The knights under command of Jason protected the castle as well as they could.They knew the Sharian forces wouldn’t be able to arrive in Crohnach at time so they had to think of a plan themselves to keep the dragons away or to defeat them.
Sean,Jason and Richard were together with Lily and Queen Lilandra in the throne room,discussing the possibilities to cast the dragons away.
“I’ve notced they aren’t really attacking us.I mean,they could cause a lot more damage but they don’t do that.I don’t see how that information can help us.”Richard said to Jason’s question about what they had noticed of the dragons’ behaviour.
Jason smiled satisfied.”Well,I’ve noticed something else.They have a leader.The biggest,probably the oldest as well.If we defeat him,we will defeat them all.”
“If.”Richard replied sarcastically.
Sean ignored the sarcasm and said excited”You’re right Jason!Do you have a plan?”
Jason looked a bit embarassed.
“Well,actually not yet,but…”
Richard laughed.”Oh,our great leader knows all,but a plan?”
Jason shot the Prince an angry look.”Well,we can’t wait until your Sharian archers get here,can we!?”
Richard looked up ashamed and replied”You are right about that,of course.I’m sorry.We can’t quarrel here while dragons wreck the castle.It was very foolish and I reckon it’s best to forget about everything that happened between us,what about you?”
“I think that’s a very well idea.We’ll have to work together so forgive and forget.”
Sean looked relieved when the two shook hands.
“Alright,the past is forgotten but we still don’t have a plan.”Jason muttered.Suddenly Sean spoke up shyly”Perhaps I know something.”
Jason and Richard both looked at Sean doubtfully.
“I know you’re probably thinking that I’m just a galley boy who don’t know a thing about knights and battles but I do think I have a solution.”
“Alright then,what solution do you have in mind?”Jason asked.He really wanted to know what his new-found friend was thinking.
“Well,”Sean started”Did any of you ever hear of the legend?It says that if the fire of a dragon is put out,it’ll die.So it means we to put the fire of the dragon leader out and all other dragons will disappear as well.”
Richard nodded and replied”Good,but how are you planning on doing that?”
Sean shrugged.”You have catapults,right?Perhaps you can somehow fill them with water and so put the fire out.”
“That’s a great plan,Sean!You really are a promise for the army!”Jason said while he gave Sean a pat on the back.Sean’s face immediatly turned from its normal brown colour into a fiery red.Jason stood up and said”Alright,now we just gotta realize our plan.”…
The warriors of the Crohnachian army stood on top of the castlewalls,preparing their attack on the dragons.
“Alright everyone!We’ll start soon!Everybody take your positions!”Jason yelled.The knights followed the orders,walking towards the huge catapults,some of them with additional bows and arrows.The dragons were still flying around,every now and then ramming against a wall or tower or eating a pig or cow from a near field.The leader of the dragons was sitting on a hill,carefully watching what the other creatures were doing.
“We first gotta make sure the leader is coming this way by shooting some arrows at him but make sure not to hit it!”Jason commanded”If it’s close enough to the catapult I’ll give the sign and we’ll shoot this here.”He patted on a leather bag filled with water,which was laying in one of the catapults.Everybody agreed and soon the first arrows flew through the sky.The leader of the dragon-army rose as hoped and circled around the castle,screaming loudly.Suddenly the beast seemed to realize where the arrows were coming from and it stopped its circling.The dragon looked at the knights on the wall and made a dash towards them.
“Now!”Jason’s voice echoed through the sky.The warriors cut the rope of the catapult and the bag flew towards the dragon-leader.Before the dragon even had the chance to spit its deadly fire,the bag was shot into its throat.The dragon fell to the ground with a deadly shout.The creature closed its eyes and died right there and then.The other dragons just looked at the whole scene dumbfound before the first one flew to the high mountains in the West.Soon the rest followed.A loud cheering escaped from the knights’ throats.In the middle of all happiness Jason suddenly noticed something horrible;one of the dragons had its claws around the waist of one of the castle’s maids.
“George!Get on here!”Jason yelled.The knight arrived immediatly and the commander said”I want you to prevent that dragon from flying away.Try to hit one of its wings with one of your arrows.”George nodded and followed the orders while Jason ran down the stairs without hestitation.As soon as he came outside the girl was standing against a wall,crying,while the dragon was staring at her with its red eyes.One of its wings was torn and blood was dripping from the wound.
“Come on here,girl.”Jason hissed.The maid walked over to the knight slowly until the dragon shouted loudly.It slowly crawled forward,towards the girl.Jason noticed it and jumped in front of the maid.The dragon narrowed its eyes and right at the moment it tried to burn the two people with its fire,Jason stabbed it with its sword.The dragon gurgled one last time but then finally died.The girl still clung to the knight’s chest when he whispered”It’s dead.”
She looked up and stammered”Thank you,Sir.How can I possibly thank you for saving my life?”
Jason frowned and replied”It’s alright.Just tell me your name.”
“Whitney,Sir.”
The commander smiled and said”I’m Jason and you can stop calling me ‘Sir’.”
The maid smiled gently.Jason felt the urge the protect the girl forever but at that moment the rest of the army appeared to congratulate the new commander with his victory.The girl disappeared in the crowd before Jason could even say another thing at all…
