Okay, I think it's about time that I update this fic! It's been almost a
year since I posted it, and the 14th of June was the last time that I
updated it, working on originals is fun and dandy, but what is happening to
the LoD section? Anyone care to tell me, it's like we're all dead!
Chapter 13 Two Dragoons
"Shana are you alright?" Dark asked glancing back at her, he couldn't help but wish she'd walk a little faster, Tyra was able to keep up with him and Lavitz, so why couldn't Shana?
"I'm pooped!" Shana whined as Dart held up a hand for another break. He hated to admit it but Shana was slowing them down. "Thanks Dart." She said walking over to a tree and leaning up against it resting in the shade.
"We should be there by now." Tyra muttered angrily glancing over at Dart who was walking over to Shana.
"Relax, some people tire easily." Lavitz said pulling out two pieces of jerky and handing one to her as he bit a little off of it.
"Well I don't." Tyra said putting her hands on her hips watching Dart and Shana. "Would those to make up their minds already?"
"So you see it too?" Lavitz said grinning at her insight.
"It's not hard to see." She retorted. "Siblings or lovers, make up your minds already." She muttered under her breath as she turned around so her back was facing them.
"What were you in Hellena for?" Lavitz asked stepping to stand in front of her.
"I don't know." She said lying, but she knew by the look in his eyes that he had called her bluff.
"Okay we're ready to head off again." Dark said as he and Shana started walking again. The scenery was only enjoyed by Shana as the other three had seen it all many times before, and it seemed to be the same picture viewed over and over again. Needless to say it was a relief to reach Hoax.
The town seemed to be more like a head quarters for the army than any place to raise children. Maybe that was why the common sounds of a village had been replaced. There was no music, no children laughing, no women gossiping at the market, no men competing. Instead there was the steady pace of knights marching about and the sound of the flags being whipped in the wind. There was the smell of rust and gun power instead of fresh bread and stews. No place for children.
Tyra glanced about her as she gripped her left arm tightly. She glanced down at where her scar would be had she been in her true form, it stung in pain for a moment and then stopped. Glancing around and seeing nothing to worry about she smiled to herself and turned back to Hoax, how much it had changed.
"Lavitz!" Kaiser said as he walked toward the younger knight. "How have you been?" He asked greeting them as they entered headquarters.
"I've been fine Kaiser. This is Dart and Shana, the two of them helped me escape from Hellena where Tyra was being held too." Lavitz said moving his hands as he spoke. "Where is Tyra?" He added noticing that she wasn't present.
"I'd go find her now if I were you." Kaiser said quietly. "There may be Sandoran scouts out."
"That isn't necessary." Tyra said as she walked up to where Dart and Shana stood.
"What did I tell you about wandering off?!" Lavitz demanded.
"Actually Lavitz, absolutely nothing." She said smirking. "Not yet anyway."
"Well then smart alec, no fighting for you." He shot back turning back to Kaiser. "We should have our meeting now."
Kaiser nodded in agreement. "Please." He said motioning to a solider in the corner of the room. "Show Dart and Shana the city." The solider nodded curtly and led them away as Kaiser began stating the facts that they'd been delivered.
"So we expect an attack for tonight." Lavitz said grinning. "We'll be ready for them."
"Are you sure that we have enough fighters to defend the fortress?" Tyra asked leaning up against the wall. "It doesn't seem that we have very many."
"She's right, we are shorthanded. Hopefully though, we won't have to defend ourselves, and I pray if we do it's not against their dragon." Kaiser said throwing another log on the fire.
Tyra closed her eyes in thought for a minute. 'Feybrant, I can't believe they found one worthy of controlling you.' Opening her eyes she saw that Dart and Shana were waiting outside at the base of the staircase to the inn above them. Glancing over at Kaiser and Lavitz who were both bent over a series of maps and charts talking in low voices. Apparently tired of waiting Dart walked in and over to Lavitz, Shana hung back near the doorway and glared at Tyra.
