Bitterness Overcome: (Now A Completed Story!)

Rhema watched as Semeion lead Thana away from the village as quickly as possible. Abijou and his rider, the Provenience, were in tow directly behind him. Rhema turned back toward the villagers to yell more words of encouragement the people would need with respect to fleeing into the mountains. She knew the people were already dependant upon the red wyrm – they would need someone to teach them to fend for themselves. She hoped that this someone would not need to be her or Ischarus. As she pondered which words of encouragement to use, the raging battle between Ischarus, Druff, and the two Drakontos female warriors caught her attention.

From atop Elistra, Ischarus had a clear advantage. Each blow that he struck drove more and more strength out of the arms of the Drakontos warriors. Druff quickly learned to help defend Elistra from an attack while waiting for Ischarus to strike. Once Ischarus had the opportunity to drive his sword down from his high position, Druff would be careful to stay out of the way so long as the opportunity had presented itself. Three times Druff parried the attacks of one of the females and each time he followed the parry with a strike against the same female that Ischarus fought.

Once more Ischarus struck and knocked the female’s weapon clean from her hand. Without thinking about the fact that she was now unarmed, Druff followed up Ischarus’ attack with a simple strike of his own. The blow landed cleanly as the steel pierced the female’s chest. Her eyes widened in amazement at the pain and her pierced lungs searched for breath it could not find. The female’s eyes became vacant and rolled back as she slumped over dead.

Ischarus began to chastise Druff, but then realized that Rhema’s power did not have the ability to transfer their honor code. Druff was used to killing his enemies. That was what had made him great in the Drakontos village. There would be no way to alter his aggressive onslaught without having time to talk to him and convince him otherwise. They did not have that time now.

Rhema yelled when she saw that the female Drakontos warrior had been dispatched. “Ischarus, we must move now before the beast above is aroused by the commotion!”

Ischarus heard Rhema’s cry as he teamed up with Druff against the remaining Drakontos female. “Drive her off, Druff!” Ischarus commanded from atop his horse. The Drakontos warrior saw the tactical position that Ischarus was trying to guide Druff into. She knew that if she was driven back from the horseman that she would be open to an attack from a charging horse. One blow from Ischarus with the momentum of the horse behind him could certainly finish her off. Her only choice was to flee now that her own partner had been slain by Druff. As the female pulled away from the skirmish, Druff began to pursue his Drakontos kinswoman.

Ischarus watched Druff as the warrior backed away from them. “No!” Ischarus called out to Druff. “Let her go, Druff. She’ll not get far. You must help the villagers to flee!”

Rhema’s eyes widened with excitement as she heard Ischarus’ voice. Knowing that her control over Druff would give her the advantage she needed she yelled from across the stone altar. “No, Druff, pursue her. Pursue her quickly and do not let her escape!” Her voice was strong in spite of the fact that she did not enjoy contradicting Ischarus.

Ischarus spun Elistra around to face Rhema at her immediate contradiction of his orders to Druff. He knew Druff would listen to her over himself on account of her power. She would need a good reason to have countermanded his tactical order. Combat was his area of expertise.

Before he could speak, Rhema yelled to Ischarus. “It’s time to go, Ischarus. The people are fleeing and we need to move to catch up to Semeion. If he goes into the tunnels too far we’ll lose him!”

Without a word, Druff leapt into motion and chased after the female Drakontos warrior. He had little chance of catching the more fleet of foot woman, but he was determined to satisfy Rhema’s command. The woman began to pull away from Druff and Rhema smiled as the pair of Drakontos headed in the opposite direction that she and Ischarus would use for their retreat. They fled away from the direction that most of the villagers would use to get to the mountains.

Ischarus spurred Elistra into motion and the horse jerked suddenly as it rounded the altar to approach Rhema. As he approached, Rhema could tell he was confused and not pleased at all by what had happened between her and Druff.

Ischarus yelled as he drew closer to Rhema. “Why did you correct me? Druff could have been invaluable in focusing the people into their retreat!”

Rhema simply smiled and responded, “And what would you have done when my power over him ran out? He would have begun slaughtering the innocents in his rage against us! This way he is heading in the opposite direction as we are – and perhaps more importantly in an opposite direction than his own people.”

Ischarus gave another scornful look to Rhema, but he knew she was right. Rhema had made the right call. As helpful as Druff might have been in getting the people to the underground mountain passes, he would had been a terrific liability once Rhema lost control.

Rhema ignored Ischarus’ scornful glance and spun Shauvry around so she was facing the same direction as Elistra. Her fingers tightened firmly around the reigns as she heard Ischarus begin to spur Elistra into motion once more. As he lunged by Rhema and Shauvry, Ischarus called out to his associate, “Then we’d best make full use of our time with Druff heading the other way. Semeion managed to get Druff’s horse from him, but there is no accounting for the fact that he could probably easily get another. We best hurry and use this time wisely!”

Rhema spurred Shauvry into action and followed Ischarus back into the woods. Their plan had worked better than they hoped so far. The Provenience was safe; meaning that for a season there would be no more kin of the dragon produced in this village. The red dragon had lost its claim over the people as slaves. Sure, the dragon still awed the people to fear; but the people were at least free and on the path to making their own survival decisions. She watched the mass of refugees fleeing the Drakontos village and hurriedly moving toward the underground passages. She knew that Ischarus – and Semeion before him – had intentionally chosen a different path back to the mountains than the refugees. Their paths would part soon. With luck, they would reach the mountains before the red dragon could be alerted to the situation and hunt them down.

[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
Rhema watched as Semeion lead Thana away from the village as quickly as possible. Abijou and his rider, the Provenience, were in tow directly behind him. Rhema turned back toward the villagers to yell more words of encouragement the people would need with respect to fleeing into the mountains. She knew the people were already dependant upon the red wyrm – they would need someone to teach them to fend for themselves. She hoped that this someone would not need to be her or Ischarus. As she pondered which words of encouragement to use, the raging battle between Ischarus, Druff, and the two Drakontos female warriors caught her attention.

From atop Elistra, Ischarus had a clear advantage. Each blow that he struck drove more and more strength out of the arms of the Drakontos warriors. Druff quickly learned to help defend Elistra from an attack while waiting for Ischarus to strike. Once Ischarus had the opportunity to drive his sword down from his high position, Druff would be careful to stay out of the way so long as the opportunity had presented itself. Three times Druff parried the attacks of one of the females and each time he followed the parry with a strike against the same female that Ischarus fought.

Once more Ischarus struck and knocked the female’s weapon clean from her hand. Without thinking about the fact that she was now unarmed, Druff followed up Ischarus’ attack with a simple strike of his own. The blow landed cleanly as the steel pierced the female’s chest. Her eyes widened in amazement at the pain and her pierced lungs searched for breath it could not find. The female’s eyes became vacant and rolled back as she slumped over dead.

Ischarus began to chastise Druff, but then realized that Rhema’s power did not have the ability to transfer their honor code. Druff was used to killing his enemies. That was what had made him great in the Drakontos village. There would be no way to alter his aggressive onslaught without having time to talk to him and convince him otherwise. They did not have that time now.

Rhema yelled when she saw that the female Drakontos warrior had been dispatched. “Ischarus, we must move now before the beast above is aroused by the commotion!”

Ischarus heard Rhema’s cry as he teamed up with Druff against the remaining Drakontos female. “Drive her off, Druff!” Ischarus commanded from atop his horse. The Drakontos warrior saw the tactical position that Ischarus was trying to guide Druff into. She knew that if she was driven back from the horseman that she would be open to an attack from a charging horse. One blow from Ischarus with the momentum of the horse behind him could certainly finish her off. Her only choice was to flee now that her own partner had been slain by Druff. As the female pulled away from the skirmish, Druff began to pursue his Drakontos kinswoman.

Ischarus watched Druff as the warrior backed away from them. “No!” Ischarus called out to Druff. “Let her go, Druff. She’ll not get far. You must help the villagers to flee!”

Rhema’s eyes widened with excitement as she heard Ischarus’ voice. Knowing that her control over Druff would give her the advantage she needed she yelled from across the stone altar. “No, Druff, pursue her. Pursue her quickly and do not let her escape!” Her voice was strong in spite of the fact that she did not enjoy contradicting Ischarus.

Ischarus spun Elistra around to face Rhema at her immediate contradiction of his orders to Druff. He knew Druff would listen to her over himself on account of her power. She would need a good reason to have countermanded his tactical order. Combat was his area of expertise.

Before he could speak, Rhema yelled to Ischarus. “It’s time to go, Ischarus. The people are fleeing and we need to move to catch up to Semeion. If he goes into the tunnels too far we’ll lose him!”

Without a word, Druff leapt into motion and chased after the female Drakontos warrior. He had little chance of catching the more fleet of foot woman, but he was determined to satisfy Rhema’s command. The woman began to pull away from Druff and Rhema smiled as the pair of Drakontos headed in the opposite direction that she and Ischarus would use for their retreat. They fled away from the direction that most of the villagers would use to get to the mountains.

Ischarus spurred Elistra into motion and the horse jerked suddenly as it rounded the altar to approach Rhema. As he approached, Rhema could tell he was confused and not pleased at all by what had happened between her and Druff.

Ischarus yelled as he drew closer to Rhema. “Why did you correct me? Druff could have been invaluable in focusing the people into their retreat!”

Rhema simply smiled and responded, “And what would you have done when my power over him ran out? He would have begun slaughtering the innocents in his rage against us! This way he is heading in the opposite direction as we are – and perhaps more importantly in an opposite direction than his own people.”

Ischarus gave another scornful look to Rhema, but he knew she was right. Rhema had made the right call. As helpful as Druff might have been in getting the people to the underground mountain passes, he would had been a terrific liability once Rhema lost control.

Rhema ignored Ischarus’ scornful glance and spun Shauvry around so she was facing the same direction as Elistra. Her fingers tightened firmly around the reigns as she heard Ischarus begin to spur Elistra into motion once more. As he lunged by Rhema and Shauvry, Ischarus called out to his associate, “Then we’d best make full use of our time with Druff heading the other way. Semeion managed to get Druff’s horse from him, but there is no accounting for the fact that he could probably easily get another. We best hurry and use this time wisely!”

Rhema spurred Shauvry into action and followed Ischarus back into the woods. Their plan had worked better than they hoped so far. The Provenience was safe; meaning that for a season there would be no more kin of the dragon produced in this village. The red dragon had lost its claim over the people as slaves. Sure, the dragon still awed the people to fear; but the people were at least free and on the path to making their own survival decisions. She watched the mass of refugees fleeing the Drakontos village and hurriedly moving toward the underground passages. She knew that Ischarus – and Semeion before him – had intentionally chosen a different path back to the mountains than the refugees. Their paths would part soon. With luck, they would reach the mountains before the red dragon could be alerted to the situation and hunt them down.
[/Sblock]

Semeion rode as quickly as possible while holding the reigns of Abijou. The Provenience was slumped over in Abijou’s saddle, making progress much more slow. Once they were far enough away from the Drakontos village Semeion pulled Thana to a stop and guided Abijou beside him. Thana snorted in defiance of having the horses so close together, but thankfully she did not try and kick.

Semeion slipped his waterskin out of Thana’s saddlebags and quickly removed the stopper. He poured a touch of water into the palm of his hand to wet his skin. Softly he reached over to the head of the Provenience and pushed back her bangs. As she slumped over in the seat, Semeion couldn’t help but to be captivated by her beauty now that she was not angry and resisting her rescue. Her stubbornly firm chin had softened in her weakened condition. As Semeion pulled back her straight long black hair, he exposed the Provenience’s eyes. They were a color unlike he’d ever seen before. Her irises were a soft shade of gray with a hint of fiery red around the outside edge. He looked into the Provenience’s eyes for only a few seconds before he remembered that the Provenience was desperately in need of the water in his hand.

Rather than giving her the water to drink, Semeion reached for the Provenience’s exposed forehead. Her skin felt hot to Semeion’s touch, but her face softened further as the cool dampness of Semeion’s hand found the Provenience’s skin. Semeion held his hand to her head until he could feel the heat of her skin return. He added a slight amount of moisture to his hand again and this time lightly touched her right cheek.

Slowly the eyes of the Provenience began to dilate and focus upon Semeion. Her voice cracked from being dry and tired as she tried to speak. “Thank you,” the Provenience spoke softly in her native tongue. “The coolness of your hand feels good upon my skin.”

Semeion smiled and looked back to the waterskin. He held it out for the Provenience to take in her hands as he replied in the same tongue, “Take a small drink if you are able. Don’t drink too much at the beginning. You haven’t had water for some time and have been in the heat of the day.”

The Provenience closed her eyes as if to signify that she understood and she slowly returned them to an open state. She reached out her hand, but her fingers trembled at the motion. Semeion allowed her to grip the waterskin but kept his hand slightly below her own. Together they slowly raised the water skin up to her lips so she could take a small drink. Water trickled onto her lips and some began to flow across her tongue. Semeion noticed as she opened her mouth to drink that fortunately her tongue had not yet begun to swell from the dehydration.

