The first segment of a series of dragons, warriors, and the sky…
Prologue
The wind whistled as it whipped by the cabin window that was slightly open. The cabin it led to was one of small proportions, not like on of the state rooms that were occupied by the paying passengers in the forward car. It contained a modest bunk, a sink, and a series of shelves built into the wall. Outside, birds flew in tight circles above the airship and danced in the reflected light off its hull.
The owner of the room was busy in the dining room in the forward car, serving the guests wine as they ate the elegant fare. The menu tonight was roast duck, a delicacy in the sky. Of course, none of the staff was allowed to eat the same food and was fed mallan, a type of bird found only at high altitudes that were easy to catch. It had been good enough and the owner enjoyed it nonetheless.
Martin had been serving aboard zeppelins for twenty years, having been taken on as a boy. In that time he had served on many airships, some better, some worse than the current one. He had seen many things in those years and the younger stewards aboard enjoyed listening to these stories at night in the crew mess.
One of these stories was about a rumor that floated between ships when at the docks. Many beasts had been discovered in the skies, all brand new to humans. One of which was the dragon. Only sightings were reported and only of them racing away through a cloud. Marvin himself had never seen one, but he related stories to the young ones for entertainment.
A soft bell brought him back to his senses to find that the tables were being cleared of plates and that the captain had stood to make the daily announcements.
"Honored guests, today was our fourth day aloft. According to the wind charts and our current speed, we will be reaching our destination in two days. Conditions will be favorable for the rest of the trip and you should be comfortable for the duration of the flight."
The passengers clapped politely and the captain left to see to his duties. Martin sighed and set the bottle he was holding on the nearest tray. He would be home in two day and could then file for retirement. He would miss flying but all the same…
The passengers sat in the lounge for some time and Martin returned to his room. He closed the window, but as he did, noticed a blur in the clouds ahead. Curious, he made his way to the control room.
When he arrived, he knew he hadn't been the only one. A buzz of excitement was in the air. Binoculars were being pointed ahead as crewmen searched the skies ahead.
"Martin, come look," commander a crewman as he handed Martin a telescope, "What is it?"
Martin looked and adjusted the lens. He gasped and stared at the airship, dark in color that was floating along inside the cloud, her hull dulled and propellers turning slowly. It was not of any airline that he knew.
"Helmsman, five degrees down. Bering two-eighty degrees left rudder. Let's go take a look."