Eulia And The Butterfly Dragon

Chapter 25 The Night of the Long Knives

Jeremy had assembled twenty-five men for the task. These were men who had accompanied him on his successful raids on the railroads. They were resourceful and talented. Each would carry a long knife on their belt and a carbine. Several had coils of rope and iron devises for securing doors. Eulia and her companions also carried a long knife strapped to their right outer thigh and a coil of rope and a grapple over their shoulder. They had their hair braided coiled at the back of their head. An additional fifty men would follow once the citadel was secured to man the cannon. Eulia had drawn an improvised map of the compound. "If you can secure these barrack doors most of the imperial force will be unavailable," Eulia said.

"We will send the generals back to you," Jo said.

"With these men I can easily hold the citadel," Jeremy said. "With it's cannon I can take the city."

"Hopefully the magistrate will be co-operative," Eulia said. "I'll 'warm' him to the idea."

"Our dragons will land in the inner court," Phoebe said, "They will physically block the doors and gates until you can secure them. They can kill with their breath so do be careful." With the plans set they waited until dusk and made their way into the tunnel.

"Water's a little deeper," Eulia said. The dragon riders were dispersed with the men to provide light as they walked to the courtyard well. Small oil filled lanterns were left at intervals in small niches for the artillery men who would follow. Once they reached the well the dragon riders were simply lifted as they went up and over the top of the well. Using their slings they made quick work of the nearby sentries as the the men led by Jeremy used ropes to ascend the well. The dragons were called and landed in the courtyard and used their bulk to force closure of all doors until all of the garrison was locked in their barracks and the citadel's gates secured.

The dragon riders returned to the well. As they approached the dungeon the water level was over their heads and they needed to swim in total darkness. They reached the dungeon and Jo and Eulia used their slings to take out the guards. Phoebe picked the lock and the prisoners were released. Eulia had been planning her best public display of affection for Jacob but settled for a quick kiss instead.

"You need to take the tunnel to the well it may be flooding," Eulia said, "Jeremy is holding the citadel waiting for you. He brought you all clean uniforms."

"You're not coming?" Jacob asked.

"Dear Arsenio is waiting for us," Eulia teased. "We will send Pinkey with a message once we have him."

"Then what?"

"No idea," Eulia said with a devilish smile, "Jeremy has a plan." They watched as the men stepped into the cold water heading for the well then they began swimming into the residence.

"Looks like the water is up to the top of the tunnel there," Jo said. She held her hand just out of the water to cup a flame so they could see.

"Tie this rope around my waist," Eulia said, "I'm the strongest swimmer."

"I should go, I'm flight leader," Jo said.

"We aren't flying Jo," Eulia said. "Hold the rope and let it out as I go. Count slowly to sixty. Then if you feel nothing pull me back fast. If I tug three times it means I made it." Her companions nodded. Eulia took several deep breaths and dove under the black water. A few seconds later she saw a faint glow ahead and redoubled her efforts.

Her friends counted slowly together, "twenty-five... twenty-six..." at fifty -six they were becoming alarmed and at sixty seconds they pulled her back rapidly. Eulia was shivering from the cold and gasping for breath as they pulled her to the surface. "I almost made it. I'm going to try it again. Give me a ninety count." Jo was shaking her head. "I can do this, I could see the light from the dungeon." She gulped several deep breathes of air and again dove into the dark freezing depths.