the fall of strong hold

     Flaran stood on the balcony that looked out at the village of his kingdom and thanked his God for keeping them safe through another day of the war. He looked toward the troll mountains and saw something flying over them. He may not have been like most of his soldiers but he knew dragon flying when he saw it and that could only mean one thing; an attack. He spun still carrying Nadia still he reached his door as it burst open and His commander Amar hurried in. "Villages are already being evacuated and the mages are readying the dragon slayers." He spoke without hesitating "Flaran ..." Flaran raised his hand stopping him from saying anymore. "Go make sure your family makes it out." His order was hash, but he knew his old friend well enough by now. Amar nodded and left the room. Flaran grabbed the staff next to the door then turned back to the balcony. Raising it he concentrated on the small amount of magic he had left.

"To the forest you take us,

Away from harm and deceit, protect and council us

Open lanes of the astrals."

    Flaran watched as a gate way opened turning he picked up Nadia and walked through it into the mountains.  He flinched when the pressure in his chest expanded. He staggered slightly and after several deep breaths felt the pain disappear. He held Nadia close to him and began to walk again. He knew that he had to get her to safety, but the beating of wings stopped him in his tracks. Taking a deep breath he pulled Nadia away from him and concentrated on his old teacher then he whispered "Disperze." and Nadia disappeared. Turning he faced the dragon that landed and watched its rider dismount.

   "Flaran." The voice was female and one he had hoped to never hear again. Shane A female wizard who had lusted after Flaran as long as he could remember; she had at one point been his friend then she had tried to kill his wife and the rest was history. Flaran raised his staff, he didn't have enough magic to defeat her or the dragon, but enough to wound her and muttering a prayer he attacked.

  Erabor turned back the way He and Sean had come when he heard a scream. He was about to tell Sean to stay put when he realized he was already running up the path; cursing he ran after him, but stopped at the top of the hill and stared in horror at what lay before him. Flaran's kingdom was on fire. His head snapped to the right when he heard the roar of a dragon. To the northeast he saw a dragon starting to rise up, without hesitating he took his true form and attacked bringing it down. He saw a saddle but no rider a look at the dragon shoed it's neck had broken on impact. He changed back into a man and watched as Sean came his own wings landing allowing him to land gently.

Before Erabor could say anything he watched as Sean ran off into the forest and then he smelled it to blood, fresh. Cursing he pushed up and ran into the clearing and stopped at the sight that beheld him. Flaran his best friend and a man as close as one could get to a brother lay bleeding from a stomach wound and several other sever ones Sean seemed to be trying to ask him something then he realized that Nadia's sent was no where to be found. Flaran would die before he let Nadia get hurt. Erabor ran over to Flaran and knelt. "Hey, king." He said and placed his hand on Flaran's shoulder gently.

 Flaran groaned softly and open his eyes to look at Erabor. "Nadia..." He gasped out "Chro... Protect... needs... you... all... Shane... back." "Stop talking" Erabor ordered "Save your strength." Flaran shook his head sadly and gave off a sad smile. "Sean... has... my... blessing." And his eyes glazed over while his body went limp. Erabor felt his breath expel from his body then he pulled Flaran's body into his arms and buried his face in his neck. He started when he felt something touch his shoulder; turning he looked into Sean's vivid green eyes. Erabor raised one hand and pulled Sean into his side. and there they sat for a time. Eventually they would have to move and bury Flaran, but for now they stayed like that.