You may not know

You may not know
Why you are the way you are.
You may not know
What makes you You.
You may not know
Why you have all your little imperfections.

All that people tell you
Is that that is how it was meant to be.
You can’t understand
Why people see you the way they do
Like you’re not quiet one of them.

There is no way to see
The way that people think about you.
There is only the feeling of
Complete loneliness.

But in my world
There is no perfect person.
You will not be judged by the way
You look or act.

There will always be someone to
Listen when you have a problem
That you can’t quiet find
The perfect answer to.

In my world there will be no:
Sad endings,
No angry feelings,
Only the hope that
The future will be better.

So why not come
And join me
In the place that was made for
Anyone that seeks answers.

Why not come and join me
In a world that is like no other.
In a world that is of no compare .

This world of mine may
Not be perfect
But it is close enough.

You may come and go as you please.
And you may find who it is
That you are supposed to be.
So what is there to loose?
Why do you hesitate?

You could find the person that
Is most like you.
Though I will not promise that you
Will find all that you are looking for,
Or that you may find
What you really didn’t come for.
You may also get the answers that
You did not want to hear.

You may not know why you are coming
Or why you do the things the way that you do
But I want you to know
That there will always be someone
There for you when you have a problem
And will listen to anything
That you have to say
With an open mind
And no judgment to pass.

Mommy don’t you care?

You hardly say “I love you”
You never give me a hug or a kiss goodnight
You poke and prod at my feelings
You say such awful stuff

Do you care at all about the way I feel
You never ask how I am
How my day has been
You ignore me no matter how much I try to talk

There is a nagging feeling inside that says that this is not right
The things you do, and the things you don’t
All the things I wish you did
The days that you set me in front of the TV

It seems, that the things you say are meant to hurt me
You say you should have let me go
Give me to my father
This all should have happened years ago

You never held me as a young child
Your time was short when it was with me
You said that you were busy
when I wanted to spend time with you

I tried to tell you that I needed you
But you never listened
I cried in class because I wanted to stay with you
You sent me to my dad’s even when I begged you to let me stay with you

All I wanted was to be close to you
All I wanted was to be shown the love that I deserved
All I wanted was what the other kids had with their mom’s
But all I got was neglect

You said that I was pressuring you to spend time with me
I wrote you notes to tell you that I needed more time with you
You said that I had this constant need to be with you
You made me feel guilty about my need for you

Now I begin to see as I get older
What you did to me
In a way you made me stronger
But you made it so that I didn’t trust

I can’t get close to anyone
Or anything
There is something inside that makes me feel imperfect
Like you intended this for me

I keep everything inside
The way I feel
Every little thing that you do in some way hurts me
There is little that I can do
All I wanted was the time with you

Now there is little said between us
We barely talk at all
You say that every thing you did was for me
But I think it was just another way to hurt me

There were the little things that you did
The ones that were meant to hurt me
There were also the times that you were all mine
But those times were few and far between

Now that I am living with my dad I hoped that it would change
The way that you treated me
The way that you talked to me
But all of it is the same

Mommy don’t you care about the way that I feel
Don’t you care about the way that you hurt me?
Don’t you care about what is best for me
Don’t you care about the time that was wasted?

Mommy don’t you care?

Be careful, it’s my heart

It’s not my watch you’re holdin'
It’s not a note I sent you that you quickly burn
It’s not a book I lent you that you never return
It’s my heart
The heart with which so willingly I part
It’s yours to take, to keep, or to break,
But please, before you start,
Remember to be careful, it’s my heart.

Table of contents

Chapter 1 – A Voyage Unknown…………………...……………………..………6
Chapter 2 – The Desert……………………………………………….……...18
Chapter 3 – The Stranger……………………………..…...................................28
Chapter 4 – The Voice…………………..…………………………….……..38
Chapter 5 – The Girl………………………..……………………….….……48
Chapter 6 – The Beast………………………………….……….…….…….58
Chapter 7 – The Hunger………………..……………………………………66
Chapter 8 – The Cave……………………………………………..…....…..75
Chapter 9 – The Creature………………..………………………...…………85
Chapter X – The Pain…………………………………...….….………..…….90
Chapter X1– Eldon’s Fate………………………………...……..………......…95
Chapter X2 - The Doctor……………………………………………………103
Chapter X3 – A Broken Heart…..…….………….…………………...……..111
Chapter X4– The Mystery Man….………………..……………….….……121
Chapter X5– A Mystery Solved…………………...…………………...…….131
Chapter X6 – The Secret………………………………………….…..……141
Chapter X7 – The Letter…………………………….…………….…..…..152
Chapter X8 – Getting Away from the Castle………….…………..……….…..162
Chapter X9 – The Book of Spells………………………………....……….…172
Chapter X0 – The Captain………………………..………………………….185
Chapter XX1 – The Argument………………………………….…………….195
Chapter XX2 – Leaving Once Again…………………………….……….…....202
Chapter XX3 – The Ship and Crew……...……………………….…….....…..211
Chapter XX4 – Setting Sail………………………………...………...……216
Chapter XX5 – Lara’s Dream Guy……………………….…..……............….220
Chapter XX6 – Land!..............................................................................................223
Chapter XX7 – The Plank…………………………….…………….….….226
Chapter XX8 – The Dive……………………………….…………….….233
Chapter XX9 – The Snoop…………………………………………………238
Chapter XX0 – The Pirates Son……………………………………….…….244
Chapter XXX1 – The Life Changing Question……………………………….…248
Chapter XXX2 -- Getting Ready…..……………………….………………253

Chapter 1

A Voyage Unknown

It is a dark and eerie night on the thirteenth of May 1358. The first quarter’s moon cast a mysterious glow across the treetops, surrounding the castle in which I live. Shadows dance across my floor as the breeze gently teases the immature leaves that have sprung from their buds but days ago, and the sweet aroma of the freshly blooming flowers lingers through the cool night’s air.
I awake to my beloved brother, Eldon, shaking my arm and whispering my name softly into my ear. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Once fully awake I quietly got dressed. I have been waiting for this day for what seemed like an eternity and maybe even longer.
On this particular day my brother and I are going to set out to hopefully find our eldest brother, Galen. My parents, whom we can hardly get to talk about him at all, say that he was taken when he was only a child, not quiet old enough to take the crown. I was only a baby and Eldon could not remember that far back. He was but a toddler when Galen mysteriously vanished. Now that we are both old enough we are going to find the person that wrecked our family almost two and a half decades ago.
I had written our mother and father something the previous night. Before we left I remembered to place it on the pillow on which I lay my head each night. I am sure that my mother will find it when she came up to greet the new day, as she has done since I was four.

It read:

To our Dear Parents,

You have raised us and gave us protection from the wind and the rain. I love you more then you will ever know. You may never see us again, but know that you will always be on our minds.
Contrary to what you may think, Eldon did not push me into this, as he has done many times before. I am the one that thought of going. We need to go and avenge our brother’s death. This has been the tragedy that has made us grow so much apart, and we must take the problem into our own hands to fix it.
Do not blame this upon thyself. You were great parents. You gave us more then we ever needed.
You will never find us, so do not try to look, you will have no success. We know not where we are going ourselves.
You have taught me well so do not worry thyself to death over this. It is only a mountain that we have to cross on our own.
I want you to have another child so that the baby may take over the kingdom some day when it is old enough. As we know not if we will ever return to the home that we both love with all of our hearts. It hurts me to do it this way, but this was only way, sorry. Keep your face to the sun and you shall never see the darkness that surrounds you in this painful time.”

Love
Always
Alana LaCombe

My name is Alana Faye LaCombe. I am twenty-five. I stand at 5’7”. I am a dark elf but look nothing of it. I have long blond hair, with blue eyes which have little specs in them to make them appear to be purple, and a fair complexion. My form or image is very rare as well. Dark elves are said to be extremely hideous or ghastly. But that describes none of my outward appearance, or so I have been told by many. Although, I can be very crewel minded.
I am an unusual elf, not just in appearance, but I am full of mischief and wonder. I like to get into things. When I am around the people that I know and love I am very talkative. I am very out spoken, which the only problem with speaking your mind as some of you may or may not know is that it can sometimes get you into trouble. I am able to speak many languages and often use this to my advantage.
I am hardly seen at the balls that my parents like to throw. Although, I will dress up to surprise my parents occasionally, I hardly dance. This is because I really don’t like being in a huge crowd. I never have, which makes it kind of hard to be a princess.
I like to just take off on horseback. To me this is soothing and somewhat relaxing. The day’s angers and worries seem to be swept away with the wind. I go as far as the wind takes me; and it leads me a little further each time.
Eldon on the other hand, is more the royal type, but he is quiet and tends to bite his tongue, even when he has something very important that he would like to say, but he also has his times when he goes out into the town and lingers with our people, which doesn’t help him stay on Father’s good list.
He looks more like a dark elf. I don’t mean that he is hideous, in fact I hear from many people as we ride through town that he is quite handsome, and I myself if I were not of his blood I may think the same. He looks more like an elf; he has dark brown hair which is cut short and curls up at the ends, his copper color eyes have gold specs in them that can make you forget all the problems that you have when you look into them. His height is 5’11”. He is twenty-eight. But still acts very boyish at times.
He has on a black tunic, paints and boots; he also has on chain mail gloves. Very few women are aloud to wear chain mail. The clothing that one would wear was based on his/her class.
As I look out the window I see three horses. Two of which are black, the other is brown. I plan to ride one of the black ones.
I slip into a deep green dress with a silver band around the middle. It was one of my favorites. It was more suitable.
But Eldon thought Are you dumb in the head, that dress will defiantly give us away. He signed then went on You knew that we were going as peasants. We have been planning this voyage for how long? So I had to change into a burgundy peasant dress, which showed my figure well. I already have my bags packed as did Eldon.
We left; it was still very dark only the moons light to lead our way. The dirt road away from the castle was a very smooth ride. The trees cast unnatural shadows on the road sides.
I was on my horse. I have had her since she was a colt. I named her Jadis. Eldon rode Rosac. Rosac was also a black horse. I call him Fulteen. We put our baggage on Fulteen before we had left.
Let me let you in on a bit of a secret, Eldon and I are sorcerers, well I’m a sorceress but they do basically the same thing. We do more than just mix potions. We command the power of all things, but we are the best at nature. We can do just about anything. We are applied to agents of both good and evil. But we have never told a soul of our amazing power. Not even our parents. We fear of what will happen to us if word gets out. (Hence the telepathic talking near the beginning of the story)
We have ridden for almost a good days worth. The sun is now more in the west as we came upon two beings that resembled humans. They walked on foot, with no horses to carry them.
As far as we could tell by looking around we are approximately…in the middle of no where. So we thought that they were looking for a place to stay. There is a town two days riding time up ahead. I have been there but once when I was very little.
“Good day stranger or rather Good-night.” Eldon said in a sly yet mocking tone.
“Yes and also to you. My name is Torin. This is my friend Quentin. We are traveling together. What might we be able to call you?” said the taller of the two.
“My name is Eldon…and this is my sister Alana. We too are traveling together. You are welcome to join us if it would please you.” Eldon said and I thought that he didn’t have a brain in his head.
What are you thinking…you have no idea who those people are, only but their names. Who are we to know if they are trustworthy? For all we know they could turn us in. You know as well as I that Mother and Father will come looking for us and will do everything in their power to find us. I don not see why you would risk that?
No you do not see sister… they have been in front of us this whole time and must have pasted through our town days ago. There is no way the Mother and Father would have known then what we were planning to do unless of course you told them?
“We would enjoy that very much. I believe that we need someone else to talk to besides each other.” Torin said excepting the offer.
You know I would do nothing of the sort. I have been waiting just as you have and I would not jeopardize that by telling. You, being me brother, should know better than that.
Then it seems to me that you should trust my judgment. I would not do anything to jeopardize this as well, and you should also know that. Eldon thought.
Who put you in charge of all this?
Well since I am the man on this trip, whither you like it or not, it is only my duty to take the lead.
Alright, very well, I will just have to live with it. I thought giving in, to drained to argue anymore.
I am glad that we have come to an agreement.
As am I. I thought. It was then that I started to observe the new people that have joined our group. This conversation between my brother and I had taken but a moment.
Torin had shoulder length blond hair and forest green eyes, which are as enchanting as a forest. He stood a little taller than I did but shorter than Eldon. We were right in our guessing they were in fact humans. Quentin was a little shorter than Torin. Not by much only an inch or two. His blond hair a little bit shorter than Torin’s as well. But the eyes were almost identical, Quentin’s were more of a washed out green. They looked like they had seen their share of the world and there was almost no life in them. I honestly thought they were brothers.
“Where is it that you are headed?” Eldon asked them quickly
“We are looking for a far off land unknown to all.” Torin told us.
I quietly got off my horse so that they could have a rest from walking. Eldon pulled me up onto the back of Rosac.
Quentin has still yet to day a single word. They put their baggage on Fulteen and jumped onto my horse. We could only ride for a short time when all of a sudden almost out of no where it got dark. So we were forced to set up camp. It was barely light enough to see what we were doing when Eldon said that we were to stop. We slept until the sun came up over the treetops, well they did, but I on the other hand couldn’t sleep.
The next few days past without much of anything important. Torin talked with Eldon, and Quentin and I just sat there listening. A little bit after we started on the trail the third day we came to the town. It seems like a small town from the look of it. We came to a sign that read Cordial town of Aaron. We went into the town not intending to stay.
The men went off on their own. So I went to the nearest stable to buy horses for Torin and Quentin. I found a brown horse with a black mane and a black tail; I decided that one was for Torin. Then I found one that was light brown with a dark brown mane and a dark brown tail for Quentin.
I went looking for them, but couldn’t find them, so, I went and did a little shopping of my own. I bought some more dresses and Eldon a new tunic and pants. The dresses that I bought were not something that would give us away. Although there is this one dress that I looked at that is very much to my liking. I also bought a new bag to put it all in.
As I walked out onto the street it hit me. If I knew Eldon as well as I thought I did then he would be in the tavern.
I was right. As I walk up I can see Jadis and Fulteen. I walk in, not really knowing what to expect, and there they were. I have to push my way up to the table and in doing so sat down. I knew Eldon would not be mad that I bought the horses, for he is the one that told me to do so. I told Torin and Quentin that I had something for them. We all get up and go outside the tavern, were I show them the horses that I have just bought. They are so overwhelmed that they really don’t know what to say. They thanked me a hundred times and more. Torin pulled me aside before we went back into the tavern.
“I will pay you back whatever you spent for these horses.” As he said this he is pulling out a sac.
“No you will not, the only payment I want from you is your word that you will stay with us till the end. Along the way I am sure that you find little things to do for this payment of yours, but I will take no money from you or Quentin. Do you hear me?” I am firm and stand my ground. He finally agrees but I can tell that he is displeased that I am not letting him pay for the horses.
Eldon said that that’s what we were going to say in this kind of situation. We didn’t want anyone to know that we had to money because we were rich. Although we did save most of it from whatever money we got from our parents.
Eldon and I have been planning this voyage for a long time. We have saved a lot of silver and gold. We are not sure how much we would need.
We go back into the tavern and sit down at the table. I keep seeing Torin and Quentin; mostly Torin looking at me through the corner of my eye. We must have sat there and talked for a long time. We learned some interesting facts about them. Like when Torin was very little a robber killed his parents. From then up till now he has spent his time with Quentin. Quentin lived with his grandfather. We didn’t know why. He didn’t get into it. I don’t blame him. They left because his grandfather suddenly died. Quentin was given everything that his grandfather owned. So they had enough to make the journey.
We said very little about ourselves. We figured we would tell them when the time was right. If there ever was a time. But we did not lie about what we said.
Quentin still had not said much and I was starting to worry about him. So I asked Torin, he said not to worry about it, Quentin was always that way, but I still worried a little.
We must have lost track of time because when we left the tavern it was black, so we found the nearest inn until morning.
I was the last one to get up in the morning, but still got very little sleep. I told Eldon that I wasn’t wearing the peasant dresses any more. He just shrugged and left. So I got dressed, it wasn’t silk or anything fancy. It was a deep green color, much like the other dress, but plainer, it was also one of my favorite dresses.
We went and ate at the tavern. We all got fried eggs. After we were done we left town once again on the road. We rode for a long time in the deep thick woods of Hugyu. It was hard to see through all the thick branches.
Torin and I talked most of the way, mostly because we were on the same horse. Torin’s horse got its leg caught, and twisted it, but it was not very bad. Still it could barely hold its own weight let alone Torin’s. So I lifted Torin up onto my horse. We just tied his horse to Fulteen. Fulteen was tied to Eldon’s saddle. Eldon was in front of Quentin who was in front of us.
Torin and I talked about almost everything. Like where we wanted to go, what we wanted to see, things like that. Torin and I became really close on that ride. Not only because we were really close being on the same horse, but in a friendly way that I had never had before.
When we finally got into a clearing we saw nothing but sand and dirt. No trees, or wildlife, well, not yet. If only we knew then what was to come upon us in the near future.

Chapter 2

The Desert

We rode for so long and hard but it still turned dark before we got into the next town, so we were forced to set up camp. I didn’t get much sleep because the ground was harder than a rock. I hadn't gotten good sleep since we left the castle.
When we left Torin was still riding with me. I fell asleep a short time later, Torin was really comfortable and I just could not keep my eyes from closing, he made such a good pillow. My eyes got heavier and heavier. I finally gave in. I fell back on Torin. He was a little shocked; he jumped a little when I fell back. I opened my eyes to see want happened, but only could keep my heavy eyes open for a few seconds. Torin looked at Eldon, afraid of what he might do to him seeing that it was his sister that is sleeping on him, but he just smiled.
The ride was so smooth. I could not even feel the horse moving. I heard nothing, not even the men talking. They did there best to keep quite. I only heard the soft humming in my head; I was in such a deep sleep. I must have been asleep for a long time, because when I awoke it was almost dark. I did not even wake up when Torin moved me. Which I found out later that he had done.
Suddenly the horse reared up, and I, still being limp, flipped over Torin. I fell to the ground, landing on my back. The pain shot throughout my body. The horse took off into the night. Torin was still on its back holding on as tight as he could, afraid to jump off. Quentin rode after him.
Eldon jumped off his horse, landing on his feet, he ran to me as quickly as he could. For he and only he knew what would happen if I was not tended to quickly, but he wasn’t fast enough.
I started to transform. I threw my head back as the medium length, black fur covered my entire body, my eyes turned a bright yellow color that could look right through you, fangs grew from my mouth, and huge paws replaced my hands and feet. I fell to all fours, slashing at Eldon. He dodged my huge paws and the long claws that where attached. I hissed and growled at him. He tried to get close to me, but failed many times which was starting to make me even madder. I batted at him more, and then suddenly felt so weak.
I lay down, but kept my eyes on him. He sat in front of me looking deep into my eyes. I started to calm down slowly but not enough to change back; he put his hand on the top of my head as he talked to me telepathically.
Hey there now, you know that you have to calm down. I have to look at you back to make sure there are not major injuries and you know very well I can’t do it with you like this. Besides what do you think that Torin and Quentin would say if they came back and found me talking to and petting a creature like you? He was right and I did know what would happen.
I feel so weak and there is still so much pain. I don’t know if I can calm down even if I wanted to. I really do, really. I thought as I purred.
Why do you think that I am here? Just for looks, just close your eyes and listen to my voice. He said as he waved his hand in front of my eyes. “Selep!” is the last thing that I remember him saying to me.
He was putting a spell on my so that I am able to calm down. It is very hard for me to forget the pain that is surging through my body. At this point he is able to change me back to my normal form without me having to use any of my energy. First my eyes then the fangs, then he lefts me up so that I appear to be standing. This helps the rest of the transformation. Once I was back to normal he lays me back down on the ground in a more comfortable position. It takes a lot of strength to change into the Black Beast. Is has taken hours to calm down before, but most of the time Eldon just put the spell on me so that your parents wouldn’t see me like this. For some reason Eldon could calm himself down and he rarely transformed to begin with.
Just then Torin and Quentin came riding up behind Eldon. “Is she okay?” They asked.
Eldon simply says without looking up, “In time.”
You see this is the drawback of being sorcerers, I turn into the Black Beast if I am hurt or mad, and a small black cat if I am sad. When I am the Black Beast and standing on all fours my head is just below Eldon’s chest. Eldon turns into a huge sea green dragon if he is hurt or mad; and a little black lizard with a green strip down his back when he is sad, which I have only seen him turn into once, but that is a completely different story.
The men set up camp. Eldon told them that when I fell I hit my head, so I would be out for a while, he was lying but I could understand it this time. I do not have any idea how long I was out. I could have been out anywhere from a day to a few days. All I know is that as I woke up I found my self in Torin’s arms so that I wouldn’t fall off Jadis. I rubbed my eyes and shook my head before I said anything. I found it odd that Eldon would have Torin hold me instead of doing it himself. This could mean one of two things: he trusted Torin quit a lot or there was something that was wrong with him that he could not hold me up. I don’t think that it was the first one because of the fact that we have only known them for a short amount of time and with Eldon it take a lot for him to trust a stranger.
By this time we were coming upon another town, Torin motioned for Eldon to come over to him. Eldon took me off the horse and told me to walk. “You need to walk form here.” He said aloud then added telepathically. You must regain the strength in your arms and legs.
I fell when he first put me down, but got back up. I stumbled along beside Torin; Eldon was on the other side of me. I had hold of Jadis’s reins, just to keep myself balanced. The first few times I fell Torin was there to help, but Eldon told him to let go. Quentin was in back of me. Quentin looked concerned, but said nothing as usual. To be honest I was more concerned about him then I was about myself. The closer we got to the town, the better I walked and felt.
Why was he holding me and not you? I thought to Eldon.
Because I have been up since you fell to make sure that there was nothing else wrong with you and I didn’t trust myself to hold you in fear that I would fall asleep and I know that if the happened then we would both fall off. He thought back.
Thank you for looking after me.
Any time.
As we entered the town I was walking like normal. Eldon told me to get back on the horse with Torin, so I obeyed. Torin lifted me up onto Jadis; a few people asked if Torin and I were wedded. We got tired of answering, so we just nodded, and give a joyous look. You see it is hardly seen that a man and woman would ride the same horse unless they were married. Even then they do not ride together often.
This town was bigger than all the others that I had ever seen.
Eldon’s first question was, “Where is the tavern?”
“I don’t know go look for it.” I said after getting off of Jadis. Quentin and I went off on our own, because Torin went with Eldon. I was in front of Quentin as we rode the horse through town.
It was then that Quentin started to open up to me. It seemed to me that he didn't want any one to hear because he put his chin on my shoulder and talked softly into my ear. We rode for sometime before we stopped at any stores. During the conversation he told me: “The reason that I lived with my grandfather is because I when I was younger I was left there for the summer. My parents were to come and get me in three months time. They never showed up, it was some time later that I found out that a drunken psycho stabbed my father to death, and a few days later my mother killed herself from the loneliness.”
“I had no idea I am so sorry.” I felt really bad for him after that. That’s why he wouldn’t drink while we were at the tavern, and that’s why he wanted to go with me instead of Torin and Eldon. It was all coming to me now. I understood him for the first time since we meet them.
I thought Quentin to be the handsome kind not too handsome but just enough to keep the ladies looking in his direction as he pasted by. But Quentin had some really good qualities that I had never seen aside from my father. Like honesty, trustworthiness, you could depend on him, responsible, reserved, and not really out spoken like most men are. Yes, Torin had some good qualities as well. I can depend on him, and so far I can trust him. He too is a good man. I wish I could tell Torin and Quentin the truth about myself I feel like I am lying to them. It just doesn’t feel right. They opened up to me, but I can’t open up to them. It’s becoming hard to find anything to talk about now because we have covered all the basics.
Quentin and I went in to all the stores that we could find. I slipped away from Quentin long enough to go back to the black smiths. I had told the black smith to save some special things for me.
I walk into the black smith's shop. “Ah you are back. I was beginning to think that you were not coming back to get these.” He said as he handed me the things that I was going to buy. I had told him to save me four swords and two daggers. I had pointed out to him which ones I had wanted. I picked all silver weapons. I got two daggers for myself because I am a good two-handed dagger fighter. My sword was more delicate, it had four light purple, almost white stones and three light blue diamonds on the handle, and the diamonds went in a pattern purple, blue, purple, blue, purple, blue, and purple. It was really lovely and well made. Mine was the lightest but the sharpest, I made sure of that. I now have a bandage on my hand, but I barely felt it as I did it, I can abide a lot of pain if I am expecting it, unlike the horse.
Eldon told me to get him a plain sword. His sword had black winding circles on the handle, just as mine has, and it had a three-foot blade on it. All four of the sword blades are three-foot long, but his is the heaviest, simply because when we still lived at home he practiced with a heavy sword. That is one of the reasons why he is so strong. I picked one on the plainer side for Quentin. It had three white diamonds. Torin's was more masculine, it was heavy, but had two red diamonds on the handle.
“No, I would not leave craftsmanship like this behind.” I said as I paid the good man. I went to find Quentin, and found him a short time later, and I knelt down in front of him and presented it to him properly. I had also bought a belt and sheath for each of them and myself. I had my daggers and sword on me at the time.
Another thing that I bought that day was a long black cloak; it is as long as I am tall. That’s the way I like them so you can hide almost anything underneath. I also got it big so I had a little more room for my weapons.
We went to find Eldon and Torin, we knew where they were, the tavern. I told Quentin to go in and get them; he only came out with Torin. I gave them a puzzled look; Quentin told me that Eldon had left.
Torin said that “Eldon had gone to find someone. But he told my nothing else.”
I had no idea whom it was that he went to find. We knew no one in this area.
I knelt down in front of Torin and bestowed him with the sword. Also known as effects, I prefer to call them effects, but we all have our own way of talking. After I gave him his effects he thanked me graciously.
We set out to find Eldon; he to had bought a black cloak. We passed him multiple times without knowing it; he looked up and saw us as we passed him for the thousandth time, we nodded to one another and I took a knee. I presented him with his effects. He thanked me and we were off. Torin’s horse was almost healed only a few more days, four at the most. Eldon said that he had talked to a man, and he said that the nearest town was three and a half days ride.
We road until dusk and then set up camp. I slept a little better now that I was almost used to the hardness of the ground.
We had lizard for the first real feast since we left the castle. I was tired and went to sleep soon after we were done feasting.
I was up at dawn tending to the horses. I had also bought food and brushes for them. I fed them as I brushed them. Before I had fallen asleep that night, I took off their saddles so they would be more comfortable.
We rode two more days; they were long hot days, I was so uncomfortable and hot. I finally just gave in and grabbed some of Eldon’s clothes. As I stood behind one of the horses and took off my dress Eldon pooped into my head. What are you doing now? We are in the middle of nowhere, plus we are going to be coming to a town soon. Do you know what they will do to you if they find out that you are a woman?
That is why they won’t find out. I thought. Both the shirt and pants were baggy so I used some rope for a belt. I put my effects on, and put my cloak around my waist. My dress was put in with the rest of my baggage.
Eldon, Quentin and Torin looked at me like I was demented. I was the only woman to attempt and follow through with something of that sort. It was against the law for a woman to wear men’s clothing in these times.
I had to act like a man if any one passed us or we came to a town, most men wore their hair long but not like mine. So I took one of my daggers and cut my hair to about a foot below my shoulders. It was one of the most undignified things for a woman to do, especially the way I did it. I still had long hair for a man, but I was not going to cut it any shorter, I used a piece of rope to pull my hair up off my neck in a ponytail.
Now what are you doing? You really like to push it don’t you! Why are you dong this? Eldon asked.
I know what I am doing you will just have to trust me on this one. I though back. Now that is the end of it.
Fine have it your way. He thought.
“Aren’t you going to say something to her?” asked Torin.
“No, there is no reasoning with her when she has her mind set on something like this, plus she already knows what I would say to her if I said anything at all.” Eldon answered calmly.
The fourth day ended and there was still no sign of the next town; it took longer than the man had said. We set up camp and went to sleep. I got a lot more sleep then I got in the previous nights, I think I was the first one asleep. When we all got up, and ready, we started back on the trail.
I still had Eldon’s clothes on; it seemed that it was a lot hotter then the last day.
Later in the day, as the sun was setting, we saw in the distance someone on foot. I put on my cloak. It was getting cooler anyway. We rode faster to catch up to the person that was ahead.