As she drank slowly, her parched lips were unable to keep all of the water in her mouth. A small trickle appeared out of the right corner of her mouth and ran down to beside her chin. The water dripped from her chin onto her arm.

As Semeion noticed the water, he gently tilted the waterskin so that the water stopped flowing. “That’s enough for the moment, Provenience. Keep that trickle down for a minute and you can have another drink.”

The woman nodded, and released the waterskin from her grip. Her arms quickly fell to her side as she relaxed her muscles. It was clear from Semeion’s perspective that she did not intend to let them fall as fast as they did.

She spoke softly, “You have saved me life…”

Semeion smiled at the note of appreciation. “I did indeed,” Semeion replied assuredly. “From more than death from lack of water. Why would your father dragon leave you out so long in the sun before claiming you?”

The Provenience closed her eyes as she collected a response together in her mind. After a few seconds, she spoke. “It is a test that every Provenience in our village must go through.” The words still came softly and through her cracked voice as she tried to explain. “In order to be worthy to mate with the dragon father the Provenience must demonstrate she is willing to die from the heat of the day. I was doing that very thing before you took me from my task.”

Semeion was glad that the Provenience was still under the effects of Rhema’s power. He was sure this conversation wouldn’t be going nearly so well without Rhema’s help. As Semeion listened to the Provenience speak he watched as she closed her eyes to gather her strength. The tips of her fingers glowed with a pale red as though she held her skin up to a bright light source. She held her hand over her eyes and Semeion watched in amazement as her burned skin improved immensely. Her skin and her lips returned to its normal color – the effects of the sun completely vanished.

She blinked her eyes several times and turned back to Semeion and continued to speak in a voice that seemed to have returned to normal. “I was chosen by my people because of that gift.”

Semeion’s jaw was slightly agape as he watched the Provenience’s action. “Did you just heal yourself?” Semeion asked in amazement.

The Provenience smiled at Semeion’s question. “Of course I did. That is one of my gifts. That is why the people selected me to become one with the father dragon.”

Semeion continued to look at the Provenience as though he did not understand.

She continued, “The gift of healing is rare among my people. It does not often happen as a result of the breeding with our father dragon. Yet it is a gift that is very valuable on account of our father dragon’s wrath – as well as the wrath of his personal servants like Druff. I have healed many of my people when they should have died from their beatings. Of course, the healing was all done in secret. This is so that few know I have this gift.”

Semeion finished her thought for her as he handed the waterskin to the Provenience. “So by breeding you they hoped to make more with your gift?”

The Provenience nodded as Semeion spoke. The waterskin was to her lips and she was enjoying one last drink. When she was done she concluded, “The water is refreshing. My healing powers can only do so much. But nothing quenches thirst like good water.”

Semeion returned the Provenience’s gaze. “Drink as much as you would like, then.”

The Provenience handed the waterskin to Semeion and said, “I have had enough. You will need some for your journey.”

Semeion smiled. “We, Provenience. We will need it for the journey.”

The Provenience raised an eyebrow at Semeion’s assertion. Her face wrinkled as though she disapproved but did not have the willpower to argue. “At the very least, call me Charis.”

Semeion smiled even more broadly. “Then I shall teach you your first word in another tongue – the tongue of the land I come from. Your name in my tongue is pronounced ‘Grace.’ It is a name with much meaning, much of the same meaning as in your language.”

Before Charis could respond, they heard horse footfalls riding rapidly towards them.

[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
Semeion rode as quickly as possible while holding the reigns of Abijou. The Provenience was slumped over in Abijou’s saddle, making progress much more slow. Once they were far enough away from the Drakontos village Semeion pulled Thana to a stop and guided Abijou beside him. Thana snorted in defiance of having the horses so close together, but thankfully she did not try and kick.

Semeion slipped his waterskin out of Thana’s saddlebags and quickly removed the stopper. He poured a touch of water into the palm of his hand to wet his skin. Softly he reached over to the head of the Provenience and pushed back her bangs. As she slumped over in the seat, Semeion couldn’t help but to be captivated by her beauty now that she was not angry and resisting her rescue. Her stubbornly firm chin had softened in her weakened condition. As Semeion pulled back her straight long black hair, he exposed the Provenience’s eyes. They were a color unlike he’d ever seen before. Her irises were a soft shade of gray with a hint of fiery red around the outside edge. He looked into the Provenience’s eyes for only a few seconds before he remembered that the Provenience was desperately in need of the water in his hand.

Rather than giving her the water to drink, Semeion reached for the Provenience’s exposed forehead. Her skin felt hot to Semeion’s touch, but her face softened further as the cool dampness of Semeion’s hand found the Provenience’s skin. Semeion held his hand to her head until he could feel the heat of her skin return. He added a slight amount of moisture to his hand again and this time lightly touched her right cheek.

Slowly the eyes of the Provenience began to dilate and focus upon Semeion. Her voice cracked from being dry and tired as she tried to speak. “Thank you,” the Provenience spoke softly in her native tongue. “The coolness of your hand feels good upon my skin.”

Semeion smiled and looked back to the waterskin. He held it out for the Provenience to take in her hands as he replied in the same tongue, “Take a small drink if you are able. Don’t drink too much at the beginning. You haven’t had water for some time and have been in the heat of the day.”

The Provenience closed her eyes as if to signify that she understood and she slowly returned them to an open state. She reached out her hand, but her fingers trembled at the motion. Semeion allowed her to grip the waterskin but kept his hand slightly below her own. Together they slowly raised the water skin up to her lips so she could take a small drink. Water trickled onto her lips and some began to flow across her tongue. Semeion noticed as she opened her mouth to drink that fortunately her tongue had not yet begun to swell from the dehydration.

As she drank slowly, her parched lips were unable to keep all of the water in her mouth. A small trickle appeared out of the right corner of her mouth and ran down to beside her chin. The water dripped from her chin onto her arm.

As Semeion noticed the water, he gently tilted the waterskin so that the water stopped flowing. “That’s enough for the moment, Provenience. Keep that trickle down for a minute and you can have another drink.”

The woman nodded, and released the waterskin from her grip. Her arms quickly fell to her side as she relaxed her muscles. It was clear from Semeion’s perspective that she did not intend to let them fall as fast as they did.

She spoke softly, “You have saved me life…”

Semeion smiled at the note of appreciation. “I did indeed,” Semeion replied assuredly. “From more than death from lack of water. Why would your father dragon leave you out so long in the sun before claiming you?”

The Provenience closed her eyes as she collected a response together in her mind. After a few seconds, she spoke. “It is a test that every Provenience in our village must go through.” The words still came softly and through her cracked voice as she tried to explain. “In order to be worthy to mate with the dragon father the Provenience must demonstrate she is willing to die from the heat of the day. I was doing that very thing before you took me from my task.”

Semeion was glad that the Provenience was still under the effects of Rhema’s power. He was sure this conversation wouldn’t be going nearly so well without Rhema’s help. As Semeion listened to the Provenience speak he watched as she closed her eyes to gather her strength. The tips of her fingers glowed with a pale red as though she held her skin up to a bright light source. She held her hand over her eyes and Semeion watched in amazement as her burned skin improved immensely. Her skin and her lips returned to its normal color – the effects of the sun completely vanished.

She blinked her eyes several times and turned back to Semeion and continued to speak in a voice that seemed to have returned to normal. “I was chosen by my people because of that gift.”

Semeion’s jaw was slightly agape as he watched the Provenience’s action. “Did you just heal yourself?” Semeion asked in amazement.

The Provenience smiled at Semeion’s question. “Of course I did. That is one of my gifts. That is why the people selected me to become one with the father dragon.”

Semeion continued to look at the Provenience as though he did not understand.

She continued, “The gift of healing is rare among my people. It does not often happen as a result of the breeding with our father dragon. Yet it is a gift that is very valuable on account of our father dragon’s wrath – as well as the wrath of his personal servants like Druff. I have healed many of my people when they should have died from their beatings. Of course, the healing was all done in secret. This is so that few know I have this gift.”

Semeion finished her thought for her as he handed the waterskin to the Provenience. “So by breeding you they hoped to make more with your gift?”

The Provenience nodded as Semeion spoke. The waterskin was to her lips and she was enjoying one last drink. When she was done she concluded, “The water is refreshing. My healing powers can only do so much. But nothing quenches thirst like good water.”

Semeion returned the Provenience’s gaze. “Drink as much as you would like, then.”

The Provenience handed the waterskin to Semeion and said, “I have had enough. You will need some for your journey.”

Semeion smiled. “We, Provenience. We will need it for the journey.”

The Provenience raised an eyebrow at Semeion’s assertion. Her face wrinkled as though she disapproved but did not have the willpower to argue. “At the very least, call me Charis.”

Semeion smiled even more broadly. “Then I shall teach you your first word in another tongue – the tongue of the land I come from. Your name in my tongue is pronounced ‘Grace.’ It is a name with much meaning, much of the same meaning as in your language.”

Before Charis could respond, they heard horse footfalls riding rapidly towards them.
[/Sblock]

You're a good writer.

The color is really distracting me, though! Maybe I just dislike large blocks of colored text on the default black background, but it's kind of off-putting. Which is a shame, because I'm enjoying the story.

EDIT: Your table of contents is a cool idea! You can also edit in a link that goes right to the specific post, by entering the post number in the url. For instance, this post would be:

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=2856868#post2856868

So I could type:

{url=http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=2856868#post2856868}Piratecat's comment{/url}

replacing the {} with [], and it would make an actual link. Piratecat's comment

Sorry, I'm distracting. More story.

REPLY to READER, not an update ...

Thanks for the reply. It is a shame about the color. Unfortuantely that seems to be a bone of contention among play-by-posters and Story Hour writers here. Some really like the color, some find it really distracting. I like it because it helps me keep my focus as I read from a screen.

If you like my storyhour, though, you could always copy and paste into word (or some other word processor). A copy/paste doesn't save any of the color info, just the text. I know that is a bunch of work for a simple Story Hour, though. Just a suggestion for compromise ... [EDIT: On account of the addition of the Color-Free Sblock section I hope this point is now a non-issue!]

Anyway, thank you for you compliment. I have intentionally shortened the length of the Story Hour much in respect to comments that you have made in other threads about Story Hour length. I had been going for about 3,000 words. But now that seems too daunting to read in one sitting and it can't typically be written in one sitting. I'm going for about 1,000 words now. Hopefully that'll mean quicker updates - and although they are shorter it'll probably mean a faster story told in the long run.

Again, sorry about the color. If I find that the majority of people reading this Story Hour would prefer me to not use color, I'll gladly change the format. Please let me know if there are other opinions! Thanks.

EDIT: The link is cool. I was not aware you could do it and still be able to see the rest of the posts that follow. I guess I was confusing Showpost with Showthread! Thanks again.

Edit 2: Table of contents now actualy works!

Before Charis and Semeion were able to turn away and get their horses to duck out of sight, a pair of horses riding relentlessly turned the corner. The rider on the right pulled back hard on the reigns to get her horse to perform a sit-stop maneuver to avoid slamming into the back of Abijou. Semeion smiled broadly as he recognized the familiar voice.

Rhema yelled as her horse performed the desperate maneuver. “Whoa, Shauvry!”

As Shauvry performed the maneuver Ischarus sailed past Semeion and Charis on the galloping Elistra. He stood lightly in the saddle and slowed Elistra back into a slow trot and then eventually into a walk. By this time he was nearly a hundred yards down the horse trail. Once Elistra was under control he turned her around and began to walk her back to the group.

Abijou was startled by the loud sound coming from behind and as Elistra galloped past he spooked slightly. Semeion clenched the reigns tightly and didn’t allow Abijou to pull away. The net result of all the commotion was that Abijou was permitted to spin his hind quarters in a clockwise circle until he was now facing the opposite direction as Thana and Semeion. Abijou snorted loudly as the cloud of dust rose from the ground underneath the hind quarters of Shauvry. As luck would have it, the wind was coming from behind Shauvry and Rhema and thus blew the cloud of dust right into Thana, Abijou, Charis, and Semeion. Charis let out a long string of coughs as the cloud passed her by and filled her already rough throat.

Rhema looked to Semeion with disgust. “What are you doing?” Rhema screamed at Semeion. “Why are you just standing here in the middle of the road wasting time? Do you not know what exactly that dragon is going to do once Druff comes to his senses?”

Semeion smiled grimly. “He will roast every living person he can find until she is found.” He pointed to Charis as he spoke.

Rhema looked startled at Semeion's words. As he spoke and pointed to Charis, Rhema focused on her for the first time as she sat atop Abijou. “You’re … you’re not dehydrated and burned by the sun anymore.”

Semeion turned his head to look at Rhema as she spoke and then focused in the opposite direction upon the approaching Ischarus. “She’s a healer, Rhema. She was being bred with the dragon to produce other healers for the sake of her people.” Semeion turned for a second and translated to Charis what had been said.

Charis looked angrily at Semeion and added, “Which my people will never need because our father dragon will kill them all looking for me!”

