A Dragon's Retribution [Book 3 in Rising Dragons]

Chapter 25: Seeryath IX

My wing had been aching for a while now, and it seemed as if the pain had set into every single bone so it was all I could feel. I was sure it had only been a sprain or something, but everything was trying to prove me wrong. Not that I could pay much attention to such things.

There were much more important things to be concentrating on – such as Alvah on the ground and Thirak charging toward her. Alvah was larger than all of us, but working together we could take her. Thirak slammed into Alvah, knocking her off balance. The white dragon snarled, twisting, teeth snapping where Thirak had been moments before.

A few metres above her, I dropped, landing heavily on our enemy's back. Alvah roared, bucking and throwing me off, even as my claws struggled to find a hold on her scales. Stumbling in the sand, I quickly regained my balance and attempted to target Alvah's wings, knowing that they were vulnerable targets. However, even with a torn wind, Alvah was still able to leap higher into the air with a strong flap of her wings.

Next to me, Azrael jerked backwards, rearing onto his hind legs to push himself out from underneath Alvah. However, I was left wrong-footed, struggling to move quickly enough as my muscles lagged, the pain distracting me enough that I was now in a precarious position with no ability to get myself out of danger.

Rya, Thirak shouted across the bond, and a flash of worry-apprehension-move-MOVE, and then I felt myself being jerked out from beneath Alvah. Sand scattered over me as a result, but I was safe. For now.

There was no time to thank Thirak however, and I threw myself back into the fight. Alvah seemed to have eyes everywhere though and was easily able to contort her body, hindleg coming up to kick me away, claws scratching against scales. I gasped, winded, and Alvah turned, clearly planning to finish me while I was down. Before she could attack though, golden scales filled my vision, a dragon's tail lashed. Sucking in a breath, I stood up behind Thirak. The golden dragon didn't move, snarling.

The pair charged at each other, but rather than attack with claws and teeth, Thirak sent fire roaring at Alvah, so hot that I felt it from where I was behind him. Beneath the onslaught, Alvah continued to walk forward, white paws moving on red-golden sand. Abruptly, Thirak cut off his flames and leapt forward. Alvah was easily bigger than him, bigger than all of us, and didn't even rear up on her hindlegs as Thirak jumped into the air to attack her.

Her jaws slam close, an audible snap echoing in my ears, but in mid-air – somehow – Thirak had managed to avoid the blow without wings. He rammed her shoulder, and even Alvah couldn't withstand a dragon crushing into her with all of his might, and she took a step sideways as she tried to regain her balance.

Naturally, I took advantage of the movement, moving to the right and then launching myself forward and into Alvah's side. The white dragon lurched again, scrambling to keep her balance, and somehow managing. Regardless, I dug my claws into scales, tearing ragged holes in her wings, and trying to find a grip that would pull me up onto her back where I could cause more damage. Once again, the other dragon bucked, but this time I managed to keep clinging to her side like a flea on a scratching dog. When Alvah tried to twist and shake me off, I loosened my grip and when she jumped – again – I let go, lifting into the air, and then landing heavily on her back properly. Rearing onto my hindlegs, I slammed my forepaws down onto her scales, claws trying to scratch and injure.

Alvah roared, and this time managed to flick me off as she twisted, head coming close to where I was positioned on her back. A shift of the weight on my back reminded me that Aldrys was still there, however, I could feel him moving into a standing position. He leapt as Fáelán's griffin flew overhead, grabbing Fáelán's hand and pulling himself up.

In that moment, Azrael was kicked away from Alvah and came to a skidding stop next to me, eyes narrowed on our enemy. A second later and Thirak was standing next to us, sides heaving.