Chapter 3

The Stranger

As we neared the stranger we noticed that the being walked hunched over like an Ogress. I have not seen one up close but had heard terrible things about them. I have heard that they eat people in one bite, and they only drink human blood. Also they have long sharp teeth that can bite through anything that they want to. Their jaw power is twenty time ours.
What do you think that is? It resembles an Ogress don’t you think? I thought to Eldon to afraid to speak out loud and not wanting the other two to know that I am afraid.
I am unsure of what it is, but I am sure that it is not an Ogress. If it was, it would have turned to us by now to see if we are friend or foe. He though back in a mocking tone, telling me that he detected the hint of fear in my voice. But at that moment something strange happened, the being just stopped. It stood there for a few long moments without any movement. Then it turned and looked right at us.
I told you that I thought it was an Ogress. But no you wouldn’t listen to me. What are we going to do now? You know how mean they can get.
Yes I know. But I still have my doubts. He thought then turned to Torin and Quentin. “I want you two to be on guard. I do not know what is up ahead of us. It may or may not be very pleasant. Do either of you know how to use your weapons to any extent?
“Yes.” They both said in unison.
“Good, and as for you.” He said turning to me, “Keep quiet Alana. That is all I need, is the law on our trail as well.” Eldon told me. That was going to be the hard part; I can only stay quite for so long. I had no time to change; we were too close to the being.
But can I fight? I thought
Sorry, not this time. But I promise there will be another time that I can use your skill, just not right now.
Why can’t I fight? You know as well as I, that if this is in fact an Ogress then you will need all the power that you can get. You also know that I am by far more powerful than those two put together.
Yes I know, but that is the problem. We don’t want them to know how good you are; do we? He was now using a tone that I knew all to well. It was the one of “drop the subject NOW”.
Fine, I will not fight this time. But you can count on me fighting the next battle. That is a promise. I always liked to have the last word and he had just gotten used to it. He will mostly stop after I say something like that.
I had put my cloak on; as the dark neared it brought with it the cold night air, which I did enjoy very much. The stars that looked so beautiful the night before did not accompany the moon that already shown brightly on this night.
We are approaching at an increasingly faster pace than before and Torin grasped me tight as if to protect me from the thing that we neared. All that is running through my mind right now is how little he knows of my fighting ability and that I am by far the best with a sword next to Eldon among all of us, and I also have my daggers that I like to use, which I am very good with as well. Even though I am good I have really been working with a sword. I am almost as good as Eldon, but it would be almost insurmountable. Besides, I like him protecting me, because then I do not have to fight. I can save my strength for when I really need it.
Now that we are almost on top of the being I can sense that there is no threat. I think Eldon could see it in my eyes when he looked over at Torin and me.
Now what are you thinking? he asked just to confirm what he already knew from my eyes.
I really don’t think that there is any threat in this begin. That is all that it is…a begin. But you know that I have been wrong before. So you do what you want. I do keep getting the picture of fur and claws though if that will help you any.
I will stay on my guard just in case and hope that you are right.
As will I…hope that is. I caught myself.
As we came up behind the stranger I could tell it was a man. Though I had never met this man I felt like I knew him like I knew Eldon, Torin or even Quentin, there was something familiar about him, like I had seen him in a dream that I could not place.
It is but a man. I though to Eldon. I know that sounds weird and that is the last thing that we thought that it would be but, that is all this is.
You are sure?
Yes. But still be careful, you know how they can be when they think that they are in danger or just in a bad mood. I thought jokingly to take some of the tension out of the air.
Don’t worry I will.
When we rode up beside him; Eldon gets down greeting him. He was the same height as Eldon; he lifted the hood of his cloak and pushes it back onto his shoulders, revealing a face that was surprisingly handsome.
He had ear length wavy brown hair, and his eyes were pulling me in; they were a cool hazel color, though they are more blue then gray. Looking at me I meet his eyes, it seems like time stands still for the quick seconds in which our eyes are connected. Although he can not see my face it is like he had placed my eyes, only my eyes.
Walking over to Jadis he takes my hand, giving it a quick kiss. It is as if he had the same power that I have, being able to see inside the person; knowing that I was female like I knew that he was male before seeing his face. It is then that Torin can’t hold it in any longer.
“What do you think that you are doing!” Torin yells as he jumps off the horse. “Are you really that stupid that you wouldn’t realize that when someone has a cloak on they don’t want your attention!”
“Torin, that is enough!” Eldon said sternly, which shocks Torin.
“I was just trying to put this person in there place. It seems to me that he needs it.”
“Well you may leave that job to me. When I need your help I will tell you.” Eldon voice was calmer now and you can tell that he was trying not to let his temper get out of hand.
By now it is getting very hard for me not to break into the conversation. I just had to voice my opinion. Do you know how hard it is to stay quiet right now? I am this close to saying something.
I know you just have to keep that mouth quiet a little longer. We can’t risk this, we don’t know who this is. For all we know it could be someone that knows us and doesn’t like us.
Well I have to do something.
Don’t do anything stupid! he said in a warning tone.
I untied the string to my cloak, push it off my shoulders, and let it fall to Jadis’s saddle.
The stranger quickly said, “I’m very sorry I had no idea.”
I nodded as if to say it was all right, and I proceeded to putting the cloak back around me. Eldon, who had put his hand over his face and shook his head for a moment, gave me a look that often meant that I had done something terribly wrong. Like that! What are you thinking?
I had to put him into his place in my own way.
Do you not have a brain in your head? I told you not to do anything stupid.
Since when did you become the person that told me what to do?
As soon as we left the castle I took on the responsibility.
Well you can stop anytime, I don’t need it.
Alright if you are going to be stubborn about it…
I am. He knew that there was no point in arguing any further and just gave up.
The man then said looking at Eldon, “My name is Rostlyn. I am from the town of Aaron.”
Eldon, simply told Rostlyn, “I will slit your throat if you do what you just did again. Do I make myself clear?”
Rostlyn got this scared expression on his face as he said, “As clear as the clearest lake.”
Eldon then introduced us all except me of course. He could not think of a name for me right then so he left me out. I guess that he thought that I had done enough damage for one night.
Eldon then said pointing at Rostlyn “You, you can use Torin’s horse.” Torin gave Rostlyn a long cold glare. Rostlyn shrugged back; I glanced at him without him knowing. He looks so hurt and confused. I feel sorry for him.
A few hours later we came to the town. It was so dark that we could not see ten feet in front of us. No one could really see anything, let alone me. I am going to go change back into a dress. I grabbed a dress out of my bag and tucked it under my cloak.
Good idea…in fact it is the first one yet. Eldon said sarcastically.
You know, you are not as funny as you think you are. I joke back.
We walked into the tavern, Eldon’s idea of course, but Torin had agreed with him. I went around the back of the building to change. Once I was done and looked halfway chaste, I disappeared then reappeared by the horses so that I could put the clothes away. I walk in, and the first thing I see is Rostlyn looking at me. He could not look away; it is almost like he was held captive in my gaze. Pausing slightly I think, Look at our newest follower. I glanced at Eldon and he was looking at Rostlyn. I came to the table, and he stood with a shocked look on his face. It was polite to stand when a lady comes and goes from a table. Torin on the other hand just nodded to greet me to the table.
Then Eldon introduced me to Rostlyn, “Rostlyn this is Alana, my sister. It was her hand that you kissed.” Rostlyn looked in amazement.
He then stammered. “You, you were the one that was wearing the men’s clothes? But why?”
“Because she felt like it! Why else would she do it? It wasn’t because she wanted to get killed.” Torin said, with that tone in his voice.
I glared at Torin, “Why do you have to be so mean!”
Torin sat back in his chair and glared at me with an anxious look. I looked at Rostlyn, and smiled.
“He did not mean it.” I said to Rostlyn.
You are doing to again. Eldon’s voice rang into my head.
What?
Not being what you really are…a girl.
Woman…and stay out of this.
Alright…your funeral.
Oh…you…are just jealous.
Think what you will. I know what you are doing.
Fine…you just keep thinking that. I ended the conversation like usual.
Rostlyn shrugged and said, “It won’t be the first time and it won’t be the last. Don’t worry about it.” He sighed.
“What can I get for you folks?” Came a voice from behind me. Quickly turning I see the waiter standing there. His hair is long and looks like it hasn’t been washed or combed in weeks. His pushed in face and bulging eyes are a common trait of the neiny. He is wearing a light green shirt that is torn in many places and pants that are in the same condition. His jagged green-yellow teeth are extruding from his mouth because of the way he is grinning at us.
“I’ll have just a Dwafen Mix.” I told him.
“Tall or short?” he asks as I watch him make a mental note of my order.
“Short for now.”
“I’ll have the same in tall.” Eldon announced.
“Do you have Blood Puppies here?” Rostlyn asks.
“Yes…is that what you want?”
“Please,” Rostlyn answers back, “could I have that in a tall as well?” the waiter nods and looks at Quentin who shakes his head telling the waiter that he doesn’t want anything.
“I will have the Dragon scale ail.” Torin finally said.
“All right…you want that in short right?”
“Why would I, I think that I can handle a tall!” Torin takes offence to the remark.
“Calm down, I was just sayin’ that no one has ever been able to finish a tall before.”
“Why?” I ask before Torin was able to get anything else out.
“Most of the time it sends them straight back to their mommy’s. It is that strong. I tell you what no man is stupid enough to have it twice.”
“I see.” I remark
“I still want it.” Torin said letting go of some of the attitude he had earlier.
“That is fine with me. I am just here to get your drinks. You sure that you don’t want anything?” he asks looking at Quentin.
“Yes…well do you have just water?”
“Yes I can get you a glass of that if that is what you really want.” The waiter is nicer than anyone that had ever waited on us before.
“Thank you.” Quentin said graciously.
We all sat and talked for some time about anything that came to mind. We left the tavern to find an inn; we found one and slept till morning, which was a few hours later.
The next morning as we left town Eldon told Rostlyn one thing, “You may ride along with us, if you would like to, I have no problem with it. But you will stay away from my sister!”
Rostlyn nodded and thanked him, Torin was not so happy; he didn’t like Rostlyn for some reason. It was bugging me because I couldn’t figure out way. There was nothing wrong with him that I could see inside or out, I have that ability, although I do not like it at times. I can see how a person is even before I meet them, I must have been a little off on Torin, I didn’t detect the temper that he had, it is often hard to tell how much of a temper that a human has. They all have so much of it. Eldon however does not have this ability.

Chapter 4

The Voice

It is the twenty-second of May now and the day that Galen had vanished two and a half decades ago. We are all riding close talking about, well the guys any way, woman. I am thinking to myself not really paying attention to what they are saying. How much longer until we reach the next town? I asked Eldon.
Oh I would say about three days ride. Why? He answered.
I was just wondering, that’s all.
You never just wonder. He said looking over at me.
Well there is always a time for everything isn’t there.
Yes, I guess that there is. He ended the conversation there.
After that I went back to what I had been thinking about, again not paying any attention to them.
All of a sudden I heard a voice in my head. I knew that it was not Eldon it seemed horse and old, almost warn from the ages. The voice was speaking to me in an old language that I could hardly understand. It whispered to me like a voice in my ear, Turn back, and go no further. If you try to pass this point I will hurt you and your followers. I am warning you. TURN BACK NOW! Before I had time to think or speak my horse reared up. Torin fell to the ground. I jumped off the horse; Quentin grabbed the reins before the horse could run off. I am at Torin’s side within seconds.
He groaned in pain “Get away from me. What do you think that you are doing?”
“Torin you know not what you say. Hush now and rest. It will be fine.” I sobbed with tears rushing to my eyes because I knew that this was entirely my fault. Then I realized I had to stop or I would change, I had to get away, I had to run far away, so that they would not see the beast that I am becoming.
It was almost as if Torin was reading my mind. As I let go of his hand he scolded, “That’s right, go. Leave me. I never want to see you again!” He had such hate in his eyes, as if he was possessed. He also had the slight hint of the old voice that was in my head. Is it he that is possessing Torin. My mind was racing but I had to run.
I got up, grabbed the reins from Quentin, and jumped up on my horse. Far into the desert I rode until I was sure that no one could see me. It took but a few moments to get there but my mind was still racing. I could not think straight. I was not only sad I was mad, furious. But the pain of his words, even though someone else’s, coming from his lips, hurt more than any anger could.
Why did I get all upset? I wondered. I don’t love him, I don’t, I can’t, and I won’t. I am not going to fall for him or any other that comes along. I told myself, over and over again, I climbed down from my horse. “Sit down. Sit down. Sit down Alana.” I said out loud to myself. As I sat down a tail grew, as did whiskers, I shrank down; paws instead of hands, fur grew. I meowed in sorrow. Tears fell as they wet my soft fur. “Calm down, calm down.” I repeated to myself in soft meows of agonizing pain. I sat for sometime saying calm down over and over again thinking of other things; finally I started to change slowly.
Eldon rode up beside me as I finished changing back. I jumped up at him. “I did it. I did it.” I yelled, “I finally did it, I changed by myself.” I had a big smile on my face.
“Congratulations.” Eldon told me, with a joking voice. “It is about time that you are able to do it on your own.”
“Hush up.” I snapped, “I may not be as strong as you are but I can still teach you a thing or two, besides you take the fun out of everything.”
“Sorry, I did not mean it to be fun taking.” Eldon mumbled.
“It’s fine, just don’t do it again.” I scolded using the same joking voice that he had used before.
“
We got back on our horses and rode off, back to Torin, Quentin, and Rostlyn. I was not looking forward to seeing Torin at all. How could he say that to me? I am like a best friend to him besides Quentin; I don’t think you could separate them for more then a few hours.
On our way back I told Eldon about the voice that I had heard before the fall. “It was telling me to turn back. That it would hurt all of us. The voice had a strange sound, like an old man that had the voice of ages and he spoke in a tongue that I could barely understand.”
“It was a warning.” Eldon told me, “If you hear it again tell me.
“I would have sooner but before I could say anything the horse reared.”
I was expecting to find Rostlyn hurt or even worse dead. Knowing Torin, the protective person that he is, or was before today I could see him hurting Rostlyn if he was well enough. Eldon was proud of me, although he did not say anything about it. I have conquered the cat, now if I can only conquer the panther.
As we came into view of where we had left the men we noticed a tent; it was white and looked very small. As we came closer we could see that there was no one around, we rode up to the tent and breathed a sign of relief when Quentin came walking out.
The tent was so much bigger now that we were beside it. I was on my horse, and the tent was still a few feet above me. Quentin welcomed us back as though we had been gone for years. I found his reaction very odd, I could see Torin doing that, but not Quentin. It was like he did not want us to go in the tent. Like he was up to something, it was very suspicious. I could not figure it out; I knew something was not right.
I finally just pushed him aside. I felt bad but I could not take it any more. I walked in and saw Rostlyn holding Torin in his arms. A surprising scene, but very cute at the same time. It was only a few seconds later that I realized that Torin was not breathing. Eldon had not yet come in; I could hear him talking with Quentin.
“He did not make the fall.” Rostlyn said. “I did all that I could but there was no way that I could save him with the injuries that he suffered.”
Why is he so upset? I wondered, only later would I find out. “Give him to me and get out.” I commanded, “Send Eldon in and stay out, you and Quentin have to stay out!”
He ran out of the tent as I clutched Torin in my arms. I tried to keep from crying, but as I looked into his lifeless face I knew it was my fault, entirely my fault. If I had only listened to the voice none of this would never have happened. Eldon rushed in as if his pants were on fire. It was very funny, but I could not bring myself to laugh, all I could do was cry.
“He is dead, and it’s my entire fault.” I sobbed, “Please can we help him, please, I need…” My voice trailed off as I looked up to see Eldon looking deep into my eyes as if trying to read my mind.
“I know that you need him here, or at least you think that you do. But I am unsure if we will be able to help him. I don’t know how long he has been dead, or even if his spirit is still close enough to save.” Eldon said uneasily. “I believe that he has feelings for you but he need to know the truth about your feelings. You can’t hurt him like all the others that have fallen for you. You have to see him everyday and I don’t think that you would be able to live with yourself if you hurt him like this. You know how I feel about these kinds of things. Even though I am only your brother I need you to understand that he is not the man that you will spend the rest of your life with. You know that when we find that guy for you I will let you know, but Torin is not that guy, nor any of the others that we are traveling with.”
“I know that you have that power but it would help if you told me this before I go and fall hard for someone. I just can’t help but know that this is all my fault. I should have stopped as soon as the voice came into my head.”
“Alana, calm yourself, you know what will happen if you keep on like this.”
“I don’t care, how would you feel in my place?”
“Alana, you know that I am behind you all the way and that I am here for you, but you need to know that this is not completely your fault. Lets just drop all of this and try to help him.” he said motioning to Torin.
Eldon took Torin into his arms and looked at him. He could not know for sure if there was any hope for him at all. He only knows that he had to try. There was no way that he could let this man die on his time, without him trying everything that he could.
I walked to Eldon’s horse to get our bag that had all of the potions that we had made in it. We had tried to think of every thing that could go wrong and make a potion that could counteract it. It is better to be safe then sorry.
“I tried, I really did.” Rostlyn said as I past him.
“I know that you did, but it is our turn just stay put.” I went back into the tent and gave the bag to Eldon. He took it and started to dig through it looking for a specific jar the contained the drink that he wanted. He pulled out red water looking substance and opened the lid. As soon as he did so I could smell the aroma of life.
Eldon was very quiet through this whole procedure and told me to do the same. He was trying to concentrate on Torin and I knew that I had to do the same.
When he finally spoke he said only this, “Keep him close to you until he wakes, I think that we were able to help him this time but next time I don’t know that he will be so lucky.” Eldon got up and walked out of the tent glancing back as he left.
I sat in silence for a few minutes after he left then started to talk to Torin. “I know that there is no easy way to say what I am about to tell you but I know the you will understand where I am coming from. It you can hear me, I just wanted to tell you that I don’t share all the feelings that you have for me. I care for you like a friend and nothing more.” I am no longer looking at him but rather at the side of the tent. A few seconds after I looked away I heard soft moaning and felt life in my arms once again. I looked down and found him staring into my eyes.
“What happened? Why am I so weak?” His meek voice filled my ears. “And why are you holding me?” He questioned.
“Everything is just fine now, you will be fine. Just lay back and relax, you need your strength.” My voice low as I explained this to him. “Let’s just say…you were in a deep, deep sleep and I had to wake you up before you faded away.” I smiled. He closed his eyes and went limp once again.
When I reopened them I could not move, I was motionless Torin stood above me. Suddenly Torin fell on top of me as if he was being pushed but did not try to stop himself. I did not realize until he landed on top of me that he was dead. He had an arrow in his back, I screamed in fright. We had just saved his life and now he is dead once again.
I tried and tried but still could not move. I finally gathered all my strength and tried to move my arms. It worked. I lifted them and was able to push Torin off me. I sat up, then I got to my feet; I took a step, then another and another until I was outside the tent.
I saw Eldon, Quentin, and Rostlyn lying on the ground dead. A fire lit with no one to watch the orange, red, and yellow flames dance in the ring of stones. I knelt down beside Rostlyn and looked into his face; it seemed so cold and lifeless.
“How could I have slept through something of this sort?” I wondered. “And how did I survive? Why didn’t they kill me?” I bent down and kissed Rostlyn ever so softly on his brow. I did the same with Quentin. As the tears streamed down my face I realized that I was not changing, this was odd to me. I walked over to Eldon and knelt down beside him then took his hand in mine. I kissed it ever so gently, “Sleep in peace my brother. I will see you in the next life if there is one. I love you with all the many pieces of my heart.
“I can’t sleep in peace if you keep talking to me.” Eldon moaned. I stepped back, shocked as I awoke.
“You’re alive!” I shrieked as I hugged him. It was then that I realized that I was sleeping.
“I was never dead.” Eldon moaned; Rostlyn shot up like a ball out of a cannon.
“What’s wrong?” Rostlyn exclaimed. Not knowing what was going on.
“I think I was dreaming that you were all dead. It was horrible. You were all lying on the ground lifeless.” I explained. “Torin! Where’s Torin?!” I shrieked. I ran back into the tent, I saw him lying there in the spot that I had been sleeping, he was still breathing.
I sat by the fire with Rostlyn, Quentin, and Eldon. I couldn’t stop thinking about the dream, most of the time my dreams predicted the future near or far. This really troubled me; I did not want to see this happen again.
Rostlyn offered me some lizard, but I refused it. I was in to deep of thought to think of food.
“Leave her alone, she has had a trying day.” Eldon commanded. He could see that I was deep in thought and was not in the mood to be bothered.
Eldon took me up in his strong arms and carried me back into the tent. I lay awake for the longest time thinking about the dream. The only thing that I could not figure out was why I couldn’t move. I thought about that most of the night. I drifted off before the sun rose up over the hills that were to the east of us. The first thing that I thought of when I got up was Torin; I had to see if he was all right.
He beat me to it he was standing over me when I opened my eyes. It kind of startled me, but I gave a weak smile. That was all I could do at that moment.
When we all got up, we headed off again into the vast desert. Not knowing what tomorrow might bring, or the challenges that faced us.

Chapter 5

The Girl

Kicking the sand up behind us as we rode. I am still thinking of my dream. I rode with Torin because Rostlyn was on my horse. Eldon does not trust him yet, I don’t blame him. Plus I wanted to stay close to Torin just incase there is something that Eldon and I had missed when we told him that he was fine. He is still a little weak and I am still worried.
“Alana, are you all right?” I heard Torin ask. He had been talking to me, but I had not been listening. I think he figured it out when I did not answer to his questions.
“I am fine.” I answered. So he went on talking, not taking any note of what I had just said.
I could not stop thinking about that dream. I could not move. I thought for some time. Before I knew it we came up to a town. This town was like no other I had seen; it had a wall all around it, and there was a guard at the entrance; the guard wore a shining metal suit of armor.
I got down from the horse. Torin tried to stop me but he was too late. I walked up to the guard. As I got closer, the guard seemed to shrink in size. When I was standing in front of the guard he came up to my chest, this surprised me a lot.
“My I please pass? I need to get in there right away.” I said as I pointed to the town behind the wall.
“I am under strict order that no one goes in and no one goes out.” The guard answered. It was then that I noticed something strange about the guard’s voice; it was that of a woman’s.
“You do not understand I must get in there. There is someone that my brother and I must speak with. It is of the greatest of importance.”
“It is not I that do not understand it is you. I told you there is no one in and no one out.” She scolded me.
“Look, Abby, I need to go in there to see someone. It is very important.”
“How do you know my name? Do I know you from somewhere?” She questioned.
“No, you don’t know me.” I answered.
“Then how do you know my name?”
“It’s complicated. Look I will give you anything that you want. I just want to pass. Please I beg you.”
“Fine you may pass…but you must earn it.”
“What...how?”
“You must fight me and win.”
Alana don’t do anything stupid. Eldon’s voice came into my head.
Would you let me deal with this. I think that I can beat her.
There is no reasoning with you is there?
No.
Fine do what you want.
Thank you.
“Will you fight me or will you walk away and not look back?” she asked impatiently.
“I will fight you.”
“Alright choose your weapon.”
I drew out my sword and held it in front of myself. She did the same. “It looks like we are ready to begin.” I said examining her weapon. It was plain, nothing special; it looked like the one that all the nights carried. I just wondered why she was a knight. It is almost as bad as a woman dressing like a man. “Shall we begin?” I asked a few seconds after she drew her weapon.
“The sooner I beat you the sooner that you can leave.” She answered in a full of herself kind of voice.
“You sound very confident that you will beat me. I would be the same way if I had a suit of armor on and my opponent had only cloth.”
“As you wish.” She said as she started to take off the armor. Her figure was like mine and you could tell that she had muscle. There was no doubt in my mind that it would be a good fight. I knew that she had to be an excellent fighter if she was in the position that she was in. “There now it is more fare.”
“Yes I would say that it is.”
Our sword swung together and the fight began. Her foot work was perfect and the way that she handled the sword was impeccable. She gave me a challenge and I would say that she is almost as good as Eldon. The fight went on for a long time. Neither of us able to break the others defense. Go to the left…no the right…come on you are not even trying. Eldon came into my head.
You are not helping me go away!
You are not fighting as good as I know that you can. Step it up. I know that you can beat her.
You are distracting me.
Wrong I am helping you
No you are not! Get out of my head NOW! There was no way that he was helping me. I could not concentrate on what I was doing with him in the background telling me what to do. While he was in my head I mad e a few curtail mistakes and if she had been a few seconds fast could have taken my life.
I could tell that we were both getting weak and it was only a matter of time before we would have to strength left at all. The sound of clashing metal was now the only thing that I could hear and I knew that I had to beat her. I am getting to weak. I thought to Eldon.
Sorry I can’t help you, you went in to this thing all on your own.
Thank you so much for all your help. I thought sarcastically ending it.
“Alright…you win…I can’t go on any longer.” She said a few swings later.
“Good, I don’t know how much longer that I could go. You are by far the best that I have seen.”
“Thank you, are not all that bad yourself.”
I think that we should take her with us. I thought to Eldon.
Don’t you think that we have enough people right now with us?
Well I would like a woman to talk to. It does get kind of boring with all you guys.
You do have a point.
I know that I do, plus you saw how she fights we could really use her if we get into a battle.
Yes I believe that you are right if she wants to come I think that I can allow it, but no more people.
Alright.
“From seeing your skill I do believe that we would have a good advantage with you by our sides. I guess what I am trying to say is will you come with us. I could use the company of a woman and I think that you would get along wonderfully with the rest of the guys.”
“I do believe that I will take that offer. I want to get out of here. See new things. You know, have adventure.” She answered after a long while of thinking. It was very important that we leave quickly. We must meet a man that is to tell Eldon and me what we need to know. But first we need to go and see the wizard that had talked to me the night before.
“Well you will defiantly find it with us.” I said with a smile.
“Good, I am glad that you feel that I am good enough to travel with you.” She said as she opened the gate.
When she led us into the town we saw people scrambling along the road that went though the town. I could not figure out what was going on. There was no order in the town. It almost seemed, from the way that the people were running every which way, that there was some sort of panic.
“I want you to look after these three.” I said to Abby as I pointed at Torin, Quentin, and Rostlyn. “We will meet you back here when we are done.”
“That sounds good.” Torin answered.
“Are you Abby?”
“No, why would you ask me that?” Torin answered sounding a bit confused.
“Because I was talking to her and you answered.”
“What am I not aloud to talk now?” he asked getting mad.
“Keep these two away from each other.” I warned her as I pointed to Torin and Rostlyn ignoring Torin’s last remark.
“I will do all that I can.” She said as I started to turn around.
“Thank you, we will return as soon as we can.” I said over my shoulder.
As Eldon and I made our way through the crowd, the people shoved me and stepped on my feet. There was no way of pushing them out of the way, so I just stayed very close to Eldon because I feared that if I was separated from him that I would get lost. There was suddenly a blur of colors as we vanished from the crowd. For what seems like a long time I can’t see a thing. I felt a hand grab my arm, I look to see who it is, but I still can’t see a thing.
We repair in a dark, wet place that was unfamiliar to us. I looked again to see who was holding my arm…just Eldon; I breathed a sigh of relief. But the relief was short lived; Eldon clenched my arm tightly as the shadow lurked towards us. I did not know what to expect. It might be a troll. I thought at first. No, it’s too small.
Then I saw it; it’s ugly face staring back into mine. Its breath was fowl; I was face to face with a goblin. Its green skin made mine crawl; its beady eyes looked back and forth from Eldon to me. I couldn’t look away. I was under its spell; its smell reached my nose. It was the worst smell in the world.
Don’t move, Eldon thought, Don’t talk.
I knew at that moment that we were reading each other’s minds.
Fine smarty how are we going to get out of this? I thought.
Well there is only one of him and to of us.
So? Oh, now I see what you are getting at. I thought as I made a quick grab for my daggers. At that moment it became war. I slashed at the goblin, and Eldon who had already had his sword out, finished him off. I stabbed him once more just to be sure. As I did this more came running at us, more then we could handle. As we started slashed and stabbing a figure came out nowhere. He was on our side, I think. After he killed the first one they all started running away. I did not get a good look at him. He vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
There was green ooze all over the wet floor and us. The smell still lingered in the air. I dropped my daggers to the floor. As I did this someone came walking toward us, the being walked slowly and with a limp of the left side. Eldon must have seen it to, he was on one knee.
While you are down there could you grab me my dagger? Hurry and get up that could be another one. Let’s go. I thought as if scolding him.
This is the wizard that we have come to see. You need to kneel in his presence. He is more powerful then we are.
At that moment I dropped to my knees in hopes that he had not seen the mistake that I had made.
He walked up to me and put a hand out, and said in a soft and soothing voice. “You may get up my child. I will forgive you. You may forget what you have done, for I in time will forget as well.”
“Thank you for our kindness.” I said as he helped me to my feet. Eldon was already standing.
Out of nowhere a table and four chairs appeared. All of which were made out of wood.
“Are we expecting someone?” I asked looking at the fourth chair.
“Yes, but do not worry right now about what may happen in the future. Worry only about what is happening now.” He announced in a deep voice as if to scare us. “My name is Klaus. I am the wizard that you have come to talk to.” He could tell that something was troubling me. “What is it my child, you look troubled.” His voice soft and worrisome once again.
“I have just been thinking of something in a dream I have recently had.” I answered.
“Well just listen to me now and I will hear you later.” He looked at the chain that I wore around my neck. Attached to the chain was a silver fairy. She was holding a vile that contained a magic dust. It was given it me at a young age. I was told that it was the dust of life. If I only had known how much that this little vile could do.
I fingered the pendent as he looked at it.
“Do you know what that is for?” he asked.
“My mother told me that it is the dust of life. As long as I kept it save the world would be save.” I replied.
“Your mother is only half right; it is also the dust of strength.”
“I do not understand.”
“The strength can be used in two different ways. It can be used as physical strength or mental strength. But only you will be able to use it. The way you use it will define you as a person, if it is used for good or evil. But the real strength comes from within. Use it…” He was cut off as a puff of smoke appeared behind us. The smoke was taking any air that I had. I started to choke.
When it finally cleared, a tall man stood where the smoke was just moments ago. He hid his face under a long brown cloak. But I could see his eyes staring back into mine. His eyes were as cold as ice, as was his heart.
“Is this the person that we were going to meet with?” I asked looking at Eldon; almost hopping he would say no.
“I don’t know I can’t see his face.” He answered not taking his eyes off the stranger.
As he said this the man lifted his hands to reveal bear-like claws. I knew at that moment that we were face to face with the most deadly creature to ever walk the face of this world and those to come, and it was lowering the cloak that covered the eyes that were still locked on mine. My heart pounded.
The hood of the cloak fell to the shoulders of the beast and I gasped, with horror.

Chapter 6

The Beast

It didn’t take me take me very long before I realized who it was.
“Rostlyn?” I asked after a few short seconds just make sure that it was who I thought that I was. “But… how…the paws?”
“I will explain it all later. Right now we need to talk about what I came here to talk about.”
“Hold on one minute,” Eldon said, still amazed at the sight before him. “This is all too odd.”
“I will explain, but later.” Rostlyn repeated, “What I have to tell you now is very important.”
“What is it?” I asked, impatiently.
“Please let us have a seat first, and then we can talk as much as we wish.” Klaus said before Rostlyn could say anything.
“You will face many different paths. I will not always be there. I am going to give you something that will help you when you come across these difficult paths.” He said as he pulled to little pouches out from underneath the cloak, both black velvet. “Do not open them until you need them.” He warned. “Use them only if you need them.”
“How will we know when that time has come?” Eldon asked.
“You will know.” He answered.
“Is that all that you had to talk about?” I questioned.
“No, there is one more thing that I have to say and then I must get back. I know who you are and why you left your home. I will not say anything to the others, I am not he one that you need to worry about.”
“What are you saying?” Eldon asked.
“If you are not careful the identities that you have worked so hard to conceal with come out into the open.”
“Who it is that we can’t trust?” I broke in. “Is it one of those who are traveling with us?
“That I can not tell you, only that you must be very careful in the future and try not to do things out of the ordinary.” And with that he vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
Eldon and I stayed to talk with Klaus for a short time after. He gave use two jars. Both had a mini dragon in them. Eldon’s was per black, while mine was blood red.
“Alana will you stay here for a few minutes after Eldon leaves?” He asked. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Yes, I will stay.” I said as I turned to Eldon. “I will catch up with you.”
“Fine, if you must. But don’t take very long; remember the others that we came here with.” Eldon replied.
“Yes, I remember.” I answered. Then he turned and walked away.
I turned to Klaus, “What do you need to talk to me about?” I asked with a questioning look on my face.
“Your dream.” He answered.
“Were should I begin?” I asked.
“At the beginning please. If I am to help you I will need to know everything that happened.”
“Well here it goes.” I said before starting. “Before I went to sleep Eldon had laid Torin beside me so that I would not worry so much about him and I would be able to get some sleep and my strength back. When I opened my eyes I could not move, I was motionless. Torin was standing above me. Suddenly he fell on top of me as if he was being pushed but did not try to stop himself. I did not realize that he was dead until landed on top of me. He had an arrow in his back. I had just saved his life and now he is dead once again.”
“Wait one moment, you saved his life? How?” he asked sounding very interested.
“Well it was not just me, Eldon help. Actually he did most of the work. I was too weak to do it. On a good day I could have done it all by myself. My powers have matured faster than his.”
“But how did you do it? I have never heard of just a sorcerer, or sorceress in your case, being able to do something so difficult.”
“It is very simple, you say a few choice words and you give them a potion and then you wait, it takes only a few moments.”
“Well it seems to me that you two are no longer what you say that you are.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that you may be able to be considered a Witch, and in Eldon’s case a Wizard. There are very few people that are even at my level of experience and still can not do that.”
“Well I will then take that as a complement, and I shall pass it on to Eldon. I thank you very much.”
“You may go on now with your story.”
“Thank you, now where was I, oh yes I remember.
Finally after trying for a long time I gathered all my strength, and I moved my arms. Once I was able to move them I pushed Torin off of me. By the time I got to my feet I thought I would go back down again, I was so tiered. I took a step and another till I was outside the tent.
I saw Eldon, Quentin, and Rostlyn lying on the ground dead. All three of them were shot with the same arrows that Torin had through him.
A fire lit with no one to watch it. I knelt down beside Rostlyn and looked into his face. It seemed so cold and lifeless.
I asked myself how I could have slept through this. I bent down and kissed Rostlyn ever so softly on his brow. I did the same with Quentin. As the tears steamed down my face I realized that I was not changing, this was odd to me because you see when…”
“Yes I know you change forms.”
“Yes, so back to the story, I walked over to Eldon and knelt down beside him then took his hand in mine. I kissed it ever so gently. Then said ‘Sleep in peace my brother.”’
He replied with a smart remark and it was then that I knew that I was only dreaming.”
“What part is puzzling you my child?” He asked.
“I could not move. That is what troubled me the most of all. That probably sounds like a strange thing to worry about, seeing how most of my dreams like this actually happen.”
“So there are other things that troubled you?”
“What?” I asked.
“You said ‘that is what troubled me the most of all.’ What else troubled you?”
“I already found the answer to my other problems. But not this one, this one is different.”
“Did you ever think of Torin?”
“Yes I think of him all the time, we have become very close friends. But what does he have to do with it?”
“You say he was lying next to you, am I correct.”
“Yes, that is what is said.”
“Did you ever think that he might have rolled over on top of you?” He asked.
“No, I had never thought of that. That seems so easy now. Why didn’t I think of that? Thank you.”
“Now tell me what happened after you woke up.”
“Well, let’s see here.” I said trying to remember. “Oh yes, Eldon got up and I explained everything to them.
Then I went to go check on Torin. When I found that he was fine I sat by the fire with Rostlyn, Quentin, and Eldon. Most of the time my dreams predicted the future near or far. This really troubled me. I did not want to see this happen again at all. That is the end.”
“No my child this is only the beginning of a long and painful road.”
“What do you mean?”
“You say it is the end. But this only the beginning of your life.”
“I see but why do you say that it will be painful?”
“I can see the future that you will have and I see a great devastation in your future.”
“Is there anyway that I can stop it?
“That is something that you will just have to figure out for yourself.”
“Alright, thank you for all your help. I really must be going.” I said.
“I have a feeling the I will be seeing you in the near future.” He said as I got up from my chair.
“I will look forward to it.” I answered with a smile then walked away.
I met Eldon on the way out. “What was that all about?” Eldon asked.
“He helped me find the answer to my question.”
“And what was the answer?”
“Torin was lying on top of me.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes that is it.”
“I can’t believe that we didn’t think of that on our own.” He said shaking his head.
“Oh, he told me something else as well.”
“What?”
“I had told him how we saved Torin’s life and he said that we may be able to be considered a wizard and I witch.”
“That is amazing, did he say how much longer before it would be official?”
“No, but he was very impressed and also said that there were even some that were as talented as he is and still can not do that.”
“I just can’t believe all this.” He said not looking at me.
“I think that sorceress sounds better though.” I said in a disappointed tone. He just laughed and then got really serious all of a sudden.
We walked only a few steps more before stopping. Eldon turned to me and said, “Alana, I fell that something bad will happen to me in the future. You must promise that you will let fate run its course.”
“I promise.” I said for argument sake. I was still thinking about what he said. What could he possibly mean? I know that he gets these feelings about things that might happen in the future but I didn’t want him to be right this time. I had just had a dream that foretold of his death, I have seen it once and I don’t want to see it ever again.
“I still can’t believe that it was Rostlyn.” He said after a pause.
“I know, how could I have not seen that?” I wondered aloud.
“That really is not like you, you are usually the first to know about anything like this.”
“But how could have not seen it sooner?” I asked again.”
“I think that he is a lot more powerful than he leads on.” Eldon said.
“He must have messed with my mind with out me knowing it.”
“That is a possibility; now let’s get back to them before they kill each other.”
“Sounds good to me.”

