[https://i.imgur.com/XIfeHqx.png]

It was pitch black and we were moving forward under the glow of the stars and we were moving through a meadow along the path that would take us to our parents and then, the next moment, there was a gasp and a pressure.

My comrades were terrified, but Rubix and I recognized the presence.

Valtrax!

She cut us off and whispered in draconic.

"Rubix. don't take another step... they are waiting for you!"

Rubix was surprised and turned around. Manu, Beth, Saphie,Henri and Cedric were lying on the ground or behind me.

"Ddrr ddrr Dragoon!"

Me: "Shh... That's my friend..."

Rubix looked up at my statement

"Mother says stop! danger! We have to go to the secret camp! Quick!"

Valtrax folded her wing so that everyone could climb up. But we could hear dogs barking in the distance. A pack.

Me: "Hurry. Get in! Are you dragon knights or not? "

They took their courage and everyone went up except Rubix who followed behind.

From above, we could see my house on fire, knights around and neighbors kneeling for questioning.

Dogs turned and hunted after a scent to find tracks but everything stopped at the stream, a boat gone...

"They must have fled across the creek!"

And the riders got back in the saddle and rode down the creek in order to catch possible runaways. My heart sank and I wanted to dismount to see but Valtrax landed near the secret cabin.

And, to my surprise, Mom and Dad were there! They were waiting for us and we threw ourselves into their arms.

Saphie and Beth were there too. Esme and Ragul thanked Valtrax for warning and saving them.

They knelt before the dragoness and began to pray to her like a deity.

She told Rubix, that she had done this for Torin, but not for Ragul. No need for translation, the non-verbal communication was clear.

Ragul asked Valtrax for forgiveness again and put his forehead on her paw in total submission.

Valtrax: "HMph..!"

Then she turned her head towards the brazier that was their home. So much happiness and so many memories...But fortunately Blizzard was there too with her little one (who was not anymore) and her mare.

Father and mother were holding each other's shoulders and crying.

Ragul: "It was bound to happen sooner or later as long as those scoundrels were in power. We are lucky that we are still alive...and that they are here safe and sound."

Ragul took Manu by the hand and motioned for him to sit down.

"Valtrax saw Ravenus come out of Father Damien with an object. He reeked of human blood... You were lucky you didn't stay there."

Manu wanted to struggle to run to the temple but Ragul cornered him.

"No... they are waiting for that. They need culprits and the guillotine is waiting for you! Don't give them that pleasure! You will have to be brave!"

Manu broke down in tears. Esme held Beth's hands and made her sit down. And, as Manu did, she began to cry and wail.

Esme: "Your father, Iolo, was arrested for plotting against the regent. He is in the jails of Britannia. Your mother managed to escape and is with Dupre in Moonglow, they are both in hiding.

Henri: "And dad?"

Saphie and Cedric: "And our parents?"

Ragul: "They are safe, but since they have kept away, they should not have any problems. But Ragul sees in the bags of the shapes moving...

"You took the dragonets away? Damn!!! they will search you for theft! ...."

Then we realized that we were runaways, thieves and criminals wanting to be heroes. But being a hero, at the beginning, is hard and it's just one thing after another and on top of that, we are wanted now.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Meanwhile, Shamino, Henri's father, had a house a little away from Brittania city, in the south, and he saw a pink lunar portal rising from the grass, in the middle of the small circle of stones. He took his belongings from a chest prepared long beforehand, put on his chain mail armor, family crest, helmet, belt and sword.

With his shield on his back, he also took a satchel and ran to the gate. The next moment, an ankh appeared as a necklace around his neck. He was the new hero.

Then he stepped out of the pink light and found himself in Mooglow where Dupre was waiting for him on his quest.

"Shamino! "

"Dupre!"

"How long it's been!

I knew you were the youngest of us and that you would be selected as a hero. But if you're a hero, then everything is really bad!"

"Any word from the others?"

"They're safe...Blackthorne's henchmen will soon respond. They acted fast this time. And the regent is not convenient. But come to the house, well, it's a refuge like in the past and ..."

Suddenly, the silence...Everything darkened and red eyes appeared at the edge of the forest that surrounded the meadow and the stone circle.

3 gigantic and ghostly shadows were there. They were waiting like cowards. One of them pointed his finger at the hero and a spectral arrow shot out.

[https://i.imgur.com/hcWZuT2.png]

With lightning speed, Shamino tried to parry it, but it went through shield, chain mail, and arm and lodged itself directly in the soul.

He resisted the possession, for the monsters used this technique to turn heroes and fighters against each other. Shamino had to fight with all his spiritual strength not to kill Dupre.

But he finally defeated the possession but the arrow then did physical damage and Dupre began to chase the specters who fled, ignoring him and all his gestures.

Then he ran to save his friend but the damage was considerable. The quest was over before it even began...The spectres and Lord Blackthorne had won.

Dupre dragged his friend as best he could and put him to bed so he could recover or a priest could heal him.

The use of the portals was now proving perilous. So, in the simple cabin, he took a mana com, a magical communication stone and contacted Ragul.

Ragul informed Henry about the accident and, as he was not associated or wanted yet, he was suggested to take the portal as soon as possible to look after his father, who was dying, or at least injured.

Manu went with him, he still had relatives in Moonglow too, where he was originally from... Perhaps he could heal Shamino. It was the last hope for Henry.

It looked bad, even very bad. At night, there were torches at the temple and knights were on guard. They had found the slaughtered body of Father Damien.

The night was short and Henri and Manu arrived through a portal to Mooglow, not far from the little house where Shamino and Dupre were taking refuge.

But, caught in a hurry, horsemen surrounded the house and arrested Shamino and Dupre. Poor Beth...At the sight of the horsemen, Manu and Henri could do nothing...It was not a catastrophe but a tragedy.

