Almost. Hayden said. Draek understood what they were about to do, all their dragons did.
“You have lost Elizabeth, even if you kill all of us, your armies have been defeated, your people have turned against you. Even your dragons have sided with us.” Isaac explained.
“You are Queen no longer,” Kirin said.
“I can win them back!” She screamed. “I can… I can…”
“There is nothing left to do but surrender,” Rimney said calmly.
“That can never happen!” She yelled.
Herrdiga leaned back to blow fire on them all, to try to engulf them in flames as if it were Elizabeth’s hate.
The group scattered out of the way and ran at the dragon and her rider. The fight was not going to be over until Elizabeth was dead.
They hid behind the stone dragons, and behind the pillars that held the room up. They hid anywhere they could from the bright glow of the golden dragon’s flame. Herrdiga’s fire illuminated the room and showed Elizabeth more shadows then enemies.
She spun around and screamed at every shadow that moved, even her own.
Klarack climbed one of the stone dragons and jumped on Herrdiga’s neck. The golden dragon roared and tried to get him off, but there wasn’t enough room to move around, not for a dragon.
She slammed into the stone dragons and knocked them into the walls, cracking the stone giants with the sound of thunder. Those that had been hiding behind them fled from the downpour of stone and fire.
Hayden ran at Elizabeth, but she saw him coming. He was finally a shadow she could kill. She reached behind her and pulled out her blade, only it wasn’t her sword. It was Hayden’s flaming sword that she had taken from Shane’s severed arm.
Hayden slid to a stop before her and fell on his backside. He tried to scramble back out of her reach, but she was advancing to fast. The blade hissed and glowed bright red and orange as if it hated being in her hands.
She stabbed at Hayden and sliced through the armor covering his left leg with ease. The shock hit Hayden first, but the pain followed shortly. She had slashed his thigh and forced a scream from his lips. She smiled and laughed, throwing her head back as Hayden writhed on the ground.
“That is not your sword to wield!” Durgen shouted as he jumped at Elizabeth from behind a stone column that had once been a dragon’s foot. He swung his ax over his head as he fell on her.
Elizabeth laughed and held the lava blade to block the ax, she knew what the sword was capable of doing. The ax blade slammed into the sword, and neither gave way to the other.
“What?” She asked, wondering why her sword did not cut through Durgen’s ax.
“I made that sword. Do you think I would make it stronger than my ax?” He shouted and pushed her back by throwing his shoulder into her. He swung again and this time the ax blade bit into her upper leg. The ax dug in deep and stuck, and he stepped back to leave it there.
Herrdiga roared as Klarack stabbed and slashed at the dragon. Elizabeth stumbled around on her now-crippled leg, looking around for an answer or an escape. Anything.
“Elizabeth, you have been found guilty of your crimes,” Isaac said as he stepped to the gold rider.
“Herrdiga, help me!” She screamed almost as loud as her dragon roared. Herrdiga blew fire at the ceiling and slammed its head into the wall, trying to dislodge Klarack.
Klarack had made it to her face, and Hayden knew the scream of a dragon losing its sight.
“Your sentence is death.” Elizabeth stopped screaming, she tried to stand tall as she faced Isaac.
“You cannot judge me!” She cried. She turned her back to Isaac and looked around the room. She looked but didn’t see anything. Isaac stepped up to Elizabeth with his golden sword in his hand. Elizabeth swung in a crazy arc and sliced into his chest.
His golden armor was rent in half, and the blow caused him to his knees. Isaac dropped his blade and held his chest. He might survive the wound, but Elizabeth was going to see to it that he didn’t. She lifted the smoldering blade up, keeping all the weight off her wounded led.
Cass stepped up behind Elizabeth and grabbed her arm. She spun the old Queen around and dug a small dagger into her chest. Elizabeth arched forward and slowly, almost too slowly to notice, began turning to stone. She was able to fall on her backside, holding the dagger hilt and looking up at Cass.
“You . . . You cannot judge me. I am the Queen!” She tried to yell, but it came out in coughs as the stone reached her neck and she moved no more.
Durgen walked over to her and pulled free his ax, shattering the stone remains across the floor. He picked up the lava sword in his other hand. “This was not yours to wield.” He said.
He walked over to Hayden and gave him back the sword.
He then looked to Cass. “I was supposed to kill the golden one.” He turned to walk back the way they had come. “Just so you know.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hayden and the other leaders stood in the Hall of Stories, their dragons waiting outside the Metallic Pyramid for them. Isaac stood looking at the three thrones while the others stood on the platform, watching.
He had taken his armor off, and they had found a healer to bandage his chest. They had tended to everyone else's injuries as well. Hayden’s leg still throbbed but it had been wrapped up, and a salve rubbed over the wound.
Isaac didn’t speak as he reached out and touched the golden throne, remembering a time before. His hand felt the soft, smooth gold as he ran his fingers up the side of the chair. He admired the throne, but he did not sit upon it.
“I know we have a lot to discuss, all of us,” Hayden said as he looked around the Hall of Stories at all those that had aligned themselves with their cause. The leaders of each race stood present as they were trying to decide what to do next.
