Autumn's Fall

XVI. Autumn Falls

The Minister of Spring raced to his friend's side. He was sure, he was so sure he had seen her. But was it really only a trick of his frantic mind? She hadn't been far from his thoughts at any time since her disappearance. Perhaps the stress of the day and everything else was finally getting to him.

He caught up to the Minister of Summer who gave him a withering glare, "Don't ever do that again."

"Sorry," he winced as he took his place next to him.

The dragon had slinked away, but they skirted back around to block his escape. He roared at them as his leaves swirled menacingly into the air around him.

The Minister of Spring raised his hand, and the woods behind them suddenly came alive. Trees and great vines soared into the air as they grew-faster than plants had any business growing-and created a rounded cage, blocking the dragon's escape.

The dragon bared his teeth at the living bars; he knew they would be iron-hard against his claws. His leaves flew straight at the Minister of Spring, knocking him off his feet. Though the dragon's power was tainted, he could hold his own in a fight against any of the Ministers of the Seasons.

The Minister of Summer's illuminated eyes narrowed at the dragon, "Now, that wasn't very nice of you." The air around him began to ripple as waves of heat radiated off him, the inside of the cage rapidly becoming unbearably hot. Flames trailed down the edges of his bright sword as he casually twisted his wrist, causing an arc of flame and metal to dance before him.

The Minister of Spring hurried to his feet as the dragon roared again, raising more leaves into the air and sending them flying towards them again. Without a word, the Minister of Summer stepped forward and pointed his sword at the leaves. The instant they came near him, they burst into flames, flowing around but not touching the Ministers. Fire belonged to the Minister of Summer, and once the leaves were lit, they were under his control.

The Minister of Spring raised his sword then brought it down in a swift motion. From outside the cage of trees, twenty bows poked between leaves and stems and loosed another volley. The dragon tried his best to scramble out of their way without much success. He fell screaming in another pile of his leaves. By now he was looking considerably thinner, his skin hung slack against his bones, his walk now a gimp rather than a stride.

Two large vines, carrying two large jugs, shot forth from the back of the cage and deposited their burdens at the feet of the Ministers. The dragon's eyes flew open in panic at the sight of them. It tried its best to retreat from them until its back was against the opening to the mound. It frantically roared as its eyes glowed red. The whole cage filled with a great wind which stirred up the leaves so thickly it could no longer see the Ministers.

With a great whoosh the leaves caught fire, spreading up and back to reveal the two ministers standing untouched by the leaves or flames. They walked purposefully towards the dragon, who was slinking back into the opening in a futile effort to get away, but he had nowhere left to go.

They stood at the dragon's head while he quivered in fear, his eyes shifting wildly from either of them to their swords to the jugs in their hands.

"Autumn." The Minister of Summer's voice caught his attention. He focused on him, but could not long look upon his face. "You have yet again resisted your cure and punishment. You are sentenced to ten years solitary confinement to be executed immediately."

They stood at either side of the dragon's head now. He tried to thrash away from them but large vines came from the forest and snaked around his neck and pinned him to the ground. He could not break free of them. His breathing was quick and shallow, his eyes no longer glowed, the slits of them were so thin they were barely more than a line.