| A longing deep inside him seemed to make Brendan urge more and more to reach Vecrive. He could feel the clouds coming and spotted them blotting out the stars that watched them from above. The wind whipped through the trees and blew their cloaks back from their faces. �I thought Lemmins said to only travel during the day.� Thetric shivered as he trudged after Trek. �Well, if we want to reach Vecrive by morning, we shall have to travel by the moon.� Trek responded as they all continued to travel through the wood. An owl called and they all could hear a snake slither through the grass. Then, it began to rain. The rain was cold against their skin. The wind whipping the rain onto their skin felt like needles in the cold as a rustling grew behind them. A type of breathing emitted from the bushes and trees. �Trek,� Brendan gazed fearfully about them, �what was that?� �What was what?� Trek stopped and gazed back at Brendan. �What�s going on, Brendan?� �Hush.� Brendan swallowed a deep breath and turned toward the trees behind them. �Don�t you hear the trees?� Thetric stepped toward him. �What is it you hear?� Brendan opened his mouth to answer but Trek cut him off. �Breathing.� He gazed toward Thetric. �Don�t you hear it?� Thetric paused and gazed up at the canopy high above. Trek and Brendan also stared to the leaves. A breathing was in fact there; actually, it seemed to echo throughout the entire wood. The trees seemed to sway with the noise and even the creatures that inhabited the wood seemed to stop and listen. Even the wind seemed to halt its wandering to stared about the trees. A rustling grew and echoed all around them. Suddenly, a small green leaf slowly began to float down to them from the canopy above. �Run!� Trek hollered above the now growing wind. �Head North to Vecrive!� In an instant, Brendan, Thetric, and Trek ran hastily through the tangled vines and bushed to Vecrive. A terrible ripping came from behind them and then, a deafening growl. Intense fear gripped Trek as they all ran from the beast but curiosity caused him to gaze back to see what was chasing them. He muffled a scream as he caught a glimpse of the creature as it burst through a bush. �A Golbat!� Trek warned Brendan and Thetric as he caught sight of the giant mold wolf with its twigs and leaves swaying rapidly in the air. �A Golleth spy!� Brendan pushed himself harder as the rustling behind them grew louder. He could hear Thetric�s heavy breathing beside him and Trek�s shuffling feet behind them. They all knew of the Golbats; the woodland, night-crawling spies of the Golleths. Designed to blend into the wood, the Golbats looked like a gathering of mold with twigs and leaves protruding from their bodies. Known to be the deadliest of any of the woodland minions, the Golbats had kept the forest clear for seasons upon seasons. Brendan�s breath quickened and his fear heightened as he pictured the long claws and sharp teeth of the moss wolf. He knew the creature was gaining just from the way the leaves crunched behind them. �Hurry, Trek!� Thetric shouted as he realized that Trek still lagged far behind. �Run faster!� Suddenly, a scream rocked the trees and the crunching of leaves behind them stopped. Brendan and Thetric stopped and turned just to see the Golbat grasping Trek in its clammy paw. �Trek!� Brendan yelled as he ran toward the mold wolf. The adrenaline seemed to build up inside of him as he got closer and closer to the fiend. He could hear Thetric also rush toward their friend who struggled to escape the creature�s grasp. �We�re coming, Trek!� Trek stared fearfully at the Golbat as he struggled to pull his arms from its grasp. The rocky eyes of the minion stared evilly back at him as he struggled harder against its reeking paw. �You must free my arm!� Trek yelled down to Brendan and Thetric who now pummeled rocks at the Golbat. Brendan and Thetric glanced briefly at each other and then hurled rocks at the creature�s face. �I can kill it but you must free my arm!� The stones seemed to bounce off of its body as though it were made of steel. Even when a rock broke one of the twigs on the minion�s back, the creature never flinched nor released their dear friend. The mortal fear of Trek dying seemed to drive Brendan and Thetric into frenzy to save him. In a last ditch effort to force the Golbat to release Trek, Brendan threw a large stone at the creature�s face. They all watched as the rock hit its eye and the minion dropped Trek to the soft, leaf-covered earth. The Golbat howled an immortal scream as it reached for its injured eye. Almost in awe, Brendan Thetric, and Trek stared up at the wolf�s wide, terrified eyes. Instantly, the creature lunged toward them swiftly and a deep growl escaped its throat. �Run!