Warrior of Duranbro
The Final Act

He opened his eyes, the light forced them open. In front of him stood himself? That couldn`t be, he blinked and looked again. No like himself but not. Blue eyes instead of his black ones,fair hair instead of his dark. But the face was the same almost,maybe a little brighter,serener than his.He stared at the face a stirring of memory,a little flash that this meant something to him. But the darkness had taken all his memories and he couldn`t grasp the fleeting visions long enough to make sense of them. He lifted his hand to touch the figure,then realised that he was not right in front of him at all,that a distance seperated them. Yet he could see him as though he were an arms length away. And then he lifted both arms and sent a bolt of black lightning towards the figure that prevented him from continuing his task. The bolt shot across the distance between them but the other had lifted his arms too and parried the bolt with one of his own silvery blue bolts. He called down a rain of bolts upon the figure,each met with the same resisitance. He continued to send them and he felt his strength returning and his bolts grew stronger. The other bolts seemed to be weakening his triumph would know no bounds when he defeated the usurper and he sent more and more as the other became weaker.And he moved forward to close the gap so the bolts might be stronger a smile upon his face as the other was forced back beneath the onslought of black lighening.

They stood three abreast in the mouth of the tunnel,the beasts were advancing slowly towards them and the soldiers they had forced from the chamber had rallied and they too advanced once again. She heard a voice she recognised and out from the other tunnel behind the beasts came Gilbert,Kearth,Leck and behind them the giant Bodin. “ Started the party without us Keelagh “ laughed Leck as she surveyed the beasts and the men “ Seems you like to play with large numbers good thing we brought some friends that want to play “ she winked and moved to the side as did the others. Padding quietly behind them their eyes fierce and sparkling were the Black Wolves. One look at the Wolves and panic struck the beasts. They began running about trying to find a way out. When they got close to Keelagh,Paidrech and Kaliq they were met with swords. They began to jump into the Lake as the Wolves attacked. The lake boiled and the Dragon that Kaliq had encountered began picking them off one by one,dragging them down to the murky depths beneath. The others made their way over to Keelagh. “ Maybe would be best if we went back into the Chamber Keelagh “ Paidrech shouted above the noise “ There is more room in there we can guard the entrance” She nodded her head and they all backed up the tunnel towards the mouth of the Chamber. The Beasts came after them not so much to attack but to escape the deadly fangs of the Black Wolves,the soldiers of the enemy were being attacked by both beast and Wolf and the sound of their screams was chilling and made their blood run cold. Not all the beasts ran,the larger ones stood their ground and fought,but they were by nature cowardly creatures attacking only weak or defenceless prey in packs. As they fought off the beasts,they heard the sounds of the battle in the skies and the earth beneath them shook when something hit the ground hard. She prayed fervently that it was not Bryn.
Paidrech looked around the Chamber he had noticed when they enetered before that there was an opening and he looked for it now he had a plan, he needed to get into the city and he was hoping that the way was through that opening. He spied it and seeing the others were occupied with the beasts and protecting the eggs he backed off towards it. Through the opening and he found some steps,up he went and when he reached the top he found that there were two ways to go,one led to more steps to his left and one to more steps to his right,he tried the ones to the right and they led to a heavily bolted door. He stopped, this door was bolted from the inside and from the noise he could hear through the door that was not the way into the city. He retraced his steps and took the left ones they led up and along and then up again. Half way up he came across the body of a man.Sword in his hand,Paidrech stepped over him sword ready for when he stepped through the open door before him. He took a deep breath and stepped through. Before him lay another man,this one though still breathed and was stirring. He knelt down beside him and took his sword from his hands as he did the mans eyes shot open. “ Be calm “ Paidrech said to him softly “ I am not the enemy, slowly “ he said as Anton tried to struggle up into a position that would allow him to stand. Paidrech took out the Ring that Zargrith had given him and showed it to the counsellor. Anton smiled “ What happened to Garth?” he asked “ Did you dipatch him? “ Paidrech laughed “ No apparently you did” he said “ He is down the steps “
“ Did he manage to open the outer door for the enemy? “ Anton asked him worried that they had got to the eggs “ No the door is still bolted but would have made no difference my Friend,the enemy cannot defeat the brave Keelagh and her little band “ He then helped Anton to stand up “ Keelagh is here?” he asked him “ She protects the eggs but you need to be showing me the highest building I am in need of a high roof”
“ Why that would be this one,The great Hall,Come I will show you the way up” And they set off along the corridors of the great hall. Paidrech hoped that he would be in time if he was needed and he hoped more that he wouldn’t be.

He was winning he could feel the other weakening,and soon he could go back to what he was doing before.And then he saw the other was joined by another. This man was tall and dark and he did not flinch at the bolts. He raised his hands this other and it was not bolts that escaped from them but light,balls of light,that flew across the expanse of space between them and burst above him,hurting his eyes,his ears,burning,searing. Yet he was not burnt,his flesh was still intact.He became angry and started to call down all the powers he held. He sent visions of Demons and bolts of lightning,he sent howling beasts and ghosts of tortured souls. He saw them recoil and then stand back and send more light and more bolts. He renewed his vigorous efforts and sent more. They were both weakening now trying to fend off the things whirling around them and attacking them. He laughed soon it would be over.

Bailin had watched him and he had waited just a few moments for the light that Yailith had sent to make him open his eyes and look. Yailith had stepped away and left him to deal with it as he promised he would. And when he had opened his eyes there had been what? A flicker of recognition? An awareness of who he was? If there had it had been fleeting,momentary. He knew that his brother was gone,replaced by this Darkness that he saw before him. And later he would mourn him again as he had when he first felt him go many years ago. The battle so far had been an impasse but then he had felt his strength draining and the other growing stronger as though he was feeding from him. Then Yailith had come and stood beside him and had sent his balls of light. Yailith was strong but not yet strong enough for an enemy such as this. And soon they were being beleagured by Demons and lost souls and it was not that they were hurting their bodies but the cries from the lost ones ripped through their minds and it was hard to concentrate and he feared the battle would be lost and he would have failed.

High into the Skies she went flying straight up for miles and they followed her Bryn and he. And suddenly she was swooping back down and she had caught Bryn and thrown him. He flew tumbling across the skies and began to fall his wings closed and he dared not look for fear he would see him hit the ground and not move. She was turning to him now and he shot up and over her catching her wing and spinning her round but she was fast,and soon she was above again and her claws ripped into his wing to try and do what she did to Bryn. He was prepared and he pulled away and up and over again being careful not to expose hhis chest to those massive ripping claws. She breathed fire at him and he dodged it flying beneath and catching her again and she spun and swooped and went for his neck this time and slashed. The claws opening his scales and reaching the flesh beneath. Then he felt her dragged from him and Bryn was there he had caught her neck as she had caught his and she roared with rage and threw the Dragon again and he spun away,then spread his wings and was back. This time she would take no more from the young Dragon and she ripped his wing and threw him crashing to the ground,for a second time, this time Bryn lay unmoving. Argarth roared with pain and grief and attacked once again she who he once would have given his life for. The battle was furious and he was weakening,he was hurt and bleeding and she sensed his weakness she spread her wings to their widest span and soared up for the last attack.

He had reached the roof and found what he needed,though he had to waste precious time setting it up and making sure that it was in the right position. He watched the Dragons fight,he watched the swooping and the soaring and he knew that there would be only one chance,only one,and if he missed.

The battle was his,he felt the power drain from the other two and he raised his hands to unleash the last bolts that would finish it. He opened his eyes to savour the moment of their defeat. He stopped his breath held. He remembered now that which he had forgot and there it stood before him. The dreams he had been having,the reason he had sent the beasts out to stop it. The White Wolf.It stood serenly gazing at him with its strange green eyes. There was no fear in its gaze. There was no fear in its stance. It stood between him and they and watched him. A deep cold fear enveloped him as he looked into those strange eyes. He shook himself mentally,it was only a wolf and he threw the great dark bolt at it.

