The King of Thieves Book 2: The War of the Region

Chapter 1- Dragon's Peak

             Dylan woke up from his bed with soar muscles and back. He got up and went outside. He could see the Scorching Valley below him, with the mountain soaring above the clouds.

He tried to recap everything. He remembered the blood and the gore, along with the bodies strewn about the bridge afterwards. The worst thing about it was his friend. He had been haunted by nightmares. He could remember the body in his arms, her lifeless eyes, and her blood across her body.

He went down the makeshift steps to the eating area. He sat down alone and ate some bread. He knew that after the battle, they fled to the nearest hidden base, but it was found and destroyed, so they were forced to find a hiding place in Derakyus.Then they found the Dragons's Peak, the tallest mountain in the region.

             Every week, a group would go down to the village in the valley, Jerah, to get supplies acting as researchers. Then they would bring cart loads of food up the mountain and to their base.

             He also remembered that Lady Corinthia was on the front lines, since he was the new leader of the rebellion. He finished eating and walked back up the steps and then some more. A cave was at the top of the steps and he walked into it. He went in farther to reveal three men. He knew them as General Garn, Commander Seran, and Captain Hathra. He walked to the table and they started a conversation.

"Everything is going according to plan sir." Seran said as she looked at the map on the stone table. "The front lines are distracting the enemy while the second battalion, led by General Cesear flanks them. The main problem is that Rasani has accidentally had war with a village in the kingdom of Xerxas. If he keeps this up, it could lead to a Region Civil War." She finished.

             "The front line troops are holding them back fairly well. If we can keep the enemies back, the battalion led by captain Dakota can intercept and destroy his main battalion. If that works, we will push up and get to Rasani before he knows what hits him." Said Garn as he scratched his chin, "What do you suggest King Dylan?" He asked as all heads turn to him.

             "I still think we should be in the front lines and fight him back. Dabagar is near the battalion, so if we kill him, it will halt Rasani forces on their tracks." He said as he looked back at them.

             "I am sorry my liege, but we can't allow that. Remember what Corinthia said, you can't be in the front lines, you will be their main target." Said Captain Hathra as they looked back at the map. Dylan sighed and left the war room after the meeting.

             Zlandi looked at Dylan on the hill and sat by him. "You want to fight do you?" He said as he looked at him.

             "Of course I do! I deserve to be on the front lines, even if I have do it without permission from the others!" Dylan screamed as he got up.

             "Then follow me." Zlandi replied as he got up. Dylan followed him as the started to climb the mountain. They got to a platform where Tyson and Diane sat. They all climbed until they got to a huge flat space and a cave at the mountain side.

             Zlandi got some fish and threw it onto the ground. Dylan fell to the ground at the sight. A dragon came out of the cave and started to gulp down the fish. It was as black as the night, with hands on the wings and two hind legs. It looked at Dylan with fire orange eyes.

             "We have been making saddles for each of ours, including yours." He said as the king got up. Tyson went down as Dylan looked at all four of them.

             "Each one has a name but the green one, he is going to be yours." Said Zlandi as Dylan walked up. He put a hand on its snout as it puffed a plume of smoke. He saw multiple spikes that went along his back all the way to the tail.

"I'll name him," he thought for a while."Thorne, yeah, his name is Thorne" he said assuringly.

"Well, Dylan, Thorne is the leader of this fine quartet." Said Tyson as he got in the saddle. Dylan mounted the saddle and held on to the reigns in the beast's mouth. It suddenly stirred itself.

As it stopped, Thorne roared a mighty roar, and the other three followed. He prepared his wings, and took to the sky. He darted downwards quickly, entering and exiting the camp quickly. He shouted with glee as he found a clip flailing from the saddle. He attached it to a hole in his pants and looked down.

He could see the beautiful valley below him. The small villages dotted about, the edges that bordered it, and the astonishing river that flowed through with endless water. He also saw the clouds, with the usual fluffiness and calm below him.

His friends came to his right and left, as well as Zlandi in front of him. Tyson's was like his dragon, but with a sea blue, while Diane's was a royal purple. He finally looked at Zlandi's dragon. His was the black one.

They landed many hours later. They were at the fire as Dylan looked at the majestic beasts.

"Mine is Char." Said Zlandi as the night black male put his head to his master's. "Purple is named Flame, and big blue is Torent." He continued.

Tyson began to speak. "We will be able to reach Captain Dakota by tomorrow. If they follow protocol, they will have their new camp set." He said.

"Yeah, Dakota." Dylan said with shame. It has been seven months since he saw her. He didn't see her for his or her day of birth, and she probably hates him for never even sending a note. He slept at his beast's stomach, and fell into a deep sleep.