The next morning the sun rose on both Rider and dragon. And while they slept the family, oblivious of their plans to leave, were making Ralem’s favorite breakfast food- Cinnamon rolls. “He’s going to be so happy!” Sarah exclaimed, dolloping some sugar on a cinnamon roll.

Tess had her fingers in her mouth, her eyes rolling back in pleasure at the rare treat. William was hopping in excitement beside her and Aidan sat at the table, his legs swinging impatiently.

Sarah wiped her hands on her apron. “Done,” she said approvingly, “William, sweetie. How about you go and wake them up, okay?”

William saluted, “Yes ma’am!” He skipped to Ralem’s room with Tess trailing him. Slowly opening the door so as to make hardly a noise, he crept in, putting a finger in front of his mouth to indicate Tess to be quiet. He stood on his tiptoes by Jaydon’s bed and cupped his hands around his mouth to create the best effect. “GOOD”- Ralem shot awake and the first thing he saw was William yelling by Jaydon’s bed. Oh no, he thought. Oh no, no, no, no… “MORN-”

Jaydon rocketed up in a twister of sheets and flying limbs. Tess screamed as he pounced on poor William, smashing him to the ground.

Taylor, alerted by the wild scream and loud thump, dashed to the room. His eyes widened when he saw the dragon breathing heavily over his son, one of his hands latched around the boy’s neck. His face was twisted into a wild, dragonish snarl and William gasped on the floor, too shocked to even scream.

Taylor did what any father would do. He sprung into action. Lashing out a booted foot, he caught Jaydon full in the face as the rest of the family gathered at the door. Jaydon hissed and let go of William as blood spewed from his broken nose. Taylor kicked him again, this time in the chest and he roared and crawled to the corner of the room on all fours. Taylor followed him, his jaw clenched and eyes hard. Another savage kick sent Jaydon’s head crashing into the wall.

Sarah covered the kids eyes, while she herself couldn’t tear her eyes from the scene, her mouth open and her hands shaking.

Suddenly Ralem jumped in between them, his hands out. “Don’t hurt him!”

Taylor tried to edge around him, “Ralem he almost killed my son! He almost killed William! You can’t deny it!”

“He was-”

“Playing?” Taylor spat, “Or perhaps just acting out one of your stories?”

Ralem was shocked by the mocking tone of his voice. He opened his mouth but nothing came out.

“You know what? I believe you now,” Taylor said hoarsely, “Last night, he almost convinced me that he was human, that he had feelings. But now I know. He is a dragon.” He pointed furiously at Jaydon, “He’s nothing but a talking animal.” Jaydon’s eyes lowered miserably.

Taylor seemed to swell at the statement, his eyes boring holes into the dragon, “A monster.” Jaydon cringed before dashing into Ralem’s bed and squiggling under the covers until he was a sad, shaking lump in the center.

“He’s not a monster. He just got scared,” Ralem protested, “He would never mean to hurt William. I promise.”

“Scared? Of William?” Taylor gestured to William who was crying shamelessly into his mother’s dress. “You’ve got to know when to tell your stories and when to tell the truth, Ralem. And regardless, he is a danger to both me and my children. I want him out of my house by the end of the hour.”

Ralem glanced at Taylor’s stony face and his hard blue eyes and knew there would be no arguing. Tess and William watched him with big eyes as they cried by their mother but Aidan just looked at him, shocked. Ralem couldn’t bear to see those faces. He looked away as Taylor shut the door.

For a second he dug his face in his hands, listening to Sarah trying to comfort the kids and Jaydon crying raspingly in bed. Ralem was shaking, his heart beating like a crazed bird in his chest. He took a deep breath. “Are you okay?” he asked Jaydon.

Jaydon didn’t answer. Ralem got to his feet and walked over to the shaking bed and uncovered the dragon with a swift jerk of the sheets. Jaydon’s face was covered in blood, and as Ralem watched, a silver tear streaked through the scarlet and into the sheets. “I didn’t mean to hurt him,” he choked out, “I swear. I swear it.”

“I know, I know,” Ralem said, as soothingly as he could.

Jaydon closed his eyes as if he was in great pain, his hand over his heart. “I… I am a monster. A talking animal. Aren’t I?”

“No. No you’re not,” Ralem said sternly.

Jaydon’s emerald eyes opened, teary and full of hurt, “But I’m not human. So that makes me animal, right?”

