Amy-Last of the Dragonkeepers

The Last of the Dragon Keepers
A lad in battle, near death, touch of a dragon’s breath
An amulet about his neck, appears
Life saved
Two enemies now entwined, a deadly game plays out.

Years past

A young girl wears the amulet, tucked away in secret,
Dangers rage about her
One’s lust for power, when secret revealed
Dark days follow
Two men, mere boys, one in secret, saves
Their lives entwined by prophecy, will rid the land of evil.

-From the ‘Prophecies of Dorlin




The battle raged on, Aren wiped the sweat from his brow, and then focused again, his shield blocked the blows from the opposing forces minions, he lunged forward and low, his sword, plunging into the body of the enemy, and then coming back red with blood.
The sky was dark with ominous thunderclouds advancing, lightning could be seen in the distance and thunder rumbled over the field, but all this was unnoticed in the clamoring sounds of battle cries, steel against steel and cries of death intermingling.
Aren ducked as a stream of fire rolled over his shield, his eyes grew round as he and his brothers' in arms glanced across from them, the enemy had called out their dragons, the dragons were fast approaching their eyes glowing green, blood dripping from their mouths at their first kills, the enemy was slowly gaining the upper hand. A dragon loomed above Aren, his eyes glowing in triumph, his claws raised high, Aren brought his sword around, swinging with all his might at the scaly skin of the dragon’s belly, the dragon screamed in agony, drawing back, it’s claw swiped at Aren, the strength of the blow sent Aren sprawling to the ground, something sharp ripped across his exposed back, his armor was torn from him, as easily as ripping paper, Aren cried out in pain, he rolled over quickly, his adrenaline rushing to the forefront, he raised his sword for one final blow, he struck out wildly, as the approaching blackness glazed over his eyes, more pain followed, then he heard a scream, It rose shrilly into the air, then wavered until it was silent, Aren sighed his sword arm dropped limp by his side, as he succumbed to the pain,
“No”, he gasped lurching up, and then he fell back, into the blessed darkness where there was no pain, or noise, only silence.
The storm blew in suddenly with ferocity, causing the battle on the plain to halt, the forces were blinded by the heavy rainfall and raging winds, those who could sought shelter from the elements, while those less fortunate or dead were left on the field, Aren came out of his coma to the feel of rain pelting against his face, and the heaviness that lay across his legs; the dragon lay against him, Aren turned his head, everything was still, the only sounds were those of the storm, and his own moans, he looked back at the dragon, to much weight kept him from pulling free, and the loss of blood made him weak, Aren fell back into unconsciousness.
Somewhere is the midst of conscious and unconscious thought, Aren felt the weight ease from him, warm breath fell upon his fevered brow, a deep and solemn voice shook about him,
“When you stir, the dragon-lord seek, a gift bestowed upon you now, the dragon-lord will show the powers within”,
The voice became silent, Aren’s eyes opened, the world a wavering, blurry film, a pair of steely green eyes peered down at him, thoughtful and brooding, through the film Aren noticed the wind it stirred softly then became gusty gales, a hard fist seemed to grab at Aren’s throat, he tried to fight off it off, groaning as it pressed harder against him, just as he felt the life ebbing from him, everything stilled, and his breath returned,
“Remember”, the voice cut in again, “seek the dragon-lord, your courage has been rewarded”,
Aren fell back as the words faded, a fire seemed to burn through his back and side, then a cooling touch cast it away, Aren fell into a fitful sleep.


