"Let's get ready," Mirael said, her voice steady despite the tension. "We need to be at our best."
Isabel nodded, and they hurried back to their tents to gather their supplies. Isabel double-checked her medical kit, making sure she had everything she might need for treating injuries in the field. Her hands moved quickly and efficiently.
Phex chirped softly from her pocket, and Isabel took a moment to stroke his iridescent feathers. "We'll need all the luck we can get, little one," she whispered.
With her supplies packed and ready, Isabel joined Mirael and headed towards their unit's rendezvous point. Soldiers and healers alike were preparing for the mission, checking their weapons and equipment. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of urgency and resolve.
They reached their commander, Captain Aric, he was already organizing the troops. He was a seasoned officer, known for his calm demeanor and strategic mind. He greeted them with a nod.
"Isabel, Mirael," Captain Aric said, "I'm glad you're here. Isabel, you'll be in charge of the medical team. Make sure your healers are ready for immediate deployment. Mirael, you'll be leading the vanguard. We need to secure a path through to the North border."
"Understood, sir," Isabel replied, her voice firm. She turned to the healers under her command, rallying them with a determined look. "Let's make sure we have everything we need. We need to be prepared for anything."
Mirael gave Isabel a reassuring pat on the shoulder before moving to join the soldiers assembling at the front. "Stay safe, Isabel," she said. "We'll see each other on the other side."
"You too, Mirael," Isabel replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for her friend's unwavering support.
As the half-hour mark approached, the camp buzzed with activity. Soldiers stood in disciplined ranks, while healers checked their supplies one last time. The urgency of the mission was clear in every face.
As General Thorne landed on the ground with his massive dragon, Goliath, the awe and respect from the soldiers were palpable. Goliath's brown, boulder-like muscles flexed with power, his sharp eyes surveying the troops, and his spiked tail, adorned with blade-like stones, swung menacingly.
General Thorne reappeared, his presence commanding attention. "It's time," he said. "Move out!"
Isabel stood among the other soldiers, her gaze fixed on the impressive sight. She, like many others, was mounted on a horse, a stark contrast to the privileged few who had dragons as companions. The dream of bonding with a dragon remained a distant hope for many, including Isabel.
Their captain, a stern and formidable man named Aric, commanded the troops with authority. His green dragon, Viper, was known for its ability to spit poisonous gases, an awe-inspiring and fearsome sight. Isabel admired Viper's shimmering emerald scales and the bond he shared with Captain Aric. Her hands itched to stroke the dragons, to feel their powerful scales under her fingers, but she knew that dragons did not tolerate being touched by anyone other than their bonded companions.
Captain Aric addressed the gathered soldiers, his voice firm and commanding. "We ride to the north border to defend our land from the dark monsters. Stay vigilant and follow orders. Remember, your lives and the lives of your comrades depend on your discipline and courage."
Isabel nodded, gripping the reins of her horse tightly. She cast a final glance at Goliath and Viper, feeling a renewed determination to prove herself worthy of a dragon companion.
When all the soldiers started their journey towards the North border, leaving behind only a cloud of dust, the sight was awe-inspiring. General Thorne, atop his mighty dragon Goliath, led the charge, with various troop commanders and their dragons soaring alongside him. The sight of numerous dragons flying in unison, their wings cutting through the air, was a breathtaking spectacle.
Below the dragons, the soldiers rode their magnificent steeds. These creatures, though resembling horses, were far more than ordinary. Known as Velociquines, they possessed incredible speed and agility, their muscular builds making them formidable mounts. Though not as large as the mighty dragons, Velociquines were majestic in their own right, their sleek forms and powerful legs enabling them to keep pace with the dragons above.
Isabel, riding one of these remarkable Velociquines, felt a surge of pride and determination. The rhythmic thundering of hooves and the powerful beats of dragon wings created a symphony of strength and unity. The journey was long, but the sight of the dragons and Velociquines moving together filled her with a renewed sense of purpose.
As they journeyed further north, the harshness of winter became more pronounced. The biting wind cut through the air like a blade, its icy fingers stinging Isabel's face with every gust. She wrapped her cloak tightly around her, trying to shield herself from the biting cold, but the wind seemed relentless, whipping at her with unforgiving force.
As they approached the North border, the landscape changed, becoming more rugged and foreboding. The air grew tense with anticipation. The soldiers knew they were nearing the site of the breach.
General Thorne's voice boomed over the din of the march. "Stay alert! We are nearing the breach. Prepare yourselves for battle!"
The dragons roared in response, their calls echoing through the skies, while the Velociquines beneath them snorted and pawed at the ground, sensing the impending conflict. Isabel tightened her grip on the reins, her heart pounding with both fear and determination.
As they crested a hill, the scene below came into view. The North border was in chaos, dark monsters swarming in waves. Their grotesque forms and glowing red eyes were a stark contrast to the serene beauty of Valaraeth. The soldiers quickly dismounted, readying themselves for the fight ahead.
Isabel's eyes scanned the battlefield, her mind racing with the tasks she needed to perform. As a healer, her role was crucial, and she knew that every moment counted. With a quick sign gesture, she rallied the other healers in their group, directing them to the nearest healer camp.
Together, they rode swiftly towards their destination, their steeds carrying them with urgency. The sight of their group approaching brought a sense of relief to the healers at the camp, who had been struggling with dwindling supplies and injuries of their own.
Isabel wasted no time in assessing the situation, organizing the healers into teams and distributing the remaining supplies as efficiently as possible.