She emerged onto the roof in time to see Bryn fall to the ground and lie still,she cried out in anguish and pain. She had to get to him and she turned to find the way down. But the battle in the sky held her as it did all those below on the plains. The fighting had stopped,only the battle with the wizards continued with flashes of light and dark. But it was the Dragons that held all their attention now.they swooped and swirled and fought and Dragon blood rained down from the wounds they inflicted on each other. They watched and all felt the gloom as they knew that Argarth was weakening,he fought bravely and furiously but she was the stronger and they feared she would be the victor. Argarth had been stunned and as he gathered himself they watched her open her wings wide for the last attack.
The lighning hit the Wolf. But instead of destroying him it spread out over him and as it spread it changed from dark and black through a myriad of colours into Gold and it grew and became brighter and suddenly it was coming back at him in a wave that he could not hope to escape. His last thought as it hit him and flashed a golden light out over the plains was that he had been wrong,it had not been only a Wolf.
The Golden light flashed out over Yailith and Bailin,out further over the soldiers and the Wolves and the beasts that had emerged from the cavern and were trying to escape back to the mountain,through the tunnels of the cavern and out over the city. Up into the sky where the Dragons fought. Momentarily it blinded the Queen and she poised in midflight wings spread. Paidrech watched and waited he had heard Keelagh cry out and he felt her pain but he turned not his head not moved his eyes or his mind from that which he must do. Just one chance and as the light flashed out he took it. He released the Giant Arrow from its sling and watched as it sailed through the golden light to its target. The Queen blinked and fought to free her sight and just as it became clear the arrow hit. Through the breastplate of scales it tunneled its way into her heart,touched by the golden light and made stronger it pierced the heart and the Queen once more poised in her splendour in the skies for a moment as the heart stopped its beating. Then the wings folded and she fell to the earth below.

Keelagh ran from the roof and down through the city,out through its gate she ran like the wind to get to Bryn. She minded noone and heard nothing. As she came to him she slowed and walked towards the large Dragon lay on the ground. Argarth swooped down and landed nearby and he too went towards his friend his heart heavy with grief. The little band with Paidrech at its head all gathered, Magryth and Wraith,Yailith and Bailin,Myriad and Zargrith. The young Dragon had fought bravely to free them from the Queens madness and they all stood now heads bowed. Wraith moved forward to his friend the one that had saved his life. He snuffled the Dragons face and whined.
“AAAAAtchoo, Damn this green stuff “ A voice said as he sneezed again and opened his eyes. Keelagh stood laughing and crying at the same time. “ Bryn …tis grass” she choked on the words so glad he was not gone. A great cheer went up from those surrounding him “ I really must practice that landing “ he mumbled as he shook his head. Argarth laughed along with Keelagh,” You look like you been tumbling in the hedges Bryntich,scales missing and rips in your wings, will be a little while before you fly far but I think you will be fine” and he winked at the Young Dragon.

They had gathered in the great Chamber beneath the City. The hatching time was here. They had cleared the plains of the Dead Queen and her consorts and all was at peace again. It had been two days since the death of the Queen and they had lost many eggs in the weeks before. They could only hope now that of the Dragons hatching one would be the new Queen. The eggs began to hatch and as each little Dragon head appeared they watched and waited. Mainly they were red and green Dragons and these each went and found themselves a watcher from the group stood waiting. There were three eggs left and they began to crack. The first to emerge was a miniture Bryntich,its flashing irridescant colours and cheeky face bringing laughter and shouts from the crowd. It ignored the group of watchers totally and wandered around and around untill it suddenly shot towards Leck and sat in front of her its tongue lolling and rolling its eyes,so comical was it that Leck dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms round its neck. “ Looks like I just became a mama” she said laughingly as the small Dragon licked her face. The next one was a miniture Argarth and he too ignored the watchers and made his way without hesitation to Gilbert. “ I know nothing about Dragons” laughed Gilbert
“ Well now is the time to learn “ Myriad said laughingly “ But what of when we go adventuring?” he asked her
“ Well then you will have a second watcher or they go with you “ She answered him.
The last egg was now Cracking and they held their breath. And a great cheer went up as the little Golden head emerged slowly,shyly. She looked round the cavern and withdrew her head back into the shell. Reluctant to come out into the strange world full of strange noise and strange creatures. She peeped over the shell again and looked around, stood a little way from the rest of the crowd Bailin watched as she hesitantly emerged. She stood looking round and her shy gaze kept coming back to him.Their eyes met and he smiled at the shyness of what would be the ruler of the Dragons. Without any more hesitation she crossed the cavern and sat before him,then she laid her head against him. Even though she was fresh hatched she was already half his height. “ Well Bailin who better to teach the new Queen than a wizard” Argarth said “ Looks like you and I will be spending much time together from this moment” Bailin didn`t know if he was pleased or not,he looked down into the Golden eyes gazing up at him. He knew that he would spend the rest of his life helping Argarth to teach the Queen of Dragons and building up his own powers. He knew also that this was what he had been meant to do and was why he had found Paidrech all those years ago. He smiled and knelt down to the Dragon and hugged her.
All was well in the Land of Duranbro once more. And the band of Travellers could rest. For now……

Part six...The Battle for Duranbro
Chapter four...Each to his own
Part two

Part two

He hurried to the steps,he had made his way through the city dodging the fire falling from the sky and now he had but to open the doors and the secret way to the cavern and his plan would be almost done. They hadn`t missed him when the battle had started and he had sneaked back through the ranks and back into the City. He no longer moved with the lighthearted sureness he had been displaying for weeks. Things had started to go wrong,first the Prince had appeared. He that should have been dead these last six years,the one he had believed dead. And he was sure that Kenlyth knew he was the one but that mattered not for there was nothing he could do now,he was out there protecting his beloved Queen and her consort. He reached the Hall and hurried through the corridors and down steps and more corridors,he had the feeling of time pressing an urgency he hadn`t felt before. He hadn`t known about the ditch of oil,they had been counting on the Wolves to do their damage but it mattered not for now the fire was gone and the battle in full swing and the Wolves would be sent forth again. He had reached the farthest door and as he went to open it he heard a step behind him. He turned and there stood Anton. Smiling arrogant Anton,Weak palsied Anton who had not been able to join the battle because he was a cripple. He felt the sneer on his face as he noticed the sword that Anton wore strapped round his middle. “ Why Anton,” He mused sneeringly “ You look as if you are prepared for battle,should you not be neath the great hall with all the other weak and crippled old men?” Anton just smiled that lazy smile. “ And were you not out with the strong able bodied ones protecting this fair city and its fairer Queen” He replied placing his head on one side and watching the counsellor “ Why be on the losing side?” he watched Antons face closely,no surprise,no shock or horror. Just that lazy smile that he always wore. “ You know Garth,that I will not allow you to open that door? “ Anton said slowly. Garth laughed,a short hard laugh “ You a cripple! Seek to stop me the best swordsman in the counsell?” he spat jeeringly. Anton continued his lazy smile. “ You know Garth the thing about having been born with one leg shorter than the other is that you adapt your body to the disadvantages and turn them to your advantage,I was not left in the city because I could not fight,but because I could” And the smile widened as his hand closed round the hilt of the sword.

All around him he saw only the Mists of darkness,he cared not it had been this way for many years now. He saw the battle not with his eyes but with his mind as he stood concentrating on keeping the Dragons and Wolves and Soldiers under his Will. Of late there had been something niggling in his mind,something he feared he had forgot,not accounted for.But,he would let nothing stop his endeavour to reach the Eggs. Even if he could not prevent the new Queen from being born she would be born into his power,his to command and he would make her dark like him,as he had been made so long ago. There was a humming in the air around him,like something was trying to break his concentration,but he was stronger than that and they could not reach him. Even those little flashes he had been getting of a life that he didn`t remember ever having could not stop him. Now the Wolves would go and wreak havoc and when all was done he would have his victory,and she would have hers.

They had been fighting for awhile and Zargrith knew the soldiers would be getting weary. The battle in the skies was being won to their advantage though and hopefully the Dragons would soon be free to come to the aid of the ground forces. He looked across the plains in a brief respite and saw the chilling sight of the Wolves once again speeding across the plain towards them. And behind them though still distant another wave of soldiers. They would be outnumbered and with the Wolves too he could see no way of winning this battle. He looked acrosss at Myriad. In this moment she looked as he remembered her years ago,hair flowing, face glowing from the battle, eyes flashing. He wanted to tell her to turn and ride back to Duranbro and stay within the city walls untill Paidrech and Keelagh arrived with what he hoped would be reinforcements. But he knew she would not.He only hoped that if the worst were to happen that he would be struck down first because he would not be able to bear seeing her taken from him this way. He felt a movement by him and realised he was surrounded by three Damn he had let his concentration waver and as he glanced back he saw Myriad was trapped too with one coming up behind..

