Chapter 11 - Warnings to the Dragon

After the supper and the conversation, Leo was exhausted.
"I guess I'd best start heading home now," he said as he donned his jacket.
He bid them fairwell before going toward the door.
Sateria stopped him before he could step out.
Leo turned to look at her.
"Is there something wrong?"
Her eyes flicker to the side.
"There's something I need to ask of you."
Leo turns to look at her completely.
"Is this something---"
"Something we should discuss in private,"
The interruption cut Leo short.
Sateria slipped her coat on and opened the door.
A burst of cold air welcomed them into the night with its flurries.
They closed the door behind them and continued toward the edge of the forest.
After a long period of silence, Sateria turned to him.

"Word has gotten around the town that you're the bearer of an ancient symbol. Is this true?"
Leo's eyes widened in shock.
'How....well I guess it was only a matter of time that she would call me out...'
"Is that why you invited me to dinner?" He asked.
"Well part of it," She stated. "But also because we haven't seen each other in almost forever!"
Leo chuckled while scratching his head.
"I guess you're right. But still. About the symbol. Why do you ask?"
Sateria sat on a log before speaking.
"Well the reason I ask is because it's gotten to the Capitol and beyond. You need to keep yourself low. Be careful who you tell. Because the history of the Symbiotes is nothing but blood. I don't want to see you hurt or worse!"
Leo sighs as he let's her words process in his mind.
"I get it. But why does it mean so much? If words spreads to the Capitol, isn't it sort of a good thing?"
Sateria's expression showed him just how stupid his words were.
But he figured it out in a harsher sense when she stood up and slapped him across the cheek.
"No it is not a good thing!" She exclaimed.
"Because if it spreads to Shayaro ' Kodon's land, he will send mercenaries to try and kill you!"
Leo's eyes widened before they narrowed into a scowl. The irises began to shine in their cold blue light.
"Well that certainly puts things into perspective."
He scratched the back of his head as he thought it over.
'Great so allowing Twilight to be known had put us both in danger. This is just....fantastic...'
"I should get home. I'll walk you back. I'm certain you are freezing what with a night gown on under that coat being all you have."
Sateria smiled as she stood up.
"Yeah. it does get chilly when not wearing a set of trousers.
But please remember what I told you, Leo."

They walked back to the cabin and after they had bid one another fairwell, Leo headed back home toward the center of Juniper.

What Sateria said certainly bothered him....

"Is something wrong Rider?"
Leo jolted at the voice in his mind.
"Twilight?"
"Who else could it be?"
Leo shook his head.
"Well obviously no one. I'll have a talk with you once I see you in the morning."
"Understood. Good night, Saphire."

The next morning, when Leo awoke, he didn't want to climb out of bed. Something was wrong. Something...was out of place, but he couldn't point it out to himself.
In the distance outside, the sun was hidden behind a blizzard.
snow flew in droves, the constant whistle of wind as it rattled the windows, clearing them of the fresh fallen snow only for more to replace it.
He sighed and sat up, the tattoo glinting its silvery wings in the light of his bedside lantern.
He pushed aside the blankets and moved to his cupboard.
Leo dressed warmly in preparation to go outside and chop wood for the fire mantle. He walked heavily down the stairs, slipped on his boots and grasped the axe by the door before allowing himself to get swallowed in Winter's fury....

Hours of chopping away at the logs in the barn behind their house had brought him to a sudden realization.

Everything had been quiet all day.
He saw nothing of his father, none of the townsfolk. No foot prints...
Leo stepped outside to look around. The snow had died down a little to mere flurries. He set the axe over his shoulder as he began to wonder....

The faint sound of clanking metal and shouting came from the direction of the forest. His face settled into a frown as he listened more closely. Men screaming out, some agonized and some in anger.
'Oh no...'
He dashed back to the house and up to his room.
He donned his cloak and looked at the sword that leaned up in the corner.

"Hey Twilight?" He called out.
"Aye?" The dragon's voice responds in his mind.
"What's going on?"
It took several minutes for the dragon to respond.
"You're people are fighting a force of monsters that came from the south east. they showed up to the forests edge before the rise of a new day's sun."
"Where are you?" Leo asked worried.
"I am observing. I cannot assist unless you will too," The dragon said.
"And if you wish to help them, you'd better hurry. They aren't looking too well."
Leo cursed under his breath and grabbed the sword.
He fixed it to his back and started down the steps quickly, grabbing his bow and quiver from their respective places on the wall.
Leo charged outside, his mind set upon reaching the forest as fast as he could.

A roar from his left floowed by the sight of a massive creature with skin as rough as a hardened soldier's hand.
It swung a great axe at his head. Leo dodged it and while sliding out of range, he returned a blow, removing the beast's feet from below its knees.
He got to his feet and sent a jab of his sword into the creature's chest, driving it through to the ground below.
Once he knew it was dead, he moved on toward where the sound of battle was taking place deeper in the woods.
Through the air sang the twang of bow strings, shouting, slamming metal, and the occasional roars of the creatures they were fighting. Leo suddenly caught himself in the middle of the battlefield.
He dropped his cloak and began swinging. all of a sudden it was as if the world faded out....