Someone tapped on Kaya's window and she looked up to see Sawyer's goofy face pressed against the glass.
Rolling her eyes she walked over and opened it, yanking him inside. He tumbled to the floor and then righted himself.
"Where's Xavier?"
Sawyer held up three fingers and counted down. When he reached zero the ground shook beneath her and Kaya stumbled.
She heard panicked shouts and screams.
"What the hell?! Sawyer, what did you do?" Kaya exclaimed.
Sawyer shrugged. "You said to create a disturbance, no?"
"That's not what I had in mind."
"Yeah, well, if you're finished pouting the other elves aren't going to move are they?" Sawyer pulled his hood over his head. "And I suggest putting on something that won't obscure movement."
Kaya had slipped some sleeping draught in their drinks when she delivered their meal, so Sawyer had a point. She rushed to change and followed Sawyer out into the hall.
There were no guards in sight.
When they reached the servant quarters, the doors were already opened. Guards had stormed inside and began to tie everyone up. Good, that'd make their job easier.
Kaya pulled up a face covering and sped inside. She flicked two daggers at the guards by the window and Sawyer took down the rest effortlessly.
"Impressive, yeah?"
Rolling her eyes, Kaya retrieved her daggers and dragged the elves that they were taking over to the window.
"Xavier should be here in a second," Sawyer said, scooping up Ronnie.
More guards came in and Kaya whirled around, flicking another dagger. Sawyer gently placed Ronnie on the ground before moving toward the men with surprising swiftness.
As his opponents furiously lunged forward with their weapons, he deftly sidestepped and parried each of their attacks with ease. His movements were graceful and fluid, like a seasoned dancer effortlessly gliding across the stage. With every step he took, it was as if he was choreographing a beautiful and deadly performance, one that only he had rehearsed and mastered. Despite the chaos and danger surrounding him, he remained calm and focused, his eyes locked on his opponents as he continued to evade and counter their every move.
The windows were blown open and Xavier was hovering just below the window.
"Kaya!"
Turning her attention back toward the elves she hauled them one at a time over her shoulder and passed them to Xavier.
When Sawyer had finished he took the last elf and jumped out the window.
Kaya's heart raced as she peered out of the window, and her eyes widened in disbelief. There, right before her, was a creature that she thought was long gone - a magnificent beast with a massive green body and wings that seemed to stretch out for miles. The creature was hovering just below her window, and she couldn't take her eyes off it. The intricate patterns on its wings and the powerful muscles in its limbs. It was a surreal moment, and Kaya knew she would never forget it.
This was Xavier's dragon.
Xavier reached a hand toward her. And Kaya grabbed it, jumping down to land beside him.
"Why didn't you tell me there was going to be a dragon?!" she exclaimed, punching Xavier's shoulder.
"And ruin the surprise?" Sawyer chuckled, "Not a chance. Princely boy here told me that you've never seen a dragon before."
Kaya ran a hand over the soft fur in disbelief still. "I can't believe my grandfather wanted to kill these creatures."
Xavier patted the dragon's wing, and they took off at a steady pace. Kaya turned and looked back at the castle shrinking in the distance.
...
They arrived in the Wastelands an hour later and by the time the sleeping draught had worn off the other elves were awake, now staring at their new surroundings.
Kaya slipped down the beasts wings and took in the sight before her.
As far as the eye could see, the landscape was dotted with huts of various sizes, made of wood and woven materials. The huts seemed to have been built with great care and attention as if they were meant to last for generations. The children, both elves and humans, were running around the village, chasing each other, playing games, and laughing heartily. The adults were gathered in groups around the fires, telling stories, cooking food, and enjoying each other's company. The aroma of grilled meat, baked bread, and roasted vegetables filled the air, making everyone's mouth water. In the field beside the village, majestic dragons were roaming free, some were rolling around in the grass, and others were playing with fireballs between their paws. The dragons all seemed to be at peace with the humans and elves as if they had found a home among them.
"Where are we?" the youngest asked.
Kaya spread her arms. "This is the Wastelands."