#washucktah

[twotravels]

What was the abbey life like for Washucktah? What did the ordinary day look like for a priest of Danwe?

“For Washucktah, it was pretty boring, though he’d have loved to enjoy it. He had many friends that he enjoyed company with, as well as many studies in the history of Azurania, as well as the science of magic. This is how he knows his fair share of mystical what-nots. He’d wake up every morning to pray, followed by a light breakfast, followed by said studies. Every once in a while, he would go to branching Danwe churches to practice preaching, and taking a guilty life would be the final test, initiating a priest. When Washucktah could not do this, he saddened his many friends, and enraged his masters. This type of action is currently unprecedented, so no one knows what to do with a priest gone-rogue. Thanks for the question, and I’m glad you’re enjoying the book.” -Nama

Washucktah was unavailable for comment.

[twotravels]

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO – The End Of The Journey

Perched on top of this statue, bow in hand, I have a unique view of the battle unfolding. As Washucktah leaves my sight and therefore my protection, I turn my attention back to the meleé.

Our group was massively outnumbered. That was painfully obvious. Krystal on Lily, Blue, Dhilith and myself were facing down at least an army’s worth of the enemy. But that wasn't it.

Humans were everywhere, they formed the bulk of the Guild it seemed. Most of them seemed to be worse than animals in behaviour, little more than feral beasts. But some humans were somehow more than that; they had an air of confidence and power about them. And others were also here.

I pause my thoughts to take aim at an elf berserker making his way towards Krystal and Lily. My arrow finds its mark and he falls twenty feet away from them.

Yes, an elf. Elves, those cast out of their kindreds and left to wander the Earth, had gravitated and found their way here. Only Fire Elven still openly wore their Marks – the use of what should be a noble symbol in this cavern is disgusting, and I smile grimly each time my arrows meet in their necks.

A party of goblins were also here – why? Were the goblins in league with the Thieves Guild now? Perhaps they had been in negotiation to secure the Cythras Norvys. However unlikely, it was possible that could be happen-

I swiftly shoot down a goblin that had been trying to sneak up on Dhilith. The dwarf turns around and nods towards me mid-swing, in a form of thanks.

I look across as Dhilith plunges back towards the goblins. Krystal and Lily were off to one side, surrounded by elves. They had completely transformed from noble, dignified beings into vicious combatants. Lily's horn and hooves are both slick with blood, and Krystal's hands barely stopped moving between the spells she throws at the enemy and her eyes blaze with inner fire.

I glance down. Blue was fighting, but he was badly outnumbered. He seemed to be tiring and was pushed back against the statue.

I draw my bow again, but before I can fire, Blue teleports behind them. Three seconds later, six of them were unconscious and Blue's fight was significantly evened.

I smile slightly. I am not the only one who can feint.

The battle wears on, and I grow uneasy. Surely they would have used the Cythras Ayr by now? Where is it – what were they doing?

I fire again, this time at a human who was rushing towards Blue with a spear. I feel my last arrow in my quiver. I notch it, ready to fire.

I can see Krystal and Lily defending themselves admirably against the Guild. Dhilith is the same as ever, stalwartly holding off many times his number.

Blue was at the base of the statue, and was almost unassailable past his speed and teleporting.

In the meleé, I see a sight that at first does not register. A great big leatherskin warrior, wielding an axe larger than Dhilith's, barging his way through to face him.

It's an Orc Chief. There is no other thing it could possibly be.

I remember Dhilith's words - “What of your quest to return home?”

My quest. To seek the Nine Heads of the Orc and Goblin Lords. I have three already, the weight of them ever constant in the deepest part of my pack.

My question of what the goblin is doing here vanishes from my mind. I raise my bow, and aim straight for the brute's head.

My quest will continue – I aim for the face.

I will return home – I aim for his eye.

I will vindicate my name – I...

A throwing axe flies inches in front of my face. I jerk backwards, bringing my bow up, and the arrow into the path of the axe.

My last arrow is snapped in the bow.

Instantly, I look over to see the person who threw the axe. I catch a glimpse of a large man, bald and bearded, standing on a small pile of barrels and hefting another axe and aiming for me.

“Blue, I am out!” I call down.

“Com down, den!” He calls back. “I could use a leetle help 'ere!”

I duck just as another throwing axe flies through the air where my head was previously, and jump down from the statue, drawing my blades. I land on one human member of the Thieves Guild, driving my blade through his torso with the force of my descent.

“Blue, axe thrower sixty feet right!” I call.

“I'm a bit tied down heer! Deal wit' him yeself?” Blue yells back.

I nod, and start to face towards the axe-thrower. The man, standing atop a pile of barrels, was now homing in on Lily and Krystal, and I could see the flashes of the spells as Krystal blasted the axes into dust mid-flight. Still, each axe destroyed was one enemy not taken down.

“Ha!” comes a guttural voice from my side. Dhilith cut his way to me like cutting a path through a bramble thicket. “Tarnien! You are after yonder axe hurler also?”

“Yes, Dhilith!”

“Then come! Let us fell him together!” Dhilith laughs and charges ahead, swinging his axe in wide sweeps before him. I follow, darting my blades towards those foes too fast or tough for the axe.

We work our way towards the axe thrower. He spots us when we are maybe thirty feet away and wastes no time in directing his axes towards us. Before long we are forced to take cover behind whatever shelter we could find.

“Tarnien! How can we stop this barrage?” Dhilith asked from where he was hiding, and fighting those near him.

When I have a moment, I glance around to the axe thrower. I duck quickly as another axe lodges itself near my hiding spot, but I think I saw something that could help.

“Dhilith! There are men supplying him with axes! Runners, look!”

After a confirming glance, he nods. “Aye, there are! But how do we get them?”

I am silent for a while as I think. Our hiding place is becoming slowly overrun, and now we have to fight to maintain our position.

“Dhilith, if you can distract him, I may be able to run to their axe store and disguise myself as one of the runners.”

Dhilith considers for a bit., then nods. “Aye. That I can do! Go, Tarnien, now!”

He jumps out from behind the cover, and swings his axe around, felling people like so many rotten saplings. “HYAH!”

As soon as he does, I duck my head and sprint in the opposite direction. The axe man is distracted by Dhilith, and none are thrown towards me, as I run down the passage where I see the runners coming from.

It's a short passage, and soon I come into a small chamber where three of the runners are, dressed in gray cloaks and collecting throwing axes from crates in the room. I fell them all, and don one of the cloaks. Seizing a collection of throwing axes, I walk back out.

No one fights me. No-one even notices me. Only Dhilith, who knows what to look for, sees my form, and I catch him glance briefly towards me.

The axe man glances at me, and points at me, bellowing “You! I need more axes! Be faster on your feet next time!”

I nod, and run towards him, clambering up onto the barrels he was standing on and presenting him with the axes, handle first.

He nods, and takes the axes one by one, with his left hand before passing them to his right hand which he throws with.

I glance over at Dhilith. He glances at me, and nods. I nod as well.

He jumps out in full view of the axe man, running. He sees him, and pulls his hand back to throw again. I quickly seize one of the throwing axes myself, and swing at him.

The axe he had clatters to the ground – his hand still gripping it.

The man screams out in pain, and I quickly shove him off the barrels to the ground. Ripping off the cloak and drawing my blades again, I cut my way to Dhilith, ignoring the man lying on the ground, scrambling for his hand.

“Well played, Tarnien! Now come, one foe is down, but there are more yet to topple!” He laughs, and starts to cut a path back to the middle of the fight.

“Dhilith, wait! We need to work towards that thing!” I say to him, and gesture at the Orc Chief.

Dhilith glances over at him, and pauses. “What is an Orc Chief doing in such a place?!”

“I do not know, but it is here nonetheless!”

He sighs. “Aye. I will hold my ground here, Tarnien! Good luck!”

I nod, and start to cut my way towards the massive goblin. My rib begins to hurt – real pain rather than just discomfort.

Twenty feet away, the number of enemies begin to thin down as less and less people are willing to approach closer to the brute.

Ten feet away, and I build up speed, intending to charge the beast with all my strength.

Five feet away, and I leap into the air, drawing back my blades to strike...

I pass straight through the orc, as his body dissolves like smoke into the air.

I try to land, disoriented by the unexpected turn, and land awkwardly on my left foot. I stagger slightly and turn to look at where the Goblin Lord was.

There's an elf standing there, in dark red robes with the Mark of the Fire Elven on his sleeves. He was shorter than me by about a head, and much older. He seemed to have a kind look on his face, but with no real warmth about it.

“Ah, Tarnien! I thought you'd show up here. Oh, don't worry about the other fighters, they won't harm us. Or, I should say,” He chuckles “won't harm you.”

I look around. Indeed, the rest of the fight was forming a perfect circle, about ten feet in radius.

“I really don't know how you would be so foolish as to actually charge such a thing. You really imagined that we'd be so stupid to actually invite a Leatherskin Lord to the city?”

“I would not expect anything smarter, certainly.” I remark, searching for a way out.

The elf laughs. Laughs, out loud, in my face. “My my, Tarnien, you should respect your elders more!”

“I respect those who respect me.” I say. “And you obviously do not.”

“But I do respect you, Tarnien! I respect your fighting prowess, your unwavering, near-mindless devotion to returning home... Oh yes, I know a lot about you. More than you think.”

I say nothing, circling around him and trying to find a way to escape. I can't leave the circle he has formed; the others block me into it and I do not want to risk putting my back to him – I feel a strange air of power and authority around him. And at the same time, he will not take his eyes off me, not allowing a seconds distraction.

“Oh, don't try your fighting techniques on me. I'm sure they're effective enough on goblins and humans. Maybe even elves. But not on me, Tarnien.”

“Then what are you going to do? Why are you not just going to kill me now, before I kill you?”

Again he laughs, loud and insolently. “You think you can kill me? I ask you, try to. If you dare, that is!”

I was stung by his tone, but at the same time I did not attack. There was something more about him than just a commanding presence.

“Ah, you feel it?” He asks, reading my face. “Yes, it is a strange sensation... that of unrestrained power!” He says, revealing a large white orb in his hand. The orb was glowing faintly, and as it was revealed my head suddenly thrummed with the resonance of its power.

The Cythras Ayr.

“Yes, a precious thing, isn't it? We stole it from the top of the highest mountain in Azurania. Well, I say 'we'... I mean Kendra. How is Kendra, by the way?”

“Better, now that she is free from your clutches!”

“Oh, you mean that silly priest boy? Do you really expect him to do anything remotely useful? What is he going to, bash people on the head with his staff?” He laughs again.

