Aftermath

Laurel cleared the crowd, Erinwolfe was in a dead run ahead of her.  She was going to make it, Kaynan was coming home, just a few more yards and she would be reunited with him.  At this point, time seemed to have slowed.  They were running as fast as they could, Kaynan turned to see her.  She heard him call to her.  Constance looked at them and smiled.

A large black shadow dropped from the sky, the buffet from the wings forced Erinwolfe and her to the ground.  They rolled as the impact of the dragon landing near them shook the earth.  As she looked up, the large beast's head loomed above her.  She crawled backwards as Rygerri angled his neck downward to look at them.

The creature gave her what she interpreted as a grin, then reached down with its massive fore claw and scooped up Constance.  The girl then, using the dragon's wing, pulled herself up on its back.  She then climbed to the base of its neck and sat, looking as if she was the beast's master.

Erinwolfe was back on his feet, she was still scampering backwards, until she saw Kaynan start running her way.  Erinwolfe almost had him in his grasp when Rygerri again used his fore claw and plucked her son up, forcing him onto his back.  When Kaynan was secure, he reared upward with a load roar.  The warning did not scare Erinwolfe off; he lifted his spear and charged.

The dragon was prepared, using his fore claw to deflect the blow, and grabbing the spear.  With one solid yank, the spear was removed from her defenders hands.   Erinwolfe backed up a bit, but not far enough.  Rygerri lunged downward, his massive maw open.  He snatched Erinwolfe through the chest and shoulder.  Lifting his neck he tossed the warrior.  Erinwolfe landed a few yards in front of her, blood gushing from the large hole in his chest.

Rygerri dropped low again, his fangs nearing her.  Someone now was grabbing her, sliding her back.  Jason now stood beside her, lifting his sword, waving it at the dragon.  Rygerri stopped, lifting his head up again.  Looking back, Yassir was pulling her to safety as the rest some of the elfin guard advanced with bows.

Stalker walked nonchalantly past her left side, ignoring her, Yassir, and Jason.  As he passed by the dying Erinwolfe, Stalker thrust his sword into the fighter's chest.  Once next to the dragon, Stalker turned, facing them.  Rygerri again, reached down and lifted the undead warrior to his back.

Stalker secured himself, placing his blade across his back, and then wrapping both arms around the children.  As Rygerri lifted off, Kaynan cried for her, holding out his hand.  Tears began running down her cheek as she raised her own hand toward the sky, reaching hopelessly for her son as the dragon began to fly above the field.  "Kaynan," she screamed as Yassir drew her close, holding her, comforting her.

* * *

Norrelle cried out when Rygerri attacked Erinwolfe and idly threw him onto the battlefield.  She struggled with her elfin guardian until her strength over powered that of the priestess.  Pushing her way through her guards she spread her wings as she exited the door that she was forced through.

"It is not the time," Mother yelled.

"I cannot stand here and watch my friends die.  I will not sit and do nothing, hiding behind a wall," she returned.  Looking around, she saw Fiona run toward the tower that hid the assassin, Nalin was near her feet holding his dead brother.  Shae was lying on the ground, Connacht was tending to her.  Yassir was pulling Laurel away from Rygerri as Jason was fending off the beast.  The reminder of her guard and the king’s guards were now advancing, drawing longbows to attack the dragon, which now had both children.

As she lifted off the stage, Stalker stabbed Erinwolfe as he was laying there helpless and dying on the ground.  This day was not supposed to be like this, it was to be a celebration.  Now the field below her was covered with ash and blood, blood of the innocent, blood of her friends, bodies of those sworn to protect her.  She was angry, and she had every right to be.

Rygerri was now in the air, she wanted to avoid him.  In this form, she was no match for him.  She would barely have a chance in her complete true form.  Diving low, flying just over the field, she headed for Erinwolfe.  The black dragon must have spotted her, for it dropped low, and using its rear claw slashed at her right wing.  He sliced it, pain shot through her shoulder and back.  Norrelle now nearly hit the ground, she was flying uncontrollably.  Stretching her wings painfully she regained control just before she crashed.

Looking behind her quickly she watched the dragon fly off, heading for the tower that Fiona was now entering.  She hoped the knight would be safe in the stone walls, as long as the beast did not knock the defensive tower to the ground.  Again, she realized she could not save Fiona, without risking herself.  Mother was right; this was not the time to assault the enemy.  Rygerri and Constance may have won the day, but she vowed that they would not win the war.

Landing next to Erinwolfe, Jason was already at his side, she knelt next to him.  Blood was pouring from both wounds.  He coughed, blood spit came with it.  She held his head as she looked at Jason.  He only shook his head, knowing that it was too late.  She could not tell if it was anger or pain in Jason's eyes, which ever, he now appeared determined.

Smiling back down at Erinwolfe, who lifted his blood covered hand to hers, she said, "I'm sorry."

"Is the boy safe," he asked with another bloody cough.

