Chapter Fourteen

Chapter 14: The Inner
Sanctum




Failon - The Arricsent Ruins:

Inside the Citadel, all that greeted them was stiff air, and a deathly silence.
They had to break down the front door, the wood had rotten away a long time ago, so the lads had used their boots to smash it down, and then the lasses insisted they go first.

Now they held torches of branches they had found lying around near the doors, above their heads as they stepped across the stone threshold.
   "So you say you have no clue where this Inner Sanctum is?" Dreyden asked Ellie as he stepped farther into the shadows, drawing his sword in his right hand so he could defend himself if something jumped him.
   "No. Sorry." Ellie answered, pulling her staff from it's sheath and following him closely. "I was just an apprentice, I wasn't old enough to be trusted with those secrets."
   "Don't worry about it El. We'll figure it out." Drey spoke up gently, giving her a reassuring half smile.
She returned it but not so reassuringly.
   "Can you see if you can find it?"
   "Well I'm not exactly sure but -"
   "Oh!" He turned and saw that she had been bending down next to her white tiger.
   "I - I wasn't talking to you." She said bluntly, but in such away that it sounded like an apology. He sighed and turned back to the Citadel.
   "Yep." He muttered. Getting a grin from Merek.
The tiger came up to him, gave him something that looked like a smirk and then trudged on into the room.
   "Stupid tiger." He whispered under his breath. Kicking a rock towards the beast. It missed by a few inches, which he regretted, yet knew it would probably hurt Elowen more then it would the beast if he had hit it.
   Dreyden and the rest of the boys held their swords, or daggers at the ready.
Elowen hung back and watched they're backs. Though she was sure she would never do much good seeing as she had never held a knife in her life, let alone actually fought someone.
Lorem was leading the line, careful to step over the stones that had fallen down from the roof and walls.
The room looked like it might have been the great hall at one point, but now light peaked through gapping holes in the roof. It gave little light to their path, but with the torches the boys held, lit things up enough to find the rocks they need to step over.

    "Ah!" Heads turned immediately towards the sound, Ysmay blushed deeply as everyone starred at her.
   "Sorry." She apologized in a whisper. "I tripped and my ankle got twisted. I didn't mean to scream."
She glanced down and realized her hand was squeezing Terryn's arm hard. Upon realizing that, she let go and backed off a step.
   "Sorry." She whispered again, taking another step back, bumping into Ellie as she did.
   "Careful Ysmay. Or you might just step on something important." She joked with a smile as she caught Ysmay by the arm.
Ysmay chuckled nervously and tugged a stray stranded of her dark hair behind her ear.
   "Are you sure you're alright?" Dreyden asked.
Ysmay nodded hastily.
   "Yep. All's good." She said again.
The boys nodded and moved on. Elowen squeezed her arm and led her forward.
   "Are you sure?" She asked again, pulling Ysmay back away from the boys.
   "Or...is someone got your knickers in a twist?" Sonera whispered on her other side.
Ysmay blushed deep red and let her hair fall into her eyes.
   "Ooh." Sonera said it a little too loudly and Terryn glanced back at them.
  "Shh! Please don't say anything! Don't even joke about!" She whispered so urgently that Elowen almost believed it was a matter of life or death.
   "I'm sorry." Sonera looked extremely sad she had said anything. "I don't want to embarrass you. Or...what ever. I'm sorry."
Ysmay smiled and shrugged.
   "It's alright. Like I said, just don't say anything."
   "So...is it...?" Elowen gestured to the boy walking ahead of them, his dirty blond swaying slightly as he walked with reassuring steps.
Elowen got her answer by the even deeper blush on Ysmay's pale cheeks.
She nodded slowly and grinned.
   "Good for you." Sonera gave her a squeeze, but then they all three jumped when an ear piercing howl broke the silence.

The three girls ran over to where the boys were standing near the far left wall.
   "Did you find something?" Ysmay called.
Running up to the boys, the girls saw that they were staring right at a brick wall.
   "Oh...yes...maybe that slab of stone will move if we stare at it long enough." Kade mumbled as he sauntered up to the group.
   "Oh shut your gop already." Terryn snapped. "And your sulking while your at it."
The girls snickered quietly as they tried to hide it behind their hands.
Kade made a mean face at him, which earned him a nasty look from Merek.
He sighed, crossing his arms and stepping away.
   Merek stepped up to the wall and looked down at the tiger that was as still as the stone around it. He glanced up at Elowen with a questioning look.
   "Is this beast of yours reliable?"
   "Has he let you down yet?" She shot back, feeling defensive for Lorem.
Merek nodded then walked up to the wall. He ran his gloved hands across the stones, pressing down every so often.
But it seemed that he couldn't find anything. He finally threw his hands up in defeat and groaned.
   "There's nothing here. No seam, no scrapes on the ground. Nothing! I hate to say it Elowen, but I think your beast has let us down this time."
Her face hardened, but not at him, at the wall. She could just see it, a faint glimmer around it. She smiled.
Squeezing past the boys, she ran her own hands across the walls. Feeling for anything that would be out of the ordinary.
Finally she found it.
   "Aha! Yes here we go." She muttered.
   "What is it?" Terryn asked. "Magic?"
She smiled at him and pulled out her staff.
   "Yes Terryn. Very good. Now were you guessing?" She had only asked it half heartedly, not really thinking he'd answer.
   "No. I saw shiny stuff."
That made her falter.
   "W-what?" She turned to him in a whirl of red hair. Her face holding pure shock.
   "Well, there's light around here." he made a large rectangle with his finger, outlining the door Elowen only knew was there, because of the lingering hint of magic.
   "It kind of forms a door. Cant you see it?"
She nodded numbly, still shocked by the fact that he could see the magic.
   "Yes. Yes I can see it. But you..." She turned to Dreyden. "He's never shown signs of being a Magi has he?"
Dreyden shook his head slowly.
   "If you mean by 'showing signs' that he blew up into a fire ball. No. Not that I'm aware of."
She nodded again.
   "No of course not." She muttered. "That would be silly."
   "What's wrong with me?" Terryn asked. Not fully understanding what they were talking about. "Can't everyone see the light?"
Elowen shrugged. Her mind suddenly wondering if any of the others were aware of magic.
    "I don't know. Ask them yourself."
He turned to Dreyden, who shook his head with a sad look. Then Merek, who did the same. Ysmay looked long and hard at where he had pointed out the light should be. But she couldn't see anything either.
   "I don't see any light Terryn." She answered quietly.
His face fell, and he turned back desperately to Elowen.
   "Don't be so scared Terryn. It's not the end of the world. But it is unusual." She said reassuringly.
   "Why? Why is it unusual?" He asked, panic setting in.
   "You are not a Magi, and yet you are aware of the magic around you. Not many people in history were this gifted...Hmm..."
   "What does this mean? For me?"
   "Oh! It doesn't mean much. Only that you'll be able to detect when magic has been in used, that's all."
   "That's it? I'll just see, light or what ever?"
   "M-hmm." Elowen agreed. "That's right. Nothing about you will change. You wont wield magic, or anything. Don't worry about it."
   "Can we just get on with it? Obviously there's nothing here, so we need to keep looking." Kade snapped. Turning around and stalking off. Sonera sighed and gave an apologizing smile to the rest of the gang.
   "Yes, sorry. I was opening the door." Elowen moved her attention back to the wall.
   "Vik'oura...." Her voice faltered as she suddenly realized that the last time she used this particular spell was with her dear Master. Her throat choked up, as tears threatened to spill.
   "El?" Drey's voice broke through her melancholy state. She swallowed her tears and shook her head.
   "Are you alright lass?" Merek asked.
   "Yes, sorry. I'm fine." She renewed her concentration on the wall.
   "Vik'oura loctinya." The spell took it's toll on her energy source, but she found that, despite the fact that she was light headed, at least she was still on her feet. It was a sign that she was getting better.
   "Praise be to Eleyos." She whispered.
   "So it really was magic." Kade muttered. He observed that the rectangle that the youngster had pointed out earlier was now gone, in it's place was a gapping hole and only a sliver of the first step to a stair case could be seen.
A cool draft flowed past her, playing with her hair and dress. She moved aside and gestured to Dreyden, only because he was the closest.
   "You first."
He grinned and moved past her.
   "I thought it was ladies first."
   "And men just before when it comes to dark places. Everyone knows that." She answered immediately with out even thinking about her response.
   "Well aren't you two cozy." Merek declared. "But shall we leave the flirting for else where and get on with this quest of yours dearie?"
Dreyden grunted something close to a 'yes' and turned back to the darkness.
   "Stick close behind me. Terryn, bring up the rear."
   "Don't you think someone more experienced should bring up the rear?" Kade spoke up.
Merek sighed and turned to him.
   "And how is one to learn, pray tell, if we don't give him a chance to do so?"
Kade mumbled his agreement and the party ventured down into the dark abyss.

The torches' light showed chipped stone, and water that trickled down the steps, causing everyone to occasionally grasp either the person in front of them or the wall near by to catch their footing. Elowen lost her footing once halfway down the stairs and crashed into the Dreyden's back.
   "Sorry. I can't see a blasted thing, and the water doesn't do any good." She apologized. Pulling away from the lad.
  "It's alright. Here, I'll help you down the rest."
Ellie smiled but shook her head.
  "No that's alright. I'll be fine. Just don't freak out if I fall against you again." She muttered under her breath, not loud enough for any of the others to hear her.
Drey caste her a last glance before moving forward, not sure if she was actually fine, or lying. She was, however, lying. She didn't want him to put away his sword just to hold her hand for comfort, she could do with out. She wasn't some porcelain doll that could break by a single hit. She'd have to toughen up on this quest, she was no longer in her safe monastery, she no longer had the protection of her Master. She'd have to make it on her own.