“No. It doesn’t,” Ralem said pathetically, “You’re much more than that.” He tried to wipe the blood out of Jaydon’s face with his thumb but only managed to smear it even worse. He watched as his nose slowly pieced itself together. Just a week ago it would have healed in three seconds. Now it took a whole minute to reconstruct, leaving Jaydon looking more tired than before. When it was done he wiped the blood away with his sleeve.

“Then what am I? What?” Jaydon demanded, tears streaming down his face.

“You’re my dragon. The great Ventus Rex!” Ralem  said, “My friend for life."

“But… what if I had killed him? Would you still love me then?” Jaydon asked, his eyes seeming to stare into his very soul.

Ralem didn’t know, truthfully. He didn’t want to think of it. “I would,” he said, “But you didn’t. And that’s all that matters.”

Jaydon looked at the wall, “If I had I would never forgive myself.”

Ralem reached down and scratched him on the chin, “You know what? I have proof that you are not an animal.”

"And what is that ?"

"Your birthday present. The best I ever had. What was it?"

Jaydon wiped his nose with his sleeve, "the Friesian?"

"No."

Jaydon looked confused for a second. Then his face brightened. "My soul! I have a soul!"

Ralem smiled. "Exactly." He rubbed Jaydons back. "But now it's time to go. If we run, we could probably make it back  to Baroke by midnight." He tried to hide the sadness in his voice.

Jaydon looked down, his eyes stormy. "I'm real sorry," he said softly.

"It's okay," Ralem lied between his teeth.

"No it's not," Jaydon said, getting to his feet and stretching. He let go of that stretch with a deep sigh, relishing in his recently healed back. " I feel tired but I bet I could still beat you!" He said, but his teasing words sounded halfhearted even to him. 

They both walked to the door and Ralem's  hand hovered over the knob. He didn't want to open the door. He didn't want to see that hurt and scared look on the kids faces. He didn't want to feel the disappointment radiating from his brother-in-law, the disbelief and disgust. He didn't want to walk out that door, knowing once he left that he would never be welcomed back.

Jaydon seemed to understand and they locked eyes for a moment. "This is hard," Jaydon stated the obvious.

Ralem nodded.  "We'll say goodbye," he said shortly. Then, as if trying to get it over as fast as possible, he grabbed the door and thrust it open, stepping out into the living room.

The family was all sitting at the table; evidentially listening to every whispered word by the way they jumped at the loud snapping noise of the door banging open.

Ralem paused for a moment before making his way to the table, spreading out his arms. There was a heartbreaking pause. The family watched him with mixed emotions, as if they were watching a stray dog that they were suspicious of being rabid. Sarah's arms were around William, his huge teary eyes peeking out from the folds of her dress. Tess was held possessively by her father and Aidan was looking miserable on the other side of the protective hug.

Ralem's arms lowered like a wilted flower. He could hear the soft padding of Jaydon behind him, his head down in a rare instance of shame.

Then Aidan broke away and ran to his Uncle, jumping into his arms and digging his head into Ralem's chest. "Don't you dare go, Uncle Ralem!" He said vehemently even though his voice was breaking. A small fist smacked Ralem in the chest. "You left us too many times! You belong here, with us! Don't you dare leave me again!"  Tears gushed from his green eyes and fell on Ralem's pants. Then he gave his Uncle a hug, one so tight that Ralem could hardly breathe.

The other kids slowly got to their feet when Aidan finally broke free and then hugged the dragon just as tight.

Jaydon was surprised for a moment. Then he bent down and returned the hug, a huge smile cracking his face in half. There was no words spoken but it meant the world to the dragon.

Taylor shot to his feet, "Get your hands off my son!" he demanded.

Jaydon felt like baring his teeth at Ralem's brother-in-law but he controlled himself and let go of Aidan. Aidan stumbled back and without looking at them again, ran upstairs to his room. They could hear his angry stomps as he ran for his bed and dug his face in his pillow.

Then Jaydon felt tiny little hands tugging on his shirt and he looked down to find Tess. She also didn't talk to him but grabbed his huge hand with her little one and pressed something in it. Her favorite corn doll.

"Thank you," Jaydon whispered, and before anyone could say anything he cupped her head in his hands and whispered something to her, pressing his forehead to her own. A shy smile graced her face and everyone gasped when he drew back and a silver sign was shining on her forehead.

