A rain of tapered arrows showered as the beasts stepped onto 

the sand. Alas, they wouldn't pierce the dense scaly skin, but those 

that did go through the neck instantly turned them to dust, it seemed 

like magic, a dark one, as they blew away with the wind. 

The others charged towards the wall like a gigantic rolling boulder and shattered 

it in a blow tossing the men farther away. The swordsmen hiding on 

the sand jumped on top of them like pouncing panthers with blades 

as sharp as a whip getting through their necks but the fyredari swung 

around and picked them off using their arms and tails. 

They did not need any weapons, their razor-sharp nails digging into the flesh, all 

this in a matter of moments. Theo was petrified at the very sight. A 

swordsman slashed one on the arm and the beast held him by the 

hand and tossed him away like a dummy. 

Another man slid down between its feet and cut it on the calf, it grunted as he pulled up his 

shield to defend himself from the tail. It thrashed at the shield in rage 

till it tore into bits and clasped him, it stung him on the neck with its 

sharp tongue. The man collapsed the very moment, and it carried 

him away into the sea.

'What in the name of!' Theo screamed 'Where is it taking him?'

 

'We have lost many strong men this way, may their souls be 

blessed,' Arden replied in a low tone.

'It is time to get down there, the scaredy cats can stay back, shall 

we generals!' he rushed down with the remaining men accompanied 

by the generals

'Shall we!' Dena handed Theo his sword and shield.

 

'I think it would be better to stay put.'

 

'There are not many of the fyredari left now, they are 

outnumbered by ten to one, it should be quick, we said we would 

help, and prince Arden will not go easy on you. You have trained 

well…'

'Not for this!'

 

Dena placed his arm on Theo's shoulder.

 

'It is not safe for us to stay, all the men are down there, it is just the 

two of us here, stay behind me. Heed to me this once, I swear I will 

not let anything happen to you,' he looked into Theo's eyes.

 

They walked down cautiously with swords and shields in their 

hands. As they approached the sands, a tail came at them, and Dena 

slashed it off. The fyredari turned around grunting in pain with a man 

in its arms desperately trying to free himself. 

Theo, who was behind Dena, moved away and tried to keep himself hidden, no one noticed 

him. He watched curiously as Dena took down a couple of them, he 

was wrong to think only a few more were left. 

They were shocked to see that as some of them carried men away into the sea, more 

emerged from the waters, it was a nightmare, the scariest one of them 

all. Theo wanted to just open his eyes and find himself on a bed, but 

this was all real. 

Amidst the chaos and death around he did not pay 

heed to the green eyes glaring at him. By the time he did, it was too 

late. He held up his shield and the fyredari hammered down on it with 

its bulky arms. He was buried into the sand.

 

'Dena!' he wailed as he went down.

 

Dena had just driven his sword through the foot of a fyredari. He 

turned around as he heard Theo to only find his shield from the 

distance. He rushed to the place and looked around panicking while 

the hurt creature tossed away every man in its way. 

It got hold of Dena from behind, it held him so tight that he lost grip of his shield 

and sword. He tried to free himself to find Theo, that was his priority.

 

'Sire! Whhhhhhere.... aaaaare...... you?' He yelled at the top of

his voice fighting for breath, 'Priiiiiiince...... A.....aaaar..den, 

find…...'

 

The fyredari stung on his neck with its tongue, he collapsed, and 

it carried him away.

 

Arden was helpless as he tried to escape from the grip of a beast 

himself.

 

'Unhand me, you hideous thing. I am the prince of Deladra,' he 

roared at it fighting for breath. The fyredari stopped and glared at him 

with its bright green eyes, it loosened its grip, and he heard the voice, 

the very same one,

 

'WHERE IS THE PRINCE OF ANMARA?'

He somehow felt a strong urge to answer from within,

'I do not know;' Arden replied panting anxiously and looked 

around.

'I cannot see him anywhere. I knew he could not stand it,' he 

quickly turned his head and checked as far as he could see. He turned 

the other way to see if Theo was near the pavilion but all of that was 

in shreds, no man in sight, 

'I cannot find him, must be dead…. he must be dead.' he repeated.

 

The creature let him go. He fell on his back on the sand and 

stared at it in shock. It roared, deafening the men for a moment, 

Arden quickly covered his ears. And when they came to, the fyredari 

had retreated. Arden got on to his feet panting.

 

'Anybody alive!' he shrieked madly. He had just spoken to a 

fyredari and it let him go. He was in a state of delirium, he slipped and 

fell to the ground.

 

Injured men slowly got up and approached him.

 

'Has anyone seen prince Theoden?' he inquired.

There was no answer, but the injured men started searching 

around.

'No sire,' one of them replied.

 

'Comb every inch, find prince Theoden!'

 

'Spare me sire, but I saw the Anmarian being carried away,' one 

of them reported in a sad low tone,

 

'The prince?'

 

'The tall man with the prince, sire.'

 

'Dena? No....oooo!' Arden yelled. 'That is not right. I never meant 

that snob. How will I face Sela?' He held his forehead feeling dizzy.

'What about prince Theoden?' he repeated breathing heavily.

No one replied as no one had seen him. The silence was 

reassuring, Arden got up slowly.

 

'Help the injured, get them to the camp.'

 

There were distant voices and murmurs among the men as they 

helped the injured. Arden found a man with his leg hurt on the 

ground, he helped him up.

 

'Can you walk?'

 

'I can sire,' the man bowed and limped away holding his injured 

shoulder.