Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter 22: The Return of a Warrior




Ellie had to say, she quiet enjoyed the hot bath she got right after Dreyden had given his little speech.
She had only gotten out long after the water had cooled, and then a maid helped her into a robe of thick wool.
   “Shall I fetch a dress ma’am?’ The maid asked.
   “Uh…yes. Of course.” Elowen hesitated. She wasn’t use to someone being at her beck and call. The maid ran off, leaving Ellie alone in her large room.
She slipped her feet into a pair of fur slippers to protect her from the cold stone floor. Walking out from behind the changing screen she gazed at her room.
Drey’s friend, Gregory, had ordered servants to show them to their rooms and to draw up baths for each of them. She had been slightly hesitant to leave the boys, but once she saw they were only down the hall she felt better. Plus, Drey promised to come fetch her before supper.

The room she got was trimmed in furs for the winter. The large four poster bed had purple drapes so she could have some privacy at night. There were three windows in her room, two were just slits, but the third was larger and trimmed in stained glass of different colors.
Heavy wooden furniture had been placed around the room, a table and a chair for meals she wanted to eat alone, a vanity table with a stool, and a mirror so she could do her hair, and then a massive wardrobe that held thousands of different dresses.

“Here you are ma’am.” The maid had returned with a green dress that was the most fanciest item of clothing Ellie had ever laid eyes on.
The maid helped get the dress on, tightly lacing up the stays in the back.
She had even gotten a pair of matching shoes that were extremely uncomfortable.
   “Shall I fix your hair?”
   “No!” Ellie hadn’t meant to shout and startle the poor girl. She quickly composed herself.
   “No thank you. Um…I think that will be all for now.” She said, not wanting to sound rude. But the maid didn’t notice, she just curtsied and left the room.

Elowen waited a few moments to make sure she was gone, then kicked off the painful shoes and replaced them with her boots.
   “Ah,” She sighed with relief. “Much better. I don’t know how girls stand walking about all day in those shoes…” She moved stiffly to the looking glass. “Or in these dresses for that matter. I can’t even breathe!”
She rolled her shoulders trying to loosen the stays but to no avail. Groaning she gave up.
If she was allowed to say so, she thought she looked quiet pretty in the dress.
The green fabric made her eyes seem bigger, and her hair redder.
It was trimmed in fur, including the collar and the sleeves that draped open, but those were just for fashion, the real sleeve was skin tight to her arm. The skirt had lots of material, and had intricate designs running down it in gold thread.
It was beautiful, but she refused to think how many yewns it cost.
She pulled her hair over one shoulder and braided it quickly, wanting it out of her way.
Once that was done she decided to explore the castle a bit.
As she went for the door, she paused at the large wardrobe, then finally opened it up and grabbed a dark red cape before leaving her room.

Outside her room she was shocked when she saw everyone running in the same direction. Everyone was running, the servants, the nobles, the cooks. Everyone.
Elowen pushed against the flow and moved towards Merek’s door, pounding on it once she got there. After pounding for a few more moments she gathered up the courage to open the door and walk in.
She found Merek standing by the window, with nothing but trousers and boots on.
   “Oh for goodness’ sake!” She cried picking up a tunic from the open wardrobe and throwing it at the back of his head. Merek turned around, shock to find her in his room.
   “Get changed. Something’s happening outside.”
He picked up the tunic and threw it over his head. She noticed his hair was still wet, and he was clean shaven.
   “What is it?”
   “How should I know? I only just came out of my room and found everyone scrambling about so I came to find you and Dreyden.”
Merek ran a hand through his hair as he looked at her.
   “Aye, you clean up nicely lass.”
Ellie scowled at him before punching his arm.
   “What? I meant that in a nice way, and of course I know you belong to Drey, so no I wont be getting any ideas. Besides,” He gave her a half smile as he opened the door. “You’re a little young.”
Ellie rolled her eyes as she followed him back out into the hallway. She followed in his wake as he pushed past people.
She let him do the pounding on Dreyden’s door, while he tightened his weapons belt. Drey opened his door immediately, unlike Merek.
He paused once he saw Elowen, now in her new clothes and clean. She sighed and decided to get to the point.
   “Come on, let’s see where everyone’s going.” She said, taking off with the flow before either boy could react.

Ellie was growing impatient as the flow of people wound their way through hall after hall. She finally gave up trying to be slow for the boys and ran off through the crowd, dodging people, holding her skirts up in her hands as she did so, to avoid tripping on them and ruining the beautiful dress.
Finally she was spit out onto a wide balcony that had a view of the courtyard they had walked through just several hours earlier.
She looked around at the sudden space she had. Then moved towards the rail of the balcony to look over the edge. On a balcony opposite of the one she stood on was the council that Drey had spoken to. They were quietly arguing amongst themselves, pointing down at the courtyard.
Ellie looked down and came near to fainting.
   “Elowen?” Comforting arms caught her before she could hit the floor.
Drey and Merek were by her side as soon as they had caught up with her, when she nearly fainted Drey’s heart almost gave out.
Once she was in his arms, she shook her head and regained her feet.
She took off once again, running back the way they had just come.
   “Elowen!”
Drey and Merek looked down at the courtyard and then back at each other.
There was a girl in the courtyard, not one that fit in with the other girls in Falion.
She wore a silver breastplate and leather pants, her boots were high, past her knees. A red crimson cape flapped in the wind, a sword hung against her hip, her long red hair looked familiar.
   “Who’s she then?” Merek asked. Drey shook his head, not knowing the answer.
   “Come, lets find Elowen.” Drey said, walking back into the castle.

Elowen took the stairs two at a time, not caring if she stumbled on her dress. The door to the courtyard was full of people curious, but scared to venture out. She shoved her way through the crowd, people hissing sharply at her but letting her pass.
Running into the courtyard, she stopped, starring at the figure before her in disbelief. Her eyes trying to take her in but it seemed impossible.
The girl was doing the same to her, her green eyes growing wide in surprise.
She took a step towards her, hesitant and unbelieving.
   “Elowen?” She breathed.
Ellie let out a quiet sob and ran forward.
The two girls met in the middle, clashed together in a hug so tight the life might leave them.
   “Jedika I never thought I’d see you again!” Elowen cried.
Jedika gently pulled Elowen away and looked at her. Tears streamed down her face as she smiled.
   “You didn’t think I’d leave my little sister to fend for herself did you?” She said with a chuckle.
   “Look at you! My little sister all grown up. No longer little anymore. Quite a lovely lady. Is it safe to say you have caught a husband yet?” Jedika winked, but noticed the blush upon her sister’s cheeks.
   “Oh! So there is.”
   “No, no.” Ellie glanced over her shoulder as Dreyden and Merek ran in to the courtyard. “Not yet at least.”
Her sister smiled.
   “You always did have high standards Ellie. And falling in love with a prince?…” She rubbed her sister’s cheek affectionately. “Mother would be proud.”
Elowen cried again and hugged her long lost sister.
Jedika turned to the two men who had followed her sister.
   “Have you come to a decision about the throne?” She called out to the tall dark one. He glanced at his companion, but nodded just the same.
   “Good. Eleyos will be glad to know his plan is working. Where is Kade?”
Ellie was shocked when her sister demanded to see Kade. There were a few mysteries that had yet to be solved.
   “Go fetch him for me will ya?” Jedika called. The prince motioned to his companion and he ran off back into the castle.
   “Jedika, where have you been?” Elowen asked.
Jedika gave her a sad smile.
   “All will be told in time, but now is not the time. Prince, I do believe you have a council meeting that I am to escort you too.”
Dreyden gave her a confused look but turned to the council members that had grown silent on the balcony.
   “Right then, I suppose we reconvene now. Meet me in the council room in fifteen minutes.” He called.
Drey disappeared into the castle as well, and Jedika took her sister’s hand.
   “Come little sister, we must be apart of this meeting.” She said, leading the way into the castle.
   “Oh wont you say where you have been? Or just give a hint?” Elowen pleaded.
   “Let’s just say I have been a guard of a very important object, for a very long time, shall we?”
Ellie shook her head and led the way through the castle, following Dreyden’s distant form.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter 21: Known to the World







Swift’s wings and the darkens of the night caused Elowen to lean against Drey’s back and let her eyes droop close.
Drey glanced over his shoulder at her and saw that she was fast asleep.
He allowed a smile to cross his lips as he had a flashback to the forest.
   “Oh for Eleyos’ sake.”
He glanced over at Merek who was rolling his eyes. He sat astride Bella, his tan yerto.
   “What?” Drey asked innocently.
   “You have gone from bounty hunter to a sap over night. You’re giving us men a bad reputation.”
It was Drey’s turn to roll his yes.
   “You fall in love and then talk to me about being a sap.”
Merek laughed.
   “Fat chance brother. You wont be able to tie me down like that.”
   “Ha! No I won’t, but Eleyos could.”
Merek couldn’t find a witty response to that so decided to just keep his mouth closed.

.:+++:.

