What Makes a Warrior Deadly

After several long arguments, it was decided that Bryson would help Kyera cross to the other carriage safely. She was looking tired and none of them really felt good about sending her into the other carriage with people that did not really like her much. However, there was no convincing her otherwise, they needed contact, after all they had no idea where they were going and only 3 of them had ever flown before. 

Kyera slipped out the window and traced her way across the edge of the carriage. The Dragons were aware of her motion, and Ember began adjusting his placement so he was underneath the other carriage. Seeing this, Bryson laughed and shook his head slowly. 

"I should have known the Storm Twins would take care of their Mistress. My apologies for being an old worried hen. I leave you to your Knights." Bryson took her hand and she slowly slipped off the beam, and he lowered her into place behind Ember's head. 

"Thank you Ember, My dear. Careful now I need to make my way back to the carriage." She kissed the dragon's neck and then started making her way back. It only took about 4 minutes for her to slip in through the window. Alexi and Damar stared at her both having knives pulled and fierce expressions. 

Kyera couldn't help but laugh. "I surrender, Dear Princes. Please spare me." Kyera teased as they put their swords away. Dryn hugged Kyera and the boys looked to her for support. "It's fine dears, I know it sounds scary out there but we are alright." Kyear tried to sooth the children, hugging Dryn with one hand and touching Nathaniel's hand before moving to Daniel's cheek. 

"What's going on, why did we leave?" Damar asked, he was uncertain and held Melania close to his side. The mood in this carriage was much more somber and a bit frantic to be honest. No one was truly at ease. 

"I was ordered to take you all away from there. Empress Vivian has requested that we not return until she has deemed it so. I think she realizes that the Dark Ones can come after any of you, but can not touch her." Kyera explained shaking her head. The truth of the matter had only hit her after they had been flying for a while. 

"What do you mean? Is Grandma in Danger?" Nathaniel asked as his eyes flashed with realization. They were well aware that their grandfather was gone. 

"No, She is not. She is the only royal in your family that can not be touched by the Dark Ones. That is why she sent you with me. Because the Dark Ones can't touch me either." Kyera replied with a gentle smile that soothed the children who stayed close to their mothers. 

"My dad will kill all those evil shifters. He's the best fighter of all!" Keen told her arrogantly and Kyera couldn't help but smile softly at him. 

"Keen, your father is an amazing fighter, and I hope he wins this fight. However, I am afraid that if he faces Verone as he is now, your father won't survive." Kyera replied with an apologetic seriousness. It was the truth. She and Verone had both been formidable fighters but their honor kept them from being animals. 

"And why is that?" Damar asked "What makes that warrior more dangerous than the others?" Having heard that name on the wind and the way she said it bothered him. She seemed to feel a blur of pain and sadness just from saying the name. Kendrick gently squeezed his sister's hand. 

"Imagine a tiger, loyal to his people and the forest crown. Imagine a tiger who loved the land and a woman so fiercely he was willing to die for their people alongside her." She spoke looking at her hands in her lap. The training scars were still there, thin shimmery white skin to remind her. A painful reminder. 

"Loyalty is admirable as is the willingness to die but it does not make one too fierce to match." Damar pointed out but Melania's hand came to his stopping him. There was recognition in her eyes. He glanced at his wife who was staring at Kyera intently. 

"No, it doesn't. Then imagine the hatred that heart holds if it turned on every loyalty it ever held. Even to go as far as to spit in the eye of the god that he knows exists. Imagine the ferocity of a beast with the pain of a man." Kyera looked up and met Damar's eyes and he saw a reflection in the watery pools. The pain and devastation clawed at his heart. He could hardly keep her eyes.