Dragon's Claws

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Dragon's Claws Page 17

by Bri Sailor


  After a few hours of meditation Ky finally relented and scanned her new location. Stone Shield towered behind her like a great stone wave waiting to come crashing down on her. To her right some distance away she could just barely see the mountains that housed the Temple of the Dragon. Ky felt the warmth rush to her face as memories of her brief time spent there flashed in her mind. She stopped the thoughts dead in their tracks; she needed to focus on the impending battle. Resuming her meditation, she didn’t notice the two pairs of eyes watching her. A few moments later her peace was interrupted by a small whisper to her left.

  “Psst.”

  Underneath her hood the warrior grinned. Fate had found favor with her it seemed.

  #

  The princess had meandered closer to the king’s tent. Keeping hidden, they watched two soldiers approach the tent and drop the back wall. Atreyis gasped. Ky was bound in thick chains in a cage on a war wagon. The hood of her tunic was up, hiding her face, but she appeared calm. The soldiers hitched the horses to the wagon and began pulling her towards the gate. Atreyis and Taryn followed at a distance, hiding behind tents as they went. Ideas bounced around in the princess’ head, unfortunately there weren’t any winners. She took a deep breath. The thought of being caught paled in comparison to being in another fight. Chills ran down her spine. The whole ordeal in the woods was enough for a while, she was definitely not as prepared as she thought for real-life confrontation with steel.

  Taryn glanced over at the brunette who seemed lost in thought. She still couldn’t figure out why this life-debt was such a big deal to her, especially since they didn’t know for sure what all had truly transpired. She knew first hand of Atreyis’ loyalty to her friends and her compassion towards others, but could not for the life of her figure out how this Ky was really worth it. The warrior had killed hundreds of Aznurro soldiers, and countless others. Does someone like that really change?

  Atreyis’ heart began to race when she looked at the gate. Her scars forever a reminder of her brashness and lack of foresight as well as common sense. There were pieces and parts that she was missing but they were slowly coming back. The sound of the guards yelling, a great gate closing behind her, angry yelling from Ky, and then waking up in the temple.

  She turned to Taryn. “Do you think it will be as bad as everyone else seems to think?”

  “What? The battle? You are the only one out of the two of us with any real experience. All I’ve ever done is spar and march around the palace.” Taryn arched an eyebrow.

  “I don’t think trying to fight off thieves is the same as trained killers. I’ve heard stories of what the Black Army is capable of. If we don’t get Ky out of here we might get caught up in everything. And who knows if we will survive or what will happen then.” The princess’ voice was rising.

  Taryn put a hand on her shoulder. “Calm down. You’re making me even more nervous. I’m just as scared as you are. But there is no way we are hanging around for anything. After your last debacle I promised your brother that I would look after you. And if keeping you safe means leaving Ky behind, then so be it.”

  The princess gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, feeling a sting from the words.

  “What is everyone’s problem with her?” she whispered harshly. “She saved my life and is no longer part of the enemy! Why am I the only one that seems to care what happens to her?”

  Taryn shoved her. “What’s with you?”

  The princess took a breath to speak and paused. She really did seem to care for the warrior, even considered her a friend. She shook her head.

  “It is about what is owed! I mean, why am I the only one who realizes that my life is owed her and that I see the good in her? A life for a life. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

  Intense blue eyes met unwavering brown. Taryn could see that nothing was going to change her mind.

  “So how are we going to do this?” she sighed.

  Atreyis looked to the imprisoned warrior. “I’m not exactly sure. If I could at least get over there to talk with her, maybe we could figure something out.”

  “Don’t you think it would be pretty obvious if we just walk over there and start talking to her?”

  The princess thought a moment.

  “What if we were sent by the king to guard her?”

  Taryn squinted her eyes in confusion. “Why would she need guarding? It’s not like she is going to break out in front of all these soldiers, even if she could.”

  Atreyis mimicked a stoic soldier. “There is no questioning the king’s orders. If he wants her guarded, then guarded she shall be.

  She held it together a beat and then grinned. Taryn rolled her eyes. The princess stood up straight and squared her shoulders, Taryn beside her, and marched deliberately towards the prison wagon, begging the Goddess that the eye paint and helmet would hide her identity. The princess posted herself in front and to the side of the wagon and placed her hand on her sword, attempting to mimic the soldier that stood watch over the armory back in the city. The two self-imposed guards stood still and scanned the bustling camp. So far no one had seemed to notice anything out of sorts. Ky had remained still as a statue, unaware of their presence. Atreyis discretely turned her head and tried to get her attention.

  “Psst.” She whispered.

  The hood hid the warrior’s cocky smile. “Took you long enough.”

  The princess snorted in offence. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. Something told me you would be here.”

  “Well, if you knew I would come, do you also know how to get out of this thing?” she smacked the bars of the cage. “I bet it’s a lot harder than the last set of chains you were in.”

  Ky gritted her teeth.

  Atreyis kept her eyes forward.