Councilman Gregory sighed as the subject went around the room once again.
   “Rand will not take up alligence with Falion if we will only be used as a breeding stock for weapons!” Travak, DragonTrainer, stated adamantly.
   “Travak,” Councilman Iven’s tone sounded as if he was holding back an ocean of anger. “You’re people are phenomenal. You can train beasts that everyone else would do anything to avoid. You are so incredibly important to the turn of a battle, of course we’d use you as weapons, but only in times of war. Never in times of peace would we -”
   “You only prove my point Ivan!” Travak rose angrily from his seat of the twelve identical chairs that were placed in the large circular room. There was thirteen all together, but no one had sat upon the throne in fourteen years.
Travak’s weathered face held much anger and frustration. His tan, light weight clothes were appropriate for the hot lands of Rand, but they didn’t keep the chill out from the Falion winter.
   “Once we aid you in battle, you will see how easy it was to win. Then your minds shall be twisted into thinking you can take on any army! And then it wont mater if it is a time of peace or a time of war!” His accent was less noticeable, but Gregory could still pick it out after spending so much time in Rand.
   “You fought with Falion once before!” Ivan’s note brought up agreements from the other nine Falionite councilmen seated around the room.
   “Yes, under the wise rule of king Carac, and then his daughter, Fayoen and her husband, Ast’Drev. They were both wise beyond their years and knew the risks not only in battle but also to their minds.
When the long lost prince is found, then and only then, shall Rand take up allegiances with Falion.” The other Randigorians that stood behind Travak’s chair murmured their agreements.
Gregory couldn’t agree more with Travak’s point. Falion was barely surviving under the rule of the council, and it was far from flourishing.
   “Bah!” Ivan spat. “The Royal Line was broken long ago. The prince has been long since dead and buried. But the Infidels are marching now!”
The door opened, stopping all discussion instantly.
Everyone turned to look and saw a timid page boy poking his head in.
   “What is it boy?” Gregory said calmly.
The page walked in the room, cleared his throat and stood erect.
   “There is a man here to see you all.” His squiky voice sounded like he was more nervous than he let himself show.
   “Can’t you see we’re in middle of meeting?!” Ivan hissed.
The page gulped loudly, but didn’t leave.
   “He said to give you this.”
Gregory rose from his seat and moved to the boy before Ivan could get up.
The page handed over an orb, and then retreated into the shadows of the council room.
Gregory knew what the orb was the minute he touched it. He moved to the stone table in middle of the room, and placed it on top of all the maps.
   “What is that?” Malkyn, the only woman on the council, asked.
   “It is a message orb.” Gregory explained, running a hand down his waist length white beard.
As soon as he set it down, the orb began to glow and Gregory hurried back to his seat.
A projection shot up into the air above the orb. The Talon-bears roared in shock, the Trylanian’s eyes grew wide, and the Randigorians murmured amongst one another. None of the other lands were use to Magi powers.
The face of a boy yet to grow his beard out showed for all to see. Gregory rubbed his beard in thought. In his hundred years of service to the kings, he remembered what they all looked like, who they’re children were, and who they’re children’s children were. He never forgot a face.
And this was one face that had always haunted him, had always given him hope that perhaps he was not dead, and perhaps, he would come back.

.:+++:.

Drey and Merek landed their yerto’s a little ways away from the city walls of Asmodea. They had traveled through the night and had arrived faster than they thought.
Drey shifted slightly, Elowen was still asleep, but he woke her up gently. Her deep green eyes fluttered open and she glanced around. Her eyes fell onto the large wall of Asmodea and she drew in a deep breath before sliding off Swift.
Her boots hit the white snow and she placed her Magi robe back on, slipping her staff into place on her back and then her pack.
   “So this is it yeah?” Merek asked, coming up beside her.
Ellie nodded.
   “Aye. This is it.”
   “But you haven’t even seen the front of the city yet.” Drey said, a grin breaking across his face.
   “Come on!”
Drey ran across the snow, following the wall. Ellie and Merek ran after him. They rounded a hill and found him standing still at the bridge.
Asmodea was ultimately on an island. A large island that was connected to the mainland by a man made bridge. This proved to be a good advantage in battle, when the only way to get in was across a well armed bridge, but it also isolated Asmodea as well.

The graceful and elegant towers of Asmodea soared through the sky, two giant stone angels guarded the entry into the city.
Merek looked up at them as they walked through.
   “Oi, that is a lot of stone.” He mumbled.
Elowen smiled at him before telling him to keep up.
Inside Asmodea it was busy. The ocean had been channeled into the city, where it circled around and around the city, seeming to cut through. But this was also another defense, so if an enemy did happen to get through the river’s gave another protection. And with one of the largest armies in Falion, Asmodea could hold it’s own.

People crowded around, the shouting and yelling made it hard to hear Drey’s remarks on various places where he had played as a child.
   “My brother and I use to sneak into that baker’s shop. There’s a whole in the corner of his wall that’s covered by his wood stack. He never knew how his pies kept disappearing.”
Elowen’s smile grew wider as Merek’s frown grew deeper.
As they crossed bridge after bridge to get past the various levels of rivers, the less crowded the streets were.
   “Why was there so many people back there towards the beginning and less here?” Merek asked.
   “Because, the people with the lowest income stay in the first ring now.” Elowen answered.
Drey looked at her in shock, but Merek nodded thinking it made sense.
   “But it wasn’t like that before.” He commented.
Elowen gave him a sad look.
   “You’ve been gone a long time. Now the battle plan for Asmodea is that if they’re under attack the commoners are the first one’s to go.”
Drey was appalled and knew he had to do something. He sent up a grateful prayer that Elowen had been so adamant about him taking up the crown once again.
   “Now the three rings have been divided. The commoners in the lowest ring, middle class in the next one up, and then the castle and the nobles are in the last one.” Ellie explained.
Dreyden was shaking his head.
   “It wasn’t divided like this when I lived here.” He muttered.
Elowen nodded.
   “I know. But time changes things.”
As they crossed the last bridge they continued to walk right up to the castle.
The castle it’s self seemed to be made of graceful angles, towering spires, and elegant angels that guarded almost every window.
At the gate to the inner courtyard, guards closed their spears, blocking their path.
   “I…didn’t think this far ahead.” Elowen muttered. Merek glared at her, but Dreyden was already working on trying to get in.
   “We’re here to see the council.” He said.
   “The council is in session. And I don’t see any rings on you lot, so you don’t belong in the upper ring.” One of the guards stated.
Drey forced himself not to glance at Ellie for an explanation on the rings. Instead he held the guard’s gaze.
   “I want you to go tell the council that if they don’t let me in now, the lot of you are going to get thrown out of your homes and put out on the streets.”
The guards scoffed, and Ellie hung her head. This wasn’t the best approach.
   “Guard!”
They all looked past the guards and Ellie tried very hard not to gasp.
Kade walked up to the guards, his demeanor full of authority and importance. He looked nothing like he did when they last saw him. He had traded his leather travel clothes for thick robes of wool woven in complex patterns. He looked like a noble.
   “Let them through. They’re with me.” He ordered.
The guard looked like he was about to put up a fight but the look Kade gave him sent a shiver down Elowen’s back.
The guards scowled at him, but let the trio pass.
They walked through the courtyard ignoring the several nobles looking at them oddly, though Elowen became conscious of her looks and pulled her hood up over her greasy hair. Oh how she longed for a bath.
   “What happened to you?” Elowen asked Kade as she jogged up next to him.
He glanced down at her and smiled, he stopped and placed a hand on her small shoulder.
   “First, can I apologize for the way I treated you Elowen? I know a simple apology can’t make it up to you, but I thought it would be a good start.” He said, the sincerity plain in his voice.
Ellie’s eyes were wide, and words were beyond her reach so all she did was nod.
Drey glanced from her to Kade in wonder. He knew Eleyos must have touched this hatred filled boy, because there was no possible way that he could have the compassion to apologize to a Magi with out a new heart.
Kade nodded and dropped his hand. He continued his brisk walking and led the way through the great oak doors and into the castle.
   “It’s a big long story as to why and how I got here,” He went on as he dodged down a hallway. “I’m not going to go into it. But I will tell you, Dreyden I have been preparing the council for your return. I would offer a change of clothes, but I’m afraid you have to get in there now other wise the council meeting could go south.”
Drey and Elowen exchanged places and she hung back with Merek.
   “Ambassadors from the other surrounding countries are here as well, and the Falion council is trying to get them to join in an allegiance. Only they aren’t having much success.”
   “What other countries are there?” Merek asked Elowen.
   “Well lets see, there’s Rand, Daphora, and Trylan.”
Merek looked at her as if she had just grown horns.
   “You really were isolated up on Cevlon weren’t you?” She remarked.
Merek shook his head. “You have no idea.”
   “So the council knows I’m the heir?” Drey asked.
Kade hesitated.
   “Well…sort of. I think some of the council members believe you’re alive but it’s going to take more than an orb to change they’re minds. Do you still have the Royal seal?”
Drey nodded as he pulled his gloves off with his teeth, while fighting with his cape to get to one of his pouches that were in the back of his belt.
He pulled out the gold ring and slid it onto his finger.
   “Good. Elowen, Merek, once we get inside, we need to stay to the back. Drey, everything is depending on you.” Kade said, stopping at a large oak door.
   “No pressure.” Kade said with a smile as he pushed the door opened.
Drey drew in a deep breath which was stolen when Ellie kissed his cheek.
   “May Eleyos guide you.”
Then the doors were opened and Elowen melted into the background with Merek.

Kade walked Drey to the edge of the ring of twelve high backed chairs.
Dreyden was shocked to see such diverse people. But the two Talon-bears standing on either side of one particular chair shocked him the most. They were both snowy white, with a deep blue clothe drapped over their backs like a tunic.
It was hard for him to hide the shock but he knew he must or they would doubt him.
   A projection of himself stood in midair, silent, as the council raged a debate around it.
He and Kade watched for a moment. One council  member, Drey noticed, was not joining in on the debate. But one wasn’t enough.

Dreyden walked into the ring, not sure what he was doing but he knew that this madness had to end.
As he moved past members, they fell quiet until it was only two left bickering.
Drey crossed his arms as he stood at the other side of the room, on the dais in front of the throne.

The two still bickering didn’t notice his presence. One man, he noticed, wasn’t from Falion. His clothes were made for warmer weather, and his face showed that he spent most of his time outside. His graying hair had been pulled back and oiled, his beard though looked straggled.
The second man was stoned faced with hard anger lines. Drey pinned him as one who wouldn’t back down easily.
His red hair was still obvious despite the few grey strands. And unlike most in the room, he was clean shaven.

