The Dragon Bond

Chapter 6

                   Two men approached the perimeter wall, one struggling to walk. Archers drew their arrows awaiting the command to send them off, whilst three dozen guards stood ready behind the sealed gate, swords half unsheathed. As the two men approached, the archers followed them with their arrows. Only when they were nearly at the gate, did they realize these were men of the King.

"Have mercy on them. Open the gate!" Shouted the archer's commander.

The gate was swiftly unlocked and swung open; three dozen swords being sheathed with it. The two men entered, the guards starring them down, disgusted and horrified at what they had seen before them. One of the men had burns on half his face, with one eye burned so badly it had turned red. The other man was not burned but was visibly shaken and terrified. Both had either lost or abandoned their armor and had nothing with them but two daggers.

"We have a message for the King. We must see him at once." The uninjured man declared, his voice shaking.

The guards looked at each other, puzzled. Seeing the men were serious, they escorted them to the throne room quickly, where King James and four of his councilmen were speaking. Taking no formality, the uninjured man boldly interrupted the men, paying no mind to the possible consequences.

"Your excellency! Your excellency! I bring a message from the expedition north!" He shouted.

James scoffed, scolding the soldier for his entrance. But still the soldier persisted. It became clear quickly that these men were the only survivors, and so James' attention was quickly drawn. While the soldier that had been burned collapsed to the ground from exhaustion, the other knelt and bowed before rising and addressing the King.

"Your excellency, the expedition was successful. For the first time, we come back with news of success." He said.

James fully turned now to face the two men, his eyes wide. Surely, he was mistaken the men's intentions, for there isn't a chance they bring the news they have implied.

"There are dragons. A single pair of them in the north. They had at least one offspring, but there are likely to be more than just the one." Said the soldier.

The room was silent, but for the sound of wind whistling through the half-opened windows overlooking the throne room. James glared down at the smooth stone floor, his reflection startling him with the fear he could see in himself, so much so that he quickly turned away.

"Were you able to slay them? I demand a tooth to prove your efforts." James barked, his voice echoing in the silence.

The soldier gulped nervously.

"The Two adults were slain but we did not witness the youth meet his end. Though I see it likely as the villagers brought one of them down themselves. I see no way for the young one to have survived." The soldier said.

Just then, Lyrine was escorted into the throne room, having already received the message, briefed to her by one of the guards.

"Is it true?" she asked nervously.

James paused a moment.

"Apparently so."

Lyrine then looked over at the soldiers, seeing the burns on one of them. She covered her mouth, disturbed at the sight. James shook his head with anger, stopping his foot.

"Call a meeting with my councilmen at once. See to it the injured man be treated. The other will tell his tale at the meeting." James ordered.

The council room had not yet been prepared for a surprise meeting, though James paid it no mind. He hurriedly sat and impatiently waited for his councilmen to enter and sit. Once they finally did, the unburned soldier was brought in by two guards.