The Nine Realms 7
Hobs and Saw
D'Angelo was in the dragon field hospital attending to the injuries of a few small dragons. The only other ones in there were Plowhorn, and Edelweiss who was supervising while reading a Nat Geo magazine. She'd spent the last two weeks in the Rekketown infirmary recovering from her fight with a Shelfire dragon, though her cover story was that she'd crashed into a large piece of crystal. She'd suffered a bad concussion and several broken ribs. She'd gotten most of her strength back, but Angela Baker had insisted she fully recuperate at her dome.
Edelweiss watched D'Angelo patching up a Vine Tail's injured wing. Plowhorn pitched in when ever she was asked. The other riders and dragons were planning to train to fight Buzzsaw. Edelweiss wanted to help them but Tom and Jun didn't want her to strain herself too much.
D'Angelo finished with the Vine Tail and put him next to the other two small dragons, a Snowtail and a Tiny Terror.
"Is this how your mother started out?" He asked.
"Yeah," said Edelweiss. "When my daddy was a kid he wanted to be a knight on dragonback, and so my grandparents train him to fight. And my mother was training to be a healer and she patched up any small injury he got in the sparring arena." At that moment Chief Baker came into the hospital.
"D'Angelo, here you are," he said.
"Pop, take a look at this," said D'Angelo eagerly. "The dragon field hospital is really coming along."
"That's nice," Chief Baker said, but D'Angelo kept going.
"This is the healing center where our patients can rest," he said, pointing towards the three sleeping dragons. "And these are wider gurneys for our bigger patients." He pointed to a row of extra wide gurneys. "Here we have all the new remedies from the Dragon Realms." He pointed to a table near Edelweiss that had a row of medicine bottles.
"D'Angelo," Chief Baker said louder. "Do I have to remind you about Buzzsaw, who attacked the village a few weeks back?" He then turned to Edelweiss. "Sorry about this intrusion Ms. Dragonborn." Edelweiss shrugged, then winced when it tugged her still healing ribs. Chief Baker turned back to his son. "As head of security it's my job to keep everyone in town safe, and I need you as my first lieutenant."
"But this dragon hospital is really important," said D'Angelo.
"Not as important as keeping an eye out for Buzzsaw," said Chief Baker. "I need you out there patrolling, and setting up sensors. You spend way too much time in here, playing dragon doctor."
"I need to keep an eye on my patients," D'Angelo protested. Chief Baker opened his mouth to argue but looked at Edelweiss.
"Will you excuse us Ms. Dragonborn?" He asked.
"Sure," said Edelweiss. She picked up her silver staff and used it to get to her feet.
"What about the patients?" D'Angelo asked her.
"None of them are critical," said Edelweiss. "I think a little piece and quite might do them some good actually." She then patted Plowhorn on the head, and left the hospital.
Outside; Black Widow and Apollo were sunning themselves on the back patio. They glanced up when Edelweiss came up to them.
"How are you feeling?" Apollo asked.
"Better," said Edelweiss. "Are the other riders down in the Lair?"
"Yeah," said Black Widow. "Sounds like Tom and Jun are getting pretty close." Edelweiss headed down the stairs into the Lair. She saw Tom and Jun flying on their dragons knocking down wooden cutouts of Tom. Edelweiss decided to ask no questions and sat down on a rock to watch. Soon the two dragons came to a stop and hovered.
"Where did all these come from anyway?" Jun asked.
"My mom," said Tom. "It's along story." The dragons landed.
"Speaking of your mom, I'm surprised she let you come down here now that she knows about Buzzsaw," said Jun. They climbed of their dragons.
"What can I say, I'm her son," said Tom. "Of course she trusts me." Jun gave him a knowing smile, and Tom slouched in defeat. "Okay it took a lot of convincing. I think she trusts Thunder more than me." Thunder then spotted Edelweiss. He bounded over to her and licked her face.
"Good to see you too Thunder," she laughed. She scratched his ears.
"Hey Edel," said Jun.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," said Edelweiss. At that moment Alex and Eugene came into the lair.
"Look at this Gonzo," said Eugene. "Jun and Tom snuck off on their own for some quality alone time."
"No, we're just getting a jump on training," said Tom.
"Are you guys sure you don't need my help?" Edelweiss asked, she sounded sad. "I have lots of experience." Thunder nudged her.
"You've done so much for us already," said Jun.
