(Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the following story)
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Return of the Dragon Slayer.
Chapter Nineteen.
Dean ran to his tent, pushing Jude out of the way as he fell to his knees pulling a screaming Caleb against him, trying to calm the boy, but there was no calming him. He screamed and screamed, tears streaming down his face, his little body shaking uncontrollably as he clung to his father.
Dean rocked him "Shhh…shhh…it's alright, Caleb. Everything's alright" but he just kept screaming. "Caleb, what's wrong, buddy? Tell me what's wrong" but no matter what he said, what he did, he couldn't calm him, could get no response from him other than blood-curdling screams; and after ten minutes of non-stop, ear-shattering screams, Caleb fell limp in his father's arms "Caleb? Caleb?" he pulled the boy gently away from him, he was pale and had dark circles under his eyes. Dean put a shaky finger to his neck…
Sam crouched next to his brother and when Dean turned his eyes to him, he saw something in them he'd never seen before. Fear. Dean was scared.
"Sammy…" he begged.
Gideon crouched on the other side of Dean "Let me see him, Dean"
Dean moved Caleb a little further away from him but refused to let him go "Help him" he looked at Gideon "Help my son"
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Finn held tight to Raja as they rocketed over Larten Vola; the fields below were a blur as the wind rushed over her and the griffin, the beasts feathers rustling underneath her hands. She kept her head low, using the griffin's head to shield her from the worst of the wind but she was covered in goose-bumps, the height they needed to be to shield them from prying eyes meant she was cold...very damn cold.
You understand you may not return from this, Griffin.
"Yeah, you explained it but…I have to try" she yelled over the rushing wind.
They may not listen to you and I explained the punishment for entering their lands
"Yes. But...you understand that it had to be done. You were the one that insisted, said it would help with the battle"
I said it may help.
"Well you think it's something we should do and ..."
Griffin, this is a defining battle, not just for your people but for the dragons, the phoenix' and for the griffins…for all creatures that call this home. Any opportunity that presents itself, we should take.
"And this presented itself how exactly?" she asked.
A call went out that I heard…they are not happy with the state of the realm.
"They who?" asked Finn "You're being as vague as Fafnir was"
We are almost there…hold tight.
Finn tightened her grip on Raja and he pulled his wings against his body and speared towards the earth, issuing a scream that seemed to explode through her head. She gritted her teeth and winced as the griffin continued its call, spinning rapidly towards the earth. He pulled up quickly, his wings spread wide as he sailed over dark fields; fields that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. They were heading towards a forest whose trees were widely spaced but she couldn't see into. Raja pulled up at the edge of the forest and raised his head, screaming again. He backed away slowly but Finn could feel the muscles tensing underneath her.
Do not draw your sword. There are three on the wind.
Finn nodded and waited…waited for what she hoped would be more allies.
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Raja landed in the middle of the encampment "Thanks, Raja"
They will arrive shortly.
"Better let the others know then" she grinned and turned as she saw Jude walking towards her "What is it?" she asked, her stomach dropping.
"I'm sorry, Finn. I'm so sorry" he said sadly.
"NO!" she screamed and ran to her tent. She threw the flaps open and saw Dean holding Caleb against him, her son, limp in his arms "No, no, no, no, no…" she ran to them and pulled Caleb out of his arms "Wake up!" she yelled "You wake up now, Caleb! No mucking around!" she shook him "WAKE UP!"
"Finn…" started Dean.
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHING HIM! WHAT WERE YOU DOING?" she yelled.
"I'm so sorry…I…he just started screaming…he wouldn't stop…and…and…"
"We tried to save him, Finn" she turned and saw Gideon sitting next to Gabe and Sam.
"No" she stood and carried Caleb outside, looking round frantically. She ran over to Raja "Take us to the Palace…"
I cannot
"Yes, the fledgling can bring him back"
And what of …
"I'll trade me for him. Jonas'll do it" she walked towards his back and he stepped away.
No. You have a battle to wage.
"I don't give a shit about ANY of that! TAKE ME!" she yelled.
They looked up as the moon was cast in shadow, their allies had arrived. She watched as the Hippogryph's slowly landed, taking position behind the coral, there were easily three hundred of them. Their leader, Kubera, came over to her and sniffed at Caleb Your son is sick
"He's DEAD!" she yelled "I was with YOU and he DIED!"
Where is his father?
"Here" said Dean and he stepped forward.
You are the Slayer?
Dean nodded, his eyes on his son
Have your dragon take Griffin Jacobs to the fledgling. Make the trade. He will accept it.
"No. I'll trade for my son" said Dean.
No. It must be her. We will know when the boy has been returned and he will ride back with the dragon.