Chapter 7

The Hunger

We found ourselves back in the crowd that we had come from what seemed like so long ago. We went to find our followers as you might call them; we found them right were we left them.
“What took you so long? I’m so hungry. Let’s go find somewhere to eat.” Torin said as we walked up to them.
What a great welcome. Eldon thought to me
I know, his manures have improved. I joke back
What should we tell them? He asked
“We got lost.” I lied “That’s a good idea. I am getting that empty feeling inside as well.” I tried to change the subject.
“You got lost…how?” Torin asked with a strange voice.
“The same way that everyone else does.”
“I see, are we going to go eat or are we just going to just stand here?”
“I thought that we could stand around for awhile, just talk, you know.” Eldon said sarcastically.
“You know that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Rostlyn said from behind me. Everyone laughed except Torin.
“We can’t stay here for very long, if they find that I am not at my post there will be hell to pay.” Abby said looking from Eldon to me.
“I understand. We will go and get a quick bit to eat then leave.” I told her as we turned in the direction of the tavern. (Where else?)
As we enter and sit down at a table I notice that there are only five beings at the table instead of the six of us now that Abby has joined us. Eldon must have noticed to because he had on the same puzzled expression on his face. It is Rostlyn is missing. Where could he be, he had left long before we had, he should have been here by now. I even remember seeing him in town. He was standing next to Abby. So where is he now? This really puzzled me, but I let it go thinking that he could, after all, take care of himself.
Suddenly I was interrupted a voice asking: “So what did you talk to the man about Alana?”
“What?” I asked looking around trying to place the voice.
“I asked what you talked about with the man that you went to see.” Torin answered as I looked at him.
I saw Eldon give him a look of aversion, he didn’t like people prying into business that is not their own.
“Oh nothing that you would be interested in hearing about.” I said with a smile. As I said this Rostlyn walked up behind me and put his hand upon my shoulder. It made me jump, I was not expecting it. I also did not know who it was until Torin jumped up to give him a piece of his mind. I grabbed Torin before he could do any damage, not thinking.
“Sit down.” I scolded.
As I said that the waiter came up to take our order. He looked vaguely familiar. His dark eyes looked from one of us to another. He was tall. He looked to be part reptile. When he looked at me a second time he said: “Lady Al…”
“Sorry you have the wrong person.” I cut him off before he could finish. It was then that I recognized him. He was a servant at our castle. He had one day vanished and was never seen again. He walked away puzzled. After a few moments of silence Abby’s voice rang out.
“That’s where I have seen you before. You...”
“Abby may I talk to you outside a minute please?” I asked.
“Fine if you must.” She answered.
We walked outside the tavern and the waiter followed. “I know that you know who I am.” I said looking at the waiter who we called Hadrin. “But who do you think I am?” I asked looking at Abby.
“You and your brother are Lord and Lady LaCombe. You went missing a little over a week ago. Your pictures have been sent out to all the towns that they can possibly reach. You are the people that I was to watch out for.” She answered in a strange voice, that of a scared child. “There is even a reward on your safe return.”
“There is, how much?” I asked as Eldon walked out of the tavern.
“500 gold pieces.” She answered.
“What’s going on out here?” Eldon asked
“There is a price on our safe return, 500 gold pieces. Mother and Father have sent out pictures of us to all the towns that they can reach.” I answered with a grin. “You know what that means don’t you?”
“Yes. I know what that means. It means they will find us sooner then we want to go home.” He said. This made my grin fade away. I really had not put that much thought into it.
“I was thinking of something else but this is true. We mustn’t stay here. We have to leave as soon as we can.”
I looked at Hadrin. “You must tell no one that you saw us. That goes the same for you too, Abby. You must swear on your graves that you will not tell a soul.” They both agreed and we headed back inside.
What are we going to do about this? I thought to Eldon as we walked into the tavern.
I don’t know yet, but I will come up with something. He replied with a confused look on his face. I don’t like that there are this many people that know who we are. I don’t know that I can trust them to keep their moths shut.
We will just have to keep a close eye on Abby, but what will we do about Hadrin? We can’t take him with us as well; there are already too many people with us. I thought as I sat down at the table.
I will do what I must.
What is that supposed to mean?
Don’t worry about it. I will take care of it.
I don’t think that we will have to worry about Rostlyn, so you?
No he has been with us this long knowing, I don’t think that he would turn on us now. Besides we know more about him now to.
“Where are we going to go next?” Rostlyn said a few moments after Eldon and I sat down.
“Wherever the road takes us.” I said quickly trying to get back to my conversation with Eldon. This is not going how I had planed it to.
Nor is it for me, but we must go along with it. There is not turning back now.
Even if there was an opportunity to would I take it.
Nor me.
“Alana, what do you think?” I heard Quentin ask.
“About what?” I asked in return.
“Haven’t you been listening? I asked if anyone knows where we will end up.”
“Oh, hopefully far away.”
“Why are you running from something?” Abby asked with a slight grin on her face.
“No, I just want to find adventure, and the type of adventure that I want to find is not around here.”
“I see, and what kind is that?”
“The kind that is unexplainable, one that no words would be able to express.”
Nice one, what are you trying to do? Eldon came into my head.
“Wow, you never mentioned that before.” Torin said.
“If you were listening to anything that I said you would know that I have said it many times.” I said. That is all that I could come up with on the spot.
“What are you talking about, I listen to you plenty.” He said and al could tell that the alcohol had set in.
So is that the reason that we left, to find adventure? Eldon questioned.
“I am not going to start to argue with you it is a waste of my time.” My temper was starting to show. What do you want me to tell them the real reason that we are here, that we are looking for our brother who disappeared about 3 decades ago?
I just think that you could have come up with something better.
“I am a waste of your time?” Torin came back.
“No arguing with you is.”
That went over really well. Eldon thought.
I thought that this conversation was over with. It is really hard to participate in two conversations at once.
Well if anyone could do it, it would be you.
You are so not funny. I thought with sarcasm
I am you just don’t thin so because you know that it is true.
I know the truth hurts. I thought ending the conversation.
After we ate we left, we had little time until dark fell upon us. Torin was still riding with me. Abby was on Torin’s horse with Rostlyn. I could tell that she took a fancy to him. He was after all very handsome. Well, to her at least. I could not admit that I took fancy in him out loud, well once you get past the paws and claws and those horrid teeth. She had not seen him as his real self yet, and it was not my place to tell her.
She had brought a horse of her own but she had put her baggage on it. There was no room for her because she brought too much stuff, so Rostlyn pulled her onto Torin’s horse. The horse was white with a black strip running down its nose. I would have ridden with her but if I put Torin and Rostlyn on the same horse we would never hear the end of it.
We set up camp a short time later. The sky had no stars in it so I knew that rain was on its way. Sure enough before the sun came up the next morning the rain was falling. It came in like it was on the wings of a huge bird. It poured down on the tent like arrows.
None of us wanted to leave the tent but we know that we had to get to the next town as soon as possible. The rain did not let up. It came in sheets that stung when it hit you. I even brought the horses into the tent.
“How long are we going to have to stay here?” Asked Torin, “I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten since last night.”
“Fine you want to go get food. Be my guest.” I answered.
“If I do go will you come with me?” He asked, his voice quiet.
“Fine I will go with you. But I will not stay out there for long.” I told him with a stern voice, almost like I was warning him. “It is very unlikely that you will find anything in this weather.”
I love the rain; it is very calming to me. When I was very little I would sneak out of the castle to go play in the rain. Sometimes I would even get Eldon to go out with me. But I knew he would not come with me this time.
We got up to leave and were almost to the door of the tent when Eldon asked: “Where are you two going in this weather?”
“Torin is hungry so we are going to get something to eat. We will try to find a lizard or something.” I said
“Fine just be careful. Why not take Rostlyn along?” He asked.
“Because there is only room for two on a horse. I think that he should stay here so that you can watch him very closely.” Eldon gave me a smile. The first that I had seen in a long time.
“We will be back as soon as we find something.” I yelled as the horse dashed forward. Then said just before we were out of earshot, “Take my dragon out and get him use to people.”
“Alright, I will see to it.” He yelled at the top of his lungs.
When we were out of sight I slowed the horse down a little. It was good to get away from the rest of the people. I was finally as alone as I was going to be for some time. Even though the rain poured down upon us I felt soothed and comforted. There is a strange feeling that I get every time that it rains, it is that of someone watching over me. It seems as though there is someone that is there with me and they are trying to sooth and comfort me in whatever way that they can. There is really no other way to try to explain this feeling.
But this feeling was not exactly long lived, as I looked at the sight in front of us my happiness faded. Torin saw it to. He put his arm around me as he had done many times before. Though him arms were warm and soothing even in this weather, they did not make me feel any safer this time.

Chapter 8

The Cave

Torin and I are standing in front of the largest cave that I have ever seen. It is crafted into the side of a huge mountain. This mountain stretched as far as the eye could see and it reached up almost touching the heavens. There was no way to get over or around it without taking up the time that we so desired to have on our side. The only way that I can see by looking at it is to pass through it. Hopefully the cave travels all the way though that mountain. This puts a whole new meaning to the “mountain” that Eldon and I have to cross on our own. I thought thinking back to the letter that I had left for mother and father. But how could we have not seen this from the camp? We haven’t ridden all that far have we? We couldn’t have, it must have been the weather, and we didn’t start out till late last night. There was no way that we could have seen this in the dark; there were no stares or moon to light the skies. The clouds from the rain covered them.
I had forgotten about the rain from the moment that I saw the vast block in our path. It is only now that I think of how dry the cave looks inside that I remember the rain that is beating down on me. Yet there is something about the cave that makes me second-guess my thoughts about it. It is dark, cold, and unwelcoming.
As these thoughts raced though my head I stared into the cave, and there came a low deep growl from far within. I slide down from atop the horse. Torin grabbed for my hand but could not stop me; I was too far for him to reach. He almost fell off the horse trying to grab me.
I inched towards the blackness that consumed me. It was then that I stopped, Eldon! I thought. He could help us and it would be a great adventure. One that we had been awaiting for so long.
I walked back towards Torin who was now off the horse and walking towards me. “I need you to go fetch the horse. And hurry!” I snapped
“Yes of course. As you wish.” His answer stunned me, but had not the time to pay attention.
Once he came back to me with the horse I told him, “We must get back to tell the others of our findings.”
“But what about the food?” he asked as I went to get on the horse.
“Is that all you think of? We may have found the adventure of a life time and all you want to know is when and what we are going to eat?”
“It is hard to ignore the pains and the noise that come from the stomach.”
“I am sure that they will not go anywhere. We must get back to tell the others.”
He had a longing in his eyes like her really didn’t want to go back but he knew that it was the thing that he knew that he should do. “Alright, lets go.”
“Alright.” We both got on the horse and rode back toward camp.
I pushed the horse faster and faster, I knew that I shouldn’t but I could not wait to tell them what we had found. The tent came into view moments later.
“What are you two doing here? That was really quick.” Eldon said as we walked into the tent, out of the rain.
“You will never believe what we found.” I said excitedly
“Well it could not have been food, or you would have given it to us already.”
I gave him the look of ‘what incredibly small part of your brain are you using, or do you even think before you speak.’
“Well what is it?” Quinton asked impatiently which caught me off guard.
“A huge mountain.” Torin blurted out.
“Not just a mountain, but a cave going into it.” I added.
“And you are certain that is what you saw?” Eldon asked.
“It is kind of hard to see something like this and not know what it is.” I said almost offended by his question.
“I was just making sure.” He said in a quieter tone.
I ignored him and went on talking, “It looks like the only way to get to the other side is through the cave.”
“Why not over it?” Quinton asked.
“That may take way to long, time needs to stay on our side. I can’t say anything for certain but I think that that would be the best option.”
“It may not go all that way through the mountain though.” Eldon said.
“I think that it is worth taking that chance.”
“So do I.” Torin said finally
“I think that we should all consider this first then decide what we are going to do.” Eldon said taking the role of the leader again.
We don’t have that kind of time. I thought to him.
Don’t worry we will figure it out. He thought back.
“We will have to go and see this mountain all together tomorrow when the rain had stopped.” Rostlyn put the idea out there.
“I think that sounds like a good idea.” Eldon said.
“Abby, do you know anything about this problem that we are faced with?” Torin asked.
Abby, who had been simply listening, answered, “Yes, the cave goes through that mountain but I have heard horrible stories about what lurks in the deep bowels of that cavern.”
“What kinds of things have you heard?” Quinton asked sounding afraid.
“Yes, do tell.” Rostlyn said very interested.
“Well, the most known is the one about that Dragon.”
“Please, indulge us in these seemingly juicy details.” I said trying to sound enthusiastic.
“My tale begins on a day much like this one, rainy and cold, almost 30 years ago. A man was passing through the land selling his goods. He took refuge in the cave to get out of the weather. At the time the cave was occupied by a powerful sorceress. She was not one that liked to be bothered without good reason. Many of the towns people went to her when they needed something. It is said that whenever she was bothered without good reason she would make that person her slave. She turned them into the most dreadful creatures and there was no way of telling that they were once people.
But anyway this passer-by went into the cave to find shelter from the weather. ‘Who are you to intrude on my land?’ her voice was clear and strong.
‘Only a poor man looking for shelter out of the wind and rain.’ He answered shaking from both chills and now fear.
‘Then please, come in. Come in out of this horrible weather.’
He followed the faint light that came form the fire. As he walked nearer to the heat he started to fell safer and more secure.”
“Just how long is this story going to take?” Torin blurted out.
“It would take less time if you didn’t interrupt me.” She answered bluntly. I just smiled, it was about time that there was a woman that put him in his place besides me. “Where was I, oh yes I was just getting to the good part.
When he got to the fire the only thing that he saw around him were the hard, rocky walls of the cave. There was no one in sight, or any indication that anyone had ever been there except the fire that burned steadily. ‘Hello, is there anyone there?’ he said, his voice trembling.
‘Yes please, come closer, let me see your face,’ He walked toward the voice.
‘Please let me stay, even if only for tonight.’
You may stay as long as you would like, but you have to do something for me in return.’
‘Of course anything, thank you for your kindness.’
He stayed for 3 days and 3 nights, she made him feel at time and welcome for that time, but when it came time for him to leave she said, ‘It is now time for you to do for me.’
‘Oh yes malady, whatever you wish.’
‘What I wish is for you for you to spend the rest of your life and those to come protecting the one thing that I hold dearest.’
‘I shall take it with me wherever I go.’
‘I had something much different in mind, please come closer, no stand here, yes right there.’
‘I do not understand, why must I do all of this I have to…’ before he could finish she cast one of the worst spells on him that the world had seen. She turned him in to a blood thirsty dragon that forever will protest the one thing that she held dearest.”
“What is it?” Quinton asked.
“No one has gotten close enough to find out.”
“Maybe we should try to find another way.” Quinton stammered.
“That will take days, the only other way is to go over it, and even that could be more dangerous than facing the dragon.”
I can think of something. I thought to Eldon.
No we mustn’t do anything like that. You know we can’t, are you trying to get us caught?
“Eldon, what should we do?” Rostlyn asked.
“I don’t know yet, but I will figure it out before the time comes.”
I still like my idea; we can just erase their memory of the whole thing and tell them that we went over it. We wouldn’t be lying.
I said NO, I will figure something out.
Fine, have it your way.
Oh I already have.
The rest of the night was filled with talking about Abby, she told other stories that she knew and everyone listened intently. I saw the look in Rostlyn’s eyes as he watched her hand movement and the way that her body swayed as she talked.
When we all woke up that morning there was no doubt in my mind that Eldon had chosen his way to go about this. The look that was in his eye was one that was unmistakable. It was one of reserved confidence, one that knew that when he had decided could kill anyone of us.
“I have decided that we will take our chances with the dragon.” He said in a loud voice as if to quiet all the others.
“You are crazy, there is no way that we could face a dragon and win!” Torin said in the same voice.
“We must take that chance, who is with me?” he looked around the room at each of us.
“I will go with you brother.” I said after pretending to hesitate.
“So will I.” Rostlyn said stepping toward him.
“And I.” Abby said
“Are you two in?” Eldon said to Torin and Quinton.
“Yes.” They both said in unison, Quinton voice barely heard, but Torin’s strong and almost fearless.
We left a short time later; the sand that was once dry and grainy was now like slush. It didn’t take us long to get to the cave. We found that it was possible to see it from where we had set up but we hadn’t paid mush attention to it.
We started into the cave like a herd of cattle being driven by the desire to find something, anything, each of us looking for something, but not knowing what.
“What do you think that we will find?” Quinton asked to the group as a whole.
“Well that really all depends.” Eldon answered
“On what?” Torin questions.
“On what you describe something as.” He spoke above them and without any one knowing what he meant they went on talking about other things.
The cave is becoming long and we have no idea how long we have been walking. All of us have mixed feeling about this decision that we made.
Are you sure that we should be doing this? I asked Eldon after awhile. Don’t get me wrong, I want to slay a dragon as much as you do but should we risk their lives to save our own?
That decision was made by them, they had every opportunity to turn and walk away.
I know but still I don’t think that I could bare to loose any one of you.
Don’t go getting gall girly on my now, just when I need you to be the man that you should have been you go all soft on me.
Sorry I will keep it together…as long as I can.
Thank you.
Will I be able to fight with you on this one?
I will need all the power that you have.
That is one thing that I am very willing to give away.
A little too willing. Eldon was trying to keep my mind clear and calm. Do you see that light? I am going to go check it out.
Alright, be careful.
Just than I felt someone or something grab my hand. It felt cold and sweaty. I looked to find Torin looking at me like he was ready to say something. His brow was as sweaty and cold as his hands.
Eldon went ahead of us to see what the light was. He took a few steps before stopping to turn, and wave us on. I was the first to go, and then the rest followed. The air got colder the farther that we walked into the cave. A chill rushed down my spine. The light got brighter as we neared it.
There was a sudden burst of bright fire. It made me jump back. As I did this I fell into Rostlyn and ended up on top of him. Torin quickly pulled me up.
Torin walked behind me as we made our way deeper into the cave. Torin still clutched my hand as if he was afraid of what lies ahead.
Eldon suddenly bumped into something that was much larger then he was. It was smooth and soft unlike a stone. But at the same time it was hard and scaly.

Chapter 9

The Creature

I shone the light of the torch, which Eldon had plucked from the wall and given to me to hold. This is enough to make any common human faint with fear. I thought to myself.
As I finished thinking that Quentin fell. I rushed to his side, and got on my knees. Eldon kept his eyes on the creature.
At that moment Rostlyn turned and said “Torin, you take him and Abby and run as fast as you can to get out of the way. Alana you go with them, Eldon and I can take care of this.”
I looked at him and said in return, “No, I am going to say and fight. I have the right to be here fighting alongside my brother. He is the only family that I have left, and if I am to die it will be now, beside him.”
“I want to stay too. If he gets to stay then so do I.” Torin’s voice rang out, by this time I was standing.
“No, you must take care of Quentin. He’s your responsibility. You must stay with him. I will be fine. Now go and take her with you.” I said with my hand upon his shoulder.
“And why must I go? Do you think that I am not qualified to fight beside you?” Abby asked with her hands coming to her hips.
“No I think that you could be a great fighter but this is not the time to argue about any of this.” I answered.
“Then I will stay and you will do nothing to stop me. If I am to die, than so be it.” She came back with. I just rolled my eyes and turned to Eldon, drawing my sword.
“But why do I have to go?” Torin asked.
“I already told you, now go!” I yelled. He turned to walk away with Quentin over his shoulder. I glanced at Eldon; he seemed ready for anything.
The head of the creature came into view. I could now see that it is an ice dragon. The finest I had ever seen. His scales big and bold, his eyes almost the same color as my own. His teeth, long and yellow, lay sharp in his huge mouth. His lips looked as if they were curled into a sneaking grin.
“To the death.” I said putting my sword in front of me. Eldon and Rostlyn did the same in unison. We all lunged for the dragon. There is a flash of colors. Abby wastes no time on getting in on the action, she fought right beside me. She slashed at the dragon cutting it open. There was so much happening all at once that I didn’t even notice that Torin had disobeyed my wishes and came back after putting Quentin around the corner. We gave the final blows to kill the dragon but not before it flung its tale around and hit Abby against the wall. In the last few seconds of her life she cried out in pain “Rostlyn, I love you!”
When we all took a moment to look at our victory we realized that when it fell it reveled a passageway.
Eldon turned to go get Quentin. “Torin come with me I will need your help.”
“Alright.” He said.
I stayed with Rostlyn to comfort him in his time of need. He told me “get away” countless times but he finally pull me close.
“Why is he laying here?” Eldon asked Torin.
“I put him there.” Torin answered with out hesitation.
“You are quick to speak and you will be quick to die, but are not so quick to realize that you are alone in your love for my sister, something that everyone has picked up on except you.”
“You speak of things that you do not know.” Torin shot back.
“You would like to think so, but, I know that I am right. If you do not believe me go and ask her yourself.” Eldon said as he walked away from Torin back to Rostlyn and me.
“I left Quentin outside he is still out cold.” Eldon said walking up behind us. Rostlyn was still holding me and did not seem to care if my brother saw.
When Torin stormed back toward us there were flames in his eyes. He pulled his sword and run at Rostlyn. Eldon jumped on him to stop him. Torin turned at the wrong time; Eldon landed right on Torin’s sword. It went through his stomach. He let out a cry of pain. I left Rostlyn to get to Eldon before it happened. But it was too late. He transforms faster than I do. The dragon emerged from Eldon’s body, the skin splitting down his back. Rostlyn and Torin both started for him. I had to get to him before they did, I just had to. I ran faster then I had ever before.
I out ran them thankfully. But talking to them was out of the question. I tried but they would not listen, they were trying to protect me and there was no changing their minds.
I have to stop them I have to save Eldon. I thought. It seemed odd saying that I had to save my brother when he had been the one saving me all these years, from all sorts of things, everything from get into trouble with our parents to saving my life. He did this countless times, and now it is my turn to repay the favor. I was forever in his debt. Now it is his turn to be saved. I thought. And I am the one that can do it, somehow, in someway. But how? I thought as I ran. I was behind them now but catching up quickly.
Then it hit me. Literally,I was hit by an overhead rock that had come loose form its resting place. It hit my head of all places. Blood started to drip down my face form my wounded forehead. The rocks around me were the last thing that I was thinking about. I was more worried about the life or death situation that I was in. it knocked me down momentarily but I forced myself to get back up. I had to keep running there was no way that I could stop, if I did Eldon was sure to die at the hands of those that were after him. I could no longer take the throbbing pain from my forehead, I feel to the ground like a bag of stones. I made a cry of pain to get Torin and Rostlyn attention. I figured that it would at lease stop them for only a second. That might be all that I needed to let Eldon get away. It worked, they came running to me as if forgetting about the dragon.

Chapter 10

The Pain

As they ran to me I tried to communicate with him, telepathically, I am able to get through to him. Eldon can you hear me? I thought as I pleaded with him. If you can please answer me.
I can hear fine. That really hurt you know. How are we going to explain this one? This is all we need, and we were getting along so good. His voice rang in my head.
I am not worried about explaining right now, I need you to get out of this cave as quickly as your legs can carry you. I will be out as soon as I can. I Promise. Just leave the rest to me. I answered.
That’s what I am afraid of. You taking care of the rest. He answered.
There is no time for sarcasm.
That is the only thing that is keeping me going.
I laughed to myself; I knew that he was like that. He tried to keep his mind off the pain by thinking of other things. Alright I will keep in touch with you.
Fine I will go but keep them off me or I will be forced to hurt them.
You will do nothing of the sort, you won’t have to, I will do the rest. You save whatever strength you have left, I want to see you alive when I get out there.
I am doing the best that I can...oh no.
What? That did not sound like a good ‘Oh no’.
It’s not. What about Quentin he is still outside.
I will take care of him, He said in that devilish voice that he only used when he was up to something.
Don’t hurt him. Please.
Fine, I will meet you out there. He thought. He was now out of sight by now. Torin and Rostlyn still had their attention turned to me. They did not see Eldon leave.
I found that to be very odd, a huge dragon is walking away, the ground is shaking, and yet they pay no attention. I guess they think that it is fine that the dragon leaves.
I am out of the cave. This hurts so bad. His voice fades away slowly.
Eldon, stay with me. You need to keep talking to me. I am trying to get to you right now. Say something, anything.
I will try. But I can’t promise you anything. Agh, mmm, I don’t know how much longer that I can last.
I am hurrying. I will be right there. Stay with me, just keep talking to me, I know that you can do that, and you can get through this, you are strong.
Alright,,, he proceeded to talk to me as I tried to get to him.
Once done with the D.I.D act, (damsel in distress) I got up and slowly made my way to the entrance of the cave.
“You should lie down.” Torin protested.
“We have to get out of here.” I argued.
“If you wish it, then that is what we will do.” Rostlyn said. I knew that he knew who I was. So we both had a secret on each other, but both sworn to the grave if we were to tell a soul. He knew what was going on; he also knew that is was Eldon that I was fighting to protect. He was a lot smarter than people gave him credit for. There was no doubt in my mind that he was not going after Eldon at all, he was chasing Torin to make sure that nothing more happened to Eldon from his blade.
Rostlyn mourned the loss of Abby. I felt bad, really. She had not only become his friend but mine as well. I could not have helped her. Eldon could do nothing ether. This pained me very much.
“Once out of this cave there is something that I have to do. You must stay back, no matter what temptations that you may have. Do you promise?” I asked both of them but directing it more towards Torin.
“If you wish it.” Torin answered, trying to mock Rostlyn. But Rostlyn paid no attention, which angered Torin more.
As we walked out into the opening Eldon came into view. I took a few more steps then put my hands out on either side of me. They stopped and stood without movement. Torin was stiff with fear and hesitant to let me go further.
I walked forward, with small steps, so that I did not alarm Eldon. It was for my protection as well as his. And then she walked away like she didn’t care what I had just told her. He is still rambling on in my mind like I told him to do. I really was not listening to what he was saying but the sound of his voice, thought it was soft and hard to hear, was very comforting to me.
I glanced over my shoulder to look at Quinton, who Eldon and Torin had brought out earlier. He was still lying on the ground without movement.
“Eldon, you have to listen to me. I know that you are in pain but you have to calm down. I can’t take care of your wound if you are like this.” I pleaded as I walked toward him slowly. “You know that I am trying to help you.”
I was never quiet as good at calming him down as he was with me. I tried to keep my voice soft and soothing. It was like he didn’t hear me, he was still talking about something in my mind. So I decided to go a different way about talking to him. Eldon, I right by you. You need to let my look at the wound. But you and I both know that I can’t do that with you like this. You need to calm down as much as you can.
I have tried even doing it myself, I can’t the pain is far too great. You have to let me go.
No I wont, we both know that you can make it. Do I have to use my powers to calm you down?
No don’t waste your strength on the inevitable.
I will not argue with you. As I said that I cast a spell on him to momentarily put him to sleep. It would only last a few minutes but it would be enough to get him calmed down to that he would chance back. I had to do it this way, he was loosing blood fast. Eldon fell to the ground, his dragon form limp. He slowly changed back. His clothes drenched in blood. I can only think that the worst had happened.