"Is there anything that we can do to help?" Dart asked glancing at Kaiser and noticing how tired the man appeared to be.
"Well as Tyra pointed out." Kaiser began. "We are short of fighters, and we could use a second cook, so Miss Shana if you could?"
"You want me to cook for you?" Shana asked beaming at the idea.
"Just something filling, preferably with spices!" He said turning to soldier who had returned with the red clad night. "Take Shana and introduce her to Tallia." He ordered and the two left quickly.
"Who's Tallia?" Dart asked Lavitz as they went to rest before their watch.
"Tallia is Kaiser's daughter. She was born a fighter at heart, but is weak in body, her strength comes from her soul." He said lying down on the bed, he turned away from Dart and shut his eyes. Dart fell asleep soon after he was sure that Lavitz was, and it was his loud snores that told Lavitz the younger man had fallen asleep. "Took him long enough he muttered as he left the room shutting the door behind him trying his best not to make a sound. He left the building and ascended the staircase to the inn.
"It's about time you got here!" Tallia said throwing a dishrag at him. "I was so worried about you! Dad said that you were missing in action!"
"Well I'm back, thanks to Dart and Shana that is." He replied glancing out the window.
"You're too modest." She said swinging her hips as she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Have you talked to your mother yet?"
"Not about that." He said grinning sheepishly as he put a hand on her shoulder and moved it towards her neck lifting the fine golden chain she wore, and gazing at the ring that dangled from it. The ring that he had bought her.
"Why do you keep stalling?" She asked leaning into him, her small frame giving off warmth as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Leave the knighthood, talk to your mother, they'll understand." She said almost pleading.
"I know they will, but I can't stop now, after the war is over I'll talk to Albert, and before then I'll talk to my mother." He promised as he quickly let go of her and crossed the room.
"What is it?" She asked pushing her dirty blonde hair away from her brown eyes and narrowing it as she gazed at him.
"Have you talked to your father about 'us' yet?" He asked glancing up at her and watching her shake her head. "Well then, I think now's the time." He said turning to face the door just as Kaiser entered.
"Daddy!" Tallia half shouted out of surprise before giving Lavitz a thankful look.
"Yes?" Kaiser asked turning to face her. She started blushing at having both men in the room starring at her and struggled to come up with words.
"You . . . said that when I grew up you wanted me to marry someone strong enough to protect me, a noble or a knight." She said fiddling with her thumbs.
"Yes I do recall that, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't permit you to marry a baker or artist if they loved you true." Kaiser said nodding.
"How about Lavitz?" She asked her eyes lit with hope as she watched him expectantly.
Kaiser took a deep breath glanced over his shoulder at Lavitz then back to his daughter. "Lavitz will do if he's up for the job that is." Kaiser said turning to leave.
"I'll do my best at it Sir." Lavitz said saluting his elder.
"I'm sure you will." Kaiser said leaving.
Tallia took a deep breath and grinned at him, everything would be perfect! She could move into Slambert plaza with him, or they could move into their own home, nothing to big, but she knew Lavitz would prefer his father's house. Mrs. Slambert wouldn't mind Lavitz getting married, she'd be completely thrilled with the news, especially from the story Shana had told her.
"You're my knight in shining armor." She said placing her hands on his shoulders and standing on her tiptoes as Lavitz moved an arm to be supporting her back while his other hand traced her satin lips down her cheek and down to the back of her neck, he then covered her lips with his own. Tallia heard shouting outside, but it didn't matter, all that mattered was Lavitz and this embrace, she never wanted it to end. She felt safe in his arms, she wanted to feel this safe always. The kiss seemed to last forever, but it still wouldn't last long enough. Tallia rested her head on his chest and sighed, she could still hear the shouting in the background and it began to get clearer as she concentrated on it.
"NO DART!" Tyra shouted at him. "LAVITZ IS NOT HERE! HE IS A KNIGHT HE HAS BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN STUFF HIS OWN FACE!"