The Swords clashed and clattered and the sound echoed through the hallway. Anton was good but not fast enough and he had managed to wound him slightly. He feigned now and went for the crippled leg,if you couldn`t win fairly then cheat was his motto. He hit the leg hard with the butt of his dagger and Anton began to go down,his bad leg giving way before the assault. Garth raised his sword high for the killing blow. A chilling howl reverberated through the corridors sending ice cold shivers down his spine and making him hesitate just long enough for Anton to swing his sword up and into his midriff,hot pain shot through him and he staggered forward but as he did he dealt Anton a viscious blow to the head with the hilt of his sword. He fell silently and did not move. Garth fell against the wall a red mist now in front of his eyes. The door he had to reach the door. And he staggered forward to the door and pulled it open. Staggering through he found the steps down to the passage way that led to the walls of the city and there would be troops waiting to enter the city.

The Darkness swirled and eddied around him he was serene and the Wolves were going forward now to do their job and he could see that the Queen and her Prince were about to be despatched and that would take the heart from the Duranbro soldiers. Then a long Chilling Howl swept across the plains and just for a moment the Darkness dissapeared and was filled instead with Golden light. He shook his head and concentrated once more on the Wolves and the soldiers and the Dragons,no he had lost the Dragons. It mattered not they were being defeated anyway. The Wolves were becoming harder to hold.

He opened his mouth to call to her to be careful watch out when the Howl went out across the plain and the soldiers stopped,suddenly looking confused and bewildered,he didn`t hesitate and cut all three down he turned to see that Myriad too had taken advantage of the strange behaviour and now they galloped towards each other waiting for the Wolves to come,but then a second Howl went out and the Wolves turned towards the far hill. He looked and there stood in splendour against the sky was the biggest white Wolf that he had ever seen. He hoped fervently that the Wolf was not an enemy. As he watched the huge creature shot down the hill howling again. The Black Wolves ran towards him and as he passed through them turned and followed. His heart was in his mouth untill he saw the Wolf lead them away from them and across to where the new wave of soldiers were now galloping towards them. He saw too the small but very welcome band of soldiers following the Wolf. And he knew that Paidrech had come at last.

The second Howl split his darkness into splinters and made his ears hurt. No stop it he wanted to shout but could not,he struggled with the will of the Wolves. There could be nothing stronger than he.He commanded,he would have to let go of the soldiers for a moment to win back the Wolves and as he did the third howl went out and the link was gone. His Darkness was fracturing around him,he was losing the soldiers,no he had to keep them,Where am I? The soldiers he still had them,he could still do this, Who am I? no go away!! He lifted his hands to his head and grasped it tight to make himself concentrate. And then another light began to force its way past his closed eyelids,forcing him to open them. And his last tenuous link with the battle dissapeared.

They had found the turn off and left the horses there in a place where they would be safe but also so they could escape if need be. They headed now towards the golden light at the end of the long tunnel they were in. They could hear nothing untill they had almost reached the entrance to the giant cavern,and then they could hear the sound of voices from within. Paidrech signalled her to move close against the wall and so it was they sneaked into the cavern rather than walked in and so were undetected by the ones in there. The sight they saw at first pleased and then chilled Keelagh and for a moment left her bewildered, Bryntich and Argarth both were there,and she wanted to call him so pleased was she to see him but when she heard the words that Argarth spoke her pleasure turned to dismay. Surely Bryn and he could not be the traitors, Her precious Bryn could not be the one that would be responsible for the downfall of Duranbro.She listened closer. And as they spoke she understood. In the middle of the lake was a burning ship,dead men lay strewn around the cavern as rag dolls tossed by an angry child.Goltech was on the other side her mighty head raised and looking in disdain first at one Dragon and then at the other.
“ You are both fools” she said to them in a cold angry voice. “ You cannot defeat me either singurlarly or together”
“ We will not allow you to do this Goltech” Argarth spoke calmly but with great strength in his voice. She gave him a cold look and turned to Bryntich “ Why do you follow this one to your doom?” she asked him hissingly. Bryntich raised his head and looked at her defiantly “ When the future of all you hold dear is in danger,you will try to amend it” he answered her “ I..AM…THE…FUTURE!!” she boomed out across the cavern . The whole mountain shook and rocks tumbled and splashed into the lake.Keelagh and Paidrech had to cover their ears and hope the rocks didn`t hit them. They looked at each other,now they understood what they had to do and without hesitating started to make their way round the cavern behind the rocks towards where Goltech stood in front of the entrance to the cavern where lay the eggs.
“ We will not allow you to do this” Argarth told her
“ YOU, will not allow, WHO are YOU that thinks they can stop ME ? This is MY world “ Argarth realised in that moment that the Queen had truly gone mad,there was no Dragon code left inside her mind only her power,her might and what she percieved as hers the rule of all Dragons and creatures of the World. “ Then we shall do what we must Goltech for we will not allow you to harm the Humans” Argarth said coldly. Goltech narrowed her eyes and looked from one to the other,as she did she caught a movement from the corner of her eye and turned her head towards it. Keelagh and Paidrech had made their way round and they had just the space between the last rock and the entrance to cross but it was open and as they tried to sneak along the wall the Great Dragon had caught their movements. Before the Great Dragon could release the fire that would reduce them to ashes Argarth released his at her. She turned and in one movement jumped up with such speed that the two Humans were left gaping after her. Up towards the roof of the cavern,but she did not stop, she broke through the rock and continued to climb straight up through the mountain, rocks tumbling and crashing in to the cavern below, Argarth and Bryntich without hesitation followed her. Paidrech pulled Keelagh into the mouth of the tunnel leading to the eggs just before a huge rock fell in the place she was standing. Rocks hit the burned out boat and sank it in the middle of the lake and they saw what looked like shells belonging to what had been Dragon eggs,Keelagh began to wonder if they were not already too late. As they watched the burning boat sink they saw the prow of another boat coming through the entrance to the tunnel that the lake flowed through,they came back out into the cavern and watched the boat emerge. As it came forward slowly,the few men left on the oars rowing tiredly she saw Kaliq stood with sword in hand. She noted the eggs on the boat and how there seemed to be many more than the boat could hold. Kaliq was dirty and bruised and bleeding but he was alive though he looked weary. He saw Keelagh and he waved his sword leaping over the side of the boat and swimming towards her till he got to the shallow water where he stood and despite his obvious weariness,he smiled “ We got some of them through Keelagh,though we lost many men and some eggs “
“ Its not over yet Kaliq” she said quietly. She turned and looked towards Paidrech,he was looking up at what used to be the roof of the cavern and was now a great hole through which you could see the sky. “Paidrech we must go to the eggs” she said and he looked back at her. “ Yes lets go” and he turned and set off up the tunnel. Keelagh and Kaliq followed him and before they got to the turning into the cavern they heard the sound of swords clashing. They quickened their pace now and emerged into the large cavern where the eggs lay ready for the Hatching. There were soldiers she hadn`t seen before stood in front of the eggs fighting with soldiers the kind she had seen on the battle field “ They are Zargriths men” Paidrech said as he ran forward with his sword raised to join in the frey. Keelagh and Kaliq joined him and soon they had the soldiers backing down the tunnel. The soldiers seemed to be losing their will to fight backing off quite easily. And as they forced them down the tunnel she saw why. There coming round the lake towards them were what seemed to be at least a hundred of the beasts from beyond the mountain. They had no place to go but back to the chamber where effectively they would be trapped.

Part six..The Battle for Duranbro
Chapter four...Each to his own.
Part one

The time had come and Argarth and Bryntich had met on the top of the mountain where thay had held all their meetings so far.
“ You are ready for what we must do” Argarth asked him
“I am ready Argarth”
“ You must be a hundred per cent sure that you are doing the right thing Bryn,she will feed on any uncertainty you have and turn your mind”
“ I am not uncertain about what we have to do only about the outcome” Bryntich sighed and looked out from the mountain top over the land.
“ We cannot think of failure Bryn,for failure would be the end of all we know and all we are “ Argarth answered him softly.
“ I shall not think of it then, I shall instead believe that we shall win and that even if in doing so we perish,so be it. I do have one question though Argarth “
“ Then ask it quickly young one for time is pressing”
“ Why was finding Paidrech so important? I have seen nothing more special about him than his leadership,and apart from the fact that it is possibe that Keelagh is smitten with him and he her I see nothing that makes him the Warrior Moreso than Zargrith”
“ Paidrech is the Warrior Bryn,but in what way I cannot say just that it was written and it will be. She has gone to great lengths to stop Keelagh from finding him. We shall know soon enough his role in what is to come”
“ Then I am ready Argarth shall we begin”
“ Yes tis time come,maybe we still have surprise on our side”
The Two Dragons took off from the top of the mountain and wheeled back towards Duranbro and the task they had to perform.