"I'm the one who lost the book to Buzzsaw," said Tom. "You shouldn't have to keep risking your life for us." Edelweiss sighed. "Now where's D? We have to come up with a plan to raid Buzzsaw's camp." At that moment D'Angelo and Plowhorn landed near them, followed by Black Widow and Apollo. D'Angelo dismounted.
"D! Just in time," said Tom. Jun noticed the look on D'Angelo's face.
"You okay?" She asked.
"I'm fine," said D'Angelo, though he didn't look anyone in the eye.
"You don't look fine," said Alex. "You look deflated."
"Well, now that we're all here we can plan our raid on Buzzsaw," said Tom. "I think we should be able to go this afternoon."
"I don't think I can go," said D'Angelo. Everyone stared at him.
"What?" Tom asked, shocked.
"I bet he'd rather just stay here in his boring dragon hospital," Eugene laughed. Both Alex and Jun punched him in the arm.
"Taking care of injured dragons isn't boring," said D'Angelo, raising his voice. "And yes I have patients that need me."
"But raiding Buzzsaw's camp and getting the book back is important," said Tom.
"The dragon hospital is important too, why is that so hard to understand?" D'Angelo snapped. "I mean Edel gets it." He gestured to Edelweiss, and they all looked at her.
"It's true," she said calmly. "And you're all kind of right. Healing is important, and it does get boring." She got to her feet. "My mother's the best dragon healer in the world. And because of that, she always stayed out of the action too. Everyone else went off to battle, and she stayed behind to treat the wounded. Like a battlefield nurse."
"I should get back to the hospital," said D'Angelo. He climbed back onto Plowhorn. "You coming Edel?"
"Sure," said Edelweiss.
After D'Angelo checked to make sure all the injured dragons were stable. Edelweiss and Plowhorn watched him. At first no one spoke.
"My dad's threatening to ban dragons from Rekketown," said D'Angelo. "And he doesn't want me spending so much time with you."
"I see," said Edelweiss. "Well, I'm not scared of him. He can't ban dragons without the approval of everyone else. And personally, I'll take banishment over captivity any day."
"That's a good point," said D'Angelo.
"I don't expect everyone to accept me or the dragons," said Edelweiss. "I'm sure your dad will come around, eventually. He's a soldier, so it'll be difficult but not impossible." She sat in a chair next to Plowhorn. "If you want to head back home, we'll watch these guys."
"But you're still recovering from your injuries," said D'Angelo.
"Well, good thing this is a hospital isn't it?" Edelweiss pointed out, smiling. "I have everything I need here if I start feeling bad again. Don't worry about me." D'Angelo finished his rounds, then flew home on Plowhorn.
Later that night; the whole town was quiet. The Baker dome was as dark and quiet as the rest of them. Then Chief Baker was suddenly jolted away by an alert on his phone. He jumped up, dressed, and roused his son. They ran out and jumped onto their ATVs. They sped of into the woods. D'Angelo stayed right on his dad's flank. So far they didn't see anything. Soon they lost sight of the town, and the only light came from the ATVs' headlamps. Then they reached the area of interests Chief Baker came to a stop, and D'Angelo followed suit. Chief Baker scanned the dark woods.
"Remember, a ranger always expects the unexpected," he said in a low voice. With that they split up, keeping each other's lights with in sight. Suddenly D'Angelo heard his dad crash near by. He quickly sped over to find Chief Baker laying on the ground and the ATV flipped over.
"Dad, are you okay!?" D'Angelo asked, concerned. He jumped off his ATV.
"I think so," said Chief Baker as he got to his feet. "I must have hit something." He and D'Angelo looked over to find a broken sensor. "Looks like something's been messing with the sensors." Just they heard screeching coming from the darkness. Chief Baker pulled out his flashlight and led the way to the source of the noise. The light soon shone on a lone Hobbgobler. The two Bakers stoped and exchanged a glance.
"It's a Hobbgobler," said D'Angelo. Chief Baker sighed, looking both relieved and frustrated. The Hobbgobler suddenly started coughing, as though he was having trouble breathing. "Oh no he's choking!" D'Angelo quickly picked up the dragon and examined it. "How do you give a dragon the heimlich?"
