Atlas watched as the two females escorted his mate to the open area in front of the tents. It was weird to think that he had spent the night and morning before pondering this day’s events. He thought  it would be a straightforward day, defeat Kelwin, take him and his conspirators back to Aria for their trials, where they would be given death or banishment for those with mates. He thought back to Lunea. She did not deserve to die for Kelwin’s treason, but she wasn’t completely innocent either. Withholding information such as his deceit was treason in itself, no matter that she helped his mate.

This day was not the cut and dry situation Atlas prepared for, and it almost cost him everything.

Atlas studied the man before him, a hulking figure, and it was easy to feel the rage coming from his person which was not unlike Atlas’ own. Atlas knew Gareth was a blacksmith by trade, and the muscles would suggest he knew how to use the weapons he made. It then became a question of how well did the man before him know how to wield the weapon he held.

“My king, we could just bring him back and execute him for treason; going along with this petty fight is unnecessary,” Reylan spoke from behind him.

“This isn’t a matter of state anymore, this is a matter of protecting what’s mine,” Atlas all but growled at the older dragon.

“Afraid I will beat your king?” Gareth mocked.

“You couldn’t even beat me during training, and I was fighting against several men at a time,” Tallulah spoke up, and then added, “so I think this will end quickly,” Gareth sneered and made an attempt to lunge for her, which Atlas quickly blocked.

“This is between you and me, not her,”

“Fine,” Gareth got into his starting position, and Atlas his. Atlas knew from the first lunge that this man did not know how to wield his weapon with the same grace as he did. That would be his downfall.

Atlas was quick to side step the first swing at him and in return he offered a jab at the man’s side, which buried itself in flesh. Gareth roared in pain before slashing at Atlas once more. The tip of his blade caught Atlas on the cheek. It was a hit he was willing to take as he danced around and whacked his own blade across the back of Gareth’s legs, effectively slicing through cloth and more flesh. The look of anguish and abhorrence made Atlas feel pleased.

You are playing with him. While I think it would be fun to watch for all the playing he did with me, we have more pressing matters than just one man. Tallulah’s soft intervention was reasonable and with a quick flourish he made Gareth drop his blade, fall to his knees, and end up with the tip of Atlas’ blade under his chin.

“You are a weak man; you do not deserve her, and never have.” Atlas said, loathing and malice laced his tone.

“Mercy, please,” he whimpered at Atlas’ feet.

“It is not my mercy you should seek,” Atlas looked back at Tallulah, “but hers,” Atlas felt the pain as she hobbled forward. Gently, he passed her his sword, which she took in an unshaking hand.

“You never showed me mercy, why would I reciprocate?” Atlas was proud of her resilience in this moment, and although it pained them both, she drove the sword through the man’s chest. A hiccuping, gurgling cough was the last sound he uttered before slumping forward.

“It doesn’t feel as  freeing as I thought it would, but I know he will never haunt me again,” Tallulah’s voice was shaky as she let out a heavy breath. Atlas knew that this moment would be her peace, and hers alone. Atlas took her in his arms, and though he didn’t use words he comforted her as best he could.

“We have a war to get back to,” Atlas paused, examining who was here with him and then said, “Reylan, take this group of traitors and chain them, they will be your charge until we can get them to Aria for judgement,” Atlas was ready to end this useless fight.

“Yes, my King. Dane, Erin, and Meisner, stay with me,” Reylan’s tone, while commanding, left no room for argument. The three shifters-Dane and Meisner were dragons, and Erin was a feline-fell into line behind Reylan with their captives.

“How quickly can you don that contraption Mararet made for you? I plan to have you ride on me when we return to the battle,” Tallulah’s eyes widened at the prospect and Atlas could feel her apprehension through their bond.

“I will have you at my side as we end this nightmare so no one else can take advantage of you,” Atlas knew it was extremely selfish, and perhaps more harm than good would come of her joining him this time, but he would be selfish this time…for her.

“I will need assistance with the corset, if you please,” she told him. Atlas obliged, and then later regretted it as the strings were confusing, but they were able to secure it to her torso. Her tunic acted as a layer of protection beneath the cursed contraption. Atlas then had her don a vest of boiled leather like his own before the rest of his group went to take flight back to the main fight.

They made their way to an open area so as not to tear their wings trying to free themselves from the clutches of the forest. As the transformation overcame him, he could feel the awe and wonder in Tallulah and realized she’d never seen him shift before. When they were traveling before, everyone would shift away from the camp, and so the opportunity for her to witness his shift was very limited.