As they reached the top of the last hill before Duranbro they could see the battle below them on the plains, Keelagh could see no sign of the Dark Wizard. Bailin assured her he was there,out of the way directing his troops. She turned to Paidrech he had been quiet most of the journey and now he looked not towards Duranbro but to the mountain that was to the right of the city. She looked where he looked but could see nothing. As they degan the descent that would take them to the heart of the battle Wraith stopped.She called to him but he took no notice instead he began to move away back towards the top of the hill but further to the left,beyond stood a small forest and she looked at this and then back at Wraith. She wouldn`t blame him if he went now with all he had been through. But that was not Wraiths intention. He stood at the top of the hill and looked down towards the battle. Keelagh turned back to look and what she saw chilled her to the bone. A huge pack of black Wolves were running across the plains towards the Duranbro soldiers. They looked fierce and she knew they would bring down the horses and attack the men on the ground. With the soldiers already pressed it seemed with the ones they were fighting the Wolves would be maybe one thing too many for them to fight and would surely turn the battle in the favour of the Dark One. Suddenly an ear splitting howl went up,long and undulating and carried out across the plains with such clarity that all down there man and beast alike turned towards the sound. The black wolves stopped and turned towards the hill.Keelaghs heart almost stopped beating as the thought flashed across her mind that surely Wraith was not the traitor,surely he that had laid down his life for her could not now be the cause of taking it,for she knew if that pack attacked them they would be sore pressed to fight them off and would certainly not be able to join the battle. The Wolves turned back,the call from the dark one bringing them back to do what they were sent to do. Wraith let out another long howl,that sent shivers down her spine. The Wolves this time turned and headed towards the hill. Stopping and milling about and then starting again. Confused as to which call to answer Wraiths or the Dark ones. Suddenly Wraith shot down the hill howling again.The Wolves didn`t hesitate any longer,they ran towards him and as he passed through the middle of them they turned and followed him. He headed not towards the battle but out across the plain towards where the Dark one must surely be.As he did another wave of soldiers were heading towrds the battle and Duranbro were surely outnumbered. It was towards these that the pack headed. And it was towards these that the men that were with Paidrech now set off at a gallop to intercept.Paidrech grabbed the riens of the her horse and stopped her. “ We cannot join the battle Keelagh” he said She looked at him dumbfounded,” let go of Spirit Paidrech” she shot at him not believing that he could be the one of whom she had been warned “ “ Listen to him Keelagh” came a voice at the side of her,she turned and there was magryth. “ The battle is now thiers and the Dark Wizard is Bailin and Wraiths “ he said nodding his head towards the plains “ You and Paidrech have something more important to do I shall guide you there and then I must join your friends that fight”
Keelagh didn`t argue with the Unicorn,knowing that whatever he had in mind must be important to prevent her from joining the battle. She watched the others gallop across the plain. And she watched as Wraith led the black Wolves in a flanked attack against the newly emerging enemy troops. The Wolves had split into three groups,one to the left ,one to the right,and one that headed straight for the charging horses. She turned away not wanting to see Wraith get hurt. Paidrech had released the reins of the horse and had turned and was following Magryth,she turned and followed too. Down the hill and across the plain towards Duranbro but some distance from the city towards the mountain that Paidrech had been looking at beyond the walls. When they reached the mountain she saw that it was in actual fact too steep to climb from this side and was covered from half way up with shale of the kind usually found on higher mountains. Magryth stopped where the vines and brushes seemed thickest towards the bottom of the hill. And as he touched the vines hanging down they parted revealing an entrance into a large cave.
“ This is your battle Keelagh “ he said moving aside for her to stand near the entrance,she looked at him puzzled at first. Then she understood “ The Dragon eggs “ She murmoured almost too quietly to be heard. “ You have to protect them,and prevent them from being harmed. That is what you and Paidrech are here to do”
The Unicorn looked to Paidrech “ But I have the feeling Paidrech has something else in mind too” Paidrech smiled “ It may not be needed Magryth who knows we shall see” he said mysteriously. Keelagh turned and looked inside the cavern “ Is there room for the horses or do we leave them here?” she asked. “ There will be room,but about half way down there is a turn off leave them there so they may stay safe” Magryth answered her “ And now Keelagh I fear I am needed on the battlefield “
“ I hope that we will see each other again Magryth “ she said to the Unicorn putting her arms round his long neck and laying her cheek against his. “ We will Keelagh this world or the next,we will” she released him and he turned and galloped away towards the sound of the nearby battle. She watched him go and couldn`t help wondering how many would be left at the end of this. “Tis time Keelagh” Paidrech said softly beside her. She turned and followed him through the opening into the Cavern and whatever awaited them there.

Part Six....The battle for Duranbro
Chapter three...The Battle begins

Getting over the mountain had not been easy and had taken longer than they thought it would. Keelagh had known that it would be a rough climb,especially for the horses even though there was a clear mountain path. It was very steep and in some places very precarious. Thankfully they hadn`t lost anyone though there had been a near miss halfway up when one of the horses had stumbled. Both horse and rider were safe though thanks to quick thinking and comradeship. Spirit had been surefooted and had led the way,his black mane flowing in the strong winds that beleagured them as they climbed higher. The brave Eagle Eli had been waiting for them and had made lazy circles in the sky as he waited for them to begin their climb. The descent had been just as tricky but here they were safe and sound on the other side and ready for the last leg of the journey towards Duranbro. Magryth and Bryntich had been waiting on the other side and Wraith had travelled at her side more sure footed than any horse the magnificent creature had travelled the mountain without any problems. Now he stood once again by her side. Since the battle in the forest he had never been more than a short distance from her always in sight and at night he lay beside her. They had told her how he had fought to protect her and how he would not leave her side despite being badly injured. She had grown to love the creature dearly and dreaded the day that he would once again want to be back off to the wild and his own kind.
Bryntich had watched the growing bond between Keelagh and the Wolf and he was pleased that this had happened he felt easier now at having to leave her to go with Argarth . He wanted to be at her side in the battle but knew that she had both Magryth and Wraith to protect her,and by the looks of things Paidrech too would be her champion if needs be. He would have to tell her soon of what he and Argarth planned to do he would have to tell her also that it was possible that he would not come back and that was the thing that weighed on him the most that he might never see her again,that their adventures might end here with this fight.

Argarth watched the soldiers of the advancing Army he had noted what they had, Dragon troops though not so many as theirs and all Red and green ones. They had other flying things though, smaller,winged beasts with long pointed faces and fangs. These he was not happy about though they wouldn`t bother the Dragon troops and would be easy to dispose of as they had no armour of scales as the Dragons had,they were dangerous. He had seen such things before and had noted then that they flew mainly in the dark,now they flew in the light more of the black ones magic no doubt. He would have to make sure he had his troops dispatch as many of these as they could before they could attack the Humans. The most worrying thing was what looked like a huge pack of black Wolves. They seemed to surround the army walking behind,in front and to the sides of the soldiers,they could do much damage for it was known how ferocious Wolves were when protecting their leader. He thought now he saw a pattern emerging. The only way to fight the Wolves and prevent them from attacking the Army would be with fire,the only way to dispatch the flying beats would be with the Dragon troops. If the Troops were fighting both these things it would be less of them to fight the Enemy Dragon troops. He would have to ensure that this did not happen but he didn`t have much time. Wheeling away from his vantage point,safe in the knowledge that not even the Dark Wizard could detect him he flew back to Duranbro to put his plan into action.

Keelagh sat on the Stone and looked at Bryntich there were tears in her eyes as she took in all he had told her. She couldn`t believe that she would be without him at her side but she understood what he had to do and why. He had taken her away from the others so they could talk he had told her that though Magryth knew noone else did or could know not yet. Once the fighting started it wouldn`t matter for by then their own battle would have begun. “ How long have you known? “ she asked him more for something to say than because she really wanted to know,it made no difference really to the outcome of the battle. “ We had suspicions for some time but we wanted to be wrong,Argarth is the one that discovered the truth,the one that pieced it together “ he sighed and her heart went out to him he looked so sad. “ There is no chance you …He .. could be wrong? “
“ No Keelagh,he is not wrong I too have seen for myself the evidence and it has been so hard,keeping this between us. There was no choice of course, everything would have been lost had we spoken before”
“ I don’t want to lose you Bryntich” she whispered trying hard to be the strong brave warrior that she was supposed to be
“ I shall be forever there Keelagh,no matter what happens, Always I will be with you trying in my inept way to guide you. You have to be strong now,and you have Magryth to protect you and Wraith. And Spirit to ride into battle. I wish it could be different Keelagh but Argarth and I are the only ones that can do this “
“ Yes I understand Bryn,but that doesn`t mean I have to like it “
“ No Keely it doesn`t” he answered softly.
Paidrech watched Keelagh talking to the Dragon he knew that something was going on,but he could only read one side of the conversation and that was her side. He had developed many years ago the skill of being to read what people were saying by their lip movements,unfortunately he hadn`t been able to adapt this to Dragons. So Bryntich was leaving them to fight some battle of his own,this perturbed him what could possibly be more important than the battle to come? He looked around to see if he could find the Unicorn maybe he could find out from him what it was that was more important than the battle with the Dark Wizards forces. Magryth was grazing some way from the rest of them,it still caught Paidrech by surprise when he saw him behaving like a mortal horse,but he supposed that even Unicorns magical as they were had to eat. He crossed to the Unicorn and began to question him about what was going on with the Dragons.

