Arimore

The garrison of soldiers arrived at the border. They made camp half a mile away in the woods. Gabriel sent soldiers to keep watch over the break in the forest where the two lands met. After just three days one of the soldiers returned with news, “There is movement on the front. I saw a small group of riders, maybe a dozen approaching.”

“Did you see if they were followed by more?” Gabriel asked.

“No sir, but I sent my men to scan behind them. I should have word soon.”

“Very good.” Gabriel picked his fastest rider and sent them with word of the approaching troops to Elara.

“Sir,” the soldier returned, “My scouts returned with disturbing news. Not half a day’s ride behind the troop there is an entire army headed this way.”

“Call the men together.”

The soldiers rallied around Gabriel, “We have orders from the Queen not to engage in battle until she has been notified of the situation. I sent a rider to her so we will await word. I do not want to reveal our presence unless we have no choice. Men, I do not expect you to allow the Mardocians to pass our border but I do expect you to remain hidden unless I give the order to advance. We have the element of surprise on our side. We know they are there but they have yet to discover us. Silence will be your friend while we await word from the Queen. Remain strong. Do not let their numbers drive fear into your hearts. We may be few but we are Calithornians. Resume your posts and wait for my orders.”

An urgent knock startled Queen Elara, “Come,” she called in reply.

“Your majesty,” the soldier bowed low, “I bring word from the front. A small troop of Mardocians has been spotted close to the border. Sir Gabriel sent me to bring you the news. We are not certain if there are more behind them.”

“Have the guard ready my horse and have all but a handful of soldiers ready to leave at once. We will not be caught off guard.”

As the guard left Sacha looked at Elara, “I know, I must remain here. I will contact Arimore and tell him of the situation.”

“Thank you Sacha.”

The soldier quickly dispatched the Queens orders and the army of Calithorne made for the border led by their Queen.

Upon arrival Gabriel told the Queen of the army that approached. “Do we know who leads their troops?” she asked.

“It is not clear your majesty.”

“No one is to move until I give the signal,” she mounted her horse and rode to the edge of the woods. From just inside the tree line she saw the small troop of men making camp. Over the hill she could see the rising dust from the army that followed. She returned to Gabriel and took him aside, “They make camp in the clearing. The army is not far behind. I need a little time alone. When I return I will lay out my plan.”

Elara walked a little farther into the woods and called for Arimore, “I need your help my friend.”

“What is it that you need?” his reply came quickly, “Sacha told me of the approaching army.”

“Can you fly over the edge of the hill and tell me what you see? I need to know what we will be facing.”

Arimore took flight. He circled around behind the Mardocians to maintain stealth in his reflective scales. The Mardocian army was indeed on the move. Hundreds of battle ready men moved quickly up the hills. He saw no clear sign of the King or the Prince. He returned to his perch atop Mount Crystos and reported what he saw to Elara.

“Thank you Arimore,” she sighed, “Will you stand ready should we need you?”

“I am but a thought away my Queen.”

Arimore knew that he could be at the Queens side in a moment from anywhere in the realm. He also knew that this was the time to take action. He quickly flew toward Mardock under cover of his natural camouflage. He circled the castle being careful not to allow his shadow to fall on open ground. There was no one out in the courtyard. He set himself down upon the turret of the guard tower to watch and listen for the King.

Elara returned to Gabriel and Rowan, “We have from what I can tell, the entire Mardocian army coming straight for us. The question that remains is whether or not they intend to breach our borders. For now we wait. Instruct the men to remain silent and keep watch from the cover of the forest. Tell them their orders are not to enter the open fields under any circumstances, is that clear?”

“Yes my Queen,” they replied in unison.

“It is my intention to call out their leader and speak with him. I need to hear from his lips what their intentions are before we make a move. I will not have it said that we began this war nor that we failed to do all we could to prevent it.”

“My Queen,” Rowan stepped forward, “it’s too dangerous.”

“Rowan, your council is invaluable to me but I need you to trust me on this.”

“At least let us accompany you.” Gabriel added.

She thought for a moment as she looked at these two soldiers. There was no one she trusted more. “Gabriel, you will ride beside me.”

Rowan began to object but she cut him short, “Rowan, you are still recovering from your last encounter with the men from Mardock. I need you to stay behind and make certain that if anything should go wrong, Calithorne survives the day.”

Meanwhile Arimore sifted carefully through the voices he heard within the castle below listening for the voice of the King. Once he caught sound of his voice he blocked out all other conversations and focused solely on King Andre.