   “For the last time Travak!” The Falionite cried. “The prince is dead! He didn’t make it out of the masicaer that took the rest of his family -”
Drey had had enough of this. He cleared his throat loudly. Anyone who hadn’t taken notice of him before had now.
The two men looked at him, mouths gapping. He took this as the perfect time to get a word in.
   “No, actually, I didn’t. As you can see I’m very much alive and well. Thank you for you concern though.”
The man that had stayed out of the argument all together, chuckled.
Drey looked at him again, his eyes widening as he recognized the man.
   “Gregory!” He cried, running up to the old man.
   “Oh Dreyden my boy!” Gregory cried, hugiging him tightly.
   “I had hoped this day would come.” He said, letting the boy go.
   “Just look at you! All grown up, and you look just like your father.” Tears had sprung in Gregory’s eyes as he praised Eleyos.
   “Gregory.” The sharp tone of the red haired man brought them both back to the matter at hand.
   “As much as we would love to let you have your little reunion, we are in middle of a meeting. Page!”
The page boy melted out of the woodwork.
   “How did this commoner get in here?!”
Drey turned to Gregory.
   “What’s this man’s name?” He asked.
   “Ivan of Esquire.”
Dreyden nodded and ran back up to the large wooden throne and sat down on it.
This caused murmuring from most of the council members, but for Ivan of Esquire, it was an up roar.
   “Call the guards! Get this ruffian back onto the streets where he belongs!”
Drey’s eyes met Kade’s and he nodded. Kade moved and bolted the door shut.
   “Ivan,” Drey said in a cool tone. The man looked up at him in shock.
   “Shut your gop.”
More people joined in on the laughter this time.
   “And please, take a seat.”
   “Boy, you are disgracing the Royal Line by sitting on that throne.” Ivan argued.
   “No, actually I’m not. Now would you shut up and sit down. So I can explain what I mean?” Drey asked non too kindly.
Ivan obliged this time.
   “Thank you. Now to answer everyone’s question. Yes, I am prince Dreyden, son of Ast’Drev.”
An up roar ensued once again. But he was quick to stop it.
   “Don’t believe me?!” He shouted above the noise. He pulled off his ring and handed it to the closest member.
   “I have the Royal seal. No one has seen it in fourteen years, and that is because my father gave it to me.”
The ring circulated around the room, but when it came to Ivan he looked at Dray, doubt in his eyes.
   “How do we know this isn’t a fake?” He asked.
   “Because on the inside it is engraved ‘May Eleyos guide thy hand.’ No one knows that  is there except the people on this council.”
Ivan looked inside and reluctantly passed it on as he saw it was true.

Once it had come back to Drey and he had put it back on his finger, he moved on.
   “Well now that we have that settled,” He could see questions forming, but put up a hand to stop them.
   “I know all of you are dying to ask questions but I wont answer them until later this evening. My friends and I are both exhausted and hungry. I intend to let them eat and sleep before I reconvene this meeting later tonight. We have lots of things to discuss.”
He rose from the throne and moved to the door.
   “And please, don’t leave town.” He said to the shocked and awed council.

Chapter Twenty

Chapter 20: The Cost of Life



   “Alright so you both are happy, going to live forever after and all that as king and queen but can I ask, how on Cevlon are you going to do that?”
Elowen glanced up at Drey, fully content to let him answer Merek’s question. Drey cleared his throat and tried to figure out a way to do just that.
Luckily for him, Terryn jumped in.
   “Ah who cares? They’re young. They’ll figure it out as the go along!”
He picked up his mug of coffee and cheered. The girls laughed as they raised their own.
   “Here’s to you!” Terryn shouted over the usual noise of the tavern.
   “Aye!” Everyone agreed before taking a swallow of the warm drink.

Elowen sat down next to Ysmay and joined in on the light hearted talk as Drey ordered two more mugs of coffee.
The girls ‘awed’ as she retold what had happened in the forest.
   “Oh!” Sonera pulled out a little pouch from her belt. She set it on the table and opened it, taking out the small cake that the faeries had given her.
Ellie’s eyes grew wide in horror.
   “No! Don’t!” She cried.
Sonera jumped in surprise, but she had already taken a bite.
   “Spit it out!” Ellie jumped up and ran over to her, hitting her back causing her to spit the piece of cake across the table and into Merek’s face.
Everyone had fallen quiet, stunned as they watched Ellie check Sonera’s pulse, her eyes, and her mouth frantically.
   “Ellie what’s wrong?” Ysmay asked, finally breaking the silence.
   “Sonera how do you feel? Anything…out of the ordinary?” Ellie asked, ignoring Ysmay’s question for the time being.
   “Well…now that you mention it…” Sonera said slowly. When she tried to focus on Merek, there seemed to be two of him. The room was swimming, and black spots were covering her vision.
They never got an answer out of her, before she collapsed against Ysmay.
The boys toppled their chairs over as they jumped forward.
   “What’s wrong with her?” Merek asked, the cake wiped away from his face now.
   “Oh I should have tossed those cakes out as soon as we had left the Forest. -” Ellie mumbled as she began to check Sonera’s pulse again.
   “- Ellie what’s wrong with her? -”
   “- You never know what Pixies are up to, they’re always tricking people and now they’ve gone and poisoned the cakes and -”
   “Ellie!” Drey’s worried voice cut through to her. She looked up and saw that everyone was as worried as she was.
   “What is wrong with her?” He asked.
Ellie shook her head.
   “I - I don’t know. We have to get her up to the room in order to figure that out.”
The boys nodded and moved to pick her up.

.:+++:.

Ellie wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her sleeve. She let out a sigh of relief, stepping away from the cot that Sonera now slept on.
   “Is she going to be alright?” Ysmay asked.
   “Well…She is running a high fever, so we’ll have to take turns watching her through out the night.”
Everyone nodded solemnly.
   “How - How long do you think it’ll take for her to heal completely?” Merek asked.
Elowen hesitated to answer.
   “We’ll have to see in the morning.”

.:+++:.

   “Did ye hear?”
   “Infidels.”
   “Aye, Mercos saw a whole army marching due north of here.”
   “Where in the name of Eleyos could they be going?”
   “Don’t know. Rumor has it that they be headin’ to Asmodea.”
Drey’s head snapped up at the news. His eyes sought out the table full of farmers sitting around with steaming mugs in between their hands.
   “Can I get you another mug sir?”
Drey looked up and saw the inn keeper’s daughter standing in front of him.
   “Oh no thanks.” She was about to walk off when he caught her elbow. “Excuse me,”
The girl turned back and waited for him to continue. “but is it true about the Infidels?” He asked.
The girl nodded.
   “Yes sir. I’m afraid so. Saw ‘em with my own eyes.”
Drey nodded and she went on her way.
After sitting there a few more moments, he jumped up from the table and ran out the door of the tavern.

He ran across the white snow that had just freshly fallen in the market place. He then ran onto the low wall that surrounded the village. But that height didn’t allow him to see what he was looking for. He glanced around and saw a flag pole with the Asmodea flag flying proudly. He hadn’t seen the flag in years, but it was still the same as he remembered. The white staff of a Magi crossed with the royal sword, topped by the crown.
He quickly scrambled up onto the flag pole and balanced on the top. The wind had died down, so no snow was picking up. His line of sight could go right through the forest. It took him a moment to see anything but the falling darkness in the forest. But he soon saw shadows moving steadily, and upon looking further he could distinguish actual human forms.
   “Oi! Get down from there boy!”
Drey glanced down and saw an elderly man, bearing arms, looking up at him.
Dreyden jumped down from the flag pole and straightened his tunic.
   “Sorry sir.” He apologized.
The old man eyed him for a moment before gesturing to the woods.
   “Watching the enemy eh?”
Drey nodded. “Yes sir, I had to see them for myself.”
The patrol nodded and leaned his weary body against the wall.
   “Aye…Best see it for yourself than rely on rumors.”
   “Sir is there…Is there anything else that direction they could be headed for? Other than Asmodea?”
The patrol shrugged.
   “Not really son. They could turn back east, and head to Wedgemore, but an army that big? No, the real prize is Asmodea.”
Drey watched the army pass by solemnly.
   “Trouble’s brewing son. If the Legions don’t get their acts together we’re going to be in one hell of a state.”

.:+++:.

   “We have to go.” Dreyden stated as he walked into the room.
Everyone looked up in surprise at his sudden entry.
   “Go? Now?” Terryn asked.
   “Yes. Now.”
Ellie noticed the look in his eye, as did Merek.
   “What happened Drey?” He asked.
   “Infidels are on the move.”
Ellie rose to her feet at the news.
   “Where are they heading?”
Drey’s eyes met hers.
   “Asmodea.”
Gasps went through the two girls as the boys grew serious.
   “You saw them?” Terryn asked.
   “Aye, even asked one of the patrols what other possible targets there were in that direction.”
   “And?”
Drey shook his head.
   “There is none except Asmodea.”
   “What are we suppose to do with Sonera then?” Ysmay pointed out.
Everyone hesitated until Terryn spoke up.
   “Drey and Elowen need to get to Asmodea, we don’t.” He gestured to the remanding three.
   “We’ll stay here and watch over Sonera. You two go ahead, we’ll catch up with you.”
Elowen was about to protest when Ysmay reassured her.
   “He’s right. We’ll be fine.”
Elowen sighed and began to pack up her things.
   “Well brother,” Merek said, coming up to Dreyden. “I suppose this would have been goodbye, if I was staying here. However, I’m coming with you. And no! This is not open for discussion. I’m not about to let you walk into the dragon’s den with out me to back you up.” Merek finished with a grin.
Drey smiled back, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to talk him out of it, nor did he want to.
   “We’ll be expecting a letter to be sent out as soon as Sonera is well and before you travel.” Elowen instructed. Ysmay nodded and watched her dear friend sling her pack onto her shoulder and take up her staff.
   “I’ll see you again, Eleyos willing, in a few days time.” Elowen said, hugging Ysmay tightly, and then doing the same to Terryn.
   “And no magic while I’m gone.” She said, pointing a finger at him. “None.”
Ysmay chuckled at Terryn’s blushing cheeks.
   “I’ll keep him strait.” She called out as Drey led the trio out of the room.
   “Behave you two.” Merek instructed as he brought up the rear, smiling at them before he closed the door.
On the other side, he chuckled as he saw their stunned faces in his mind’s eye.
Aye, they’ll turn out just fine. He thought.

