The Clash of Land and Sea_The Dragon Riders of Arvain

by Nicholas Clausen

  I am not sure why that would be a bad thing. Having the possibility of battle everyday would be an amazing life. Shane stopped and thought about what Rilora was saying.

  He had to keep reminding himself that she was a dragon and didn’t think the same way that humans did.

  Shane grabbed his sword off of his bed and strapped it onto his hip. He walked out of his room and climbed his way to the top of Out Post.

  Shane quickly climbed onto Rilora and tightened the straps on his saddle before anyone else showed up on the landing pad. Shane had not traded in his copper armor for the elves armor, neither had Cass or Hayden. He loved wearing dragon scales that came from Rilora but he did feel strangely out of place wearing it around the elves.

  Rilora waited for his signal before they took off into the air, which she didn’t always do.

  What are we doing today? Rilora asked as she jumped off the edge of the landing platform and into the air.

  Shane hardly felt the rush and excitement of flying on dragon back anymore. It had become as natural as walking to him. Cass wants us to make sure our defenses are going to finish up on time and help out where ever we are needed. She also wants us to fly as low as possible so the Metallics don’t see us.

  Rilora stopped her climb upwards into the sky and focused on staying just above the trees. Shane knew that Rilora was too worked up about the battle to argue and fight his commands but it still made him uneasy when she obeyed his every word without a moment hesitation.

  I think it would be a good idea if you landed a good bit behind the front line so no one sees us land. Rilora nodded her copper head and began flying directly for a good spot to land.

  Rilora was the only dragon on the field, which allowed her to land quickly and with little to no noise disturbing the surrounding area. Shane undid the straps and began to walk into the woods.

  I will be a little while so if you want to go hunt or rest somewhere I can just call for you if I need you. Shane suggested.

  Instead Rilora lowered her body to the ground but kept her head elevated and looking around the sky for trouble.

  That’s ok I will wait here. Rilora said without looking at Shane.

  Are you sure? Shane asked. Rilora was many things but a patient dragon was not one of them.

  Rilora nodded her copper head and looked back up to the sky. Shane was not sure what had Rilora on edge but if his dragon was nervous then something was wrong.

  Shane decided to make his rounds quickly and get back to his dragon as soon as possible. Even though he was covered in armor and he had his sword Shane still felt exposed without Rilora nearby.

  Shane walked down the now well beaten path that led to the front line of their defenses. As he neared he was greeted with the sounds of the elves hard at work on the last defenses.

  The elves were building traps all along the trees and making the paths impossible to go around the traps. They were hanging up giant logs from the tree tops that would break loose and smash into anyone unfortunate enough to set off the trap.

  The elves were working as fast as they could to ready as many traps as possible. Shane guessed it helped to have the enemy camped just on the other side of the forest.

  Shane greeted the elves quickly but he did not want to take any of them from their work and they didn’t seem to want to stop and talk to him.

  As Shane neared the tree line he saw one of the dragon riders he had trained monitoring the building of their defenses.

  “How goes it Fren?” Shane asked as he neared the elf.

  The elf smiled at Shane as he walked up. “Everything seems to be ahead of schedule. We should have the last of the traps up by night fall.”

  “Good, the troops will feel better once we are prepared.” Shane responded. Shane noticed that all around him elves were wrapping the bottom of the trees in leather hides.

  They were wrapping the tree to almost the height of a man. Shane watched them sew the leather in place and stuff the leather with cloth.

  “What are they doing that for?” Shane asked. To him it looked they were wrapping up the blankets for the winter but winter had already passed.

  Fren followed his gaze and laughed. “That? That was Cass’s latest idea. She wants the base of the trees closest to the tree line covered in leather and stuffed to widen out the trees and give our archers a little more room to hide behind.”

  “Cass really thinks of everything.” Shane said out loud.

  “Let’s just hope the enemy doesn’t as well.” Fren said with all seriousness.

  I hope he is right about that. Rilora said. Shane nodded to Fren and continued to walk around and look at the forest around him.

  Shane had to admit that as the elves finished their traps and began to hide them he could scarcely see them anymore. Even if he had watched them hide the traps.

  “This should work.” Fren said as he they watched the progress the elves were making.

  “It will work.” Shane replied. After deciding that things could not be going any better than they were already going, Shane made his way back into the forest.

  Before he could make it back to Rilora, a large group of elves came walking up through the path with baskets filled with arrows on their backs. Shane moved out of their way and watched as they placed the baskets beside the trees that had already been wrapped.

  Cass had told Shane that she had ordered triple the amount of arrows that the elves had thought they were going to need and that she wanted every elf with a quiver on their back and every tree to have a basket of arrows by it. She had insisted that she wanted as many arrows readily available for the battle. She did not want anyone running out.

  Shane finally got back to Rilora, who was sitting exactly as he had left her.

  Are you sure you are ok? Shane asked.

  I am, are you ready to go now? She responded.

  Yes, let’s head back to Out Post. Shane jumped on Rilora’s back and strapped himself in. Just as Rilora took off and cleared the tree line Shane heard a sound that made him all but jump out of his skin.

