Authors Note: Heya, another Sunday update, Hoping to make it my official day for updates. Still if you'd like some earlier ones id like to encourage you guys to fav or review or whatever. Happy reading yall :)

THE WASP

Working in the village had a way of making time pass by very quickly. A work day in the Salter's smokehouse would start before the sun rose above the horizon and the sky was still a deep indigo. Pepper's mother, the women he was required to call Aunt Salter in order to keep up appearances, only required him to labor until the early evening, but he would almost always keep on with his work until the redheaded dragon girl came to visit him.

It wasn't that he much cared for her visits, or that he enjoyed her stories about her monotonous life in the castle. He needed the girl to trust him enough to take him before the king. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to get on her good side. If his plan were to follow through, he would need to work with the skinny girl and her dragon knights in order to achieve his ultimate goal. But as the days went by he was growing increasingly impatient with her, and he found it difficult to withhold information about his person when she was constantly asking him about his origins and intentions. She had been very persistent since their first conversations through the door in the tower room where he had been held captive.

He remembered them well; as a prisoner he struggled hard against the ropes binding his hands; he was being held captive in their cold stony prison. He had been working hard to stretch the fabric of the ropes for days. His wrists felt raw and sore, but he could almost just pull one of his hands loose. He froze when he heard footsteps approaching the door expecting to hear the boy in the suit of armor, instead the voice of the dragon girl called out to him, "Prisoner, I hear you've been asking for me? So I've come."

He relaxed against a cool stone wall, "So you have, Jane."

She paused for a moment, "You know me by name?"

"I have seen you running about the castle with your friends. I know your name, I know their names too." He said matter-of-factly.

Another pause, he wondered if she was slow to respond because someone was with her. "What brought you to the castle?"

"You did."

"I did? Well, I'm sorry but thats quite impossible, I don't believe we've ever met."

"Not face to face perhaps, but you brought me here none the less… are you alone?"

There was a pause as the girl mulled over her reply, "No, Gunther is here with me."She confessed. A cross voice which the prisoner recognized as the armored boy scolded her; he obviously wanted to stay anonymous and in secret. They argued in hushed tones, still he heard her protest, "-but we are honor-bound knights! …" as the two heatedly debated on the other side of the door.

"Knights? Is that what you call yourselves? You and that boy? Are there others like you?"

Jane had started to answer but it was Gunther who answered first, "Knights are the elite warriors who have proven themselves worthy to protect the king. We guard his castle, his people, and lead his armies. There are plenty of us to crush any outside force. Don't ask so many questions and don't get any ideas, prisoner."

"An army – really? I haven't seen one. Where are they? Away laying siege to another kingdom mounted on their dragons?"

Whispers were opposite of the door, it was becoming increasingly annoying; apparently the girl was getting agitated too. Their voices rose in disagreement until finally Jane had enough, "- you wanted me to talk to him, he's talking now isn't he? I'll ask him whatever I want…" She diverted her attention, " Prisoner! You mention dragons. What exactly do you know about them?"

"I know about as any one else I suppose; they are pure destruction when wild, but with a Rider they are valuable allies. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen any wild dragons around these parts. Have you and your armies tamed all of yours?"

"You have wild dragons where you're from? You're saying there are other people - Riders that ride them?" She sounded excited; it seems he caught her attention. Maybe now he could get her to tell her more about her kingdoms forces.

"I've been many places but only two where I have seen dragons claim the skies; one of them being this place. I've seen you and your dragon flying about. Are your knights all Dragon Riders? If so, hasn't Gunther a dragon? I haven't seen his anywhere?"

This was another instance where Jane was about to speak but Gunther spoke above her, "Why are you so interested in our dragons?"

"Our dragons?" Jane shot.

Gunther groaned, "Enough Jane, I think your work here is just about done. I don't think I'll need your help anymore. Thank you, you may go now."

"What? Just like that? But we still haven't asked him why he's here!"

"I've heard enough to know that he's here measuring our forces. He wants to know our weaknesses and our strengths. He's here as a spy, Jane. He's going to report back to wherever he came from. He needs to be dealt with now." The sound of tempered steel being unsheathed rang clear with dread.

"What are you doing? Dealt with? Gunther, you never said anything about harming him! You- you can't do that!"

"I was knighted by the king himself! I have the authority to do as I see fit! Now, I suggest –no - I order you to leave! Now, Jane!" Gunther shouted firmly, his voice reverberated against the cold stone walls of the tower.

"Gunther, please! We don't really know anything about this guy. This is not what Knights are meant to do; we don't just attack like dogs. Think about this, this is a person, a real person!"

"Do I have to hold you for treason before this day is done Jane?" Gunther threatened.

After a long pause footsteps hesitatingly retreated and not too long after keys were heard rattling. The Prisoner's breathing had picked up as he overheard the knights' argument. He tried to call out for the girl to come back, "He's wrong, girl! I'm not a spy! Don't you want to know why I'm here? About the dragons? About the danger you and your kingdom are in? If you are sworn to protect the king you'd be wise to take me to him - Do you hear me?"