Aren gazed down at his throat, the amulet, rested in the hollow of his neck, it glowed with green fire within, a fine gold cord held it in place, he turned back to look at the landscape before him, Fire Canyon, Aren swallowed hard, remembering the final words from the dragon, the Fire canyon was a land haunted, legend stated that dragons killed off King Langion, and took over, the castle and surrounding countryside, some say that the dragon race used the power of the amulet to take on human shape, and war, the dragon-lords took captive, mortal women and reared offspring, that were human in form, but possessing of the dragon powers, they’re only identity, a tiny dragon mark upon their breast.
Aren took a deep breath then urged his mount down the steep passageway, and entered the land of untold stories and darkest intent, Aren rode for an hour, then noticed a dark looming shadow above him, he looked up into the eyes of the dragon, it looked back then flew over him and landed before him, and paused.
“You have come,” the dragon spoke gravely, “I am Merione, the dragon-lord”,
Aren nodded then watched wide-eyed as Merione, touched the amulet about his arm, white sparks of fire shot from the amulet, a fine film spun crazily around Merione then disappeared, a young man about 20 stood before him, grinning.
“Come”, Merione ordered, “you have much to learn in little time”, Aren dismounted and followed Merione,
“We will show you how to use the powers you have been gifted with, and tell of the prophecy,”
“What prophecy?” Aren asked, “And why did you pick me?”
Merione turned to look back at Aren, his eyes solemn, and suddenly old with wisdom.
“from your family, a young girl will be born with the amulet, she will be the last of the dragon-keepers, and will in time rid this land of an amassing evil, which even now is lurking, and her end you will live to see”,
Aren nodded then both continued on.
They talked for days about the prophecy, and the role both would play in it’s unfolding, the final day Merione walked with Aren back to his mount, Merione stood silently while Aren mounted, then spoke.
“when you have turned 60 return here that none may know of your immortal life, enjoy life till then, I shall be watching your family, and I will look for you later”, with that Merione touched his amulet and transformed back into the dragon he was,
Aren nodded, “I shall remember, until then friend”, then Aren turned his mount and rode out of the Canyon and into a world where turmoil and upheaval were just beginning, and into a role that he would play in it’s undoing, a role he never had imagined before.