Ischarus replied from afar, although he was fast closing the distance. “Your father dragon was going to kill them all anyway, Provenience.”

Chairs jerked the reigns out of Semeion’s hand and used them to spin Abijou around to face Ischarus as he approached. Rhema used the time to bring Shauvry back into a standing position. As Charis peered towards Ischarus the red edges of her gray eyes increased in intensity. She could feel the anger bursting inside of her.

Semeion noticed that Charis had been taken with a sudden agitation. He asked of Rhema’s power quietly. “Are you losing your power over her?”

Rhema nodded in the affirmative. “She must come to terms with what is happening on her own, now. It is not right for me to take control any more.”

As Rhema and Semeion had their side conversation, Charis lashed out in angry speech against Ischarus. “What do you know of my people? What do you know of the ways of the dragon born? What do you know of the affairs of the Provenience? I could have brought peace to my people through my healing.”

Ischarus shook his head, internally debating as to whether or not direct confrontation would work with Charis. He bit his lip in a steely resolve and mentally went through a weapons check in case things got ugly. “I, too, am dragon born. But my father dragon does not abuse us the way that your father dragon abuses your people. My father dragon rules with justice, mercy, and compassion rather than fear of utter destruction. Where your father dragon used your people to create loyal and fearful servants, my father dragon taught us out of his own knowledge and raised us to respect life as a gift and not a resource to be used and expended.”

Charis raised an angry finger as Ischarus challenged her. She prepared to speak, but Ischarus cut her off. “Tell me honestly that what I said is not true. Yes, your father dragon protected you from the harm that can come to you in this world, but at what expense? He protected you not out of love but out of greed. You all are pawns to his greater master plan – and the greed of a red dragon is exceeded by none! I have it on Druff’s authority that once you were taken by your father dragon that your people were to be expunged. You were to breed with your father dragon many times over and produce the building blocks for a new people and a new community. Only a select few were to be spared out of your whole people. What we did was give them a chance to flee before the coming wrath of your father dragon.”

Ischarus knew that his words were angry in tone, but once he had committed himself to direct confrontation he knew that he had to keep speaking until the Provenience broke in spirit. As Ischarus prepared to finish his speech he rose in his saddle so that he was in a standing position, high above Charis’ head. “We did not bring the wrath of your father dragon upon your people. The wrath was already coming because your father dragon rules selfishly and out of greed. The wrath was going to destroy them already. The wrath was going to overtake them without warning. We provided them a means of escape so their lives might be spared.”

Charis looked up to Ischarus. Her angry soul searched for words to shout back at Ischarus, but none of them made sense anymore. She knew that if what Ischarus had said was true then these three strangers had given her people their only chance at life. She desperately wanted to hate Ischarus for his words. She wanted to lash out and call him a liar. She wanted to be the Provenience and bring healing to her people. A people that Ischarus claimed would have been dead without warning.

As the turmoil boiled inside of her, her hands began to shake. In a weak effort to stop the shaking she clenched her fists tightly around the reigns. As she tightened her muscles to prevent her hands from shaking, the shaking merely spread up her arms. Her forearms and elbows began to shake. Suddenly her mind found something that she could focus on. She licked her lips quickly and mustered the words in her draconic language.

Charis spoke with an angered tone. “Paash Ahrah.”

Ischarus winced slightly as he was caught unprepared for the fact that she commanded magic. Fortunately the spell was not against him. Following Charis’ words a shimmering transparent golden field expanded from her skin and formed a solid sphere around her body at a distance of a solitary foot. Instinctively Semeion heard the words and reached out to touch Charis. He was hopeful that his earlier compassion would cause a soothing affect to come over Charis.

Semeion’s hand reached past the shimmering golden field and his fingers passed through it without any resistance. Charis jumped in shock when his outstretched fingers caught her shoulder. She turned and asked, “You can touch me?”

Ischarus settled back into his seat, knowing that his challenge had begun to work. He was grateful for Semeion’s physical assertion, hoping that if the focus could be taken off of him Charis would be given time to contemplate his words in the sanctity of her own mind rather than through further confrontation.

Semeion nodded as Charis turned, slightly pulling his hand back from her shoulder. He was careful to not put his fingers entirely out of the shimmering golden field. “Indeed, it would seem that I can. Why does this surprise you?”

Charis swallowed hard as her mind churned fervently trying to interpret the meaning of this action. “My words protect me from the touch of my people – even the touch of Druff. When I speak them and am in my field, only a rare few people can touch me and not be wounded. Those who could touch me were my closest friends. They were the ones wanting to use me to bring healing to my people.”

Semeion snatched up the opportunity as quickly as it was presented. “Then trust me, Charis. If this field protects you from all those except who are good or pure in heart, then you know what I am. Trust me. Follow me. I can lead you away from here.”

Charis slowly licked her lips once more, her mind still churning hard. Her lips parted as if to speak, but before she could utter any sound a loud screech pierced the air. It was a cry. Actually, it was an angry cry. It was an angry cry of what could only be assumed to be a large red dragon.

Rhema had been silent until now. There was great excitement in her voice as she spoke. “We need to move, people, or we will be dinner. Ischarus, lead the way quickly. Charis, follow me. Semeion will ride behind you for your protection.” She didn’t think about the fact that Charis couldn’t understand her language without the aid of her telepathic powers.

Ischarus spun Elistra around and immediately began galloping away. Rhema pulled Shauvry around Abijou and charged after Elistra. Semeion slipped his hand from near Charis’ shoulder down to her trembling hand that held the reigns. His warm hand embraced hers and he noticed it was cold. “You can trust me, Charis. Trust me.”

Charis looked into Semeion’s eyes and then down to their joined hands. She quickly nodded and checked Semeion’s eyes. They were staring back into her own. She looked up to the sky and quickly stood in the saddle. In her draconic language she yelled, “Ride, Abijou!”

Semeion spurred Thana into a gallop after Abijou and Charis. As he followed, he noticed that Charis often turned around to check the sky. As they began to ride hard for the mountains another piercing draconic cry could be heard echoing through the forest. This one was much closer than the last.

[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
Before Charis and Semeion were able to turn away and get their horses to duck out of sight, a pair of horses riding relentlessly turned the corner. The rider on the right pulled back hard on the reigns to get her horse to perform a sit-stop maneuver to avoid slamming into the back of Abijou. Semeion smiled broadly as he recognized the familiar voice.

Rhema yelled as her horse performed the desperate maneuver. “Whoa, Shauvry!”

As Shauvry performed the maneuver Ischarus sailed past Semeion and Charis on the galloping Elistra. He stood lightly in the saddle and slowed Elistra back into a slow trot and then eventually into a walk. By this time he was nearly a hundred yards down the horse trail. Once Elistra was under control he turned her around and began to walk her back to the group.

Abijou was startled by the loud sound coming from behind and as Elistra galloped past he spooked slightly. Semeion clenched the reigns tightly and didn’t allow Abijou to pull away. The net result of all the commotion was that Abijou was permitted to spin his hind quarters in a clockwise circle until he was now facing the opposite direction as Thana and Semeion. Abijou snorted loudly as the cloud of dust rose from the ground underneath the hind quarters of Shauvry. As luck would have it, the wind was coming from behind Shauvry and Rhema and thus blew the cloud of dust right into Thana, Abijou, Charis, and Semeion. Charis let out a long string of coughs as the cloud passed her by and filled her already rough throat.

Rhema looked to Semeion with disgust. “What are you doing?” Rhema screamed at Semeion. “Why are you just standing here in the middle of the road wasting time? Do you not know what exactly that dragon is going to do once Druff comes to his senses?”

Semeion smiled grimly. “He will roast every living person he can find until she is found.” He pointed to Charis as he spoke.

Rhema looked startled at Semeion's words. As he spoke and pointed to Charis, Rhema focused on her for the first time as she sat atop Abijou. “You’re … you’re not dehydrated and burned by the sun anymore.”

Semeion turned his head to look at Rhema as she spoke and then focused in the opposite direction upon the approaching Ischarus. “She’s a healer, Rhema. She was being bred with the dragon to produce other healers for the sake of her people.” Semeion turned for a second and translated to Charis what had been said.

Charis looked angrily at Semeion and added, “Which my people will never need because our father dragon will kill them all looking for me!”

Ischarus replied from afar, although he was fast closing the distance. “Your father dragon was going to kill them all anyway, Provenience.”

Chairs jerked the reigns out of Semeion’s hand and used them to spin Abijou around to face Ischarus as he approached. Rhema used the time to bring Shauvry back into a standing position. As Charis peered towards Ischarus the red edges of her gray eyes increased in intensity. She could feel the anger bursting inside of her.

Semeion noticed that Charis had been taken with a sudden agitation. He asked of Rhema’s power quietly. “Are you losing your power over her?”

Rhema nodded in the affirmative. “She must come to terms with what is happening on her own, now. It is not right for me to take control any more.”

As Rhema and Semeion had their side conversation, Charis lashed out in angry speech against Ischarus. “What do you know of my people? What do you know of the ways of the dragon born? What do you know of the affairs of the Provenience? I could have brought peace to my people through my healing.”

Ischarus shook his head, internally debating as to whether or not direct confrontation would work with Charis. He bit his lip in a steely resolve and mentally went through a weapons check in case things got ugly. “I, too, am dragon born. But my father dragon does not abuse us the way that your father dragon abuses your people. My father dragon rules with justice, mercy, and compassion rather than fear of utter destruction. Where your father dragon used your people to create loyal and fearful servants, my father dragon taught us out of his own knowledge and raised us to respect life as a gift and not a resource to be used and expended.”

Charis raised an angry finger as Ischarus challenged her. She prepared to speak, but Ischarus cut her off. “Tell me honestly that what I said is not true. Yes, your father dragon protected you from the harm that can come to you in this world, but at what expense? He protected you not out of love but out of greed. You all are pawns to his greater master plan – and the greed of a red dragon is exceeded by none! I have it on Druff’s authority that once you were taken by your father dragon that your people were to be expunged. You were to breed with your father dragon many times over and produce the building blocks for a new people and a new community. Only a select few were to be spared out of your whole people. What we did was give them a chance to flee before the coming wrath of your father dragon.”

Ischarus knew that his words were angry in tone, but once he had committed himself to direct confrontation he knew that he had to keep speaking until the Provenience broke in spirit. As Ischarus prepared to finish his speech he rose in his saddle so that he was in a standing position, high above Charis’ head. “We did not bring the wrath of your father dragon upon your people. The wrath was already coming because your father dragon rules selfishly and out of greed. The wrath was going to destroy them already. The wrath was going to overtake them without warning. We provided them a means of escape so their lives might be spared.”

Charis looked up to Ischarus. Her angry soul searched for words to shout back at Ischarus, but none of them made sense anymore. She knew that if what Ischarus had said was true then these three strangers had given her people their only chance at life. She desperately wanted to hate Ischarus for his words. She wanted to lash out and call him a liar. She wanted to be the Provenience and bring healing to her people. A people that Ischarus claimed would have been dead without warning.

As the turmoil boiled inside of her, her hands began to shake. In a weak effort to stop the shaking she clenched her fists tightly around the reigns. As she tightened her muscles to prevent her hands from shaking, the shaking merely spread up her arms. Her forearms and elbows began to shake. Suddenly her mind found something that she could focus on. She licked her lips quickly and mustered the words in her draconic language.

Charis spoke with an angered tone. “Paash Ahrah.”

Ischarus winced slightly as he was caught unprepared for the fact that she commanded magic. Fortunately the spell was not against him. Following Charis’ words a shimmering transparent golden field expanded from her skin and formed a solid sphere around her body at a distance of a solitary foot. Instinctively Semeion heard the words and reached out to touch Charis. He was hopeful that his earlier compassion would cause a soothing affect to come over Charis.

Semeion’s hand reached past the shimmering golden field and his fingers passed through it without any resistance. Charis jumped in shock when his outstretched fingers caught her shoulder. She turned and asked, “You can touch me?”

Ischarus settled back into his seat, knowing that his challenge had begun to work. He was grateful for Semeion’s physical assertion, hoping that if the focus could be taken off of him Charis would be given time to contemplate his words in the sanctity of her own mind rather than through further confrontation.

Semeion nodded as Charis turned, slightly pulling his hand back from her shoulder. He was careful to not put his fingers entirely out of the shimmering golden field. “Indeed, it would seem that I can. Why does this surprise you?”

Charis swallowed hard as her mind churned fervently trying to interpret the meaning of this action. “My words protect me from the touch of my people – even the touch of Druff. When I speak them and am in my field, only a rare few people can touch me and not be wounded. Those who could touch me were my closest friends. They were the ones wanting to use me to bring healing to my people.”

Semeion snatched up the opportunity as quickly as it was presented. “Then trust me, Charis. If this field protects you from all those except who are good or pure in heart, then you know what I am. Trust me. Follow me. I can lead you away from here.”

Charis slowly licked her lips once more, her mind still churning hard. Her lips parted as if to speak, but before she could utter any sound a loud screech pierced the air. It was a cry. Actually, it was an angry cry. It was an angry cry of what could only be assumed to be a large red dragon.