Dreyden wasn't sure what to think when she said no. Then again he had to remind himself that not every girl always wanted to be treated like a lady every single minute of everyday. Some wanted to be strong on their own. Others needed to be.
But he kept his tongue quiet and continued on down the wide staircase.
They passed many old torches, and with each one they passed, Drey lit it, letting the ones behind him have light to see the steps below them.
   Finally, he stepped off the last stair and his foot came to land on soft moss.
   "Oh thank Eleyos we're at the bottom!" Sonera stated with a sigh as her feet met the moss.
   "M-hmm. But it's still pitch black. I can't see a thing!" He said.
   "Well, well. You're awfully good at pointing out the obvious. Thanks for that." No one was surprised to hear Kade's gloomy voice ring out from the dark somewhere behind them.
   "Alright, roll call." Merek shouted. Snatching the torch from Dreyden.
   "Ysmay?" He called.
   "Here." Her ever calm and quiet voice came from behind him, causing him to turn on his heel and nod as he saw her pale face framed by her long dark hair.
   "Terryn?"
  "Over here." There was a flash of silver as Terryn raised his hand, the light glinting off the two blades he held in his one hand.
   "Alright good. Um,...Elowen?"
   "Right in front of you Merek." She answered.
   "Oh! Yes of course. There you are dearie. Alright. The silver haired lass is here. What was your name again?"
   "Sonera." She answered from Kade's side. "And Kade's here too, though he wont answer your call."
   "Well it seems everyone's here then."
   "You didn't call my name." Drey pointed out, more for the sake of arguing then anything else.
   "Yes but I took the torch from you! I know your here so why call you out if I know you're standing right next to me?"
   "He has a point Drey," Ysmay cut in, ending the argument. "But shall we move on? this place gives me the creeps and I'd rather be out sooner then later, if you don't mind."
Merek sighed and turned around, taking the lead. But after a few more steps he cried out in pain.
   "What is it? Did something jump you? Bite you? Did you sprain your ankle?" Ysmay asked, taking up the motherly position and rushing up to him.
   "How about the bloody wall smashed in my nose?" He said, his voice muffled by his hand covering his bleeding nose.
   "Oh, did I mention that there was probably another door down here?" Elowen muttered. Dreyden chuckled, but quickly stifled it when he caught the death glare.
Ysmay suddenly stopped tending to Merek's bloody nose, and took the torch out of his hand.
   "Oi! What are you doing -"
   "Shh!" She snapped.
   "Ysmay? What is it?" Sonera asked, coming up next to the small girl.
   "Look at these writings." Ysmay's torch illuminated the stone wall, but at a closer look, the two girls noticed that there was a dial in the middle of it. There was a needle that moved in middle of the dial, but around it was markings of some sort. Sonera didn't recognize them, but apparently Ysmay did.
   "They're letters."
   "From what alphabet? I've never seen them before." Merek asked, his voice still muffled.
   "It's an ancient language, used when the worlds were one." Ysmay explained.
   "Oh I heard about that!" Elowen jumped in, scooting past Drey to see the markings properly.
   "Okay so it's some ancient writing, but what is the dial suppose to do?" Kade asked. Cutting strait to the chase.
   "I'm not sure exactly." She admitted.
   "Look there! At the top of the door." Sonera pointed out.
Ysmay's gaze turned to the inscription at the top of the arch way.
After several minutes had passed of silence, Terryn couldn't take it anymore.
   "What does it say?" He asked.
   "Well it's a riddle of sorts."
   "What's new?" Kade muttered.
   "The inscription says: "To pass through this golden gate, a price must be paid. Lay your weapon to your flesh, a score of blood from your chest.'"
Everyone was silent.
   "Th-that's it?" Terryn asked. "We - we have to cut ourselves and, then what?"
   "Wait there is more." Ysmay continued. "'Tell the dial what you gave, and then the price shall be paid.'"
   "So...what do we do with the dial then?" Drey asked. Completely lost.
   "We just have to type in the word 'blood'. Right?" Sonera asked.
   "Well if that's all! Get over with it!" Kade urged.
Ysmay looked at the dial and started turning it.
   "Something's not right about this." Terryn muttered under his breath. Elowen couldn't agree more. Something was off and she wasn't sure what.

Terryn had been studying the wall very carefully. Looking for a sign of any kind of magic. However, he was looking specifically for light. He didn't see the mirage effect until Ysmay was about to put in the last letter.
   "No wait!" He jumped at her and pulled her hand away from the dial. But it had already been set in motion. The needle pointed to what Terryn assumed must have been the 'd' in the word. However, his hand was still touching the stone.
There was a high pitched squeak that sent everyone's hands to their ears. Then it was followed by a low boom that shook the entire room.
   "Ah!!" Ysmay's scream was one of fright and terror. Everyone turned to look and gasps rippled through them all.
Terryn was leaning against the stone door, his face paler then usual, and his clothes were crimson. Ysmay was kneeling by his side, tears sliding down her cheeks as she set two fingers against his neck.
   "What happened?!" Merek cried.
   "Oh no..." Elowen whispered. Tears spilling down her cheeks as she choked back sobs. "I should have known! The door needed the sacrifice before the word could be put in." She ran her hand over the dark smear that ran down the door to where Terryn laid slumped up against it.
   "And now it has it."
There was a low rumble and they all took a step back, except for Ysmay, who instinctively pulled Terryn away from the door and close to her chest.
The door way opened, and light spilled into the dark hallway. They were all momentarily blinded by the light, but when their eyes got use to it, they marveled at the room before them.
One wall had large gapping holes in it where the moat leaked into the room, causing water falls to tumble down the rocks. When they reached the floor, they caused small creaks to form amongst the moss, grass, and vines that grew wild. covering as much rock as they possibly could.
The room was long, and wide. A grand stair case was at the end of the hall, they led to an alter that sat below crumbling archways and broken stain glass windows.
   "Does he have a plus at all?" Elowen asked, turning to Ysmay that was still clutching Terryn close.
   "Barely. I don't know what happened. I - I don't know what got to him."
   "Magic." She answered. "This magic was used by a dark user. Or one who wanted to preserve something very precious." She knelt down next to Terryn and unfastened his belt around his waist, and the one across this chest. Once they were off, she moved to his shirt.
   "I'll check the damage and see what I can do. - "
   "But your life energy! Are you strong enough to heal someone after that spell you just did at the top of the stairs?" Ysmay asked.
Elowen smiled.
   "A healing spell is the simplest there is. If I can't do that then I might as well give up my staff and robe."
She was careful to pull the shirt away gently, but couldn't help the moan that left her lips when she saw the wound.
   "Can you heal him?"
She looked up at Ysmay's earnest face.
   "That depends on how much you're willing to give." She answered.
Ysmay grasped her hand tightly, almost cutting off the circulation.
   "Anything to save his life." Her voice was deeper then usual. Her always kind eyes were now fierce and determined.
Elowen nodded. Ysmay already knew what she needed. So she wasted no time getting on with the spell.
Using Ysmay and her own energy, Elowen was able to heal the deep gash that had severed Terryn's lungs, she was also successful in patching up the lung it's self and healing the muscle around it.
But the cost was great, and the two girls lost energy very quickly.
   "Ellie?"
She managed to open her eyes and saw a set of deep blue eyes that seemed to hold the entire world's sadness in them. The rest of his face came into focus slowly, his growing hair hung down to his chin and his face was smudged with dirt.
   "Did it work?" Her eyes grew wide as she sat up. Dreyden let her, though he still stayed next to her, scared she'd faint again.
Elowen looked to Ysmay who was smiling down at Terryn. She was satisfied to see his chest rising and falling steadily. The blood was still there but when she checked, there was nothing but a scar left where the cut had been.
She let out a sigh of relief and took Dreyden's hand when he offered it.
   "Praise be to Eleyos." She breathed.
   "I believe that's the second time you've sacrificed your life to help others." Merek said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "I don't know how to thank you Elowen. We are all in your debt for saving our little brother."
Ellie smiled.
   "I'm just glad he's alright."
   "Alright indeed...For now."
Everyone froze. No one breathed, no one moved and no one dared to look.
   "You have passed the first test thieves. I will hear your reasons as to why you have broken into my home. But then you shall die."
Sonera gathered to courage to turn her gaze into the door way. The breath left her, and the blood drained from her face.
Hovering a few inches off the ground, with a broad sword lying lazily over his shoulder, his robes and long hair flowing in a non-existent wind, stood a ghost of a king long since dead.

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter 13: 'High Noon,
And all's well.'
 - Not so much


Falion - The edge of Illumination Forest:

   "Are we there yet?"
Everyone groaned. Sonera kept a hand on Kade's arm to keep him from ringing the boy's neck out.
   "For the thousandth time Terryn. No! Now shut your gopper up or I'll cut out yer tongue!" Merek had been pushed beyond his limits with Terryn’s whining several miles ago, and now he really was contemplating whether or not to cut the lad’s tongue out.
   When Terryn saw the seriousness of his threat, he fell silent. Much to everyone’s relief.
   “Ah! Finally! I’ll be glad when you lot are gone for good. Not a moment’s peace I tell ya! It doesn’t do for a Pixie’s spirit!” And then there was Telly and Calistar. They wouldn’t shut up either. In fact, they talked about as much as Terryn did! Only they didn’t whine, they just went on and on and on about everything under the sun!
For the most part, the gang succeeded in tuning them out, but even then it was like a mosquito buzzing around their ears.

While the Pixie's went on talking about only Eleyos knows what, Dreyden did his best to keep his mind off Elowen and Swift. He occupied himself by concentrating on the Forest around him. His mind still hadn't fully accepted the glowing plant life of the Forest. In his own world, plants didn't glow, they didn't sing, they didn't send off rivers of colors. They just stood there normal and all, like good decent trees!
But in this glowing forest, he found that the soft colors was comforting in a strange way. Like what a greeting from a long lost family might be. Though he's never been greeted by a long lost family, so he wouldn't really know, but he was pretty sure that's what it would have felt like.

   "Is it just me..." Kade spoke up.
Yeah, he's definitely getting more comfortable around us. Terryn remarked to himself.
   "...or are the trees starting to thin out?"
Once he pointed it out, everyone else took a moment to look to see if he was correct, all except Ysmay. Who had been noticing that as the tree line gradually thinned out.
   "Yes it would appear so." She said in her whispering way.
Kade nodded and fell quiet once more.

