Nairi (part 5)

Where am I?  Was it all a dream? It felt so real if it was. But Nuvole was there; it must have been-
"When do you think she will wake up?"
"I don't know, Adonis. It's been a few days. She is in perfect health now, but she might not wake till tomorrow."
I heard Adonis groan, "I'll be right back." I heard him again, this time storming out of the tent.
When I was sure there was no one in the room, I hopped out of bed – which was not a smart idea seeing as I fell over backwards onto the bed. "Ok, bad idea," I mumbled to myself. "Let’s try sitting up first."
I sat up and looked around, tested my injured arm, which was now perfectly fine, and finally eased up. I stood there for a moment before taking a step. I didn't fall over, so that was good. I walked in circles around my room for a minute, and then proceeded to jog in place. "Yeah!" I yelled. "Nairi's back in the game!" I covered my mouth thinking I may have been too loud but still couldn't help but giggle a little.
After I had calmed down, I left my tent and breathed in the fresh air. It filled my lungs until my chest hurt.
Way better than being stuck in a prison. I thought, Wait...prison? How did I get out? I racked my brain trying to remember.  I was unconscious most of the time I was there because I was so sick and then ummm then...NUVOLE. I remembered, He helped me escape and he carried me the whole way here...and he was hurt and the death hounds...Oh no. I ran to the nearest guard.
"Excuse me sir."
He looked down. He didn't have much of a beard, and he had kind blue eyes and disheveled brown hair. He didn't look much older than me."Ah, what might I do for you, young lady?"
I didn't even think about the fact he thought I was little. "Is there a sick area that is keeping a male Ceridwen, about this high?" I stood on my tip toes and showed him about the height. “Black hair, blue eyes, and he would be about in his twenties."
The man looked like he was thinking. "Um, yes. I believe he is in the building just around the corner. It should have a domed ceiling and be the first on your left."
I sighed in relief and thanked the man before bolting towards the building as fast as my bare feet would take me.
I slid to a stop, my black hair tumbling over my shoulders, as I reached the building. I caught my breath and knocked on the door.
Kaymele answered her eyes slightly red like she had been crying, and they got wide when she saw me. "Nairi, you’re awake!"
"Yes...But Kaymele do you have a patient by the name of Nuvole?"
Her look of surprised dimmed and she nodded. "Yes, he was hurt pretty bad. He saved you, you know."
I nodded as we walked in. Kaymele took a sharp breath.
I pushed past her "What?!"
"H-He isn't here...how did I not notice that? He was better but I'm not sure how much.”
 Oh great, now what?
I bolted past Kaymele and started looking around. I checked by the well, by the pond, in the outskirts of the woods, by Beleg's tent, and by the main infirmary. I couldn't find him anywhere. Where could he have gone?
I heard a crash over by the kitchens and went to look. Nuvole was there talking calmly, but I could tell he was angry by the way he was frowning. And when I saw who he was talking to my heart started to race. Adonis was talking, his eyes closed and his fists clenched. To be honest he looked about ready to explode. I caught bits of their conversation.
"You know you are really starting to tick me off!" Adonis complained , not even trying to control the anger in his voice.
"You know I could say the same to you." Nuvole sounded much calmer but had a sharp edge to his voice.
"Shouldn't you be lying down?"
"I'm perfectly fine now thanks. It doesn't take as long for me to heal anymore."
"Who are you anyway? You just show up somehow managing to save Nairi from Felix. How do we know you aren't some spy?"
"Ask anyone; I'm no spy. I would die fighting in this war. Just knowing that I helped in any way to hurt Felix would be fine." Nuvole sounded like he was getting angrier.
What are they fighting about anyway?
Their argument continued for a few more minutes until Adonis's hands burst into flame and Nuvole was prepared to stab him with razor sharp ice.
I jumped in before they could kill each other. I knew it would be over in a matter of seconds, for both of them.
"Stop it!" I blew them both back with a gust of wind "What in Incantevole are you two doing?!"
"Nairi!" They both exclaimed. They both had wide eyes like they just now realized they were about to kill each other.
"I thought you were still asleep?" Adonis mumbled.
"No, I woke up right after you left."
"So you’re feeling better kid?" I looked at Nuvole. All the anger was gone from him and he was smiling.
As much as I wanted to run up and hug him and tell him how much I missed him, I didn't. "Yes, I am feeling better." Okay I couldn't help it. I ran up and hugged him "I missed you, Idiot." I started crying.
"Yeah, I figured. Sorry." He hugged me back.
Adonis cleared his throat and I broke away from Nuvole and wiped my eyes. "Mind telling me what’s going on, Shorty."
"Adonis! Stop calling me that. I'm not short!" I sighed, "He's my brother, Nuvole."
Adonis looked shocked, "Wait, the dead one?"
"That's me, the dead brother of Nairi."
"I thought you said Felix killed him," he replied, totally ignoring Nuvole.
"Yes, well turns out he was made into his personal slave."
"Ah, yes, speaking of which, I need to go tell Beleg some interesting knowledge I stumbled upon." He smiled and ruffled my hair "Bye, Nairi." He glanced at Adonis "See ya, Hot Head." He waved as he left.
"What...did he just call me?" Adonis asked as I burst into laughter. "It is not funny!"
"Yes, it is very funny. I consider it pay back."
"For what?"
"For calling me Shorty."
"Doesn't mean I'll stop.”
I stuck my tongue out at him and left.
I walked around the camp before spotting Kaymele sitting alone on a bench.
"Hey." I said. She didn't look at me. "Hey Kaymele, are you okay?"
"What." She looked up at me. It was obvious she had been crying.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing." She stood up quickly and something fell.
I picked it up."You dropped something-" I stopped mid sentence staring at the familiar stone. "Where did you get this?"
"Huh, oh the boy I was taking care of, Nuvole, had it. I figured you could read it." She seemed like she really wanted to leave.
"It says Bí sábháilte agus do theach a mheabhrú. Meaning, Be safe and remember your home.I made it for Nuvole right before he left." I smiled and a tear ran down my cheek. "He kept it."
"What language is that?" She still seemed like she wanted to leave, but she must have been more curious.
I smiled, "Ceridwen of course."
She looked a bit shocked "But you never spoke your language. I assumed you spoke the language of normal humans."
"No, I speak my native language but there was no reason for me to speak Ceridwen if no one would understand me. So I spoke solely the language everyone would recognize. Like Adonis, he is speaking human but he is half dragon and was raised by them so Dragon would Naturally be his first language. But you don't hear him speaking in low grunts, snorts, and puffs do you?"
"No, well I must be off." She hurried away leaving me standing there with the stone I had given Nuvole before he left. I realized that now that he was back the King would probably be furious. And war was coming fast. I didn't know his plan, and I only vaguely knew ours. But I had a bad feeling a battle was coming. A big battle that will end in either a grand victory or great torment.