Rhema had been silent until now. There was great excitement in her voice as she spoke. “We need to move, people, or we will be dinner. Ischarus, lead the way quickly. Charis, follow me. Semeion will ride behind you for your protection.” She didn’t think about the fact that Charis couldn’t understand her language without the aid of her telepathic powers.

Ischarus spun Elistra around and immediately began galloping away. Rhema pulled Shauvry around Abijou and charged after Elistra. Semeion slipped his hand from near Charis’ shoulder down to her trembling hand that held the reigns. His warm hand embraced hers and he noticed it was cold. “You can trust me, Charis. Trust me.”

Charis looked into Semeion’s eyes and then down to their joined hands. She quickly nodded and checked Semeion’s eyes. They were staring back into her own. She looked up to the sky and quickly stood in the saddle. In her draconic language she yelled, “Ride, Abijou!”

Semeion spurred Thana into a gallop after Abijou and Charis. As he followed, he noticed that Charis often turned around to check the sky. As they began to ride hard for the mountains another piercing draconic cry could be heard echoing through the forest. This one was much closer than the last.
[/Sblock]

The quartet of riders thundered hard along the trail that had been blazed through the trees leading up to the mountainside. As they rode hard, each of them had different ways of dealing with the piercing draconic wails that seemed to grow increasingly closer to the party. Ischarus, who was in the lead, focused his black eyes toward the coming branches, hacking at the smaller ones that came near his head so as to knock them out of the way for others as they passed by. His intense concentration on the path before him kept him from turning in his saddle too often.

Rhema followed Ischarus by a few horse lengths and worked hard to keep Shauvry at that distance. Shauvry was the natural leader of the horses, but Rhema knew that Ischarus was better suited to lead the charge to the relative safety of the mountainous passages. Shauvry fought the demotion to second in line with every step, but Rhema remained focused on keeping her mount in line. She allowed enough space between herself and Ischarus so as to not give Elistra or Shauvry any time to nip and kick at each other.

Charis wavered in her devotion to riding hard toward the mountain passage. In her mind she knew that the escape plan that she had been kidnapped into had a decent chance for success; but she also knew that failure would mean disastrous consequences for her and death for her new companions. With each cry from above Charis turned and focused on Rhema’s back, spurring Abijou on in her draconic tongue. After a few seconds of intense riding she would catch Rhema and Shauvry and her focus would begin to wane as she turned in her saddle to look in the direction from which she assumed the dragon would come. She stared backwards into the trees until the next cry; and then this cycle would start over again. Abijou ebbed and flowed between following Rhema tightly and loosely.

Semeion knew he was ill prepared for another battle with a dragon. It was not even so long ago that he had lost his master to a large green dragon. Most of that battle was his own fault, especially the disastrous consequences. He had learned from that mistake and desired not to be in a position to fall prey to such a powerful foe again. Although a great river of fear and adrenaline coursed through his veins, he also could see Charis’ wavering courage before him. Each time she turned to stare through the treetops Abijou would slow and lose the immediate pace of Elistra and Shauvry before him. Semeion knew that Charis must not be left, so he began to focus on mimicking Abijou’s riding pattern and causing Thana to slow and race accordingly. Soon Charis’ indecisive riding became Semeion’s motivation as their foe drew closer to them.

As they neared the mountainous passageway that they had used to cross from Tongra to Quehalost, Semeion noticed a small break in the canopy. As Charis rode under the break, Semeion saw the light that had been shining through the break vanish into dark shadow. A shrill cry came from directly above the canopy and as Semeion looked up he saw the heavily armored body of a great red wyrm. His biceps tightened in fear and his fingers gripped the reigns hard enough that his fingernails drew blood from the flesh of the palms of his own hands. As his body tensed in uncontrollable fear his mind raced under the training of his master.

The young mage whispered aloud to nobody in particular. “Why has he not attacked? He knows our position and could easily have attacked.”

Semeion’s mind turned the question over and over again as his lips quietly spoke. He rode Thana underneath the same break in the canopy that now revealed the bright light as the dragon completed another circle above. Suddenly his eyes snapped open with understanding. As he began to open his mouth in a yell he heard another shrill cry and his voice failed him. His mind now darted completely with fear. Logic left him. As he looked ahead he could see the tree line break nearly thirty feet before the mountainous passage began. The dragon had been waiting for them here where it could strike without worry of the trees. His mind knew that was the dragon’s strategy, but his body could do nothing but grip the horse in fear. Blood trickled down Thana’s reigns.

In fact, all of the riders had frozen in fear. Ischarus’ bravery melted away in panic. Rhema’s strength of mind dissipated into sheer terror. Charis’ compassionate love for her people turned to selfish flight designed save her own skin. Semeion’s magical prowess left him in exchange for a simple dread. The dragon knew there were few intelligent creatures in the land that could withstand its awesome presence. It had planned this attack perfectly. It soared above the trees waiting to descend upon the quartet once the trees no longer sheltered them from the complete view of its fearsome presence.

Suddenly, Elistra broke through the tree line at full speed carrying Ischarus. Out of fear, Ischarus had stowed his sword so as to cling tightly to the reigns of Elistra. The dragon had just begun another circle and had misjudged the superior speed of the horses. Where the dragon had anticipated the horses to become sluggish and indecisive against the draconic fear they had actually become faster as their flight instinct took over. The giant red wyrm could only watch as Elistra easily galloped the open distance between forest and mountain passage.

Only seconds after Elistra sped Ischarus to safety the dragon banked hard in anticipation of the rest of the horses. It would have to cut its large swooping circle short if it desired to avoid the disastrous consequences of its oversight. Shauvry emerged out of the forest in a full gallop and shot across to open plain. The dragon knew it was still too far away to effectively use its fiery breath of doom and it contemplated casting a spell. At this range, however, the spell would be unlikely to have the desired effect. Much to its own anger it watched as Shauvry escorted Rhema into the caves and safety.

Abijou needed no encouragement from Charis, which was most likely a good thing since Charis was unable to give it courage. Charis dared not even look up as Abijou leapt from the forest edge into the clearing. The dragon had closed on its mark enough now that it could fire either spell or breath and hit Charis with ease. The beast recognized the rider as one of its own kin. In fact, the dragon recognized Charis as the one it was to mate. Internal jealousy fueled its rage and the beast uttered a guttural cry of anger in its own draconic tongue. “If you shall not have me, none shall have you, either!”

Searing orange and red flames burst through the air as Abijou galloped for its safety in the cave. The heat crept up immediately behind the horse and spurred Abijou to safety with only minor scorch marks. The majority of Abijou’s problems were a singed hind quarter where the hair had melted from the heat. Besides these minor wounds, Charis and her mount had safely managed to flee into the cave.

Thana remained the only horse remaining in the forest as Abijou darted into the open. Seeing that Abijou was bound for making the journey Thana spurred herself into greater stride as the flames leapt across the earth before her. As the grasses ignited and spread a line of fire before her, Thana leapt into the air to avoid stepping into the hottest portion of the flame.

The dragon was ready for this maneuver, however. In mid-flight it had begun a minor dive straight for where it assumed Thana would leap. The huge tail of the dragon struck Semeion hard in midair, knocking him from the saddle. His bloodied hands clinched the reigns, but as Thana came back to the ground Semeion’s head thumped hard against the ground. The young mage was knocked unconscious upon impact. Landing in such close proximity to the burning grass did not help his condition any, either.

The large dragon surged upward as it performed a roll in mid-flight. It turned and spotted its retreating prey. A grim smile crossed over its lips as it spotted the unconscious Semeion being dragged by the wildly panicked horse. The great wyrm flapped its wings hard as it dove with all its speed toward the entrance of the cave.

Thana managed to clear the entrance only seconds before the massive dragon claws hit the soil heavily. The beast howled as its prey slipped away into the cave that was much too small for it to pursue. What it didn’t notice, however, was that as Thana entered the cave Semeion bounced his head solidly against the wall and jarred his unconscious grip free from the horses’ reigns. Semeion lay just inside the cave within easy reach of the dragon’s massive claws.

Ischarus and Rhema had regained their composure upon entering the cave and freeing themselves from the evil and terrifying presence of the dragon. As Ischarus noticed Semeion’s condition and the now uncontrolled fleeing Thana, he dismounted and shouted to Rhema. “Let Thana run out her fear and bring her back.” The panicked horse galloped between them as he spoke. “Catch her while you still can and return to us. I’ll save the mage.”

Rhema nodded and in a single motion spurred Shauvry into motion and sped down the hallway. Ischarus charged to the entrance of the cave, hoping to grab Semeion before the dragon could realize that he was there. Ischarus was knocked off of his feet and into the wall when the dragon collided with the ground in his crushing attempt that missed only by seconds. As Ischarus reached Semeion and hefted his arms over his own shoulder so as to carry him slung down his back, the swordsman could see that the dragon was turning to position itself a dragon’s pace away from the cave. Ischarus moved as quickly as possible away from the entrance, hoping to elude the dragon’s reach. With his back turned to the dragon, he could not see what the dragon was preparing to do.

Charis could see the danger from where she sat upon Abijou. In the draconic language of her father dragon she yelled, “Run! Fire coming! Run hard!” She turned Abijou away from the entrance and spurred him into motion, grabbing Elistra’s reigns and jerking her into motion in the process.

The ancient dragon had not stopped to check the entrance of the tunnel. Rather the beast had simply planned on incinerating the whole area. As it backed off from the cave it gave itself enough room to inhale deeply and spew fire for over a hundred feet into the cave. Ischarus felt the heat and saw the flames surround his feet and lick at his boots. He had managed to get close enough to the edge of the dragon’s range so as to only take minor burning damage. He also knew that Semeion had provided him with much needed cover being draped across his back.

The dragon howled once more as it peered into the cave and realized it could not see on account of the residual flames and the increasing darkness within. From outside the cave, the dragon had no idea of knowing how successful the attack had been.

The draconic howl brought Ischarus back into a deep focus towards moving away from the entrance. He realized that the sacrifice of an unconscious mage may well have been his last. Semeion had formed a rather effective barrier against the flames.

[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
The quartet of riders thundered hard along the trail that had been blazed through the trees leading up to the mountainside. As they rode hard, each of them had different ways of dealing with the piercing draconic wails that seemed to grow increasingly closer to the party. Ischarus, who was in the lead, focused his black eyes toward the coming branches, hacking at the smaller ones that came near his head so as to knock them out of the way for others as they passed by. His intense concentration on the path before him kept him from turning in his saddle too often.

Rhema followed Ischarus by a few horse lengths and worked hard to keep Shauvry at that distance. Shauvry was the natural leader of the horses, but Rhema knew that Ischarus was better suited to lead the charge to the relative safety of the mountainous passages. Shauvry fought the demotion to second in line with every step, but Rhema remained focused on keeping her mount in line. She allowed enough space between herself and Ischarus so as to not give Elistra or Shauvry any time to nip and kick at each other.

Charis wavered in her devotion to riding hard toward the mountain passage. In her mind she knew that the escape plan that she had been kidnapped into had a decent chance for success; but she also knew that failure would mean disastrous consequences for her and death for her new companions. With each cry from above Charis turned and focused on Rhema’s back, spurring Abijou on in her draconic tongue. After a few seconds of intense riding she would catch Rhema and Shauvry and her focus would begin to wane as she turned in her saddle to look in the direction from which she assumed the dragon would come. She stared backwards into the trees until the next cry; and then this cycle would start over again. Abijou ebbed and flowed between following Rhema tightly and loosely.

Semeion knew he was ill prepared for another battle with a dragon. It was not even so long ago that he had lost his master to a large green dragon. Most of that battle was his own fault, especially the disastrous consequences. He had learned from that mistake and desired not to be in a position to fall prey to such a powerful foe again. Although a great river of fear and adrenaline coursed through his veins, he also could see Charis’ wavering courage before him. Each time she turned to stare through the treetops Abijou would slow and lose the immediate pace of Elistra and Shauvry before him. Semeion knew that Charis must not be left, so he began to focus on mimicking Abijou’s riding pattern and causing Thana to slow and race accordingly. Soon Charis’ indecisive riding became Semeion’s motivation as their foe drew closer to them.

As they neared the mountainous passageway that they had used to cross from Tongra to Quehalost, Semeion noticed a small break in the canopy. As Charis rode under the break, Semeion saw the light that had been shining through the break vanish into dark shadow. A shrill cry came from directly above the canopy and as Semeion looked up he saw the heavily armored body of a great red wyrm. His biceps tightened in fear and his fingers gripped the reigns hard enough that his fingernails drew blood from the flesh of the palms of his own hands. As his body tensed in uncontrollable fear his mind raced under the training of his master.

The young mage whispered aloud to nobody in particular. “Why has he not attacked? He knows our position and could easily have attacked.”

