The Forsaken Island, Book One in the Regni Chronicles

Chapter Six: The Wreck

 Chapter Six: The Wreck

 Delsin

I flew down the stairs, three at a time. People from both the Renegade and the Slayer scrambled around the deck, trying to escape the flames. Smoke billowed from the hole, choking me. Terror flared up in my chest, but only one thing came to mind: Dakota.

"Dakota!" I yelled, pushing through the horde. "Dakota, where are you?"

A deafening roar shattered the air, even over the demise of the Slayer. I had to cover my ears as the it started again, thundering loudly. I could locate its origin. Before it had faded, another scream shook the air, this time human. It was drawn out and high-pitched. "Monsters!" 

 I spun around to the source of the cry, and instantly froze with shock.

Across the water, a rough figure appeared from the gloom. A pair of red eyes shone through the fog, and then it emerged from the darkness, illuminating the beast's pale green scales. Two large wings protruded from its back, allowing it to hover just above the water. Its huge coiled tail was jagged with spikes, and with it, the monster stirred up the ocean. Waves began to rock the boat, and I struggled to keep my balance.

The dragon took in a huge breath of air, the clouds stirring. A glowing started in its mouth. Then it released the fireball, which sailed over my head to land on the deck directly in front of me. Wood split and sparks rose to the sky. The people that had been standing before me were gone. The flames were licking at my face, but I couldn't move.

Dragons weren't supposed to exist. They were just a fictional character, something that represented strength and scared naughty children. It was just a symbol on our flag. But then I realized, maybe not. Bane had known something, and maybe it was that these creatures were real. Which they clearly were. 

A huge blast of wind rattled the air above my head, and the fire blew into my face. I fell back with gasp, as the flames scorched my skin. Another dragon had arrived, swooping low over the water. It spiraled to avoid a large wave, and I saw something gripping to its back. It was a human, riding the dragon like a horse. I looked around as two more dragons came into sight. They were all ridden by humans, clutching to metal saddles. As the rider of the second opened his mouth to say a command, the dragon whipped back around and flew directly at the burning ship. 

It lowered its thick arms, hands tipped with ruthless claws. The dragon turned a full revolution as it plowed directly into the main mast, claws slicing through the sail. The mast let out a mighty groan and collapsed against the deck. People were crushed beneath it and the Slayer dipped at the blow.  

The soldiers fled around in a panic. Lifeboats were deployed, and they drifted away from the the Slayer packed to bursting point. Others still leapt directly over the side of the boat, crashing into the dark water below. I watched helplessly as yet another took his own life, and others tossed themselves into the flames. And yet, I caught no sight of Dakota. 

A fifth dragon dropped down from the sky. With a hissing sound, a stream of fire came from its mouth. Many of the lifeboats caught flame. They burned slowly, breaking apart. The dragon let out a shriek, turning to face the the Slayer. 

Bane suddenly appeared at my side. A ragged group of survivors had gathered also, armor scorched and wounds bleeding. Yet they stood in a battle stance, ready to attack the beast as it sped through the air. The next dragon was almost upon us when Bane yelled, "Attack!"

The monster landed directly on the deck, and the Slayer groaned at the new weight, dropping into the ocean. Bane's ragged party launched themselves at the dragon.