9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Caspian
Goddess, please let my wounds be healed enough to survive this.
And this wasn’t even the battle the protectors knew was on the horizon, but at least we didn’t go into this blindly. We knew we wouldn’t walk right in then merrily fly off into the sunset with Torin.
Ugh, what are these human movies doing to me?
Focus, Caspian! Mattias harsh command startled me as I narrowly missed my assailant’s claws. And that’s when I saw it, barely visible. Had it not moved, it’s likely I wouldn’t have seen it.
Mattias, look at their left wings.
Bingo! Caro, Odem, Kes, aim for the left wing. They bear Daigle’s mark.
Trident don’t fail me now.
I took aim and released it, praying to the ancestors with all my might that it struck as precisely as I desired.
I swear, this all played out in slow motion.
No gurgling as bubbles wobbled past. No swish of the water as the weapon flew through it.
Only the sound of my heart beating. When the trident connected with the underside of his wing, I released a breath, unsure what would happen next as I hadn’t considered anything aside from getting that thing off him.
Success.
I think…
Being in Dragon City for such a short time, I wasn’t aware of the repercussions the wearer suffered once it was removed. As he fell to the depths, there wasn’t time for a rescue. I was thrown right into a fight with the next assailant.
Good job, Caspian, Mattias, called out. Everyone, do your best to remove the leeches but do not risk your own safety.
A mixture of ayes and yeses rang out through our connection.
Our mate connection linked, giving us shared strength, our hearts alight, glowing in the water as we bested our attackers.
Even Caro’s chest lit up. Good to know that even when apart we can still share gifts with our mates.
The importance of Quint’s mating weighed heavily on us all.
There was a reason for the Goddess sending us to them at this chosen time, which I’m sure would be better explained, one way or another, once Quint’s mating bond was complete.
Kes is holding them off while I go in. Talons crossed that my mate is impervious to my venom.
We all wished that for Quint and in my heart I knew there was no way the Goddess would bless him with a mate his venom would be deadly for.
Would she?
Not all of them bear the mark, Caro called out.
Ah, so they did send a few loyalists, Mattias added. Can’t rehabilitate them, but if one or two can be spared for questioning...
Understood.
No reason to reply, we all knew what that meant.
I felt a shift in the water, the temperature rising as we continued to fight.
Caro, check on Kes then join Quint. Caspian and I can hold the rest of them off.
Aye, Mattias.
Caro swam toward the surface with an assailant on his tail. I lost track of them as they broke through, though it wasn’t long after that the same dragon plummeted toward the ocean bottom, minus his head.
With one left, Mattias and I surrounded him. He was a fighter, I’ll give him that, but up against a protector, he was nothing.
I’d rather die than join your cause, he spat.
So be it, then, Mattias replied.
He lunged forward at the same time as we did, each shearing a wing, leaving him unable to flee.
Do as you will, protector, but this battle is long from over.
In a final brazen move, he swung his spiked tail at me. Mattias’ claws ripped clean through his throat, severing his head. It went in one direction and his body in another.
We’ll go after the bodies later. Now, it’s time to help our mate and my brothers.
Unsure what we’d enter into, we swam with all our might, shooting straight through the surface and didn’t slow until we were well above the others.
Huddled up next to a rock formation were two dragons. Left wings clipped, half shifted into their human forms. At least now I knew what happened after the mark was removed, Kes stood guard nearby in dragon form.
Caro is with Quint, holding off the lampreys, Kes told us.
Caspian, stay here with Kes, I’ll go help them.
Caspian. My mind, no longer my own as the elders took command to communicate with me. You must get to your herd, they are in grave peril.
Caspian? I heard Kes’ voice but was unable to respond.
They are there. They are fighting. Many have perished. You and your mates must help.
Caspian? Now it was Mattias who reached out.
Free, Torin then you must go. Torin is the key to the battle.
The tides had turned. The sea roared as massive waves crashed against the rocks as though the water were trying to break through.
Caspian! Both Kes and Mattias called out, breaking the spell.
