Bly {Part 7}

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Bly tugged at Xander's collar, fussing over him for what she counted was the fifth time.
He smiled and softly took her hands, "Bly, am I going to speak before a council, or am I going to going to meet my maker? I'm confused the way you keep primping me like a worried mother"
She frowned, and gave his collar one last straightening. "You must make the best appearance you can. The last human most of the council members have met was King Adan"

Funny, what a coincidence.

"My what a long time that was" Xander didn't seem nearly as concerned as she had hoped, and Bly gave up.
"Bly Uaine, daughter of Councilman Arten, and Erulissë from the house of Siusan." Her name was called, and she stepped forward between the huge doors of the council room.
Once, she had commented to Tenzin that giving reports always felt like she was going on trial, and he had laughed, And said she would get used to it someday.
But, standing here, in front of the Queen and King's throne, the council men's seats spreading out like a half moon around her, she noted she still felt nervous. 
"Captain Xander Bolivar, human, of the Royal guard of Aragathia. Please join Bly Uaine"
Xander came by her side, and she could see him gawking at the room from the corner of her eyes.
She mentally groaned. Great. Now he will appear to be a simpleton.
There was a small hubbub of whispering as he entered the room, surely discussing his colors. They had become to much more clear since entering Voronwë, even she could see the significance of them.
She used the small wave of quiet chatter, and whispered, "at attention, Soldier"
The result would have been comical, if she wasn't so tense. Xander instantly stopped staring about the elegant, yet naturally built room, and stood straighter, his chin held high, though not high enough to be assumed prideful.
Bly caught the Queen's smile as she leaned forward, "Bly Uaine, please recount the happenings of your trip to quell the small dispute between Voronwë and King Felix"
Bly began her narrative. She told of the trip there, the quick negotiations, how even she had considered them too easily made. Their return trip, the ambush, and waking in a prison cell.
The councilmen whispered more, and she paused respectively, but Queen Bellasiel gestured for her to continue.
"Captain Bolivar came my rescue, putting himself in danger to get me safely from Aragathia" she told of their escape, and the meeting of Nairi and Adonis. Their journey and meeting Nithron, Kaymele, Prid and the fairies.
There was noticeable stir when she mentioned the fae folk, and she noticed Councilman Featherheart's eyes light up at the mention of his son.
"Do you mean to tell us, the Fairies have left their tree? All these centuries, they are finally beginning to enter the world again?" Bly's father spoke from his council seat, and she nodded politely.
"At least three of them have"
She then recounted their finding the Ortov, and slaying it. Nairi and her own near death experiences. The arrival into Revelin. Xander's acceptance into the Revelin guard. Nairi's near capture by the Dragons, her illness returning, their trek here (though she left out meeting in Ou Een, she just spoke of being saved by Yahweh) and their arrival.
As she bowed respectively, King Meglidur asked if the council members had any questions.
"Bly," Councilman Featherheart rose, and cleared his throat. "Do you believe Felix used these 'negotiations' as a way to lure us to him? And what do you believe his reasonings are?"
She shook her head, "I truly have no idea why he would want us there. But I believe, yes. It was a finely crafted lure"
Xander shifted beside her, and raised his hand slowly. "M-might I speak, oh Council and Court?"
The Queen smiled, and inclined her head. "Granted"
"Before I rescued Bly, I managed to overhear some interesting bits of conversation between Felix and Andromeda they w-"
"Andromeda?" King Meglidur stood, his hands tight fists.
"Y-yes, my liege. Andromeda is Felix's right hand, and, it is rumored, his lover"
Meglidur nodded, and whispered to the Queen, who asked Xander to continue, though a certain look had entered their eyes. 'So it seems I'm not the only one unsettled by her. All they heard was her name, and I can sense the growing strain of the room...' Bly noted, she looked around, noting the slight flicker in the councilmen's colors, the slight cautiousness in their color tones.
"They were discussing Tenzin and Bly...something about Tenzin's heart wasn't adequate. But Bly's was. I have no clue what they might have been discussing, but it sounded, to me, like they didn't want Elves, per se, but an Elf. One elf"
Silence reigned for a brief moment, and the King whispered yet again to his Queen.
Bly was clueless, what could Felix and Andromeda want with one heart?
A small cough came from the corner of the room, and all eyes turned to a thin Elvish woman. She wore the silver and blue of a scholar, and she had the timid look of a field mouse. Brown hair pulled back into a loose bun, which had soft tendrils of lightly curled hair escaping it to frame her narrow face. She had the altogether look of someone too distracted to care much about her daily appearance.
She was a scholar alright.
"If I-I might s-speak...K-King Meglidur, Q-Queen Bellasiel..."
"Please do, Scholar Alora" Bellasiel smiled softly, encouraging the timid woman.
Bly felt for her, she knew how it was to lose one's tongue. She had been so stricken the first few times of testifying that she had just gaped like a miserable fish while Tenzin had recounted their story.
"Head Scholar Lithônien had r-researched s-some interesting, eh, interesting w-writings on v-various dark m-magics. Ones that d-didn't draw their p-power from Yahweh, but other, forms" she emphasized the "Other" and a dark look crossed the Council's faces.
"H-he gave it up, m-moving to other t-topics, but I r-remember one potion...it struck me as b-barbaric..."
"And?" A councilman drummed his fingers on his chair arm, a sure sign of anxiousness.
Bly couldn't blame him, the very topic of dark magics frightened her as well. It wasn't a loosely taken matter.
Alora seemed to have gathered a bit more courage about her, and spoke more firmly. "It was a potion to extend to longevity of life. On it's own, I wouldn't have been so appalled, Oh Council and Court. It was the ingredients that caused my stomach to turn"
All eyes were on the Scholar, and Xander appeared deep in thought.
"It required the souls of an Elf, a Fairy, a Mermaid and a Ceridwen, the four races that hold the most runic power"
The room was quiet, not even Bellasiel or Meglidur consulted together. It was an almost haunting silence. One where Bly could almost feel the swirling thoughts of the others in the room.
Alora shifted nervously, and finally King Meglidur spoke. "This news....it is quite disturbing. Captain Bolivar, have you anything to add that might approve or debase this possibility?"
Beside her, Bly felt Xander shift, and his hand brushed against hers.
"Felix grows old, it is very likely he desires to continue ruling. It is a widely whispered suspicion he used base actions to gain the throne. He could very easily have objections to ending his rule"
There was a general sound of agreement, and Bellasiel addresses Alora, "have Head Scholar Lithônien look into that potion, perhaps we might discover more about it"
Alora bowed, and hurried out, and the Elvish Queen turned her attentions to Bly, "We have a personal matter to discuss with your companion, Bly Uaine"
Xander looked petrified, but Bly gave him a shaky smile, and exited the council chamber.
She stood out in the balcony overlooking the bay, watching the little boats bob and float around like leaves in a puddle.
The news Xander would receive today would be something that would change his life forever.
And hers too.
Though she tried insisting it would change nothing, she knew it to be otherwise down inside.
A sound of distant rumbling caught her attention, and she looked towards the sound. A low dark cloud was coming, a storm. While Voronwë was known for it's fair weather, storms still came.
Bad weather was coming to Voronwë from the direction of Revelin.
Something caused a shiver in her spine, though she knew not what.
But the sense of something ill stayed with her, and she couldn't shake it away.