Semeion’s mind turned the question over and over again as his lips quietly spoke. He rode Thana underneath the same break in the canopy that now revealed the bright light as the dragon completed another circle above. Suddenly his eyes snapped open with understanding. As he began to open his mouth in a yell he heard another shrill cry and his voice failed him. His mind now darted completely with fear. Logic left him. As he looked ahead he could see the tree line break nearly thirty feet before the mountainous passage began. The dragon had been waiting for them here where it could strike without worry of the trees. His mind knew that was the dragon’s strategy, but his body could do nothing but grip the horse in fear. Blood trickled down Thana’s reigns.

In fact, all of the riders had frozen in fear. Ischarus’ bravery melted away in panic. Rhema’s strength of mind dissipated into sheer terror. Charis’ compassionate love for her people turned to selfish flight designed save her own skin. Semeion’s magical prowess left him in exchange for a simple dread. The dragon knew there were few intelligent creatures in the land that could withstand its awesome presence. It had planned this attack perfectly. It soared above the trees waiting to descend upon the quartet once the trees no longer sheltered them from the complete view of its fearsome presence.

Suddenly, Elistra broke through the tree line at full speed carrying Ischarus. Out of fear, Ischarus had stowed his sword so as to cling tightly to the reigns of Elistra. The dragon had just begun another circle and had misjudged the superior speed of the horses. Where the dragon had anticipated the horses to become sluggish and indecisive against the draconic fear they had actually become faster as their flight instinct took over. The giant red wyrm could only watch as Elistra easily galloped the open distance between forest and mountain passage.

Only seconds after Elistra sped Ischarus to safety the dragon banked hard in anticipation of the rest of the horses. It would have to cut its large swooping circle short if it desired to avoid the disastrous consequences of its oversight. Shauvry emerged out of the forest in a full gallop and shot across to open plain. The dragon knew it was still too far away to effectively use its fiery breath of doom and it contemplated casting a spell. At this range, however, the spell would be unlikely to have the desired effect. Much to its own anger it watched as Shauvry escorted Rhema into the caves and safety.

Abijou needed no encouragement from Charis, which was most likely a good thing since Charis was unable to give it courage. Charis dared not even look up as Abijou leapt from the forest edge into the clearing. The dragon had closed on its mark enough now that it could fire either spell or breath and hit Charis with ease. The beast recognized the rider as one of its own kin. In fact, the dragon recognized Charis as the one it was to mate. Internal jealousy fueled its rage and the beast uttered a guttural cry of anger in its own draconic tongue. “If you shall not have me, none shall have you, either!”

Searing orange and red flames burst through the air as Abijou galloped for its safety in the cave. The heat crept up immediately behind the horse and spurred Abijou to safety with only minor scorch marks. The majority of Abijou’s problems were a singed hind quarter where the hair had melted from the heat. Besides these minor wounds, Charis and her mount had safely managed to flee into the cave.

Thana remained the only horse remaining in the forest as Abijou darted into the open. Seeing that Abijou was bound for making the journey Thana spurred herself into greater stride as the flames leapt across the earth before her. As the grasses ignited and spread a line of fire before her, Thana leapt into the air to avoid stepping into the hottest portion of the flame.

The dragon was ready for this maneuver, however. In mid-flight it had begun a minor dive straight for where it assumed Thana would leap. The huge tail of the dragon struck Semeion hard in midair, knocking him from the saddle. His bloodied hands clinched the reigns, but as Thana came back to the ground Semeion’s head thumped hard against the ground. The young mage was knocked unconscious upon impact. Landing in such close proximity to the burning grass did not help his condition any, either.

The large dragon surged upward as it performed a roll in mid-flight. It turned and spotted its retreating prey. A grim smile crossed over its lips as it spotted the unconscious Semeion being dragged by the wildly panicked horse. The great wyrm flapped its wings hard as it dove with all its speed toward the entrance of the cave.

Thana managed to clear the entrance only seconds before the massive dragon claws hit the soil heavily. The beast howled as its prey slipped away into the cave that was much too small for it to pursue. What it didn’t notice, however, was that as Thana entered the cave Semeion bounced his head solidly against the wall and jarred his unconscious grip free from the horses’ reigns. Semeion lay just inside the cave within easy reach of the dragon’s massive claws.

Ischarus and Rhema had regained their composure upon entering the cave and freeing themselves from the evil and terrifying presence of the dragon. As Ischarus noticed Semeion’s condition and the now uncontrolled fleeing Thana, he dismounted and shouted to Rhema. “Let Thana run out her fear and bring her back.” The panicked horse galloped between them as he spoke. “Catch her while you still can and return to us. I’ll save the mage.”

Rhema nodded and in a single motion spurred Shauvry into motion and sped down the hallway. Ischarus charged to the entrance of the cave, hoping to grab Semeion before the dragon could realize that he was there. Ischarus was knocked off of his feet and into the wall when the dragon collided with the ground in his crushing attempt that missed only by seconds. As Ischarus reached Semeion and hefted his arms over his own shoulder so as to carry him slung down his back, the swordsman could see that the dragon was turning to position itself a dragon’s pace away from the cave. Ischarus moved as quickly as possible away from the entrance, hoping to elude the dragon’s reach. With his back turned to the dragon, he could not see what the dragon was preparing to do.

Charis could see the danger from where she sat upon Abijou. In the draconic language of her father dragon she yelled, “Run! Fire coming! Run hard!” She turned Abijou away from the entrance and spurred him into motion, grabbing Elistra’s reigns and jerking her into motion in the process.

The ancient dragon had not stopped to check the entrance of the tunnel. Rather the beast had simply planned on incinerating the whole area. As it backed off from the cave it gave itself enough room to inhale deeply and spew fire for over a hundred feet into the cave. Ischarus felt the heat and saw the flames surround his feet and lick at his boots. He had managed to get close enough to the edge of the dragon’s range so as to only take minor burning damage. He also knew that Semeion had provided him with much needed cover being draped across his back.

The dragon howled once more as it peered into the cave and realized it could not see on account of the residual flames and the increasing darkness within. From outside the cave, the dragon had no idea of knowing how successful the attack had been.

The draconic howl brought Ischarus back into a deep focus towards moving away from the entrance. He realized that the sacrifice of an unconscious mage may well have been his last. Semeion had formed a rather effective barrier against the flames.
[/Sblock]

Chapter Four: FINDING THE WAY

Ischarus stumbled a few dozen steps forward before the weight of his companion aided the heat in overcoming his strength. He was far enough into the tunnel to no longer be able to see the tunnel entrance, although the raving howling of the dragon from the outside could still be heard echoing through the elongated tunnel. As Ischarus fell to a single knee, he tried to brace Semeion so that if he was alive he would not feel much of the pain. Semeion neither stirred in movement nor exhaled as Ischarus slipped to his crouching position.

As Ischarus fell, Charis slowly approached on foot with the two horses in tow. In her draconic tongue she asked Ischarus, “Am I alive because he was willing to die for me?”

Ischarus gently slid Semeion off of his back and onto the ground. Much of the back of his clothing had been seared and left with black charred streaks across it. His skin was darkened under the heat of the flame. As Ischarus laid him upon the ground he noted that Semeion once more did not stir from the movement. He answered the Provenience. “Yes, you are alive because he was willing to die. But I refuse to believe that he died so that you could live. There has to be something that we can do.”

Charis approached with confidence and spread out her palm over Semeion’s face. Her thumb and pinkie finger each pressed into Semeion’s skin on either side of his parched mouth. His skin felt like dry and rough leaves to her fingers. Her index finger and ring finger stretched just above the outside corner of each of Semeion’s eyes. She reached for the beginning of his hairline as she stretched her middle finger. As she did, the palm of her hand came down to rest lightly upon the tip of his nose. Her eyes closed and she naturally attuned herself to her senses in order to block out the sensation of death that her eyes told her had to be there.

After only a few seconds she smiled and spoke softly. “He is alive, but barely. And his life is slipping by fast. His breath is very shallow and still slightly damp. The dragon fire scarred him and the ride must have knocked him unconscious, but he is still alive. If only I can …”

She began to hum and intone naturally. Ischarus raised his eyes to meet the face of the draconic healer but she had already voluntarily lost her focus in deep prayer. Finding little else to do, he brought his other knee down to the ground and brought his shoulders into a humble stance of prayer. Quickly he found himself lost between the draconic curses uttered by the red dragon from the end of the tunnel and the sweet intonation of Charis’ prayer. The irony of how the same draconic language could be used to utter both hellish curses and sweet words of healing was not lost upon him.

As Charis hummed her thoughts began to take form. “I call upon the power of the one who has come to me in my dreams - the one who has taught me to heal my people and to keep them from death. I ask that my power be increased to heal those beyond my people – so that this one who would give his life for me might be saved. Protect him and bond with him, oh great healer, that the wounds taken for my sake would be soon forgotten.”

By the final phrase of Charis’ intoned prayer Ischarus found that he had completely forgotten about the mad ravings of the evil red father dragon. He knew that as she prayed, she prayed to the same healing power that his own silver father dragon had taught them to love. Charis finished praying and brought her words down to a simple hum and Ischarus began to shiver. A loud wind bellowed up from the depths of the cave and blew past the pair of kneeling Drakontos.

In a sudden shot of movement, Semeion gasped once for a breath of life at the same time that the raving red dragon let out a simple yelp of pain. Semeion opened his eyes for a moment and then quickly closed them. His breathing became more pronounced and his chest began to substantially rise and fall. The charred areas of his clothing remained, but much of his skin looked merely tanned in an unusual pattern as opposed to burned.

Charis extended her hand over his face in the exact manner as before and smiled. Her face turned to look at Ischarus and she spoke softly to interrupt his prayer. “He will sleep now, a sleep in the rest of the hidden healer. Many times my healing power has been granted and many times it occurs without demonstration. When there is a demonstration often the demonstration varies and is dependant upon the circumstances of the request. But that is my gift. That is why I was so important to my people. The magical ability to heal is rare among my people, rare enough for the villagers to risk losing me so that I might breed with my dragon father.”

Ischarus lifted his eyes to Charis and began to speak in the draconic tongue. As he spoke, he noticed that the ravings of the great red wyrm had ceased around the tunnel entrance. “Anyone who is capable of doing that is fine in my book. You continue to walk in the way of your hidden healer and you are welcome with me. With your people fleeing to safety, your gifts are no longer needed back there.”

Charis smiled, but then looked down to meet the soft healing expression of Semeion. “He’ll likely need rest, and my dragon father has a fierce anger. There will be those who suffer on account of your efforts.”

Ischarus nodded. “Indeed there will. If your father dragon crosses the mountains to the north he will find that the good dragons will resist him. If need be, my father dragon will come from Barghost and fight. The evil that is in Quehalost must not be allowed to spread. It must be fought until the land is cleansed. Even then we must remain vigilant.”

Charis smiled grimly as she looked upon Semeion and listened to Ischarus’ grand proclamation. “You have not seen the evils my father dragon has fought off to protect his territory. What you seek is noble. What you do not know about the land can kill you.”

After chastising Ischarus’ words Charis returned her gaze to Semeion and continued speaking. “My father dragon almost killed this one because of the threat you bring. Today he is lucky my father dragon could not pursue. Other evils exist that are more capable of pursuit. Your goal is noble indeed.”

Ischarus gathered himself and stood, loosening his blade in the process. “Our goal is noble, and it would seem you have gifts and information to offer us. We shall see …”

Ischarus stopped speaking as he heard the sound of approaching horse hooves from deeper within the tunnel.


[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
Chapter Four: FINDING THE WAY

Ischarus stumbled a few dozen steps forward before the weight of his companion aided the heat in overcoming his strength. He was far enough into the tunnel to no longer be able to see the tunnel entrance, although the raving howling of the dragon from the outside could still be heard echoing through the elongated tunnel. As Ischarus fell to a single knee, he tried to brace Semeion so that if he was alive he would not feel much of the pain. Semeion neither stirred in movement nor exhaled as Ischarus slipped to his crouching position.

As Ischarus fell, Charis slowly approached on foot with the two horses in tow. In her draconic tongue she asked Ischarus, “Am I alive because he was willing to die for me?”

Ischarus gently slid Semeion off of his back and onto the ground. Much of the back of his clothing had been seared and left with black charred streaks across it. His skin was darkened under the heat of the flame. As Ischarus laid him upon the ground he noted that Semeion once more did not stir from the movement. He answered the Provenience. “Yes, you are alive because he was willing to die. But I refuse to believe that he died so that you could live. There has to be something that we can do.”

Charis approached with confidence and spread out her palm over Semeion’s face. Her thumb and pinkie finger each pressed into Semeion’s skin on either side of his parched mouth. His skin felt like dry and rough leaves to her fingers. Her index finger and ring finger stretched just above the outside corner of each of Semeion’s eyes. She reached for the beginning of his hairline as she stretched her middle finger. As she did, the palm of her hand came down to rest lightly upon the tip of his nose. Her eyes closed and she naturally attuned herself to her senses in order to block out the sensation of death that her eyes told her had to be there.

