STORY SNEAK PEEK (i want to publish this one to libraries or sum)
Harpy was a problem child. Her parents would always have to go through her tantrums and episodes. They had grown tired of it and decided to do something about it. There was a reward of sixty thousand shillings to anyone who could slay the dragons above Pine Mountain that had been terrorizing the town for years. Harpy’s father made his way to her small room. “Harpy,” He began, “I wish to talk to you.” She was sitting at the small table in her room, carving away at a piece of wood she had found on the way home. “What is it, father?” Her father huffed. It was rude to talk to a parent that way. “It’s yes, father. Not what is it! But I would like you to go on a journey to slay the dragons above Pine Mountain.” Harpy gave him an irritated look. “I do not wish to do so. I’d rather work on my carvings.”
“You will do what I say! I am your father after all!" He walked over and took the half-finished carving. “Now get up and get my sword. You will do this. We need the reward.” With a sigh, Harpy got up and stormed out of the room.
The sword was almost as big as her. She wondered how her father wielded such a thing when he was her age. She also wondered how he expected her to slay more than one dragon by herself. She was going to need help, but from whom? No one was brave enough to do such a deed. Harpy grabbed the sword and dragged it behind her as she made her way out into the cold snow that covered the ground like a thick wool blanket. The town was mostly vacant in the winter as it was too cold for much activity, but there were still some merchants out trying to sell things like beads and armor. One merchant did catch her eye, though. He was a white and black bearded vulture wearing a purple cloak. His expression looked like he was up to no good. From the looks of it, he sold potions and spellbooks. “Psst,” He whispered, “Can I interest you in a potion? Maybe a spellbook to cast spells of your own?”