The Last Dragon

Chapter 14 - Not Just Dragons

"Griffins," the big knight muttered. "They're fast, so don't take any chances. Stay close."

She drew her sword. Ilia shifted her shield onto her arm. Hopefully, those lessons were enough. A flash of gold through the trees drew her eye. Something passed over the canopy and was gone, faster than a blink. The trees shook. Something big was coming.

"Come out, girl. We want to talk."

Ilia shivered. She tightened her grip on her sword. There was nothing she wanted to say to that voice. He could take his spear and shove—

"She's not interested," Knight-Master Brannon called back. "Talk to me instead." His fingers wiggled, and he muttered a spell. "It's just the black knight and two griffins." He kept his voice low.

"Just, he says," Eri mumbled. "That's enough, Master."

"We can do this. I'll handle the black knight, keep him busy, with the griffin he's riding. You keep her safe from the other griffin. You're ready."

Ilia glanced between the knights. "Are we better hiding, or waiting, or something?"

"We have to cross the open fields to get into the hills. We can face them now or later." The Knight-Master pulled his shield from his back to his arm. "I'll cast glamours and create multiple versions of us. With luck, the knight won't know who to attack. If the griffins are visual hunters, they might also fall for it. If their sense of smell is good, we might still be in trouble."

"Master, with all due respect," Eri folded his arms over his chest. "That's a terrible plan."

"I'd love to hear a better one." The big knight stared down at Eri.

Eri dropped his gaze and shook his head. "How will we know which of us is real?"

"I'll know you two through my magic." The big knight sighed. "Ilia, keep your eyes on Eri. The real Eri. Don't lose him. This'll get chaotic, but you two run for the hills and stay together."

"I'm waiting." The black knight sounded annoyed, and Ilia smiled.

"We're coming out," the big knight called back. "Ready, kids?"

Ilia stayed as still as she could with her knees shaking. The big knight chanted softly. Images shimmered all around her, multiple versions of them standing around. Ilia stared around at them all, the images mirroring her movements. Oh, drat, which one's Eri? Please let this be him. He was standing right beside her.

"Let's go." The big knights all spoke in unison, the voice sounding from all around her.

"This is weird," the many versions of Eri muttered.

Focus on Eri, Ilia reminded herself. I know where I'm going. I can feel it. I can do this. She glanced up at the Eri beside her and saw movement in her peripheral vision. All the Ilia's glanced at the nearest Eri. Eri smiled at her. Ilia gave her head a shake. This was mind bending.

"Once we're through the trees, run." The big knights all turned and marched through the trees.

Ilia slipped a hand into Eri's and felt his gauntlet. Good, that's the real one. They approached the edge of the trees. A black knight sat on a griffin in the open field, the other griffin beside him.

The big knights charged from the trees, swords swinging, all yelling a battle cry that made Ilia's legs shake.

"This way," Eri whispered, tugging on her hand.

They ran into the fields and all the images of them scattered. Some ran across the fields, others through the swarm of big knights going at the griffins, and others in random directions. Ilia pushed herself faster, running hand in hand with Eri towards the hills.