"Calm down, I just want to check for myself!" Dart replied running a hand through his hair.
"OH! So my checking isn't good enough for you!?" She retorted leaning on the door the kitchen inn.
"Just get out of my way!" Dart said loosing his patience with the younger girl.
"N-O spells no." She stated dully.
"I know that." Dart said through gritted teeth.
"Then act like it, turn around and look somewhere else." She said sighing as if it was the obvious solution.
"I've looked everywhere else!"
"Well Dart, why would he be in the kitchen?"
"I don't know, but if you see him tell him our shift is starting as soon as the sunsets." He glanced over his shoulder. "I think that gives him twenty minutes." He said as he turned around exited the inn lobby and hurried down the stairs.
Tyra sighed and knocked on the door from her leaning position. "You two done yet?" She inquired thankful that Dart had left.
"Yes sorry and thank you." Tallia said as Tyra opened the door and entered.
"How did you know what we were up to? Spying on us?" Lavitz asked raising an eyebrow.
"Oh please." Tyra said rolling her eyes as she tapped on the glass, the curtain was drawn down on the other side. "The curtain was up when I got here, and I only came up because the mirror in the other room was reflecting your image down on the street, so I figured I'd save you from total embarrassment."
"Thanks Kiddo." Lavitz said laughing as he said on a wooden chair and Tallia sat down on his lap.
"I'm not a Kiddo!" She said throwing a wet cloth at him. "There's lipstick on your face."
Lavitz turned beat red as he started wiping his face clean with the rag then looked at Tyra. "So when does my shit start?"
"You've got ten minutes." She said smirking at how quickly his face drained, he stood up to quickly and almost knocked Tallia over.
"I've got to go I'm sorry!" He said rushing out of the room.
"Duty calls." Tyra said rolling her eyes as she grabbed a loaf of bread and started to cut slices of it piling them on the cutting board. "I'll help since Shana isn't here."
"You're a little angel." Tallia said going back to the stew she was making.
Hours later when it was dark and the stars lit the sky Lavitz stretched and yawned trying to stay awake. Dart glanced at him and turned to face the town. "Smells good. I'll go ask Tallia to bring us something to eat."
"No Dart, I don't want her out here, go get it yourself." Lavitz said quietly.
"Yeah, we'll be fine unless the owls stop." He replied and Lavitz nodded knowing what he meant. Dart rushed down the first set of steps and stopping suddenly as there was a rustle of leaves as the owls all stopped their hooting and took flight.
"THE SANDORANS!" A man shouted from the far wall as her fell of the ramparts and arrow through his heart.
"DAMNIT!" Dart said running over to check on him and finding him already dead. Turning around quickly holding his blade at neck height he severed the head of the Sandoran behind him. 'Wonder how Lavitz is doing.' He thought hearing a shout from the far side of the city, glancing up at where he had left Lavitz and noticing the knight wasn't there.
"Dart! Come give me a hand!" Lavitz called as he shifted the spear in his hand as he waited for his rather large, well very large opponent to make the first move. The giant grunted as Dart stopped stock still next to Lavitz starring up at the giant in shock.
"No . . . stare . . . Kongol." The Giganto said in broken speech. Raising his axe as he charged forward swinging his ax madly in Dart's direction Dart clueing in just in time to neatly sidestep and duck completely avoiding the onslaught. Lavitz glared at the Giganto and charged in himself stabbing his spear into the side of the man's arm and finding it did next to nothing, he man's skin seemed to be thick and impenetrable.
"What the hell is 'Kongol?'" Dart asked at least ten minutes into the fight. He had a cut above his left eye and the blood stung in his eye, he was panting for breath and both he and Lavitz knew they were fighting a losing battle. Lavitz was drenched in sweat, and Dart noticed for the first time that he was too.
"Kongol me!" The giant roared throwing his axe aside. "KONGOL CRUSH YOU WITH HANDS!" He shouted running over and grabbing them by their necks and throwing them against the rock wall that surrounded the war town.
