Untrustworthy

Going with only Lygawa seemed a sensible precaution, as they skirted above the trees to near the other side of the thick forest, but then without the others; they had to find the approaching army themselves.

{I could delay their progress by knocking down a few trees...}

The skimming dragon gave a suggestion, since Mai was intent on causing as few casualties as possible, while halting their progress.

"You'd have to knock down so many... to make a good enough barricade; otherwise they'd just walk around them."

{Hmm... true - then perhaps a forest fire could scare them-}

"No. We're not torching nature to only delay them a little..."

Plus; a fire could get out of hand and end up causing more problems...

They glided across a small valley covered with trees, when something stuck out amid them.

"What is that...?

Mai pointed out the disturbance, in comparison to the surrounding area, so Lygawa circled over toward it.

A particularly odd shaped 'hill' turned out to be not one at all, as they swung back around it and took a closer look, they could see it had sharp walls, partly crumpled keeps and a fallen in roof.

This was the castle I saw... it's been abandoned long ago, and is already a wreck, but there's no fire about it... yet...

{Do you want to check it out, yes?}

Lygawa continued to circle like a hawk.

"Nah, we don't have time..."

The silver dragon pulled away, resuming their slightly lengthy search for the army - that now wasn't far from the spied ruins.

{There.}

Lygawa banked away, but pointed with her head, near the tree covers edge, already aware that Mai wanted to approach them on foot again - as less of a treat.

Going around their position, landing and then strolling back wasn't difficult - but this time every set of eyes from the many men were glued upon them, as they walked the worn track into the bundle of them.

They certainly know we're here this time...

The women still remained unhindered, until they neared the collection of tents, where a small group confronted them on the trail.

"Halt."

Apparently an officer, in the finer armor, raised his hand and stepped before them.

"What business do you have here...?"

The ladies stopped and as Lygawa watched those around them, Mai answered.

"We want a little chat with your commander, if that is convenient."

"And if he's busy..."

A nervy man beside him slightly shook his still covered sword on his belt, receiving a focused stare from the green-eyed dragon - which froze him still.

"Oh, I think he'll make time for us..."

He gulped and adjusted his metal and leather helmet.

"Otherwise we can wait."

Mai gave another option with a small non-threatening smile.

Another officer snuck up behind the first and whispered something into his ear.

"Alright, ladies, please come this way..."

Under the watchful eye of everyone else in the vicinity, the two followed onward, before being shown into a modestly big tent, on the edge of the others.

"Please wait here, he shouldn't be too long."

The two stepped into what was presumably an 'officers quarters', as a number of guards took their assigned place just by the entrance.

"Now what?"

Lygawa found the nearest 'chair' and parked herself on it.

"We wait."

Mai sat down beside her on the long wood box.

"So rude..."

Lygawa started, having finally had enough of their mostly silent boredom.

"How long already... and where are the offerings to keep us entertained?"

Mai suspected Lygawa didn't get that wasn't something military people did to keep their 'guests' from becoming annoyed.

"They seem intent to keep us here..."

Lygawa grumbled as she got up to pace a little.

"...for some time too."

They had already been sitting for roughly an hour, but Mai had expected they would have as well.

"Do you think we've wandered into some kind of trap?"

Her tail straightened as she stopped and scanned the tent suspiciously.

"I suspect we're already deep in a trap..."

Mai felt her gut churn over, but stayed strong.

"... but let's let them spring it."

"Why?"

Lygawa said worryingly.

"We'll only be defending ourselves then - not aggressors like I assume they want us to be."

Mai explained, keeping her voice low so the few outside didn't overhear.

"What does it matter?"

"They want you to be the reason that this fight they want starts, so we just won't give them that excuse..."

"Oh. But, night is getting close now... and I will be..."

She looked around the tent again then whispered.

"You don't think they know I am next to useless in the dark?"

Mai got up and came to her, patting her nerves away.

"It's alright; we'll keep the torches lit. Anyway; most people are pretty useless when it gets real dark too."

The silvery one calmed under Mai's steady hand.

They both got a little jumpy; as yet another hour's wait saw the sun's glow fade, then disappear, still without a single word from their 'host', while at least a half-a-dozen guards made sure they remained there.

But they knew something was afoot when things suddenly became real quiet outside.

"I sense a magic barrier - it has been placed... over us."

Lygawa snapped her head about with wide eyes, sensing movement and magic.

"Should we flee - no it is already too late!"

Mai also heard shuffled noises, all around them, so grabbed Lygawa close and whispered in her ear.

"Quick... lay down flat!"

They collapsed to the ground safely and stayed together for only seconds, before a shout outside was given.

"Begin!"

A couple dozen spiky splinters of ice ripped through the side of the tent, but sailed overhead before slicing straight through the opposite side, and clunking against heavy metal on the other side of the fabric.

The dragon then wasted no time then, glowing brilliantly, Lygawa instantly became her shiny true form, standing carefully over Mai, nearly filling the whole flexible structure, but like she'd predicted; encountered a barrier above.

{It is strong...}

Shaking her sleek horned head and long neck quickly ripped the tents top apart, revealing the light-web that held her down to the ground, but as the magic was visible, it was Mai's turn to act.

Concentrating on the criss-crosses of light-yellow, Mai successfully used her magical break - shattering the strong webbing and letting Lygawa raze herself higher.

She spread her wings and pushed up, avoiding another volley of ice, that again skited through the sides harmlessly.

{Such folly!}

She roared angrily, beating her wings again to cause a strong downdraft, that knocked much around Mai to the ground, while she was already safely laying there, she heard much clatter about the roofless tent.

Something else then sounded, a little way off, and forced Lygawa to quickly react, rising higher, she narrowly avoided a hurtled large metal spear, then another from a different direction, before four flares shot up from around them.

That was the wrong move...

Mai had nearly gotten to her feat, when she was surprised by a rushing soldier, who had recovered quicker than her, as he tackled her back to the earth, well before she had time to react.

More soon joined him, holding Mai firmly down, as one even clasped a hand over her mouth.

Blast it, I'm in a real problem now...

At least on her back, Mai could see what was going on overhead, as the quick silver dragon evaded more spears that flew her way.

With their let loose flairs; Lygawa had her sight, so with each projectile fired at her, she easily dodged them now, even in a relatively similar position in the air.

Mai let her body go limp, making the two who held her have to carry all her weight, as they lifted her up, but suddenly she pulled back once they'd got her to her feet, and with that she was able to briefly break free of their restricting hands.

"Fly away Ly-!"

It was all the time she had, but also all she needed.

Lygawa hesitated for a slight moment, but then darted high into the dark sky, well clear of any possible shots then.

Mai saw her disappear safely into the stars above, just before another soldier thrust a small bag over her head - and everything went dark.