� A cry erupted from Brendan�s throat. Trek scrambled to his feet and rose his arms above his head. �Licaria!� He shouted and a burst of red flame shot toward the creature. A howl of pain erupted through the wood as the Golbat began to burn. Brendan, Thetric, and Trek could hear the popping of burning leaves and twigs from behind them as the fiend quickly turned to only ashes on the forest ground. The wind blew harshly again as though trying to force them back to the beast. Brendan already feared the trip he knew was coming. He had overheard Lemmins talking to Thetric about the journey and it had set him into and uncomfortable state. What does he know? Brendan thought as the three rushed through the trees. What is it Lemmins is hiding from us? Suddenly, the trees split to reveal a village in a clearing. A giant castle-like building rose high into the sky and was surrounded by small wooden shacks. A wooden wall encircled the settlement and had only a door-sized opening. Some of the wooden planks that made the rickety fence were rotted and some had fallen to the ground. The fierce wind that suddenly squalled made some of them rattle and shake violently. A wooden sign arched above the door. �Vecrive.� Brendan read aloud as they all walked toward the gate. Brendan looked around for Lemmins�s horse but did not see it. �I wonder why Lemmins has not yet arrived.� �Maybe he had to make a short stop along the way.� Trek replied as they entered the settlement. �Why would he do that?� Brendan raised a hand in gesture. �He said he�d meet us.� �I do not know, Brendan, but there has to be a reason he�s not arrived.� �I just hope nothing went wrong.� Slowly and cautiously, they walked toward the nearest building and read the sign, The Bright Season Pub, as Trek banged on the flimsy door. There were a lot of voices and shuffling sounds coming from inside the building. The door suddenly opened and a large man walked out. �Hello, boys.� The man spoke as he moved so Brendan, Trek, and Thetric could enter. �Don�t believe I�ve ever seen you in here before. Where you from?� The man that stood in front of the group looked fairly odd in their eyes. With his protruding stomach and happy grin, the man was not the type of Synthian they had ever seen in the valley before. His eyes were dark green and bore light yellow swirls within their depths. Brendan and Thetric gazed toward Trek who also stared oddly at the obtuse man. �We�ve traveled long from Soir Vert.� Trek spoke lightly to the man. �Soir Vert, eh? Why, that is quite a ways.� He scratched the stubble on his chin as he still stared at the odd group. �What business ye have in Vecrive?� �We�ve come of free will.� Trek snapped. �We must meet an old friend. What business there is for us is our own.� �I meant no offense, lad.� He gestured as he spoke. �Might I ask the name of your friend?� �His name is Lemmins, sir. First name long forgotten to us.� Brendan blurted out. �He was our magician.� �Lemmins? He�s a frequent visitor here.� The man hesitated as he stared down at them. �Haven�t seen him since last season.� Brendan�s eyes grew wide as the man spoke. �Perhaps you should have a drink whilst you wait.� The foul stench of rum and other drink invaded their nostrils as soon as the boys entered the wooden shack. The room, filed with tables covered in drink and with men, seemed old and tattered and the air was filled with the stench from the heavy smoke of pipes as the men smoked pipe-weed that made thick smoke clouds. The tables were crowded and covered with full and empty glasses. At one such table, two men arm-wrestled ruthlessly as on-lookers watched. �Wow.� Thetric whispered as he, Trek, and Brendan all sat at a table. �Yes, Thetric,� Trek spoke with a disgusting look spread across his face, �marvel at the massive minions.� �What?� Thetric stared oddly at Trek. �What did you say?� Trek returned Thetric�s gaze. �That�s what my father used to say to me; �marvel at the massive minions, Trek. This will be your future because you are nothing.�� Trek bowed his head. �Was that not a little harsh?