Forbidden Places
By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Five: arrival
The dark coast of the Forbidden Isles. The magnificent boat that the three plainswalkers and their young guide had traveled down was anchored off shore. A gust of wind blew from the water. The four magic users then appeared from thin air on the foreboding coast. The three wizards slowly examined the landscape before them. By no stretch of the imagination was it what any of them expected.
"Huh. So this is it?" Toy Maker muttered.
"Kind of dreary." Enchanter commented. Lord Arachnid was going to comment when something more important caught his attention. He turned his back to the island and looked back to the water.
"I think we have more pressing concerns than the scenery gentlemen." He stated. The three turned around and watched the ship that had carried them there - turning away and sailing back into the mists.
"Where is it going?" Toy Maker asked seriously.
"Home." Markys replied coyly.
"This is no game child - get - that - boat back here - now!" Toy Maker shouted. Instead of showing fear - the child smiled at the wizard.
"My game - my rules." She stated calmly.
"Riddle me this child. We needed you to get here - now that we are - what need have we for you or your games?" Toy Maker asked seriously. Markys hovered away from Enchanter and floated before the angry artifact wizard.
"I know why you've come here. I know what you seek. And you know - that you won't find what you seek - without me. My game - my rules. Want to play?" she asked coyly with an innocent sounding giggle.
"I can't stand him - but I share the toy man's view on this. Get that boat back here." Lord Arachnid added.
"Gentlemen - let us try to be rational about this. She's just a kid used to getting her way. What harm will it cause to play along? Besides - the map that leads us to where we have to be on these - interesting places - only works if she uses it." Enchanter interrupted before the debate could get more volatile.
"She is many things Enchanter. A child - is not one of them. Nor is she innocent. She is weaving a dangerous web - and if you aren't careful - you will find yourself trapped in the center of it." Lord Arachnid stated seriously.
"Could be worse places to be. Come on guys. Cut her a little slack. She's just being playful." Enchanter replied as he walked over and plucked Markys from the air to hold her up.
"Some of us are not in a playful mood. Keep that brat under control - or one of us will." Toy Maker warned as he walked away from the beach.
"I don't like him." Markys stated.
"I'm not too fond of him either - you invited him remember?" Enchanter replied.
"He called me a brat." She pouted.
"That's because you are a brat." He retorted playfully. He playfully messed up her hair making her laugh.
"Speaking as a person that would like to keep his lunch down - can we get back to the matter at hand? Is there a town or some place where we can pick up supplies - or should we wander aimlessly and fend for ourselves. Either or is of no consequence to me." Lord Arachnid interrupted.
"Shall we look at that map?" Enchanter asked as he handed the scribbled map to Markys. As soon as her hand touched it - the lines began to reform. The shapes that they displayed were completely different from what Enchanter had seen before.
"Interesting. So which way would you recommend?" he asked. Markys looked at the map and then looked around at the swamp that was before them. She then pointed at a barely visible path that was almost completely concealed.
"That way. That was where they took me. The imps are scary - very scary." Markys replied.
"Imps?" Toy Maker muttered.
"What? Don't tell me you don't like imps as well as spiders." Lord Arachnid mocked.
"Imps are almost as bad as gremlins. I have little tolerance for either. What kind of imps are we dealing with? Some kinds are worse than others." Toy Maker replied seriously as a bone curdling cackle made them all tense up.
"Wretched Imps - big imps." She answered as she hugged Enchanter tightly.
"Wretched Imps? Never heard of them." Arachnid muttered as they entered the swamp. The small band of travelers slowly made their way through the stench filled lands. Around them the four saw numerous creatures that were native to the swamps - from rats to other forms of insects.
"Huh. Wondrous place indeed." Toy Maker muttered as he stepped around a small puddle of black bubbling ooze. He was about to comment again when he and the others noticed the path before them blocked by fallen trees, rocks and other debris.
"A trap - what a surprise." Lord Arachnid muttered. Just then the cackling sound they had heard before began to fill the shadows of the swamps once more. The three formed a circle around Markys and tried to determine where the sound was coming from.
"See anything?" Toy maker asked.
"Not yet." Enchanter replied.
"I see four somethings - heading this way." Lord Arachnid replied. the two looked in his direction and saw four imps the size of domesticated house cats hopping up to the top of the barricade. Toy Maker and Arachnid slowly looked at the child in modest disbelief.
"These - are the creatures - she was talking about?" Arachnid asked.
"These are the Wretched Imps? They look like normal imps to me." Toy Maker added.
