Sophia waited nervously, her fingers tapping on the shaft of the spear. Behind her, her soldiers were gathered, relaxing while they had the chance. They were talking quietly, but still too loud for her comfort. One patrol had passed by their camp, another would surely come. Hopefully not before nightfall.
Zander should have been back by now. Sophia wondered what had delayed him. He had left at sunrise that morning, taking Andromeda and half a dozen soldiers with him. Now, it was almost midday and he still wasn’t back. They had gone to scout for the Lorric camp. They all reasoned that if there were soldiers patrolling, the camp must be close. They were late.
Sophia thought back to the night before, as she already had so often. Her mind kept focusing on one line: ‘Afraid he’ll feed you to the dragon?’ one of the soldiers had asked. A dragon, out here? It was possible, Sophia knew. Ever since she had arrived, she had heard rumours of a dragon in these mountains. But she had always dismissed them as rumours, something to be laughed at around a fire on a cold night. She supposed in Wardom anything was possible.
Sophia glanced up sharply as she heard someone coming. She jumped up, spinning her spear around. The soldiers noticed her and fell silent, each preparing. A moment later, Zander appeared, Andromeda and the rest of the troops behind him.
Zander smiled when he saw Sophia’s spear pointed towards him. “Relax, Sophia, all is well.”
Sophia dropped her spear to her side. “You’re late, General.”
“We lost our way for a while, and the camp was better hidden than we expected, but we found it in the end.” Zander took a seat on one of the boulders, indicating for Sophia and Andromeda to do the same. The soldiers mingled together, returning to states of ease.
“So, General, what did you learn?” Sophia asked as she sat down.
“Well, they have a camp here all right. It’s new, definitely. I saw no sign of Erion, but he may have already left. I estimate fifty soldiers in the camp.”
“What of the dragon?” That was what Sophia was most eager to learn about.
“Hard to know. We saw no dragon, but the rear of the camp connected to a cave, huge by the look of it. Certainly big enough to house a beast of that size. If there is a dragon in the camp, that is where it will be.”
“General, I think we have to attack the camp, and soon,” Sophia said. She had spent a long time thinking about it, and had come to the conclusion that they needed to take out the camp. Dragon or no dragon, this base was all too close for her liking.
“I agree, Sophia. We have no other option.”
“But there are fifty soldiers there, compared to our two dozen,” Andromeda said. “We are vastly outnumbered.”
“We have surprise on our side,” Sophia said. “They don’t expect an attack. We move quickly, and half their numbers will be gone before they even know what is happening. We can do it.”
“That’s the spirit, Sophia,” Zander said, grinning. “This brings me back to the old days.”
Sophia smiled back at him. “Let’s hope this time things end better.”
“Don’t worry, they will. Now, let’s get to preparing our plans.”
***
The sun dipped behind the mountains. Nearby, Sophia knew the Lorrics would be lighting their torches. They would be settling down for the night, confident in their hiding spot. War was closer than they thought.
Sophia turned to face Zander and Andromeda. The soldiers were gathered behind them, preparing their weapons. Their conversations were quiet, and many waited in silence.
“We are clear on the plan?” Sophia asked.
“Indeed,” Zander said. “We have gone over it enough times.”
“You are sure we are not rushing this?” Andromeda asked.
“We do not have any more time,” Sophia replied. “Even now, reinforcements could be coming from Lorr to strengthen their position. We have to act now, while we can.”
“Agreed,” Zander said. He glanced up at the darkening sky. “It is time to get into position.”
“Remember, General, do not act until night has fully set in.”
“Don’t worry about me, Sophia,” Zander said, smiling. “See you on the other side.”
Zander turned away and began to climb up a steep ridge. On the other side was the Lorric encampment. Their soldiers split, half going with Zander, half staying with Sophia and Andromeda.
Sopha looked away from Zander and set off along the path. She slipped her spear off her back and into her hands. The trail looped around the ridge. She moved swiftly, yet carefully, checking each corner before she took it.
Eventually, she looked around a bend to see the entrance to the Lorric camp. A wooden gate was open, the Lorrics having little fear of attackers. A group of soldiers lounged outside it, unalert to their surroundings. Sophia moved around so she could see into the camp. Rocks and boulders provided sufficient cover for her soldiers. Now, she waited.
The night continued to grow darker; soon the only light was from the Lorric’s torches. Finally, the moon broke through the clouds and shone pale light down onto the mountains. It was in that moment that Zander began the attack.
Without a sound, a line of lights appeared along the ridge beside the Lorric camp. Before the Lorrics could take them in, the lights flew across the sky. The burning arrows crashed into the tents, setting them ablaze. More arrows followed, Zander spreading his dozen troops to seem like a hundred.
