(Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the following story)

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Return of the Dragon Slayer.

Chapter Sixteen.

Dean opened his eyes slowly; it was dark and he waited for his eyes to adjust to the faint light of the lamp. He was in his tent and he was alive…he smiled, always a plus. He turned when he felt movement next to him and he smiled again. Caleb was nestled against him, his dark hair hanging over one eye, his thumb resting on his lips.

"He wouldn't leave your side"

He turned to Finn's whisper and smiled at her "Hey" he croaked out.

She smiled and came over with a water bottle and helped him sit up "Drink a little" She put the bottle to his lips and he sipped then drank greedily "Slow down…" she whispered and removed the bottle.

He wiped his lips with the back of his hand "Thanks" he looked at his leg "How bad?"

"Bad. But you're alright now. So is Peluda" she whispered.

"What was it?"

"Poison. Got an antidote from Fafnir, well part of it, Caleb helped with the rest"

Dean looked over at the boy and put a hand to his head and smiled as Caleb smiled in his sleep "He's a brave kid" he looked at Finn "He wasn't scared at all…well he sorta was…but more for Sam. Shit" he started to get up and Finn put a hand on his chest.

"No, it's after midnight. You're still weak, you're not going anywhere"

"I need to get to Sam" he said firmly.

She shook her head "I spoke to Fafnir, he told me to tell you that Sam has to stay where he is. He needs to stay in the Citadel, that's where his destiny lies"

"Bullshit" he started to get up and Finn pushed him back again.

"I'm just telling you what Fafnir said. He said I have to make you understand that Sam must stay there. I don't know why, he didn't tell me. But he was insistent"

"I don't give a fuck what he said. I won't leave Sam there"

They turned as the tent flap was pushed open and Peluda stuck his head in.

"Hey, Peluda. You feeling better?" asked Finn.

I am almost healed.

"I'm glad" she smiled.

Dean looked at her "You can hear him now?" she nodded.

I have decided she is worthy of hearing my voice.

Finn grinned at Dean "He's a smart arse as well"

She is somewhat annoying but I have forgiven her that, as she saved my life.

"He gushes" said Finn with a laugh.

You see?

Dean laughed softly "I see. Thanks, Peldua"

He bowed his head Griffin speaks the truth, Slayer. The Phoenix must remain within the walls of that place. There is much that he is needed to do. I understand now that he was never meant to leave that place with the Little Slayer, you must understand that now too.

"How can I understand it if you're not damn well telling me anything?" he said exasperatedly.

Slayer, sometimes, we are put on paths that seem to make no sense but they are the paths for which we are destined. They may appear harsh and cruel at times, but they are often the best ones for us and those around us.

"Peluda, I can't, I won't leave him there" said Dean.

You must

"Just like that?" he asked, his anger starting to rise.

He is with Azhi and the Lion, he is where he's supposed to be. Like you are where you're supposed to be.

"He's my brother…" started Dean.

I understand that, but he is also a grown man. His life, his destiny, although intertwined with yours, is still his own. You were bought here for a reason, Slayer…so was the Phoenix. His role in this war is as important as yours. Do not deny him his destiny because you believe him unable to fulfil it.

"That's not what I meant" said Dean. He turned to Finn "Jonas will know who he is"

She nodded "And I won't lie to you, he'll pay for that…"

"So how can I leave him there?"

"You have to" said Finn.

"No. I'm going to get him out"

"You can't Daddy" he turned as Caleb sat up and rubbed at his eyes "You can't. Uncle Sam has important things to do. Real important. They hurt him…a lot" he said softly "but he be okay in the end, the Little Dragon make sure of that"

Dean crouched in front of his son "What does he have to do, Caleb?"

"I not allowed to tell that part" he looked at Peluda "Right?" the dragon nodded his head and Caleb turned back to Dean "Uncle Sam is strong and he smart, like Uncle Gideon, they help each other. But you gotta let them stay. I don't want them in that bad place but it's important they stay there. Please Daddy"

"Caleb, I can't leave him there. You have to understand…"

"No. You have to unnerstand, I not have the words to tell you prop'ly to 'splain to you but you have to listen to me…I know"

Finn went over and crouched next to Dean "Listen to him, Dean. When I was getting the antidote for the poison, I saw Eli and he said we have to listen to Caleb, that he has the answers we're looking for"

"He did?" asked Caleb.