"Let me see it," said Chief Baker. He grabbed the Hobbgobler and have him a hard smack between his wings, and the dragon managed to cough up the thing he was choking on. It turned out to be the head of the broken sensor. Chief Baker scowled down at the little dragon. "Now we know who's been chewing on the sensors." He looked the dragon in the eye. The Hobbgobler tilted his head and seemed to smile. "Why's it looking at me like that?"
"I think he likes you," said D'Angelo, trying not to laugh. The Hobbgobler kept staring at Chief Baker, not blinking.
"What's wrong with you dragon?" He grumbled.
"Let me see him," said D'Angelo. Chief Baker handed the dragon over and D'Angelo looked him over. "He might have hurt his esophagus. We should get him back to the dragon hospital."
"Fine you take it," said Chief Baker annoyed. Suddenly there came the sound of large wings. They looked up as Edelweiss and Black Widow landed near them. They were all surprised to see each other.
"Good evening gentlemen," Edelweiss said.
"What are you doing out here?" Chief Baker asked.
"We were out on night patrol," said Edelweiss. "We saw your headlights, then heard you crash. Anyone hurt?"
"Just this guy," said D'Angelo.
"We found it chocking on the sensor," said Chief Baker, pointing at the broken sensor. "These dragons are becoming a menace."
"Give them a break Phil," said Edelweiss. "These dragons have lived their whole lives underground, and they've never seen human stuff before. You're practically aliens to them." Just then the Hobbgobler wriggled free and jumped onto Chief Baker's shoulder, chirping happily. Both Edelweiss and D'Angelo held back giggles.
"Will you get this thing off me?" Chief Baker demanded. Edelweiss dismounted and rummaged through her saddle bags. She pulled out a handful of blue slugs. She held one in full view of the Hobbgobler. The little dragon jumped to the ground and scurried over to Edelweiss. She picked him up and fed him the slugs.
"There now, you'll be okay," she said soothingly. "Don't worry, Phil's all bark and no bite." Chief Baker scowled.
"I was about to get him to the dragon hospital," said D'Angelo.
"You think that will still run?" Edelweiss asked, pointing at the upturned ATV. D'Angelo helped his dad get the vehicle back onto its tires. Chief Baker tested it, and it did still work. So he got on that ATV, D'Angelo got back on his, and Edelweiss got back on her dragon with the Hobbgobler. They all headed back towards the dragon hospital.
When they got there, and Edelweiss turned the lights on, D'Angelo got to work examining the Hobbgobler. For a while no one spoke. Chief Baker avoided making eye contact with the Hobbgobler, who seemed very interested in him.
"Well, what's the verdict?" He asked.
"Looks like his esophagus is okay," said D'Angelo. "But he seems to have a sprained leg and a sprained wing. He must have tangled with something before he chocked."
"Well whatever he tangled with, he took his frustration out on my sensor," Chief Baker grumbled.
"I should keep him under observation for a few days before returning him to the wild," said D'Angelo. Chief Baker glared and growled.
"I should just ban dragons from coming into town," he said. "Then you wouldn't be wasting your time here, and spend more time out on the front line."
"Dad no," D'Angelo protested.
"All these dragon distractions and sensor issues are leaving the station vulnerable," said Chief Baker. "I ought to shut this hospital down."
"Hang on a minuet Phil," said Edelweiss loudly. They all stared at her. "You want to ban dragons from Rekketown that's fine, but this is my spot, my hospital. It's not on ICARIS property, so you have no power to shut it down. Now what you do with D'Angelo is up to you, but this hospital's not going any where." She reached down and picked up her silver staff. She used it to pull herself out of the chair, winching when her ribs hurt. "Now, I think the three of you could do with shut eye and I need to get back out on patrol." She turned and left the building. She got back on her dragon and headed out into the night.
At the crack of dawn the next day; Tom send out a text to Alex and the Wongs telling them to meet him at the Lair. Then he headed for it himself. He walked passed the silver cabin, which was still shut and quiet. Tom walked around it and headed down into the Lair. The dragons were all asleep, including Apollo. Tom went over to Thunder and gently stroked his head. The Night Light opened his eyes. He yawned but smiled sleepily when he saw his rider.
"Hey pal," Tom said quietly. At that moment Alex and the Wongs entered the Lair, all looking irritated.
"Why do we have to be out here at this hour?" Alex asked.
"This is a bit early for a dragon rider meeting," said Jun. The other dragons were starting to wake up when they heard their riders.
"I couldn't sleep," said Tom.