Chapter One
Amy rode swiftly, the wound in her shoulder pulsed red with blood and pain, it coursed down her arm and soaked through her tattered shirt; the arrow had flown true and found it's mark.
Amy led her mount along the river, keeping to the bank and allowing the waves to lap away at her tracks, they vanished slowly away from sight to be no longer seen by the naked eye, Amy continued riding, when she heard a cry of alarm; on the opposite side of the bank she saw a boy thrown from his mount into the raging, early spring river, Amy watched as he went under the churning water, then break the surface, choking and fighting a loosing battle against the rivers. Amy grabbed the rope from around her pommel tying one end to the horn, tightly and forming a lasso on the other end.
"Over here", she shouted, urging her mount into a gallop, following the boy down river, he turned at the sound of her voice,
"Grab this and hold on", Amy ordered motioning to the rope, she saw the boy nod feebly and quickly threw the rope with all her strength at him, the boy grasped the rope tightly just as another wave swept him under the surface, Amy kicked her mount into action, praying that the boy was still holding on, she rode forward, looking behind her all the while, slowly the boy's head broke the surface and then his body, he grabbed at the bank and lay still, Amy quickly dismounted and ran over to the boy, she knelt beside his still form, his face was pale in the ebbing light, he coughed violently, river water gushed from his mouth, his eyes opened, as he gasped for air, he stared at her.
"Thank- you", he croaked, Amy nodded, "at least your okay", he grinned weakly, suddenly Amy was shoved aside viciously, as she started to stand, she sprawled in the sand, a knife was pressed hard against her back, holding her still.
"How is he?" the voice above her asked
"Alive" another voice answered
"she saved my life, Jesse"; she heard the boy's raspy voice snap,” is that anyway to treat her?"
"Let her up, Marne," the one called Jesse, ordered, the knife against her back was removed, she was pulled up by the collar of her shirt, and whirled around, Amy found herself staring into a pair of steely gray eyes,
"I thank you for saving my brother, Henry," Jesse choked out angrily, "you are no longer needed here and may be on your way,"
"you are to kind", Amy mocked, her own anger mounting at this conceited young man, he may have appeared handsome to some with his wavy black hair, and muscular built, but he was rude, "I shall be going now", she added, she turned to go, a hand clamped down on her shoulder, she winced as the pain started again,
"What’s that blood from?" Marne asked softly, Amy stared up at the large man, his eyes suddenly lost the hard edge and became soft, He turned her back around toward Jesse, His eyes throwing sparks of anger, "If you can't see she's been injured , your daft, Jesse!" Jesse turned back from where he was helping Henry up onto his horse, he took in the tattered shirt, stained with blood and the girl's pale countenance, "bring her along then, Marne", he conceded his voice monotonous, " but she will ride her own horse", Marne flashed an angry look at Jesse, then helped Amy mount again, she smiled weakly, then urged her horse into a walk, falling in behind the others.
Jesse turned periodically to look at the girl, her lips were tightly compressed, and the bleeding had stilled a little, her eyes met his, he looked away, her eyes were hauntingly familiar, but where had he seen her face before, Henry rode alongside him, "you were a little hard on her, Jesse," he snapped angrily, "you haven't the foggiest idea of what she has been through", he paused, "do you think we have seen her before, she looks so familiar?"
Jesse stared at Henry "that's exactly what I was thinking, but where?"
Amy had seen Jesse look at her with a quizzical expression, soon he would place her, she couldn't trust these men, they'd give her back to Molina, it had been Braynard who had shot at her as she fled, and before long, he'd have his dragons on her, Braynard was the Dragon-keeper at the castle, the last of his breed, or so he thought, but Molina and Amy knew better, and that was why Amy fled and Molina followed.
Chapter Two
Molina paced before Braynard, her whole body ridged and tense.
"She got away!” Molina shrieked, stopping her pacing to glare at Braynard, "you were suppose to catch her," Braynard looked at Molina
"She was injured, M'lady", Braynard said, an evil smile coming over his countenance, "she will not have gotten far, the dragons will find her,"
"Do not underestimate, Amy!” Molina screeched shrilly, "she will be hard to find, injured or not," she glared at Braynard, her eyes burning with anger, "do not fail me again", she paused then added, "now go and seek her out, then return and I will follow presently". Molina turned with a huff and hurried out of the corridor, Braynard looked at her retreating back, "I shall not fail again", he whispered, "we shall soon retrieve Amy and learn what she has kept hidden from us for so long". He turned and walked the other way, his steps resounding hollowly against the stone walls, the torches flickered casting eerie shadows along the wall, Braynard stopped before a large wooden door, he raised the bolt and entered a large cavernous room, the sound of heavy breathing reached his ears, four iridescent lights flickered at him and blinked, coming closer and closer, the dragons approached, Braynard pulled the chain from about his neck out, a red light glowed from the amulet that hung from the end.
"what is it you wish, master", a nasally voice rumbled shaking the walls, a pair of the green lights came forward, the ground shook with each step the dragon took, an acrid smell filled Braynard's nostrils as the dragon breathed,
"I need you, Bion, and Crayn to find Amy"
"She has escaped again, Master?" Bion asked
"Yes, she was wounded when she left; her progress will have been greatly hampered,”
"Do not underestimate her, master", Bion warned
"Will you and Molina quit saying that", Braynard snapped, "she already thinks me a blumbering dolt,"
Bion laughed harshly as Crayn joined them, "she was last seen leaving the village and heading into Loman's wood" Braynard continued, growing serious, "I want Crayn to fly over, find her whereabouts and report back, do not leave until midnight, and do not return until evening has fallen the next day", Braynard looked hard at Crayn, who nodded his large head and meandered back to his roost, the walls shaking with each step.
Braynard turned back to Bion, "see to it that she is found, and tell me, I wish to be with Molina, when Amy is back as our captive, and in one piece,"
Bion chuckled, "you think we would eat her, master?"
"you would if you thought you could get away with it", Braynard snapped, the amulet around his neck sparking, Bion withdrew, "it shall be as you request, " he rumbled, "see that it is", Braynard ordered, then he turned around and walked out of the room, bolting the heavy door shut behind him.