Chapter 11

Eldon’s Fate

After fully changing back to the Eldon that I know I ran to hold him. As I get near him I stop, I could only stand in hurt. Torin and Rostlyn were running up behind me, I could hear them.
“Is he…” one of them said, but was cut off when I raised my hand to motion for them to stop.
I took small steps towards him, in fear of what I might find when I get to him. When finally at Eldon’s side I drop down to my knees, I had to hold back the tears, I just had to.
I don’t know how he got out but my little dragon came to my side and rubbed against my thigh. I had yet to name him; I wanted to find the perfect name.
I looked down at the little dragon as one tear slide down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away. I pulled Eldon up onto my lap, and tried to revive him. But I couldn’t do it.
I examined the wound as much as I could before I finally tore off the shirt. I wrapped his stomach with the shirt and used all the healing spells that I knew, but it wasn’t enough. If only I had his strength. I thought as I looked into Eldon’s lifeless eyes.
Klaus appeared in a puff of smoke, which quickly vanished. I glanced over at Torin. The look that he displays on his face says it all. It is that of a small child who has just witnessed one person kill another, and of confusion. He knew that all of this was his fault; he had let his anger consume him. He knew what he had done and that there was no way for him to take it back.
“Klaus help; please he needs your help. It’s my entire fault.” I sobbed slightly.
“I can’t help you. This is something that you must do on your own.” He answered as he walked slowly toward me. “None of his death is your fault my child. You can not blame yourself for the mistakes of others.”
“You don’t understand I could have stopped it all. None of this should have happened. I should have…”
“You can’t change the fate of your brother. This was meant to happen. This is a test for you and you alone.”
“You are testing me with my brother’s life! Who could do such a horrible thing?” I was no longer sobbing but instead enraged. What kind of person would gamble with another’s life to test someone?
“Not me my child, someone even more powerful than I.”
“Who, I want to know, you must tell me.”
“You should not be worrying about that right now should you, isn’t saving the life of someone that you hold so dear more important than finding this person at t his point in time?”
“But I have tried everything. There is nothing else that I can do. I have exhausted all my power already, I don’t know what else there is that I can do. I need your help.”
“Oh, but there is something that you haven’t tried.”
“What? Tell me, how can I save his life?” I said in hopes that he would help me.
“If you had done it he would be here with you know, and I would not have come.”
“I do not understand. Why won’t you help me?”
“You have all the strength in the world, you need to use it.” These were the last words that he said to me before he vanished into thin air with as much warning as when he had come.
I sat there puzzled for a few seconds. I have used all my strength, what more can I do? Is all that ran through my mind, over and over again. It is all a blur. I can not think straight. Rostlyn walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. I laid my hand on top of his hand, but for once, Torin did not take affiance to this gesture. He stays right were he is and looks away. It is as though he knows deep down what Eldon said was true and there was nothing more that he could do.
“Oh Rostlyn, I can’t help him there is nothing that I can do. I need him here. I can’t live without him. I need his guidance. I know that this all seems so selfish but it is true, I really can’t live without him. He has been everything to me, my rock, my shelter, my brother. I know that you know who and what I am. So why can’t I do this? Please help me.” I cried as the tears trickled down my cheeks. I could not stop them now. I melted in his arms. I did not want any of them to see me like this, but I had no choice it had already begun. I changed against my will. The cat, the lonely, black cat emerged from my body.
Rostlyn cradled me in his arms and stroked my soft black fur, as he did this Torin made his way slowly towards us.
“What is going on here?” he demanded in a somewhat confused and almost dazed voice. “First dragons, then people appearing and disappearing, now cats! What are next, fairies?”
“I’m sure that they will explain everything and answer all your questions. But for now hold her.” He said to Torin. “Hold her close. Pet her and talk to her softly, as if you were comforting her. Now take her over there.” He said pointing to where Quentin was lying on the ground. “I need to look after Eldon.”
With that Torin took me in his arms and walked with me over to Quentin. My eyes never left Eldon and Rostlyn. Rostlyn was taking the shirt from Eldon’s stomach. The look on him face said everything that I was thinking. I was able to heal the internal organs for the most part, but the exterior of the wound would not heal. Rostlyn took a jug that we had full of water and tried to flush out the wound. He doesn’t have the powers that Eldon and I have.
After flushing out the wound the best that he could under the circumstances he pulled out a variety of different herbs and proceeded to pour the contents of certain ones into the wound.
Torin held me close, as Rostlyn had asked. His arms are so warm and soothing that it calmed me down quickly. It shocked him when I started to change back. He almost dropped me, but slowly he put me on the ground. The change back happened so fast and left me so weak. I had used most of my strength on Eldon, and the cat took what I had left out of me. I laid there motionless for a few seconds trying to regain as much strength as I could.
“I need to go to him.” I said weakly to Torin.
“I will take you to him.” Torin picked me up carefully and slowly. The way that he walked was heavy and I knew that he blamed everything on himself; after all he was the one that had caused it.
“Are you feeling any better?” Rostlyn asked as Torin put me down beside him.
“No, but thank you for asking. I have nothing left to give. There is nothing for me to do.”
“I think that he knows that you have tried everything that you can to help him.”
“Torin, I think that Quinton is starting to come around, you should go check on him.” I said and Torin got up without protest and went to his side.
“Are you sure that you have tried everything, all your options?” Rostlyn asked. “Klaus said that you had the strength.”
“What did you say? What about strength?”
“Klaus said that you had all the strength you need.”
“That is it. I know what I have to do now.” I said as I yanked the pendent from around my neck.
“I have already tried herbs.”
“Not this kind.”
“What are you talking about?” He asked.
“Just help me to him and do as I say.” I said as I put most of my weight on him.
“Alright what do you want me to do now?” he asked after he had moved me to where I wanted to be.
“I am going to need as much energy as you can give me, can you do that for me?”
“Take as mush as you need.” He answered as I put my hand on his shoulder and began taking in some of his strength.
“Thank you.” I preceded to putting a little bit of the powder in the palm of my hand, just enough to cover about half of my palm if it were to be spread out in a thin layer. I sprinkled it over the wound in Eldon’s stomach and I could see in the instant that I did it that it would work. He started to move and I was able to get the rest of the energy that I needed from it.
I was able to then close the hole enough to know that he would make it long enough to get to a doctor.
Once he was awake enough to know what was going on I realized just how weak he was. He didn’t have the strength to get to the horses by himself so Torin and Rostlyn picked him up and put him on Rosac. I picked up my little dragon and laid him on my shoulder.
I was also very weak, but would not admit it. Torin picked me up and went to put me on Jadis, but I would not allow it. “Put me with Eldon. I must stay with him. He needs me now more than ever.” So he helped me up onto Rosac as well.
They all got onto their horses. Torin and Rostlyn on ether side of Eldon and I in case we were to fall. Quentin rode behind us as he always did.
I knew that we didn’t have the time to go through the cave or going over the mountain, if we did it would take back everything that I have just done and he would die. I was not willing to take that chance. “Rostlyn…”
“Yes I know, do what you must.”
“Thank you,” I used a little but of the powder form the pendant and sprinkled it on myself. This gave me the strength that I needed to perform the task that I needed to do. “All of you have to trust me.”
“We have no choice. We will do whatever you need.” Rostlyn said before anyone else could talk.
“Please whatever you do don’t struggle against me.” I closed my eyes and started to transport us to the other side of the mountain. It took only moments and when we got there it was very clear that we had to hurry to the next town. It was a race against time and I had to win.
“Alana, do you want me to hold him for you?” Rostlyn asked.
“No I need him close to me. There is no way that I will let him go again.”
“Come on, we need to push the horses.” Torin yelled as he bolted out in front of us all.
I kicked the sides of Rosac to make him go as fast as he could. He seemed to understand the urgency.
We rode hard and fast for as long as we could get the horses to go when the town came into view. I could see it on the horizon and I knew that we could make it before the night was upon us. “Look there it is, we have almost made it!” I yelled over the pounding of the horses on the ground.
“I can see it.” Torin yelled back.
We slowed just before entering into the town. I headed right for the tavern because I knew that there would be people in there that could tell me where I could find the doctor.

Chapter 12

The Doctor

“We need to find a doctor.” I yelled over all of the talking town’s people after I rushed through the open door.
One of the town’s people stood up and pointed toward a house that was not that far away. “The doctor is that way.”
“Thank you.” I said as ran back out of the tavern and jumped back onto the horse. We with out stopping rode to the house. I pushed the horses as fast as they would go. It was a small house, but nice. It looked clean and there was a little white fence in front of it. I had completely forgotten about the little dragon that had been trying everything to stay on my shoulder. He had finally gripped my shoulder with his sharp claws but I had not felt it. I quickly plucked him off and handed him to Rostlyn. Then yelled, “Doctor. We need a doctor.” I slid down from the horse.
A woman came running out of the house. She had long, medium brown hair that was pulled back in a loose braid, but most of it was falling out like she had had a hard day. She had eyes blue, with a dark tone in her skin. She looked to be about 5’ 6’’. She was slim, and her height was mostly in her legs.
“Is the doctor in? We need help right now. He could die if not tended to now.”
“Yes I am here, I am the doctor. What is the problem?” The woman said while she was running towards us.
“A woman!” Torin exclaimed.
“Does it matter that much right know.” I asked weakly not wanting to argue.
“Fine do what you will. But don’t come to me if she kills him.” He answered back.
“Oh Torin please be quiet for once. Be like Quentin. Please!” I said sternly. “I am so sorry. He has to learn to keep his mouth shut.” I said looking at the doctor, trying to force a smile.
“That is fine. I get that a lot.” She answered. “So what seems to be the trouble?” She repeated looking at Eldon who was lying limp in my arms.
“My brother.” I said weakly. “He needs medical attention. He is very weak and…” I trailed off. I did not want to say that he was knocking at deaths door in front of him again. But she seemed to know what I was saying.
“Bring him in.” She answered pointing to the house.
Torin and Rostlyn pulled him of the horse. I followed them in. Quentin was beside me holding my arm so that I did not fall over. I was still very weak. He still said nothing, but I know that he meant well.
They put him onto a bed that was covered with white sheets. The walls were covered in pastel colored flowers.
“We shall leave you alone now. Come along Alana there is nothing that you can do here.” Rostlyn said reaching for my arm.
“She may stay if she likes. But you all must go. Unless you are also family.” The doctor said as she looked at me quickly. I shook my head slightly. Then she waved the men away. Quentin did not get up from the place that he had sat when we had come in though. He had still said nothing. “You may stay here if you wish. So that she has someone here for her if she needs it. But only if you are quiet.”
“Oh you need not worry about him, he hardly talks.” I answered.
“Fine, then I will be in the tavern if you need us.” Torin said before walking out of the room.
“And I will be with him.” Rostlyn said over his shoulder as they walked out.
After they had left I introduced myself, “I am Alana and this is Quentin. My brother’s name is Eldon. He is the only family I have left.”
“My name is Hilara, but most of the people around here call me Lara. I will do everything in my power to save him.” Her voice had not much hope in it. She leaned toward me “It does not look good. I am sorry.” Then turned to Eldon. Quentin slipped silently out of the room and I knowing that I would be more of a bother then a help soon fallowed him.
“This must be hard on you.” Quentin finally said.
“Yes it is, but at least I have you men to keep me company.” I answered with a weak smile trying not to make it hard on him. I know that he understands what I am feeling and am glad that it was he that stayed with me.
“You can cry if you want. It won’t bother me.” He said. “I understand. I have no family either. But you know what; I would not change a minute of it.”
“Why?” I asked with a puzzled look. “I’d give anything to have Eldon well again.”
“Because if it had not of happened I would have never met you. You and I are more alike then you may think. There are still lots of things that Torin doesn’t even know about me.” He answered with a smile.
“There are a lot of things that you don’t know about me as well. But now is not the time to talk about it.”
“I understand; what shall we talk about then?”
“Anything…”
Quentin and I must have been talking for sometime because Lara walked out of the back room and interrupted our conversation. “You may go in now. But I will warn you that he may not be himself. I did all that I could but there is nothing else that I can do. It is all up to him now.”
“That makes two of us. I thank you with my whole heart for trying. I knew that nothing could be done. But I had to try.” I said.
I walked into the room to see Eldon lying on the bed with his eyes closed. I thought that the worst had happened. He must have died between the time she left him and I walked in. He died alone, with no one there with him. I never should have left the side of his bed. I walked slowly over to the side of the bed. Looking down at him then hit my knees. As my knees hit the floor they made a loud bang. His eyes opened quickly and I knew at that moment that everything was going to be fine, he was only sleeping, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“How are you doing? You look good.” I lied. “I was really worried about you.”
“Sorry that I worried you. But you betrayed me.” He answered with a deep, raspy tone.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Remember when we went to talk to Klaus?
“Yes”
“Do you remember what I said?”
“No.”
“I said ‘Alana, I feel that something bad will happen to me in the future. You must promise that you will let fate run its course.’”
“Oh I remember now, but how am I to know when in the future; the only thing that was running through my mind was that I had to save you. I just can’t live without you. I need you now more then ever.”
“Well it is all in the past now, so I must let it remain in the past and forget about it. There is no changing it now.” His voice weak and low but still as soothing as it always was.
“So how are we going to explain this one? It won’t be easy.” I said very willing to change the subject.
“Wait a minute ‘We’?”
“Yes we. You are going to get better.”
“Alana, listen to me, I need you to go on without me. I will be with you, you just won’t know that I am there. It is time that I go. I can’t live like this forever. You have to promise me two things though.”
“Whatever you want.” I said just happy to hear his voice, and not really paying attention to what he was saying.
“One, you must follow your heart. Two, you won’t let Mother and Father find you. Stay at least one step ahead of them.” He stated weakly.
“I promise.”
“Oh and one other thing, please take Rosac. Now please leave me. I need my rest if I am to get ‘better’.” He said as he took hold of my hand.
“Good bye for now my brother, I will see you again.” I said as I let go of his hand and turned to walk away. But something told me that I should stay; something deep inside. But I did not listen, like so many other times.
“Oh, I just wanted to say… I love you Alana.” Those where the last words that I herd him say before I walked out of the room. But they were not words that I expected to hear. Our family was not one to express emotion well. I guess that it was because my father is the king.
“I love you to Eldon.” I said with a smile. After that I walked out of the room, with the look of pain that only I could feel at that point.
Lara walked into the room after I sat down, and shut the door.
“She is really nice, and smart.” Quentin said.
She came out of the room along time later with a look a pride. “He is going to be fine. It may take a while but he will heal.”
“Thank you so much.” I said as I got up to embrace her.
She walked away slowly like she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. She knew that there was always the possibility that at any moment something could still go wrong. When she was out of sight I broke down and cried. I just could not hold it in any longer. They were not exactly tears of sadness and pain, but of relief.
“Please hold me.” I said to Quentin before changing. I jumped up onto his lap and curled up into his arms. He looked so confused like someone else that I knew. He had the same look that Torin had had when he had seen me like this.
His arms weren’t as comforting as Torin’s had been. Lara walked in before I changed back. She was speechless; she knew what had happened. She had heard of it before but had never seen it.
“This had better not be what I think it is.” She said with a rough tone in her voice.
“That all depends on what you think it is.” Quentin said back as he stroked my head. But before she could answer I started to change back to my normal figure. Quentin almost dropped me like Torin had done. But he put me down on the ground. Lara’s eyes went from almost closed too wide open.
“That’s better. Thank you for saving him. I owe you my life. I will be back later. Right now I have to go find the other two, and I know right where to find them.” I said smiling.
I ran out of the house to find Torin and Rostlyn. It didn’t take my long to get to the tavern from Lara’s. I burst into the tavern; out of breath I walked over to them.
“He is going to be fine!” I exclaimed with a smile.
“I bet it is the only good work that woman has ever done.” Torin remarked.
“I don’t want to argue over this. Not now, not ever, and for your information I am bringing her with us. So you can either stay here or you can choose to come. But the only way that I will let you even think of coming with us is if you keep your mouth shut. Do you understand?” I asked. I was mad. It was not the time for him to be like this. I let myself out of the tavern and ran to an open field that was far of into the distance.
I had left Quentin with Lara. They seemed to connect. But I knew that it would not last. There was someone ahead that would take Lara’s heart forever.

Chapter 13

A Broken Heart

I reached the field just in time. The Black Beast is coming out and there is no stopping it. I am mad and that is all there is to it.
Unknown to me, Rostlyn had gotten up and followed me. He saw me change, he saw everything. He put the little dragon down a far distance from me and told it to stay there. He really didn’t know if the dragon knew what he was even saying but he felt it was worth a shot.
Once fully changed I knew he was there. I could hear him as he crept closer. I started to pace, stomping my paws against the soft ground. My black fur shone in the late afternoon sun.
Rostlyn walked slowly up beside me. Knowing the danger that he was in he still pushed himself closer, why, I will never know.
But I only let him get so close. I lunged at him; I had no control of my actions. I was on top of him now, clawing and biting him. He tried to hold me back, but it was no use until he said a single name. “Eldon.” It was then that I stopped. That was all it took. I knew what he meant by it. I got off him and shrunk back.
I had hurt him. His right arm was dripping with blood. I could see his bones in some places, and his shirt torn along with the skin under it. It was a horrible sight. I couldn’t bear to look at it for long. But I had done that. I had revealed myself once again.
As I backed away I started to shrink. I shrank into the cat. I forgot the madness. Now it is like a sheet of sadness has rushed over me. I have hurt one of my friends, the only one that I could trust with my secret next to Quentin. Now I fear that he may never forgive me. I thought to myself as he lay there on the ground.
He got up and walked toward me. He knelt down on the ground by me as I shrank back even further, afraid that he might hurt me for what I had done. But he just put out his hand in a kind and almost loving gesture. I looked from his hand to his face many times before I took a step forward, then another and another till I was arms length away from him. It seemed like it had taken hours on end.
“It is fine. I will heal. But now you need to calm down so that we can get out of here. Something is going to happen. I don’t know what but it will happen to you. Plus I need Lara’s help, as you can see.” He said in a soft but funny voice.
I nodded in agreement. I climbed up into his lap. The blood drenched my once soft, shiny black fur. But that did not matter now; all that mattered was trying to calm down so that I could get him some help. Very slowly I started to calm down. Once fully back I helped him to his feet. It almost looked like I was the one that was hurt, it was not a very easy thing to do, helping him, I was really weak as well.
“I am very sorry. I can’t believe that I did that. I feel so bad.”
“Like I said before I am fine.’” He said trying to force a smile behind the pain. But I could see the worry in his eyes.
He pointed to my little dragon then said, “Why looky there he did as I told him. He is a very smart little fella ain’t he?” I went and picked him up and he nuzzled in the crook of my arm. I walk back to Rostlyn and we went back to Lara’s house. He leaned on me the whole way there. He was loosing blood quickly and he was becoming quite weak.
I was surprised when we got there to see Torin standing on the porch. I looked up at him with the look of hate that I hardly used. He on the other hand had the look of drunkenness, the one that I had only seen a few times but will always remember it. It is one of those things that you see that imprints itself into your mind forever.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him as I helped Rostlyn up to the stairs. Lara rushed out of the house at the smell of the blood that had made its way into the house. “Please take him. I will be right there. I have to take care of a little problem first.” I gave her a devilish grin. I put my dragon down on the porch out of the way. It was now almost dark. The sun was going to set in a few moments.
“I brought back Rosac and I have come to say good-bye.” He said in a slobbering drunken voice as I turned back to him.
“So this is how you really feel?”
“It is.” He said as he stumbled backward down the stairs. With a loud thud he hit the ground. “Alana please help me up. I have fallen, but I can’t get up.” He yelled as Lara came back out as quickly as she had gone in.
“You can go back to Rostlyn. Don’t worry what goes on out here.” I told her as I turned back to Torin. “Why should I help you?” I asked him as I started down the steps. “I think I should leave you here till you sleep it off.”
“Please, you wouldn’t do that to me.” He stuttered.
“Oh really, is that what you think? You think that you know me well enough to tell me what I would and wouldn’t do?” I went to turn back around just to show him that I was serious.
“I would if you would open up to me.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t understand!”
“How can you say that if you didn’t try?” he exclaimed. “I would have listened.”
“Well, now it is too late.”
“I guess that it is.” By now he was sitting up.
“And you think I should help you up. This is the same man that came here to say good-bye.” I said as I knelt down beside him. “Well the sooner that I help you up the sooner you can get out of my life.” I put out my hand for him to grab. He did so and I proceeded in helping him up. My strength was not completely back but I had enough to argue, I always had enough for that, it was a matter of whether I decided to do it or not.
“Thank you, now good-bye.” He said with anger in his voice. But as he went to walk away he looked at Rostlyn—who was now on the porch so that fresh air could get to his wounds—and said as he turned his back to us, “She is all yours.”
“She was never yours to give.” Rostlyn replied with a hint of anger in his voice. Enough to make Torin turned back around and gave him the look of disgust.
“Don’t you look at him that way! You have no right to treat people like this.” I blurted out. I put my hand over my mouth in shock that I had said that, like it was a crime.
“Alana I am going to pretend like I did not hear you say that.” Torin answered.
“Fine do what you will. I don’t care, I never did. Just get out of here.” I said with the same angry tone that they had just used. After I said that he walked up to me and pulled out his effects. I thought that he was going to do something to me. But I still made no movement. He just put them in my hand. “What are you doing these are yours. I bought them for you. Why are you giving them back?”
“I can see now that your brother was right in all that he said. He knows you better than I ever will. I can only hope you both the best. I just want you to have this, so that maybe one day you can look at it and remember me.” He said like he was no longer drunk. Then he got a really sneaky grin on his face as he put his hands on my shoulders and pulled me close. I forgot all the anger that I felt for him. I forgot that the world even existed, all because of him, but didn’t show it.
Then he bent down and ever so gently kissed me on my dry, chapped lips. After that he turned and walked away. Not saying a word or even turning for one last look at the woman that he was leaving behind. He had his head down to the ground as he walked away. It was as if he knew that if he turned and took that one last look that he would make even that much harder to walk away.
“No please don’t go. Don’t leave. Not like this.” I whispered to myself as he disappeared into the distance. He was right, I didn’t care for him like he did me but I was still losing one of my friends.
Little did I know that was the last time that I was going to see him, I knew that there was always that chance that we would run into one another again sometime down the road, but it was very unlikely. The sun was now long gone and on the lawn shadows crept.
I am sure that he will be back in the morning after the drunkenness is gone. It was the beer talking not him. He would not do this to me, to his friends, and what about Quinton. There is no way that he would just leave him behind without so much as a good-bye. I know him too well to know that he would not walk away like this. I thought as I walked back to the porch. “Is this what was going to happen?” I asked Rostlyn as I sat down by him and he nodded. Lara was still working on him. I still felt so bad.
My little dragon walked clumsily over to us. I had managed to keep it out of Lara’s sight but now he was in plain sight. She caught a glimpse of his movements out of the corner of her eye and turned quickly. “What is that?” She exclaimed.
“Well most people call them dragons.” I said casually.
“I know what it is but…”
“Then why on earth did you ask?” I cut in grinning.
“I was not done, but what is it doing on my porch, and why have you not killed it yet?”
“Well, he is mine. I found him along the way and got extremely attached to him. I hope that this is not a problem. He will not eat you, or anything of yours. He is still much too small for that, but he is able to hunt for himself.”
“Well just keep an eye on him, but I guess he could stay here, providing that he doesn’t get into any trouble.”
“I will keep my eye on him.” then said turning to Rostlyn, “I am still am very sorry for what happened to you.”
“No don’t feel bad for me. I have had a lot worse then this, and there was not a doctor as good as this one here.”
“Fine, but we can’t stay here for much longer. Just long enough for Eldon to heal, and for you to get better. It is just you and Quentin now that can protect me.”
“From the look of the way you took part in fighting I don’t think that you really need us for much more than company.”
“Well Eldon will be in no condition to travel for some time. But you are right I could use the company. Actually you know what I could really use.”
“What?” Rostlyn asked. Lara had went and sat across the porch and had closed her eyes.
“I could use the company of a woman.” I said looking at Lara. “I think that it would be great if you were to come with us. Males have surrounded me for a long time now, and I miss that of a woman.” I didn’t mention Abby because I knew that Rostlyn was already thinking of her.
“Let’s not worry about it right now.” She answered with a smile. “Go inside and get Quentin please.”
“Alright.” I said as I got up and walked into the house to get him. The dragon followed under the very watchful and worrisome eyes of Lara.
“Torin will not be joining us any longer; you are more than welcome to go after him. I will understand if you want to leave us to go with him. He is your family.” I told Quentin as we walked out to the porch.
“Rostlyn, what did you do when you went back into the cave?” I asked out of no where. Before we left he had gone back into the cave and came out a few moments later.
“I went back in to put Abby’s body at peace.”
“How? The cave was all rock, there was no way that you could have buried her.”
“I didn’t bury her. I placed her in a groove that I had seen on our way out so that she would be more comfortable in death.”
“Is there anything that I can do?”
“Yes actually there is, but it is late and there is no way that you are strong enough to do anything about it tonight.”
“Alright, just tell me tomorrow and I will see to it.”
“Thank you.” He had not looked at me while he was talking to me until now. “What have you been doing all this time?” he asked Quinton
“Oh little things here and there to help Lara with Eldon.”
“Oh, that is really nice of you to do.” I said as Lara came back out from inside the house. She had gotten up to go get a wrap for her shoulders.
“I just thought that it would help if there was another set of hands helping out. Things can get done a lot faster.”
“And I must put in that he is a very fast learner.” Lara said smiling. “I don’t know how long it would have taken me to do every thing that I had to do if he was not around. It is not like me to help a woman.”
“Well he is no ordinary man.” I said laughing. “He has a very genuine personality.”
“I must agree with you there.” There was a long pause after she said this and it was rather strange, no one really new what else to talk about.
“So how did you learn to be the doctor that you are?” Rostlyn asked breaking the silence.
“My father was a great doctor and actually traveled all over helping people. So I learned very young most of what I know now.”
“That is so splendid. He must have been a nice man.” After this there was yet another long silence.
“You know Alana, I am going to miss protecting you.” Rostlyn said looking at me once again breaking the silence.
“Oh, you can still do it, you will just know in the back of your head that I really don’t need you to.” He smiled than chuckled a little.
Little did I know that there was going to be another one that would come and save me from my fate and my worst enemy…myself.

Chapter 14

The Mystery Man

The night had come and gone. A new day had finally broken through. The sun was popping its bright smiling face out from behind a large cloud.
Lara popped her head out of the room that she had put Rostlyn in and said, “Would you mind going to get me some more cloth from town I have ran out and I need some for Eldon’s dressings.”
“Fine, Quentin and I will go to get it.” I answered. “We will be back soon.”
We walked out of the house and the little dragon fallowed. “You may not come this time.” Quentin said. He has also becoming quite attached to him. The dragon stopped and sat on his hind legs. He looked like a little puppy that has been abandoned. We then proceed down the walk.
“I really must come up with a name for him.” I said flatly.
“Yes, you really should.” He replied.
“Well that will take some time. I have been trying to think of the perfect name for him. I guess I will just have to think harder then.”
“Yes I guess you must.”
“And I am also guessing that you will be of no help will you?” I answered sarcastically.
“No, I have never really been good with names.” He said with a smile.
“So I have noticed that you and Lara have been getting along magically.” I said with a wide grin, changing the subject.
“Why not take her with us. We have become good friends. Almost like you and Torin. Now Torin is gone and not trying to sound mean but I need more then one friend. I still have you and Rostlyn, but I now have found someone that I can connect with like the way that you and Torin. You know what I mean?” Quentin asked.
“Yes I know what you mean. I was planning to bring her along with us anyway. It would be nice to have a doctor with us, and another woman.”
“Are you serious? Really!” He exclaimed.
“Yes, really.” I said. “I just hope that Rostlyn doesn’t say anything.”
“What do you mean?” He asked
“Well I told him and Torin that I was going to bring her along when I went to find them. I think that’s why Torin left. Well that and what I said.” I answered.
“What did you say?” he asked.
“Hold on.” I said
“You said ‘hold on’?”
“No, smarty pants, I need to ask this man something.” I answered in a serous yet joking voice.
“Oh, okay.” He said in the same voice.
“Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find the cloth shop?” I asked a man that looked like he knew his way around the town like the back of his hand.
“Yes follow me.” He said. He was a short man, dressed in all green except his boots, which were brown, his hair fire red with a long mustache that tied in with his beard.
“Thank you.” I said as we followed him through the crowd that seemed to last forever. We finally stopped in front of a store filled with cloth of all colors and sizes.
“How tall is the person that you wish to buy cloth for?” He asked before turning to the piles of cloth.
“Just get a piece big enough for someone 6’ tall.” I said.
“If that is what you want.” He answered while looking through the stacks of cloth. “Is there any color that you want?”
“No any color will do, thank you.” I answered as I looked around.
“Found you.” He muttered to himself. Does this one do?” he asked looking at me.
“This one is great.” I said forcing a smile.
“Well we must be going. Thank you for your help.” Quentin said pulling my arm.
“Hold on.” I said pulling away. “Here, here’s ten silver pieces, for your help.” I handed it to him then walked away with Quentin carrying the bag that contained the cloth.
“So what did you say to him?” Quentin asked as we walked through the crowd.
“I can’t remember it all but he was not very happy about it, that’s for sure. I know I told him he had the choice to stay or to come. But if he came he would have to keep his mouth shut.
“That is not the right thing to say to Torin. He does not like to be told what to do, especially not by a woman.
“Well that’s what I did.” I said with a shrug. “Hold on, I think that we can get there quicker.” I mumbled to myself. ”I have a better way to get there.” With a wave of my hand we were back at Lara’s house. My little dragon was right where we had left him. I can not believe that he hadn’t moved.
“How did we get here so fast?” Quentin asked.
“Let’s just say that it was all my doing.” I answered.
“Oh well I am going to see how Rostlyn is doing. Are you coming with me?” Quentin asked.
“I will be right in.” I said as I looked at the cloth. “I hope that this will do.”
I walked in and meet Lara at the door with Eldon’s effects. I gave her I puzzled look. “He told me that I was to give you these.” She said as she handed them to me. “He said that he had no use for them right now.”
“Thank you.” I said
“I must say he was very good and quiet while you were gone.” She said with a smile. I laughed for the first time in a long time. “Okay, I need to move him to another room. That room is too small to work in.”
We walked into Eldon’s room. Quentin went to pick him up but I stopped him. “I will get him.”
“Alana you couldn’t possibly carry him by your…” But he was cut off as I lifted Eldon up from the bed without touching him. I carried him out of the room like this. As we walked up to the bed in the other room I let him down.
“I will explain later.” I said as I lifted the covers and put them over him. I gave him a kiss on the cheek then walked out of the room and closed the door. I hugged Quentin then went towards the porch.
Rostlyn was sitting on the bench when I walked out into the sitting area. “I know this must be really hard for you. I wish I had a brother like you have, one that you can talk to, one that you can trust, and one that you can look up to. I never had that. I never had anyone that I could even love until I met Abby, now she is gone. I am where I started from, and I don’t think that I could ever feel the same way again. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand perfectly. I wish I could help you. But I can’t I can’t help anyone. I can’t even help myself. I am lost. He has been like a parent to me for so long it’s like I am leaving home and I not allowed to come back. I guess we are both at a loss. Well your arm looks better.” I said trying to change the subject.
“Alana, you and only you can change your life. But I am going to tell you some words of advice, this is not the end, it is only the beginning. Your life will be what you make it. Don’t let anyone choose your paths for you. They will be full of twists and turns.” With that he got up and walked out of the house.
I sat there for awhile thinking about what he had just said to me. I was in a world of my own. I would not have heard a pin drop, let alone Lara yelling. She ran into the house trying to get my attention. It took a good smack across the face to get me out of my world and back into hers. I had not the time to be angry, before I could respond she pulled me outside to find a man lying in the dirt.
He looked to be in much pain. His hair looked to have been once light brown but was now stained with blood; his face had the look of fright on it. There was only one thing that could do this to a man. I had to go find it before it did any more damage. I ran off following the footprints that the man had left behind. They were deeply imprinted so they were easy to follow.
“Alana where are you going, I will need your help.” Lana yelled after me.
“I will be back as soon as I can, besides you have Quinton.” I yelled back after stopping to turn around. I turned back to the trail and started back to what I was doing. Once on the run I heard nothing not even Rostlyn following me. When I finally stopped he ran right into me pushing me to the ground.
“I can fight my own battles you know. I don’t need your help. Why are you here?” I ask with anger in my voice.
“I just wanted to give you this; I thought you might need him.” he said as he handed me my little dragon.
“Thank you but I can slay my own dragons.” I answered starting to get annoyed. “Now I am my own knight in shining armor.”
“How do you know that it was a dragon that did this?” He asked.
“I just know.” I said as the dragon came lunging at us almost out of nowhere. “Go get out of here. I don’t need you hurt more then you already are.”
“I don’t think Eldon would want you to take your own life.” He yelled over the dragon’s loud roaring.
“What do you know? I am not taking my life I am saving those who are in danger, and you happen to be one of them. So get out of here before you get hurt even more.”
“Fine, I will leave. If that is what you want.” He answered.
I had my sword drawn; I lunged at the dragon with all my anger. I knew that this was not a good thing to do. You should never attack in anger. You will only die sooner because your concentration is not on your opponent it is on your anger.
Once I finally killed the dragon I examined my own wounds. I too was badly wounded. My left shoulder was badly torn, I had a burn on my right arm that was very painful, and a huge gash in my right thigh. But to top it all off this was a dragon that was hardly two years old. It was very immature and little. I stood at its chest. I could tell that the dragon was just learning how to use its flame. I knew if there was a baby around mother wouldn’t be far behind. I was in no condition to fight another one.
I was surprised that I could hold onto my sword. I weakly put it away and tried to handle the pain. I managed to hold it in till I got to Lara’s. She put me in the same room as that man that had came before I left. I was no better off then the man that was lying next to me. He seemed not to feel the pain. He was asleep. I am surprised that I did not wake him with my cries of pain while Lara stitched me up and treated my burn.
“I have come back mainly to ask you something.” I said jokingly as she put her tools away.
“Oh, what? What could be so important that you would come back here of all places?” She asked sarcastically.
“I want you to come with us, when we leave of course.”
“We will see how you are when you decide to leave.” She answered.
“Very well. How is your other patient?”
“He is doing just fine, though I have yet to get a name out of him.”
“Well he will come with us as well.”
“You are very head strong. You know what you want and how it is you want it and you won’t stop till you get it will you?”
“No, I don’t.” I said as I went to get up. “I will be on the porch if you need me.”
“On no you don’t, you have to wait till the stitches have time to set.”
“How long will that be?” I wined.
“Well from how many I had to put in I would say at least a few days.” She answered.
“You have to be joking.”
“No, go to sleep now it will go by faster if you sleep.”
I took a deep breath then lay back down. He was still lying beside me not moving. I could hardly see him breathing. But he looked so peaceful just lying there. I looked at him one last time before I slowly drifted into a deep sleep. I dreamt about my childhood. I saw my parents and Eldon. I saw my friends, I saw it all.
When I woke up the room was dark. I could only see the dim light that came from underneath the door. I brought my heavy hand up to my face and tried to rub away the tiredness. But it was too powerful. My hands dropped to my side like two bags of rock as I fell back into the deep sleep.
The morning came quickly like on the wings on a beautiful white dove. I sat up and looked about the room I saw nothing that was not there before. The desk still in the left corner of the small room, a few chairs and the three wooden cabinets hung in the right corner of the room.
The man was still in the same spot on the bed. He was breathing more normally now. I could see his chest moving up and down. As I watched him I noticed a mark on the underside of his right arm. It was a mark only given to those who were betrothed. But this particular mark was unlike any other that I had ever seen. It was in the shape of a dragon, but there was much more to it then that. I knew that this person that was lying next to me was a prince. Only the highest in power were to be betrothed. “He must be someone of great power to have this on his right arm.” I thought. “But how could Lara have missed it. It is not really hidden. She must have just over looked it.
I held my hand over his body towards this mark. I was about to touch it when out of nowhere a hand grabbed my arm. I screamed with fright. I didn’t know what would happen to me.

