The Dragon Warrior

Bad dreams

- Son, wake up! Wake up!

Devin slowly opened his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the poor light in the room. His father was still gently shaking his arm.

- Dad? What is going on?- He mumbled, as he was not used to waking up in the middle of the night.

- You need to stand up and get dressed right now.- His father sounded scared, which was unusual since he was one of the grates warriors. Nothing could scare him.

- But why, father? It is still dark outside.- Devin asked, sitting on his bed. His tiny feet hit the cold floor of his room.

Nickolas lit a small candle. Devin noticed how pale his face was, even in this poor light. The fear crawled up his back.

- Son, there is no time for explanation. Get dressed; we need to get out of here.- Nickolas pushed him gently towards the drawer, pushing a small bag in his hands.- Get some spare clothes in this. Not too much, we cannot carry anything heavy.

Devin followed his father's orders. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear a rush.

- Where is the mother?- He asked, pushing his clothes into a bag.

- She is waiting outside; hurry up.- Nickolas replied, digging into one of the chests. There were they kept the money, dug under Devin's toys. His father pulled the most of them, judging by the jiggling sound.

- Are you ready? We do not have time to waste.

- Almost.- Devin replied, getting back to his bed. He grabbed his plushy dragon, which his mother had made for him when he was still a baby. He pushed the toy inside his bag.- I am done.

- Good.- His father said, grabbing his hand. - Now, be as quiet as you can.

Devin nodded with hesitation. They left the room.

- Where is the mother? I can't see her here.

- She is not far from here. Hurry up, and we will meet her soon.- His father pulled him harder, and Devin sped up to keep up with Nickolas's fast pace.

Somewhere in the castle, a single scream could be heard. Nickolas started running, making his son follow.

They entered another corridor, and finally, Devin noticed his mother. She was as pale as his father. There was a bag in her hands as well.

- Thank gods, you are here.- Miriam whispered when they came closer. - The guards are searching the castle, looking for your friends.

- Some of them are gone already. They knew the king would come for them. Now it is our time to join them. It is just a matter of time before someone will tell the truth.- Nickolas replied quickly, pulling his wife into another corridor.

Devin was following his parents, wondering about their conversation. Why would the king look for them? He knew very well where they lived. Father was one of his warriors and advisors. Devin had at least a few chances to see His Majesty. King Lucius was very powerful, and his wife, Queen Kaitlyn, was so beautiful but often looked sad.

- Why are we leaving? Is this another of your secret trips, Dad? Are you taking us with you?- Devin asked in a sleepy voice. It was late. He was supposed to be in his bed. But that was also exciting. Maybe he was going to meet his father's friends. He heard his parents often whispering about that at the late hours.

- Shhh, son, we need to be quiet.- His mother told him, putting her finger on her lips.

- Then why are you talking?- Devin asked again, confused.

Miriam let out a silent chuckle.

- I am sorry. You are right, dear.

They were moving in silence from now on, and soon the family reached one of the back doors.

Nickolas ordered his wife to stay with Devin while he opened the door and disappeared behind them.

Moments later, the boy saw his father coming back.

- Everything is fine. We can move one.- He whispered. Devin's mother grabbed his hand, and they joined Nickolas, who was still scanning the surroundings.

Now Devin could see that they were leaving the castle. It was the entrance that was facing the forest. The boy wondered why they chose this way instead of the main door, but he did not dare to ask.

They almost reached the treeline when his mother slipped and fell to her knees.

Nickolas was by her side in a blink of an eye.

- Are you OK? - He asked hoarsely, while Devin still held her hand.

- Run. - She whispered, and at that moment, the boy noticed something sticking from her chest.

- Devin, go and hide behind the tree.- His father ordered him while embracing his mother.

The boy stood frozen, looking at his parents, when Nickolas's voice cut the air.

- Now!

Devin jumped at the sound and ran straight to the first tree he spotted, hiding behind it. A second later, something stuck in the wood with a loud whooshing voice.

Arrows! The boy remembered the sound from the training when his father was taking him. Why someone was using them at this time of night?

Devin sat behind the tree while his father was helping his mother to stand up. What was taking them so long?

The boy wished to go out and check, but his father's angry voice still rang in his ears.

- Sit down, and let me check on you.- Nickolas spoke nearby, and Devin peeked from his hideout.

His mother was moving slowly, supported by his father. What was wrong with her? Devin fell many times but was back on his feet in seconds.

Then he spotted this sticking thing again. Mother's dress was darker and wet. Devin ignored his father's orders and stood up, coming closer.

- Mum? Are you OK?

Miriam slowly raised her hand to caress his cheek.

- I am fine, darling, but you must leave me here. I can't go with you and Daddy right now.

- No! - Both Devin and Nickolas spoke in unison.

- You can't help me, and you know it.- Miriam replied, and Devin looked at his father. What was she talking about?

- I am not going to leave you here.- Nickolas shook his head.

- You need to take care of our son. Take him and leave, or we all will be doomed.- Devin's mother spoke, grabbing her husband's hand.

- No.- Nickolas whispered again.

Miriam closed her eyes and coughed slightly. The stain on her dress got bigger.

- Mum? Mum, wake up. We need to go.- Devin put his hands on her arm, shaking it slightly.

- Son, we need to go.- Nickolas pulled him closer.

- But Mum, she cannot stay here.- Devin looked at his father. His hand slipped off Miriam's arm, and something sharp cut his skin. The boy hissed, looking down.

Now he understood. There was an arrow in his mother's chest, and the stain was blood.

They have hurt his mother. They have hurt her badly.

- Son, we must go now.- Nickolas said again, tears rolling down his cheeks.

Devin took his mother's hand and kissed it.

- Goodbye.- He whispered, standing up.

Together with his father, they rushed through the forest.

No words were said, but at this moment, something broke in Devin's heart. He was wrong. The King was not powerful. He was cruel. This man hurt his family.

The dawn was near when they exited the woods. Devin could barely walk, so they made a break to eat and drink something.

Nickolas's eyes were red and puffy, as the tears were still rolling down his cheeks. None of them spoke a word since they left Devin's mother's body.

- Son, that is the hardest part of this trip.- Nickolas spoke for the first time in hours.

- Do not worry, Father, I can still walk.- The boy replied in a dull voice.

- I am sure you can, but we need to hurry. Someone is probably looking for us already.

- Then leave me here and go.- Devin looked at his father, resigned. Nickolas gasped upon hearing those words.

- I am not going to leave you. I am going to shift. You will fly on my back.

In the past, Devin would jump from excitement. But now, he could only nod his head.

Nickolas stood up and packed all their stuff.

Then he took off his clothes before shifting.

Devin watched it emotionless.

His father's dragon, Mars, was a beautiful creature. His scales were red, and his wings were enormous, just like the talons that were right now, ripping the ground.

Mars lowered his wing, and Devin clumsily climbed on top.

The beast jerked its head as if telling him to hold on before jumping in the air.

Devin lay flat on its back as the cold air hit him.

They flew for another thirty minutes before Devin noticed that the beast was getting lower and lower until it hit the ground.

The boy looked around and came off the dragon.

He recognised the place immediately. Mountains.

His father shifted back and dressed himself.

- Son, one day everything will be OK again, I promise.

Devin woke up. His body was covered in sweat, and he was shivering.

He wiped off the drops off his face.

Lies.