Azareth’s eyes shot open. She took the moment of shock from Federyc and looked up to see what had made the sound. Her eyes widened when a large white dragon soared over the city. Cephie, circled around and Azareth could just make out the two figures on her back. After a long couple of a seconds, more dragons appeared with more riders. Azareth heard the battle cries of her army.

Bledric dropped his sword down to his side and looked around stunned. The whooping was coming from the north, west and east. Trapping them with only the castle behind them. Bledric whipped around to glare at Azareth, she just stared at him full of hope. Federyc wrapped his arm around her throat and pulled her up to her feet. Azareth clawed at his arm, trying to break free.

“Dont let go of her!” Bledric demanded. Azareth stared as the crowd began to scream and scatter to the south. Cephie came soaring down and landing in the center of the city, her large tail crashing into serval buildings. Azareth focused, she watched Jurah and Artibain both jump down from Cephie’s back. Both of them wore bright silver armour, the shimmered in the sunlight.

“Release her!” Jurah demanded as he raised his sword towards the king. Bledric stared at the dragon and the men in awe.

“Don’t worry, we are here for you,” Cephie told Azareth. The Berlar army charged into the city, surrounding the platform and the royals. Swords and spears aimed towards the royal family, causing an unease to settle in the Princes’. The bright sea of silver amour was nearly blinding as the army settled into their position.

“Bold of you at assume we won’t fight back,” Bledric said. Azareth looked towards her two advisors and could see the pain on their faces as they saw her. Bledric raised his hand to his mouth and blew a sharp whistle.

After a long minute, the sound of hundreds of feet running towards them began to grow. In moments the army of Asleria came from the south and took aim against her men. The Aslerian army was in full armour, a dark copper coloured metal. Azareth could see where this was heading, there was no way to end this peacefully. Azareth’s eyes moved to the sky where dozens of dragons flew, ready for their orders.

“Release the Queen and you will be spared, to live out your days in a cell,” Jurah told him. Bledric burst out laughing, a manic sound filling the quiet streets. Everyone stood still, waiting for the crazed king to make a move.

“I think not,” Bledric laughed. Azareth watched as Bledric brought up his sword and began to turned towards her.

“No!” Jurah and Artibain screamed. Cephie roared a deafening cry, she spun around and whipped her tail towards the platform.

“Scatter!” Federyc yelled. He threw himself off the back of the platform, taking Azareth with him. They hit the ground hard as Cephie’s tail swiped across the platform. Azareth just caught a glimpse of Bledric flying through the air and into the crowd.

“Now!” Jurah called over the army.

Suddenly the Berlar army turned on the Asleria army. The sound of swords clashing filled the air, battle cries echoed of the buildings. Azareth scrambled to her feet, leaving the princes in the dirt. She clawed at the chain around her neck, hoping to free herself. As she ran around the platform, she could see the battle began.

Men on both sides threw their swords around, slicing and stabbing the other side. Azareth looked for anything to protect herself with. She gasped when a sword came flying at her from her right, she dropped to her knees and felt the blade pass over her head. She looked to see prince Powel holding his sword at her. Azareth grabbed the chain hanging down behind her and swung it towards Powel. She managed to distract him as he dodged the chain.

Azareth leaped forward and tackled Powel to the ground. Stunned, she heard his sword clatter to the ground just out of his reach. Azareth looked at the sword and tried to grab for it, but her arm was pulled back. She looked over her shoulder and saw Ulric holding her wrist.

Ulric pulled Azareth back and on to her feet. She watched his eyes dart towards the dead body of his older brother and then back to her face. Azareth tried to pull away from him, but his grip tightened. Ulric shoved his sword into her other hand and released her wrist. Within seconds, the chain around her neck was gone and she stared at the prince shocked.

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“I loved my brother,” Ulric told her. He took dagger off his belt and then ran off to join the fight. Azareth blink her surprise away, then turned to see where Jurah and Artibain were.

She could see them fighting in front of Cephie. Azareth got an idea and then turned to see where Bledric was. The king was on the far side of the battle, struggling to make his way towards the dragon. Azareth lifted the sword with her little strength and took off towards the king.