"I've sent her off." Gunther stepped into the cold stone room, "But if you're feeling like talking now, I'd be happy to listen. You say you're here to warn my King. Now, personally, I think that is a horse-shit lie, but if you were telling the truth I want to know- Who sent you and what's this about Kippernium being in danger?" Gunther stood accros the room by the doorway armed with forged steel in hand.

The two looked at each other in silence. Taking offence to the prisoners sudden reluctance to talk, Gunther approached menacingly, gripping his sword hilt hard and swiftly attacked. The prisoner rolled aside on the floor just fast enough to dodge an attack aimed for his head and scrambled up to his feet. The sword sang against the stone as both boys felt a rush of adrenalin.

Gunther gripped the hilt tighter, "I wouldn't stop talking if I were you. Now, that was just a warning, you won't evade the next one so- TALK!"

"You can't attack me; your queen wants to keep me unharmed!"

"My Queen is kind and soft-hearted; she sees you and takes pity on you because she thinks you're a child. But you're no child, you're a foreign menace."

"I may be a stranger; so I can understand why you and your friends would be nervous around outsiders. But I don't think you should take it upon yourself to harm me. After-all, I'm something like your prince where I come from."

Gunther scoffed, he stepped up and grabbed a handful of the prisoner's dirty hair, "DON'T – lie to me. Your no highborn, nobility doesn't sneak around and steal food, they don't travel alone without any protection, and they have better sense then to disobey Knights and Queens when they are ordered to speak. You must take me for a fool. Even our royal fool has more sense then you. I know what you are, you're a fugitive. You're running away from something or someone – maybe they want you dead. Well guess what, you're not making any friends here either."

"I'm telling the truth, and if you harm me there will be repercussions. I came here in good will. I never made a move to harm any of your people, but if I die my people will come here and they will avenge me and tear down your precious kingdom."

The Knight's glare turned dark, "Now, that sounded like a threat. I don't think anyone will come for you but if they do, then let them come…" He threw the prisoner out into the center of the room his sword swinging out at his opponent's belly. The prisoner made a quick move to roll but cried out in pain as the sword grazed his left arm. Before Gunther could swing again the boy regained his footing and charged at him slamming his right shoulder into Gunther and bringing him against the wall. The force shocked the young knight and by incident he dropped his sword. It clammored loudly accross the floor along with some stones that had broken free from the wall. Gunther wanted to lunge for his weapon but the prisoner grabbed his arms and pinned him against the wall, his hands somehow freed of the ropes that had binded him.

"You- how long?" The knight grew red in the face, realizing in hindsight that he failed to make sure the prisoner was secure beforehand. The two boys struggled against one another, the prisoner desperately trying to keep the knight's arms pinned. Gunther saw a cut on his enemy's right arm and wrestled his arms free long enough to strike him there with all his strength. The boy yelped in pain and staggered long enough to allow Gunther to bring his knee up hard into the prisoners gut. He crumpled to the floor as Gunther dove for his sword. The prisoner's mind raced as he tried to think of a way to defend himself. He picked up a large stone on the floor nearby that had broken free of the wall. Before Gunther had turned around he smashed it against the back of his head and Gunther fell heavily to the ground.

The fallen knight was lying still on the ground as his dark-haired opponent walked over he looked down on Gunther, "You shouldn't have attacked me," the prisoner said as he sighed a breath of relief and kicked Gunther's sword from his hand. As he turned the knight over his arm throbbed, "I'm guessing this is the first time your sword has spilt blood."

Gunther groaned incomprehensively, the prisoner paid no mind. "You call yourself a warrior but you're still green, untested, and weak. You're brave, I'll give you that, but you chose the wrong day to be so bold. Now you've hurt my feelings, injured my arm, and made an attempt on my life."

Gunther's head rolled back in forth as he tried to regain consciousness, it was distracting so he grabbed the knight's face firmly in one hand as he still held the stone in the other. Kneeling over him the prisoner quarried, "I have a question for you. Have you ever killed a man before, Gunther?"

The fallen knight looked up struggling to focus on the eyes of the boy looming on top of him and managed to admit a small, "no." The prisoner let the stone down and roll out of his hand he got up, Gunther sighed in relief.

"I knew it. I knew you couldn't kill me. i knew you never killed a man. But I have something to admit also," the prisoner walked idly and bent down to pick up the Gunther's sword," - I have."

Sword in hand he turned to end the pretentious knights' life, but before he could even lift the sword over his head something barreled into him, trying to knock him to the ground. She was too light to have much of an impact and he found himself lifting the redheaded girl against the wall firmly by her collar. "D-don't kill him." She pleaded.

"Why shouldn't I? You heard him, he wanted to kill me!"

"Gunther doesn't always go the right way about it, but he just wants to protect the kingdom." She choked.

"Some good a greenhorn like him will do for your kingdom... What about you? Are you going to try to kill me too?" He waited for her so answer but he realized that he now had her by her neck and was probably squeezing too hard. She wasn't even struggling against him as she looked at him defiantly she could barely manage to breathe. He shoved her away in disgust. "You knights are a persistent bunch. Draw your sword, girl." He positioned himself to fight her.

