Beyond Revenge

Their homes and family destroyed by flame, three warriors set out to slay the dragon that had burned away all hope. And the goddess smiled on them, for their cause was just. They came in and killed the dragon, a mother of three hatchlets. Yet in the fury of their success they turned their swords upon the hatchlets, who were not yet old enough to exhale the flame for which they were feared. One escaped into the blizzard. The warriors followed in pursuit. Their horses protested, yet they pressed on, though there was no way the young dragon would survive the blowing cold. Finally exhausted, the young dragon crawled upon the trodden path. Not long afterwards it was found by the warriors, who took turns stabbing the young dragon, though it was dead after the first blow. The warriors then rode on, leaving the remnants of the corpse to be covered by the snow. The goddess would smile on them no more.

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Submitted for 's Winter Dragon Contest