The day dawned cold and bright,when the sun had first risen there had been a mist and Myriad was afraid it meant the Dragons would be grounded but it had cleared and the advancing enemy were clearly seen across the pastures. They were here outside the gates of the great city sitting astride their magnificent horses waiting for the battle to commence not knowing what would be thrown at them first. A lone rider came galloping across the plain his white flag fluttering in the breeze. Myriad and Zargrith rode forward to meet him. They could not see his face as he drew level with them,his visor was built so they could see nothing but the blackness of the visor that protected his face. He handed them a scroll and Myriad opened it and read the words
‘ Surrender now before blood is shed and your lives may be spared‘ she smiled a cold smile,and looked at the Rider “ Tell your leader the answer is No,if he wants Duranbro then he will have to fight for it “ The Rider bowed his head to her and turned and rode back. He had not got half way across before the wolves began to run forward. The Dark Wizard had known that there would be no surrender. Myriad and Zargrith gave a signal and and two Huge Dragons flew down and breathed fire across the land in front of them igniting the oil in the ditch that they had dug that night,Argarth had wasted no time in preparing the defences against the Wolves. A huge canopy of Flame sprung up the length of the city walls with the Army safe behind it and the Wolves stopped,they milled about for a few moments unsure what they were to do and then turned and ran back to the Dark Wizards call. The flames were but a respite they would only last as long as the oil burned but it was a good start as the Wolves would be unsure that it would not happen again. Suddenly the air was filled with flying creatures that flew high over the flames and then went to swoop down on the troops. Again Argarth had been well prepared and Arrows flew from the city walls as Dragons swooped in to dispose of this wave of the enemy. The Dragons came then sensing an easy vistory as the Duranbro Dragons were busy with the beasts,but As soon as they cleared the flames they were met with more from the City and the battle of the skies began. The flames began to die down and as they did the horsemen galloped across the plain. The army of Duranbro went to meet them.

Part six…The Battle for Duranbro
Chapter two….All is gathering

They were stood at the base of the Mountain,their last obstacle before they reached the plains of Duranbro. The last few days had been a whirl of activity and she hadn`t as of yet taken in everything that had happened,or the news that she was in fact of royal birth. A fact that Bryn had verified when she had told him what Paidrech had said. At first she was hurt that the one she had entrusted her life to since she was small could keep something of such importance from her. Then when he had painstakingly explained that by doing that he had been protecting her as he had been sworn to do,and that also he was protecting her birth mother and those closest to her,she forgave him. Magryth it turned out was also party to all this knowledge but it was because as he put it,he knew all things even when he didn`t know he knew them.She had laughed at that” How can you not know that you know something? “ she had asked him. “ If I don’t need the knowledge then it is hidden away,my dear Keelagh,can you imagine how hard it would be to concentrate on the mere facts of life and survival if you had all that going on in your head at the same time? “ Yes she could imagine,even the new knowledge she had gained made her head whirl. She had spent hours with Paidrech questioning him about The Prince and she had noticed that Yailith spent long hours with Bailin they were discussing animatedly Magical things and Bailin would purse his lips and nod his head and then it would be the other way round. She never questioned them they would tell when they were ready what it was that they discussed with such animation. She had met many strange and wonderful people over the few days that they were at Paidrechs camp as the call to arms that had gone out from him and The Prince was answered.Tall thin pale men with pointed ears and white Gold hair,Elves, Paidrech had told her. Thickset Dark haired men from across the Water,and many different types of people from all over the Land.All came to go to the battle for Duranbro. The eve before they were to leave camp she asked him if he thought that they would get there on time,they knew that Brachnech had fallen and that the Dark Enemy marched on Duranbro. It had taken weeks to get to here and it would take as many if not more due to the size of the Army to get back again. Surely they would be too late! Paidrech had merely smiled and told her not to worry they would reach Duranbro in time to be of some assistance. Paidrech worried her,there were times over the past few days when they were talking and she had looked into his eyes and she had a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach and had held her breath,a few seconds,no more. Each time she had passed it off to girlish foolishness. Imagination. There was a battle to be fought and perhaps what she saw in his eyes was the thought of the battle to come. She glanced now over to where he stood with Bailin and Yailith discussing the Mountain pass. He looked at the same moment that she did and she looked away again quickly and went over to Bryntich and Magryth who also were discussing the Mountain. She was still in awe at the way that they had arrived here at the foot of the mountain where their adventures had begun. They had not had to recross the lake,or ride for many long and tedious hours. They had merely been told to close their eyes and a flash and thunderous noise,a feeling of sickness like when she first went on a boat and here they were.And others kept appearing,quite a lot of them. Bailin had explained that they had to make it this side of the mountan because the Dark Wizard would know of their arrival if they went to the other side. The mountain cloaked them and the Magic that had been used to get them here. A Magic that had been spun by the Ladies of the Forest.Women in sky blue with long flowing hair and covered in Star dust,twinkling and shining as they moved. They were the Sisters of the Forest and though they could not come with them they had given her Stardust in a little pouch,they had said she would know when to use it. She had spent hours with these Sisters,they had known of her natural affinity with animals and blessed her for her love of nature. This they said would help her in the years to come as Animals and nature would always be on her side. They had fascinated her these magical women,their voices musical and lilting and she hoped that one day she would see them again. They had weaved their magic with star dust,dancing round them in a circle and then telling them to close their eyes. And now just the Mountain to cross and she would be home again.

They had come through the way of the three rivers,but not without losses. Kaliq had not chosen wrong. It seemed it would not have mattered which way he chose something was determined to stop him from getting to the Golden cavern and it was only with Truliths help and those that she had brought with her that they had got this far. He had grown used to the Tiny creature standing on his shoulder and talking into his ear,and he had learned that he didn`t have to whisper so as not to be too loud or booming,just to talk softly. When the Dragon from the depths had appeared rocking the boats and trying to tip out men and eggs she had told him not to be afraid. Two more men they had lost over the side and the rest were tired and weary and scared. But they listened to Kaliq and kept rowing despite the rocking of the boats. Then the Dragon had appeared lifting its head and long neck up and out of the water. The men were terrified but Trulith whispered in his ear for him to blow through the shell he had been given. He had picked up the conical shell that his Tiny companion had travelled in when first they met and placing the narrow end to his lips had blown for all he was worth. A very high pitched sound that was almost too high for he and his men to hear,echoed around the vast caverns and the Dragon turned its head this way and that. And then he saw that the Dragon was Blind. Suddenly there had been little creatures the same as Trulith flitting round the Dragons head ,and his head turned this way and that trying to catch them or rid himself of them Kaliq didn`t know which. Trulith told him to tell the men to row and row they did,for all they were worth. They heard the Dragon splashing behind them as it tried in vain to rid itself of the tiny creatures,then all went quiet. The Dragon had gone back to its lair and would now leave them alone,she had told him. And what of her friends? he had asked her. They were around but would not enter the Golden Cavern and neither would she,this part he had to do alone. And with that she had given him a tiny kiss on his cheek and was gone. Kaliq was more nervous of this than of anything they had faced so far. They had no knowledge of what might be waiting for them. No knowledge of what was happenning in Duranbro and the thought that the city might have fallen while they had been gone weighed heavy on his heart. They only had two more bends in the river and they would know the fates of their families and of themselves.

The soldiers were ready.The Dragon platoons waited for their orders to take flight. Argarth had made sure that the loyal ones were the ones to go out to battle. Which to his delight had been them all. He had a long talk with them and explained exactly what would happen should the new Queen not be born or be born into a world ruled by the Dark one. They were ready for the fight to come and now that Barban was back amongst them to lead them while he and Bryntich were commited to the ultimate challenge,which he was not sure if they would survive,he felt that the Dragon platoons would do all they could to protect Duranbro and its people from the Dark one that marched across the plains to engage them in battle.