Chapter Three
Thunderclouds rolled in and rain soon doused the riders as they hurried along the path, through Loman's wood. Lightning flashed and struck a tree close by, the horses neighed in fear.
"We have to find shelter, "Jesse yelled above the thunder and howling winds, rain pounded against his face, Marne and Henry nodded in agreement
"The girl needs shelter soon,” Marne added, "she's half-dead.” Jesse turned around on his mount to look back at the girl, she met his gaze, her eyes were glazed with fever, a red flush slowly covering her face, and he rode over to her, and pulled her onto his horse, setting her in front of her his arm tightening around her, as he took up the reins again.
"Marne see to her horse," he shouted, as Amy's head fell back against him, "head for the hut near Ramien's Fall, " Marne nodded and then Jesse urged his horse into a gallop and continued down the path, Marne and Henry followed behind, the rain covering their tracks. An hour later they pulled up to a dilapidated hut, the door was hanging on it's hinges and the roof looked ready to cave in, Henry dismounted and walked in, then returned, "at least it's dry in there, "he announced.
"get a fire started, Henry, "Jesse ordered as he dismounted, he reached for the girl, as Marne lighted from his mount, Jesse handed the girl to him and they raced inside as a line of lightning flashed around them,
They entered the sparsely furnished room, Henry had water on to boil over the fire, "Marne, lay her on the table after Henry and I move it closer to the fire, "Jesse stated, Marne nodded and waited as Jesse and Henry pulled the table closer to the fire, Marne walked over and gently laid Amy down, Jesse turned and looked down at the girl, her eyes were closed and her breathing shallow, he looked across the table at Marne.
"Set aside your differences with that woman, Jesse", Marne whispered, "this girl is different, and she needs our help," Jesse nodded, "Molina is over with, but the pain she caused me is still there,” "forget her, Jesse", Marne pleaded, "she wasn't right for you, and good thing you didn't fall into that plan of hers to eliminate that girl",
Jesse and Henry's heads snapped up, "the girl", Jesse gasped, this is that girl!" "It can't be,” Henry whispered hoarsely then looked at Marne and Jesse, "it's Amy," Marne announced, "Molina will follow".
"This is probably the work of Braynard or the black guards,” Marne whispered softly. "that's it, " Jesse snapped, he rolled up his sleeves, "I'll do anything to hamper Molina's plan, " he looked at Marne and Henry, "Keep your eyes open for anything that looks suspicious, Molina will have by now, no doubt, sent a party out looking for Amy",
"What is so important, that Molina wants Amy?" Henry asked quietly,
"Marne looked at Henry his eyes blazed with the reflection of the fire, making him look like one of the giants from old tales of the country, "she is truly the last of the dragon-keepers, a job only Molina and Braynard want for themselves, yet even they underestimate the power of the dragonkeepers position,"
Henry's eyes grew large, A dragonkeeper was someone with dragon blood in them, or had proved themselves to a dragon, as brave and courageous, noble and trustworthy, the job was then passed down to the firstborn son, who showed the most honor to the dragon race, or if the family lineage had no sons it was the daughter, who won the grace of the dragon king, who became the dragon keeper. Many dragonkeepers had met mysterious deaths, and the story of their race was slowly fading into obscurity, a time was slowly passing away.
Jesse looked up from where he stood, "get one of the shirts from my pack and rip it into strips, " he ordered, he had untied Amy's shirt and cut away at the sleeve with his knife, the wound had stopped bleeding, but was beginning to fester.
Marne and Henry rushed to do Jesse's bidding, and then all three turned back to the task at hand; saving Amy.

Chapter Four
Crayn rose lightly in the air, his wings soundless in the pouring rain, darkness hung thickly, like curtains around him, the village and town were still as people laid down to slumber for the night, Crayns green eyes glowed in the darkness, as he looked around and then flew toward Loman's wood. The gusty wind howled around him, pushing against him, like a giant hand, threatening him if he dared to enter the woods and find Amy, Crayn grew tired from fighting against the gales and descended into a thicket, he covered his head with his wings, and slept, as he waited for storm to pass.
___________________________________________________________________
Braynard stepped into the massive vault and locked it behind him, windows, barely the size of his head, surrounded the upper part of the wall; Molina sat in a chair, beside a table, she looked up as Braynard approached,
"Well", she whispered hoarsely, "have you done as I asked you,”
"Yes, M'lady," Braynard bowed, "Crayn has been sent to find Amy's whereabouts, and then he will return to report to us",
"Good", Molina replied, "so far you have redeemed yourself," she pulled from the table a knife, it was studded with the jewels, from a dragon lair, sapphires, diamonds, rubies, and jade, covered the hilt, the jewels flickered with beauty in the light, "this is the only weapon that will cut the amulet and chain from around her neck", Molina hissed with victory,
"Nothing will remove the amulet", Braynard protested, "the book of Dragon lore, states that fact",
"We shall see", Molina snarled, "if the wearer allows it removed, the knife will work,”
"Amy will never give in", Braynard sighed,
"she will,” Molina smiled evilly, "soon Amy will be ours, and our little dragonkeeper will be gone like the others before her, and we shall rule", she laughed shrilly, Braynard’s laugh melted into hers, rising maliciously into the air, the jewels glinted on the knife.
_______________________________________________________________
The rain and wind let up a little past two in the morning, Crayn listened to the stillness then rose once more soundlessly into the air, his eyes taking in the scenery below, he flew over the rise and found himself looking at the distant peak, where Ramien's Fall was located, and beyond that was the country of no return.
______________________________________________________________
In hut just miles from Crayn, three men worked into the wee hours of the morning, saving lass, unaware of the impending danger that was looming closer to them, than they thought.

