The sunrise the next morning bathed the whole world in a blood red glow as if to symbolize the imminent battle.
       Arianna was the first to wake up. Exiting the tent, she sat on the ground, closed her eyes, and basked in the crimson warmth of the sun.  
       Suddenly, she heard the rustle of the tent flap and opening her eyes noticed several creatures staring at her. Seeming not to mind the unexpected attention, she stood and walked over to Skyler, who was now standing at the entrance of the tent with Caleb.
Teran had arranged for one more meeting to finalize their plan. Generals approached from every direction now, circling one last time around Gorgrim's map at the center of the clearing.
"Once the holes are bored and we're inside we need to take the castle." Teran stared at the map as he spoke.
"We'll have to worry about surviving the retaliation of Ronan's soldiers first." Maldrum recognized.
"So far we remain unsure whether or not we can cure our turned brethren, but either way we need to take that fort." Gorgrim pointed to the map for emphasis.
"Wait!" Arianna blurted, completely out of character, " uh... we have a way to revive the creatures Ronan has turned."
"Really!" Selene, the Rathen, exclaimed, her ears perking up.
"How?" Matheson asked.
"Weren't you listening when I rallied the creatures? Ronan is holding a wizard who is strong in the power of both light and darkness; Ronan stole his power to gain the abilities he now possesses. For that reason, I believe that this wizard can not only counteract his power, but take it back as well."
"Well, that leaves one question," Gorgim sat back on his knees, "How do we know this wizard is actually at the keep?"
"I'm sure Ronan would keep him close because he knows that he could destroy his plans were he released." Arianna had basically taken the lead of the conversation.
"How do we know that this wizards power can overcome Ronan's? How can we be sure?" The dryads' leader spoke up.
"Light has been beating darkness since the beginning of time. Besides they were originally his powers."
"We shall need someone to go into the fortress after him. It will likely be to their death. Who would volunteer for that?" The elvin general stood as he spoke.
"I will." Arianna's voice reverberated with resolve. "I've been in one of Ronan's prisons before. They were built in the same time period. I'm the one least likely to get lost."
"No!" Skyler interjected. "I won't let you go. It's too dangerous."
"I agree." Teran rose from where he lay. "We are not sending a child on such a perilous and important mission. Especially not alone."
"Are you saying I would fail?" Arianna now directed her attention to Teran.
"Of course not."
"She wouldn't have to be alone." Gorgrim offered. "We could send some troops with her."
"That won't be possible." Arianna contradicted. "The larger the group the more chance there is of being seen."
"But it would be safer." Gorgrim assured.
"Not when we're seen and Ronan sends a hundred traitors, mercenaries, and darkened creatures to slaughter us."
"I shall not send a child for this task and that is final." Teran declared.
"Then our cause is lost." Arianna's words stopped Teran as he left the ring of leaders.
He turned. "Is that a threat child?"
"No. It's a fact. Without that wizard we cannot save any of the turned creatures and Ronan's army is already much larger than ours. If we cannot heal any of them it will only grow." Arianna stared intently at Teran. "We need him. Please."
A deafening silence followed as all gathered awaited Teran's answer.
         "Very well. You may attempt his rescue."
They waited a moment before continuing. Soon the topic of the prisoners arose. "The question is whether we will be able to use the other prisoners during the battle?" Gorgrim still stared intently at the map.
"If Arianna is going in to free the wizard anyway, couldn't she also release the other prisoners." Skyler asked hopefully.
"I do not believe she could. She and the wizard will need to be as mobile and quiet as possible. We can't risk losing the wizard for a few feeble prisoners."
"But what about the other innocent people trapped in that foul dungeon?" Skyler protested.
"We will be able to help them after the battle."
"Not if we're all slaughtered! Those prisoners could run. They could hide and rebuild the rebellion. They could give this cause a chance to survive even if this mission fails. Send me. I'll get the other captives out."
"Teran?" Maldrum looked at him.
"We can't risk our army for a few untrained fighters." Teran solemnly decided.
"We'll be saving Caleb's mother, humans, elves, and other creatures all stolen from their homes. How is that not worth the risk?" Skyler asked. There was no answer from anyone. "I'll do it. Even if you order me not to."
"Wait! Skyler please don't do this. You're the only family I have left." Arianna grabbed Skyler by the shoulders and looked her straight in the face.
"I'm risking my life either way. I may as well do it for something that could have a lasting affect." Arianna didn't know how to answer. "I can do this." Skyler assured.
"She's right." Caleb spoke up from behind. "She can handle this." He grabbed Skyler's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Okay." Arianna released Skyler's shoulder. "But promise me you'll be careful."
"Of course I'll be careful." She allowed Arianna to hug her tightly.
"Then it's agreed." Gorgrim interrupted.
"No, it's not." Teran still stood in the same position. "Not until I say it is."
"Well." Skyler urged.
Teran stared off into the distance for a while. "Alright." Skyler nearly squealed with delight. "But only because if I say no you'll do it anyway."