Nairi (Part 4)

My arm felt heavy. I was vaguely aware of someone dabbing me with a wet rag. My throat felt dry. I didn't know who was tending to me but I really needed some water. "W-water," I managed to say in a hoarse whisper.
What is wrong with me? Why do I feel so heavy and tired? I had no idea when these questions would be answered, but right now all I wanted was something to drink. Then I felt something touch my lips and relief washed over me, my throat no longer dry.
Now that my throat was wet and I could think straight, I remembered what happened. All of it. Being attacked by the dragon men, Adonis coming to rescue me, and the sight of him filled with so much rage.
Was it because they attacked me? I wondered It couldn't have been. He wouldn't have been that mad just because I was hurt. That reminded me of the wound in my shoulder. My eyes opened as my body shot up, sending a jolt of pain through my shoulder. It was purplish blue and swollen with big bumps all over it. "Ew, Gross!" I yelled. Which made Anakis, who was on the other side of the room, yelp in fright and drop the bowl of herbs she had been mixing.
"Oh, I am sorry Anakis I didn't mean to scare you it's just," I looked at my arm "Eww." I said gesturing towards it.
Anakis stared at me looking surprised and relieved. "You're awake!" She yelled.
She didn't even bother to pick up the herbs she had dropped and came over to me and started looking me over. She just stared at me for the longest time, but then she sighed and hugged me,being careful to avoid my arm."I am so glad you are okay. You have been asleep for the longest time. I cannot even remember how long it has been...maybe a week. Well it doesn’t matter. What matters is you are awake." She smiled at me. "Are you in a lot of pain if so I can make something that will sooth the pain?"
I shifted only a little bit of weight onto it and felt a prick of pain go through my Body, but it wasn't enough that I should worry Anakis. As long as I didn’t move to much "No I am fine." I gave her an encouraging smile.
"Okay, as long as you are alright." She smiled and walked back over to her herbs. "Oh no." She looked slightly worried.
"What is it?"
"This mixture I was making had the last of my Moon Lilies.”
"Are they rare?"
"Oh, no." She laughed a little.
"Oh, then why is it a problem?"
"Well you see, they look very similar to another type of herb that is poisonous."
"Oh, I'm sorry I caused you to drop it."
She smiled "It is okay Nairi. I should be able to easily tell them apart. I have been handling herbs for a long time."
"Oh, okay." I smiled at her.
"Now," She said grabbing a basket."I will be back soon. You should try to rest." And with that she left.

