A Dragon's Tale Ch. 12

They walked to one end, where Gabriella stopped and looked around on the ground. "I know it's here somewhere... ah, there it is." The luminous woman reached down and pulled a short piece of a wood from the sand. It was about a foot long and looked like it had once been part of a spear shaft.

"Now, we need to bury this in the sand." Gabriella said.

Beth groaned as she realized how long it would take her to move enough sand to bury the stick. Given her experience with the book, she expected it would take a few days.

"Don't worry, I'll help you." Gabriella said. She walked over to what seemed to be a very specific spot in The Arena before stopping. "We'll bury it here, with only an inch sticking above the sand."

"Hmm." Beth mused as a thought struck her. "What would happen if I didn't help?" She then added hastily. "I'm going to, I'm just curious."

"There would be..." The luminous woman paused, possibly for effect. "...grave consequences. But that is always your decision. My Lord would prefer that you help, but you are always free to ignore Him. Just know that disobedience always has consequences."

"Always?" The blonde teen asked.

"Always." She nodded.

"Okay, well I'm definitely going to help." Beth said resolutely.

"Good. Now, we need to start digging right..." She paused and cocked her head to one side as if listening to something Beth could hear. "...here." She indicated a spot in the sand, and they got to work.

Beth did her very best to help, but really couldn't move very much sand with just two fingers. If she used any more, she would lose concentration and her fingers would pass right through the sand she was trying to move.

Gabriella on the other hand was far more efficient. After using the stick to break up the slightly compacted sand on the top, she used both hands to pull large amounts of sand out quickly. After only a few minutes, they had a hole almost as deep as the bit of spear shaft was tall.

Gabriella placed the stick in the hole, then turned to Beth. "Now, I need you to put a finger on top of this to keep it in place while I fill in the hole."

"But what happens when I lose concentration and it falls?"

"Then we'll fix it and try again." The luminous woman said kindly. "Don't worry; it's more important that the stick ends up on the right place than that it gets there quickly."

Beth cocked her head to one side. "You're talking about more than just this stick, aren't you?"

Gabriella gave her a mischievous smile then nodded towards the top of the stick, which she was holding in the center of the hole. Beth screwed up her concentration to make the tip of one finger solid, then rested it on the top of the stick. Immediately, Gabriella started pushing the sand they'd excavated back into the hole.

Beth was able to keep her one fingertip solid for several seconds, which was long enough that when she lost concentration, the stick stayed roughly in place.

Gabriella adjusted its position slightly. "Hold it for just a moment longer, and then we'll be nearly done."

Beth took a deep breath, concentrated on making her finger solid, and then touched the top of the stick again to hold it in place. The other woman pushed most of the rest of the sand into the hole by the time Beth lost her concentration.

"Perfect." Gabriella said, then stood up and started tamping the earth down with her foot. After a minute, the earth looked just as it had before, except for the small bit of spear shaft that poked up about an inch. She then brushed some sand around where it stuck up so it was easy to miss.

"And we're done." Gabriella said with a smile.

"That's it?"

"That's it." She confirmed. "Now, we have just one more stop before I must leave you."

"Where are you going?"

"Ah young one. No one is ever told someone else's story. I've enjoyed spending time with you immensely. I've met many of Illuminar's daughters in my travels, and you are truly among the most delightful of them."

"Thank you." Beth smiled and blushed slightly. She had always liked the title of "Illuminar's daughter" for women who followed Him. The Book of Light used it and she found it comforting for some reason.

"There's one last thing before we take our last trip together." Gabriella said. "I asked my Lord if I could share something with you."

"You did?" Beth's mouth fell open at the incredibly tight-lipped woman actually going out of her way to volunteer information.

"I did and He said I could." She nodded. "I thought you might like to know why you could barely feel Ethan's emotions, even after being bonded to him for two weeks, while Alana could after less than a week."

Beth felt her heart soar, then a lump form in her throat. What if the problem was her? What if it was something she'd done, or hadn't done?

"Can you think of anything you've seen lately that might explain it?" Gabriella hinted. "Something powerful enough to interfere with a dragon's bond?"

