Arimore

Chapter 14

Rowan and Arimore continued to watch the courtyard of Mardock. They were perched upon the guard tower. “Arimore,” Rowan finally broke their silence, “I can’t just sit here. Please let me try to get to them. If I can free them we can meet you in the courtyard and fly to safety.”

“Rowan you are a noble friend and if there were any chance you would succeed I would agree,” he paused as he scanned the wind for conversations, “You would probably succeed in reaching them but you would have no chance of three of you reaching the courtyard undetected. Have patience a little longer.”

Rowan sighed and sat back as Arimore’s head perked up, “What is it?”

“Shh,” Arimore caught the sound of Mason’s voice, “Mason.”

Rowan sat silently as Arimore listened.

“What do you intend to do with the prisoners?” Mason asked.

“The Calithornian army, I’m sure is on high alert. They are probably planning a rescue as we speak. It is my intent to overtake and capture the enemy when they advance in their feeble attempt to recapture their Queen.”

Mason added, “They will probably send their stealthiest, most skilled assassins to retake the Queen and her charge,” he shook his head in understanding, “we take them and all they have left are ordinary soldiers without much of a leader.”

“Exactly,” the King exuded pride in his son, “the only one that concerns me is Rowan, the captain of the guard. He showed quite a bit of resolve when he was my prisoner.”

“Rowan is very loyal to the Queen,” Mason added, “I believe he would lay down his life for her without a second thought. He is also a strong leader with the soldiers. They trust him and would follow him anywhere.”

“Maybe we could use that to our advantage.” The King mused, “Yes, we use Elara as bait to draw them into a trap. Have Pallidor meet us in the Throne room. We must put together a plan.”

“Rowan, I must take you back to the troops,” Arimore realized.

“What did Mason say?”

“They are planning a trap for you and the army. They know you will try to rescue Elara.” Arimore rose from his perch.

“Wait,” Rowan objected, “would it not be to our advantage to already be inside the castle?”

“Trust me Rowan, I have a plan.”

When the dust of Arimore’s landing in the field settled he allowed himself to be seen by the army of Calithorne. Rowan dismounted and reassured the troops that Arimore was on their side. He called Gabriel to meet with them in the field to discuss the plan.

“I shall remain hidden from their sight,” Arimore began, “atop the guard tower watching and listening. I will speak to your mind, Rowan so that you will be ready for any tricks.”

“Very good,” Rowan agreed, “Gabriel, I want you to take the main portion of the men and lead them straight to the gate. They will not expect a frontal attack. While you have their attention, I will take a group of handpicked men and come around from the south under the cover of darkness. There is a place on the wall where there is no place for the guards to stand watch. We will look for an entry point but if we do not find one, we will scale the wall there. If my memory serves me, I believe that will take us in not far from the dungeons. Arimore will wait for us to bring the Queen to the courtyard then he will take her to safety.” He looked to Arimore for approval.

“Very well young Captain,” Arimore replied. “Listen for my voice Rowan. I will guide you and warn you if necessary.”

“Thank you Arimore.”

“Gabriel,” Arimore tested to see if he could speak to Gabriel’s mind.

“Yes,” Gabriel was unsure of the dragon but knew that the Queen trusted him.

“Good, you can hear my voice,” Arimore smiled, “You will hear my voice even when you cannot see me. Remember, it is real. I will send you warnings when I can. Heed them.”

“Thank you Arimore.”

“We have one big advantage,” Arimore added, “They seem to have forgotten about me.” He smiled and rose from the ground, once again hiding himself against the sky and returned to Mardock. As he rested on the turret he once again picked up Mason’s voice.

“Pallidor,” he laid the map on the table and pointed, “split the troops. Send half to the east and half to the west. We will flank them and surround them as they come toward the city walls.”

“Son,” the King added, “do you really think they’ll come straight for the front gate?”

