Chapter 21

Vin woke up with someone wiping a wet cloth against his face; he opened his eyes slowly and realized that he was on a bed in a small cottage with an elderly woman by his side. She smiled at him her face reminded him of his own grandmother.

"Oh you're awake.'' She said her gray hair in her face, she quickly pulled it back and returned to cleaning his face with a wet cloth " Yes I am thank you.'' He said trying to get up but she quickly pushed him back down "No you don't lad you've got a bad cut in your neck.'' She then pointed a wrinkled finger to his neck, a white bandage had been wrapped around his neck he felt it and sighed remembering the fight and then gasped "Elita! Where is she?'' he asked feeling stupid as to forget about her.

The women smiled again "She's fine the poor dear was beside herself. Only when we told her that you'd be ok did she allow us to feed her a small goat.'' She laughed to herself sharing a private joke "She acts like a bitch protecting her puppies and always fussing over them.'' she then sighed and handed him a cup of water which he thankfully took his mouth was as dry as a desert as he chugged the water the women got up and headed to a warm cauldron over the fire. "My name is Linanda and I do believe you know my granddaughter Marilyn.'' She pointed to the little girl who was quietly sitting in a corner hugging a small stuffed doll.

"Hello Marilyn.'' He said trying to get up and walk towards the table Linanda immediately rushed to him grabbing his arm "You stubborn child at least let me help you.'' She murmured and helped him to the table, it turned out the short steps to the table were to exhausting and he quickly tired.

"I warned you.'' Linanda chuckled and passed him a warm bowl of broth with bread and cheese. "Eat up you'll need you strength I'm afraid if you want to be out of here before night fall.'' She said sitting down and watching him eat. "Why are you so worried about nightfall?'' He asked sipping his soup, she looked at him gravely and sighed "That's when the riders show up and drink up our wine and attack young girls.'' She then pulled Marilyn closer to her.

"My Marilyn was out picking berries for me I told her to keep away from the woods but stay on the edge. I didn't know that the riders were lurking about. The man snatched her before we could react.'' And she cried and grabbed his hand "Thank you so much for saving her.'' She said and he felt a tear fall on his hand and he smiled "But on the contrary she saved me.'' and he told her of how Marilyn smashed the rock against the rider's head.

Linanda laughed "Oh, you are indeed a brave dear my love. But now I'm afraid your life is in danger.'' And she quickly got up and grabbed a cloth and started cutting a loaf of bread and put some slices of cheese and an apple into the cloth before wrapping it up tight. "Here take this and go quickly they will kill you if they find out you killed their comrade.'' And she shoved it in his hands and headed for the door opening it slowly to peek out.

"It's all clear the village men are hiding their daughters and the best of our stores.'' She said and led him outside and into the back of her home which was the furthest from the village. Elita was lying low behind the house trying to hide herself.

She almost knocked him over when he appeared behind the house "Oh my love you're alright.'' She said and rubbed her nose against him and hummed in pleasure her eyes flashing a happy blue. " Oh I'm so sorry my love.'' was all he could say and he hugged her head and kissed her nose and both of them stayed like that for a few minutes before Linanda coughed to get their attention.

"You two must go it'll be getting dark soon.'' She said looking up at the fading light in the sky. Vin shook his head "Were not leaving.'' He said and Elita nodded her head in approval at what he decided. Vin would kick himself for the rest of his life if he turned and fled instead of standing to fight and defend this village as a dragon rider should.

"It is my duty as a rider a true rider to defend my people in times of need.'' And he stood tall "I will not run.'' And he grabbed the head of his blade and pulled it out "I will fight to the end as will Elita to save this village.'' And Elita roared backing up his statement, Linanda smiled and grabbed his hand and kissed it "Oh, bless you and your dragon jewel bless you.''

Vin knew he would need help if he was going to best the riders who he found out from Linanda were men no longer in their prime and that their beasts were what scarred the villagers not the men. Vin had asked her to call all the village men to gather if they wanted to save their village he would need their help as well as Alberd and Vlaw.

Elita circled and roared a greeting to the sleeping Grey-Wing who bellowed back in surprise, Elita landed quickly and lowered herself for him to climb down. Alberd was at the doorway his face blank as he tried to see what had caused his dragon's shocking behavior.

Then he spotted him and roared "What are you still doing her boy didn't I tell you to leave!'' He shouted but Vin shook his head and told Alberd of his plan. The man shook his head and snorted " No, No lad those riders will skin you even if your beast is a ton weight their dragons are faster and have had more battle experience.'' Elita snorted and a puff of smoke came from her nostrils startling the man backwards.