Sophia left her cover and strode towards the entrance. The soldiers had turned to face the fire, trying to find the source of the attack. One turned back just as Sophia approached. Sophia’s spear drove through their chest before they could make a sound.
The others turned as their body hit the ground. Sophia cut her spear across one, spinning around to stab another. Andromeda appeared at her side, sword and shield in hand. Andromeda caught a blow on her shield, swinging back to chop off the Lorric’s head.
Some Lorrics fled towards the entrance as half of the camp was now burning. They met Sophia’s group, who cut down their surprised foe. Zander’s arrows of fire had stopped, his archers now carefully picking off the surviving Lorrics. Some few charged the ridge, but Zander had already descended. He cut his way through his enemies, his sword reflecting the light of the fire.
Sophia continued to make her way through the burning camp, killing any Lorrics she found. A small few managed to organise themselves into a structured unit, but by then they had lost any advantage they may have held. Sophia and Andromeda led the charge against them, slaughtering them quickly.
Sophia met up with Zander at the edge of the camp. Her soldiers were sweeping through it, searching for any survivors. Any they found would be dispatched with quickly.
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“Well done, Sophia,” Zander said as he approached her. “It seems your plan worked perfectly.”
“Indeed,” Sophia said. “Any sign of Erion?”
Zander shook his head. “No. He must have already left for Lorr, if he was ever here.”
Sophia nodded. “My only worry is their patrols. We know that they will have some out there, who might carry word back to Lorr.”
“The patrols have little resources. If they tried, they couldn’t make it back to Lorr. And they will not try. They will see the smoke and return here, where we can deal with them.”
“I hope you are right. Your archers can watch the perimeter. Now, it is time to see what we have fought for.”
Sophia turned towards the cave at the back of the camp, and Zander followed her gaze. They walked towards it. Andromeda already waited for them outside, having searched the camp.
“Camp’s clear,” Andromeda said as they approached.
“Good,” Zander said. “Then we are ready to enter the cave.”
All three looked at the cave as their soldiers gathered behind them. Torches illuminated the inside of the cave, until it twisted around a corner. The entrance was huge, and the cavern only grew bigger on the inside.
Zander led the way into the cave, Sophia and Andromeda on either side. Some soldiers followed them, others taking positions along the edge of the camp. The camp still burned, most of the tents reduced to ashes.
As Zander turned a corner, an arrow thudded into his arm. He stumbled backwards. Sophia dragged him back around the curve as more arrows flew at them, crashing into the stone wall.
“It seems some Lorrics still live,” Andromeda said. Sophia knelt beside Zander but he waved her away. He yanked the arrow of his arm, stopping the blood flow with a piece of his cloak.
“Are you okay, General?” Sophia asked.
“I am fine, Sophia,” Zander said as he stood up. “You know me well enough to know a simple arrow won’t stop me.”
“All right then.” Sophia was amazed by Zander’s resilience, but now was not the time to think on that. “We must figure out a way to kill these last ones.” The arrow fire had stopped, the Lorrics saving their resources until they saw a target.
“How many do you think there are?” Andromeda asked.
“Let me check.” Sophia crept to the edge of her cover. She ducked her head out and yanked it back as the arrows began flying.
“Well?” Zander asked.
“No more than half a dozen, by my reckoning. Hand me your bow,” Sophia said to one of the soldiers. He gave it to her, along with his arrows. “Andromeda, give me cover.”
Andromeda moved out of cover, her shield held before her. She stayed low. Sophia ducked out after her. The arrows came immediately, some hitting the shield, some missing entirely. Sophia shot back, her arrows carefully aimed to pick off targets. Zander took advantage of the Lorrics ducking for cover. He ran out, shield held in front of him, his sword drawn. He charged the nearest soldier, an arrow crashing into his shield. Zander smashed his shield off the Lorric, cutting the soldier down as he stumbled backwards. Sophia picked off another two, Zander moving across to kill the last archer.
Sophia walked out from behind Andromeda’s shield. She tossed the bow back to the Prollan soldier. She checked the fallen, making sure they were dead. They didn’t want any surprises later.
“I smell blood, and smoke fills my cave, and yet I haven’t done anything,” a voice said, appearing in Sophia’s mind. She looked around, startled. The other Prollans were looking equally confused.
Only Zander seemed undisturbed. He strode over to the back of the cave. A cover was draped over something huge. Sophia had noticed it but had cast it out of her mind when dealing with the Lorrics. Zander pulled the cover off to reveal a cage. It took Sophia a moment to comprehend the shape inside. Red leathery wings were folded back onto ruby scales, chains tied across the body. A head looked out into the cave, large eyes of swirling crimson staring at the Prollans. Horns and spikes crowned the head and ran down the neck. Giant talons lay underneath the body, chained down.