Natia (Part 4)

     "Natia, please listen to me!"

     I blinked.   Was someone talking to me?   Sure enough, Anakis was staring at me pleadingly.

     "Natia, I need you to tend to Percy while I try to take care of the others."

     "Okay," I replied.   What others?

     "Wake up, Natia!" yelled Anakis.   "I have to take care of the others.    It's extremely urgent."

     "Fine," I said, crawling out of my warm cot.   "I'll watch Percy."

     I walked over to the wounded tent.   Percy, who was feeling a bit better, sat up on his cot.

     "Hello, Natia," he said when I walked in.

     "How do you fare now, Percy?" I asked.

     "Much better, m'lady.   Anakis says that I have a slight infection, and that I shouldn't use my arm until it's completely healed."   He glanced toward Nairi's cot.   "I can tell you who does not fare well."

     "Oh, Anakis will have her fixed up in no time," I told him.   Anakis was already preparing to heal Nairi.   I had to try and keep Percy calm.

     Now, Anakis was glowing, full of Deus, and Percy was frightened.

     "Wh-what's happening to her?" asked Percy.

     "Um, nothing.   She's just, um, healing Nairi.   That's all, Percy.    That's all."

     Percy, still frightened, said he was going to lay down.   I didn't blame him.   I sat at the end of his cot and watched Anakis.

     Just then, Prid walked into the tent.   Anakis, startled, stopped glowing with Deus.

     "What is going on?" asked Prid, rather suprised.   He stared at her wings.

     "It's not what you think," said Anakis.   She glanced at Nairi, who was moaning on her cot.   "Please let me finish.   She's in pain."

     Prid, still in shock, left the tent without a word.

Nuvole (part 3)

"Stupid chains!" I screamed, slamming my magical shackles against the wall.
 "Stupid Felix!”
 Bang.
  “Stupid Andromeda!”
Bang.
 “Stupid castle!”
Bang.
 “Everything is so stupid!"
Rage was overwhelming all my senses. All I could do was scream and bash my chains against the wall, which only served to bruise my wrist. But I didn't care. The king, Felix, lied to me. He kidnapped my little sister, hurt her even. Of course I wanted revenge. I wanted to drive a sword through his cold, lying heart. But at the moment, more than anything, I wanted to break my sick sister out of the dreary cell and get her to safety. "ARGH!"  I yelled as I threw a stone against the wall. Suddenly I felt a burning pain in my chest.
"Will you quit your yelling, foolish boy?" I met the evil, smiling glare of Andromeda. "I'm glad you are being made to suffer but your screaming is quite annoying."
I took a deep breath and calmed down before I answered, "Fine, I'll quiet down." I looked down and pretended she had broken my confidence.
She laughed an evil laugh that chilled me to my bone. I knew this woman could kill me with a snap of her finger, and as much as I hated it, until I broke out of here, I was going to have to pretend to obey. "That's better. And just so you don't try anything, both the cell you are in and the chains you wear will suppress your power. So, unless you somehow manage to gather as much power as an Ice Dragon – which, by the way, have been dead for millennium - you won't be breaking out any time soon." And on that happy note, Andromeda left.
Now that my head was clear and I could think straight, strategies started popping into my head. I took a look at my surroundings. Three guards. Apparently Andromeda didn't trust just the shackles to keep me imprisoned.
"E-excuse me, sir." I waved to one of the guards. He was probably in his thirties. To him twenty was still probably considered a kid. "W-water." I put on my best I'm just an innocent boy who is being hurt by these people face. Apparently it worked.
"Listen kid. I don't know what you did to deserve this. It just seems wrong to me. But I can't get you some water. I'm under strict orders from Lady Andromed-"
I faked pain at the sound of her name. "P-please don't talk about her. Sh-she scares me." I huddled into a corner and started shivering. It wasn't hard to do.  It was pretty cold down here, even for me.
The guard’s brow furrowed with concern. "Hey, I'm sorry. Regulus, I know she said not to, but I think we should get the boy some water. He's just a kid."
"I know, Mercer, but what do you think she would do to us if we open that cage?"
"That's only if she finds out though. Yashir, come on, you think the kid deserves a little something to drink don't you?"
Yashir shrugged, "I don't care what you do. I'm bored and only here ‘cause I get paid."
"Great, then I'm getting the kid something to drink." I don't know why he had to ask all his friends before he got me some water, but I didn't care. He would have to open the cage to give me the water. I just hoped I could take on three armed soldiers.
Mercer came walking back in the room with a small mug of water, took the keys off his belt, and walked into the cage leaving the door wide open. "Here, kid." He started to hand me the water but realized I was shackled to the floor. He sighed and took out another key.
I decided this was the stupidest guard on the surface of Incantevole, but hey...it worked for me.
He unlocked my chains and I slid my hands out of the shackles. As soon as my hands were free, I felt the power rush back into me. Acting like I was taking the water, I pushed the man back with a gust of wind, causing him to crash into a wall and pass out. I got up and sprinted out of the cage. Yashir and Regulus moved to block my way, each with a hand resting on the hilt of their swords.
"You’re not human," Regulus said with a hint of fear.
"Nah, of course not."
Yashir sighed. "I don't get paid enough for this. Listen kid, get back in the cage or we will have to kill you."
I laughed. "Just try."
They both came at me. They were faster than I had thought and one cut the side of my leg and the other cut my arm. I winced in pain. "Listen, we are some of the king’s best swordsmen. I really don't want to kill you," Yashir pleaded.
"Well, too bad," I said, "’cause I'm going to save my sister!" I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and froze them both in place just as they had charged me. I opened my eyes to a frozen sword at my neck and let out a nervous laugh. "Well that was lucky." I slipped past them and limped up the long, stone corridor. The cut to my leg and arm were deeper than I thought. I would have to be more careful if I wanted to save Nairi.
I made it to the top of the stairs and listened. "I wish something interesting would happen." A deep male voice said from somewhere to the right.
"I know what you mean. This is so boring. What is the point of guarding the top of an underground cell that has three guards already guarding it from inside," another, more gravely, male voice said from the left. I slipped out and saw them leaning on the wall. Both their eyes were closed. Idiots, I thought. I stood up and stupid me couldn't resist the urge. "I know what you mean. It's not like he is gonna escape, beat his three guards, and make it here."
"Exactly!" they said opening their eyes, turning to look at each other, and seeing me.
"Hello, I would ask how your day is but I should probably run." I ran past them and immediately felt a searing pain in my shoulder. I didn't dare look but I knew an arrow was lodged there.
I started zigzagging, making for a harder target. Not that that would help because at that moment one of the guards yelled "Hey, One of the prisoners is escaping. Help!"
In a flash, guards filled the open court yard. I muttered a curse under my breath as they blocked all the exits. I looked around and realized the prison was to my left, still encased in ice. "Yes." I mumbled, though they were blocking that exit too. At that moment I did the safest and most logical thing I could think of, I charged the wall of guards blocking the prison exit.
Everyone seemed surprised I headed that way, but not long. I ran into them. Friendly tip: swords hurt...A lot!
I got past them with barely my life. I dodged under their feet, was stabbed in the arm, received a glancing blow to my face, was whacked in the head with a sword hilt, and felt the sting three arrows pierce my body. But hey, I'm alive. I ran to the wall of ice and heard someone say, "Ha, we've got him now."
Yeah, right, I thought as I opened a passage in the ice and sealed it behind me as I ran. In your face!
I ran till I saw Nairi's cell. She was lying there, pale and breathing heavy, with puss oozing from huge boils on her arm. "N-Nairi." I said wincing as the pain caught up with me. "You okay?" Her eyes opened and they looked kind of glazed over.
"N-Nuvole?"
"Yeah, it's me. I'm getting you out of here."
"Really?" She was talking but didn't really seem to be there.
"Yeah, come on." Despite being near death and having a gash in my arm, I picked up Nairi, froze the water in between the bricks of the prison, weakening the mortar between them. Throwing a gust of wind towards the wall, I blasted a hole to the outside. "I can't believe that...that worked." I panted and walked to freedom cradling my baby sister in my arms.
 I heard the sounds of utter failure inside the walls of the city. Which, despite all my pain and being near death, made me smile in triumph
My triumph was short lived. About a mile from the castle, everything went horribly wrong. I heard the sound of howling death hounds, which sent a chill down my spine. I ignored all my pain and ran - ran as fast as my body would go. I only thought about protecting my little sister. I don’t know how long I forced my legs to keep moving, but eventually my body could take no more. I fell to the ground, Nairi falling on top of me, pushing the arrows deeper into me. I heard the panting of the hounds and knew I was going to die. I didn't care. The only thing that wrenched my heart was that my sister would die too, my little sister. I saw the claws and smelt the disgusting stench of the death hounds as they were circle around us. I closed my eyes and suddenly a blast of heat swept over me.
"Don't touch her!" Someone yelled in rage. I opened my eyes to see a tall, red-haired figure standing over my sister. Fire raged around his fist as he killed every last one of the death hounds.
As soon as they were gone he bent down and touched Nairi's forehead. His face was a mix of worry, relief, and anger. He sighed, "I'm glad you’re okay, Shorty." He picked her up, and I heard footsteps coming.
A girl’s voice spoke first, "Adonis, what’s…" She stopped mid-sentence. "Nairi! She's okay!"
"Yeah," the red head, Adonis, said."I think this guy helped her. You might wanna do something. He looks almost dead." He said it like he could care less about what happened to me.
I felt someone touch my wounds with something cold which caused my vision to blur and I nearly passed out. I was vaguely aware of being carried. I kept fading in and out of consciousness. They laid me on something hard and I heard the girl say, "I'll have to pull the arrows out, but I'm not Anakis. I don't know if I should."
"I say pull 'em out and wait and see."
"Adonis, that's terrible."
"What, it's not like he is going to get any better with arrows protruding from his back."
The girl sighed and I felt a pain shoot through my lower back. Just before everything went completely black, I heard Adonis say, "See Kaymele, was that so hard?"

