The Dragon Bond

Chapter 18

"Good morning my love," Lyrine said, laying on top of James.

James chuckled, stretching. He tried to sit up, but Lyrine pushed him back into the mattress, grinning. She kissed him on the lips, rather aggressively.

"Be careful not to wake Nira," James said.

Lyrine raised an eyebrow, "she's in the next room, I doubt she will wake."

James shrugged.

"Well, we can never be too careful, besides, we wouldn't want any surprise siblings," James said playfully as he flipped Lyrine over onto the bed, crawling on top of her. She gasped, covering her mouth.

"James!" she exclaimed, smiling.

He tilted his head," yes, M'Lady?"

She laughed, shaking her head.

"You're a devilish man James, that's what I can't get enough of!" she exclaimed.

The two kissed passionately for a moment, but stopped when the sound of footsteps thundering up the stairs caught their attention, the door bursting open a moment later.

"Your Excellency! Your Excellency!" Ser Daryl shouted, bursting into the King's chambers.

James and Lyrine were in bed together, Lyrine on top of James. They both scrambled to cover themselves, but Ser Daryl paid it no mind.

"What? What is it you bother us for?" James barked.

Ser Kraig pointed out the open window of the tower, not saying anything. In the distance, a loud screech echoed across the field. James's eyes grew wide, his breath taken away. He jumped from the bed and dressed himself quickly, grabbing his sword.

"Ser Daryl, take Lyrine and Nira into the cellar's at once, and do not allow them up for any reason until this is done. Bring Ser Kraig to the battlements when they're both safe," James commanded.

Ser Daryl nodded, then quickly rushing Lyrine from the room. She tried to say goodbye to James, but Ser Daryl persisted, dragging her away. Quickly James armed himself, rushing to the battlements atop the outer wall surrounding the castle. Upon reaching them, the wall was chaotic. Soldiers, maids, and butchers alike scrambled for safety. Though no threat could be seen, many had heard what the scouts had reported.

"Ready the archers!" James shouted.

Archers made quick to take their posts, lining the wall by the thousands. Momentarily, nothing came into view, the field vast and empty, but for the tree line at the field's edge. James drew his sword, perhaps to feel comforted, waiting impatiently for his foe to appear. Ser Kraig arrived out of breath and sweating, but not a moment too soon.

"Surely, they haven't come for us? Not now? They can't have rallied an army already. I refuse to believe it," James exclaimed, panicked.

Ser Kraig wiped sweat from his forehead.

"I know what I heard and I know what that scout group said," he said, pausing," dragons are coming," he finished.

James scoffed. He looked around, panicking that his home and people were about to be slain. His breathing felt heavy, his mind racing. He nearly stumbled over as the pain in his head from stress grew too much to handle.

"Your Excellency! Your Excellency!" shouted Ser Kraig as he tried to help James stand."

He slapped James twice, getting no response.

"James!" he shouted.

Finally, James acknowledged him. He stumbled to his feet, still dizzy.

"Your Excellency, we need you on the wall. The men need you for moral," insisted Ser Kraig.