Taylor jumped for her and yanked her away from the dragon just as the twinkling sign disappeared. "What have you done to her?" he demanded.

"He blessed her. It won't hurt her," Ralem spoke up.

"Or cursed her more like it. Get out of my house NOW!"

Ralem and the dragon turned around and started walking towards the door when Sarah nearly tackled Ralem with a hug. He turned around  just to find she was crying. "Please... Come back to visit us sometime. The kids love you as a second father. I will miss you so much!" She brushed away some tears.  "Here, I made cinnamon rolls for you." She gave him a small bag and turned to Jaydon. "Keep him safe, okay?"

Jaydon smiled softly at her and said, "I will.”

And right as they hovered by the door, like moths reluctant to leave a burning flame, the dragon looked straight at Taylor, his chin jutting out , eyes as calculating and demanding as a cat and said, "Ralem says I am not an animal."

The way he said this was like a chubby kid telling some bullies at school that his mom said the he was not fat just fluffy. Although many cut-downs came to mind, Taylor said nothing.

Jaydon then turned to William, his expression softening as his eyes landed on the sad little lump flopped across a chair. "William," he said, "I promise I would never try to hurt you. And as of now, I owe you a debt. A debt that I will pay. I love you. I loved all of you since the day Ralem hatched me. And... If you ever need help I want you to know that I will be there for you."

No one said anything. Sarah was crying silently as she wrapped her arms around her children. Behind her, Taylor nodded as if he were motioning a gladiator to go in for the kill.  It was time to go.

Ralem didn't feel any inspiring words come to mind so all he said was, "Tess, Aidan, William, take care of your mother. I love each and every one of you so much. I will be back one day." It was getting hard to breathe. He didn't know what else to say so he finished with a wheezy, "Goodbye."

And with that they both tumbled out of the door.

"That was horrible," Jaydon remarked.

“Let’s not talk about it,” Ralem sighed. Then he realized he was out into the crowd of Redfield looking like, well, himself with Jaydon looking like a more teary version of him. He had forgotten his cloak, like that mattered anymore. Thinking fast, he grabbed the dragon and pulled him behind an Ox cart that was conveniently stationed in front of Ralem's house, laden with strong smelling fruits and vegetables. Jaydon followed him silently like a duckling after its mother.

Ralem tried to wipe away his recent rejection from his mind and turn on ‘alert’ mode. “Jaydon, we need a plan,” he said, his body halfway underneath the ox cart. Jaydon nodded seriously, wiping tears from his face. Why do dragons have to be so darn emotional? Ralem thought before continuing, “We need to get out of here without anyone noticing who we are.” He ducked his head to look at people’s dirty feet shuffling along the road and shook his head. “It’s Saturday. And that means the flea market. It’s going to be swarming with people all day. So… our best bet is to have a disguise.”

“A disguise?” Jaydon echoed, “Like that dress?” He pointed over to a small dress shop on the other side of the road, where a cheap pink dress sparkled on a stand.

Ralem sucked in a breath, his eyes wide, “No!” he gasped. Then he regained his composure and glared at the dragon, “Sometimes I worry about you, Jaydon.”

“What?” Jaydon shrugged, “It was sparkly.”

Ralem decided that this was not the time to have an argument about clothes. “Okay, well whatever. The cart is moving!”

As they had been talking the old man driving the cart had finally mounted it and cracked the whip for his sullen oxen to plod on. As the wheels crunched and squeaked down the road, Ralem and Jaydon followed close beside it, their backs bent painfully to keep out of view.

Something nasty sloshed in front of Ralem’s boot and he side-stepped just in time. “Yuck,” he managed as it slid into the cracks between the cobblestones.

“At least you have boots. I’m barefoot here!” Jaydon whispered hoarsely.

“You’re- what! You never go barefoot out here!” Ralem exclaimed.

“I keep on trying to summon your boots but it’s not working,” Jaydon said grumpily.

The woman who had thrown the wicked smelling liquid waved to them, drawing their attention. “Good morning Ralem! Haven’t seen you in a while!” She held the chamber pot by her fingertips and her auburn hair was pulled up in a bun. Ralem recognized her as the butcher’s wife, a pleasant but rather plain lady who didn’t get out much. He laughed nervously and waved back, “Hi Arietta!”

Suddenly the lady noticed Jaydon and her expression drew a blank. Ralem stiffened and Jaydon did the same, all the while creeping alongside the ox cart. There was a pause. Then, “I think I must go inside. I have a wicked headache. Good day, Ralem!” she wheezed before swinging into the door.

