Draconia Chronicles: Knights of the Westfold

Chapter 10: The Rescue

"Noemi, don't kill them, you don't want to start another war," Blue whispered into my ear. Her back was touching mine as we were surrounded by Tiger warriors. All of them were armed, and ready to tear us limb from limb. I nodded in understanding to her distresses. I relaxed the grip on my longsword, and brought down my guard.

I lowered my shield as well, and lightly smiled at the Tigers whom were still on guard. I don't blame them. I would do the same if I was in their paws, "Come now, you are in the midst of one war, there is no need to start another as neither of us has the strength to fight a war on two fronts, now will you be so generous as to let us through?"

"Not a chance, Tin Can!" a tiger barked. I turned around to see her charging at me from behind with a two-handed axe. The other four were armed with falchions, and battle scythes. All of them were attacking from all directions. This was a chance to show what can happen when a badger and dragon work together against an obstacle.

"Have it your way," I said, blocking the coming axe with my shield. Blue used my shield as a platform, and the kicked the tiger out of the way into a tree. Another came for me, a white tiger armed with a two-bladed battle scythe. I parried the weapon to the side with my shield, and hit her in the face with my shield to knock her on her back.

Even Blue showed promise as a warrior, that was until the leader came out as I flipped a tiger over my shield with the tip of my sword at her neck, "That's enough!" called out an impressive tiger warrior, "well, well, this is a rare treat, a Badger Knight with a Dragon, I thought knights were supposed to slay dragons?" the warrior questioned

I crossed my longsword with her falchion. This tiger was indeed very skilled with a blade. Neither of us could land a slash or a thrust at each other. This duel ended with our swords crossed. I pushed my weight in flesh and steel against my sword, and she did the same. As our blades were locked, we seemed to realize this was not working.

"Clearly you are reading the wrong source material, all we ask for is safe passage, our business is our own," I said to the leader. She sighed, and sheathed back her sword. I did the polite thing, and put my sword back in it's scabbard. I gave a simple nod to the leader to let her know that I am standing by my words on account of me and Blue.

"Alright, we'll let you through, don't expect others to be as lenient as me, especially with that 'thing' you ride," She said, her warriors begrudgingly let us pass on to the Dragon Kingdom. I pray that Blue's children are still alive. I had already lost my first daughter and mate. I will not see the same fate befall on Blue and her children.

"I hope you're not talking about me, Flea-Trap," Blue replied, the tone of her voice clearly showing that she was insulted by the tiger's words. I put a gentle hand on her shoulder, and led her away. My hands would be a little more gentle if they were not clad in a steel and leather gauntlets. In turn, I was thankful for the Tigers' generosity.

Blue and I stayed to the trail, and travelled on for another two days. Finally, we had reached the outskirts of the Dragon Kingdom. The castle walls were an imposing sight, "There's a changing of the guard at sunset, we'll make our move then," Blue instructed. This was her home so it was right that she had knowledge of it's inner workings.

"About those two dragons, are you sure we can trust them?" I asked in a hushed tone, I watched dragons go in and out from the gates. I had never been this far into the Dragon Kingdom. From what I have heard from the chronicles of the first war. This fortress has never been taken. Rightfully so as this is where Queen Oscura resides.

"Not every dragon in this kingdom is faithful to the queen, Noemi," Blue replied with a fox's smirk, and watched as the guard changed Blue and I made our move to the gates. The guards seemed surprised to see Blue alive. If Blue can trust these two dragons to not betray our cause then I was going to have to learn to trust them as well.

As Blue was talking with the guards, I stood quietly at her side to act like a prisoner. I knew what Blue was doing with the guards, "So what are you bring back to the Queen? the spoils of war I'm guessing," said one of the guards, "everyone in the Kingdom thought you were dead," I kept my sword under my cloak ready to strike at Blue's word.

"I'm not dead, but you two are," Blue said, and I attacked unsheathing my sword. Before they could call for help, I slashed one dragon across the chest, and the other at the neck, letting her bleed out on the stone streets. I made my way with Blue as she led her to her house. There I was relieved of my worries as Blue's daughters were still alive.

I followed behind Blue with a ready sword in case they try to attack her from behind. An alarm was sounded, and I could hear the flap of wings. The dragons seemed to have found the bodies. I am hoping the sound of my armor does not give me away. I followed Blue to her house, and there waiting were two dragonlings and two other dragons.

"These were the two dragons I was talking about, this is Elyss and Qualin, and these are my daughters Fiera and Mizu," Blue said introducing me to her band of rebel dragons, "girls, I want you all to meet Momma Noemi, she is going to help me take care of you two," I smiled and kneeled down to get a look at Blue's children. They look very bright.

"We're gonna have to put this family time on hold, the queen's guards are everywhere," Elyss said peeking out the window. The only way out was a mad dash for the gate. I got on my horse, and galloped out of the kingdom as fast as my stallion could go. With magick of every kind being thrown in retaliation, the mission was an overall success.

At the entrance to the kingdom's gates, I had a chance to give Queen Oscura her gift, "Blackwing! Heed my words well you blood-drunken harpy! The Westfold's mates and daughters are yours no more! The Westfold is free! I present this to you as my parting gift!" With that, I tossed out the severed head of a fire dragon named Kighan.

"You really have a way with words, My Lady," said Qualin with a smirk, now it was time to journey back to the Westfold. My stallion's hooves thundered against the ground while the dragons wings flapped in the autumn winds. The board was set, and the pieces are now in place. I feel a great battle that will decide the fate of our land is coming.