Finn laughed softly "Yes, mate"

Caleb nodded "Okay. We go to sleep now, I tell you more tomorrow. I tired. Big day" he looked at Dean "Uncle Sam be okay, I promise. He sleeping now anyway. You sleep too"

Listen to the little one. Do not betray your brother, Slayer. He is aware of his destiny and has accepted it. He is walking the path as you are. Have faith, he is the Phoenix after all.

Peluda bowed his head and removed it from the tent as Dean sat down heavily "This sucks out loud"

Finn got up and pulled Dean to his feet "Come with me for minute" she turned to Caleb but he was already crashed. Finn turned out the lamp as Dean slipped his jeans on and followed her out.

"Where we going? Maps?" he asked hopefully.

She shook her head and went into her tent and he followed her in and smiled "I believe I lost a bet" she said.

He grinned and took her in his arms "Drop 'em"

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Jonas paced his office, his sanctuary, his muscles taut, his hands clenching and unclenching, his breathing ragged, his teeth grinding as his rage grew. He'd tried to calm himself but had given up on it long ago; and why should he be calm? His city lay in partial ruin, some of his Royal Guard had abandoned their posts, abandoned him; and not only was the Dragon Slayer here, in Larten Vola, he had ridden one of those disgusting creatures into his city!

He picked up an eight-thousand year old bowl and threw it, smashing it against a far wall as he lay voice to a roar of rage; he'd had him, had that little bastard in his hands, and he'd lost him! He now knew who the boy's father was; he laughed madly, he should have realised who it was. It all made sense now; why that bitch wouldn't tell anyone who the father was, saying it was just some guy she'd picked up in a bar. He laughed again, but nooo, the spawn's father was the fucking Dragon Slayer! The one foretold to lead the dragons to battle against him, the one foretold to to be the leader of the Ancients. Well not on his watch. This was his realm now and soon, he would be the master of all realms. He would be more than a King….he would be God.

He turned as a knock sounded at his door "ENTER!" he yelled as he went and took his seat behind his desk.

The Elder entered quietly, closing the door behind him. He took in the broken glass on the floor, the visible rage on Jonas' face as he sat tapping his fingers against the desk and went to the glass cabinet that held the alcohol.

"What is it, Bartholomew?" he asked angrily.

Bartholomew poured Jonas a sizeable glass of whiskey and took a seat opposite the man "There have been murmurings, Supreme Royal…" he started.

Jonas threw back the whiskey and poured himself another "What kind of 'murmurings' , Bartholomew?"

The Elder sat straighter "The people…"

"MY people" Jonas stated firmly.

"Yes, Supreme Royal, your people" he shifted uncomfortably, he didn't want to give Jonas the news but he'd made the mistake of allying himself closely with the man, believing he could control him, use him, so that he and the other Elders could gain control of the realm, bring it back to the way it was, the way it should be "We have been hearing …whispers that …some of your people are…losing …confidence in you…" he stopped and changed tack quickly "your army. After the arrival of the dragons and the army's inability to slay even one of them…and after the rescue of the child…" he left the rest of the sentence unfinished.

Jonas stood and went to the window, turning his back on the Elder "Have those that failed been punished?"

"Yes, they are being buried as we speak" he replied.

Jonas nodded, he would not suffer fools and their inadequacies "I want their families thrown out of my city. They'll suffer for the embarrassment their fathers, husbands and sons bought me"

"Yes, sir" he cleared his throat quietly "The people saw the Dragon Slayer ride through your city, Supreme Royal, word is spreading quickly that the dragons did not fire upon us, that the damage was done by our army" he paused "this is worrisome"

Jonas laughed nastily "Worrisome?" he turned and sneered at Bartholomew "I want that asshole and I want that bitch and their son!" he slammed his fists on the desk "Why haven't they been found? What the fuck are my trackers doing? I know Judah has assembled an army to fight me, he and his asshole father were the first to leave after Gideon was deposed. You think I'm a fool, Bartholomew? You think I don't know what they're doing?"

He shook his head "No, sir"

"And your magic? Why haven't you been able to find them? That is your calling is it not?" he asked as he walked slowly round his desk, standing behind the man "Tell me why you can't find them Elder?"

"I believe they stay with the dragons…" he started.

