Azured was just heading back home to get his stuff, he was going to pack up what little he had to move into the castle. It was dark out but Azured was no stranger to the darkness. Before he left he had to argue with Maitanth over him getting a escort. He didn't need any cause he knew it was just going to be to his house and back. Plus he doubted anyone would want to hurt him, to the public he was still just a lowly dragon. He sighed as he slowly walked down the darkened streets. Fires lit keeping the ground slightly visible, Maitanth was just what he needed in his life. He was caring and funny, he always seemed to want to keep him happy. He wanted to show Azu the world. Azur was lost in his thoughts of Mait that he never noticed some dragons stepping out in front of him. It was only when he almost bumped into one of them that he stopped. He squinted to try and see who they were but the darkness shrouded their identity. “Hey, who are you? What are you doing out?” He asked them backing up slightly. The group advanced on him quickly without warning. Azured tried to turn around and run but he was smashed into the ground by a large weight. He tried to shout out for help, all he could get out was “He-” then he was smacked right in the head. The world seemed to spin and he couldn't tell which way was up. Then a sharp pain resonated through his body from his stomach. He felt himself being lifted up into the air and suddenly he was thrown against a wall. When he finally opened his eyes, the dragons were cornering him against the wall. He tried standing back up but he squabbled against the ground. These dragons, they wanted to hurt him. Maitanth was right, he should have taken the escort. But he didn't, and now he was going to die after the best day of his life it seemed it would end so soon. He saw one of the dragons raise it's talons up to rake down on Azu, he curled up trying to shield himself against the attack. He felt the blow strike his wing. Then he heard a shout, multiple shouts from multiple dragons. The tremors coming from the ground made Azur open his eyes, the dragons around him were running. He looked toward where he heard the shouting seeing guards holding torches and wielding weapons. The few dragons that fought against the guards were subdued easily. Some of the guards rushed to Azured asking him questions. It all overwhelmed him, he stared at them blankly his mind spinning. One of the guards started to look him over. Then quickly snap their head up pulling the shield off their back and leaping over Azu, a thunk resonated through the air. Before the whole place lit up with dragon fire, the attackers came back with their own weapons. Azur managed to get himself to his feet, blood was dripping from his wings and a gash was over his ribs and stomach. He felt a stream of blood dripping down his face. In front of him was a small battle. Dragons clashing, biting, swinging, and burning blood seemed to flood the streets. However one side seemed more ordered than the other, the guards held their ground, each having their own weapons and roles. The one that had looked him over held a shield and kept close to Azu. The other guard that was with him had a crossbow. Using the one with the shield as a barrier from which to fire from. They went for those dragons closest to them. Azured knew that this fight was caused from him. The guards fought for him, to protect him. He backed up staying behind the guards line. A bolt skipped off the ground to his left, they were aiming for him. He turned around and started to run, he had to get help, there were more attackers than guards. As he turned around to head back the way he came he felt a sting in his shoulder. A bolt managed to hit him right in the arm, he missed his step and fell. But he recovered himself quickly motivated by wanting to keep those guards alive. They saved his life, he wasn't going to let them just die. He kept going limping with his wounded arm. Leaving the sounds of battle behind him. He managed to make his way to the castle, the guards at the front gate spotting him and running forward, one going past him to make sure nothing was following while the other asked what happened as they kept moving back toward the gate to get to safety. “Th-The guards, that way.” He pointed back the way he came “Help them” Was all he could manage. The one helping him nodded to the second who ran off. He was helped into the castle encountering another guard who ran off to tell Maitanth and the other guards. Azu stared at the ground as he was led by the one guard. Blood dripping down his right arm from the wound. Things started to grow fuzzy and his steps became more clumsy. Eventually he blacked out feeling the ground hitting him.

~----------------------------~

So, here's the follow up for the previous story, I'll say soon what happens to those guards and Azu. Might do it today even!