Peter sighed in relief once they got out of the city and made it to the rendezvous.
“My princess, it pleases me to see that you’re safe!” (Towward)
“Towward, I’m glad-” (Naleeit)
Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing!
Their happy reunion was cut short as the alarm started going off.
“Time to go!” (Dramix)
The route through the water way was clear as they arrived at the area where they left the horses. Naleeit got on one and Towward got on another.
“I’ll fly.” (Dramix)
Naleeit shook her head, “You’ll die in a hundred paces. Get on.” (Naleeit)
Dramix sighed as he got on the third horse. The horse was well trained, so it wasn’t very hard to keep up with them. As they rode, it wasn’t long before flying beasts were over their heads. Naleeit slowed her horse down to a walk and the others did the same.
Naleeit then jumped off her horse and faced Towward, “I’m glad you’re okay!”
A tear rolled down his cheek as he responded, “I’ve watched over the royal family for well over a century. I’ve never been so happy to see you!” (Towward)
Naleeit lowered his hand.
“My brother is also well, but tell me what we need to do.” (Naleeit)
Towward paused before taking out a talisman similar to the one Dramix has.
“He used a lot of strength to get me this far. We’re at our limits.” (Towward)
Dramix looked at them as he said, “We can’t stay here much longer.” (Dramix)
Naleeit nodded in understanding, “We won’t be here for more than a minute.” (Naleeit)
Towward looked at Dramix, then back at Naleeit.
“So you finally found a mate?” (Towward)
Naleeit shook her head.
“Now Isn’t the time. We have to go now, Towward” (Naleeit)
“I’m no good to you anymore. Leave me here.” (Towward)
Dramix grunted as he said, “You’re faster on a horse than me.” (Dramix)
“They’re tracking me. I can’t hide from them.” (Towward)
As soon as Dramix heard that, he grabbed Naleeit’s shoulder and said, “We have to go.” (Dramix)
She easily broke free while tears streamed from her eyes.
“Towward, please come with us!” (Towward)
Towward sadly closed his eyes as he responded, “Our only hope now is to get the elves to help us. To reach their lands safely, seek the mark of the oak leaf. Go to the border town of Fernsfield to find it. Once you’re there, speak to their elder and tell them what’s happened. He knows where I hid the real dawn’s twilight. Now, go before they find you!” (Towward)
This time, Dramix grabbed Naleeit and pulled on her arm rather hard.
She tried to break free, but Dramix smirked as he asked, “Can you teleport one more time old man? Take the horses with you and lay a fake trail for us.” (Dramix)
Towward smiled as he responded, “I didn’t expect something clever like that to come from a Drakan. Go! I’ll make it look good.” (Towward)
Fssh!
…
As soon as they were teleported, Dramix and Naleeit found themselves standing in a shallow river. They traveled in the shadows as they made their way to a nearby cliff.
She started climbing over the rocks while Dramix followed.
He followed her all the way under the waterfall to a hidden cave.
It was dry in the cave, so Naleeit started a fire and Dramix kept guard.
There was a sudden flash of fire in the distance, causing Dramix to close his eyes in remembrance. Once he opened them back up, he turned around to see her expression, but she was cleaning her sword. Dramix followed suit and pulled the lance off his back before opening his maintenance bag.
He then started rubbing the rust off his lance as Naleeit said, “We’ll wait here until dusk tomorrow.” (Naleeit)
Dramix nodded in acknowledgment before asking, “What is this place?” (Dramix)
Naleeit didn’t look up as she responded, “It’s a secret sanctuary for fleeing royalty. We’ll be safe here.” (Naleeit)
Dramix nodded again before Peter suddenly said, “She’s pained by the loss of Towward.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix closed his eyes as he worked on his spear, “I agree. I’m afraid to talk about it.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter glanced at her and could see the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Dramix suddenly stopped cleaning his lance as he stared at it.
Where he was cleaning off the rust, solid wood laid underneath. With a excited expression on his face, Dramix quickly cleaned off the rest of the rust, even the metal coating.
Once he was finished, he was holding a dark wooden lance with an iron blade.
Naleeit had already put her sword away and was tending to the fire when Dramix finished cleaning.
She was rather surprised as she asked,“Where did you get that?” (Naleeit)
Dramix smiled as he responded, “At a hole in the wall weapon’s shop. It’s a real hidden gem!” (Dramix)
Right after he finished speaking, Peter noticed a figure in the dark of the cave.
Dramix raised his spear and Naleeit was on high alert.
“You, who holds that lance. Who are you?” (Shadow)
Dramix shifted into an attack stance as he gripped the lance.
“I’m Dramix of the House Thimus. Who are you?” (Dramix)
The shadow seemed humored by his answer as it responded, “Dramix of the House Thimus. Do you fight?” (Shadow)
Just as Dramix was about to respond, Peter spoke instead, “Say that we only fight when we need to.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix opened his mouth to speak, but the shadow spoke first, “Wise words from such a weak spirit.” (Shadow)
Dramix blinked in shocked.
“Don’t tell me….” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter was confused as the shadow continued, “I’ve been called many names over the years, but the one I like the most is Zwilander.” (Zwilander)
Dramix’s mouth was agape as he excitedly said, “Zwilander!” (Dramix)
Naleeit looked at him in confusion as she asked, “Is that your spirit’s name? Did he see something in the darkness?” (Naleeit)
Dramix sighed before slowly sitting back down.
“Not exactly. It seems Zwilander is the name of my lance.” (Dramix)
Naleeit blinked in surprise.
“Don’t tell me….” (Naleeit)
Dramix nodded and said, “For a copper and a half.” (Dramix)
The shadow then faded away as Peter laughed lightly and said, “It’s time for me to take my leave for now Dramix.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix decided to examine the lance further instead of responding.
It had a proper length for him to handle and the balance was good.
He wondered if it was because it was a legendary weapon, or because he had good instincts.
After inspecting it, he noticed that Naleeit had nodded off and the fire was smoldering.
Light was starting to pour into the cave from the rising sun.
He suddenly wished that he bought or hunted some food, but what’s done is done.
…
He was just about to start meditating when Peter yelled, “Something’s wrong!” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix was very alert at the warning, causing Peter to sigh as he continued, “No, Dramix. Something’s wrong with me. I can’t leave like I usually do.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix chuckled as he slyly responded, “That may be for my benefit.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter responded sternly, “But not for mine. My mind crosses from my plain and into yours. I must leave to care for my body, or I will die. If I die, I may perish from this plain as well.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
Dramix quickly caught the seriousness of the situation.
“What does this mean then?” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter sighed as he said, “I don’t know. For all I know, tt could mean I’m dead. I don’t feel like that happened, but I can’t return and check.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
“This is concerning.” (Dramix’s Spirit Talking)
Peter chuckled before responding, “There’s nothing I can do about it now. You shouldn’t concern yourself with it either.” (Peter’s Spirit Talking)
With a heavy heart, Dramix slowly closed his eyes and started silently meditating.