Chapter Ninteen

Chapter 19: Becoming One



The familiar beat of Thorodan's wings became a calming lullaby. The wind whipping through his hair made his lips crack, and his nose numb, but he wasn't thinking on those things.
His thoughts were on his mission, and how he was to go about it.
Before, he would have turned around. But now, he knew he couldn't, and a new sense of purpose flooded through his spirit like a crashing wave.
   From what little he knew about Falion, he knew he would either have to convince a king, or a council. Neither of those was he looking forward to convincing.

Night had begun to fall when he spotted the first village.
Forests had replaced the plain several leagues back. This he decided, was both good and bad.
The forest meant Thorodan would be easily hidden, but also make it harder for him to land, and easier for Kade to get lost on his way back to the yerto, or to the village.
He was careful not to let the yerto near the village as they searched for a clearing, he had no desire to be looked down in fear or anger when he walked into the village, as they asked questions about the strange bird flying over their roofs.
They finally found one not too far from the village, that Kade would not freeze before he got there, but far enough into the dense forest, they wouldn't be found by accident.
Thorodan landed, squawking as his feet came in contact with the cold ground. Kade immediately jumped down and looked around the clearing with a sharp eye.
There was nothing to see, except the darkness between the dense trees, and the snow falling lightly, covering any tracks on the ground that might have been there before.
Kade had made a note while they had flown that the village was due north, he glanced up and looked at the position of the sun and nodded. It shouldn't take him too long to get there.
He then looked around and saw a small alcove of tall bushes and immediately walked over to investigate.
He found no animal living there, the wall of bushes was pointed towards the north, which was good, so the wind would not hit the opening.
Quickly he hacked down a few branches from surrounding trees, along with a few other bushes to create a temporary shelter.
He whistled to Thorodan and guided him into the shelter. It was just tall enough for the bird to have head room, while sitting down.
   "There you go old boy. I'm going to go down to the town. I'll come back in the morning and then we'll be on our way. I'll bring you back some jerky, I promise." He said, rubbing the bird's neck affectionately, before plunging into the dark forest.

The villagers of Calsven were going about their usual lives. The women took care of the children while doing the laundry, or going to the market, while the men went hunting, or attended their sheep or prepared for the next farming season.
The last thing they excepted was a new arrival in the their humble little town. But there he was none the less. Frozen half to death and asking for directions to the inn.

Anna walked along the streets, a basket balanced on her head, her free hand clutching her numerous skirts out of the brown snow. She turned to the corner into the market square and froze as if the ice had touched it's fingers on her joints, not allowing her to move.
Her eyes clasped in on a violet pair that looked strange. She saw the dark hair that framed the young boy's face, the flush of his cheeks and the cloud of his breath on the air. She saw his cloak wrapped tightly around him to ward off the cold, and the warned look in his face that said he had traveled a great distance.
She looked around and spotted her sister coming up behind her.
   "Eleanor, here," she handed her sister the basket. "Take this and sell it to farmer Aidan. He should give you thirty yewns for it."
Eleanor gave her sister a quizzical look, but Anna was already running across the square to the boy that was about to collapse from exhaustion.
   "Come let me help you sir." She said, swinging his arm over her shoulder just as he legs gave out. When she moved his hand, she saw a flash of hard leather, and in the belt hugging his hips, was a long sword.
She quickly got over the shock as the boy pulled himself up onto his feet.
   "I'm sorry ma'am. I am looking for the inn." He said, his voice husky and harsh, his accent was unfamiliar to her. He pronounced every word crystal clear, unlike the low hum and blur that everyone she knew spoke with.
   "Come, my father owns the inn. Let me show you where it is." She said, letting go of the boy and lead the way down the streets of Calsven.

When Anna bought the stranger into her father's inn, her father was immediately on them, setting the boy up in a private room, ordering a hot meal for him and arranging him access to the hot springs in the back of the inn, that the family had turned into a place where weary travelers could rest their feet and over come their aches of their travels.
That night Kade slept though it peacefully, for the first time in a long time.

{+++}

Sonera was growing anxious.
She trusted Eleyos with all her heart, but she still couldn't help but wonder where Kade had ended up.
And it wasn't hard for Ysmay and Elowen to read her thoughts.
They exchanged glances as they watched Sonera's restless attitude.
   "Sonera, it's going to be fine. We'll find him." Ysmay spoke up, clasping the girl's hands to keep them still.
Sonera sighed and smiled at the smaller girl.
   "Am I that obvious?" She asked.
Elowen smiled and came up beside her.
   "Only to us lasses. The lads don't see a thing."
Sonera laughed at this, and the two girls looked relieved to hear it.

The gang had been walking for days, following Elowen's knowledge of Falion, the gang made their way from the Arriescent Ruins and towards Asmodea.
Outside the protection of the Illumination Forest, they were greeted by harsh winds and snow blizzards.

   "Well this is fantastic." Merek noted gloomily, barely audible over the wind.
Ellie sighed and pulled out Drey's map again.
   "The closest town is Calsven." She informed. "It's several leagues due north."
Drey nodded and shifted his pack.
   "Then lets get going."
Merek and Drey led the group into the snow, knowing that the small town was their only hope of a warm meal and soft bed.

They didn't go very far before they saw a second forest rise up from the ground.
   "Is that more of the Illumination Forest?" Merek shouted over the wind.
Ellie sook her head as she pulled her robe tighter.
"No, that is the Zipora forest." She hollered back.
He nodded and turned to Drey. The two discussed what they were going to do.
As they came to a decision, they led them into the forest's edge.
   "The forest is due north." Drey explained. "So we'll go through it and hopefully get out of this wind."
Ellie nodded, agreeing it was a good plan.
   Once inside the shelter of the forest, they paused a moment to catch their breaths.
Ellie looked around at her friends and shook her head.
   "We might have a wee problem when we get into Calsven." she said.
Sonera tossed her silver locks out of her blue eyes and placed her hands on her hips.
   "And what's that then?" She asked.
Elowen gestured to her and Ysmay.
   "I know on Cevlon it is alright for a lass to dress as a lad. But down here that's not done. We'll stick out like a sore thumb. And lads! No one is going to help us if they see how armed you are."
They all glanced at each other and found that she was right.
   "But Ellie," Ysmay spoke up. "How are we suppose to get new clothes? You are the only one dressed appropriate, how are you to carry it all?"
   "I'll buy one set of clothes and bring it back for you, once you've changed you can help me gather the rest."
Ysmay nodded in agreement.
   "Sounds like a plan lass." Merek said. Then he nudged Drey in the ribs.
   "She's a real keeper that one."
Drey looked as if he could murder him, but Elowen was just laughing.
   "Come on then. I could do with thicker skirts." She said. Sonera and Ysmay agreed eagerly since they now knew that they're leather pants didn't do much against the hard winter.
   "Aye, I'm with you on that." They said with a chuckle.

{+++}

After Ysmay and Elowen had changed into dresses with thick wool skirts, and sheeps skin vests, the two went out into the market againt to gather up some more clothes for the rest.
As Elowen bartered for a plane green dress for Sonera, she over head two women talking, on their way home.
   "We don't get many strangers in the middle of winter." One lady was saying, deep in thought.
   "Aye," Agreed her companion. "And such a strange lad too. That violet gaze. I've never seen anything like it."
Ellie froze a moment in shock. But quickly recovered as the man behind the counter handed her the dress she had paid for.
   "Thank you sir." She said with a smile as he dipped his head in acknowledgement and Elowen hurried off  to meet Ysmay in the middle of the square.
Ysmay appeared, arms loaded with tunics, vests, jackets, and a single cloak.
   "Drey always forgets his cape." she explained as she gave half the pile to Elowen with a motherly smile. Ellie just giggled.
   "Well lets hurry up before night falls. I bet Sonera's freezing with nothin' but those leather legging she wears." Ellie noted as she took off leading the way back to the forest where they had left their friends.

   "Wait, so Kade was here?" Sonera asked as she tried the vest on tightly over her jacket, then placing her cape on over it.
   "Oh, this is much better." She remarked as she glanced down at her new dress, while she placed her weapon belt on her hips.
   "It is isn't it? I might not go back to leather leggings." ysmay agreed.
   "But back to Kade. Do you know if he's still here?" Sonera repeated. Ellie gave a little shrug.
   "I don't know. But I'm sure we can ask the innkeeper."
Drey came out from behind a thick screen of bushes, tightening his weapons belt subcounciously, as he listened into the girls' conversation.
   "We can definitely ask." He agreed, coming up beside Ellie as he went to fix his quiver.
   "Well of course we can ask!" Merek cried, still behind the bushes.
   "But first I want a nice hot meal and some good coffee."
   "Hey!" Ysmay shouted in offence. "What's wrong with my coffee?!"
Terryn stumbled otu into view, tripping over his laces.
   "There's nothing wrong with your coffee." He objected as he knelt to tie up his boots.
   "Lad, your vision is tainted, so when it comes to Ysmay's coffee let me be the judge." Merek said, coming out and pushing Terryn over into the snow.
Ellie sighed and handed Drey his new cape.
   "come on. Let's get some rooms before there's none left." She said with a roll of her eyes.