She nervously drew her sword, "You would challenge me, even though I'm a girl?" Her voice was raspy and wavered nervously.

"Where I come from we don't discriminate. Come at me if you want to defend your comrade."

Her mouth set in a firm line and she lunged at him with her strange thin sword, he blocked. Their swords met with a clang and he pushed her back putting force behind his own weapon. He swung wide at her, she nimbly dodged. She was faster and more learned at sword play than he, she danced about him but she could not hope to parry his powerful attacks with such a light sword. The prisoner soon realized that he could not hope to best her in swordsmanship. His attacks were too slow and predictable however powerful. Soon Jane found an opening to attack, she jabbed at him and he clumsily rushed to block. She quickly jabbed again putting her opponent on the defensive. He smiled, "Your fast Jane, and smart, you know you can't take me head on. Yet, you've had a few opportunities to nick me here and there, what are you waiting for? Do you want me to kill you?" He swung backhanded down at her feet and she quickly hopped over, a predictable move, with his other hand he caught her mid-air and shoved her head aside sending her sprawling back. She fell heavily on her stomach, next to her injured companion Gunther, he was unconscious. Jane propped herself on one elbow, head down and trying to steady her breathing, her weapon was beside her but she didn't bother to take it up.

The prisoner frowned, "Is that all you got?" He rose is sword again, disappointed. Jane picked up her head to look at him, a slight smirk on her face as she hurtled the same blood-stained rock from earlier at her opponents face. It landed and hit him soundly on his forehead, his vision went white with a flash of pain but he still stood on his feet. When the moment passed he saw that the point of Jane's sword was poised at his throat. He slowly raised his sword at level to hers. They stood their ground.

"What is your name prisoner?" She inquired.

He laughed, a short outburst, and smiled, "Oddny." He said flatly.

"You're pretty strong Oddny, for a half-starved prisoner. This is obviously not your first duel; you could easily kill me just landing one of those attacks. I may be faster but you only have to wait for someone to get close enough and unguarded, like you did with Gunther and I, to end this. Yet, instead of grabbing hold of me and finishing this, you push me away. What are you waiting for? Do you want us to kill each other?" She immitated.

Oddny looked at her, eyes smiling down at her in amusement, "You couldn't kill me Jane, after all, you're unblooded when it comes to combat."

The thin redhead huffed and tensed, "I could be. But they say there is a first time for everything." She retorted pointedly at her opponent.

Oddny sighed, he let his sword down from Jane's neck, "What I meant to say is; you wouldn't kill me, Jane. And actually, now that we've fought, I don't want to kill you either. You are the first girl I've seen in a long time with your kind of tenacity. Kind of reminds me of the girls back at home… But your friend Gunther has it out for me, and when your forces return they will have it out for me too. So I need to end this."

"If you kill Gunther they will still be after you."

"He will be one less to worry about."

"What about me? If you let me live I will be obligated to my kingdom to go after you too. And besides how do you plan to leave here without anyone seeing you or trying to attack you? I'm sure it won't be long before people begin to worry what has become of Gunther and me."

"That is a problem…" He lifted his injured left arm casually batted her sword down away from his face where she had advanced it. Stepping forward he tilted her face up in his direction from under her chin, "but maybe with a little luck I could make it out ok." Although his face was very clear to Jane from her position his expression was hard for her to read.

Flustered she swatted his hand away, "Excuse me?"

"Anyone ever tell you that you redheads are fabled to be lucky?" He quickly stepped forward and seized her sword arm twisting it back, her grip weakened and he relieved her of her sword.

"What do you think you're doing!?" She raged.

"I'm taking a hostage." He knelt and grabbed her thin waist with the intention of hoisting her over his shoulder, but she struggled and squirmed.

"No, you dull stone! Listen, you don't need to take me hostage. I'll just help you get out of here."

He didnt quite buy it, "What? Really? Why would you do that?"

"Well, for starters because you're going to put me down."

Still over his shoulder he swung her around and held her bridal-style so he could see her face,"Ha! Way I see it, you're not really in a position to be making demands, girl."

A little red in the face at her demeaning position she argued, "You're going to want to hear my offer. And if your going to hear me out your going to have to start by putting me back down."

Oddny set her down at arms length away from himself. "I'm listening."

"You're going to return my sword." She demanded.

He looked at her skeptically but eventually handed it over, "I think you know I could easily overpower you… but I don't like being bossed around so I would recommend you change your tone."

"Ok… Well, I would also like to ask you not to kill Gunther."

"What's in it for me?"

"In return I'll help you escape, of course."

"Escaping would be nice, but I've come too far to just walk away from all this, it's either I meet your king or I walk away with your friend's armor and his life; souvenirs for all my trouble."

"Ok – then, I will also help you see the king. That is, when he gets back… Until then, I don't know, I guess I'll find a way to hide you."

"It seems either way this goes you're my lucky token out of here so, what's your plan then- Dragon Rider?"