Before long, the gang and their blue and red escort stopped at the Forest's edge. The new comers, just gapping at the scene before them. The Pixie's just crossed their arms eager to be released from their duty.
   Laying ahead of them was a sight both strange and familiar in a form they had only seen in pictures in old story books.
The trees gave way to green grass, the green grass grew into vines that had grown along what seemed to be the remains of a high wall.
   "What's that then?" Terryn asked.
Ysmay looked at him for a minute before slapping his blond hair.
    "Oi! What was that for?!" He hollered.
    "For being your usual daft dimbo self." Those words said in her quiet and calm voice sounded all to strange, yet held a certain air about them that told him he had really gotten under her skin.
Terryn patted down his blond hair, and tried to pick out words that would make an apology rise to her standards.
    "I...am terribly sorry....and beg your forgiveness for....being my daft dimbo self ma'am." He had given his voice a certain accent that he thought, made him sound more regal. But in actual reality, only made him sound more of the daft dimbo Ysmay claimed him to be.
This, in turn, caused everyone to stifle fits of laughter. Which only wounded Terryn's pride.
Ysmay laid a hand on his bare arm and smiled.
   "Apology accepted. But a word of advice? Don't ever stop being your daft dimbo self. Alright?"
Merek nudged Drey with a look that said 'ha-I-knew-it!'. Drey just slugged him in the arm and turned back to the crumbling wall.
   "Well lets go then, I say we should find out what's on the other side of this wall." He declared. Then Merek nudged him again.
   "What?! Can't you use your own pie hole?" Drey snapped.
Merek just looked up at the sky. The dark haired boy froze when he heard the ever so familiar screech of his yerto.
The rush of wind whistled past his ears, and the Pixies became anxious once again.
   "Oh not that blasted demon again!" One of them complained. If Dreyden had been able to pin point who it was, he would have pulled out his wings for saying such a cruel thing about his yerto.
The bright red bird landed, and a small form slipped gracefully off. Ignoring the gang for a moment, Elowen walked to Swift's head and whispered something to him before kissing his beak and sending him away with a wave of her hand.
Drey was slightly impressed, and slightly hurt. No one was suppose to send another person's yerto away. It might have something to do with the fact that the yerto wouldn't have listened. He only really listened to his master. So when Swift took off when Elowen gestured to the sky, it hit him like a cold knife in the heart.
And Elowen seemed to know that. She turned around and pulled her hood off her head.
   "I didn't mean to hurt you or something, but the Pixies were making him nervous and I can only assume much trouble would have unfolded had he stayed." She explained in that sweet voice that seemed to melt him no matter how mad or hurt he was towards her.
Drey gave a curt nod, but then looked on to the wall once again.
   "There is, one thing before you go." It was Calastiar speaking.
Ysmay was reminded of his presences and set to work with her silver tongue once again.
   "Yes?" She asked the little Pixie, who flew up to her nose and grinned. With out really realizing it, her hand which had been a very gentle touch on Terryn's arm, clamped down so quickly that he almost called out. But once he saw that she had done that to keep herself from not appearing scared, he let her, and moved slightly closer to her.
   "We were wondering if you might accept this as a last token of our hospitality." Calastiar made a motion with his miniscule hand, and several other Pixie's took it as their cue. They flittered forward, a pair holding what seemed to be a sack of some sort. Ysmay's keen eye immediately saw that there was seven sacks in all. One for each of them. The other's in the gang couldn't figure out the words to say, as they held out their hands to receive their package.
    "Cake?" Terryn asked in slight astonishment. Being the first one to open it, he saw a perfectly round cake with a red center and a yellow outside.
   "Yes. We felt slightly guilty for giving you such a hard time," Calastiar went on, making an apologetic gesture. "So we've made it up to you. I hope you enjoy them, and may Eleyos bless you on your journey."
Ysmay was still too flabbergasted to say anything, starring at the little cake in the palm of her hand, so Elowen stepped up.
   "Thank you Calastiar. I'm sure they're delicious. And thank you again for your hospitality and guidance. We are much obliged."
Calastiar dipped his head with his left fist over his heart.
   "Of course. Enjoy." The way he said the last word before he and the other Pixies melted back into the forest, left Elowen with a knot in her stomach. She stuffed the cake in her pocket and they stood in silence long enough for them to really see if the Pixies were truly gone.
   "Well I can't say I'm sad to see them go lads." Merek spoke up finally.
Kade nodded his agreement and glanced down at Sonera, they began whispering very fast and very quietly though no one was sure about what.
Dreyden nodded in agreement with Merek.
   "I'll second that." He said. But then he gestured back to the wall with his thumb.
   "Come on, lets get going. This place gives me the creeps."
Merek nodded and led the walk across the grass field to the looming wall.
   "The other side isn't any less creepy then the Forest." Elowen spoke up, falling in step with Dreyden.
   "Did you see what was on the other side from on Swift?" He asked. She nodded grimly and tugged her white hood back up onto her head.
   "It's amazing, yet....sad at the same time."
Drey was about to ask her why, but they came up to the wall before he got the chance.
   "So...Does anyone of you brilliant lads or lasses have any clue how to get over it then?" Terryn asked. Breaking the slightly awkward silence.
They gazed up at wall that must have stretched as high as a quarter of a mile. Going on as far as they could tell on either side as well.
   "We could climb up." Kade suggest. Stepping up to the wall and tugging on some of the vines to see if they could hold someone's weight.
   "But they thin out at the top." Sonera pointed out immediately. Being Kade's past partner, she was use to the habit of picking on him, but also picking up his slack when he came up short on plans.
   "Well, yes. But there's thicker vines twisted in with the thinning out ones." Dreyden had now jumped into the conversation and was viewing the wall with a critical eye.
   "Indeed..." Now joined Merek. "It does seam that there is a lot more thick vines over that-a way. Someone could go first, and try to find a path up."
All of this was lost to Elowen.
   "Can't you just fly...? Over?" She asked.
All of the ones from Cevlon fell silent, as if to remember a friend that had passed on.
   "We cant." Ysmay muttered.
   "Why not? Did, did something happen to your yertos?" Elowen whispered equally quiet.
   "Yes. - "
The shock on Ellie's face must have been obvious to Ysmay.
   "No, nothing bad. They're just on Cevlon. Back where they're nests are."
   "So you can't call them?"
Ysmay smiled sadly.
   "No. They are too far away. They can't hear us."
Ellie's confusion only deepened at that state.
   "Then how....did - did - Swift? He -"
   "He stuck by me when we landed for a long time." Drey jumped in. He moved to pass her, but was stopped short when he saw the look in her eye.
   "And don't start thinking it was something you did, alright? It wasn't your fault -"
   "Actually it was!" Kade cut in. Ignoring Sonera's death glares.
   "You're the one who got us on this bloody planet. If it weren't for you! We'd still have a life!"
Kade walked forward. Ellie instinctively took a step back, angling her body behind Dreyden.
   "I use to actually be someone you know?" He went on. "I didn't have to stoop so low as to become apart of some gang of mercenaries who have no morals at all! And then to end up here?! On some planet we don't even know. And so far, you don't even know it either! You're knowledge is in books! Books is nothing compared to actually being there yourself. And now we've lost our yertos thanks to you! Can you do nothing right? Or are you just some useless plot who has to cower behind someone else to defend you?!"
With each word Kade spoke, the more the guilt thickened, and the farther she stepped away.
She knew, she had pulled them all away from a world they knew into her own, but into a world they didn't know anything about. And she wasn't a sufficient guide. She didn't know as much, she realized, then she thought she did. And now she was paying the price for it, and they had to pay it with her.
    "I....I didn't mean to...I just - I have to be here. I have to get these, these gems. I have to before all of Falion dies." She stammered. Not quiet sure how to respond to his harsh words.
   "So why should we care if this Eleyos forsaken world dies off? All the better for us!"
   "No you don't understand!"
Her anger, and strong desire to some how break through to Kade over took her, causing her to loose her usual, kind, quiet, and patient self, and be replaced by a hard, fierce, warrior-like girl. Which was all too strange she couldn't even begin to put it into words.
   "I didn't force you to be here! You came here by your own free will. I did not force any of you here. I simply asked, that's all I did. And to be...quiet honest..." She turned to the mercenary gang. "...I'm not quiet sure how you came here."
Merek grinned at her and pointed to Dreyden.
   "We just followed this mad boy who was dying to please the only girl who's ever given him a second glance."
That jolted the warrior Elowen to disappear and for the usual, innocent girl to come back. Causing her to blush something fierce. But she wasn't the only one, Dreyden was too, but quickly hid it by pouncing on Merek with a round of fists.
Ysmay sighed and rolled her eyes before going in and breaking them apart.
Drey whipped the dirt off his sleeve and cast a glance at Ellie from under his dark eyelashes.
   "I won't say anything if you wont." He whispered only loud enough for her to hear. Ellie nodded, still in shock of everything.
   "Not a word." She replied quietly. Living most of her life in the monastery, she had no experience when it came to boys.

Through the boys skirmish Kade had been taking a verbal and slightly physical beating from Sonera.
   "Can't you see the poor girl's been through enough! And she's right you know you ridiculous plot!" She smacked the back of his head to make her point. "You came here because you were following me. So get over being mad and up set at her and give her a chance! She only wants to open your eyes from your dream into the real wondrous world that Eleyos has made for everyone!"
Kade's violet gaze pierced her own blue one and made a shiver run down her spine.
   "Oh so it's just me?! Just me who has scales on my eyes?"
   "No of course not you plot! We've all been tricked by our own council. That's a stab in the back if there ever was one! But we can't let that diminish our faith in Eleyos. He obviously wanted us here for a reason. The least you could do for all of us was accept that and move on with your life! It's not her fault!"
Kade just gritted his teeth and moved away. Ripping his gaze away from hers and turning back to the wall, crossing his arms and trying to figure out what action to take next.