   "I have to say, that was the best meal I've had in a long while." Merek declared as he slammed his mug onto the beaten up table.
Ysmay rolled her eyes and dutifully ignored him.
Drey nudged Sonera and gestured to the innkeeper. She eagerly nodded, and the two of them jumped up and walked over to him.
   Ellie watched them, though they were too far away for her to hear what they were saying.
   "You're not getting a wee bit jealous are you lass?" Merek asked with what would have been a strait face if it wasn't for the smile lurking on his lips.
   "Merek! Have some respect." Ysmay hissed, hitting his head with her mug, splashing some of her coffee onto his new vest.
   "Oi! Watch what you're doing lass! You got it all over my new vest!"
Ysmay ignored him once again and gave Ellie an apologetic look, but Ellie had decided enough was enough.
   "To be entirely honest Merek," She said. "No. I am not jealous. Drey is his own person, I can not control his feelings towards me. If he likes me or not is his business, and blast it all if he doesn't! -"
   "But I do like you." A voice mumbled behind her.
She almost wanted to cry when she heard those words.
Merek and the rest of the lot looked happy. As if they knew this and were just waiting for him to say something.
But ever since he had confirmed her dreams, she was hoping the feelings would go as just a passing fancy.

   "...Ellie? Are you alright lass?" Ysmay asked, noticing something was off.
Ellie met her eyes, and thoguh her voice refused to conjour up words, her eyes gave more than enough.
She couldn't take the five pairs of eyes on her, waiting for her to confess feelings that could never be.
She jumped out of her chair, letting it topple to the floor with a clatter that got drowned among the loud noise of the common room.
Ellie ran out into the snow not taking notice that she had left her cape on the table, she just kept running through the town square and out of the town completely.
She didn't stop until she was at the edge of the forest, there she leaned against one of the trees.
Tears spilled over hot, but instantly became ice as they rolled down her cheeks. Her sobs wracked her whole body 'til it became uncontrolable.
   "Eleyos, if it's impossible, then why did you put these feelings here?" She cried, collapsing in the snow, hugging her legs to her chest.
   "I know all things happen for a reason, but this?" She knew it was selfish to cry. She wasn't crying because the feelings were there. She was crying because she could never act upon them.
She would end up just like the monks in the monastery.
Growing old, alone.

Something warm was drapped over her. She was grateful for the cloak, but refused to acknowledge the person crouched next to her.
  "Ellie I'm sorry." Drey's voice had an instant calming affect on her. So much so she had difficulty keeping her guard up.
   "I - I..." the boy hung his head and let out a sigh. "I didn't mean to just blurt it out like that. I just couldn't help myself. I thought it had been pretty obvious. Since everyone else seemed to know about it."
Elowen's sobs had stopped, and now she took a deep breath.
   "It was obvious Drey." She whispered
His head shot up in surprise.
   "I mean why else would you break me out of jail, or go to some where you haven't been too since your childhood, and bring your family with you on top of that?"
Drey hesitated a moment before responding.
   "Well if you put it that way, yeah I guess it is pretty obvious. so why did you...?" He refused to finish that sentence, but waiting for her to answer was almost just as bad.
Ellie sighed and finally looked at him.
   "Because it can never work Dreyden." She answered.
His face was full of confusion.
   "Why not?"
She drew in a sharp breath before answering.
   "Because you are the prince, soon to be king. Its going to be hard enough getting the two worlds to unite under the same line, what do you think they'll say if they see you marrying a lass that is nothing but an orphan and a Magi on top of it?! I can't imagine what the Cevlonians will think of that since they already killed me."
She pushed herself onto her feet and walked a few paces away.
   "You're acting as if I'll take up the throne!" Drey called after her.
   "You are! Other wise what your parents did for you will mean nothing. And the line truly will die!"
   "What if I don't want the responsibilities?!" Drey rose from his crouch and walked towards her. His cheeks were flushed, his hair blown across his forehead. She saw he had forgotten his own cloak, but showed no sign of feeling the cold.
   "Do you know how big my father's shoes are? Do you know how much I’ll have to go through to get accepted, or even acknowledged that I am the heir. And after that I not only have to keep up with one kingdom, but two! What if - What if I just want a normal life as a normal hunter?"
Elowen realized what he was asking in between the lines. And she came to a very hard decision that almost tore her in two.
   "Dreyden listen to me very closely." She looked him evenly in the eyes with such a fire in her own that he was  a bit startled.
   "I cannot marry you when you are a king. Nor will I marry you if you shun everything and become estranged to your own heritage. Something's are never meant to be." She then stood there, her face set in determined lines, and Drey knew he wouldn't be able to change her mind.
Taking a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers, he leaned in. Elowen's breath got caught in her throat, as she screamed in her head. Surely he wouldn't disrespect me to that extent!
But Drey would never dishonor her in even the smallest way.
He simply leaned close to her ear.
   "I can live as a king, or as a hunter, but I will never stop loving you." He whispered.
Elowen's eyes grew wide in shock.
Drey knew that she would hold true to her word. But he also had been shocked to find that she was so desperate for him to become king that she would with hold her own feelings for the greater good of the kingdoms. It was because of her own strength, that he knew he would do anything to make her happy. Including taking up his heritage once more.
   "Why else would I break you out of jail? or come to a place I haven't been since childhood, bringing my family with me?" He asked, coming away from her so he could see her face.
   "It's because I love you Elowen."
She was shaking her head, trying to deny it all.
   "One cannot fall in love so quickly Drey -"
   "If it's Eleyos' will then yes one can." Drey answered back coolly.
Elowen wanted to believe that was true. No. She knew it to be true because she had felt that way for a long while now. But...
   "But Drey I -"
He took a hold of her small shoulders.
   "I would never force anything on you Elowen. Never. But because of you, I will take up the throne. Or at least try. But I need you to do something for me,"
Her heart had soared and dropped in one instant.
   "Tell me you don't feel the same way, so I don't have false hopes and can burry these feelings and not speak of them again."
Tears sprang up from her eyes once again.
   "Drey -" Pleading was in her voice and he couldn't stand it.
   "No. Just say it so I can put this behind me." He said firmly, hanging his head so he couldn't see the pain in her tears.
Elowen reached up with her cold fingers and ran them through his hair. It was soft like she thought it might be, and she hadn't realized how many times she had wanted to run her fingers through them until she actually was.
   "I've been taught all my life not to lie. And I'm not going to start now lad." she whispered.
He slowly reached up and grabbed her hands, pulling them out of his hair.
For a moment, she was scared she had gone too far, but the thought was quickly dismissed.
Guided by an instinct he didn't quite know he had, Dreyden cupped her chin, running his thumb across her skin. His touch sent a shiver up her spine and she didn't dare breathe.
Drey hesitated only a moment, asking permission. His heart soared when she gave him the slightest head nod.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he leaned in closer, his eyes watching her carefully. Her eyes fluttered close as he drew nearer, but after that, all he saw as a burst of colors so bright and vibrant they almost blinded him. He never knew he could feel so much in one instant, so much joy, happiness and contentment. He could have sworn he heard a child giggle.

It seemed forever, and only a moment when they broke apart. Panting as if they had been running hard.
For a single minute, they were in paradise. All the problems of their lives, forgotten.
But then reality came crashing back, stealing Ellie's breath.
   "But Drey! What about -" He hushed her by placing a finger on her mouth.
   "I'm the prince El. I use to study the laws, and I don't remember anything that says  king can only marry royalty." He said with that calming smile she had always loved.
   "But it's been done for centuries." She protested, though she wasn't entirely sure why.
   "Yes, but that is just tradition. There is nothing in the laws that say I have to marry royalty. That's only happened in the past to unite other kingdoms."
   "I still don't think Cevlon will like it." She stated after a moment of thought.
Drey smiled at her worried face.
   "No. I don't believe they will but it really doesn't matter since I'm their king, they'll have to listen anyways. Have you realized how many times someone has said you'll be my strength? Don't you think they knew something?"
She opened her mouth before she could fully comprehend what he had said.
   "Well...Yes, I suppose so." She said slowly.
   "Then Eleyos must have meant for this to be."
She still didn't feel completely at ease, when a thought occurred to her.
  "Alright," She said, grasping his hands tight. "I will do anything you want within the laws of honor and chivalry, but you have to promise me something first."
Drey nodded solemnly.
   "Wait for things to cool down after you ascend the throne. It'll be hard enough for people to accept and get use to that, we needn't throw a marriage that breaks tradition at them as well."
Drey shook his head in wonder.
   "What would I do with out you?"
   "You'd still be trying to find something worth living for." She stated in all seriousness.
Drey laughed first at her serious answer, and then at her confused expression.
   "Come on, the others will be worried by now." He intertwined his fingers with hers and led the way back to Calsven.

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter 18: Windflame


Terryn led the way onto the dais to the Gem. Elowen noticed that his back was strait, and his shoulders were tense.
He stopped a pace away from the wards and she heard him take in a deep breath.
She laid a hand on his shoulder, coming up beside him.
   "Just breathe. Remember?"
He looked at her, his bight eyes even brighter than usual because of the anticipation.
   "Lets just get this over and get out of here. I'm tired of the musty air."
Ellie nodded and gathered her energy, knowing he was doing the same.

The other four stood anxiously by, wanting to do something useful but knowing there wasn't much they could do other than sit there and wait.  Which none of them liked.
   "I sure hope they do it quickly." Ysmay whispered to Merek.
   "It would go a lot faster if you weren't whispering back there." Terryn called over his shoulder.
Ysmay jumped like she had been caught with her hand in the gravik candy.
   "Sorry!" She whispered back, causing a ripple of laughter from everyone. She blushed deeply and sunk behind Merek's shoulder a bit, but not before she saw Terryn wink at her.
Sonera just smiled, seeing as she had received that wink a thousand times before, but it was just now she realized what it meant. Kade had winked at her like that whenever she had gotten nerves or scared. Now it dawned on her that he had meant it out of love. Not the kind of friendly love he had always shown her, but a deeper love then she could have never guessed.
This sudden realization made her stifle back a sob.
   "Are you alright Sonera?" Ysmay asked, noticing the change in her demeanor.
Sonera sucked it up and hid her feelings away. Those feelings would do no good to her now. She had no idea where Kade might be, but she knew he was safe with Eleyos, and she couldn't dwell on the feelings that might be just a figment of her imagination.
She shook her head in response to Ysmay's question, and then turned her attention to the two Magi on the dais.

