The Dragonriders

Chapter 26

The Hunt For Tresh'ta

Tara'li

For weeks I have to wait. Even with all the smiths working on my armor and the armor of Rashter it is still a lot of work. Not only that, I have to let them forge the armors for five other dragons to. When we are finally partially armored I gather the squad and prepare for the journey to the front lines. Tera'shi walks up to us with her ten centaurs, wearing her new armor with relative pride. 'I see you are going back to your war?'

I check some of the saddle straps once more and then start putting on Rashter's armor. I respond in the process of lifting one of the heavier plates up and working on tying it on. 'Yes. This last attack showed me we have to turn up the heat. I'm going for Tresh'ta. I will start hunting down the Demon Commanders with my squad. To show them that messing with me is a bad idea and only puts a price on your head.'

Tera'shi nods. 'In that case I have to wish you luck on your upcoming battle, your majesty. May the seasons bring you fortune.'

Finally the plate slips on and with one hand and a lot of sweat I manage to get the plate strapped onto Rashter. Taking a breather I respond. 'If you can get your centaurs to the front very quick I would appreciate it. I told the smiths to forge armor for the centaurs that request it and I told the guards to let the centaurs into the kingdom. However this does not mean the centaurs can misbehave as they are still to follow the same laws as any Elf.'

Tera'shi hands me over the next plate to put on Rashter. 'That much has become clear to me already. I will see you on the front lines, your majesty.'

With some help of my squad I put all the other plates on Rashter. I know it is dragon armor but with how unwieldy it all is, it feels nothing like Elven made armor. It must be the size of Rashter. Not for the first time I wish Rashter wasn't this massive. In my mind he chuckles. 'Finally realizing the disadvantage of size?'

I grumble softly. 'Oh shut up... you know how heavy these plates are for me. You must be a hundred times my size if not more...'

As the final plates are put on he tests his mobility and then turns his head to me. 'I don't really notice them that much. Are you sure it is actually armor instead of just clothing?'

I softly push against his head. 'Come on, Rashter. This is forged steel. Now you can't make any mistakes again that get you injured.'

He helps me get into the saddle. 'I'm just teasing you, Tara'li. I'm glad you care so much for me that you order a full on armor to be made for me just because I walked into one of those long pointy sticks.'

Oh Rashter... he never changes. I pat him on his armored back a couple of times and then give the command to take off.

As we fly over the lush plains I see clouds of dust rise from a wave of some charging group of creatures. Rashter, feeling my curiosity, flies lower for me to see what it is. Surprisingly it is the Orks. We made it in time. Ahead is the Elven camp. Rashter angles his wings and glides to the camp, depositing me in the middle of it. When my squad is landed I dismount and see the Elves around me, worn but all alive. One of the generals approaches me. 'Your majesty. What is the news?'

I walk over to him and motion to the tent where mom used to do her strategy. There I turn to him. 'There is good news and bad news.'

The general turns to me. 'Well, your majesty... I'd like the bad news first.'

I tap the table with the maps and statues. 'The Lamia aren't coming, nor will the Dragon Guard be coming. Even as their new council member I cannot send them into war. None of their dragons are armored.'