Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 24

The captain saw familiar dark shapes in the tall grass several meters away from him. This was the storm of dragons. He readjusted his numbing left arm as he struggled to keep the slumbering Otswana from falling off the horse.

She had fallen asleep only two hours into their ride north. The remaining four hours had been quite a feat for the captain. He had never carried another rider on his horse for such a long duration, let alone a sleeping one. She would have to remain awake on the dragon, for it would be too dangerous for them if she did not get her rest now.

Klav knew Otswana had many thoughts of worry and concern. He did as well. Thinking of the last several days, the captain had never felt so ill-prepared. Now that he had both a wife and queen to protect and care for, he felt a huge weight of responsibility set upon his shoulders.

There would be no failing on this mission; not like the last one. Thinking back two weeks prior, the captain had no idea he would be attempting to arrest a sorcerer and sorceress. He had never been so surprised to discover the falcon he protected was the very princess he was meant to bring to the king.

Looking down at her sleeping form, the captain felt an overwhelming responsibility for her welfare. Even if she was not at all weak...even if Otswana was quite able and a talented fighter and sorceress, she was Klav's to protect, provide for and to love, just as he vowed to do for the remainder of his days. He would do just that. He would protect her, even if it meant protecting Otti from himself.

"Ho there!" a soldier called out a shout of greeting.

Klav recognized three dragon riders; the first was Zyvon the Great. He was dressed in dark robes and had goggles resting on his head as he stood next to Smoulder. The blue dragon's heavy breathing could be heard from several meters away.

"Are they still dozing?" Klav asked, stirring Otswana awake. To his physical relief, she quickly straightened on the saddle, as if ashamed to be resting in his arms.

"Yes, I gave them each fitful dreams so they gained the sleep they require before our journey," Zyvon responded.

"Everything is set for our departure," said Homlen, the commanding dragon rider. "We have six dragons and twelve travelers. I will need to know who is riding which dragon so we can fill the dragons' packs and depart."

"The queen rides with me. Her father, Lord Briggon will ride with Zyvon. The King and Prince Matteais will be together. Caslon will ride with Prince Greggor. Two other of my men can pair up with two of you. The rest are heading north with the horses."

The captain helped Otswana down from the stallion before he, himself unmounted Bracer. "Our dragon is over this way," Klav informed Otswana. He guided her to the large yellow and orange dragon. "This one is Firebeam. He is a fire-breathing dragon that I often ride. He is quite gentle and he doesn't jostle about when his wings flap quickly," Klav explained to Otswana before pointing to the large saddle fastened a top the large beast. "You will be in the front here. I will steer him from the back of the saddle."

"How do we mount it?" she asked him.

"The girth strap has large metal ringed notches for your footing to climb onto the saddle." Klav pointed to the expansive leather girth that fastened around the dragon's belly. Each notch had been strategically placed in the center of the strap. Otswana looked over the dragon and squinted in the dark at the other five dragons as they laid peacefully in the grass. Some were still sleeping. Others were slowly rousing as their saddle bags were being packed with items for the journey.

"Your bag and weapons will go here in this large pouch near his flank. The ride will be about three hours. We will be crossing the sea and land on the borders of Osoria just before Dawn," Klav informed her. "You will need to wear these goggles to protect your eyes. Stay awake for the entire flight."