After she was gone, Ralem let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in. Jaydon started laughing silently, his hand over his mouth. “What’s so funny?” Ralem demanded.

“Well you had the most hilarious face- I thought your eyes were going to bug out of your head! And I just totally copied what you were doing.” Ralem didn’t seem amused. Jaydon waved him off, “You’d only get it if you saw that look. It was funny.”

Ralem rolled his eyes, “Well back to the plan part. I need to get my stuff from the Inn. In fact, it’s right across the road right now,” he said, doubling back to peek behind the cart.

What he saw was not what he expected. The inn was swarming with people who didn’t seem like they had come for a friendly chat. Ralem identified the bald-headed innkeeper in the eye of the hurricane, looking flustered. The man talking to him was large and bulky and used his hands a lot while he was talking. Whatever he was talking about, it was definitely not to get a room at the inn. When he turned his head, Ralem got a good look at who he was. He quickly ducked back behind the cart, almost bowling Jaydon over. “Okay, nevermind. We need a new plan,” Ralem said hurriedly.

“Why? Who is that? I don’t remember him,” Jaydon said, going almost cross-eyed in thought.

“You wouldn’t remember him,” Ralem whispered, “I… beat him up yesterday.”

“You did?” Jaydon echoed, “I bet he deserved it. Why’s he a problem?”

“It’s not him. It’s the crowd. And a fight is the last thing I need right now with my…” he let the sentence fade but Jaydon knew what he meant. His dragon side.

Jaydon nodded understandingly.

Ralem dodged his glance and continued, “Moving on…I need to get us a disguise. Probably the best place for that would be Martha’s little store- it’s not far from here. In fact, the ox cart is probably going to stop there on the way to the flea market. I’ll get some of those peasant clothes and head out from there, okay?”

Jaydon nodded and Ralem just realized just how awful he looked. His hair was wild and matted. Blood tinged the corners of his lips and his eyes were bloodshot with dark circles surrounding them like ashen halos. He looked exhausted.

“Hey, are you sure you’re up to this?” Ralem asked, feeling horrible that he hadn’t noticed it before. Wow, what a great father I’ll be, he thought sarcastically.

Jaydon’s bloodstained lips curled upwards and his dark eyebrows lifted. “You worried about me?”

“Well yes,” Ralem hissed, inching along with the cart. “You look horrible. Baroke is a long way away. We could perhaps just run a short ways before hitting the sack.”

Jaydon brushed the hair out of his face, “Just because I look like you don’t mean that I get tired as easily. I’ll make it. And hopefully I won’t be carrying you for the final stretch.”

Ralem sighed, “Whatever you say,” before realizing that they had almost passed Martha’s shop. He hopped deftly to the side of the road and Jaydon followed him like he was his shadow. They slunk into the shadows between Martha’s shop and the Tavern that Ralem had the misfortune to visit just the other day. When they had retreated far enough into the darkness Ralem sat down on a waylaid box and took off his boot, feeling inside it and coming out with a small leather pouch. He peered inside it gloomily. “I’ve got one royal. I slipped the other into my sister’s pocket. I don’t suppose you’ve got anything, do you?”

Jaydon shook his head and turned his pockets inside out. “I had a couple diamonds in my pouch but… I don’t think now is the time to turn into a dragon.”

Ralem’s mouth twitched. He doubted Jaydon could turn into a dragon, but  he didn’t feel like this would be a good time to bring that up. “You have a pouch- like a kangaroo or something?”

Jaydon looked offended, “Of course I do. And I am definitely not like a kangaroo. Pouches are very manly.”

“You think jewelry is manly,” Ralem pointed out. Jaydon opened his mouth but before he could manage to make a counterargument Ralem continued, “Speaking of jewelry, I think that doublet you’re wearing is pretty expensive. Maybe I could trade it in for boots and peasant clothes for both of us. Let me see.”

Jaydon unbuttoned his doublet to reveal his bare chest. He handed it over to his Rider nonchalantly. Ralem ran the fabric through his hands, fingering the brass buttons and thick cloth. It was dirty, even a little bloody. But it wasn’t frayed or torn and definitely wasn’t old. “This is definitely worth enough for both of our clothes and more,” he whistled. “Okay, now you can wait out here. If someone happens to chance upon you then… turn into smoke or something. Here, take the rest of the cinnamon rolls,” Ralem nabbed two and threw the bag at Jaydon, “I’ll be out in a minute.” And with that he slid out into the light and disappeared.