  The sound of dragons roaring behind him. Shane turned around as fast as he could and his fears were realized.

  The Metallic Dragons had arrived at last.

  Hayden put his hand on his dagger but did not pull the blade out. He waited in the darkness while his eyes began to adjust and he was able to see the outline and shapes of people around him.

  Draek how close are you? Hayden asked. He slowly put his right leg behind him as he assumed a fighting stance.

  Not close, can you get off the ship and hide? Draek asked.

  Not easily, I would have to fight my way out. Hayden was about to attempt just that when as if on cue Rimney reached out and put her hand on his shoulders.

  “How did you know?” Rimney asked but not angrily.

  “Do you really think that a silver dragon rider and his dragon could be hiding in our waters and we would not know about it?” One of the shadowy figures said.

  “The question is why did you bring him amongst us?” Another figure spoke out.

  “To kill us? Do you wish to rule the seas with your silver rider?” Hayden was having a hard time figuring out who was speaking but he did hear the unmistakable sound of steal being drawn.

  “No he is not here to harm you. He is here as a friend and seeking help.” Rimney said.

  “Hahaha. And why would a silver rider need our help?” Hayden thought it was the first speaker talking again. “Why would he not go to the other Metallic Riders for help?”

  “Because that’s who we are fighting.” Hayden shouted. He hated feeling like they were talking over him.

  “What are you talking about?” One of the figures said after a few seconds of silence.

  “My friends and I are at war with the Metallic Nation and the only chance we have of winning is if you all agree to help us.” Hayden relied.

  “This is some trick. They are trying to see if there are any amongst us who would rise against the Me
tallic Riders.” Hayden heard the voice come from behind him but he had no idea which one spoke.

  “It is not a trick. We ran away after the battle with the dwarves a few months back and they came looking for us. We have already fought and killed a few of their riders but they are sending an army now and we need help.” Hayden was trying his best to not sound as desperate as he actually was.

  “What is your name?” Hayden was asked.

  “I am Hayden the Silver, Rider of Draek.” Hayden said with a hint of pride.

  “And who are your friends that ran away with you?” The voice asked out of the darkness again.

  “There are two other riders that fled with me.” Hayden heard the pirates start to laugh in the darkness again.

  “If what you say is true, then you want us to join you and your two friends and fight an entire army. It sounds like someone has drunk too much sea water.” Yet another speaker said.

  “It’s not just the three of us. When the riders that we had killed attacked us King Aelfrie was slain. Since then his daughter Kirin, Queen of the Elves and Rider of Nignra has joined our cause and the entire elf nation is preparing to fight.” Hayden was having a hard time concentrating on what he was saying because every creak of the ship sounded like someone stepping behind him.

  “So not only do you ask us to join you and fight the single strongest nation in Arvain, but you want us to fight alongside elves while doing it?”

  Be careful Hayden I am coming as fast as I can. Don’t do anything reckless. Draek’s voice was full of panic.

  “I am asking for your help to once and for all stand up against the Metallic Riders and fight for your freedom.” Hayden said. He was trying his best to find a way out of the room but he had no idea where the door was anymore.

  “Freedom? Young rider we are free out here on the Burden Sea.” An older voice spoke out to him.

  “You are free?” Hayden asked. “Are any of you dragon riders?”

  Hayden be careful. Draek knew where Hayden’s thoughts were going.

  “We are all dragon riders. It is just one of the many requirements to be part of The Head.” All around him Hayden heard the shadows murmuring their agreement.

  “If you are all dragon riders then do you not bare the brand of the blue dragon riders?” This time Hayden’s question was met with silence. Hayden could imagine Rimney moving her hand down to her hip.

  “And who branded you? If you are truly free men then why did you allow someone to brand you, or your children?” Hayden asked.

  What did I just say about being reckless? Draek asked but Hayden couldn’t think about Draek he was too busy focusing on what he was doing.

  “You are just as much slaves as the elves are, but the difference is they are changing that. They are free now and they stand ready to fight for their freedom.” Hayden put the dagger and back and released the handle.

  “They will fight but they will die.” Rimney said behind Hayden. “Without the help of the Sea Serpents.” Hayden nodded to Rimney and hopped that she had seen it.

  “And why should that matter to us?” Finally one of the shadow figures lit a small flame and put it inside a lantern. The glass was dirty so the lantern gave off just enough light to encase the speaking figure.

  Hayden was shocked to see an elderly man holding the lantern. His hair had long since turned grey and the clothes he wore looked like those a wealthy man would ware, not those of a pirate.

  “If we join up with you and loose then we will have condemned all of our people to death, or worse.” He spoke again.

  “Worse is coming if you join us or not.” Hayden said.

  “Explain yourself.” The man replied.

  Hayden I am nearing the floating island, are you ready? Draek asked.

  Stay unseen but close. Hayden answered as he thought on what he was going to tell the man.

  “Elizabeth The Gold is starting a crusade to recapture Arvain just as the original Metallic Riders did. She announced it after we slaughtered the dwarf army.” Hayden hated admitting that he had taken part in the battle but it was the truth.

