FanStory.com - Dragons Battleby Roxanna Andrews

Without his dragon, Joshua began running toward the battlefield to rejoin the fight. The Nubian archer close behind, firing arrows at enemy warriors as he ran.

A riderless black dragon landed just ahead of him and Joshua didn't hesitate to jump on its back, and his archer with him. The dragon had no qualms about who rode him, obeying commands easily. They took to the skies and Joshua pointed him to the battlefield.

Looking to the west Joshua could see Dyster still in pursuit of his mother. He quickly overtook her and the fight to the death resumed. The two behemoths rolled in the sky and fell sharply downward. The black dragon belched smoke and fire and Dyster let go to avoid the flame. The *black quickly turned and fled.

Though Joshua was worried for Dyster, he kept his mind on the fight ahead, knowing the blue dragon could take care of himself.

The enemy dragons were hovering above the horse soldiers expelling hot flame, which had grown more ferocious as the day warmed. The men used their shields to protect themselves and pushed their horses into a gallop.

Joshua caught up to the fire breathers and the Nubian archer began firing arrows with deadly accuracy. The enemy riders fell to the ground, getting trampled by the horses. The remaining riders fled back to the encampment.

Lucas was furious and for the first time in battle, felt a sliver of fear that they might lose. No other enemy had ever fought back like this and his men were overwhelmed and unsure of what to do.

"You fools! You are useless to me," he raged. He ran his sword through an unfortunate rider who stood too close.

He knew it was time to use Ond-Natt.

He called to him now, a mammoth black dragon that had not been ridden, as no one could get close enough. Lucas named him Ond-Natt, meaning Evil Night. The gigantic beast had a foul temperament and trusted no man, no man except Lucas. The two sensed the malevolent spirit in one another and it bonded them.

The monster paced in his enclosure, held by thick leather straps around each leg. He could have easily snapped them like string, but he chose not to. Perhaps it was the bond he felt with Lucas, or more likely the good meals he received. He pawed the ground and belched smoke as if he knew his time had come.

Though Lucas had always had a hatred for the disgusting creatures, this one was majestic with its enormous size, muscled frame and huge head spikes tipped in silver. Like his horse, Lucas felt proud to be seen on such a beast. Though he'd never ridden it before, he did so now without hesitation, and Ond-Natt let him.

The monstrous creature was a sibling to Dyster, they shared the same mother. He and Dyster were the only survivors of the same brood. Ond-Natt had been the largest of the dragons and was kept in a separate enclosure. Well fed, he grew to the mammoth beast Lucas hoped he'd become.

His red eyes gleamed as Lucas removed his restraints and climbed aboard. Smoke poured from his nostrils and the heat created a huge vaporous cloud around he and Lucas. His men move aside as the duo advanced looking like something from one's nightmare. Ond-Natt moved his head from side to side as if to swagger, his mouth turned up in a sneer. A flex of his mammoth wings and he was airborne.

Dyster had gotten the advantage in his battle with his mother. With a swipe of his huge, lethal tail, he had knocked the black beast unconscious causing her to fall from the sky. The fall was short, as they were not far from the ground and she was able to get to her feet and limp into the grove.

The blue dragon felt the presence of a malevolent evil and the need to return to his master. He allowed his mother to live, for now, and went in search of Joshua. He flew as if the devil himself were after him.

Joshua looked to the east and saw a dragon flying toward him. It appeared silver as the sunlight bounced off its iridescent scales. The beast was enormous, spewing fire over the horse soldiers as he flew. Joshua could hear their screams as rider and horse fell to the ground. Dragon riders hurried to intercept the huge beast, but were kept at bay by his white hot flame. The thing seemed invincible and they knew none could best him.

Joshua realized the dragon he rode was no match, but he raced toward the monster anyway. Even from a distance he could see its red eyes gleaming, and it salivated as if anticipating a longed-for meal. On his back sat Lucas, his long, white hair streaming behind him and a sword raised above his head. As the beast soared overhead, Lucas looked down and Joshua saw an evil smile on his thin, bloodless lips.

Dyster caught up to his master and flew in close, just below him. Relieved that he would be more evenly matched with the huge black, Joshua leaped onto Dyster. Missing the saddle, he slid down the dragon's side, clinging with one hand to the blue scales. Lucas watched Joshua and laughed at him.

“Ond-Natt, look at the great captain. Will he fall to his death, and spoil our game?”

Dyster slowed and rolled to his side to help his master. Joshua got a hand hold on the saddle and seated himself. He sat tall, head held high and pointed the magnificent blue dragon toward the enemy.

The dragons flew straight towards one another and Joshua drew his sword from the sheath on his back. Dyster recognized the scent of his sibling, but didn't waver. At the last moment the dragons swerved and swords came together in a teeth-jarring clash. Both dragons made a wide turn and faced each other again. Ond-Natt's eyes gleamed brighter, and he let out an ear-splitting scream, as if signaling his victory. Fire and smoke shot from his throat and Joshua could feel the heat even with distance between them. He knew if the beast got close enough, nothing would protect him against such a ferocious flame. He put Dyster in a dive, then brought him up beneath the black monster, plunging his sword into the soft underbelly. Ond-Natt screamed as blood dripped from the wound, but it did not deter him. He flew higher, away from Joshua’s sword.

The dragons turned to face each other once again. Lucas bent low over the dragons neck, his eyes gleamed almost as brightly as Ond-Natt’s. He smiled, relishing the battle. He anticipated the feel of his sword slicing through the neck of his enemy. He saw himself taking the young captain's head as his trophy.

Lucas was jarred back to the present when the dragons collided. Both riders were almost thrown off. Momentarily stunned, the dragons hurtled towards the ground in a free fall.