Chapter 5
Crayn saw the smoke in the distance, rising above the horizon, as he flew closer, he saw that it came from the crumbling chimney of a hut overlooking Ramien’s Fall, he flew quietly over the area, as the sun slowly rose, announcing the approach of dawn, Crayn lighted in a field a few minutes from the hut, then he crouched low and slithered his way, slowly toward the hut, he raised his head to the window, his beady eyes peered in, then glowed with triumph, at the sight of what lay beyond the glass pane.
Amy lay still on a wooden table, the fire's dying embers casting a glow on her pale countenance, two men and a boy slept on the floor, as Crayn watched, one of them began to stir, Crayn's lips parted in a malicious grin, exposing long jagged fangs, "Molina and Braynard will be impressed", he laughed softly, then turned around, his tail hit the side of the hut, shaking it, Crayn scurried quickly into the bushes of the woods.
Marne woke suddenly, everything was too quiet, he heard a deep rumbling of heavy breathing, then something hit the hut causing it to shake, Henry's eyes popped open as Marne stood up and walked over to the window peering out at the scenery, Jesse joined Marne a few minutes later "what is it?" he whispered
"There is something or someone watching us, Jesse," Marne replied, he turned around, his gaze falling on Amy "at soon as we can we need to leave," He and Jesse turned sharply toward the door as they heard a squeal of anguish, Marne grabbed up his longbow from beside the door and raced out, Jesse right behind him "stay here and keep an eye on Amy, Henry," Jesse shouted back, Henry nodded his eyes wide.
Jesse nearly bowled over Marne who had stopped in his tracks, before them a large dragon stood over the carcass of what had been Amy's horse, blood dripped from it's claws and mouth, it's eyes glared at them with malice, "you have been warned, " the dragon snarled, then he rose into the air, and headed to the south, Marne took a shot at it, but missed, he looked at Jesse,
"They are coming for Amy",
Jesse nodded, "well leave as soon as we can awaken Amy", they turned back to the hut shutting the door firmly behind them as the entered.
Chapter 6
Crayn watched as the men headed back into the hut, then he rose into the air and flew back to the thicket, to wait until the next evening, when he could return to Braynard and let both he and Molina know about the whereabouts of Amy; Crayn then smiled grimly, any escape they would try to make would be hindered by the lacking of a horse.

Marne set the longbow back against the wall and looked at Jesse.
“Molina will be here soon”,
Jesse nodded, and then looked at Henry. “Henry, as soon at it is light, head home and tell Mum and Father what is going on,”
Marne saw Henry’s crestfallen look, “We need you to get your Father and rouse enough of the village men to come and meet us at Fire Canyon, Amy’s life depends on your completion of this task,”
“Fire Canyon?” Jesse whirled to look at Marne, “That’s the dragon-lord’s kingdom”,
Marne nodded solemnly, “remember, Jesse, the dragon-keeper is on our side,”
“Braynard”,
“Braynard is only wearing the amulet that Molina created,” Marne snapped angrily, “his time is short; we need to move out, and soon,”
Jesse looked at his friend, “alright Marne,” he sighed, he looked back at Henry, “you need to do this assignment, remember to stay off the path, and don’t stop, continue on, no matter what”,
Henry nodded; then they all sat by the fire and talked in to the wee hours of the morning discussing the exact location of the meeting place and getting Henry packed and ready to go.