"That makes one of us," said Alex. Jun glanced around.
"Where's D'Angelo?" She asked. Tom hesitated.
"I decided not to invite him," he confessed. They all stared at him in shock.
"You intentionally decided to leave him out?" Alex asked.
"He's too preoccupied with the dragon hospital, which I totally respect," said Tom. "But every day Buzzsaw has that book, is another dangerous day for dragons. So I've decided to raid Buzzsaw's camp, without D and Plowhorn." Everyone gasped. "Why not, we can do it. There's four of us and three of them." Apollo got to his feet and stretched.
"Do you even have a plan for raiding the camp Tom?" He asked.
"Well, I was thinking," Tom said. "Instead of going in dragons blazing, we could create a diversion. Then while they're distracted, we sneak in and get the book."
"What sort of distraction?" Apollo asked.
"I don't know yet," said Tom. "Please guys, I need this." They all exchanged a glance.
"Okay," said Jun. "We just hope you know what you're doing." Then she turned to Apollo. "Where's Edelweiss and Black Widow?"
"They're still on patrol," said Apollo. "Edelweiss is still injured, and having her circling the area on dragonback is the only thing Black Widow and I can think off to keep Edel from doing anything too strenuous."
"It's fine," said Tom. "We don't need her either."
"You're letting your numbers dwindle young Tom," said Apollo. "I really hope you come up with a good plan."
Later that morning; D'Angelo was woken up by his dad's loud bellowing. He came running into the living room to find Chief Baker glaring at him, holding the Hobbgobler. The small dragon was chirping happily.
"Get this thing out of here," Chief Baker demanded, handing the dragon to his son.
"I can't believe he escaped from the hospital," said D'Angelo. "I've never seen this kind of devotion in a Hobbgobler before." The Hobbgobler strained to get at Chief Baker. At that moment Angelo rolled her chair into the living room to see what all the shouting was about. She didn't seem at all bothered by the Hobbgobler. Chief Baker went over to the table and pulled his chair out, only to find the dragon already sitting in it.
"Awe, he likes you Phillip," said Angela. Chief Baker grumbled and shoved the Hobbgobler off the chair. D'Angelo picked him up and placed him on the table. The Hobbgobler kept smiling at Chief Baker.
"He must have had a connection with you after you saved him from choking," said D'Angelo. "A bond was made."
"Nothing was made," Chief Baker growled. "Where's that dragon girl when you need her? She should get out of the sky and do her job."
"She might still be on patrol," said D'Angelo.
"Get her in here, she can take care of the dragon," said Chief Baker as he stalked out of the room. D'Angelo and Angela exchanged a glance. Then Angelo wheeled over to the front door and opened it. Outside she spotted Edelweiss and Black Widow gliding over the quiet domes. As they circled over the Baker dome, Angelo called up to them. Black Widow paused in mid air. Edelweiss looked down from her saddle.
"Morning Angela," she said happily.
"Have you been out all night?" Angela asked.
"Yes I have," said Edelweiss as Black Widow landed softly on the grass. "Black Widow's nocturnal see."
"Why don't you come in for some coffee," said Angela. "We have a bit of dragon situation in here that you can help us with." Edelweiss hesitated looking nervous. She was always reluctant to enter any building in Rekketown, even the Kullersen dome, due to her claustrophobia. But then she sighed and Black Widow knelt down so Edelweiss could dismount without bothering her ribs. The dragon got back to her feet and flew up onto the roof of the dome. Edelweiss followed Angela inside. She glanced around the room looking confused.
"What dragon problem?" She asked. But then there came a commotion from the bathroom.
"The Hobbgobler escaped the hospital last night," D'Angelo explained. "And he snuck in here."
"Oh, I did notice that," said Edelweiss. "I've spent the night looking for him." At that moment Chief Baker came stomping out of the bathroom clutching the Hobbgobler.
"There you are Dragonborn," he shouted angrily. "Get this thing away from me." He shoved the Hobbgobler right into Edelweiss's chest, hard. She groaned and doubled over in pain when it jostled her ribs. Then Chief Baker walked out of the dome, slamming the door behind him.
"I'm so sorry about that," said Angela. "Are you okay?"
"That, really, hurt," Edelweiss gasped, clutching the Hobbgobler very tightly. D'Angelo gently let her over to a chair and she sat down in it. She took several deep breaths, wincing when it hurt. Angela set a mug of coffee on the table.
