A Challenging Plan

Days passed with very little progress made in getting the Fates down from their perch. Fortunately, the cloth in the window did not grow any shorter, so nothing major happened to those waiting to be rescued.

On the ground, things were a different story. More and more desperate creatures were attracted to the once lush green hills in the center of the land of magic.

Battles of giant creatures took place at regular intervals, tearing up the landscape and ending in death.

Although most ignored the puny humans in search of their prize, some thought they would make a tasty meal. The soldiers fought with all their might. Victory came at a heavy price.

Eira helped the group's healer check on the wounded.

"Will any of them be able to fight if we are attacked again?" Eira queried.

Although she had no official title, the beautiful soldier was considered the ranking officer in the Land of Magic. The healer shook his head.

"Not for a while, if at all. That beast's claws were sharper than any razor. If not for your swordsmanship, I would have lost my arm." The man pointed to the rip in his coat. "Maybe my life as well. Thank you."

"We do what we can," Eira was uncomfortable with the praise. "Have you checked on Her Highness?"

"He has, many times," the princess interrupted. "And he can tell you no more than anyone else."

"Your Highness, I did not mean to imply that I wanted a report on your health…" Eira bowed deeply.

"I hope you did. It is nice to know that people care." Mairwen smiled. Her head ached, but she was determined not to look weak.

The ground rumbled. It was an all too common occurrence, but the dark-haired princess still wobbled from the shaking ground.

Eira reached out to steady her mistress, sending a concerned look toward Renat. The scientist, who was working with Alaron, came hurrying over.

"My love," he said gently. "I think the battle is almost over. We should see who comes out on top."

"We know who will come out on top, but I suppose it couldn't hurt to confirm." Mairwen took her husband's elbow.

Leaning on Renat heavily, the princess walked beyond the edge of the trench to get an unobstructed view of the clearing. Hanna and the elves were already there watching the scene.

The most recent battle was indeed coming to a close.

"You are just in time. This one was not as good as the last one, but that Perbindesh got in a good hit at the beginning." Uri pulled down his face covering and explained as the couple neared.

There was no getting used to the stench, but the people found they could tolerate it better for short periods of time.

Tightening her own face covering, Mairwen watched the mayhem before her. The Perbindesh's massive horn held back the Myrmecoleon's massive mandibles, but its single set of bird-like legs were no match for the strength of the second beast.

The Perbindesh tried to ram the insect with its horn, only to be thrown to one side. Then, curling its body on itself, the Myrmecoleon stabbed the horned bird's chest with its spiked tail.

All at once, the challenger went still, the Perbindesh was dead.

The large ant picked up the bird with its front two legs and limped to the hill of bodies. With a clicking roar, he lobbed the grotesque trophy onto the rest.

"One of his legs is injured," Renat noted the change in the ant's movement. The mane of its lion head waved as it lumbered along.

"That bird struck fast, but not enough. If the Perbindesh had been a little faster, it would have taken one of the insect's legs clean off." Nath sighed.

Any weakening of the beast was welcome. But a larger injury would have been better.

"It is too bad," Hanna spoke softly. She leaned against a tree with a vacant expression. "The Perbindesh is not usually so aggressive. If it had won, maybe we could have talked it into trying to help the other Fates."

There was a moment of silence as the group contemplated what could have been. Mairwen studied the state of the massive ant.

"Is it weak enough to try your plan?" She asked tentatively.

Renat did some calculations in his head. "I know what we need to do, but it will be very hard to actually do it. Without a distraction, that thing will see us coming long before we arrive. I think it can see us now and just doesn't care enough to come after us." 

The Myrmecoleon was staring in their direction. Was it looking at them or just staring at the brush looking for a challenger?

Hanna stiffened. The Elves also seemed to sense a change in the air for they looked at one another warily. The scientist furrowed his brow. "What is it?"

Taking off her glove, Hanna licked her finger and held it in the air. "You may want to get Alaron. I think your distraction will be here any moment." 

The scientist wondered at her words, but not for long. A roar that struck him with terror broke the air like shattered glass. 

Mairwen covered her ears and looked upward. Her eyes grew wide. "Is that?" 

"Edjer, King of the Dragons," Hanna dipped her head even though the dragon could not see. 

The King swooped overhead between the spires and the lion-headed ant. Unafraid of being seen, he taunted the Myrmecoleon with words of the ancient tongue. Edjer's stomach glowed briefly before fading. 

"That's good," Hanna muttered. "If His Majesty can still speak in the ancient tongue, then he has not completely lost his wits." 

"Then we should be able to reason with him if he wins," Mairwen's face lit up at the thought. "And he can fly! Maybe he will solve both our problems!" 

"Don't get too far ahead. One step at a time." Hanna reminded the princess gently. But Mairwen could see the ember of hope light in the Fate's eye as well. "Renat?" 

"Uri already ran to get the Guardian," Lilith told them. "The elves will help the Guardian and Prince Renat get into position." 

"I want to..." Mairwen was cut off with a sharp gaze from Hanna. 

"You will not be helping this time. Your vision is not fully cleared for archery and you were not made for close combat with a beast." The Fate crossed her arms. 

"Neither are they!" The princess argued. 

"But they are in full health. If you were as well, I would not stop you." Hanna's eyes glistened. She did not like the situation at all. "If you go, the men will be more worried about you than the ant. It will not end well for them." 

"Did you have a vision of that?" Mairwen wondered if being close to the source of magic had given Hanna some insight.

"I don't have to. I know them and I know you. Keep them safe by staying safe yourself." Hanna's face softened. "I will wait with you. I am no good either."

Alaron ran with a pouch in his hand. Uri had been very quick in finding him. 

"I heard it is time," he said, a look of determination on his face. 

"It is." Renat glanced at the pouch. "Is that them?"

Alaron held up the bag to Renat's face cloth. A stench worse than the rotting flesh pervaded his nostrils. 

The scientist leapt backward. "Bleh. I don't know how you managed to keep on your belt this whole time. I would have chucked it weeks ago."

"It only smells when you get very close to it. I thought it would come in handy. Hopefully, I am right." Alaron tossed the small parcel in his hand and caught it. He looked up as Edjer made another pass below the Mystic Spires. 

"The Dragon King is our chosen champion?" he asked. "Are we sure?" 

"He is better than anyone else we have seen. And he is able to speak the Ancient Tongue." Mairwen thought of the baby dragon that Edjer had burned down Valiant Palace to find. "He is also a good father. I want to help him." 

"You are staying here," Alaron looked at his sister. 

"I know. I will be good." Mairwen promised, crossing her heart with her hand. 

Another roar came from the dragon. This one made Hanna blush. "The King doesn't mince words with what he thinks of the Myrmecoleon's carnage. I do think he will attack any moment." 

"Why hasn't he already?" Alaron did not think the dragons were shy. 

"I think he was trying to see if he could light the fire in his belly. His belly glowed, but it was not enough to actually breathe fire. That puts the king at a disadvantage. He will need your help even more now." Hanna pressed her hands together. 

At that moment, the time for planning was finished. 

Overhead, Edjer made one last loop around the sky. 

Then he dove.