Just before dawn, Henry rode out, Marne and Jesse watched until the woods swallowed Henry and his mount from their view, if all went well Henry would arrive home the following morning.
Marne and Jesse turned back and entered the hut, Jesse walked over to the table and stared down at Amy’s still form, her face was still pale, Marne came over and placed a hand against her forehead, “she’s cool,” he whispered, Amy stirred under his touch,
Jesse gently shook Amy’s shoulder,
“No,” Amy murmured, “leave me be, Molina”
Her arm struck out catching Jesse across the face, “ouch!” he muttered then glared at Marne’s bemused look, Marne’s eyes twinkled merrily, and a grin split his face.
“Come on Amy”, he whispered softly, “we need you to open your eyes”.
Amy groaned, her eyes fluttered open and she looked at Marne and Jesse with questions in her eyes, then they widened in recognition,
“How did you know my name?’ she whispered hoarsely,
“Jesse here finally placed you from Molina’s castle”, Marne answered
Amy sighed in defeat, “caught again”, she closed her eyes. Marne and Jesse shared a glance, “we aren’t turning you in,” Jesse told her.
Amy opened her eyes again and looked at Marne, he nodded to her silent question, “we have to leave, Marne added, “Braynard sent one of the dragons, however the dragon killed your horse, so you will need to ride double with Jesse”,
Amy nodded, staring at Jesse, “accepted your fate”, she croaked, Jesse gave a small grin, “think you can manage it until we reach Fire Canyon?”
Amy nodded and sat up slowly wincing at the tenderness in her shoulder, she scooted off the table, then stumbled as the room spun; Jesse grabbed her shoulders to steady her, “okay” he asked, concern lacing his voice,
“Yes” Amy replied, she allowed Marne to help her with her boots then they all stepped out in to the growing dawn, Marne grabbed his bow on the way out, then they mounted and rode quickly into the desert lands, and toward the looming crags of the mountains surrounding Fire Canyon.
Chapter 7
Crayn arrived back at the castle the next evening, Braynard and Bion met him as he entered the cavern, beneath the castle walls.
“she is in Loman’s Wood”, Crayn hissed, “in a dilapidated hut, near Ramien’s Fall, there are two men and a boy with her”.
“Good work, Crayn”, Braynard applauded, “she will soon be ours.” With that Braynard turned and left the cavern, pulling the large bar back into place over the door, then hurried down the corridor, anxious to tell Molina the news.
Bion turned to Crayn as soon as Braynard had left, “you didn’t tell him about the horse”, he remonstrated,
”He’ll find out soon enough”, Crayn chuckled, “let him stew in Molina’s pot”. Bion shook his head, his eyes dimming, “Braynard will scold you,” he sighed and then turned around and walked to the back of the cave to retire for the rest of the evening, Crayn followed Bion’s lead and slept.

Braynard hurried down the corridor and up the stairs toward the main hall, then he entered through the double doors of Molina’s great room. Molina stood at the far end conferring with her advisor, Waine, they both turned as Braynard hurried up towards them.
“Molina!” Braynard yelled happily, “Amy has been found”,
Molina’s eyes sparkled with malicious delight, she turned to Waine as Braynard continued with the report, “you will accompany me”, she stated as fact, not ordering, but giving no way out, Waine nodded his beady eyes stared from a face hidden in the shadows of his cloak, emotionless, and cold.
“I feel you might have some ability in making Amy see things are way”, Molina added she rubbed her hands together her eyes growing dark and dangerous. Braynard and Waine laughed harshly, “Even my powers may not be enough to tame her”, Waine chuckled evilly.
Molina grew somber, “we need to get her”, she sighed, “the amulet will be mine before the week’s out”,
Braynard drew back as Molina unsheathed the jeweled knife and raised it above her head, laughing evilly, the knife glittered with treachery in the breaking daylight.
Waine laughed along, and then he slid behind the tapestry and was gone.
“What are we going to do with the other three?” Braynard asked
Molina looked at Braynard, “we’ll deal with them the same way we dealt with all the other traitors of the past”
Braynard’s scalp prickled as a chill overtook him, his skin crawled with goose bumps; the boys would be turned over the Waine and the brotherhood. Molina laughed at Braynard’s look of fear, “Now”, she soothed, wrapping an arm about Braynard, “we need to plan an attack that will catch them off guard”, they turned back to the table beneath the tapestry and pulled forward a map of Loman’s wood and the outlying countries, they talked late into the afternoon, discussing and strategizing a flawless plan, yet neither Braynard nor Molina knew that some information had been withheld from them, that could hamper their plans. Those stayed with Crayn who at the moment was sleeping off the last night’s escapade.
Chapter 8
Amy’s head had fallen against Jesse’s chest, as her temperature rose; Jesse looked at Marne, “think we pushed her to hard?”
“We had no choice, Jesse”, Marne replied, “if we had stayed any longer Molina would have had the advantage”,
Jesse nodded as he looked down at Amy, she looked so fragile, and worn out from the past few days, yet they couldn’t rest until they had reached the outskirts of Fire Canyon, they had only a few minutes to give the horses a drink and rest, and then they would have to be on the road again, putting as much distance between them, Molina with her army, and Braynard’s dragons.
Marne watched as the sun started to set, “we will pause for a small rest as soon as it is dark”, he looked at Amy, “she could use a small break”
Jesse nodded, then they continued to ride in silence changing their horses pace to a gallop once again. The desert slowly giving way to lush forage, and the mountains of Fire Canyon, were coming ever closer.
Henry pulled into his family’s farm at noon the following day; his father and mum came to the door at his yell.