They stood on the balcony that led out from the great hall. They would not be riding their Dragons in the battle to come and as much as Zargrith had asked her to stay in the city he knew that she would not. Myriad and he had now been told of the secret that Argarth had been keeping this long while. She knew that her beloved Dragon might not come back from this epic fight and she felt a deep pain that she could not lift. She knew also that there was no way she could not let him go,nothing she could say or do that would stop him from doing what he saw as his duty. It pained and frightened her too that Bryntich would be part of this. Leaving Keelagh without her beloved Dragon and the protection he could give her,though Argarth had assured her that right now she was protected by one that would give his life for her. She turned and looked out over her beloved City to the plains beyond,she could plainly see now the Dark forces heading towards them. It was almost time for the battle to commence.

Warrior of Duranbro Part six..The battle for Duranbro
Chapter one....What once was lost.

The first part of the battle seemed to be over for now. Myriad looked out over the city and took stock of the damage that had been inflicted. It wasn`t as great as she had feared the first wave of Dragons had hoped to take them by surprise but it had not been so. Thanks to Argarth they had been prepared for the attack,he had foreseen how they would begin and he had moved the Dragon troops to a position where they could not be attacked whilst they were taking off,which had obviously been the intention of the attacking Dragons. He had told them how to inflict the greatest harm on the Dragons as they came in and they had built great sling shots to fire giant arrows at the Dragons when they were most exposed. He had disliked exposing the weak spots of his bretheren but right now they were the enemy and his job was to protect his Queen and those of his race that had stayed loyal to him and the people they lived and worked amongst. The first wave of attacking Dragons had all been Red and Green ones and they were no match for Argarth and several more of the same Kind of Dragons,plus the normal Dragon troops. Though Argarth hadn`t shown their full strength he didn`t want the enemy knowing exactly how strong the Dragon troop was,he wanted to know what they had got before he showed their full strength. She knew that they were going to have to go out and face them on the plains,there would be no seige as there was at Brachnech but she had presumed that would be the case it was too near hatching time.The actual bulk of the Enemy Army was at the other side of the plains still marching towards them. The Dragon strike had been just a foretaste,something to keep them busy while the Army reached them. And she knew that no matter how she looked at it she didn`t have enough soldiers to fight the Army advancing towards them. She would have to leave some fighting men in the City and though the people would take up arms and try to protect their city what was coming towards them would take more than swords,axes and arrows to defeat.

He stood far below her,he had made the decision that he would show himself once he had his men placed in position,the rest of the men would go with him,out there onto the plains to fight by her side where they were needed.He had sent the message to Argarth that he would wait no longer,the return message was positive as he had hoped. The time for worrying about the traitor was past and now as he waited for the last of his men to gather he smiled at last the waiting was over.

Myriad had taken chambers higher at the top of the Great Hall so that she could be near Argarth at all times when not out there fighting and planning. The whole of the wall moved to allow the Dragon access to her,these had been her Fathers chambers when Argarth had been his. And were accessed directly from her chambers up the winding stairs. They opened out directly on to the roof and she wondered why she had not used them before,for they were large and airy and the sky seemed just a touch away. She heard the commotion from the stairwell and drew her sword “ Tis nothing to fear” the soft voice of Argarth came floating through the windows. She pulled the lever that opened the wall and he lay there looking at her smiling in that way he had. The door flew open behind her and in rushed Klenyth. His face was pale and he was gasping for breath after his very hurried climb up the steps to the chamber. Argarth had told her it was nothing to fear but looking at Klenyths face she wasn`t so sure,she looked back at him. He still lay there smiling,not worried. “ Klenyth did you now know it is bad manners to burst into a ladies chambers” She scolded the counsellor “ Myriad.. my ..Queen..” he gasped “ What is it for goodness sake,are we being overrun by the hoardes already?” she asked him irked at his inability to answer her through his shortness of breath.
“ If we are tis hoped that I shall be stood at your side to keep them from you “ A voice said from the doorway . She froze. Not believing what her ears had heard,she didn`t even dare look,in case it was just that foolish fancy again. The one that had been plaguing her for weeks. Slowly she looked across at the doorway and he was stood there. The man she had not seen for six long years. She whispered his name “Zargrith” and he was striding across the room and gathering her up to him. She touched his face and his eyes and his mouth not believing he was here that he was real even though she could feel the strength of his arms around her. Klenyth had finally found his breath “ Welcome home Sire “ he said grinning
“ We should let the people know Klenyth that the Prince has returned “ said Argarth to the counsellor “ This may just bring them more heart for the battle ahead “ “ I shall do it at once Argarth “ he answered and hurried out of the chamber. “ And I shall leave you two to talk I am sure that you will have much to say to each other” Argarth said quietly closing the opening to the Chamber.

By the time they came out into the meeting chamber of the Great hall to show the people that he had indeed returned home he had told her the tale of the past six years. She knew of the day he had dissapeared that he had gone hunting but instead of riding his Dragon Barban he had chosen to ride a horse,the hunting trip had been planned for weeks and many knew of it. When the horse had been found riderless with blood on the saddle they had hunted for him. Long nights and days they had spent searching for signs,all that had been found had been his cloak part way down a ravine. Of the three that went with him only one had been found, dead. And it had been presumed that his body and the bodies of the others had gone down the ravine even though they couldn`t be found. They kept hoping of course but then it was discovered that Barban had dissapeared,often if a Dragon feels responsible for the death of his Rider he will hide himself away and mourn.Often for years. And when a Dragon hides noone finds it untill it is ready to be found.
“ But if you are alive where then is Barban?” she asked him before he began his tale.
“ He is near,always near as he has been since that day,had it not been for him I would surely have died out there “ And so he told her of the past six years.
They had ridden out as had been the plan and all seemed to be going well,maybe their guard was down,so relaxed were they. But it was a time of peace and they saw no need to be looking over their shoulders. The party had been attacked he knew not how many but having been taken by surprise and a trap laid for them ( So it appeared when he looked back on it) he didn`t have time for counting just fighting. He had been wounded and they were pushing them back to the Ravine,only he knew they hadn`t been expecting such a ferocious fight and they looked as though they were backing down,when one of his companions had lost his footing and gone over the edge of the ravine grabbing at his cloak as he went,he felt himself pulled over and lost his grip on his sword. But he never hit the bottom, he had been injured on the way down he presumed,he couldn`t remember,in fact for a very long time he couldn`t even remember who he was or what he was or where he came from. Barban had apparently caught him before he hit the bottom,but not before he had many times hit the sides as he went down. He had taken him to the place where he was healed of his injuries and where he stayed for what seemed a long time. Barban was always there never far away from him,though the villagers didn`t like it you didn`t argue with a Dragon that size. For a little while he had lived in the village, a couple of years,but always there was that something in the back of his mind that he belonged somewhere. And so he had set out to find where it was. Barban could have told him,but to have come back with no memory of his life would have been crueller than to be thought dead and besides as Barban knew someone wanted him dead and out of the way,they didn`t know who and to come back that way would have been to leave himself open to another attempt and perhaps a successful one. And so he had wandered trying to find himself,his home. He lent himself to villages who had troubles and fought for them.Then he had heard of a Warrior who did the same with his little Army and he and Barban had searched for them and joined them about two years since. They had fought beside each other in many little skirmishes,it seems there was always someone wanting to take someones land. And they travelled across the sea and fought in battles over there. It was the Wizard who had travelled with them and who was the Warriors constant companion that had finally given him back his memory. He had noticed the dreams he had been having and questioned him closely about them. One night he told him he would help him to find his lost home and he had him watch a burning ember while he spoke to him. He knew not what happened,it was like he fell asleep and when he awoke he remembered all that went before the attack. The Warrior was named Paidrech and he told Paidrech that he had to come home. Paidrech agreed that he must especially as by now they had learned of the siege at Brachnech. The Wizard told him that there was one who had been sent on a quest to find Paidrech and he told them her name. He was astounded to hear her name but he knew why Myriad had sent her and so he told Paidrech the truth about her and asked him to watch for her. They arranged that Paidrech would follow and he gave him his ring so that he might pass safely where it was needed and also to show Keelagh when they met. Paidrech was gathering more for the fight but Zargrith didn`t know if it would be enough seeing the Army out there marching towards them. Barban had brought him and some of Paidrechs men,that were now his men,over the mountains and to Duranbro where they met with Argarth. “ Argarth knew you were alive?” she asked him shocked that her faithful companion would keep this from her. “ Yes my dear,but he couldn`t tell you for fear of what would happen to you and to me”
“ Yes you are right,always he has my welfare at heart” she agreed feeling a little better about it.
As they stepped out into the Meeting place in the Great hall hand in hand to cheers and tears at the return of the Prince there was one who maybe didn`t cheer as loud as the others and who suddenly saw all his hard work and cunning plans teetering on the brink of the abyss of failure. He seethed inside at this turn of events. Then he calmed himself,after all there was a battle to be fought yet who knows what would happen out there in the midst of all that fighting.