Jaydon sat down heavily on the same box Ralem had been sitting on, running his hands through his hair. His head was throbbing, his eyes burning in their sockets. He didn’t feel well at all. He put his hand in front of his face, willing those fragile little fingers to elongate and sharpen, to take on that greyish hue of a proper dragon talon. But nothing happened. Those fingers remained fingers. They still had those pathetic little nails that were too short to scratch anything. They still were unarmored and unprotected. They were still human.

He was annoyed but the effort to do that had exhausted him even further. He eventually gave up and sank into the wall, staring at the sliver of sky above. With his free hand, he dug into his pocket and pulled out the precious corn doll, running his thumb over its rugged exterior. He hoped that his protection would still be over Tess even though he was constricted to human form.

“Hey, is that a homeless person back there?” he heard a whisper and he suddenly shot into action, crouching pathetically behind the box.

A little girl and her brother was silhouetted in between the two buildings. She had big pigtails and he had close cropped hair with big blue eyes. Both were staring at him with great interest.

Ralem said to turn to smoke! He thought furiously, before squinting and trying to do just that. A sensation like hot coals being dropped upon his body sparked up, but nothing changed. He tried harder, a low growl erupting from deep in his chest.

“Don’t look Johnny,” the girl said, covering her little brother’s eyes, “He’s going poo.”

Jaydon concentrated harder and harder, calling on the wind, his muscles tensing and face flushing an intense red.

“Woah,” the girl breathed, stepping back with her brother. “He’s got a big one coming.”

Suddenly they both jumped a foot as Jaydon’s head shot up and he gnashed his teeth, the veins sticking out dangerously on his forehead and neck, his hands clenching the box so tight it looked similar to a crumpled can. His foaming mouth opened and he unleashed a harrowing roar.

The kids turned tail and fled, their legs flying and pigtails bobbing.

Inside, Ralem snatched his clothes and sprinted out the door at the paralyzing sound. He spun around the corner to find Jaydon breathing hard on his knees, his head lowered as he stared at his hands. Ralem bent down beside him, his hands full of clothes. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” he gasped.

“I can’t turn into smoke,” Jaydon said simply. He didn’t say anything for a minute and they let the murmur of the crowd become the sole noise. Ralem, not sure what to say, held the clothes awkwardly, and sent the dragon vague comforting thoughts. Finally Jaydon staggered to his feet. “I’m fine,” he mumbled, “Where’s the clothes?”

Ralem raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. “Here”, he said, showing off some rather plain peasant clothes complete with a hood. “And I got you some boots too. They’re not my favorite brand but it’ll work. Oh, and here’s some socks too. Let’s change real quick, okay? Try to get as far back in the shadows as you can.”

They did so and Ralem felt a lot better with proper clothes on both him and his dragon. Jaydon grumbled about the boots, “These peasant clothes are a lot less scratchy but these boots… they are so stiff! They are pinching my feet!” he complained.

“That’s because you need to break them in,” Ralem reminded him, “And I know they fit because I tried them on. Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine,” Jaydon said crossly, turning so his hood was hiding his face, “Let’s go.”

“Just tell me if you need to rest,” Ralem said nervously, “We’re not in a huge hurry. I think we should split up so as not to be noticeable. I know it’s hard for you, but try to slouch a bit so you don’t stand out. We’ll meet up at the woods. Got it?”

“Yes, Rider,” Jaydon said in a way that made Ralem unsure as to whether it was a sarcastic comment or not. Without further ado, the dragon flung himself out into the crowd, where he immediately slunk into the sea of faces. Ralem followed, pulling the hood lower on his face. Then, remembering something, he grabbed Jaydon’s arm and yanked, forcing him to look at him, Hey, and I forgot to tell you. Walk slower, at a human’s pace. We don’t want to be noticed.

Jaydon nodded and Ralem let go of him. This shouldn’t be too hard. Redfield was a small town. They would be through it in no time. But in the meantime, might as well enjoy the familiar sights and sounds of being home. He could hear the famous bullhorn voice of the chicken lady, who was perched in her familiar spot in front of the blacksmith, a fat chicken on her lap. Beside her stand, a little goat stood, chewing on a tablecloth. Other venders added their voices to the mix, their familiar enthusiastic calls appealing to the passerbys who talked amongst themselves in animated discussions and high laughs. The bard was singing an exciting song about a dragon hunt and a beautiful lady was plucking a harp. The sweet smell of spices and the rather… interesting smell of animals filled the country air. And finally, the beautiful aura of home permeated it all and put a smile on Ralem’s face. It was a beautiful day.