“I trust him more then I believe you, foll-apa!” I snap, cursing him in elvish.

He stops smiling. “Now, that wasn't very nice!” He gestures with his hand.

A blast of air picks me up – physically lifts me up and holds me in place a few feet off the ground.

“I'd be nicer to me if I were you!” His voice was still smooth and almost conversational, but now it contained menace. Cold, lethal menace.

I struggle to get free, wincing slightly as the air pressure pushes on my rib.

“Now now, look at poor Tarnien.” he mocks. “No friends to help him, no hope of escape, and now...”

“Tarnien!” I hear Krystal yell above the noise, and a bolt of fire comes hurtling at him. The elf just deflects it with a blast of air, and it hurtles away without him so much as batting an eye.

“...and now Tarragon Turze can have a little word with you!” He finally says.

He gestures again, and pulls me down closer, his eyes burning darkly with glee.

“Look at you! A lonely, exiled ranger, set on a hopeless quest to return to the very ones who cast you out in the first place! I mean, can you really claim to be any better than those who have joined us?”

I say nothing yet.

“Why would you even want to return to the Koes Perfydh? There is nothing left for you there, they have abandoned you! Come and join us, here, where you will be tested as someone worthy of your skill! What say you? You cannot turn down an opportunity like this!”

I refuse to speak. He drags me closer, almost face to face. “What say you?!”

I finally reply, speaking slowly. “I see the elves here – castaways and exiles. Yes, I am one of them, like you say. But I can aspire to be more than this, I can better myself!”

He tries to interrupt me. “Exactly! In the Guild...”

“In the Guild, I will end up as a pawn in someone's game. Your game. No, do not give me your word of honour, you do not have any honour! I would sooner die a master of my own fate than live as a pawn in your infernal machinations!”

He is silent, his face darkening. The noise of battle washes over us.

Suddenly, Tarragon flies into a rage. “So be it!”

Suddenly, the air in front of me cannot enter my lungs. I choke once, and gasp. It is like a pillow has been pressed against my face.

Tarragon stands there, using the power of the Cythras to hold me in place and keep me from breathing. I dimly hear Krystal yelling... something. Was she yelling at someone? I couldn't tell.

Seconds pass, and slowly my vision dims...

There is the very distinct sound of wood on bone.

I am suddenly released, and take one large breath before looking up in time to see Washucktah, perhaps slightly beaten up, holding his staff in both hands, and Tarragon slumping to the floor unconscious.

“...Good timing?” Washucktah says, before returning to the matter in hand. “Are you all right? Laoch and Kendra are out and leaving the city now.”

“I am fine, good.” I hurriedly state – the battle is closing in on us, and fast. “Now take the Cythras and run!”

Washucktah, wasting no time, picks the glowing orb out of Tarragon's grasp. Almost as soon as he does, the cry goes up. “They have our Treasure!” begins to echo around the room.

All eyes focus on us.

“FLY, YOU FOOL!” I yell. Taking Washuckah by the shoulders, we sprint through the battle, trying to find a safe enough place to guard him. We barge people out of our way, shoving them heedlessly.

Finally we reach a narrow doorway. The door was burst long ago, but it's a narrow tunnel, meant for one person at a time.

“Go.” I state, and push Washucktah ahead of me.

“What? Tarnien, I...”

“Go! I will hold the passage!”

Washucktah takes a moment to look at me. Our eyes meet. The flash of understanding flickers in his eyes – this was necessary.

He nods, and takes off at a sprint, around a corner and out of sight.

I turn slowly around. The fight was raging, and they had begun to notice where I was in the confusion.

“The Changeling has taken it!”

“He went that way!”

“The elf stands guard! Look, there!”

“Kill them! Kill them both!”

They rush towards me.

I draw my blades, and stand my ground. Krystal and Lily, Dhilith, Blue... They can do nothing for me now except see themselves through this fight alive.

I have made my choice. I will not take a single step from this spot, until all is done or I am slain. Where I stand is my final destination from the moment I laid eyes on the three of them, what felt like so long ago.

This is my final test, my fate, my doom. The climax of what all of us have striven for.

This is the end of the journey.

[twotravels]

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

I wonder how I'll do? With my bad foot, will I be struck down before I can do anything? A lot of this is actually hinged on me. What was Tarnien thinking? I want to save Kendra more than anything, but Laoch might be more qualified for that. I want to stop the Ultimate Treasure from destroying the Earth, duh. But who's to say I'm the most worthy of taking that responsibility? Oh, that's right. Tarnien said I'm the most fit to die.

What does one think about before he dies? Does he plan a last will and testament? Does he regret anything? Does he ponder his role in the universe? 'Cause my brain is numb. I have no idea what to think.

Kendra. I have to save Kendra.

“Laoch,” I whisper in the almost-dark. Laoch moves a little closer to me.

“What is it, Chuck?” He says amiably, but wary as well.

“Why did you abandon Marion and Kendra ten years ago?” I cared for Kendra, but I wanted to hear Laoch’s side of the story.

Laoch was silent. After a few more moments, he responded, “I did not mean to be gone so long. I'm sure you know of the tragedy the Guild caused?” He said, with a mix of guilt and anger. “I would not let them walk the Earth after them killing my son. I would not. I despise every day they take me away from my family, but I will have my son avenged.”

“But, Laoch,” I start, remembering Kendra's words. Everyone else is silent as Laoch and I have our discussion. “Your son is dead. But your wife and daughter are both alive! They need you. You have no idea what has happened to your family because of your absence...” I say, with just a little bit of frustration.

Laoch remains silent. I can hear the tears he doesn't shed. Eventually, he mutters, only barely audible: “Then it’s time I fixed my mistakes.”

In only a few more moments, we see a crack of light. It’s a door. I'm able to hear the noise behind it. It doesn't sound like a party as much as a very rowdy meeting, but either way, there were a lot of people behind the door. Tarnien and Krystal sneak forward to examine it, and then shortly return.

“This is it, this is the entrance to their main hall. There seem to be a great deal of them - dozens at least, maybe a hundred...” Tarnien whispers.

“The door's locked, but Lily might be able to kick it in,” Krystal whispers as Lily huffs ever so slightly. We could all tell she did not want to be underground, but we also knew that she would rather be down here than left out of the adventure.

“Vhat are ve going ta do after dat?” Blue asked.

“We could do what we originally planned. Have Krystal ride Lily in there and distract them.”

“That sounds good, Chuck. However, they'd know it was a distraction. Some of the Guild’s members are rather stupid, however, some of them are not.” I nod, remembering Tarragon.

“Then how about a charge?” Dhilith suggested the same thing every time, and I was about to tell him off, but-

“That might work,” Tarnien whispered. “If you and Lily charge in, with Krystal casting spells atop her, then the rest of us will be able to follow suit.”

Laoch nods. “That sounds good. Let us move!” He pumps his fist into the air, signaling the planning to be over. We all stand up.

I walk over to Dhilith, slowly, while he and Krystal get ready. “Are you sure you're going to be all right, Dhilith?”

He nods at me, grimly. “This is going to be the toughest trial I am ever likely to undertake. However, I have little doubt I won't survive. I intend to live to fight another day, for there is much more to achieve,” He smiles at the end of that statement. I smile back, weakly. I offer my hand, and he takes it. We do not shake, we just stand there. Still, it was nice to know the brute cared a little.

“I'm going to have to take that bag now,” I say as Dhilith looks at me, appalled. “You'll get your treasure back, don't worry. I just need the elemental ones.”

“That is exactly why I am so surprised. You need only to secure the Air Treasure, correct?” Dhilith asks. I am able to hear the worry in his voice, which is something.

“No, I have to...I have to have them.”

“Washucktah, have you gone mad?! The Ultimate Treasure is surely too powerful for any of us! What makes you think tha-”

“Tarnien told me to. It’s not my idea...” I trail off. It’s not my idea, but it’s the only idea. This is the only way to win.

Dhilith stares at me long and hard. “...Very well. I will trust my old employer,” He hands me his Treasure bag, the one we took from the goblins, stands up, and states, “But you are my current employer. And I do not choose my employers lightly. I expect you to seize the day, Washucktah. If you don't, the money I will have rightly won will be nothing more than stealing,” He nods at me grimly once again, and goes to the door. “Krystal, I am ready.”

Krystal has gotten on Lily at this time and has prepared a few spells. She walks over to me as they go towards the door. I pet Lily again. “Thank you, Lily. You be brave, and take care of Krystal for me. I won't be around to do so much longer...” I whisper, hugging her head, so only she can hear. Before looking at her, I feel a single tear roll onto my hand, and when I do look at her, she’s shaking her head.

“I have to, Lily,” I say again.

“You have to what?” Krystal asks, slightly apprehensively.

“Nothing. Lily just doesn't want to be down here, and I'm saying I have to be down here too,” I answer quickly, then change the subject. “Stay safe, Krystal. I'd hate it if you got hurt,” I joke, fighting the tears welling up in my eyes and getting caught in my throat, like tiny little people begging me to reconsider what it is I'm doing.

Krystal smiles back, softly. “I will, only if you promise not to get hurt either,” Without even looking at him, I can feel Tarnien's stare. So I didn't say anything. Instead, I took her hand, holding it gently, and kissed it. It was all I could think to do. I walked away.

Krystal, now silent, turned back to Lily's front and beckoned her to go on. Tarnien, Blue, Laoch and I stood from behind while Dhilith and Krystal took battle poses.

“We have delayed for too long,” Tarnien says, notching an arrow, and pulling the string back ready. “The Guild falls tonight. NOW!” He shouts, and at this, Lily kicks down the door and they run in. I can't see too much from a few feet away from the door, but I can tell they were in a big room, at least a hundred of them in there, and all in a panic.

“Chuck,” Blue whispers, almost in fear. “Dis one's gonna be tough!” We just stare at Dhilith slashing his axe one way and another.

“Yeah, I know, Blue...” It’s here. Finally here. We should get moving.

“Vhatever happens...” Oh, no! Not another promise! “Make sure Kendra's safe.”

I sigh with relief. “Yeah. Yeah, that I can do.” For some reason, I smile. All of a sudden, Blue hugs me. And I hug him back.

“Then do it, Washucktah! The time is now!” Tarnien runs into the battlefield.

Blue breathes in deep, then disappears. Laoch runs past me.

“Come on, Chuck! We've got a world to save!” I breathe in deep as well. I run into my final destination.

It’s a madhouse. There is every kind of creature you could imagine, goblins, elves, humans...All fighting everyone else. All going after one target, Lily.

