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Dragonflame by Shelly

CHAPTER FOURTEEN


Tania listened to the sound of the waves washing upon the sandy beach, hoping to find a way to sort through her jumbled thoughts and emotions before she went crazy from it all. Her life had been completely turned around, and all it had taken was an hour, an hour for him to tell her what she had wanted to know so bad. But now she would give anything to give that hour back and pretend that none of this had happened.

She had come out here after everyone had left, telling Karl she wished to have some time to herself. He had appeared hurt, and she had given him a quick embrace and soft kiss to soften her words and tell him she would be okay. Then she had come out here to watch the sunset cast golden waves of color upon the ocean's surface, the pink clouds reflected in the waves.

She heard footsteps approaching and saw someone sit down beside her on the soft sand, knowing without looking that it was Karl, and she eased into his embrace when his arm slid around her back to hold her close. Eventually they ended up lying back onto the sand, Karl offering whatever support she needed from him to help her get through a difficult time.

"You okay?" he asked, rubbing the back of her neck with his fingertips.

She sighed as a delicious chill shook her body. "Not really," she answered. "It's not everyday that you learn that you'll be responsible for defeating a powerful enemy in order to keep everything from being destroyed."

"Kiran didn't say anything about that," he replied.

"No, but it was there all the same. Why else would Silver have brought me here? And what about all these dreams I've been having?"

"What kind of dreams?" he asked.

She sat up, noticing that he propped himself up on his elbows to see her better. "Dreams of what he had told us which now I find out are actually memories of a time when Raven and I were married." She laughed shortly. "How crazy is that?"

"It is strange," he agreed. "But I wonder what he meant by you not coming near Raven?"

She looked away for a minute. "Actually, Karl, I already have," she said, coming back to look into his eyes, and as always whenever she did so, she melted inside as they were so beautiful. "After Silver took me from the Whale King, he led me to a group of people which I assume were from this village. We were on our way here when we were attacked by Raven, and he took me to a different village where he began to act very strange towards me. But knowing what I know now, I realize that he was remembering things of our past life and seeking to bring forth those memories in me so that I would lower my defenses enough for him to strike. It almost worked, but thankfully Silver saved me and brought me here."

Karl gazed at her thoughtfully before reaching up to touch her face, and her eyes closed as she laid her own hand over his, relishing in the feel of his warm hand against her skin. When she opened her eyes, she saw him sitting up and crawled over so that she rested lightly on his legs, bringing her lips down upon his with an eager passion that had them both trembling in each other's arms. Her hands touched him everywhere, running through his hair and across his broad shoulders and chest just as his did. Finally they came up for air, breathing heavily as they lay their foreheads against one another's.

"I missed you so much, Karl," she whispered. "I was so worried about you and the others."

He took her face in his hands, brushing his thumbs across her cheeks. "I'm here now, and here is where I'll stay, always by your side. Provided Silver doesn't have any more tricks up his sleeve," he added with a chuckle.

She didn't share in his laughter. "Karl, don't you realize that there's a chance I may be killed when it's time for me to fight Raven?"

His eyes grew serious as well. "No, you will not because Van has already said he will fight him."

"He can't," she protested. "It's quite possible that I will be the only one who can pilot Dragonflame, so I will have to fight him."

His eyes became steely, and he rose to his feet, almost knocking her onto her back he rose so quickly. "Karl!" she sputtered, surprised and outraged that he would treat her so callously. "What has gotten into you?" she asked as she jumped to her feet.

"Perhaps I should be asking you the same thing," he fired back. "Are you so self-absorbed that you would refuse help just to see that you get all the glory and pity whenever you come back limping from your wounds suffered nobly during your battle? Why won't you let someone else help you? Do you love me so little that you would throw your life away?"

Her eyes had filled with tears, but she refused to give into them. "Karl, you know I never wanted this. And if Van is able to fight Raven using Dragonflame then I would let him do it, even though I would rather it be me fighting as I would wish for nothing to happen to any of you, especially you. I love you more than my life, which is why I would die to see that you live if it came to me fighting the Death Dragon."

His lips stretched taut into a thin line. "Well, please forgive me for being a little selfish wherever you're concerned. I don't want you to sacrifice yourself and neither does anyone else as we all love you. Won't you at least consider letting someone else fight this time?"

She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Karl, this is my battle to fight--Karl!" she called when she saw him turn and walk away, her heart breaking into a million pieces. Sitting back down onto the sand, she found no peace in the setting sun this time as tears flowed down her cheeks. "Karl," she whispered.

Feeling a hand brush against her shoulder, she looked up with hope shining in her eyes only to see Van standing there, who lowered himself down beside her. He saw the tears lining her face, and he reached over to wipe them away with his fingers. "Don't worry, he'll come around. Thomas is going to try and talk to him."

"I don't understand what happened," she said. "One minute he was fine and the next he was like a totally different person. He didn't seem to understand why I have to do this on my own to keep you all from being hurt."

"But you don't have to do it by yourself, Tania," he said. "I've fought Raven before so it seems logical that I would be the one to fight him again."

"I know, Van. Only thing is, this time you're fighting not only Raven but the Death Dragon as well. And what if you're not able to pilot Dragonflame? Then it would be left up to me to fight him." This time she couldn't stop the sob that escaped. "And I'm scared, Van," she whispered. "So scared."

Her cries tore at his heart, and he gathered her in his arms to hold her close as he let her vent her emotions, all the while rubbing her back and thinking how strange it all seemed. He and Thomas had followed Karl down here, but had hung back just enough to give them a little privacy. Now he wondered if they hadn't done the right thing as he suspected a certain someone might be nearby, someone who had the ability to manipulate people's thoughts and emotions.



Not far away, two sets of eyes watched the scene unfold between Tania and Karl, both of them pleased to see the Colonel leave as they prepared to make their move. But then Van appeared, and they cursed as their window of opportunity slipped through their fingers.

"There goes our chance," Raven observed wryly.

"Doesn't matter," Riese replied. "I think now we'd better concentrate on bringing forth the Death Dragon as I am sure they will find Dragonflame soon. Let's go," she added as she rose silently to her feet.

Raven let his gaze linger on Tania a moment longer before he did the same.

*******************

Thomas: So, that's what was wrong with my brother. Funny, because he was controlled like that before by her, and I had to keep his zoid from going berserk--

Shelly: We know, Thomas!

Thomas: You do?

Shelly: Yep. *thinks a moment with a smile spreading across my face* Hey, Thomas! Wasn't that when Fiona was in danger and you were supposed to save her?

Thomas: I was fighting my brother!

Shelly: And when you saw her, you tripped and fell flat on your face?

Thomas: *speechless for once* Yes, I fell for her. But I insist that Van tripped me.

Shelly: *chuckling* Sure, Thomas. Whatever you say.

Thomas: He did!

Shelly: *waving him off* Thanks for reading and please review!