"Why don't you rest here for a while," she said. "I'll look at your ribs and your head again." Edelweiss looked longingly out the window, but then she sighed and nodded. She released her grip on the Hobbgobler, who scurried away. "Thank you."
Chief Baker went about his usual job; managing the security guards and making sure the sensors were working. And every where he went, the Hobbgobler followed. Chief Baker got more and more annoyed with the small dragon. D'Angelo watched it all from the safety of the trees.
Soon Chief Baker returned to his dome for lunch, Black Widow was still perched on the roof. Inside all was quiet. Edelweiss was asleep on the couch, a chilled gel pack on her chest and on her forehead. Chief Baker decided to leave her be for now. He went to the fridge and opened the door, hoping for left over meatloaf. However, he found the Hobbgobler there instead. The dragon screeched happily. Chief Baker grabbed for him, but he leapt out of the way and onto the ground. But soon Chief Baker managed to get a hold of him, making a lot of noise. He stomped to the front door, and placed the Hobbgobler outside.
"You are herby dishonorably discharged," he said. "Have a good life." He then slammed the door. The Hobbgobler turned and sadly walked away. Black Widow watched from the roof. She felt conflicted on whether she should go after the Hobbgobler or stay with her rider. Then she decided to follow the Hobbgobler until Edelweiss called her back. She spread her wings and took off.
Down in the Ice Realm; the other riders and dragons were hiding among a pile of boulders. Apollo was circling near by. Tom looked through his binoculars at Buzzsaw's campsite. Buzzsaw was there looking at the Dragon Journal, and feeding fish to Old Jack.
"Buzzsaw's got the book, and he's alone," Tom reported.
"Let me see," Eugene insisted. He grabbed the binoculars and looked through them. "Well if by alone you mean sitting next to that giant dragon then you're right." Tom took the binoculars back and looked through them again, just as Buzzsaw got on his dragon and flew off leaving the book behind.
"He's leaving," said Tom. "I can sneak down there and get the book."
"You sure about this Tom?" Jun asked.
"It's not too late to go back to the Lair," said Alex. "We can relax, sit in the hot tubs."
"Guys, I can do this," Tom insisted. "I'll be fine." With that he left the hideout and headed for the campsite.
Back at the Baker dome; Black Widow had returned to her spot on the roof. Chief Baker was inside at the table, filling out papers. Edelweiss was still on the couch, now awake, reading one of her Nat Geo magazine. D'Angelo then entered the dome looking cheerful yet cautious.
"Hey Pop," he said. "I've been looking for you. Figured you'd be back here having lunch." Then he spotted the papers on the table. "What are you doing?"
"Signing an edict, banning dragons from Rekketown," said Chief Baker angrily. "Including her." He pointed at Edelweiss. She and D'Angelo exchanged a glance.
"You can't do that," said D'Angelo.
"I can and I did," said Chief Baker. "That girl and her dragons are nothing but a distraction from the real threat. Ms. Dragonborn, you've got to go." Edelweiss closed the magazine and carefully sat up.
"But Dad, I though if the Hobbgobler stayed with us you'd see how loving and loyal they are," said D'Angelo. He then looked around the room. "Where is he?"
"I put it outside," said Chief Baker. "Where animals belong." D'Angelo looked at him shocked.
"You did what?" Edelweiss asked, just as shocked. D'Angelo quickly ran outside. Edelweiss followed more slowly, leaning on her staff.
"What's the problem?" Chief Baker asked. D'Angelo glared at him.
"The problem is that his wing and his leg aren't fully healed yet," he shouted. "He'll be completely defenseless in the realms, easy for predators to pick off."
"A downed dragon is a dead dragon," Edelweiss said.
"I, didn't think of that," Chief Baker admitted.
"We've got to find find him," said D'Angelo. Just then Black Widow glided down from the roof, she crooned and hissed.
"She says she saw where he went," said Edelweiss.
"Can she carry all three of us?" Chief Baker asked. Edelweiss narrowed her eyes at him.
"Yes," she said. Black Widow knelt down. Edelweiss got on her saddle, and the two Bakers got on behind her. Black Widow got back on her feet and took off.
They flew through the forest. Soon they reached the sink hole that led to the Ice Realm. Edelweiss pulled her dragon to a stop and Black Widow hovered.
"He's gone back to the Ice Realm," said D'Angelo. "We got to go after him."