  “As a matter of fact I don’t.” said the warrior through her teeth. “You are right though, your father wised up. My escape must have left a mark on his ego. I actually find it a compliment that I warrant such extreme measures.”

  She clinked the chains for emphasis.

  “So what do we do now? You can’t exactly smash your way out and no amount of talking will convince my father to release you.” Said the princess.

  Taryn bit her tongue. “I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.”

  Atreyis turned to her and Ky raised an eyebrow.

  “We might be able to get to her during the battle. When the fighting starts, provided she isn’t killed before we get there, we could break her free, or at least try and get the wagon out of there. No matter what we do it’s not like this battle won’t happen.” She kicked the dirt.

  Atreyis squinted her eyes. “Umm…how’s about we just pull this thing into another tent and break her out? Or at least try to get her out of here.”

  Taryn rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure someone would notice us doing anything of the sort.”

  The princess looked to the blonde warrior. “What do you think?”

  Ky thought about it for a moment. She knew her men would remain loyal and not attack her and that they might even try to free her; then she could go after Lusha. However, in the event that the Aznurro decided to take manners into their own hands, they would waste no time in seizing the opportunity to separate her head form her shoulders. She kicked herself for going through with this plan. If only the situation were reversed. It would be so easy for her to rescue the princess.

  “It seems like it really is our only option, as much as I hate to say it.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Or you could get me the keys or at least a knife or something.”

  The princess felt the familiar flush of anxiety. The camp felt like it was surrounding and suffocating her. Her chest started to tighten.

  “No keys. My father keeps them on his person. Taryn and I will have to be on the front lines then.” She was shaking. “Will you be okay?”

  Ky clinked her chains. “I think I’ll manage.”

  The princess was only half paying attention.
She needed to get out of the camp now.

  “So it’s settled. Taryn, let’s go. Now.” She grabbed her raven-haired friend’s arm and dragged her away from the wagon towards open space, but not before the girl tossed something into the cage.

  Atreyis took long strides through the camp and when they were far enough away the anxiety-ridden girl dropped to the ground and stared up at the clouds. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Taryn sat down beside her, she knew that face. The brunette was beginning to collapse unto herself in a full panic. She looked at the clouds as well and spoke in a calming voice.

  “Breathe. Just breathe and try to relax.”

  “Ha! ‘Just breathe’ she says.” The princess was bordering on manic. “I’ll keep breathing but that doesn’t mean I’ll relax, I mean you aren’t the one who stupidly decided to run away from home and in the process nearly getting yourself killed and then be rescued by some warrior who claims she’s not an enemy but is trying to get away from her former army who now wants her dead and no one believes that she’s telling the truth but you have to evade death once again by charging head first into battle to save the girl and you have no idea why and you tell yourself that it’s because she saved your life but you know that that could just be a lie…” babbled the princess.

  Taryn just listened to the crazy and let it happen. “What in the world is up with you?”

  “Ugh, I don’t know, your guess is as good as mine. I was just venting.” She paused.

  Taryn looked at her quizzically.

  “I don’t know!” moaned the princess as she rubbed her face. “Something happened at the temple. I don’t know what exactly. It was weird. She was helping me up after knocking me on my ass and when our hands touched. I—it felt like I had been hit by a bolt of lightning. It was like I knew her from somewhere but couldn’t place it. I don’t think Ky felt it though.” She rolled over and curled up in a fetal position. “What’s going on?”

  Taryn just stared at her; the last time the princess was this flustered was when they first met Cora nearly fifteen years ago. The princess had immediately decided that this new council member’s daughter was going to be her friend. She constantly sought the girl out and dragged the poor thing around with her and Taryn. The three of them were never separated for long and kept themselves busy with their crazy exploits and adventures. At the time Taryn felt sorry for the timid girl but was now grateful for her friend’s persistence because now she had a great friend. The raven-haired girl sighed and lay down with her arms behind her head, gazing up at the sky. She couldn’t help but feel that this was the Cora situation all over again. However, this time she felt a huge sense of foreboding. She closed her eyes and prayed that she was dead wrong.

  Chapter 14

  The princess slowly roused herself from her sleep. She was covered in dew and Taryn was sleeping soundly next to her. She gently shook her awake.

  “Wake up.” She said groggily, her voice husky with sleep.

  Taryn cracked an eye and stretched and rubbed her eyes.

  “Did you sleep well?” she yawned.

  “Surprisingly, yes, I guess I really needed it.” The princess yawned back.

  “Good.”

  “You feel okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you think it will work?”

  “Maybe. We can only try.”

  “Taryn? I’m scared.”

  “Me too.”

  “Am I crazy for doing this?”

  “I really wouldn’t expect anything less from you. If anyone is crazy, it’s me for following you on this suicide mission.”

  Atreyis flashed a cockeyed grin and enveloped her in a huge bear hug,”

  “When this is over we will stay with Cora for a few weeks, okay? Just the three of us, like old times.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Taryn grinned. “How’s about we go get something to eat?”

