King and Lionheart [Dreamnotfound AU]

Chapter 19: Just in time

Dream thrust his hands to the ground in a last-ditch effort. Thorny vines erupted upwards in a flash of green as the prince's magic pulled up everything it could. The wall of vines grew eight feet and curved back like a breaking wave to shelter Dream and the last of his squadron from the arrows.

His soldiers were gathered around him, fending off swords and spears from every other direction. There were only a dozen of them left.

Dream picked up his sword, breathing heavily. He could smell blood overpowering the metal and sweat and grime as swords clashed together and fighters cried out in pain.

His head ducked before he even sensed the spearpoint flying though the space he had been, but it was too close. The battle drained his powers.

Dream sat down hard against the wall he'd made. His hands were shaking like the ground under hooves of enemy reinforcements. They were coming, galloping closer. His soldiers clenched a tighter defence in desperation.

"Up, boy," said Phil. "We aren't going down without a fight, or did I teach you nothing?"

He winced as he spoke—an arrowhead spewed blood from the back of his shoulder—but he stood as tall as he could and gave the prince his shield.

Dream took it with a steadying breath and got to his feet, glancing through the vines to make out a black-bannered cavalry approaching to end them.

I'm going to die here.

The Duresh dwindled. Phil put himself between Dream and the attackers. The prince's breath caught in his throat.

An arrow whizzed into the ear of a black-clad soldier from afar, and Dream thought for a second it was the enemy firing on their men again to kill him. But the body fell and the fletching wasn't black; it wasn't white and red either.

The Duresh reinforcements were gone, so Dream's final stand looked up in surprise at the battalion storming in from their flank. He couldn't see them clearly, and thought, Oh great, someone else is coming to kill us.

Then more arrows soared from the newcomers. They arced over Dream's shield and pierced the charging cavalry. Dream gasped.

A horn called retreat and the attackers ran back the way they'd come, obviously outnumbered.

The leader rode up and stopped at the last of the prince's guards still defending him like a hedgehog.

It was Techno.

Dream let out a sob of relief. It took all his energy not to jump up and hug the man.

"Cathens comes to aid you." His soldiers spread in a line behind him, and Dream had never seen a more beautiful sight. The polished armour and clean weapons, and behind them the bold blue flag emblazoned with the symbol of House Caleur. The king. George. George sent help. Dream felt tears on his cheeks.

"Thank you," Phil said gratefully. "You've arrived just in time."

GONDOR CALLS FOR AID

AND ROHAN WILL ANSWER

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Dream anxiously entered the large tent with his chin high. It was occupied by a large table and giant map with the highest generals gathered around it. King Viridian nodded at him as the prince took his place at his right-hand side.

That's all I get for not dying, I guess.

They discussed strategy and new plans. Dream was barely paying attention. He couldn't believe it was really Techno standing across from him. Cathens had come.

Bolstered by most of George's army, the tide turned to the Viridian's favour. The meeting passed in an excited flurry and Dream suddenly noticed people filing out.

"Clay, tarry a moment," his father ordered, still consumed by his messages splayed on the table.

Drea's steps stopped, then he noticed Techno had casually lingered. The strategist reached out for a handshake.

"Well met, Prince Viridian."

"Yes, sir, you too. Thank you." Dream searched, but Techno's expression gave no hint they'd met before, no indication of their connection. Until his grip released a small folded paper into Dream's hand.

Dream stilled, his mind flying ahead wondering what was written on it. Techno bowed and was gone. The prince blinked.

"Clay."

"Yes, sir." Dream obeyed, secretly stashing the note.

Bad finally looked up from his papers. "You are alright?"

"Yes, sir."

"You look shaken up."

Dream swallowed. He didn't know how to answer.

Bad mindlessly shuffled scrolls. "I myself have had closer looks at death this past month than my entire life. It does things to a person."

"Yes, sir." The prince's voice was shaky.

"You..." The king hesitated, then put a hand on Dream's shoulder. "You are very important to me, son. For more reasons than you know."

His gaze softened. "I see your mother in you, more than myself."

Dream exhaled slowly, holding his gaze, not sure if it was really his father saying these words.

"Listen." Bad cleared his throat. "You have done well. The soldiers know you'll fight alongside them when it matters, but now you can step back from the front. I don't want you in any more danger."

Really? Holy shit.

"Yes, sir."

His father brusquely squeezed him. Dream froze.

"You stay careful, son."

"I will, Father," Dream managed to say.

Bad let go as suddenly as he'd hugged him.

"Dismissed. Go on and rest."

Dream bowed and walked out into the fading sunlight, uncertain if that'd actually happened or not.

As soon as he was sure he was alone, Dream hurriedly unfolded the paper. Warm relief filled him at the sight of George's curly handwriting. It had been so long.

Dear Prince Clay,

I pray this letter finds you well, I sent it with the only other messenger I trust. By now you will have met Technoblade, and with luck King Viridian will not be offended by my country's aid.

I cherished your letters and thought of them often, despite being unable to respond. Unforeseen complications arose for my other messenger, so I may not be able to contact you for some time. However if the war ends swiftly, we could correspond regularly once again. I would like that.

And yes, you may refer to me as George in informal circumstances.

With sincere good luck,

King George Caleur

George's stroke was masterful. Now he'd rescued Duresh and if anything, put King Viridian in his debt.

Not to mention saving Dream's life in the process. I need to tell him about that someday. 

// 1038