Chapter 15

A Mystery Solved

The hand quickly moved from my arm to my mouth. It is big and strong. There was no getting away from it even thought I struggled against it with all the power that I have. I could only sit there and wait. I could not look at the person, because their grip was too strong.
The hand turned my face toward the man who had been sleeping next to me. Our eyes met and I got lost in his gaze, all the anger that I had only moments before quickly melted away. His eyes were soft and did not seem like the kind that would hurt anyone. Before I knew what was happening to me he pulled my head down and kissed my lips ever so gently, but in the same way strong and forceful. From that moment on I was lost in his arms; after our lips departed he forced my head into the pillow. I was now lying on his arm, whoever he was. Then I heard a strange voice that seemed to be coming from him ask:
“Will you scream if I let you go?” I shook my head back and forth as far as it would go. “Then you have to promise. Just nod your head.” His voice now cold and mean, but I did as I was told. “Fine then, I will let you go, but if you make one sound I will slit your throat.” I swallowed hard but agreed. He took his hand from my mouth.
“May I speak?” I asked quietly, almost at a whisper.
“If you must.” He answered.
“What is your name?”
He sat there for a while like he was deep in thought. “I don’t know. I…I can’t remember.” He finally answered.
“Well who ever you are I am Alana.” After I said that his eyes lit up like he remembered something. “What is it?” I asked.
“I have heard that name before, from a distance. I did not see the maiden that bore the name. I have no doubt it was you. It is such a pretty name. I had hoped that I would hear it again someday.”
“Thank you. Do you remember where you live?”
“I do not. Nor do I know why I am here. But I do know that I was brought here by an angel with a pretty name.” He said as he touched my face.
“Thank you again but I am anything but an angel.”
“That is a matter of opinion.” He said softly.
“Well it has been a day so I will attempt to get out off of this prison which people call a bed without being yelled at.” I said with a smile then yelled, “Lara come quick.” My smile got bigger. “Let’s see how long it takes her to get in here.” I looked down to find my little dragon staring up at me. I gathered that he had been there most of the night.
“What? What is wrong?” She said as she ran into the room a few moments later.
“May I get out of this bed yet?” I asked in a whiny voice.
“Let me see those stitches.” She said as she crossed the room to the bed rolling her eyes. “He is still asleep?”
“I guess so, but can I, please?”
“Fine, but be careful.”
“Thank you so much, you my go now I don’t need help. I can do it on my own, you know me.”
“Yes I do. Be careful. Please, that is the last thing that I want to do today is put more stitches in you.”
“Alright I will be careful.” I said as she walked out of the room. “Finally I can get out of this bed.” I said with great pleasure.
“No please don’t leave me. I don’t want to be alone.” I heard as I turned to the man.
“Well if that is the case then I will just have take you with me, since you do not want to be alone.”
“The doctor said that I should not move.”
“Well you moved enough to keep me prisoner with your lips. I think that you should be able to do this. Besides do you always listen to what people tell you to do?” I asked. “Just give me your hand.” He did as I told him when I got to his side of the bed. I told him everything that I was going to do before I did it, and he soon began to trust me. We were soon out of the room, with the dragon not far behind, and on our way to the porch. I sat him down in a chair by the door so that he could rest before taking the few more steps that would lead him to the big porch.
“Why is there a dragon in the house?” He asked in a very odd tone.
“Well, he is mine, why?” I asked.
“Oh, no reason, just wondering.” He replied as we sat there. He seemed uncomfortable sitting there with the little dragon staring up at him, it was very cute actually. But then again I could not blame him; he had been viciously attacked by a dragon.
After a few minutes of sitting I got him back up and we made the rest of the journey outside. I put him down on a chair before Lara could say anything, but when she did it wasn’t good.
“Get him back inside he is not to be out here!” She exclaimed.
“I just brought him all the way out here from the bedroom, and unless you want to stay in there with him while I am out here and be torn away from Quentin for the rest of the day be my guest. He does not like being alone. He is in a strange place and I don’t think he should be left alone anyway. I will take full responsibility for him except his medical treatments that is up to you. Do we have an agreement?”
“Fine, but if he gets hurt even more while your dragging him around like your pet don’t come to me.”
“Fine.” I answered.
“Does he have a name?” Rostlyn asked trying to divert the evil glares between Lara and I to him.
“He can hardly remember anything of his past. Where he lived, what his name is. Well you look better.” I said to him. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh I’ve been better.” He said with a smile.
“This is Rostlyn, Quentin, and the doctor, Lara.” I said as I pointed to each of them.
“Thank you; I was starting to wonder if you had forgotten your names as well.” The man said with a smile.
“No, we know our names.” Quentin said. Then added with a devilish smile, “Well sometimes, it all depends if we are around Alana or not.”
“I will take that as a complement.” I said as we all laughed and shook our heads. We all got deep into conversation, including the man.
I have to think of a name to call him until he remembers his own. I thought as I sat there listening to them talk. Let’s see here what we can call you, I thought as I looked at him, but only at a glance. I thought for awhile trying to think of what I know about him. I can’t call him prince. That would give him away. I couldn’t do that it is not my place. So what can I call him? I thought for a while longer then without knowing it yelled out, “Draco!”
“What does that have to do with cows?” The man asked.
“What? Oh, no, I’m sorry I was off in my own world. What I am talking about is that I have found a name for you until you remember your own.” I replied. “Draco. Do you like it?”
“Yes I do. It has the sound of importance to it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I answered. He was not only attacked by a dragon, the sign on his arm is a dragon. This will work very well. I thought.
“Hold on a moment, you can come up with a name for him but not your dragon?” Quentin said confused.
“This is different.”
“And how might that be?” he asked waiting for my response.
“Well… he is… well different, that is a good thing.” I said turning to him then turned back to Quentin, “You haven’t thought of anything either.”
“Well it is not my dragon.” He said almost annoyed.
“Fine you don’t have to help me. I don’t need it anyways.”
“I hate to interrupt, but ah, is there anywhere I can go to get cleaned up?” Draco asked.
“Yes there is a place not to far from here. I will take you if you like.” I said.
“Yes I would like to go. I want to get the blood that has dried off of me.”
So I went into the house and got something’s together. When I get back out there my little dragon was right on my heals. He tried to climb up on my shoulder but I would not let him. I knew that Draco would be using me for more than a crutch. He would really have to depend on me.
I helped him up and we headed in the way of the river that flowed past the town and into a valley. I had seen it there when I had gone off from the tavern. As we neared the river I noticed there were footprints in the sand coming up from the water but not going in. I studied them for a short time then helped Draco into the water. When he got in he sat right down. I stayed in to help him get most of the blood out of his hair and clothes. My little dragon was right there beside me swimming around.
I had brought a change of Eldon’s old clothes for him so that he would not have to walk all the way back dripping wet. Once he was fully clean or at least as clean as he was going to get in the shallow water of the river I helped him up and gave him a towel. He got undressed and handed all his wet clothes to me so that I could wash them off in the river as well to get the dirt and blood out, and everything else that might have been on them.
He sat down with me on the bank of the river after he had put on Eldon’s clothes. He sat there watching me with such interest as I washed his clothes. I tried to make it look like I had done it before. But that is one of the draw backs of being a princess, everything is done for you. You really never learn a whole lot, hands on I mean. The only thing that I was aloud to do was watch.
The clothes that I gave him fit perfectly. He was the same height as Eldon was and about the same size around maybe a little smaller. He didn’t have quite as mush muscle tone as Eldon did, but don’t get me wrong he was built.
“Thank you for the clothes. I will return them to you so that you may give them back to the rightful owner.” He said as he sat there on the bank watching the dragon swim.
“There is no need for you to give them back. They are yours now and all the rest of the clothes that I will give you when we get back to the house.” I answered not looking up from the river.
“Might I be so bold as to ask whose they are?”
“Yes you may. They belong to my brother.”
“But, won’t he need them?” He asked.
“No he has plenty of clothes. If you need more I will be more then happy to go and get you some form the town as well. Do you feel better now that you are all clean?” I asked trying to change the subject.
“Yes, thank you.” He answered taking the hint. As I walked back out into the shore with his clothes to rinse them off in a little deeper water he asked, “Might you have a brush that I could use?”
“Yes hold on one minute, please.”
“Only if I must.” He said in a joking tone.
“You must, and as for me, I must find a place to hang these.”
“Take your time. I can wait.”
“Thank you, you’re a true gentleman.” I said with a smile. He smiled back at me like he held a dark deep secret captive so that no one would ever find out. It was a devious smile, but yet so soft and sincere.
It was then that I could see all his features, I was right his hair was light brown, a little longer than ear length and curled up at the ends, not as much as Eldon’s but they were still curls. But the most interesting thing about him were his eyes, blue like the river that lay before us. There seemed to be truth and wisdom behind them. Like he had lived a full life and had seen it all, and now ready to right our wrongs and tell us how life should be. But I know he can’t be much older then I.
“Would you please brush my hair? I just realized that I can’t lift my arms over my head.” He asked.
“If I must, then, I guess I must.” I answered.
“Yes, you must. Besides I want to talk to you about something.” He said in a concerned voice.
“Before you talk to me about whatever it is that you were about to, may I asked you a question?” I asked.
“Yes. What about?” He answered.
There was a pause before I started, “Why did you kiss me?”
“I kissed you because I had been staring at you for the past day, and your looks just pulled me in. Your kiss seemed so familiar like I had kissed you before, but that can’t be possible, can it?”
“No it can’t. But any way what were you going to tell me? Does it have to do with me?” I asked as I began to brush out his hair. I was also keeping a watchful eye on my little dragon. I didn’t want him wandering to far off. I was also hard at work trying to think of a name for him. Why is it so hard? This should be so easy. Well he is red. I could call him Ruby, but that is a girl name. I just can’t think of anything. Rupert…I guess that I could call him that…but that just doesn’t sound right. Oh…I just don’t know…I give up for now. I thought. When I broke away from my thoughts he continued.
“When I grabbed your arm what were you doing? You looked to be reaching for something.”
“Yes I was. I was wondering about the dragon, the one on your right arm.” He gave me a puzzled look as I said this. “Look for yourself, there is one there.” He looked and soon turned back to me, “I have only seen that dragon one other time. That is why it bothered me. So much that I had to touch it to make sure it was really there. That is no ordinary mark.” I neglected to tell him where it was that I had seen the mark.
“You are right.”
“What? I thought that you could remember nothing from your past?”
“I never said nothing did I.”
“No you didn’t.”
“I only told you that I did not know my name or where I was from.”
“That is right you did. Then you lied.”
“No I didn’t, I do not know who or where I am from. But now I must tell you something that you have to promise to tell no one about. If anyone finds out and the information gets into the wrong hands then they will come for me. Do you promise?”
“Yes, I promise. You can trust me.” I said waiting for a secret that he had kept from the rest of the world, and now he was going to tell me.

Chapter 16

The Secret

“I…” He started. “Well you have been so kind to me, and I think that it is only fare that I tell you what I know, and maybe, you can piece together what I leave out.”
“I will do the best that I can to help you.”
“Alright then, I guess that I should begin. I am not who you think I am. I am the prince of… somewhere. I was to be married…sometime, but I wanted to have adventure before I was to settle down for good. Do you fallow me?”
“Yes I am still with you. Do you remember where this lady lived that you were to marry?”
“No I can’t remember that much detail.”
“Well, it was just a question; please go on with what you were saying.” I said waiting for him to tell me something that I didn’t know. I had guessed that that was part of the reason for his departure from the thrown. He didn’t strike me as the type that would take the thrown now, or even if he had, leave it to find adventure. But what he didn’t know was that was part of the reason for my departure as well.
“Well I left my parents a letter on the table, which told them how I felt. I had only seen this girl that I was to marry once, this when we were quit young. I did not like her then and I doubt that I will like her now. Are you still following me?”
“Yes, go on.” I repeated. I was more interested now; he had done almost the same thing that I had done, well except he put the letter on the table not on his pillow.
“I ran off hoping to find adventure and someone else to love. I found a dragon and decided to kill it, to prove that I was not just a prince, but a brave knight.” He paused for a moment.
“I went and killed that dragon.” I blurted out that put my hand over my mouth. “Sorry I interrupted.”
“That is fine, at least I know you are listening to me. You must be very brave. I respect that, I’m not trying to be rude, but you are a woman right. Women are not to be brave. They are supposed to stay at home while the man is out protecting her. That is not the case with you, is it?”
“No I am afraid not, I learned from my brother every thing that I know. I was not allowed to go to his sword fighting practices. Nor was I allowed to use them. I was allowed only to use daggers. So when Eldon and I would go horseback riding he would bring two swords and I my daggers. That is how I got so good at using both weapons.
“Well now I know who to come to when I need help with just about anything.” He answered with a smile. “You see I heard your name around this place. I was not to far away from here. Now that I have heard the other two men I know that it was, um…oh what’s his name, Rostlyn that’s it. Well I guess we should get heading back. Are you almost done with my hair?” He asked.
“Yes I am done.” I answered. I had forgotten that I was even doing it. I helped him up after I put everything back in the bag that I had brought to carry it all in.
“So what is your story, what brought you here?”
“You will find out soon enough.” I said very hesitantly.
We started to walk back to the house, talking all the way about everything, well to a certain extent. My little dragon was fallowing contently behind us. Somewhere in the back of my mine I was trying to think of a name for him.
When we got back Lara had dinner on the table. There was lots of food. Lizard, bread, sweet potato, everything you could think of it was there.
“So Alana, what was the cat about?” Quentin asked, breaking the silence that had consumed us.
“I will tell you all after dinner. There is no use in eating a good meal and listening to me.” I answered. I knew that this time would come but I guess that I was just hopping that it wouldn’t.
“And what about the Eldon thing?” Lara asked.
“I said that I will tell you all after dinner since I guess that you all want to hear about it.” I said then looked at Draco, “You see, I told you that you would find out all about me soon enough.”
“It sounds exiting, what are they talking about?” He asked.
“Oh, you should…” Quinton was saying as I interrupted him.
“Wait till after dinner. I said that I would explain it all then.”
The rest of the meal was mostly silent. We barely even looked up from our plates. Once again Quentin broke the silence. “Thank you for this meal it is very good.”
“Oh it is nothing.” She answered
“No it is very good.” Rostlyn and I said in unison.
“Yes it is.” Draco put in.
“Well thank you for complimenting it.” She said with a smile, I could tell that she was pleased that we liked it so much.
While we were finishing up I started to think to myself about the mark that is on Draco’s arm. I know where I have seen that mark and there is no doubt in my mind that that is where he is from. But should I be the one to tell him? I know that he said that he wants my help, but does he really want all the help that I have to give? Should I sit there and tell him his life history. Is that even my place, as a woman? Oh, what am I talking about ‘woman’ I have long since thrown that out. But what should I do? I must discuss this with Eldon; he will know what I should do. He can give me the answers that I am looking for.
After we were done Lara and I went into the kitchen to do the dishes. It did not take us long but this was the first time that I did dishes. I had always had servants do it for me. It was actually kind of fun.
But we kept getting interrupted by the men wondering if we were done. We finally just started ignoring them. Then we gathered some of the leftover’s and walked into Eldon’s room to give him his food. He had been asleep the first time that we went in there and we didn’t want to wake him.
He was awake now and trying to sit up. We helped him and soon got him to eat. He was still very weak and could not feed himself so I stayed in with him to help him. Lara went to light the fire.
“Where is she going?” Eldon asked weakly.
“To light the fire. I am going to try to explain us to them. I don’t know if I can do it alone.”
“You think that this is the right time to do this?”
“Well it is as good a time as any.”
“Why?”
“They have seen things that are not quite normal lately.”
“Like…”
“Like, me turning into a cat, lifting you up out of your bed and moving you into this room with out touching you, and being able to take Draco down to the lake after being badly wounded by a dragon, would you like me to go on?”
“Who is Draco and what dragon?” he said trying to piece all that I have said together. Just then the door started to open and we both turned, but there was no one at the door. A few seconds later my little dragon came in. “If you tell me that this is the dragon that did all this to you then you are not my sister.” The dragon walked towards us then stopped. He sat there for a few moments then made his way to the bed and hopped up. He had gotten a bit bigger sense I had let him out and had yet to stop growing.
“No, Draco came to us a few days ago. From what I have been able to get out of him he ran away, like us, and tried to prove that he was not just a prince, but a brave night by fighting a wild dragon.”
"Wait how do you know that he is a prince? Did he tell you?”
“I was getting to that. He came to the house after the dragon almost killed him seeking medical attention. Then I went out and killed the dragon, a big one. But in the process I was badly wounded. I was burned and badly scratched as you can see. Lara had to fix me up and I had to stay in bed. Well you know how that goes, so I did a little magic of my own and made the wounds heal a bit faster then they would have.
But it was while I was laying in the bed next time him that I noticed a mark under his right arm. It was one of a dragon. That is how I got the name Draco. I know who he really is but I don’t know if I should be the one o tell him. I don’t know if it is even my place.”
“I see. You like to get yourself into trouble don’t you?” He replied.
“It is not like I asked for this, I didn’t go looking for it, this time. But what should I do? I know who he is and where he is from and his whole life story.”
“And how do you know all this?”
“By the mark on his arm, I have only seen one like that.”
“But how do you know that it is the one that you saw?”
“Because it looks like this.” I said as I took a piece of paper and drew it out.
“He has a right to know.”
“I know but should I be the one to tell him.”
“Well since you are the only one that seems to know, yes.” He sighed. “I know that it may be hard for you but it is yet another thing that you have to do.”
“Maybe, but don’t you want to know?”
“Even if I don’t I have a feeling that you will tell me.” He said with the first smile that I have seen come to his face in awhile. I smiled back and told him everything that I knew about Draco telepathically.
“You see my dilemma here?”
“Yes, but it is your decision if you tell him or not. I think that you should tell him. You would want him to do the same for you.”
“But you are supposed to have all the answers.”
“Most but not all.” He gave another smile and I knew that I would not get any more out of him on the matter.
“I am still a little worried about talking to them though. I don’t want to say something wrong.” I said in a worried tone.
“You will do fine, and if you need help just come in get me. I will think of something.”
"I am going to save myself the trip and take you out there after I am done in feeding you.”
“You know that you shouldn’t lift me.” He said like he was hesitant to move.
“I know but I did it once before and I will do it again.”
“When did you move me I don’t remember?”
“When you got moved into this room. Who do you think moved you? Lara? I don’t think so. I may be weak without your power as well but I am not as weak as you think I am.”
“Fine but don’t do anything that you are going to regret later.”
“I won’t.” I said as I finished up his food, putting the last little bit in his mouth.
“Are you done yet?” Lara asked as she popped her head in the door.
“Almost.” I said. “I will be right out.”
“Okay you had better hurry they are getting impatient.” She said as her head disappeared out of sight.
He took a look at the little dragon and asked, “Does he have a name?”
“I have been trying to think of one but I have not done a very good job of it.”
“Well lets see…you look like a…I know…you are a Kilolima.”
“A who?” I asked not sure what he had just said.
“Kilolima, it means ‘little one’, that is what mother used to call you when you were very young.”
I looked at my dragon and said, “Well I guess it is settled then. I will call you Kilo for short.” I picked him up off the bed and put him on the floor.
“Are you ready?” I asked not even waiting for an answer before I lifted him up off the bed the same way that I had done before, and carefully watching the corners. We made it into the living room with out harm to anything or anyone. All of the men dropped what they were doing to come and sit down.
I placed Eldon in a chair before starting then said “I will start out telling you who we really are.”
“What do you mean, your name isn’t Alana?” Draco asked sounding concerned as if it were a life or death situation.
“No my name really is Alana. But my full name is Alana Faye LaCombe. I am the Lady of Darkness. I was born and raised in Gerard. And this is my brother Eldon Sergei LaCombe Lord of the dragons. My parents are King Robert and Queen Nena LaCombe.
“Eldon and I ran away in hopes that we would be able to find our brother and also to have a grand adventure. Then we met up with you and Torin, and something happened that I thought would never happen. I became great friends with both of you. Then you came.” I said looking at Rostlyn. “And you lost someone that you loved facing a dragon.” My voice fell and I looked at Kilo, who was now sitting beside Rostlyn. He had managed to get quite acquainted with everyone in the house, and them with him. He became almost human and we all grew attached to him in our own ways.
“It was her fault; she put her life on the line willingly.” Rostlyn answered.
“Then Torin did this to my brother, but not on purpose. We came here to find a doctor. But we did not find just a doctor, we found a friend. Torin and I got into a fight now he is gone, but it was his choice. Then you came along.” I said looking at Draco. “That takes us up to now but the past will always be there to haunt and remind us of our mistakes. I guess what I am trying to get at is that I am a sorceress, and Eldon is a sorcerer, and we are good at what we do. Abby knew us from posters that our parents sent out to try and find us. That could be very dangerous information if it were to get into the wrong hands. The waiter at the tavern also knew who we were; he was one of my servants. He was good to the family.”
“I don’t understand why you didn’t tell us sooner.” Quentin said as he looked from me to Eldon.
“I didn’t because we had to wait till we could trust you, each of you, because you see there is a price on our save return.
“How much.” Rostlyn asked.
“Five-hundred gold pieces, it could be more know, and keep growing as the days ware on. That is why we waited. Abby was the one that told us about the reward. I wanted to tell you all so much. I really wanted to because you were so open and nice to me. And Draco I wanted to tell you today at the river after you told me what you told me.” He got a look of fright in his eyes. The same look that Torin had had when he saw Klaus appear. “This is one of the reasons that I want you to come with us and you to Lara. I still need medical help as well as Eldon but we can’t stay in one place for very long. I promised Eldon that I would always stay at least one step ahead of our parents. I need to write to them tough to try to get them off our tracks. We have been in one place far to long. I will send someone that can keep a secret.
“I will do it.” I heard.
I turned to Rostlyn and looked at him. He had known all along but did not say anything no matter what happened. I know I can trust him. I thought. “Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked him. “You could loose your life trying to do this for us.”
“I said that I would do it and so I shall, and I will not tell a soul of your whereabouts. This I promise.”
“Fine, I will start writing in the morning. But now it is late and we all need our sleep.” I said as I got up. “I will be in bed if any one needs me.” I took Eldon back into his room and got him comfortable then went to my room. Lara came into the room to put more medical stuff on me and I fell asleep a short time later, I didn’t even hear the door open and Draco come and lay beside me.
I had the same dream that I had the night before of Eldon and my parents. The morning came late for me. But I got up, ate breakfast, and started the letter to our parents.

Chapter 17

The Letter

To the dear parents of the late Eldon and Alana LaCombe,

I regret to inform you of the death of your beloved children, Eldon and Alana. I had little time to get to know them and yet it pains me very much so that I must sit here and tell you that your own flesh and blood are gone. I do not think that ‘children’ is the right word that I should use for them, they were great people and I am honored to have known them even for the short time that I did.
They died trying to come home. Alana told me to write to you so that you would know what happened, and so that you could finally put your worrying to pace. I feel that they are in a better place and that they are happier where ever that place may be.
They crossed paths with one of the most feared animals that walks this world and those to come. A dragon killed them. Your son put up a brave fight and tried hard to protect Alana, but was unable to. I also tried to keep the beast away, but only succeeded after it hurt Alana.
By this time Eldon was dead and I rushed to Alana to try to help her but there was nothing that I could do. I send with this letter my deepest apologies, even though I know that you would rather have your children standing before you once again than this letter.
I was unable to save any remains of your son and/or daughter. I do not what to pain you further by saying why. All that I can give you are Alana’s last words to me before she faded away. She said that they loved you very much and would see you on the other side someday. Also she wants you to have another child. She did not give me a reason for it though and I did not pressure to because I knew that she didn’t have that mush long.
Again I am so sorry that you had to learn this information from a stranger and I wish that I could give you more.