“There is a lot that must be done,” Isaac said with his back to them. “There are still those loyal to Elizabeth that have fled Arvain.” He continued.
“Fled Arvain?” Shane asked. “Where did they go?”
“There is a land past the Burden Sea,” Isaac explained. “They will be trying to escape there.” Hayden was happy to let them go. It was of no concern to him.
“From what some of the riders tell me, those that turned to us before Elizabeth fell, a small group fled are being led by a silver rider named Morgane.” Hayden locked eyes with Cass as Isaac spoke.
“The entire land of Arvain is waiting on our decisions.” Isaac continued. “The world waits for us.”
“I believe that it would be in Arvain’s best decision if we do not rush into anything. The worst thing we could do is further fracture the land.” Cass explained.
“I think that on behalf of the elves, it would be wise if we all spent some time with our people before we begin rebuilding Arvain.” Heads began to nod as Kirin spoke. “Much has been lost, and much has been gained and I know I speak for myself when I say that I am tired and wish to rest a little bit.”
“We dwarves are ready for anything, as we proved this day. But the elf Queen speaks true, a little time to process what has happened would be nice.” Durgen said in his usual deep, rough voice, scratching at his curly beard as he spoke.
The all turned to Cass, even Isaac noticed and followed their gaze.
“I am sorry Isaac, but while we thank you for what you have done for Arvain, we had decided that Cassidy should rule over the Metallic Nation,” Kirin said. All the other leaders nodded, but none wanted to offend the old rider. “It was a decision that we still wish to uphold.”
“It is my understanding that Estraken fell during the battle?” Isaac asked. Hayden nodded his head.
“If it is alright with you Cassidy, I would like to take his place and help teach the future generations of dragon riders.” He added.
“That would be an honor,” Cass said.
“And that offer extends to each of you. If you wish to send your dragon riders here to train, or try for a metallic egg, I will be glad to
help them along the way.” Isaac said.
“What?” Rimney asked before anyone else could speak. “You would allow others to try for metallic eggs? I thought Elizabeth hatched them all.”
“She did, but we have plenty of dragons to replenish. Within a few years, we will have eggs ready to hatch again, but our trials will be open to all races, isn’t that so?” Isaac said as he turned to Cass.
“Isaac and I discussed this on our way back here. We both are in agreement that, if it is ok with each of you here, we would like to open all eggs to any who may be worthy.” Cass said with a smile.
“You mean a dwarf could get a golden dragon egg?” Durgen asked.
“They could even get a green dragon,” Kirin said with a smile. “I think this is a great idea, and the elves will support this decision.”
The other races shouted their agreement, and they couldn’t help but all smile. It was the first steps to a peaceful Arvain.
“We have much more to discuss, but after your people return home.” Cass smiled at the leaders. “Go and spread the word that the war is over, Arvain is at peace. No race will war with another, and we will meet back here in a month to begin working on rebuilding that which has fallen.”
One by one, the other races agreed, and soon all eyes were on Cass. “I want this new Arvain that we build to be one that we are proud of,” Cass said with a smile. “I only speak on behalf of the Metallic Nation. I do not presume to order you or your people. We are equal in this.” Despite their differences, their cultures, and their beliefs, everyone that heard Cass’s words smiled and gave a slight bow to her. Not out of fealty but out of respect. It was a gesture that she returned in kind.
Everyone filed out of the Hall of Stories except for Cass, Shane, and Hayden.
As Rimney went to leave she pulled Hayden aside.
“It is because of you I lost many of my friends.” She said.
“I remember,” Hayden said.
“I told you when this was over, you would pay for that mistake,” Rimney said.
“I remember that, as well.” Hayden waited for Rimney to speak but the moment drug on for a while.
Rimney punched Hayden square in the nose but before Hayden could complain she reached out and hugged him.
“We are not even, not by a long shot. I will come for repayment one day.” She said.
“I understand.” Hayden smiled as his eyes watered. “Rimney, thank you for everything.” The Sea Serpent nodded her head and walked out with the others.
Hayden turned and looked at Cass and Shane. The three of them started laughing. They didn’t know what came over them, but it felt right to laugh.
“I know there is so much work to do now that the war is over, and I want to be a part of it. I want to help in any way I can, but right now there is something I need to take care of.” Before Hayden could elaborate, Cass interrupted him.
“What do you need to do?” Cass asked. She didn’t ask about the punch, it seemed she knew it had been coming.
“There is somewhere I need to be,” Hayden said with all seriousness.
“You’re leaving?” Shane asked, concern evident on his voice. His hand began to reach out for Hayden, but he stopped.
“Cass and Isaac can take care of things here, and with you, by their side, I am sure everything will work out,” Hayden said.
“You are going after them?” Cass asked, knowing the answer before Hayden responded.
“This dagger was meant for another,” Hayden said and touched the dagger. He looked down and saw there was a gray stone scale on his breastplate. It was Kne’s.
“We have lost so much getting here.” Cass started.
“And we have a lifetime to rebuild it, but I don’t want to live a life looking over my shoulder. Wondering if Morgane is coming back for us,” Hayden said.
“It needs to be over, truly over.” He added.