Vin held in a laughed and helped the man up as Vlaw looked at Elita impressively. "As you can see we have a few tricks up our sleeve.'' He said and Alberd huffed "I'll do what I can lad.'' He said and Vin laughed "Good then here's my plan.''

The village men were quick to assist Vin in his plan it didn't hurt to have a ton weight dragon hovering by your side to intimidate anyone from speaking against him. And they all quickly set to work the plan was to get the riders away from their beast that was the big problem, Elita and Vlaw would be hiding in the forest and would spring out when the riders were well away from their beasts . Elita could easily keep the dragons aloft long enough for the riders to be over taken by the village.

Elita and Vlaw kept look out from above while they got ready, the sun was fading fast soon it'll be to dark poor Vlaw didn't have good sight in the night like Elita who's eyes were already starting to change from their light blue to their nocturnal moonlight white.

Vin and Alberd were helping the men leading the women and children to the safety of the station with some men to guard them. He wasn't too sure how well Elita's aim would be if she breathed fire and he didn't want them harmed. The rest of the men were preparing the trap to get the men away from the beast. Alberd had told him that there were five riders but now there'd be just the four. " And with one down they'll not notice since they don't meet up with each other until they returned to the village which means they probably have no idea that one of their own is gone.'' Alberd said cleaning his blade and placing it back in his sheath, Vin smirked "Not very smart I'd say.'' And he looked up to see Elita and Vlaw dropping down as the sun finally disappeared.

"All lies well so far. We didn't see anyone coming.'' She reported and looked up to make sure, "Good my love now go and hide with Vlaw and don't come out until its time.'' He said and she nodded and the two dragons flew into the trees nearby and waited patiently.

Vin and Alberd took their spot at the bar looking out the door they waited and listened for any sign of the coming threat. All was still except the occasional sound of a sheep or a horse in there paddock, Alberd sat down and took out a glass of wine and poured two cups handing him one. "This'll calm the nerves.'' He said and gulped down his, Vin sipped his slowly not taking his eyes off of the sky. "It's not my nerves I'm worried about.''

It seemed like hours passed and still no sign of the riders, Vin had gone to check on Elita and Vlaw who were still waiting patiently in the pines. Vlaw was napping and Elita was looking up intently she was careful to keep her glowing eyes covered in the trees so not to show their location. "They are taking a lot of time aren't they.'' She mumbled and lowered her head and huffed a cloud of smoke leaking from her nostrils, he patted her head "No worries my love they'll show or else will go to them.'' And suddenly she stood up her eyes darting to the sky. "I hear dragon wings coming in fast.''

Vin ran as fast as he could to the village Alberd was waiting for him just outside the bar, he put a finger to his mouth and point upward. He crouched down and walked to Alberd his eyes darting up to see the shadows of four dragons hovering overhead. "There waiting for the missing one.'' He whispered and took a sip from a wine bottle in his hand. "Is this really the time for drinking?'' Vin scolded and ducked into the bar from the back door Alberd fallowing. "Lad you got a lot to learn about drinking.'' He joked taking another swig.

Vin looked up the dragons were still circling, he whistled and the first part of his plan was put into action. Three men ran from a barn nearby each dragging a barrel behind them each barrel leaking out oil all over the ground, the men quickly took off into the nearby homes. Vin then looked up and saw the dragons diving down all four of them light weight breeds the dragons lowered themselves and their riders dismounted.

They wore black cloaks with the hoods down showing off their graying hair, Vin could see their ageing faces. "Each of them could be my great grandfather.'' He said to himself. He watched the riders slowly gain distance away from their beasts, he watched and counted every step they took until they were stepping over the spilled oil.

Vin quickly jumped out his sword in hand the men were a little taken back from his stance but quickly laughed and pulled out their own swords. Their dragons were watching intently at their riders any second they could be called into battle before the trap was sprung. "Lad what are you doing?'' one of the men said, he chuckled "You could poke your eye out.'' Another said and they all laughed.

Keeping his cool Vin just smirked " Well I thought scum like you should learn some matters after all it seems you lack some.'' And the men laughed harder "O, the boy thinks we have no matters.'' And he pointed his sword towards him "Lad we out number you and let's face it your just a kid and were dragon riders.'' And Vin laughed aloud "More like dragon has-beens.'' And that left his mark out of nowhere the men charged and Vin let out a whistle. And soon the road was on fire the oil catching the torches that were thrown down by the villagers hidden in the roof. The fire formed a ring round the men who seemed a little startled but not at all afraid.