The rest of the day consisted of exchanging ideas, final decisions, and explaining the plan to the entire army. As the sun dipped below the horizon, it painted the sky with brilliant oranges, radiant pinks, and deep purples.
————
The next morning, the sunrise seemed too cheery for the events ahead. The grass glistened with dew and the spider webs tangled in the trees shone.
         Skyler breathed the moist, full morning air deeply as she and the others made their way to join Gorgrim Teran, and Shinx for breakfast.
Nearly an hour later, they summoned the generals to go over the strategy once more with the army. It was also to send forth messengers to request the help of the Snow Wraiths.
"This whole battle depends on their answer." Maldrum pointed out.
"Yes it does." Teran stood by his side.
"And if they say no?"
"We improvise." With that Teran walked away, leaving Maldrum to stare at the horizon.
The army sprawled before them in rank upon rank of creatures.
         Teran stepped forward. "This battle will go down in history. Your courage and sacrifice is lauded."
"Some if not many of you will not return." Gorgrim put in. "But your legacy will be forever remembered."
"This will be no small feat. Your help will be needed..." The speech continued this way for a while and there were times when Arianna believed that some of the animals were ready to leave. Teran simply ended with "Whatever happens on that battle field, I will be honored to fight by the side of any of you. Let us take back our lands. Let us take back our freedom!"   
         A battle cry rang up from the legions in and around that clearing, filling night.
————
The morning brought not only the sun but also the messengers from the mountains as well. The two animals and the Sprite Aravis were exhausted and drenched in sweat. They stunk of dirt, wet fur, and swamp. Sap clung to their coats like a scared child to its mother. They stumbled wearily up to Teran.
"We have their answer." One panted.
"And?" Teran stared at them intently.
The other turned back towards the trees and whistled. Two twenty-foot-tall people crashed through the foliage and under brush and stood before the army.
        Many of the soldiers gasped, others gaped, and a select few shook until they nearly fell to their knees.
         "Is that answer enough for you?" The messenger replied.
Teran chuckled as the whole army gawked at the immense figures before them.
————
The rest of the week was spent preparing weapons and armor for battle. Swords were sharpened, bows were strung, and breastplates were polished. The dwarves worked tirelessly to strengthen crippled weapons and well-worn armor with what supplies they had. But, though it seemed endless, every thing was finally prepared.
————
The same thing happened each day without fail. A horn somewhere near by in the woods would ring out only once. It had been doing it for weeks. Now, Ronan woke to its long dull moan in the trees. Each day the sound edged him closer and closer to paranoia. What if it was to signal an attack? What if one of his guards had betrayed him? He found that he could trust no one. No one, that is, except his advisors.
One night he had called them into his chambers and asked them of the horns. They assured him that even if it were an attack, the invaders would never make it through the wall.
————
The sun spilled over the hills to wake the world. The solemn warriors of the camp in the clearing woke to the sound of war horns. The army was preparing to march. The birds did not sing as the army readied themselves. Everywhere there were soldiers adjusting plates of steel, fiddling with weapons, or helping others do the same.
In their tent, Arianna, Skyler, and Caleb silently prepared.
       As Arianna situated a mail shirt, she realized that Caleb wore only thin leather armor. "That's all your wearing?"
He turned to her with a little smirk. "Yep."
"Are you that confident?" She raised an eyebrow.
He chuckled slightly. "No, it's just the easiest thing to rip through. Every time I change forms I... I rip through my clothes. That's why I don't do it that often. You have to run out of clothes sooner or later, and it was probably going to be sooner for me."
"So, just in case."
"Yes. Can you imagine trying to break through iron armor?"
She giggled. "Nope. I guess I don't have that problem."
"Hey Caleb, I'm only half ready." Skyler piped up. "That's worse than your sorry excuse for armor."
"Right. Sorry." He returned to helping Skyler.
When they exited the tent, they found the whole army drawn up in ranks. They were finally ready to march.
          Arianna pulled on a helmet and walked to the front of the procession.
————
That morning the horn accompanied many others. Ronan immediately called for his advisors, who promptly told him that they had taken care of it. They had sent forth a squadron of Shadewing, imps, and firedrakes. A firedrake was a cursed being said to have come from Hell. Fire inflamed their flesh, smoke clouded their body, and their face resembled a skull. What is not fire is charred wood. Some say that they were the spawn of a demon's curse on the dryads of a far off forest. Whatever their true origin, all who engaged a firedrake in battle never lived to tell the tale.
————
The army traveled all that day and into the next. They did not speak unless necessary, they ate small meals, and slept as much as possible. They needed their strength.
The sun had risen several hours ago and the day was proving not to be the most pleasant. Autumn had arrived and the days grew colder. Frost even began to form on the grass and the trees. As they crested a hill, they viewed the foreboding fortress of Ronan.
        Suddenly, smoke billowed out of the trees and dark forms began to circle in the air over to their right.

A/N
Header is the Fire Drake.