Traitor

A True Smith

I slowly raised my hands up above my head, staring at the gun. I couldn't bring myself to look into Landin's pained eyes, to see his shaking jaw. The gun did not waver.

"You." His words seemed to come from deep within him, heavy with pain and shaking in anger. "You ruined everything. All of this... you." His hands fumbled a bit before clicking the safety off. "I should've known... shadow dragons can't be trusted. And neither could you. Mardu... he was innocent. Those kids... this place. Do you realize- do you realize what this means? Everything we worked so hard to build... you walk in here and you- you tear it all down- agh!" He leaned over, his face tightening in pain as the tattoo- the only remainder of his partner- withered into his skin.

I felt my face heat up, my heart pumping fit to burst inside my chest. I could tell by his expression, his tone... he was serious. I could die right here. But as I listened to him I couldn't help but feel as though maybe, maybe I deserved it. I tried to think of all my reasons, my excuses to defend myself. That these people had tried to kill me and Caed by sending us to the Wolves- or was that another lie Darius told me? It wouldn't be the first. And how they were... suppressing dragons and Riders here. But the argument built up in my mind crumpled like a palace of cards on a windy day. There was no excuse for what I've done. My tongue withered in my mouth as I opened it. Nothing came out.

Landin looked to Caedmon and his gun turned onto the shadow dragon. "Maybe I should give you a taste. Show you what this feels like."

Caedmon's lips pulled back into a snarl, showing his deadly set of teeth.

I found my voice when I heard the threat. You can threaten me, but you couldn't threaten Caed. "We'll help you." I said hurriedly. "We didn't mean for this to happen- I swear." I held up a hand.

Landin looked between me and Caed, obviously not trusting me. His hand was shaking and I feared that he might accidentally pull the trigger. Caedmon gave a warning growl as I slowly stepped forwards. "All we need to do is get him out." I pointed to my great grandfather. "That's all Darius wants. After he gets it, he'll be done and I'm related to him. I promise that I can tell him not to hurt you. No one else has to get hurt."

Landin gave a barking laugh so sudden and so loud that even Caedmon flinched. "That man there is a dragon that is every bit as powerful as the brute outside. He's the Ventus Rex. Dragon of skies and storms? Once he made a hurricane that wiped out a small country. Darius is already strong enough to burn the world in fire, with that dragon at his side he could make a whole 'nother Noah's flood. Do you honestly think that when he gets him back he's going to just stop? Move out to the mountains, find a woman and settled down in a log cabin? You really think that's his master plan?"

I was stunned into silence, looking back at the male floating in the water peacefully. How could.... My eyes widened as I couldn't help but see the truth in Landin's words. My heart sunk to my boots.

"We'lll help you." Caedmon's words were so bold and sudden that it demanded both of our attention. "We know how to contain the dragon. Without the dragon, he will be easier to capture."

Huh? I looked to Caedmon like he was crazy. How could... oh yeah. My eyes widened suddenly in realization.

The lighter.

'Caed you're a genius!' I said in his mind, proud of him. He flashed a small smile in my direction and nuzzled my shoulder as I agreed. "Yeah we do. We can do this."

Landin lowered the gun before finally letting it drop to the desk. He stood up, inhaling slowly. "The smart part'a me is telling me to shoot you dead right now. But you two-you're the only hope I got left." He admitted. "And I hate myself for that."