They argued and tried their best to talk him out of it. Nothing worked, and they knew then that they would not be able to talk him out of his task. They knew Hayden wouldn’t mention Fendrel, but it was evident in his eyes.
Hayden said his goodbyes and limped his way to Draek. The others had decided to stay inside the pyramid to discuss their next moves.
Rilora was waiting next to him as was Shaylin. All three dragons were tired and had various injuries, no one had come out of the battle whole. They would all live and heal, but they would never be the same.
“It is good to see both of you,” Hayden said as the two dragons lowered their heads to Hayden.
They are happy to see you as well. Draek said. He could tell Draek needed a rest, but he would keep going as long as they had to.
“Cass and Isaac are going to stay here and see that the city is taken care of. I am sure that they will be able to keep things in order.” Hayden said aloud so the other two dragons could hear him.
Rilora began to get fidgety and move around with excitement as Shane came out of the Metallic Pyramid, his parents with him.
“Do you have to go?” His mother asked.
“Dear, he is a rider.” His father reminded her.
“I promise you both I will be fine, but I have to go,” Shane explained. “Hayden needs me.” Hayden looked up to his friend and smiled.
Isaac had taken a look at the wound and had the healers rub some ground up plants on it before bandaging it up. They had told him to be careful with it but said he was in no immediate danger of his missing arm killing him.
They had asked him to stay behind and allow it to heal under their supervision, but Shane insisted on leaving with Hayden.
He had told them he knew the trouble Hayden got into on his own and someone had to be there to help him.
The small crowd saw them off, with smiles and tears they left Celestial City behind in search for Morgane and the riders that had fled.
~
Three months had passed since the fall of Celestial City. The races were working together to rebuild each other, and all fighting had stopped. The dragon riders of every race flew around freely, helping wherever they could.
Everything seemed to be working out the way the new Queen had planned, and nothing could be worse for Morgane. The riders that had fled with him that had been loyal to Elizabeth had broken away from him over the weeks and went back to Celestial City to ask forgiveness. From what Morgane had heard, they were allowed to be a part of the new Metallic Nation.
Once word had gotten back that Cassidy had forgiven some it wasn’t long before Morgane had woken up alone except for his dragon. Since then, he had traveled on foot most of the time and tried to stay hidden as he made his way to the Burden Sea.
He had heard rumors, whispers in taverns over the years of the lands that were beyond the Burden Sea. Some had dragons far different than their own, serpents without wings that somehow were still able to fly. Other lands, the ones Morgane was searching for, had never seen a dragon of any kind.
If the old drunk sailors were to be believed, Morgane could find one of those lands that had no dragons, and he would be a god there. He could easily take over the land and rule, unquestioned with his silver dragon.
A ship was anchored just off the coast, if it could be called a ship. It was a small boat that could barely fit his dragon and him. He had wanted one small enough that he could captain it by himself.
The crew that ran the ship were not eager to relinquish it to his cause, but he had been persuasive. At least his dragon had been.
The crew was wherever the current had taken them after they jumped off the boat to avoid his dragon. He had spent the rest of the day gathering supplies from the woods around the shore and letting his dragon eat as much as possible. Now it was time for Morgane to make his departure.
“The Burden Sea can be quite dangerous.” Morgane did not have to turn around to see who was talking. Only one person would waste their time hunting him down. Along with Morgane hearing word of Cassidy’s forgiveness, he had also learned of a rider hunting him d
own.
“You are a long way from home Hayden.” He said. He saw the young silver rider step out from behind the tree line, and the two stood together and looked out over the sea for a moment. Morgane had to admit, to himself at least, that Hayden was no longer a child. The war had aged him, and he looked more a man now for it.
Even at that moment, the two of them overlooking the ocean, they both could appreciate what stretched out before them.
“Celestial City is not my home, Erskine was,” Hayden said. Morgane noticed another rider step out from the trees. This one was a copper and was missing an arm.
“Hmm.” He thought. “So, Cassidy has sent the two of you here to bring me back to her? To face justice?” He asked.
“No,” Hayden said, still looking out over the sea. They did not speak harshly to each other, rather like old friends catching up.
“The war is over, and I had no part in it,” Morgane explained.
“This has nothing to do with the war,” Hayden replied.
“Hmm,” Morgane said again, deep in thought as his eyes found their way from the silver rider back to the small boat out at sea. His dragon was in the water near the ship, but there was no telling where Hayden and the copper rider’s dragons were.
“If you are not here to take me back, then why have you been following me all this time?” He asked. The ship was ready, as was he. Morgane just needed the right moment.
“To kill you,” Hayden said honestly.
“To kill me?” Morgane repeated to make sure he had heard Hayden correctly.
“Yes.” Hayden turned and now faced Morgane.
“Why?” He asked shortly.
“Fendrel was my friend.” When Morgane heard his brother’s name, he understood a little better.
“This has nothing to do with the war, with anything other than my brother?” He asked, not sure he was grasping everything.
“Yes,” Hayden replied. He didn’t sound mad, not for someone claiming to be wanting to kill someone.
“Did Cassidy send you?” Morgane asked. Hayden shook his head but remained silent.
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