* * * *
In the throne room as before, the king paced around his platform as the old captain stood at attention.
"Sire, there is no sign of her." He dropped his spear in a dramatic gesture. "I must resign my post. I've failed you."
"That you have. And, our people, as well." The king pushed the old man to the ground, glaring at him. "I'll take over the search and make clear helping that—that beast is…unwise. I'll burn some farms to the ground. They'll have no choice but to give her up."
"Sire?"
"Back to your old ways? So wrapped up with dragons and family you dare to ignore my demands. What? Do you think your family's death was an accident? I needed you here as I commanded. But, your family called you away. Always coddling to that sickly child of yours and borrowing the royal physician like I didn't know. They were such a distraction. I'm the king. I'm the one who matters. You kept forgetting what was important."
The old man sobbed.
"Guards throw this bit of trash out. After that, send word I'm heading the search party myself. Ready the torches."
Recser was dragged beyond the castle walls and left in a heap along the side the road. The uniformed men took his armor and his boots, leaving only a cotton shift that stopped at his knees.
Once they were gone, he got to his feet and began his long walk to the hunter's lodge. Tears blurred his vision as he remembered the fire where his family perished. Where he found nothing but bones and ash. Where his life ended. If it hadn't been for Rory he would have died.
He pushed on, not stopping. Afraid if he sat, or rested his grief would overwhelm him and leave Rory alone. Little Rory. Her shining eyes pushed the image of the fire away. He focused on her dark blue face, bright pale eyes, and soft voice. She needed him. The kingdom needed him and this success would be his last act as royal guard.
After dark, he spied the lighted hunter lodge windows, and filled with relief. He quickened his pace.
A deep rumbling came from behind him. Mounted men rode toward him. The king, long braids falling around his satisfied face, led the group from a tan stallion.
No. He knew?
"Recser, you fool." The king stopped within striking distance, waving a flaming torch. "Did you think I'd believe you? I saw through your tactics, stalling me to give it time to escape. What a waste."
"Sire, I've come to ask Samric, as my only friend, for help. You've left me with nothing after a lifetime of service."
"You seek more from the hunter." The king raised his torch, readying to swing.
Recser rolled to the side and came to his feet as a dark blue object dropped from the sky.
"No." He lunged and jerked the king from his horse, burning his hands badly.
The king fell into a heap at the stallions dancing feet.
It reared and ran off, tail flaring.
"Don’t just stare after him. Go." The king shouted at his men.
Five turned their steeds, leaving their king to face Recser accompanied by two nervous youths.
Recser pushed the king down as Rory swooped by.
"It's too late for you." The king said from the ground. "Nothing can save either of you."
"No, but I might save her." Recser watched his charge, blue as a candle flame block the stars high above. "Stop it. Some things you can't undo. Like murder."
She swept by again, and a gust of wind knocked Recser down beside the king, and so called warrior. The two guards scattered as Rory stretched her wings, making her look bigger than a carriage.
"No more," she said.
"He will do as he likes." Recser’s voice thickened. "He's beyond redemption, but I will not allow either of us to be blackened in the heart." The old guard stood up, putting out the torch. "I will not become what I've learned to hate."
* * * *
Rory settled her wings to her sides as the old man turned his back on the fallen royal and walked toward her.
The king rose to his feet, pulling a knife from his boot. With a quick flick, the knife landed in the center of Recser's back.
A patch of dark blood spread in a sloppy circle as the old captain fell forward.
Rory rushed to him, slowing his fall, and cradled his head to her chest. "I hate you. I hate you. I'm big now."
"No," Recser muttered. "Don't…"
Rory put Recser down gently and turned to face the little dark man with a gold circle on his head and ropes for hair.
"I'm big now," she roared.
* * * *
A coldness like they've never felt came down from the sky, leaving one moon shining brightly in the night's sky and the other stretched out in an enormous gray light of a dragon ghost. The large figure swooped down landing between daughter and king.
"Your kind will never learn." She exhaled a freezing wind. "Go, before the guard’s mercy is not enough."
Wrapping his cloak tightly around him, the king turned and ran back the way his men had gone. The clanking of metal and the squeak of leather followed him into the darkness.
Large gray paws passed through Recser as she tried to scoop him up. "You have the soul, wisdom, and heart of a dragon. Why you weren't born one will be remedied now."
She reached for her daughter's hand.
"Shall I create a peer for you my child? A blood-red dragon to watch over you as you grow. He's loved you all of his life and you him. A better match is not possible."
"Yes, Mam. I'd like that."
"Together, then."
They reached up into the night sky, gently flapping their enormous wings. Light rose in them filling the area with deep blue and bright white.
A black-red liquid covered the old man, making him shine. Slowly, the liquid hardened into scales across his broadening face, lengthening his arms and legs. His cotton shift stretched as far as it would go, then shredded and fell away. His legs thickened, feet growing longer, and his fingers stretched and curled to talons. His human form lost, wings spread from his back, flapping gently as they dried. His dark red eyes opened, a rush of fire glowing there.
"Dragon eye, you shouldn't have given me so much power. I could destroy anything at a whim."
"I'm aware." She smiled at her daughter and nuzzled her. "But, you won't, for of anyone, you understand the value of life."
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