Battle at the Cave

The moonlight was still bright overhead. Patrick sat behind Georgius on a gray, spotted horse. Georgius carefully guided his horse across the uneven ground.

Tarek and Hazi kept pace on the black mare, Coal.

“The place of sacrifice is just ahead,” Tarek called out.

They raced over the hill. And then the horses were reined to a stop. The four friends were near the wooden post. Georgius leaped from his horse and drew his sword. It glinted in the pale moonlight.

“There are tracks here!” he shouted. The Roman soldier knelt by the post and searched the ground.

Tarek and Hazi climbed off Coal. She suddenly reared up, whinnied, and then bolted away.

Tarek gave a shout. “The horse!”

Georgius’s horse suddenly jerked its head. It bucked Patrick off and galloped after the mare. Patrick hit the ground hard.

Patrick groaned. Horses always seemed to run away when trouble was near. At least they did in the movies.

“Should we chase them?” Tarek called.

“No,” Georgius replied. He looked up. His eyes were dark and serious. “There is fresh blood here.”

Patrick stood up. His chest tightened with worry. “Where are the girls?” he asked.

“My poor daughter,” Tarek cried. He bent low to the ground.

Hazi went to his father and put a hand on his shoulder.

A roar sounded from the mouth of the nearby cave. It sounded like a cannon blast.

Patrick stumbled backward. Hazi and Tarek moved toward him. Georgius stepped forward. He stabbed his spear into the ground. Then he lifted the shield from his back. He gave the shield to Tarek.

“Protect yourself,” Georgius said. He grabbed his sword. Then he faced the cave.

Slanted, golden orbs of light appeared in the darkness.

“Stay clear!” Georgius shouted.

Patrick, Tarek, and Hazi huddled together.

Tarek moved in front of the boys to protect them. He gently pushed them backward. Soon they were pressed against a large rock. Tarek held up the shield. The three watched, staring at the cave.

The dragon crept out of the darkness. Its scales glimmered many colors in the moonlight. It reared back on its tree-trunk hind legs and spread its wings wide.

The dragon seemed to triple in size. The wings looked strange to Patrick. They reminded Patrick of bat wings.

The dragon roared again. It snorted and sprayed flames high into the air.

Georgius stood in battle position. His sword and spear were held ready.

The dragon charged forward. It swiped at Georgius. The soldier knocked away its sharp claws with his spear.

But the dragon’s blow broke the spear. It also knocked Georgius off his feet. The soldier rolled to the ground. Then he leaped back to his feet again.

The dragon came at Georgius again with a roar. Georgius raised his sword and faked to one side. Then he jabbed at the dragon’s neck.

The beast dodged. But the blade sliced its cheek. Gleaming green and silver scales fell to the dirt.

The dragon spun violently. Its mighty tail whipped around. It slammed into Georgius. The soldier was thrown like a rag doll.

Georgius slammed against a rock wall. He collapsed on the ground.

The dragon turned toward the others.

Tarek held up the shield to cover the boys. “Be brave,” he said. His voice quavered.

The dragon moved forward. Its head lifted.

Then a shout came from behind the beast.

Georgius raised his sword. “You will not have victory over me!” he cried out. “I am a servant of God Most High! By His hand I will defeat you!”

The dragon swung around. It responded with a short burst of flame. Georgius moved toward the dragon, avoiding the fire.

Then Patrick heard shouts.

Two small shapes came out of the cave and moved into the moonlight.

“Beth . . . Sabra!” Patrick called out.