Adonis (Part 4)

I rushed out of the barrier and ran as fast as I could through the forest. Being a dragon I could run incredibly fast in human form, but flying as a dragon is much faster. As soon as I made it to a clearing large enough, I changed. The 3 day journey it took us would now probably take me only a day, the perks of being a dragon.
I traveled forever only thinking of getting the medicine, and wondering if she was okay. She didn't deserve this. Her brother and her father were both dead, and now she was on the verge of death as well. I really wanted to rip the heads off those two dragons. I was going to make a special effort from now on. No one will ever hurt Nairi again.
I kept flying. Though I knew I was going really fast, it seemed I was taking way too long. I willed myself to speed up.
After what seemed like an eternity, I saw the gates of the camp. I landed and changed back into a human. I raced toward the infirmary. I burst through the door making Kaymele, Anakis, Natia, and Nithron jump three feet in the air. "A-Adonis your back." Anakis muttered.
"Yes, I am. And I brought the herbs. Here,” I threw the bag to her. “Make the medicine." She stumbled to catch it but immediately set to work making the remedy. "How has she been?" I asked, sitting down next to her.
"As good as someone who has that bad of an infection can be," Kaymele said. "She has been sleeping on and off, she hasn't talked, and she won't drink. I don't know why though."
I frowned. "That’s strange.” I looked at her. She was sweating terribly. I picked up a wet rag and was about to wipe her face with it when she rocketed away. "What-"
"See, she doesn't even want it to touch her." Kaymele said frowning.
I looked at Nairi. She looked about the same but then I saw it. "Hey, Nairi, can you tell me the name of your brother?" She looked at me like she didn't know what I was talking about. Heat started to rise in my chest. "Kaymele, has anything happened - anything at all - after we left?"
"Well, just one thing. Some guys came and tried to kidnap Nairi but they failed."
I got up and hit the wall. "Dang it! This isn't Nairi. She won't drink water, won't even let it touch her. She is a Ceridwen. Water would help her not hurt her. Those kidnappers, whoever they are, succeeded."
"Adonis," Kaymele sounded worried, "Nairi is right there. How could they have succeeded?"
"Ask her to talk," I snapped. "It won't sound like Nairi. She probably can't answer any questions about her past either. Try to force her to drink some water. I bet it will do something." I turned and glared at Nairi's imposter.
Kaymele got up and poured some water, careful not to let it touch her. "Nairi, can you drink just a little of this." She shook her head fiercely. "If it really is you, forgive me." She forced the water down her throat and Nairi screamed. But it was high pitched and almost inaudible. I covered my ears as the Nairi imposter evaporated.
"Well, has my point been proven?"
Everyone looked at me with stunned eyes. "So where have they taken Nairi then?" Nithron said thoughtfully.
"Most likely the castle," Kaymele said sharply.
I nodded. "And if she's hurt they’re all dead." I was mad. Really mad. I wanted to hit something desperately but knowing I would break something, I held back.
"And if she isn't treated soon sh-she could die," Anakis mumbled.
"Okay, I'm going to go get her." I started for the door but felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Adonis, we are all worried, but don't be rash. It would be suicide to take on that army alone without a plan."
"Your point?" I said sarcastically.
He sighed, "My point, Adonis, is-" He was cut off by the sound of wolves…No not wolves...death hounds. I ran outside the gates and saw a pack of death hounds surrounding two figures. One was a man who had obviously made some archers very angry, and there, laying on the ground beside him was...NAIRI.