"Hold on tight," said Edelweiss. She steered Black Widow down into the sink hole. When they got to the Ice Realm; Black Widow glided over the icy ground.
"Take us down, I want to look for tracks," said D'Angelo. Edelweiss landed Black Widow and the two Bakers dismounted. While D'Angelo scanned the ground for tracks, Chief Baker glanced around the Ice Realm. He was completely enthralled by it.
"So this is the Dragon Realms," he said.
"This is just the Ice Realm," said Edelweiss. "Lovely isn't it?"
"How many realms are there?" Chief Baker.
"Well," said Edelweiss. "So far we've found a Crystal Realm, a Fire Realm, this Ice Realm, a Nature Realm, the King's Realm, and the Giant Realm. All of them beautiful."
"Stay on task," D'Angelo said. "You guys look for predators while look for tracks."
"Laser focused on the mission," Chief Baker said proudly. "That's the army way." D'Angelo stood up and squared his shoulders.
"That's what this whole thing is about isn't it?" He said angrily, facing his dad. "You're angry that I want to be an animal vet instead of an army. This whole time you've just pretended to support me. But really, you hate the fact that I want to be a veterinarian."
"That's ridiculous," Chief Baker protested, as Edelweiss quickly rode a short distance ahead of them. D'Angelo just glared and his dad gave in. "Okay fine, yes, I thought this animal thing was just a phase you'd grow out of."
"I knew it," D'Angelo roared, he turned and walked off.
"You have to understand D," said Chief Baker softer. "It's my job as a father to help you reach your full potential." D'Angelo turned back to face him.
"Then stop holding me back and help me," he said. Suddenly Black Widow got restless and there came loud screeching from somewhere near by. They all followed the sounds and soon found the Hobbgobler limping away. The two Bakers ran to him.
"Whoa, slow down," said D'Angelo. The Hobbgobler slipped on the ice.
"We got to get you some where safe," said Chief Baker. He reached towards the Hobbgobler, but the dragon snapped at his fingers. D'Angelo picked the dragon up. The loud screeching got even louder. Black Widow growled and went into a defensive stance.
"Speed Stingers," D'Angelo said.
"What is that?" Chief Baker asked.
"They're very fast, potent paralyzing venom," D'Angelo explained.
"And it sounds like there's a lot of them," said Edelweiss.
"We got to find cover," said D'Angelo. They all headed for a near by tree.
In another part of the Ice Realm; the other riders were still hiding near Buzzsaw's camp. Tom snuck down to the fire pit where he could see the book resting on a tree root. At the moment there was no one in sight. So Tom dashed out of the shadows and picked up the book. Just then he heard voices approaching. He quickly ducked back behind the tree, just as Buzzsaw's two minions came wandering passed.
"Hey did you see something?" One of the minions asked. He and the other one headed over to the fire pit, scanning the area suspiciously. Tom clutched the book to his chest, too scared to move. He felt the back of his neck heat up. Soon the two minions wandered off and Tom got his chance. He ran back towards his friends. Suddenly he tripped on a string of bells. He fell and dropped the book. This alerted the two minions. They pulled out crossbows and started shooting at Tom. He jumped to his feet and dodged the arrows. However, this prevented him from getting the book. Suddenly one of the arrows was blasted by lightening. Then Tom was scooped up by his dragon.
"Wait pal, the book!" He protested. But Thunder kept going, and the book was now guarded by the two minions. They continued firing their crossbows.
"Middle schoolers," said Buzzsaw, who had just returned on Old Jack. "I didn't realize we were playing today." He jumped down behind a small hill. Then he wheeled out a large ballista, already loaded. He aimed it at the riders, who were too stunned to move. Buzzsaw fired and the riders dodged the spear, but ended up ramming into each other. Alex was thrown from her saddle. Thunder swooped in and she landed safely behind Tom. Buzzsaw roared with evil laughter. But then there came another roar from behind him. He and his two minions turned to see Apollo speeding towards them. The red dragon fired red hot flames at the enemy. They dodged, but the ballista was blasted to splinters. He was about to come around for another attack but was intercepted by Old Jack. He slashed at Apollo with his sharp wings. Apollo swerved, but was then hit by the Timberjack's own fire blast. The flames were mostly blocked by Apollo's armor, but got him in the left wing. Apollo growled, then turned and rejoined the others as they headed back towards home.