"He will be soon enough," she promised.  Glancing up at Jason, she could now tell it was anger.  He stood with a mad huff and turned away, moving to Shae and Connacht.

"You will save him," Erinwolfe said slowly.  "Promise me my lady."

She squeezed his hand; he did not return the gesture.  His eyes stared lifelessly at her.  Reaching down with her free hand she closed his eyes.  "I promise," she replied kissing the dead warrior on the forehead.  "I promise, I will save him," she said with no tears, just sheer determination.

* * *

Hearing someone come down from above, Fiona stopped running up the stairs to the tower.  Readying her weapon, she waited for the Dyginian elfin assassin to round the turn.  This would be the second time the two of them had faced off, the last time ended with Fiona capturing her.  This time, Fiona vowed to leave nothing to chance.  This elf was not going to get away again, nor was she going to send her to prison.  The grave was Kyrian's next destination.

Fiona assumed that Stephan somehow fooled the city during the execution, saving Kyrian for a time when she would be needed again.  No time like the present, Fiona agreed.  The government in chaos, Stephan himself on a short hangman's rope, if there was a time Stephan needed to play a wild card, this was it.

Kyrian stopped just above her; Fiona could see only part of her.  She was clutching her wounded shoulder, the arrow was removed.  "Fiona," Kyrian hissed.

"You expected someone else," she said, sounding cliché.

"No, I thought you'd be coming.  You've gotten a bit quicker in your age," Kyrian chuckled as she backed up the circular stairway.

"No, I think you've gotten a bit slower in yours.  Sitting around too much lately, gotten lax and careless."  Fiona inched up the stairs.

"My plan was well thought out.  Just had a few distractions, it seems someone else wanted to crash the party."  She moved further back.  "They just beat me too the shot is all."

"Well, you missed my dear.  Norrelle still lives," Fiona moved up a few stairs.

"Yes I know, but that little dwarf fellow won't be long for this world," she hissed again, still retreating.

"That little fellow was Prince Gimdur, Nalin's younger brother.  You started a war you can't finish," Fiona returned.  Deciding enough was enough, she charged up the stairs.

Kyrian reacted, turning and fleeing up the stairs.  Fiona did not slow down; this was going to end today.  She made a few steps when she heard a clanking sound come closer.  She only hesitated for a few seconds then proceeded, jumping over the dead guard, which tumbled past her.  The tower door slammed shut above her, but Fiona knew there was no outer lock.

Reaching the wooden door she put her full weight into, thinking it would swing open.  That was a mistake, the door opened a few inches, and Kyrian must have had her body against it.  It slammed closed as quick as it opened, pushing Fiona back a few stairs.  With her shoulder throbbing slightly she went at the door again, putting as much strength behind it as she could.  To her surprise, it swung open easily.

Not losing her balance, and gaining her composure swiftly, she saw Kyrian smiling painfully at her from across the tower.  Lifting her sword she began walking across to the assassin.  "It's over," she said.

"No," Kyrian answered smugly.

"Yes, it is," Fiona snapped.

"No," Kyrian said jumping up onto the top of the parapet, "it's just beginning."

"Don't do it," Fiona ordered.

"I'm not," the assassin replied while lifting her arms.

Before Fiona could react, Rygerri crested the tower, snatching Kyrian as he did so.  Fiona ran, jumping and tried to grab her legs, but missed, catching herself before she went over the tower wall.  "Damn it," she yelled, tossing her sword uselessly at the large dragon.  "Sonofabitch!"

She should have known that the assassin and Stephan would find some way to contact this beast.  It would be a profitable relationship for both.  With the fall of Clinox, Stephan was alone to face the rage of the city and the king.  Siding with Rygerri gave him protection and strength.  Kyrian was right, this was not over, and it was beginning.

She was moving now against the parapet, shaking her head at the hideous scene below when her instincts tinged.  Spinning back around, she saw Rygerri flying full speed toward the tower.  His mouth was opening.  She had no idea what he intended to do, she's never fought a dragon, but she did know that standing here was not a good idea.  Sprinting, she jumped between the archer gaps in the parapet, plunging down fifteen feet to the keep wall.

Just before she landed on the wall's walk, the tower behind her exploded, sending stone in all directions.  The sonic blast and debris sent her further along the wall.  She screamed as chunks of the tower pelted her body as she slammed to the stone walk on the wall.  Instinctively she covered her head as more stone, wood, and metal pelted the area around her.

She waited until the stone storm ceased and slowly stood.  Her back and legs ached, but Fiona felt as there were no serious injuries.  Turning, she dusted herself as she saw the dragon fly over the city, and then headed for the mountains.  She walked to the wall until she could go no further.  Where the tower once stood was a pile of rubble, along with a portion of the wall on both sides.  This creature held such a powerful destructive force, and that was not his only trick.  Of that she was sure.  Putting her hands on her hips she repeated, "Sonofabitch!"