The Three Realms

Chapter 9- Behind Enemy Lines

Fraya twitched in her sleep, dreaming of the day before, wishing with all her heart that things could have gone differently.

Fraya raced back toward Octiura's gates, hiding behind a bush when she got there. Luca followed quickly and watched as the scores and scores of dragons flew away from their home, blamed for something they did not do. As the two watched, they noticed a couple of the dragons dipping down before coming back up again, "Wow," the girl whispered. "The magic really is weakening. I just can't believe it!"

Luca tore his eyes away from the fleeing dragons and back toward Fraya's realm, "They really did quarantine the city. Hey Fraya, didn't you say that many of the guards were bonded to dragons? Even if they are under some sort of spell, they should feel a strong enough connection to their bond to try and keep them together!" Fraya looked at her friend, with tears in her eyes, "I know, and I'm not sure that they've found a good solution to the bond separation. I'm afraid that many of these men and dragons will die very soon, and some not even because of the magic."

The girl snapped awake, forgetting where she was for a second before her brain caught up with her eyes. Fraya groaned and sat up, seeing Luca sitting near her with his back against a tree, "Hey," she said quietly. "Hey," he replied, not moving.

"How long do you think some of these dragons have before the distance from their bonds takes its toll?"

Luca sighed and turned his head, "I don't know. How long do you think it will take for the magic to run out and the dragons die?" Fraya scrunched her eyebrows down, "Good question. We'd better get moving. We've rested long enough."

Soon the hundreds of dragons were back in the air and heading toward the plains. Finally, in the fading light from the sun, Fraya looked upon her enemy. Octiura's enemy. Finally she would be able to get vengeance on those who took her king from her and endangered her people. Wait. The King! 

"STOP!" Fraya screeched. 

Just then a huge mostly gray dragon rose into the sky, "Halt!" Balthasar called. Then he recognized Jade and Kosh, "What are you two doing here? Are these all the dragons of Octiura?!" 

"Balthasar!" Fraya cried out, blinking hard and trying not to cry. The dragon's eyes snapped toward her and widened, "Everyone land." He said numbly. "You will join with us. We attack at dawn."

As soon as Astira folded her wings and landed, Fraya leapt from her back and raced toward Balthasar, hugging him tightly around the neck, "I've missed you so much," she murmured, burying her face in his scales. Balthasar softly huffed smoke into her hair, "I've missed you too, Fraya." Then the girl felt him stiffen and she quickly released him, "What's going on? Balthasar, are you ok?" The dragon held his breath, determined not to have another episode in front of his bond. Fraya was looking at him, wide-eyed, "Let me help you," she said softly. 

The girl put her hands on Balthasar's nose and closed her eyes, imagining pushing some of her energy into her bond. A couple seconds later, Balthasar relaxed. "Thank you," he said. Fraya smiled a strained smile, noticing that the rich green hue of her bond's scales was completely gone. It had been replaced with gray, and a swampy green.

Luca walked up behind her and cleared his throat, snapping Fraya out of her revere, "Oh, Balthasar, this is Luca. He helped me escape from prison and get out of Octiura." The great dragon looked down on the boy, his eyes narrowed. Luca looked like the enemy with lavender eyes, shock black hair, and tanned skin. The dragon decided to keep a close watch on the boy. No way was a warlock getting near Fraya!

"There's no time for long introductions," Jade interrupted. "You said you were to attack at dawn..." She trailed off. Balthasar nodded. "This way, Jade, Kosh. Fraya come on, you should hear this." The girl nodded and followed, motioning quickly for Luca to follow her. After all that time of being together and relying on each other, it felt strange to leave him behind.