Jaydon’s hood swiveled as he too took it all in. You have many memories of this place, he told Ralem. Good ones. Ralem could feel his dragon’s mental smile and he couldn’t help but smile along. We will come back, Jaydon continued. And when we do, it will be a happier reunion.

Ralem didn’t reply, but stuck his hands even further into his pockets.

Suddenly he saw Jaydon’s stop by the watermelon stand, his hood pivoting slowly, carefully like a hawk on its perch. Ralem stopped too, trusting his instincts.

A moment of silence, even in the bustling crowd. Jaydon’s hand caressed a large watermelon as if wondering if he should use it as a weapon. When the farmer asked if he’d like it, he snatched his hand away and wormed into the crowd, head lowered. We’re being followed, he said.

Followed? We’re in a crowd. Of course we’re being followed! Ralem said, pulling down his hood so that he could hardly see.

No, this is different. Jaydon flashed his tongue.

Ralem glared at him from across the bustling crowd. Are you mocking me?

No, this just usually works. He stuck out his tongue again, like a chameleon trying to catch flies.

What are you doing?

Trying to get their scent. He sounded frustrated. But I know one things for certain. Ten, maybe more men coming our way. I’m not sure if they’ve spotted us yet. 

How far behind? Ralem asked. He looked back for a quick second but couldn’t find anyone suspicious.

They’re coming fast. Should we take them? Jaydon replied, his fists clenching.

Well, if we must we should get away from the crowd. Probably over by the stables.

They’ve spotted us! Now they both took off in a swift run. If they hadn’t spotted them before, they were definitely apparent now. As they had been taught by Lauri, the first thing they did was to team up, Jaydon taking the rear and Ralem clearing the way. They burst through the crowd and stumbled into the clear road by the stables. Fences lined their left and to the right houses and shops blocked their way out. If they made a run for it the road straight ahead would take them to the forest.

If there wasn’t already soldiers blocking that exit.

Both of them skidded to a stop, eyeing the soldiers warily. Then they turned to run the other way but found that the soldiers had caught up and now made a human wall, blocking that escape exit.

Jaydon growled.

An official looking soldier with a plume in his helmet stepped up, unrolling a thick wad of parchment. He cleared his throat self-importantly. “The Queen has decreed for the arrest of Ralem Blake of Redfield on the account of High Treason. Effective immediately.” He lowered the parchment to look at them, “Give yourself up or we’ll have to take you by force.”

Jaydon stepped forward but Ralem shot out a hand. Stop, he said, his mind working furiously. I have a plan.

The good thing about being telekinetic is that you can discuss a plan quickly and secretly. Jaydon nodded, signaling that he understood, and stepped back.

Ralem shook his hood off to show his wild black hair and slightly dirty face and stepped forward. “I am Ralem Blake.” And with that, he turned around with his hands behind his back to let them tie a rope around his wrists.

The men seemed relieved that he would give up this easily and a soldier walked snappily to him with a rope. When Ralem felt the brush of fiber against his skin, he snapped to action.

With a twist of his body, he pushed off the ground and his leg swung around and smashed into the soldier’s helmet, and he crumpled to the ground.

Ralem landed fluidly, his sparkling eyes just asking the other soldiers to bring it on!

Besides him, Jaydon pulled down his own hood to reveal his kaleidoscope green eyes and baring-teeth smile. He positioned himself behind his Rider to take on the group of men approaching from the road. A dreadful second of uncertainty clutched at his heart but he shook it off. I am a dragon, he thought, I can take on anything.

At first the soldiers seemed unorganized, like they had never seen anything like this happen before. They heard a couple, “They’re twins!” and “Which one are we arresting?” and “Did you see his eyes?”. Then the leader seemed to take charge; instructing them to arrest both before pulling out his sword with a flourish and leading the way to the rogue dragon and Rider.  Ralem smiled as they approached, his fast eyes taking in their every, dreadful-slow move.