Neither man moved for several moments and Kongol stood staring at them as if he was expecting them to jump up and be fine from his assault. Dart's vision was blurred but his eyes remained open, a glimmer in the sky caught his attention, he felt tired and stiff, and found he couldn't move. The glimmer appeared to be a star but the light it gave off was cold and forbidding, nothing like the other warm and welcoming objects, and it was getting closer. It was mere seconds, but to Dart it seemed like hours as the star became a woman standing only feet from him, but she wasn't standing, she was flying.
She drew a rapier and held it out, her arm steady and controlled, her raven black hair whipping across her face in the winds created by her crystal wings. The rapier, Dart suddenly noticed, was aimed at him, directly at his heart. The woman's features seemed similar, and her lips moved, she seemed to be speaking to him, but he couldn't hear the words. Then suddenly they washed over him: "Awaken spirit of the Red-eyed- dragoon!" She didn't seem to be shouting, but when he heard the words they seemed to stop everything else.
The clashes of battle stopped, and Dart felt all eyes on him. The ruby that his father had given him was glowing and stretched to the end of the golden chain that it hung on. It seemed to be giving off heat as well, Dart slowly reached forward pain rising in his shoulder as he did so. He slowly closed his fingers around the glowing gem and felt heat surge through his whole body as was raised from the ground and a hard armor covered him.
Shifting his sword from on hand to the other then back into his right hand noticing that it seemed different somehow, he glared at Kongol feeling power surge into himself feeling the strength in it extended his arms letting his sword fall to the ground and released all of his energy, aiming it all in one blast at Kongol. Dart didn't have the control he had expected and although the blast did as intended knocking the giant off his feet, but also exploding at close range causing him to fly backwards the last thing Dart felt was something cold hitting him in the back of the head.
*****
"You could have killed him!" Shana screamed at the raven-haired warrior.
"Well I didn't now did I?" She retorted turning her gaze back to the bed, Dart lay motionless at the moment, he'd been that way for hours, the girl had done a good job on him. 'Best healer I've seen since Shirley, she even looks like Shirley.' She noted deciding she'd have to pay special attention to her.
"You had no right to do what you did to him!" Shana shouted again.
"Dammit Shana, you're eighteen, learn to act like it." Tyra said glaring at her as she glanced back at Dart noticing his eyes opening slowly. "Let the man speak for himself at least." She said putting her hands on her hips. 'So this is the Rose Charlie always talked about, too bad the rest of the dragoons died.'
"Shana, I'm find." Dart said standing up. "See, and it's not the first time we've met." He said nodding in the woman's direction. "I never did catch your name."
"It's Rose." Rose stated emotionlessly turning her dark eyes onto him.
"Were you trying to kill him that time too?" Shana snapped at her.
"On the contrary." Rose said walking over to the window, the knight she noticed hadn't said much of anything in her presence, and spoke in hushed whispered to the healer.
"What did you do last night?" Dart asked pulling out the ruby again, it glowed warmly in his hand and he tucked it away again.
"I awakened your dragoon spirit, the spirit of the Red-eyed Dragon, it's now yours Dart, you deserve to rule over dragons, one of the few." She said smiling sadly. "I'll teach you how to use it, and in time you'll have mastered it as well as the original dragoons did theirs."
"I take it that means you're coming with us too?" Dart asked glancing at the door as Tallia came in with two trays of soup and sandwiches.
"Thanks for all your help Shana." She said sarcastically as she turned to leave smiling sweetly at Lavitz without anyone noticing causing him to blush slightly, and that was noticed by two both of whom decided not to mention it.
"Yes, and where might you be going?" She inquired quickly to avoid any objections.
"I guess . . . I guess we're off to slay the dragon!" Dart said grinning.
"So be it." Rose said as she left, her voice echoing back from the hall. "Met me in the court after you're done eating, then I'll show you how to control your power."
