Chosen to Protect

Chapter 3

Jasper slammed his fist on the table nearest him. "Amytia gave the Mantle to her?! A mere girl?! I thought that you were supposed to be getting closer to Amytia and getting the Mantle from her!" he clenched his teeth in annoyance and felt the dragon within wake and start moving.

They were in a large hall that had a grimy chair in front of a long dusty table that stretched almost the full length of the hall.

Liz nodded nervously, wringing her hands, "I heard them talking in the office."

Jasper growled in anger, "Father, I thought you said that she would gain the carrier's trust."

A tall man with black hair and silver eyes stepped out from the shadows. "Your helper will, son. You just need patience."

Jasper threw up his hands in exasperation, "How much longer, Father? I want to wear the Dragon Warrior Mantle."

"You will get my Sorcerer Mantle." snapped his father, "Is that not enough?"

"Father, I want to be able to be the strongest. Then I will be able to take the world and change it like we've always dreamed!"

"Liz, leave." Jasper's father commanded, his piercing eyes on his son.

Jasper nodded, "Get the other helpers, Liz." he told her.

Liz nodded and hurried away. Once out of the room she slowed down and relaxed.

"Father and son arguments..." she muttered to herself, "We need to encourage this."

She hurried to the helpers quarters and scoffed to herself, "Helpers? More like slaves."

"Friends!" she called upon entering. Every head turned toward her "Jasper and James have summoned us. They are having an argument. We need to encourage their arguments."

Someone in the group raised their hand.

"Step forward, friend."

The person stepped forward, "So... couldn't we just you know...leave them alone let them talk it out?"

Liz stared at them, "You were at the party weren't you, Lindsay? You should know that they never give us freedom, unless it's school. They 'recruit'-" she threw up air quotes around recruit, "-teenagers and then make us slaves by threatening to kill us. The party was a one-time thing unless we stand up for our freedom! Now who's with me?!"

Everyone cheered except for Lindsay and Leo, whom Lindsay liked to consider her sidekick. "Still think that they should work it out." Lindsay shrugged.

The helpers walked toward the room that Jasper and his father were in. Lindsay and Leo held back. "Let's make a dramatic entrance." Lindsay said, grinning at Leo who nodded eagerly.

The other helpers went into the hall and lined up in front of the still arguing father and son.

Liz made her face meek again and the other helpers copied her. They stood, heads bowed, in front of the two yelling people.

Jasper struggled against the dragon but finally gave up. "Fine!" he roared at his father as he grew into an enormous green dragon.

James ground his teeth and sighed. He transformed into a large black dragon.

Liz knew what would happen next. "Get out! Out!" she yelled at the helpers. They all scattered and ran out of the room.

Liz was about to follow them when she felt hot air blowing on her. She looked up. Jasper was hovering right over her with his mouth open. Tiny spurts of flame were coming out.

She screamed as she was swept up in a large black paw.

James growled at his son. Jasper growled back.

James brought Liz to the door and shoved her out. "Stay." he roared at her, it was garbled but she understood and nodded.

"Everyone back to the quarters." she ordered, herding everyone back the way they had come. "Let's hope no one gets hurt."