₦airaland Forum

It almost seemed like he planned to have us alone again... There was something he wanted off his chest //swosh// What's gotten into you? Do you know how late it is? Can't I go to sleep, partner? I have a class to teach tomorrow and reports to turn in, you're taking away my sleep time for what? 'Liam?' A friend you called on my phone and forgot to delete the contact? I'm not responsible. I've been on loads of missions, visited plentiful places, and met with thousands of people in the past 5 years away from the R.U., and you're asking me who this one mere insignificant cunt is? Don't shit with me, Hall." // swosh// But... I'm sure I remember a mop... //swosh// "They're looking for you." //swosh// I gave her a sympathetic look. That was the reason why I was called in to take Jean's position, otherwise I had no purpose disguising myself as a nerd with braids and glasse- // swosh//


.

.

"Halt." I growled, readying my primary gun and hesitating whether or not to aim it at the man. Jean, Hunter, and Aaron got their last shot in before they snapped their heads to me with confused expressions. The rest of the agents rushing in from the back didn't hear, and started firing their bullets towards the front. "I SAID STOP," I raised my voice, sending vicious chills down everyone's spins, getting even my team leader to freeze. Chestin caught up to me and grabbed my arm roughly, yanking my body up to look at him. "What the hell are you trying to do, Jamie, get us killed?" I shot daggers into his eyes and he shut up. The rest of the R.U. Agents followed his suit, but they still had their weapons up. "You," I demanded to the man with blue eyes, the man I remembered, and the man that I dreaded to see once more in my life. He had no expression that I could read as the face cloth only revealed his eyes, and a hat cleverly casted shadows on his face, but from his eyes, I could tell he was not expecting this turn of events for some reason. "It's been a while," I continued, maintaining eye contact with the man and walked forward a bit so that he could see me, " Carter." The gun was right by my side. I was taking no chances. The cloth moved, and I could tell his mouth parted and his eyes had drawn into confused frowns. "I thought we agreed that meeting again wasn't on our agenda," I was starting to doubt about something, the man was unresponsive and seemed to be taken out of track, "Why the aggressive manner all of a sudden?" And here came the first response- a scoff. He shifted his weight from one leg to another, and put one hand up to cease fire from his side. Then he picked up his gun and didn't hesitate after that to aim it at my head. I didn't know if he knew, but from our distance, there was no way I couldn't avoid that bullet. He didn't forget my position, did he? "You greet me with a gun, Carter?" I asked slowly, in a bit of reflecting and confusion, "That's hardly fair when you Renai's stormed our headquarters. What do you want here?" His next words got me to loosen the grip on my trigger, but not enough for me to drop my gun again. "Give him back, kitten."

But who was behind this? By this rate people will die and no one would know why. Used to being the observer and decision maker, I scanned the opposing team for someone that stood out, someone that stood firm and proud, that had a threatening aura around him, that stood still and was searching for that one person in our headquarters too. Our eyes met momentarily. I almost dropped my gun.

. . . "There's an empty seat next to Jamie. Jamie, can you raise your hand?" // swosh// "That's a cool looking fish," he continued, grinning at me as he finished placing his backpack on the ground and had peered over into my territory // swosh// "Watch where you're going, lowlife," a high-pitched voice rained down upon me. I looked up to meet eyes with one of Allison's followers // swosh// "It's been two years, it's really hard to keep holding a grudge against someone like you." //swosh// Hey, do you know anything about a red ring? Find that out for me? I'll attach a pic // swosh// "Not at all, you look cute," he popped, giving me a soft, side smile // swosh// "To seduce me while I sleep?" he commented slyly, smirking afterwards //swosh// He didn't even feel pity? Couldn't even save me? I mean, whatever happened to us being 'buddies?' // swosh// "There is no 'i,'" I emphasized, "I, didn't want that kiss. I, wasn't the one doing the kissing. Therefore, I, am not part of the kiss. Do you understand now, you rich bitch of a jerk?" // swosh// "Ferris Wheel?" He said softly, smiling amused at my unstable state // swosh// He sighed, "Lennon, stop being stubborn. Come here." //swosh// He nodded, "Promise." // swosh// "you know goddamn well we're gonna end up murdering the poor boys before they could even see their grandkids, have you no mercy? " //swosh// "Back to sleep Lennon," he suddenly said, smiling softly at me //swosh// I pushed away and before I left completely, I uttered out to Daniel, "Whatever you do, stick with Allison." // swosh// He hasn't ever glared at me before. It didn't feel good to receive a glare from him // swosh// "WHY DON'T YOU HAVE ON A BULLET-PROOF SUIT," he shouted angrily, tightening his grip on my arms so that I could regain balance // swosh// "I have a wound on my upper right arm," I began again and everyone hushed, "a bullet through my back, aching wrists and ankles, bruises all over my body and head, broken bones in my neck, and poison injected into my left forearm... when are we going to reach the hospital?" I asked softly // swosh// "I'm her boyfriend," he tried dully //swosh// "Why does she talk like you all live together or something?" //swosh// Before I was about to give up, I heard him say, "Cabinet, open drawer four, that's all of your clothes." // swosh// "What? I'm hungry," I mumbled back, continuing to drink my strawberry milk, "You're just jealous you didn't grab one on your way up too." // swosh// "I'm not going. I'm not a student at this school. None of us are. Allison had always been our target, and now that she doesn't show up, we have no purpose here." //swosh// "I... hope we never see each other again." //swosh// I frowned, "A bomb? Who would-" //swosh// "Oh I know everything," the man responded calmly, smiling creepily at me. "Agent W." //swosh// Well shit. My code name. How did he know? Only R.U. members knew the code names. Or, people who knew the R.U. members, maybe past enemies, through missions knew the code names as well // swosh// "You... still have his contact?" //swosh// "Anne?" sixteen- year-old Sammy, nephew of Jay, grumbled, stretching his gradually forming muscles and rubbing at his crystal green eyes //swosh// Then again, when was 'Jamie James Wendy Agent W Anne Antoinette Lennon' ever a princess? // swosh// "YOU SLEPT WITH HIM," Axel reminded me, making me flinch for real, "That wasn't on the to-do list, Agent W." // swosh/