Iolo, Dupre, Shamino arrested, Damien murdered, there were not many people left.

Only Ragul...The next day, we stayed under cover. All Britannia was turned upside down.

Meanwhile, at the academy, Amon, accompanied by Sylon and some nobles, went to knock on Master Gamblin's door.

He was taking notes on the progress of the students and put down his glasses when Amon entered uninvited.

Amon: "Master Gamblin? Do you know about this?

Gamblin: "No, but I suppose you have something very important to tell me..."

"Last night, Father Damien was murdered! His throat was found slit in his sacristy."

"My God! What a catastrophe! It is a loss! And do we know who did it?"

Amon: "Not yet, but everything leads us to believe that there is a link between the academy and the murder of our late arch-cleric. You see... let's say that... But... by the way, Sylon pointed out that this morning several students were missing, as well as some dragonets.

This is not usual.... Witnesses would have seen them leaving at night through the roofs... While there are doors and stairs.

And you were seen talking to them many times, although it is normally the teachers who are in contact with the students and not the rector...

But let's get back to the point.

Sylon, he told me that you are back in the carpentry business.

And stepping behind the desk, Amon picked up the box with the shape of the dagger in negative.

"I must say that your work is remarkable and the silk protection leaves no doubt about the value of the precious object it must contain."

Gamblin: "Yes, this is the casket intended for a relic for a sacred ritual, the Blade of Brilliance.."

Amon: "The blade of brilliance? But it is a unique artifact that disappeared with Exodus. Like the crown of Lord British... But... did you ever find it???"

Gamblin: "Let's say I found it. And I gave it to Father Damien when he visited during the trials this year."

Amon: "And why him and not Lord Blackthorne? It's a National treasure!"

"Yes, I was considering giving it to Lord Blackthorne after tonight's ritual but you just gave me the sad news."

Gamblin quickly noticed Amon's ploy. The box was here when it should be in Cove, with the blade.

"This is disturbing, but what ritual is this?" the inquisitor asked.

"Torin is the victim of a deadly curse and only the blade of brilliance can save him."

Amon: "A waste of resources. Even though Ragul is his father and a former hero, it was Lord Blackthorne's decision to make and not yours.

Thanks to your initiative and exceeding your rights, not only do we have a dead person but the disappearance of an irreplaceable and dangerous object.

Moreover, your "protégés" who turn out to be the children of criminals are about to become so too. Their parents were arrested last night and Ragul is actively sought!"

Gamblin: "But what are you accusing them of? What crimes have they committed?"

Amon: "They have been arrested for treason against the kingdom, conspiracy, criminal conspiracy, lèse majesté and attempted coup. They were plotting to overthrow Lord Blackthorne, Regent and former right-hand man to Lord British. The proximity of the fights with the demons must have affected their free will and see the evil where there is none but the law is the law.

We have had confessions from members of a guild of thieves and assassins as well as pirates who were bribed to lead an expedition to harm or prepare an assassination against our Regent.

They were subjected to the "Question" and confessed everything. But we need your services to prove your loyalty to the kingdom. The immunity of the Dragonry and the Academy cannot be invoked in this case."

Immediately, Master Gamblin and Amon's clique left the academy and headed for the Cove Gate. When they arrived, the houses had all their shutters closed and the streets were deserted.

Word of mouth spread quickly, and people feared arbitrary arrests and the brutality of the nobles.

The chickens ran away cackling, letting the horses pass, and when they arrived, Amon invited Gamblin to follow him. Everything had been left as it was.

The lifeless body was lying in a pool of blood, and in the blood could be seen the negative of the blade of brilliance and the letters traced with his finger. It showed the letters! Exodus Ru... he couldn't finish..

Amon: "I think he wanted to warn us of an imminent danger. Master Gamblin I believe you are a mage and a cleric of the highest order and perhaps you could show us what has happened.

The magic required is powerful but necessary for the safety of the state and Britannia. Thus, we can also be reassured, far from the idea of us, but we must have guarantees in these troubled times of plots."

Gamblin then placed with the help of other mage soldiers candles and made a pentacle of protection. Who knows what killed the unfortunate man. Then an image formed where we could see the runaway children and the priest showing them the blade. It was blurred but the images without sound spoke for themselves and we appeared as invisible ghosts.

He gave us notes and Lord British's diary could not be hidden from Amon's sharp eyes. He turned his head and raised an eyebrow! Then the priest bid us farewell and behind his back we could see Rubix sneak up, talk to the priest who was frightened by the sight of his talons and finally slit his throat.

Everyone had to turn their heads because it was so horrible. The carnage done, the dragoness took back the dagger, brandished it and saluted a portrait of Exodus then fled to join the others.

Gamblin wept. Rubix had betrayed them all. He had trusted her and all the hopes he had placed in his student had been dashed.

"No way... this is not possible..." muttered the old man in his beard.

Then, straightening up: "This is a catastrophe!...She... She confessed to me that she had Exodus blood! and I didn't take her seriously..."

Amon: "That changes everything! But you will have to answer to our Lord Regent. Out of respect for your title, I won't humiliate you by stopping you, but first thing tomorrow we'll go to Lord Blackthorne and his council."

The old man nodded. "I've been rolled in flour, I'm old!"

Amon ordered his men and the sheriff to pursue the group of runaway children.

"Priority number one: find and capture the dragoness Rubix at all costs. The kingdom is in peril! Arrest all of her accomplices and use all available means, even if you have to shoot them. They are extremely dangerous and are in possession of an artifact capable of destroying Britannia!"

That day, the entire academy was under the surveillance of Lord Blackthorne's troops, the nobles spared and the others dismissed. The academy had just undergone a purge. It was unthinkable that a non-noble could become a dragon knight after all!