   "Are you ready?" Elowen asked.
The boy nodded eagerly.
   "Alright, then lets begin."
Their voices rose and fell melodically as they chanted the spells to take down the wards.
The spectators watched in wonder as the area around the pedestal seemed to shimmer until the invisible wall around it melted away.
It's hard to make out what exactly they were melting, but what ever it was, it was melting. Ysmay got excited, jumping up and down like a little girl, doing all she could to contain her squealing. Drey looked at her and grinned wildly, equally excited, but not giving it away so obviously. Sonera and Merek smiled as well, not as excited as they're friends, but excited none the less.

Finally, none of the wards were left up, and the two Magi stopped chanting and took several deep breathes. Trying to regain their strength.
   "El are you alright?" Drey asked, coming up behind her.
She nodded as he helped her up and she tried to stand on her own, only she teetered and quickly grasped his arm that hadn't gone far.
  "Okay, so maybe I'm not so alright." She muttered. Drey nodded and wrapped his arm around her waist so she could use him as a support.
Once she knew she wouldn't be going anywhere, she turned to Terryn, who looked slightly winded, but other wise unaffected.
   "How are you holding up Terryn?" She asked.
He shook his head, trying to clear it.
   "I'll be good in a moment. That took more out of me than I thought it would."
She nodded in understanding.
   "Yes. Now, go get Windflame."
He looked at her in surprise.
   "Me?" He pointed to himself. "Why me?"
   "Because you were the first one to know what element it was."
   "I thought it was an obvious thing." He pointed out. She smiled.
   "For you, yes. Because it's calling to you, now go pick it up and lets be done with it." She urged.
Terryn moved cautiously to the pedestal, still expecting the wards to be up. But the closer he got the more he realized that the magic had actually worked, and he arrived at the pedestal unhindered and perfectly fine.
He glanced back at Ellie, who motioned for him to hurry up.  He turned back to the Gem and hesitantly reached up to take it.
The heat that he had felt earlier, was stronger now. His fingertips brushed the Gem, where he expected it to be steaming hot, burning to touch. It was hot, but cooled some once he touched it.
He took the Gem off it's pedestal and held it close.
He made his way back to the others, starring in wonder at the small Gem that made such a big fuss over.
   "Do you think it'll have a tiger in it like yours does?" He asked.
   "Uh...." She racked her brain for information on the Lost Gem's. "No, I don't think so, but it'll have something I know. Some kind of animal. They're the Guardians of the Gems, they're last line of defense. So yes, I think this one will have some kind of animal. But I do not know what."
Terryn nodded but suddenly jumped, almost dropping the stone when that animal appeared.
The rest of the crowed jumped back a pace, Merek almost cried out.
A sudden ball of flame, hovered over the Gem, still clutched in Terryn's grasp. Slowly, that flame, formed a body, then wings, finally a head and tail. Though none of it was any less a flame.
Elowen gasped in delight.
   "It's a phoenix!" She cried.
Terryn looked back between her and the animal.
   "A what?"
   "A phoenix you daft dimbo. Where have you been living? Under a rock?"
Elowen smiled as the others tried to figure out where the voice was coming from.
Their eyes finally fell on the phoenix it's self. His eye looked at Terryn suspiciously. Taking in the boy's innocent gaze.
   "Oh just my luck," The phoenix said, shaking it's head. "I finally get someone to take me away from this cursed place, with the only person to talk to an old ghost, and I get some plot who doesn't know a phoenix from any other bird." He complained.
Elowen nudged Terryn, who looked at her with wide bight eyes.
   "Ask it's name." She suggested.
   "I -" He looked back at the strange bird. "You want me to talk to it?" He asked in shock.
Drey tried to disguise his laughter as a cough.
   "I talk to Lorem all the time." She reminded him.
He turned back to the  phoenix and cleared his throat.
   "Um...what's - what's your name?" He asked hesitantly.
The phoenix eyed him with a beady eye for a moment before replying.
   "Raklos."
   "Well now that that's over and done with, let's get out of here." Merek said.
As they moved towards their camp to gather their things, a low rumble could be heard.
   "What was that?" Sonera asked, her head tilted towards the sound.
Merek stalled for a moment, before hastily packing up his things.
   "Probably some of the rocks coming down or something. This place is old and I'd rather get out of here before it fell on top of us all."
The rumbling got louder, several stones that laid on the ground began to vibrate.
   "I think it's too late for that." Elowen said. She looked up at Drey, the meaning, clear to him.
   "Get your stuff!" He cried. "Hurry!"
They all scrambled to grab their things before he led the way out of the Citadel and into the tunnel and back up the stairs.
Stones were falling everywhere, making it hard for them to get any purchase on the stairs.
They were constantly ducking and holding their hands over their heads to ward off any stones that might hit them.
They were quickly out of the secret tunnel to the Inner Sanctum, they burst into the throne room.
   "Keep moving!" Merek yelled over the thundering sound of crashing boulders, and cascading glass from the high windows.
The gang ran through the throne room, to the open door at the end. As they came out, several heavy stones fell in the doorway, blocking it.
   "Well there's no going back that way I suppose." Terryn remarked.
They all nodded, seeing as that was all they could do as they tried to regain their breaths.
    "Come on then. We had best - " Merek's voice was cut off when he suddenly saw a young boy standing in front of them.
   "What in the blazes?!" He cried, jumping away from the child. "Where on Cevlon did you come from?!"
The boy's gold eyes looked him over as he smiled, his gold hair whipping into his face.
   "You must go strait to Asmodea." The child said. The authority in his tone was quiet obvious, making Merek and Dreyden stall for a moment.
   "Why?" Drey asked, gathering his wits about him once more. "We have to go to other places." He answered.
   "You must go strait to Asmodea." The boy repeated, starring Drey in the eyes.
Drey opened his mouth to speak but words refused to come.
   "Is there a particular reason as to why we must go to Asmodea right now?" Merek asked.
   "You will find what you are looking for in Asmodea. There is not much time left. You have to go strait to Asmodea to avoid the ruin of both worlds."
Elowen jerked her head up at that thought.
   "And by the things we are looking for, you mean....?" She asked letting her sentence hang, but the meaning was obvious.
   "The Lost Gems will be waiting for you, along with your rightful place." His eyes were back on Dreyden, only he and Ellie of them all knew what the boy was talking about.
   "I can't take that place." Drey muttered.
   "You have to. She will get you through it. Now go before you waist more time." He ordered, and then he was gone, just as quickly as he had appeared.
Everyone exchanged looks, Merek was dying to know what the boy was talking about to Dreyden, but he knew by the look in his brother's eye that that wasn't a topic open for discussion.
   "I guess it's off to Asmodea." He said, starting out across the rickety draw bridge and through Arricsent.
The others glanced at each other before taking off after him, not wanting to be left behind in the dead city.

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter 17: A Light Heart


Terryn gave the simple spell another go, quieting his mind and giving his entire concentration on the words he was speaking.
   "Ceo ke'veen." He said in a firm tone, his eyes squinting at the bolder he was trying to levitate. He could feel the magic leaving his core, moving through his finger tips, and move to the rock.
Elowen bit her thumb nail as she waited anxiously to see if he would harness his power this time.
She watched as redish orange magic poured out of his finger tips, and towards the rock. The tendrils caressed the rock, encasing it, and raising it up steadily.
She barely contained her shout of glee, scared she'd break his concentration.
He was much more powerful then she thought. This was the seventh test she had put him through, and he had passed them all with flying colors.
The bolder made it off the ground a good two feet before he let the magic go, and turned to her with an excited smile.
   "You're simply amazing!" She cried. "I could have never done that as fast as you have. It's simply amazing." She gapped in wonder.
   "So does that mean you two can start working on those wards so we can get out of here?" Dreyden asked. Coming over from the camp fire the others had made a little ways off.
Elowen nodded eagerly.
   "Really?!" Terryn asked in shock. "You think I'm ready for that?"
   "Oh definitely! You've already shown extreme knowledge and control over your power that we shouldn't have a problem." She said, hesitating a second when she finished that sentence. "If I've got the strength to do it." She added.
Dreyden thought for a minute. He didn't want to see her go into a coma again, and also knew that she had been performing a lot of spells lately, so her energy level would be lower then normal and they had to get it back up.
   "Tell you what," He said, coming to a decision. "Why don't you two start on this first thing tomorrow, after a good nights sleep and a decent breakfast? I'm sure you will both feel much better in the morning since both of you have been going at this for quite some time now."
Elowen smiled and thanked Eleyos for his clear thinking. It was true, she was very tired and her mind was beginning to get clouded.
   "Alright, lets do that then, I'm exhausted and just want to lie down before I pass out on all of you and become a nuisance." She remarked as they walked over to the small campfire.
   "You're never a nuisance." Dreyden whispered in her ear as they approached the others. She couldn't hide the blush on her cheeks that stood out against her pale complexion, but the smile wouldn't leave her lips either.
She sat down next to Sonera and Ysmay, as Terryn and Drey moved to the other side.
Ysmay handed Ellie a cup and she smiled.
   "Nothing like a good cup of coffee to give one some strength." She said with a smile. Ellie smiled back gratefully and sipped the warm drink, thankful for it as it warmed her body against the damp chill.
Ysmay gave a cup to Terryn as well, who smiled at her.
   "Did you see? I actually moved the bolder! That thing must weight several tons!"
Merek hid a chuckle as he saw the boys excitment.
   "Yes we all saw it Terryn. You're much more useful then we thought." He remarked.
Terryn beamed at him for a moment, then realized the stab in the back in that statement.
   "Oi!" He shouted.
The company laughed and couldn't stop even after Terryn had joined in with them.
When they finally died down, Elowen finished off her coffee slipped off her white robe and rolled it up to use it as a pillow. Then she lied down on the hard stone, covered in a bed of moss. Peace flowed over her like a river, allowing her mind to go still and fall into a deep sleep where she prayed dreams would leave her be.