� �He was always harsh.� Trek stared at Brendan who also had a strange look upon his face. �That�s why I left. That�s why I joined Lemmins as an apprentice; to get as far away from my father as I could.� Suddenly, Trek noticed Thetric and Brendan�s weary faces. �Perhaps we should rest.� Many of the befuddled men stared at them as the boys silently sat and gazed about the room. Suddenly, a man walked up to the table with three glasses of drink. �Armon told me you boys were looking for Lemmins.� He set the glasses down on the small, round wooden table. �Ain�t been here in a season.� �Armon?� Thetric took a small sip out of the chalice. �Armon is the man that answered the door. He�s top man around these parts.� �And who might you be, my good man?� Trek stared. �Oh, my pardons, sir. My name is Toren Cultry. I�m the so-called waiter here.� Toren chuckled and sat in the empty chair between Brendan and Trek. �Y�know, boys. Last time Lemmins was in here, he kept mumbling something about an eye. He seemed worried, he was. You wouldn�t happen to know what it was he was stressing about, eh?� Trek, Brendan, and Thetric all stared at one another. The fact was, they did know. Those three souls knew the secret confines of Lemmins�s troubles but, alas, a word could not be uttered. Trek slightly shook his head as he gazed back at Toren. �No.� Brendan responded as he took a deep breath. �We don�t have any idea.� He could feel the gold against his chest slowly begin to warm. �Well,� Toren stood, �just thought you boys might know.� He slowly strode toward the bar. �Hey, Trek.� Brendan pulled the necklace out from underneath his shirt. �This thing�s really beginning to get hot.� He unclasped it and placed it upon the table. �Wow.� Thetric voiced as they all stared at the glowing red pendant. �Now there�s a sight to see.� The golden figure seemed to glow more and more each second until a small puff of purple light escaped from the farthest hole to the bottom right of the Eye. Then, it seemed as though everything was normal and the pendant stopped glowing except now there was a slight purple film covering the first hole on the bottom right. An odd feeling swept over Brendan as he stared down at the golden pendant. What�s going on? He asked himself as the gentle whispers echoed around him again. The other men in the structure seemed to stared at them as though they too could hear the voices. The uneasiness inside of him seemed to grow greater. �What do you supposed happened, Trek?� Thetric slowly reached for the Eye. �I have no idea.� Trek stared as Thetric examined the pendant. �Lemmins would if he was only here.� Brendan bowed his head. �Well, he�s not here, is he, Brendan?� Thetric scolded as he seemed to glare at Brendan. �He can�t tell us because he hasn�t arrived. We�ll just have to figure it out on our own, now won�t we?� �I can tell you what happened.� A soft � almost familiar - voice spoke from behind Brendan. They all stared at the woman with long red hair and emerald green eyes hovering there. She wore tattered clothes and a hint of sheer green wings could be seen from beneath her dark, thin jacket. Her pale skin and intent gaze almost seemed to hypnotize Brendan. �Who might you be, miss? And what are you doing in a place like this?� Trek eyed her suspiciously. �My name is Penelopie Reznik.� She paused. �And, like I said before, I can tell you what it is you saw.� �What was it?� Brendan asked as he stared into her eyes. There was something familiar in their depths. �Brendan, we don�t even know if we can trust this woman.� Trek scolded. �Okay.� Penelopie sat next to Trek in an empty chair. �You all are from Soir Vert and traveled here through the wood while your friend, Lemmins, rode horse-back. On the way, you almost got captured by Golleths but only escaped because Trek here chanted a spell to make your person blend with the trees. Also, a minion attacked you and you barely escaped with your lives. When you reached Vecrive, Armon let you inside and bought each of you a drink. Then, you had a conversation about Lemmins with Toren. Now, you sit here wondering empty thoughts.� �How do you know all of this?� Thetric asked, shocked. Penelopie gazed toward him. �My mother was a Faerie.� She grabbed the necklace from his hand. �And my father was a magician like Lemmins. So, I know lots of things I shouldn�t.� �Then, tell us what happened.