“They’re here!! Arm your weapons men!” A general called to his troops from the castle tower. The warriors, about one hundred or so, nodded and strung their bows and unsheathed their swords. Amongst them was a fourteen year-old boy with black hair. The boy’s hair drooped just past his ears. He wore a studded plate body and wielded a blue and black sword. He stood there a while staring at the enemy that was approaching the Vulcan castle. He then reluctantly put his helmet on which had a blue water droplet inscription. The armies of Samusets were just West of the castle, and they were moving in fast.

“Anglwen!” A voice called. There on a nearby cart stood a black haired man with sword unsheathed. He wore a stern expression on and a studded plate body similar to Anglwen’s. It was Cuno, the boy’s father. “What are you waiting for, death? Hurry, we need to protect the castle!” After responding, he ran down the ladder from the wall to the courtyard.

Anglwen didn’t say much as he quickly ran after his father. “How close are they?” Anglwen yelled as he continued to follow his swift father.

“Not far off! We need to hurry Anglwen they are approaching quickly! Just no more talk, unsheathe your sword and follow! Remember, the Samusets don’t have mercy for boys they will kill you!” Cuno replied as he started for the gates. Anglwen followed at a brisk pace with sword unsheathed.

Within minutes, they arrived at the door. “Before we continue, call him! We could use some help.” Cuno said to Anglwen when they reached the door. Cuno gripped Anglwen’s shoulders and faced him directly. Anglwen looked at his father strangely before nodding his head. Anglwen removed his helmet and walked a few feet away from his father and called to his friend.

Romeric, we need you. Where are you? Anglwen called to his dragon telepathically. In the dorm, and you? Romeric replied back. We are at the gate can you come? We need to fly out of here. The Samusets are coming in fast we need to take an aerial attack. Anglwen called again as he watched his father wait impatiently at the gate. I will fly low and fast, I won’t be a minute.

Anglwen finished his conversation with his dragon then walked again over to his father. “He is coming, we can fly out soon.” Anglwen said when he arrived to Cuno.

“Good,” Cuno said with relief. All of a sudden a deafening roar was heard. The two looked into the sky above and spotted a big blue and black dragon that was coming to land. The dragon landed safely then it ran over to where the father and son were standing. Anglwen smiled and ran over to his dragon and embraced him. The dragon was over ten feett in length and the wingspan of his two marvelous wings were almost thirteen feet.The dragonstood tall with his sapphire blue scales shimmering in the late afternoon sunlight. His jet black wings fluttered a bit as he confronted his partner.

Glad you made it so quickly. Anglwen stated as he clambered upon Romeric. Romeric smiled a bit then lowered his wings a bit to allow Anglwen to get on his back safer and quicker.

I’m glad i made it in time, and I'm gladyou’re alive; thank goodness the gates haven’t been torn through. Romeric stated. Anglwen smiled and was happy to hear it from his companion though he wasn't quite sure.

Suddenly, a crash was heard, the three quickly faced towards the gates that were shifting a bit. Anglwen knew he had been right. Another crash, an iron bar securing the door flew off. Anglwen grabbed his father and pulled him aboard just as the door came crashing in. Dust was everywhere blocking vision. After some dust cleared, Anglwen got a good glimpse of a whole Samuset army. They had a big battering ram and they looked rugged and vicious. Anglwen looked at the closest monster. The creature was a foul one, about five feet tall, had an iron plate, wielded a sharp lance in his hands and had a horrid face with blood red eyes.

Anglwen stared in horror as the Samuset stared back. It advanced, ran lance in hand charging at Romeric. Before the creature could make it, a spear came flying from the top wall. It pierced through the Samuset’s head. Dark blue blood started to strew out. The Samuset fell with a thud to the ground. Anglwen then turned his attention to where the spear had been thrown. The spear’s owner stood on the castle wall and stared down at the dragon and rider. He wore a dark cloak and cape. Not a moment after standing there, the figure disappeared.

“Anglwen, tell your dragon to go! We have company!” Cuno said frantically as Anglwen snapped out of daydreaming and motioned Romeric to ride quickly as the Samuset armies headed for them. With a grunt the nearest Samuset warrior ran toward the three. Cuno jumped off the dragon’s back and unsheathed his sword and ran for the Samuset.

“Father!” Anglwen yelled as another Samuset ran behind Cuno. Just as the beast he was about to pierce Cuno’s back, Cuno promptly spun around and killed the warrior instantly. Anglwen was relived. “Come aboard father, we need to escape!”

“Go with out me! You escape; I will meet you at the Honac church in one hour. Now go!” Cuno yelled as he motioned Anglwen to leave.

Let’s go Anglwen. Romeric thought to him. I can’t, I can’t leave my father! Anglwen thought back as he watched his father run away to help the other villagers. Too late! Romeric thought back quickly as another ten Samusets charged for them. Romeric growled then lifted off the ground. Arrows and lances flew toward them; one of the lances skimmed one of Anglwen’s shoulders.

“Ack!” Anglwen shrieked as he applied pressure to his wound. The wound was the size of a large rock, and was as deep as a bowl. Romeric looked out of the corner of his eye and saw Anglwen’s pain. Romeric then added,

That was cutting it too close Anglwen. Romeric added as they continued their decent into the sky. I know, and I’m sorry I did that. Anglwen replied as he looked beneath him.