“Where is Jesse?” his mum asked fearfully, as he rode up to the door. “We need to rally as many men as we can, father,” Henry interrupted, “Molina is after the young dragon-keeper, Amy”
His father nodded, “why must we help?”
Henry dismounted and gripped his mother gently, “without Amy’s aid, you would be without a son; she saved my life”
Karl looked at his son, and wife, “I will do as you have requested, what other news is there and where is Jesse?”
“We need you to meet at the borders of Fire Canyon, as soon as possible, Jesse is with Marne; they are helping Amy get to the safety of the dragon-lord, before Molina can overtake them with her minions”.
Anne watched her son and husband talk; Henry was becoming a man before her eyes, she wiped a tear that gathered at the corner of her eye, “before you leave gather some provisions and Henry, you need to eat something”
Henry and Karl share a look, “of course, Anne” Karl soothed gently, “how thoughtful of you, we must begin at once”, with that they walked into the house, two hours later, Karl rode swifly toward Olderaine to summon as many men as he could; time was running out.

Merione stood with Aren; they both looked within the shimmering crystal, they saw Marne, Amy, and Jesse, riding with all haste toward them; they saw Karl and Henry gathering fighting men, and they also saw Molina and her ramparts, Molina stood with Braynard and Waine; several guards were behind them.
“what will happen when Amy learns the truth of her parentage?” Aren questioned, turning to look at his friend.
Merione sighed, turning sorrowful eyes toward him, “even we dragon’s do not know, that has remained a secret from the dragon-lords for centuries; only Amy will be able to answer that question, and let us pray that it does not send her to her death”. Merione turned back to the ball as it lost it’s light, then he and Aren walked out of the tower room, and down the stairs to sup, each lost in his own thoughts.

