The Dragonriders

Chapter 21

The Death Of A Leader

Tara'li

After the Lamia is armed and the Dwarves made themselves look like idiots we return to Celaris. There I go straight for the council again. When everyone is collected I look up at them. 'I bring news from the Emerald Realm.'

Celeste doesn't let me talk yet. 'Has your trip been successful? Is everyone in your squad armed and ready for battle?'

I suppress the urge to yell at her. 'My squad is combat ready. However I have important news. The queen of the Emerald Kingdom has declared open war on the Demons. She has gone out of the Emerald Kingdom to lead the war effort herself.'

The council is silent as the words sink in. The Elf of the farms silently speaks as he is the first to fully grasp the meaning. 'All of the armies of the Elves going to battle... the Emerald Realm is now unprotected...'

I speak up. 'Not unprotected. She left some forces behind but the offense is great. I'd like to request deployment with the Elven forces as a support role.'

The leader looks around the room. When he finally lets his eyes fall upon me his voice is calm but suppressed. 'Are you sure you wish such? I foresee events happening in the upcoming battle that will possibly leave you wounded for a long time. The history of the world is about to be rewritten and none of us will wish to be there when it happens.'

I draw my sword and raise it. 'It is my task to be there, leader. I'm a Dragon Guard. My task is to ride into war and fight those Demon forces. And as the princess of the Elves and the Warrior Princess it is also my task to stand by my mothers side to protect her and lead her forces into death or victory. If I'm going to be wounded in the process, then so be it. Wounds will heal.'

The leader seems to be torn. In the end the Forge Master speaks. 'Gather the supplies. We will see if you are as resilient as you think you are. Rest for today, you can leave in the morning. May the stone below your feet remain solid, Wing Leader Tara'li.'

Celeste

When Tara'li leaves I ask the leader why he was so doubtful. When he speaks he seems somewhat disturbed. 'I have seen a possible future. If she fights this battle as she fought in the Emerald City, she could fall. Even if she doesn't, this battle will leave her scarred and possibly vulnerable. I know she will return to the save zone after this battle, however where she will go and if she has fallen will be the unknowns. Another thing to keep in mind is we may lose her as well.'

I'm shocked. Losing Tara'li? The girl I taught magic? The girl who turned the tables on a full invasion of the Emerald City? Trusted by the Dwarven King and even the leader himself? 'In that case I will follow her squad. I will not let her fall.'

The leader stops me. 'All of us are to old for combat, mage. To go to the front could lead to your own death, not to say what would happen if a Demon got your soul.'

The magic seems to be boiling inside me. 'Leader, with all due respect, guarding her sanity and her life is top priority now. She is meant for greater things than I have done in my entire life. Should I fall you can always find better mages to take my place. Younger, more ambitious mages. If she falls we lost a hero before she reached her prime. We cannot afford to lose a hero now. I already lost one, I cannot lose another.'

The council falls silent. Finally when the leader speaks he seems sad. 'Be careful. Your first priority will be to protect Tara'li. If you can prevent any deaths in her direct environment, but if you cannot try to keep the amount as low as possible. And that does not mean throw yourself in front of some Demon magic but do practice damage control.'