Andromeda (part 3)

She stared into the flames before her, a soft kindling anger stirring deep inside her dark soul.
The elvish girl had escaped, and now the Ceridwen was frozen deep in the dungeon prison.
She slammed her fist into the armchair and began pacing, her dark gown trailing behind her.
It would take weeks to thaw the ice, and that would be concentrating on just one of the souls. She needed the others as well.
She halted her frusterated pacing, and trailed her fingers in the orange flames in the large fireplace.
It was time to take action.
If the people of Revelin wanted a battle, they'd give them one. She and Felix would give them a battle they never forgot. Their children's children would suffer from the effects.
She walked to the window, and stared towards the west, the land beyond the sea, the land of her home.
She was the last of her kind.....she was alone.
Of course, she had Felix, but it was a lonely prospect to be the last of your own race.
She was deep in her own thoughts, her flaming memories of the scuffle that drove the mages to leave their land.
She didn't notice Felix enter the room until his arms had slipped around her waist.
"Thinking much, my dear?"
She nodded, and the images of flames and death fled her mind.
He did that to her....the warm peace that settled over her when he was near. Until she thought about losing him...then she panicked.
Turning around in his arms, she touched his graying hair.
"Thinking about that Ice block down below....and how to regain our footing"
"Hm" he nodded, and kissed her "we are slipping, aren't we?"
"Yes" Andromeda leaned her head against his shoulder, and felt her lover rock her gently. "I worry I won't be able to accomplish this task in time. And somewhere out there, your brother's heir still lives. For some reason, something tells me his descendant will be a threat to us"
Felix stroked her dark hair, and breathed in her soft rose scent. "Don't worry, my heart. Don't worry. You will, and I hope I still have many years before I need your potion"
Andromeda tightened her grip on him, rare tears threatening in her eyes to spill, "but don't you see? You need it before...before...."
"Before I am at death?" His voice was soft in her ear, and she nodded quickly, and a hot tear slid down her cheek that evaporated before it reached her chin.
"Shhh....Shh, my love" he led her back to the couch, and crouched in front of her. She couldn't help but notice it was getting harder on his bones to sit that way, and so she bid him sit beside her instead.
"You don't need to fear, Andromeda. I don't plan on dying anytime soon"
She entwined her fingers with his. "If death waited on our permission to come about, no one would die"
He had the gall to chuckle, "True...very true my dear"
"Oh Felix..." She layed her head in his lap, and felt his fingers run through her dark locks. "I was so alone until I found you. I had no idea what it truly meant to love and be loved. You are the only thing I have, I cannot lose you"
He kissed his fingers, and brought them to stroke her cheek. "Tell me about your past, Andromeda My Heart"
Her eyes closed, and the memories played back so crystalline and painful.
"We used to be as many as the Elves in Voronwë. We tried to keep to ourselves, as humans didn't trust us, and we didn't trust them either. Situations for us grew worse when a Ruler from the Water mages took the throne. He turned the already tense feelings between the Fire Mages and everyone else into full blown hatred. A house burned down, it was our fault. A child was burned due to his Mother's incompetence in watching him, and it was our fault" she frowned deeply. "But it reached a peek when a fight broke out between Fire Mage youths and a mix of humans and Earth Mages. Everyone but a Human who had fled where killed. And you can imagine who was blamed. We were persecuted, and while we fought back, there were too many against us. The land was in a state of havoc and we were forced out bit by bit.
We tried settling elsewhere, but each place met us with a clash of arms, and slowly our numbers weakened.
Finally I was the last one left. I watched all of my kind fall. And I wandered for so long, until I came here, and found you" She took his hand in her own, and squeezed it softly. "I found the first human to ever accept and love me. And when I felt your love, my hatred fades away. When you hold me, I feel at peace" she sat up, and cupped his face in her hands, their warmth from the fire within her soul accenting her touch. "I will never let you go Felix. I will do whatever it takes to make you whole and happy".

{{There you go peeps. This is why I end up having a hard time hating my own villains. XD }}