"And what about Finn?" asked Dean angrily.
"It doesn't matter. Peluda!" she went to the dragon and he put out his foot out.
"Pass him to me" said Dean "You can't climb Peluda while you're holding him"
She passed Caleb gently to him and scaled the dragon, she watched Dean kiss him softly on the forehead and he passed their son up to her. He climbed up and removed her swords "Don't give them a reason to kill you before you speak with Jonas" she nodded "You be careful and you tell Azhi to bring him back"
"I will"
He kissed her "I will come and get you"
"It's alright, Dean. As long as Caleb…"
"No. I will come for you"
"You make sure when Caleb gets back here…you tell him we have a plan" she said.
"You have a plan?"
She shook her head "You just tell him that" he nodded kissed her again and jumped down "Go Peluda" and the dragon rose gently and sailed out of the forest. Dean watched til they were out of sight then went to Raja and the hippogryph "The dragons will line the Citadel until Caleb is bought back. We attack at dawn"
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Finn held Caleb to her as they flew towards the Citadel. They were joined by a fleet of dragons that flew in formation around them.
We will line the walls until the little Slayer is bought back. Fafnir has agreed to it...like he said. I will return him to his father and you will be on your own, Griffin.
"I understand...but Fafnir also said he wouldn't be killed"
That was unforseen. We are sorry.
Finn nodded "Their weapons?"
There is one in the soldiers…he has delayed their restoration. He will take you to the one you call Jonas.
The dragons shot ahead of them as the Citadel came into view and took their positions around the walls of the city, issuing roars that woke all within the walls. Peluda sailed over the city and landed gracefully in front of the palace. Finn slipped of Peluda as Xavier Freeman stepped forward.
Tread carefully Griffin, you understand what is at stake here. I will remain until this one brings the little Slayer out. He can be trusted.
"Xavier, take me to Jonas" she said.
Xavier nodded "This way"
She followed the General through the Ancients that had amassed in the square "He knows I'm here"
"Yes, ma'am" he whispered as he pushed the door open.
"You better not call me that in front of him" she whispered and he nodded "You make sure Caleb is taken to Peluda…to the dragon outside"
"I will"
She followed him up to the main office and he opened the door, following her in and closing the door behind them.
"Sir"
Jonas turned from the window, trying to exude an air of calm; Finn saw right through it but knew she had to play the game "Well, well, well…if it isn't the princess" he looked at Caleb's body "A problem with your son?"
"I've come to make a trade. Let the fledgling heal my son and I'll stay here. My life for his"
"Why would I want that, Griffin?" he said, but she'd seen the light in his eyes, the madness now held within them, she would use that to get what she wanted.
"I'm the last of the Royal Family. Kill me and there can be no challenge to the office"
"You spawn…"
"He will be taken from the realm, his memory wiped. He will make no claim to the office. Ever. I will sign my name to it. I am the last of the bloodline…let the dragon heal my son and the office is yours"
"The Slayer?"
"He will take our son and leave the realm"
Jonas laughed and walked around the desk towards her, he stood in front of her "You expect me to believe you?" he slapped her hard, rocking her head sideways.
She turned back to him "He has sworn it to me. A blood oath, he'll keep it. Please Jonas, you get everything you want. You get to rule Larten Vola for millennia…"
"The dragons?"
"They cannot fight you without the Slayer. They will be at your mercy once he and my son are gone from the realm"
Jonas looked at his General "What do you think, General?"
Xavier thought carefully before finally answering "If you allow the boy to be healed, the people will see you as compassionate. To save the child of your enemy? It would be recorded in history as one of your greatest moments. And you have seen how the people like the dragons, enslave them ...make them pets for the people"
Jonas laughed "Oh, you are amusing, General" he nodded slowly "You may have a point…but killing the bitch? What of that?"
"Get her to sign over the office. I will take her out of the city in front of everyone, let them see you release her…" he grinned " I will kill her and bury her where no-one will find her" he grinned again "And I will bring you back her head"
Jonas smiled "I like the way you think, General" he turned to Finn "I will save your son" he turned and pulled a sheet of paper out "Sign this" she went to the table, the page was blank "You sign and I will write what I wish"
"The trade was me and the office for my son"
Jonas shrugged "I've changed my mind"
Finn stared at Jonas then looked at Caleb, tears in her eyes and turned away "I'll see you on the battlefield" and she pushed past Xavier.
"You would sacrifice your son for this?"
"I have lost him already" she didn't turn around "I won't betray my people" and she walked to the door, calling his bluff.
