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Sir Enrik and Sir Donor

Death From Above

The golden grass covered plains shook as horses and their riders thundered across the ground. The soldiers pushed their steeds far beyond their limits. Their target, the Princesses kidnapper was long gone, far out of sight. Yet the men continued, they loyalty followed the kings royal knights, Sir Donor and Sir Enrik, across the plains in the direction of the Dragon.

"Onward men" Sir Enrik called out over the sound of pounding hooves "we must find the Princess."

They pushed forward without a doubt in their minds, and without regret. They were willing to lay down their lives for their King, for their Princess, for their kingdom, and most importantly for their home. Though they would often pray that their loyalty and determination would not cost them their lives, more times than none, the price to pay was death in the end. This time was no exception.

A shadow fell upon the men as they rode on. I would seem like a clouds shadow, but clouds to not have wings. The shadow followed the men, keeping in pace with them perfectly. This encouraged some to look up. Today the men have regret. Their regret was that they looked up. Soaring effortlessly above them was a dragon. It differed from the Princess's kidnapper as it had larger wings, and no arms. This Dragons front feet and shoulders made up its massive wings that allowed it to remain in flight for far longer than any other creature.

It roared sending a wave of fear through the men and horses. The Dragon opened it's mouth and began to inhale. The men were helpless, as to only wait for the end. They could have tried to flee had it not been that they were on a plain with no cover, and they tired their horses hours ago. They condemned their selves the moment their steeds set foot upon the golden plains grass that afternoon.

The Dragon exhaled a massive wave of fire that dwarfed a coastal Tsimshian. Red flames engulfed everything, not even the smallest grasshopper within the grass was spared. Dragons Fire lit up the setting sky for miles. To those at a distance it seemed as though there were two suns setting that night.

Upon the next morning a soldier walked along the cobble stone streets to the castle. He walked hunched over while holding his side. His helm was chard black, and his upper body was bare and red. The only remaining armor on him was a loose shoulder pad. His pants were tattered and stained. He walked bare foot leaving a chard footprint on the path behind him. Following the man was what was once a brilliant and proud white stallion. Now it was a smokey black with a burned mane and tail. The stallion's saddle was gone and in its place was a burn the shape and size of its once fine saddle. The horses bridle was still partly in tact and the rains lay clutched in the lone soldiers hand. All sings of pride that the stallion once had seemed to have burned up in the flames as it limped down the street with the man.

People came out of their homes and shops. They removed their hats as the man and horse made their way down the street. Sadness and despair flooded the city. The Princess was gone and their only hope for her safe return was injured, burned and broken. All hope was gone and the people had nothing but despair and pity as they looked upon the survivor.

Arron too, watched as the man and horse made their way to the castle. He thought to himself and then re-entered the small shop. Within the blacksmiths shop he grabbed a sword from the wall. It was long and heavy, but his years as a blacksmiths apprentice, gave him the strength and knowledge to weld the blade. He swung it from side to side to gauge its performance. Arron wore a stern look upon his face. The sword although fine would not suit him. It was unbalanced to him. 'To light' he said to himself. As he turned to find a better balanced blade a man stood behind him.

Arron gasped "George!"

The older Blades Master stood now infront of him. The man spoke as Arron followed his every word.

"Thinking of leaving Arron." The man glanced at the blade in Arrons hand. "Oh, I see you are going after the Princess yourself, arnt you?"

Arron's gaze fell to the floor. "I must George" He met the man's eyes once more with his. "I have to save her I can't..." he trailed off and as he went to continue the Blades Master cut him off.

"I understand Arron, their was a time long ago when I was like you. Strong and determined to save the wrold. But do not be foolish and leave." Arron looked down knowing that his old mentor was right. Then George continued, as a bright smile spread across his face. "Don't leave at least not without the right equipment." Arrons face brighted as he met the man's gaze.

The Blades Master walked over to an old long forgoten chest in the back of the shop. The chest was littered with debre and hidden from all ecsept thoses that knew it was there. The old man reached into his shirt and pulled a chain from around his neck. On the worn chain was a dull key, that opened the chest. George pulled an old origanal knights armor from the chest. It bore a gold griffin in the center of the armor. The helm had red dyed horse hair that stuck up like a mohawk on top of it. The eye and face guard still moved like new. The suit its self had not a speck of rust.

Arron put on the suit and even though he stood over that of an avrage height man the armor fit as thought it was made for him. With a renewed confident smile Arron turned away from the mirror and back to George. Arron went to thank George for this armor, George waved him off.

"Do not thank me Arron, this was not my armor. Though I did make it long ago."

