Chapter Text
Bruce landed in the water of the mountain lake with a huge splash. The slight sting of impact overtaken by the satisfaction of sinking into the still water and finally resting his wings. A wandering adult dragon like him couldn't stay in one place for too long without running into established packs thinking he was challenging them for their territory, and unfortunately, he was forced to forgo sleep twice and move on in exchange for avoiding unwanted fight with two separate packs.
Four days of near constant flying and just the leg of a small snallygaster he scarfed down before being forced to abandon the carcass was resulting in enough fatigue to bring even him to exhaustion.
Bruce dragged himself out of the small lake, more of a semi clear pond really, and lay on the rocky shore, water pouring off his four strong legs and between the folds of his leathery wings. Bruce knew that his matt black body, although perfect for blending into the night, was quite visible during the daytime, especially for a rather large dragon like him.
As he began to haul himself into the surrounding forest to check the valley for threats before allowing himself to finally get some sleep, he stilled, sensing something. Quicky snaping his body into alertness and inhaling deep to sniff out the danger. What was that-
A sharp pain stung his side distracting him from finding the location of the danger smell. Bruce stumbled, suddenly even heaver on his feet. Swinging his head and neck and bearing his large fangs did not reveal the source of his pain.
Another bruising impact and sharp bite, this time on his shoulder, resulted in his angry roar and fire building deep in his throat. but the only fire he managed to summon barely extended a few meters in the direction he thought the invisible impacts came from. Swaying from side to side, a third impact to his neck left him slumping to the ground with eyes closing and vision darkening.