"Oh!" Beth said as it hit her; why hadn't she thought of that before! "Was it the curse? That dark halo that we got rid of?"

"Well done." Gabriella beamed. "It couldn't break your bond, but it did dramatically slow down how quickly it strengthened."

The human teen breathed a sigh of relief. "So, I'll be able to bond properly with Ethan when I'm alive again?"

"You will, and it will be wonderful. The bond isn't fully finalized until the bonded couple shares a bed, and the curse interfered with that final bonding moment between you two. Next time, you'll not only have the physical pleasure, but you'll also fully and truly bond to your husband."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Yes, and it will be like nothing you've ever felt. But for now, it' time to go. There's one last place you need to be."

"Will I see Ethan there?" Beth asked.

Gabriella smiled, but didn't answer her question. "Come, we have one last trip together."

* * *

Hailey felt a little better.

Not a lot better, but the immense knot in the pit of her stomach had loosened somewhat. She was still haunted by the champion's eyes and they still didn't leave her whether her eyes were open or closed. However, the effect was slightly muted.

Talking about it the previous night had helped, though certainly not completely. She hadn't touched the dry crust of bread or the pail of muddy water they'd given her. Instead, she opted for sitting on the cold stone floor of her cell, her back resting against the equally cold stone wall, staring at the opposite wall.

She had finally killed him, so why didn't she feel better?

She thought that killing him would deaden the pain of missing Jason or the loss of her baby. It didn't. Vengeance was hers and she had repaid him for his sins, but it didn't help.

Quite the opposite in fact.

Her reverie was broken by the sound of the prison cell door's lock sliding open. Alana, Rachel, and Ethan -- the latter with his disguise gem activated -- stood there, all with conflicted expressions. She stood up trying to think of something to say, but Ethan beat her to the punch.

"We have a problem Hailey. Do you know what it is?"

"No." She shook her head.

"You're still officially a slave, and that makes your owner -- me -- responsible for your actions."

"Oh." Was all she could think to say.

She hadn't thought about that when she'd left to kill the bastard. They had been so nice to her and now she'd gotten them in so much trouble. The knot in the pit of her stomach clenched tighter and she felt like she was going to throw up. Her throat suddenly felt tight and she could feel herself begin to break out in a cold sweat.

What had she done?

"I can either let you be executed at dawn and let them take the Argo to pay my fine, or fight against God-knows-what in The Arena tomorrow in trial by combat for your freedom."

Hailey sank to the floor.

She had doomed them.

Her worst fears about what might happen if she killed that bastard hadn't come close to this. The pain she felt and the devastation she'd brought upon them hit her full force and she could feel her eyes getting moist.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "I didn't think and I... I'm sorry."

Ethan, Rachel, and Alana all glanced at each other. Then he knelt down in her tiny cell and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I'm going to fight, and I'm going to win."

"Really?" she looked at him.

"Really." There was no cocky overconfidence in his voice. This wasn't bravado, pride, or arrogance; it was confidence.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

A knot formed in her throat.

She wanted to sink through the floor.

She had betrayed him. She had not only betrayed him but worse; she'd also put everything he owned, everyone he loved, and the man himself in danger. And yet he would still fight for her? The tears at the corners of her eyes stopped defying gravity and her attempts to hold them in, and traced wet lines down her cheek.

"I'll set you free Hailey, but I need something from you."

"Anything. Anything you need; you name it it's yours."

"I need to know where I can find some Elven steel for enchanting somewhere in the city." He said. "I need a weapon I can enchant as soon as possible."

"Um, that would be Graflex the dwarf over in the Market District. He has a shop just south of the Boar's Head Tavern on the main drag. He hates Magistrate Halglath more than I do. Tell him I sent you and what it's for, and he'll give you a good deal."

"Thank you." Ethan said, "Now, we need to hurry."

"Wait." Hailey called as he stood and turned to leave, but she didn't know what to say. Saying 'thank you' seemed woefully inadequate.

Alana slipped past Ethan and knelt in front of her with a kind smile. "We know; it's okay. You already said you're sorry and I can tell you are. We can talk more later, but time is tight and he need to hurry. Will you be okay until tomorrow?"