Regretfully,
Rostlyn of Aaron

I made sure that I wrote it in a different hand then I usually did so they could not recognize it.
I walked into Eldon’s room to read it to him but he was getting work done on him so I held off for a few minutes till Lara left. “I have written Mother and Father something, would you like me to read it to you?” I asked him quietly.
“If you plan to send it to them.” He answered.
So I read it out loud to him and told him of my plains. “Rostlyn is going to take it for me.” I said after I finished telling him how I came up with the idea.
“That sounds good. It just might work.” He said as I went to get up to go give it to Rostlyn. “You should go with him. You could get some more of our things that we could not take with us the day that we left.”
“That sounds like a good idea, I might just do that.” I left and went out to the porch where Rostlyn was. I found Kilo there with him, asleep as usual. When he was not eating or exploring he was sleeping.
“Here.” I said to Rostlyn. “This is it. I do think that you should rewrite it so that if they ask you to prove that you wrote it you could.”
“That should like a good idea.” He said as he took it from me and went into the house. “Lara, do you have any more paper?”
“Hold on one moment and I will get you some.” She yelled from inside the house.
“Alright, don’t hurry, I can wait.”
“Hear it is, use as much as you need.” She answered walking up to him with a stack of it.
“Thank you, but I don’t think that I will need this much.” He joked.
“Alana, could you come here please?” I heard him yell from inside. I got up and walked to him.
“Yes.”
“Don’t you think that I should have something, anything, that I would not normally be able to get from you to prove your death?”
“You are right…but what can I give you that would persuade them that we were dead?”
I thought for a moment then grabbed my necklace. “This will do.” I sat down beside him and started to work.
“What are you doing?”
“I am duplicating it so that I can keep the original in case I might need it.”
“Great plan.” He said as he watch one that looked just like the original appear in my other hand.
“Take this with you and give it to my mother, she will understand more than my father will. Please guard it with your life.”
“I will. This is really an honor.” He said as he took it.
“I thank you one more time. We will see each other again.” And with that he walked away.
I watched till I could no longer see him. After he was out of sight I sat down on the porch steps.
Even though I knew that nothing would happen to him I still worried. I knew how he was going to get there. I had already taken care of that. By now he should be there. All I had to do was give a quick snap of my fingers.
I could send him anywhere I wanted. I can do it to just about anyone I want. But there are a few challenges like there is with everything else.
He knew that I was going to do this. He was the one that asked me to do it. He did not want to ride all the way back. And also he knew that if I did it this way he would not take any wrong turns. But he would not admit that part.
“Alana.” I heard my name being called by Draco. He sounded like he needed me, so I got up and went into the house. I found him where I had left him sitting on the sofa. Lara is trying to get him to let her give him medicine that he needs on his wounds. “Help she is trying to kill me.”
“I am doing nothing of the sort. I am trying to put medicine on him but he won’t let me.” She said looking at me. “But I will kill you if you don’t let me do this! You have to sleep sometime.”
“Here let me show you how it is done.” I said with a smile, and acting like I knew what I was talking about. He smiled back like he knew what I was about to do.
“What are you going to do? There is nothing that I haven’t tried.” She said as she blew the hair out of her face with a sigh.
“Watch, this is how you do it.” I said as I sat down next to him. I put my hand in the air, said a few words and poof. He was asleep. “There, he won’t wake up till I wake him so take your time.”
“Thank you, I didn’t try that one.” She said with the same heavy sigh.
“I will be back outside if you need me.” I said as I turned to walk away. I walked to the door and stopped. I looked back to see if she was doing what she had wanted to do to him, and mainly to see if he was alright. I turned back to the door, as I walked outside a fresh cool breeze hit my face. I was right where I wanted to be, for now. Kilo was still laying there sleeping and I was not about to wake him. That would mess up my plans.
But the real reason I had come back out side was to get in touch with Rostlyn. Just to be sure he got there all right. Rostlyn can you hear me? I thought trying to get through. Please if you can hear me answer. It was harder to do with him than it is with Eldon. He is not as willing to let me into his mind.
I can hear you fine. I made it safe but there is one problem. He thought.
What? I thought.
How do I get into the castle? There are guards all around.
Just walk up to the gate and say that you have a letter for the king and queen. I thought. But hurry they get angry quick.
Thank you for the advice. I will try to remember that.
Hold on I will be right there.
What are you talking about you… But he was cut off when I appeared beside him. I had my cloak on over my light blue dress, the one with the silver trimming.
“Just follow my lead.” I whispered as we walked up to the gate.
“Whatever you say milady.” He whispered back with a smile. He put out his hand and I laid mine on top of his. “Guard please let me pass; I have word of Alana and Eldon. I must get in to give the word to their royal Hines’s.” Rostlyn said after we walked up to the guard.
“Do you have proof?” the guard asked.
“Yes he does.” I said as I dropped the hood of my cloak.
“Oh milady I am sorry I did not know I…”
“Was just doing your job, I know, you used to say that all the time. Now may we pass? Or are we going to have to stand hear all day?” I asked with a slight tone in my voice.
“Oh yes. Their majesties will be very happy to see you.” He said as he stepped aside.
“Thank you.” I said as I gave a quick nod of my head. We made our way to the entrance of the castle. When we were almost there I turned to him and said, “I will be here with you but you will not be able to see me.”
“I understand.” He said as I began to disappear.
“I will still help you, but I will be talking to you with my mind instead of my mouth.”
“Where are you I can’t see you anymore. I am a little lost.”
I am right here. I said as I took his hand. I saw the smile start to form on his face but he wiped it away quickly. I giggled to myself, but led him to the great hall where my parents would be.
We walked in and he let go of my hand. But I replaced my hand on his shoulder. My parents sat on their thrones looking down at him.
My mother had on a long white gown with a bright blue bow around the middle of her body that was tied with such care. It also had white flowers around the hem. I remember that dress so well. She wares it whenever she got the chance it is her favorite. She had her gold crown fitted softly over her light brown hair that looked to almost be a dark shade a blonde. The crown had a single red stone at the tip of the middle spike.
My father had a black robe with white fur around the edges. His suit under it was red with gold buttons. My father’s crown was also gold but had no stones on it. His was the plainest crown in the kingdom but fit his head perfectly. His dark brown hair was settled neatly underneath.
I looked up at them. I painted this picture in my mind so that I would not be able to forget it. They looked to be very sad, and there was a great stillness in the castle, the halls that were once filled with life now falling apart like they were not cleaned in years. I could not stand to look at them anymore. I had to leave. Rostlyn I will be right back I have to go do something.
All right as long as you come back, I need you here with me. He thought.
Don’t worry I will be right back. I promise. I walked away as my parents called him up to the front of their thrones.
“What is it that you want?” My father asked with a tone that he only used when he was mad at something or someone.
“I have come in regards of your daughter, Lady Alana. She has sent me here with a letter. I am to give it to you then leave.” He said as he bowed and handed the letter with the pendent tied to it to the outstretched hand of my mother. “My name is Rostlyn I am, was, a friend of hers.”
“Then you are welcome here.” She said as she took the letter from him.
While he was downstairs in the great hall I was up stares in my room. I slowly became visible. I looked into the mirror as I put on the crown that I had left behind. It was delicate silver, with a black diamond heart in the center and to red circular stones placed on ether side.
After I had the crown securely on my head I gathered as many belongings that I could carry then headed down to the stables, not being seen though. I put my stuff in a pile in the barn then returned to the great hall. I was invisible when I had left my room and was still unseen. Rostlyn was turning to walk away so I met up with him at the door. Once out of the door I revealed myself to him.
“We have to go get some stuff upstairs.” I said as I made the both of us invisible. I grabbed some of Eldon’s things as well.

Chapter 18

Getting Away from the Castle

We went back upstairs to get the rest of Eldon’s and my belongings. Then we went to the stables to get another horse.
“Now hang on.” I waved my hand and within minutes we were back at Lara’s house.
“Where were you?” I heard a voice ask when we appeared in the front yard. I turned to see Draco sitting on the steps with Kilo beside him.
“Wait a minute I left you here asleep.” I said puzzled.
“You’re not the only one with power.” I heard another voice say.
I looked to see Eldon sitting on the opposite side of the porch. “You are looking really good.”
Before he could respond to my remark there came yet another voice from behind me. I turned quickly on my heels. “Who are you?!” I demanded. “And what are you doing here.”
“Don’t you recognize me?” the strange man asked.
“No I don’t, should I?”
“Oh I am hurt.” He said. “Right here.” He put his hand on his heart.
This really troubled me. It was like I know him, but he just did not look or act like anyone I knew. I looked at him for a few minutes longer, trying to look deep into him through his eyes. But all I saw was a cold and dark heart. I was puzzled I did not know the person in front of me, but he seemed to know me.
I still had my cloak on. I reached up to take off the hood. As it dropped to my shoulders I started to untie the cloak. It fell to the ground with a slight thud at my heels.
As I did this I kept my eyes and mind on the stranger, trying to place him but I could not, there was nothing familiar about him.
Rostlyn, who was still standing behind me, was not amused. He knew what was going on. “You leave her alone. She doesn’t want you here. You have hurt her enough.” He said as he stepped in front of me in a protective manner.
“What is going on here? I demand an answer.” I yelled. I had had enough of it.
“Alana can’t you see it?” Rostlyn asked in a surprised tone.
“No all I see is someone that I am suppose to know and don’t. So if you can tell me what is going on here please do.” I said in a stern and annoyed voice.
“Come, let me show you.” He said as he took my hand and pulled me in front of him. “Look very close.” He put his hand out in front of us and started to move it back and forth slowly.
Soon I began to see another man take form from the one that was standing there. The stranger went from a tall man with a scraggily beard and dark cold eyes to Torin.
I was stuck where I was; I could not even breathe for a split second. I did not believe the sight in front of me. “I thought you left.” I said as I tried to figure this all out.
“I did but…” He stopped before going on. “I could not go with out telling you the truth about who I am.”
“I really haven’t been honest with you either.” I said as I took a step forward.
“This is who I am.” He said as he put out his hands and turned in a complete circle. “Who are you? Wait, don’t tell me, the crown gives it away.”
I put my hand on the crown that I had forgotten to take off. I gave a slight smile. “Fine smarty pant’s who am I?” I asked.
“Alana LaCombe Lady of Darkness. I have only seen that crown once and I would know that smile anywhere. I have known who you were all along.” He said like he was proud of this knowledge.
“You are right. That is who I am.” I said taking another step toward him. “Won’t be stayin’ here for much longer if you would like to come with us.”
“I will have to pass on that offer. I have someone waiting on me outside of town.”
“Fine if you must go.” I said trying to hold back the hurt. “I am glad that I was able to see you again. I hope that we will cross each others paths again someday. I am glad that you now know who I am.”
“Yes so am I.” He said before he walked away. I watched him leave once again hoping that he would turn back, but he didn’t.
“You knew that person?” Draco said as I turned to walk into the house.
“At one time, yes, but now he is gone, and there will be no more talk about it. Let’s go in and get something to eat. There’s some good smells coming from inside there.” I said change the subject.
“That sounds good.” He said.
I walked over to him and helped him up. He was still very weak but had gotten a lot better at walking. He was also a very quick leaner. Kilo followed close behind.
“Eldon, now how did you get out here?” I asked after helping Draco inside and coming back to get him.
“Lara said that I could use some fresh air and I agreed with her. It is about time that I am able to get out of that house.” He said with a smile.
“It is just as nice to see you getting around. I was starting to worry that you forgot how to walk.”
“I think that I would have if I didn’t get out when I did.” He laughed.
“Well lets get you back inside, do you want to try to sit at the table with us?”
“I still have my honor to protect you know. Do you think that they will still look at me the same way if they see you spoon feeding me like a little child?”
“What do you think they have thought so far when Lara or I brought in your food? That you miraculously had enough strength to sit up and do it yourself?”
“I am just not ready yet.” He argued and I guess that it was his decision.
“Alright I will take you back into your room. If that is what you want.” I sighed as I put my arms around him to help him up.
“Thank you, besides how would you feel if you were in my position?” he continued the argument even though he had already won.
“Well, number one: I hope to never be in that position, number two: if I was ever in the position that you are in right now I would have you kill me, and number three: I would have you spoon feed my like a baby just so that I didn’t have to do it myself and I would be out there so that I could run my big mouth.” We both laughed as we made our way to his room.
As we passes by the dinning area Rostlyn asked, “What are you to good to eat with us common folk now that we know who you are?”
Eldon stopped and looked at him and they both started to laugh. “No I am still just a little too weak to eat with you, maybe in a few more days. I really would like to I am just not up for the challenge yet.” He replied as we started to walk again.
“And you think that I am? Your sister there just about killed me in her huge cat form. That is enough to send a man into solitude, and you still see me sitting here.” Rostlyn commented.
“Alright, fine, I will try to sit with you. I have an even better idea, I will sit right next to you!” we all started to laugh. Dinner went very well that night and there was not a moment to silence. Eldon did remarkably well and is planning on trying to sit with us more often. Lara said that it was not a good idea just the throw him into anything all at once. It was the same meal as last night, but still very good. Once again I helped with the dishes, then sat down by the fire after I put Eldon back into his room.
He has come into my life once again, and once again he has left me standing there helplessly watching him walk away. I though as I sat by the fire.
“Where were you earlier today?” Draco asked after awhile.
“I was taking care of something.” I answered. “I had to go, someone needed my help.”
I wasn’t really listening to what they were talking about. I was deep in thought. The door behind the dragon was in mind. There had to be something there that was worth some value to someone. After what Abby said it must be something of great importance. I just don’t have the answers that I want to have. I thought. I tried to picture it in my mind but Quentin interrupted me.
“Alana are you still in this world?” I heard Quentin ask.
“What, oh yes, I was just thinking about something.”
“Oh. Well I asked you ‘if you want to go into town with me’.” He said as he got up from his seat on the floor.
“If you want me to.” I said as I also got up. “Draco you stay here. It is time for your medicine now anyway.”
“Don’t leave me here with her. She is evil!” He said leaning away from Lara.
“Well if it weren’t for her, you would be dead.” I said as I walked away. “Besides Rostlyn will be here.”
“So,” He yelled after me. But it was too late; I was already out the door.
Quentin and I jumped up on our horses and rode into the town. The streets were almost bare. Only a few coming and going from the tavern. Quentin and I talked as we rode up and down the streets.
“So why did we come into town?” I asked as we rode past the same store for the fourth time.
“I just wanted to get out of that house.” He answered. “I was getting really bored listening to all the talking. I was just sitting there doing nothing.”
“I know I was getting tired of it as well. But I didn’t want to be rude.” I said.
“So let’s do what we do best. Shop!” He exclaimed with a smile.
“That sounds like a great idea.” I said as I hopped down from my horse. “Where should we start?”
“Let’s go there.” He said pointing to a place that was a few steps away. It was not heard of in those days for men to want to go shopping for anything but weapons. It was nice having him around because I knew that I could get him to go shopping anytime that I needed something.
“That looks like a good start.” I said as I walked up to the front of the store to tie my horse to the post there.
The store had only one light on, but that one light lit the whole store.
As we walked into the store we saw tons of books of all shapes, sizes, and colors, books of hard and soft covers. “This was the best idea that you have had yet.” I said as I walked over to a stack of books, and started looking through them.
“Thank you…I think.” He answered with a smile, as he turned to a pile by him.
There were books about everything you could think of. I love to read. It takes my mind off of the everyday worries. It is almost as fun as riding my horse.
As I pawed through the books I found a book that I knew that I wanted as soon as I picked it up. The book was black with silver print. In bold letters it read, “Spells, A Sorcerers Guide.” I sat down on the hard wood floor and started looking through it. I noted that the spells were written in blood red ink. That is odd, very odd. I thought as I closed the book and put it in the fold of my arm. I picked up a few more that looked good and walked over to Quentin.
He had picked up a few as well. “Looks like you found some.” He said.
“And you as well.” I answered looking at the books in his hand with a smile.
We looked for a few more minutes then paid for the books. As we walked out to the street I saw a bright light coming from the store across the street.
“Let’s go there.” Quentin said as he untied his horse.
“That sounds good but we have to be getting back soon the dark is near.” I answered untying my horse as well.
“Okay, if we have to.” He said sarcastically.
“Yes, we have to. They will be worried about us if we stay out too long.
We walked across the street to find a store that was full of bottles. There were all kinds of things in these bottles. Dragon blood, lizard eye, pig feet, just to name a few. Plus there was some heeling potion there as well. I took a few of the dragon’s blood and of the heeling potions then paid. I waited for Quentin who was still looking though the bottles even though they grossed him out.
I got tired of waiting so I went back to the bookstore. I found yet another book that I wanted. It was a rough textured deep green cover that was locked at the side. I asked the store keeper about the book.
“That is no ordinary book, that is the book of the dragon. It is covered with the oldest dragon scales ever found. The lettering is written in its blood and the lock and key are made form its teeth. But a woman should not posses this book, it is too powerful and bad things will happen.”
“It is not for me. It is for my brother. May I have the key please?”
“If this is the book that you want then you may have it. But do not open it here, bad things will happen.” He said as I handed him several silver pieces. “Here is the key.”
The key was about four inches long with a dragon on one end and a few prongs on the other.
I then walked back over to the shop that I had left Quentin. He was almost done. But we were longer then we thought. We headed back right after he was done looking at all the bottles. The stars shone brightly, brighter then ever before. The ride home was peaceful. The night sounds lingered in my ears as we neared the house. We stayed up a little after we got home then we all went to bed.

Chapter 19

The Book of Spells

After everyone was asleep I quietly walked out of the house. The stares were shining brightly, as was the moon so I did not bring out a light. I did not want to make more noise then I had to. I was lucky enough to get out of the house without waking Kilo, who is a very light sleeper.
I sat down by the old oak that was just west of the house. I had brought out one of my books that I had gotten in the bookstore, the book of spells. I pawed through it reading some of the spells but being careful not to read the entire spell. I did not want anything to happen.
There were all kinds of spells, from simple to almost impossible. There were even reverse spells in there after the spell so that you could take it back, not that I would ever want to. There were some spells that I already knew but for the most part it was a learning experience.
The book was in really nice shape, the silver letters really show nicely in the light of the full moon. I traced the letters with my pointer finger as I looked up at the moon.
A light breeze rushed across my body as a figure appeared on the porch. I could tell that it was not Lara. The person walked a few steps forward before noticing that I had seen him. Then he quickly walked out into the light and across the lawn.
“Draco what are you doing out here?” I asked as he sat down next to me.
“I couldn’t sleep after I realized you were gone. I figured you went to get a drink or something so I waited for a while, and when you didn’t show up I came out here looking for you, and here you are.”
“You should be in bed; you know you need to regain your strength. You should have waited for me, so if you wanted to get out of bed I could have helped you.” I said with a slight anger in my voice. Then with a sigh I added, “But you are out here now, so you can stay.”
“What are you doing?” he asked sleepily.
“I am reading up a little on my skills.” I said as I held up the book to show him the cover.
“Spells, A Sorcerers Guide.” He mumbled to himself.
“Refreshing my memory you could say. I could use it; I have not used a lot of magic lately. I have you guys to thank for that. I have had to keep it on the down low. I did not want anyone to know about my power. If we entered a town that did not like it I, or Eldon for that matter, used magic they could hang us if they really wanted to.”
“That is really awful. I can’t believe that they can do that.” he said with a slight shutter.
“Most just overlook it.” I said with a grin. “Bur, it is getting a little cold out here.” I mumbled as another breeze blew past us. “I am going to get something to cover up with, do you want anything?”
“Yes, please get me… well never mind I didn’t bring anything.”
“I will get you something of Eldon’s.” I answered.
“Thank you.” He said as I started to disappear.
I reappeared in the room that we shared. I grabbed a blanket and a heavier shirt out of Eldon’s belongings, and then started back out. I got about half way when I heard little clicks on the floor behind me. I turned around and there was Kilo coming up behind me.
“Go back in the bedroom.” I whispered to him, but he didn’t listen. “Fine, do what you will.”
As I made my way back out all I could hear were that little clicks of him claws. I managed to get back outside, but I did not just see Draco. There were two other men that came up to me before I could get off the porch. This was a time when I wished Eldon was well or even awake.
“What is it that you want?” I asked as I made my way past them. I could tell that they posed no threat.
“Are you Princes Alana?”
“Depends on who wants to know?”
“We are here to talk to you about something that we think you might want…need…to know.” One of them said. He was short, even shorter then I, but he had on very shabby clothes. It looked like he had not changed in months. His bread looked to be recently shaved. But his hair was tangled and mated.
“What could you possibly want to talk about at this time of the night? It will be dawn in only a few more hours, could you not have waited that long?” I said with a slight tone, but soft enough so that I did not wake up the rest of the people in the house. “What could be so impotent?” I had my hand on my hips. “What are your names? You know mine but I have yet to hear yours.”
“That might be because we haven’t said them yet.” The other man said as he stepped out from behind the first man. This man looked nicer then the other, in appearance, but not in heart. His hair looked to be cut short but still as mated as the others was. His pants too short for him and his boots not tied.
“I am sorry milady he don’t know how to act in front of da ladies, he hadn’t seen one for months.” The first one said. “My name is Doyle, and dis is Ewen.”
“Oh, well this is Draco.” I said as I made my way toward him, with Kilo right at my heals. “What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?”
“The captain wants to have a word wit’ ya at mid-day. He’ll be meeting you at da tavern. He be sitting at da far corner table.”
“Do you know what it is that he wants to talk to me about?” I asked.
“Naw da captain never tells his business, but I’s can tell you dis, it gotst to be important or he woulda waited till the monin’ to says anyting.”
“Well, thank you, I will be there.” I answered. “I will also be bringing Draco.”
“The captain ain’t gona like dat.” Doyle said.
“I shall be bring Draco whether he likes it or not.”
“Your funeral.” Ewen said.
“I think that I liked it better when you didn’t talk. Beside he can kill me, but Draco is still coming.”
“Fine do what you will.” Ewen shot back.
“I will, don’t worry.” I replied.
“Well, it been nice talkin to ya but we best be getin’ on back to da ship.” Doyle said as he grabbed Ewen’s arm.
“Okay Doyle I’s coming.” Then said turning to me, “Remember, tomorrow, be there.”
“I’ll be there.” I yelled after them.
“What was that all about?” Draco asked as they walked out of view.
“I have no idea.” I answered as he took the blanket. “Oh thank you. That was getting really heavy and uncomfortable.”
“No problem, I am glad to help.” He answered with a smile.
“You are the nicest guy I have ever known.” I replied with the same smile. “Shall we sit?”
“After you.” He gestured with his hand as he finished putting on the shirt.
I took a seat and grabbed the blanket as Draco went to sit down. Kilo sat quietly beside me soon falling fast asleep. Draco and I sat there for what seemed like a long time when his head fell on my shoulder. It scared me at first because I was in mid-sentience. I just smiled to myself as I fingered through the book more. Finally my eyelids started to get heavy as well, so I gave up fighting it and put the book down.
Soon after putting the book down and settling into the blanket, Draco curled up to my left side. I just made him into my pillow. We slept there till the sun rose up over the big oak tree.
I was the first to open my eyes, but Draco wasn’t far behind. I had only sat there for a few minutes waiting for him to wake up.
“Shall we go inside?” He asked as he sat up and stretched.
“That sounds like a good idea. My back is getting really stiff, and it is starting to hurt.”
“Well it is settled then. We still have to go talk to that ‘Captain’ as well.”
“Oh yes that is right, I had almost forgot. Good thing I have you to remind me.” I said as I struggled to get up from the sitting position. Once up I helped him to the porch. I really didn’t have to help him anymore. I had been helping him do everything for so long that it was almost automatic.
“Are you going to bring in the blanket or just leave it there?” Draco asked as we got to the top step.
“Oh yes. I will be right back.” I left him and soon returned with the blanket. “We must be very quiet when we go in. I don’t know if any one is up yet.” I whispered.
“That goes for you as well.” He joked.
“Okay if I have to.” I said in the same joking tone.
We walked in to find everyone still in bed. I put the blanket back with Kilo still at my heals. Draco and I got dressed and then he followed me out into the kitchen with Kilo dragging behind him.
“Why did we come into the kitchen?” He asked.
“Well I came into the kitchen to make breakfast; I don’t know why you came into the kitchen, but for now go and do something with your time.”
“Fine I will be outside on the porch; so call me if you need anything.”
“I’ll remember that.” I said as he turned to walk away. I almost stopped what I was doing to help him, but I stopped myself. He had to start doing things on his own.
As I was walking around the kitchen Kilo was on my heels. I had almost stepped on him a few times and was getting annoyed with him. So I picked him up and carried him outside to the porch so that Draco could take care of him. Then walked back into the kitchen and picked up where I had left off.
As the smell started to fill the air the others began to stir one by one. I set the table and washed the pots and pans before any of them came out dressed and ready to eat. The only one that didn’t come out was Eldon and I was not about to go wake him up.
All amazed at the good job I did. “This meal is very good Alana.” Lara said as she tried to get the bit of egg off the right side of her face.
“I must agree.” Quentin said as he started laughing at her.
“I as well.” Rostlyn put in before he too started to laugh.
“After this meal Draco and I must go into town. We have some business to take care of.” I said as things started to quiet down.
“Oh, what have you to do?” Rostlyn asked. “Might it have to do with why you two slept outside last night?
“If you must know, and obviously you must, no. I had gone out there to read when Draco came out. I went back in to get a blanket, and when I came back out there were two men standing there with Draco. To make a long story short I, we, have to go meet someone in town, the tavern of all places, at a corner table.” I said with a sigh. The looks that they gave shot right through me. Draco looked down at his plate so that he would not catch any of the glances.
“Do you know who this person is that you are to go meet?” Quentin asked sounding a little concerned.
“Only that he is a captain.” I replied not taking my eyes of my plate.
“And you are still going to find him, for all you know he could be after you. He might even kill you.” Rostlyn burst out.
“Yes, I am fully aware of the fact that I may never come back, but this could be an opportunity.”
“For what, another adventure? I would like to for once in my life to be able to stay somewhere for over two weeks.” Rostlyn said his voice now as strict as my parents did when I had done something wrong.
“Then stay, I am not going to make you come if we go. I don’t even know what this man wants to talk to me about.”
“You will come back won’t you?” I heard Quentin’s voice ask even though it was soft and confused.
“Yes, of course I will. I would never go anywhere without telling you first. You should know me well enough to know that. There is nothing that could keep me from my friends.”
“You promise?” Rostlyn asked almost in a doubting voice.
“Of course, you guys are like family. I would never leave you, not like that, hopefully not at all.” I answered with a half-hearted smile. I really didn’t want to go into town to see this man that I was to meet. There was something that didn’t seem right about him. I don’t know what it is but it is something.
After eating I did the rest of the plates and silverware. It didn’t take very long. Then I went back to the bedroom to get ready to go.
I put my cloak and effects on. Draco put on his effects and pushed his ear length hair from his face. I didn’t bother putting on a fancy dress or fixing up my hair, but I did brush it; also I left my crown on the desk.
“Well it is time we get going.” I said as I got up from the bed.
“I will be right there.” He said as he struggled to get the effects on right.
“Here let me help you.” I walked over to him. “You take this off.” I said as I took the sword out of its sheath. “Then you put this around you like that. Then do this up like this. Now put your sword back in the right place.” I smiled with satisfaction.
“Thank you.” He said. “You do know that I know how to do this I just can’t get my arms to bend that far yet.”
“You’re most welcome.” I answered still smiling. “And yes I know, but, if you can’t put them on you should not have them at all.”
“Shall we?” He said gesturing to the door trying to change the smile on my face.
“Yes I will be right there I just have to cheek on Eldon. I walked into his room. He was awake and seemed to be quite happy. “I just came to tell you that I was going to go into town for a while.”
“That is fine with me, but why?” he questioned.
“Well to make a long story short I have to go meet a man that I only know as a captain because he sent a few of his men over last night. They told me that he wanted to see me. So my curiosity got the best of me and I am going to see who he is. I am going to take Draco with me.”
“Well I see no point in stopping you. Just be careful, and don’t you let curiosity kill the cat.” His voice was serious. “If you are not back within two hours and you don’t contact me then I will come look for you myself.”
“Don’t worry I will be fine. You taught me everything that I know.”
“I shall see you upon your return then.” He was sounding more laid back now.
“You shall.” I said then turned and walked out into the living room where everyone was.
“Are you going now?” Quentin asked.
“Yes we must go.” I answered. We walked out the door, which I shut in Kilo’s face. “You can ride Jadis. I am going to ride Rosac.” I said to Draco.
“That is fine with me.” he said as he walked up to Jadis.
I helped him up and got up on Rosac. We rode into town toward the tavern.
But before we got there a wild horse ran past us. I had to take the challenge. I turned and rode after it. Draco tried to keep up but soon fell back. Even though Jadis was Rosac’s sister she was no match for him. He can out ride her anytime.
This horse seemed to out run us for only a few minutes then slowed down immensely. I was just out of town when I caught up with it.
It looked to be a mare, and she was beautiful; her tail seemed to flout behind with such grace.
I could tell that someone had been trying to train the horse, once I got close to her. The poor thing had whip marks all over her and she had a bridle on. It was a plain leather bridle. I reached for it many times before getting it.
I love animals, and for some reason they seem to understand that. I jumped down off Rosac and started to calm her down. It didn’t take much, just a little soft talking.
I walked back into town with both horses’ reins in hand. As I walked up the main street the owner of the horse came up to me. He had on clothes that looked to be worn for weeks. The once green material was now a faded mess. His hair was messed up with pieces of twigs and leaves in it. His eyes tired of watching the world.
“I have never seen her act like this before, so calm. It must be you, she looks happy.”
“All she needed was a kind word.”
“Well she seems to like you; if you can mount her you can have her.” He said.
“I will take that challenge.” I said as I handed Rosacs reins to Draco.
“Alana you should not do this.” Draco said. “You could get hurt.”
“Oh, where is your sense of adventure? Besides I know what I am doing.” I said as I took the saddle off of Rosac.
“I must have let it at Lara’s.” Draco said as I put it on the other horse. She moved only a few steps but stayed put for the most part. I then walked to the front of the horse. “Please trust me. I can get you out of the mess that you are in.” I said in a soft voice. She moved her head up and down like she was agreeing with me.
Please stay. I thought as I went to mount her. I put my foot on then lifted myself up on to her. She did not move muscle. “There are you happy now?” I asked the owner.
“She is yours.” He said.
“I thank you kindly.” I said as I took the saddle off and placed it back on Rosac. “Come along Draco we have someone that we are to meet.”
“I am right behind you.” He said as he let go of Rosac’s rains.
“Let’s leave the horses here.” I said as we rode up to the tavern.
“This looks like a good place.” He agreed.
“Well, shall we go in and get it over with?”
“After you.” He said as he held open the door. “I don’t want anymore pirates coming after us.”
“You have a point there. I would not want that either.” I said as we walked into the tavern. “That must be him.” I nodded to a person at the corner table with a cloak on.
“He doesn’t look very friendly.” Draco mentioned as we walked over to the table.
“Excuse me sir, but are you the captain?”
“Aye lass, I am.” He answered as he put his hands up to lower the cloak.
But something unexpected happened, something that no one would ever have guest.

