The Dragon Children Chapter X: Night Raid

When Night falls in the Rathlian lands, it is difficluty to tell. This is because the land is shrouded in an almost perpetual fog.
A woman materialized in Stephan's quarters. She had fiery red hair and green eyes. She was tall and slender and had an appearance that would make anyone feel at ease. Stephan knelt before her.
"What is your command, my leige?" he asked.
I have an assignment for your newest recruit." she said.
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Hours later, Saiyune and her new dragon, Drak, touched down in a village. Saiyune had changed dramatically under Drak and Stefan's tutelage. It was as though all kindness had been expelled from her.
Drak turned to her mistress. "You know what to do?" she asked.
"Yes." Saiyune nodded. She dismounted and placed her hand on the ground. It was time to test her new abilities. All members of the Black Dragon Clan were able to control the creatures who had aligned themselves with Pandora, the queen of evil. She smiled. "Arise, kartol!" she commanded.
Holes immediately formed in the ground and skittering noises could be heard. The townspeople heard the noises and stepped out to investigate. At that momnet, giant eight-legged creatures crawled out of the holes. They had stingers that sprayed acid. These were the kartols.
"Feast!" she sneered.
Drak joined in the chaos and began torching the houses. They soon found the one particular house they had been instructed to leave undamaged.
"There is a little girl inside. We have orders to take her alive." Drak reminded her.
"Stay back. I don't think we should frighten her any more than she will already be." Saiyune said.
Saiyune entered the house.. She found a dark-skinned girl who looked about eight years old and was cowering in a corner. She had blue eyes and short, pinkish-red hair.
"I-I'm scared." shivered the girl. "My dragon is in the next room and surrounded by those...things."
Saiyune noded. "I'll get the dragon." she said with mock sincerity. "What's its name?"
"Scarlet." said the girl.
"And what is your name?" Saiyune asked.
"Jewel. The monsters ate my mommy and daddy."
"Well, we'll just have to get you new ones." said Saiyune. "But first, let's get you to safety."
She took out an axe and began hacking at the door. When the door finally gave, she saw the kartols closing in on a red dragon.
Saiyune said strange words, causeing the scorpion-like cratures to back away.
"Burn them." Saiyune said. "Violence is the only language they understand."
The dragon nodded and breathed fire ont he monsters.
Saiyune turned to the child and offered a hand. "If you come with me, I can teach you to be brave. You will even make these creatures fear you."
Jewel's eyes widened. "Can you really teach me that?"
Saiyune nodded.
"Then take me with you." Jewel pleaded.
Saiyune nodded and the three of them left the village as the kartol continued their chaos.