CHAPTER 104: FOR OUR SAKE

Aeron kept staring at the sight below, the way they had chained Draco and the Blacklands soldiers danced and mocked him. His chest tightened, and a single tear rolled down his cheek.

"No," he whispered. "No... no way this is happening."

Before Nyella or Amber could stop him, he ran back, jumped onto his horse, and charged down the valley.

"Aeron, wait!" Nyella cried, quickly leaping onto the other horse to chase after him.

Amber stood there, shaking his head. "And they leave me horseless..." he muttered. But then, he noticed more Blacklands soldiers riding toward him on horses. He straightened his stance and gripped his sword. "Here we go."

The first rider swung at him. Amber ducked low, slashed the horse instead, and sent both horse and rider crashing.

The second came charging. Amber twisted aside, dodged his blade, and struck the horse down, throwing the rider off. One by one, he did the same, cutting down the horses to bring the men down.

Finally, the last soldier approached. Amber leapt high, landed cleanly on the soldier’s own horse, struck him across the chest, and shoved him to the ground. Now mounted, Amber smirked. "Much better." He urged the horse forward, galloping after Aeron and Nyella down the valley.

Meanwhile, Aeron had already reached the bottom. He became angrier as he looked at Draco.

The guards noticed him charging and drew their swords, stepping forward one by one to block his path.

The first soldier came,.Aeron struck him down. The second followed, and then the third, each fell to his blade.

The others saw they could not win fighting alone. So they gathered together and formed a line in front of the dragon.

Aeron slowed his horse, glaring at them. He muttered under his breath, "I don’t have time for the whole pack of you."

He gripped his sword tightly and began to summon fire, focusing his strength to burn them all at once. But just as the flames were about to form, Nyella rode past him at full speed.

She charged straight into the line of guards, with her sword raised up. Two men fell at once as she broke their defense. She turned her horse and came at them again.

One soldier rushed her, she struck him down without slowing. Another came from the side, and she slashed across his chest. Another fell, then another, until only one remained. He roared and rushed forward.

Before Nyella could strike, Aeron came from behind and drove his blade through the man, ending it.

The last soldier collapsed to the ground, and the way to Draco was finally clear. Then they quickly rushed to Draco.

Aeron touched him gently and said, "I am so sorry for bringing you here and letting them do this to you." His eyes filled with guilt as he looked at the chains all over Draco. There were too many, thick and heavy, more than one person could handle.

Amber finally arrived, dusting himself off. "Nice of you both to leave me without a horse up there," he said.

"Because we know you can take care of yourself," Nyella answered with a small smile.

"Oh yes, I can, while your lover boy here cannot," Amber said with a sly grin.

Everyone froze for a moment. Nyella’s cheeks turned warm, and Aeron glanced away, embarrassed. Then Aeron said softly, "I am sorry, but it would be nice if you could help us out here."

Amber sighed, walking toward them. "We really should be fast. They will be on their way here now." Then he looked at Draco again. "What a coil of chains they wrapped him with... They didn’t take it easy on this dragon."

Together, they pulled at the chains one by one. It was quite hard removing those chains but they were almost done when Aeron suddenly said, "Wait... do you hear that?"

They all stopped. Everyone listened.

Clamor. The sound of many footsteps and weapons, growing closer.

Nyella’s eyes widened. "They are almost here. We don’t have time, we must hasten, please!"

They bent down again to pull off the last of the chains. But Amber suddenly froze. "We are too late," he said quietly.

Aeron and Nyella looked at him, then followed his gaze.

Their hearts dropped.

Up at the edge of the valley, Blackland soldiers stood in thousands, looking down at them.

For a moment, no one moved. The air was heavy.

Then Amber whispered firmly, "Bend down and continue. Be fast with it."

They obeyed, rushing to remove the last chains. The soldiers above began their march, descending the valley.

Amber looked at Aeron and Nyella. "Finish it," he said. "I will buy you time."

"No!" Nyella shouted. "We are almost done, stay with us!"

"There is no time!" Amber drew his sword and turned his back to them. "They will reach you before you escape. Free the dragon and leave!"

Before either could stop him, Amber ran toward the soldiers, striking down the first, then the next, fighting without fear.

At the same moment, Aeron and Nyella managed to pull off the final chains. Draco roared in freedom, his body trembling as he stretched his wings.

Quickly, Aeron and Nyella climbed onto his back.

Arrows rained from above as the soldiers tried to stop them. Draco moved swiftly, dodging as he rose into the air.

"Come, General!" Nyella shouted. "Hurry!"

Amber fought off another soldier and looked at them. His face softened. He saw the situation of things and the fact that he won’t have the space to join them as they might all be captured.

"Go," he said. "Leave me."

"No!" Aeron cried out.

"Go!" Amber shouted again, his sword striking another enemy. "If you stay, none of us will make it out alive!"

Nyella’s eyes filled with tears. Aeron clenched his fists, but Draco lifted higher as more arrows flew towards their direction They had no choice.

Amber stood below, fighting with everything he had, as Draco carried Aeron and Nyella away into the skies.