Its Been Three Years
_____________________________________
| Quick Talk |
I feel bad for not updating last week So what do I do?
I compensate by giving you guys an extra long chapter.
Like always. _____________________________________

"GET DOWN," Aaron (Agent R) instructed, all four of us agents dropping down in extreme squats. About 20 bullets zipped across the room and pierced the air in amazing accuracy. All of our heads would've been off by now if not for Aaron's quick reflexes. As expected of the top ranked agent in the Assault division. Jean (Agent P) reaches our her hand and I slid her a backup gun that I packed earlier, standing up and extending my arm with a quick, snap-like motion, fingers tensed around the trigger as it aims steady at the shadow figure that stood at the entrance. Hunter (Agent A) shoots at the entryway, before the barrier gives way to hackers and a team of black suits with red strip marks on the sleeves of their upper arms. I knew that uniform from somewhere. "Evans," I made a quick comment to Jean, "You've worked with them before, no?" The woman, widely known for being a deception agent, has gone on numerous missions as some sort of assigned forged identity. She glanced at me and then to the suits, then back at me. "Definitely," She grunted as she replayed events in her mind that only god knows what, "One of them striked a dagger right down my back 5 years ago." Hunter caught a glimpse of our conversation and frowned, " Who?" I gave her a sympathetic look. That was the reason why I was called in to take Jean's position, otherwise I had no purpose disguising myself as a nerd with braids and glasse- My eyes snapped into a frown. What was this memory? The more I contemplated, the longer I dazed from reality. I saw pictures, from my own hand on a desk, spinning a pencil, to the braids that covered my expression, to the boy that poked me. Tho.. ton.. Tom..? Tommy? Tomonthy? Tim- Timmy tho.. Thomas! "LENNON," Shouted a familiar voice from behind, "WATCH OUT YOU FOO- I reacted as I saw a body hurdle towards me, but I calculated in the little time between collision that I was too late. This was going to hurt. Bracing myself, I was suddenly hurdled to the side against a different body that seemed to have the goal of protecting mine rather than smash it to bits. Both of us let out muffled grunts as our bodies collided into each other's before sliding across the floor. I could tell he was male. "Agent W," came my team leader from behind. I began the process of picking myself back up, glimpsing a peek — over the man that protected my fall — to the rest of the R.U. Agents. Chestin was all suited up from my line of vision and he stared at me in a degree of disbelief and concern. The R.U. Agent that helped me just a moment ago quickly went to go deal with the hurdler that was supposed to be my threat, while I resumed back into the action as swiftly as I went out of it because I was in the front lines. I managed to dash a few feet forward before I skidded to an abrupt stop, snapping the wrist of one of the opposing team's agents and performed a round house kick, backing it up with my hind legs to make certain the woman fell down permanently. Make a 360 degrees turn and all around the main floor you could hear and see the snapping of bones, the grunts and growls of men, the shrieks and huffs of women, the bang and whizzing of bullets, and you could feel the confused tension and skill of every agent participating.