"Oh look - some travelers from the village have lost their way." One imp stated gleefully.
"They think us to be villagers. I don't know whether to pity them or feel insulted." Enchanter retorted.
"Does anyone want to deal with this - or do you want me to?" Toy Maker asked seriously.
"Blue mage - red mage - your magic isn't strongest here. This is a swamp - the power in this land - is black. And black is my power. One side please." Lord Arachnid stated calmly - Enchanter and Toy Maker stepped to the side to let the wizard deal with the problem.
"One chance is all I offer imps. Let us pass - or feel the final consequences of facing my anger." Lord Arachnid warned. The imps laughed at the serious threat.
"You threaten us? It is you who shall be humbled." One imp retorted.
"I doubt that." Lord Arachnid stated. With a wave of his hand a white bolt of power shot out from his hand and ensnared one small imp. It began to writhe and twist but no matter what it tried - it couldn't escape the grip of the paralyze spell.
"I am no peasant. I am a plainswalker. I have tasted the ether between the worlds." He continued as webs shot out and ensnared two more imps.
"I am not one - I am legion." He continued as thousands of spiders mobbed another imp. Lord Arachnid then looked at the tiny imp that was still struggling with the paralyze spell.
"And I can bring life - or death - should I so chose." He concluded as a death stroke spell smited the paralyzed imp. He then looked at the two imps that were - unbelievingly enough - laughing.
"You foolish wizard. You think we scared? You think webs stop us?" one of the surviving imps asked. Lord Arachnid watched as the eyes of the imps glowed bright red. All of the band of travelers watched as the two imps doubled in size - snapping their web bonds.
"Cute trick." Toy Maker admitted.
"They are twice as strong now. If they do that again - this could get messy." Enchanter commented.
"They aren't even close to being too big for me to deal with." Arachnid retorted. Just then - they doubled in size again - and again until they were the size of a war mammoth. Arachnid looked up at the towering imps.
"How about now?" Toy Maker asked.
"You shut up! I have this matter well under control!" Arachnid retorted.
"We crush you - and make you suffer." One imp stated. Arachnid closed his eyes and concentrated. The others watched as a ball of black mana began to form in the spider wizard's hands. They then watched as a spear of black power shot up at one of the imps and impaled him in the chest. the imp screamed out in pain as a dark mist began to flow through the mana spear and into Arachnid's waiting hands.
"What - is he doing?" Markys asked.
"A variant on a drain life spell. That looks new. Looks very effective." Enchanter answered. the giant imp looked over and watched as his friend began to wither and age before his eyes.
"Nibbles - want some eats?" Arachnid asked. Nibbles hopped out from the hood and stood before Arachnid and before the giant imp.
"You expect to stop me with that?" the imp echoed.
"Of course." Lord Arachnid answered. with a wave of his hand - a polished unicorn's horn appeared in his hand. He knelt down and let Nibbles drink from the hollowed out horn.
"What is that?" Markys asked.
"A powerful extract taken from the feast of the unicorn. How did he get his hands on that?" Toy Maker replied calmly. Arachnid smiled as Nibbles began to rapidly grow in size. Arachnid watched as Nibbles took a huge bite out of the imp's shoulder - unfortunately - the imp lived. Arachnid and the others watched as the imp doubled in size again.
"I can see why these beasts are called Wretched Imps." Arachnid muttered.
"Need any help?" Toy Maker asked curiously.
"I can handle this." Arachnid replied. with w wave of his hand a small green dot soared at enormous imp. Upon contact the dot splatted into the imp. The Wretched Imp looked down at the small green mark on his chest and questioned what purpose such a stain could be. Just then - the green began to expand outward until the entire imp was green.
"Hey imp!" Arachnid called out. The imp looked down. The spider wizard had a wicked smile on his face. dark mana swirled around his right hand.
"Boo!" he whispered as he shot a black bolt at the green imp. The others watched as a look of horror engulfed the large imp. It clutched its chest and staggered back. The large imp began to shrink as he fell dead to the ground.
"You laced him and then zapped him with a terror spell. Nice." Toy Maker stated.
"I have my moments. Want a snack Nibbles or have you had enough?" Arachnid asked. Nibbled chirped and shrunk down to his normal size and then scurried back into the spider wizard's hood.
"We seem to have quite a mess before us. We could risk flying over it - but with the branches that thick - I wouldn't advise it. Could be other imps or such creatures waiting for us and all. Hey Toy Maker - I don't suppose you have a gizmo that could clear this from out path." Enchanter asked curiously.