  “If you stand by and do nothing then when she finishes with the elves Elizabeth will turn her eyes to the other races of Arvain, to make sure that they never have the idea to try to oppose her.” The old man did not respond because he knew that what Hayden was saying sounded true.

  “So we are doomed either way.” The pirate mumbled to himself.

  “Not if we fight and win.” When Hayden finished speaking he immediately felt a change in the room. He no longer felt unsafe but instead he felt like he truly had everyone’s attention.

  “You cannot win, even with our help. They will be expecting everything you could have planned. They have riders who plan for every possible trick that you could come up with. You know this, you are a Metallic Rider.” The old pirate said the sentence with a sneer.

  “I am not a Metallic Rider anymore. I may have a silver dragon but we are not part of them. I do know about the riders that plan out battles, we have one on our side.” Hayden didn’t want to play all his cards at once just in case The Head decided to turn on him and attack the elves.

  “You have a gold dragon rider with you?” For the first time since Hayden had been trapped in the room the old pirate actually seemed shocked.

  “Yes and a copper rider as well.” Hayden answered their question. “Cassidy the Gold and Shane the Copper.”

  “Where are they now?” Hayden debated whether or not to try to lie and say they were on the floating island but he decided that it would be best to tell the truth.

  “They are both back at Out Post, preparing for the upcoming battle. We know what the Metallic Nation will do and how they will do it. We also know what they believe the elves are going to do in the battle.” Hayden began but the pirate cut him off.

  “So you will do the exact opposite of that. You could set up traps and counter attacks and every other trick that would look like what the elves would normally do and lead them into destruction.” The pirate was speaking more to himself then to Hayden.

  I think we are going to be ok. Hayden told Draek.

  “That’s exactly what we are doing.” Hayden confirmed.

  “But even with all that it still won’t be enough to win.” The pirate looked over to the other shadowy figures and nodded his head. All at once they began lighting their own lanterns and soon the cabin was full of a dim yellow glow.

  “You will need help. If there is one thing we hate more than elves, it’s Metallic Riders.” All the pirates grumbled their agreement. “So before we discuss joining you Hayden the Silver.” This time he did not say the title like it was a curse. “We would like to know how all of this came about.”

  Hayden was confused for a few seconds, not sure if they meant what happened with the elves or how he had gotten onto the Floating Island. The pirate cleared it up before Hayden could ask.

  “Tell us your story Hayden, from the beginning.”

  Chapter 23

  Shane had no idea how to respond.

  He looked over his shoulder again as the sky rained down dragons. He was too far away to make out any of the dragons or their riders but by the looks of how many dragons had arrived he had to know many of them.

  At the sight of all the dragons Rilora put on a burst of speed back to Out Post.

  Shaylin and Cass are on their way back. They have already told all the green dragons and the elves are preparing for battle. Rilora shouted with her mind. Shane did not need to respond but he felt his heart begin to race.

  War has come.

  Shane couldn’t help but think. Although his nerves were on high alert and his heart was racing a strange calmness came over him. The waiting was finally over and soon the fighting would begin.

  As Rilora raced across the forest, Shane noticed the rivers of elves flowing underneath the trees all making their way to the edge of the forest and the enemy that awaited them on the other side.

  Let it be enough.
He thought as he saw the swarm of elves mounted on their stags begin to move through the trees as well.

  Enough thinking like that. Rilora scolded. It will be enough because we are more than enough to handle those overly shinny dragons. They were bread to have statues made in their likeness and jewelry made from their scales. I was bread for war. Rilora roared with all her might.

  Her trumpet echoed over the forest tops and caused birds to take flight all around them. The elves that had heard her roar added their voice to hers and soon the forest was alive with shouting.

  The forest seemed to have a heart beat as the elves pushed through the path ways like blood through veins.

  I think you just gave them the best motivational speech. Shane thought as Out Post came into view. Even from far away Shane could make out the golden Shaylin about to land on top of Out Post.

  When Rilora touched down on the landing pad Shane was already getting out of the saddle. He slid down her side and shot off to the trap door as fast as he could. Within seconds Shane was busting into the war room, red faced and out of breath.

  Cass was in the room, already clad in her own golden armor, grabbing up maps and other documents and speedily rolling them up and placing them in a large, leather tube.

  “The dragons are here.” Shane said in between breaths.

  “I know, I just found out before you got here.” Cass said. Her voice was full of worry as she scrambled around to get the last few documents.

  “I saw them land, just behind the main encampment.” Shane said.

  “How many were there? Were they starting to attack or did it look like they were going to be grounded for a while?” Cass stopped what she was doing to face Shane as she asked her questions.

  “I am not sure how many there were but it was more than we have. The sky was full of dragons.” Shane ran over to a large map in the middle of the room that depicted a detailed drawing of Eytherka and the Star Light Plains.

  “There.” He pointed his finger to just behind where the enemy had set up camp. “They were still coming out of the sky while we were heading over here so I don’t know how far back they go.” Shane was trying his best to stay calm but the sight of all the dragons in the air made it seem like their battle was already lost.