Lily can handle herself. She’s no a delicate flower, she’s a rose with five very strong thorns. Her back legs do most of the kicking, but her horn can do plenty of damage as well. And with Krystal, they make a fantastic team. Krystal keeps away farther enemies, and Lily takes care of the people who got through.

Dhilith takes care of everyone else. Only a few feet behind them, he swings his axe like crazy. He seems to be the only one who’s getting a real kick from this. You couldn't fake a battle like this in a raid or a hunt. War was something Dhilith dreamed of. I don't know how many times exactly he's had his dreams fulfilled, but I am sure this is one of his better ones.

Tarnien goes for close combat at first, but eventually Blue finds him and takes him to a place where he can do more damage, safely. I spot them reappearing on a sturdy looking statue, with a man holding a golden goblet up to the sky. Putting one foot on his right shoulder and the other on his raised left arm, Tarnien readies his bow, and fires at the army.

Blue meanwhile sticks around the statue to protect Tarnien, which is a great idea. He picks up a fallen man's dagger and gets rid of anyone who tries to get close to Tarnien.

Laoch is fighting all who were coming towards me as I look for Kendra through the crowd. He is an amazing fighter, using all types of acrobatics to kick and punch people away. After a very short while, he takes out a concealed knife, which looks very dangerous, and his fight becomes punctuated with dangerous flashes of metal. I notice that he stabs no one in the right spot to kill. Just enough to make them fall to the ground. Shortly after that, someone manages to knock away his small blade.

“Laoch!” I shout. The vast room was very loud now, but he’s able to hear me. When he turned my way, I toss my staff towards him, he takes it and nods.

While he fought with a second wind using my staff in ways I never imagined, I move closer to him and conjured up a spell.

“Stun!” A small yellow blast bursts from my hands and hits a human. He’s probably in his twenties, but I don't care. I pick him up.

“Where is the girl?!”

He spits out blood. Did I hit him that hard?! “I'll never tell!” He laughs.

Looking around, I spot Laoch's knife and I pick it up. “You tell me where she is RIGHT NOW!”

He laughs again, even louder. “You won't kill me. I can see it in your face!”

I pause while he and I sit on the ground, the way going on above us. Laoch is sure to keep everyone off me while I realize this guy was right. I’m not going to kill him. But...

“Yeah, I'm probably not going to kill you,” I brought the knife closer. “But that doesn't mean I won't remove your right eye...”

“Laoch!” I stand up again. “I know where they have her!”

Laoch punches one more thief, and shouts. “Than what are we waiting for?! I'll follow you!”

“Here, let's trade!” I give him his knife while I get my staff back.

“Brilliant staff, by the way!” He shouts, smiling.

We took off. This room was gigantic, but I could look at it in more detail. The very center of the room has a great pile of treasure, filled with gold, jewels, and other things. But at the ends of the circular room, there are doors about ten feet apart from each other. I thought at first they led to different parts of the city, and while some of them might, the door to the left of the opposite door to the entrance leads deeper underground...

I move with a little stealth as Laoch and I make a path for ourselves. We pass by Lily and Krystal who almost kick us both in the face.

“Sorry!” Krystal cries out to us.

“RAAH!” Just after that, a goblin was on us! Laoch is about to slash with his knife, when the goblin's guts go flying. I’m very close to throwing up.

“Well, don't waste the time I've given you, fools!” Dhilith shouts as he moves past us. “Fly to her!!”

Without even thanking him, I turn around and push forward. No matter how many people we strike down or kill, there seems to be an endless amount of Thieves, all trained to kill. Maybe there wasn’t a hundred. Maybe there are hundreds.

When we reach the door, I fumble with the door knob.

“Oh, come on!” I shout. Why make it locked?!

“Here!” Laoch pushes me out of the way while he takes his knife and jams it into the lock. I cover his back while he fiddles with it, but just then a very imposing elf shows up with two dual blades.

Before I could even raise my staff, an arrow appears in his neck. I look over to the statue Tarnien is perched on, and he nods at me. Was anyone going to let me help?

I watch as he calls something to Blue, and then all of a sudden, Blue’s with us!

“Now, dis is ridiculous!” Blue shouts as he takes a hold of us. “Come on, den!”

And just like that, we’re on the other side of the door.

“Now go save her!” Blue shouts, then disappears. I rub my ears. Behind this door is MUCH quieter than the other side. I start to walk when I notice Laoch isn't following me.

“Laoch? What's wrong, was it the teleport?” As I go near him, he lets go of his side, and I see his hands covered with a dark blood.

“Laoch! We have to get you out of here!”

“No! Let's go on!”

“I'm not letting you die on your family!”

“And I'm not leaving without my daughter! I will once we get her out of here safely. Once I know she's safe, we'll go home. But let me help rescue her. I know you have feelings for her, but I am her father! I must save her. Even if I die, then that is exactly what I owe her.”

I think about it. Did he think Kendra and I...? But I only think for a moment. “Fine. Let's go.”

Walking down the dark corridor, it’s amazing how much this is like when we first took the Earth Treasure. A giant room for a giant battle, a dark passageway leading to something I have to do...

But now I have Laoch with me. And now I know that Tarnien won't try to kill me. And I also know that I'm going to die...

There's a light at the end of the tunnel. “Laoch. She's just this way. I think you should stay here. You're better if you take someone by surprise. For now, I'm going to try something.”

Laoch breathes in. I can tell his side is hurting him a lot. “Okay.”

I hand him my staff, and transform into an elf.

I run into the room to meet the guard that I knew would be there.

“By Hezna, you should see the war up there! It's them, all right. They sent me down here to help keep her safe w-”

“Stow it, Idon. I know it’s you.”

It is Novus Karek.

“Novus, what are you talking about? Who's Idon?” I say, trying to feint confusion.

“I know it's you, Idon. Do you know why? Because I've never seen you before, and you act like you know me. Well I've fallen for that before, and its not going to work again!” He just stands in front of me, ten feet away. He’s poised, but not to strike, almost as if he’s daring me to make the first move.

Seeing no use in lying to him, I change back into myself. “Novus. Please.”

“Please, what? Do you want me to hand myself in? Do you want me to give you the girl? Or do you want me to give you the Air Treasure, just like before!?”

“Novus. I just want t-”

“Do you know that I begged? I begged to be the one to guard the girl!” I look around, frantically, when I finally spot her. She’s above us in a dangling cage. How original. “I wanted to guard her because I knew. I just knew you'd be the one to come and save her. I don't know why, but it works for me. Because I have something to show you..” He rips off his sleeve.

“Do you see this?!” I wince at the horrible burns on his right arm. “Are you looking at me?! I have to carry these with me for the rest of my life!” He lowers his arm. “But the thing is, I'm going to do it proudly. Because I got these scars from defending the beliefs of Tarragon Turze, the only one who understands me!”

“Novus, don't you get it?!” I shout, trying to appeal to him. “I understand you too!” He laughs so loudly, I want to cry. “I do! You were down and out. Had nowhere to go. No one understood you, or accepted you. You were a freak among freaks, and even more absurd among humans! I understand that, because that's what I am!”

I’m able to silence him, though he’s still scowling. “After my dad disappeared and my mom was murdered, I had no home! The only people who might have accepted me threw me out on the streets with the intention of killing me, just for my beliefs!

“But I persevered. I moved on. And you know what? I didn't do it by stealing! I did it by sticking to my beliefs! And then I met people. One by one, sure. But we formed a family. And they may not have completely understood me, but they supported me still!

“So you have to understand, Novus. If you can't find your true purpose in the world, or your supposed destiny has been soiled, don't give up hope! Stick to the good side of things, be positive, and you can make...your own.....destiny...” I slowed, realizing the lesson I had learned on my travels. It was quite amazing.

“That was beautiful,” Novus starts to say slowly. “But you want to know something else? I did eventually find a family that doesn't understand me. But we do all reach for the same goal. And now I'm creating my own destiny. And that destiny...Is to destroy you!” He lunges at me, and my stomach lurches as I realize that this wasn’t going to be peaceful.

I do my best to dodge him, but he’s able to land a punch in the face! I take the punch, feel the pain, but I keep dodging.

Another punch to the jaw. I go for the guy. He goes for my side. I take a few steps back, and he takes the chance to kick my knee. I fall to the ground, while he slams his heel into my shoulder!

“Bet you that one still hurts!”

It does. I cry out in pain, praying that Laoch wouldn't decided to come out. I can still take this guy. I just needed to...

I find my opening, I swept his knee. All of a sudden, I have the greatest temptation to burn him again. My hand reached for the Treasure bag, but I stopped it just in time.

“Come on, Novus. If you really want to do this, I'm just getting started!” I shout.

He gets up, but he doesn't run towards me. He runs towards a lever, close to the entrance. I look up, and the lever connects to the cage!

“No! Don't!”

“And what's gonna stop me?!”

A knife sinks into his arm. I turn around while Novus lets go of the lever. It’s Laoch.

“Don't just stand there! Get him!”

“Right!” I jump on him. After a bit of a struggle, I’m able to pin him down. I pull the knife out of his left arm.

“What is it you want, Novus?!”

“All I want is to do what Tarragon asked me. And that's to keep the girl from you people. Once in the Guild, always in the Guild, and nothing's going to stop that! But I also thought it'd be nice to have you dead,” He winces. “Ah, but now it looks like I've failed....Again...”

I feel sorry for him. He doesn't seem evil. Just misguided. “...No, Novus.”

“That's enough! Just tie me up and go. I know you won't kill me...”

After Laoch comes out to help tie him up, we start to figure out how to get Kendra down.

“She must be out cold...” Laoch says, concerned.

“That's right. We couldn't kill her. Not until after she watched you all die...”

“Maybe we can use the lever to bring her down.”

“It has to be gentle...”

“How's that foot of yours, Idon?” Novus screams. “Bet you you'll carry that scar for the rest of your life!” He spits. “Well, I hope you carry that burn with you into Hezna!”

“I've got it! I'll jam my staff into the rope. That'll have to slow it down. But be careful with the lever. If you're strong enough, that'll keep it slow as well.”

“Sounds good.”

We move over to the lever and do exactly that. She’s probably twenty five feet above us, so it takes a lot of tension and strength to-

She starts falling faster.

“Laoch! My staff can't take it!”

“I know! I know, it got loose and....EEERAHH!” I can see his side starting to bleed again as he takes better control of the lever and lets it down gently.

The cage touches the ground gently. I take my staff out and run towards it. Jamming it into the lock, I open the cage door.