� Trek demanded. �Your necklace here isn�t a necklace at all. It�s really a map to a �settlement in the clouds.� Perhaps you�ve heard of it; Flottantville. What you boys witnessed was the first part of the map becoming reality.� She pointed to the hole covered with the purple film. �You see this gathering of light, here? Well, it�s really an image. If you look through the hole, you can see the next part of your journey � where you must go next.� Penelopie gazed down at the golden piece. Soft whispering flooded her ears as the pendant almost seemed to glow once again. �I can feel the evil pulsating through it, though.� She handed it to Brendan. �There is a lot of passion there.� Brendan took a deep breath and slowly raised the pendant to his eye. A flood of blue, green, and purple washed past his eyes. He could see a river surrounded by trees. The river emptied into a lake with a giant statue towering within the center. The stone figure showed a giant dragon curled and protecting and image of a forest with a river and lake. Inside of the forest image was a smaller statue of the one surrounding it. Brendan slowly lowered the necklace and gazed at Penelopie. �Tell us what it is you saw.� Penelopie whispered as she leaned toward Brendan. �Forbidden Dragon Mir.� Brendan gently clasped the necklace back around his neck. �Well,� Penelopie stood, �let�s get going. It�s a day�s ride to the Mir from here.� �What do you mean?� Thetric shrunk back into his chair. �Are we talking about going?� Thetric stared at Penelopie with frightened eyes. �Isn�t it dangerous?� �The only way,� Trek rose out of his chair, �to end this horrible nightmare is to find Flottantville and destroy the tower therein.� Thetric sighed as he and Brendan stood. They all followed Penelopie out of the shack and into the streets of Vecrive. �Wait.� Thetric stopped and gazed at Penelopie. �What do you mean �ride?�� �Oh,� Penelopie gazed back at him, �I own a small horse ranch just north of here.� She hesitated as they all walked toward a narrow trail through the wood. �We�ll have to take the long way because the Golleths will be watching the other route.� An owl called from somewhere as they walked slowly through the thickening trees. *** A group of dark-clad riders stood in the center of the burning village. Long ago, the screams had stopped and only the sound of popping wood could be heard. A hooded figure stood outside of a solitary burning house. �Selphar,� Phelchan rode up beside him, �we have word that they are heading north of Vecrive, sir.� Selphar grinned evilly as he watched the smoke rise from the flames. The blaze danced around the burning huts and trees of the valley. The thick clouds of smoke rose into the star-speckled night sky as the inferno still burned. �Good work, Phelchan.� Selphar smirked. Suddenly, Kean burst out of Mallowry�s burning house. �Don�t let him get away!� Selphar hollered as Phelchan and Turzer gave chase. Kean gasped for air as he ran north. He could hear Phelchan and Turzer chasing him on their night steeds. Faster. Kean thought. I must reach the border. Kean pushed himself harder as the thin wires came into view. He leapt over the thin lines. He took a couple of steps, turned, and watched as the Golleths sped their horses faster and ran into the cables. The Golleths and their horses fell to the soil. Kean chuckled and proceeded to run toward Vecrive. *** Penelopie slowly pushed the metal door open and it creaked loudly as she, Thetric, Trek, and Brendan entered the old barn. They walked down the small, musty corridor that was lined with stalls. The barn was silent except for the echoing sound of their scuffing feet along the dirt. Suddenly, they stopped in front of two stalls side-by-side. �These are my best mares.� Penelopie pressed a button and the two doors creaked slowly open. �If you treat them right, they�ll take you wherever you desire them to.� Four giant steeds stepped out of the two stalls. The first was white and resembled Lemmins�s stallion fairly well. The next was gray with a white mane, light gray tail, and a small white spot on the right side of its front left leg. Following the gray steed was a black stallion with a black mane and tail and a white diamond in between its eyes. Lastly was yet another white mare that possessed a gray mane and tail and had three small black stripes on the right side of its face. �Take the black one, Brendan, he�s the fastest one I�ve got. You two can debate between the gray and white one.