Ch 25: Liberation
Imported from SF2 with no description.
Lesmis and Kela cautiously ventured into the village. Watching them carefully approach the position I pointed out to them as I'd explained my plan, they had soon successfully hidden themselves in place without being detected. With them in place we could move onto the next step; as stealthily as we could manage, the three of us head around the wall, remaining close and low to hide our bodies from any wandering eyes from within, not that the Aventari were paying any real attention to the out goings beyond Orion's walls. Inferno led the way with Calamity behind me as was our usual formation. Turning the first corner of the wall we quietly but quickly made our way to the next corner, the soft grass covering the sound of our pace, until we reached our destination, the south gate.
Inferno stops at the gate careful not to lean against the closed gate and draw any attention towards it till we were ready to execute our plan. I breath out heavily checking the other two are ready to proceed with a nod. Lining up and lowering our bodies, it's almost as if we were bowing to the gate. The muscles in our limbs flexed and rippled as we coiled ourselves, tensing our muscles before releasing the energy all at once, bursting forth and smashing into the wooden gate. Crashing through in an explosion of splintered wood and throwing logs forth towards the distracted Aventari, we land on the stone plateau roaring at the top of our lungs. Our combined voices drowning out the chants and drum beats as they echoed throughout Orion Village. The Aventari were stunned to silence for moment, as the dust begins to settle the brief silence turn into screaming wails and louder squawks of sheer panic. Pieces of broken wood from the wall had flung into the close by bird bipeds, spearing into them, eviscerating them so quickly they'd not realized it at first. Fear flooded their faces as the dragons before them began swiping claws across their bodies, cleanly chomping through them like twigs and flinging the broken Aventari out of their way. Both Inferno and Calamity had been instructed not to use their breath attack to reduce further damage to kobolds village. The gate was enough of a sacrifice.
Mayhem had set in, the Aventari began to flee in terror. I watched the dysfunctional flock of birds run riot, bump into each other and trip over one another. These miscreants must have succeeded via numbers alone, they clearly lack authority and discipline. The two kobolds that had hidden themselves away waited for a few moments before coming out of their hiding spot to make use of the commotion, racing in to free their fellow captured kobolds from the cages. The caged kobolds had been as surprised by the Aventari's gatecrashers as the Aventari themselves. They had realised what was going on as their gatekeeper and apprentice appeared to release them, they quickly jumped into action. Grabbing the nearest object that could be wielded as a weapon as they got free of their cages, including some waylaid Aventari spears left leaning on the well, they joined the fray. Together we picked off the enemy reducing there numbers vasty. Calamity stomped on a few more and ate another. Inferno slice and diced with her incredible sharp talons while I used my tail tip to slash and spear Aventari swiftly, occasionally spreading the blades and slamming my tail down and flattening them with the bulk of my tail tip spread out.
The battle itself was swift, the element of surprise had given us ample opportunity to deal with a good bulk of the Aventari before the kobolds could even begin to properly enter the fray, the half of the gate door that had managed to cling onto it's hinge was still squeaking its protest at our destruction, swinging still as the remnants of the disorganized birds were gradually dispatched. As I bit my fangs into one squawking birds skull, crushing it to silence, I began scanning for the next. Only a couple of Aventari stragglers remained, the fleeting courage they'd mustered to turn to their attackers drained as quickly as they had been draining their mugs just moments ago. Turning and making a run for the gate. Inferno gave chase and dispatched the couple who were trying to escape quick enough. And finally, all went quiet as the confrontation ended. Surveying the area for any hidden Aventari, we remain upon the plateau near the well, the kobolds cheering and praising us like the gods we are to them. Kela calming them after a brief moment and instructing them to quickly begin picking up any nearby resources for the cave.
“I will take these kobolds to the underground tunnels, my Dragon Lords." Kela said, bowing several times over. “Will Lesmis be joining us?" He asked.
“Indeed she will. Leave the Aventari and securing the Totem Temple to us." I replied. Lesmis' sad expression told me she didn't want to leave our side, but I knew she would only get in the way. Thankfully, kobolds obey their dragon lords with absolute obedience. Inferno spoke to Lesmis, thanking her for aiding us and informing her that further assistance would put her in harm's way. For a split second she scrunched her face, wanting to argue that she could help no doubt, but she nodded and reserved her thoughts with a slight sigh. Yep she had no desire to leave our side. After the niceties were over with, Kela led the group of kobolds to the largest structure. The three of us remained vigilant, keeping watch over them, if there were any Aventari hiding, they realized it was foolish to attempt anything, or show themselves in anyway. The kobolds reached their safe haven without any incident.
After the kobolds reached their destination the three of us relaxed a little and took a moment to show some affection between each other with snout nuzzles and neck licking, helping clean off some of the blood on our scales before we journeyed back around the wall to avoid damaging the village. After such a long diversion, finally we are resuming our extraction and returning to the Totem Temple to claim the Life Relic.
Leaving Orion Village behind, remaining on alert for further Aventari or other danger we approach the river. The damaged wooden bridge seemed a lot worse off from this end. I was amazed it held our weight on the way over. Not chancing a collapse and no longer required to keep a low profile, Inferno and I would hover alongside the structure while Calamity carefully tread across. Inferno kept an eye on the active alligators and crocodiles beneath the bridge. A couple of the dead bodies had fallen into the river alerting the creatures to potential food near the bridge itself. I kept a keen eye on the beautiful green dragon, enjoying and appreciating his form, reminding me of the time I had first fallen for him.
Just past half way, trying to avoid the bodies, Calamity made the mistake of leaping over a dead kobold and upon landing, his rear end fell through a damaged section of the bridge. The green dragon clawed at the bridge's wooden surface with his forelegs, trying to lift himself back up. His rear legs dangled below, the reptiles in the water quick to start snapping up at flailing legs. Panic entered my mind from our emotional connection. Instantly I moved to position myself over Calamity, wrapping all my limbs around him and lifting him up out of harms way of the many teeth snapping below. I carry him the rest of the way across, placing him on the farm fields stretched out, opposite Orion Village. Calamity rests to gain his breath momentarily as Inferno and I land beside him. The two of us are quick to fuss over him.
“That was close." Calamity stated. I gave him a quick, deep, passionate kiss. So many times I have almost lost him on this extraction, and each time my heart bleeds. I certainly cannot live without him. The thought was now officially planted into my mind. I break away and nuzzle Inferno's snout so she doesn't feel left out. Calamity's eyes dilated as his nostrils flared, the dragon equivalent to a blush. I smile at the gesture and he murrs out a sound of appreciation. I look back at Orion Village, there were some rebuilding required if their presence here was still necessary. Considering they were sent here to protect the Life Relic I plan to take back to the Dragon Realm. Enough reminiscing. I shake my head and turn away, my gaze falling on the Totem Temple upon the mountain range.
“_Let's continue forth." I commanded, trudging forth towards our true destination. _