WOAH... AN ACTUAL LONG CHAPTER... HORAAAY!

So yeah hello everyone... and before you begin reading I would like to say several things...

PLEASE R&R! You would make me the happiest little fangirl ever if you did! 8D (NO FLAMING... Constructive criticism is welcome... NO TROLLS)

Uuh... please... excuse Becca's/ My horrid language... One reason why this story is rated T... (I may have to change that... HEHEH)

And um... WELL YEAH... Sorry about not updating enough... I just when through a CRAPload of Exams and stuff and I got a little sick so YEAH... HI...

SOOO without any more delay (and plus I DON'T OWN DRAGONHEART *bawling*)... CHAPTER FOURTEEN! 14!

Chapter 14: The Flames of War

"Becca! Becca get up, it's dawn," someone was shaking her shoulder roughly and she growled for them to go away. The shaking ceased for about a second before it started again and more violently the second time. She barked and flattened her ears, refusing to open her eyes and greet the early morning.

There was a low grumble and a voice farther away, good... they're going to be wise and let me sleep in... I wonder if mom made sausages for breakfast? She thought groggily, turning onto her back and wagging her tail in a gentle daze. Becca could see gentle blue-gray light behind her eyelids; it was still rather dim so she guessed that it was very early in the morning.

"-No choice I guess..." came another voice. A questioning thought pricked at her mind, but she dimly brushed it aside.

Suddenly she was drenched with cold water and scrambling to escape the cold.

She glanced about, blue eyes wide with fury. "WHO DID THAT? I'M GOING TO TEAR HIS THROAT OUT AND STRING IT UP ON A STICK AND GO FISHING WITH IT!" Becca screamed through her mind link. Bowen stood over her with an empty bucket, immediately tossing it behind him and acting innocent.

The wolf sat back on her haunches and grumbled, "Well then I guess I'll have to go fishing with someone else's throat…" she muttered quietly to herself.

"How is your leg?" asked Bowen, a small flicker of concern in his tone.

She gave a short huff! flicked her ear and glanced down at her leg. "Its fine… a little sore but I'm good to go!" she pulled back her lips and grinned wolfishly, tail wagging.

Kara came into the hut, "Are you sure? You broke it Becca,"

Again, the werewolf nodded, "I'm alright, it's like I said before; werewolf's advantage. I heal quicker than anyone," Becca got to her paws and stretched, yawning to show her rows of dagger sharp, white teeth and a long pinkish red tongue. "Besides, it was my own damn clumsiness that got me like that in the first place," Becca flicked her tail to signal the end of the conversation and padded from the hut. She didn't know why she was still stuck in wolf form; perhaps it was the overhanging sense of dread that made her remain in it.

Becca felt the cool air touch her sodden fur and she shook herself to rid the water from her pelt. She nimbly bounced over to the pond; even though the muddy water made her cringe she drank heavily. Biting her jaws together and grimacing as sand gritted between her teeth. The wolf sat down on the damp earth and scratched right behind her ear for a second before looking up, her collar jingling noisily.

The sky was overcast again, and a thin line of mist was just retreating to the far edges of the fields. It appeared to have rained the night before because the muddy roads were riddled with puddles and deep runoff lines. The ground was soft and spongy under paw and her pads left deep impressions in the mud. Becca sighed, looks like it's going to be a cold, wet battle. She groaned inwardly.

Off in the distance she could see Draco circling the forest, waiting for their plans to be put to action. Becca's ear swiveled as she heard approaching footsteps, turning her storm-blue eyes up and looking at Bowen. His face had a solemn pallor to it when he grimly muttered, "Its time," Becca sensed his discomfort and nuzzled his hand comfortingly, the knight scratched her between the ears, brushing her long fur before the two of them set off to join Kara and the others.

The battle was about to begin.

A cold silence had settled over the countryside, none but the slight breeze moved. It was as if the land itself were holding its breath against the coming storm of battle. Einon stood leaning over the edge of his castle battlements, golden helm clutched at his side as his breathing became heavy.

The king's gaze remained on a small patch of meadow that lay just beyond his castle. A lone rider on a black stallion rode out from the forest, brandishing a shield emblazoned with a grinning gold dragon's head.

"He dares to defy me at my own gates! LOOK AT HIM!" shrieked the mad king. Brock and Felton both eyed him warily. A small army of yelling peasants joined the knight on the field as he held his shield high into the air, face a mask of determination. "Well today his code dies once and for all!" screamed Einon, making to stomp his way out of the castle and down to the army as if to fight them all alone. His eyes were wide with near insanity and his breath came in short gasps, clouding about him as it met the cold morning air.