"I might have something suited to the task." Toy Maker replied calmly he stepped up and looked at the large pile of debris. Red mana began to swirl around one of his hands. He shaped the red mana into a hand sized red ball and then placed it on the ground. He then created another - and another. The others watched as the three balls hovered up from the ground and formed a triangle.
"I call upon the power of he who paved the way. Open the gate and appear!" Toy Maker stated. The others stepped back as a white portal appeared before Toy Maker. Then, one by one - odd looking human sized constructs began to make their way out from the portal and began to dismantle the obstacle before them.
"They look stupid - but they seem to do the trick." Arachnid commented.
"Now - now Arachnid - let's not belittle Toy Maker's creations - they are saving us from having to do the task ourselves you know." Enchanter stated calmly. Toy Maker threw Enchanter a nasty look but resumed his attention to his machines. Within moments the efficient machines had cleared away all of the debris.
"You have served me well - return and repair." Toy Maker stated. With a wave of his hand all of the machines returned from whence they came. He looked around and saw the faint sign of a path that went straight passed where the blockade was.
"That seems to be the way." He said to the others.
"I can't wait to be out of this stinky place." Markys stated as a lollypop appeared in her hands. Toy Maker shook his head and walked on ahead.
"Not me - I have been out of my element for too long." Arachnid added. He was about to follow Toy Maker when he heard a faint sound coming from where some of the debris was tossed. He looked around and discreetly made his way to where the noise was.
Where is the sound coming from? He asked himself. He stalked away from the path a little further - the sound grew louder. It was a hissing noise.  He looked around and saw that there was a pit on the other side of a rock in it were dozens of venomous vipers.
"How precious. How dangerous." He commented. He studied the aura that surrounded the serpents and the pit they were trapped in. there was a great deal of dark power in that pit.
"A great deal of power is guarded by those serpents. I am unwilling to deal with them now - but I may have use for you later." He rationalized. He removed his glove to reveal a withered hand. He whispered a quiet incantation and traced an invisible glyph over the pit. Within seconds - the glyph appeared and vanished.
"Now - should I have need of your power - it will be mine to tap into." He added with a smirk.
"Hey Arachnid! You staying behind or what?" Toy Maker called out. Arachnid hopped up to his feet.
"I'm coming. Don't rush me." he retorted as he made his way through the swamp back to where the others were waiting.
"So where to next?" he asked seriously.
"Scary town should be up ahead." Markys answered timidly. She rested her head on Enchanter's shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
"Poor kid - all the excitement must have tuckered her out." Enchanter stated with a smile.
"Enchanter - do not be a buffoon all your life. Whatever that - sorceress is - she is not a child. At least no more than you are." Arachnid stated in mild disgust.
"I know." Enchanter replied casually - paying little attention to what the spider wizard had to say.
"Fine - live I a bubble for all I care." He muttered as he walked on ahead.
"You might want to listen to the insect Enchanter. If she does betray us - you will be the first to fall." Toy Maker added as he walked ahead to catch up to Arachnid.
"They don't like me." Markys whispered. Enchanter looked down to see that Markys was awake and had heard the whole conversation.
"It isn't that they don't like you - it's just that they are having trouble trusting you. It comes with the power. You get used to it with time." he rationalized.
"Do - do you trust me?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course." He replied.
"No - really?" she asked.
"Yes - I do." He admitted.
"I don't want to hurt you." She muttered.
"That's easy enough. Don't." he replied with a smile.
"No. You don't understand. Sometimes I see things - bad things." She whispered.
"Are you doing the bad things?" he asked curiously.
"Yes. And I'm scared that those two meanies will try to hurt me when I do." She answered timidly.
"Don't worry about a thing. No one will hurt you so long as I'm around. Okay?" he reassured. Markys timidly nodded. Enchanter smiled and picked up his pace to catch up to the others.
A short while later - the small group was in a ruined town.
"Yuck. It looks like the place was flooded and burned - in that order. what a stink." Toy Maker stated as he examined one of the walls.
"I don't want to meet anyone or anything that would call this hole home." Enchanter commented. It was then that they all began to hear the sounds of unholy activity. Shambling - stepping - the sound of undead creatures slowly advancing.
"I don't think we're going to be that lucky Enchanter." Toy Maker stated. It was then that an army of skeletons began to emerge from the alleys - began to rise up from the ground and swamps - and exit from the buildings.
"Not good. My magic isn't very effective against this form of undead." Arachnid stated.
