Days 96-101 (74th-79th)

Days 96-100 (74th-78th):
It was a few days before our barriers were tested. It began with sporadic arrivals of civilians who said they were fleeing from Baaloc raiders and invasions. Soon, they became waves of people spilling into the city, mainly from the east, away from Baaloc Prime. Sprinkled among these refugees were people who could not get pass either the first or the second barriers. In nearly every case, they were working for the Baalocs as spies or were Baaloc clerics trying to preach the Baaloc faith to the refugees. These people were held at the fort. Some, however, did not survive their encounter with the barriers. A few were found to be undead who's power was drained by passing through the positive magic of each set.

Day 101 (79th):
The barriers were really tested about a week after their construction. A platoon of two thousand rode over the hill just after dawn and headed straight towards the city. Leo had alerted us to their presence when he saw them while he was out flying. We seven, the Royal Family, and many others watched their advance from the main tower. As we watched, they stopped just outside of the first barrier. Scouts were sent ahead to feel it out. Many hit the first like a stone wall, unable to even pass through it. Some died, hitting it over and over again until they collapsed. Sarah was too far away to feel their passing. Some made it, weakly, to the second. There, too, some died. No scout crossed the second. Only a handful returned out of the several dozen sent. Baaloc wizards and clerics tried dispelling the barriers. This was where the cooperation paid off. Against such diversity, their narrow focus did little to the barriers. All they managed was weakening one point in the first. Even so, a large portion did not make it through it. Those that did walked as if they had instantly gained a hundred pounds. Some did not change how they moved. A harder look showed those were undead. At the second, Baaloc clerics and wizards tried again. Still, the variety of specialties who erected it proved to be its strength. Layers were peeled, but it remained intact. Only animals crossed this one. The wizards informed us that they were magically compelled or undead. They stopped at the third. The living ones snapped out of their compulsion and the undead just dropped. Some soldiers and citizens ran out and grabbed the newly released animals, mostly horses, cows, dogs, and pigs. Out of desperation, the Baalocs retreated beyond the first barrier and began an aerial assault. Clerics and wizards shot magic towards the city. Flying over the first easily, some of the lower ones clipped the top of the second. However, even the highest ones barely topped the third and none topped the fourth. Carts set aflame and pushed or pulled towards the city never made it. Between the distance from them to us, the flatness of the terrain, and the fact any animal forced to pull it stopped at the third, it proved to be a useless tactic.
By nightfall, what remained of the two thousand set up camp. From the few fires we could see, less than half were still fit and able.
"Leo, you can see in the dark, right?" I mentally asked him.
"Yes, I have excellent night vision, why do you ask?"
"My sight lets me see them in the dark. Their cloaks and glows have a shine at night. I could get an accurate count if you fly me over them."
Mental and verbal arguments assailed upon me. When the noise died down, I assured them we would be safe, "It is dark, no moon, and they are exhausted. One trip, out and back. We can stay as high as this tower," I told them.
"Correct," Leo added, "besides, I can keep them from seeing us. I am not without my defenses."
Everyone, eventually, agreed to let us go. I met Leo in the garden. He asked if I was still wearing my gift from the Faerie Queen. I told him I was. He bent his head down and instructed me to place the hand it was on in the middle of his forehead. Upon doing so, the ring expanded and became a band around Leo's head. The chain grew in width and length. When it got about an inch wide, it became two chains. The bracelet also grew and became a belt-like affair around Leo's wings, allowing them to move freely. At his back, a saddle grew. When it was finished, Leo was wearing a dragon-sized tack, saddle, and chain reins. Kneeling, he told me to hop on. As if this were the most natural thing in the world, I smoothly made my way up his body and into the saddle. Before I could ask, a flood of information rolled into my mind.
"You devious scoundrel! You and she knew this whole time!" I playfully scolded Leo.
A chuckle rippled through him, "The Faerie Queen's son was a dragon rider. Many Faerie are. The set she gave you is a standard set for beginning riders. When you are more skilled, you can personalize it to your or your dragon's tastes. Now, are you ready to fly?"
Grinning widely, I shouted, "YES!"
Within three wing beats, we were airborne. A circle around the tower let everyone know we were on our way. Crossing the distance in minutes, I looked down at the Baaloc camp. There were, at most, five people per fire. The thousand we thought were left was actually barely over five hundred. From their presence, I could tell most were very weak. I nearly felt sorry for them. We turned back to the castle. Not in any hurry, Leo leisurely flew, rising, diving, moving this way and that.
Just as we approached the castle, I heard wings, large ones.
"Fear not, Kayla. That is a friend," Leo reassured me.
"Allies for now, friends later, Mars-in-Leo," came a surly response from the darkness.
"Might I have the honor of knowing who is speaking?" I asked politely.
"You may address me as Falcon-with-flaming-eyes. I will accept Falcon," the voice responded in the same surly tone.
"Welcome, Falcon-with-flaming-eyes. Allies and potential friends are always welcome here," I said cordially.
The voice huffed and we circled the tower.
Landing in the garden, I got to see the body belonging to the voice. A golden-toned dragon lighted smoothly in the lit garden. He was enormous! The top of Leo's head barely reached Falcon's bottom jaw. One of his wings was as long as both of Leo's. Fortunately, the royal garden was such a huge place that he had room to move around, even with both of them there. The others and my sisters arrived to see me in the presence of two dragons. I had already reclaimed my ring-chain-bracelet set and there was no sign it had ever been anything else. Everyone stared.
"Everyone, this if Falcon-with-flaming-eyes. He will also accept Falcon," I told them. Then, I went down the line and introduced everyone.
"Nice to meet all of you," he replied formally when I was done, "I have travel far and wish to rest. The purpose of my arrival can wait until morning. Leo, where is a good spot to sleep?"
Leo and Falcon went off to a secluded spot while the rest of us went back inside to our own rooms. I let my sisters share my experience. A few begged me never to do that again.