Ok... so to put it bluntly SOMEONE told me not to kill, injure or do anything bad to Tempest. After a 5 mins argument, I gave in meaning that Tempest will have an uncertain future. So yeah... the horse is getting out of this without any problem... Maybe.

_ _ _

By the time the boys decided to react, the horse passed before their eyes. That was when Gawain something was off with that knight. The knight was seated in a weird position as if sleeping on the horse. His arms stayed to the side. He did not even make a move to grab the reins. His head was tilted at an unusual angle and his hair struck out in spikes that were blown off by air resistance.

Aaron ran after the horse cursing.  "  Those clever bastards ! That's a scarecrow on that horse. Ya got the smell? " the mercenary said to his brother over his shoulder. Gawain caught up to the blonde and grinned.

" Yup. Three kilos of fresh meat. They're luring out the werewolves to cut our flee. "

When they were close enough to the horse, Aaron grabbed the scarecrow by its foot and threw it behind him. Gawain increased his speed and came closer to the horse. He grabbed the reins and hopped on, then hauled Aaron up behind him.

As soon as he was on, Aaron cut the ropes that tied two fabric bags full of meat to the horse Gawain ran a hand through the horse's black mane ; he patted the horse on its caramel robe.

" It's Tempest. " he said softly.

" Tempest? "

" Brandon's usual mount. "

" Who's Brandon? "

Gawain did not say a word.

" One of your fellow knights, I suppose. You shouldn't be thinking about that now. We're on the run. What you've left behind is behind ; no chance of getting it back. No regrets- STOP THAT DAMN HORSE! "

Surprised by Aaron's sudden outburst Gawain obeyed. A fraction of second later, a column of fire fell from the sky and crashed where they should have been if they had not stopped. Gawain threw his head back; he saw the dragon. Its amber eyes was locked on them. Tempest panicked and darted in a beeline.

' Werewolves from the left, a dragon, mages and knights from behind. That's my luck. ' Aaron thought.

' We'll make it. We'll make it. If he has to die then... " Gawain glanced at Aaron, ' I'll rather die by his side and with no one else. ' His heart tightened.

' The dragon is most dangerous threat right now. ' Aaron thought glancing over his shoulder. He fumbled through his pouch and took out an old leather-covered book. He opened it at a particular page. A pale green circle with indiscriptible inscriptions found inside it appeared over Aaron's palm.

Cobalt, the dragon rider, saw a light flash before his eyes. He gasped but before he could process anything, his head fell off his neck and landed between Eugene's arms who cried out in surprise and horror. The body followed, landing a few meters away from Eugene's horse.

" Who the bloody hell did that!? " Brandon shouted as he glanced at the now mountless dragon. Adrien gave Cobalt's body a sad look as his horse ran past the headless corpse.

" Surely that damn mercenary.  " he hissed.

Meanwhile, a smaller violet circle had appeared at the center of Aaron's palm. Another exact same circle appeared on the dragon's throat. She might have lost her mount but she was still chained by magical restrains that would make go back to the one who tamed her. The dragon roared out of frustration. The restraining seal slowly burned into view. A circle with a cross on it. Slowly, the seal faded away along with all the magical restrains.

The mythical beast did not think twice; embracing her newly found freedom. She knew who had freed her but she would not interfere into those pathetic human's conflict. However...Werewolves did not count. Her eyes gleamed with a murderous glint. She calmly breathed out several columns of fire killing all the werewolves who came down from the mountain.

" Why is the dragon spitting out fire! " Adrien shrieked, " and now it's flying away!? "

" At least the werewolves were taken care of. " Eugene remarked shaking a little from the shock he was still recovering from.

" Calm down, Adrien. " Brandon advised, " Loosing your cool on the battlefield can mark your end. "

~~~~

" Aaron, was that book a magic tome?"

" So you noticed. I- Focus on the road."

" Which road? Since when did you ever practice magic? "

Aaron rolled his eyes. " Since quite a while. Now focus on where we're going. I don't want this horse to trip on anything. "

" Alright but- DUCK! " the ravenette yelled lowering his upper half. The mercenary mimicked his younger sibling as a fireball shot past them, barely missing Tempest. The stallion neighed in surprise and increased his speed. Aaron cursed.

" When we get out of this mess, I'm giving a goat as offering to Hecate. " Gawain said.

" What? "

" I need to thank Hecate for making you one of her followers. "

Aaron raised an eyebrow. " No need for that. Dad already did. "

" Dad- Oh, oooooohh. I see... "

More fireballs shot past them.

" Those bastards! They're purposefully missing us! "

" Why- "

Tempest neighed loudly out of fright. He lifted his front legs off the ground then the back ones trying to shake off the knight and the mercenary. Finally after the fifth attempt, Aaron lost his balance and rolled onto the barren ground.

" Aaron! " Gawain shouted shifting his attention to his brother.

Aaron spit out some dirt. " I'm fi- " The platinum blonde's voice trailed off.

His eyes widened as he witnessed Gawain; the war genius, one of the most respected knights of Fargas getting ejected from his mount and landing head first into the dirt with his butt high up.

Aaron bit his tongue trying to hold back a laugh. " Get up, Gawain! " he yelled catching Tempest running off to the West. He threw his hand above his head. A protective barrier made of heavy wind gusts raised itself in front of the two teenagers.

Almost immediately, a giant fireball collided with the wind barrier. It resisted. A dragon made a of water followed. The barrier shook but Aaron stood his ground. He heard Gawain scramble up and spit.

" Ugh...My head... " Gawain glanced over his shoulder. " A protective barrier... "

Both of them glanced at each other. They knew what it meant; they would have have to fight. They were thankful though, that the dragon had taken care of the werewolves. Aaron  shook his head, his arm fell to his side and the barrier faded away.

" I'll take care of the knights... Take cover, you don't have to see this... "

" No, I won't. " the ravenette protested. " Even though they're my comrades... I won't. " he drew out his sword. " It doesn't matter. "

" I insist on taking care of the knights. They're almost caught up. "

" How am I supposed to fight against mages? "

" Stop being so clueless on purpose. " Aaron sighed. He thought for a while. " Change of plans. We're going to take down those mages together. "

" Any idea on how you'll proceed? "

Aaron handed his dagger and some throwing knives to Gawain.

" Give me your sword. It'll be easier to kill them with those...in a way at least. If we're quick enough. "

Gawain grinned. " Got a point, bro. The knights are protecting the mages though. "

Aaron giggled. " I know a small tornado that might just do the trick. Once we've taken out the mages, it's a face off with the King's knights. "

Gawain took a deep breath. " I know. Don't worry about me. I won't allow myself to falter. "

" ' kay then. " Aaron muttered drawing out his magic tome. He threw his hand out in front of him. A light green magic fire appeared. The wind picked up more and more till it howled violently. Gawain glanced at his now former comrades. Worry creased his brow.

" Here goes nothing. " Aaron yelled over the wind.