Dragonstone Tablet

A Story :: Dragonrider vs Giant

A bone-deep tremor vibrated through the frosted pines, a guttural roar that sent a shiver down Gervic's spine despite the layers of armor protecting him. It was a sound that scraped against the stillness of the mountain pass, a primal challenge that seemed to shake the very foundations of the world. Instinctively, Gervic's hand flew to the hilt of his sword, but there was no enemy in sight, only the dense forest shrouded in an eerie, pre-dawn mist. Then, from the depths of the pines, a monstrous shadow emerged. It was a creature of legend, a nightmare given form – a hulking beast with fur the color of storm clouds and eyes that glowed like embers in the dim light. A guttural roar erupted from its throat, a sound so raw and powerful that it rattled Gervic's teeth even through the leathery protection of his helm. Across the clearing, Vicerys, Gervic's silver-blue dragon, mirrored the challenge with a shriek that tore through the air. The ground trembled beneath his massive paws as he reared up, his wings spread wide, momentarily blocking out the faint light of the approaching dawn.

Gervic felt a surge of pride in his loyal companion, but a sliver of worry crept in as well. Vicerys was magnificent, a creature of awe-inspiring power, but this new adversary seemed to possess a primal fury that even his dragon might struggle to contain. "Easy boy," Gervic murmured, his voice barely a whisper against the backdrop of the snarling beasts. He reached out a hand, stroking the ridge of Vicerys' snout in a gesture of reassurance. "We don't want to spook him further," he added, his voice laced with a hint of trepidation that even his most trusted companion wouldn't miss. The tension crackled in the air, thick and heavy, as Gervic and his dragon faced down this unknown threat in the heart of the frosted wilderness.

Squinting through the dense foliage, Gervic watched his breath turn to a puff of mist in the biting cold. A colossal figure lumbered into view, its dark, shaggy fur barely distinguishable from the shadowy forest depths. The sheer size of the creature was undeniable, even from afar. As Gervic gripped his sword tighter, a hint of worry crept into his voice. "Seems like we're on our own, Vicerys," he muttered. Unlike the open plains where his dragon companion thrived, the claustrophobic forest severely limited Vicerys' ability to maneuver freely.

With a earth-shaking tremor, the Giant burst from the trees, its colossal head barely clearing the tangled branches. A single, bloodshot eye locked onto Gervic, and its chest rumbled with a deep, primal bellow. "Hold the flames, Vicerys," Gervic barked. The dry forest would erupt in an inferno with a single breath of fire. "We need a different plan!"

The Giant charged, its massive legs pounding the ground like thunderous drums. Reacting with lightning reflexes, Gervic flung himself from his saddle just as a colossal branch, dislodged by the creature's rampage, smashed where he had been. He scrambled to his feet, drawing his longsword, Valyrian steel named "Silverwing," its polished surface catching a faint gleam of light filtering through the dense canopy.

A shrill whistle pierced the air as the enormous Giant launched a massive fist at Gervic. He flung himself to the ground, the wind from the blow whipping his cloak. Seizing his opportunity as the lumbering giant turned, Gervic muttered a quick prayer. He knew one mistake against this colossal creature could be fatal. Fueled by adrenaline, he sprinted towards the Giant's exposed knee, a weak point amongst its thick hide.

Silverwing bit true, carving a crimson furrow across the Giant's exposed knee. The creature roared in agony, the sound a physical blow that rattled Gervic's bones. Its massive leg buckled, throwing it momentarily off kilter. This was his window.

A surge of adrenaline propelled Gervic away from the Giant's flailing arm. Raw fear flooded his mouth with a metallic tang, a stark contrast to the bite of the cold air. He scrambled towards a fallen log, desperately hoping for some cover. The Giant, roaring with renewed fury, lumbered after him, its rage hanging heavy in the clearing. The air hummed with the threat of imminent violence.

"Now, Vicerys!" Gervic yelled, leaping onto the log. The silver-blue dragon, finally able to unleash its fury, swooped down. Its fiery breath bathed the Giant in an inferno, the monstrous roar turning into a shriek of agony. The Giant thrashed, more out of panic than anything else, its massive form a silhouette against the flames.

From his perch on the log, Gervic watched, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. As the flames subsided, the Giant lay motionless on the snowy ground. The air hung heavy with the smell of burnt flesh. Vicerys landed beside him with a regal snort. Gervic reached out, stroking his dragon's warm flank. "Good work, boy," he said, a shaky smile on his lips.

Alone against a Giant, the odds had been heavily stacked against him. Yet, Gervic, a knight of House Targaryen and a seasoned dragonrider, had emerged victorious. It was a testament not just to his own skill and courage, but to the unbreakable bond between man and dragon.

The victory, however, was a sobering one. The wildlings spoke of giants in dwindling numbers, and Gervic couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for the fallen creature. These giants were a fading echo of a forgotten age, and their demise, even at the hands of a monstrous threat, felt like a loss for the world.

He looked around at the charred clearing, a distinct reminder of the destructive power at his command. Even with Vicerys by his side, he knew such power had to be wielded with responsibility. As he mounted his dragon once more, Gervic knew this encounter would forever be etched in his memory, a chilling reminder of the delicate balance between power and preservation.

WORD COUNT: 991 Words
THE TASK: Battles are fought with sword and steel. But wars are won with cunning and wit. Therefore, you are challenged to submit a short story (1000 words or less) describing how you would fare alone against one of the Giants found Beyond the Wall.
CHALLENGE DETAILS: "Battle #6 | Door #11 Challenge"