� Penelopie walked toward the last steed. �I�m taking Sertha.� Brendan obediently climbed onto the top of the black mare as Trek climbed onto the gray one and Thetric climbed onto the white one. �They like to be called by their names so, Brendan, you have Moonlight. Trek, you have Therton. Thetric, you have Cohort.� Cohort neighed and stamped a foot as Penelopie spoke his name. Slowly, Brendan, Trek, Penelopie, and Thetric rode their horses out of the open door of the barn. As they exited the structure, the wind almost forced the boys off of their horses and the rain still felt like needles against their faces. �Well,� Penelopie stopped Sertha outside of the door, �are we all set to travel?� Trek, Brendan, and Thetric slightly nodded at one another as they regained their seating. �All right.� Penelopie pushed her horse and it began trotting. �Wait!� Another voice echoed from the wood. �Kean?� Brendan inched Moonlight toward the trees as he recognized the voice. �You cannot go south.� Kean emerged from the wood and stopped running in front of Brendan. He gasped for breath. �Why not?� Penelopie stared intently at Kean. �Somehow the Golleths know you�re here.� He motioned in the direction of Soir Vert. �They�re coming after you.� �But,� Thetric added, �how?� �I don�t know but they�re on their way here. You cannot go south.� �Well,� Penelopie grabbed Kean�s arm and hoisted him behind her on Sertha�s back, �luckily, Forbidden Dragon Mir is to the east. But, we must hurry if we wish to stay ahead of the Golleths before the sun comes.� With all five of them on a horse, the group rode into the eastern wood. An owl called from the depths of the southern trees as they rode away and disappeared into the darkened wood. The ride was long and tiresome to the small group of four. To the group, the forest seemed to stretch on and on, once and a while they felt as if they were going in circles. Every turn and every tree seemed the same as the last. The only thing that changed was the wind and rain. Never a constant, the weather was what kept the boys from falling asleep on the horses� backs. Only Penelopie seemed to take the trip with stride. Only when the trees began to thin did the group realize they were closer to the Mir. When the birds quit calling and the wind stopped blowing, the group knew that there was only a short distance left to ride. When they saw the trees end and an extensive valley stretch out before them, they stopped their horses to stare uneasily out past the grass. �Penelopie,� Thetric spoke as they all stopped their horses at the edge of the forest, �do we really have to go through there?� They all gazed out past the trees and towards the long, open stretch of valley that lie before them. �Unless you would rather take three more days to reach the Mir.� Penelopie inched Sertha into the openness of the valley. The sun shown brightly upon them as Trek, Brendan, Thetric, Kean, and Penelopie rode into the lowland. There were but few trees in the valley. �This is quite unsettling.� Brendan whispered as they galloped across the land. �What valley is this?� �This is the Forgotten Valley.� Thetric paused. �Not many people travel here because they dare not.� �Why is that?� Brendan stared. �What keeps them all away?� �Well, this is the entrance to Forbidden Dragon Mir. Most are scared of the Mir.� �Why?� �They believe the dragon that once made this valley forbidden still lurks even after they witnessed his fall from the Golleths.� �What happened here, Trek?� �Well, for many years, the dragon Diego guarded the Mir and valley. The Golleths tried to force their way past Diego but never prevailed. Legend has it that the statue in the lake is Diego himself; that there used to be only a statue of a forest there. It also goes on to say that the Golleths had a poisonous mix that they coated their arrows with. This poison would turn anything it pierced to complete stone. They fired at Diego in a fierce battle and it hit. Diego then lowered himself to the statue, hardened, and is forever protecting the Mir. Even in death, his will is still strong.� �Wow.� The valley narrowed suddenly. Thetric and Brendan stared straight ahead. As the group grew nearer to the Mir, a giant, dead tree came into view. They halted just in front of the dying timber. Letters, dark and black, were burned into its base. In the center of the wood was a giant laceration just big enough for a man and a horse to fit through. �Forbidden Dragon Mir.