Chapter 20

The Captain

As the hood fell to his broad shoulders I gasped. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.
The captain was a spiting image of Eldon. I had to look twice, but my thinking was interrupted when he spoke.
“Alana is it really you.” His voice flowed into my ears like running water.
“Yes, it is I. But who are you?” I asked a little confused.
“I am the oldest brother of Eldon. My name is Galen; I’m the captain of The Ghent. I was to take the thrown but I refused it. So mother and father banished me. My name was never to be spoken again…” His voice trailed off.
“So how old was I when you left?” I asked.
“Hardly one.” He answered. His hair was dark brown along with his eyes. When he stood he towered over me, ,ore than Eldon does. His long arms fit with his body.
Underneath his cloak he had on a red and gold jacket that matched his pants, and also a white undershirt. His boots looked as if they had been worn for years, and his face was not shaved.
“So where is my baby brother?” He asked referring to Eldon.
“He is injured. He’s lying in bed where we have been staying.” I answered.
“What does he look like?” his questions hurt.
“Like you, almost identical.” I answered not looking up from the floor.
“Well let’s get to the reason that I came, shall we.”
“Yes I am listening.”
“Then I will proceed.” He answered as he folded his hands in front of him. “I have been following you and watching…”
“You have been following us.”
“Aye, is there a problem with that?” he asked, his language very well spoken for the captain of a pirate ship.
“Wait…how have you been following me, us? We have been no where near the water.”
“Do you think that a captain must always be on his ship?”
“Yes, I would presume so. Another thing, how could Eldon or I not have noticed that you were there?”
“I have many man who are faithful to me. They do what I tell them.”
“I still don’t think that all of this is possible. There is no way that neither of us wouldn’t have known.”
You had better start believin’ it, because I don’t lie to strangers.”
“I am not a stranger, I am your sister.”
“I never knew you, there for that makes you a stranger to me.”
“How long have you been following us?”
“Shortly after you left Aaron, I happened to be there on business and saw Eldon from afar.”
“How did you know that it was him?”
“My men went and talked to him for me.”
“So you knew that it was indeed the brother that you had left behind and you still didn’t come to us.”
“I was afraid that you would treat me the same way as our parents has so long ago. I thought that you would not except me. I couldn’t go though that again.”
“You are the main reason that we are on this journey.”
“How was I to know this, Eldon would not let out any information about it, I tried.”
“Not hard enough.”
“Are you saying that I didn’t do everything in my power?”
“Yes I am.”
“You have no Idea how much it had hurt my all these years not being able to know my family and only being able to look from afar!”
“And I will never know!” I yelled as I stood up from the table. “Stop following us.”
“Alana, please sit down, you don’t mean what you say.”
“Oh, you don’t know me very well.”
“No, but I would like to. I want to start all over.”
“I don’t know that I can let you do that.”
“Please, give me the chance that I never had. That is all I want, one chance.” He asked putting his hand toward mine then pulling it back.
I had never heard of any pirate talk with such sincerity and compaction. There was a sound in his voice that I had never heard before; it was like he was really telling the truth. All he really did want was the chance to get to know us; the family that he was for so long unable to have.
“Alright, here is how it is going to work; you come with me to see our brother. From there we will decide what we want to do.” I said as I looked at him deep in the eyes.
“I like the sound of that. When shall you have me come?”
“Right now.” I said as I started to walk way.
“I see that there is no changing your mind.”
“No. so don’t even try, it will only be a waist of time.”
We all walked out of the Tavern together and went to the horses. Galen looked at Draco as if it was the first time that he was seeing him. “Why are you following us? Are you drunk?”
“No, he came with me.” I said before Draco was even able to open his mouth.
“I see, my name is…”
“Galen, yes I know I was there in the tavern. My name is…Draco, for now.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“The same to you.” Draco said as we mounted the horses and rode back to Lara’s. The only sound that could be heard was the soft thud of the horses against the ground. There was nothing else that I would rather be doing right now then bringing back the brother that, for so long, we missed. I was so happy that we found him, or that he found us. There was still that twinge down deep inside of me that said that it was not good. This meant that the road was over for Eldon and I, we had done what we had set out to do now we must return home.
We were almost there when I got in contact with Eldon. Would you like some company?
Depends on who it is.
Now there is no point in ruining the surprise.
Your not going to tell me are you?
No, but I am bringing someone by, so get ready because we will be coming to see you.
I will try my best.
Good we are almost there; I will see you in a few moments.
See you then.
“This is it. You can put your horse by ours.” I said as I dismounted and tied the two horses up and watched the men do that same. “Lara, we will be in Eldon’s room, please do not bother us.”
“I do not have to go in there for awhile.” She called back from the kitchen.
“Follow me, both of you.” I whispered as I walked towards Eldon’s room. Kilo who had heard my voice when I first rode up was walking out of the kitchen and following close behind Galen.
“Eldon, are you awake?” I called from the door.
“Yes, please come in.” I heard form the other side of the door.
We walked silently through the door and into the room. Eldon was sitting up on the bed. His eyes looked right through my in hopes that he would be able to see the stranger that walked behind me.
“Hello my brother.” Galen said stepping out form behind my as Draco shut the door.
“It can’t really be you, you are dead.” Eldon said as he looked into Galen’s face.
“Oh no, he is quite alive. Please proceed to telling him everything that you have told me.”
Eldon sat up even more, he was interested in this man; but he showed no emotion to him. It was as he was seeing a man that he saw everyday. I could not understand his ways. I had been overjoyed to see him, and I would have thought that Eldon would have done the same.
“And all that I have said brings me back to where I have started.” He had been talking while I was thinking about Eldon’s mood. Kilo, during the conversation had jumped up on my lap and was now curled up. There was not going to be much longer that he could do that if he keeps growing the way that he is.
“So, let me get this straight, you have been following us for many days now and you have observed all that we have been doing.”
“Yes, I have watched how you have handled the problems that have faced you.” He paused just long enough for me to open my mouth to say something then started again. “I will get to the true reason that I have come to you and revealed myself. I would like you to come with me on my ship. I know you want adventure and I know that you are not ready to go back to Mother and Father yet, so what have you got to loose? You are bound to find all that you seek with me.
“Well that is a great offer but how do we know that you won’t maroon us on some island?” I asked before Eldon was able to answer.
“You will just have to trust me. Besides you are family, how could I do that to you?” His voice didn’t sound very convincing.
“Do you really want me to answer that?” I asked with a smile on my face.
“No, but I shall give you my word that I won’t harm a single hair on either of your heads.” His voice suddenly fell. “So, you will come. That’s not a request, it’s an order!”
“Aye, Aye captain.” I said.
“Wait, what are you saying?” Eldon’s voice broke into that conversation. “Do I not have a say in what happens in my future? You have already messed that up for me once Alana.”
“But I thought that this is what you wanted. We can have both things that we came for all in one. Is that not what you want now?”
“I never said that it was not what I wanted but…”
“Then why do you protest?”
“Because you have to think of the lives of others before yourself.”
“A very wise statement Eldon.” Galen said. “I can see why you hesitate.”
“I can not leave just yet, can you wait about a week.”
“If that is what it takes to make you come with me then I will wait.” He said like he was settling for something that he didn’t want to.
“There will be others that come with us. We can not leave them behind if they have been with us for this long, that would not be right.”
“How many are there?” He asked
“Three others besides the people in this room with us right now.” I answered.
“Who are these people?”
“One, Lara, is a doctor, the other two, Quinton and Rostlyn, are hard workers and will pull their own weight.”
“Will there be any problem with that?” Eldon finally said.
“No, as long as I get the pleasure of having you both on board I will do anything.”
“You are very generous for a person of your trade.” Eldon mentioned.
“I am a man before I am a captain. I try to be the best man that I can be.”
“Well you are a good one.” I said as I looked deep into him.
Draco had just been standing in the corner of the room the whole time. He didn’t say a word or make a noise. He looked at us all as if he was trying to figure out if any of what we were doing or talking about would remind him of his life before the dragon. He had been really trying to remember and I could tell that it bother him very much that he couldn’t.
“I would like to stay longer to talk with you both but I must be getting back will be back in one week’s time. Savvy?”
“Yes we sill see you then.” I said as he turned around.
“Oh, you should brush up on your pirate pronunciations.” He said turning back to us quickly.
“I will certainly try.” I called after him.
“As for you,” he said looked at Draco before exiting the room. “You watch over her for me. I don’t want to come back to a hurt sister.”
“I will do all that I can.” He said, but I was surprised that he didn’t come back with something like: she doesn’t need defending because she can do it on her own.
“How am I going to explain this to the others?” I asked Eldon after he walked out. There was no conversation between Draco and me. He had learned much about me in the short time that we had been together and one of the things he knew was that it was a defiant NO to disturb me while I was thinking.
“I think that we will just have to tell them how it is and whatever they decide they decide.” Eldon responded.
“I am going with you, I mean where else would I go.” Draco said to both of us.
Have you told him yet? Eldon’s voice rang out in my head.
Told him what?
Who he is.
No I want him to try to figure it out on his own.
You know that you will need to tell him sooner or later.
Yes I know but things are going to well right now.
You need to stop thinking of yourself and think of how he heals.
Don’t worry it will all come out in the end. I thought then said, “But when shall we tell them?” ending the conversation between Eldon and I.
“I think that we should tell them as soon as possible. That way they have the time to make up there minds, and if Lara comes she can do all that she needs before we leave.”
“I agree, but do you think that they will all come? Rostlyn didn’t sound too happy about this whole thing thins morning.”
“What they choose is up to them there is no way of knowing what they will say.”
“Then we shall tell them right now.” I said. “That should give them enough time to figure this whole thing out.”

Chapter 21

The Argument

Quentin was waiting on the porch for us when we came out of Eldon’s bedroom. Draco and I made our way to the porch so that I could tell them what Eldon and I had decided on doing. Rostlyn and Lara came out of the house with big smiles on their faces. They asked us endless questions.
“So what happened?” Quinton asked with much interest.
“Nothing that is worth telling you all the details about. All we did was talk.” I answered picking up Kilo, who had followed Draco out. “I am glad that you all came out here because I have something that I need to talk to all of you about. It is very important that you listen to me and try not to interrupt.” I knew after the words came out of my mouth that it had been the wrong time to say that.
“What!” Quentin exclaimed, “You can’t leave us here.”
“He is the reason that I am here. He…”
“No you are wrong the reason that you are here is because of Eldon.” Lara said quietly, but still interrupting me.
“I knew that this was going to happen. What did I say before she left? I just knew it.” Rostlyn said not letting me go on with what I had to say.
“Please let me talk, I really need to tell you all something that could change the course of this journey and the rest of your lives of you so choose to follow us further.”
“Why should we listen? We all know what you are going to say, and we are not your followers, we are your friends.” Rostlyn said with resentment in his voice.
“Because what she has to tell you can change the rest of your life as well as ours.” Eldon yelled as he struggled out to a seat on the porch. I thought that you could use some support.
You came just in time.
I usually do.
Oh don’t flatter yourself.
Why not? I enjoy it.
“Rostlyn, please listen to her, or at least act like you are.” Quinton has to say even if you don’t.”
“Alright I am listening.” Rostlyn put in.
“Thank you. As I said before, the main reason that Eldon and I left home was in hope to find our brother, or any trace of him. When I went to go meet the captain I found that he was in fact my eldest brother. He was lost to us when I was just a child, and now is the chance to get to know him, this is what we have always wanted. He wants Eldon and I to come with him on his ship, but I told him that the only way that I would go is if he would let all of you come along with me. I have decided to go are you all with me or not?”
“I knew that this was going happened.” Rostlyn said then continued, “You want to leave once again. But this time it is on some strange ship!”
“I’m really not in the mood to go through this Rostlyn. So I am going to tell you the same thing that I told Torin. You can either stay or go. I will not stand in your way. Where is all that adventure that I know you all have inside of you? I know that it is there, dig deep.” With that said, I got up and walked into my bedroom refusing to answer anymore questions.
“I know that this is a very big thing to take in all at once that is why we have told you now. The ship will be leaving in one week’s time. Alana, Draco and I will be on it; whither you come or not is the choice that you have to make by this time next week.” Eldon said in a voice that had no emotion in it.
“Where is this ship going to take us?” Rostlyn grumbled.
“Anywhere that my brother pleases, you don’t understand, the way that this has all come on us like this, it is hard to deal with. On one hand you have both the things that you have come searching for and on the other you have friends that have been there beside you the whole way. We can only hope that you will make the same decision that we did.” Eldon stayed out on the porch of a long while talking to them about whatever men talk about.
After a short time Lara came into the room and sat down on the bed. There was a long silence before she finally said, “Quentin and I are going with you. I want to get out of this place and see new things. I have been in this town since I was born and now the opportunity has come for me to leave and I now have the reason that I was looking for. I do think that the time has come that I leave. I really look up to you for what you did, leaving home, your parents, and everything behind.”
“I really have to thank you for all you have done. You have helped Draco and me more then you will ever know, and what you did for Eldon.” I paused. “When will these stitches be able to come out?”
“Well I can check them to see if they are ready. If you want me to then I will take them out if they are.”
“Please do, they are starting to itch.” I said as I realized that I had never put Kilo down. I set him down softly on the bed and waited.
Lara walked out of the room for a few minutes then returned with a small black bag. “Okay let’s have a look.” So I took my arm out of my sleeve and sat there quietly.
“How do they look?” I asked hoping that she would give any sign of hope.
“Well these look good but the ones on your thigh are going to have to stay in there a little while longer.
“Well you know best.” I said with a sigh. “Do you really want to go with me or are you just saying that you do?”
“No I really want to come.”
“Alright, then, in a week’s time we will leave this place and set off on a grand adventure on the open waters. We can talk more about it when the time gets nearer. I…” I started but was interrupted when the door opened.
“What are you two doing in here?” Quentin asked as he stepped into the room.
“She is taking some of these stitches out.” I answered through clenched teeth. It hurt. I am not afraid to say it. She is anything but gentle.
“Fun, fun.” I heard him say. “I want you to know that I have changed my mind, I will not be going with you. I can’t find any reason to go.” His voice was low and sad. He walked out of the room not saying anything more.
“I’ll talk to him.” Lara said as she finished up. “There has to be some reason that he feels this way.” with that she walked out of the room, bumping into Draco on her way.
“What was all that about?” He asked as he came and sat down on the bed.
“It looks like it is just going to be the four of us; Rostlyn and Quentin are not coming.” I replied still a little sore.
“Well we can make them come.” He said hinting for me to use my magic.
“No, I can’t risk my life, I don’t know if he knows that I have these abilities yet. If he doesn’t I don’t want him to.
“Who are you talking about?” Draco asked
“The captain, who else would I be talking about?” I answered his question with a question, which got him a bit angry. “I think that the sooner we leave the better.”
“You think so.” He said with sarcasm in his voice.
“Yes, and if you aren’t ready then I will leave you behind.”
“You wouldn’t do that, not to me.” he said almost pleading with me.
“I guess your right. I couldn’t leave anyone behind.” I answered as I crawled under the blankets.
“See I know you.”
“Not as will as you think that you. There are still a lot of things in my life that have happened, are happening, and will happen that you will never know about.”
“But I still know you well.”
“Yes, I will give you that. You are a fast learner. Now go to sleep, or at least be quiet so that I can.”
“Where do you think that we will go?” he asked not paying attention to my last remark.
“I don’t know yet you will just have to wait and find out for yourself.”
Do you think that I will ever remember what my life was before you?”
“If I say yes will you be quiet?”
“Seriously do you?”
“I am very serious about you being quiet.”
“You are no help.”
“Neither are you. Now if you choose to keep talking I will send you far, far, far away so that I can no longer hear you and I can get some sleep.” I had my back turned to him now and had my eyes closed.
“Where would you be able to send me?”
“DRACO, please, be quiet!”
“Alright, fine, just answer one more question.”
“Draco, are you trying to get me mad?”
“How long have I known you?”
“It has been…about…I don’t know awhile.”
“Thanks.”
“Good night!”
“See you in the morning.”
“If you are still here in the morning.” I mumbled to myself as I drifted off finally in the peacefulness of the room.

Chapter 22

Leaving Once Again

The week went quickly. Today is the day that the captain was to return. I lazily got out of bed and put on my shoes to protect my feet from the cold floor. I stumbled out to the kitchen, leaving Draco and Kilo behind in the bedroom. A cold breeze hit me as I entered the kitchen. The back door was open. I slowly walked over to it to look outside.
The day was beautiful. I could hear the birds singing. The sky was a light shade of blue and there were only a few clouds. Lara was standing out side by one of the trees in the back yard. I could see that she was talking to someone. I assumed it was Quentin. She had been trying to change his mind since he told me that he was not coming. So far she had seen not even the glimmer of hope in his voice that he might com. He was being stubborn and I was starting to think that he was really not going to come. He said that there are no reasons for him to go.
I can’t understand why he doesn’t want to go. He seemed so eager to hollow wherever we led him. sometimes I just don’t understand the way that the male brain works.
You would if you paid more attention. Eldon’s voice came into my head suddenly.
You need to stop doing that. You know I would like to be able to have a thought without you in head reading it. I answered back to him.
Than learn to block me, I do it to you often.
Oh, thank you very much, now I know what it feels like to be loved.
I thought that I would let you know.
Thanks, so why do you think that he is not coming? I asked changing the subject.
If you paid more attention you would know. He repeated.
Just tell me and stop playing games with my mind.
It’s a man thing.
Is that all you have for me?
Yes, that is all that I can tell you. Could you come in to get the rest of my things together?
I a moment I have to go back to my room first. I walked out of the kitchen; there was an uneasy stillness. I walked back to the room and found the door closed. I know that I left it open. I thought. I slowly opened the door to find a strange man standing over Draco pistol drown and pointed at his head. “What is this?” I questioned making the stranger jump.
“Milady leave or you will witness this mans death.” The stranger said not able to look me in the eyes.
“Why does this man need to be killed? What are the charges against him?” I questioned him once again. My questions were annoying him.
“’Tis capms orders.” His voice low and trembling.
“What business does the captain have with him?”
“I don’t know, I’s jus’ followin’ orders. He wants one of you dead, he don’t care who. He jus’ says to kill ones of you.” He still was not looking at me but I could tell that there was a certain desperation in him voice to finish the job that he had come to do.
“Take mine instead, or are you to afraid to kill a woman?”
“That be not it at all.”
“Than why will you not take my life instead of his?”
“You was not to be killed, captain’s orders.”
“I see, so you chose to kill him.”
“Aye.”
“Then, if there is no other way, I challenge you to a duel. If I win you leave and never return. If I lose you can kill him in any way that you want.”
“I take’s the challenge.” his voice brightened. “Where be this duel to be?”
“Outside, as soon as you can get out there.” I said.
“I will be waiting.” he said as he walked past me out the door.
Change of plans Eldon, I have something that I have to do, which may take up a bit of time.
“Alana you can’t do this,” Draco said. “You will surly die.”
What?
“You must trust me.” I said pulling off the white gown that I was wearing. “This one will do.” I mumbled to myself as I pull on my green velvet dress. I have to go fight a pirate for Draco’s life.
“Please Alana don’t do this…” but he was cut off when I turned and walked away.
You can’t do this.
You underestimate me.
No I just know your limits.
At least one of us thinks that they do. I will be in as soon as I am done. I cut him off from talking to me. I could not have him distracting me. I needed to be at the best skill level as I could be at.
With my sword ready I walked out of the house to where the man was standing, pistol down on the ground. “Kick the pistol away; we will only be using swords.” As I said these words he did it.
“Do you think this wise girl? Fighting with a pirate.” He said before we started. “This be what I does as a daily thing.”
“We will see” Was the only thing that I could make myself say. I knew that if I didn’t win he could take both Draco and my life. “to the death.” My voice strong and without as much fear as I could hide. I would be lying if I said that I was not scared or nerves.
“To the death.” He repeated
“Alana what are you doing?” Eldon’s voice broke out from behind me.
“I am saving a life.” I answered then took a step toward the pirate.
“Don’t you wants to know the name of the man that’s goin’ to kill you?”
“I do not plan to be the one that dies today, but if you want to tell me the name of the man that I am going to kill be my guest.”
“Cameron.”
“Alana! What are you thinking?”
I didn’t answer him, there was no way that I would be able to focus and do my best with him talking to me. After he said that I took a step towards Cameron, with that there was no sound but the clinking of metal and the pounding of feet against the hard ground.
The fight was long and hard. He was a lot better then I, but I was fighting my hardest. Eldon was not even this good this surprised me very much. I could tell that he had experience. I was starting to fear that I would not be able to beat him. He had noticed that I was favoring my right leg, and he used it to his advantage.
The fight raged on for what seemed like hours and I was getting tiered, my leg throbbed, and my chest was heaving up and down. I finally saw my chance to get the upper hand. I thrust my sword at just the right time, and he went down. Not hurt or even cut, but in a dodge of my blade, and with a swipe of my foot at his ankles. I had this move used on me once and remembered it to this day.
I kicked the sword out of his hand and put my foot on his chest which was heaving as much as mine. There was a sudden loud clap. I turned to see Galen with a big smile on his face.
“You handled yourself well young Alana. You have diffidently proven your self worthy.” He said as he walked toward me.
“What are you talking about? Did you set this up?” I asked.
“No, it was not me” he replied.
“Please, lying is not becoming of you.” I said in the same strong and fearless voice that I had used before.
“You are not only brave, and talented, but you are smart, and quick to catch any sign of something that does not seem right. I like that about you, you will do well as part of my crew.”
“I thank you for your complements. But I am not going to put up with your trickery. That is one thing that I can not stand. If that is all you are I might as well not go with you. I will not stand to be treated like anything less than what I am.”
“There will be no more, I swear it. I just had to make sure that you could handle yourself. You will be the only woman on my ship that is not my slave.” His voice was low and devious like Eldon’s was when he was up to no good.
“Well it had better not; I am not afraid of you or what you could do.” I paused for only a moment then continued. “So let’s get ready to go, it will only take me a few minutes to get everything together.”
“Well then get going, we shall way anchor within the hour, with or without you.”
“We will be there.” I said as I turned away and walked back into the house. It took me only a few minutes to get everything in the bags, with a little help from my magic. Then I went to go help Eldon with his clothes.
“Why do you have to do things that you know could get you killed?” Eldon asked as I helped him.
“I am not dead am I?”
“No but you are lucky, next time you may not be so lucky.”
“You no me better than that, besides do you think that I would be able to stand by and watch him kill an innocent man?”
“That is the problem with you. Do you not think that he can save himself? You are not the only one that knows how to fight.”
“I know, but I also know that he needed my help.”
“Did you ask him? All men would be offended if a woman did what he could not. If he is to die then at least let him do it with his dignity attached.”
“You have no idea what he can do.”
“Neither do you, you don’t even ask if he wants your help. You think that just because you know…”
“Know what…who he is. I really think that you should mind your own business.”
“Not when it involves the future or life of someone close to me.”
“You don’t know him the way that I do. You haven’t spent all this time with him, getting to know him. How can you say what is right for him!”
“The better question is how can you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You don’t know everything about him. There are some things that women were just not meant to know!”
“You know what…get your own bags.” I said as I walked out of his room and back to mine.
“Thank you.” Draco said as I walk in.
“All in a days work, no problem. I am happy to do it for you.” I could not look up from what I was doing. This was the first time that Eldon had ever snapped at me. He only thought that he knew what he was talking about. I was right, Draco did need my help. He said so when I walked in. I thought as I walked out of that room with all my bags. He followed me out with his and we went to the porch.
Kilo was going to be the only problem that I could see. So to solve that one I made him invisible to everyone but, Eldon, Lara, Draco, Quentin, and I. I had a feeling that Quentin would end up coming if Lara had anything to do with it.
Lara came out of the house with all of Eldon’s bags and put them on Rosac. She went back in and got her things. Quinton carried his bags out and put them on his horse.
“I thought that you weren’t going.” I said as he walked past me.”
“I had no choice. She is making me come.”
“I find that hard to believe, a woman making you do something.”
“I don’t know how she did it.”
“And you never will.”
“No I can’t say that I ever will. It is one of the many mysteries in life, the mind of a woman.”
“The way that it is supposed to be.”
“I guess so.” He smiled as I walked away.
It took them a while but we left the house on time. The ride was short. Eldon still said nothing to me the while ride. I think that the rest of them knew that there was some sort of tension between us, but no one dared to ask.
That is one thing that I can say about them all. They know when to keep to themselves. I never have to worry about one of them intruding on my life in any way.
There was a twinge in my stomach. I knew that something was going to happen the only thing was when. I hate when I get feelings like that. There is no way for me to stop it, but I feel that I must.

Chapter 23

The Ship and Crew

There was a strong breeze that seemed to push me forward toward the ship, which was huge. It was the biggest that I had ever seen, well, actually it was the only one that I had ever seen. My bags were taken as I walked up closer to the ship. The wood was dark and there was a flag that was as black as the night raised high above our heads.
As we walked onboard the huge ship I saw his crew scurrying about trying to get ready to way anchor. There was little time to talk; we were push aside like baggage, and Kilo was almost knocked off my shoulder, where he had placed himself before we left. I hope that he don’t get much bigger than he is now or I don’t know how in the world I will ever be able to take care of him.
“I don’t like the look of this.” Draco said as he grabbed my hand pulling me to a stop.
“Well, we can’t turn back now.” I answered as I pulled away from him. His eyes showed the hurt he felt inside. I knew that he really didn’t want to go. He was just going because I was going and I left him no room to make a good decision. I think that he would have gone even if I had not made him but he would have been more hesitant about the whole thing.
Lara was walking behind us; basically dragging Quentin. I don’t know how she did it but she got him to come. Once again through the bustling crowd there was an uneasy feeling that struck me. I knew that there was danger aboard this ship.
I am getting an uneasy feeling. I thought to Eldon almost forgetting the fight that we had had before we left.
Just get on the ship! He yelled. He had never used that sort of toe with me before and I didn’t know quite how to take it.
I am telling you that I don’t like the feeling that I am getting from this ship! Don’t snap at me, it is not my fault that you are mad. You don’t have to take it out on me!
You are the reason that I am mad and I will take it out on you!
Fine, don’t listen to me. When you are in trouble because you didn’t listen to me that will be your fault.
I make the decisions around here on what is good and bad.
No you only think that you do!
You are wrong! With that he blocked me out of his head. Just then there was a chill that ran up and down my spine. I had to be quick and strong so that I could beat whatever challenges that I face, since I knew that Eldon would be of no help to me.
“Are you really sure you want to do this?” Draco asked. “We can always turn back now; we still have a little time left.”
“No, I do not want to turn my back to anything. I will not back out of this no matter how much you plead with me.” My voice was strong and unwavering. He knew that he had no chance. We took the last few steps and then were aboard the ship. There was no turning back now, I knew it, and so did Draco.
“Welcome aboard.” Galen said as he walked up to us. “I will show you to your bunks, you should find them to my liking.” His voice was devilish. “You will soon get to know the way of this ship.”
Eldon was standing on my left side. Galen took a step toward him. “I am glad to see you again.”
I am very happy that you are up and able to move with ease my brother. And I look forward to getting reacquainted with you.”
“As do I.” Eldon said as politely as he could. Then Galen led us to the cabins below deck.
“I am glad that you all could accompany me on this fine day.”
“Yes so are we brother.” Eldon said as he shot a warning glare at me.
“Brother, may I ask where it is that we are headed?”
“You may, we are headed due west till we reach the town of Hemlot.”
“How far away in that?”
“A good month’s journey by sea.”
“I see and then where to?”
“Wherever the wind leads us.” He said as he turned to look at me. I smiled back at him, then looked at the cabin and wished I had not come. There was no light coming into the small room. The walls were rough and the beds were hard.
“Where are Lara and Quentin to sleep?” I asked still looking around.
“They will be in the room next to you. If you need anything let me know.” He said, as he looked Lara up and down.
“He creeps me out!” Lara said after Galen was out of earshot. “There is no way that I am going to stay on this ship.”
“There is no way off. Besides he will not do anything to you. You have my word.” I said as I put Kilo up on the bed.
“Still I think that it was a mistake that I came.”
“No you will be fine, I wont let him near you.”
“Plus I will protect you.” Quinton said from behind us.
“See you have nothing to worry about you have all of us to protect you from my ‘bad’ brother.” I said with a smile then added, “Right Eldon.”
“Yes, you have our protection.” He said not looking at any of us.
“There is nothing that will happen to any of us. We are all safe right here on this ship.” I said not thinking that we would have a whole lot of trouble with the crew in the time that we would be on the ship. I wish that I would have listened to my feeling before I got on the ship. There was something that was going on, little did o know how big of something that was going on. There was no way that I could have known that we were on the ship that would lead us so close to death’s door that we could knock on it.

Chapter 24

Setting Sail

We were only on the ship for a few minutes, ten at the most, when Captain Galen yelled “Anchor away men, and step on it. We are sailing on a tight ship here.”
I looked up from the stair well that led to the bedrooms where I would be staying for the next few months. I was seasick already and we were not even in open waters yet. I could still see the dock if I really wanted to.
I walked up to the main deck and the sun shone brightly on my face. I heard the crew start to cheer as the ship slowly moved away from the dock. The waves crashed agents the side of the ship like they were trying to flip us over.
Then all their attention was on me, it wasn’t the best of luck to bring a woman on board a pirate ship but little did I know that. Plus Lara was on the ship as well. But what they didn’t know was that I could beat any of them in a sword fight at anytime, well except for the one that I had fought the first time. He must have been fighting since he was a young lad to be able to be that good.
The day wore on, the hours dragged by. I sat there on the bed almost hoping that Galen would come down and tell me to do something. But he did not. He was well aware that he should stay away from the lower deck.
There was something down there that frightened him. Could it be the corpses that lay rotting in the brig? Or could it be something different? I may never know, but whatever it may be he will not come near the lower deck. Only when he showed us the bedrooms, if you want to call them that. Even then he was hurried and seemed short with me like he wanted to just show us where we were going to sleep then get out of there.
There was a foul small that came from the corpses, it could not be ignored. That is what probably made me seasick.
Eldon is doing just fine. He still cannot do everything that he could do before, but the time will come. I hope that time is soon. Draco is doing his best to stay calm, and to protect me from the sailors. They have yet to do anything that comes anywhere in close proximity to me, but he insists that they will do something sooner or later. He knows that I am able to protect myself but I think that it just makes him feel better knowing that he is doing something. It keeps his mind off the sea.
I miss Rostlyn, but that is no concern of mine any longer. I have tried to push my feelings aside. I have done a good job so far. I also have been keeping Lara on her toes. It is fun to get her going. She is easily annoyed. Plus I find it humorous.
I finally decided to go up onto the upper deck. We were out to sea in a few hours, no land in sight, when all of a sudden the ship rocked to the starboard side. I almost fell over the rail that I had been leaning on. It was as though the ship had been pushed by a very strong force.
I regained my balance and made my way to the lower deck to find the other. I knew where everyone was with the exception of Draco. Lara and Quentin met me in the stairwell.
“Did you feel that?” Quentin asked.
“It almost threw Eldon off his bed!” Lara added.
“Yes I felt it. I was almost thrown overboard. I wonder what could have the strength to do that to a ship of this size?” I thought aloud.
“I don’t know but it must be really big and really mad.” Quentin said.
At that moment a pirate walked by. “You had better get used to that, it does that often.”
“How often?” I asked him.
“Often I said.” He just kept walking.
“I asked how often, I have already herd that answer from you.” But I wasted my breath, he didn’t even slow down so I gave up trying to talk to him.
“Have either of you seen Draco?” I asked changing the subject slightly.
“No but I bet he is looking for you as well. That is something he would do.” Lara said with a smile.
“He most likely is.” I said with a sigh. “I am going to go find him, and then I will meet you both on the lower deck.” With that I walked back up the stairs.
There were a lot of things happening on the upper deck. Ropes were being pulled on; the sails were being moved in all directions. The sailors were everywhere. It was then that I saw the guy, the one that Lara would not stop talking about.

Chapter 25

Lara’s Dream Guy

There was a sailor on the ship that Lara has had her eyes on for some time now. She has yet to even acknowledge that he is there, but I know that she feels very strongly for him. This is very odd, you see in these times women were not to show their feelings. It is up to the man to say something. But then there is me, the one who has done everything. There is little that I would not do now, considering that I have totally defied the expectations of a woman. But anyway back to “Mr. Right”.
He is about 5’10”, a little taller than Lara. His eyes are a smiling green with a glint of silver that matches the sea’s peculiar color under the light of the full moon. His hair is slightly curled, down to his temples, and sun streaked brown. He is very well kept but simple; he wears knee high boots that are the same shade of black as his pants, with a light brown shirt, and a weird necklace on a gold chain with a little silver and gold dragon charm. From what I can tell personality wise he is very old fashioned, also he has very good manners, which are very uncommon in a pirate. He is very respectful yet rebellious in his own way, but he always obeys the orders given by the captain - even though he may say things under his breath. He is charming. He has a laughing almost mocking smile and an added ability to always make someone laugh - or at least smile - even in the most depressing or scariest moments.
I really don’t care for him. He is too sweet and kind. That is not the kind that I am looking for. He is way too tacky. Even his name is tacky, Hayden. I prefer the name that the crew gave him, Sailor Boy. This is because he is the youngest crewmember on the ship, he look to be about 23. Plus I have Draco, he is just right for me.
There is still that sent of danger that lingers around the ship. I know that something is going to happen soon, too soon.
“Have you seen Draco?” I asked one of the crewmates.
“Aye, he is over there lass.” He answered in a raspy voice. This particular sailor had only one eye and was not a pretty sight to look at. I guess that his real name it Zachary, but the entire crew calls him “The blind old bat”.
“Thank you.” I said as I walked away.
Draco was right were the pirate had said that he would be. He was standing with both hands leaning on the rail and his head gently rested on them. So I took advantage of the situation. As I got up behind him I put my arms around his stomach.
“I didn’t hear you come up behind me.” He said after jumping about a foot.
“That is what I am good at.” I stated with a smile. “What have you been doing? I haven’t seen you around much.”
“Oh this and that. I just want to keep busy so this “adventure” will go quicker.” When he said the word adventure he used his fingers to highlight the word.
“Do you not have any adventure left in you? What happened to the man that went to fight the dragon, and has risks his life everyday to keep mine protected?” I asked with a slight hint of sarcasm.
“Aye, but this is different. I am still an adventurous person.” His voice got carried away in the swift breeze that flow by.
We stood there and talked for what seemed like hours. It was the time of day that was the most beautiful, the sun almost ready to set, and the sea as calm as the day is long.
It was soon time to go to bed. The day had drug on, and the night had finally won over the day. Even though the bed was hard and stiff, it was as welcoming as the sweet voice of love.

Chapter 26

Land!