"Bullshit" he whispered into the man's ear "You were lucky to escape with your life when you went to their home…" he put his hands on the man's shoulders, his fingers digging painfully into them "I've often wondered about that…how you managed to not only get to their land, but return, alive and with the fledgling…" he laughed merrily "but not just any fledgling, Bartholomew…the golden one"

"I…we, Elazar, Malachai, Ephraim and I…we summoned powerful magic, protection charms that guarded us against them, it gave us a small window in which to achieve what we did…"

"And you could do it again? Get my army onto their land?" he asked, his hands now gently rubbing at the Elder's shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Supreme Royal, once the dragons realised what we had done…their magic is older than ours…it is nothing that we are familiar with. They have put their own protections in place" he shifted uncomfortably in his chair again; he could hear the madness in Jonas' voice, the madness borne from the man's lust for power, power and revenge. He was far more dangerous than any of them had realised.

"Thought so…" he leaned down, putting his lips close to the man's ear and whispered "So what good are you to me?" and he snapped Bartholomew's neck, the crack of it echoing around the large room. He let go and the Elder's body slumped to the floor. "GUARD!" he yelled and the door was opened quickly "Remove this piece of trash from my office"

"Sir" he saluted and walked quickly to the Elders lifeless body, lifting it and carrying it from the room.

He sat and pondered what Bartholomew had told him. He knew what the Elders were doing, why they had allowed him to take the position of Supreme Ruler; they'd known Griffin would refuse to marry him, forsaking the office and effectively giving him a clear run to rule the realm; but he wasn't stupid; their goal had been to remove him eventually and take control of Larten Vola themselves. He laughed to himself, they hadn't counted on him taking hold of the army, the city and manipulating them to make sure he would be their ruler.

"GUARD!" he called again, and another entered "Bring Gideon and the Slayer's brother here…bound, four guards for each" he smiled "And assemble the people"

"Sir" he saluted and left.

Jonas leaned back in his chair and grinned to himself. He would show his people what happened to those who disobeyed him, who lost faith in him and he would show that bitch and the Slayer what happened if you messed with Jonas Kilpatrick.

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Sam and Gideon had both slept fitfully, it wasn't just the cold stone floor that acted as their bed, but the apprehension of what awaited them. Gideon had explained exactly who Jonas was; his hatred of him and Finn, his fear of the prophecy that explained who Dean was, what Dean was capable of doing if he was successful, and now with Caleb's rescue…they were in some serious shit. And Jonas was bound to know who Sam was now, not the Phoenix, but Dean's brother…and he would use that to get to Dean.

They looked up when they heard quick footfalls and Christian came to the bars "Supreme Royal, Jonas has called for you both, they're sending guards down now, what do you want me to do?"

Gideon got up and smiled at the man "There's nothing you can do now, Christian. You go and you find a camp and you get ready to fight with the others. Take who you can and you join Jude's army and you bring Jonas to his knees"

Christian smiled "I will, sir. I have daggers if you need them"

Gideon shook his head "No, we'll be fine. You go now, Christian, before they realise you side with me" he shook the man's hand "Thank you for all you've done. If you make it to Finn, you tell her this was how it was meant to be"

"Yes, sir" he stood back from the bars and saluted.

Gideon returned it and grinned "You kick their asses, Christian"

"We will, sir" he looked at Sam "Good luck" and Sam nodded as Christian hurried away.

"Dude" said Sam "Why not take the daggers?"

Gideon laughed softly "And do what with them? Two daggers against god knows how many swords…what's the point"

They are coming

Sam and Gideon turned to the dragon, Gideon walking over to the bars "What of you, Azhi?"

I will stay until the time comes for me to leave

Gideon laughed "Of course"

I have enjoyed your company, Lion. You are the rightful leader of your people. Hold your head high, proceed with honour and courage and your people will see that.

Gideon nodded "Thank you"

Azhi dipped his head Thank you he looked at Sam Phoenix, take your cues from the Lion, but your time will come, the Phoenix will rise in you and you will see

Sam nodded "Okay. And thanks for the …umm…" he grinned awkwardly "…tear"

You are welcome

They looked up as they heard the scrape of the door and the structured footfalls of the soldiers as they approached.

"Game time" said Gideon and he went to the bars, stood straight, his shoulders back and his head held proudly.

Sam watched the change come over Gideon and smiled. He understood as Gideon did, that being a leader of your people wasn't the in the title you held or where you lived, it was who you were. He smiled again and stepped forward, taking his place beside the true Supreme Royal.

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Sam stumbled as he was pushed into an office, his hands were bound behind his back and he was surrounded by four guards, all of whom had beaten him and Gideon before bringing them here. He was led to the front of a large desk and he stared at the back of a tall, well built, blonde man in garishly expensive clothes, that matched the garishly decorated office.