Elowen had been trying very hard not to let Kade's harsh words get to her. She was also scared that Dreyden would try to take another hit at him.
   "Dreyden don't." She whispered. Stepping in front of him and placing a hand on his arm.
Drey glanced at her and sighed.
   "Why is it, that everyone is able to predict my next move before even me?! I mean honestly!" he turned around and sighed, running his hand through his tangled hair.
Elowen chuckled with Ysmay, her thumb rubbing across Stargazer that had now become her habit when she was under stress.
It hit her like cool water. She gasped and looked down.
   "Yes! Yes, yes, yes!" She laughed at her own stupidity. "Why didn't I think of it before?!" Her sudden cry, caught everyone's attention, and they were all now watching her curiously.
   "Come out Lorem." She called, holding Stargazer in her hand for a moment. The large white tiger shimmered into being right next to her, with what could have been a smile on his face.
Ellie dropped the amethyst stone against her chest and ran her fingers through Lorem's soft and warm fur.
   "'Ello boy. How you holding up?" She whispered to him. Kneeling down and squeezing him tight.
A deep purr came from the back of his throat as he bent his head against her back.
   "Hey, I need you to do something for me." She said, leaning in, she whispered something into the tiger's ear. He growled and pawed at the ground, when she moved away he glanced at the others briefly then tore off at a full sprint away from them. He was so fast that he just became a blur to their slow eyes.
   "Where - what is he doing?" Terryn asked, gapping after the streak of silver and black.
Elowen rose to her feet and pushed her white hood back.
   "He's searching for the way." She answered, a small smile growing on her face.

Before long, Lorem came back and tugged at Elowen.
   "Come on." She called, running after the tiger, who somehow managed to go slow enough that they could keep up.
When they had reached their destination, they all collected their breaths.
   "Oh my." Sonera whispered.
   "By Eleyos, they're huge!" Terryn gapped.
Elowen smiled at him.
   "Just imagine what the city's like." She said.
Looming over them, casting a great shadow, was an arch way as tall as they could see.
One might expect it to find large wood doors filling the arch way, but there wasn't. Instead, intricate designs of rusted over metal wove their way down from the tip top of the arch, all the way to the ground where they came together and formed the base of the gate.
   "Come, Drey, Merek, Kade? Help me open it?" She asked, stepping forward and running her fingers over the cool bars, trying to find the latch.
   "Hey why didn't you call me?" Terryn asked, though not with his usual whining voice.
Elowen looked at him over her shoulder and shrugged innocently.
   "Oh, sorry. I just thought you were using all of your energy keeping your mouth dangling from it's hinges."
Immediately, he shut his mouth and was actually the first one to come up and help her find the latch.
Most of the gate had been overrun by askven vines along time ago, so they had to pull at the vines, sometimes cut them with daggers or swords to get them away from the gate.
   "Aha." Elowen said in triumph. She squeezed her hand through the bars and tugged on the lock from the inside. There was a click and the bolt was pulled back with a great groan.
She moved away as four strong shoulders braced themselves against the gate and shoved.
Elowen glanced at the girls, exchanging excited smiles.
After a moment of protesting, the gate gave in and with what sounded somewhat like a sigh, it moved inward. The boys stumbled through the gate and the girls quickly followed. Not that they had to run for too far.

The boys had stopped right after they had come out of the archway that ran through the thickness of the surrounding wall.
   "By Eleyos! It's - It's the most -" When Sonera's words failed her, Ysmay's made up for it.
   "Breath taking city I've ever laid eyes on."
All the others could do was nod their agreement.
   "'And behold, I say,'" Elowen quoted from one of her history books.
   "'Arricsent city was as beautiful as the stars were shinning bright.'"

What was once a cobblestone road, was now covered almost completely in moss and benna roots. As the band walked down it, their footsteps was only sound to be heard other then the wind, they looked up at the crumbling buildings on either side of the road.
   "This must have been the main street." Drey remarked. He pointed to falling down signs, some of the buildings only held metal frames now, the sign long gone.
   "See? These must have been stores once." Green leaves covered all stone, leaving it with a feeling that it had always been part of the Forest.
   "And there," Ysmay pointed down a fork in the road that led down a few stairs and into another slightly slimmer alley.
   "That must have lead to the living quarters of the city." She finished.
They moved through the city like this. Noting where small alley's broke off from the main road, and what must have been down there.
   "Do you hear that?" Terryn spoke up, gesturing for everyone to stop moving.
When they did they heard a faint noise.
   "What is that?" Sonera asked.
   "Water." Terryn answered. "There's a river in this city."
Merek nodded as he rubbed his week old stubble.
   "That would make sense. It would have given the city fresh water supply daily and it probably feeds into the moat surrounding the castle."
   "How do you know there's a moat around the castle?" Kade questioned.
Merek just shrugged and continued walking.
   "That's what I would do if I designed the castle." He answered honestly.

It was true, there was a running river that cut through the middle of the south side of the city, along with the north side as well, forming a fork from when it came through the west side of the city wall. Sprouting out from the middle of the fork on one side, was the moat, which surrounded the keep.

When the band reached the keep, they all stopped and starred. The keep had had, once upon a time, many tall spires that sprouted up from it's low walls, looming so high they seemed to touch the sky. Only now they were half as tall, weathered by all the elements. One had collapsed completely. Yet somehow they managed to look just as regal now, as when they were in their golden years. More askven vines had woven their way through the cracks in the walls, and they clung to anything and everything.
The four spires were set at the points of a compass. North, east, south, and west. The draw bridge was at the base of one such spire.
   "Why is the draw bridge down?" Terryn wondered aloud. "Shouldn't it be up?"
Elowen shook her head and walked to the edge of the stone road. She glanced down at the rushing river. Even after a thousand years, it hadn't lost it's quick current. She gulped and tapped the wood ahead of her with the toe of her boot. Scared to put her full weight on the rotten wood.
Lorem came up next to her and nudged her hand.
   "Hold on to me, and one another." He said, his voice suddenly much deeper then she remembered. Elowen nodded and grabbed a hold of the fur around his neck. She looked back and reached out her hand for someone to take. Everyone was slightly hesitant, but Drey trusted her, and took her hand. Ysmay took his other and Terryn took hers. They linked each other together with firm grips, then Lorem moved ahead and the line moved with him.
Elowen was careful to step where he stepped, and the others followed in her example.
   "So why is the bridge down?" Terryn asked again.
Ellie eased her tension enough to speak.
   "The tale goes, that when the king of Arricsent accepted a Supreme Gem, and became the guardian of it, the people cursed him and this city. Fleeing from it, leaving everything they had and disappearing into the Illumination Forest."
Terryn gulped.
   "What - what happened to them? The people I mean." He asked.
Ellie shrugged as she let go of Lorem's fur, having stepped back onto solid stone once more.
   "No one knows. Though people suspect the Pixies might have done something nasty to them." She finished. Glancing down at her and Dreyden's linked hands. He cleared his throat and let go hastily.
Terryn however, didn't see the exchange and walked up to her.
   "What do you mean? Nasty things?" His eyes were wide with terror and his hands shook slightly.
Ellie smiled and patted his shoulder.
   "They didn't physically harm them, don't worry." He let out a sigh. She let go and moved on. "They just drove them mad."
Terryn whimpered slightly, but when Ysmay came up beside him, he stifled it and sucked it up.

The inside of the keep was just as magnificent. Strait ahead of them was a tall doom shaped building, that connected to the surrounding walls, which connected with the spires.
   "So where are we going to find this Gem?" Drey asked.
Ellie pointed to the large building.
   "In the Inner Sanctum of the Citadel."
   "Really?" Merek muttered. Whipping his gloved hands off.
   "Yes, but we have to find it first. It's usually hidden, or guarded by booby traps. I'm not sure which. Of course it could be both as well."
   "Oh? Is that all?" Merek asked in a joking tone.
Elowen turned to the rest of the gang with a grave face.
   "You all have come with me this far, and I'm very grateful for that, but you don't need to go any further. I can go on on my own. And well, with Lorem. But I'm not going to force you to come along." Her dark green gaze held Kade like a vice. Making him feel slightly guilty.
He shrugged and stepped forward. His hand casually on the hilt of his sword.
    "We've come this far haven't we?" He asked. "Lets just get it over with."
She stepped aside and let him take up the lead, as he walked with determined steps up to the Citadel.
Elowen couldn't help but smile. Maybe she was getting through to him after all.

Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12: Secrets on the Eve of Trouble


Falion - Illumination Forest

The morning came all to quickly. Elowen’s life force wasn’t strong enough, and the spells she had been casting the day before dwindled away at her.
When everyone else woke up, she was still deep asleep.
   “What’s wrong with her?” Dreyden asked, looking up at Ysmay from where he crouched by Ellie’s bedside. “She’s not waking up.” His agitation was clear, not that Merek could blame him, the poor boy had already lost her once.
Ysmay came over and bent down over Elowen’s chest, listening to her steady heart beat. She smiled and looked up at Dreyden’s eager face.
   “Calm down. She’s just sleeping. Almost in comatose, but she is simply sleeping.”
Dreyden seemed to let out a deep pent up breath.
   “I told you,” Sonera said quietly as she put a hand on Drey’s shoulder.
   “Her life force is very weak, and she did quite a few spells last night. Those take up a lot of energy. So it’s to be expected that she should be fast asleep. But don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll come around before we head out.”
   “But what if she doesn’t?” Terryn spoke up, slightly anxious as well.
Sonera just grinned at him.
   “Well then, I guess you get the honor of carrying her to the Ruins.”
Terryn’s eyes grew wide as they darted between her and the sleeping girl. Sure, she was small and probably weighed nothing, but after several hours of carrying her, she’d feel like she weighs a thousand or more pounds!
   “She’ll wake up.” He stated hastily. “She will.”
Everyone chuckled quietly.
   “Of course she will.” Ysmay said.
   “She will.” He added hastily once again. “And if she doesn’t, I’ll toss a bucket of ice water on her face.” He threatened as he tightened his weapons belt.
But the glare Dreyden gave him told him that he’d have to get through him first.

