Rin

 

 

 

We shoot through the sky, Targon’s wings glistening silver in the moonlight. I keep looking back over my shoulder, expecting to see hoards of dragons behind us, but so far I haven’t seen even one. We fly for hours on end, and when daybreak approaches the fog begins to roll in far below. Targon dips low until the rolling vapors engulf us, and for the first time today calm washes over me.

When the sun rises we stop for several hours. Targon is insistent that we get back to the Wildlands as quickly as possible, but he also hasn’t slept in two or three days and is wounded. We argue back and forth, but eventually he gives in to my pleas. While he sleeps I tend to his wound. It’s not too bad, but better safe than sorry—especially when it’s someone as precious to me as Targon. I try to keep it clean and tear the sleeves from my shirt, wrapping them around his stomach as bandages. My shirt is tattered and when this is all over, I’m going to have to make some fur clothing for myself and Tina.

I watch Targon as he drops right off to sleep. He is strong-willed and so dedicated to me and his clan that it nearly breaks my heart. I’ve never felt so loved before, and even in the midst of this crisis, I know that everything will be okay as long as Targon is by my side. I’m so grateful to have met him, and a part of me knows that even if we find a way to get back home, my heart belongs here with him. Tina volunteers to stay up and keep an eye out, and I curl up beside Targon, comforted by the rise and fall of his chest as I close my eyes.

An hour or so later Tina wakes both of us and we continue on toward the Fire Temple. Targon is worried that the Drakon dragons, instead of chasing us, will go right for the Wildlands, intent on getting there before we do. He thinks they will send out patrols and try to intercept us as we come over the jungle, but it is such a big place that I’m optimistic we’ll be fine.

The red sun hangs high overhead as more daylight passes, and then it drops toward the horizon. Tina and I try again and again to sleep through the night, but there is too much going through our minds. After a long night spent staring off into the horizon, we finally see the jungle below us, and by midday we arrive at Targon’s den.

You two will stay here, he says. He goes back into the depths of his cave, and when he returns, he is wearing rich brown hide armor on his head and chest. He looks so strong and masculine decked out for battle, but the thought of him running off to face the Vikon alone plagues my mind. I can’t allow it.

“You’re going to need us,” I say, pleading with him. I rush over and take his hands in mine. “I can watch your back and keep you safe while you free you clan members.”

He frowns, and in his head I can feel his reluctance. No, I’ve already risked your safety far too many times. I refuse to endanger you again.

My heart sinks. “Who will tell the girls you are there for them? You think they’re just gonna see a dragon and think, ‘hey, let’s hop on his back and get out of here?’” I shake my head. “You can’t get around this, Targon. You need me with you.”

He pauses, his forehead wrinkled in thought. I feel the conflict inside of him, but he knows I am right. Tina can stay behind if she wants to. In fact, I think it would be for the best. We already have four other girls to worry about, and Tina is about as far from being a fighter as one can get.

He raises his eyes to mine and looks at me grimly. There is reluctance in his voice, and I can tell that if it wasn’t a hundred percent necessary for me to go with him, he would leave me behind. You must follow my orders while we are out there, and stick to the plan no matter what.

“I promise you I will,” I respond. “I know it will be dangerous. I only mean to help you as much as possible. You mean the world to me Targon, and you need me by your side.”

I believe in you, my treasured one. You fought well in Drakon Valley, and it is I who owe you my life now for saving me from the Sergeant. He lifts me up in his arms and kisses me passionately. I love the feel of his hands on the back of my thighs, and the warmth of his chest as he presses against me is soothing. My head spins as we kiss, and for just one moment, all the anxiety about what we’re about to do vanishes from my mind.

I tell Tina the plan, and though she offers to come along and help, I can tell she is relieved when I suggest she wait here. We will return soon, I tell her, and we will all be together again, safe and sound. I grab my spear and just before we leave Targon hands me a bundle. It’s hide armor similar to his, only made for a human.

I got this from a stash of Vikon treasure I raided many cycles ago. It is boy’s armor, and will help protect you from their weapons.

I put on the chest piece and wrap the greaves around my calves. The helmet looks like something out of ancient Greece. Like the helmets from the movie 300. Everything fits surprisingly well, and Targon stands back to admire the look.

Well, you look like a Vikon warrior, which is good for battle but not so good for turning on a dragon.

I smirk and smack his arm. “Hey! I thought you were on my side!”

He smiles and kisses my cheek. When I see your face, and look into your eyes, I forget everything else in this world. You are truly the most beautiful, most precious thing on this entire planet.

I revel in the fire that burns in his eyes for me. I embrace his giant dragon body one last time before we go, secure in the knowledge that whatever happens over the next day or so, it will happen to us together. I say goodbye to Tina and climb onto Targon’s back. With spear in hand and hope in our hearts, we fly off into the sky, not to return until our friends and families are safely with us.