Alvin squared up to his whispering death, furious at it's lack of cooperation. It reared its head high, eyes bulging and teeth whirling. Screaming a challenge, it shot spines everywhere. 

Seemingly more large and terrifying in his anger, Alvin roared, "I'm through with this! You are a dragon, a dumb, senseless beast. You will obey me!" 

He charged forward, lunging at the dragon's long twisting tail. Screaming in anger, the Whispering Death, thrashed around. Alvin grabbed the tail and clung on as the dragon writhed. Slowly, he started to climb. The Whispering Death, tried to shoot quills at him, but he was already on top of it, and apparently in the blind spot. 

He clawed his way up to the dragon's head and yelled, "Stop fighting me!" He then drew back the butt of his axe and slammed it into the dragon's head. 

It shrieked in pain and sudden fear. But Alvin didn't stop. Again and again he hit the dragon on the head, poked it's wings with the point of his axe, and jabbed at it's pale, bulbous eyes. 

The once proud dragon fell to the floor, rolling around in agony. But Alvin was beyond reason or care. Jumping off, he kicked the dragon mercilessly, pounding on it until it lay, curled in pain, on the floor. 

Breathing deeply, eyes blazing, Alvin stormed out. The Whispering Death curled into a ball, warbling a soft cry of pain.

--------------------

Rylan felt elated. Jolt's eyes had opened today, and he had almost tripled in length since Rylan had found him. Every day his horns grew longer and sharper, as did his talons, teeth, and tail spikes. But he was also being very affectionate toward Rylan, often bowling him over playfully, or else rolling onto his back for a belly rub. 

Though this change was exciting and good, Rylan was becoming more and more concerned about the cave where he was hiding Jolt. Often when he left, closing up the passage, Jolt would roar behnd him, not wanting to be left alone. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed him sneaking off to visit his dragon, or else heard him pining. 

There was also the problem of how much food Jolt required. Rylan usually couldn't bring enough to supply a growing dragon, and he couldn't risk drawing attention to himself by sneaking out huge amounts of food. 

Only one conclusion remained. Jolt would have to be moved farther away from the village until he was large enough to fly. And Rylan would have to go with him.