After only a few seconds she smiled and spoke softly. “He is alive, but barely. And his life is slipping by fast. His breath is very shallow and still slightly damp. The dragon fire scarred him and the ride must have knocked him unconscious, but he is still alive. If only I can …”

She began to hum and intone naturally. Ischarus raised his eyes to meet the face of the draconic healer but she had already voluntarily lost her focus in deep prayer. Finding little else to do, he brought his other knee down to the ground and brought his shoulders into a humble stance of prayer. Quickly he found himself lost between the draconic curses uttered by the red dragon from the end of the tunnel and the sweet intonation of Charis’ prayer. The irony of how the same draconic language could be used to utter both hellish curses and sweet words of healing was not lost upon him.

As Charis hummed her thoughts began to take form. “I call upon the power of the one who has come to me in my dreams - the one who has taught me to heal my people and to keep them from death. I ask that my power be increased to heal those beyond my people – so that this one who would give his life for me might be saved. Protect him and bond with him, oh great healer, that the wounds taken for my sake would be soon forgotten.”

By the final phrase of Charis’ intoned prayer Ischarus found that he had completely forgotten about the mad ravings of the evil red father dragon. He knew that as she prayed, she prayed to the same healing power that his own silver father dragon had taught them to love. Charis finished praying and brought her words down to a simple hum and Ischarus began to shiver. A loud wind bellowed up from the depths of the cave and blew past the pair of kneeling Drakontos.

In a sudden shot of movement, Semeion gasped once for a breath of life at the same time that the raving red dragon let out a simple yelp of pain. Semeion opened his eyes for a moment and then quickly closed them. His breathing became more pronounced and his chest began to substantially rise and fall. The charred areas of his clothing remained, but much of his skin looked merely tanned in an unusual pattern as opposed to burned.

Charis extended her hand over his face in the exact manner as before and smiled. Her face turned to look at Ischarus and she spoke softly to interrupt his prayer. “He will sleep now, a sleep in the rest of the hidden healer. Many times my healing power has been granted and many times it occurs without demonstration. When there is a demonstration often the demonstration varies and is dependant upon the circumstances of the request. But that is my gift. That is why I was so important to my people. The magical ability to heal is rare among my people, rare enough for the villagers to risk losing me so that I might breed with my dragon father.”

Ischarus lifted his eyes to Charis and began to speak in the draconic tongue. As he spoke, he noticed that the ravings of the great red wyrm had ceased around the tunnel entrance. “Anyone who is capable of doing that is fine in my book. You continue to walk in the way of your hidden healer and you are welcome with me. With your people fleeing to safety, your gifts are no longer needed back there.”

Charis smiled, but then looked down to meet the soft healing expression of Semeion. “He’ll likely need rest, and my dragon father has a fierce anger. There will be those who suffer on account of your efforts.”

Ischarus nodded. “Indeed there will. If your father dragon crosses the mountains to the north he will find that the good dragons will resist him. If need be, my father dragon will come from Barghost and fight. The evil that is in Quehalost must not be allowed to spread. It must be fought until the land is cleansed. Even then we must remain vigilant.”

Charis smiled grimly as she looked upon Semeion and listened to Ischarus’ grand proclamation. “You have not seen the evils my father dragon has fought off to protect his territory. What you seek is noble. What you do not know about the land can kill you.”

After chastising Ischarus’ words Charis returned her gaze to Semeion and continued speaking. “My father dragon almost killed this one because of the threat you bring. Today he is lucky my father dragon could not pursue. Other evils exist that are more capable of pursuit. Your goal is noble indeed.”

Ischarus gathered himself and stood, loosening his blade in the process. “Our goal is noble, and it would seem you have gifts and information to offer us. We shall see …”

Ischarus stopped speaking as he heard the sound of approaching horse hooves from deeper within the tunnel.[/Sblock]

As the horse hooves approached, Ischarus relaxed the grip on his handle.

“We shall see indeed.” Charis looked with a bit of a glower toward Ischarus. Tired of this line of conversation, she stared down at Semeion. Here was a man she could look to for guidance in this new world. She had never been far from her dragon father’s cave – certainly never out of his territory and ability to protect her. Now she was on her own and would need guidance. This man that she looked down upon had saved her and nearly lost his life because of it. Deep inside, she found herself endearing her soul to a man she didn’t really even know.

Ischarus quickly discerned that the horse hooves were coming in pairs, and it sounded like a pair of horses being led slowly back towards them. He assumed that it was Rhema as he called out, “Were you able to recover all of our assets?”

The reply came quickly from Rhema, “Indeed, everything seems to be present and accounted for, although Semeion will no doubt want to go through his own stuff to make sure. Thana didn’t actually run too far. The light runs out pretty quickly down here and it doesn’t take long for the fear of the unknown dark ahead to overcome the fear of the known enemy behind in the light. When I found her, she was stressed out and backed against a wall in a turn in the tunnel. I think she was debating which option was the safer direction. When she heard me coming and no doubt smelled Shauvry, she came right to me and followed easily.”

Ischarus chuckled. “Poor girl. Didn’t know what was coming once she got away from Semeion.”

Rhema slipped off of Shauvry’s back and approached Charis, the newest member of the party, watching every movement with intensity of focus. Rhema stopped just short of her position and looked sorrowfully upon Semeion. “How bad is he?” she asked to nobody in particular, more fearful of the response than anything else.

Charis shifted an uneasy glance over to Ischarus, who translated for her into her draconic tongue. Immediately after speaking to Charis, Ischarus replied to Rhema, “She doesn’t speak our language, Rhema. So far the only language that I know that she knows is her draconic spoken to her by her dragon father. Given her lifestyle, I wouldn’t be surprised if that is the only language that she ever needed. Her dragon father would have taken care of most other needs. Knowing what I know of evil Drakontai, well let’s just say most never go too far from home.”

Charis waited patiently for Ischarus to finish speaking to Rhema before she answered Rhema’s question in the draconic tongue. “He will live. He will need at least the night’s rest before he can move far on his own. Even with my healing powers it will be a few days before his body has fully recovered. If my god blesses him and my abilities he will at least be able to ride tomorrow.”

Ischarus translated, adding a bit more optimism into his tone than Charis had in hers. Rhema seemed well aware of the fact that Ischarus had not quite translated the tone correctly as she replied with a word of caution on her own. “We’re not safe this close to the entrance. If the great red dragon father knows we are still here he will no doubt find what minions remain loyal to him and send them after us.”

Again Ischarus translated the speech to Charis before having to translate Charis’ reply back to Rhema. As he spent most of his energy translating between the two languages he quite distinctly began to feel like a subservient scribe working for a greater master in either Rhema or Charis. His heart belonged to Rhema, but he could definitely feel himself being pulled into Charis’ force of personality.

The rescued Drakontos continued, “This man has saved my life for no apparent reason. He was part of the plan that you all began in freeing my people from the evil that my father dragon presented to you. Although I have yet to understand the consequences of that action as well as to know exactly how many were saved and brought into what you call a better life, I am still grateful for that sacrifice. After all that this man has given for my sake, I cannot risk moving him until he is better. To move him would endanger his already fragile life. That is not acceptable for me.”

Charis’ empathy for Semeion didn’t need translated; Rhema could see it on her face. Nevertheless, Ischarus translated the speech so Rhema could know the words. Rhema thought about arguing once more but knew that it would do no good. Apparently Rhema’s displeasure with staying put didn’t need translated either as Charis studied Rhema’s expression.

Charis added, “You two may leave for the night and come back in the morning when he has rested. You may flee to safety. I will give my life for his protection.”

Ischarus smiled at the draconic expression. He found it highly ironic that he was unable to do with words and presence what Semeion accomplished in his unconscious state. Ischarus had sensed her gifts and knew that her talents had been highly refined simply on the basis of her being the Provenience. Even after such a short demonstration, once he had seen her talents in action he knew she would make a wonderful final addition to his squad. Yet he had only found agitation when he spoke to Charis before Rhema arrived. Semeion was apparently going to be the key to unlocking Charis’ gifts.

As he thought, Ischarus forgot that he had not translated Charis’ speech for Rhema. “That will not be necessary,” Thelack of translation earned him a look of expectation from Rhema. “We are capable of humbling ourselves to you as well. If you are so adamant about not moving Semeion then we shall stay here and protect him with you.”

Ischarus’ tone became quite serious as he spoke, refusing to hide the fact that he did not like the current location as their resting spot. Rhema picked up on his tone even through the foreign language and looked once more in Ischarus’ direction.

This time Ischarus replied to her look. “We stay here tonight.” It was all the explanation he would offer to Rhema at this time.

Rhema could tell by the way that Ischarus stated his expression that there was more in his mind. She also knew that he would not say any of it at this moment. Perhaps Ischarus would talk once Charis rested for the night.

Ischarus stowed his sword completely and turned to look in both directions of the tunnel. He spoke in the common tongue so that Rhema would understand. “Our greatest threat is from the forces of the dragon. I’ll keep watch in that direction. You’ll have to take the direction deeper into the cave for the night. I’m going to suggest to our new friend that she remain by Semeion’s side and tend him. I think it’ll be alright, she seems to have developed a fondness for Semeion. Plus, she’ll know better than the rest of us when he is able to be moved. I figure that for the most part we’ll be here until he awakens.”

Rhema nodded and began to walk a few paces past the horses and down into the tunnel. Ischarus turned to Charis with one last set of instructions before he took up his watch. “We must trust each other this night. My friend will watch one direction and I will watch the direction towards the surface. I ask that you stay beside Semeion’s side and let me know the moment he awakens and is fit for travel. You must tend him throughout the night. We will trust you with his care; you must trust us for your safety.”

Charis looked up to Ischarus and nodded, making eye contact only briefly. “That I can manage. Your trust in me is not wasted.”

[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
As the horse hooves approached, Ischarus relaxed the grip on his handle.

“We shall see indeed.” Charis looked with a bit of a glower toward Ischarus. Tired of this line of conversation, she stared down at Semeion. Here was a man she could look to for guidance in this new world. She had never been far from her dragon father’s cave – certainly never out of his territory and ability to protect her. Now she was on her own and would need guidance. This man that she looked down upon had saved her and nearly lost his life because of it. Deep inside, she found herself endearing her soul to a man she didn’t really even know.

Ischarus quickly discerned that the horse hooves were coming in pairs, and it sounded like a pair of horses being led slowly back towards them. He assumed that it was Rhema as he called out, “Were you able to recover all of our assets?”

The reply came quickly from Rhema, “Indeed, everything seems to be present and accounted for, although Semeion will no doubt want to go through his own stuff to make sure. Thana didn’t actually run too far. The light runs out pretty quickly down here and it doesn’t take long for the fear of the unknown dark ahead to overcome the fear of the known enemy behind in the light. When I found her, she was stressed out and backed against a wall in a turn in the tunnel. I think she was debating which option was the safer direction. When she heard me coming and no doubt smelled Shauvry, she came right to me and followed easily.”

Ischarus chuckled. “Poor girl. Didn’t know what was coming once she got away from Semeion.”

Rhema slipped off of Shauvry’s back and approached Charis, the newest member of the party, watching every movement with intensity of focus. Rhema stopped just short of her position and looked sorrowfully upon Semeion. “How bad is he?” she asked to nobody in particular, more fearful of the response than anything else.

Charis shifted an uneasy glance over to Ischarus, who translated for her into her draconic tongue. Immediately after speaking to Charis, Ischarus replied to Rhema, “She doesn’t speak our language, Rhema. So far the only language that I know that she knows is her draconic spoken to her by her dragon father. Given her lifestyle, I wouldn’t be surprised if that is the only language that she ever needed. Her dragon father would have taken care of most other needs. Knowing what I know of evil Drakontai, well let’s just say most never go too far from home.”

Charis waited patiently for Ischarus to finish speaking to Rhema before she answered Rhema’s question in the draconic tongue. “He will live. He will need at least the night’s rest before he can move far on his own. Even with my healing powers it will be a few days before his body has fully recovered. If my god blesses him and my abilities he will at least be able to ride tomorrow.”

Ischarus translated, adding a bit more optimism into his tone than Charis had in hers. Rhema seemed well aware of the fact that Ischarus had not quite translated the tone correctly as she replied with a word of caution on her own. “We’re not safe this close to the entrance. If the great red dragon father knows we are still here he will no doubt find what minions remain loyal to him and send them after us.”

Again Ischarus translated the speech to Charis before having to translate Charis’ reply back to Rhema. As he spent most of his energy translating between the two languages he quite distinctly began to feel like a subservient scribe working for a greater master in either Rhema or Charis. His heart belonged to Rhema, but he could definitely feel himself being pulled into Charis’ force of personality.

The rescued Drakontos continued, “This man has saved my life for no apparent reason. He was part of the plan that you all began in freeing my people from the evil that my father dragon presented to you. Although I have yet to understand the consequences of that action as well as to know exactly how many were saved and brought into what you call a better life, I am still grateful for that sacrifice. After all that this man has given for my sake, I cannot risk moving him until he is better. To move him would endanger his already fragile life. That is not acceptable for me.”

