The League of Dragon Riders: Fight or Flight (book 2)

The Meeting

"Alaina!" I scrambled out of the bed and fell onto the floor. I moaned as someone banged on my door. I ran a hand through my hair before I stood up. I fell asleep, obviously, but I didn't remember ever laying down. By the look of the low sun, it was around dinner time. Around the time of the meeting.

Great. We had meetings every week since we had spread everyone throughout the land to save/ recruit people. We've done a lot of saving but less of the recruiting. Me and Felix usually stay behind to protect our little village here when they leave. We usually all make it to the weekly meetings for the updates on whatever news they had.

"Coming!" I yelled as I struggled to pull on my boots. I glanced at the mirror and tried to fix my bed hair but soon gave up. Carrying about appearances was for Madam Carmen. Besides, most of them have seen me looking worse. I hurried out the door, past Madam Carmen, and bounded down the stairs.

As always, my heart skipped a beat as I saw Felix. It has been doing that a lot lately, no matter how much I try to stop it. He was lounging in a chair while his mother was busy tending to his shoulder. He had gained three new scars to his shoulder. Normally looking cleaner and proper than the rest of us, he almost looked as bad as Fergus. His dark short hair was sticking up at all angles and his clothes were dirty and ripped in several places.

My eyes left Felix and traveled to the members of our little clan. Yes, we have made a clan of our own. There was Fergus who was sitting in the corner with a chicken leg in his hand, his booming laughter filling the small dining room. Arthur and Magnus were sitting in the corner holding a quiet conversation. Arthur was Magnus's father and believe it or not he was taller than Fergus. His forehead hit the top of every doorway he passed through, leaving his short dark blond hair in a mess. His son, Magus, had long blond hair twisted into a braid that went down his back. He had a serious face and didn't share his fathers temper. Jade was sitting alone playing with her knives. She might have been pretty but I could never tell. She had a shaved head and always had her face painted with various colors even when we weren't preparing for a fight. Tonight, half of her face was painted black while the other was a blood red.

Yeah, they may not look like much but they can get the job done. They had truly become a band of misfits.

"Ah," Jade sang, "our leader has finally decided to join us."

"Hello," Arthur stood and offered a bow, "Alaina."

His son nodded as he turned towards the group. A large arm wrapped around me and I stumbled backwards.

"Hello," Fergus said as he released me and plopped down in a chair behind him.

"Hello, everyone," I said as I took a seat next to Felix. He knew I didn't like these things and he always knew when to jump in.

"We'll start with you, Jade," I pointed to her. She smiled and leaned forward.

"Well, the south is getting hit the hardest, especially since their biggest city was hit three days ago. I did my best to offer our services. They didn't take them. Their defenses, however, are stronger than our own. They don't want to join our side but they also don't want to be part of this war. They're neutral for now."

"My biggest worry is the city of Drake," Arthur said.

"The city of thieves? They've been known to handle themselves, even in the first Dragon War," Annabella spoke up.

"Indeed," Arthur said, "but while I was asking around I was pulled aside by a servant of Francis DeNeigh."

"What for?" I asked. He was the king of Drake and in control of the surrounding land. He wasn't spoken highly of.

"He wants a conference, private, with you,"  Arthur said, "he will not speak to anyone else. He suggests you come at your earliest convenience and that you come quietly. Word doesn't need to be spread that you were inside his walls."

"Jade," Felix spoke up, "you've dealt with DeNeigh. What's your suggestion?"

"Unlike his subjects, he isn't a greedy man. He likes his small amount of power and will do anything to keep it. Erin and his warlock buddy threaten his power so I'd say he's trying to save his own hide from those power hungry monsters."

"So, we should go," I said, summing it up.

"Yes," Felix said with a nod, "and if we can get an alliance along the way than we'd have a good ally."

"The King of Thieves a good ally?" Magnus said with a huff.

"Maybe not in moral standard but in power," Arthur said as he elbowed his son.

"Who's all going? We mustn't let our leader go alone," Jade said.

"And if we all go, it will be harder to hide who we are," Annabella commented.

"Then it is settled," Jade sat forward, "Felix and Alaina will go to Drake."

"Why him?" Magnus asked, sounding a little sad that it wasn't him to be picked.

"C'mon, they work best together. If it's going to work, they have to be the ones to do it. Am I right, Alaina?" Jade looked me in the eyes as she asked the question, like she was daring me to question it. The fact was that I was going to say the same thing. That's one thing about Jade: we think alike.

"I can't say she's wrong," I muttered.

"But his shoulder," Annabella complained.

"We all know you'll have it healed by tomorrow anyway," Felix said with a laugh.

"I know," Annabella muttered as she shook her head, "it's just-"

"You're being a worried mother," Felix said with a grin, "we know but this has to happen."

"We leave in two days, no dragons," I said.

"Really?" Felix said.

"Yes, we don't want to be seen anywhere near Drake."

"It'll take a week to get there by horse," he reminded me.

"I know," I said with a shrug.

"Fine," Felix muttered as he stood, "I'm going to bed."

Everyone gave their muffled replies as he left. I finally looked down at the plate of dinner that had been put in front of me some time ago. I picked at it before standing to throw it away.

The city of Drake. I heard it was the last standing structure from the old era...back when people hunted dragons for game.

Back when a powerful empire ruled the far and wide.

Back when dragons ruled the skies and people shrunk in fear.

Back when dragons were the monsters and humans were the victims.