The Jewel Thief (Hidden Jewels)

The following recounts the tale of The Jewel Thief, a story about the great and terrible old Akirbeak and a heroic dragon.
The Jewel Thief
by MarinaQuakenbush
Upon the ledge of the cloudscrape crags
Frostbitten, fading, weak
A horrid akirbeak did snag
My jewels with its mighty beak
With newfound strength I began to fly
Past valleys of ice and snow
With inconceivable speed it raced on by
And lost me by frigid floes
The awful bird, why so unkind?
Did it cross the freshwater sea?
I vowed if it took all week I'd find
The jewels it hid from me
With haunted look, I searched about
From zephyr steeps to brambles deep
Asked every passing dragon en route
Alas, they had heard naught a peep
I scoured the sandy beach in vain
Discouraged, tears ran down my face
The tears were soon joined by an icy rain
I had to get out of this place
Oh where did the akirbeak hide them?
Its foul features tormented my dreams
Under a boulder, leaf, or stem
My worry made me want to scream
By chance, or luck, or providence
I glimpsed a massive emerald wing
While surveying a rocky expanse
This fresh hope made me want to sing
Emboldened by this serendipitous sight
I flew across the greatwyrm's breach
It landed in a cave of dwindling light
Arriving at its nest, it happily screeched
My jewels! My precious jewels were here!
Amidst stolen eggs of every shape
Yet how to lure the akirbeak away with care
To not alert it to my escape?
There were loose stones upon the floor
I picked one up without a sound
I flung the stone and made it soar
Then heard it rattle back to the ground
The akirbeak sprang up in haste
Spouted fire and flew towards the noise
With this opportunity, no time did I waste
Scooped up my jewels of sparkling turquoise
Quick as cuckoos, I flew out of the cave
But with piercing cry, appeared a great flame!
Luring the bird closer, I dove beneath a wave
And waited till it flew back from whence it came
Huzzah! Hip hip! I shouted with glee
And returned home to the highland scrub
Then, crack! Three hatchlings wiggled free
Three bright-eyed jewels I'd saved with love
Category:Hidden Jewels (Contest)