Pure Ice

Chapter 5 - The Appearance of the Enemy

It had been three days already and Sheila and finally caught up with the group. She did not have any trouble with hunting their trails however, them being on horse and her on foot was another. Sheila did not care much though since she was also a very fast and natural sprinter. She could travel all day with only a piece of bread and a bottle of water.

Watching the three walk into an inn, Sheila sat on the roof tiles and rested. Looking up at the night sky, she decided that she did not need to make her appearance yet. First she'll observe and watch, then if they are in any dire need, she will help them out.

Sheila sat on the roof, remembering back to the times when she was still in the forest with the rest of the others. When the humans did not disrupt their peace and everyone was happy. Why was it that humans are never satisfied with what they already have?!

Out of no where, Sheila felt some killing intent directed in her direction, towards the inn. The sudden feeling made her stand up so fast that she scared the surrounding birds.

Looking around, she saw no one watching. Everywhere there were only townsfolk walking around with their shopping bags. Couples dining together and kids playing the the streets. That was when she saw him, a man in all black holding a strange mirror, similar to hers except with the designs of a knife stabbing an eye, with two snakes coiled around it. Gross....

Feeling death coming, she turned around to find herself watching rows of dragons heading straight for the village. The number of dragons were so fierce that they looked like storm clouds, even with her excellent eyes, she could not make out the amount of enemies. The most logical decision was to flee. Jumping off the roof and onto the balcony Sheila made her way into the people's room.

Thanks to her great reflexes she was spared of being cut down and wasting any more time. In front of her stood krýakardiá and Mythios, their swords directed at her neck and heart.

To her surprise, Mythios spoke first instead of the other two. "Your the girl from the forest. What are you doing here? Did you follow us?"

"That's right. I suggest you guys pack your belongings this instance." Sheila replied.

"And why is that?" Demanded Krýakardiá.

Sheila looked at him. "Dragons are coming. Tons of them, I suggest you do as I say if you want to live."

Lilac screams and pointed out the balcony doors a dragon was heading their way, fast. Krýakardiá and Mythios looked at each other in surprise before looking back at Sheila.

"Who are they after, you?" Mythios asked.

Sheila shook her head, sending her silver hair into a mess. "They are after no one, well I'm not too sure. I know for certain they are not after me and if you guys want to live, hurry your little hides and follow me."

Turning to face the window, she sees that one dragon had already made it to their location. Sheila takes out her fans and using a ripple in the air, sent the dragon flying. It crashed into the mountains and stopped moving. Sheila could tell it was not dead and won't be unconscious for long, turning around she sees them watching her. "You guys done?"

"What was that? How strong are you?" Asks Mythios.

"Never mind that" said Sheila, "we gotta get going."

Running out the front door was not the best solution but with humans following her, she had no choice. Seeing as there was many, humans who got up screaming and shouting at the sight of dragons and their homes burning, Sheila had to keep an eye on all the members of the party.

Sheila noticed Mythios who was carrying lilac, was strong built and easily pushed others aside, while Krýakardiá who was quite slim, easily dodged and moved out of people's way. For a boy, he was quite agile.

Finally getting to the human's horses, they all hopped on and waited. "Well?" Asked Mythios, "get on your horse."

Sheila shook her head. "Just go. I'll follow you on foot."

They all looked at her in disbelief. "Get on, we can't risk you slowing us down." Krýakardiá bent down and offered her a hand.

Sheila shook her head. "Go. Trust me."

They watched her and finally decided to go. Sheila who was well rested easily kept up with the horses. She chose to run beside krýakardiá's horse since it was the last one behind lilac's who was following Mythios. Sheila decided it was best to stay at the back in case a dragon was able to follow their scent.

Krýakardiá looked down at her raising his eyebrows. "How are you able to run so fast in such a dress?"

Sheila looked up at him. "This dress was made from the finest silk, it is far lighter and easier to move about in than any other material."

"I see but how can a girl run so fast that she is able to run alongside a horse?!"

Sheila was about to reply but was interrupted when the two of them heard the whiney of a horse when it stopped so suddenly. Turning to look, the both of them were caught unaware that a dragon stood in front of them with a black rider riding on it's back. Mythios had stopped so suddenly that lilac had crashed into him and both fell to the group, Sheila ran forward and stood over the two of them, blocking the enemy from getting anywhere near. Krýakardiá had already gotten off his horse and went to help the two to their feet, holding down the reins of the other two horses.

"Your the man I noticed earlier, you were pretty interested in this group of travellers. What is your business with them?" Sheila spoke to the man while watching for any signs of attacking.

The man hopped off the dragon's back. "I mean no harm, I'm a friend of theirs."

~

Krýakardiá was watching when Sheila talked to the man in black.

"I mean no harm, I'm a friend of theirs." The man said.

Krýakardiá was shocked, he did not recognise the man and surely he was no friend of theirs. Sheila turned around to look at them. Krýakardiá was not sure what it was she wanted since she wore no expression however he could guess what her question was. He shook his head. "We do not know him."

Sheila turned around to face the man. "Surely you jest? They have no recollection of you and since you were the one who called all these dragons and had them attack the village, you are an enemy."

They all watched for the man's reaction which was impossible since the hood covered his face. The man stood silent, similar to how Sheila stood.

"I just want the boy and girl." The man said, "I won't harm you or the tall one."

Sheila looked at him. "I apologise but you'll have to find some other boy and girl. They have business with me."

The man hisses and screeches. "My lord wishes for those two not some other good for nothing humans. This is my last warning! Leave!" His voice no long sounded human, it was more close to being the hiss of a snake. He took out a strange sword with a snake coiled around it. Eew!

Taking out her fan she stood in a poise that looked like she was about to dance. "Then I'm afraid we can no longer negotiate. This group of people belong to me, not your lord."

The two of them stood silently, watching each other as if they were about to strike any minute. The dragon behind the man seemed to have turned to stone with how silently he sat. The dragon looked on interest to the two people that was about to fight.

Krýakardiá looked for a way of this mess. He must admit that he was a strong fighter, maybe the same level as Sheila but he preferred no to fight. Not when his sister is there to see him fight.

That was when they all heard a roar out of nowhere, shocking them all into freezing.

"Hurry!" Shouted Sheila, "get on your horses!"