Chapter 9
Molina. Braynard, and Waine sat upon their mounts and looked down the rows of men; all the minions of Molina’s evil band, they had gathered for battle, and stood now awaiting their orders. Molina nodded to the captain, the captain turned toward the men,
“Fall in”, he ordered, then the gates opened, and they rode or marched out, towards Loman’s wood, the villagers cowered against walls and shuttered their windows, as the army passed by.
They arrived at the hut two hours later, Molina dismounted and entered the room, “the ashes are cool, M’lady”, Waine announced coming up beside her, Molina’s eyes flashed angrily, she whirled around to leave, then her eyes fell upon the table, she walked quickly over to it, blood stained the wood, “She was here,” Molina snapped, “the blood has not soaked into the wood yet”, with that Molina hurried out of the hut, Waine following her. “to Fire Canyon at once”, Molina ordered, “we may still catch up to them, and overtake their small party”.
Marne, Jesse, and Amy rode into Fire canyon and slowly made their way toward the cragged towers of the dragons’ kingdom.
“Just a little farther, Amy,” Jesse coaxed, Amy nodded weakly, Jesse turned to Marne, “are you sure the dragon’s will allow us entrance?”
Marne looked at Jesse, his eyes glittering, “they will”, he muttered, “I am one of them”, he met Jesse’s eyes,
“you are a dragon?” Jesse gasped, “never once have you mentioned it in all the years I’ve known you”,
“I felt the need to hide my identity from people, to not only protect my family, but my friends as well”, Marne continued, “I am the dragon-lord’s son, my mother was human”.
Amy watched the two men stare steadily at each other, “trust him, Jesse, “she whispered. They continued riding when they heard a scream from the canyon walls, Marne looked back, a large army stood on the brink of the canyon, “Molina,” Jesse gasped hoarsely, “Run!” Marne shouted, he and Jesse urged their horses into a run, “Hang on, Amy” Jesse ordered; the towers coming closer toward them, they reached the gates as two dragons sailed over, and headed towards the approaching army, the gates opened; Marne and Jesse rode through, then they slammed shut.
Merione and Aren stood on the steps of the castle, as Jesse and Marne came through the gates, “Father!” Marne shouted dismounting, Merione walked over, Jesse dismounted, then turned to help, Amy, Merione came over and gripped Amy’s hand, “welcome at last, Amy’, he said softly, “we have awaited your arrival for centuries”.
Aren watched his great-great-great, grand-daughter shake hands with the dragon-lord, then she fell forward to the ground in a faint,
“she was wounded,” Jesse announced as he knelt beside Amy, holding her against him.
”We will have the physicians’ look to her”, Merione stated, “with their abilities, she will be up and about in an hour”.
Marne took Amy in his arms and carried her up the stairs and into the castle, with Jesse behind them, Merione watched as Aren joined him, “at least they are safe for the time-being”, Aren sighed, then he and Merione watched as the dragon-guards flew back over and joined them, “Molina’s army is gaining they will be at the gates by nightfall”
“let her come,” Merione snapped sharply, “we are ready”.
That night atop the towers, Marne and Jesse looked down at the distant glittering lights of Molina’s camp, “look, Jesse, “ Marne said excitedly pointing at the distant canyon walls, a long line of lights edged along the border of Fire Canyon, “Henry got his father and the men, now let the battle truly begin,” Jesse nodded in relief; footsteps sounded behind them, they both turned as Amy appeared on the top of the stair, she wore a clean pair of leggings and a knee length tunic belted at her waist, she wore a sheath with a dagger firmly tied down, the tunic was open at the neck, and the amulet blazed with light, her hair hung gloriously about her face, and down her back, against the light she looked like the warrior-queen noted in the book of dragons.
“you are looking well, “Marne said smiling, “yes,” Amy replied, “I haven’t felt this good since I can remember.”
A guard approached over, “sorry to intrude young lords, but Aren and Merione request Amy’s appearance in the great hall”,
Jesse and Amy looked quizzically at the guard and Marne, as the latter nodded solemnly, and motioned Amy to follow the guard back down the tower stairs and into the rooms below.
As soon as Amy left Jesse looked at Marne, “what was that all about?”
Marne looked at Jesse, his eyes emotionless, “they are telling her the truth”
“what truth?”
“The truth about her parentage,” Marne answered, he looked at Jesse his eyes sparkling angrily, “her father is Molina’s advisor, Waine!”
“No!” Jesse whispered hoarsly,
“Her mother was Aren’s great-great granddaughter,” Marne continued, “she was in Loman’s wood one day, when Waine was out hunting, no one knows the extent of what happened; she died a year after Amy was born, never revealing who the father was.”
“How do you know all this,” Jesse demanded, “This is too much to believe”,
“Come” Marne replied tensely, he led Jesse back down the stairs, through the hall, and into one of the chambers; a shimmering ball glided down towards them.
Marne stepped forward, “show us Molina”, he ordered then motioned Jesse to approach,
Jesse watched in horror and fascination as he saw Molina and Braynard deep in conversation, their faces wore malevolent gleams; Waine stood along one of the tent walls, his face hidden from view behind the hood of his cloak.
“Marne looked at Jesse, “now you know” he stated sadly.
“we need to give Amy our support now more than ever,” Jesse stated, “this news could break her,”
Marne nodded, “that is why we brought her here,”

Chapter 10