� Trek read aloud. Penelopie pushed Sertha forward. The horse whined softly. �We�ll have to pass through one at time. Trek, you go first. Then Brendan, Thetric, and I shall follow.� Trek took a deep breath and slowly rode through the opening. He was followed abruptly by Brendan, Thetric, and Penelopie who was accompanied by Kean. As they all stood on the other side of the oak, they stared at the immense statue of Diego in the lake to their right. Two small boats floated in front of them. �Why would there be boats here?� Trek climbed off of Therton�s back and walked toward the floating objects. He gazed down at the engraving of two trees on both sides of a setting sun. �They all have the seal of Soir Vert.� Penelopie, Kean, Brendan, and Thetric all lowered off of their horses and walked towards Trek. �They will wait until we return.� Penelopie climbed into the first boat. �Return?� Thetric was confused. �Of course, we must be near the statue in order to receive the next step of our journey.� Brendan sighed as he, Trek, Thetric, and Kean all climbed into the flimsy boats. Kean picked up the oars inside the boat he, Brendan, and Penelopie embarked while Trek grabbed the oars inside the boat that he and Thetric shared. Slowly, both the boats began to move toward the statue as Kean and Trek gently paddled. The water was eerily still as they all approached the giant form. Not a ripple stirred and the fish seemed to scatter from the giant, marble statue. �Is it just me or,� Kean hesitated as they all stared into the eyes of the sculpture, �is it a little too quiet for a mir?� The sculpture almost seemed to stare back at them and they drew closer and closer to it. �I hate to say this but,� Penelopie replied as they docked the boats at the foot of the structure and she stepped upon the stone, �I feel that you are right.� She faced Brendan and stuck out her pale hand. �Let me have the Eye.� Brendan unclasped the golden chain and placed it in her slightly cupped hand. As Penelopie held the necklace, it vibrated rapidly. Suddenly, the ground also began to tremble. �That�s strange.� Penelopie whispered as she gazed down at the pendant. A flash of blue and white light shot from the second hole on the right of the Eye. The light grew and grew until it was almost blinding. They all closed their eyes to block out the intense glow. A roar suddenly erupted from the light. Trek, Brendan, Kean, Thetric, and Penelopie all opened their eyes as the light began to gently fade. They all stared in fright at Diego. �Was there something you forgot to mention in your story, Thetric?� Brendan yelled as they all jumped back into the boats and Trek and Kean paddled furiously toward the tree where they had entered. They could hear chunks of stone crash into the water behind them. Once, Thetric glanced behind them and screamed in sheer terror. Then, they all turned to see what followed. Diego was no longer a statue but in full flesh and scales. He flapped his giant blue wings and rose swiftly into the dense air. �Paddle faster!� Thetric yelled as he stared up at the giant dragon. Trek and Kean obeyed immediately. The boats exited the lake and entered the narrow river. Diego bolted toward the two small vessels and roared as he lowered himself to them. His eyes glowed an evil red as he opened his white and blue mouth and nipped brutally at the boats. Diego�s tooth hit the back of the boat carrying Trek and Thetric just as it docked by the horses. Thetric screamed as he was launched out of the vessel and splashed into the cold river. �Thetric!� Brendan yelled as he jumped out of the craft and climbed onto Moonlight�s back. Moonlight galloped down the bank as Brendan watched Thetric struggle against the waves that had formed from the dragon splashing through the water. As Brendan grew ever closer, he could hear Diego roar once again and chase after him. Brendan grabbed Thetric�s wrist when he floated close to shore and pulled him out. Brendan placed Thetric in front of him on the horse�s back. Brendan turned Moonlight back toward the others and galloped quickly toward them. Penelopie and Trek climbed onto their horses as Kean climbed onto Cohort. They galloped hastily through the opening in the tree as Brendan followed close behind. Diego roared at them as they rode through the valley. An owl screeched as they reentered the forest. Holding their curved swords high, the Golleths stormed Vecrive and entered The Bright Season Pub. The men inside tried to escape but the Golleths blocked the doors and held them all captive. As Phelchan and Turzer held Armon, Selphar calmly entered. Armon struggled as Selphar approached him. �Hello, Armon.