“Now that I have drawn the army from the castle I will tell you my plan son. Listen carefully, my spies in Calithorne tell me that the Queen has taken a charge, a young girl. This is not just any young girl. I have been told that the Queen has taken special interest in this child so much so that the child is staying in the Queens personal chambers. This child holds great importance to her. I have three men in Calithorne as we speak. They will enter the Queens chambers, kidnap the girl and bring her to me. If the girl is as precious to the Queen as I believe she is then she is the bargaining chip that we will need to win this war and finally control Calithorne.”

“Why father?” Mason asked, “Calithorne has done nothing to you.”

“Nothing? Do you not remember the stories told you as a child?” The King was furious, “You saw the Queen, she controls the dragon that almost caused the complete destruction of Mardock and you ask me why?” He began pacing around Mason, “I promised my father that we would one day overthrow Calithorne and I mean to keep that promise.”

“I don’t care what happened in the past. Calithorne and Queen Elara have shown me nothing but kindness and friendship these past weeks. I will not be a part of this vengeance.” Mason stood to leave.

“Guards!” the King shouted, “Arrest my son for treason.” He turned to Mason, “I will not have you ruin my plans. Put him under guard in the tower. He is not to leave.”

“Sacha!” her name screamed from Arimore’s mind.

“I am here my lord,” she replied.

“You are in grave danger,” he warned, “get to the dungeon and hide until I arrive.”

Sacha didn’t hesitate. She immediately left the Queens chambers and locked herself in the secret room in the dungeon. While she waited for Arimore she finished the last of the small egg. She knew her time was short to remain in human form. She began pacing in the small room. She knew if she took her true form now she would be even more vulnerable. A young untrained dragon was no match for an army.

Sacha wasn’t the only one that heard Arimore scream. Elara was alerted to the danger as well. She turned to Rowan with fear in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

She pulled him aside and told him what she heard.

“I will go to the castle at once.” He jumped on his horse and rode like the wind back to Calithorne.

“Sacha,” Elara called, “Are you safe?”

“I am hidden,” Sacha replied, “but I have a problem. I have finished my nourishment which means I will change soon. Elara, you must protect me. I will be most vulnerable in my dragon state.”

“Rowan is on his way. Stay hidden. I will return as quickly as I can.”

“Hurry Elara.”

Three men dressed as merchants pulling a cart of linens to sell at the market made their way easily through the gates of Calithorne. They stopped in an area filled with other vendors and blended in with the crowd. One man opened the cart and began peddling his wares while the other two made their way into the castle. With the majority of the guard in the field with the Queen they found passage through the castle without encountering any resistance. Before they knew it they had come upon the Queens chambers.

“There,” one whispered.

“The door is open,” the other noticed.

They stepped inside and searched the rooms. There were two beds in the sleeping quarters. “The King was right. The child is staying here.” One stated.

The other asked, “but where is she now?”

“It looks like she left in a hurry,” he pointed to the dress thrown on the floor and the half eaten food on the tray, “Do you think she knew we were coming?”

“If she did we have to figure out where she’s hiding, and quickly.”

“Where would you go if you wanted no one to find you?”

“I’d go to the dungeon but I’m not a young girl.”

“That’s brilliant!”

The two men quickly headed for the dungeons. They opened the door and were surprised to find all the cells empty. As they made their way through the cells they silently signaling back and forth. The first thing they noticed were the cobwebs and dust that covered every surface. The last room was the armory. Even the armor and weapons had a layer of thick dust covering their once shiny surfaces.

One of the men looked at the floor and pointed at footprints in the dirt, “These are recent,” he whispered.

“They vanish at the back wall,” the other noted. He ran his hand over the wall feeling for anything out of the ordinary. As he felt the uneven surface of each individual stone he noticed one stone was offset slightly from the rest. He placed his hand upon it and pushed. Much to their surprise the wall began to move. As they stepped beyond the wall they saw quivering before them a beautiful young woman.

“Are you alright?” one asked feigning concern.

“I’m scared,” Sacha replied.

“As well you should be,” the other added as he stepped behind her and grabbed her by the arms, “you will come with us quietly. If you alert the guard I will run you through with my dagger.” He pressed the blade against her back just firmly enough for her to feel the cold metal blade.

Sacha walked quietly in front of the two men. They walked into the courtyard and up to the back of the wagon. They placed her in the back and covered her with the linens they were selling. They slowly made their way out of the courtyard and out of the castle. Before long they were well on their way to deliver their prize to their King.