"What did I tell ye!" Fargrim shouted out, hopping on the table and pushing aside several plates of food. "I told ye th' dragon would be back! But nay! None o' ye would listen te me! Look who's laugin' now! I finally git te kill me a dragon!"
"To th' battlements!" Escobert directed the adventurers and the guards gathered. "Everyone, remain calm. This isn't th' first time th' beast attacked, an' it won't be th' last."
"I'll need my bow," Calder muttered. "I'll be useless without it."
"I'll get it!" Zavier announced, running off after Fargrim. "Just head up to the battlements without me!"
"We need to get going, Calder!" Skylar told her friend. "Come on!"
Calder nodded and followed his friends out of the audience hall, which was thrown into a panic. While Skylar took point, Calder was following closely behind. He realized that Sergeant Markguth ran alongside him, already pulling out his crossbow in preparation for battle. The ranger had to give the soldier credit was do. The man was willing to rush into battle to protect the people gathered safely in the keep. If only he could talk the governor into letting Robert dine with him rather than Zavier.
It only took a few minutes to gather on the battlements of the keep, where nearly two dozen guards were prepared for battle against a foe beyond their skill. In the distance, nearly concealed by the night sky, was a large, winged beast with blue scales. The mighty wyrm matched the description that the hunters of his village gave on the few times they saw a dragon, although the scales were of a different color. It kept its distance away from the keep, many of the crossbow bolts fired at it missing or bouncing off its scales.
"Come on, ye blue bastard!" Fargrim taunted, waving. "Come on down so I can wrap my hands around yer sorry neck an' snap it!"
"Fargrim, please don't taunt the giant flying beast while we're unarmed," Calder told his friend, sighing. "Damn. I should have gone and retrieved my bow before coming."
"Zavier should be getting it," Skylar noted. "But why does it keep its distance?"
"Because it's been attacking for so long, we're no longer scared of it," Robert told them, loading a crossbow bolt into his weapon. "It now resorts to blasting lightning on us with each flyover."
"Sergeant Markguth, do you think we actually stand a chance?" Calder asked.
"Maybe with your friend's magic, we can," Robert answered.
"I do have a spell that could actually help out," Skylar nodded in agreement. "One I just learned."
"Regardless of what our odds are, I'm fighting," Robert declared. "Doesn't matter if it can eat or crush me if it wanted to. If we don't drive it away, we're all as good as dead!"
Sergeant Markguth ran off to join his comrades, the dragon turning around in preparation to fly over the keep. Calder cursed, feeling useless. Even if his arrows could not pierce its tough scales, he would prefer to be shooting at it rather than being a bystander with little to do. The hunter wanted to fight alongside brave soldiers like Robert in defense of Greenest.
Fortunately, the door behind them opened to reveal Zavier. The man carried in his arms Fargrim's javelins along with Calder's bow and quiver. The hunter and warrior did not hesitate to grab at their respective weapons. He threw the quiver over his shoulder and pulled a single arrow out, ready for action. Fargrim grinned as he held onto one javelin and sheathed the other three across his back in their holster.
"Good te fight with ye fer once, Master Blackwood," Fargrim acknowledged. "Ready fer action?"
"About that, but all of the spells I have prepared for today are for support, not for dragon slaying," Zavier sighed. "It appears you're on your own."
"Damn it," Fargrim grunted.
"Consider this to be a test," Zavier told his student. "Let's see if you are capable of fighting with others to drive off that dragon!"
"Aye!" Fargrim slammed a fist against his chest. "I won't let ye down!"
"Why not loot the fallen of their crossbows," Calder suggested. "They won't be needing them."
"I would not dare disrespect the dead by looting their worldly possessions," Zavier shook his head. "Skylar, may I retrieve and use your crossbow, which is currently in your quarters on the far side of the castle?"
"You may do so," Skylar told him with a hint of disappointment.
"I shall be back soon!" Zavier declared.
Without hesitation, Zavier ran back through the open door and slammed it shut behind him. Calder was once more amazed by how his ally was able to escape danger through a quick mind and tongue. Not that his presence could turn the tide in the battle. Even with a crossbow, he would not be able to do much against the fierce, blue dragon that prepared to finish the job it started when the raid first started.
The blue dragon flew towards the castle, enduring the crossbow bolts fired at it. When it neared the walls, it opened its mouth wide, and unleashed a strong storm of lightning upon a group of soldiers. Calder was able to see that only a few guards were hit. Four at most, and it seemed three still lived. Robert was on scene, dragging away one of the injured while firing at the dragon with his crossbow. The shot went wide since he was shooting with one hand, and the mighty dragon flew over the castle unopposed.
