were able to voluntarily
invite others into our minds, but never did we swap bodies.
Whomever you assisted must have let out quite the cry for
assistance. We must look into this further. “
“Of course, how do we do that?” Obrin
asked.
“You will stay with us and go through the
archives. The others will head for the spirit monk monastery. They
believe that the scourge originated in the spirit word. Whether
they are correct or not doesn’t matter. Their knowledge may be able
to help us combat the scourge.”
The Beginnings of a
Journey
Hadrin examined his pack one last time.
Leaving his father didn’t feel right, but he lacked the courage to
stand up to the dragons. Knowing that his father had dealt with the
creatures for so long added an incredible amount of respect for
him. There had been a time when Obrin was considered among the
greatest of the elven Kings throughout the history of all the elven
realms, but the deterioration caused by the scourge had changed the
opinion of many elves. The dragons treated him like a friend and
that was no small feat. Erlkan paced back and forth with his pack
slung over his shoulder. The elf King had traveled to the human
lands before and was not looking forward to doing so again.
“We’ll be fine, Erlkan,” Alandra said as she
approached.
“Easy for you to say, humans, present
company excluded, are an erratic sort. Hadrin and I are scourged,
who is to say that won’t set off some of the humans?” Erlkan
asked.
“He is right. Not all humans are corrupt,
but many in positions of power are. We need to have a story in the
event that they find out about the scourge,” Wrotan said.
“I have an idea, but I’m not certain where
we’ll get the supplies,” Hadrin said.
“Let’s hear it.”
“We can give the two of them tribal style
tattoos and claim that it is an elven tradition. The process isn’t
painless, but the tattoos will only last for a month or two. Would
that give us enough time?”
“An excellent idea, son. I’m not certain
that we have the supplies though,” Obrin said.
“Finding the supplies should be easy
enough.”
“He isn’t a child anymore, you don’t need to
treat him as such,” the newly christened champion said.
“It is hardy your place to tell me what to
do about my son,” Obrin said.
“On the contrary, he has every right to
bring up this point. Part of our failing as dragons was to allow
you and Isaack a certain measure of distance from each other.
Hadrin and Wrotan must balance each other out. Just as we will do
our best to balance both of them. Your son will need to take over
for you sooner or later,” Ungaroth said.
“Perhaps it would be wise to add another to
the mix. Three heads are better than two,” Hadrin said.
“We’ve already accounted for that. You will
understand soon enough. For now, the four of you need to leave.
There must be no more delaying.”
Wrotan nodded as he slung his pack over his
shoulder. Obrin pulled his son in for an embrace. Erlkan held out
his hand and Obrin took hold of his forearm and the two locked
their hands on each other’s forearms before pulling each other in
for a one handed hug. Alandra watched as one of the smaller dragons
pulled in a cart. Ungaroth motioned toward the cart and the four
travelers approached. Hadrin, Wrotan, and Alandra were all given a
backpack with armor and a cloak. The Prince and Alandra were also
given notes that they were supposed to read once on the road.
Erlkan received a new bow and a new sword. Each of the four
gathered their new gifts and said their farewells before
leaving.
*
Mariah bent down and dipped the cloth in the
water before wrapping it around Kade’s head, covering his still
injured eye. She wrapped another bandage on top of it to secure it
in position before motioning to the others. Julian finished filling
the waterskins and nodded to the guardswoman. Amber let out a sigh
as she stood up from the rock overlooking the river. Though their
pace
invite others into our minds, but never did we swap bodies.
Whomever you assisted must have let out quite the cry for
assistance. We must look into this further. “
“Of course, how do we do that?” Obrin
asked.
“You will stay with us and go through the
archives. The others will head for the spirit monk monastery. They
believe that the scourge originated in the spirit word. Whether
they are correct or not doesn’t matter. Their knowledge may be able
to help us combat the scourge.”
The Beginnings of a
Journey
Hadrin examined his pack one last time.
Leaving his father didn’t feel right, but he lacked the courage to
stand up to the dragons. Knowing that his father had dealt with the
creatures for so long added an incredible amount of respect for
him. There had been a time when Obrin was considered among the
greatest of the elven Kings throughout the history of all the elven
realms, but the deterioration caused by the scourge had changed the
opinion of many elves. The dragons treated him like a friend and
that was no small feat. Erlkan paced back and forth with his pack
slung over his shoulder. The elf King had traveled to the human
lands before and was not looking forward to doing so again.
“We’ll be fine, Erlkan,” Alandra said as she
approached.
“Easy for you to say, humans, present
company excluded, are an erratic sort. Hadrin and I are scourged,
who is to say that won’t set off some of the humans?” Erlkan
asked.
“He is right. Not all humans are corrupt,
but many in positions of power are. We need to have a story in the
event that they find out about the scourge,” Wrotan said.
“I have an idea, but I’m not certain where
we’ll get the supplies,” Hadrin said.
“Let’s hear it.”
“We can give the two of them tribal style
tattoos and claim that it is an elven tradition. The process isn’t
painless, but the tattoos will only last for a month or two. Would
that give us enough time?”
“An excellent idea, son. I’m not certain
that we have the supplies though,” Obrin said.
“Finding the supplies should be easy
enough.”
“He isn’t a child anymore, you don’t need to
treat him as such,” the newly christened champion said.
“It is hardy your place to tell me what to
do about my son,” Obrin said.
“On the contrary, he has every right to
bring up this point. Part of our failing as dragons was to allow
you and Isaack a certain measure of distance from each other.
Hadrin and Wrotan must balance each other out. Just as we will do
our best to balance both of them. Your son will need to take over
for you sooner or later,” Ungaroth said.
“Perhaps it would be wise to add another to
the mix. Three heads are better than two,” Hadrin said.
“We’ve already accounted for that. You will
understand soon enough. For now, the four of you need to leave.
There must be no more delaying.”
Wrotan nodded as he slung his pack over his
shoulder. Obrin pulled his son in for an embrace. Erlkan held out
his hand and Obrin took hold of his forearm and the two locked
their hands on each other’s forearms before pulling each other in
for a one handed hug. Alandra watched as one of the smaller dragons
pulled in a cart. Ungaroth motioned toward the cart and the four
travelers approached. Hadrin, Wrotan, and Alandra were all given a
backpack with armor and a cloak. The Prince and Alandra were also
given notes that they were supposed to read once on the road.
Erlkan received a new bow and a new sword. Each of the four
gathered their new gifts and said their farewells before
leaving.
*
Mariah bent down and dipped the cloth in the
water before wrapping it around Kade’s head, covering his still
injured eye. She wrapped another bandage on top of it to secure it
in position before motioning to the others. Julian finished filling
the waterskins and nodded to the guardswoman. Amber let out a sigh
as she stood up from the rock overlooking the river. Though their
pace
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