“Actually Father, I do. Think about it, what is the last thing you would expect them to do? Walk right up to our front door.” The King shook his head in agreement as Mason continued, “It’s exactly what I would do. I will take a small group of men and hide in the dungeons. They will attempt to get in and steal our prize while we are not looking. I will be ready for them.”

As Gabriel and the army of Calithorne rode toward Mardock Elara and Sacha sat in their cells. “Elara,” Sacha finally broke the silence, “Do you think someone will come to save us?”

“I know they will,” Elara reassured her, “Rowan is with Arimore. They will come.”

“I can feel my body changing,” there was concern in her voice, “Elara, I have to make a full change before I can use the spell.”

“Why?” Elara was confused.

“Elara, if I don’t I won’t be able to become a dragon. I will remain human like you.”

“Would that be so bad?” Elara asked.

“You truly do not understand, do you?” Sacha leaned in close so the guards wouldn’t hear, “Haven’t you ever wondered why you were chosen?”

Elara had often pondered the thought. She wanted to ask Sacha more but just as she was about to speak the door to the dungeon swung open with a loud bang.

“Guards,” Mason commanded, “Wait outside. Do not let anyone enter.”

The guards obeyed the Prince and stood guard outside the door.

Mason walked to the cell, “Are you alright?” he asked Elara.

“Yes Mason, thank you.” She responded with a smile.

Sacha backed up into the corner of the cell, “Is he not the enemy?”

“No Sacha, he is our friend.”

“But he brought you here.”

“Because I asked him to.” Elara went close to Sacha, “Trust me, Sacha. He is part of the plan to get you out.”

Sacha was unsure of where Mason’s loyalties lie. She eyed him with suspicion searching his heart with her mind. She relaxed as she saw good in his heart.

“Sacha, I truly am on your side,” he began, “My father is an evil man and it is time for his reign to come to an end.”

She nodded and Mason returned his attention to Elara, “Everything is set in place. Calithorne marches on Mardock as we speak. Rowan should be here soon and we will get you out while the army concentrates on the front gates.”

“Very good,” sadness came over Elara, “Many men on both sides will lose their lives today. Mason, they must all be heralded as heroes no matter which side they fall on.”

“And they shall.”

“Elara!” Sacha’s voice yelled into Elara’s mind.

Elara turned and saw panic on Sacha’s face. “Mason, we must get Sacha out at once!”

“But Rowan’s not here yet,” he was confused but when he turned he saw Sacha panicking. He opened the cell doors and led them quickly to a passage at the back of the dungeon, “This passage will lead you out. Go quickly, do not look back. If you do not meet Rowan I will alert him to your direction.”

Sacha groaned in anticipation of her transformation. Elara urged her forward knowing that the narrow pass would not hold her new form. As they reached the end they found the way blocked by a locked door.

“Step back,” Elara pushed past Sacha. She raised her hand and closed her eyes letting a blast of power escape. The blast hit the door and blew it out into the open air. “I’m sure someone heard that. We must hurry.” She pushed Sacha out the opening just in time to see her take her true form. Elara stood mesmerized by the beauty of the beast that Sacha became. She was glimmering white from snout to tail with eyes as clear as glass. Elara gasped at the sight of her.

Sacha curled her tail around Elara and whispered in her mind, “Thank you my sister. I must fly but I will return for you.”

“Be careful,” a tear rolled from Elara’s eye, “I love you Sacha.”

Sacha rose to the sky spreading her infant wings. Joy flooded her heart as she felt the wind on her face. She turned to look for Elara and saw guards pouring from the tunnel. “Run!” she yelled.

Elara ran to trees in search of a place to hide. She found a small patch of bushes and crawled beneath them for cover. She looked to the sky and saw Sacha searching. “I am safe,” she thought.

“I will return,” Sacha replied. She flew quickly to Mount Crystos where she knew she would be safe until her newly transformed body strengthened. She would quickly learn of her powers as all dragons did and once she had mastered them she would fly to Calithorne to find Elara.