The Samusets were setting fire to everything in the village. Anglwen looked close enough and could see many villagers running for dear life. We should help them… Romeric said as he hovered in the air. We- Anglwen started as he was cut off. A blood-piercing scream was heard. Anglwen looked in the direction of the scream and saw a black rider and dragon sweeping up a young lady from the castle tower. The dark dragon and rider flew higher pursuing escape.

Fly towards them Romeric, and hurry! Anglwen thought to Romeric as he pointed in the direction of the three escapees. Romeric nodded and dove after the other dragon.

The damsel shrieked as the dark dragon sped up. She was lying halfway on the dragon with the dark rider gripping her tightly. Romeric kept up. All of a sudden, the dark figure turned around and strung an arrow to his bow. Pointing it at Romeric, he let go. The bright purple-tipped arrow came flying at the unaware dragon. Anglwen looked closer and saw the arrow was a poison-tipped.

Look out Romeric! Anglwen yelled as the arrow headed for them. Romeric; however, didn’t have enough time to react. Because of this, Romeric roared in pain for the arrow had torn right through his wing. Anglwen was shocked.

Hurry and land, you can’t make it, I need to patch you up. Anglwen said to Romeric. He reached for the arrow to remove it but Romeric shifted his wing far enough where Anglwen couldn’t reach it. Romeric ignored Anglwen trying to help.

What are you doing? I’m trying to help! Now, land, can’t you see you are hurt? Anglwen pointed out. Romeric then added, I don’t care, if you get a little scratch are you saying you would just quit? Maybe you would but not me. We will catch them. Trust me. Anglwen nodded and repositioned himself on Romeric’s back. While he did this he felt under his right leg a gooey substance, it was blood. Anglwen must have gotten cut on Romeric’s sharp scales. He thought no more of it and got ready to chase the dark warrior.

After a long time of tracking the dark dragon and rider, dodging arrows, Romeric said to Anglwen, Do something, we need not only to catch up with him but also kill him or weaken him…don’t wait for it to have the words ‘now’ appear on a silver platter, just go! Do something!

Sorry, I will. Anglwen stated as he thought to himself what to do. Attack the vulnerable spots…hmm…he looked to his right and spotted Romeric’s wing, the arrow had gone through the wing but not at the major joint…ah ha! I should aim for the dragon’s wings! I should attack the main joint and he won’t be able to fly, yes! That is why Romeric can still fly, the arrow missed the main joint by about a foot or two…we can stop the dark rider!

Anglwen then pulled out three arrows at once and strung them. Just don’t hit her… He thought to himself.

Anglwen aimed for the wings of the dragon…it was a tough shot. He let go, the arrows started to fly toward the dragon. Hit, please hit! The arrows cut threw the wings but not at the joint, the dragon seemed weak though. Anglwen was stringing more arrows to his bow when he spotted the rider ahead of him.

He looked aggravated. At that moment, the dark rider pulled out a jagged lance and threw it at Romeric. The lance flew toward Romeric at a fast rate. “No!” Anglwen yelled as the lance hit Romeric.

The dark rider laughed and sped up as Romeric started to fall. The lance had gone through the main joint of Romeric’s right wing. Not only was the wing hurt and bleeding uncontrollably, but also the lance had made a deep gash in the wing causing it to be totally useless. Romeric roared in pain, he started to fall. Recover Romeric, Anglwen said. Just hang in there, and heal. Anglwenknew what he was going to do. He looked at the rider ahead of him who kept laughing as he hovered watching Anglwen and Romeric start to fallHowever,before the masked rider could get away, Anglwen jumped off Romeric and just barely hung on to the dark rider’s dragon. With Anglwen off, this enabled Romeric to remove the lance.

Anglwen, what are you doing? Romeric asked frantically as Anglwen hung on to the dark dragon’s tail. The dragon roared and swung his tail trying to remove the extra weight. As it tried to ridthe weight off,itgnashed it's teeth ferociously.Saving her life, you just go and land, heal, I will take care of this. Anglwen commanded. I will not leave you; I never give up! I won’t let you steal the glory I will help too. Attack him, if you fall I will catch you…no worries. Romeric stated. Anglwen nodded then unsheathed his sword. The dark rider then noticed him.

“Waiting to die, young boy?” The figure asked as he unsheathed his sword. Before Anglwen could answer, the figure took a swing with his sword. Immediately Anglwen blocked the attack and saw the figure’s sword. It was a dark sword with a jagged blade and a weird inscription in a different language.

“Release the girl! Give her to me!” Anglwen stated as he took a whack at the figure. The mysterious rider laughed then sheathed his sword once again.

“I will do as you command.” The figure stated. He then grabbed the girl and hung her over the edge of the dragon. Anglwen reached out to grab the young woman but the rider released her. With a scream the woman started to fall down to her death. All the rider did was laugh his heart out.

“No!” Anglwen yelled, as he got ready to jump for her. Before he could make his rescue, the dark figure grabbed him by the collar.

“Time for you to die boy!” He stated as he held Anglwen over the edge of the dragon. His fingernails scraped Anglwen’s chin and made him bleed. The rider laughed and then unsheathed his sword and made a quick deep jab to Anglwen’s stomach.

“Ah!” Anglwen yelled as he clenched his stomach. The grip on his collar got less fierce.

“You should have never messed with me boy, you are no match for me, even with your dragon!” The rider said. Anglwen looked at the rider with his hazel, blue eyes. The rider looked back with blood-shot eyes then he released the collar of the Dragon Rider. The last thing Anglwen saw was himself getting further and further from the black dragon. He watched himself continue to fall until, he blacked out.

A.N. Sorry to give you a cliff hanger...o well...stay tuned...it gets better...lol