"Regenerating creatures can be a pain. I think I may have a tool or two that might help with this problem though." Toy Maker stated. In a similar ritual to before - he created three red orbs. Another white portal appeared before him. This time - instead of something coming out - he reached his hand in and removed an old looking sword. He examined it and tossed it to Arachnid.
"A Rune sword? I didn't think there were any of these things left." He stated.
"I picked one or two up in my younger days. They cost me an arm and a leg to get - but I knew that they would come in handy one day." Toy maker replied as he pulled out another rune sword.
"I admire your sense of vision - in this situation that is." Arachnid added.
"I'll try not to let the praise go to my head." He remarked. Enchanter watched as the two wizards channeled their powers into the rune swords and began hacking at the slow moving hoard of skeletons. He was about to say something to them when he heard heavy foot steps heading their way.
"Not good." Enchanter muttered. He and Markys looked behind them and saw the reanimated bones of a giant dragon slowly stalking their way.
"That's pretty big." Markys pointed out.
"Yeah - it is. Arachnid - Toy Maker - can you keep those things occupied?" Enchanter asked.
"We don't have much choice in the matter." Toy Maker replied as he cleaved through three skeletons.
"Why - oh that's why." Arachnid added as he looked over and saw the undead dragon.
"You going to be able to topple that thing?"  He asked. Before Enchanter could reply. Markys pointed her finger at the approaching beast. A thin white light show out from her finger and hit the dragon. Enchanter watched as the Dragon staggered and then vanished.
"Swords to plowshares." He whispered. He looked down and saw Markys who was still pointing where the dragon was.
"You okay?" Enchanter asked.
"What - what happened?" she asked hesitantly.
"You made the dragon go away." he replied.
"I'm scared." She muttered. Markys began to shiver.
"Don't worry - a simple invisibility spell will keep them from finding us." Enchanter replied. With a wave of his hand - the two slowly faded from sight. Toy Maker looked back and noticed that the two were gone.
"Our ally just took a powder with the girl." Toy Maker muttered. Arachnid looked over his shoulder and lightly sniffed the air.
"He's still here. He's just under a spell. Invisibility would be my guess. How many more of these things are there?" Lord Arachnid asked as a powerful blow reduced one skeleton into ashes.
"Quite a few - looks like they got some back up. Arachnid - if you can keep them busy for a few moments I can call in some cavalry that will help us more than your spiders could." Toy Maker stated calmly. Arachnid threw him a nasty look.
"Now isn't the time. You know as well as I that we don't have enough power to keep these swords empowered forever. Trust me. Buy me some time - I assure you - it will be a worth while investment." Toy Maker stated seriously.
"Trust - is something I do not easily give. But if it is time that you need..." Arachnid replied calmly. He spun around and threw a thick web outwards. Toy Maker watched as it almost exploded out to form a wall of webs. He knew that the wall wouldn?t hold - but it would buy him the time he needed. Toy Maker created the three red globes of mana that he had used before.
"I summon you!"  Toy Maker called out. Arachnid watched as the skeleton army began to push through the webs. He was going to call out to Toy maker to hurry up when he saw a human sized toy soldier step out from the white portal that he had opened.
"That - is your weapon?" Arachnid asked in disbelief.
"They always mock that which they do not understand." Toy Maker muttered as dozens more marched out from the portal and stood in perfect ranks. The wall of webs - collapsed as the skeleton army made their way towards their targets. Arachnid reluctantly backed away from the slowly advancing army.
"Any time now." He stated.
"Destroy the army before us." Toy maker instructed. Arachnid watched as the soldiers marched by him and began to attack the army. Much to Arachnid's surprise - the toy soldiers were holding their own against the unholy army.
"First strike?"  Arachnid asked.
"And banding. That will keep the army occupied for some time. Enchanter? We did our bit here - care to make a contribution to the table?" Toy Maker called out. Enchanter appeared from thin air and looked at the artifact creatures hitting the skeletons to the ground and the skeletons slowly getting back up.
"Looks like you already have everything under control. What do you want me to do about this?" he asked.
"I have no intention of leaving them behind to play this game forever." Toy Maker retorted.
"Change of plans! The enemy has broken its ranks." Arachnid pointed out. Toy maker looked over and saw the skeletons filtering around his perfect ranks of soldiers.
"I might be able to deal with them." Enchanter pointed out. All of them listened as dark foreboding storm clouds began to blow across the sky. Enchanter smiled and pointed at the skeletons. Hurricane winds blew down from the sky and knocked the skeletons away from them. Minor damage was sustained to Toy Maker's soldiers - but as a whole - they were fine.