An Aslerian knight came screaming towards her, she held up the sword and blocked the mans swords from hitting her. She shoved him back and he leaned back on his left foot. When the knight swung his sword to her left, Azareth stepped out of the way and brought her sword down on his back. In a swift motion, she sliced the blade across his back and watched the man drop to his knees.

“Azareth!” Jurah’s voice rung over the battle. Azareth turned to see Jurah fighting towards her. She looked to her left and saw Bledric was fighting towards Jurah and Artibain. Azareth fought on, dodging and slashing at anyone in her way. She could see Bledric getting closer as he swung his sword wildly. Azareth turned and saw Cephie was swinging her tail around, destroying buildings with every move. Cephie blew flames in the direction of the men that tried to enter the city center.

“Cephie!” Azareth screamed. Cephie whipped her head towards Azareth. They locked eyes and Cephie stood up bring her wing down over the battle. Azareth ran as fast as she could and climbed onto the wing of her dragon. Cephie brought her wing back as Azareth reached her back.

“What do you want to do?” Cephie asked. Azareth looked for the king and spotted him only feet away from Jurah.

“Stop him!” Azareth yelled. Cephie looked to see where Azareth was pointing and saw Bledric was inching closer to Jurah. Cephie stood up and roared, then battle split in to. A large path was made directly to Jurah and Artibain.

“Jurah!” Azareth screamed. She watched as Jurah spun around to see she was safely on top of Cephie. The moment of relief on his face was taken away abruptly when Bledric swung his sword and sliced into Jurah’s back.

“No!” Azareth screamed. The pain her heart grew to much as she watched Jurah fall to the ground.

As Jurah sprawled out on the ground, Azareth couldn’t catch her breath. A burning grew inside her, bubbling from her stomach to her chest. The burning ran through every inch of her body and it couldn’t be contained anymore. With a blood curdling scream, Azareth whole body erupted into flames.

Bledric stopped dead in his tracks looking at the burning girl stunned. Azareth dropped from Cephie and ran towards Bledric. The flames dancing around her and causing the two armies to cease the fighting. Azareth let out a battle cry as she charged at Bledric, swinging the now flaming sword towards the shocked king.

Bledric brought his sword up just in time to stop the flames from crashing down on his arm. Azareth brought her sword up again and swung it down to her right, trying to hit him again. The swords was blocked again. Azareth swung wildly, again and again, with all the force she could muster.

Bledric was being forced to step back with every blow he blocked. He was feeling the fear growing in his chest. The girl on fire sent a cold fear through his veins. He blocked a blow that would have his his leg and then felt a burning sensation on his shoulder.

Azareth grabbed Bledric’s shoulder and watched as he screamed out in pain. Bledric dropped to his knees, releasing his sword and letting it crash to the ground. Azareth released the man and glared down at him. She took a deep breath and the fire surrounding her faded and shrank until it was gone.

The two armies froze and stared at the two leaders unsure of what to do. Azareth lifted her bright orange sword, smouldering from the fire. She put it against Bledric’s neck and watched as he looked at up her panting.

“What are you going to do now?” Bledric asked her.

“For the crime of treason, murder and kidnapping,” Azareth began. She caught her breath as she lifted the sword up and took a step to her left. “I sentence you to death.” She brought her sword down and sliced through Bledric’s neck. The king’s body and dropped to the ground. She stared down at the body, little blood pooling as the scorching sword cauterised the wound.

“Azareth!” Artibain called. She turned just in time as Artibain in golfed her in his arms. She dropped the sword to the ground and wrapped her arms around her friend. Artibain rested his hand on the back of Azareth’s head, he felt relief as he felt her breath on his shoulder. Azareth pulled away from him and looked behind her to see the Princes’ were standing together, spear pointed at them. She turned back and saw Jurah was sitting up on his knees. Azareth ran towards him and skidded to a stop, crashing to her knees in front of him.

“Jurah? Are you alright?” Azareth asked him. She tried to reach around to look at his back, but Jurah grabbed her hands and she looked at him. Jurah took her face in his and crash his lips to hers. Azareth’s whole being relaxed and she melted into his kiss. Jurah pulled away and rested his forehead to hers.

“Don’t ever do that to me again,” Jurah said. Azareth smiled weakly and nodded her head.

“I promise,” she said.