And so I give you chapter 13, short as usual, crappy as usual, and took one hell of a long time to update as usual! Hope you enjoyed if you've read it please review, thanks, and buh bye!
Chapter 13 Two Dragoons
"Shana are you alright?" Dark asked glancing back at her, he couldn't help but wish she'd walk a little faster, Tyra was able to keep up with him and Lavitz, so why couldn't Shana?
"I'm pooped!" Shana whined as Dart held up a hand for another break. He hated to admit it but Shana was slowing them down. "Thanks Dart." She said walking over to a tree and leaning up against it resting in the shade.
"We should be there by now." Tyra muttered angrily glancing over at Dart who was walking over to Shana.
"Relax, some people tire easily." Lavitz said pulling out two pieces of jerky and handing one to her as he bit a little off of it.
"Well I don't." Tyra said putting her hands on her hips watching Dart and Shana. "Would those to make up their minds already?"
"So you see it too?" Lavitz said grinning at her insight.
"It's not hard to see." She retorted. "Siblings or lovers, make up your minds already." She muttered under her breath as she turned around so her back was facing them.
"What were you in Hellena for?" Lavitz asked stepping to stand in front of her.
"I don't know." She said lying, but she knew by the look in his eyes that he had called her bluff.
"Okay we're ready to head off again." Dark said as he and Shana started walking again. The scenery was only enjoyed by Shana as the other three had seen it all many times before, and it seemed to be the same picture viewed over and over again. Needless to say it was a relief to reach Hoax.
The town seemed to be more like a head quarters for the army than any place to raise children. Maybe that was why the common sounds of a village had been replaced. There was no music, no children laughing, no women gossiping at the market, no men competing. Instead there was the steady pace of knights marching about and the sound of the flags being whipped in the wind. There was the smell of rust and gun power instead of fresh bread and stews. No place for children.
Tyra glanced about her as she gripped her left arm tightly. She glanced down at where her scar would be had she been in her true form, it stung in pain for a moment and then stopped. Glancing around and seeing nothing to worry about she smiled to herself and turned back to Hoax, how much it had changed.
"Lavitz!" Kaiser said as he walked toward the younger knight. "How have you been?" He asked greeting them as they entered headquarters.
"I've been fine Kaiser. This is Dart and Shana, the two of them helped me escape from Hellena where Tyra was being held too." Lavitz said moving his hands as he spoke. "Where is Tyra?" He added noticing that she wasn't present.
"I'd go find her now if I were you." Kaiser said quietly. "There may be Sandoran scouts out."
"That isn't necessary." Tyra said as she walked up to where Dart and Shana stood.
"What did I tell you about wandering off?!" Lavitz demanded.
"Actually Lavitz, absolutely nothing." She said smirking. "Not yet anyway."
"Well then smart alec, no fighting for you." He shot back turning back to Kaiser. "We should have our meeting now."
Kaiser nodded in agreement. "Please." He said motioning to a solider in the corner of the room. "Show Dart and Shana the city." The solider nodded curtly and led them away as Kaiser began stating the facts that they'd been delivered.
"So we expect an attack for tonight." Lavitz said grinning. "We'll be ready for them."
"Are you sure that we have enough fighters to defend the fortress?" Tyra asked leaning up against the wall. "It doesn't seem that we have very many."
"She's right, we are shorthanded. Hopefully though, we won't have to defend ourselves, and I pray if we do it's not against their dragon." Kaiser said throwing another log on the fire.
Tyra closed her eyes in thought for a minute. 'Feybrant, I can't believe they found one worthy of controlling you.' Opening her eyes she saw that Dart and Shana were waiting outside at the base of the staircase to the inn above them. Glancing over at Kaiser and Lavitz who were both bent over a series of maps and charts talking in low voices. Apparently tired of waiting Dart walked in and over to Lavitz, Shana hung back near the doorway and glared at Tyra.
"Is there anything that we can do to help?" Dart asked glancing at Kaiser and noticing how tired the man appeared to be.