She lay there, peacefully. There’s a small look of worry on her face, but other than that she is calm, like a baby.

I stroke her cheek with my finger.

“Kendra....!” There’s a stab of pain in my finger. I jerk it away, and she bolts upright.

“Dad!”

“Kendra....Sh....Shh....It’s me.”

She looks at me, in fear. Then she melts, and hugs me, sobbing.

“No...Come on, don't cry. I came....I told you...I promised....” The tears flow freely now.

She is safe.

I pull her off of me. “Hey. I know it’s a little complicated right now, but I brought somebody with me...

Laoch comes up then and kneel down.

“Kendra...” He starts. She stares at him long and hard. “Kendra, I know that I wasn't there for you, and frankly, I deserve....I deserve...” He can't say anything.

“Dad...Daddy...” Kendra starts. She can't say anything either. We sit there in the dark.

I stand up. “Well, if you two can't settle it now, then we have to get moving. I'm sorry, but there's a war above us.”

“What?” Kendra asks, surprised.

“We came to rescue you, but we also came here to beat the Guild...” I start to walk towards the door while Laoch and Kendra still sit on the floor.

I turn around. The two stare at me, worried looks on their faces while Novus Karek, still tied up, just sneers.

“This is the end, guys. Whether or not you're coming, I have to go.”

[twotravels]

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT – Entering The Capitol

The next morning, I am the first to wake up. Stretching, I walk a short distance out of the camp to view our road. The capital of the human civilization (or the human definition of civilization, in any case) was within a morning's travel by foot.

“You know what is going to happen, don't you?” I ask Lily, falling back into my natural elvish tongue.

Lily nods her head, nuzzling my shoulder. I reach my hand out to stroke her neck.

“You know that me and Washucktah have to do this deed?” Again, Lily nods her head up and down, nuzzling my shoulder.

“And that we will most likely die in the action?” This time, Lily shook her head very definitely.

This leaves me puzzled. Unicorns are incredibly intelligent animals, but surely Lily had to know that our mission was fatal.

“Lily, we will not, we cannot possibly survive. You know that.” Again, Lily pointedly shook her head, and stamped her hoof on the ground.

“You think we will survive? But... how?” I ask, slowly.

Sadly, before Lily can react, there is a noise behind us. The kind of noise only ever made by a dwarf waking up on a day where they can expect adventure.

“Hyagh!” Dhilith grunts, looking over at us. “Ho, Tarnien! How long have you been awake?” He waves aside my answer before I even give it. “Never mind, shall we have our second round? I am eager to regain my honour!” He thrusts his axe – which he seems to keep in his hand even as he sleeps – into the air.

I smile, but keep my mind on the overall plan. Slipping easily back into the common speech, I ask “What will the terms be? We should ideally reach the human city by mid-afternoon at latest.”

“Then we shall slay the largest beast we can carry on our own two legs! That will be my condition in this round!”

“Then I will add a condition of my own – the weight of all prey will be judged, not the mass of each beast individually.”

“Very well!” Dhilith cries.

“DHILITH, SHUT IT!” yells Kendra, still half-asleep and very irritated.

I laugh as Dhilith glowers. Lily whinnies next to me, mimicking my chuckles.

Washucktah and Krystal, now awake, smirk. “Kendra, we have to get up anyway.”

“You too, Blue!” Washucktah calls, eliciting an “Aw man!” from the sleeping roll Blue was hidden within.

“But I don't wanna...” Kendra groans.

Krystal smiles easily, walks up to Kendra's sleeping roll and, grabbing it, rolls her clean off.

“HEY!” Kendra screams, before groaning once more and getting up stiffly.

“We all have to get off, we ought to reach the city today.”

I nod. “Early afternoon at the latest.”

“Well, why are we waiting? Let's pack up and go!” Washucktah says brightly.

I take a moment as we pack up to examine all the members of our party. Washucktah's easy smile and cheery demeanour are obviously a mask that he was putting on for the benefit of the party. Kendra is more obviously out of sorts; slow, quiet and with reddened eyes. She looked like someone woken from a glorious dream to find it not true. Krystal is also affected and even if her mask is more genuine, a mask it is. Even Blue, so often the jolly and chirpy one, is beginning to feel the strain of the situation.

In fact, the only one who seems completely unaffected was Dhilith.

“Let us be off, soon, so I may continue our challenge and regain my honour!”

Washucktah glances up from his pack up. “You're not still thinking of that bet, are you?”

Dhilith glares at him. “Why would I not?”

I shrug. “We've already worked out the terms of this round. We will not delay our arrival at the city by more than two hours, at a guess.”

Washucktah sighs, standing up. “Look guys, we can't afford much delay. Go ahead if you want, but I'm saying if either of you arrive more than an hour and a half after we do, you lose.”

Dhilith opens his mouth, pauses, and shuts it again. “Aye, that is reasonable.” he concedes.

I nod as well. That single limitation of Washucktah's would ensure that neither of us stray by even a few minutes. Every second counted. It was really rather brilliant of him.

“Well, there's no way I'm walking with either of you with my foot!” Washucktah jokes. “So I'm going to go with Lily. So that leaves Kendra, Blue and Krystal as judges.”

Dhilith immediately reacts. “I refuse to be lumbered with the blue one again, lest I begin shifting mountains with my forehead to drown his incessant jabbering!”

“I'll happily go and judge someone.” Krystal says. “After all, I want a fair bet.”

Washucktah claps his hands together, taking the role of leader. “Right. Krystal, you can go with Dhilith. Tarnien, you'll be with Blue. Kendra'll go with me and Lily and make sure you guys aren't late.”

Dhilith grins and cries “Well, why do we linger? HAH!” He charges forward, running into the wilds. Krystal leaps after him, keeping up fairly easily.

Seeing this, I turn and run in the opposite direction. Blue yells “Hey, woah dere!” And teleports just ahead of me.

Washucktah stops in calling us back, and instead shrugs and readies his own pack.

Halfway into the hunt, I am crouched on the long grass over a rabbit's nest. My long knife in hand, waiting.

Blue is a long distance off, sitting where I told him to stay, and he is making a good amount of noise, shouting conversation at me and such. For once on a hunt, this is exactly what I wanted.

The rabbit warren had several entrances and exits. A few moments before, I had sought out and blocked all the entrances except one. The one I was watching.

One by one, the rabbits poke their head from the entrance, wakened and frightened of the noise above them. One by one, they meet a swift and painless end. One by one, they are added to my growing brace of rabbit meat.

Eventually, twenty or so rabbits lie on my brace. I call over to Blue “Okay, Blue, we need to move!”

In a blink of an eye Blue was next to me. “Awh man, dey look tastey!”

“Yes, Blue, but we have forty-five minutes to reach the city. Without teleporting.” I add.

Blue sighs. “Fine!”

We set off at a slow run. Glancing around, I see no sign of Dhilith or Krystal.

We reach our camp site outside the city with about ten minutes to spare. Washucktah and Kendra were sitting in a clearing buried in long grass and hedgerows – no-one in the city or on the roads would see us. We only found it when I spotted Lily's head from through the thicket.

Washucktah looks up as I came into the clearing. “Hey Tarnien! Good news is you're not late, so the bet's still on!”

Kendra smirks. “Heh, you wait to see what Dhilith has.”

“I think I know what he has... it's called a clean axe.” I say, smirking.

“Woah!” Kendra reacts, as the others laughs. “You'll be eating your words when he comes in with... with... a wild boar on his back!”

“What is this racket going on in here?!” thunders a voice from outside the clearing.

“Aha!” Kendra cries. “You just watch, elfy!”

Krystal entered the clearing first. “Hey guys! ...We're late, right?” Her eyes dart to the bundle of rabbits at my feet.

Washucktah nods. “Nope. A couple minutes left to spare.”

Krystal seems to be saddened by the news, and mutters “Ah skorne.” under her breath.

Dhilith walks into the clearing, red in the face and breathing hard.

He does not have a wild boar on his back.

...He has two wild boars on his back.

“Hyuh!” He grunts as they slump off of his back and onto the ground, displaying the small throwing axe hooked through each of their necks that he had been using as handles to carry them by. “THAT is my prize, Tarnien!”

Kendra laughs out loud when she sees them. “I was right, I was right, I was right!” She near-squeals.

Washucktah and Blue stare at the prey with looks of astonishment and hunger. “Woah...”

Krystal sighed, and avoids eye contact with Kendra.

Dhilith and I look at each other for a short while.

“Well, Tarnien?” Dhilith says, an unbearable air of smugness in his grin.

I shake my head, smiling. “Slaying two wild boars and covering that distance in under ninety minutes?” I offer my hand. “You deserve that round.”

Dhilith barks out a laugh. “I should think so!” He takes my hand and shakes it firmly. “We are even again, Tarnien!”

“The third round will decide, then.” I say, still keeping the hint of a smile.

“Well then?!” Kendra calls to Krystal, in a loud, cheery voice.

Krystal sighs, and shakes her head. Aside to me, she whispers “I should never have said that you'd win even if he got a wild boar.”

“Oh, Kryyyystaaaal!” Kendra half-sings.

Krystal sighs, and draws out her purse. “Fine. Five gold it is.”

“Er, I think you'll recall it was TEN gold!”

“Was it?” She asks in a tone which said she had known all along. “Okay then.” She took out ten gold coins and dropped them into Kendra's open palm. “Until next time!”

“Yeah... where I'll win for the third and final time!”

“I'm not so sure, Dhilith may have just got lucky...” Krystal wonders out loud in a sing-song voice.

Dhilith snorts and Kendra laughs. “Yeah, luck lets you take down two wild boars! I bet...”

“I think I had better leave them too it...” I mutter, rolling my eyes, and go over to Washucktah. “I will go straight ahead and scout the town. If I am not back by nightfall, assume I have been captured.”

Washucktah nods, disguising the worry that flickered in his face at the word 'captured' with a brief piece of humour. “Okay. Try not to get caught, it's such an inconvenience.”

I smirk and leave without another word.

The capital is massive. I don't mean in the sense that a tree or a rock can be massive, but in the sense that a mountain range or the ocean is massive. The city extends almost as far as the eye can see in every direction.

It is about an hour since I entered. Keeping my hood up had let me pass for a young human. Now, however, I was one person among thousands, maybe millions. I wouldn't be noticed.

Which is why I am currently on the rooftop of a smaller building, with my hood and scarf up, scanning the surroundings.

