Purple Dragon (Yona of the Dawn)

We Ride at Dawn

Alya's P.O.V

I'm surprised at how smoothly everything has gone, I don't want to jinx it but preparations for our seige have been going without a hitch. Shin ha has been keeping his eyes and ears on the palace to make sure they don't suspect anything and as dar as we know they've taken the bait.

At dusk a battalioneft the captial city with the intention of traveling under the cover of darkness leaving the protection around Soo won and the city significantly weakened. Honestly though I don't think it matters either way, the dragon warriors have the power to take armies so a few dozen men won't change much.

It will only take a couple days before they reach the caves and realize they've been tricked so it's been decided that we head for the capital at dawn. With horses and cloaks we can easily pass for traveling merchants until its time.

We're gathering for our final meeting, we all gather in the war room to finalize the plane.

"Once we reach the city we'll split up. Captain you will take your crew to the gates and cause an uproar to bring as many remaining guards as possible there." It was decided that we as the dragon warriors would handle the main battle.

"The eastern wall is often under guarded." Looking to Shin ha, it's odd to hear him speak but his knowledge of the guards schedules is vital.

"We will enter from there. The goal is to get Yona to Soo won and one way or another seize the throne." I say. I look at the princess, not a shred of hesitation or wavering in her eyes. There is not a trace of the still meek girl I met all that time ago, she has become a fierce warrior and a worthy leader.

While it is a fool that seeks war, a bigger fool runs when it is inevitable. Yona is not the fool her father was.

"Will the leaders of the tribes fall in line so easily? Most of them were willing to follow Soo won." Yun points out.

"Mun deok will support us, the wind tribe will be on our side." I don't know who this man is but from Hak's tone he's important to him.

"The water tribe will accept the rightful heir to the throne while the earth tribe will support the better military power. The fire tribe may cause some trouble though." Yona tells us.

"You should assign a dragon warrior to oversee each tribe during the transfer of power. Their power is great and will prove your strength as a leader." A stunned silence filled the room, not because it was a bad idea. In fact it was a very good idea, its just shocking that such a brilliant strategy came from Zeno of all people. Of course he's been around a lot longer then the rest of us and must have picked stuff up, but he always seems so childish and innocent that its a bit of a surprise when he speaks so maturely.

"Hak go see how the pirates preparations are coming along. I'll assign each of you to one of the tribes after we've taken back the kingdom." Yona says. She's grown far more confident in our time together.

We call it so we can make any last minute preparations, I go to check on the horses. Getting enough horses for the operation had been a challenge but we managed it. Each of them well trained for military exercises.

"You really think we're ready for this?" I turn to see Yun, shifting nervously around the horses.

"If your scared, I don't think Yona would hold it against you if you wanted to stay behind." I tell him.

"I... I'm not scared!" He shouts in indignation. I just give him a questioning look and he drops his head.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Easy for you to say, your a dragon warrior. You're not afraid of anything." He's shaking.

"That's not true, there's a lot I'm scared of. Every warrior fears death, and if they don't they're a fool that won't last long on the battle field." I tell him. He looks stunned by my answer which doesn't surprise me. Most people believe that to go to war you must feel no fear, but without it people act impulsively and recklessly. Some people act like that with fear, but fear usually keeps most of the stupidity at bay.

"You're pretty wise, you know that?" 

"Yeah I know that." I say with a smirk.

"Cocky to." I laugh and wrap an arm around him.

"Just because I am afraid of things, doesn't mean I want people to know that." I tell him and we head back inside. In my room I look at the armor that had been secured for me. We each had our own. It was heavy leather with an open back for the wings lowly growing out. They were now the length from my neck to my lower back and wide enough that I could glide on them, but I wasn't able to fly yet. I had reinforced the leather with my fire enough that it was tougher then that type of armor should be.

The energy in the fortress was heightened, everyone anxiously awaiting the moment where we rode to battle. I could feel each of the other dragon warriors emotions which didn't help settle my own nerves. More like it amplified my own feelings by four. 

As night falls I begin to prepare, I pull my armor on and pace in my room until it's time to meet. My sword in hand I join the other dragon warriors. 

"No matter what happens, Yona is our first priority. If things go wrong our main goal is to get her out alive." I say. The others nod in agreement. This wasn't something we had discussed with her, or anyone else for that matter. It was just what we had decided on our own. The pirates we mounting their horses, I watched as Hak helped Yona onto hers at the front. He climbed onto his own to her right. Each of us climbed onto our own horse, watching the sky for that first hint of day break. Seconds seemed like hours, a tight cord bound around the group just waiting to break.

"WE RIDE!" Yona shouts as the first traces of pink break out over the sky. The men behind us yell and holler as we kick our horses into action. The thundering of hooves echoes through the forest and I can almost imagine our enemy hearing us and realizing his reign is coming to an end.