A leader controlled by the blindness of rank is one doomed to fail. A leader who sees the power in all living things and recognizes their individual abilities is guaranteed to succeed.
He was incredible. She admired everything he did and everything he stood for. Her reverie was broken when a velvet voice sounded behind her. "Yeah, it's a mess my last servant gave up on me." He chuckled and strode up next to her examining the book she was caressing. "That is one of my absolute favorites. It is an ancient elven tale of an elven princess who gave up her immortality so she could live a lifetime with the human man she fell in love with." Emily gasped. A story whose nature was expressly forbidden of nobles. He chuckled at her reaction. "I know it is silly to collect such stories but given how dangerous actual love is it is nice to retreat into a story. I know it's a rule but honestly what harm can one story do." Emily desperately trying to control her emotions when she realized her hero was romantic. "Sir I would not know of such stories." "Emily, you and I both know that is a lie." He said smoothly starting to assist her in tidying up his room. "I beg your pardon sir but these are forbidden." She said demurely. "Emily, one does not become a leader of the resistance by being blind to his people. I know you sneak out to the tavern on the hill almost every night." Fear shook her. "Sir I am so sorry but. . ." She trailed off. She knew she was doomed. Why had he hired her for this if he was just going to fire her right away? "Emily, It is only forbidden in the castle." He said sweetly tucking the books away in a bookshelf. Why is he helping to tidy up his room? She thought to herself Better yet how does he know what I do in my personal time. Instantly indignant she began angrily dusting the room. He sighed observing her anxious behavior. "Emily, I know you sneak away and listen to bards because I do as well." Emily dropped her duster. She turned to stare at her hero gawking. Then it hit her. The hooded figure she saw night after night. The one with hazel eyes and a big sword. How could she not have seen it before? "Why did you follow me?" She asked gently picking up her duster and a couple of papers scattered around the floor. "I did not mean to follow you. I just happened to also go. When I realized you frequented the tavern for the same reason I did. Then one night two weeks ago you went to the stage and sang. Emily, you have the voice of an angel. The story you sang was so poignant and pure I had wanted to get to know you better. Yet as soon as I decided to approach you when I saw you next you stopped coming." He looked saddened. Emily needed to look anywhere but at him. So, she chose to look at the stack of papers in her hand. The topmost paper was a map. It had the dotted red line of a route on it and several Xs with strange names on them. Her vision grew hazy for a moment. Her head began to hurt. She leaned against the desk to support herself during her dizzy spell. After a few moments, her vision cleared and she was able to stand. Emily shrugged off the strange feeling and then put the maps neatly on Allabandar's desk but not before she saw Allabandar gawking at her. "Emily are you alright?" "Sir I am sorry did I do something wrong." She asked sheepishly feeling ashamed of her momentary weakness. "No Emily but you just looked like you were about to faint." He said worried he crossed the room quickly concern etching his face. "No, I am fine really. I just did not sleep well last night and I missed breakfast." Shrugging she continued her work. "Maybe you should go to the infirmary?" He said nervously. "No sir, really I am fine, honest." She said reassuring him. "Please do not call me sir Emmy. Call me Bandie. It is what my closest friends call me." "Sorry sir, I cannot do that." She said. "I am your servant I do not believe it is best for me to confuse that with friendship." She hated the words as they left her mouth but she knew them to be true. She had no right to believe otherwise. "Alright Emily, call me Allabandar then?" He said hopefully. "Allabandar." She said testing his first name on her lips. It felt terribly clandestine to be calling him by his first name. He smiled. "That is much better I like that. Do you mind if I call you Emmy?" "Sir, you are my boss it is your right to call me by any name you choose." He chuckled. "Sorry Allabandar, this will take some getting used to." She said smiling.
***Thank you again for reading. Please do not forget to comment***

Roxanne jumped up with him gripping his shirt in her teeth and digging her claws into the saddle. I have him hatchling do not worry but we must leave. There are more coming. Aly felt herself being pulled up onto Sadie by the dwarf and she wrapped her arms around him tightly. Digging her face into his shoulder. "Ya!" He yelled forcing Sadie to startle forward then launch herself into a full gallop. Aria followed obediently Baellnar's body bouncing limply in the saddle. Roxanne's eyes glowing in an effort to keep her charge upright so the bouncing would not harm his recovery against the bouncing of the saddle. "Aagi do you know where we are going?" Alyenna yelled into her friend's ear as they thundered forward. "Yes, miss we are going to the Elven veil. A land so protected with ancient magic even her highness cannot penetrate it with her tricks and deeds." "If it is so safe why isn't everyone allowed in." "Ah lass if everyone knew where it was it would hardly be safe now would it." She then busied herself with keeping a watchful eye over her unconscious friend. She had no idea what happened back there but whatever it was had saved him and that was all that mattered wasn't it?

******

Emily awoke the next morning feeling sore. Her stomach ached painfully. She was bleeding. She chocked it up to mother nature visiting and took the necessary maintenance precautions before dressing herself for her work that day. This was her first day as Allabandar's personal servant. She was so excited. She could not help but feel sad but she was not sure why. This was everything she had dreamed and hoped for. He had been her savior and she had idolized him ever since he saved her at the young age of four. Sure, he was otherworldly and immortal but age was just a number, right? He had gorgeous brown hair and hazel eyes. She tidied herself up in the mirror. Sighing as she realized the face reflected back at her was as good as it would get. She was not ugly but she certainly wasn't beautiful either. She knew her lot in life and she was lucky to have it. Being born human and a potter's daughter and then an orphan she knew her prospects were very thin. She lived in a castle and that alone was cause for celebration. The concept that she had her own room she felt like a governess and often pretended to be so. When the Courtiers were out on business she made a habit of trying on their lovely gowns and mesmerizing baubles and dreamt that she was in a different class. She frequented the local tavern not for the ale, though it was a nice perk, for the stories of princes finding their destined loves in common folk like herself. Her favorite story was any incantation of Cinderella. She loved pretending she lived in a land not threatened by the concept of falling in love and cherished these contra-banned stories. These stories were only allowed in the outskirts of towns. In the areas, Scelestra was least likely to find prey. In the courts, the stories of love and damsels were strictly forbidden. She whistled brightly as she dusted her way to Allabandar's quarters. She used her new key to open the door and was in shock when she let herself inside. She was expecting a man of Allabandar's rank to have perfectly lavish quarters but they weren't. they were lavish at one time but absolutely everything was covered in old clothes, papers, and books! She lovingly traced a spine looking at the cryptic runes on top of the binding. She unlike most servants had an excellent understanding of the written word. Allabandar insisted all of his staff was educated. He was very outspoken about the importance of an educated populous. He was the only ruler she had ever encountered that would give an advisory position to a servant over a noble blood if they showed the right amount of knowledge and gumption. When he did this the first time his simple speech to the shocked courtiers was