The city itself is a sprawling, ugly stain on the land, like a great patch of mould. And in a similar way to mould, the closer you look, the more intricate the patterns of behaviour become. It is both repugnant and glorious at the same time, ugly and beautiful, horrendous and spectacular.

Below me, in one of the many street markets, is a thief I have been following for the last half an hour, hoping he will lead me to the Thieves Guild.

I watch him carefully, wandering up to a stall and making a quick movement before wandering away again. It's not long before the cry of “Stop, thief!” echoes from one end of the street, and the man glances around before casually walking out of the other end.

I hop easily to the next building, taking a short run up and jumping the small alley underneath. The thief was obviously experienced, he had kept his composure and seemed to be an innocent man on a stroll in a crowd.

Following him further through the maze of houses gives me an insight into how humans live in these vast hives like so many bees in a swarm. In truth, I am nearly shocked how any being could live a dignified life in such an environment. There is no privacy, no hygiene, not even a sign of wealth. Anything of beauty in this place is soon ripped apart or corrupted by the air of gloom and melancholy in this place.

I look down into the street, and follow my target into a side alley. Going across rooftops, I follow.

The alley is dark, dank, musty, rotten... even the wood is crumbling. More than once I check myself as a fragment falls down into the streets below.

No-one pays any attention. The passers-by give a cursory glance around and carry on, similar to ants when ash is sprinkled onto their nest – the pieces are trodden down and forgotten. Walking at this height, looking down, I feel as though I am observing some new parasitic swarm, devouring the world around them.

The thief turns into a side alley again, and now he's walking alone. Running along the rooftops to his right, I keep a steady lookout for hiding places or secret passages that may lead to the Thieves Guild. The man slows and pauses, seemingly looking for something. I stop, perched directly above him and watching intently.

There's a slight crack behind me on the rooftop.

I have enough time to turn to see the man, smallish and bearded, before his foot shoves me off balance and sends me plummeting over the side.

“Have a nice trip, sucker!” his merry voice calls after me.

Reacting fast, I just about manage to orient myself to land feet first, when I land on the head of the thief I was trailing. Unfortunately for him I managed to land feet first – he is knocked out hard.

The man's face appears above me. “Whoops!” He chuckles again, and leaps off the building, his elbow aimed at my head. I dash briefly to one side, and the man rolls onto the floor, bouncing up into a fighting stance.

Cornered in a dead end alley, I draw my two blades.

“Oh, getting your little toys out?” the man taunts. “Are you THAT scared of me?”

I snarl. “You are right, I would not dishonour my blades on your petty flesh.” I stow them away again, never taking my eyes from him.

The man focuses on my ears as my hood slips down. “Oh, an elf are we? What are you gonna do, put a glamour on me? I've heard that elves steal babies. And eat them too! When was the last time you ate, you murd-”

“Enough!” I cry, provoked into action and dashing forward. I strike him hard across the face. In the same instant as I strike, his knee comes up and catches me a glancing blow across my leg. Jerking round, we exchange punches at a furious rate, blocking and counter-attacking like so many pieces in a chess game.

I cannot win this fight through attrition. I am the faster, but he is the stronger one, and he is also uninjured. Already my rib is beginning to ache in sharp pains.

I begin to back up against the wall, trying to feign tiring. Perhaps he saw I was genuinely injured, or was absorbed in the fight, but he played my game, pressing his advantage, trying to find his knock-out blow.

I wait until he falls into the right position for my final move.

He doesn't play this time, he keeps just out of my reach for my plan. He's not as stupid as I had hoped; he knows how to fight, and more importantly he knows how not to fight.

I would have to do something completely unexpected. And I would have to do it now.

Jumping off the wall, I lunge at him and grapple around his neck. Shocked by this move, he doesn't react for the vital split second I need to bring my knee up to crack under his jaw, and kick out with my foot to shove him into the opposite wall.

He flies back, but his final swing catches me hard, directly over my rib. His head impacts the solid wood of the building and he slumps down, dazed.

I cry out, clutching my side over my rib. Oh kawgh, the pain! Biting my lip, my vision nearly blurring from the pain, I draw one of my blades and hold the tip to his throat with one hand. My other hand clutches at my side, as if I can hold the rib together - I can feel the two pieces have slipped out of place now, each one like a burning dagger in my side.

The man looks up, slowly taking in the sight of the alley, of me, of my blade at his throat, nestling past his trim black beard.

“...Well. That was unexpected. I guess I'm good as dead now.” he says slowly.

“Why were you following me?” I say, through gritted teeth - partly through pain, and party through anger.

He spits out a glob of blood. “'Cause I follow everyone in your little clique.”

My mind races. What was he talking about? Had he been following us all along? How had we not seen him before?

“Why? What grudge do you have with us?!”

He growls this time, obviously getting angrier. “Because you bastards killed my son!”

Now I am just confused. “...What?”

“Don't pretend! Your little Guild strode into my house, and killed my only son!”

“...Guild?”

“Yes! The Guild that you're part of, that has the only good reason to have people on rooftops, looking out and making sure their own members stay in line! The Thieves Guild!”

[twotravels]

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

I sighed. “Yep. Enjoy it now, Lily, because we won't be relaxing like this for long.” I sat up to look at the beautiful unicorn, standing by the flowing river, and it was delightful to hear the water bubble and fall onto more water as it travelled to the ocean, at least a hundred miles from here. Lily had been eating the grass under her hooves, but after I spoke, she lifted her head to look at me.

“Well, we won't because we have a battle to fight. And possibly a world to save...” I zoned off. Lily must have been able to tell that I was troubled, because she walked over to me and motioned for me to stand up. I did, and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it was. My burned foot was getting better pretty quickly. The healing spell that Krystal and I used must have worked.

I pet Lily for a while as I continued. “The Ultimate Treasure should never be in the hands of everyone. But when we take the Air Treasure, we'll easily be able to form it.” I thought about that a little more, and it scared me. “Wow,” I shook my head and looked into Lily's eyes. “What would you do with 'ultimate power', Lily?”

Lily whinnied softly, to keep Blue asleep, and ran around in circles. What was she trying to tell me?

“You'd want to run?”

She stopped running and shook her head.

“...You'd want to run....freely?”

She shook her head again, but in a way that told me I was getting warmer.

Suddenly, a wild thought entered in my mind, like I was able to just catch its reins.

“Do you have a home?”

Lily whinnied again, and nodded emphatically. She ran back to me, wanting to be pet again.

I laughed softly. “Lily...You can go home if you want. None of us are making you stay. You know that you are free to leave whenever you wish to.”

Lily shook her head 'no' again.

“What? Lily, why no-” But I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence. Blue had woken up, and he yawned loudly, interrupting me.

“Ah!” he stretched. “Hey, Chuck. Mornin'!”

“More like afternoon, Blue.”

“Really? Wow. I've been out for a vhile, now, 'aven't I?” Blue made a pose, as if he was about to get up. “Vell. I say dat stuff ta make me loopy's vorn off, so I bettar git standin'!” And he stood up. Slowly, like he was a baby trying to figure out how. It almost looked painful, but not in a sore muscles kind of way. It seemed like his legs were asleep than anything else.

After he had finally stood up and taken a few steps, he triumphantly said, “Vell now! Look at me! I 'aven't stood up by myself in a long vhile!” He danced a little jig, before he suddenly grabbed his shoulder. “Ooh! Vell, guess de shoulder's gonna be sore for a bit longer, but other den dat, I feel jus' like I vas new!” He smiled at me. I had come to miss that perfectly white smile on that perfectly blue face, and I was so happy for him that I smiled back.

“‘Tis just dandy! Now keep your mouths shut. All of you!” The sudden outburst from Dhilith, with his eyes still closed and he still sitting on the rock, scared all three of us, and we all immediately sat down, shutting our mouths.

Somehow, Blue and I managed to keep quiet for all of five minutes.

“So, vhat vas it like to be travelling without us, huh, Chuck?”

“Oh, you know,” I grabbed my shoulder. “Painful.”

“But you vere able to git de Fire Treasure?”

“Yep. It’s with the other Treasures right now.”

“Amazing. Ya know, I 'aven't seen a single Treasure yet. Do ya tink you can show me one of 'em?” Blue's eyes held a certain puppy-like curiosity.

I stammered. “Uh......I don't think that's a good idea, Blue.” I was in a panic, though I wasn't showing it. “See, the Treasures are so powerful...They can corrupt anyone's will. Bring out the worst in them. Kendra and I are lucky to even be alive.”

Blue's shoulders drooped. “Yah, I tought as much,” He chuckled. “Das okay dough. One of dese days I'm gonna have my own adventure, and I'll be sure to leave you out of it, Chuck!”

I chuckled with him. “You do that Blue.”

“And vhat about you, Dhilith? I don’ tink I’d mind you comin’ ‘long vit me!” Blue called over his shoulder, chuckling.

Suddenly, we both flinched when we heard a cry from Dhilith. He had jumped up from the rock and charged Blue.

He tackled Blue to the ground, and I was taken aback! It was a few seconds before I turned around to grab my staff. Lily watched from the river, calm as ever. When I saw her acting so, I somehow could tell that this wasn't something to fear. For whatever reason, I sat down and watched them.

“I would trim my mighty beard before I followed you on an adventure, and I certainly wouldn't care what you did if I didn't go!”

Blue gasped. Though he didn't appear to be hurt. “....And vhy's dat, Twinkle Toes?”

Dhilith yelled, louder than ever, “Because you talk endlessly, and keep me from sleeping!” After this, he got off of Blue, stomped on him lightly. Well, lightly for a dwarf. In human terms he stomped on him pretty hard.

Dhilith walked over to me, ignoring Lily, who seemed to be laughing again with her whinnies. Pointing, he said gruffly, “And that goes for you too, Washucktah. Will you both keep quiet so as I may find rest before our great battle?!”

“Technically,” I started to say. “You're with two injured soldiers. So instead of beating us up, you should be caring for us,” What I said made sense, but I was talking to Dhilith! Why'd I say that out loud? Dhilith paused, and breathed deep. Very deep. “...Very well. I will watch over you. But don't think that I would have words with you. I only speak when I deem it absolutely necessary!”

I nodded, sympathetically. “Okay. Okay, Dhilith. We're sorry.”

Blue got up from the ground and offered his hand to Dhilith, who turned around to face him.

“Yah. Sorry about dat, mon. Friends?” Blue smiled, but it wasn't contagious to everybody.

Dhilith walked right past him, scowling, “I have no friends.”

Blue stood there with his hand outstretched even though Dhilith was walking back to his rock. Blue slowly lowered his hand staring into space.