Hailey nodded.

After they left, Hailey resumed staring at the opposite wall of her tiny cell. It seemed impossible that someone in this God-forsaken world would be that noble. She allowed herself to hope that maybe, just possibly, she would escape with her life. She sat on the stone floor and tried to collect her thoughts. She went through several Yoga breathing exercises that Jason had taught her. Slowly, she began to calm down.

Someone knocked on the prison door then it opened.

The elderly fellow from the previous night -- who she just realized she hadn't gotten his name -- entered carrying a bowl full of disgusting looking soup and a pail of water.

"Was that your friend?" He asked. "The dragon you told me about last night?"

She nodded.

"What did he want?"

Hailey explained what he'd come for.

"Oh." He said as if he'd just understood something he'd been missing. "That explains why..."

"Why what?"

The old man frowned, then looked out the door after him. "I don't suppose you have a way to contact him, do you?"

She shook her head. "No."

He looked at her for several moments with a pensive stare. "Is he really as good as you say he is?"

She nodded yet again. "I think so."

"Good." He nodded. "Then I need to go talk to some of my fellow inmates."

"Why?"

"I'm not the only old fellow in here seeking redemption." He set down her food and water. "Your dragon friend might just be the key to helping a few old prisoners atone for past crimes, and allow us to escape this hellish life in the process."

And with that he left, leaving Hailey to wonder what he meant.

* * *

Beth was walking without paying much attention to where she was going and nearly ran into Gabriella when the other woman stopped.

"We're here." The luminous woman announced, her brilliant body standing out as the only thing on the Astral Plane that wasn't some shade of purple. She had stopped outside a nondescript two-story building in the middle of Arcanum. Something about it looked very familiar and it took Beth a moment to place it.

"No." She covered her mouth. "You can't be serious."

"Unfortunately, I am."

Beth looked up at the building from which Gabriella had freed her just over a week ago. "I don't want to go back."

"I know." Gabriella said with sincere sadness etched into her beautiful face. "I know you're scared but I promise you, no harm will befall you here. Much fear and even a little terror yes, but no harm. I swear to you on the name of Illuminar Himself -- blessed be He -- that you will be perfectly safe until you leave the Astral Plane."

Beth bit her lip and took a deep breath, trembling slightly as she did. "Do I have to?"

"Of course not. You always have a choice young one. My Lord wishes for you to return before you are missed. You can choose to disobey Him if you wish, but you forfeit His protection if you do."

"His protection?"

Gabriella nodded. "Yes. He promised to keep you safe if you listen. But advice to avoid swimming in shark infested waters does little good if it's not heeded. Follow His directions and you will be safe. Decide to go your own way, and... Well, there are consequences for swimming with sharks."

Beth considered.

The other woman definitely wasn't threatening her. On the contrary, it felt more like a plea to follow good advice than a threat. She felt safe around the luminous woman, but to see that black creature again... she shuddered.

"Beth." Gabriella put a comforting hand on her shoulder and looked her right in the eye. "Do you trust me?"

Beth stared into the other woman's eye, noticing for the first time that her eyes were golden in color. Not hazel and not light brown; golden. Then there was her appearance; she was all white and colorful while the rest of the world was purple. Beth had been suspicious for a while now, but finally worked up the courage to ask.

"You're an angel, aren't you? You work for Illuminar, don't you?"

She smiled, but otherwise ignored the question. "Remember, on the name of the Great God Illuminar -- blessed be He -- I swear to you that no harm will befall you here on the Astral Plane. The Saidow spawn will do everything its power to trick you and make you think it has you trapped. Don't believe it."

"Okay." Beth took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Gabriella locked eyes with Beth. "Remember, Illuminar has promised to protect you here on the Astral Plane -- at least until you leave it -- no matter what. You are His, and He protects His own. No one and nothing can change that, despite what some will say. As long as you want Illuminar -- blessed be He -- with you, He will never leave you."

Beth looked at the building and remembered the shadowy figure. She shuddered. "Really?"

Gabriella smiled, but didn't answer the question and instead repeated her earlier one: "Do you trust me?"

"Yes." Beth nodded after a moment.

