Prince of Dragons

Chapter 30 - Of love and hate

A/N: Once again, I must apologise for taking so long to update. With Christmas and quite a bit of work to do, it was not always easy to get writing and to finish the chapter. I hope you enjoy it, though.

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The archers were busy opening the gates. Below, the footsoldiers were still waiting. Maréin had sat down, clutching his injured left arm, the bolt still stuck in it. Enorwin couldn't even look at his victim without feeling a pang of guilt.

As he walked down the spiral staircase that led to the courtyard, he did not see the small band of soldiers and knights accompanying a wounded duke Hadufried and the court doctor, who were walking to the stables.

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Duke Hadufried automatically looked over his shoulder as the commander of the archers entered the stables. The movement of the duke's head tugged at his wound, and he groaned between gritted teeth.

"Your Grace, the crossbowmen have rebelled against you!" the commander exclaimed. "They are opening the drawbridge to let the rebels in!"

The duke took his white stallion by the reins and guided him towards the exit of the stables. "Let them," he said. "We are leaving the castle."

"Your Grace!" the commander said. "Should we not stand and fight!"

Hadufried stopped. "You have seen the extent of that wanderer's powers. At best, only half of us would join the enemy, and then we would be defeated with ease. I intend to travel to one of my knights' castles, gather an army and then take back the castle. That is the only realistic chance we have right now."

"But what about chivalry, Your Grace?" the commander said, his voice filled with indignation. "What of bravery, of civilisation in the face of barbarity?"

"There is nothing knightly about recklessness in battle!" duke Hadufried rebuked him. "We are leaving. End of discussion!"

The commander ceased his protests. "Yes, Your Grace. Please forgive me."

"Get your horse and follow us," the duke commanded him.

The group left the stables and proceeded to mount the horses. Duke Hadufried breathed in deeply. As he lifted himself onto his horse, he could not suppress a cry of pain. He swore.

In the meantime, the drawbridge had been opened. It was time for the group to leave.

"Men!" the duke shouted. "Away! Now!"

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When Enorwin walked into the courtyard, the drawbridge had been brought down. And, more worryingly, he recognised duke Hadufried and several of his people mounting their horses. Quickly, Enorwin hurried towards him. "Stay where you are, you...!"

The duke gave the order to start riding, and they went straight for the drawbridge. Enorwin only barely managed to jump aside in time.

Duke Hadufried and his companions rode over the drawbridge in a clamour of hooves on wood, crossing the frozen moat and galloping away. Luckily, they did not go in the direction where Enorwin expected the rebels to be.

The duke of Dracherwold was gone.

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Maréin was being supported by two footsoldiers. The bolt was still stuck in his arm, and it hurt terribly. He found himself shivering, unsure whether it was because of the cold, because of his wound, or because of the realisation that finally, finally the struggle of Dracherwold was over.