I-I’m fine. The elders said we must hurry and get to my herd. They’re under attack. They also said Torin is the key to winning this war.
Nearly there, Mattias replied.
The sound of ice cracking rattled as huge waves rolled to the surface. Each chunk of ice that fell increased the size and ferocity of them.
Ionus is sending Baird, Ignatus and Elgin to retrieve the prisoners, Mattias said right as we sensed them nearing.
We’ll take it from here, join your mate, Baird said as he landed. Kes and I drove straight in.
Keep away from the poison! Mattias shouted.
Torin and Quint were in the midst of ridding the ocean of the lampreys.
Kes and I joined in, freezing them then shattering the ice.
Mattias was off to the side, wings raised as he called upon the sea creatures to retrieve the bodies from the depths.
As they did, Kes and I carried them to the surface where Baird and his clan awaited.
That should be the last of them, Mattias said, as he shifted.
My mate and my great grandson, Torin said, squeezing the stuffing out of me.
What a wondrous day. The normally grumpy Quint was all smiles.
But alas, I’m afraid time for cheers and bonding will have to wait.
They’ve taken my blood many times over while I was imprisoned and I fear they’re breeding hybrids.
Otherwise, they would’ve killed you, Quint’s smile no longer existed. The ire in his eyes was unmistakable, blood will be shed. They will pay for this.
All in due time, dear brother, Caro clapped his shoulder.
We have to get to my herd. Are you well enough to travel, Torin? Great Grandfather was a mouthful to pull off.
Aye. Let’s swim.
We’ll be here waiting, Baird said. Be safe, my brothers.
Kes and I were able to keep up with Mattias, our enhanced strength since bonding was amazing.
Had it been this way for the other mates?
With Alex being the first, I’d have to ask.
Had he felt stronger with each brother mating?
I’m sure Emerson would be delighted to find out and add this information to the archives.
The sea was a blur of familiar ocean fauna and marine life. In our haste to reach the caverns I once called home, odd to think that given I’d only been with my mates a matter of days. The journey went so fast that had the others not been with me, I’m sure I would’ve missed something important.
We’re being watched, Caro said. Eyes open, everyone. Rely on your dragons.
Such as that…
Quint and Torin fell back. We’ll take the rear, Quint relayed.
Caspian and I will lead with Caro and Kes taking center, Mattias replied.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but coming around the bend that led to the caverns and right into a flock of dragons hovering over far too many lampreys for my liking, wasn’t it.
Quint, Torin, we need you at the front. Caspian and Kes, as soon as we clear the way get inside and check on the others.
We didn’t give them a chance to sense us. Before they realized it, the six of us were on them.
Caspian, Kes, Mattias called out, move the wounded inside.
Not many of our warriors in the herd were out here. I hope this wasn’t all that was left of them.
A lamprey came at me, with my arms full the best I could manage was to swing my tail. Torin’s poison took care of him for me before I got the chance.
Inside! Torin barked as another headed our way.
Caspian has returned! rang out amongst cheers.
Please tell us you brought help, Kaika, our healer asked, pointing to a bed of kelp for me to lay the injured soldier upon.
I have, in the form of my mates, three protectors and Torin. A hush went around the cavern. We freed Torin.
Protectors are here? was whispered.
Torin? came from another.
Aye, Mattias said as he slipped inside. I’m Mattias, one of the protectors and Caspian and Kes’s mate.
A hush filled the space as the others entered, bringing the remaining wounded with them. The herd dropped to their knees. Never in my life had I witnessed such a grand act as they greeted the brothers.
Welcome, protectors. I’m Amaru, elder of the Brystor herd. We’re honored to be in your presence.
Amaru, Torin embraced him, it’s been far too long, old friend.
Let me introduce you to everyone. You’ve met Mattias, these are his brothers, Caro and Quint of Clan Denarius.
Every dragon alive knew that clan name and the weight it held.
The brothers were royalty amongst our kind. Quint is also my mate.
What a joyous day. Two members of our herd mated to protectors.