{+++}

As it turned out, Elowen was still asleep when Calistar insisted they move out. He stated that he had matters of great importance to take care of and he had to get them out of the way as fast as possible. So right after a quick breakfast of herbs and bread supplied by the Pixies, they packed everything up, and the four boys stood around Elowen’s sleeping form, trying to figure out how they were going to carry her.
   “We could take turns carrying her on our backs.” Merek suggested. “I mean she’s not that heavy.”
   “But she will be after you’ve hiked a few hours, and in this terrain it could be less time before you feel that your arms are going to fall off.” Kade spoke up for the first time. They all had noticed that he was growing slightly more accustomed to them all, and for that they praised Eleyos.
   “True at that.” Merek muttered.
   “We could make a cot and carry her between all of us.” Terryn put in. “That way we’re all carrying equal weight.”
The rest of the boys nodded their agreement. And Terryn’s chest puffed out in slight pride that they had liked his idea.
   “But, where would we get the materials? I don’t think the Pixies would appreciate it if we started to cut down their forest, how about you?” Dreyden asked.
Terryn groaned and ran his hand through his dirty hair. He hadn’t thought about that.
Just then Sonera came in and picked up her sword. She slung it onto her back and buckled the sheath securely across her chest. She glanced up and pushed her silver hair out of her silver eyes and dark face. Terryn still couldn’t get over her odd looks.
   “Why don’t you use your yerto to carry her? He can fly right above us, you can strap her in by leather cord and then your problems solved.” She suggested. It seemed logical to her, and she was shocked none of them had thought of it. She tugged on her leather jacket to straighten it. She pulled out a dagger that was strapped to her leg and examined the blade, completely ignoring the boys that were now starring at her. Until she placed the short blade back in it’s sheath and met their gazes with her hands on her hips.
Dreyden tapped his arm and moved out of the cave with out saying another word.
   “Of course it just had to be a girl that came up with that idea.” Terryn muttered as he followed Drey.
Sonera made a face to his retreating back, then stopped when she heard Kade chuckle as he came up beside her.
   “You really shouldn’t do that.” He said.
   “Do what? Solve life’s problems just because I’m a girl? Ha! When has that ever stopped me?” She stated, casting him a look with a smile and then heading out of the cave.
   “Exactly my point.” He whispered.

Drey put two fingers to his mouth and let out an ear piercing whistle.
The Pixies around him shrieked at him as they covered their pointy blue ears. A few minutes passed when there was nothing to be heard but the cursing of the Pixies, which everyone promptly ignored.
Then there was a deeper, louder shriek from above.
Everyone’s heads pivoted to the skies, just in time to see a flash of red streak the deep blue.
Dreyden smiled and motioned for everyone to stand back.
The Pixies, not sure of what was going on, just stood (really floated) where they were and didn’t do anything but watch this red thing get closer and closer as it circled the clearing.
Finally, everyone could see the yerto’s distinct shape, but the Pixies had never seen one before, and as it came down to land, they all screamed in their extremely high pitched voices and chaos erupted as they scrambled to get away.
The yerto landed in the soft grass, folding his wings in close to his body so they wouldn’t get hurt by the surrounding trees. He gave a final squawk as his legs touched down in the green grass.
His beady green eyes took in everything for a long moment, not sure of what to make of the glowing trees that seemed to have a pulse, and the screaming Pixies were starting to make him nervous. He beat his wings and took several steps back.
   “Drey get him under control before he looses it!” Merek shouted as he predicted what would happen next.
Drey nodded and rushed forward to his yerto.
The giant bird was screeching in response to the Pixies, which in turn only frightened the Pixies, which only made them scream higher. The yerto’s eyes grew wider with each passing minute, and the fear was plain to see. At least for Dreyden.
   “Swift. Swift it’s alright, it’s alright.” Dreyden approached the frightened yerto with his hands up in a sign of peace.
   “Hand me a piece of meat.” He said to no one in particular as he held out his hand.
   “Uh...” Everyone started to look around.
   “Quickly!” Drey urged.
   “There is no meat!” Sonera hissed. “The Pixies are woodland creatures, they don’t hunt for meat!”
Terryn suddenly remembered the jerky he had in his pack. It wasn’t much but it would have to do.
Dreyden owes me big time! He thought regretfully. He scrounged around in his pack for a moment before coming across the leather bundle. Yanking it out, he ran over to Dreyden, trying not to make any sudden movements. He jerked on the string that held the pouch closed and placed it in Drey’s open hand.
Drey fumbled to get the jerky out, but he finally got it and held it out to Swift.
   “Hey, hey, hey.” He whispered in a quiet, and soothing voice. Swift saw the jerky and cut off his shrieking immediately.
   “Ysmay, try to calm the Pixies down, they need to be calm.” He instructed, still in a quiet tone.
Ysmay turned to the Pixies and used soothing tones to get their attention, trying to get them to calm down.
   “There you go boy.” Drey said as Swift snatched up the jerky and gobbled it down in one quick swallow.
Drey reached out and ran his hand along the yerto's soft red feathers.
   "There you go. It's alright." He continued muttering kind words to him as he rubbed the yerto's neck. Swift settled down, and Drey noticed that the Pixies had as well. Though they were still wary of the big beast.
   "Alright then." Drey moved to the lightweight leather saddle that was still on Swift and checked to make sure it was snug around his belly.
He shifted the collar that hung around his neck and turned to everyone else.
  "Bring her out Merek?" He asked. Merek nodded and disappeared into the cave.
A few minutes latter, he was holding the sleeping girl in his arms.
He brought her over and lifted her onto the yerto. Drey tied the leather straps around her legs after he placed them in the stirrups.
He then wrapped a strap around her stomach twice, then wrapped it around Swift's neck.
   "There, that should keep her in place." He stated, nodding at his own handiwork.
   "M-hmm. At least 'til she wakes up again." Ysmay spoke up from his side.
   "Aye, but then she can tell Swift to land so she can walk if she's able."
   "True at that. Well send him up and lets get going." She said, making a shooing motion to the bird.
   "You take care of her, ye hear?" He whispered to his friend. "Give her a smooth ride, and don't be difficult or there'll be no more crecip fruit for ya. Ye hear?!"
Drey made a motion with his hands, and Swift leapt up into the air. Beating his wings fiercely, he ruffled everyone's hair, making them look like a tornado had gotten to them. But once he was off, he was off high and clear. Carrying a dear treasure, that only Eleyos knew it's true worth.

{+++}

Just because one's in near comatose, doesn't mean one sleeps peacefully.
And this was what happened to Elowen.
For a lass that had never had dreams before, she was being tortured by dreams.
And what was worse was that they seemed to have no significance. Things that she couldn't tell if they were real or not. She was also curious as to where they were coming from. Or why she was getting them now! But they were there none the less.

A woman's long blond locks billowed in the wind as she climbed up the stone steps. Her sandals hardly making a sound. There was a slight tremble in her hands that clutched her teal skirts, and Elowen couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. Thought it wasn't long before she found out.
When the woman reached the top of the stairs, she let go of her skirts and nodded to the two guards with blue tinted armor that stood on either side of the two large oak doors. For a moment, she let her eyes take in the curly design that had been carved into the wood. The doors swung inward, and if Elowen had actually been there she would have gasped in awe. But the woman she was at the moment didn't seem taken by the room before her, more with the man standing in it.
   The room its self was roofless. Or so it seemed, but Elowen's magical trained eye caught the traces of magic that protected the room against the natural elements. Stone walls circled them and on the far side of the room, there where open arches that led to no where but a magnificent view of the country side.
On the floor, which she was now crossing steadily, was a mosaic of colorful tiles. Ellie wasn't able to make out the picture, but she knew it most be of something that held some great importance.
At the edge of the mosaic and in front of the wall full of arches, stood an alter. Elowen wasn't exactly sure what it was for, or who. But the woman's gaze fell on the man standing behind it.
Ellie immediately knew he was a warrior of some kind by his strong arms and wide shoulders, but she also saw something in him that felt very familiar, though she couldn't put her finger on it.
   "You know what will happen my dear if my father catches you up here." The woman whispered, letting the man grasp her hands and hold them tight.
   "Yes, but don't you think it's time we told him? If we are truly to bring peace to this world then we have to start somewhere, yes?"
The woman smiled at him and cupped his cheek. His dark brown hair fell across her finger tips, as his blue eyes pierced her own.
   "Alright. You know I can't say no to that face." The woman gave in. "But we must do it carefully, if my father was to learn that you were actually from -"
The doors suddenly flew open and the couple turned around. A man came storming in to the room. His snow white hair was pulled back and oiled, his beard was trimmed and beads dangled in it. His robes were what shocked Elowen the most.
He wore a purple cape, and a gold ring on his head.
He was a king.
   "Father..." the woman whispered. The king's eyes rested on her a moment, before moving to the man who still held her hands. His eyes grew wide in fury.
   "So it is true Fayoen? My only daughter, has fallen for some - some inadequate boy?!"
   "Father, please let me explain." Fayoen's voice was calming, and usually did the trick on her father's temper, but not this time.
   "I am not inadequate sire. I come from a good family. A very -"
   "I know who your family is! I know who you are boy!" The king bellowed.
   "And if you think I will let you set foot on Falion again -"
   "Father please!" Fayoen cried, ripping her hands from the man and walking over to the king. "Don't you see?" She asked. "This is the only way to bring peace to the world. Truly."
   "We are at peace." He argued.
Fayoen shook her head.
   "Ignoring each other, and hating each other is not peace father. And you know it. If we can form an alliance, maybe the worlds will come together as they once where."
The king's stormy gaze encased her.
   "If you think, I will loose a daughter, my only daughter, to secure peace to a fantasy land that floats up in the sky then -"
   "Sire," The man took a step forward and offered his hands in a peaceful gesture.
   "I am the prince and heir to the throne of Haven. I have influence there. Already I have turned a few nobles into believing that Falion is real and that it is not the place the tales speak of. And if our alliance can be the insurance of peace, then we are both willing to do what it takes."
   "I am not about to give up my only daughter to someone who does not love her. Will not care for her the way a - "
   "But I do! I do love her. I love her more then life it's self."
It was in those words that the king finally understood that the boy actually did love his daughter. That he was willing to do what ever it took to see her happy.
   "Father..." Fayoen caught his attention and he turned towards her. "Did you not say but a few days ago that you wished to see these lonely halls filled with grandchildren?" She asked. Tears sprouted from his eyes as he cupped her cheek.
   "But how am I to do that if you won't let me marry?" She meant it in a loving, kind way. Just a gentle nudge out the door so he could see her world, her wish.
The king let out a raspy sigh and looked to the prince.
   "How am I to know that what you say is true?" He questioned, his heart of stone had cracked.
   "I swear it to Eleyos," the prince held up his right arm to the open clear sky. "That what I say is true, and if I lie, let him strike me down where I stand."
The king saw the fierceness burning in the young man's eyes. The innocent truth that held him captive. Finally, he nodded.
   "But you are to have the wedding here." He stated sternly. "I'm not going to have my only daughter get married in the sky where she's sure to fall."
Fayoen nearly fainted with glee as she kissed her father before running up to her beloved. He scooped her up in his arms and they laughed as he spun her around.
The king chuckled as he rubbed his beard. It had been a long time since he had seen two people so happy. Since he had seen her smile like that.
   "Maybe some grandchildren would be a nice change." He muttered to himself with a happy smile.

