Dawn of The Dragon

Chapter 11: The Dark Forest

"What may I call you?" Kalera asks the Kale.

"My name is Kooloan. May I speak openly to you?"

"You may."

"Men and Kales don't get along, and the Dark Forest is a dangerous place."

"Men don't get along with men, as you can see by the rise of the smoke from Bram, but they endure," Kalera responds, removing the box containing the eggs from the hood of her cloak as Ton approaches.

He smiles as he looks upon the box.

Kalera smiles back.

Kalera announces Kooloan will lead them down the Cosmic Passage into the forest, and she orders everyone to stay alert. Then she places the box inside of a glass compartment connected to her mere.

Down the Cosmic Passage, they advance deeper into the forest. The trees—massive, black, and void of leaves—restrict the light of the sun. Only endless darkness and white sheets of snow line their path.

Kooloan gallops to the center, warning them of what he senses. Weapons drawn, they halt as the snow begins to beat their faces. Back and forth he gallops. "Wild dogs!" he yells.

"Surround our queen!" Ton calls out.

Kalera disembarks her mere.

"Your Grace, what are you doing?" Genna yells. "Get back up there!"

"Shelleeann and her daughter—they must be protected!" Kalera shouts.

Running towards them, the snarls of the dogs are nearing as the group prepares to engage. From the thick of the forest runs big, black, furry beasts on two feet with blood-red eyes.

Kalera and two other guards surround Shelleeann and her daughter as they cry out in fear.

"Shh, it's okay," Kalera whispers to them.

Boom!

The clash between men and beasts commence. Dogs snarl, growl, and howl as they rip through guards. Several men jump on the back of one, stabbing it multiple times along its upper torso. They bring it down, but more and more leap from the darkness.

Kooloan hits one with an arrow between its eyes, bringing it down immediately.

"You must strike them between the eyes!" he yells, but the news is too late. No one had a chance to grab bows, and the calculating dogs are quickly ripping through the supplies and weapons.

Three of the dogs make their way over to Kalera and the guards. Her heart skips beats as she anticipates their charge. Suddenly it becomes hard for her to concentrate as her head begins to spin. With her sword, she swings, but misses. One of the beasts rushes the guard nearest her, and he falls to the ground. Kalera's chest gets heavy, and her breaths labor as she witnesses the carnage.

Then she stands and runs to the guardsman in distress. She jumps on top of the dog's back as the man musters enough strength to push it over. Kalera rolls with it, falling and stopping a little ways from it. She stands to her feet, not realizing the child is behind her.

Kalera glares at Shelleeann.

"I shall not lose another!" Shelleeann shouts.

Genna runs up as the three prepare to engage the beast. This time Kalera's head pounds harder and harder as the dog attacks her. She slits its chest, then thrusts her blade as deep as she can with her right hand, while she holds its neck with her left hand in an attempt to keep his mouth from her chest.

Genna thrusts her blade into the dog's back, and the guardsman sends his blade through the top of the dog's head, nearly piercing Kalera.

Shelleeann grabs her daughter, and Kalera orders Genna and the guardsman to cover them as she sees Ton and Hiddard in distress. Genna disapproves, but Kalera runs towards them and suddenly her right foot goes into a hole. Her boot is caught and she tries to free herself, looking upon Hiddard, who has fallen to the ground. Ton tussles with a dog as Kooloan runs out of arrows. Then he gallops for Ton as Hiddard holds the lower jaw of the beast currently on top of him.