Part five....Wrriors and Wizards
Chapter Four...Revelations

She lay on a carpet of green though the leaves and flowers were trampled,this was different to his dream. And though her skin was pale and she appearred to be gone he could detect the slightest breath escaping from the pale lips. The battle was over the strangers had chased off the enemy and were now gathered with the little party around the one they had followed.The tall stranger knelt beside Keelagh,his hand in front of her mouth,trying to feel the breaths that Yailith was sure he had seen. It was not he that Yailith was watching but the other one stood quietly talking with Magryth. Yailith wanted to shout at them,at Magryth,to do his magic,but he was too afraid that if he opened his mouth and said the words from the dream then she would be gone as in the dream. The tall stranger looked up at him and then across to where Magryth stood with his companion. “ Are you two going to chat all day or are you going to do something about the pretty one? “ he asked them “ She is fading fast,she will be beyond you soon”
“ Patience Paidrech we will not allow her to slip away “ his companion answered him softly. He had taken out a small dagger and was gently scraping it down the horn of the Mighty Unicorn catching the little flakes in a what appeared to be small dish. “ Well I wish you would hurry I don’t fancy being roast meat “ Paidrech replied looking across to where Bryntich had just landed. The Dragon stretched his long neck forward untill he was looking Paidrech in the eye,he knew she still lived he felt it,but he also knew that she hovered between this world and the next. There were tears in his eyes he knew he should not have left her to walk through the forest alone “ We will do what we can Dragon “ Paidrech said to him . Bryntich didn`t answer him he lowered his head and laid it beside his beloved Keelagh and watched her face. Magryth and the starnger walked towards her and all moved back out of the way,Wraith was stood beside her and would not move a low whimpering coming from him. The stranger stood at her head and Magryth at her feet and as Magryth lowered his head and his Horn touched the tips of her feet the Stranger scattered the flakes he had gathered on her head and down over her face. A silver light seemed to cover her entire body but it was weak and wavery and Magryth and the stranger looked at each other,Magryth lowered his head again and the Stranger scattered more dust. The light grew a little stronger. Suddenly Chitter leaped down from Bodins shoulder where he had been sat quiet and gathered from the ground a small shell that appeared in the shape of a cup. Scampering to the Dragon he raised the cup and caught the tears that were falling from the Dragons eyes. He ran to Keelagh and tipped the Dragon tears onto her lips as though to let her drink As the liquid touched the lips they changed colour from pale and lifeless to shimmering,this travelled then up her face and down and out infusing her whole body in a Golden light so bright that those around had to look away. Wraith lay at the other side of her from Bryntich and licked her face. As he did she stirred,slowly, very slowly,the eyes fluttered open unseeing at first and then she raised her hand and touched the long snout of the Dragon. She closed her eyes again.
“ She is resting now Dragon and we need to be moving her to our camp “ Paidrech said to Bryntich “ There is room there for you to land and be beside her I shall show you the way”
“ I know already where you camp Paidrech “ Bryn replied “ I have seen it and will be waiting there,I trust you to let no more harm come to her or you will indeed be roast meat “ He finished. He looked again at Keelagh sleeping peacefully now and spread his wings a leap and he was gone up into the sky and wheeling towards the camp that Paidrech had spoken of.
Paidrech turned to his companion “ And the rest of the brave warriors Master Wizard how do they fare? “ His companion was shaking his head still at the little creature “ Dragon tears “ he kept muttering “ Bailin!! “ Paidrech raised his voice. The Wizard came out of his musings with a jump “ Paidrech must you keep doing that? “ he sighed
“ If you stayed in the land of the living I wouldn`t have to” Paidrech laughed “ What of the rest of them?”
“Ah well ,the young Master Gilbert,seems the wound was to the leg and this was why he had gone down so soon,but apparently managed to do some damage to the enemy from down there,got a few more cuts but the Unicorn has fixed them. The lady Leck had a couple of wounds fixed too,The Mighty Bodin doesn`t appear they could get near enough to do any real damage there. The Dwarf Kearth,suffered a head wound but by the looks of that sword and axe managed to dispatch quite a few.Yailith suffered quite a few wounds but nothing too serious and the unicorn has fixed him too. Tis the White Wolf that we are worried for,he wont leave the girls side and so will not let Magryth heal him. His wound is deep and though the blood flow seems slow it is because he is not moving when he moves it will quicken, such a brave creature he tried to protect her and the others throughout the battle.”
“Couldn`t you use the Dragon tears still left in the tiny cup?” Paidrech asked him “ Seems you don’t have to place it on the wound but merely on the creature”
“ I was hoping to save that,such potency,it may have been useful” He sighed “ Ah well he needs to be healed and the Unicorn is loathe to disturb him from the side of the girl,Though as he has been healed by the Unicorn once I shall ask Magryth what his opinion is Paidrech and let us then get back home and get the girl the rest she needs” He turned and walked to Magryth who was stood beside Wraith,the Wolf would not be moved. He had pressed himself into the side of Keelagh and was keeping her warm with the heat of his body. He talked directly into the ear of the Unicorn and when he had finished Magryth nodded his head. He walked to the Wolf but Wraith bared his teeth and would not let him near. Paidrech watched for a few minutes then walked over and took the tiny cup from Bailins hand. He spoke to Wraith in a soft voice as he neared him and then knelt at his head,talking softly all the time he held out his hand palm up. Wraith sniffed his hand hesitantly and then stuck out his tongue to give it a quick lick, as he did so Paidrech dropped the last bit of Dragon Tear onto the Wolfs tongue. Wraith gave a little yelp and withdrew his tongue and as he did the same Golden light that had bathed Keelagh now spread out and bathed Wraith,but then it seemed to jump and to brighten and suddenly both Wolf and Girl were bathed in the same Golden Glow as though they were one creature. When it was gone the Wolf looked up at him and laid his head on the hand that was still held out to him. Paidrech lifted the other hand and rubbed the fur on his head and behind his ears. “ Come Great one let us take your Lady and get her some food and drink” He said quietly and with that he rose and beckoned his men.

She lay quiet watching the scene around her through half closed eyes. When she had woken she had not been sure if she was dead and this was some kind of weird place where you wait for the Godessess to call your name. All her friends were there those she had fought beside,and she knew she had been wounded yet could feel no wounds?. No pains,no aches nothing. In fact she felt quite fit and healthy and renewed. Then a cold wet snout had touched her arm and she saw Wraith laid beside her.The sounds began to penetrate then,the hushed tones of conversation,someone whistling a tune. Horses huffing and the sound of the fires crackling,she could see a few fires dotted around with many people sat round them or stood turning the spits that roasted the hogs. And the smell of the food made her mouth water. Did you get hungry when you were dead? She thought not and decided she must still be alive. A man that had been sat talking with her friends looked across at her and then he rose and came towrds her. She opened her eyes full realising he knew she was awake. He crouched down beside her “ ah the Princess Keelagh is awake,I am sure that you are hungry would you care to join us?” He asked with a playful smile on his face and a hand held out to help her up from the place she rested. She frowned,not sure if he was making fun of her,but she accepted the hand and though she had one moment of dizziness where he caught both arms to steady her, once that passed she felt fine. She followed him to the fire Wraith close by her side, and her companions jumped up to greet her.As she sat they all began talking at once and she laughingly had to tell them one at a time as she couldn`t understand what they said. By the end of the tale with food placed in front of her as they spoke,she learned all that had happened since the battle. The stranger had sat silent throughout and at the end he introduced himself. “ I am Paidrech Princess Keelagh “ he said and bowed over her hand. She looked at him frowning again “ Why do you call me that?” she asked him “ I am not a princess I am just a Dragon rider and sometimes warrior” He tipped his head on one side and looked at her.” You carry the Royal birthmark,Keelagh,” and he moved his hand to brush away her hair and expose the small birthmark she had had since being born “ Besides you look just like your mother and father “ he continued “ did they not tell you before sending you out on this quest? “ She was even more puzzled. “ If you mean the Queen and her husband,then how could they,he has been gone this past six years. She gave me this to give to you “ she said pulling out from inside her clothes a ring on a long chain. She knew that this was the Warrior she had been sent to find. He took it from her. “ I had already received the call Keelagh,from the Prince “ and he pulled from a small pouch a ring identical to the one she had just given him. She sat and stared at the second ring,how could this be,the Prince had been gone six long years and yet this man said he was alive. She looked back at him. “ Allow me to tell you what he told me” And he sat down beside her and told her all the Prince had told him. Before she had been born it had been decided that she would be hid after birth,as they knew that the deaths of the other babies had not been the will of the Goddessess. A traitor there had been in the high counsell and for some reason they had not wanted the bloodline to continue. She had been placed with a very trusted person,the one she had called Mother untill that mothers own death some years ago. When that happened she had been taken into the court of the Queen and looked after there by the Queens personal maid. At the point when her real father had dissapeared she had been trained as a Dragon rider because it had been what she wanted,but she had been given a speacial Dragon Bryntich. Bryntich knew who she was and was vowed to keep the secret untill the Queen said different. He himself had been told to watch for her on his journey to Duranbro as she had been sent to find him. The Queen did not know yet that he had already been called so she had sent Keelagh for two reasons,one to find him and two to keep her from harm at Duranbro as there still remained a traitor there in the high counsell.
Paidrech told how he had fought beside her Father some time ago and her Father had saved his life he had vowed that he would aid him if he were ever needed.
“ Why do they think you can save Duranbro” she asked him
“ That Keelagh I am not sure about unless it is he that is the one they are thinking of” and he pointed to his companion Bailin “ He is the Brother of the Dark Wizard and they have long known that there would come a time when they would clash” Keelagh looked towards the Wizard stood talking to Magryth and Bryn “ But which is the stronger? “ she asked
“ That Keelagh we are about to discover” He said quietly.

