Author's Note:

Hello everyone and welcome to chapter twelve. This one mainly stays with the antagonists and their plans begin taking shape. Thank you for your continued support of this story and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I own nothing.


Forces Move

Days had gone by and Savage's squad hadn't yet discovered the hideout of the dragon riders.

He waited uneasily at the island where they'd last failed to capture one of the riders as one of the King's ships sailed in and anchored of its coast. A smaller vessel came into shore bearing six of the Twelve Titans, as they disembarked Nova strode over to Savage, "Have you found where the riders are hiding yet?"

Savage's throat bobbed nervously, "Um…no Milord."

"I was expecting better than that from you Savage." It was Erika who'd spoken and the coldness in her voice caused him to shiver.

Leif added his own comment, "He's just a grunt Erika. You can't expect much from them, they're only good for catapult fodder."

"That's enough Leif." Nova said sharply. The younger Titan glowered but stayed silent and Nova continued, "If we don't know where they are then that's the first thing we have to do." He regarded the other Titans, "Amber, you were originally from the Bog-Burglar tribe weren't you?"

The auburn haired girl answered, "Yes, before our father made me a Titan. Why?"

"Bog-Burglars used the be the best at stealth techniques so I was wondering if you learnt some of their skills, since we don't have Newt here I was hoping you could fill the role of stealth scout."

Amber smiled, "I can do that. I'm not at Newt's level but I can do better than most."

Nova nodded, "Okay then. Use your skills and see if you can locate where the riders are, we can't do much until we know at least that. Take Leif with you in case you need to send back a rapid message since he's the quickest here. If you find anything either send back Leif your report to us here, we'll turn this island into the central base for this mission." He turned to Erika, "You think that will work?"

She eyed the island around them, "It will do for now but we'll most likely have to move when we find the riders."

Satisfied Nova turned back to Amber, "Okay then, you and Leif ready to go Amber?"

She smiled in response, "We most definitely are Nova. We'll see you soon."

She sauntered off with Leif begrudgingly following behind as Dagur and Gustav joined Nova and Erika, Dagur fidgeted impatiently, "When is there going to be some action? I'm itching to fill vaporise something."

Erika responded without looking at him, "We've just got here Dagur. If you have to attack something go and hunt for wild dragons, there must be some around here that would be more than happy to try and kill you."

He grinned, "No need to sound so unimpressed Erika, regular fights keep me in top form and I've got to amuse myself somehow." The girl snorted at his words but Dagur ignored her and rubbed his hands together gleefully, "I can't wait to go and smite a wild dragon or two. C'mon Gustav, maybe we'll find a Monstrous Nightmare for you to fight."

Gustav also grinned at the idea of fighting another Nightmare and he followed after the older Titan, "Right behind you Dagur, let's go hunting!"

Erika turned round at his words and called after the boy, "Just don't overdo it Gustav! You're not as experienced as the rest of us yet."

The boy casually waved back in response as he continued after Dagur and a worried frown briefly crossed Erika's face and she turned to Nova, "If you've got everything under control here I'll head out and scout the island. Just to make sure there's nothing here we're not expecting."

Hiding his knowing smirk, Nova nodded and Erika headed off on her scouting mission. As men set up camp around him he examined his DragonClaw gauntlets, these were a unique weapon he'd made himself and always made sure they were in top condition. Not quite satisfied with their current state he made his way towards the ship and it's in built forge intending to do some work on them.


Unnoticed by any of the Titans or their subordinates, Valka had been watching and listening to everything that had been going on and began laying plans of her own. Slipping away quietly she found the hidden Cloudjumper and together they stealthily took to the air and winged after Amber and Leif.

Currently the two Titans weren't being that stealthy since they were certain their quarry weren't around and Valka could easily discern where they were heading for first and she and Cloudjumper headed on ahead of them intending to leave a false trail for them before returning to the Sanctuary to report everything they'd seen.


Newt strode confidently through the upper halls of the Nest alongside Saphia as they made their way to the Throne Room.

Newt had only just returned from Dragon Island but she'd wasted no time in bringing her report to the King and it wasn't long before they both were stood before grand doors of the Throne Room. Two guards hurriedly opened them and they strode in together.

The hall was even bigger than the Titan's dining hall and at the far end was twelve thrones, one for each Titan. They were arranged in a semi-circular shape with six either side of a large, raised dais and each was carved with an image of its owner's respective dragon indicating whose seat was whose. On the raised dais was three more thrones, the one to the right of the central one was empty and was reserved for the thirteenth Titan, the one on the left was Saphia's while the central one belonged to the King only and he was sat in it waiting for them.

Newt stopped at the base of the broad steps leading up to the central throne and gave a short, respectful bow to the King while Saphia went straight to her throne and sat down. The King at the Titan before speaking, "Newt, tell me what you found on Dragon Island?"

She gave a brief report, "The volcano is the nest and is riddled with tunnels that mostly lead to the main lava chamber. It has a large number of the common dragon breeds and they are all controlled by one massive dragon that makes them bring food to it."

He leaned forward eagerly, "What is the alpha like? What attacks does it use?"

Newt shrugged, "I never saw it use any attacks other than eating dragons that didn't bring enough food but it's far larger than all but the biggest dragons. It actually lives in the volcano's lava so its hide is tough and I assume it uses a powerful fire breath or spews lava. Either way I believe it's not going to prove that much difficulty for you father."

The King leaned back and smiled in satisfaction as Saphia gave him her thoughts, "Our forces are well experienced in dealing with common dragon breeds and since you'll be dealing with the alpha the battle shouldn't be that difficult even with half of your children on another mission."

The King nodded, "It will be a simple battle and will add many more dragons to our army." He looked to Newt, "Tell the others to prepare and inform the army that we'll be heading to Dragon Island at dawn tomorrow. I will have no delays."

Newt nodded, "Of course father. I'll tell my siblings right away."

She strode out of the Throne Room and as she left the King spoke to Saphia, "Is everything ready for when the others return with my new child?"

She smiled, "As ready as it can be. It'll take a couple of days to prepare the Joining Chamber fully but I can't start that until we have the boy and access to his blood. A sample of his essence needs to be Joined with the essence of the power source to act as a template for the full Joining. Unfortunately attempting to begin a full Joining straight away will only kill both the boy and the power source which will make it nearly impossible to give you a successor."

"I know Saphia." The King stood, "You're to keep command here while I conquer Dragon Island, making that boy a Titan is you're main objective and you've got my permission to begin the process if my children return with the boy in my absence."

Saphia also stood, "I understand your Majesty. I'll make it my top priority."

"Good. I shall return soon."

Saphia watched as the King strode towards the Throne Room doors and she smiled as she called after him, "I look forward to hearing of your victory…"

She paused and then finished,

"My Lord Drago."


PS-The King's identity is revealed! Though I'm willing to bet most of you had guessed who it was already. Please let me know what you thought and I'll try and update soon.