Of Dragons and Dreams (Draumr Kopa/// Dreamnotfound)

Part 16

Notes:

What's that? A double upload? Yes my friends, I kept going, this one is really long, but I am LOVING the plot development. theres some spice in this one, too, a little soft-dom George and super sub Dream for your reading pleasure, have fun!

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The wind rippled across the grass, blowing the plains in what looked like waves. It felt eerily quiet as they remounted and walked toward the road, the fog and a layer of gray clouds obscuring the morning sun. Dream felt the crisp air on his face, the wind flipping small pieces of his hair into his face as the dragons moved through the tall grass. George thought he might have heard the rumble of thunder in the distance, narrowing his eyes to see what awaited them.

They approached the gap in the stone wall, no more than a knee's height, a few watchmen posted at the road. George saw them stiffen as they caught sight of the dragons. He supposed they must have looked intimidating, grass flowing around their feet, fog obscuring the glitter of Vindr's violet scales and darkening the tone of Kiraka's. He wasn't surprised when the men drew their short swords, preparing to fight. He admired their bravery, to think they could fight two Riders, let alone their dragons. He felt his anxiety ease a little, confidence bolstered and attention sharp now that the time had come. "Halt!" a man yelled, his shaking hand betraying his lack of command. Dream raised a hand in greeting, and the dragons stopped a few paces away from the road. "We mean you no harm," Dream called out, and the men relaxed a little. "What is your business with Surda?" the guard called back, sword still at the ready. "We seek an audience with King Albin. To negotiate on behalf of Queen Salome."

The guard directed them westward, further along the wall to where the army of Surda had gathered, preparing to march on Belatona. George thanked him for the help, eager to maintain good standing with the people to whatever degree possible, and they took off again, moving closer to the city of Feinster, near which they assumed the army would be. The city was well defended, the furthest north in Surda besides Melian, which they had aimed west of already, avoiding the tall archer's towers in that city. They flew for another half hour or so, the sun beginning to burn off the morning fog, but clouds still spotted along the sky.

Before long, smoke was visible, the sprawling tents of a full battalion of soldiers laid out in a field near the city, and the gold and green flag of Surda flown high from the walls of Feinster. Dream paled at the sight, such a large army amassed, though he knew the Queen brought a similar force marching toward them as they flew. It would take both armies a few days to reach Belatona, as they moved much more slowly on foot than the dragons could fly. George heard the warning horns blow, shouts and bells being rung as they approached from the sky, and he cursed to himself, hoping they wouldn't be met with force. He shared a nervous look with Dream, who nodded once at him, as if to wish them luck, before they descended, picking a spot far enough away from the tents to be defended from attack on foot.

That didn't stop the row of archers from assembling on the edge of the camp, though, bows drawn and aimed at the dragons, glittering in even the dim sunlight, an easy target. Dream and George dismounted quickly, pulling their shields from their saddles, and began to walk forward slowly, keeping their swords away in a gesture of peace. "Don't take another step forward!" called a harsh voice, an archer in the middle of the line. They complied, stopping short of the men, and Dream could feel his heartbeat in his throat. His wards would stand up against the arrows, but he would rather not use them so soon. "We only wish to speak to King Albin," George said, voice calm and non-threatening, but firm. Then men seemed to consider, sharing short looks, before lowering their bows. "Wait here," the same man replied, and turned back into the camp, jogging away to relay the message. George looked at Dream reassuringly, supposing they had crossed the first hurdle, that was, not getting shot straight away.