I wasn't there for more than a few minutes when a man came in. "Ugh, I thought they would never leave,” A lanky blond man, which in my opinion looked like the stupidest man on earth, flounced in.
"Oh quit your whining, Unum. At least we are in." Another tall man this time with black hair, yelled, as he made his way into my room.
"Oh you are one to talk Due. You were at there fuming about how no one ever left the room."
"Fuming is different then whining."
"I have to agree with Due. Fuming is different then whining." Another man strolled into the room, he had shaggy brown hair and had a small scar on his cheek.
"Oh you stay out of it ,Trois, this is between me and Due," said Unum.
"I think you should just quit all your arguing and just get to work. Unless you want to make the boss mad." A man, taller then the others, strode into the room. He had unruly red hair, and the way he walked gave off the impression that he defiantly thought he was better then everyone else.
"Yes sir." They all said at once.
"I'm terribly sorry, Ciphra."
"You better be, Trois."
"Um, excuse me." I said, I wanted to know who in Incantevole these people were. "Who are you people and why are you in my room?"
I suddenly found four surprised eyes staring at me. "Oh yeah, you." Unum said.
"Unum, you idiot,"Due said hitting him in the back of the head.
"Sorry." He said, looking dejected.
"Well, Missy," Ciphra started walking towards me. "We are are working for the king and are here to kidnap you."  At this words a million and one thoughts were running through my mind.
"Ciphra, why did you tell her? Now she is going to kill us or something." Due said looking at Ciphra accusingly.
"Idiot, do you think I would tell her if I did not think it wise. If you were closer you could see she is suffering from a terrible injury and probably isn't strong enough to do anything." He said looking like he was the smartest man in the world, which made me really hate him. But he was right I couldn't attack them, I was too weak.
"Oh, sorry."
"You better be." Ciphra said smugly. "So now to business." He said gagging me then throwing me over his shoulder. I winced because my arm felt like it was being ripped off the way he was letting it dangle.
"Alright, to the castle." was the last thing I heard before I blacked out from pain.

