The Dragon Chronicles; Aphrodites Fall (Part 9)
A/N: Okay, last drama post for a while xD Let me know what you think!
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Etain circled Araceli from above, slowly blinking as the cool night breeze stung her eyes. She wanted to return to the stable, but she was afraid that if she flew any lower, Titus or Canicus might attack her without realising. She had seen them stay on the ground to fight, so it was obvious that neither could fly, but they could still shoot fire further than she could spit poison. Etain shivered as a cool gust of wind caressed her scales, leaving trails of condensation all over her warm body.
She decided on going lower, slowly letting herself drift down on the thermals, never taking her eyes away from the young dragons for more than a few seconds. She could sense Haimon below her, in the palace, and sent him images of the battle from above. His concern reached her. Etain let out a soft sigh, sensing his panic that he was about to lose his daughter.
Smoke was rising from the site of the struggle, and Etain squinted, desperately trying to see. Her eyes were 10 time better than any humans, but she was old for a Dragon, and the smoke was thick. She flapped her wings, trying to fly upwards into clearer air, yet only causing it to swirl around her, making her eyes water and her mouth dry. She shook her head vigorously, carelessly swirling the smoke. She didn’t even notice that she was slowly sinking towards the earth, until she landed only feet away from the two males.
Titus snapped at Canicus, burying his teeth into Canicus already wounded tail. Canicus bit back, using his powerful jaws to close around Titus’ neck. They wrestled, each trying to force the other to give ground, to submit and die, yet neither would. They slashed with claws and sent tongues of flame in all directions, all the time ducking and weaving, trying to keep their balance on ground that had become slick with blood.
As Etain landed, each dragon only registered the fact that another Dragon had entered the battleground, and struck out, trying to disable this new opponent before they could attack. Titus got the first blow, sending Etain sprawling across the ground. She shrieked in pain, and tried to take off again, but Titus jumped and pinned her to the floor ripping into her with his teeth, revelling in the blood cascading from her wounds. Canicus had managed to restrain his bloodlust, and could only watch in horror at the carnage taking place.
A few minutes later, Titus finally stopped. Etain gasped for breath, and Titus stepped back as Canicus stepped forwards. The city guards were running towards the from the gate, King Haimon had obviously felt what was happening. Titus looked around panicked, calling for Deiaro in his mind. Canicus was in shock. He bent down next to Etain, trying to staunch the blood flow with his snout, but every time he touched her, she would give another pained gasp. The guards had reached them by now, and started folding blankets and strips of cloth, turning anything they had on hand into makeshift bandages.
King Haimon, Princess Deyanira and Prince Deiaro ran through the city streets, the fight between the royal children forgotten as each one rushed to see how badly their partner was hurt. They raced towards the gates of Araceli, not caring who was in front, or about looking dignified around their people. Deyanira was the first to reach the gate, and began to sprint as soon as she was out in the open. Every breath she forced into her lungs made her ribs ache, but she couldn’t slow down. The only thing going through her head was thoughts of Canicus. He had to be ok, she needed him to be ok. Deyanira begged her goddess, ‘Aphrodite, if you can hear me, let him be ok, please don’t take him away from me, I need him.’
Skidding to a stop, it took Deyanira a minute to process the fact that she was standing in blood. She looked around wildly, before rushing towards Canicus. He bent his head as she came closer, and only when she had her arms half around his neck did he come out of his trance. He pulled back, checking her for wounds before allowing her close enough to see his tail. Deyanira swore softly, a mumbled curse about how much she hated everything for causing her life to be such a constant battle. Canicus nodded carefully in agreement, already feeling battle fatigue sinking into his bones.
King Haimon knelt down and gently lifted Etain’s head onto his lap, treating her with a tenderness only ever seen by a select few. He cradled her as best he could, giving orders to his guards on the best way to try and help her. Etain whimpered every time a guard jolted her, prompting the King to glare at the offender. He stayed like that until the Queen arrived, with a convoy of horses, a team of staff from the palace and a large, flat, wheeled platform, that was normally used to transport Dragons during royal parades. She directed the guards and palace staff how best to move Etain, before grasping her husbands hand and leading him back inside the city.
Deyanira and Canicus followed on behind, talking in hushed tones about how King Haimon had blatantly ignored Deiaro and Titus. The Prince and his Dragon began walking east, away from the city and towards the mountains, where new plans were to be laid. Prince Deiaro did not like to lose.
Part 10