Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 30

     "Look out!" I scream diving off the horse and pulling my sword. I watch in shock as Evergreen and his first both clear the stable and in seconds shift into their true form. Evergreen and his first double attack the dragon and quickly subdue it, but seem unable to kill it. Every time they get close it manages to deflect the blow. I quickly sheath my sword and pull my bow and arrows. I notch an arrow and wait patiently for them to expose its soft neck and let loose the arrow. It finds it's mark and I am rewarded with a roar of pain as the dragon begins to thrash. I notch another arrow and wait as the fight continues. My second arrow misses it's mark and I am forced to quickly dodge as a tail flies past my head. I pull my sword and run up the tail and then manage to make it to it's huge head. I plunge my sword into its head, pull it out and repeat the process until it begins to stumble and finally fall. I ride it down and wearily pull my sword from its head as it begins to revert to its human form. I stare in silent horror as the body becomes a naked female. Her head is a bloody ruin as is her back and my arrow still sticks from her neck. I am numb with shock as Evergreen and his first return to human form.

     "She's dead," I mumble unable to look away from the corpse. "Why did she attack you?"

     "She wasn't after us, she was after you," the first says.

     "Why me?" I ask. "I was preparing to leave these lands."

     "Jealousy," Evergreen says. His shirt is ripped and he has a set of bloody furrows gracing his chest.

     "You should see your sister," I say working to stand as the adrenaline wears off.

     "You should stay with me," Evergreen says.

     "I already told your first that I am a sword for hire, not a councilor. I don't do well in places of stone. I...." my voice fails as the crowd appears.

     "Who killed Lady Meadow?" demands a councilor.

     "I defended myself when I was attacked," I say glaring at the man.

     "We must have a trial," he says with hatred.

     "There will be no trial," Evergreen says. "What she says is true. Destroyer was mounted and ready to leave when Meadow charged down here in dragon form and began to attack. My first and I aided Destroyer in killing Meadow."

     "Besides Destroyer is taking the position of War councilor," the first says.

     "Then why was she trying to leave?" demands the councilor.

     "She was going to visit her family before she took over the position," Evergreen lies. I dare not correct him as the mob stares at us. Finally they collect the girls remains and we all return to the castle. I am escorted to my room in the tower and left alone. I pace around the room for several hours until Evergreen and his first enter.

     "Why did you lie to them?" I demand as soon as the door is shut.

     "It was necessary to keep you and your family safe," the first says.

     "And why should I trust you?" I demand in frustration.

     "We trust you, you need to trust us," he says. "There is more going on here than what you know." I sink into a chair and try to sort through what I do know.

     "So taking back the castle was just the first step?" I ask.

     "Yes, our clans pledge their loyalty to the king during the month following the coronation. Several of the clans have not shown up yet."