He stood straight, head held high next to Gideon as the man turned slowly from the window. He smiled at them but the smile never reached his brown eyes, the eyes that held pure hatred and a hint of madness. Sam stood taller and stared defiantly at Jonas.

"Leave us" said Jonas and the guards turned and retreated quickly. Jonas sat himself at his desk and stared at them "Well, Gideon " he looked at Sam "Sam…seems the Dragon Slayer managed to get his and his bitches bastard out of here and destroy my city in the process"

"Made you look the fool you are, did he Jonas?" said Gideon with a smile "Although, that really wouldn't be that difficult a task"

Jonas' eyes flashed angrily, Gideon still refused to show him the proper respect, the respect he deserved "I'll let that slide for now, Gideon" he turned his attention to Sam "And you…how did it feel when your brother left you to rot here and went after his spawn?"

Sam smiled "Awesome, actually" he grinned "Those dragons really kicked your ass, didn't they?"

"And they didn't fire a shot" said Gideon "How about that?" he smiled "Looks like you managed to destroy the Citadel all on your own, Jonas. How'd that feel?"

Jonas stood quickly "You dare speak to me this way? I AM THE SUPREME ROYAL! RULER OF THIS LAND!"

"You are nothing but a fraud" said Gideon evenly "You know it and the people will see it and rise up against you. It's been foretold. Enjoy it while you can, your time draws near"

"Not as near as yours does" he laughed "I wonder what Finn will do when she realises that she has no family left?" he leaned forward "I will kill you like she killed my brother"

"Your brother was a drunkard and a thief, if Finn hadn't killed him, I would have" said Gideon.

"MY brother deserved better than to die at the hands of that slut!" he smiled "But now I get to kill two birds with one stone…or should I say two brothers" he sneered at them "And then I will go after her, the Slayer and the boy…and I will kill them slowly, you mark my words"

"You won't get near them. You're running scared…" said Sam with a smile "And you should be, you know they're more powerful than you. So you do what you have to" and he stood straight, staring defiantly at the piss-weak man in front of him.

"GUARDS!" they entered quickly "Take them to the Square"

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Sam and Gideon were bustled through a crowd of jeering people…although Sam noticed that not all were jeering at them; there were those that watched what was happening with fear in their eyes, some with sorrow and some, quite a few actually with anger…not at them, but at what was happening to them. Maybe Azhi was right, maybe the people would see.

He looked up and his stomach dropped when he saw the platform to which they were being led. Oh shit, he took a deep breath and held his shoulders straight and raised his head, walking as Gideon did, in measured, proud steps.

The guards led them up the stairs and stood them in front of the crowd, there was easily over two thousand people watching and as Jonas walked up the stairs of the platform, they all quietened.

Jonas stood and waited until he had their complete attention before speaking "Yesterday you bore witness to the savagery of the dragons! Their disregard for our way of life and their wanton destruction of our home! They invaded our home and they will do it again unless we rise up against them and put them in their rightful place!"

"The Dragon Slayer was with them!" a voice from the back yelled.

"The Dragon Slayer is our enemy! He sides with the beasts and wants to destroy us! He is a traitor to our land!" he turned to Sam and Gideon "And these are his spies! His sister" he pointed to Gideon "is working with the Slayer, she is his woman and they have been planning our destruction from the beginning! And this is the brother of the Slayer, sent here to sabotage our plans! He was found with explosives to destroy our home but he was thwarted by our army!"

"HE LIES!" yelled Sam "YOU SEE THE TRUTH! YOU KNOW THE TRUTH! THIS IS NOT THE WAY OF THE ANCIENTS!"

Jonas turned and backhanded Sam "DO NOT LISTEN TO THE TRAITOR! YOU KNOW OUR WAYS!" he nodded to the guards and the nooses were placed around Sam and Gideon's necks.

"LET GIDEON SPEAK!" yelled another voice "HE HAS THE RIGHT BEFORE HIS DEATH!"

There were loud murmurs of agreement and Jonas had no choice but to agree. He nodded.

Gideon smiled at his people "Protect our home! Our way of life! Do not be ruled by fear! That is not OUR way! Remember this day as either the beginning of the return of Larten Vola! Or her death! The choice lies in your hands! It always has!" he smiled 'LARTEN VOLA!"

Sam turned to Gideon and grinned "Kick ass speech, dude"

Gideon returned the grin "I've had some practice" he nodded "You ready?"

Sam grinned again "You know, I kinda am…still, a last meal…."

And the floor dropped from beneath their feet, the last thing either of them heard was the loud snap of their necks breaking.

To be continued…