"No! Your majesty! You are safe here! That rabble couldn't possibly storm the castle!" said Felton as he and Brock tried to block his passage. "By tonight they'll be cold and wet and tired, they'll probably just… limp off home!" finished Felton. Brock continued to say nothing.

Einon appeared to relax for a moment when he peered back scornfully at the army before him. A massive wolf the size of a bear padded out of the trees and stood beside the horse that was nervously shifting from hoof-to-hoof. The wolf gave a loud howl that sent shivers up and down their spines and made Felton's face pale. Bowen hefted his shield again and the crowd cheered, shaking their long, hand-held poles.

The king struggled against the two other men in a blind rage, "We're safe here Einon!" yelled Felton, "Remember your father!" at the mention of his father, Einon froze and glared daggers at the man.

But they weren't safe. Brock stared to the other side of the castle and just managed to cover the king when a blast of fire shook them, setting several guards alight. Draco soared from the screaming heat wave and flapped around the castle, spewing another fireball at the taller tower. The dragon slayers busied themselves about the castle, shouting words to each other in a foreign tongue as the dragon made another pass overhead, roaring thunderously.

With a clatter of hooves, Einon leapt atop his white horse and led his army out through the gates of the castle. He spurred the horse into a gallop and they raced across the fields to where Bowen and the others waited for them. As the army lined up in it's designated ranks along the hillside, Einon nodded to himself, sure that he had the rebels outnumbered.

Bowen turned to Becca, who stared calmly after the men on the hill. Her wolf eyes barely blinking, her ears making no movement. "Be careful," he told her.

The wolf just snorted, "Me? Be careful? HAH! I'd like to see a duck do better," she laughed and bared her teeth. "Yes, yes… I'll be careful," even though she meant it, Bowen still felt a sense of dread.

Once all the riders had assembled, Einon drew his sword, "Lets shear them like the sheep they are! HAAAH!" he yelled, swinging his sword about.

Bowen's horse reared with a loud whinny, "TO THE FOREST!" he commanded. As if they were frightened the peasants turned tail and ran towards the trees, Einon's cavalry following close behind. When they entered the trees, Becca leapt carefully over a fallen log and let out a loud, signaling yelp. Among the trees came quick and hushed orders. She smiled to herself as they entered a large clearing with a tall white birch standing on it's own.

At the moment that they had come to the clearing, the peasants spun about and faced their enemy. Holding the long, bare tree branches out like spears they hollered in unison, causing Einon and his army to come to a stop. "Halt! Halt!" screamed the king. The peasants chanted as several men swung across the clearing and around the stricken soldiers. Each man carried a blazing torch, and each lit a line of specifically placed moss, creating a ring of fire about the army. Einon and his men were surrounded.

"Second line! First flank advance!" came Bowen's shout, and from in the darkness of the forest came a mass of new peasants. All armed with bows, swords and other weapons. Becca howled along with the men and women running, sending her voice across the clearing and causing chills to run up the spines of the trapped soldiers.

The villagers attacked ferociously, running through the only opening in the fire wall. Sounds of swords meeting wood, or metal on metal grated in Becca's ears before Bowen yelled, "CHARGE!" and the rest of the peasants joined the fight. Both the knight and the wolf rushed into battle, after a few minutes Becca lost sight of him. She tore through each soldier as if they were paper dolls, her fur was eventually stained with blood and her mouth was filled constantly with flesh, blood or fabric. Becca ripped and bit savagely, sending full-grown men screaming for mercy. The wolf did not chase them, for her only concern were the soldiers in front of her.

She briefly caught glimpses of Bowen through the throng, or Kara hacking away at people with her axe. Once she saw Brother Gilbert string his bow and shot a man on horseback, through the rear but shot nonetheless. Becca didn't have time to laugh for she was shoved away by the battle once again. A sharp sting sprouted from her shoulder and she let out an inhuman squeal. Brock was standing nearby, his sword red with her blood, the werewolf bared her teeth and the man instantly regretted his act. Fire stung her nose and flickered in her eyes as she stepped through the blazing inferno. Becca was about to jump at him and tear him apart when her ears caught a shout from the middle of the fray.

"Retreat! Retreat! Retreat to the castle! Retreat!" the king shouted, holding his sword upright and swinging it at another approaching peasant.

With a shocked yell, Bowen replied, "Brother Gilbert! It's Einon! Stop him!" he called to the priest who was high in the trees on a pre-built platform. Becca saw the man string his bow with shaky hands.

Einon continued to order the retreat from a few meters away.

"Thou…" muttered Brother Gilbert, sweat forming on his brow.

