After ending the discussion, and agreeing to keep the information to only just the four of them, they all headed out of the tent. As the day wore on, more men had arrived back, and they were still at a loss on locating the others. Feeling a bit disheartened, Nikolas went back to his tent to drink and think by himself. He couldn’t gather idea’s as to what enemy they could be facing, other than the King himself. It’s had been years and there was never any discord, the three Kingdoms kept up with civility and peace. South of them was unknown, however, other than claims a large body of water separated them from the land beyond, so he crossed them off the list. He knew the King of Scourts preferred to keep peace in his castle to the West. Though he did cross the line with threats occasionally to the Kingdom of Sedla, which lay to the North, in a very icy region. Nikolas knew very little about the Northern territory, but it was rumored the King of Sedla preferred the tundra
“Even though I don’t generally use my status as a woman to get what I want, I can still use it to prove that I am capable of getting it anyway. I know it won't save me from a sharp sword, or from a big strong man, such as yourself, but I can find a way to avoid the situation.” Ally said feeling sure of herself as she stared at the Nikola’s back. Hearing her words angered him. The moment she was finished talking, the vision of her laying close to death, violated on the ground, caused fire to run through his blood. He quickly turned to lash out with disagreement but didn’t realize she was so close, bumping into her, causing her to stumble backwards. Ally reached out to grab whatever she could as she lost her footing. The momentum of her weight pulling at the lower part of his armor caused Nikolas to stumble forward as well. Before she knew it, she had landed on top of him as he swung her around, preventing her from falling on to her back. Ending up face to face on the pallet of
Captain Nikolas exited the tent after being woke. He had fallen asleep right after Ally had left him on his back. His main focus had gone to her and some of the stories the men were sharing of her place and time. “Tis the Queens nephew.” Barreth said walking over to the Captain as he was grabbing a cup of spring water from the wooden bucket. “He be jist in time.” The Captain wanted any distraction he could have at the moment from the woman. Watching the horses that were adorned with royal sashes, and the soldiers that were dressed in gold tinted armor, the Captain shook his head. The higher class definitely let their differences be known, he thought to himself. Gold was not practical, nor as hard as steel or iron, but it takes being serious about battle to know that the Captain mused in thought. Walking up, a steward presented the Prince. “May I present Prince Addamnar Aloiucuis Avery.” The lanky, fluffy haired man said bowing, causing a wave of kneeling through the camp. “
With his boney soft hand, the prince’s steward took the shiny black talon from Ally’s, not giving her second thought. “Tis a talon?” the prince asked eyeing it as the steward handed it to him. “Aye, your Majesty. Tis be a precious gift we’s have given, as yee are well aware that most dragons no longer live amongst us, even as humans. I pray yee take it as token of our dedication to yee as well in hopes it keeps yee safe and wise in the upcomin years.” Barreth had a way with words, making Captain Nikolas smile, thankful to his first in command for being so thoughtful. “I shall take it with great thanks! Now..” the Prince stopped as he caught sight of Ally backing up and behind Barreth once more. “Uh, ehhhmm, your Majesty, we should continue.” Captain Nikolas said, drawing the prince's attention from Ally. “Ah, yes. So, from what I have gathered, you seem to be limited on your calvery, be it around 50? From the Queens army, this will be a certain disadvantage. It may be near 200
“Yee holden well lad?” the Captain asked Caspian, furrowing his brows at the situation. Nodding his head, the Captain could see the keeled scales around the dragons' eyes bunch up. He knew Caspian was worn out from still adjusting to his change and from the worry of not being able to change back. “Well, it’s high time I be returning back, before they find something amiss.” the prince said nodding at them. “Aye, some of me men will follow yee ta tha edge of tha wood. Be safe, your majesty.” Saying this as he bowed slightly, the Captain felt a hand on his shoulder. “Captain, you owe me no duty other than winning me this battle. I may certainly be young, but I am not naïve to the ways of men, to what makes them weak and what makes them strong. I trust you to see this through.” the princes words created heaviness in the Captain’s heart. “I be grateful your majesty. We WILL see this through.” Saying this as he straightened, the prince smiled and nodded at the Captain, turning towards
Enjoying the sound of their laughter, Caspian sudden stood. He smelt blood. It had carried on the wind from the direction of the Castle. “Embblmbpfff.” The alarming sound caught Captain Nikolas’s attention as he had not heard the dragon make such a noise before. “Aye something has him unsettled.” He said to Ally. “Huh? What is it Caspian?” She asked turning to look up at him. The dragon had raised its head to look over the camp, he was almost tall enough to peak over the tall pines of the woods, but the moment he tried, there was shouting from the men at the other end of camp. “He’s injured, there is blood! Get tha Captain, he’s one of ours!” the shout could barely be heard but the Captain could make out something close to it. “It be one of our men, yee stay here with the lad.” He said urgently to Ally as he started to run towards the other side of the camp. Ally looked up at Caspian worried, the dragon’s swirly eyes blinked at her as a soft whimper came out. “It’s oka
Already seated atop his horse the Captain gave Ally some final words before they set off to meet the soldiers currently stationed on the southeast hill from the Castle. “Keep an eye on him for me, will ya lass, I will send someone if need arises for the lad to join us. They shouldn’t be expectin him, so his size alone may gain us leverage. Cutterson wont be well enough to be joinin us anytime soon so keep vigil at his side as well if yee would.” Ally listened to the Captains words but her mind was wracked with worry. This was the real deal, Ally thought. Horns had been sounding on and off since day break, men marching out of camp with their armor chanting like some battle hymn as they moved out. The sounds of straps being tightened, hooves beating the ground like drums, all of it felt to Ally like she had walked into some movie she once seen in the theaters. “I am kinda at a loss, and scared. I want to tell everyone be safe, and come back alive, but will you? I mean is this it, a
Not thinking that the King of Scourts would want to get too involved in warfare as he is still considered fairly new, Captain Nikolas changed his thoughts to dealing with what was at hand. The deep sound of a horn could be heard coming from the Castle as an army of elaborately decorated knights emerged from the massive wooden gate that screeched as it was lifted. You could see their colors of gold and red gracing the banners they presented. The first to emerge were the Queens army, over 200 men on foot marched in rows as they entered the field. “Tis almost time boys!! We wont be movin jist yet, but best yee be ready!” Barreth yelled out. The group atop the hill had luckily increased as more men had arrived late to the base camp and were sent to accompany them on the hill. “Aye we’ve got about 3 more dozen men here and some that went to stand with those in tha woods, so that be givin us about close to 300 men now Cap’n. The odds be lookin better.” Barreth smiled as the adrenaline