Autumn's Fall

XV. The Rescue of the Children

Fight a man? Sure! She was trained for it. Fight a flightless dragon? There AREN'T classes for that! The Minister of Winter looked around at the twenty-so warriors standing at the ready, an arrow notched against every string. Well, maybe they actually did have classes, but she'd never attended one!

A thought came to mind that took away her ability to breathe: they hadn't planned on her being here; they hadn't amply prepared her for what she would face. But, they had to know that the pull would bring her here, she couldn't resist it! Had...had one or both of her fellow Ministers been the ones who kidnapped her and locked her away for so long? But if so, why?

Anxiety overcame her and she slowly slid to the ground and sat, her arms folded around her knees. Who could she trust? If they did this...what else could or would they do to her?! Had they done anything to the old Minister of Winter? What about the Minister of Autumn- were either of them the reason he hadn't been seen in ages?

Sobs threatened to tear from her throat, but she choked them back-that would give away her position. Wiping her eyes, she looked furtively around to plan her desperate escape. As she began to crawl back the way she came, the faces of Angus and Cici flashed before her eyes. Those kids! She had to find them and save them from whatever this dragon, or those Ministers, had planned for them. But, how?

ab§d

The dragon lay on his side, panting heavily. The throws of agony had finally passed, leaving him exhausted and hurting. His eyes glossed over with tears.

The Ministers stood at his head, eyeing each other grimly. The time had come for him to decide. They could make him drink, they could practically drown him in the water, but if he did not drink willingly then it would not work. It had to be his decision.

Slowly, ever so slowly, the dragon's tears dried. Gingerly, he sat up, wincing as he did, and inspected his body. No change was evident, and he gave a great, heaving sigh, a little of the fire going out in his eyes.

The Ministers of Spring and Summer glanced at each other in alarm. The Minister of Spring stepped forward, "I'm sorry this hurts you, my friend. I'm sorry for the agony you face every time. Please. Drink again, you've so little left. Just a few more mouthfuls and you'll be done!"

As a melancholic tear slipped from his dimming eye, the dragon twisted his head to hover over the vessel again. His jaws slowly cracked open, then half shut as he jerked slightly back, then inched open again as his head dipped a little lower towards the water. His eyes narrowed a bit as he forced his head closer, taking a quick little lick as his tongue flicked the surface.

Recoiling, agony shot through him, making his body twist and convulse again in excruciating pain. Though it did not last quite as long as the first episode, the pain was no less, and he lay on his side panting once more as the Ministers stood beside him in hopeful sympathy.

The dragon struggled to his feet, then stumbled a few feet forward, past the basin of water.

The Ministers lunged after him, "You can't leave yet! You know you have to finish!"

Shaking his head in reply, he gave a desperate cry, trying his best to convey something which was lost to them.

"You're so close! Just a few more mouthfuls, we know you can do it!"

He turned towards the forest, his eyes closed in frustration as he tried to answer them again. But only a croaking squeak came from his throat. Rising up on his back legs, he slammed his forelegs down on the ground, roaring loudly enough that the Ministers and their men were forced to cover their ears. A moment later he was off towards the forest.