Einon came to a stop, his horse pawing the earth and it's tail flicking fearfully.

"Shalt…"

Bowen blocked an attack from a soldier.

"Not…"

Kara swung her axe and hit a man in the gut, caught a sword and cleaved another man through his skull.

"Kill!" yelped the monk, letting the arrow fly. The missile hit Einon clean in the breast, he screamed and clutched at the shaft protruding from his chest. He doubled over his horse, just in time for Bowen to see Draco roar in pain and plummet to the castle below. Becca didn't see, her eyes were trained on Einon.

With a pained gasp, the man pulled the arrow carefully from his chest. Blood caked the tip of the weapon and he breathed heavily as he removed it. Bowen's eyes widened with horror, Kara shook her head in shock, and Becca just watched. With a smile, Einon grinned at Bowen, Kara and Becca. As if he was sharing in a silent joke that only he understood.

Then a thought suddenly occurred to Einon, washing over him like freezing water. "The dragon slayers…" he muttered quietly so only he could hear. Becca saw his shock and was puzzled. Einon whipped the reins about and, forgetting about his soldiers, galloped frantically in the direction of his castle.

Becca, as if there were some strange pull acting on her, followed behind him through the underbrush, taking care not to be seen. I don't know why I'm following him… but I do know that what I find wont be good… she thought briskly to herself as she plodded through the trees. Many of Einon's soldiers followed behind, some dead on their galloping horses, some horses had no rider. Yet still, the king pushed onward as if his very life depended on getting to the fort in time.

As they approached the castle, Becca made her size less daunting, and now appeared as if she were just a common dog following the horses. Even though there was blood all over her fur from fighting, she could have been a dog who had followed one of the men into battle. Her paws ached from fighting and her body was beginning to tire, but she felt that if she managed to get into the castle then she would discover some insane truth.

Einon blew into the courtyard and didn't even bother to dismount, Becca kept to the shadows near the walls. The young king rushed into the central stone courtyard, the cobblestones clacking under his horse's hooves. Becca followed through an archway and flattened her ears, her heart leaping into her throat.

Draco was chained heavily to the ground, struggling feebly against the bonds and his own tired body. Many men stood around him, some soldiers and some had the scent of death and strange lands about them. They wore odd outfits and held strange weapons, all trained on the confined dragon. His left wing was stretched over the side of one wall, whereas his right was pinned to his side and his right horn was snapped. Becca fought back the urge to just run into the courtyard and attempt to free him.

She chided herself, now that would be stupid… go in there when there are so many? And you're tired from battle? She mentally shook herself, now wait and be patient… Becca hid herself among a pile of crates and sacs near to Draco's head, watching as Einon approached the captive dragon.

"STOP! NO! I want it ALIVE!" he ordered in a panic, the men all around the dragon froze and came to attention. Becca pricked her ears, hoping to catch any information the king would lead astray. "…alive and safe…" he breathed, tapping the very same arrow that pierced his heart against Draco's broken horn.

The dragon shuddered painfully, as if stung, "Oh no…" he panted.

Becca shuffled herself so she could get a better view, when someone grabbed her by the scruff and yanked her out from her hiding place. "What have we here? A spy perhaps?" she yelped and struggled against the firm grasp of Felton. She twisted and snapped, but he had her in a tight hold and in the one damn place she couldn't reach.

Einon looked up suddenly and smirked, "Well, well… what an honor again…" he stated calmly, the breath returning to him and the panic vanishing. Becca glared daggers at him, feeling Draco's surprised gaze on her as well.

"Bastard, idiot who thinks he's all lah-dee-dah-dee-dah sponge and that… freaky big-nose who gets everything, stupid wombatting son of a fecking treebranch…who spurts apple juice and red cranberry sauce…" as Becca continued to rant off colourful streams of insults so that only Draco could hear, Einon motioned for one of the strange men.

"Tie her up with him," he pointed to a spot just across from Draco. "And make sure she can't get away,"

The men carried out his orders perfectly, securing a chain-link harness about Becca's body while holding her in place by her scruff. Then for extra measure they clipped a heavy chain to her collar so she couldn't break it and escape.

Oh just perfect… not only did you get caught, you got the chain outside as your room and board… just BRILLIANT Becca… Absolutely GENIUS… she scolded herself sarcastically, laying down and putting her large head between her paws. She didn't know how she was going to get out of this one.

HWOAH DANG... yeah I'm just that mean...

SORRY... but you will have to wait for chapter 15, hopefully since I have less stressful classes this upcoming semester I can get to it much faster AhAAAAH 8P

So yes... Read&Review if you please and thank you! xD Please again excuse Becca's/My foul language... HAHAHA...