The brave leader attacked first. As he swung his sword wildly towards the Rider’s midsection, Ralem snatched his wrist, crushed it and every little bone in it, and head-butted him right underneath the helmet. He groaned and crashed like an old tree. The sword fell from his twisted fingers and into Ralem’s hand. “Aha!” Ralem breathed, hefting the broadsword. “This should do.”

Two soldiers lunged for him, their swords slashing hungrily at his chest. Ralem sidestepped and neatly blocked both blows before dealing a blow at one soldier’s torso. He dropped to his knees, his eyes wide and childish as he clutched his rapidly bleeding chest. Without another glance, Ralem was on the next one in a flash, the sword cutting through flesh and mail with reckless abandon. And without even realizing it, he lost control. His dragon side had won.

More and more surrounded him and Ralem responded swiftly, raining blows of lightning fast strikes of steel and fist. At seven men down, he wiped his upper lip, breathing heavily and high on adrenaline. “Is that all you got?” he bellowed. As if in answer, more men disentangled themselves from fighting with the dragon and approached the Rider, blades ready.

Ralem smiled.

While Ralem fought like a warrior, Jaydon was fighting the only way he knew how. Like a dragon.

He smashed people to the ground, roaring and scratching. He was a hurricane of fists and teeth. Slashing, kicking, and punching, he fought like an animal. A man charged at his right. Thinking fast, he stepped backwards, let the soldiers momentum reel him onward before grabbing his neck and breaking it like a toothpick. He then hefted the soldier and threw him headlong into a rush of fresh soldiers, armor and all. They fell like empty sacks.  But more and more came and he fought until he felt his back smack against the wooden fence. His eyes widened when he realized he had been cornered.

The other soldiers realized this too and smiled. It was fifteen of them against one of him. He’d have no chance.

What they didn’t realize is that a cornered, scared dragon is a very dangerous dragon indeed. Even if he was stripped of all his powers.

“Come on, give yourself up,” one of them coached, “You’re surrounded. If you come peacefully, we won’t hurt you. Promise.”

“Not today!” came Ralem’s familiar voice and he landed next to Jaydon, tossing a sword to the dragon. He raised his own sword, “We will never come peacefully!”

“So be it,” the man who had encouraged Jaydon to give up snarled.

Ralem threw himself into the fray, calling on the wind to protect his unarmed sides, using his greater strength and weight to his advantage. Swords clanged through the air, hissing and writhing like snakes. Ralem only laughed as he jumped high above the clamor, swords lashing from both hands, only to come crashing down with such force it knocked men clear off their feet.

. Ralem was never more than five feet away from his dragon, and they kept each other in the corner of their eyes to watch each other’s backs. Wouldn’t Lauri be proud, Ralem thought as Jaydon warned him about a sneaky soldier creeping up behind him with a mace. He didn’t even have to look. With a quick back thrust of the sword, he nailed the soldier on the forehead with the butt, knocking his lights out.

Suddenly he heard Jaydon yell duck! Without hesitation, he dropped to the ground as if dead. BANG! CRASH! THOCK! Ralem saw something fly over him before crashing into a soldier’s chest and knocking him over. Men fell like tin soldiers before sprawling on the ground, knocked out. Ralem got to his feet amid the carnage and found Jaydon looking smug with a mangled board he had torn off the fence. He dropped it and cracked his knuckles, ready for the next onslaught.

Ralem realized he never felt so… alive than when he was fighting. It was exhilarating, like energy had been pumped into his body. And he felt powerful. Like he could do this all day and never get tired. He scanned the square for any more who dared to come against him. His eyes spotted ten men standing on the outskirts looking hesitant. “Are you scared?” he taunted, lighting his eyes up intimidatingly. Then he heard a familiar whistle. “Oh,” he said, before holding up his hands and calling on the wind. The arrows wiggled mid-air before clattering to the ground. “That was close,” he whispered.

It seemed like that was the signal, for all at once those ten men rushed at them. They were definitely the best fighters and masterfully held the Rider at bay, their blades exploring his weaknesses and confusing him. All the while arrows rained from the sky. Ralem bit his lip as he tried to fend off the attackers and arrows at the same time. “Agh!” he yelled as one soldier managed to cut deep into his arm.

Jaydon suddenly turned grey as his body fought to heal his Rider’s wound. He sank to his knees, breathing heavily as he felt the energy being sucked away from him. Ralem saw this and created an instant shield around him, protecting him from the strike of three swords. Then he created another air shield to protect himself from another volley of arrows. Sweat built up on his forehead. One arm hang, useless by his side. The other was just barely fending off the attackers.

