CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

                                    

                                          
•~°~°•...•°~°~•
"That's no volcano." he said gravely.
•~°~°•...•°~°~•





"All hands on deck! Archers, arm yourselves!" Drinian barked orders, moving swiftly across the deck.



"Here, here!"



"Take one and pass them on!"


"Take your positions and wait for my command," Drinian commanded, reloading a crossbow that had been passed to him.


Hera dashed to her solar, grabbing her crossbow and a quiver of arrows. She hurried back onto the deck just in time to see their uninvited guest.


"Is that a bloody dragon?!" she exclaimed, loading her crossbow with practiced ease.


"I'm really tired of seeing another dragon," Harry muttered, his expression sour. "Potter luck is shite."


Hera shot him an exasperated glance.


"Do you even know how to use that?" he asked skeptically, gripping his wand tightly as his sharp eyes stayed locked on the beast circling overhead.


"I've had this since I first arrived in Narnia. Of course I know how to use it," Hera replied, rolling her eyes as she adjusted her aim.


"What's it doing?!" Lucy screamed, her voice rising above the chaos.


"Ready? Fire!" Drinian shouted, losing the first bolt. Hera followed his lead, as did the rest of the crew.


Harry raised his wand, firing a stream of spells at the creature, their fiery arcs illuminating the tense scene.


"Fire!" Hera shouted, her voice cutting through the noise as she reloaded and fired again.


"He'll break the mast! Hold your positions!" Drinian yelled as the dragon swooped dangerously close.


"Keep firing!" Hera commanded, her resolve firm.


The crew relentlessly fired arrow after arrow, each bolt whistling through the air toward the dragon. The beast roared, writhing in pain as one of its wings faltered. It momentarily lost control, its massive form teetering dangerously close to the mast.


"Fire!" Hera urged again, her tone sharp.


Finally, a well-placed strike from Reepicheep hit the dragon's underbelly. The creature screeched, releasing its grip on the mast and retreating into the sky. Cheers erupted from the crew, their victory lifting the tension that had gripped the deck.


But Hera didn't celebrate. Her eyes tracked the dragon as it veered toward the shore. Her chest tightened as she realized its trajectory.


"No..." she breathed.


"What is it?" Harry asked, alarmed by her expression.


"It's going toward Caspian's direction!" she shouted, her voice breaking with urgency. "Get me a boat!"


"Are you mad? No!" Harry exclaimed, grabbing her arm to stop her.


"He's right, Your Majesty! We cannot let you go after that beast. The king would have our heads!" another crewman protested.