Charis’ empathy for Semeion didn’t need translated; Rhema could see it on her face. Nevertheless, Ischarus translated the speech so Rhema could know the words. Rhema thought about arguing once more but knew that it would do no good. Apparently Rhema’s displeasure with staying put didn’t need translated either as Charis studied Rhema’s expression.

Charis added, “You two may leave for the night and come back in the morning when he has rested. You may flee to safety. I will give my life for his protection.”

Ischarus smiled at the draconic expression. He found it highly ironic that he was unable to do with words and presence what Semeion accomplished in his unconscious state. Ischarus had sensed her gifts and knew that her talents had been highly refined simply on the basis of her being the Provenience. Even after such a short demonstration, once he had seen her talents in action he knew she would make a wonderful final addition to his squad. Yet he had only found agitation when he spoke to Charis before Rhema arrived. Semeion was apparently going to be the key to unlocking Charis’ gifts.

As he thought, Ischarus forgot that he had not translated Charis’ speech for Rhema. “That will not be necessary,” Thelack of translation earned him a look of expectation from Rhema. “We are capable of humbling ourselves to you as well. If you are so adamant about not moving Semeion then we shall stay here and protect him with you.”

Ischarus’ tone became quite serious as he spoke, refusing to hide the fact that he did not like the current location as their resting spot. Rhema picked up on his tone even through the foreign language and looked once more in Ischarus’ direction.

This time Ischarus replied to her look. “We stay here tonight.” It was all the explanation he would offer to Rhema at this time.

Rhema could tell by the way that Ischarus stated his expression that there was more in his mind. She also knew that he would not say any of it at this moment. Perhaps Ischarus would talk once Charis rested for the night.

Ischarus stowed his sword completely and turned to look in both directions of the tunnel. He spoke in the common tongue so that Rhema would understand. “Our greatest threat is from the forces of the dragon. I’ll keep watch in that direction. You’ll have to take the direction deeper into the cave for the night. I’m going to suggest to our new friend that she remain by Semeion’s side and tend him. I think it’ll be alright, she seems to have developed a fondness for Semeion. Plus, she’ll know better than the rest of us when he is able to be moved. I figure that for the most part we’ll be here until he awakens.”

Rhema nodded and began to walk a few paces past the horses and down into the tunnel. Ischarus turned to Charis with one last set of instructions before he took up his watch. “We must trust each other this night. My friend will watch one direction and I will watch the direction towards the surface. I ask that you stay beside Semeion’s side and let me know the moment he awakens and is fit for travel. You must tend him throughout the night. We will trust you with his care; you must trust us for your safety.”

Charis looked up to Ischarus and nodded, making eye contact only briefly. “That I can manage. Your trust in me is not wasted.”
[/Sblock]

Ischarus sat alone on his end of the tunnel. He had been sitting in silence for nearly an hour while listening for any word from either Charis or Rhema. Just when he began to relax he heard a subtle song begin in the draconic tongue.

“Come to me, my child.” The song began. It was obvious from the words and the voice that the singer was Charis’ father dragon. Ischarus quickly tuned his ears to listen for any sign of movement from Charis’ position. They had come so far is rescuing her and she herself had come a long ways toward breaking free from the evil draconic influence that bound her past life that Ischarus vowed internally to not let her get by him without a fight.

“The time has come to do my bidding.
The time has come to win my favor.
Come to me, my child, the time has come.”

“Come to me, my child.
You are the one that I have chosen.
The task at hand is within your grasp.
Come to me, my child, the time has come.”

At the understanding of the words, Ischarus slowly crept back to where Charis kept a silent watch over Semeion. Charis lifted her eyes up off of the wounded mage and looked toward Ischarus as he approached. Once he had gotten within a few paces he spoke to Charis. “Is that song meant for you?” Ischarus asked with a wrinkle of questioning in his eyebrows. His sight told him that Charis was rather unaffected by the dragon’s song.

Charis shook her head slowly from side to side. “Not for me. If it was, then any magic within it was poorly sung. I haven’t felt the least bit moved by the song in any way.”

Ischarus frowned as Charis spoke. “I’d expect you to notice the subtle magic contained within the songs of your father dragon. If you didn’t notice any, then there must be something else going on. I don’t like this position. We are truly bottlenecked here.”

Charis answered with a bit of venom in her words. “Your friend could not have been moved. We are here because his life needed to be saved.”

Ischarus knew instantly that she had misinterpreted his meaning. “No, that is not what I mean at all. We are here now and your reasons are legitimate. But the fact remains that luck has trapped us in a precarious position. Not only that, but we know that something is going to happen and we have no clue as to what.”

Charis eased as Ischarus reinterpreted his meaning for her. “My father dragon is driven by greed above all else. His sphere of influence is wider than I can possibly imagine and he will do nearly anything in his capability to get something his heart truly desires. To guess what he has planned is simply next to the impossible.”

Ischarus stood and prepared to go back to his position, convinced that Charis was not under the dragon’s spell. “Whatever happens, keep a good watch over Semeion. In his condition it would not take too much to push him over the edge of life and into death.”

Charis smiled, for the first time seemingly able to look past Ischarus’ dominance and filled with the ability to ignore the clash of leadership she found so easy between them. “That would make our sacrifice here pointless. Nothing of harm shall come to him.”

The dragon song repeated itself two more times and then died down. However, from his position in the tunnel Ischarus could hear that the dragon had not left. The wyrm had merely stopped singing. Its great inhalations caused every nook in the tunnel to echo and make it sound as though even the cave itself was sighing at the tension that was mounting within Ischarus to not doubt his associates.

Rhema was unaware that Ischarus had descended the short bit of the passageway to approach Charis. When she heard the dragon song, she immediately recognized it as charm magic, but felt herself pass through the compulsion unaffected. As she focused on the song, she could feel the current of magic welling past her as though she stood in the path of a rushing stream that originated from the dragon’s mouth and ran deeper into the cave. With every note she steeled herself until the song became silent. As the cavern heaved with each draconic breath once the song was over, she felt herself relax.

Suddenly, the dragon’s breathing sound was gone. Quickly she noticed that the dragon’s breathing was not the only change. Every noise had vanished, including the noise that her feet should have made as she rose from her crouched position. As she turned to look down the passageway she found that she stared into the eyes of a coming opponent. The beast had yellow eyes which contained the simple lizard-like slit for a pupil. The opponent was only a few feet tall and covered in scaly skin that was not unlike that of dragons. The short creature approached cautiously. Charis could tell by its body language that it had just cast a spell and appeared to prepare to cast another.

Charis attempted a quick warning to Ischarus, but her voice produced no sound at all. Though she tried to yell with all her might she could do nothing to warn those further up the tunnel. Giving up quickly on warning her friends and choosing to stand her ground, Rhema silently focused her thoughts into an offensive affront. She lifted the hilt of her dagger up to her right temple and focused on the creature’s yellow eyes.

The reptilian creature let out a small yelp of pain as the power of Rhema’s mind affected him. He had been caught off guard, assuming that his first spell would immobilize her ability to harm him through non-physical means. As his mind recovered from the pain, he brought to his fingers a bright blue ball of energy. The energy crackled from finger tip to fingertip as he lined up his shot and flung it towards Rhema. Although she ducked and jumped to avoid the strike, the energy ball turned mid-flight and struck Rhema in the back. As quickly as he had released the first jolt of energy another one formed and he flung it towards Rhema. This blast found its target as well. As the second energy ball struck her Rhema collapsed to the ground and made no further effort to rise.

Further up the tunnel, Charis noticed that as the energy ball sliced through the air and impacted against Rhema it illuminated her figure. Although she had been unable to hear any sound of the battle due to the reptilian creature’s spell, Charis was able to see the effects of the battle as it raged further down into the tunnel. Charis called for Ischarus as she saw Rhema strike the ground hard. “Ischarus, your friend is under attack and looks overpowered at the other end of the tunnel!”

Ischarus leapt to his feet and abandoned his end of the passageway. “Stay where you are and protect Semeion. You’ll have to watch this side of the tunnel now.”

The sound of drawing steel from a scabbard could be heard as Ischarus charged past Charis. He wasn’t sure where the threat had come from. He wasn’t even sure where Rhema lay upon the ground. As he charged down the tunnel, he saw a spark of blue energy light up. Before he could react the energy leapt into motion and slammed into Ischarus’ chest as he ran. Another blue energy ball shot forth and struck him from the same source. While the damage was hard to accept the blue light was enough to clue him in onto where the enemy was located. His torso had been significantly wounded, but he still drew the blade of his sword back in a mighty swing. Ischarus lashed out with a hefty swing as he closed in on the reptilian aggressor. The blade of the sword sliced through the air more precisely than he had imagined.

The short reptilian figure realized that its arcane spells had not been enough to take down the charging opponent. It knew that the miscalculation would cost dearly. The creature managed to do the only thing that in could as self-defense. It raised its hands and braced for the impact.

Ischarus’ blade struck the smaller creature’s hands with great force and severed the creature’s right hand cleanly. The creature shrieked in pain at the blow. It cursed Ischarus profusely and fell to the floor. Above the shriek of the wounded arcane caster came another yell. This yell was followed by another, then a third, and even a fourth.

Ischarus lowered his blade to waist height as four more of these short reptilian aggressors approached. Ischarus could tell that these four were not spell casters by the spears and daggers that they held in each hand. Although they didn’t wield magic, these weapons were no less dangerous. The reptilian creatures snarled fiercely as Ischarus held them at bay with a sweeping wide arc of his sword tip. On one such swing, Ischarus felt a presence coming towards him from behind.

[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
Ischarus sat alone on his end of the tunnel. He had been sitting in silence for nearly an hour while listening for any word from either Charis or Rhema. Just when he began to relax he heard a subtle song begin in the draconic tongue.

“Come to me, my child.” The song began. It was obvious from the words and the voice that the singer was Charis’ father dragon. Ischarus quickly tuned his ears to listen for any sign of movement from Charis’ position. They had come so far is rescuing her and she herself had come a long ways toward breaking free from the evil draconic influence that bound her past life that Ischarus vowed internally to not let her get by him without a fight.

“The time has come to do my bidding.
The time has come to win my favor.
Come to me, my child, the time has come.”

“Come to me, my child.
You are the one that I have chosen.
The task at hand is within your grasp.
Come to me, my child, the time has come.”

At the understanding of the words, Ischarus slowly crept back to where Charis kept a silent watch over Semeion. Charis lifted her eyes up off of the wounded mage and looked toward Ischarus as he approached. Once he had gotten within a few paces he spoke to Charis. “Is that song meant for you?” Ischarus asked with a wrinkle of questioning in his eyebrows. His sight told him that Charis was rather unaffected by the dragon’s song.

Charis shook her head slowly from side to side. “Not for me. If it was, then any magic within it was poorly sung. I haven’t felt the least bit moved by the song in any way.”

Ischarus frowned as Charis spoke. “I’d expect you to notice the subtle magic contained within the songs of your father dragon. If you didn’t notice any, then there must be something else going on. I don’t like this position. We are truly bottlenecked here.”

Charis answered with a bit of venom in her words. “Your friend could not have been moved. We are here because his life needed to be saved.”

Ischarus knew instantly that she had misinterpreted his meaning. “No, that is not what I mean at all. We are here now and your reasons are legitimate. But the fact remains that luck has trapped us in a precarious position. Not only that, but we know that something is going to happen and we have no clue as to what.”

Charis eased as Ischarus reinterpreted his meaning for her. “My father dragon is driven by greed above all else. His sphere of influence is wider than I can possibly imagine and he will do nearly anything in his capability to get something his heart truly desires. To guess what he has planned is simply next to the impossible.”

Ischarus stood and prepared to go back to his position, convinced that Charis was not under the dragon’s spell. “Whatever happens, keep a good watch over Semeion. In his condition it would not take too much to push him over the edge of life and into death.”

Charis smiled, for the first time seemingly able to look past Ischarus’ dominance and filled with the ability to ignore the clash of leadership she found so easy between them. “That would make our sacrifice here pointless. Nothing of harm shall come to him.”

The dragon song repeated itself two more times and then died down. However, from his position in the tunnel Ischarus could hear that the dragon had not left. The wyrm had merely stopped singing. Its great inhalations caused every nook in the tunnel to echo and make it sound as though even the cave itself was sighing at the tension that was mounting within Ischarus to not doubt his associates.

Rhema was unaware that Ischarus had descended the short bit of the passageway to approach Charis. When she heard the dragon song, she immediately recognized it as charm magic, but felt herself pass through the compulsion unaffected. As she focused on the song, she could feel the current of magic welling past her as though she stood in the path of a rushing stream that originated from the dragon’s mouth and ran deeper into the cave. With every note she steeled herself until the song became silent. As the cavern heaved with each draconic breath once the song was over, she felt herself relax.