Xander {Part 6}

When he had heard of the purity shield surrounding Voronwë he had assumed it was invisible, or even just a metaphor. But as they stood in front of it, he was rather surprised.
It looked like the blue orb which had protected him against the shadow soldiers and the dragon, but larger, much larger. It hummed softly, like a soft beat of a hummingbird's wings.
"Incredible"
Bly nodded, and slipped her hand into his, and she reached for Adonis' as well. "Can you feel it? Inside? Just being this close to it is peaceful"
Xander closed his eyes, and nodded, "yes...it's comforting"
Adonis sighed, "ok. Yay. Purity shield. Big deal. Can we PLEASE keep going?"
Bly smiled at him, "of course" she stepped forward, and stood inches from the barrier, Xander and Adonis exchanged confused looks, and Bly stepped forward. The shield allowed her through, flowing like water around her.
She turned, and said something, but they couldn't hear any noise, so she beckoned to them. "It's our turn" Xander had barely said the words when Adonis stepped forward, and passed through it.
They were both watching him, Bly smiling and Adonis tapping his foot.
'What if I can't get through, what if I'm held back? Bly will probably cease talking to me. Is anyone truly pure, though? If I fail, I might as well go live in a cave. It's-' his thoughts were interrupted by Bly, she had come back to his side, and she smiled and held his hand.
"Xander, stop doubting yourself" her voice was soft and gentle, "no one is truly pure and good, Xander. We've all done bad things in our life, some more than others. To Yahweh, all wrong is equal, but what you have done doesn't matter. Your heart does" she gently laid her hand on his cheek. "Forget your past for a moment, Xander. Forget all of what you have done. Can you look into your heart, and tell me, and yourself, that there is no malicious thoughts in your soul? Do you plan on harming those inside this barrier? Can you say your heart is deformed by darkness?"
He put his hand against hers, "no, I have none of that"
She smiled and nodded, "you love Yahweh, or Great Lord, or whatever the races call him, his name matters not. Do you not?"
Xander nodded, "yes"
"Than, that is what matters" she quickly kisses his cheek, and took his hand, walking back towards the barrier with him.
'She just....Bly just....'
Despite the excitement of her quick kiss and entering the Purity shield, he couldn't miss seeing Adonis pretend to gag from inside.
As he stepped through it, he felt a peace like no other, it was almost comparable to a Mother's embrace when you are a child. But a thousand times more so.
And then he was through, and Adonis was already running ahead, "ok, come on you two sweet hearts, I can't sit around all day listening to mushy stuff"
Bly blushed and looked down bashfully. "I...I knew you could do it, Xander"
He took her hand, and raised it to his lips, "but not without you"
Which, not surprisingly, did very little to rid her face of the furious blush.
Adonis' frustrated moan brought them back, "Seriously, come on!"
They continued on through the wooded land, and it wasn't long before Xander noticed Bly was getting jumpy. She was constantly glancing behind them, and would halt at every noise she heard or thought she heard.
"Bly? Are you alright?" He fell in step behind her, putting his hand over his sword's sheath just in case.
She nodded, "yes, I'm fine. I'm just waiting to be ambushed"
"Ambushed?!?!" Adonis' shout surely alerted anyone within hearing range, and both Bly and Xander shushed him.
Speaking softly, Xander asked, "ambushed? Aren't we safe in the shield?"
Bly nodded, and glanced over her shoulder "oh yes. We're perfectly safe. It's not an enemy who will ambush us, but the scouts"
"Scouts?"
She nodded, "yes. They guard these woods. I once made a dare, though a very stupid dare, that I could get into Voronwë without them knowing. I haven't yet. To make it worse, Thalion, my brother, is head of the Scouts...it's his personal endeavor to catch me each and every time I come home"
Xander had to keep from gawking. Bly? Making a dare? It seemed rather out of character for her.
At that precise moment, three arrows whizz we through the air, and landed at Bly's feet.
"And you won't, though, I know you'll keep trying" an Elf with close cropped dark hair and dressed in a mottled assortment of greens and browns seemed to materialize on Xander's right, nearly causing him to fall down in surprise.
"Thalion! You missed my feet by two inches!" Bly's words were a reprimand, but she laughed, and practically bowled her brother over in a hug.
Adonis and Xander were left to stand awkwardly as the siblings hugged and exchanged excited jabber in Elvish.
"What did you do with Tenzin, sister?"
Thalion switched to the common language, and looked around at their small group.
Bly's eyes lowered, "that is a tale I only desire to speak of once, so can it wait until I speak to the council, Brother?"
Thalion nodded, "of course, of course. Though, I have another question...."
The elf strode to stand in front of Xander, and he realized just how tall the elf was. He towered above him by a good couple of inches.
"This man, human, I see...his aurora colors...Bly, tell me you see this"
Xander looked between the two, and Bly moved to stand beside her brother. "Yes...interesting. Very interesting..." Her eyes traveled back to the sword he carried, and she suddenly smiled. "Oh, it's nothing, I'm sure. If something was wrong I'm sure I would have sensed it before now" but he saw something behind her smile, and his suspicions didn't die away.
Bly's brother turned toward Adonis, "Dragon, I see, though....you have a human mother"
Adonis' scowled and crossed his arms, "how would you know I have a human mother? Maybe my father is the human"
Thalion shook his head, smiling, "You haven't spent much time at Drago Montagna either, Or you would understand why a female dragon mating with a human male is unlikely"
Adonis' scowl grew, "Awfully interesting. You speak as if you know more about my race than I do"
Thalion shrugged, "I spent 200 years with them, learning their customs, often the hard way. Dragons are nothing like elves, but are a intriguing race all the same. Their bravery and loyalty is rivaled only by our dwarfish friends" the tall elf frowned slightly, "but I lost what I was trying to say. Allow me to return to it. She Dragons are just as strong and powerful as their male counterparts. In comparison, humans are weak. It's natural for a woman to desire protection by her spouse. However, should a dragoness fall in love and be coupled with a man, she would be his protection. And she would easily out strength him. Does my point come across clear, Adonis Magnus Born?"
It all made sense to Xander, and he had to refrain from laughing at Adonis' expression.
"M-my name? How did you...?"
Bly stepped forward now. "Oh, that's simple. I told him your name"
Adonis nodded, "but I didn't tell anyone who my Father was"
Thalion laughed, "I spent 200 years among your kind. I might have become good friends with a particular dragon Ruler who you greatly resemble"
Adonis was speechless for what seemed was truly the first time, and Xander didn't know whether that was a good thing, or bad.
"Come" Thalion put one arm around Xander and Adonis' shoulder as if they had been friends all their lives, and gestured down the path they had been walking. "Ahead of you, oh honoured guests, is, in our opinion, the greatest and most beautiful city to dwell upon this land we call home"

