Hail the Dragon Enchantress

Chapter 15: A Gathering

~Queen Regina's P. O. V.~

This month has come and gone in the blink of an eye. I told my parents that I would be leaving on the ship to find Kelp with my kinsmen. Mother had given me a little fuss about it, but father was supportive. I had requested that they resumed their duties as King and Queen until we had returned. I did not feel comfortable leaving the kingdom without someone leading the people in case danger landed on our shores. Relieved that they agreed to it, I made preparations to meet my friends at the Dragon Hatchery. I made sure to post some of our finest knights outside of the building. No one was allowed in without my permission.

Hand-in-hand, I walked with Jack to meet our friends. I had sworn to get Kelp back by any means necessary. I don't like fighting or general conflict if I can avoid it. But these people hurt my love and his dragon. How can I be merciful to people who would show me nothing but cruelty and malice? I cannot. My kingdom's reputation will perceive itself. I will not be using my dragons in this. They did not deserve a quick death by dragon fire. No, I will be in full armor, no sigil, no identity where I come from. Just a blade and protection.

We approached the building, seeing that everyone was there. I held my head high as I motioned for my guards to open the hatchery. We went in and the doors closed. The tension here was high. I could see everyone's faces. They were twisted in anger and hate for those that meant my kingdom and their friend harm. I can not blame them. I, too, am feeling angered and hate towards my enemies. Pirates, bandits, slave traders, poachers and the lot. They will not be satisfied with seeing another dragon. I will curse their spirits to long for rest. Never having peace and quiet. Letting their hollowed corpses rot on the open sands. Not even deserving of a burial. No, they will be tortured, even in death.

I let go of Jack's hand and took my place in the middle of the group. "You all know why we're here." I stood straight and held my temper at bay. "These people have hurt our beloved king-to-be. And his dragon." I heard some of the men scoff. "Prepare yourselves. We will be going in and saving Kelp from further harm."

Holly stepped forward. "You know my father is a cartographer. I can gather maps that he created and pinpoint where this island is." I nodded.

"My father is the best shipwriter on these islands. He can have us on a ship in hardly any time at all." Beau stood next to Holly.

Claira stepped up. "I am the daughter of one of the world's best bakers. I can have provisions at the ready."

"We will also need fresh water. I can easily gather that towards the mountains." Charles said with pride.

"We have the food, water, maps, and a ship taken care of. Now all we need is a direction and a day we are taking off." Katrina came to me. Placing her hand on my shoulder.

"Aye, my queen." Garrick smiled. "It's up to you to decide that."

Aiden pulled out his dagger and threw it towards a beam. "They won't get away with it. Slaughter them all, I say."

I heard my friends' voices. And I agreed. "We leave one week from now. Gather your weapons and your best armor. We will take them by surprise."

"Yes, my queen!" They bowed to me. I bowed back in respect. These were the people I grew up with. They needn't bow to me.

We went our separate ways after our meeting. Hold on a little longer, Kelp. We are coming for you, sweetie. Jack and I held onto each other as Nithe came to us. We got on her back and she took flight with a mighty roar in the skies. She felt how we felt. I could see the anger in her eyes. She wants to burn everything to the ground to find her lost mate. Her sharp teeth bared and her claws ready to kill. I wish I could take her along, but I would never use them in battle. Even if it were upon our shores. I don't want them to kill without a great reason. I only saw two exceptions: If they are injured and are fighting back or protecting their young. Otherwise, there is no reason they should fight.

Jack and I headed to the throne room where I would make a public announcement that we would be going on a journey. A long one to relax and see new islands. Warmer islands. They will not know the truth. All they have to know is that their previous king and queen will be resuming their duties for a time. When we return, I will make it public and apologize for the dishonesty. Jack called our town crier and I had written a decree for the citizens to gather in the throne room at noon. I know it seems drastic to deceive them. Yet, if the sorcerer got word that we were coming for him and his crew of miscreants, they would run or find us on the open water without our dragons. I loved my people. I knew they would do nothing to intentionally harm their homeland. But they love to gabble and gossip.

Noon had arrived and I saw my people gathering before me. My town crier was on her horse and ringing her bell. I also had Jack talk to our bell ringer to make the one in our castle ring loudly for all to hear. I could already hear the whispering and talk about why I have called them here. I sent a silent prayer to our gods that this will work and we can finally bring Kelp home. A king without his dragon is a miserable king. I know he doesn't want to show it, but Jack really misses Kelp. If I were in his place and Lady Nithe was taken from me? I'd die from the emptiness left in my heart.

I stood and quieted their voices. They all gathered in such a short amount of time. "My people!" Using my royal voice. "Due to recent events, I am taking a long, yet needed, journey to recenter my peace. I will be bringing your soon-to-be King Jack with me along with 7 others and a full crew. We will be traveling to find a warmer island. Fret not!" I paused. "Your previous king and queen will be resuming their royal duties until such a time of our return. We will also be leaving the dragons here." That made some eyes widen. "Yes. Because of the dangers outside of our dear Shora, we felt it safer to leave the dragons behind." I stood straight and put my hands in front of me. "We will be leaving in a weeks' time."

Jack stood in front of me. "It is true. Because your fair queen is in need of a respite. I will be taking her to an island I found with a dear old, deceased friend of ours." The trained huntsman? I often wondered what happened to him. "Yes. The huntsman I was with lost his life before my kingdom took me in." He had a solemn look on his face. "He and his dragon and lady wife perished by fire and the same bandits that stole me."

I could hear the men wanting to sharpen their tools. I had to quiet them once again. "It would only be for a short while. This I promise. For the time being, please return to your work and I will see to it that no one is dissatisfied today. I am still your queen and I do care for my people."

I heard coos from women and children. "As you wish, my queen." The men in the room stated. They all departed and left the throne room.

I went and sat back in my chair. "What happened to him?"

I saw pain intercept in his eyes. "Blain and Katherin were burned alive in their home. A stray fire arrow hit their roof. No one could get there in time. As for his dragon. She was protecting me until they killed her. Kelp was still too small to do anything. But before a sack went over my head, I saw a man with an ax behead her. I don't know how long I wept for her. It was tragic. Horrifying. Then, I heard Kelp's chirp. I tried to fight my way to him, but that's when I was knocked out." He sat in my father's throne. Closing his eyes and covering his face. "I woke up somewhere dark. And there I stayed until I came back to you." I placed my hand over his knee.

"Jack. It's not your fault. We'll find him. And we'll avenge Blain's dragon's death." He looked at me and I smiled sadly at him. Later, he and I went into the gardens. Just need time alone.