                               ***********************************************
I woke in a damp dark place that smelled of mold and sweat.  I moved and the pain was so great I let out a whimper. "H-help." I managed to say.
"Sorry ,Girly,” A deep male voice said through the darkness “'fraid you ain't gonna get much hep round 'ere. Da king don't really treat his prisoners kindly.  If ya know wat I mean."
"Cohortis! Stop being mean to the prisoners, I am sure they probably did nothing wrong. It is really barbaric to do this to these people."
"Hahaha, don't you be lettin da king 'ear you say dat."
"And if he does I could care in the least." The man who had come in sighed.
Why does he sound familiar?
"Anyway, I was told there was a new prisoner that needed food."
"Oh yea she be in dis cell. careful she don't bite ya." Cohortis  laughed.
"That is not funny in the slightest." I heard the cell door open."Blast, Cohortis I cannot see a thing in this dark place get me a lamp so I can give the poor girl her food without spilling the hot mess on her."
"Oh, fine, here." It was suddenly so bright I couldn't see a thing. But my ears were just fine. I heard the man gasp.
"Cohortis," The man demanded. "Were did you find this girl."
"Well, I assumed she was kidnapped seein as da crew da King usually sends to kidnap people dropped her off."
"I will kill him! He broke his promise! He lied to me! He promised he would harm none of them! The lying fool! He will pay for this!" By now my vision had started to clear, and I really wondered why this man was so mad. But my question was answered before I regained my sight.
"Nuvole, what is wrong. What has gotten into you." At his name I let at a little gasp. I had now regained my sight and could see that it was my brother. Older, but still him.
"N-no, you can't be." I put the one hand I could move on my head and curled into a ball. "You died." I started to cry.
"Nairi, I-I'm sorry. I had to." I looked up at him. His face was a mixture of rage, happiness, and sorrow. I saw tears streaming down his face.
"W-why?"
"He said he would kill you, and everyone. I had to do what he said. I am so, so sorry." I stared at his face for a long time then hugged him tight.
"I forgive you." I said.
"Um, sorry to interrupt whateva dis is but um, uh."
"Cohortis, I am afraid I cannot let you go tell the king because I am going to take that joy for myself." With that Nuvole froze the prison guard. "Don't worry," He smiled at me "He won't die, he is just frozen. And I have to leave now." He let go of me." I have some busness I need to attend to with King Felix.  Listen, if I do not come back to get you, rest assured I will do everything in my power to get some help and come back, okay." He kissed me on the forehead. "Don't worry.  No matter what I won't let him separate us that long again." And with that he left.
I found him. He is alive! Nuvole is alive! But he left, what if he doesn't come back? Shut up he will come back. He said he would, and I believe him.
I sat there and fell asleep with memories of Nuvole and my parents, and unlike most prisoners fell asleep with a smile.

Nairi (Part 3)