"Wait….wait…" he laughed and she heard him scribbling on the paper "Here, bitch"
She turned back and walked slowly to the desk and read the trade she agreed to. She nodded and signed it "Larten Vola is yours. Take me to the dragon"
Jonas waved her off, unable to take his eyes from the paper that made him the true ruler of the realm "Take her…take her…"
Xavier grabbed her arm roughly "Oh, you and I are gonna have some fun while the dragon heals your spawn"
"Arsehole" she said as Xavier laughed, pulling her from the room as he called her names.
They got to the bottom of the stairs and went down a long hallway, calling to one of his guards. The man came over "Sir"
"Wil, bring our men down to the dragon, remove all of his men and have them guard that asshole upstairs"
"Sir" he saluted and looked at Finn and smiled "Welcome back, Princess" he whispered and marched off.
"This way" he led her quickly down to the dungeons and through a double-guarded door, The Guards saluted both Xavier and her "No one enters" the guards nodded and locked the door behind them.
Finn bought Caleb over to the cell that held Azhi and Xavier opened it for her. She stepped in and the dragon turned his head to her.
Lie him down at my feet and open his mouth.
Finn did as she was told and the dragon leaned down, putting his mouth inches from Caleb's. Finn watched as a flame filled drop of saliva fell into her son's mouth; the dragon raised its head and put a talon to Caleb's right cheek, making a small cut along it; marking him like his father. The dragon sat back and looked at her.
He will wake soon. He must leave this place immediately.
"Xavier will take him to Peluda and all the dragons will leave. I'm to stay here with you" said Finn.
"I'll take you from the Citadel…" started Xavier.
"No. My place is here now" she looked at her son "You make sure he stays with Peluda" she smiled as Caleb gasped and leaned down and kissed his forehead, telling him she loved him. She stood "Don't let him see me"
"Go to the end of the dungeons, there's a niche there"
"Thanks" she turned to Azhi "I can't repay you"
There is no need. You must hide, he wakes.
She nodded, looked at her son and walked out, jogging down to the niche and hiding in the shadows. She waited as she heard her son scream back to life and she watched as he screamed out her name as Xavier carried him out of the dungeons, knowing that she was there and not wanting to leave her. She walked slowly back to the cell and went to the window and watched as Caleb fought the General the whole way to the dragon; Xavier having to put him into a sleep and tie him to Peluda; the dragon allowing it to prevent Caleb from falling from him. She smiled as she watched them take flight, the dragons rising with them, letting out a roar as they disappeared.
"It's done then?" she asked, not turning from the window.
It is done
She nodded "Tomorrow morning?" she asked the dragon, her eyes still on the piece of sky where she last saw her son.
At dawn. He is one for dramatics.
"Does Dean know?" she asked.
He will know when the time is right.
"Will you tell him there was no other way"
He understands that sacrifices are always necessary…do you understand that they are?
"I'm sitting in a cell with you Azhi, I understand plenty"
You did what you said you would, Griffin. You bought your son to his father…he is safe now. Fafnir will ensure it. He will hold to his side, will you hold to yours?
She nodded "I gave my word. I'll hold to it"
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Dean paced the camp as he waited. He had gone over the plans with Sam, Gideon, Gabe and Jude and had told Raja and Kubera what their role would be. Now he just had to wait. He turned and found the hippogriff standing in front of him.
We must prepare now. Send your dragons to the other camps, we must be on the plains before dawn.
"I know that, Kubera. They're assembled and waiting the call. When Caleb gets back. We go"
We must leave now. You know your son is safe.
They looked up as Peluda sailed into camp, landing next to Dean. He jumped up and untied Caleb, pulling him to him and sliding from the dragon "What happened?"
He would not leave his mother. He is fine, Slayer. He is asleep only.
Dean nodded "You delivered my message?"
I have told the trusted one. He will organise it.
Dean nodded "We ride in an hour" and he took Caleb to his tent.
Kubera turned to the dragon You cannot tell him until the plan is in place.
Peluda raised his head I answer to the Slayer, not to you.
Kubera nodded He must believe that she is safe.
Peluda shook his head He must know the truth. He must be given the chance.
Kubera stomped his hooves He needs to lead your race with a clear head. If he believes she is safe then her death will be more effective.
The Slayer will not allow her death and neither will the griffins…or the dragons.
Kubera tossed his head The pact was made with your leader
Peluda pushed out his chest The Slayer has made us rethink our tactics. We have other plans in place.
Kubera snapped his wings open and closed quickly The Slayer is aware of this?
Peluda snorted The Slayer will be advised when the time is right.
Kubera reared, his front legs kicking out dangerously before crashing back to earth Then all is lost.
Peluda raised his head and roared sending out the call to his brothers and sisters, a call that was echoed by the griffin...the call to battle.
To be continued…