Dawn of Dragons

Chapter 3: Escape

"No!" Aria screamed. Her voice was drowned out by the screaming and roaring of the crowd. She ran forward. The man holding the sword was speaking.

"I'll say it again," he said, softly. "Where is your daughter?"

Aria's mother glared at him. "I don't have a daughter." She spat. He answered with a fierce kick to her ribs. Even with the distance, Aria could hear the crack of a rib breaking. The man grinned.

"But you do have a son, I see?" He picked up his sword and only directed it on top of her younger brother's neck. "Now, unless you want his head to be chopped off, tell me where your daughter is."

Aria's brother shot a frantic look at his mother. "Mom!" He started whimpering when the man brought the sword closer.

Aria's mother stared at him for a moment, tears pooling in her eyes, before slowly shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Luther. You know I can't betray your sister."

A flash of betrayal filled Luther's eyes. He didn't make a sound when a thin line of blood formed on his neck.

"Really?" The man murmured. "Then I might as well kill him in front of your eyes!" He raised his sword, ready to strike.

"No!" This time Aria yelled it louder. She pushed people out of the way and burst out in front of the man. "Take me!" She screamed. "I'm the person you want!"

The whole crowd suddenly got silent. Even the man was stunned. But he recovered fast. He let go of Luther, and he crumpled silently to the ground. Aria ran to him, then checked his heartbeat. It wad still beating, if not faintly. She turned back to the man that had hurt her brother and gave him a murderous glare. He stumbled backward in fright.

"Help..." he whispered. "Help!" He screamed and fled into the crowd. Aria was disgusted. One moment, he's ready to kill someone, the next, he's fleeing like a coward.

Suddenly, something made her almost black out.

It felt like a pull, as if something was sucking out her very life. Aria stumbled back, gasping and wheezing, before strong hands righted her. "Careful," Brunner murmured in her ear. Skie appeared next to her.

Aria gave them a weak smile. "Do you not...feel this?"

Brunner nodded. "Of course we do. But we are used to it." He suddenly tensed, then pushed her behind me. "Watch out. This isn't your everyday Knight." He hissed at her, then tossed her a heavy leather satchel. "Get ready to run if I say so."

A man had suddenly walked out of the crowd, dressed in polished armor and with a heavy sword dangling at his waist. A small pendant with a raging dragon shone proudly on his chest. His handsome face stared with amusement at her, then turned dark when they found Brunner and Skie. "Dragons," he hissed with disgust. Quickly waving his hand, more knights slinked out of the crowd, surrounding them. They were trapped.

The Knight drew his sword, and Aria heard Skie suck in a breath. He murmured something, and Aria thought he said something like "Dragon Stone". The sword had a fiery aura around it, and it shone like a diamond. The hilt was pure gold, studded with rubies, and on each side extended demon wings. But Aria knew they were designed to look like dragon wings.

"Not good," Brunner said. "We're gonna have to run." Aria didn't think she could. Every step the Knight took closer to her, the more lightheaded and weak she felt.

Suddenly, the Knight raised his sword, and slashed it at them.

An arc of pure fire flew at the air to them, and a wall of earth rose to meet it. Brunner outstretched his hand, face beading with sweat. "Get her out of here!" He growled at Skie. His hand closed in a fist and flicked upward.

The wall suddenly collapsed into one spot, forming a huge boulder, and chucked itself at the knight. It exploded into dust and smaller rocks. The whole crowd scrambled in all different directions in confusion.

Boulder and Skie grabbed Aria, and they ran. "Wait!" Aria cried. "My family!"

"Kid, do you wanna survive?" Brunner yelled at her through the noise.

Aria ignored him. "Wait, where's Skie?!"

Skie had disappeared from their side. Brunner slowed down and looked back. He was gone. But the Knight was still there, walking calmly through the stampeding crowd. He stopped in front of them.

"Bastard, what did you do with Skie?" Brunner snarled at him.

The Knight's face was emotion less. A screaming man ran toward him, trying to escape the chaos. Not even looking, the Knight pushed him aside. He fell on his face, a hideous burn mark on his back. He didn't move again.

Brunner pushed her away, toward the forest, and Aria stumbled. "Run, Aria!" He snapped. "Run and don't look back."

Aria didn't hesitate. She ran.

"Catch her!" The knights shouted. "Don't let her get away!" Footsteps thundered behind her, before being cut off by a scream of pain.

"A dragon!"

Aria shot a quick glance behind her. The silluete of a dark brown dragon-Brunner, reared in the light, then struck down, resulting in another scream of pain. It was incredible.

"Mom? What are dragons?"

Aria's mother hugged her gently, then whispered. "They are dangerous creatures, born to rule the heavens and the land with their ruthless magic. But they are also majestic creatures, their magic bringing prosperity and peace to the land. Let me tell you one thing, dear child." She clutched Aria's shoulders and looked deep into her child's ebony eyes. "And never forget this. The dragons are your future."

Sorry for any grammar or spelling errors. Most of this was typed on my phone. Feel free to tell me any suggestions or errors!