A storm was building and not just in my thoughts. A reassurance that I didn't recognise came to me as cold water on fire and it filled me up with strength. I thanked the king for that and I was truly grateful for, although shallow, kindness. My heart betted even faster than before, but there was strength in it, for I remembered the king’s words. Sometimes we need fear to protect us from the coming danger.

            If the timing was right, the king's plan would work and there would be no clashing of swords today, but the stress was still there. Knowing Questin soldiers, they wouldn't let us go without a fight. As I silently wished it wasn't time yet, I turned to the king for reassurance. He nodded to me with a face of certainty, and it lifted my spirit. It was time.

I closed my eyes to take into consideration the weight of responsibility that I had to hold, then opened them to power that surged through the earth. Illusions of knights appeared all around us and their footsteps made the sound of gravel louder, as the real knights did. I had done it and now it was a matter of how long I could hold it. My magic couldn't last forever.

            The king joined my side with amaze and it beaconed more strength. “Now we hope it fools them as good as it fools me,” it made me laugh and a smile cut the dim aura that came from all the warriors. King was pleased, and he patted my shoulder again. I had kept my promise and now I had to hold throughout the rest. And if for some reason, my master is to be at the border, then I’m in for a struggle.

            Suddenly a long stretch of wall showed in the horizon and it made me impressed by the king's timing. If we had started the spell any minute later than we did, our plan wouldn't work at all. The closer we got, the more you could see the silhouette of enemy warriors keeping watch. This is where the Verlo army would stand its ground. Hope seemed to be sinking beneath my heels when I saw the numbers of the enemy, but I tried to hold my back straight. Then I saw the man I feared most. You could tell him apart from the rest of the mighty staff he held in his hands as it glowed with a dim light. Two bangs of that staff and everything I had been building up for would be gone. It made me crumble in doubt. Was it even possible to define your superior in the way I had planned to?

            “Knights of Verlo! Surrender and no destruction will come upon you!” His crooked voice hit the air, and I let my nose wrinkle up from the hatred I felt for the voice alone. Although their leader was standing tall in his power, other Questin knights shifted in fear. You could see it in the way they changed places, whispered to one another and got their weapons as close as possible. They were considering the fake numbers of Verlo. “We do not come to just defend our border! We come to stop Questin’s tormenting of our peaceful kingdoms of Verlo and Omarga!” The king yelled and his voice summoned sunbeams down from the dense storm clouds. I saw the young prince from Omarga standing tall as trees did and I knew that there was strength in these people, more strength and power Questin ever had. I saw my master flinch and at that moment, I knew. The king's plan had worked! My master didn't even suspect I was among the people of Verlo!

            “Fire!” Pride was too big in Questin’s leader and arrows shot through the air, cutting the silence in half with calls of fear. This is where Verlo would stand its ground. I took good care of our fake Knights, making them fall as well as fight back like real people would. Everything was fine until they found out their strongest weapon was between them.

            Sudden rush of pain hit my chest. I had been too busy keeping the spell in check that I had forgotten to worry for myself. An arrow embodied in my chest made blood spill and the pain was so stabbing I couldn't hold in any longer. I heard yells and footsteps, but it was too late. Wings sprouted and claws hit the beating earth and amiss the fighting I stood in terror that I had ruined everything. There was a pat on my left foot and I gazed down to meet the king eye to eye. He nodded to me in respect as other knights shook their heads in confusion as to where the dragon had come from.

            A sudden rush of air swooped the confusion. It was a black silhouette that split the air, heading straight for the man with the staff to use the distraction I had created. The bird knocked out the staff of the man’s hands and lifted the heavy thing as high as he could to get it as far as possible, but he couldn't do it for long. I rushed over, trying to ignore the attacks of people under my feet who saw me as the enemy. Master had already grabbed the staff back, knocking the bird out of the air.” Foolish bird!” The little crow fell, but I was too big to catch him. A thud of horse hoofs went by my side and the little bird fell into kind hands. She held the crow close to herself with her hair wild, flowing in the wind with a little fragile crown of sticks and leaves sitting on top of her head. Her eyes were full of strength and courage that I had never seen in her. It was my princess!

            But it was too late.

            A bang erupted that hit my ears with pain.

            My eyes dilated and my thoughts began to cloud with a thick mist. I was losing again. I tried to fight it, but there were too many interruptions. Deep down I knew that I would never define my master and deeper down I knew that as soon as I heard the second bang of the staff against the ground, I would be gone and I wouldn't have to fear or fight. I hinged my teeth and held on to the one thing I knew I wouldn't let go.

            Astra.

            My princess.

            That’s when the second and very last bang came.