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      Doron's wings beat rapidly as he made back for the cliffs-calling out for the others as he got nearer and nearer. Amy and Bailey ran to greet me as we set down on the cliffs edge, the two of them clearly eager to hear what I had to say as they ran up to me.

"I've seen them! They're coming!" I shouted as I came to a stop-Doron reconciling with the others behind me.

"Are they close?" Amy asked.

I shrugged.

"So to speak. They'll be upon us likely within the hour. Say your prayers now, and prepare for anything." I said.

Amy and Bailey both looked at each other, both concerned.

"Do we have a plan, or are we just going to go in and hope they won't have proper aim?" Bailey asked, frustrated.

I sighed.

"What else can we do? We don't exactly have the numerical advantage." I replied.

She scoffed, before walking past me and towards Magar. I pondered for a moment, then came to light with an idea.

"One of us fly in and corral as many as possible between the water and the cliff face. Only when they're trapped will the other three attack. That idea reduces the danger for the three that stay behind, and increases the mobility of the one corralling the soldiers because they'll only need to worry about themselves." I said as I started after her.

She paused, and turned around to face me.

"Well, if that's your idea, who do you elect to go and take that risk?" Bailey asked as Magar propped her head up.

Amy and I both looked at each other sharply.

"I'll go." She said quickly before turning towards Veracon, who was sitting next to Magar.

"No, no. That's a terrible idea. Veracon is partially crippled. It would be suicidal to fly into a fight like that alone. You'd both be shot down with little effort. I'll go." I said firmly.

For a moment, there was a pause. Amy locked eyes with me and shook her head lightly. I could feel the silent tension building, before she finally spoke again.

"You can't. If you die, we're all left with no-one to follow. You're the only one we've ever been able to follow and trust. You've led entire armies to win two wars in the past, don't get yourself killed here. Better either of us than you." Amy exclaimed.

I sighed, then looked back at Doron and May as they both looked down at me.

"You have two children that need you to come back alive. I've got no-one. Neither of us have anyone. We swore to you that we'd fight for you. That includes potentially dying for you. Please, my Queen, allow me to go." Amy said as she knelt in front of me.

I was somewhat surprised at Amy's gesture, and thus I said nothing for several heartbeats.

"You can rise Amy. You've earned my respect many years ago. You don't need to prove yourself to me any further." I replied as I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"for fucks sake. If you two pansies can't decide who'll go, I'll go myself." Bailey said before again turning towards Magar.

"Why you?" I asked her, afraid for her life at that point.

She turned to me.

"My Dragon isn't anywhere near the size of either of yours. She's more agile and maneuverable in the air. She's also a smaller target, and she can ascend much quicker. She'll be the most difficult of the four to hit." Bailey replied.

I chuckled.

"With that logic, we should send May." I suggested.

Bailey shook her head.

"She doesn't have anyone to guide her, and she's far to young and ambitious. She'll get herself killed in seconds if she's left to fight on her own. I'll go. And if you have a fucking problem with that, please, feel free to follow me and shoot me down." She said before storming back off towards Magar.

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