The Draconia Chronicles: Knights of the Westfold

Chapter 6: Water

"We best send a message to our reserves, we will need all the support we can get," I said to Lady Glenda and Lady Claramond as I was holding a meeting in my tent with a map of the territories, "the Dragon strongholds are here, here, and here, let's lead our army through the mountains, the dragons may attack with all the elders in one place,"

"And what of our own villages? Without the elders they too would most vulnerable," added Claramond, and she has a valid point. Dragons are anything but foolish. We are all the heirs to our houses, and the deaths of the elders would only escalate the war further. That is, if that is Queen Oscura's intention, "what say you, Blaireau?" she asked

"Either way, we are stuck in a crossfire, we mustn't divide our forces, that would make us vulnerable," I replied, I sighed and placed my hand on the pommel of my sword, "well played, Oscura, well played," I said quietly. As wretched as she is, Queen Oscura is a formidable opponent, "whether she accepts it or not, open war is upon her,"

Little did we know, a piece of insight was watching our meeting. Her kind might call her a traitor or, in her mind, doing what is right, "Permission to speak?" Blue asked. I gave her a nod to grant her permission, "the three of you are thorns in the Queen's tail, I heard her say she will have your heads even if she has to burn the entire Westfold,"

"Even with your armies, you are still greatly outnumbered," Blue warned us as I was adjourning the meeting by rolling up the map at my desk, "will you three stand alone before the fury of Queen Oscura?" she asked as the three of us were exiting our tent to see to our knights and soldiers. We looked back at her, a determined look in our eyes.

"Yes," three of us said in unison. I sent a messenger falcon to our noble houses to have the rest of our reserves ready to march. Blue says we are thorns in the Queen's tail, then we will be the thorns that keep twisting. I saw the look of shock on Blue's face. This is our land, and we are going to give it up without a fight, with or without a queen.

I removed Blue's shackles, but she remains with us. She eats, laughs, and sleeps with the army. She has been with us for two weeks now, "May I have a word with you, my Lady?" she asked approaching me from behind while I was tending to supper being prepared for the army's evening meal. I lightly smiled, and followed her out to the woods.

I could tell she had something on her mind. In the time Blue has been with us, I have seen her change. She gone from a prisoner to a friend. She could have turned me and the other two baronesses to the Dragons, but she did not, "So what is it that you want to talk to me about?" I asked the Water Dragon a my hand on an my armored hip.

"Since you've captured me, I've always thought of my Queen as a very stoic but fair ruler, but I have seen for my own eyes just how cruel she can be," She explained, "that's why I've decided...to join you, to join your fight against Queen Oscura," now I was a little suspicious of her intentions. Because of this, I had my own questions to ask her.

"And what, may I ask, made you come to this decision?" I asked, Blue turned away at my question. There was no doubt this dragon can fight as she alone killed five soldiers at the Battle of the Meadows, and unhorsed me. What she was asking for is a dangerous decision that could have equal consequences if she returns to the Dragon Kingdom.

"Because I feel that what the Queen is doing is wrong having seen it with my own eyes," Blue turned her winged back to me with closed eyes, "and because...because I love you," she confessed, this came as a surprise to me. My eyes softened and a smile came to my muzzle, "but now I'm worried that I am putting my children in danger and-,"

At that moment, I saw no reason to hold back any longer. To Blue's surprise, I hugged her from behind wrapping my arms around her waist just below her chest. Her scales were smooth, and her body was soft, "because I'll still see to it that you will be able to hold your children again," I vowed to her. Blue is a very brave woman in my mind.

"Are you crazy? It's hard enough to get Dragons to these lands going through the Tiger Territories," Blue warned me in my arms, If my two best friends and I are crazy enough to stage a full-scale rebellion against the Dragon Queen, then I can reunite Blue with her daughters, "not to mention none of the tigers have ever seen a horse,"

"I am a lady of my word, Blue," I replied, giving her a kiss. it was a small one on her lips, but I tried to make it more meaningful, "and I will not dare turn my back on it," I was dressed in full-armor minus my helmet. I pulled over my chainmail coif, and a blue mantle to help hide my identity. I mounted my stallion with my sword at my side.

"In that case, I'm going with you, I know of some Dragons that can help with this cause," Blue said hovering in the air with her wings. I was not going to argue with her to stay. Besides, I have a little present for the Queen, "someone needs to watch your back in the Tiger Territories," she added with a light smile. I was touched by her words.

"So be it," I said with a nod, and with a whip of the reigns , "hyah!" I belted, heading out from the camp until Lady Glenda stopped me. She was on night watch with a few of her soldiers armed with spears while the rest of the army rested. Hopefully, the army will be rested enough to move out when Blue and I return from the Dragon Kingdom.

"And where do you think yah goin' on the eve o' battle?" Lady Glenda asked. This maybe a personal task, but the only thing I want now is to see Blue happy. It seems like Blue has connections in the Dragon Kingdom. This could either be very useful or I am walking into a trap. It is a good thing I am wearing my armor under this blue mantle.

"There is a personal debt I must see to," I replied back. Lady Glenda is anything but a fool. She could tell this concerns the dragon hovering at my side, "I am placing the army under the command of you and Lady Claramond, I'll return in a few days," The guards let me and Blue go. My horse can gallop as fast as a dragon can fly at full speed.

This is a task that must be done, for the better of the dragon I love. Nothing would warm me more than to see her happy. On top of that, I hoped I could get some time to bond with her. As we entered the border with the Tiger Territories, I slowed my stallion down to a trot and followed Blue's advice to keep a sharp eye on these lands.