Chapter CCCIV: The Attack ~Rynn

Romyr looked to the new wolf in surprise. "Now? The temple?"

The black wolf shook his head. "No longer the temple, Romyr, the town itself."

Rynn eyed the new one. He was almost the color of the blackest night. His eyes were so dark they were almost hard to see. She was startled when her host stood up.

He turned to her, his eyes serious. "Rynn, please stay here. I must go help save the town." He looked at Kai, and smiled. "Keep her safe, little one."

Kai grinned. "Kai keep Mamy safe."

Romyr smiled, ruffling his hair and rushed out, leaving as he was. Rynn blinked, then stood up, going to the door, and peeked out. Wolves were running all over the place, swords and bows drawn. Then she saw them.

They stood at least eight foot tall, forest green in color, with thick, long tails. They were unclothed save for loin cloths. The lot carried a weapon the Drakoni had never seen before. It was a wooden sword, with several rounded obsidian stones imbedded into the sides. And from the glint of the sunlight that reflected off the stones, she could see they were sharp.

One of the creatures smiled, showing three rows of sharp teeth. He addressed those before him, hissing, "You will bring ussss more food, or we will desssstroy thissss town.”

"Never!" cried a wolf Rynn could not see.

She felt a hand on her leg and glanced down to see Kai, who was peeking around her. "Kai keep Mamy safe."

Rynn smiled, and turned back to the action. Another wolf was speaking. "You will leave this place. You will stop stealing our offerings. Or we shall defend ourselves. And you will not like the outcome."

The lizard man laughed, although it sounded more like a hissing sound. He flicked his tail, and immediately the others attacked, slashing at the wolves. But they were ready, arrows flying, and swords slashing back. There were cries of pain, and the scent of blood hung in the air.

Rynn picked up Kai, and closed the door, moving further back into the house. He should not see such things, she thought. She tried to figure out why the Hakatalsh would attack. Were they unable to find their own food? Did they like raiding because it was all they knew?

The Drakoni glanced out the window as a flicker of flame caught her eye. She had not seen the torches the lizards now had. They were tossing them onto the grass roofed huts the Chelgar called home. Rynn's anger boiled. How dare they!

She watched as females ran out, clutching crying children, and were immediately attacked. That finished it. Sitting Kai on the bed, weaving a protection spell over him, she stormed out.

One of the Hakatalsh saw her and cocked his head. "What'ssss thissss?" he hissed.

Rynn smiled, her orange eyes flickering. "Your doom."

Within that instant, she started growing, shredding the green dress, her claws coming forth, her tail getting longer. Her tiny horns, normally hidden under her hair, grew long, sharp as her hair vanished. Her wings grew in size, and she roared, as her whole body changed and increased in size. Soon she towered over the Hakatalsh, and kept on growing.

Soon she was as tall as the trees, and the battle that had raged around her stopped, as both races stared. She roared, angry.

"Romyr," she said, "Get your people to safety."

She glanced down at the lizard, a flicker of orange in her throat and flamed him before he had time to react. Then Rynn looked to the others.

"Either flee now, or suffer his fate," she said, the flicker of flames behind her tongue.

The Hakatalsh looked at her, and then one chuckled. "You can not sssstop all of ussss. ATTACK!"

Rynn looked at the lizards, and as they came close, she flamed them. Some were toasted, others managed to get out of the way. The ones that had managed to escape went for her legs or tail. Those near her tail she swiped them away. They went flying, ramming into things.

Romyr called out to her. "Where is your son, Rynn?"

"In your house," she replied, stomping a Hakatalsh. She reached down, ignoring those trying to attack her head, and picked one up, flinging him far, far away. Rynn picked up her foot, flaming those attacking her belly. She had had enough.

Flapping her wings, the dragon rose into the air, taking those who were clinging to her up high, then shaking herself. They fell off. She dove, spitting flame again, then landed, flapping her wings to create gusts of wind. Those few left were tossed head over heels, then ran.

Watching them run, Rynn returned to her former self. She sighed, looking over the village. Some of the houses were burning, and some of the people were wounded. Taking charge, she called to Romyr.

"Get the worse of the wounded to me, then followed by those who injuries aren't life-threatening."

The wolf looked at her. "You can heal?" he asked, handing Kai to her.

The Drakoni nodded. "That I can." He nodded and started doing as she asked. She glanced down to her son. "KaiKai ok?"

The little boy grinned. "I ok, Mamy. Mamy ok?"

Rynn smiled. "I'm fine. Where you scared?"

Kai shook his head. "Wolfman had me, Kai no scared." He looked at Romyr. "Like Dady."

She nodded and set him down as one of the Chelgar was brought to her. A male, she guessed, wounded in battle. As she glanced up before she knelt to heal, she noticed the line was growing. It was going to be a very long day.