Elowen woke with a start. Her hair, wet with sweat, was plastered to her forehead and neck. What she saw, more what she felt, didn't make sense to her. The air was cooler then she remembered, and there was a whistle in her ears that sent her head buzzing.
She was finally able to peal her eyes open, but all she saw was blue. Blue, white, and red. It confused her at first, because she wasn't sure what she was looking at.
She thought she must still be dreaming because nothing made sense.
But even in my new dreams they make some sort of sense! she argued with herself.
She rubbed her palm into her eye, trying to get rid of the fuzziness in her vision. It was then that she tried to sit up, but realized something was holding her down.
A moment of panic passed as she tugged and tugged. But finally a screech filled her ears and she swung her head up, gasping as she realized she was on Swift. Dreyden's yerto.
She also realized that she was tied to him by a leather strap around her waist, that was tied around Swift's neck. So when she had been pulling on it, she had been choking the poor bird.
   "It's alright." She whispered, reaching up and rubbing his soft, warm neck. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you." She wrapped her arms around his neck, and tried to undo the knot.
But Swift wouldn't have it, he kept thrashing and he tried to nip at her fingers as she fumbled with the knot. She decided on a different approach.
She quit her struggling, and rubbed her fingers through the yerto’s feathers soothingly.

“Win dain a lotica,
En val turi, Silota
Fin dein a loluca
En dragu a sei lain,”
She began to sing the lullaby her sister Jedika sang to her when she was a little child, and frightened of something. In Elowen’s flawless, high voice it did wonders to all that heard and listened. Including yertos apparently.
“Vi fa-ru
les shutai am,
En riga-lint.

Win chent
a lotica,
En val turi, Silota,
Fin dein a loluca,
Si katigura neuve,
Floreria for chesti,
Si entina.”
She began to vocalize a bit, trying to mimic the way her sister’s voice seemed to fall up and down like she was an angel from Eleyos. Swift had calmed down, and her fingers began eagerly, and quickly untying the knot of leather that was still around his neck. Though this time, he didn’t seem to mind as much.

“Win dain a lotica,
En val turi, Silota,
Fin dein a loluca,
En dragu a sei lain,
Vi fa-ru
les shutai am,
En riga-lint.”
When the last note died away, Swift’s fit had passed long ago, and now was so still, and calm other then the steady beat of his wings he didn’t move at all.
The leather strap fell away from his neck and she quickly sat up. As she coiled it around her wrist, her gaze wandered. Down below a ways was the Illumination Forest’s canopy of trees. Her heart quickened as she began to realize she couldn’t see much past the gently glowing leaves.
Where are the others? Where have they gone? They must be around here somewhere or else I wouldn’t be on Swift. But that’s when her hyper active, over imaginative mind caught up with her. Oh no! what if something’s happen to ‘em?! What if they got in a fight with the Pixie’s and they only had enough time to save me?! What if - No! She cut her own thoughts off. No they have not passed over, I refuse to believe it. No they’re probably just on the ground walking, and I bet I couldn’t wake up, or had passed out or something. There must be a reasonable explanation for this all! I just have to trust in Eleyos. Yes...that’s all I have to do.
Trust in Eleyos. He will guide me.
With a peace over her mind, her thoughts began to wander. And they wandered to the odd dream she had last night.
The one thing about her dreams, was that she wasn’t sure she if they were completely true or not. But now, now she knew they were. And of the past no less.
Fayoen was indeed the princess of Asmodea and heir to the throne of Falion a few years back. She got married very young to the prince of Haven, heir to the throne of Cevlon. The couple hopped that through their marriage they could form peace with everyone. This was told enough to her through the dream, but Elowen had studied it during her time in the monastery. But that wasn’t the end of the story.
After the wedding, riots began to form, and the couple were forced to flee. Fayoen’s father was so worried and depressed that he died not but a few months after.
After that, Falion became a republic. A council trying to rule a monarchy kingdom. It hasn’t gone well. In fact, people are searchin’ for the doomed couple’s lost heirs. ’Tis said they survived, and they are around here somewhere. But, no one’s found them, and the tale and hope is so old that it’s become just that. A tale.
   Elowen sighed and looked down at the Forest below her.
It maybe be too late for peace between the two worlds, but that didn’t mean she was going to just sit by and let it rot by the evil of Viglur and his minions!
No, she had to keep going, she had to find a way to save it all. To save this precious world Eleyos cared enough to create, It didn’t deserve to be swallowed whole by the jaws of destruction.
   But, luckily for her, she wasn’t alone.
“Not now. Not ever.” She whispered bravely, clutching Stargazer close.

Chapter Eleven

                                 Chapter 11: Pixie Hospitality,
                                              Feathers, and
                                       Directions


Falion - Illumination Forest

The outcast gang was silent when all of the Pixies flew in around them. They weren't quiet sure what to make of it all, or how to react to it either.
The Pixies flocked in by the millions, until they were surrounded on all sides by the hum of wings and the giggles of the small creatures.
   "Impossible." Sonera gasped.
   "Not impossible," Merek muttered. "Just improbable."
Elowen prayed that they would all keep their hearts and minds open, other wise they would never last long down on Falion. And there were many more wonders to be discovered!
Lorem was still by her side, though he was starting to paw at the little Pixies that darted in and out of his personal space. She gritted her teeth, not wanting him to hurt any of them, so she called him back into the Gem where everyone could be safe.
She then turned back to the Pixies, not sure of what to say or what to do. She had wanted to show them the Pixies, but now that they were here, she wasn't sure what to do next.