Part Five..Warriors and Wizards
Chapter three...The first battle

They had been walking for what seemed hours through the deep green forest. The birds around them sang and only as they passed did the nearest ones fall quiet. They had been chattering quietly amongst themselves to break the tedium of the long walk,and though they tried to remain alert to their surroundings, the warmth of the sun shining down through the tops of the trees and the continuing colour of the forest dulled their senses, and so it was that they did not notice straight away that the birds had gone quiet,and an unnatural hush had descended around them. Wraith had noticed and his fur had begun to rise his pace became slower and more wary as he sniffed the air for signs of the danger he could sense. Spirit began to get nervous and his ears went up and forward. But the humans could see nothing,could hear nothing. They walked a bit longer everything still quiet around them and came to a clearing. They stopped still within the trees and watched for signs of life,there was nothing. Keelagh knew they had to cross the clearing and also that it would put them in plain sight of whatever was out there. She made the decision,standing here gained them nothing,trying to work their way round it could put more hours on their journey through the forest. She stepped out into the clearing and began to make her way across,the others followed.
They were half way across when the first cries descended upon them and out from the trees burst a handful of men brandishing swords and plainly not ready to talk. They were dressed in strange garments with paint on their faces so their features could not be seen plainly. They ran towards the party with blood curdling cries. The travellers formed a circle with their backs in the middle Spirit she had sent off to the trees so he would not get hurt.Wraith stood with fur raised and teeth bared she told him to go,but he wouldn`t leave her. And then she had time to say no more for the men were upon them and they had to protect themselves, swords clashing they fought. She heard a cry of pain from her left and felt rather than saw Gilbert fall,she didn`t know if he was dead or just wounded and had not time to find out as the first wave of attackers were fought off there came another. Wraith did his bit too and she heard him yelp as he too was wounded but he did not stop teeth flashing he evaded swords and ripped chunks of flesh from the seeming hordes that surrounded them. She knew they were outnumbered,she knew that they would fall but she would fight to the very end. She bit her lip on the cry of pain as the sword of the enemy found purchase in the flesh of her arm and continued to fight on. She began to lose count of the number of them she had slain,sweat stung her eyes and her arms ached from the wounds and the continous fighting. She was beginning to feel weak from loss of blood realising she had been wounded in other places than her arm. Suddenly Magryth was there his magnificent mane flashing in the sunlight hooves flying and with him Spirit kicking and trampling to get to her side. The enemy faltered and seemed to pause taken aback by the ferocious attack of the two beasts,she continued to fight her strength was ebbing, she could only just see the ones in front of her,the world seemed to be greying at the edge of her vision. And suddenly the men were running,away from them and there were more men,different men,and the sound of swords clashing from the other side of the enemy and even more men seemed to be pouring into the clearing and she didn`t know which were which or who they were and a red mist seemed to be descending over them and a great roaring noise began and the noise of the battle started to fade. And then there was nothing,no noise,no battle, just this floating sensation as though she was light as air and she opened her eyes and there below her the battle raged and the enemy were losing and she could see herself laid on the ground,her clothes were soaked with blood and she knew not how much was hers and she cared not because she liked this peace,this serenity. And the light was growing brighter. And she heard someone shouting her name,shouting over and over and she felt Wraiths tongue touch her skin as he tried to waken her and then the darkness came.

Part five..Wrriors and wizards
Chapter two...The Forest

Dawn broke and the strange party stood before the mighty towering trees of the forest. Last night they had laughed and Gilbert had sang,he had a mighty fine voice when he left the tomfoolery and let it be natural. They had told tales of the adventures that had brought each here to this place,and it seemed to Keelagh that each one was meant to be there for whatever reason,each one it seemed had got there by misfortune or chance. Gilbert had lived in a large village and had entertained the lords with his singing there had been a young lady that he had thought much of but she had been the daughter of one of the lords,Gilbert himself tended the livestock and as such despite the fact that they would have him attend many banquets,he was not a fit husband. Eventually the lord had seen to it that he was banished blamed for the slaughter of livestock,which had been the lords mens doing. He had wandered since with his act of singing and tomfoolery. Keelagh had watched him become serious and talk,she decided that maybe he wasn`t so bad after all,if he left the tomfoolery out. Bodin came from across the long water from a place of yellow plains filled with sand he had joined a ship that was sailing one day just because he took a mind to,the ship had floundered in giant waves and he had washed up on these shores the only one left from all those aboard. Chitter it seemed had been feeding him fresh water gathered in those tiny hands in the cup of a shell while he had been laid in fever from the water and the cold nights,he had fed him morsels of fruit and covered him in leaves and such to warm him.They had been together since.
Haltingly Kearth the Dwarf had told of how his people had been slaughtered after a mighty battle with a wizard,one they had befreinded and looked after for many years. This Wizard had grown in powers and one day had dissapeared,they had searched for him for many days but could not find him. Then many weeks later he had returned,changed beyond all recognition. No longer the kind person he had been,cruel and vindictive he began to boast of how all the land would be his, he had the power that was beyond most mortal men. They feared that he had gone mad and had mixed a potion to place in his drink,but he had known and had turned on them. He was just one and they were many,but they had not known of the men he had hidden in the hills and when they tried to stop him he called for the men and the battle began. Days the battle had raged untill all his people lay dead or dying he himself mortally wounded,he had crawled into the trees and closed his eyes waiting for the last breath to come. But it had not come,hours later he had opened his eyes to find his wounds gone,magically dissapeared. And while he was weak he was no longer about to walk through deaths door. He had thought that the Wizard had found him,the Dark one Zailin,but he realised had Zailin found him he would not have saved him for anything other than to be his slave.
At this point Keelagh had looked towards Magryth,he had been looking towards the forest but upon feeling her looking he had turned his head slightly towards her and shook his head slightly,she knew it had been he and this was his request to say nothing. She smiled to herself it seemed this little band had not come together by chance at all.
Kearth finished his tale of his adventures saying how he had vowed to find Zaidin and somehow make him pay for what he had done. When they had come upon him he had been trying to get the villagers to pick up their arms and follow him to Brachnech where he had learned the Dark Wizard was holding the city to siege. They were simple folk they knew not of wars and Wizards and such like. And in the end they had decided he was mad and had put him on trial for it. Kearth had been the first one to mention the siege at Brachnech,and Keelagh had begun to think that the people at this side of the water kknew nothing about it.
It seemed that Leck too had been on her way to Bracnech to see what aid she could be to the people there. She had been a warrior for her people but they had settled in peace with those that had been the enemy and she was bored and not at all the wifey kind of woman. She loved adventure and craved the thrill of the battle. Keelagh knew that this woman would have her back should it be needed and was pleased that this would be so. She felt that they all would even though they had been together for such a short time. Each was loyal in their own way not to her so much as to the pledge of freedom which at this moment she represented to them.
Bryntich swooped down from the Skies and made a pretty good landing for him only scooping out two small troughs of earth. He shook the grass and twigs out of his mouth while the others looked on and laughed,they had all learned to move when he was landing. “ Pah Fiddlesticks” he cursed spitting out the last of the grass from his mouth. “ Not as bad that t