{+++}

Tears streamed down her cheeks, her long blond hair hung loose around her shoulders, swept in her face by the wind and the storm. 
They had feared this would be their fate. 
Her eyes took in the flaming torches and the spears and swords held firmly in the grasp of the city she grew up in. They're resentment towards her and her family was like a knife in her heart. 
   "Feyeon!" 
She turned to see her beloved standing in the door way of the keep. He walked up to her and looked out at the walls. 
   "We must get the boys out of the city. It is not safe for any of us here." He said, taking her hand and guiding her into the keep. 
Two boys followed behind them, packs on their backs, their faces solemn and sad. 
Elowen realized the youngest, who couldn't be older then four years old, looked strangely familiar.
   "Mother, why must we go?" He asked, jogging a step and taking her hand.
Feyeon looked down at him with a forced smile.
   "We're going, because we need a vacation." 
The little boy cocked his head at her, his blue eyes piercing hers with curiosity. She could tell he wanted to ask questions, but he knew it was not the time to ask them.

{+++}

Elowen awoke, gasping for air, and jolting upright.
Her body shivered of the usual cold sweats that always accompanied the dreams. She pushed her fair hair away from her forehead and glanced around.
The fire was still burning bight, but the others were fast asleep.
After a moment, she rose from the ground and walked away from the camp, yearning for fresh air to clear her head.
   She found it in one of the cracks in the wall. Dawn was just approaching, the soft rays warmed her face and soothed her racing mind. She knew now her dreams were of the past. Feyoen, and her husband had indeed fled from Asmodea when her father died. He had been the only thing between his daughter and the rising rage of the city for what was viewed as betrayal to her people.
It was written in books that when the mob broke into the keep, they found no trace of the family, or where they had gone. This is when the line of the kings was broken because no one ever came back to claim it.

   "Ellie?"
The voice broke her out of her thoughts of the past, making her jump slightly. She turned her head and found herself looking into a piercing blue gaze full of curiosity.
The air got sucked out of her as some of the pieces fell in place. But she had let it show on her face, which he noticed.
   "What's wrong?" He asked.  
She hastily shook her head.
   "Nothing I just..." She sighed. She hated lying, she always avoided it as much as she could, and she didn't want to start now. He looked at her, knowing she didn't want to say what was on her mind, but having a feeling it was about him the way she was dodging his gaze.
   "I have something to tell you." He said, deciding to break the ice first. He watched has her breathing hitched and she slowly looked his way. Ultimately, she was a mess. There was dark circles under her forest green eyes, she was pale and her skin glistened with sweat telling him she hadn't slept well.
   "There are something's you don't know about me. And I know that if we're going to be friends I've got to be a bit more trusting." He started, feeling a bit dumb but did his best to ignore the feeling and keep going.
   "I -"
   "You're a Falionite." She answered for him.
He looked up at her in shock. He never told anyone that, he had lived most his life on Cevlon, so most believed he had lived there all his life. And he saw no reason to contradict them.
   "How did you...?" He asked.
She drew in a sharp breath and gazed up at the rising sun.
   "Ever since I...I died," She struggled to get that word out, still not fully believing she had died. "I've been having these dreams. I didn't know what they meant, but now they're far enough along I know what Eleyos is showing me."
Dreyden still hadn't the slightest clue what she was talking about.
   "It started out with the last princess Falion ever had. Feyoen..."
She spent the next half hour explaining the dreams she's had since she woke up from death. As she did, she watched Dreyden carefully, not sure how he'd react when she had learned his past. His eyes showed shock, but his face was marble. Hard and cold, showing no emotion at all.
When she was finished, he didn't say anything for a long time.
He looked at the still sleeping forms to make sure none of them had awaken before he went to speak.
   "It's true. You already know that."
She let out her breath as if she had been waiting for him to claim she was mistaken.
   "All my life I've kept that a secret. It weighed me down to the point I thought I might die from it's weight. So first off, I want to thank you." He said, meaning every word he said. Elowen smiled reassuringly and gratefully at him, knowing he meant it.
He waited a moment, expecting her to speak.
   "This is usually where the volley of questions come in, or the broken jaws, or the yelling, or something!" He said anxiously.
Elowen's smile grew bigger as she shook her head.
   "I know you better then most people who would do that. Just because you have a fancy title doesn't mean you, yourself has changed."
Drey was shocked by her level head, and how she handled the news. But something told him she had guessed it a while ago.
   "But I do have one question," She said slowly.
He nodded, knowing that was bound to happen.
   "How did you get to Cevlon? I know your family was desperate to get you to safety, knowing they had to preserve the line somehow. And I know your father was in a field when the Nigvourians attacked, but...what happened after that?"
He drew in a deep breath and propped himself up on the bolder Terryn had moved the day before.
   "Because my father was a Cevlonian, he still had his yerto. He had kept him hidden in a grove, in middle of the forest for emergencies like that night. Originally he had hoped to save us all, so he had several other yertos there so my brother and mother could come as well. But..."
The memory was a painful one as it flashed back into his mind.

He tore through the underbrush, ignoring the cuts he got from the branches and thrones. Falling several times along the way, but those weren't the cause of the tears.
When he broke through the forest and into the grove he saw three brightly colored yertos. His father stood saddling them up, tightening the straps, making adjustments. But when he heard the rustling of the leaves, he pulled out his long sword and stood ready. When Dreyden appeared out of the bushes, he quickly lowered his sword and rushed over to his son.
   "Drey! You're alright." He said, hugging him tightly. 
Drey had tried to keep the tears from falling, had tried to be the bigger man but he was only eight. 
   "Where's your mother and brother?" His father asked. 
That's when he lost it. 
His father's eyes grew misty when he realized the cause of his tears. He hugged his only living son closer and took a minute to get himself composed. 
   "Come, we must get you away from here." He said quickly. Leading him to one of the yertos. He gave him a lift up and quickly instructed him how to keep control over the massive bird. 
There was a yell, and the crunching of breaking branches could be heard coming closer. His father pulled out his sword and turned to the oncoming Nigvourian. 
   "You must go Dreyden!" He shouted of the battle cry. 
Drey was screaming at his father, but he turned and gave him a look that silenced him. 
   "One of us must make it out of here alive. You must take up your place on the throne Dreyden. It must be you! You're the one who has equal claim to both. you have to join the worlds together. Now go!" 
His father had made a hand signal to the bird Drey was on, and the bird ruffled out it's wings and took flight. Taking a devastated boy with him, and leaving behind a doomed father.

A warm hand was intertwined with his. His eyes snapped up as he saw Elowen's face close to his. Tears were in his own eyes, clouding his vision, but he couldn't mistake the sadness in her eyes as she squeezed his hand hard.
She knew.
She knew what that grief was like. She had been ripped away from her own family more times then she cared to remember.
He wasn't alone.
Drey rose from the rock and pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her, resting his head on her shoulder.
Elowen was slightly shocked by the sudden embrace, but quickly hugged him back. She knew what a simple hug could do, even if it came from a stranger that understood.
She could feel his tears against her skin, her arms squeezed tighter as she tried to keep her own from spilling.
She had seen it. She had seen the whole scene. Before, she had never understood how much this boy had lost. But now she realized that he had lost more than any child should at such a young age. He had not only lost his home, but his family that loved him dearly, and because of that love, were willing to sacrifice their lives to make sure his was spared.
   "You're not alone Drey." She whispered, giving up the fight of keeping her tears back. His grip on her back tightened to the point she struggled a little to breath, but she didn't try to weasel out of it.
   "Thanks Ellie. It means a lot. Especially coming from you." He answered.
   "Ahem."
Ellie jumped in shock, pulling away from Dreyden and turning to see who was standing behind her.
It was just about everyone.
Merek had that look on his face that said 'I know everything, don't try to deny it', where as Ysmay and Sonera were giving genuine smiles like they were happy for her.
   "Well you two have been busy." Merek observed.
   "And if you mean by busy that we're simply getting to know each other then yes, Merek, we've been busy. But this is really not the time for that, so Terryn, you get a good nights sleep yes?" Elowen barely let him nod his head before she went on.
   "Good, then lets get to work. And Merek, keep your gop shut." She said in a playful but deadly tone.

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16: A Dark
Heart



Kade awoke with a ringing in his head that could be the death of him.
It was too bright out, even behind his tightly closed eyelids. He wanted it to go away. He wanted it all to go away.
Why couldn't things be just the way they were before? All this magic, and all these strange things on Falion gave him nothing but an unwanted headache.
Maybe that's why they decided to ignore each other. He thought glumly. Too much of a pain to think other wise.

Moments slipped by and he realized he was cold. Freezing.
He finally opened his eyes and was blinded with the bright sunrays. When his eyes had finally adjusted he rose into a sitting position. All the leather he wore was stiff, making it hard to move. He moved his hand out to help himself up, but jumped back when they came in contact with something wet and cold.
   "What in Eleyos' name....?" His voice was gravely and horce. A groan left his lips as he forced his muscles to work with him. When he rose he looked around, and saw nothing but white to the north, but as he turned around, nothing but black dirt covered the south.
The winter chill nipped at him, a shiver ran down his spine as he pulled his cloak closer.
   "Where in the blazes am I?" He mumbled, rubbing his hands together, trying to keep them warm. Snow fell from the sky like ash, landing in his hair, and on his eyelashes.
He knew he had to keep moving or risk freezing, but there was the decision on which way to go. The north looked like a barren waist land full of snow and harsh winds, that didn't look inviting, but then it was either that or another barren waist land that was black instead of white. Neither option looked good.
   "Kade..."
He jumped and turned in a full circle. Seeing nothing but the snow, he suspected the voice had been his imagination.
   "Marvelous, I'm loosing my mind as well. It's all because of that bloody ghost, and that bloody Magi." He grumbled.
   "Kade..."
He rationalized that he wouldn't imagine the same voice twice. It was a child's voice. But it seemed to float across the wind, making it difficult to pinpoint the origin.
   "Who's there?!" He called out.
Only silence answered his call. Kade scowled at himself, now he was talking to the wind. Of course it wasn't as silly as talking to a ghost.
   "Kade..."
This time he was able to pin point it's location among the wind. It was coming from the south. Having no better idea, or place to go, he headed south.