A soldier with a blonde beard smiled like a hungry wolf. “Give up,” he said.

Ralem lashed out with a leg and the man crumpled to the ground. “Never,” he replied stonily.

Suddenly a small voice Ralem recognized cried out, “Stop! Stop! Don’t hurt him!”

Ralem was caught off guard and his air shields wavered, letting an arrow soar through to imbed its head into the ground by Ralem’s feet. Aidan appeared, a too-large sword in his shaking hands. He was making a brave face even though it was apparent he was trying not to cry. “I’ll fight!”

One of the soldiers laughed and turned to face the kid. “Boy, go home to your mum. You don’t belong out here.”

Ralem stared at him in a way that clearly meant, get out of here right now!

Aidan seemed to harden under the glance. He slowly lifted the unwieldy sword over his shoulder. He bent backwards from the weight and the soldiers laughed even harder. Aidan’s lips set in a slim line and Ralem could recognize the Blake family stubbornness in his gaze. With a loud grunt, he used all his ten-year-old force to swing the sword over his shoulder and it flew from his grasp.

Nobody had expected this to happen, maybe not even Aidan. The sword dug deep into the soldier’s foot and pinned him to the ground. The soldier roared in fury and pain. He yanked the weapon out of his foot, cursing the boy. Aidan, suddenly pale, staggered back a few paces before the irate soldier dived for him and the butt of his sword met Aidan’s head with a sickening thud!

Aidan crumpled to the ground like a puppet with cut strings and Ralem cried out in fury. “No! Aidan!” he yelled, his eyes blazing a ferocious green. “HOW DARE YOU!” he roared at the man, swelling to his full six foot four. He bulldozed into the man and fell upon him, punching like a maniac with his good hand. The man fought back feebly before succumbing to darkness after a crushing blow to the forehead.

Behind them, Jaydon staggered to his feet, fighting the wave of nausea that threatened to overcome him. Only one man stood in front of him, regarding him thoughtfully and stroking his black beard. The others were trying their mettle against his Rider, who could fight like a real wildcat.

“Why try to fight?” the black-bearded soldier asked calmly. “You clearly have nothing left in you.”

“Because I am the Magnus Ventus Rex,” Jaydon replied, snatching an arrow mid-air and coolly breaking it between two fingers. “I never give up.”

The soldier’s eyebrow dipped, “The Magnus Ventus Rex? Is that what you call yourself?”

Jaydon nodded, hefting his sword.

“Then it will be my honor to fight with such a worthy opponent,” his grey eyes watched him indifferently, “But be warned this will be your last.”

Jaydon laughed, “I doubt that.”

Ralem disentangled himself from the fray enough to see his dragon face off the warrior. He felt a soldier lunge from behind him and quickly snapped his fist up and caught him in the face. “No, Jaydon,” Ralem breathed as he saw Jaydon raise his sword for a strike. Jaydon’s eyes were sunken and dark, his face devoid of color. He stumbled when he made a strike for the other man. The warrior deftly parried it and readied to make his own strike that was sure to finish the dragon off.

“No!” Ralem yelled, and he raced to intercept, his sword just barely knocking the warrior’s blade from his dragon’s shoulder.

“No!” Jaydon gasped, “This is my fight. I can do this!” Even as he said it, he fell face-first into the dusty ground.

More warriors drew to the fight like moths to a flame, watching the two sword-masters square off. The black-bearded warrior was definitely the better swordsman but Ralem was faster.

And suddenly Ralem found himself defending himself and Jaydon with one hand from the four remaining warriors. I can do this, he reminded himself, I’m a Rider. I can do this.

Jaydon pulled himself painfully from the ground, grappling for a sword. I can do this, he thought, I’m a dragon. I can do anything.

They both didn’t see it coming.

Ralem was so wrapped up in fending off the other soldiers that he didn’t see the archer pull the arrow back on the string, aim the quivering tip at his target, or unleash the weapon into the open sky. He didn’t hear the shriek of that feather-tipped arrow slicing through the air, diving for the undefended dragon. Not until it dug it’s barbed head into Jaydon’s chest did he realize it and clutch at his own. Swinging around, he found Jaydon staring dumbly at the crimson stain blooming over his heart.

“Oh crap,” Ralem said. The most massive understatement he had said all day.