"Well as Tyra pointed out." Kaiser began. "We are short of fighters, and we could use a second cook, so Miss Shana if you could?"
"You want me to cook for you?" Shana asked beaming at the idea.
"Just something filling, preferably with spices!" He said turning to soldier who had returned with the red clad night. "Take Shana and introduce her to Tallia." He ordered and the two left quickly.
"Who's Tallia?" Dart asked Lavitz as they went to rest before their watch.
"Tallia is Kaiser's daughter. She was born a fighter at heart, but is weak in body, her strength comes from her soul." He said lying down on the bed, he turned away from Dart and shut his eyes. Dart fell asleep soon after he was sure that Lavitz was, and it was his loud snores that told Lavitz the younger man had fallen asleep. "Took him long enough he muttered as he left the room shutting the door behind him trying his best not to make a sound. He left the building and ascended the staircase to the inn.
"It's about time you got here!" Tallia said throwing a dishrag at him. "I was so worried about you! Dad said that you were missing in action!"
"Well I'm back, thanks to Dart and Shana that is." He replied glancing out the window.
"You're too modest." She said swinging her hips as she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Have you talked to your mother yet?"
"Not about that." He said grinning sheepishly as he put a hand on her shoulder and moved it towards her neck lifting the fine golden chain she wore, and gazing at the ring that dangled from it. The ring that he had bought her.
"Why do you keep stalling?" She asked leaning into him, her small frame giving off warmth as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Leave the knighthood, talk to your mother, they'll understand." She said almost pleading.
"I know they will, but I can't stop now, after the war is over I'll talk to Albert, and before then I'll talk to my mother." He promised as he quickly let go of her and crossed the room.
"What is it?" She asked pushing her dirty blonde hair away from her brown eyes and narrowing it as she gazed at him.
"Have you talked to your father about 'us' yet?" He asked glancing up at her and watching her shake her head. "Well then, I think now's the time." He said turning to face the door just as Kaiser entered.
"Daddy!" Tallia half shouted out of surprise before giving Lavitz a thankful look.
"Yes?" Kaiser asked turning to face her. She started blushing at having both men in the room starring at her and struggled to come up with words.
"You . . . said that when I grew up you wanted me to marry someone strong enough to protect me, a noble or a knight." She said fiddling with her thumbs.
"Yes I do recall that, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't permit you to marry a baker or artist if they loved you true." Kaiser said nodding.
"How about Lavitz?" She asked her eyes lit with hope as she watched him expectantly.
Kaiser took a deep breath glanced over his shoulder at Lavitz then back to his daughter. "Lavitz will do if he's up for the job that is." Kaiser said turning to leave.
"I'll do my best at it Sir." Lavitz said saluting his elder.
"I'm sure you will." Kaiser said leaving.
Tallia took a deep breath and grinned at him, everything would be perfect! She could move into Slambert plaza with him, or they could move into their own home, nothing to big, but she knew Lavitz would prefer his father's house. Mrs. Slambert wouldn't mind Lavitz getting married, she'd be completely thrilled with the news, especially from the story Shana had told her.
"You're my knight in shining armor." She said placing her hands on his shoulders and standing on her tiptoes as Lavitz moved an arm to be supporting her back while his other hand traced her satin lips down her cheek and down to the back of her neck, he then covered her lips with his own. Tallia heard shouting outside, but it didn't matter, all that mattered was Lavitz and this embrace, she never wanted it to end. She felt safe in his arms, she wanted to feel this safe always. The kiss seemed to last forever, but it still wouldn't last long enough. Tallia rested her head on his chest and sighed, she could still hear the shouting in the background and it began to get clearer as she concentrated on it.
"NO DART!" Tyra shouted at him. "LAVITZ IS NOT HERE! HE IS A KNIGHT HE HAS BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN STUFF HIS OWN FACE!"
"Calm down, I just want to check for myself!" Dart replied running a hand through his hair.