Gabriella's smile widened and seemed to glow brighter. "Then may Illuminar -- blessed be He -- speed you on your way."

Beth felt a slight shift inside of her and then began to slowly drift upwards as the blinding light reappeared in the sky. Like before, it didn't hurt her eyes but instead had the warmth of a flickering candle and it pulled her gently towards it.

"Farewell Beth; we shall meet again." Gabriella said, before turning and walking away.

Like before, the dark tendril wrapped itself around her ankle. Like before, it slowly stopped her upward ascent before pulling her back into the hastily constructed magical lab. This time though, it looked far more complete.

All of the boxes and packing materials were gone, replaced with more equipment. Beth didn't recognize any of it though. Much of it was complex and almost looked like the sort of equipment she'd heard Ethan describe those 'scientist' people using.

Her body was still lying in the crate and the wizard was sleeping in a nearby cot. Her neck -- well, the neck on her body -- was much improved from before. The massive gash was now merely a smallish cut. Her body was obviously still in stasis, as there was a large drop of liquid blood suspended where gravity should've pulled it down long ago.

She looked around, completely bored. It occurred to her to use Aharown to cut herself free, but the sword seemed to have disappeared. She could still feel its weight on her belt so she still had it, she just couldn't draw it.

She looked around the room, completely bored already, and muttered aloud as she floated suspended in space. "Well, here I am."

* * *

Rachel led the way to the Market District because she knew Arcanum better than the others. She didn't know it well, but her father had brought her here several times in her youth so she was more familiar.

As they walked, she did a lot of thinking.

She had been extremely excited for Ethan and Alana when they'd announced their pregnancy. On balance though -- with them on the run and Lord Delmar dogging their every step -- adding a pregnant woman to the mix seemed like a colossally dumb decision. Of course, given the way they'd been with each other since last night, she doubted they'd put any deliberate thought into it.

Glancing back at them occasionally, she felt very conflicted. On the one hand, she was happy that her friend had married her love. On the other, she was jealous. Not of Ethan -- though he was a good guy -- but just that the wood elf had someone like that.

She wanted someone like that.

For as long as she could remember, she didn't have a confidant or close friend. All the other children had been too scared of Lord Delmar to get close to her. They were polite and always included her if she asked... but only if she asked. No one ever opened up to her and no one ever got close enough for her to open up. Not until Alana anyway.

She loved having the wood elf as a friend, but she wanted to be courted by a real man. Someone strong with whom she didn't need to be strong all the time. Being independent was good, but it got lonely. She wished someone would take her by the hand occasionally.

Not Ethan, but someone.

At that moment, Alana giggled; no doubt at something Ethan had told her telepathically. Rachel wanted that closeness; that intimacy. Unfortunately, her current path in life didn't seem to allow for it.

She sighed.

"I think that's it." She announced as they passed the Boar's Head Tavern and saw a tiny sign for a blacksmith shop about a block south.

They walked to it, surprised to find it looking almost abandoned. It certainly had seen better days. The sign was faded and the chains on which it hung on were rusty. The windows were so filthy they couldn't make out much inside through them. She opened the door to discover the hinges made a creaking noise that sounded like they would fall off with much more use.

Inside of the shop wasn't much better.

Given the state of the windows, it was fairly dark with no other lights supplementing the daylight. Even in the dim light, she could see racks of weapons lining the small shop. She couldn't tell their quality in the low light though because her eyes hadn't adjusted yet.

"Hello?" Ethan called when they'd entered.

From the back of the shop, she heard the sound of someone sniffing the air loudly. "You brought dragon steel." Came a gruff voice from a back room. "You made a good decision bring it to old Graflex; there isn't another smith in a thousand miles who know how to work it properly."

A grizzled Dwarf with salt and pepper hair and an even grayer beard shuffled out from the back room. Like most dwarves, he was about four feet tall and powerfully built. This one seemed stronger than most though and he looked like he could out-wrestle an ox.

The dwarf stopped dead when he saw the three of them and narrowed his eyes. "You tell that Saidow spawn of a magistrate that I won't be cowed; even by a dragon. If he thinks different, I'll beat the shit out of him; guards or no."