It angrily thrashed about but Roxanne refused to let go of her prize. Her head whipping about with the effort. If the situation was not so terrifying it would have been funny. She refused to allow the monster any access to the arrows and the time it took to rip out five the poison that Aagi had put on them did its job. The monster's eyes rolled back into its head. Its forked tongue lolled to the side and the twitching and thrashing began to weaken. Roxanne would not let go until she was sure he was gone. When the monster's lifeless form was at her feet she ripped off his head by biting through his neck and then burned him with her white-hot flame. After the body ignited and reduced to ash Roxanne shrunk to the size of a small house cat. She cried out limping and then fell to her side. Aagi ran toward Roxanne checking her leg. Aly turned her attention back to Baellnar. His breath was terrifyingly shallow. She curled herself around him. "Wake up!" She screamed. Aagi's attention was now fully on her and he ran to his friend. Sliding across the ground and grabbed Baellnar. He poured water over his face. Trying to revive him but nothing was working. Life was slowly leaving his body. Roxanne help us, please! You are dragonkin you can heal. A sad voice echoed back. No hatchling I cannot. I am only dragonkin I am not a full blood. Only the ancient ones have that power. Aly looked back at Baellnar hopelessly as she saw his breathing become harsher and sporadic. They call that the death rasp. Roxanne said sadly. Her small form now nuzzling Aly's knee. "What is wrong with him?" Aly asked Aagi. "sum sort o' brain 'emorage." He said sadly. Aly looked at Baellnar and wept. How could this happen? Her first friend in so long. How could he be taken away from her? She desperately gripped his shirt. Gritting her teeth again. "WAKE UP!" She yelled repeatedly but of course, nothing was working. As his last breath left his body she refused to give up on him. She jumped out from under him and began to press hard and rhythmically on his chest. One and two and three and four and five. She learned the skill a long time ago. Aagi tried to pull her back but she shook him off. Twelve and thirteen and fourteen and fifteen. Again he tried to pull her away and she yelled at him continuing to press hard on Baellnar's chest. The sickening sound of his rib cartilage breaking beneath her. Twenty-Seven and twenty-eight twenty-nine, Thirty. She bent down and breathed hard into him watching his chest rise. Again, she breathed into him but this time it was different. She felt her body warm. She saw a light white glow encompassed his body. Completely freaked out she jumped back. The glow connected her to him even with her not touching him. It pulsed slowly at first and then grew brighter and pulsed faster. He started to gasp. His eyes wide and he moaned with pain. Aly watched the mismatched cartilage of his chest knit itself back together. She checked his head for blood but there was none. She jumped next to him "Baellnar can you hear me?" "BAELLNAR!" she screamed. Again silence. She shook him gently and no response. But there was breath she could see it. She did not notice that Sadie and Aria had come back now that the danger had cleared. Aagi yelled at her. "We 'ave to get going miss." "I am not leaving him!" She yelled back. "OI! No one said anythin' 'bout leavin' 'im!" He growled. Picking up his friend and threw him onto Aria. He put him in a sitting position and lashed him on with ropes.

Roxanne answered by crouching down and growling. Her rainbow eyes swirling in anger. Aly was still stuck to the ground. Being thrown from her horse had injured her leg. The awkward angle at which her foot stuck out did not give her much hope. She looked at Baellnar. He was unconscious. Terrified she watched as the monster and Roxanne circled each other. Aagi had lifted his enormous crossbow from Roxanne's saddle right before she had grown. He beckoned for Aly to stay down. Do not worry hatchling I am familiar with his kind and they are morons. "Who are you calling slowpoke's you overgrown lizard!" Roared the monster. Aagi snuck behind a large boulder that had fallen when the ground had ruptured. Propping his enormous crossbow on it. He busied himself digging through his sack pulling out various poultices and potions. Aly crawled over to Baellnar's unconscious body. Her foot screaming at her with the effort of being dragged across the uneven ground. Her arms now bleeding with her efforts she held her friends head up on her lap. Roxanne roared and charged the monster. He grabbed her by the neck and easily lifted her and slammed her to the ground. The whole forest shook with the weight of the impact. "please wake up" she whispered trembling. She pulled her hand away from his head feeling a sickening liquid pool in it. It was then that she realized he was bleeding. Blood from his head wound was pooling onto her clothes. She quickly tore a piece of her sleeve off and pressed hard on his wound. Rocking him back and forth she whispered again "Please Baellnar wake up." Roxanne recovered from the impact quickly and jumped up and bounced away grabbing the Monster's leg in her jaws and pulling it out from under him. She sank her teeth hard into his flesh. A sickly purple liquid started pulling out. She snarled dragging the monster. Aagi wiped some ugly sick looking liquid on his arrows and cocked them into his crossbow. The monster recovered quickly and grabbed Roxanne's jaws yanking them open he freed his leg and held her mouth open. Aly was helpless and terrified. She worried after Roxanne and mentally warned her be careful. All she got back from Roxanne was a chuckle. Simultaneously a large stream of white fire escaped her mouth and blew the monster in the face. He screamed covering his eyes in agony stumbling back. She lunged again this time biting his shoulder and pulling him down. Aly looked back at Baellnar. The bleeding had slowed but his face was a terrifying pale color. A little bit of blood touched his lips as well. "No no no no," she whispered. "Wake up please wake up!" His breathing slowed. The monster picked up a large boulder and threw it at Roxanne. She dodged it easily and leaped again. This time missing her target. He took advantage of her miscalculation and grabbed her tail and threw her to the ground. Then picked up another boulder and slammed it onto her leg. Roxanne roared in pain. Whipping her tail around she tripped the monster and rolled out of the way. She got up and rolled out of the way and just in time for Aagi to fire his crossbow. The arrow soared through the air and embedded itself in its' targets' neck. The monster bellowed and ripped it out. Another arrow soared through the air making a sickly sound as it sunk deep into the thigh of the monster. Once again, the monster ripped it out. This time Roxanne grabbed his horns with her teeth. Held tight and growling like a dog with a fresh bone. Five ore arrows arrow soared through the air. This time embedding themselves in various locations all over the creature's body.