The snow fell thickly around him, soon covering his eyelashes, and what ever black hair that poked out from under his cowl.
He shivered as the chill froze him, starting from the fingers and toes, and going up.
   "Kade..."
He growled at the voice.
   "It's definitely a child. Only children are this annoying. Well them and this gang of idiots I've been stuck with." He grumbled to himself.
As he moved towards the black ground, the chill grew stronger, eventually his whole body was going into spasms that made the going harder.

   When his feet finally met the black soil, he couldn't make it out, why would there be snow everywhere, but here?
   "What is this?" He whispered, bending down and grabbing a handful of the dirt. It was as light as snowflakes, and as it slipped through his fingers, he saw that it was more like snowflakes then he thought, it didn't look like any kind of dirt he had seen.
   "Kade."
His head jerked up as he realized the sound was closer than before. He spotted a figure a little ways off. It was small, but he couldn't tell if it was an illusion. He walked towards the figure, not knowing what else to do. But he unsheathed his broad sword as he did.
Better safe than sorry, he thought.
The closer he came to the figure, the more he realized with a shock, it really was as small as it had appeared to be.
Before long, he was standing face to face with a child, that came no higher than the middle of his chest. His pure gold hair was long, brushing his shoulders as it moved in the wind. His eyes matched his hair, Kade realized in disbelief. Sonera was the only one with a shocking complexion, but this boy was even more shocking. Another thing that bothered Kade, was that the boy wore only a light tunic and pants. No shoes were on his small feet, and he didn't seem to even feel the cold at all.
   "Kade, you've been forgetting me." The boy said.
Kade figured a normal child would make this statement with resentment, and hurt. But neither of these were in this strange boy's tone. Instead it was sadness, but not for himself, Kade realized, but for him.
   "You have forgotten my promises, and my commands." The boy stated again.
Kade shook his head and placed his sword back in his sheath, realizing the boy held no immediate danger for him.
   "Who are you? And what in Eleyos' name are you going on about?!" He asked, annoyed with the way the boy was looking at him. That even though he was just a sprout, he looked at him as if he held all the secrets of the world.
The boy's eyes lit up and he nodded eagerly, as if Kade had said something right.
Kade was confused by this and didn't know what to make of this.
   "What?" He asked as the boy gestured for him to go on.
   "You said my name. I had thought you had forgotten me!"
Kade looked at the boy like he was insane for a moment before it dawned on him. And then it was disbelief.
   "Unbelievable.' He muttered. "Are you series? You can't be..."
The boy just looked at him and smiled.
   "For someone who claims to be my friend, you are not very loyal."
Kade shook his head and ran a hand through his hair before laughing nervously.
   "This is insane. I must have hit my head, or that bloody ghost's magic messed up with my head. Because this conversation isn't happening. You are not real, I am dreaming that's all. And I'll wake up back on Cevlon and still have a job, still have the one I love and -"
There was a sudden stinging sensation on his jaw. He hadn't seen the boy move, but he stood now in front of him, a hard look in his eye as he lowered his hand.
   "You have never known how to love me Kade. You are an Infidel. You are a fraud. you do not believe what you preach. You never learned how to love, and that is why, Kade, you find yourself alone, with no friends to turn too."
The violet eyed boy stood speechless, as the sudden slap in the face awoken him to how he had lived his life.
He was suddenly overwhelmed by grief. He saw moments in his life when he had let other things take first place in his life instead of Eleyos which he had always claimed to follow. He realized that he thought his status and occupation was far more important than his faith. He remembered how Sonera lived her life. She always put Eleyos first before her status. He remembered the fire in her blue eyes when she objected to him killing Elowen. That was putting Eleyos before her occupation, she had been doing that all her life. But he had never learned from it.
   "You are sorry." The boy realized, his expression softening back into sadness. "I know you thought you were doing the right thing. But you should learn from your friend. She has been on the right path, while you veered from it."
Tears streamed down his face as he felt the remorse, and grief hit him like a crashing wave.
   "I'm sorry." He cried. "I do not deserve to follow you. I have done nothing but defy you, over and over again. You should have struck me down."
Eleyos shook his head, his gold hair ruffled against the wind.
   "No. I give people second chances. I do not with hold that from them. I love them too much. It hurts me when I know they don't want me, so I give them chances to turn back to me. But Kade, I want to know if you'll follow me with your heart and your mind. I want to know that you will not let earthly things stand in your way of following me to where I ask you too go."
Kade nodded eagerly, and fell to his knees. He felt so overwhelmed with emotions, that he knew that Eleyos was showing him his own grief when one of his followers turns his back on him. And he couldn't bear it.
   "I will do as you say, I swear it."
Eleyos saw the sincerity in his eyes and nodded.
   "It's nice to have a friend back." He said with a wonderful smile, that showed the joy that flooded over him and into Kade's heart.
   "But this is not the only reason why I have brought you here Kade. There is something I must show you."
Eleyos led the way across the black dirt to what seemed to be some sort of rift. Kade marveled as flowers, and green grass appeared in his footsteps as if spring had come again, leaving behind small luminescent flowers, but then his eyes were drawn to the black dirt once again.
   "What kind of dirt is this? I have never seen it before." Kade ventured to ask.
   "It's not dirt." Eleyos said, turning his head so he could look at him. "It's ash."
Kade jolted in shock as he glanced down at where his feet stood warily.
The two continued walking for some good time. Eventually Kade's muscles warmed up enough to work properly, he even began to get feelings back in his fingertips and nose.
The rift came closer steadily. And Kade realized it was wider and deeper than he could see.
   "What is this?" He asked as they came to the edge of it. He cautiously stepped on the edge and peered into the darkness. His jaw fell as he realized why the area around the pit had no snow on it.
Down in the darkness, a glow could be seen of lava that moved around gently, lapping at the edges of the pit of rock, occasionally an air pocket would burst through the surface, making a splash.
   "This is Viglour's prison." Eleyos said calmly.
Kade's eyes grew wide. As if invoked by his name, or Eleyos' presence, a man appeared in the lava. His torso was bare, his arms stretched out at his sides, chained to the walls by massive chains that could hold a boat down and crush it. His long black hair covered most of his face, but no one could mistake the great evil in his eyes that shone bloodshot red. But what scared, or surprised Kade the most was the set of black feathered wings on the man's back.
Yes, everyone knew the story that Viglour was the greatest angel, but had fallen when he tried to over throw Eleyos, but Kade had never imagined that he had yerto wings on his back!
   "Eleyos," The man said. Though he did not raise his voice into a shout, he could still be heard as plain as if he were standing right beside them.
   "How wondrous of you to grace me with your presence." The man faked a bow with his head before giving them an evil grin.
   "Viglour has been working on getting free." Eleyos explained, turning to Kade.
   "Slowly, he has been chipping away at the magic that restrains him. I can not keep him back on my own."
   "Is this why you need Elowen and the rest of them to get the Lost Gems?" Kade asked.
Eleyos nodded.
   "Yes but that is not the whole of the plan. I have someone very special in mind for a very special task. But it will take time for her to be ready."
Kade nodded slowly, understanding the boy's plan and caution. But he wondered why they were speaking of this plan in front of the enemy.
Eleyos turned and looked down at Viglour.
   "Viglour, I brought Kade to you to show that he is no longer yours to control. Your grip on his heart has slipped, he no longer belongs to you. He will keep your plan from working, he's the one who will delay it."
   "Ah, delay it! That does not mean I wont get out eventually!" Viglour snarled.
Eleyos shook his head in a sad manner.
   "Unfortunately, Viglour, you never took my word to mean much. You have always tossed it aside, always questioned my authority. But now I tell you, you will not win. Just because you will be delayed, doesn't mean you wont be destroyed if you keep this path."
Viglour seemed to roll his eyes at the boy and shook his head.
   "It's always the same speech with you Eleyos. You are so predictable. I'm shocked you haven't given up yet."
Eleyos still had that sad look in his eyes.
   "I never give up on anyone."
Viglour scoffed and looked like a parent that knew he would not get through to his child.
   "Kade, I have a special task for you." Eleyos said, guiding Kade away from the pit.
In low tones, he explained what he wanted for him to do. Kade nodded in acknowledgement, but one thing bugged him.
   "I was teleported here by magic. How am I to get to Asmodea?" He asked.
Eleyos smiled, rose his fingers to his lips and let out a loud whistle.
Kade looked hesitantly at him.
Who was he going to call in the middle of a barren waist land? He wondered.
A dark streak made it's way across the dull sky. He looked eagerly, his hand going to the hilt of his sword on instinct.
As the streak got closer he realized with a light heart, that he recognized those feathered wings!
   "Thorodan!" He cried excitedly at the sight of his old friend.
The yerto landed a few feet away. Squawking when he rushed up and hugged his neck.
   "Go, and make hast. Show them this," Eleyos handed him an orb which he produced out of thin air. "they will believe you then."
Kade nodded, saddened to leave Eleyos, but knowing the weight of what he had asked him to do.
   "Safe travels Kade. And do not give hope, things aren't always what they seem to be."
Kade thanked him by touching his fingers from his forehead to his heart. Eleyos did the same and moved away as Kade nudged Thorodan into flight, making an oath to himself that he would never veer from the narrow path Eleyos had placed him on once again.
Never again would he fail him.