Arron looked down at the Griffin on his chest. " This armor is from the Dragon War." George merly nodded his head.

"Yes, that armor was worn by a brave knight, the kings best, and the hero of the kingdom, your father."

Arron turned back to the mirror. "That would explain why it fits so well."

"You indeed have followed in your fathers footsteps. You have grown into a fine young man, Arron. Your father gave up everything in the end to make sure the kingdom and most inportantly you were would be safe and now..." Arron cut him off.

He turned to George. His body coursing with cofidence and ditermination. His face stern and proud. His stance strong and bold. "And now I will safe the Princess."

The old Blades Master could only smile as it seemed as though he was seeing his long lost friend once again, through his son. "Then here you will need this" he handed him a blade with a used and worn sheath. Arron was all to happy to draw and test his fathers blade.

"Proud to the end" Arron read the ingraved words of the blade.

"Hey, you can't go in there!"

"Out of my way!" Arron yelled as he shoved the royal castle guard away.

Arron threw open the large wooden throne doors and entered the kings war room. Gurads imidiatly saw him as a thret and drew their spears at is throat. Arron made no effort to move as he staired the king in the eyes.

"My lord" he called. "I wish to help you".

"How dare you boy call to our lord." A tall thin man at the kings side aproched Arron. "First you barge in then you have the utmost indeacency to offer your help peasent!" "Guard take this filth away!" Just as the guard grabed Arron the king stood and aroched him. He seemed very interested in Arron's armor and sword.

"Wait" the king called out over the other man. "Unhand him" The guards did just as he told. "Young man" he came closer to Arron " Where did you get that armor."

"What dose it matter my king that boy" the tall thin man went to contine but the king shushed him.

"Please answer my question." The king spoke once more.

"This armor was my fathers, Great King." Arron bowed before contntinuing. "He served during the Dragon War."

"Yes, I see that." The King inspeacted his armor and sword. "So how is it that you can help me, young man."

"I wish to save the Princess, my King." Arron bowed once more.

"And what is it that you want for you heroics."

"Nothing, all that I ask is that you provide me with a horse for my journy."

The king stroked his greying beard as he looked upon the young man. "I have but one qustion for you."

"Yes, my King."

"Do you realy think that you can bring my daughter back?"

"I do not think I can, I will."

"Really?"

"I will bring her back or die trying, and I do not intend to die."

The aging king could only smile at Arron's responce. "And what may I call you young man?" The king asked as he sat back at his golden throne.

Arron drew his blade and bowed before the King. "I am Arron, my lord, a humble blacksmiths apreantice."

The King smiled once more. "Indeed you are."

Arron aproched the royal stables with King Sergon. A short thin man wearing riding gear aproched Arron and the King. "My Lord" the little man spoke and bowed "what steed will you ride today, perhaps Bold Ruler, or Sir Lionite."

"Oh,no not today" the King waved him off. "I would like you to bring my friend here two horses of his choice.

The man turned to Arron and looked him over with a disatisfied look on his face. "What would you like we have the best ridding horses in all the land all of our..." he would contune but Arron cut him off.

"I need two of the fastest horses that you have."

The man seemed displeased that Arron cut him off, but he did what he asked and brought him two fast horses. The first horse was a chestnut with a white blaze on its muzzle and white socks on its legs. Its mane was cut short and stuck straight up. The stallion was young and full of spirit. The next horse was also a stallion. It was calm, and taller than the chestnut. Its coat was a deep gloss black that shimered in the sunlight. The horse seemed to strut as it walked. It took long strides, and kept its head rounded aproched the larger black stallion.

"What is his name?"

"That is Black Rose, and the other is Cherry Blossomes."

Arron pulled him self into Black Roses's saddle and took the rains.

"You are going alone" the King asked.

"No, my King I have a close friend that will join me. An army would slow us down and give us away."

"I wish you luck" the King waved good bye to Arron as he rode out the castle gates "May the gods grant you safe return."

Arron rode down the street on Black Rose with Cherry Blossomes close behind. He rode up to a peasent house. A young man was outside and called th Arron as he aproched.

"Hey, where are you going dressed like that and I didn't know you had a horse?"

Arron looked down upon his friend. "Carl, I need you to come with me."

"Where?"

"To get the Princess."

Carl froze for a moment "Your going after the Princess!"

Arron did not react to Carl's shouting and kept his stern face and back straight. "Yes."

"Thats sueicide Arron!"

"Are you coming or not."

Carl paused. "Let me get my things, I can't let you have all the fun."

Arron smiled as carl went to get his sword and some cloths.

They rode out of the town at a slow, but stady pace. Carl held a map and was directing them in the direction that the Dragon had flown.