"This place is starting to lose a lot of its novelty." Toy Maker stated as the rune swords vanished.
"Don't be too quick to judge. This is just one island of many. And it is probably just this area that is dominated by Black magic. I'm sure if we stick it out that we will find something more to your liking." Enchanter replied calmly.
"I am well aware of that." Toy maker stated as he looked around the streets that were littered with shattered bones and broken armor.
"Ughn, there is nothing of use or interest to me here. Anything of value was probably looted by villagers when they fled this place. Anything you want here Arachnid?" Toy Maker added. Arachnid studied the area around him and shook his head.
"Even the land is valueless." He replied.
"Sounds good to me. What say we move along then? That hurricane wind won't keep those walking bone racks off our backs forever you know." Enchanter suggested. The four followed the path through the village to continue on their way.
A short time later - the travelers found themselves at the bank of a river of black bubbling liquid. Enchanter and Arachnid cautiously looked at the river that flowed before them.
"What is this stuff?' Enchanter asked. Toy Maker stepped between them and placed his hand into the liquid. He slowly removed his hand and looked at it closely.
"Tar. It has some abstract uses - but not many." He replied as he slowly got up.
"You - are trespassing." A bubbling voice gurgled. Toy Maker hopped away from the river of tar in time to watch dozens of tar covered trolls rise up from tar.
"Yuck." Enchanter commented.
"This is no joking matter. I've encountered those pests before. They are Black Water Trolls. They are immune to Black magic and have a nasty habit of regenerating when they should stay dead." Arachnid pointed out.
"Warded from black? I think I can deal with this." Toy Maker stated. Arachnid looked over and saw the tip of Toy Maker's gauntlet ignite.
"They regenerate." Arachnid pointed out.
"Not if you incinerate them." Toy Maker replied. Flames spiraled outward and kissed the tar. Enchanter and Markys hopped back as a wall of flames rose up and engulfed the screaming trolls.
"Cute trick. But how are we supposed to get over that river of flames? My webs won't be able to stand the heat and I wouldn't trust either of you to carry me." Arachnid asked.
"That is an interesting point he brings up." Enchanter added.
"How about we fly over?" Toy Maker suggested.
"Come again?" Arachnid asked.
"In my travels in the old world - I came across these." Toy Maker stated as three flying carpets appeared before him.
"Flying carpets? You must be joking." Enchanter replied.
"You have a better idea?' Toy Maker retorted.
"Fine - so how do we work these things?" Arachnid asked intolerantly.
"Just get on it. Focus your power into it - and it will take you where we have to go." Toy Maker replied. he hopped on and focused his mana into the artifact. Enchanter, Markys and Arachnid watched as the carpet hovered up.
"It's easy - try." Toy Maker suggested.
"How do we know you won't pull the carpet out from under us?" Enchanter asked seriously.
"I give you my word." Toy Maker replied as he flew up and over the river of flames. The remaining travelers looked at each other.
"He trustable?" Markys asked.
"He doesn't strike me as the dubious type. Hop on Markys." Enchanter replied. Arachnid watched as the two hopped onto one of the remaining carpets. Enchanter focused his mana into the artifact. Both he and Markys were a little shaken when it began to rise - but in a matter of moments - Enchanter had the hang of it. He hovered a few feet away from Arachnid and motioned for him to try.
"It could be a trap." He stated.
"Go or stay - the choice is yours. But I doubt what you seek is over here. We'll be on the other side if you change your mind." Enchanter replied. Arachnid watched as the two went up and over the wall of flames. he grumbled to himself. If it was a trick and Toy Maker did betray him while over the flames - there would be precious little he would be able to do to save himself.
"If you are lying..." he muttered. he hopped onto the carpet and focused his mana into it. It jerked up but within a few seconds - he had it under control. He looked at the wall of flames and thought about going over it. The carpet went up and began to go over. Once he was sure he was over. He hopped up and shot a web out at the nearest branch. He then swung safely to the other side.
"For your records - spider wizard - I don't lie." Toy Maker stated coolly. Arachnid looked over and saw the flying carpet land beside where Enchanter had landed. With a wave of Toy Maker's hand - all of the flying carpets vanished.
"Try not to take it too personally." Arachnid sarcastically remarked.
"How much longer must we muck about in this wretched swamp?' Toy Maker asked seriously.
"Not much longer. we are almost at the Lithian Channel." Markys answered.
"Lithian? What kind of stupid name is that?" Enchanter asked.