The waves crashed along the shore as we left the ship. We were near the town of Filigah. We had to stop for supplies, there was little food on board and the water was running low.
I was glad to be off the ship, it was the first time that I had seen land since we set sail about two and a half months ago. I could tell that every one was happy to see land. Well, everyone except Galen. He stayed in his cabin and waited for us to get back to the ship.
He was a very strange person; he was more like me than I wanted him to be. It wasn’t hard to find something to talk about. We talked often, and became quite close. But there was still something that I knew was not right about him.
Why would our parents not even mansion him? There were family members before that had done the same, but they didn’t banish them, and they still talked about them. All of this puzzled me. And the fact that he became a pirate after he left us.
The whole story was very odd. But I didn’t mind listening to him tell his stories about all the traveling he has done. I would sit in his cabin for long hours at a time just listening. There were few moments that I could get a word in, but I hardly minded, which was not consistent with my personality.
When the day was over and his throat was sore from talking, I would make my way to my bed.
There were many stories that he had and it seemed like he had left home for the same reason that Draco had, to find adventure before taking the crown. He didn’t say that right out but I had a feeling that I had been lied to this whole time about why he left.
As my foot hit the soft ground I lost my balance. I was not use to the soft feel of grass; the feel of hard wood still rushed through my vanes. I quickly caught myself and kept walking.
By now Eldon was back to normal. It was like there was never anything wrong with him. He walked around the ship with the crew doing anything he could to keep busy. It bugged him that he had nothing to do. I could tell that he was starting to get aggravated with the sea. His eyes were no longer there lively selves, and his soft reassuring voice was gone.
I on the other hand loved the time that we had out to sea. I loved the cool breeze on the hot summer days, the noise that echoed in my ears of waves crashing into the ship, the same waves that rocked me to sleep every night.
I knew that if there was anything that I loved more then this, it was riding on horseback. Our horses were sent to a stable were they would get only the best treatment. We were to return and get them when we came back. But that will all be taken care of later.
The air was fresh and crisp. This city was bigger than any other that I had ever seen. It was even bigger than my own.
There were a lot of people running around as well. The dirt roads were dull and warn. The shops were filled with people as well as the tavern. There was little room to walk as well as room to move.
The crew and I walked into the crowed tavern and tried to find a seat. But it was useless. So we went back out to find some supplies. We found the nearest store that carried everything that we needed, and more, back to the ship.
They loaded it onto the ship and hurried off so that the captain would not see or hear them. This was the only time that they got to be alone, and they loved every minute of it. I didn’t blame them.
It would be hard to have a better adventure. If I every do have a family of my own then I will have but one story to tell: the one of the adventure of a life time.

Chapter 27

The Plank

When we got back on the ship all was silent. Not a noise from either deck. A twinge of fear raced up and down my spine. It was too quiet. There had to be something going on. I could feel a strange evil on board the dark ship and it was not a good feeling that was taking over my body.
It was then that I realized that Lara and Hayden were not with us. They had not been there the whole time. Where could they have been? If they weren’t with us then who were they with. The questions ran through my head so fast that I could hardly keep up with them.
Then we heard a voice coming from the opposite side of the deck, around all the sails and ropes. “You have both disobeyed me. You deserve to die. In the morning you will both walk the plank, or even better when we come near to an island I will push you off. It is your choice either it is maroon you or you walk the plank in the middle of the ocean. Which is it going to be?”
“What ever you do to us I want you to know this, we will still love one another as much than as we do now. We will die in love and we will walk this cold world in love. We will be back for your head.” Came the voice of Hayden.
“Oh great, what have they gotten themselves into.” I sighed as I pushed my way through the crew to get to where the voice was coming from. This is all I need right now is to save those two. I though Lara was smarter then this. I thought as I finally got through.
Galen had them tied to one of the poles. Lara’s mouth covered with a gag, and I could see the salty tears that were streaming down her face.
Eldon I need a little help, Lara has gotten herself into trouble. “What is the meaning of this! I demand an answer!” I exclaimed.
“While you were off gathering supplies these two down in the lower deck together.
“Is it a crime aboard this ship to spend time with another person?” I asked with a tone of anger in my voice as walked over to Lara to take the gag off.
“Aye ‘tis, no sailor of mine will be kissing a passenger.” His voice strong and unwavering.
“Is that all?” I said with a smirk. “You are to punish them with death for that. Well then you had better do the same to Draco and me because we have done that.” I said with a slight smile on my face as if it were a joke. “What kind of captain are you. One that gets his pleasure from the pain and suffering of others?” I untied Lara and Hayden while finishing up my argument with Galen. “I just don’t see why you have to do this, they were doing nothing that none of us hasn’t ever done.”
“I will not let my crew take advantage of my passengers.” He said, and then continued, “There is no worser action.”
“I think that Lara is an adult and can take care of her feelings. If she was not fully into this relationship then she would have gotten out of it.”
“Well I will have none of that on my ship.”
“And so you think marooning them will finish it?” I asked. “What is to stop the rest of the crew to go and find a lass. Will you just maroon them as well? Then they can get out of piracy just like that. It is not hard to live on an island.”
“If you keep it up then you will be on that island with them.” He finally shouted. “End of discussion!” Then he stormed off.
“No not end of discussion!” I said storming after him.
“What is going on here?” Eldon asked Draco as I went out of sight, and Draco explained the whole situation to him. Soon Eldon was following us into Galen’s quarters.
“You promised us, me, that you would do nothing of the sort.”
“That was before I knew that there was a lot more of you to deal with than you and my brother.”
“He is my brother more than yours, and there is no difference. A promise is a promise which you should be bound to!”
“I am not bound to anything, I never have been and never will be! you have no right to talk to me like this, you are a woman.”
“She may be but I am not and I will speak up.” Eldon said finally walking into the room.
“Why would you stand up for what she is doing?”
“Because she is my sister, and the closes family that I have ever had. I don’t care how you run your ship, you are the captain, but if you endanger the life of one of the people that are close to me I will get involved.”
“You have no rights here, this is my ship!”
“And that is the woman who saved both Alana’s and my life. Do you have no compassion?”
“I have been shown no compassion, why should I give it, and on my own ship.”
“Is that all that really matters to you! Your ship, well I have to say I am sorry that we came looking for you. I never imagined that we would find a brother as mean and deceitful as you. I had hoped that there would be a little bit of love in that heart of yours, even after all these years apart.” I said finally, not being able to sit back and not argue.
“You are lucky that I stepped up and found you! I was kind enough to do even that!”
“Well I am sorry that you wasted your time.”
“Both of you STOP!” Eldon yelled at the top of his lungs. “You are both acting like children!”
“This is a matter of life and death Eldon.” I said looking at him.
“This I realize but isn’t there another way that we could handle it?” he replied.
“Like what, a duel? I would surely win.” Galen said then added, “I have seen her fight, and I know that I could take her.”
“I never said anything about a duel, and if I had it would be man to man.”
“So you want to fight?” Galen said sounding interested.
“No I will not fight you brother. I will do nothing, it is your ship and you will do with it what you will no matter what we do or say.”
“What are you talking about!” I screamed in shock. I could not believe that he had just said that. He basically put our friend to her death.
Just trust me. He thought.
You had better know what you are doing because if she dies then it is on your head.
I do. He thought back then said, “Come on Alana there is nothing that we can do with this anymore.”
“But…I thought…”
“No you are coming with me.” He said with a tone in it.
“That is right, get that woman out of here, she has no business saying such things. You had better teach her a lesson!”
Don’t listen to him; it will only get you into trouble.
You now me too well brother. I thought as he grabbed my arm before I could react to what Galen had said. We walked back out to Lara, who was still standing where we had left her.
“Why are you fighting for us?” Hayden asked.
“Not you, her. I could care less about you. She is one of the closest friends that I have out here.”
“If we go over board the sooner I can get off the boat.” Lara hinted.
“You really don’t like this ship do you.” Hayden sighed.
“Not one bit.” She said as she crossed her arms in front of her.
“Then maybe it is for the best that we get thrown off.” Hayden laughed.
“Well if you want that then leave the rest to me.” I said with a devilish grin. I knew exactly what I was going to do. This is what I have been waiting for. But why would I have been impelled to get on the boat if I could have prevented it all? Was it the power of their love, the shire adventure? Who knows, but, I do know that whatever it was it wanted us to get on this boat.
“What do you mean?” Hayden asked.
“Don’t ask, just trust her.” Lara said as she nudged his arm. “What ever she does it will be for the best.”
“Thank you Lara, now, I must be getting off to bed. I have a lot of planning to do. I will need a lot of rest.”
What are we going to do? I thought to Eldon as I walked away.
Oh I have a great idea, just follow my lead.
So what are we going to do?
I will spell it out for you when the time is right.
I see, I will be ready.
Good, this will be the first I have used it since I was hurt and it is hard to admit it but I may need a little bit of help.
I am right there for you when ever you need me
I will tell you what exactly we are doing when I get it all worked out in my head.
I will look forward to that day. I finished the conversation and then climbed into bed. I slept a lot easier that night with the knowledge that it was almost over. The water softly rocked the boat and the stars had their own lullaby that they were singing.

Chapter 28

The Dive

Morning came too soon. The sun shone through the doorway into the room onto my face. It was warm and soothing.
I forced myself to get out of bed, and woke up Draco. We quickly got dressed and made our way to the upper deck. I knew what the plans for today were, find an island, set up the plank, make them walk it, and then go back to doing the normal every-day stuff. I was in charge of the island’s contents. I had to use my powers to save their lives by making the island livable.
Eldon had contacted me late that night and told me everything that was going to happen. I knew everything that he wanted to and I was going to help him do it, as long as we could find an island.
Are you ready for today sister? Eldon’s voice broke into my thoughts.
Even if I am not it has come anyway.
I know that everything will go as we planned, as long as we find an island today. He sighed
Oh we will, I have already taken care of that.
When?
About mid day, do you think that we will have everything ready by then?
I think that we shall be ready by then. Good work Alana.
Thank you, I will see you on the upper deck.
Until then.
I dreaded throwing them off. She was my friend and once she was gone I would be the only woman on this godforsaken ship. Quentin was heartbroken; he had his heart set on Lara. I can only hope that he will find someone else.
The day went as usual until about mid day like I said. The island came into view and I was the first one to see it.
“Do we really have to do this to them?” Draco asked from behind me when he saw the island.
“It is what they want.”
“But will they survive on that island without food and only salty water?”
I gave him the look of ‘did you really just say that’ then said, “They will be just fine, don’t you worry.”
Lara and Hayden were brought forward and were asked, “Do you have any last words?” Lara looked at me and I nodded to tell her that I was ready to start my job.
I walked over to her and hugged her. “Thank you for everything that you have done for us. It all means the world to us. I owe you my life.”
“No I think that it is I that must do the thanking here. You gave me the chance to make my whole life worth while.”
“Good-by for now, we will see each other again.” After saying that I walked away.
“You may throw us over board but we have lived in love and we will die in love. So, no matter what you try to do to us, it will not faze us at all.” With that, and a very long stall tactic speech she grabbed Hayden’s hand and pulled him overboard with her. The water splashed and that was the last time that I saw her.
It was time for my plan, and I did what I had to do to make that island just right for them. I was getting weak and I knew that it would not be too much longer that I would be able to hold myself up.
Are we done now? I asked Eldon.
Yes I believe that we are done.
Good because I am getting very weak.
You can rest now Alana you have finished the job that you were to do.
“Draco.” I whispered. “I can’t stand much longer.” With that I started to fall. Luckily he was ready, but he still made it look real. I made myself start to cry and we made our way through the crewmembers. Eldon played along and pretended that he didn’t know what was going on. He did a very nice job acting like he was worried. The only problem was that Draco didn’t know that he was in on it all to.
“What is wrong?” He asked when he got to Draco.
“Oh she is just sad.” He answered with a wink.
“Oh pour thing.” He replied playing along. “Are you just going to take her to the lower deck then?”
“Yes, I don’t want the crew to see her like this, especially Galen.” He said.
“Especially Galen what?” came a voice from behind us.
Draco turning quick on his heals, spinning me around unexpectedly. “Well look at her, she is a wreck; she doesn’t want you guys to see her acting like a g-i-r-l.”
“She is my sister, I think I will see her like this sometime or another. Besides everyone has a soft side, even me. Do you think that I wanted to throw them off?” He looked hurt. “This is one part of the job that I really don’t like. But it is like this in any way of living.”
“I want to get out of here!” I broke in still sobbing to cover for us, trying to get past Galen, since Draco wasn’t doing a very good job. “I want to be alone.” I could not take it any more there was no way that I would be able to sit there and listen to him without arguing
“Ok, we are going, hold your horses.” Draco said trying to push past Galen.
“Could you have taken any longer?” I asked him when we got down to our room.
“I was trying, but I just couldn’t get past him.”
“Sure leave it all to me.” I said laughing quietly.
He had laid my down in the bed and was sitting next to me. Kilo was curled up on my other side. He had been feeding on the rats that crawled around down here. He was being very good and stayed on the lower deck. His growing had stopped and I hope that it doesn’t start up again.
“How are we going to keep all of this quiet?” Draco asked.
“That is easy; just keep your moth shut.”
“It may be easy for me, but will it be easy for you?”
“You already know me too well.”
“Do you know if he has any powers? After all he is your brother.”
“I do not detect any on him. I usually can tell miles away if there is a presents of power around me.”
“How long do you think that we can keep this all covered up though?”
“As long as we have to, as long as no one says anything we will be just fine.”
He had bought it for now but it was just a matter of time, I think we all knew that. It was all a matter of time.

Chapter 29

The Snoop

It had been a few days since Lara had gone overboard and I was completely better know. But I was really weary around Galen. I think that he knows something had gone on. But I didn’t know for sure yet.
Draco was not a whole lot of help. He is not good under pressure. He seems to think that he needs to tip toe around the ship. That doesn’t make it obvious or anything. He thinks that I should erase his memory. I tried to tell him that I could not manipulate a person’s mind. I can read them but not erase them.
Eldon kept tellin’ me to let it go, but what would you do if you thought that someone knew the biggest secret in your life and it could ultimately lead to your death. I don’t know how he could be so calm, although he had always been like this. He would be the best king that our country had ever seen.
The next few days were very treacherous. The waves kept rocking the boat. There was no end to it. The days crawled by so slow. All that we could do was sit on our beds and talk, there was nothing for us to do.
“I don’t know how much longer that I can keep this up.” Draco said while sitting on my bed.
“Just keep your moth shut.”
“What are we going to do if one of us gets hurt?” Quinton asked. He had stopped talking to any one once he found out that Lara was in love with another. There was nothing that I could do to help him; he wouldn’t even talk to me. “I don’t know why I am even on this retched boat.”
“Well, for starters, it is a ship, and second I am very glad that you are talking again. It was getting very lonely around here without you to talk to.”
“Well, I guess that I would not be able to stay quiet forever.”
“I know that you are very strong and I know that you will be able to get over this. We all have these times in our lives. I have certainly had my share of them.”
“Are you sure that she is going to be fine?”
“Yes, I am positive. There is not a doubt in my mind that she is suffering.”
“Good. I am glad that she is happy.” I could hear the hurt in his voice.
When the waves subdued we spotted land! It was the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen. That is an exaggeration. My land was way more beautiful than this, but it was land and that is just what I wanted to see at this point.
The word spread like wild fire. We were approaching land. The whole crew was overjoyed. They docked and all went in their separate ways. But before I was able to get off the ship Galen pulled me to the side.
“We need to talk.” He said. I followed silently. We went into his cabin and sat in the chairs.
“What did you want to talk about?” I asked expecting the worst.
“The day that Hayden and what’s-her-name…”
“Lara.” I interrupted.
“…went over board, you remember?” he finished as if I had said nothing at all.
“More than I want to, why?”
“I think that something went on that day that was not of this world. Does that make any sense to you?”
“I guess I could see something like that happening.” I replied. Thinking that he knew that I was the one that had done it, with the help of Eldon. Eldon I think that he knows! I thought quickly
What?
I will keep you posted.
Alright.
“Well, I think that there is some type of magic that took place here on this very deck that day.” His voice dropped about 10 decimals.
“Why would you say that?” I asked trying to catch the breath that had just gotten stuck in my throat.
“I saw the island change before my eyes. There was something going on that day and I was hoping that you could help me find the person that did it.”
“So you don’t think that it was me.” I said really confused.
“No, you don’t seem to be the type to do anything like this. You seem too, weak.
“Oh, well I think you are right, I will keep my open for any one that looks suspicious.”
“I was thinking it was Draco.”
“Why him?” I asked even more confused.
“He has been tip toeing around the last few days and he has been avoiding me.”
“So you think that he has something to hide?” I said playing with his mind.
“Yes. I do, this may sound very strange but I think that he is a sorcerer.”
“I see. So you want me to believe that Draco is a sorcerer.” I tried to keep from laughing. This could not have gone better if I had done it myself. I thought.
“Yes. I know that this sound impossible, but you have to believe me.” He was almost pleading with me now. This was going great but I had to get Draco out of this mess. But how am I going to do it.
“Ok let’s say that I believe you. I don’t think that it is Draco. In fact I am one hundred percent positive that it was not Draco.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because I know when someone is lying to me and I know him, he is not the one you want. Now I am planning to get off at the next port as you know and I will find your guy by then or I will not get off. Is that a deal?”
“I guess that I can go along with that.”
“Good, now I am going to find you a new pirate.”
“That is not your job.” He said sounding offended.
“I am not trying to take your job, I just no someone here who has wanted to get into the profession for some time now?”
”Who?”
“I will bring him back here and you can meet him for yourself. Will you trust me with that?”
“I suppose that I can for now, as long as I have the final say one what is going on.” I nodded my head, walked out of the room and off the ship.
Eldon are you there?
Yes what is going on? He thought back.
Well the good news is that he doesn’t think that it was us. At first he thought that it was Draco but I got him off that idea.
Who does he think that it was?
He is not sure. He wants me to find out who it is.
What did you say?
I told him that I would.
Why would you do something like that? He said to me as if I was stupid.
I know what I am doing, plus it will keep him off of us for the rest of the time on this ship.
Alright, but you had better be careful.
Oh I will be, there is nothing that you have to worry about.
You know that ever time that you say that you always get into trouble. Then I have to come help you.
Not this time. I have it all under control. I thought with confidence.
You had better because I as not helping you at all. Do you understand me?
Yes, I don’t see why you have to be so pushy; I know what I am doing. I can do some things on my own you know.
I have yet to fine anything that you can do fully on your own yet.
Please there are tones of things that I can do by myself.
Name five.
Alright, I will, I can use my daggers, I can by things, I can talk, I can…well there are many other things I just don’t want to bore you.
No this is all just a stall tactic.
I am not thinking to you any more. Good-by.
I will see you when we get back on the ship.
Alright I will see you then.

Chapter 30

The Pirates Son

I walked through the crowded streets toward the second tavern. Draco came up behind me. “What are we going to do?”
“I have to go fin our next pirate.”
“And how are we going to find this guy?” He questioned.
“I am going to find him in the Friendly Pub.” I answered with a grin. “If I can find the Friendly Pub.”
“And you know this how?” He asked obviously not thinking.
“Are you dumb in the head? Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“Oh gotcha.” He murmured. It was as if he wasn’t even thinking. He had never acted this way before. It had to be the ship; it had finally taken its toll on him.
I was really tempted getting off and staying here. But it was the wrong place; I know that if I didn’t follow my gut feelings then I would really regret it.
The real reason that we are on this voyage has changed way to many times. I don’t even know why we are still here. We have found Galen, what else are we to do, this is the real reason why we came…isn’t it? I thought as we walked.
When we came to the Friendly Pub Draco opened the door and I walked in. As soon as I stepped foot in the room it all fell silent.
I was shocked. The room went from everyone screaming at one another to deathly silent. I almost didn’t dare go in but a little push from Draco made me take the first step. I was unsure of it and on my guard the whole time that I was walking in. Something was going on and I didn’t like the feeling that I was getting. Draco leaned close to me and whispered, “So you could see that the man was here, but you couldn’t see that this was going to happen?”
“No I didn’t pay attention to the small details.” I said as I hit him just out of their sight to keep him quiet.
“Which one of you is William?” I yelled so that all of them could hear me.
“I am.” Said a man that pushed his way through the crowd to get to me. “I am your humble servant Lady Alana.” He said as he bent down in front of me.
“How do you know who I am?” I asked. The whole place started to whisper to the person next to them.
The man looked up and I saw Torin staring up at me. “Oh my gosh how did you get here?” I asked as he stood and hugged me.
“I really don’t know. I was in Gertumd one minute and here the next.” He said as we let go of each other. I had not thought; there was no one that was allowed to touch royalty except other royalty. The crowd obviously knew who I was. They started to chant my name.
“How could you tell them who I was? You know that I am running.” I said in almost a whisper.
“It was not me they knew already. Look over there, there is a picture of you.” He said trying to defend himself.
“I see.” Was all that I would say on that matter. “As you were my fare people.” I said as I grabbed Torin, William, and took him outside.
“Who are you really?” I asked. “What is your real name?”
“It is William. I have been hiding as you have but I took more precautions than you were. I changed my name.”
“Is that all you changed? Or is there more to you then you say.”
“Hello, I am still here.” Draco said.
“Yes I know.” I said then turned my gaze back to William. “Are you are a pirates son?”
“I don’t know. My father never told me what he did for a living but I remember that he was always gone.”
“Then you are the man that I am looking for. Come with me.” We walked back to the ship where all the men were already aboard. It looked like none of them had found any one. “I have brought the man that is going to be your new crew member. This is William.” With that I walked into Galen’s cabin and told him that I had found his man.
He came out and looked William over and agreed that he was the one. We set sail the next morning. Galen said that the next port was a week away and that I would have plenty of time to find his sorcerer. I pretended that I was looking but was actually taking in my last week on the ship. My plans were to tell Galen just before I got off the ship.
The days flew and William and I got to catch up a bit. It was in this last week though that I got asked the question that would change my life forever.

Chapter 31

The Life Changing Question

It was the morning that we were to get off the ship for good. I woke up like I usually did, but when I opened my eyes I saw Draco standing above me. It made me jump and I remembered when William had done the same thing.
“Good I am glad you are awake.” He said with a slight hint of shakiness in his voice. “I wanted to ask you something.”
“Hold on a moments so that I may get dressed.” After I was done I went to him and asked, “What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?” I could not come close to guessing what he was about to ask me.
“I want to know how you would feel if I told you that I know who I am.”
“I would be overjoyed. But why are you asking?” I asked getting suspicious.
“Well it could change both of our lives. I wanted to know how you would feel about that small detail.”
“I have told you before that you could come to me and tell me anything, even if it means a life changer.” I said with a smile.
“Okay, here goes nothing. Do you remember the mark that you found on my arm?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Well I have been having these dreams about it, well all of it. When William said Gertumd it reminded me of something, but I could not think of what it was. Well that night I started to have the dreams.”
“I see. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I asked.
“Because I wanted to know what they meant before I bothered you with them. But back to where I was. I saw many people and they were saying a strange name. There were things that I knew that I had seen before but could not place. It all was too familiar. I have finally found out why I was having those dreams. It is because it was my past. They need me to return, it is time for me to take my fathers place, as King.”
“What are you saying?”
“I am Donnoven the crowned Prince of Domack, and I am asking for your hand in marriage. I know that this is not very formal but, I love you. I have since that day that we met.”
“I feel the same way, but how are we going to do this. We are both betrothed to a person already.”
“Yes I know. Here look at this.” He said as he pulled me to the mirror and unbuttoned the back of my dress. “May I have permission to untie your undergarment?”
“What does this have to do with anything? I asked starting to reconsider his sanity.
“This can prove how I can love you and still stay faithful to my betrothed at the same time.”
“It is not possible.” I thought, how was I going to explain this one to him.
“If you let me show you, you will understand.” He said pleading with me.
“Fine, do as you will.” I said finally giving in.
He untied it and pulled my sleeve down in my left side reveling my whole side. “Look.” He said, so I looked over my left shoulder and saw the same mark he had under his arm.
“How did you know that I had this mark?” I asked trying to place a time that he could have seen it. I had thought that I had done a very good job of keeping it hidden.
“I saw it when Lara was changing your dressings one morning.” He said with a smile. “Now, it sounds like a bit of commotion is happening on the upper deck. Shall we?” He asked as he retied and buttoned my dress.
“First I have something to tell you.”
What is it?”
“I have known, since I saw your mark, who you are. I didn’t tell you for two reasons. One, I thought that it would be better for you if you remember ed on your own, and second, I didn’t want to ruin what we had especially after what you said about not liking the person that you were betrothed to.
“I see, well in some ways I guess that I am happy that you didn’t tell me, then I would not have gotten to know you the way that I do.”
“So you are not mad?”
“No, just can you do something for me from now on?”
“What?”
“Don’t keep anything from me.”
“I can do that.”
“Shall we?” he asked again.
“We shall.” I said with a smile that could not be described with words.
As we walked up to the upper deck one of the pirates came down and said, “Land, we have spotted land.”
“Thank you.” I said as he started back down the stairs.
When we reached the starboard side of the boat I saw the land. “Oh my gosh this is so beautiful.” I said to Donnoven.
“Yes I could spend the rest of my life right here.” He answered looking at me with a smile. I smiled back and went back down stairs to get all of our belongings. I got Eldon and Quinton. They grabbed their things and we said our good-byes. When we docked I went up to Galen and said, “I know who your sorcerer is.”
“Who?” He asked getting exited.
I leaned in really close and whispered, “I am.” I stepped back with a smile and disappeared before he could say anything. Eldon can you hear me? I thought.
Yes, loud and clear. Was his response.
I am already off the ship I want you to meet me in the tavern. It is not hard to find.
Alright the tavern it is.
They all got off the ship and were there within the hour. It took them about as long as I thought. As they walked in there was a flash of smoke. I could not see anything. I ran to who I though was Donnoven. As the smoke began to clear I saw that it was indeed him and I breathed a sigh of relief.
In the middle of the cloud I saw a woman that was a spitting image of my beloved mother. I stepped toward the woman to get a closer look. I could not believe what I saw, it really was her. I ran to her and gave her a hug. But I stepped back in surprise after the embrace. “How did you get here?” I asked.
“Where do you think you got your powers from, your father? I don’t think so. Do you really think that I had not noticed? Come on you two.” Her face was all smiles like she had just beaten us at our own game.

Chapter 32

Getting Ready

The sun was bright and the breeze was warm. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I thought as I got up out of bed. “Today is my wedding day. I will finally marry the man that I love.”
“Alana are you up yet?” I heard Eldon call from the entrance of my bedroom.
“Yes I am, and it is not a beautiful day for a wedding.” I called to him.
“The finest.” He answered back. “Will you be having breakfast now or later?”
“Now, I have to get ready later.” I sighed. “This is going to be the best day of my life.” I went to get something suitable on so that I could go down and eat before getting ready.
After a few moments there was another knock at the door. The knock was unfamiliar. I paused for a brief second pondering the unfamiliar knock, but called “Come in.” The door opened and there stood one of my old best friends. She looked like time had not touched her. She still had the same medium brown hair that lay just below her shoulders and those brown eyes that lit up the room.
“Elyria, you finally made it!” I yelled as I jumped up to greet her.
“Yeah, no thanks to you.” She said jokingly.
“So how was the trip? Did you meet anyone? What have you been doing with your life?” I asked so many questions that she could hardly keep up.
“The trip was fine. Yes I have met someone; we are getting married in the fall. But I have been busy doing work at daddy’s shop. He’s needed a lot of help; we are so worried about him, he has not been doing very well since you left. He hardly talks to anyone.”
“That is horrible, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” She gave the look of ‘oh yeah, and how was I to reach you?’ So I went on “Well you are here now.”
“Yes I am.”
“True, very true. So how long are you going to stay?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I know that it cannot be too long, I have to get back to daddy.”
“What about your mother? Can’t she take care of him?” I asked, but soon regretted the question.
“She died shortly after you left as well, the fire got out of hand and she was in its path.” Her voice the softest it had ever been, I barley heard her.
“I’m so sorry; it was not my place to say anything. Me and my big mouth.” I said trying to shake away the sadness. But it didn’t seem to help.
“But anyway,” She said after a few moments of silence. “What are we waiting for? Don’t we have a wedding to get ready for?”
“But of course. I almost forgot.” We both giggled. “We must get a bite to eat first, and don’t you say no.”
“Well if that is the case then why not, I could use a little something in my stomach.” She said as she followed me out of the room.
“So otherwise how have you been?” I asked not expecting an answer.
“Well, I have been doing considerably well.” With that she said no more on the subject. “So when am I to meet this man that is to take you away form me?” as soon as you can find him. I haven’t seen him much in the last few days. He has been going back and forth from his home to mine.”
We walked down the long halls and winding corridors until we came to the dining hall. Mother and Father were there along with Eldon. Donnoven was no where to be found.
“Ah, Elyria how have you been?” My father asked. You see our families has been quiet close for as long as I can remember, and probably even longer.
“As well as I could be.” Was her answer, not wanting to get into it all over again. There was a long silence after that.
“Well Honey you should really get ready. It is going to be a great day.” My mother said trying to fill the emptiness.
“You are right mother, I shall go. I will see all of you in the backyard.” With that I got up and walked back to my room. I hummed as I walked along the empty corridors. I finally got to my bedroom door. I opened it and walked inside closing it behind me. The wind blew softly through the open windows. The curtains seemed to sway to the rhythm of my pounding heart. I walked over to my bed and sat for awhile, pondering the day.
There was a sudden knock at my door. It was not unfamiliar. “Come in.” I hollered. Eldon walked in as if he was walking on clouds.
“Why, might I ask, are you so happy, it is not your wedding day it is mine.” I laughed. “You seem as though you are happier than I am, what do you know that I don’t”
“That I get your room when you move out.” He laughed.
“Oh, what am I going to do with you? You act like you are two. Besides I will not be moving out for a while. He is not taking over for his father for a few weeks, remember?”
“Yes, but I still get your room.”
“God, you act like such a child, grow up.” I said to him as I slapped his arm playfully. Then added, “It is sad really.”
“What?”
“You, I am getting married before you are, and I am how many years younger?”
“Only two, thank you very much.” Then said with a smile, “You are going to get it for that.” As the final words came out of his mouth he started to chase me around my room until Mother burst in.
“What is going on here?! Alana you are to be getting ready for your big day not horsing around with your brother. And as for you!” She said turning to Eldon. “You are to be down stairs helping your father get ready, young man.” She pointed to the door and he started to walk away.
I think that it was funny how she still had complete control over him, even at his age.
It didn’t take very long for me to get ready. My gown was the same that my mother had worn on her wedding day.
“How long did you know that we had our powers?”
“Since before you did. I knew that one day you would leave me to go on your own journey.
“Thank you mother. So do you ever think that Eldon will get married?”
“I certainly hope so; some one has to take over for your father and me. He is betrothed to you know.”
“I know but I have never met her.”
“None of us have. I am beginning to believe that she isn’t real.” We laughed and then walked out of my room.
I walked down to the backyard with my family and was soon given away to my beloved husband.
The years that past after this flew by without notice. Eldon soon got married and settled down. Quinton married Elyria; they feel in love at my wedding. I haven’t heard anything form Galen, but I hope that he is doing well. Lara and Hayden are doing just fine out there on their privet island.
As for Donnoven and me, I can report that we are still happy after many, many years and have children. The rest, well…that is a whole other story in itself.