My eyes slowly fluttered open at the sound of snoring. W-what happened? The last thing I remember was the giant two headed snake thing and- I realized immediately what had happened. I lay there for awhile to assess my situation, and I kept coming back to the same conclusion. I was weak, useless. I had become a burden for everyone.
I decided to take a walk. I needed to clear my mind. I sat up and looked around me. Where am I? I looked all around the interior of the building I was in. It had low ceilings, stone walls, a lot of beds, and was more or less just a really big room.
I started to get up when I realized someone was laying on my bedside. I looked down at the sleeping figure, and with a shock I realized, it’s Adonis!? W-why is he sleeping here?  I looked at his sleeping face. It was filled with worry. Was he really that worried about me? I thought for a moment then shook my head. There is no way. He must have been worried about something else. I stared at his sleeping figure. His hair was in his face and his back was moving up and down from his breathing. The way he slept reminded me of the way Nuvole had.
I slid my leg out from under him. The movements made him stir, but he didn't awake. I stepped out of bed and made my way to the door. I took one last look at Adonis before leaving, and shut the door quietly behind me.
It was late out. The moon was high above me, but a few people were still out. I kept walking, passing crumbling stone buildings, and some that still stood strong. I happened upon this huge building, with a big gate. The roof had almost completely fallen in. I walked up to the gate. To my surprise it was ajar. I slipped through the small crack and made my way to the center of the large structure and what I found there seemed out of place. There in front of me was a small pond. Its water was so clear you could see to the bottom, were little tadpoles swam in the mud. It was probably fed by a spring somewhere.
I sat down on a small rock at the edge and looked at my reflection in the still waters. Why are you so weak? You couldn't do anything to help your friends. You ended up having to be carried the whole way here most likely. You, You can't do anything, I smacked the top of the water with my hand, rippling my reflection, so I wouldn't have to look at myself.
I sighed There is no way I can be helpful to them...I can hardly hold a sword. The one I have is almost as tall as me. Plus swords kill, and bring blood. I never liked blood it always made me squeamish, but I thought I would probably be able to handle it when the king died...maybe because of all the blood he has spilled over the course of his rein...my brother’s included. Then it dawned on me, What if I learn to control my powers! If I learned how, I would be able to help, and maybe be able to do so without spilling any blood!  This was great. All I had to do was find out which of the Ceridwen powers I was best at. Like Nuvole was good at Ice. Maybe I will try water. I concentrated hard. I imagined some of the water coming out of the pool into a spherical shape. I looked up but nothing was there. I will have to try harder. I concentrated again, and this time I felt a tugging in my gut. I looked up and in front of me a ball of water was floating in the air. "I did it." I mumbled to myself. "Ha-ha, I really did it. All right then...next up is ice."
I stared at the ball of water and thought of the coldest place I had ever been. I imagined the ice crystals that hung from some of the houses back home. I focused on what they looked like. I willed the ball to freeze.
I opened my eyes. The water was still floating there, but no ice. I thought hard. Something about this situation was familiar. Then I remembered, and seem to be transported back to the memory... 'Nuvole,' I ran up to my older brother a huge grin on my face.
'What is it?' He bent down so he would be level with me.
'I have decided.' I said matter-o-factly. He laughed.
'And what exactly have you decided.' He stared down at me and smiled.
'My specialty is going to be ice.' I looked up at him, trying to make my eyes look as pleading as possible. 'Can you teach me Nuvole...Please?'
He sighed, and then smiled at me. 'Of course I can.'
'Yeah! So, how do I do it, Nuvole...Tell me?!
'Calm down, Nairi. Give me a chance to speak.' He smiled and pulled together some water making a sphere. 'Ok, First you have to have water.' he gestured to the sphere.
I sighed. 'I know that, Nuvole...I just don't know how to turn it to ice!'
'Hold you horses, Nairi. Next think of what you want it to become." He closed his eyes in concentration. 'Imagine it becoming ice from the outside in. See it spreading on the surface to the next layer of water and inward.' I watched in amazement as the ball of water turned into a ball of ice. Nuvole opened his eyes. 'See? Easy.'
'Nuvole,' I stood there wide eyed staring at the sphere. 'YOU ARE SO COOL!'
He laughed, and smiled down at me. 'I know.' He poked me in the forehead. 'Now come on if we aren't home soon mom will get mad.' He walked off and I followed.
The memory ended and I realized I was crying No crying, Nairi. I scolded myself and wiped my eyes.
I looked at the floating ball of water, then closed my eyes and did exactly what Nuvole had instructed me to do that day. I concentrated so hard until my head felt like it might explode. Just as I was about to give up, I felt again that tug in my gut. I opened my eyes and there, floating in front of me was a ball of ice.
I jumped up allowing the ball to fall back into the water "I did it!" I yelled.  I jumped up and down a few times, and then I tripped and fell. I let out a small startled, cry. Suddenly, right before I hit the water, I felt someone grab my wrist and pull me back onto my feet.
