Page 70 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
"Then let's show the mages what two rookie fighters and two dragons can do!"Ava pointed towards the mountain range. "On to Lilly!"
Chapter 31
The castle rose like a work of art on the edge of the cliffs. It was illuminated by magical lights that flickered in every window, as well as in the courtyard and along the battlements. Like strings of lights suspended in the air, they lined up all around, making the complex easily recognizable: the heavy walls with their defensive towers, the tall keep in the center, and the smaller buildings scattered across the expansive courtyard. In the shadow of the castle, down the cliffs, the outlines of the arena where Ava had fought for her life during her last visit could be made out.
There was no sign of the mages.
"We must be careful." Magg pointed to a defensive tower that extended to the rocks and reached deep down the mountainside. "Do you see that muted red light surrounding the tower?"
Ava saw it. "What about it?"
"That's where most of them are hiding."
She examined the spot more closely but couldn't see anyone. "How do you know that?"
"Have you forgotten? I was their prisoner for months."
No, Ava would probably never forget that. "Do you see the keep in the center of the complex? That's where the prisons are.At least, that's where I was held. We need to avoid that area so we don't hurt Lilly."
"Unless they've moved her somewhere else by now—for example, next to Elora herself."
Since Lilly was leverage, they had to assume that. Heavens, where were the dragons supposed to breathe their fire if they didn't know who they might be hurting?
"Trust us."Draco briefly turned his head towards her and blinked gently, as if smiling.
She had no other choice but to do so.
"Do you know where Lilly is being held?"
"It's as your new friend said: The mage has her by her side."
"But how is Kilian supposed to free her then?"
"By creating plenty of distraction and chaos, forcing Elora to intervene. Ready?"
No! She felt like she was going to war, yet less than three weeks ago she had been sorting bills in her aunt's shop."Ready!"
"Then hold on tight!"
Draco and Thalara sped up and went into a dive. Ava held on to keep her balance."Remember, we can't go too low, or they'll catch us with their spells."
"Trust us. We know what we're doing!"Draco opened his mouth and spewed a volley of fire at the rampart. A protective shield appeared, and two mages jumped out from behind a chest-high wall. They had been expecting them. Draco's fire effortlessly broke through their protection, causing the hooded men to stumble backward and throw themselves flat on the ground behind the wall.
Thalara fired at the adjacent walkway, but the mages hiding there erected a shield in groups of five that deflected the fire. Nevertheless, Magg urged Thalara on, leaning into her movements and practically merging with her, as if she had been riding a dragon all her life. Ava looked at her several times tomake sure she was alright. Apparently, she didn't need to worry about her. She and the fire dragon were becoming one.
While the dragons raided one walkway after another, Ava looked around to see if she could spot Kilian sneaking onto the grounds, or Elora dragging Lilly out to stop the attack. But she saw neither of them; instead, more and more mages kept appearing, joining forces, setting up increasingly stronger protective shields, and some even dared to venture out from behind them to throw magical orbs of lightning at the dragons.
Draco deflected them with a swipe of his tail, causing them to crash against the rocks. Stones rushed into the abyss and rolled towards the arena. Within seconds, the structure was razed to the ground.
Things were going excellently so far.
"Can you sense where Lilly is?"
"Not anymore. But we'll find her! Have faith!"
Thalara was hit by a bolt of magic and plummeted. Magg clung to her. As the fire dragon caught herself and rushed upward, the cadet lost her balance. She hung askew on her back while the mages fired at them. Thalara had to move out of the way, but then Magg would fall.
Draco rushed in between and deflected a magic attack with his tail. This was enough time for Magg to swing back onto the dragon's back. As soon as she was seated securely, she gave Ava a thumbs up. Her long blonde hair streamed behind her like a cape. She pointed to a border tower. "More mages are hiding there."
