The Dragonriders

Chapter 23

The Twin Castles

Tara'li

As we prepare to fly on I see the king coming towards me with something wrapped in cloth. 'Queen Tara'li.'

I greet him and turn away from my third check if the saddle is correctly put on Rashter. 'Your majesty. I feared we wouldn't get a chance to say good bye.'

He shakes his head violently. 'I would never let ye go without a good bye. Also I owed ye something. I'd like to present ye with yer new shield.'

He pulls the cloth from the shield to reveal a similar elongated shield as Oruk and Noruk had made for me, but now instead of a rougher spruce and iron construction it is a more sturdy oak and steel shield. On the middle a golden inlay shows a crossed Warhammer and Elven sword. I put my hand on the inlay. 'It is just as I imagined. A symbol to unify our two races. A symbol for our armies to march into war under. A symbol to wave victorious over de bodies of our enemies.'

He lifts the shield up, letting me strap it to my arm to try it out. It is a bit heavier but it does feel strong and sturdy. I nod to the king. He then speaks once more. 'The shield is strong and the steel is interwoven in its construction. Ye should be able to keep on using this shield for the battles to come.'

I sigh. 'If I don't see you before our next battle, know that I'd like you to stay safe. I've lost enough people already.'

The king then turns to one of the Dwarves that came with him and motions him over. The Dwarf hands over a scroll of some sort and the king gives it to me. 'Of the minotaurs and the Orks we do not know the location. However, this map shows this entire area including the location of the humans mountain top castle where ye should be able to find their leader. The few times we traded with them we had to travel far north to get onto the path to their castle but as ye fly on dragon back I think ye will find yer own route. I wish you all the luck, queen Tara'li. May the earth shine yer path.'

I grab the scroll and bow my head. 'You got my thanks, king of the Dwarves. May your name be sung in centuries to come.'

He turns to the Dwarves standing around us and raises his fist, making the Dwarves cheer. With that my squad and I walk out of the Dwarven Hold and take to the sky. As I hold the scroll out in front of me I see the Dwarven Hold drawn onto it, with a mountain range to the north. A single path moves through the range that moves towards the east to a castle on one of the peaks. I decide to try and fly over the mountains. I point to the direction as Rashter turns to the north east and our journey starts.

We fly most of the afternoon and into the evening when we reach the foothills of the mountains. Early the next morning we return to our flight when I notice dark clouds on the horizon. Rashter pokes me with his mind. 'We have to find another route to that alleged human fort. The storm straight ahead is a snowstorm, which neither dragon nor Rider will be comfortable with.'

I grab the map from my saddlebags. 'We cannot deviate now. We are almost there. Look down there is the path. It is going towards the foot of those mountains there. The castle must be in the middle of the storm.'

Rashter seems to disagree but pushes on. I then yell back to the others. 'Widen formation! We have to pass through the storm! Whatever you do, don't get to close! Pass it on!'

Noruk and Flashee nod and yell it back. Slowly the formation widens so we can pass through the storm. I then ask Sha'nok to attempt to shield us from the worst cold as Rashter flies us towards the edge of the storm cloud. 'You can still change your mind now.'

I look back and then respond. 'There is no choice. We have to push through, Rashter. I will lead them. Whatever happens, make sure my light remains lit.'