They instead smirked "Nice light show. But have you forgotten our beast.'' And just then the four dragons took flight and then the trap was sprung. With a vicious roar Vlaw broke from the tree cover and smashed into the flying dragons startling them into fright two of them flew higher up while the others dropped down dangerously close to the fires below, they quickly pulled up but where quickly welcomed by Elita who roared fiercely and the dragons took flight.

The men bemused looked at Vin who winked "I'm a rider to.'' And he drew his sword and the man charged him Vin meet the first man's sword the metal clang as they meet echoed in his ear. Alberd charged with two villagers by his side and they joined the battle the biggest of the riders the leader Vin thought was fighting him.

Just above them the dragons were fighting viciously, Elita had attacked one of the Monoes her teeth drawing blood as she tore into its neck she quickly had to lose her grip for one of the Admirals slammed into her and Elita pushed him away before grabbing it by its tail and swung it back down towards the ground she let out a river of flame engulfing the beast who screamed in agony as it crashed into a windmill its body was pitch black as it screamed in agony its rider dropped his sword and ran to his beast ignoring the fight completely.

"That's one down.'' Vin said to himself as he tried to focus on the fight he and the man smashed their swords into each other Vin blocked every move but he had to admit the man was good with the sword and was quickly wearing him down. Vin kicked the man in the shin and then stabbed his blade into the man's arm. The man screamed in pain but kept on attacking he was answered by his dragon a Monoe who managed to avoid Elita's claws and grabbed her rider in her swift talons in midflight.

Elita roared in fury at the loss of her prey and quickly flew after the Monoe; meanwhile Vlaw was fighting two dragons at once. He had a Monoe in his jaws by the throat but an Admiral was darting in and out sinking his claws into his back. Elita quickly came to his defense she roared and the Admiral who dropped out and Vlaw folded his wings and both he and the Monoe who was struggling to get free crashed into the village aloud Snap! was heard as the Monoe screamed in agony its left wing had snapped and the bone was sticking out Vlaw apparently in shock from the landing stood still and shook his head trying to get his balance. Just then there was a loud scream as the Admiral appeared aiming for Vlaw then there was a horrible shriek as it sank its fangs into Vlaw's open neck.

"Vlaw!'' Alberd screamed and bolted for his dragon ignoring the rider he was fighting, only to have the rider stab him in the shoulder. He screamed in agony as the man kicked him in the back an prepared to strike him down. Vin quickly without thinking grabbed hold of his belt knife and flung it into the back of the rider who screamed before falling over dead. Vin ran to Alberd who was holding his shoulder he looked at Vin with sorrow in his eye "Help my Vlaw.'' He whined still looking at his dragon who was desperately trying to dislodge the Admiral.

Vin turned to Vlaw the old Grey-wing finally managed to pull the Admiral off his neck and was now in the air followed by the Admiral. At the same time Vin was looking for Elita who with her eyes flashing red was spewing fire from her mouth at the Monoe and her rider.

She needed him the villagers had managed to get the remaining two riders under irons, while others were turning to the Monoe who was screaming still in pain. Vin whistled and quickly ordered men to muzzle the beast and see to its wing, "The poor creature is a victim in this.'' He shouted and then helped Alberd to his feet and away from the fray, there was a scream as Elita had turned to help Vlaw with the Admiral who screamed as Vlaw sank his talons into its back and in a desperate attempt to get free it folded its wings and dropped but Vlaw in the last second let go and the Admiral crashed into a nearby barn splinters flying everywhere as it thrashed about trying to get its bearings.

Vlaw roared in triumphed and quickly pinned the beast down; Grey-wings were the biggest of the light weight breeds so the old male easily pinned it down. Vin then looked up at Elita who was still in battle with the Monoe and her rider. Leaving Alberd he called for her, she flew down to collect him, there was no time to harness himself for the Monoe with her rider were retreating.

Eita hissed "The great cowards.'' And she put on a burst of speed, he had to grab onto one of her ridges to keep from flying off. Elita quickly over took them and swung her might talons into the back of the Monoe who screamed in fury but kept on flying at her rider's urgency. Elita roared "You will not escape me.'' and she froze in midair and Vin felt her lungs fill up with air at what she was about to do.

The Monoe screamed in panic and tried to dive away but it was too late with a mighty roar, Elita shot out a massive fireball which engulfed the rider and dragon in seconds both men and beast screamed in agony as they plummeted into the forest below.

Elita circled the spot her eyes flashing red in excitement "We are victorious.'' Vin patted her side "Well done my jewel well done.''