Then, he let his shoulders droop and said, “Bummer.”

To leave Dhilith to himself for a while, Blue and I mounted Lily and trotted around the camp site.

“Wow! This is even bette' den I tought it vould be! Vhere are ve goin?” Blue looked around him, and at Lily, in wonder.

I thought about Lily and Blue and wondered how I was surprised that Lily took to Blue immediately. He's so friendly!

“Well, we're basically doing this to get away from Dhilith, but we can go to the river if you want.”

“Yah, yah. Sure. Sounds great.”

Up the river bank there was more of a beach. So we went there to explore. Although Lily preferred to stay on the grass, Blue and I took to walking down the beach, towards the camp.

After picking up a shell and examining it, Blue suddenly said, “So I bet you've noticed a change in Kindra.”

I was a bit taken aback. I stopped walking, and when I did, so did Blue.

Eventually, I answered, “Yeah. I have.”

“So have I. Vhat do you tink happened?” Blue's voice was more serious than it usually was. He must be worried about her.

“Well, I assume it’s because of the Treasure. Like I told you, Blue, the Treasures are extremely powerful. They pretty much amplify whatever is around them,” I looked at Blue, who was now looking at the river. Just watching it pass by, watching it roam free.

“Kendra, from what I hear, was very very mad when she grabbed it. And when she was done using the Treasure, when she snapped out of it, Thank Danwe, all of her anger was pretty much burnt out.”

“So she lost her emotion of anger?” Blue said, surprised and almost distraught sounding.

“I...don't think so. But I do think she's suppressed it. Maybe she's scared of what she can do with that anger. Who knows.”

“But....Vell, vhat I'm vondering is...Why vas she so mad?” He asked quietly.

I paused, then smiled slightly. “Now that's more complicated, isn't it? Well, she could be mad at a lot of things. She could be mad at her curse. How she was with the Thieves Guild, when her father's been tracking them down for the past ten years. But she was probably mad at something recent. Like her affiliation with magical creatures like Tarnien, the fact that she's so far home, possibly without a home or a mother to go home to...” I pause and think about Marion. I sigh, and continue, “She might have been still mad at me. Of course, she might have been upset that the only person who believed and supported her, you, was hurt.”

“Wow.” Blue finally said. “Dat girl's too young ta have so much trouble.”

“Yes,” I said. “She is.”

We stood there, in the sand, both staring either at the sandy ground or the bubbling water. It seemed like we were there for hours.

After a while, Blue said “I can't leave her. Not vhen she's in so much pain.”

I turned to Blue, with a small smile. “I told you to take care of her, didn't I? Somehow, it seems like only you can.”

Blue smiled back. He closed his eyes. Then he looked at me. “Vell. Best be getting back to the camp. Tarr and the girls vill be back soon.” The cheeriness in his voice had returned, and I smile a bigger smile as I watch him call Lily over. After she does, we trot back to the camp site at a leisurely pace.

[twotravels]

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Petras chuckles. “What? Is that all that you have to offer me? I have been searching for you all this time, and you go down in defeat with one strike?!” He laughs again, but it grows graver.

I spit, relieved to see it's not blood that I spit out. I struggle to my feet. “It will not take one hit, Petras. For I believe this is something worth fighting for,” It hurts to talk, so I raise my staff.

“You make this too hard on yourself, Washucktah....” With that said, he raises his hand, and clenches his fist. The magic makes me fall to the ground again.

“AH!”

“It would seem that this battle will simply be a test of your willpower, Washucktah...”

Realizing this, I cry out, lunge forward and strike his torso hard with my staff. He flinches, picks up his own, and bats mine away.

Our staffs clash again, and again. It’s almost like a sword fight. As I stand up again, and manoeuvre around the camp site, I try to think. How could I possibly win? There is a rock not far away at all from us. Could I use that? Or how about the river? It wasn't very wide, or very deep. But could I use it? Or was this simply going to be a test of will, strength, and endurance as Petras said it would?

Maybe I was weak, or maybe I was distracted, but eventually Petras knocks my staff out of my hand. He points his own staff at my throat.

“Care to give up your silly game now?” There is no longer a look of laughter on his face. There is only anger. I have caused him too much trouble....

I raise my hands. “Petras. I understand that I have caused you much trouble. I understand that you could be doing much better things with your time...So do them. Leave me in peace.”

“I don't think you understand, Washucktah!” He brings his face closer to mine, and I am able to feel his sticky breath. He whispers, “There are no heretics in my church,” he backs away just a little bit., and then he continues, screaming, “And there are definitely no heretics that I have taught to be just!” With that, he strikes me again. I stumble, and would not have fallen if it wouldn't have been for my burned foot, which is not in a bandage now, nor any kind of shoe.

“Oh!” I cry out as I land.

“You made a commitment, Washucktah! A commitment I never thought you were going to break!” I crawled to the rock, hoping against hope the answer to my puzzle was hidden in it. He followed me as he continued, “I honestly saw much potential in you. You're a likeable young man, when you're not being so naive!!” I crawled faster. “You could relate to the people, and I liked that in you. Only now do I realize that you related too much! You've grown to love Danwe's creations, which is perfect to a point. You cannot love the evil in this world!!!” He said, as if he's said it a thousand times.

I struggle to pull myself up using the huge rock. It’s easier to use than the ground. I manage to sit down on it. “You taught us to love others as we wanted to be loved! If I was in that position, if I was to die?! I'd want a second chance. An opportunity for redemption. I'd want compassion, Petras! Compassion!!”

Petras stood before me, clenching his staff. I had no idea what his next move was going to be. “Those horrible creatures LOST their chance for redemption and compassion when they decided to kill and slaughter innocent lives! Think of your mother, Washucktah!” This hit a soft spot. I loved my mother dearly. I thought back to her. Innocent, helpless against what? A common thief. Maybe Petras was right. Maybe.....Suddenly, I remember my mother's warning, so long ago....

She sighed. “You're just like your father. Worshipping that god as if he was the answer to all?”

“Well, isn't he? You worship him too, you know!” I laughed.

“Well, who am I, to decide your destiny? That is for the gods and you to decide. But what happens if this is not your calling?”

My mom always worried. The things she worried would happen, however, never did. When things like this happened, I always was sure to listen to what she said, and know that I didn't have to worry about that happening...

“Your father left me to find his true place in the world,” She put her hand on my shoulder.

“Now it’s your turn. Make me proud.”

All of a sudden, I realize what she was warning me of. She knew that I did not have the heart to do the things required of me. She didn't want me to kill. She wanted me to make her proud. I have made this choice over and over, but now I knew I had my mother's consent.

“I will not kill. Not if I don't have to. Please understand this, Petras. Please.”

Petras gives me a cold, hard, stare. I don't know how long he stared at me, just long enough for me to figure out he wouldn't understand. Then, he picks me up, which is no simple feat for the ageing man, and punches me square in the jaw. Then, he tosses me back onto the dirt of our camp-site, my back landing on the spot where the camp-fire used to be.

“Look at you. All beaten and bruised. Crushed and defeated. All alone. Months and months of running, all leading up to this moment,” he now circled me, like a vulture closing in on its deceased prey. “The moment where you are at my feet. The moment where I have defeated you. The moment where I remind you what is at stake. Danwe has left you, because you have left him. It is I, Petras Tuorieus, and the rest of the followers of Danwe he favors. The ones who truly follow his teaching.”

Now I'm really in pain. So bruised....but of course, my mouth opens anyway. “I still believe in Danwe.”

“Oh, do you?” He says, obviously very annoyed with me speaking again.

I grunt, “....Yes. I do. I still believe everything I was taught. The only thing I disagree with is killing our enemies.”

Petras broke out into a fit, turning this way and that. “When will you finally see that that is wrong?! That I am right, as are all of your friends at the seminary?! You are wrong, Washucktah!!” He pauses. “...You are wrong. And it seems that I cannot convince you otherwise. It would appear that I have to kill you as well.” His shoulders droop. I can tell he doesn't want to do what he says. At least, I hope so.

“See? You know that I am a good man. But because of one thing I did, I deserve death? Surely, there must be another way!”

Petras fumes. “Do not tempt me!” He then raises his hands. My eyes widen. This was it. I was going to die here, at his feet.

“You cannot tempt me. You are just a lost, poor soul who doesn't know when he's been beaten. You are alone. You have no friends. It has just been you this entire time, and it’s time I put an end to it.” He lifted his hands higher, and was about to use a spell that would most surely be my demise. But something distracted me. There was something in the distance....

“I'm not alone.” I start to say. It’s a risk, but if that's what I think it is, then I need to stall for time.

Petras scoffs at me. “Look around, you Washucktah. There's nothing left! Why do you try so hard, and so long?”

I answer, with a bit of difficulty. “Because I have something worth fighting for! Friends that I have made, that I would give my life for! The most wonderful thing about such a friendship is the fact that they would do the same for me! Do you have anything like that, Petras? Friends?”

“Oh, enough!! Burning of the-”

“Enough!” The unicorn that I saw has finally arrived. Petras jerks around to see what has happened, and a fist punches him directly on his head, and he falls to the ground. The sun’s in my eyes, so I can't see Krystal and Dhilith, but that fist was too small for Dhilith, yet too strong for Krystal...

I see what I think to be Krystal jump down from Lily and rush to my side. When I can finally see him, I gasp.

“Tarnien!”

“Washucktah! Are you hurt?”

“Wow...Your timing....is incredible...”

“We came as soon as we could.”

“....Thank you...” And at that, perhaps because now I’m finally relieved, I fall into a deep sleep.

[twotravels]

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Washucktah...

Are you happy Washucktah?

Away from your duties as a priest of Danwe?

Well, I have found you at last Washucktah...

And this time....

I will not let you run away.

A few hours had passed since Krystal had treated me, and I had just woken up from a nap. Which was fine by me, because I had a dream that was, to be frank, unsettling. I woke up because Dhilith and Krystal had returned from a hunt.

“About the Treasures, Washucktah. Should we keep them together or separate?” Dhilith questioned as he laid down two fish and a fair-sized bird and handed me the treasure bag. This large, cow hide bag had become instrumental to carrying around the treasures without having to touch them, which was obviously not particularly good for anyone.

I pause before I answer him. “...Well, the Ultimate Treasure only comes forth, or whatever, when all four of them come into contact. At least I think so anyway. Either way, I think they're safe touching each other. Just don't ever pick them up at the same time. That doesn't seem like a great idea to me.”