The Journey Ends Here

"Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest... It's about who came and never left your side"--Thobby Turner

They had found their way back to the main road. The time for slowly tramping through the forest was over. They pushed their mounts toward the veil. The only sound for miles was that of the thundering hooves of their mounts below them. Then Aly realized something. That was the only sound around them. She yelled to her friends. Baellnar and Aagi ignored her. Pushing harder and forward. Realizing the futility of her efforts she continued to push Sadie. Who was also silent. The white of her eyes flashing in the effort of carrying her load across large distances as such a harsh pace. It is too quiet she said to no one because no one cared to listen. Her skin prickled unnaturally. Incredibly alert her instincts firing alarms partially because of what she now understood but also because in books silence was never a good thing. Ever. She was sweating profusely. Her heart tied to her throat making it hard to breathe. She choked on the dust storm around them. She felt the ground shaking like an earthquake. They pushed harder. The trees around them swaying branches crashing down. There was no wind. How was this happening? Sadie reared up in fear and galloped out of control. Alyenna held on for dear life. Her feet had fallen out of the stirrups she had no control of her horse anymore. The ground ahead of them erupted. Enormous fissures forming around them. Almost like the dirt road, they were on was actually a weak icy pond. The horses and Roxanne reared up and danced nervously having no-where to go. Sadie screamed. Out of the ground came an enormous clawed hand. The claws were easily the size and shape of a deadly scimitar. Its' scaly skin was the yellow-brown color of diarrhea and had the smell to match. Her eyes were burning and watering and she was gagging on the smell. Another hand followed both grasped the ground and two arms pushing whatever was attached to them up. There were terrifying spikes on the elbows each with the deadly curve of a scimitar. Next came an enormous head. It looked like it was the ugly creation of what happened when a snake and a bull mated. Hundreds of pointy dripping teeth lined the jaw. Its eyes were red and serpentine. On its head were horns. In the shape of a Texas long horn cattle with a deadly twisted curve. Each horn was easily the diameter of a tree trunk and 5 feet long and at their base were smaller deadly looking horns. A forked tongue flickered in and out. The beast finally pulled its whole body out of the ground. It stood in front of them armor plated shoulders and legs with its muscles twitching. A long-spiked tail whipping about behind it. It was at least two stories tall and unequivocally terrifying. Sadie and aria in a panic threw their riders and bolted. The beast showed no interest in them and grinned hungrily instead just on Alyenna. "I have been sent for you my dear." Its serpentine voice clutching at her heart. Its body moving toward her licking the air hungrily. "You look delicious." He took a lumbering step towards her. "Your journey ends here Alyenna of Earth." Aagi jumped off of Roxanne. Why she had not run was beyond Aly but almost in answer to her question Roxanne grew. The beautiful jeweled mount was now at least a story tall while still on all fours. Her own crystal spikes taking on deadly curves and her tail flickering angrily at the new comer. "Ah, we meet again pet." The monster said coolly to Roxanne clearly unthreatened by her size. "it seems this time you have something that belongs to my mistress."