------------------------------------------------

Thalion was not speaking in jest when he said Voronwë was a beautiful city. It was built around a waterfall that led to the calm Väneesë (Vahn-nee-say) bay. The city's main buildings were located near the waterfall, while homes and shops spread out a bit more. It made Aragathia look like a child's toy set in size.
As he stared in wonder at it all, Xander had no words for the shear size and beauty the city beheld. But while it was a huge city, nature seemed to spring up everywhere. As if the Elvish people built their legendary city amongst the trees and land, not tearing anything down to build their homes and buildings. In fact, a few old, ancient trees had been, what appeared to be carved (though, Bly instructed him that they had not been carved, but sung to. The tree was very much alive) for homes.
"It's beautiful" he had lost count over how many times he had said it, and he really didn't care. He could repeat it for years, and still not get his point across.
Bly giggled, "are you stunned by my hometown, Captain Bolivar?"
"Stunned, Bly, is an acceptable word. As well as "awed" and many others"
Adonis and Thalion had hurried off to gather the needed medicines, and The two, talking animatedly, came back while Bly was still giving Xander a tour of her home.
The elf and dragon's chatter stopped as they approached and Adonis crossed his arms. "I'm heading back" he had a messenger back slung over his shoulder, and the smell of herbs followed him.
Xander nodded, understanding and Bly hugged the half dragon. "Stay safe, and give our best to Nairi. I truly would like to come back immediately for her, but I have so much work to do here"
Adonis nodded, and pulled away from her hug, "yeah, sure" he nodded at Xander, "keep from getting too mushy, ok?"
Both of them didn't exactly how to respond to that, which seemed to be the response Adonis wanted.
He left them standing baffled and bashful.
While they stood there, Xander speechless and Bly a brilliant shade of pink, Thalion spoke.
"That Adonis, he reminds me of Magnus" the Tall Elf watched as Adonis disappeared into the tree cover.
"Though, perhaps a bit more hot tempered. But when one has been through what he has been through, a hot temper is very easily cultured"
Xander tore his eyes from the city to look at Bly's brother. Amazing how little resemblance they bore. Thalion was dark haired and tan, tall, and well built. While his sister Bly was colored like cream and honey. Her blue eyes, petite frame and silky golden hair gave her an almost pixie look.
Thalion coughed, regaining Xander's attention, and put a hand on Xander's shoulder, "You are a decent man, Xander. I'm glad my sister met you" Bly looked as if she might faint from embarrassment, but her brother quickly hugged her. "I'll be heading off with Adonis. I'd like to see for myself the matters of Incantevole, and its not safe to go through Tawarthion alone" he tugged a strand of hair over her shoulder and smiled, "remember, don't let this fellow slip out of your grasp, Bly. I'd like a brother in law like him"
Thalion seemed on the verge of laughter, while Bly had her head ducked, her hair being like a curtain to her blushing face.
"Before I leave, I've been instructed to tell you, Xander Bolivar, the council has set aside time tomorrow to speak with both you and my sister. Until then, though, I suggest you visit the stables on the east side. Two creatures of great interest came into the city, bearing luggage that seems to be yours and Bly's"
"Ah!" Xander had been worried about how long it would take their horses to get here, but he had trusted Ciar and Rudy exclusively. "That must be Ciar and Rudy, our horses. There should be a third horse, Adonis'. Did she make it as well?"
Thalion looked humored but remained silent.
"What?" Xander looked towards Bly as her face lit up. She grabbed his hand and started off at a run towards the stables Thalion had told them of.
"Hurry Xander! I had forgotten all about the effects of the purity shield!" She pulled him along after bidding Thalion farewell, and watching her brother follow after Adonis swiftly. In short time they reached an elaborate building that smelled of fresh straw and horses.
She swung the door open, and light flooded out.
Thirty pairs of equine heads peered out of their stalls at them. For the most part, Xander saw White horses. It must be a Elvish preference. They all seemed to be of extremely good stock. Finally curved necks, glossy hides, bright eyes, and no biting on the stall doors. Unlike Aragathia's horses, where all their Calvary animals had their forelocks cut, the manes and tails of the Elvish horses hung long but free from tangles.
They found the Revelin Mare in her own stall, between a huge black stallion and white mare. It looked small, and tired compared to the Elvish horses, but neighed happily when it saw Xander and Bly.
"Rest easy girl. You've earned it" he patted her nose, and looked back over the rows of horses they had passed.
"I don't see Ciar or Rudy. Where are they? Did we get the wrong directions? Did they move them?"
Bly only smiled wider. "If my hunch is correct, than Rudy wouldn't have fit in a normal stall"
"Fit? What do you mean?"
Bly only tugged on his arm, and pulled him through another door.
"We keep the pregnant mares, or newly born goals with their Mother's in here"
The room was lined with five larger stalls, easily fitting two or three full grown horses.
He recognized Rudy's happy neigh, along with Ciar's, but he didn't believe his eyes.
Rudy had two powerful wings tucked at his side, brown and tipped with black feathers that matched his dark mane and tail.
"R-Rudy! My boy!" He was speechless as the Pegasus nosed his jacket, looking for treats.
Bly called his name, and he glanced behind him, where she had slipped into Ciar's stall. A black, pointed horn rose from the Unicorn Mare's forehead, parting her forelock.
He stared in shock between the two horses, or, the Unicorn and Pegasus.
"H-how?" He realized he sounded like a simpleton, and Rudy neighed as if to laugh at him.
Bly smiled wider, and patted Ciar's neck. "Remember, I had told you the Purity shield heals any wound, bodily or emotionally. I had forgotten about Ciar and Rudy, until Thalion spoke of them. Than I remembered. It has returned their horn and wings to our valiant steeds. And, I dare say, they understand every word we speak. Who knows, once Dragons were thought to be just beasts, until they unlocked their human forms" Ciar tossed her head in what seemed a nod, and Xander stroked Rudy's nose. "So, my laddie. You have your wings back" he had no words other than that. He heard Bly unlatching Ciar's door, and the unicorn mare clip clopped behind Xander, where she nudged his shoulder. "And you, your horn..." It rose from her crown like a majestic crown, and all the stories of the magical properties of the Unicorn's horn came back to his mind.
"I suppose, they'll want to stay here, wouldn't they?"
Rudy took that moment to gently bite Xander's shoulder as Ciar pushed him with her nose. And Bly fell into peals of laughter. "I don't think they will hear a word of them staying in Voronwë. Missing all the fun and danger"
Xander rubbed his shoulder and stepped aside as Ciar lifted Rudy's door latch and entered his stall.
"Huh. You could've made your point through without injuring my shoulder, Rudy"
Both of the beasts tossed their heads and neighed.
Intelligence indeed.

Anakis (Part 4)

      "Another one for you, Anakis," called Kaymele from the door of the hut.   She stumbled in, holding the legs of the cook's assistant with Beleg not far behind.
      "I'll do my best.   I'll see if Prid can watch Nairi."   I walked over to the pallet where the assistant lay.   His eyes were closed, and he was moaning in pain.   I took one look at his shoulder and grimaced.
      "Don't tell me.   I can guess well enough."   Kaymele smiled as she walked out.
      I went to fetch all of the dressing for the poor soul's arm.   As I did, Natia walked to his bedside, as Nairi slept.
      "Hush," she told him, "hush.   Soon Anakis will come with the supplies to make you feel all well again, and you can get back to the cooking you so love."
      "Fair maiden," he whispered, as if it pained him to speak, "it is not cooking I love.   I am to be a soldier.   As you can see I am to be a very poor one, since a small cut to the arm pains me so."   He looked straight into her eyes as he said this, but as soon as he finished, he plopped down again in agony.
      "This is not a small cut!" said Natia, raising her voice a little.   "It is an injury, and you could pass for a gladiator the way that you are enduring it!"
      The assistant smiled weakly.   "Thank you, maiden.   I wish that the others may see it so."   Just then, Nairi awoke, Natia left, and I went to apply the dressing.
      "Talk to me through this, sir, so it may not hurt so badly," I instructed, remembering that my old teacher, Principes Sanatore, told us that talking took the mind of the pain.
      "The damsel is very fair, kind lady," he said to me.   "I have never noticed her before.   Pray tell, what is her name?"
      "Her name is Natia.   What is yours, sir?"
      "Percival."    He winced, telling me that the bandage was tight enough.
      "Percival.   I'll be sure to tell her."