As soon as I was upright the person let go of my hand. I looked up and met the gaze of a pair of golden eyes. At first I thought it was Adonis, but I realized pretty quick it wasn't. This man had black hair.
I backed up from him. "Thank you." I said
"No problem," He waved his hand. "But what is a Ceridwen doing nearly falling in a pond?"
I backed up "H-how did you kno-"
"How did I know? Well you were just performing a bit of a demonstration over there." He smiled at me."Isn't that right Morte?"
"Yup." A slim yet muscular man stepped out from behind a tree.
"W-well you shouldn't spy on people...It is rude."
The other man, Morte, laughed. "I guess your right. I’m sorry." He smiled at me and nudged the other guy in the side. "Uccidere, say sorry."
The man ,Uccidere, bowed. "Please forgive me."
I sighed "I guess."
Morte looked thoughtful."You know," He looked at me."Can I show you a place...I think you will like it."
I was suspicious of these people...something didn't seem right, but they could just want to show me something. "How far is it?"
"Not to far," Uccidere smiled. "Just into the forest a ways."
"I don't think I should." I smiled politly, "Sorry."
Morte, walked up to me, and he frowned. "Come on. It is only a little ways into the forest."
"But I really think I should-"
"Please." Uccidere, looked at me with such pleading eyes. I couldn't say no.
I sighed. "Fine...If it is only a little ways."
Morte smiled. "Thank you."
He abruptly turned and walked into the forest. I ran to catch up."So, where are you taking me?"
"It is a secret." Morte said. He looked at me with piercing green eyes.
We walked on and on...I saw nothing but trees in every direction. I definitely couldn't find my way back if necessary.
"How much farther I asked." Not much farther...in fact," Uccidere smiled at me. "We are here."
I looked around, and realized we were at a little area were no trees were.
"Yup," Morte flipped a lock of brown hair from his face. And looked me dead in the eyes and smiled a cold smile. "This is the last place you will see, Well besides dungeon walls."
What he said hit me like a weight. "What?"
"You heard him."Uccidere laughed. "Oh, and don’t even think about trying to escape. It is nearly impossible to escape a dragon."
Dragons? They are dragons? And they are working for the king. How could I be so stupid!? I followed two strangers deep into the forest and look what happened...I am about to be dragged off. I’m such on idiot. I would have continued scolding myself mentally but Morte and Uccidere suddenly grabbed me by both wrists. What should I do? I thought about using water or ice...but both were so hard to use for me...Then it dawned on me.  Wind! My specialty must be wind.There is only one way to find out.
I invisioned a forceful wind smashing into both of my attackers. I felt a warmth starting from my stomach spredding through my body, and suddenly, both my attackers were knocked back by a huge gust. "Ha, Take that." I turned to run but stopped at the vast expanse of forest in front of me. I didn't know which way to go. Morte jumped up and hit me. I soared through the air, trees flying by me until I hit one with such force all the air left my body.
"Hey, Uccidere," He said his eyes full of hatred. "The boss said we could break her didn't he."
Uccidere, smiled evily. "Yup, He said use any means necessary. Just don't kill the brat."
"Great," Morte walked up to me. "I am going to enjoy breaking you." He had a murderous look in his eyes.
I was terrified. I felt my heart rate quicken, and my breath was coming in short gasps
Morte picked me up, spun around, and threw me towards Uccidere.
Time seemed to slow down. In that moment I knew the only thing I could do was scream. And I did.That is when Uccidere spun around and kicked me cutting off my scream and sending me flying back the way I had come.
The force of being thrown one way and the force of the leg coming from another sent a searing pain in my side. I hit a tree with great force and felt something pierce into my left shoulder. I screamed again, the pain was so great.
The pair of dragons started to run towards me again. I tried to move, but the pain in my right side burned like I was hit with fire. And my shoulder seemed to scream out through my body in pain.
I couldn't even manage a scream. It came out as a sort of whimper.
Suddenly someone passed in front of me. "How dare you!" He said. "How dare you, how dare you." My first thought was that Nuvole had come to save me. I focused on the figure infront of me, and shocked, I realized who it was.
"How dare you hurt her!" Adonis, yelled and burst into flames.Because of the air the flames had created his hair was blowng around like he was in the middle of a storm, and his face, it was so full of rage and hatred. He lunged at my attakers and burst a piller of flames at them that hit them with such forse they flew through a pair of trees.
I tried to move again and managed to move my right hand to touch my left shoulder. I felt something hard sticking into me. I looked at my hand and what I saw made my stomach roll. My hand was covered in blood.
I looked up at the battle again. Uccidere and Morte had gotten back up and were trying there best to hit Adonis back "Come back here Half breed." Morte yelled as swung at Adonis.  Adonis moved effortlessly out of the way.Then I saw Uccidere creeping up behind Adonis.
 I tried to call to him but again pain shot through my body and everything went out of focus. I could tell I had lost a lot of blood, and if that didn't kill me, the two broken ribs piercing my lungs would.
Through my blurred vision, I saw Uccidere and Morte turn into massive dragons.
Xander, Nithron, and Prid came running into the clearing with everyone else in tow.
Good. Adonis won't be alone against those two.It was my last thought before everything went completly black.

