wounds to tend to, and others can hardly walk. Leaving now would surely result in some of their deaths, and I will not risk several lives for the sake of two.”
Oisin , who had been listening intently stepped in, “He is right Kaelyn. It is not worth the risk.”
“What is wrong with you two?” Kaelyn shouted . “You are every bit as important as anyone else. Oisin has shown his worth today, and the Lealians’ need someone to lead them.”
“Someone will take my place, perhaps you Kaelyn ,” Jayden retorted.
Kaelyn was now visibly angry , “The poison must already be taking effect, so you will just sit there and wait to die! You raise your sword in honor of Aiden who died to get us here, who died to save your lives. You give an eloquent speech to Oisin, who left Aiden so he could save you, but it means nothing! You don’t honor Aiden, you dishonor him.”
“Kaelyn!” Oisin shouted . “Mind who you are speaking to...” “It is alright, Oisin. Kaelyn is right,” said Jayden calmly.
“Kaelyn, take Oisin and Palvoy and leave. Take food and water. You will need it if you are to make Aura by morning. You will know you are near Aura when you get to the next depot. It is one mile from the end of the tunnel. The depot contains additional weapo ns. Be sure to arm yourselves with as many Orler arrows as you can carry. I am not sure what will be waiting for you when you exit the tunnel and enter the Valley of Aura.”
“You must come with us , Jayden. You will die otherwise,” Kaelyn implored.
“Kaelyn, you challenged me ! You said that Aiden need not have died to save me and Oisin if we were not willing to save ourselves, but you also pointed out that the Lealians need someone to lead them. I have heeded your words. Oisin will fight for his life, and I will lead the Lealians to Aura ensuring their safety.”
“That is not what I meant Jayden… ,” Kaelyn stopped herself. There was no further point in arguing.
“Let’s go. We have no time to waste ,” Kaelyn grumbled, and with that she departed with Oisin and Palvoy.
Jayden leaned back against the cool dirt walls of the tunnel, closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. It seemed like it had been only five minutes, but it was more like two hours when Jayden awoke with a start. A young boy and his mother were urging Jayden to eat.
“Please Jayden. I have made you a plate of food. You must eat,” requested the mother who Jayden knew as Cordelia.
Jayden took the plate thanking her as she sat down beside him . “Let me remove the quills from your neck,” Cordelia said.
Before Jayden could answer , she was already digging away at them as her young son eagerly watched.
Cordelia grimaced , “The quills are embedded deep Jayden. This will take some time.”
“I don’t think your boy will mind Cordelia. He seems amused,” laughed Jayden.
“Keagan, do not bother Jayden, ” his mother scorned.
“It is quite alright , Cordelia. I would not have been much different at his age; Keagan, that is a fine name!”
Th at acknowledgement was all the encouragement the boy needed to blurt out the questions he had so patiently waited to ask, “Sir, I heard Kaelyn mention that we must go to the Valley of Aura to summon the Pegapires. I have never seen one, but I have heard they are magnificent animals. Can they really fly? How many are there? What…?”
Jayden laughed , “Well, so many questions and I can understand why. They are extraordinary animals. The Pegapires are a proud breed, and they are fiercely loyal to the Lealians, as we are to them. Would you like to hear about them, the way my father told me?”
Keagan nodd ed his head up and down several times.
“Very well, then. ” Jayden chuckled.
“In ancient Rhol , the Pegapires were worshipped by all inhabitants. They are elegant creatures, ivory white in color. They resemble a horse, but they have white wings spanning twelve feet on either side of their long
Oisin , who had been listening intently stepped in, “He is right Kaelyn. It is not worth the risk.”
“What is wrong with you two?” Kaelyn shouted . “You are every bit as important as anyone else. Oisin has shown his worth today, and the Lealians’ need someone to lead them.”
“Someone will take my place, perhaps you Kaelyn ,” Jayden retorted.
Kaelyn was now visibly angry , “The poison must already be taking effect, so you will just sit there and wait to die! You raise your sword in honor of Aiden who died to get us here, who died to save your lives. You give an eloquent speech to Oisin, who left Aiden so he could save you, but it means nothing! You don’t honor Aiden, you dishonor him.”
“Kaelyn!” Oisin shouted . “Mind who you are speaking to...” “It is alright, Oisin. Kaelyn is right,” said Jayden calmly.
“Kaelyn, take Oisin and Palvoy and leave. Take food and water. You will need it if you are to make Aura by morning. You will know you are near Aura when you get to the next depot. It is one mile from the end of the tunnel. The depot contains additional weapo ns. Be sure to arm yourselves with as many Orler arrows as you can carry. I am not sure what will be waiting for you when you exit the tunnel and enter the Valley of Aura.”
“You must come with us , Jayden. You will die otherwise,” Kaelyn implored.
“Kaelyn, you challenged me ! You said that Aiden need not have died to save me and Oisin if we were not willing to save ourselves, but you also pointed out that the Lealians need someone to lead them. I have heeded your words. Oisin will fight for his life, and I will lead the Lealians to Aura ensuring their safety.”
“That is not what I meant Jayden… ,” Kaelyn stopped herself. There was no further point in arguing.
“Let’s go. We have no time to waste ,” Kaelyn grumbled, and with that she departed with Oisin and Palvoy.
Jayden leaned back against the cool dirt walls of the tunnel, closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. It seemed like it had been only five minutes, but it was more like two hours when Jayden awoke with a start. A young boy and his mother were urging Jayden to eat.
“Please Jayden. I have made you a plate of food. You must eat,” requested the mother who Jayden knew as Cordelia.
Jayden took the plate thanking her as she sat down beside him . “Let me remove the quills from your neck,” Cordelia said.
Before Jayden could answer , she was already digging away at them as her young son eagerly watched.
Cordelia grimaced , “The quills are embedded deep Jayden. This will take some time.”
“I don’t think your boy will mind Cordelia. He seems amused,” laughed Jayden.
“Keagan, do not bother Jayden, ” his mother scorned.
“It is quite alright , Cordelia. I would not have been much different at his age; Keagan, that is a fine name!”
Th at acknowledgement was all the encouragement the boy needed to blurt out the questions he had so patiently waited to ask, “Sir, I heard Kaelyn mention that we must go to the Valley of Aura to summon the Pegapires. I have never seen one, but I have heard they are magnificent animals. Can they really fly? How many are there? What…?”
Jayden laughed , “Well, so many questions and I can understand why. They are extraordinary animals. The Pegapires are a proud breed, and they are fiercely loyal to the Lealians, as we are to them. Would you like to hear about them, the way my father told me?”
Keagan nodd ed his head up and down several times.
“Very well, then. ” Jayden chuckled.
“In ancient Rhol , the Pegapires were worshipped by all inhabitants. They are elegant creatures, ivory white in color. They resemble a horse, but they have white wings spanning twelve feet on either side of their long
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