I have seen you in your dragon form a couple of times before this. Once was when you caught me in the forest so many months ago. I thought for sure my cover had been blown in that moment.

Gods, I wanted to say something then, but I was a coward. Atlas shared. He could feel the amusement coming from Tallulah.

Perhaps we were both cowards because by then, I knew who you were to me. Ander and I had talked at length about it. There was guilt in her response for which Atlas couldn’t blame her.

Can you mount from the ground, or should I crouch lower? Atlas asked her, ready to launch into the sky.

If you could crouch lower, it would make things easier. So polite and unsuspecting. He did as she asked, and he couldn’t help the pleased hum within once her hand touched bare scale. He knew that it pained her to stretch her body as she did to mount his back, but once she was seated among his back spikes he could feel the sense of ease within Tallulah.

Hold on tight, my mate. Atlas said right before he launched into the air. The added weight of tallulah did nothing to hinder his flight, and as weird as the sensation was to have a rider on his back, it felt right. The more primal side of his being was thriving with this interaction.

The battlefield below them was a mess of broken beams from war machines. Bodies of dragons, men, and cats alike littered the field like an artful display. There was no differentiation between their side and Kelwin’s as the bodies seemed to blend together across the field.

There, I see Kelwin’s dragon form!

Atlas was surprised she spotted Kelwin before he did, but he banked towards Kelwin and four other dragons on the field. One of which he knew to be General Faustus.

Before landing in front of them, he let out an earsplitting roar. The effect was instantaneous. Silence fell over the field as he landed. Gasps sounded as dragons realized who was with him. Tallulah wore clothes that easily showed who she was to him and to everyone else.
Convey to them that I request a challenge of single for this battle to end. If I win, all persons responsible for treason, those that orchestrated this, will be tried and delt with at the capital. I would offer an option for reciprocity, but I will win.

“My Mate challenges you to single combat, Lord Kewin-” roars of outrage from their adversaries rang out across the field before Tallulah could finish. Kelwin was quick to shift forms.

“Your mate had that opportunity months ago; instead, he chose to run back home,” Atlas hissed before letting out another earsplitting roar at Kelwin's accusation. Tallulah didn’t need Atlas’ words to know the truth of things, and neither did those in the surrounding area.

Tell this to any who will hear that I will grant leniency to those who decide to throw down their weapons and return to the right side of things. Felines included. Ladrin and I will speak on the matter, but I am certain he would do the same.

She relayed his words, and it was as if a breath of relief came from many on Kelwin’s side. Swords were thrown down, bows removed, and many came forward to seek the protection of Atlas’ promise. Atlas was relieved by this, it meant that discord amongst his people wouldn’t be a primary concern once the current conflict came to an end.

“You have nothing now, except the traitors you call friends. I believe it would be in your best interest to take your King’s way out, or risk losing your lives altogether,” pride swelled in Atlas at her words. She was made to rule by his side; he could see how easily the people listened and regarded her words. It would be an easy transition for her to become queen.

“Fine, I will take your offer. If I am to die, I would rather it be for a cause I believe in than at the hands of an executioner,” Lord Kelwin sneered. Atlas let out a huff of annoyance.

I need to shift to my human form for this, I will let you dismount before I do so. Atlas told Tallulah. She obliged by gingerly sliding down from her perch upon his back. Reylan was there to help steady her as Atlas himself transformed.

“Choose your weapon, and we will do this now to avoid anymore bloodshed of my people,” Atlas spoke calmly, but assertively.

“Very well, I choose my sword,” Kelwin said.

Atlas raised his voice so that all in close proximity heard him as he spoke. “Then let it be know that Lord Janus Kelwin has chosen to abide by our customs with single combat. All persons present shall bare witness to this. Should he win, I forfeit claim to the southern half of this country and any who oppose my rule. Should I win, all traitors will be delt with in accordance to law and custom in the capital of Aria,” Atlas looked at every single man and woman who stood with Kelwin, making it known through his heated gaze that their punishment would be worse than death. People shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

“I suppose I have no choice but to accept these terms,” Kelwin sneered.

“I could burn you to the ground and be done with this farce now, but I am not without reason. For what you have subjected my mate to I would have every right,” Atlas said cooly before smiling to himself.

I do not think he knows he is about to die.