We were still on the river bank. It was pleasant there, and a fantastic break from the hot volcano site. It was nice and cool, with water at our feet. Lily had actually woken up as well, and came over for a petting after taking a drink from the river. As I pet it, I could actually see some kind of town ahead of us, maybe a mile or two off.

“Wow. Civilization. When was the last time any of you were in a city? It’s only been a few days for me, but that was only over one night. It seems like forever since I was in any actual part of civilization....”

Krystal was busy starting a fire, but she added in upon my conversation. “It has been some time for me as well. Other than of course the Fire Elven, the last time I was in any type of human settlement was probably about four months ago.”

“Ha! The last time I had to stay overnight in a human city was well over five years ago! However, I do love to go into the human pubs. They become so tenacious there! Not to mention it’s where most of my employers come from....”

I shake my head and sigh. “Either way, it'll probably be a good idea to go into the city and restock on items, don't you think?”

They both stare at me amazed.

“Washucktah...” Krystal starts. “The humans are vicious to magical creatures like us. As a traveller, I'd expect you to know that...”

“Well, I don't know that! I'm a Changeling, but I grew up in a human town, without needing to stay transformed! And, training to be a priest, I was taught that all living creatures are equal. It is those that are evil that we must demolish. Of course, I don't even really believe that any more..So I'm all for pacifism!”

“True as that may be, Changeling, the humans are not. No matter how hard you try to make them see otherwise.” Dhilith sits down, making what feels like a small earthquake upon landing.

“Well...Anyway...” I start to change the subject, but I have nothing to change it to. I let the conversation die.

After a few moments in silence, Krystal starts to say something.

“You know, Washucktah, it has been a while since you and I have done any training in magical resistance...” She smiles coyly..

I smile back, holding a friendly laugh. “Only a few days! Besides, we've been a little busy!”

“Oh Skorne,” Dhilith stands up again. “I'm off again, perhaps to search the area. All I know is that you won't be catching me while all this....” he did a motion with his thick, stubby hands. “...Nonsense is going on.” Lily whinnied, which sounded almost as if she was laughing at the scene. She nodded her head.

“The magical arts is not nonsense!” Krystal said, in a bit of a huff.

“Indeed. However, it is not the magical arts I am speaking of!” And with that, he turned around and walked off. And after another whinny, Lily followed him.

I blush, but only slightly, before I focus on Krystal and her progress and start to say,

“Okay. Where to pick up....?”

Training her is both easy and difficult at the same time. Maybe it’s because she's an excellent student, and I'm a horrible teacher. I have no idea what to teach! I've taught her the basics, the wooden stick/metal rod metaphor. However, the rest is more complicated and requires months of training and meditation.

What I'm trying to do now is to talk to her about Danwe and his magic passing through your mind, body, and spirit while magic passes through you, but I'm eventually interrupted.

“You know, Washucktah, Tarnien spoke of the three Faethras being the mind, body, and spirit.”

“...Yes, which is not out of the question. The three are a pretty common symbol of spirituality. But without a god to guide them, the system becomes meaningless-”

“Yes, Washucktah, I know that. But Tarnien talked of them almost as gods. Where is the error in that logic?”

“The error is they're not gods!” I strain against the pain of my wounds as I get a little more excited. Okay, let's face it. Angry. “That would mean every single creature with a mind, body, and soul is a god, perfect in every way!”

“But don't you claim to be perfect in every way?”

This takes me by surprise. “...What?”

“You've told me before that you left the seminary of Danwe because you found error in Danwe's teaching. Does that not make you better than your god?”

I pause for a moment. I know it doesn't, but I have to think about why. After maybe half a minute, I reply, “I'm not protesting Danwe's teachings. I still think of him as my god. I do now anyway. What I disagreed with was the way it was being taught. Danwe talked about erasing evil and producing good, but my master thought that meant to kill all.”

“So you're a protestant?”

“No, it’s not like that! Krystal, why do you keep asking me this?!” I say, standing up. I wince, however, then sit back down. My shoulder's still sore.

Krystal continues, in a whisper. “I'm sorry Washucktah. I wish only to understand the concept of religion. I want to decide for myself what to believe in and have free will, but all religions and teachings seem to be absolute. Tell me, is it so impossible to have both?”

I pause to consider it. “Well, they obviously cross at some point...Just take the lesson, for example...” And just like that, I dive back into the lesson. Her questions still bothered me though. I want to be religious too. And I know I believe in Danwe. But as a priest for Danwe, what am I to do? Continue to protest? That is no way for me. I do not want to be apart from the true faith. I just wish I could...correct its doctrine. That is, if it needs any correction at all....Who am I to say what's wrong and what's right?

I sigh as I refocus my attention to teaching Krystal.

“So if I think of Danwe, a powerful spirit, passing through my mind, body, and spirit, it will be easier to envision the path of magic's power?”

“Yes. As I said a little bit ago, this way you can channel your own magic more effectively, and, more importantly, let the magic from others pass through you without affecting you. It won't work well on spells directly aimed at you, but very well on magic that's not, like Blue's teleporting or my changing.”

I change into Dhilith and make a silly face. “Hur...you see?” I laugh.

Krystal laughs as well. “Yes, I see! When you did that, I did not even feel a headache!”

“Good,” I change back into my normal form. “Then that's the lesson for the day. How's the fish coming?”

Krystal checked on them. They had been cooking this entire time. “Nearly ready.”

A few minutes later, Dhilith showed up riding Lily.

“We are between two rivers that join into one around the city that is closest to us. I suggest we form our plan of action very soon, so as to leave this little site at the most before sunset tomorrow.”

“I agree. Where are we going next, Chuck?” Krystal asked me, walking to Lily with a handful of grass.

I shake my head. “No planning for tonight. I want to rest while I recover. For now, let's just enjoy the dinner you guys got for us, and have a nice long sleep before morning. When we wake up we can plan.”

Dhilith shook his head. “There's no telling whether we're being followed or tracked by the Fire Elven yet. Probably so, if Tarragon is Thieves Guild as you said. They know we have the Fire Treasure, and might already know about the Earth Treasure too. We're now probably the first on their agenda,” Dhilith warned. “But you are right, I suppose. A rest would do us all good.”

“Not only that,” I compromised, “But as soon as we're done making the plan, we'll leave. All right, guys?”

Everyone agreed, and we sat down for our meal. Not long after that, we went to sleep.

Washucktah...

Are you happy Washucktah?

Away from your duties as a priest of Danwe?

I jerk awake. I had the same dream as earlier! That's all I know as I open my eyes into the morning sun. It couldn't have been up for only a few hours now, maybe three, and there was still dew on the grass. I looked around for Dhilith and Krystal, but they weren't there. I struggle to sit up. Lily wasn't there either.

“Guys?” I call nervously. That dream didn't feel right. Too real. Something was wro-

“Well, I have found you at last Washucktah...And this time....I will not let you run away.”

“MASTER PETRAS?!” I scurry to stand up, and am thankful that the pain in my shoulder's decreased. It’s not gone, but it’s not bothering me as much.

“Yes, Washucktah. It is I. Have you enjoyed your little adventure so far?” He stood, tall and imposing, even though he wasn't very tall, and his look wasn't very imposing. It was way the forty-eight year old carried himself. The look of power, the steel cold rage. That was all from his inside, emanating to his outside.

I gulp. “I haven't enjoyed it, per se, but it’s much better than when I left the seminary.”

“Oh really? Is it different?” He walked around me, slowly getting closer, almost like a vulture. “Because it’s not. You kill evil out here just like you would do in there. That's why I'm here, actually. I received a vision about your first kill,” He looked at me with his now beady eyes. “It was exhilarating, wasn't it?”

I was astonished. How could he have known that? “Well, if by exhilarating, you mean it made me want to throw up, then sure! It was very exhilarating!”

“Ha! You have grown much confidence here in the outside world, Washucktah! But you cannot lie to me. Your friend the elf told me, Washucktah. How you mercilessly slaughtered that goblin with a mere kitchen knife!” Master Petras clenched his fist, beaming with pride.

I shook my head in surprise. “Wait wait wait. My elf friend? You mean Krystal?” Suddenly, I snap, “What have you done with her?!”

“Oh, don't worry. The half-elf and the dwarf are safe with the unicorn. I only wished for a little privacy with you. I convinced them I was an old friend.

“Maybe once before, Master, but not now.” His comment on my elven friend now lost in my mind, I focus on what's happening now.

“Oh, but that's exactly why I am here today, Washucktah!” He pauses as he looks at me in confusion. “You see, you have completed your final test. You are now, officially, a priest of Danwe. Haven't you been wondering why your magic comes a little easier? Why your hardest battles are now simple victories? It is because you have the favour of Danwe upon you! Now throw away this pointless travelling with these...unwholesome things, and come with me. Return to your role as a priest!”

I pause for a long time. This is what I've always wanted....What my dad wanted. What my beloved mother died believing I would be. Eventually, I say, “Will I still be required to kill?”

Master Petras chuckles. “But of course.”

I pause for a long time.

“.........Then no.”

“What?” He says. Not really as a question, but almost like a dare. A threat.

“No, I will not return with you. I may be on a quest to save lives. I may not be. But I certainly will not fall into killing lives, if there is another way!” I state it calmly, but firmly. My final statement on the matter has now been made perfectly clear.

Petras picks up his staff. I didn't see it before, but it must have been there the whole time. I go to where I slept and pick up mine. I look at him.

He has his eyes closed. But just as I look at him, he rubs them, perhaps annoyed.

“...Washucktah...” he says, opening his eyes. “I didn't think we had to do this, but it is apparent now that we must. I'm sorry.”

“No Petras. I'm sorry. Sorry that you have fallen into thinking that there is only one option in this world: Life and Death.”

“Maybe so. But with the mind set in hand, I'll give you two guesses in how this confrontation will end.”

I again state firmly. “I must walk away from this alive.” He raises his staff, and lunges at me.

“SO BE IT!”

[twotravels]

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“There, it’s done. Now sit down,” Krystal, now breaking a small sweat, sat down with me on a large rock. She was wearing some Fire Elven clothes, which just gave me more questions, but I figured I’d get them soon, since we had all ridden on Lily well away from the volcano and the Fire Elven. I won't be going to visit them any time soon. For the hour-long ride, I did not speak to anyone, my pain was too much to deal with, and I still did not know how exactly Krystal and Dhilith were able to find Lily, who was now sleeping a foot or two away from us, not close to the bank of the river, but not far from it either.

“Uh, Krystal...heep!!!” I started as Krystal took off what was left of my sandal and started to look at my completely singed foot.

