caused you. I observed your growth into a young warrior and return as a famed hero. ” 
 
 “ If you are our guardian, then what is this? ” Erodar gestured to all around him. “ Not this magnificence in which you live. But beyond. The terrors and the monsters, the danger which you inflict on our people and all who wish to travel through. ” 
 
 “ Have such things ever caused harm? ” The guardian ’ s eye opened up. A sparkle of amusement emanated from within the azure sphere. 
 
 “ Not in my lifetime. But my people are diligent. ” 
 
 “ Not in any lifetime, for it is all a ruse. A design of my own power and will.'' 
 
 `` Why would you construct such a thing?'' 
 
 `` Nothing real could keep your kin away for any length of time. Only the illusion of a dark and magical menace was enough. ” Its voice changed to an accusatory tone. “ Even that wasn ’ t enough for one brave soul. ” 
 
 “ So I ’ m the first? ” Erodar was n't sure whether he was to feel feeble or accomplished. A level of understanding flowed into his mind. “ This was all a test? ” 
 
 “ Of sorts. ” The beast hummed a tune of satisfaction. Around the forest stirred, trees rustled in reply. A flock of handsome finches circled above the clearing. “ Under my protection your kind could never prosper. They relied on me too much, they became lazy unable to help themselves. I could barely spend a year without men coming to me. “ Slay my enemies, oh dragon,'' or “ end the wolves which hassle my herds. ” 
 
 The dragon ’ s scales tensed, it ’ s eye which observed Erodar flashed to the hue of fire. “ The last straw was the worst of all. A group of five came to me. Warriors, a priest, and even a wizards. They said they had come to end my reign over the lands. They fought with valour, the kind your people might write a song of. Naturally they were unsuccessful, as I am still here. Even so, their actions made me realise the need for my departure. ” 
 
 `` What of your ruse now I have discovered it?'' 
 
 `` You are what I'd hoped to see and more. It is time for me to abdicate as guardian. You have shown that your people no longer need me. My absence has fostered my heir.'' 
 
 Erodar shielded his eyes as the dragon opened its titanic maw. From within spouted a blaze of heat and light which enveloped him. To his surprise it did n't burn or cause any harm. With it he felt energy course through his every fibre, a strength which had never before been part of him. 
 
 `` Now go, Erodar son of Tomas, hero of the Deep Woods. Foiler of dragons and guardian of Nerstland. Bring peace and prosperity to your kin.'' 
 
 
 
 

