The Dragon Bond

Chapter 33

         "James? James? My King!" Ser Daryl shouted.

 
It took a moment for James to realize Ser Daryl was shouting at him. When he did, he noticed he was no longer in the water, but rather on the deck of one of the few undamaged ships, sailing away from the battlefield. Panicked, James hurried to the stern, nearly throwing himself over the back rail as he looked out over the water. Smoke still rose into their air, partially obscuring what remained of the allied blockade.

"Tell me we aren't retreating," James exclaimed, infuriated.

Ser Daryl sighed, and dropped his head.

"Our losses were to great. We were outnumbered. Even without dragons, it would have been nearly impossible for us to break their lines through sheer numbers alone. We dealt great damage, but we no longer have the naval means to contest the blockade. The only thing we can do now is kill the dragons and hope that's enough to break their spirits," Ser Daryl replied.

James scoffed, and stomped down the steps.

"Have we collected survivors from any of the downed vessels? Friend or foe, we mustn't just leave men to drown," James asked.

Ser Daryl shook his head.

"Don't you remember? We were pulling survivors from both sides from the water when one of the dragons dove on us. Our ship was sunk, and it took Ser Kraig and his old father with it. After that, the others retreated as soon as it was clear the battle was lost," he replied.

James dropped to his knees, utterly defeated.

"So we have left men to suffer and drown. Friend or enemy, no man deserves so suffer in that manner. I have tortured many innocent people and when I move to change my ways, my own men leave their brothers to drown or be sucked to the depths. Despicable," James exclaimed.

"There wasn't anything more to be done," Ser Daryl began, ""the dragons were relentless. We crippled one and killed another, after that the others had no mercy on us. The golden one dove on drowning men time and time again, killing them all. The bitch killed hundreds of her own men in the firestorm as well. To remain to try and save survivors would have almost certainly meant suicide for us all."

James sighed. He huffed and started pacing around the deck, constantly looking skyward, terrified to see a dragon descending on them all.

"The dragon we shot down, was the rider recovered alive?" he asked nervously.

Ser Daryl shook his head.

"No, it sank when it struck one of the ships. The rider was almost certainly taken with it," he explained.

James shook his head in anger.

"Then we've murdered a child. The dragons need to die, but for the sake of humanity, try to take the riders alive. They're only children," he said disparagingly.

Ser Daryl nodded.

"It is a tragic end to a short life, but such is the nature of war. They attacked us, we fought back and did what was required to survive. There are no true winners in war," Replied Ser Daryl.
James sighed.

"I suppose so. When we return home, we must prepare for the next attack. We need to strike back immediately," said James.

"My King," Ser Daryl began,"  suffered a crushing defeat here today. The best thing we can do now is hold out behind our walls. Only their dragons can get through them with ease. As such, making a final stand there would render much of their army useless. We could kill the dragons with relative ease and then hold out against the foot soldiers until their supplies run dry,."
James pondered, strongly considering Ser Daryl s suggestion.

"With the blockade in place, we won't have much in the way of supplies either," he finally replied.

"It's better than meeting them in an open field. Thousands more will die needlessly. If we can draw them into our domain, where we are strongest, we have a better chance of taking down the remaining dragons. Without them, this rebellion is nothing. If we all congregate in one location, the rebels won't be able to resist an attack. And when they arrive, we'll be waiting for them, and this time, we will have the advantage," Ser Daryl insisted.

James's eyes grew narrow.

"And what of my family? Where do you purpose they go when we willingly bait such a force to our gate?" he asked.

"The cellars. Unlikely the dragons flames will make it down that far. The same will go for all women and children. The dragons will be met with nothing but fighting me, determined to spill their blood," Ser Daryl replied.

James smirked.

"I believe you have earned a promotion, Ser Daryl," he said.