"Ella was trained in the art of war and battle. She was a
dragon trainer and was part of an elite squad of five riders.
they would perform at festivals showing off their acrobatics
for adoring fans. It was a great time to be alive despite the
war. We knew all along it was her destiny to fell Scelestra.
As the prophecy foretold the one to change the world
would be a child of Gaia. Ella was the last. She too had the
ability to shift her form, and she bonded very closely with
her golden dragon Sheviiri.
One day Cameron came back from the war. He had to, we
were preparing for the final battle with Scelestra. The one
you read about so many times." He smiled at her gently.
"Though open love is and was frowned upon in those days.
It was only forbidden among the nobility for self-
preservation purposes. Ella did not care, she thought her's
and Cameron's love was invincible. The mere concept that
it could be sullied by Scelestra's nefarious schemes was
inconceivable to her. She believed in their love more than
anything. She believed that it was it was the key to
destroyingScelestra could control. That classic good
conquers evil fairy tale. Unfortunately for everyone, life is
not a fairy tale." A small tear crept from his eyes. He acted
as if it never appeared but Aly saw it and the telltale red
rim that shows whenever someone holds back emotion.
He took a deep breath. "In the heat of battle, Cameron
turned his dragon on Eleanor. Ella was frozen in shock as
he attacked. I watched as the love of both of our lives fell
through the smoke. I heard her scream as she landed on
the jagged rocks below. My world ended in that instant."
Another deep breath. "It was in that same moment that
Scelestra's spell left my childhood best friend, and he
realized what he had done. His scream alerted her army to
the failing of the spell and we were both attacked.
We could not fly to her and mourn her loss. We were
swarmed with the mashing jaws and demon fire that
Scelestra employed in her army. When the smoke cleared,
Cameron and went in search of her body. Too much time
had passed. Her body was missing and no one had seen
where it had gone." Baellnar sat for a moment. The story
had taken a lot out of him.
Aly put her hand around his back reassuringly. "I am
sorry," she said. "you must have been so furious with him. I
cannot even imagine. . . " He sighed and leaned into her,
letting his head rest on her shoulder for just a moment.
Baellnar looked at her with sadness. "you would think that
wouldn't you; but no, I was not angry with him. We have all
accepted the lack of control that comes with Scelestra's
magic. It was not his fault. His only flaw was loving our Ella,
and Scelestra hijacked that love. The devastation on his
face when he could not even say goodbye to Ella ... was
overwhelming."
Baellnar looked deep into Aly's eyes. "Yes, I had a crush on
Ella and at times I even loved her but she was never mine.
She was always a part of him and a part of his soul. I was
lucky to be in her world as a friend and I cherished that
friendship." He looked away again.
"For years I tried to nurse my friend through his pain but it
did not work. Eventually, I realized there was nothing I
could do to save him. It was up to him to crawl his way out
of the darkness. I was called back to the rebellion. He
continued to isolate himself in the mountain caring for only
for their dragons. Sheviiri was also incredibly lost without
her partner. It was Sheviiri's presence and the presence of
his own dragon that kept him living."
"I never understood why he chose that life." He paused
looking at Aly again. " I understand now. that putting others
before yourself is the single greatest thing anyone could do.
There is no greater reward than that which comes with the
act of service." They were approaching the cam now so his
story had to come to a close.
"I have not seen him in over three decades. Cameron had
been gifted with immortality by the elven people in his
marriage ceremony to Eleanor. I am not sure if he kept that
gift. "
They walked together in silence for a long while. When
Roxanne and Aagi saw the breakfast bounty they cheered
and laughed merrily. The rest of the morning was spent in
idle chit-chat. The friends laughed with and at each other.
Passing the time. Allowing a few moments of joyous peace
before they continued on.
All of them avoiding the conversation that was on all of
their minds. Will they make it to the veil?

**** Thank you for reading please do not forget to
comment***

Now the sun was just starting to trickle through the trees and it set the water on fire with its orange light. Fish eager for their morning breakfast were jumping out trying to catch dragonflies and other insects that were dancing across the surface of the water. A deer was a couple yards off drinking her fill for the day. She quickly busied herself trying to find breakfast. As much as she wanted to swim her experiences a week or so ago had made her a bit trepidatious. She eyed the fish hungrily but had nothing to catch them with but there were small shellfish along the shore and under the rocks that could make for a delicious breakfast. Her skin prickled as she was gathering the items. She felt eyes on her. Terrified she squeaked and dropped her bounty as she spun around brandishing the small carving knife she had taken with her. Meanwhile, she was silently cursing herself for not thinking of grabbing her sword. A wave of relief hit her as she saw Baellnar gingerly leaning against a nearby tree. He uncrossed his arms and started to walk towards her, smiling. Aly feeling incredibly foolish shifted the knife back into her boot. "You scared me." She said sheepishly. "what are you doing so far from camp Aly? I thought you learned that wandering off to bodies of water where no one could see you might be problematic." He smiled and put an arm around her reassuringly as she remembered the day she nearly drowned. Her pride would not allow her to admit her fear to him though. Instead, she took the obstinate approach. "You wandered off the other night why can't I?" "Because I am much less valuable than you are." He said gently. His humility broke her heart. He always undervalued his own worth. He had been their leader and their guide and from her understanding, he was the one who found her. Yet ... "That's not true and you know it." She protested slipping out of his arm and standing in front of him her hands on her hips. "Aly I am not destined to save the world. Only you hold that responsibility." He walked over to a tree and grabbed a branch snapping it. Then proceed along the shore picking through rocks. "I cannot save the world without your help. You found me and you are teaching me." "Aly, I was given the privilege of doing that. Any number of people could take my place." Again words failed her. How could she say what she was feeling? How could she say that his words broke her heart? That it hurt her deeply to know that he valued his own life so little. Instead, she went back to her original task of scavenging for breakfast. Choosing to show him how much he had done for her. A spear appeared in her hand, and she looked up at her sapphire eyed companion. He said nothing and walked toward the shore of the lake. Baellnar paced the shore a couple times bouncing his own spear in his hand. He watched the surface of the water carefully. Then he froze and like a bolt of lightning strike struck a fish with such speed and agility Aly barely saw him move. He pulled the spear out of the water with a fish wriggling uselessly at its tip. He beckoned for her to try on her own. Aly stared at her own spear with future disappointment in mind. Just like with archery, throwing things was not one of her talents. She tried several times to spear the dozens of fish teasing her just offshore. Each time her spear barely broke the surface of the water falling uselessly on its side. She even had had to go swimming after it on several occasions. Baellnar had started using the wind to push her spear to shore after the third time she had to go in and get her useless weapon. He already had several of the fish he had caught strung up over his shoulder. Baellnar sighed and came over to her. Ever the patient mentor he verbally instructed her time and time again about fine-tuning her throwing technique. Aly eventually threw her spear to the ground and started throwing rocks at the lake instead. Baellnar chuckled lightly and came to her this time.