She chuckled quietly. “Heh.....Yes, Washucktah?”

I sigh, the pain obvious in my voice. “How....erf....how did you exactly rescue Lily again?”

“Oh, it wasn't I who rescued Lily, it was Dhilith!” She smiled, both proud of Dhilith and amused by the situation.

I jerk around to face Dhilith, who was setting up a camp for us to stay overnight, but now stood up and pointed his axe at Krystal, threateningly. “Really?!” I shout out surprised, almost laughing.

Dhilith grunts very angrily. “Krystal, I thought we agreed to never speak of...of...of that horribly mismatched moment again!!”

Krystal chuckles, louder this time. “Oh, Dhilith. But Washucktah has to know. I promise, after we tell him, no one else will have to know.”

Dhilith takes a few moments to consider. Then, suddenly, he angrily throws his axe down. Sighing heavily, he says, “So be it. But if you expect me to tell the tale, then you are gravely mistaken.”

He then walks off. When he returns, he'll probably come back with some kind of fuel for a fire, but the real reason for his departure, obviously, is so he won't be around for the story I so desperately wanted to hear.

I turn to face Krystal again, and with a coy smile, ask, “Well? Tell me what happened!”

My coy smile disappears when she takes out an ointment from her satchel and starts to apply it to my burn.

“AAAH!” Yikes, it hurt a lot!!

“Well, if you sit still, then I'll tell you.....”

I was very upset after you left us, Washucktah. I hope you never run off like that again. Yes, I know it was to find Tarragon, that scoundrel of an elf, but we need to stick together. In any case, I was very upset. I chased after you, but could not find you wherever I turned. Eventually, Dhilith caught up with me, and grasped my shoulder.

“It is for naught, Krystal,” He grunted, quietly, almost in a whisper. “We have lost him in this great labyrinth.”

Now I am not proud of it, but I lashed out at him. “We have to find them, Dhilith! Both Washucktah and Lily! I do not like this place, I never did, but I grow to like it less and less!”

“Be that as it may,” Dhilith continued, rather calmly to my surprise, “We'll do no good running in every direction we think suits us. Rather,” he turned looking around him, “...we should start by finding the direction that truly does suit us!”

At this, he pointed his axe about forty-five degrees to my left, and, following his suggestion, I looked and saw Tarragon walking away from what looked to be the end of the settlement.

….Really, Washucktah? That is where you were? Now that is surprising! If I only knew....

But what has happened has happened. I gasped once I saw Tarragon, but Dhilith quickly pulled me out of his line of vision. We both silently agreed to follow him, but there was the problem of remaining unseen.

Noticing my surroundings, I found that the tent we had slipped inside of had Fire Elven clothes. So to blend in, I quickly made Dhilith turn around and keep watch while I changed. After I had done so, I put my old clothes into Dhilith's large treasure bag, and asked, “Do you still see him?”

“Aye, that I do. The ugly sitzcringle is talking with friends, but he is just leaving. Be swift, Krystal! I will remain further behind you!”

And so I followed Tarragon on a ten minute walk, Dhilith about ten feet behind me. Eventually, we came to the foot of the mountain, maybe fifty feet outside of the settlement. It wasn't as crowded and unruly, which I was grateful for, but I was not looking forward to the obvious confrontation that lied ahead of me.

As I looked for a place to hide out of sight, which was not as easy as it was in the settlement, I watched as Tarragon walked into a cave I had not noticed before.

“Do you have it?” He hissed. I instantly knew it was Lily they spoke of.

There was a mumbling that I could not understand, and then Tarragon walked into the cave.

Dhilith suddenly sat next to me, and if I was all human, I would have jumped.

“Dhilith, you surprised me.”

“I've no time for manners, Krystal. Where is Tarragon?”

I sighed quietly, and pointed to the cave. “In there.”

“Right then. I assume our plan is to charge it?”

“Are you sure that's wise?”

“A charge? Come now, Krystal, they'd never expect it!”

“I was considering to use my disguise to get in...”

“Absurd! Tarragon has already seen your face!”

“Then how about a compromise?”

“...”

“Very well.”

And so I went up to the opening of the cave, where I saw two Fire Elves with clubs. I somehow forgot about the clubs that Fire Elves use. Perhaps the bow and arrow just seems the natural choice to me.

At any rate, I walked slowly to them and spoke.

“Hey! You on the left! Your wife told you to not forget to find a hog for dinner before you come home!” …..What? Don't look at me like that, Chuck. I had to sell the disguise!

The guard on the left looked at me surprisingly, and asked, “I wasn't told to hunt a hog!”

“That's why I was told to come and remind you! She gave me this list of other items for you to find, and told me to give it to you.” I patted my pocket, implying a parchment that did not exist.

The two of them walked over to me and when the reached they cave...

“RAH!” Dhilith hit them both with the flat of his axe hard, knocking them out for a long time.

We were now free to enter the cave.

For a short time, all we saw was the black of the dark cave, but eventually, after a lot of feeling around, we were able to find a light that must have been a torch at the end of the passageway. But we slowed down when we heard Tarragon's voice...and whinnying.

“Now calm down, you mule! Because of one growth on your head, you are worth a lot of money. So as long as you keep quiet, you won't annoy me enough to kill you! And with you alive, I'll be able to make quite the pretty penny off of you.”

A flared anger in me rose so high, I could not contain it, so I-

“Tarragon Turze, STAND DOWN!!” But that was not my voice. I looked at Dhilith, shocked. It was he who spoke!

Dhilith jumped into Tarragon's range of vision, who had now turned around in extreme anger and surprise.

Dhilith shouted again. “Let the unicorn go, Tarragon Turze, or so suffer under the wrath of Dhilith Stonegramme!!!” He swung around his axe, and took a battle pose.

“Ah, Dhilith. Who'd have thought that you'd find me all by yourself? And where are your friends?” I decided to stay hidden. “Why would they send a warrior like you to do something as trivial as this?”

Dhilith stood his ground. “I am under the employ of Washucktah, and I will never, no not EVER leave his side!”

“I'll pay you half the spoils this unicorn goes for.”

“Done.”

I watched in horror as Dhilith lowered his axe and walked over to Tarragon's side and I also saw Lily begin to kick harder and whinny louder.

“Hm. I know you're there, Krystal! You forget that I have Elven sense far superior to your own half-elven. I know you're there, I have your unicorn, your leader is most likely dying a few hundred feet above us, and I've just employed the only other one you thought you could trust.....So. Now what are you going to do?”

Knowing I had no other choice but to come out, I did so, and struggled to find words imposing enough.

“Tarragon. Let Lily go,” I raised my hands. “Or I will end your pathetic life.”

“Lily? You mean, Ulily here, the unicorn?” He chuckled quietly, maliciously. “She is a beautiful thing, isn't she?” He turned around to look at it, while Dhilith stood his ground, now glaring at me. “You just want to stare at it and stare at it and stare at it forever and ever.” He zoned off, and to be perfectly honest, Chuck, I was intimidated.

“I do not think you understand,” I raise my hands higher. “Let the unicorn go or I will lay a thousand curses upon you!!”

Tarragon chuckled again. “Now, Krystal, dear, why don't w-”

I did not give him a third chance. “á-Néadhád!” I shot a blast from my hands, and he was struck by it. It was not strong. It was a warning shot, if anything.

“Why you little...!” Tarragon quickly recovered and lunged upon me and then we were wrestling.

It was brutal. That close to the elf that I now hated most was too much, and I let the animal inside me out. Slashing, and punching, and kicking, and biting all on the ground. Out of the corner of my eye, however, I saw Dhilith pick up his axe Was he going to strike me?!

Tarragon and I both flinched and looked up when we heard Dhilith smash not me, but the cage with his mighty axe!

“Dhilith! What about our deal?!” Tarragon cried out in anguish, both of us standing up.

“A wise businessman looks into the future and figures the treasures he'll earn. And I've looked into the future, and I don't see you keeping this unicorn for long!” And with that, only one other smash was enough to unleash Lily, who immediately rushed out of the confines and kicked Tarragon back down to the ground.

Barely conscious, Tarragon spit out blood. “Do you...think you can trust him...for long, Krystal?” He snickered as we stood above him. “He is a....businessman after all....and Dhilith, can you trust.....her for that matter....And can your leader trust any of you? All three of you have.....different agendas so contrasting with....with the one who guides you. But...but a team is unified. After the same goal,” He spat again. “That is why you will lose! Ermf...Me, and those that follow me....have the same goal...but you....only three...so different...”

“By The Dverguð, why haven't we left yet?!” Dhilith cried in obvious anger. He climbed on Lily, who did not object, and I climbed on after he did. We then rode out of the cave, and began to find you.

“.....Wow.” I say, once Krystal had finished her tale. “Looks like you two can handle yourselves without me....”

“Oh, but I am glad you are safe as well, beaten as you are!” Krystal smiles her big warm smile, and she hugs me. Even though it hurt, I still feel no pain.

“Are you kidding? Seven elves? That's no big deal, these are obviously flesh wounds!”

“Uh-huh.” Krystal smiles at me, but then she moves away. “Washucktah....about what Tarragon said to us. Can we truly trust each other? Or is our adventure to end on a much different path?”

I sit up, alarmed. “Hey. Don't think like that. That's what that creep wants you to think. I was actually worrying about that earlier this morning. Dhilith warned me that you, you of all people! He warned me that you were not to be trusted, and would only cause me pain.”

“You didn't believe him, did you?”

“I didn't want to, but when I found out that you had visited the Fire Elven before, and you never told me, it did make me think...But I think today has shown that we can trust each other.”

“Really? How so?”

I look Krystal straight in the eye. Not at the grass underneath our feet, nor the rock we sat on, holding Krystal's supplies, not at Lily who’s now sleeping peacefully by the river bank, but straight at Krystal's big, trusting eyes.

“Because today you all acted under one goal. To save Lily. Even Dhilith. Dhilith was offered a lot of money. Money coming from a source he wanted to use, but we wouldn't let him. Maybe it was because of his loyalty to us, or his growing affections for our new companion, but in the end, he refused the riches he so desperately wanted to fight under our one cause. Tarragon knew that, which is why he told that lie.”

Krystal seems lost in thought for a moment, then nods, smiling again. “I see. Thank you, Chuck.”

At that moment, Dhilith came traipsing back into our camp site, and I turn to speak to him.

“She just finished the story, Dhilith. Great job!” I smile at him.

He flashes a grin, if only for half a second, then nods grimly. “Very well, Washucktah. Now that you know, we may never speak of it again.”