  She secretly hoped that the warrior was able to use the knife she gave her and break out so they could avoid all of it. The pair walked back into the camp and made their way to the mess tent. With their arms loaded with food they sat on a grassy knoll. They sat in relative silence while they ate. Atreyis hated the idea that she would have to go into the front lines, but she had no other option, she had to save Ky. Her white section of hair fell in her face and she tried to blow it out of the way. If the battle didn’t kill her, the anticipation was going to. The antsy princess couldn’t sit still any longer. She took out her sword and polished it. There really wasn’t any need for it since it had hardly seen any real combat, but it gave her something to do and gave her a chance to calm down.

  A sudden horn blast made her jump out of her skin. She dropped her sword and jumped up. Taryn right beside her. More horns blasted and the soldiers began forming ranks.

  “They’re here.” Atreyis said breathlessly. With shaking hands she grabbed ahold of Taryn.

  “You don’t have to do this. I’m not asking your life for hers. If I lost you I don’t know what I’d do.” Her eyes started to well up.

  “You are my best friend. You need me and so I will not leave your side…I can’t leave your side. You are my sister.” Taryn said confidently.

  She laughed nervously. “Besides, who else will get you into trouble and argue philosophy, huh?” she smiled. They hugged each other tightly, their armor clanking together.

  “Thank you.” Whispered the princess.

  They ran into the camp to find their horses. It was total chaos. Everyone was putting on their armor and gathering weapons and forming up their ranks. Atreyis ducked into a supply tent and retrieved a quiver packed with at least a hundred arrows and slung it over her shoulder.

  “Our best chance is to ride with the first wave.” Taryn yelled over the noise.

  “How exactly are we supposed to get back through the gate?” yelled Atreyis.

  “We don’t, at least not for a while. We will have to go into the forest and wait.”

  They mounted their horses and joined up with another mounted battalion to await for their orders. Taryn scanned the troops while Atreyis’ eyes wandered to the archers posted along the wall. The princess decided that she wanted to get an idea of what exactly they were up against. She dismounted and jogged for the stone stairs that lead up to the wall walk. Taryn decided that she had better follow her. Placed at every embrasure as far as she could see were archers that had huge quivers full of precision arrows. The princess stood next to an archer and looked towards the soon to be battlefield. Her heart stopped. An inky black mass was making its way from the tree line down into the open field. Gold and black banners with fierce dragons emblazoned on them dotted the sea of black. A team of horses pulled a large structure carrying a battering ram the size of a small ship; ready to splinter the great ironwood and steel gates. Massive catapults were pulled into position with their first payloads ready to go.

  The princess tried to find her voice.

  “H-h-how many is that?” she stammered.

  “My guess would be only twenty thousand.” Said a calm female voice to her right.

  Atreyis looked at the archer, aghast. “Only? What do you mean ‘only’?”

  The soldier turned to the princess. “Have you no faith in our king? He is a brave fighter and a great leader. Our numbers are nearly double their own and no one has ever breached Stone Shield. We don’t even have our full numbers here.”

  The archer’s confident words did nothing to calm down the princess. This was real, very real. She jerked Taryn by the collar.

  “You need to leave. Now! I can’t let you do this! I don’t want to risk losing both of you.” Her eyes pleaded with the girl.

  “No! I told you I’m not leaving. We are in this together.” Stated Taryn. “If I can’t stop you, then I can at least try to keep you in one piece.”

  Atreyis nodded. “Then we need to get back in formation.”

  Once they were back the princess gripped the reins so tightly she thought her hands might break, but
she couldn’t let go. Fear crept over her.

  “Why am I doing this? Does she even care that I’m risking my life? Or is it just a means to an end for her?”

  “Calm down!” spat Taryn. “You’re going to get us caught. If you want to leave I would be more than happy to join you.”

  The princess’ mind raced and she tried to calm her pounding heart to no avail. A nervous energy seemed to spread amongst the troops as they shifted on their feet and the horses snorted and whinnied. Out of the corner of her eye Atreyis saw a figure on a large black warhorse come galloping towards the gate and a hundred horns blasted a deep note signaling the immanent battle. The rider shouted some command and the heavy gate slowly groaned open and the soldiers marched through to meet the enemy. The friends shared terrified glances and moved with the flow of bodies to the gate. The officer on the black horse gazed sternly over his troops. He wore dark gray armor with a dark blue sash around his waist. His helmet was of similar design to what Atreyis wore. The princess watched him intently. There was something familiar about him. As they drew closer their gazes met.

  All of the blood drained from her head and she saw stars. It was Saebic! It was all over now. She was caught. Her father would lock her up indefinitely and Ky would most surely perish. The Aznurro general held her gaze and let her pass without so much as a word. Taryn saw her start to sway and lunged after her before she could fall off her mount.

  “Atreyis! What’s wrong? Atreyis! Hey!” she shook the faint brunette out of her stupor.

  The princess clumsily righted herself.

 

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