That's when one of them flew extremely close and peered at her, while cocking his head.
   "You called?" He asked in a squeaky voice.
She smiled and nodded.
   "Yes. Indeed I did. I was wondering if you may be hospitable to us for the night. Maybe even escort us to the edge of the Forest?"
Laughter rippled through the sea of Pixies. Elowen sighed, she should have known that this would happen. The Pixies weren't known for their hospitality. To get anything from them, it usually meant that one had to give them something in order to gain their trust and their hospitality.
   "You are brave little Magi. Very brave indeed. But it doesn't work that way, and you know it."
She then began to chew on her bottom lip while rubbing Stargazer with her thumb, these negotiations would be tricky.
   "I'm sure there's something we can do. We are in need of at least directions to the edge of the forest near the Arriescent Ruins."
The Pixie rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment.
   "Hmm...The Arriescent Ruins you say? Well that's not exactly a pretty spot to see. Why do you need to go there?"
Ellie knew that the Pixie was trying to pry information out of her, she'd have to tread carefully.
   "Our business is our own, but I swear it will bring no harm on your people."
The Pixie seemed to doubt her.
   "You know they say a demon lives in those ruins. Nasty little bugger if there ever was one." He said loud enough for everyone to hear. Ellie cringed inwardly. She hadn't wanted to tell them that. Terryn and Dreyden's eyes swung to her in confusion, Sonera and Ysmay's eyes grew wide, and Kade looked like he could drive his sword through her. Merek on the other hand, didn't seem fazed by this.
   "There's a demon?" Terryn mouthed.
Ellie hung her head, her hair falling into her crimson face.
   "It's hardly a demon, just superstition Terryn. Of course, there is no demon."
The Pixie chuckled.
   "Ah so you didn't tell your little friends what you were leading them into, what they were going to be facing? Some friend you are."
No, she couldn't let him manipulate her words, or bring her friends against her.
   "Everyone is scared to go near there because they say that if one was to pass the walls into that ancient castle, the ghost would descend upon them in a rage." The Pixie continued.
Most of the gang was appalled by the fact that Elowen had failed to mention this bit.
Ysmay, however, was eager to trust Elowen, and hated to see her humiliated. She was also familiar with the tales of Pixies and how they tend to twist one's words around to fabricate a story that was never true.
   "Yeah!" Another Pixie joined in, coming up to the first. "And they say he has claws! And is as big as any Talon-bear seen and known! His eyes are red, his teeth are five inches long! They'll tear through you in less then a matter of seconds -"
Ah! There was his flaw!
   "Oh but excuse me sir," Ysmay spoke up. Stepping forward, away from Merek and towards Elowen. Smiling at her reassuringly, telling the poor girl she could handle this. Elowen's relief showed in her deep forest green eyes.
   "I thought you said was a demon."
The Pixie man drew himself up to his full height, which was roughly four inches tall.
   "’Tis a demon! A nasty demon."
   "But then," She continued in her quiet, and even tone. "you said it was a ghost."
The Pixie shrugged.
   "It can be both."
   "Ah! but you see, a ghost can not tear though you because they are simply phantoms. And a demon and a ghost are not the same thing and therefore, it cannot be both." The first Pixie man grinned as he looked from his friend to the dark haired girl. Enjoying the humiliation his friend was suffering. It wasn't often that someone could humiliate a Pixie. Especially a human!
The second Pixie stumbled over his next words, not quiet sure how this person could have out witted him.
   "It is very possible -"
   "No, it's not, I'm afraid." She broke in. "A demon is a damned creature, they live in the..." She actually didn't know where they would live. Elowen mouthed 'abyss' to her behind a veil of hair.
   "Abyss. So they couldn't possibly tread where Eleyos has. And a ghost, for the most part, is just a figment of one's imagination and smoke. Neither of these could possibly exist! There is a very logical explanation to all this, which is not contributed to the supernatural."
Ultimately, everyone was flabbergasted by her statement and quick thinking.
   "I didn't know she knew words that big. Let alone how to string them together so they could actually form a smart sounding sentence." Merek marveled quietly. Dreyden punched his arm playfully, but shot him a glare.
   "What?" Merek asked. His ignorance, blindingly obvious.
   But Ysmay's attention was not on Merek's snide remarks, but on the first Pixie who was laughing.
   "I like you." He stated. Hovering close to her. "I like you very much. You have proved that you are both smart with the tongue and with your wits. We shall show hospitality to you, but first! A small test perhaps?" He looked at his fellow Pixie friends and they all showed white teethed grins.
   "Yes, a test. Now choose one of your friends to participate."
   "To participate in what?!" Terryn spoke up. The Pixie just starred blankly at him.
   "It'll most likely be a test of wits. They will ask you a riddle of some sort. I'm not entirely sure, however." Elowen explained.
   "And it can't be this girl." The little Pixie tugged on a strand of Ysmay's dark hair.
   "Ouch!" She muttered, yanking her hair away from his tiny grasp.
Elowen turned to the rest of the group.
   "Anyone particularly good at solving riddles?" She asked. They all looked at each other, passing each the look that said 'you'. Finally Dreyden got fed up with it.
   "I'll do it for Eleyos' sake. Gosh you guys are a bunch of lasses scared of your own shadows!" He growled.
Elowen hid her smile by the sudden fear that he might get himself killed.
   "Are you sure? There's no telling what the Pixies'll do if you answer it wrong." She said as he started to move past her. He paused and looked down at her, and shrugged.
   "I'll be fine. Besides, I've got a Magi on my side."
She was a little reluctant to tell him that she didn’t know any spells that would benefit him in battle, it didn’t seem like the time to bring that up.
   Dreyden turned to the small Pixie and gestured with open arms.
   "Choose your riddle."
The Pixie nodded, a mischievous grin on his face for all to see.
   "Alright human. Listen carefully; if you feed me, I grow. If you water me, I die. What am I? You have fifteen seconds to guess once."
A memory over took Drey's mind.
His mother was in the kitchen, singing, as usual. The fire crackled in the background, casting shadows on her face. He came in asking her if he could have a cookie. She smiled at him and asked him a riddle like she always did.
'Feed me I grow, water me I die. What am I Little Knight?' He hadn't been able to figure it out then - "Thirteen seconds" - and he couldn't figure it out now! There was no way after all these years he'd know the answer. His mother had never told him! He gritted his teeth and tried to think.
   "Eleven seconds."
The Pixie's clock didn't help matters at all.
   "Think, Dreyden. Think!" Merek said in his urgent but not too pushy tone. Though that still didn't help anything.
   "Nine."
Feed me I grow, water me I die. What could that possibly be?!?! He shouted at himself.
   "Eight."
It's obviously not a plant....It can't be the sun because it can never rain there -
   "Seven."
Plant's need both water and food. So what needs only food?? Not trees, not branches -
   "Six."
No but what do you do with branches? Cut them down, make houses, make -
   "Five."
Make - you make fences, you make that all out of wood. Wood can also be used -
   "Four."
   "Come on Dreyden, think." It was Elowen this time, panic clearly in her voice. This broke his concentration and his train of thought.
   "Three."
He saw his mom again in the kitchen the same day she asked him the riddle. The fire light always made her skin look golden.
   "Two."
   "Dreyden!!"
His eyes grew wide as it dawned on him. Of course! How could he have been so stupid!
   "On -"
   "Fire!" He shouted. "The answer, to your riddle, is fire." He found that his heart pace was higher, and his breathing was a little bit heavy. The group around him sighed with relief in unison.
The Pixie groaned and stomped his foot. (Figuratively speaking of course.)
   "Why is it that you all are so smart?! This should be illegal!" He whined.
   "We answered your question Pixie," Ysmay said, her quiet tone suddenly calming Dreyden's nerves. "now uphold your end of the deal."
The Pixie straitened and turned his blue head towards the girl, he placed his fist over his small little heart and dipped his head.
   "Of course. I'm afraid we cannot bring you to our home, but we will bring you food and drink here. Then as you made me promise, I will show you a route to the Arriescent Ruins. Does this meet your satisfactions?"
Ysmay cocked an eyebrow.
   "I do believe we stated that you are to escort us to the edge of the Forest, did we not?"
The Pixie groaned slightly, but it quickly turned into a smile.
   "Oh your good." He remarked.
Ysmay couldn't help the color from showing up on her pale cheeks when she turned away.
The Pixies began to flitter away in a large line of blue and flashing white. They became a stream. A constant moving river that glinted in the sunlight like thousands of diamonds. Elowen took a moment just to appreciate it.
But then Dreyden tapped her arm to gain her attention.
   "You've got some explaining to do missy." It was actually Merek that spoke up, stepping in front of Drey.
   "What demon, ghost, phantom, or what ever is it that guards these Ruins that we're going to?"
Elowen bit her bottom lip and threw her hands up in a gesture of defeat.
   "It's truly a superstition. They say that the last king of the Arriescent city still guards the Gem, and that he'll kill anyone who can't pass the test."
Sonera shoved past Kade and Dreyden, getting close enough to see Elowen's face clearly.
   "There's a test?"
Ellie nodded.
   "That's one thing the Pixie's failed to mention. The king only kills you if you fail to pass it. So I figured there was a good chance that we'd pass it."
   "And you didn't think to tell us about this king?!" Kade spat at her.
Ellie cringed back instinctively, still wounded with the fact that he had murdered her. She longed to forgive him for that, but the way he treated her didn't allow it.
   "I was going to! But then the Pixie's showed up -"
   "Only because you called them!"
   "Oi! Shut. Up!" Dreyden spun on his heel towards Kade and punched him in the face so loud the sound of breaking bone filled the air and nothing else.
Elowen cried out and jumped back, and everyone else was stunned into silence.
Drey was actually a bit startled himself, he didn't know why he had punched Kade, or what had over come him either. He just felt protective.
   "Drey, go walk it off." Merek ordered, his tone stern. "Now." he snapped, pointing to the forest.
Drey sighed and walked away. Elowen and Sonera knelt around Kade. Elowen was starting to use a spell to mend his broken nose despite his protests.
Terryn watched Dreyden stalk off into the woods.
   "Should - should someone go after him?" He said hesitantly.
Merek sighed. He should have seen that coming. Kade seemed to despise Elowen, and there was only so much Drey would be able to take.
   "I'll go -"
   "No." It was Ysmay that spoke up. "He needs advice from his sister."
She touched Merek's arm and smiled at him.
   "I'll only be a minute." She then walked off into the Forest after Drey.

He hadn't wandered far, so it was relatively easy for her to find him. He was sitting on a branch of a low hanging tree with his arms crossed and his legs swinging back and forth, reminding her of a child.
   "You look troubled." She sang. Jumping lightly onto the branch next to him, causing it to swing for a moment.
 Drey turned his head and regarded her for a moment then shrugged.
She chuckled and clapped her hands once loudly.
   "Oh dear. I'm getting the silent treatment. Is that really anyway to treat an old friend? Come on Dreyden, I know you well enough to know something's wrong." She bashed into his shoulder with her own lightly. "So let me in. Come on, I know it's about a particular lass that's got your knickers in a twist so you might as well let me in alright?"
Dreyden sighed in defeat.
   "Yes, yes, alright fine! You are so persistent! Yes, it's about a lass, and yes, I'm sure you know who it is as well."
She waited for him to continue, but when he did not, she was left to fill in the blanks.
   "Alright, so you like Ellie, that was obvious. But you are also very protective over her....aren't you?"
He shrugged.
   "I guess so."
   "Oh there is no 'I guess so'." She shot back.
   "I just didn't like the fact that he doesn't get off her back and leave her alone!" He cried. "Being a Magi isn't something one can choose to be! It's who ever Eleyos decides it to be. It's not like she can choose to be normal."
Ysmay smiled. Yes, now he was talking and letting her in.
   "What's normal Dreyden? If you think about it, nothing is 'normal'. Take this place for instance. We never thought this place even existed! But now look at it? We're here. It's real and we can touch it. Normal is just what's real to you Dreyden. If normal is going off on wild adventures everyday," They both chuckled half heartedly.
   "Then that's normal for you. If what's real to you is falling for Elowen, or trying to gain the privilege to start some kind of relationship with her, then I guess that's normal for you in some...sense. But may I give you some advice as to how to go about forming that relationship?"
Dreyden knew better then to try and deny the fact that he felt for Elowen. He knew he cared for her on some level, but he wasn't exactly sure what that level was.
So he nodded, he would need all the help he could get.
   "Well, from what I can see, and from what little I know, you two don't know much about each other do you?"
   "No we don't. She did open up though, she told me about a sister she had, Jedika was her name I think. But she's been gone for a number of years now and she hasn't seen or heard from her in a long time. In kind, I told her about my own family, though...she didn't seem too shocked by how they passed over...." he added thoughtfully.
   "Wow, it took me almost a year to get you to open up to me. I'll say she's good. Alright, here's a tip. Try to become her brother. That's the first step. Just get to know each other, don't go any farther then friends, just try to become family to her. And, don't jump on every guy that second glances her, with her pretty face there will be lots that do. While lasses appreciate the thought, we don't like it when lads actually act on them. So, just keep it to friends, find out about each other and then see if you actually want to go into a relationship with her, alright?"
   "You're actually suggesting that I wouldn't want to get into a relationship with her."
   "Well it's possible that the more you learn about her, the less you see that she's actually Eleyos' beloved match for you alright? I'm just pointing that out as a possibility! I'm not actually going to say anything because I don't know the poor lass that well. So, keep that in mind. Just be a really good friend okay?"
Dreyden nodded his agreement and jumped off the branch.
   "We might as well go back. I've got apologies to make, and honestly I don't like the thought of her being with that lieutenant with out me." He offered her a hand and helped Ysmay off the branch.
   "Merek and Terryn would never let him do something to her. They both -"
She cut herself off before she finished that particular sentence.
   "They both...What?" He asked. She landed lightly on the ground and smiled at him.
   "They both know how to deal with guards." She fibbed. Not feeling to well about it consciously.
   "Come on, lets beat those Pixies, I fear that no one in the camp is quiet sure as to how to deal with them."
Dreyden let go of her hand and nodded.
   "Speaking of which, how come you can negotiate so well? And with Pixies none the less! They're not exactly an easy task from what I've seen and heard."
Ysmay blushed a little. Being a usually humble girl, she hated to bring attention to herself.
   "But you were brilliant anyways. Always knew you couldn't get past those guards by just fighting."
Ysmay mimicked shock.
   "So your saying just because I'm a girl, I obviously must have had some other kind of tool to use other then my fast reflexes and battling skills?!" She asked in horror.
A smile crept onto Drey's face.
   "Well, a lass has many other tools a man does not."
Ysmay growled at him and slapped the back of his head none too gently.
   "Oh! you are horrid Dreyden! An absolute plot! Next time keep your mouth shut if you have nothing nice to say."
Dreyden chuckled.
   "Yes ma'am."

