Dragons & Mermaids

Chapter XII

I came to and rubbed my eyes. I was in a cell and couldn't summon magic no matter how hard I tried. A chain was locked on my right leg and since using magic was useless, I slipped my fingers under the cuff, gripped it, and broke it open with my superior strength.

“Impressive. You think of other ways to fight besides magic.” I heard Javion. He was on the other side of the cell door. “Super strength is not a power given to a Dragon Rider.”

“You realize you’re going to die?” I asked, standing up. I didn't feel the expected weight of Terris at my hip. I looked down and saw that my sword belt was missing.

“A hollow threat is not threat at all.” he then smiled evilly. “You'll make a good slave for my master and your dragon will be a great feast when we find him.”

“He's smarter than you and he will rescue us.” I said sizing him up. “You think you'll have riches? Well, I think that he'll betray you before the sacrifice.”

“I beg to differ.” he said as he walked away.

“Oh, by the way, thanks for the sword.” He then held up Terris. “Maybe I'll use it in war or kill him if I have to.”

            I heard chains rattle and grunts of effort.

“Matthias?” I heard Ashley.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Let's see: my parents are dead. My uncle has betrayed them, and I am going to be sacrificed. Do you think I am alright?”

            I heard her grunt again and chains rattled from her cell, then she said “I don't want to die.”

“How bad are you chained?” I asked.

“Pretty bad. This time they chained me to a post and to the wall since you broke the door.”

“Listen to me. You are not gonna die. They'll have to kill me if they want you. I promise you that.” “You make a lot of promises.”

“I already broke one and I am not going to break this one.”

“You don't have to. Evil wins no matter what.” Ah-Mel said, walking past the cells. “Besides the evil started with the murder of your old man.”

“What are you saying?” I asked.

“I am saying Javion's master killed your old man.”

“No! That is not true!”

“Believe it. He stabbed your father and he squealed like a pig.”

            Filled with rage, I reached through the bars and grabbed him pulling him close to my face. I could see the fear in his eyes.

“When I get outta here, I will kill you all. Starting with him.” I growled.

            Then I shoved him into the wall. He ran topside. I slumped to the wall and sank down to the floor, scraping the wooden wall with my armor.

“Matthias, it's gonna work out. We'll get outta here.” I heard Ashley.

“Just stay away from my path of attack. I'm out for blood and I will not hesitate in the final battle.” I growled at her.

            The ship's propellers started to idle and Ah-Mel and many other men came to the cell block. They knocked me out before I could get out of the cell and escape. When I came to my senses, I was dragged by my feet and forced to march to a dark fortress. My friends were being marched along me and we had our hands chained behind our backs. Ashley was shackled by her hands in front of her again. Javion was pulling her to the fortress by her arm. I looked up to see storm clouds forming and Vanilor circling the fortress high above. I contacted him.