Kaymele (part 9)

    It's been two weeks since Bly, Adonis, and Xander left.  The days have been long, hard, and strange.  Nairi is not allowed to walk around much after she fell out of bed defending herself.  I've been dreaming lately of the past, of Eleniel, of Rinion.  Especially Rinion,  I have many good memories of him, like all the nights we used to walk through the woods under the light of the moon and the ever constant stars, but also memories of terrible things like the day he died.
    The knock on my door causes me to jump and stop writing.  I put the parchment away and place the feather back in the ink well.  Taking a quick survey of the room making sure nothing is out of place, I answer the door.  It's Anakis with a fresh round of ointment to put on Nairi's arm.  She figured out a paste that calms the bumps and slows the goop.
    'I'm just here to apply the next round of Choh,' she says, 'I won't be but a moment.'
    'Ok, she seems to have calmed down since you started using that,' I say.
    She proceeds to apply the white paste onto the wound.  I watch as it dissolves into her skin and the bumps fade, they no sooner leave than reappear gushing with fresh goop.  The cheery spirit and smile on Anakis's face vanishes and her eyebrows knit into a furrow.
    'I just don't understand, it worked last time,' she says frustrated.
    'Do you think it could have formed an immunity to it so quickly?' I ask.
    'Possibly, but I highly doubt it.  She's so small, if the medicine doesn't get here soon it may be too late for her,' she says frowning.
    I sigh and brush the hair off Nairi's brow.  'So young, and yet so brave,' I think, 'what did she do to deserve this?'
    'Don't worry Nairi, the medicine is on it's way,' I say.
    'I'll let you get back to your work while I go see what to do about a new remedy,' she mutters walking towards the door, 'oh, by the way, Nithron wants you to meet him after lunch at the well.'
    I stand motionless as she quietly slips out the door.  It's really odd how Anakis is so quiet around others and is quiet open around myself, Bly, Prid, and Natia.  Then the last message she said replays in my mind "meet Nithron at the well".  I've avoided the well ever since I was pushed in and sealed off.  The very thought makes me shutter.
    I wish Nairi would wake up so I'ld have someone to talk to.  Ever since she fought those men who tried to take her away she's mostly been sleeping, only waking to eat, drink, or relieve herself.  I wish the medicine would hurry and get back here, but of course it'll take at least three more days before they even reach the Elves.  All I can do is pray, be hopeful, and keep her comfortable.
    Returning to my desk I get out my parchment and pulling the feather out of the ink well I prepare to write.  As I read over what I had written the memories return fresh in my mind and I start writing them down.
    'Rinion, when are you going to stop fooling around? I asked giggling, 'we're going to be late.'
    Swinging in the tree top faster than the squirrels, that live along the river, is Rinion, his hands and feet found all the invisible footholds, and grabbing limbs that so many others could never find even if they searched the trees for months.
    'In a minute love, I've almost got your hat,' He said and climbed higher.
    'Forget the hat, we've got to go.  I don't want to be late!' I shouted up to him.
    He descends the tree, but not before he snatched my hat off the top branch and triumphantly brought it down the tree.  He bowed and placed the hat gently atop my head.
    'I crown you Queen Kaymele Ireth Greystone the first, and Lady of the Moon,' he said, 'am I allowed to escort your highness to your palace?'
    I laughed as I took his arm and waved to the invisible audience walking to the horses along the forest road.  Though we were engaged for nearly fifty years, it seemed as if a few months had passed since he preposed.  The wedding itself wasn't for another forty years but we were still very happy in that time.  Walking in the forest and swimming in the river were the things we loved to do together.  
    But then we were very late for dinner with my family.  All day we had been at the port helping the fishermen and the villagers with their daily doings.  Being royal doesn't mean that we couldn't help those who are middle and lower class.  After we untied, and mounted our horses, we rode on.  I know Florentide and her new hatchling Camellia have been missing us since we left, and Eleniel.  Oh, how I missed her dearly while we were gone.
    'Hurry Rinion, we are late and I'm longing to see my family again,' I said galloping ahead.
    'Ok, I'm hurrying,' he said, though I saw him slow down several times and look behind us, as if someone or something were following us.
    Finally we reached the palace, the squires took our horses to the stables and we walked to the dining room.  All the family was there.  Uncle Arthion and Aunt Anira were the first to meet us and took us to our seats.  Uncle Rimedur and Aunt Vanya were seated across from us, and Aunt Santiel sat between them.  My mother, Fauna, and my father, Gremm sat just opposite of her.  Ada and Naneth sat at either end of the table.  Eleniel and Locien were seated beside us.
    A knock on the door forces me to stop writing again, but before I could answer Nithron rushes into the room.  His shirt is torn, food and blood paint his entire body, he has the finest black eye you could imagine, and a gaping cut above his eyebrow.
    'Kaymele I...' he starts.
    'What happened to you?' I interrupt sitting him down.
    'While I was passing by the kitchens I noticed a fight starting, an unstoppable fight.  The cook claims that there's nothing wrong with the meals but the helpers have all seen him put any number of foul and rotting things into the soups and stews.  The argument got heated and the cook being the best knife thrower in our army started throwing them left and right, and Beleg is nowhere to be found.  So I stepped in to try and stop the fight and got a fist in my eye and chest.  Then it all started back up again food and cutlery flying everywhere.  There's really nothing that can be done to calm them,' he says wincing as I sew the cut above his eyebrow closed.
    'Well as soon as you're cleaned up we are going back to the kitchen to sort this matter out,' I say taking his shirt.
    'Alright, but I'm bringing my sword,' he says.
    After he left, I filled Nairi's water cup and put another blanket at the foot of the bed.  I grabbed my shawl and hurried out the door.  The air is getting cooler and more fires are being lit all around camp, but the nearer we come to the kitchens the more we smell burning food, hear all twelve different curses of the dwarfs, the sound of dishes being broken, and the thump of knives sticking into the wooden walls.  We carefully poke our heads around the corner, and I couldn't believe my eyes.  The entire room, floor to ceiling, was covered with rotten vegetables, and knives.
    'There's nothin' wrong with my food!' says the cook.
    He swears as we enter the room.  Armed with four knives, and a pot on his head he looked quite comical if it weren't for the crazed look in his eyes.
    'W-we said we wouldn't tell, honest, but he just won't listen to anything any of us say,' says the assistant cook, 'we just wanted him to stop putting bad meat in at the very least.'
    'I understand,' I say ducking under the overturned table, 'it seems to me that the cook is being unreasonable.  I'll try reasoning with him,' I poke my head up over the table and calmly talk to the cook, 'Cook?  Now calm down, I know you're angry but it's not going to be any better for you if someone gets hurt.'
    The cook grunts and swaggers all around his half of the kitchen.  
    'You tryin' to trick me?' he walks forward, nearly falling into the floor, 'cause if you are, you'll be in trubibble.  Oh, away we go whayyy out yonder.' 
    I could smell the liquor on his breath, he must have been drinking with the Stable Master again.  Nithron places a firm hand on my shoulder and steps up beside me.  His hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
    'This is no trick. You simply have been questioned, and you certainly wouldn't throw another knife knowing there's a lady present.  That's just not the man you are,' he says as calmly as possible.
    'Tell them to take back what they said!' shouts the cook.
    'What on earth did you say to him?!' I ask the assistant cook.
    'I watched him throw a rotten piece of meat into the stew.  It must have been nearly four weeks old.  I asked him to remove it at once before we added any more ingredients.  Why, he flew into a rage, lunged at me and would have choked me to death, if your friend Nithron here hadn't pulled him off me.  That's when we first realized that the cook was drunk.  And the next moment he's grabbed himself a handful of knives and started throwing like a madman,' says the assistant cook.
    'Where's Beleg?' I ask.
    'He went past the well into the forest, but nobody has seen him since,' says Nithron.
    'I think I know where he is.  Don't worry I'll be back with him before you know it.  Just keep the cook busy and don't let him go anywhere,' I say hurrying to the door.
    As soon as I left the room there was the thud of a knife hitting the wall beside the door.  I try not to think of where it might have hit, I needed to focus on finding Beleg so he can put a stop to the cook.  Past the camps, the stables, and the ruins I finally reach the well.  I stop, mesmerized by the gaping hole.  I start thinking about Rinion again and what happened that evening.