� Selphar gazed around the room. �I�m looking for three boys who might have visited here last night. Have you seen them?� �A lot of people come in here.� Armon gasped. �Don�t expect me to keep up with every one I see, my lord.� �These boys are from Soir Vert.� Selphar glared evilly as he rose his short sword dubbed Zaldrich. �I remember them. Came in out of the rain. They was looking for Lemmins.� Selphar grabbed a chair and sat in front of Armon. �Anything else you wish to say?� �Yes. They started speaking about a necklace and soon, a lady approached their table. Couldn�t quite hear what was being said but she left with them." �Perfect.� Selphar stood. �Do you happen to know where they were headed?� ��Fraid not.� Phelchan and Turzer stood Armon. Suddenly, a brown owl with black spots flew into the building. It landed beside Selphar and a thin white smoke surrounded it. Then, it transformed from an owl into a Golleth and the smoke slowly faded. �Sir, the Guardian and his group are headed toward the west.� The Golleth glanced at Selphar. �Good work, Latroth.� Selphar walked toward the door. �They just left Forbidden Dragon Mir.� Latroth watched Selphar as he walked. �What?� Selphar stopped and turned back toward Latroth. �Also, Diego has escaped. The Eye awoke him, sir.� �Well,� Selphar gazed downward and then looked back up, �ready another barb.� �Yes, sir.� Latroth slowly converted back into the owl and flew back into the wild. Turzer gazed at Selphar as he walked toward the door again. �What do you wish us to do, sir?� �You may accompany me whilst Phelchan and the others seal the settlement.� Phelchan released Armon�s arm and stepped toward Selphar. �What shall we do here?� �Burn it and slay them all.� Selphar exited the building. *** Brendan picked a nearby pinder-flower as Penelopie tied the horses� reins to a tree limb. A gentle breeze blew through the grass and flourishing flowers. Kean, Thetric, and Trek all sat slowly underneath the wood. Brendan stared intently at the flower. �How do you think Diego came back?� Brendan stared down at the red petals of the pinder-flower he held. �I mean, what happened?� Penelopie watched Brendan as he sat next to a large patch of pinder-flowers. �It didn�t come about until we saw the light. Maybe,� she hesitated, �maybe Diego was supposed to come back when someone with the map arrived.� �Maybe you�re right but,� Brendan stared up at her and shrugged, �Diego almost killed Thetric. Are we all sure we wish to continue this quest?� �Of course we do. If we don�t destroy the tower on Flottantville, we�ll have to run from those monsters forever.� Trek stared oddly at Brendan. Brendan sighed and slowly raised the golden luster to his eye. Another wave of light flooded past his eves but this time, it was only blue and black. Suddenly, a picture of a bright blue sky came into view. The scene lowered to reveal a hill of brown grass and dead flowers. Slowly, Brendan lowered the locket and sighed. �Well?� Kean approached Brendan who still held the pinder-flower in hand. Brendan sighed again as he stared down at the now dead pinder-flower in his hand. �We must travel to Dead Tree on Black Hill.� �Whoever made this map,� Thetric stared as he rose, �sure didn�t want anyone to find Flottantville.� �Why do you say that?� Kean gazed at Thetric who approached him. �Well, whoever touches the tree on Black Hill dies.� The group stared frightfully at Thetric and the air was eerily quiet as they all stood and untied the horses. Slowly, they all climbed back onto their horses� saddles. Brendan gazed in the direction of Soir Vert. He let out a long, hopeful sigh and galloped with Penelopie, Trek, Thetric, and Kean toward Black Hill in the southwest. |
| * Two * �Me las sheton su prend lata su ethrea; ba con dali qu twen e poure groc e thethslia con dali de lut ville. Tu qint conne thetsd beda.� |
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| RATE ME!!! |
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