"Lithian is a big sea dragon." Markys answered.
"A sea dragon?" Toy Maker repeated.
"A - big sea dragon?" Arachnid added.
"Very big - very angry - very string." Markys answered. Arachnid shook his head in disbelief. It was then that he noticed something from the corner of his eye. He looked over at a tree branch and saw a rare looking spider web.
"Well, what have we here Nibbles?" Arachnid asked.
"It's a spider web. We're in a swamp. Huge discovery Arachnid." Toy maker answered.
"My, my Nibbles. You sound just like an old bitter artificer. I'll have to get you some medication when we get back." Arachnid sarcastically remarked. He gracefully touched the web and looked in awe as a tiny spider no bigger than his thumbnail made its way down the web and onto his hand.
"I know what it was - I was more interested in who made it." He added.
"A tiny spider - kind of punt looking - but whatever gets you going." Enchanter goaded with a smile.
"I know that she might not look like much - but she is very special." Arachnid began as he placed his hand by the web - the spider hopped back onto its web and scurried back to wait for her next meal.
"Okay - I'll bite. Why is that spider so special?" Toy Maker asked.
"Simple - her bite - is so potent that it kills. A very precious treasure she is. If I didn't require you three - I would opt for a demonstration - but as it stands..." Arachnid retorted with a scowl.
"Hmm. Big deal." Toy Maker replied.
"What's its name?" Enchanter asked.
"The Black Widow. She earned that name for her - unusual mating practice." Arachnid began.
"You got my attention." Enchanter commented.
"After she mates - she devours the male." He replied.
"Ouch. Glad humans don't follow that practice." Enchanter remarked as he and Markys began to walk down the path before them.
"You coming or staying spider?" Toy Maker asked as he followed the other two.
"I'm coming. Don't rush me." Arachnid retorted as he traced his mark before the web. His glyph burned black in the air and then vanished.
"There - now should I have need of you - I have but to call. Until we meet again." Arachnid said politely as he hurried to catch up with the others. Within moments he had caught up with them and the end of the swamp was in sight.
"Hmm. We almost out of stinky swamp." Markys stated.
"The child has a keen grasp of the obvious." Arachnid commented.
"As you have both so eloquently pointed out - she is not a child." Enchanter retorted with a scowl.
"Getting a little defensive aren't we?" Toy Maker asked curiously.
"She is our guide through this dangerous place and deserves a little more respect than what is registering from both of you. Nothing more - nothing less." Enchanter replied coolly.
"Yeah!" Markys replied as she stuck her tongue out at Toy maker.
"My respect - is earned - not given. And thus far she has done little to earn my trust. So far - she has removed our only means of escape from this place and forced us to undertake this adventure together - what so far has she done to inspire trust?" Toy Maker asked coldly.
"Would you prefer to go on ahead without her?" Enchanter retorted with equal intensity.
"As much as I would love to see the two of you kill each other - it is unproductive. Play on your own time - that being once I've found what I am after." Arachnid interrupted. The two wizards continued to glare at each other.
"I know of your legacy for destruction Toy Maker - it doesn't scare me." Enchanter stated.
"It didn't scare those people at the time either - think about that." Toy Maker concluded as he walked passed Enchanter and glared at Markys.
"I'm not done." Enchanter stated. Toy Maker slowly turned. Mana began to spiral around him. unknown to him - the water in the distance began to churn.
"Uh-oh trouble." Markys muttered. Arachnid slowly looked over and saw the distant activity.
"Whatever that is - it looks big." He muttered to himself.
"If you want to test me - I assure you Enchanter - it will not be as it was when we first met - this time 0 I will take it seriously." He warned. Blue and green mana spiraled around Enchanter.
"Ask me if I care." He retorted seriously.
"Trouble..." Markys muttered as she tugged on Enchanter's sleeve. In the distance a large serpent-like dragon flew up from the water and began to fly towards the distracted wizards.
"Guys?" Arachnid stated calmly.
"What?" Enchanter and Toy Maker demanded together. Arachnid pointed behind them.
"Lithian..." Markys whispered. Toy Maker and Enchanter slowly looked over their shoulder and saw the giant dragon that was towering over them.
"That is a big dragon." Toy Maker admitted calmly as his mana began to fizzle away.
"Who - dares - trespass - in my domain?" the dragon hissed.
"Big - talking dragon."  Enchanter added. His mana fizzled away as they all looked at the angry dragon.
"Big - angry - talking dragon!" Lithian hissed as it's huge eyes glowed bright green.
To be continued...
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