Dragon- Hero

Chapter 13: Unleash the Dogs of War

     Night quickly arrived in Westerruff. All 15 Lords and Maidens made their way to the great capital without a hitch. Each bringing there sons and daughters bearing gifts at hand in celebration to Prince Allen.

     A loud horn began to play. "Ladies and gentlemen. The King and Queen of Westerruff."

     From the half spiral are the King and Queen. Wrapping one arm to each other walking down the stairs. A applause welcomes them as they enter the room. Then silence.

     "The Princess Diana and Princess Petra."

     They walked down Diana on the left staircase and Petra on the right staircase. They were stunning, you could hear the oohs and ahhs of the crowd. Diana blushed bright red before meeting her sister with their parents. Again an applause filled the Hall, the silence again.

     "The crown Prince Collin."

     Collin also entered and another applause came just as loud as before. Collin couldn't stand the boredom of traditional ceremony. He then sat of the stone railing of the staircase and slid down missing his timing and landed face first. "Gasp" and laughter echoed the Hall. The King in a disappointed face used one arm and lifted his son. Collin hangs is head in shame. His twin sister holds his hand and smiles. It made him feel better.

     "And the moment you've all been awaiting for. Prince Allen Christopher Vanderbelt."

     He entered with a smile wide and his left hand simi-waving to all that have arrived. Making his way to his father and mother. The king raised his hand signaling them to stop. He then spoke, "I would like to thank you all for coming this way. We are here to celebrate two occasions today one for my son and the other for my daughter. And young men she's single!" He then begins laughing loudly.

     Both the Queen and Diana slap their heads in embarrassment. The other children begin to laugh. A hand raised up and all laughter and noise cease to exist, it was the Queen. She looked at the King and the he hanged his head in shame.

     "Ahem. Without further ado. Let the party begin."

                            *****

     The party was a hit. However, even with all the festivities, two people sat alone; Diana and Allen. Diana sitting down, tired from dancing with suitable Lords that seeked her hand. Then tgere was Allen who just felt bored muttering under his breath. "Man, I wish I had my Xbox One here playing Call of Duty at least then I would have something to do."

     Diana overheard. "An X- what, Allen?"

     "Nothing," he said. It was supposed to be a secret. No one knew.

     Suddenly a young man approached, his personal knight keeping a safe distance from behind. He offered Diana a hand not even saying a word. She was in no position to decline. The King was starring, ushering her to stand. She gathered whatever strength she had left and joined him. They made their way to the middle of the floor and began dancing. At first she didn't mind him and actually started to like him for his facial features and his bright blue eyes until he spoke.

     "Hello dear Princess, name is Alexander L. Drayton. A pleasure to meet you your highness."

     "Hello." She said. He kiss her hand and guided her to the dance floor. She blushed the entire time.

     "Can't you imagine them a good couple. I mean look at them." Diana overheard an older woman comment about them. The people were just staring all talking like the make the perfect couple.

     "Shouldn't we just take it easy?"

     "Why? There just eating it up and besides I'm obviously the better choice than the other Lords here." Alexander then chuckled. This caused Diana to feel annoyed afterwards just by listening to him talk.

     "Can you believe that brat, pulling that stunt. It was me I would never embarrass you." Alexander said in a snobbish tone.

     "That "brat" is my brother and you're in no position to talk about him." Said Diana. They still danced making sure the adults don't hear there conversation.

     "I was just stating a fact, my dear. But you have to admit, he will never be a good king unlike me, I mean just look at him." Diana turned her head and witnessed her brother cause the butlers and maids trouble yet again. "See what I mean undisciplined and unpredictable. A king should be strong, courageous, and above all will to do anything to ensure victory. Someone like..."

     "Like you." Diana finished

     "Yes. Like me." He moved in closer, closing his eyes and puckering his lips. This made Diana furious, she removes her right hand away from Alexander readying herself to slap him. She was beat to the punch by Petra. Punching him in the jaw knocking him away from her sister.

     "I think you should leave, unless you want the other to see your butt." Holding a leather belt and her hand dangling it in front of him. It took a second for Alexander to realize his pants were falling. Unfortunately, it was too late. His pants fell and a burst of laughter could be heard outside the castle walls. Louder than ever. The young lord was embarrassed. Then the laughter ended with the King stood behind Petra twirling the belt in hand.

     "Return his belt, apologize, then head to your room."

     "But he was ......" Petra tried to explain only to be shot down again. Even Diana's attempt was silenced when she tried to speak. "Enough, do it!" The King exalted. Petra return the belt as she was told but instead of apologizing to the young lord she turned to the King and said, "I hate you!" Then darted out of the hall and headed for the garden outside. Following her was Diana, Collin and Allen. All rushing to comfort their sister.

     Arriving at the garden she stopped and picked up a little pebble. Tossing it across the lake.

     "Why defend that asshat? I did nothing wrong!" Petra said sobbing.

     "You know as well as any of us. We can't just thrash out at anyone, especially a noble." Said Daina. Each sibling hugged Petra and then one after another only Petra and Diana remained.

     "You were right about one thing though." Diana said in a small laugh. "What???" "He was a asshat. Talking about my family really gets to me but don't worry I hate him the most out of all the boys.....Thank you." They hugged again. "Your welcome."

     Then Diana stood up brushed herself down and started to walk back to the Great Hall. She stopped died in her tracks when she heard a scream. It frighten her, she turned around to see a hooded figure standing over her sister who was laying down motionless. She was died. The cold stare that looked at the night sky, a no breathing body was permanently scarred within Diana's mind.

     Diana ran quickly to her sister screaming and crying. She thought of nothing but the hooded man that stood there and attacked him. Swinging both arms which had no effect on him. She grabbed on to a piece of cloth to prevent him from escaping from the palace guards that heard the scream as well. In a final tugged the cloth ripped and something sharp fell to the ground, the hooded man made his escape.

     The King and Queen were first to arrived to the scene. The Queen immediately fainted and the King's face was almost white as snow."Who did this? WHO DID THIS?!" He barked. He looked to Diana, she loosened her hand to reveal the blue cloth with part of a signal on it. Then he noticed the sharp object. It was curved with a very fine point and white.

     "What.... is....this?" Tears ran down his face. A royal guard approached him, took the object and verified it. "It's a Lindworm tooth. They're snakelike dragons, some often with a venomous bite, with no limbs. Unfortunately they're only found in one place and it is not here in the kingdom." The King grabbed the guard closest to him.

"Where?"

(GLUMP)

"The Thannos Empire. Sire."