    'Naneth that has to be the best brunkle pie I've tasted,' I said trying not to indulge myself anymore.
    'I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.  Fauna, could you please pass the edanomel,' said Naneth pouring until her goblet was full.
    Dinner was nearly over, the servants had cleared away nearly all the dishes.  Rinion hadn't let go of my hand since we had arrived.  I wanted so badly to go see Florentide, but I needed his permission before I could leave.
    'Rinion, I would like to go see Florentide and Camellia.  I know they've been missing me and I them,' I said laying my head on his shoulder.
    'Oh, Kaymele of course you can, just let me escort you out,' he said.
    I wondered why he had wanted to escort me.  He knew very well I wasn't going to run off, but I didn't want to seem uncompliant.
    We excused ourselves and went out to find Florentide and Camellia.  Almost as soon as I came out Florentide found me and called Camellia.  Her white body flew swiftly above our heads, the trees swayed under the rushing wind under her wings.  Camellia wasn't far behind as her white and red streaked body flew through the air and landed.  I rushed forward and hugged Florentide her smooth white scales shimmered in the fading light making her twice as radient.  Rinion went back into the house after saying a friendly hello.
    'My, my look at you.  And Camellia you're simply dazzling,' I said to them sitting on my swing.
    'You don't look worse for wear yourself.  You're quite lucky to have such a wonderful mate as Rinion you know,' said Florentide, 'but enough about that, there's a matter I wanted to inform you of before we speak much more.'
    'Yes, we both saw large men, about a hundred or so, tailing you here.  They looked like trouble and were carrying dangerous weapons,' said Camellia.
    'I wonder if they are the same men from the fisherman's village.  I thought Rinion had taken care of those ruffians, they must be after him for closing their port.  They weren't just trading fish and fishing supplies.  They were trading weapons and such to Cave Trolls, and Mountain Goblins,' I said to them.
    I had no sooner said this than crashing and banging started inside the house.  The clanging of swords, and the sounds of my family's powers coming together as one.  Ice, water, and boiling hot water were heard flying everywhere.  People started running outside as I started running inside.  The enemy followed.  The battle continued as I climbed atop Florentide, Rinion climbed aboard Camellia.  We swooped and dove fighting for our lives and our family's lives.  The guards were still coming through the door.
    Until the leader of the pack came and stood out on the terris.  His one eye was a patched, and his beard, which was quite short, was blood splattered.  He jumped down and rushed forward slashing at whatever his sword could hit.  But before anyone could stop him, his sword had gone straight through Aunt Santiel.  I was paralyzed, flying above the sight I saw my mother, far away from her, was also in a state of shock.  Santiel's body fell to the ground with what seemed to be a thunderous crash.  
    Rinion, who had awakened from his shock, half mad, flew Camellia down at the leader so fast and angrily that he didn't see the sword of which the leader had killed Santiel with was raised high.  
    Because Camilla hadn't grown her tough outer scales it sliced right through to her heart, and she fell from the sky and smashed into the trees.  Rinion was pinned under her when they crashed, his back was almost completely torn off.  Florentide and I landed beside them.  
    The last of the savages were either dead or running for their lives.  The leader was lying dead with my Father's sword sticking out of his back.  Florentide tried to move Camilla's body, but for just one dragon she was too heavy.  I held Rinion's head close, his body was now surrounded by a pool of blood.  Everyone was over with Santiel, but at the moment none of that mattered.  
    'Kaymele,' he coughs, 'do you remember what I told you when we were first engaged?'
    'Of course I do, you said there's nothing that could separate us.  And you promised that you would always love me no matter the trile or tribulation,'
    'Yes,' he winces, 'and I don't think I can keep that promise much longer.'
    'Don't talk like that.  Here now you're... you're going to be fine,' I said as my voice choked.
    His breathing became more shallow with every breath.  He lifted his hand and touched my face holding it for as long as he could.  
    'I love you Kaymele,' he said.
    'And I love you,  I will always love you,' I said.
    I bent down and kissed his lips ever so softly, and when I came up again he was dead.  Florentide was over all of us, her daughter died only moments before.  Her head was bowed deeply, but not for long.  She raised up her voice and roared, while I screamed out in anger.  At the leader, at the world, at everything.  
    Still standing at the well I forgot what I had ventured out there for.  Then Beleg comes walking out of the forest.  Suddenly remembering what I needed him for I raced over to him.
    'Beleg!' I shout, he stops and waits for me, 'the cook, he's drunk and furious.  Everyone's hungry and terrified of him.  We need you to stop him, he's throwing knifes everywhere!' 
    'Alright, quickly take me to him,' he says.
    We sprint back to the kitchen, just in time to see the cook throw his last knife into the assistant cook's shoulder.  He cried out in pain, and fell on his knees.  Beleg rushed forward at the cook and pinned him to the floor.  
    'Cook, I'm taking you to the prison cells until we can give you proper punishment,' he says.
    'No, you can't take me!' shouts the cook as he's dragged out.
    'Come, Nithron help me get the assistant to Anakis,' I say grabbing one arm, 'by the way what did you want me at the well for?'
    'Oh, never mind that now I'll talk to you later about it,' he says, 'lets just get this man to Anakis.'