"OH! So my checking isn't good enough for you!?" She retorted leaning on the door the kitchen inn.
"Just get out of my way!" Dart said loosing his patience with the younger girl.
"N-O spells no." She stated dully.
"I know that." Dart said through gritted teeth.
"Then act like it, turn around and look somewhere else." She said sighing as if it was the obvious solution.
"I've looked everywhere else!"
"Well Dart, why would he be in the kitchen?"
"I don't know, but if you see him tell him our shift is starting as soon as the sunsets." He glanced over his shoulder. "I think that gives him twenty minutes." He said as he turned around exited the inn lobby and hurried down the stairs.
Tyra sighed and knocked on the door from her leaning position. "You two done yet?" She inquired thankful that Dart had left.
"Yes sorry and thank you." Tallia said as Tyra opened the door and entered.
"How did you know what we were up to? Spying on us?" Lavitz asked raising an eyebrow.
"Oh please." Tyra said rolling her eyes as she tapped on the glass, the curtain was drawn down on the other side. "The curtain was up when I got here, and I only came up because the mirror in the other room was reflecting your image down on the street, so I figured I'd save you from total embarrassment."
"Thanks Kiddo." Lavitz said laughing as he said on a wooden chair and Tallia sat down on his lap.
"I'm not a Kiddo!" She said throwing a wet cloth at him. "There's lipstick on your face."
Lavitz turned beat red as he started wiping his face clean with the rag then looked at Tyra. "So when does my shit start?"
"You've got ten minutes." She said smirking at how quickly his face drained, he stood up to quickly and almost knocked Tallia over.
"I've got to go I'm sorry!" He said rushing out of the room.
"Duty calls." Tyra said rolling her eyes as she grabbed a loaf of bread and started to cut slices of it piling them on the cutting board. "I'll help since Shana isn't here."
"You're a little angel." Tallia said going back to the stew she was making.
Hours later when it was dark and the stars lit the sky Lavitz stretched and yawned trying to stay awake. Dart glanced at him and turned to face the town. "Smells good. I'll go ask Tallia to bring us something to eat."
"No Dart, I don't want her out here, go get it yourself." Lavitz said quietly.
"Yeah, we'll be fine unless the owls stop." He replied and Lavitz nodded knowing what he meant. Dart rushed down the first set of steps and stopping suddenly as there was a rustle of leaves as the owls all stopped their hooting and took flight.
"THE SANDORANS!" A man shouted from the far wall as her fell of the ramparts and arrow through his heart.
"DAMNIT!" Dart said running over to check on him and finding him already dead. Turning around quickly holding his blade at neck height he severed the head of the Sandoran behind him. 'Wonder how Lavitz is doing.' He thought hearing a shout from the far side of the city, glancing up at where he had left Lavitz and noticing the knight wasn't there.
"Dart! Come give me a hand!" Lavitz called as he shifted the spear in his hand as he waited for his rather large, well very large opponent to make the first move. The giant grunted as Dart stopped stock still next to Lavitz starring up at the giant in shock.
"No . . . stare . . . Kongol." The Giganto said in broken speech. Raising his axe as he charged forward swinging his ax madly in Dart's direction Dart clueing in just in time to neatly sidestep and duck completely avoiding the onslaught. Lavitz glared at the Giganto and charged in himself stabbing his spear into the side of the man's arm and finding it did next to nothing, he man's skin seemed to be thick and impenetrable.
"What the hell is 'Kongol?'" Dart asked at least ten minutes into the fight. He had a cut above his left eye and the blood stung in his eye, he was panting for breath and both he and Lavitz knew they were fighting a losing battle. Lavitz was drenched in sweat, and Dart noticed for the first time that he was too.
"Kongol me!" The giant roared throwing his axe aside. "KONGOL CRUSH YOU WITH HANDS!" He shouted running over and grabbing them by their necks and throwing them against the rock wall that surrounded the war town.