Back across the Ice Realm; D'Angelo and Chief Baker hid behind a thick tree with the Hobbgobler. Edelweiss and Black Widow circled above. So far nothing had found them.
"What do you know about these Speed Stingers?" Chief Baker asked.
"I know I have anti venom for their sting back at the hospital," D'Angelo said angrily.
"You made an anti venom?" Chief Baker asked, intrigued.
"Yes, with help from Dr. Kullersen and Edelweiss," said D'Angelo. "You know not everyone has to wear an army metal to make a difference, to have honor."
"I know that," Chief Baker said. "I just think…"
"I don't care what you think," D'Angelo interrupted. "I have my own life, my own goals." Just then they heard the Speed Stingers getting closer.
"We got to go," said Chief Baker. They ran out from behind the tree. With in minuets they were blocked by a large Speed Stinger. It stalked towards them, hissing and brandishing the barb on its tail. "Go D, save yourself!"
"No, I'm not leaving you," D'Angelo protested. But then a red plasma blast hit the ground, which blasted the Stinger off his feet but also blasted the two Bakers off their feet. Black Widow sped over head, then double backed. The Stinger had gotten back up and was closing in on D'Angelo and Chief Baker again, they were both trapped by a boulder. He was just about to sting them both, when suddenly he screeched in surprise and pain. They all looked to see the Hobbgobler chewing on the Stinger's tail, holding it back. At the same time Black Widow landed between the Bakers and the Stinger, flaring her wings. The Stinger turned and ran off. Black Widow relaxed her stance and folded her wings. The Hobbgobler ran over to Chief Baker, who picked him up.
"He saved our lives," he said, dumbstruck.
"I told you, they're loyal," said D'Angelo. "Just like the rangers." Chief Baker sighed and smiled fondly at the Hobbgobler.
"If you want to stay with us until you're fully healed, that's fine with me," he said. The Hobbgobler chirped happily and nuzzled his hand. Edelweiss approached them on her dragon.
"You gentlemen okay?" She asked.
"We're fine," said D'Angelo. "No one was stung."
"Is it true you helped make an anti venom?" Chief Baker asked, as he and D'Angelo got to their feet.
"That's right," said Edelweiss. "Got it right in here." She patted the large green duffle bag on the back of her saddle. "You ready to get out of here?"
"Just a minuet," said D'Angelo. He looked over at the Stinger, who was licking his tail. He cautiously approached it. The dragon spotted him and shrieked defensively. Chief Baker was about to protest, but Edelweiss stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait, you'll want to see this," she said. They all watched as D'Angelo walked right up to the Stinger.
"It's okay, I just want to treat that bite on your tail," D'Angelo said calmly. The Stinger studied him for a moment with narrowed eyes. Then he relaxed and lowered his tail to D'Angelo's level. D'Angelo pulled out a tub of ointment and spread it over the bite mark on the Stinger's tail. The dragon looked at him, and chirped a thank you. He then turned and ran out of sight. D'Angelo headed back to the others. Chief Baker heaved a big sigh, grinning with pride. They all climbed back onto Black Widow with Edelweiss, and they flew off back towards the surface.
Everyone met back up at the Dragon Field Hospital. While they all exchanged stories D'Angelo and Edelweiss treated all the dragons that had been battered and bruised in the failed raid.
"I'm so glad we have this Dragon Field Hospital," said Tom. "You were right D, it is important."
"I appreciate that," said D'Angelo. "But I do wish you guys had waited for me and Plowhorn."
"Yeah, we should have," Tom agreed. "But now that Buzzsaw has fortified his camp, we're going to have to come up with another way to get the book back."
"Well, Apollo blew up his ballista and it'll take Buzzsaw a while to rebuild it," said Edelweiss. "So you have a bit of time."
"I think I owe you an apology as well Ms. Dragonborn," said Chief Baker. "You and your dragons are plenty handy around here." Edelweiss smiled at him.
"Apology accepted," she said. Just then the Hobbgobler perched on Chief Baker's shoulder and licked his face.
"Looks like you made a new friend Chief," said Jun.
"Yes, I sure did," said Chief Baker, stroking the Hobbgobler.
"What's his name?" Jun asked. Chief Baker thought a moment.
"I'll call him Hobbs," he said. The small dragon beamed at his new name. Then Chief Baker headed out of the hospital muttering happily to himself.