At least this bit of news served to raise morale amongst my dwindling herd.
It had been reduced by half, from what I could see, since I’d left and the numbers were already low then.
We sent you for help, Caspian, and you returned with more than we imagined.
Amaru, I wish we were here under better circumstances, Mattias said, but I’m afraid the attackers will return, tenfold.
Amaru sighed. I was afraid you’d say that. We’ve suffered many losses for quite some time, now little remains of our once thriving herd.
Do you have any soldiers or guardians left? Caro asked.
I’m afraid not.
Wait, this is it? Where are the children? When I left there were far more. Now, there were less than thirty and of those only a handful were dragonets. Mattias. What I was asking of him was monumental. I’d been gone too long, and I blamed myself for the losses.
He wrapped an arm around Kes and I and gently squeezed. I know, mate. This is not your fault, Caspian, do not blame yourself.
Easier said than done, especially when you were a soldier tasked with finding help for your people.
Amaru, we can offer you shelter and housing. War is upon us, and it’s no longer safe for your herd to stay here, Mattias suggested.
Uneasy murmurs came from the others. I completely understood their reluctance to leave our home and the sea.
Perhaps when it’s once again safe, you can return to the sea, Torin replied, easing the tension.
Will we finally be able to spread our wings? We lost so many who’d chanced a swim to forage for food.
You will, along with comfortable beds, food and places to swim, Mattias assured him. We have others waiting topside, plenty of help to move you all at once. Those who can’t fly, we can carry.
Please, Amaru, I took a step forward, I’ve failed you once, please, let us do this for everyone. We can rebuild in Dragon City.
Oh, Caspian, you didn’t fail us. You brought the protectors here and saved everyone you see. Without that, our herd would be no more. You’ve done well, your parents would be very proud.
Mattias pulled me into a hug as I did my best not to let the tears fall. I was a warrior, after all and warriors didn’t cry.
We’ll go. Most of the adults can fly but the injured will require assistance.
While they gathered what meager belongings they had left it hit me hard all we’d lost.
But we will rebuild, love. Our family has grown exponentially today by adding your herd to it. Then we’ll add our own dragonets to the mix.
A few days mated, and Mattias already knew how to calm me.
When they were ready to go, Quint and Torin stepped out first to ensure it was clear, then picked up those they were assisting.
The kelp fields I’d swam through as a dragonet were all but gone.
Rock formations my friends and I played hide and seek around, demolished. Little was left of the life I’d known.
Our kids will have all that and more, Kes said. The surroundings may have changed but the memories will be with you forever.
I really owed the Goddess big time for pairing me with two perfect mates.
Baird, Ignatus and Elgin waited for us on the shoreline and helped relieve some of the load we carried.
The dragonets giggled as we took to the skies, likely never having been outside of the cave since they were born.
Seeing it all through their eyes shone a light on the dark I’d felt at the failure of letting my people down.
But now, these younglings were enjoying themselves.
Wait until they see the playground by Ionus house, Mattias said.
I’d forgotten about that.
And all the dragonets they’ll have to play with, Kes added.
They’ll love the springs in the caves, too.
Quint and Torin stayed to the rear of the group, guarding while Caro took the front as we flew them to the safety of what would be their new home.
Where will they all sleep?
We’ll make due, mate. Soon the new housing will be completed in Dragon City. There will be plenty of room for them to start their new lives, or to stay until the world is once again safe.
Maybe I can see it then, the city that is.
I think it’s time to take my mates on a proper date, Mattias said.
The pitch came into view along with Ionus, Odem and others from Baird’s clan, awaiting us.
They helped us get everyone unloaded and introduced themselves.
The flight back wasn’t nearly as long as the route I’d taken the first time I left.
As much as I’d like to blame it on the shiny new objects that threw me off course, I couldn’t.
My long journey had been challenging one.
From dodging attacks, to following leads and nearly being killed.
But in the end it brought me to my new life.
Now, it was time to prepare for not only a future with my mates, but to securing a future for the dragonets to come.
Goddess, help us all.