"Every Day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be."-- Marsha Petrie Sue

Aly awoke, feeling incredibly well rested. Which surprised her considering she slept on rocks and splintered debris. During the night one rock dug so hard into her back that she could feel an angry red mark it had tattooed into her skin. As she gathered her wits about her she smiled. It was her favorite time of day. The moment of the day where the night was ending but the day had not yet begun. It had so much meaning for her lately. Just like the hazy veil of lavender in the sky her darkness was fading. Her friends had become like the sun. Breaking through the darkness bringing color and life to a terrifying world. Aly's stomach sunk as she realized she had never woken up for her watch. Each person had to stand guard throughout the night to ensure their safety. Usually, someone would have woken her up. It should have been Roxanne since she was the third watch. Aly gazed around the camp fearful something had happened to her companions. Relieved she saw the crystalline back of Roxanne gazing off into the distance. Testing the air with her tongue. Aly got up and stood beside Roxanne. She rested a hand on her shoulder silently thanking her for allowing her to rest. Together they watched the sunrise through the trees. Aly was beginning to gain a silent appreciation for Roxanne. Dragonkin, the relatives of dragons were often never mentioned in the literature. It was not until now that Alyenna realized they were vastly underappreciated. Though Roxanne was not a full dragon, her intelligence and power were impressive. However, it was not her incredible ability to change size at will or even her prismatic dragon's fire. No that is not what made her special. The best part about her though was her company. Throughout the past few weeks, Roxanne had become very motherly towards Aly. She often offered her small bits of wisdom or comfort as she was adjusting to the new land. Even when Baellnar seemed cold and distant or Aagi in a fiery rage, Roxanne was always there. She would be smiling and offering gentle assurance or small bits of humor throughout their journey. Suddenly Aly's stomach rumbled breaking the beauty of the moment. Guess it's time for breakfast hatchling. Roxanne gently spoke into her mind. She nudged her gently with her nose. The warmth of her breath offering a gentle revitalization to Aly's weary muscles. Aly appreciatively patted Roxanne and thanked her for taking her watch. She then picked her way gingerly around her other sleeping comrades. Aly really appreciated everything her companions had done for her. In their own unorthodox way they had rescued her, guided, her and now they were becoming more than friends for her. They were becoming the family she had longed for since her world was turned upside down almost two decades ago. Aly wanted to thank them every day for what they had done for her. She owed them that much, and boy had she tried. On several occasions, she would open her mouth and then it would just stay like that gaping open because there were no words that sufficed a number of thanks she felt in her soul. This morning was a new morning and she decided to try a new way of saying thanks. She would put Baellnar's lessons to work. Emboldened by her quest she went searching for breakfast through the forest. As she picked her way among bramble and trees searching for edible nuts, fruits, and plants she heard the sound of gentle waves crashing against a shore. She gently weaved around the trees guided by the refreshing sound. As they grew thinner and further between she squeaked with joy. The great forest had given way to an alluring clearing. There were wildflowers popping up in amazing colors everywhere. Gentle forest and water sprites danced happily in and out of the bushes and splashing waves. The waves were part of a crystal clear lake. In the center, a large stone island rising regally above the water.