{+++}

The Pixies had returned when the two good friends came back into the clearing.
Kade was leaning against one of the fallen logs that were around the fire pit. Sonera was handing him a water flask that one (actually a couple) Pixies had given to her.
Terryn and Merek were huddled together watching the large swarm of Pixies that sat nestled in near by plants, or hovered above their heads. A thousand little voices became white noise to them all, only they were very high pitched.
Elowen was talking to the two Pixies that spoke to the gang earlier. When she turned and spotted them she let out a sigh of relief and a smile of a small joy. At first Dreyden thought it was for him, but then she rushed up to Ysmay and tugged on her arm.
   "Theses Pixies are going to make my mind turn into a puddle of slush, you needed to take over please? You were brilliant and you actually understand their talk and can catch them when they try to weasel their way out of promises."
So much for her glad to see Drey.
   "Of course I'll take over. Come on then lets see what they've brought and what they're going to provide for us shall we?" Ysmay said, leading Ellie to the leader.
Ellie glanced over her shoulder at Drey and shot him a sweet smile and a slight wave of her fingers.
Well, at least he hadn't been totally ignored.

Ysmay showed the Pixies kindness with introducing the gang, and the Pixies obliged to tell them their own names. The leader was known as Calistar, and the other Pixie that Ysmay had bested, was his lieutenant known as Tally.
   "Can you tell us how we are to get out of this forest?" Merek spoke up. He hadn't said much to the Pixies and he wasn't sure how to deal with them, but he wanted to know how to get out. And the Pixies would know the best way.
Calistar nodded and motioned for Tally to come over to the map with him that was still lying on the ground.
   "Yes, yes of course. Now we are here, and since no one goes near the bad, bad Abyss -"
   "Very bad." Tally broke in, his red curls bouncing every where. "Nasty place, full of demons and such."
   "- The only way to get out near the Arriescent Ruins," Calistar continued. "Is to go through the forest due east. Here. There you are, I have told you, I have brought you provisions and that is all you need to know. So! we shall be off now."
   "Oh no you don't!" Ysmay spoke up. "Our agreement was that you would escort us, to the edge of the forest to the east. This is just pointing it out on the map, which Elowen has already done for us. So therefore, you aren't going anywhere."
Calistar groaned, but met Ysmay's hard gaze.
   "Yes, yes. Alright! We'll escort you to the edge of the forest, but no farther!"
Ysmay smiled and dipped her head diplomatically.
   "Of course."

The gang, at first, was a little uneasy with all the hovering Pixies about, and they weren't quiet sure what to do about them all starring at them as they ate. Suddenly quiet, and the quiet wasn’t one that was welcomed.
For the most part, the Pixies were pretty friendly. Coming up, saying 'hello', nestling in their hair or on their shoulders, or in their laps if they were sitting. The boys found it quiet annoying and were constantly swatting blue and red bugs out of their hair, but the girls didn't mind since most of the Pixies that had been attracted to them were girls anyway.

Midnight found them still sitting around the logs, the lasses were giggling and talking amongst themselves, animating and emphasizing their points by the use of their hands.
"...So we had maybe a dozen or so Royal Guards chasing us through the sky, showering us with arrows every second, and I had no idea how we would have gotten out of it at all! I was praying to Eleyos like there was no tomorrow!" Sonera exclaimed. The boys were listening even if they weren't exactly part of the group, and Dreyden caught Kade chuckling slightly.
Wow. Didn't know he was capable of feeling stuff like happiness. He remarked to himself.
   "But that's when Elowen came in," Sonera continued. Causing Ellie to blush several shades darker then her hair.
   "She used her magic to fend off those Guards as if she could do it in her sleep! And not only that, but she was able to keep her head on through the entire thing! I was impressed, from just a normal girl that use to live in a peaceful monastery, you've got guts girl!"
   "I don't think I'm as impressive as all that. Most of the time I was just letting Eleyos guide me. It wasn't me." Elowen admitted, trying desperately to get the attention off her.
Ysmay smiled and squeezed her arm.
   "And everyone loves you because of your humility. In fact it's hard not too actually!"
Sonera chuckled.
   "Well, we'll have to give Kade credit for trying eh?" She whispered just loud enough for most of the lads to hear her.
Chuckles ran through them all, even Kade, to the mercenaries shock.
   A Pixie that had been sitting on Terryn's shoulder suddenly yanked on his blond hair.
   "Ouch! What'ch ya do that for?" He snapped, tugging his hair back.
   "Where ye feathers lad?"
Terryn glanced up at Merek, who shrugged, not knowing anymore then he did.
   "What do you mean 'feathers'?"
The Pixie nodded to Elowen, and one of the girl Pixies on her head bent down and pulled away her light ginger locks on the left side of her head. Behind her ear, woven into her hair, was a single, pure white feather.
Everyone automatically leaned in for a better look. All the faces in her own, caused her to lean back to try and keep them at a distance.
   "That, is a feather." The Pixie on Terryn's shoulder pointed out the obvious.
   "What are they for? Does everyone down here have them?" Terryn asked.
   "'Down here'? What do ye mean 'down here'?" The Pixie's inquired.
Elowen flashed a warning look to them, and they all kept their mouths shut.
   "They're not from around here. We had better be getting to bed Calistar." She called. Not sure where that particular Pixie was in the horde that hovered everywhere.
   "We'll see you in the morning."
She ushered everyone back into the cave.
   "You can start a fire in here. The fire wood is by the right hand wall towards the back." She said into the dark. She heard boots shuffling, and then yelping and whispered apologizing as people stepped on others.
After a few painful minutes, there was a sudden spark and the dry wood flamed up in the welcoming orange tongues.
Elowen snatched up her staff and muttered a protection spell to cover the door way of the cave to keep the mischievous Pixies out of their hair at night, and out of their stuff. She also added a muting spell just incase. Didn’t want nosy Pixies picking up bits and pieces of their conversations.

Once she was done, she walked back over to the fire, and noticed that the others were trying to occupy themselves to keep her from knowing that they had been watching her carefully.
   "So," Terryn broke the awkward silence as everyone prepared for bed by unrolling their blankets and gathering them around the warm fire.
   "Tell us about these feathers."
Ellie didn't feel the pressure of trying to come up with a cover story so the Pixies didn't know that this lot wasn't from around these parts. So, she found it easy to tell the story behind the feather in her hair.
   "Down here, feathers are a token of bravery or kindness. When someone recognizes a deed you've done, they present you with a pure white feather. Symbolizing Eleyos in his pure heart, and his free spirit." She explained, tucking her legs under her as she sat down on her rough blanket.
   "So which was yours?" Terryn questioned again. Elowen smiled at him, thinking it was blaringly obvious.
   "Kindness. I have had no need to be brave until quite recently, believe it or not." She remarked with a grin.
   "Oh but you must have been brave to learn Magic, and go off to a monastery on your own." Sonera pointed out.
   "Well...I suppose so, but at the time it was just something I had to do, and there wasn't anything to be brave about. It just was."
   "That's what bravery is." Kade spoke up. Everyone's heads jerked up to him as if they had completely forgotten he was there at all.
   "Bravery is doing what you have to whether you like it or not." He continued. His violet eyes gazing into the bright orange flames. He didn't seem aware of the fact that everyone was starring at him, or he was simply a lot more comfortable about having eyes on him then Elowen was.
   "You don't think 'oh this is what bravery is'. You just do it, and then other people recognize the bravery, not you. You try to struggle with the feeling that you could have done this better, or you could have done that a different way. You just see the flaws, while other people see the whole picture." He took a deep breath and looked down at his fingers that were fiddling with a stick. "But I guess that's what Eleyos has to show us. The whole picture. If he doesn't, we'll just be miserable for the rest of our lives, looking at the flaws in our selves and envying other people for what they've done, when they do the exact same thing as you."
From his tone, everyone could tell that he had come to the end of his speech.
No one was quiet sure what to say, Sonera was sure they were all thinking that Kade was the heartless guy that couldn’t feel any kind of emotion at all, and she felt kind of bad for them for not being able to see the kindness and goodness in Kade. But then, it had taken herself a long time to see that as well.
   “That’s one thing we all strive for.” Ysmay spoke up. Giving Kade a reassuring smile, along with everyone else.
   “And that’s what we should all pray for.”
Everyone murmured their agreements, and then another silence hung over them again. They weren’t sure what to do, and their minds were each in deep thought, mulling over the same things. Finally, one by one, they slipped under their blankets and went to sleep.
Casting up prayers before their mind drifted off into oblivion.