laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Laying behind Meadhran, she gazed beyond his platinum hair to the stone framed, window seat whose inviting pillowed couches glowed dimly from the moonlight. Morning would come too soon, she thought. Although, the enemy that were marching to these gates were bent on destruction and had to be stopped. Drifting to sleep, she hoped their victory would come without heavy losses.

Screams of the dying erupted all around her as the misty, red cloud threatened to consume the warriors around her as she felt her feet sinking into an ever expanding bowl of bodies and blood stained grass. Deep grey clouds hung overhead and slowly pushed out the blue sky as she suddenly felt the presence of one beyond their enemy, and he was looking for her. Dread began to fill her being and prompted her to start conjuring spells to protect herself and those around her.

"Won't work," his deep voice laughed. "You've been choked from that avenue for some time now, easier to free my new world from you troublesome pests. I do look forward to you being one of my slaves, though," his glowing eyes soon emerged from the deepening, bloodred horizon.

Realizing that her powers were gone, she ducked and tried to hide as the wraith-like form glided above the heads of the orcs and other minions who ferociously attacked the shieldwall. As she tried to keep from being seen, he soon spied her and sped forward, flying at her with claws outstretched.

She sat up with a start, heart pounding and threatening to burst as she clutched her chest in agony. Eyes pressed shut, she bent over, head resting within the thick quilt. Pushing out a heavy breath, she tried to relax as she rose, then reached her right hand to feel Meadhran and found an empty space. As green eyes scanned, she noticed that the room was quiet as she grimaced from the pain. Unable to free herself, it finally overtook her and she passed out.

* * *

Green eyes fluttered open and she quickly noticed that the sunlight had escaped directly hitting the stone framed window, but the distant rising black smoke hadn't. Still sore, she sat up to see the thickening darkness vainly shroud a sleek, dark form as it sped across the distant walls, spewing flame and then disappear beyond her sight. Pushing herself up, she tore the quilt away, stood and got dressed as she ignored the aching in her chest and back.
Once done, she strapped on her swordbelt and headed for the banded, oaken door and pulled it open to notice the attendant and guards to either side. He spun and backed, then bowed.

"Where is the king," she asked, pushing into the hallway and turned right.

"He and the army have been engaged for five days milady."

The information stopped her in her tracks. "Five days? I've been out the whole time?"

"Yes, Your Highness. The king said not to let anyone disturb you."

Her brow furrowed. "How do we fare?" she inquired, pressing on to the grand staircase, the quintet in tow.

"Heavy losses on both sides, I fear. There is word of an army of paladin and templar approaching from the southeast and they should be engaged soon."

Thoughts of strategies and the welfare of not only her men, but also the dragons of both nations who fought to protect the skies above raced through her mind. Emotions welled and she fought them off as they soon entered the large hall and turned left to soon find the emperor and his staff standing around the table.

Edward's eyes lit up as he sipped from a crystal goblet and lowered it. "Your Highness, are you alright," he asked, concernedly. His battered armor and sweat covered face told volumes as he rounded the well dressed priest of Arhus to his left and approached.

"I'm fine. Why didn't someone wake me?"

"Your physicians stated that you were alright but, the king said to let you rest. I inquired no further, but have been concerned, understandably."

"How do we fare?"

He turned and motioned to the map of the city which still lay on the table. "We've beaten the enemy at the southern bridge and are holding at the eastern wall. They've committed their reinforcements but, I've been told that they still have a strong rear guard that are engaged with the men of Davos as we speak. Hopefully, we can break through to them and meet in the middle by noon. We're planning for that battle now."

As she listened, a sudden rumbling nearly shook the foundation which prompted them all to look upwards. Fear gripped her suddenly and she turned and pushed through her guards to the entryway. Running passed miltia and nobles alike, she exploded into the banded, oaken door and was soon greeted by the sight she had dreaded. Laying in a heap, Duartane's silver scales were now crushed and bloodied as she lay in the courtyard, her long tail extending over the parapets of the palace's east wall.
Eirianwen sprinted to her friend and skidded on her knees at the long snout as she lay her hands on the dying dragon. 'Don't leave me like this,' she cried as her guards formed a perimeter around her, spears outward. 'Not like this.'

'My daughter Divone will serve you now,' the weak reply. 'I've taught her all I know, even how to deal with your bad habits,'

Eirianwen chuckled as tears streamed down her cheeks. As her vision clouded and melted into blurs of color, she noticed as a deep sigh blew out, Duartane's body evanesced into lights and spinning mist, then disappeared.