Ow!" She exclaimed as pain filled her mind and she tried to push herself away. Fear clutched her soul. Emily fruitlessly hoped that her exclamation of pain would push him back. That it would unearth the subtle sweetness about him that had vanished in an instant. She clawed and pushed at his skin desperate for him slow down. She had never made love before, but somehow she knew this was not how it was supposed to go. An eternity passed them by as her resistance grew louder and louder. Emily knew her doom when he rose above her, and the moonlight caught his face in vicious shadows. His expression was menacing and in place of his hazel eyes were two terrible glowing red eyes. Filled with terror she whimpered then instinct took hold and she tried to fight. Her body seized in the futile effort to escape. Damien ignored her his grip tightening, and he slammed her hard into the ground. Her head smashed into a root and bled lightly. She now uselessly struggled, failing to get away from him. Her claws dug into him and the ground as she scrambled to pull herself free. All while her intestines were knotting up in unimaginable pain. Unable to bear it anymore She screamed in panic and agony. Her scream echoed across the empty countryside falling only on the ears of the wind and the animals. She was so alone. Emily eyes wide shivered in fear beneath the man she loved. She began to weep uncontrollably. Damien's face was contorted in vicious glee. Her body seized with fear as he finally released her liquid fire consuming her abdomen. She curled up in a fetal position choking on her tears. Hiding her face in her palms, she refused to face her attacker. "Surprised my sweetest rose?" A terrible female cackle followed those words. She gasped for small tendrils of air. Emily curled into a ball on the ground. Her knees tucked tight into her chest, and her eyes erupted in salty defeat. What air she had left burned her lungs and seized in her throat and pain coursed its way through her abdomen. "Why?" She sobbed as she strained to take a look at her beloved assailant. What she saw turned her heart to stone. The eyes that stared back at her through the night were not brilliant green. They were the color of blood. The eyes were surrounded by luxurious ebony lashes and porcelain skin. "Scelestra." Her voice tore through her throat, and the name exited her lips tinted with venom and fear. Acid wove its way through her stomach, and she screamed in agony as it worked its way through her body and soul. Her eyes never left the personification of betrayal, the queen of nightmares.

*****Scelestra*****

Scelestra appeared before her newly acquired prey and sniffed at the air in disgust. She had to resort to such pathetic measures of controlling a servant and dressing like one. Looking at the tattered dress next to her she laughed at the girl before her. A mousy thing that she had been teasing for months. The servant girl stared accusingly at her at first as she revealed herself but it wouldn't matter. Scelestra had her whole mind. The girl had given herself entirely to her and now was owned by her. She watched satisfied as the girl's eyes slowly began to glow a bright scarlet hue. "Ah, my little pet you will do just fine. She purred." The girl remained glassy-eyed a delightful red hue glowing back at Scelestra. Scelestra waved the phallic cylinder in her hand proudly at her victim. The sex was just a tool to administer a potion. What she released into the girl was not semen but a magic concoction that ensured total control over the girl. Scelestra delighted side effects of her potion as she watched her prey squirm. This particular potion is a challenge to acquire and administer. The victim has to be completely in the love for it to work; but, It was worth every bit of her effort. Scelestra might as well be in the castle and with this little maid as her toy. Pleased with her work Scelestra paced back and forth smiling. Her mind lauding herself as she looked at this examined the claimed girl before her. This little love affair worked out better than she could have ever dreamed. Not only did this servant girl have high-level clients in the court but no she was Allabandar's private maid! He was Scelestra's very own white whale. That man had always eluded the best of her traps but now she had him. Clearly, he was fond of this little servant girl. God only knows why she was so plain and basic. Scelestra had been losing patience with the game of catching the little thing until she heard the news of the promotion echoing in her mind. When Scelestra realized she could have access to Allabandar's private quarters she had to act. She eyed her prize and laughed. "You stupid thing you thought Damien would love you when he beds men?" Emily just sat there on her knees staring at Scelestra vapidly. Scelestra wrapped her finger with the girl's hair and pulled her face close so she could admire the bright red eyes. It was always the most fun when they were new toys. This pet may yet become favorite of hers. Seeing as how Paul was completely useless but this one this one could grant her access to everything she ever needed. Now with the help of the magic potion and her telepathic powers, she could see through her eyes. She could explore Allabandar's private quarters, watch conversations through this pawns eyes, no more of her lazy interpretations of those around her. Scelestra could now work with a live feed of the keep and all of the people inside. Laughing again at the girl's naive notion that Damien could ever love her when he was clearly interested in only one man. Such an easy target as well but not worth the risk. She couldn't take the seer's mind he was too dangerous with his fading in and out of reality. If she was not careful and she got taken by a vision and she would descend into madness. No this little mouse of a girl was much better and so gullible. People will believe whatever they want to believe when they are in love. What a deliciously ghastly emotion she thought to herself and laughed. A terrifying sound that shook the delicate willow branches around her. The mousy girl's eyes started to go back to their natural hue augmented by the little freckles on her cheeks. As the girl began to blink slowly, Scelestra realized she had run out of time for gloating. She had to set her plan in motion, so Scelestra spoke the girl's undying order. "You will charm Allabandar. Make him fall in love with you and then you will kill him." The venom in her words seeped into Emily's brain to do their work. The spell was guaranteed to work part of the beauty of this particular potion. The girl would never know she was under Scelestra's control. Scelestra would slip in and out of her mind unseen. She watched as the girl fell to the ground unconscious. Scelestra would wipe the memory of the evening from the girl's mind and for good measure the relationship with 'Damien' as well. She had a new task. To fall in love with the leader of the rebellion and then kill him. The beauty was to this little servant her falling for Allabandar would be real even though she was coerced into it. She could even still be in love him when the spell is broken and the dagger leaves his heart. Scelestra cackled as with a flick of her wrist the girls body was wrapped in a black smoke and transported back to her quarters. Scelestra strode off to her carriage and smiling wickedly to herself.
***Thank you for reading. I appreciate any and all feedback***