Nairi (part 2)

I was quite surprised when a man wearing the clothes of the king’s guard and a girl in a once white dress, now greenish brown with filth, stepped out of the gate. “Why, hello there, travelers, but I think you’ll want to enter through the main gate, nothing to see coming through this one” The man in the king’s armor said.
I didn’t want to hurt an innocent man but we had just been exposed and certainly he was going to report Adonis and I to the king and have us killed. And I couldn’t let that happen. “You are a King’s guard; I shall have to kill you.” That came out way more menacing than I had first intended. I drew my sword, seeing as even though I had the power to control the wind, water, or ice I had never paid much attention when I was supposed to be learning how to use them. So my best bet right now was probably the sword.
“Wait! Stop! Whoever you are, D-don’t kill Cap….Xander” The girl cried.
I looked at her wondering what she had been about to say.
“He isn’t…bad” She sounded like she could barely got the words out of her mouth

“And why shouldn’t I? How do I not know that this isn’t all a setup?”

“Shorty, just drop it.” Adonis said grabbing my shoulder.
I am sure my face turned beet red. “I’M NOT SHORT!” I screamed. I turned to Adonis and tried to step on his foot, but he moved and I fell, nearly impaling myself with my sword.

“Um, sorry to interrupt whatever you doing but can we please leave?.” It was the man again.
“Yes, yes you can, and we’re coming with you.” Adonis looked kind of scared.

“What’s wrong?” I asked looking at his expression.
“That’s what’s wrong.” He said pointing at a mob of guards headed straight for us.

The man, Xander I think she called him, smiled and galloped past me on his horse and yelled. “That’s our cue. If your coming you will have to keep up.”
“Well what are you waiting for, Shorty.” Adonis said. I didn’t even have time to reply till he scooped me up and ran after Xander and the girl, quickly catching up.

“Let me go!” I shouted at hm.
“Oh so you want to be caught by the royal guard.” He said looking at me his hair blowing he was running so fast.
“No.” I said looking down. It was then that Xander noticed we were keeping up with him and his mouth seemed to fall.
“How- how are you…”
“Don’t ask.” Adonis said smiling. And Xander didn’t.
After a while of running and riding we finally stopped, and Adonis abruptly dropped me.
“Ow, that hurt.” I said standing. Adonis shrugged, apparently he didn’t care. At that moment I wanted to slap him, but I was interrupted by the girl.
“H-how, d-did you.” The girl fumbled with her words.
“I think what lady Bly is trying to say is, how in all of Incantevole you keep up with my Rudy?”
“Well it helps that dragons are fast.” Adonis said shrugging.
I looked at the girl she looked quit frightened like she had been through a lot. Then I realized she was an elf! It’s quite easy to tell when you just look at the ears.
“Ok, so first off,” Adonis raised his finger in the air like he was king of the world. “I guess if we are going to be traveling together we should know each other’s names.” He pointed to himself. “The names Adonis, and this,” He said gesturing towards me. “Is, Shorty.” I felt my face go hot with anger. “SHORTY IS NOT MY NAME! WILL YOU STOP CALLING ME THAT?” I looked at the two and smiled, though my anger was far from gone. “My name is Nairi.” I said
“B-bly.” The girl said
“And I am former captain of the royal guard Xander Bolivar.” He bowed formally. He smiled at me. “So how old are you exactly? Ten, Eleven?”
I didn’t get as mad at him as I do at Adonis because it was a normal question, but I still said this through gritted teeth “I.Am.16.”
He looked at me mystified for a second then snapped back. “My apologies.” He said bowing again.
I smiled. “No need to be so formal.” I said.
“Ok now.” Adonis said. “Were do we go from here exactly? It is getting dark and we have absolutely nowhere to stay, except out in the open were any solder can find us.
“He has a point.” Xander said, he looked like he was thinking. Then he said something to Adonis and he said something back. I decided to leave them be and talk about whatever it was. Most likely places to stay, but you never know with boys.
I decided to go talk to Bly she looked so alone just standing there. “Hi.” I said smiling at her.
She blinked at me “H-hi” she said. Man she seemed so shy.
“I just thought since the boys are chatting over there I would come over here and talk to you.” I smiled at her, and she smiled back. Well at least the best she seemed she could manage.

“So since we are apparently going to be traveling together , I thought I should ask you to be my friend?” I smiled again and extended my hand. She took it, and I guess at that moment I made my first real friend.