Neither man moved for several moments and Kongol stood staring at them as if he was expecting them to jump up and be fine from his assault. Dart's vision was blurred but his eyes remained open, a glimmer in the sky caught his attention, he felt tired and stiff, and found he couldn't move. The glimmer appeared to be a star but the light it gave off was cold and forbidding, nothing like the other warm and welcoming objects, and it was getting closer. It was mere seconds, but to Dart it seemed like hours as the star became a woman standing only feet from him, but she wasn't standing, she was flying.
She drew a rapier and held it out, her arm steady and controlled, her raven black hair whipping across her face in the winds created by her crystal wings. The rapier, Dart suddenly noticed, was aimed at him, directly at his heart. The woman's features seemed similar, and her lips moved, she seemed to be speaking to him, but he couldn't hear the words. Then suddenly they washed over him: "Awaken spirit of the Red-eyed- dragoon!" She didn't seem to be shouting, but when he heard the words they seemed to stop everything else.
The clashes of battle stopped, and Dart felt all eyes on him. The ruby that his father had given him was glowing and stretched to the end of the golden chain that it hung on. It seemed to be giving off heat as well, Dart slowly reached forward pain rising in his shoulder as he did so. He slowly closed his fingers around the glowing gem and felt heat surge through his whole body as was raised from the ground and a hard armor covered him.
Shifting his sword from on hand to the other then back into his right hand noticing that it seemed different somehow, he glared at Kongol feeling power surge into himself feeling the strength in it extended his arms letting his sword fall to the ground and released all of his energy, aiming it all in one blast at Kongol. Dart didn't have the control he had expected and although the blast did as intended knocking the giant off his feet, but also exploding at close range causing him to fly backwards the last thing Dart felt was something cold hitting him in the back of the head.
*****
"You could have killed him!" Shana screamed at the raven-haired warrior.
"Well I didn't now did I?" She retorted turning her gaze back to the bed, Dart lay motionless at the moment, he'd been that way for hours, the girl had done a good job on him. 'Best healer I've seen since Shirley, she even looks like Shirley.' She noted deciding she'd have to pay special attention to her.
"You had no right to do what you did to him!" Shana shouted again.
"Dammit Shana, you're eighteen, learn to act like it." Tyra said glaring at her as she glanced back at Dart noticing his eyes opening slowly. "Let the man speak for himself at least." She said putting her hands on her hips. 'So this is the Rose Charlie always talked about, too bad the rest of the dragoons died.'
"Shana, I'm find." Dart said standing up. "See, and it's not the first time we've met." He said nodding in the woman's direction. "I never did catch your name."
"It's Rose." Rose stated emotionlessly turning her dark eyes onto him.
"Were you trying to kill him that time too?" Shana snapped at her.
"On the contrary." Rose said walking over to the window, the knight she noticed hadn't said much of anything in her presence, and spoke in hushed whispered to the healer.
"What did you do last night?" Dart asked pulling out the ruby again, it glowed warmly in his hand and he tucked it away again.
"I awakened your dragoon spirit, the spirit of the Red-eyed Dragon, it's now yours Dart, you deserve to rule over dragons, one of the few." She said smiling sadly. "I'll teach you how to use it, and in time you'll have mastered it as well as the original dragoons did theirs."
"I take it that means you're coming with us too?" Dart asked glancing at the door as Tallia came in with two trays of soup and sandwiches.
"Thanks for all your help Shana." She said sarcastically as she turned to leave smiling sweetly at Lavitz without anyone noticing causing him to blush slightly, and that was noticed by two both of whom decided not to mention it.
"Yes, and where might you be going?" She inquired quickly to avoid any objections.
"I guess . . . I guess we're off to slay the dragon!" Dart said grinning.
"So be it." Rose said as she left, her voice echoing back from the hall. "Met me in the court after you're done eating, then I'll show you how to control your power."
And so I give you chapter 13, short as usual, crappy as usual, and took one hell of a long time to update as usual! Hope you enjoyed if you've read it please review, thanks, and buh bye!