Sophia took a step back unconsciously. She had never seen a dragon before, but she had heard more tales than she could remember in this life and the last. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight of the beast in the cage.
“I see my guard has changed,” the voice said in her head again. The dragon did not move, his mouth chained shut, but Sophia had no doubt that it was him that had spoken in her mind.
“So the dragon is real,” Zander said, staring at the beast.
“Oh, I am real all right. As is my anger. So set me free now, puny human, or I shall squash you like the insect you are.”
“I don’t think I will set you free. Not yet, anyway.”
“I doubted you would. But I thought I would be kind and give you a chance to save yourself. For I am Lasraul the Annihilator, and all who face me die!”
“The Annihilator, eh? Did you come up with that yourself, or is that what your dragon friends call you?”
“You mock, puny human. But unleash me, and then we will see how strong you really are.” Sophia shivered just thinking of the dragon freed.
“Maybe later. But for now, tell me how powerful you are.”
“I am more powerful than your tiny brain could ever comprehend. I have razed cities to the ground, slaughtered armies consisting of thousands of warriors, burned forests, squashed mountains. There is nothing that could stand before me.”
“And yet you were captured. Wrapped in chains, bound in a cage.”
“A moment of weakness, nothing more. It will never happen again, you will see.” The voice spoke with anger in Sophia’s mind.
“Indeed.” Zander paced up and down in front of the cage. “So, Lasraul, you would have no difficulty in destroying a massive city?”
“None. They could do nothing to stop me, once I’m free.”
“Do you want revenge from the people who put you in here?”
“Their blood will flow. Those who ordered this heinous act shall suffer.”
“So, if I let you out, would you hunt them?”
“We both know there would be little need for hunting. They are not hiding.”
“So you would go to Lorr?” Zander asked. Sophia tore her eyes off the dragon to look at Zander. Sophia didn’t like where this was going.
“Of course. But, human, what makes you think I would not kill you first? Do you think I am so kind as to let you live?”
“I am no fool, Lasraul. I have no doubt that once the chains are off, you will show no kindness. But I plan to be in Lorr when you are freed.”
“You are a clever human, aren’t you? You want me to have no choice but to go to Lorr. But why shouldn’t I go to your home first? I hear Prollans are equally as tasty as Lorrics, and once I am freed there will be nothing to stop me from going anywhere. I can visit both Lorr and Prolla.” Sophia knew Prolla had nothing that could stop this beast before it killed hundreds if not thousands of them.
“You could do that, of course. But why would you? Lorr is a bigger, stronger city, and the rewards are so much greater. You are not the first dragon I have seen. I know gold is what you crave. And the coffers of Lorr are overflowing. After you are finished there, you may never want to return to your mountains again.”
“Set me free, then. We shall see if you are right, clever human.”
“I must go now, Lasraul. I will return in many days. When I do, then we shall discuss your freedom fully.”
Zander turned on his heels and left the cave. Sophia looked at the dragon a final time before hurrying after him. Andromeda came after her. Zander turned to face them once they were outside. The camp was nothing more than smouldering ashes by that time.
“Zander, you cannot have been serious with that plan?” Sophia asked incredulously.
“I’m dead serious,” Zander said.
“But did you not see him? If we set him free, he will kill us all!”
“Calm down, Sophia. You have let him get to you. Have you ever heard the tales about the minds of dragons? It is said that dragons have the ability to influence our thoughts. This one seems weak, but the ability is there no doubt. He wants you to fear him. Do not be fooled by it.”
“Do you think if he comes for Prolla we stand a chance?” Andromeda asked as Sophia fell silent.
“Of course we do. Because we are aware that he might come. He may be strong, but he is still killable. We will prepare our city.”
“How can you be certain?”
“We can’t be certain, Andromeda. Most plans do not come with any certainty. But we must go with them anyway if we want to stand a chance in this war.”
“But this is a dragon, General! We have no idea what he will do!”
“We know what he will do. He will go to Lorr. He cannot help it. It is in his very nature, to crave gold. And we will be in Lorr too, to ensure that no matter what happens Caedan dies. The dragon is the perfect cover.”
Andromeda turned to Sophia. “You cannot think he is right, Sophia?”
“I hate to admit it, but Zander has a point,” Sophia said slowly. “This is an opportunity. If we do it right, we take out the heart of the Lorric Empire.”
Andromeda shook her head. “Sir, I still think it is too risky.”
Zander shrugged. “Maybe. But that is not for us to decide. Prepare the soldiers to guard the camp in our absence. We ride for King Leon at dawn.”