Calder knew that he had to make every shot count. Once more, he pointed two fingers at the dragon, then took aim. He could feel that his aim was sharper thanks to the simple gesture, or perhaps it was his quarry flying closer to him that made the shot possible. The hunter let loose the arrow fly, but it soared underneath the beast. The half-elf cursed while Fargrim chucked a javelin, which bounced harmlessly off of its scales.
The dragon let out a mighty roar as the useless attacks struck over him, close to being over the castle now. Skylar chanted away at a spell, the blue flames appearing around her head and neck once more. Three white bolts formed in her hands, each of them flying towards the dragon. At first, it seemed they missed, but then they turned, locked onto their foe. The magic missiles struck against the dragon, who let out another roar, only it was of pain this time.
"It's injured!" Calder heard Robert's voice roar out from the crowd. "Keep firing, men! We may be able to drive it away!"
The guards, now inspired by the act of defiance, unleashed a volley upon the dragon, which now flew away from the castle. Many bolts missed or bounced off of its scales. To Calder's side, Fargrim chucked a javelin over the edge of the wall. Even with the dwarf's strength, it was not enough to catch the dragon. The ranger knocked an arrow on his bow and took aim. His sight, specifically on his prey, was sharper than it was before. The half-elf took a deep breath, and let the arrow fly free
The arrow soared through the dark, night sky, and slammed into the dragon. Yet, it did not bounce off its scales. It pierced into the mighty beast, which let out another roar of pain. Calder could not help but grin when he saw that he was able to strike the dragon and draw blood. Once more, Skylar unleashed a volley of magic missiles on their foe, which slammed into the beast. The dragon roared out one final time and flew towards the night skies. Of the guards, only Robert fired at it once. His comrades were cheering, and the ranger could understand why. It was an odd feeling, but he could tell that their attacker was fleeing.
"We did it," Calder sighed out in relief. "Or, well, Skylar drove the dragon off."
"Oh, and why did it let out a roar of pain when you shot at it?" Skylar smirked. "We drove it off. Robert kept the guard under control when they were against a more powerful foe, and Fargrim-"
"Don't ye fly off, ye overgrown lizard who is better off stayin' in th' dirt where ye should be!" Fargrim taunted, waving a javelin up towards the air. "I still need te shove this down yer throat an' pierce yer pathetic excuse fer a heart! Or, if ye prefer, there's always th' other entrance!"
"...Fargrim didn't run away in fear," Calder finished for Skylar.
The two friends chuckled together while the dwarf paid no heed to their conversation, caught in his own world. The gathered town guard cheered out as they secured their final victory of the night, and their biggest victory. No doubt that they would share their story with their children and grandchildren. The door opened once more, revealing the gruff Escobert. Zavier stood behind him, crossbow in hand with a nervous face. They both looked up to the sky, amazed that it was clear of the aerial threat.
"Would ye look at that!" Escobert chuckled. "I had my doubts that ye adventurers could stop a dragon, but I'm glad ye prove me wron'!"
"It was no problem at all," Zavier quickly spoke, standing in front of his comrades. "Dragons flee before our collective band of heroes!"
"Bah, if only we could kill it," Fargrim grunted, crossing his arms.
"Sergeant Markguth," Escobert looked past the four to the approaching soldier. "Report."
"The dragon was only able to make one flyby before it fled," Robert reported. "Three men are currently in need of healing. Only one lethal casualty: Corporal Davis. He placed himself in front of his comrades to save them from the brunt of the lightning."
"If Governor Nighthill won't recognize his sacrifice, I'll be sure te do it myself," Escobert declared. "Have the remainin' men fall back. Zavier, put yer magic te an' heal th' poor lads."
"Of course," Zavier replied with a grin. "That is the reason why I prepared healing spells today!"
"Ye always think so far in advance, master," Fargrim complimented.
"What do you need us to do?" Calder asked.
"Th' three o' ye earned yer rest fer th' night," Esocbert told them. "I doubt we'll encounter any further trouble. Thanks fer th' aid."
"We will be happy to provide any help, and even assist in rebuilding Greenest if needed," Skylar offered.
"I'll pass that te th' governor," Escobert nodded.
Escobert made his way back into the keep, ready to deliver his report to Governor Nighthill. Robert and Zavier made their way towards the gathered guards, ready to follow with their orders. While Calder and Skylar made their way inside, Fargrim stood out on the walls, eyes gazing longingly at the sky. He let out a sigh of disappointment and followed his friends inside. It was safe to say that Greenest was officially saved.
A/N: Might have taken several weeks, but that cliffhanger has finally been resolved.
Until next time.