Suddenly, the dragon’s breathing sound was gone. Quickly she noticed that the dragon’s breathing was not the only change. Every noise had vanished, including the noise that her feet should have made as she rose from her crouched position. As she turned to look down the passageway she found that she stared into the eyes of a coming opponent. The beast had yellow eyes which contained the simple lizard-like slit for a pupil. The opponent was only a few feet tall and covered in scaly skin that was not unlike that of dragons. The short creature approached cautiously. Charis could tell by its body language that it had just cast a spell and appeared to prepare to cast another.

Charis attempted a quick warning to Ischarus, but her voice produced no sound at all. Though she tried to yell with all her might she could do nothing to warn those further up the tunnel. Giving up quickly on warning her friends and choosing to stand her ground, Rhema silently focused her thoughts into an offensive affront. She lifted the hilt of her dagger up to her right temple and focused on the creature’s yellow eyes.

The reptilian creature let out a small yelp of pain as the power of Rhema’s mind affected him. He had been caught off guard, assuming that his first spell would immobilize her ability to harm him through non-physical means. As his mind recovered from the pain, he brought to his fingers a bright blue ball of energy. The energy crackled from finger tip to fingertip as he lined up his shot and flung it towards Rhema. Although she ducked and jumped to avoid the strike, the energy ball turned mid-flight and struck Rhema in the back. As quickly as he had released the first jolt of energy another one formed and he flung it towards Rhema. This blast found its target as well. As the second energy ball struck her Rhema collapsed to the ground and made no further effort to rise.

Further up the tunnel, Charis noticed that as the energy ball sliced through the air and impacted against Rhema it illuminated her figure. Although she had been unable to hear any sound of the battle due to the reptilian creature’s spell, Charis was able to see the effects of the battle as it raged further down into the tunnel. Charis called for Ischarus as she saw Rhema strike the ground hard. “Ischarus, your friend is under attack and looks overpowered at the other end of the tunnel!”

Ischarus leapt to his feet and abandoned his end of the passageway. “Stay where you are and protect Semeion. You’ll have to watch this side of the tunnel now.”

The sound of drawing steel from a scabbard could be heard as Ischarus charged past Charis. He wasn’t sure where the threat had come from. He wasn’t even sure where Rhema lay upon the ground. As he charged down the tunnel, he saw a spark of blue energy light up. Before he could react the energy leapt into motion and slammed into Ischarus’ chest as he ran. Another blue energy ball shot forth and struck him from the same source. While the damage was hard to accept the blue light was enough to clue him in onto where the enemy was located. His torso had been significantly wounded, but he still drew the blade of his sword back in a mighty swing. Ischarus lashed out with a hefty swing as he closed in on the reptilian aggressor. The blade of the sword sliced through the air more precisely than he had imagined.

The short reptilian figure realized that its arcane spells had not been enough to take down the charging opponent. It knew that the miscalculation would cost dearly. The creature managed to do the only thing that in could as self-defense. It raised its hands and braced for the impact.

Ischarus’ blade struck the smaller creature’s hands with great force and severed the creature’s right hand cleanly. The creature shrieked in pain at the blow. It cursed Ischarus profusely and fell to the floor. Above the shriek of the wounded arcane caster came another yell. This yell was followed by another, then a third, and even a fourth.

Ischarus lowered his blade to waist height as four more of these short reptilian aggressors approached. Ischarus could tell that these four were not spell casters by the spears and daggers that they held in each hand. Although they didn’t wield magic, these weapons were no less dangerous. The reptilian creatures snarled fiercely as Ischarus held them at bay with a sweeping wide arc of his sword tip. On one such swing, Ischarus felt a presence coming towards him from behind.
[/Sblock]

Ischarus turned his head slightly to see the presence he felt coming. It was Charis coming from behind to help him. She held one of Semeion’s daggers in her hand as though she knew how to use it.

Ischarus sternly chastised Charis in their shared tongue. “I thought I told you to stay behind and protect Semeion from attacks from the other direction!”

The reptilian’s faces demonstrated that they could obviously hear and understand not only the words but also the anger in Ischarus’ voice. One of the creatures decided to make an advance upon the pair of opponents. Ischarus was prepared for the strike and he managed to use his greater reach to land an attack of his own. The flat side of his sword slashed forward and struck one of the creatures on the side of the head. The blow knocked the advancing reptilian opponent to the ground. As he fell, he slid awkwardly into the cavern wall and dropped his spear. The creature did not move after being struck.

Ischarus was still full of anger as he spoke to the rest of the kobolds in his draconic language. Now he knew that they had the ability to communicate with him. “I am in no mood for a trivial fight, dragon-spawn. If you desire a fight, I plan on giving you one to remember. Leave now, and I promise that your fallen comrades will be hurt no further.”

Two of the remaining three creatures appeared at first to be swayed by Ischarus’ words. In spite of this, the one nearest to the fighter snarled his teeth and slashed out towards Ischarus with his spear. Ischarus easily batted the strike away.

Another creature used his weapon to take a swipe at Charis. This blow landed solidly and opened a subtle wound on her left arm. She immediately wished she had more protective armor on as well as some kind of a shield to defend herself with. Since she had neither, the dagger point would have to do for now. The pain of the wound flowed through her body but she could manage to continue on. She flashed the dagger back towards the reptilian creature with another strike of her own. Unfortunately for Charis, the small creature easily ducked underneath the strike.

The fourth creature slipped in between the other two as they engaged Ischarus and Charis respectively. It used Charis’ motion to help disguise his own lunge against Ischarus. The attack nearly succeeded but for a late second twist out of the way on Ischarus’ behalf. As Ischarus began to think about parrying the attacks one more time and then lunging forward in a counter attack, a bright blue burst of energy leapt past his left thigh and hooked around the creature that had just attacked. The energy burst was identical to those thrown earlier by the reptilian spell caster with the exception that in this case there was only one energy ball thrown. The energy bolt hooked around the creature that most recently attacked Ischarus and then immediately blindsided the one that had attacked Charis earlier.

A voice, filled with a hint of anger, sounded out from behind Ischarus. “I have awakened and no longer need protection, Ischarus. Do not be angry with Charis.”

Ischarus stopped moving his sword in an erratic defense posture and turned slightly to peek a glance at Charis out of the corner of his eye. As he did, he saw the rescued Drakontos Provenience trying her hardest to anticipate a defense against the reptilian aggressor opposing her. He also caught a slight glimpse of personal vindication as a slight smile crossed her lips following Semeion’s speech from behind them. She offered no haughty retort to Ischarus’ earlier chastisement and he decided now was not the time to press the issue. He focused on his two opponents.

Ischarus half-heartedly swung at one of the creatures opposing him. His swing was merely an attempt to keep them honestly interested in himself rather than Charis. It also served well as a defensive blow to avoid the possibility of the creatures from flanking his position. Each of the reptilian creatures sliced back at him with their spears, but Ischarus directed the shaft of one away with the flat of his blade and allowed the other spear to connect quite solidly with the front of his shield.

Charis and the reptilian creature opposing her exchanged blows once more, but the defenses of both were up to the task. Charis recognized the same attack sequence and this time easily dodged a blow designed for the same arm. The creature used its superior maneuverability to avoid the simple swipe offered in return. However, the creature could not avoid being struck by another one of Semeion’s energy bolts. As the magical energy slammed into the creature it scorched a significant portion of its draconic scales and flung its body backwards into the cavern wall. The creature stumbled back and attempted to regain consciousness. However, the effort was useless as the creature tripped over the body of the one that Ischarus had previously knocked senseless. Once this creature solidly hit the ground it was no longer able to maintain the strength to keep conscious.

The final two creatures didn’t quite realize that they were the only ones left out of their original party. Ischarus swung once more, this time knocking the one that was not between himself and Charis down with a single blow. Ischarus’ sword crashed down upon the reptilian adversary’s thigh bone and struck with such force that the leg broke under the pressure. The creature dropped his spear instantly and crumpled to the ground in obvious pain. With a look of anger, Ischarus turned to the final opponent and breathed heavily. No words were needed to express his fury. His right foot made sure to step on the shaft of the spear from the creature that he had previously dealt with in order to avoid it being used as a weapon again.

The final creature was already in too deep to turn back now. There was little it could do except fight and hope for the best. Only too late did it recognize that what used to be the upper hand in numbers had now turned into fighting alone. The final creature swiped half-heartedly at Ischarus, but the shaft of its spear clanked hard off of the edge of Ischarus’ shield.

Charis stepped around to the back of the creature as it swung at Ischarus. She made it pay for its desire to come forward against the party. The blade of the dagger bit hard into the creature’s scaly shoulder and it howled in pain as it dropped its spear and fell to the ground. Ischarus paused once he realized that Charis had landed the telling blow and held his sword toward the darkness of the deeper tunnel in preparation of more coming. He secretly hoped that this had been the final gathering.

Semeion doubled over in pain, fighting the urge to pass out. Charis rushed to his side and quite calmly offered up words of help to the one she had worked so hard at saving. “Semeion, Semeion, are you all right? Can I help you?”

Semeion held up a hand as Charis approached. “I will manage. The pain from my recently healed skin is only barely manageable. But you must find Rhema and heal her.”

Ischarus guided Charis to the location of Rhema’s body with a simple outstretched finger extended from underneath his shield. His sword was still gripped firmly in his other hand and he continued to point it in the direction from which the reptilian creatures had come. Charis quickly slinked over to where Rhema lay unconscious and found her wounds. Her first task was to bind her wounds and this was easily enough accomplished. Rhema’s wounds were not deep enough to need magical healing. Charis simply treated her and immediately her condition began to improve.

As she worked, Ischarus walked a few steps further down into the tunnel in the direction from which the creatures had come. “Heal her just enough so that she is capable of riding, Charis. Then heal the beast whose hand I severed. He will need to be stabilized before we can leave here. The rest of them will also need to be made stable. They need not be fully healed, however. Although they came against us, we will bandage their wounds and allow them to live. If they are the servants of the dragon then our quarrel is not with them immediately. It is not their fault they got in the way.”

Charis objected quickly. “But they would have killed us gladly!”

Semeion knelt beside her, the pain flowing over his face. “It is they way we do things, Charis. We do not aim to kill – only to defeat and move beyond if our opponents are unwilling to concede. We’ll leave them stable here in the tunnel. When they awaken they’ll know that they were cared for rather than outright killed. Of course, they’ll also be weaponless until they return to their clan.”

Charis protested again. “But…”

Semeion smiled and lay down on his back on the ground beside her. The pain was excruciating now, and only his strong mental training allowed him to think through the pain of his recently healed skin. As Charis began to object, Semeion merely smiled. “It is who we are, Charis. If we kill and leave them dead, we are no better than they are. When I joined this group only a few days ago I had difficulty understanding as well. But seeing your rescue convinced me of the good that we can do. But the good that we can do is tainted by any evil done by our own hands. When we kill, we cause people to hate us and justly so. It cannot be the way of the righteous. If we heal our enemies, we can certainly teach them that they were defeated. Yet we can also show them compassion by not only sparing their lives but ensuring that they do not die as well.”

Charis looked down at Rhema and prayed a simple prayer, reviving her from her unconsciousness. Charis looked to Semeion and said, “Explain this to her. I apparently have healing to perform.”

As she stood, she found herself face to face with Ischarus. He had apparently returned from his brief walk down the tunnel. He said nothing to Charis as their eyes met. Ischarus’ lips flashed a crooked and unbalanced smile and he patted her shoulder with his leather gloved hand. He turned so that she could easily pass by him and Charis set about bandaging the wounds of the wounded and ultimately expending what was left of her divine healing power to ensure that the life of the reptilian spell caster was not lost.

As she rose from her final task, she noted that Ischarus had been standing watch over her actions the whole time. He had not been watching her, but he had been watching out for her safety. As she rose to her feet, Semeion and Rhema helped each other to their own feet. They were a badly beaten group and low on resources. But now was not the time to stay still any longer. They were capable of moving on and the need was greater than ever. It would be a long way home.

[Sblock=Color Free Speech Section]
Ischarus turned his head slightly to see the presence he felt coming. It was Charis coming from behind to help him. She held one of Semeion’s daggers in her hand as though she knew how to use it.

Ischarus sternly chastised Charis in their shared tongue. “I thought I told you to stay behind and protect Semeion from attacks from the other direction!”

The reptilian’s faces demonstrated that they could obviously hear and understand not only the words but also the anger in Ischarus’ voice. One of the creatures decided to make an advance upon the pair of opponents. Ischarus was prepared for the strike and he managed to use his greater reach to land an attack of his own. The flat side of his sword slashed forward and struck one of the creatures on the side of the head. The blow knocked the advancing reptilian opponent to the ground. As he fell, he slid awkwardly into the cavern wall and dropped his spear. The creature did not move after being struck.

Ischarus was still full of anger as he spoke to the rest of the kobolds in his draconic language. Now he knew that they had the ability to communicate with him. “I am in no mood for a trivial fight, dragon-spawn. If you desire a fight, I plan on giving you one to remember. Leave now, and I promise that your fallen comrades will be hurt no further.”

Two of the remaining three creatures appeared at first to be swayed by Ischarus’ words. In spite of this, the one nearest to the fighter snarled his teeth and slashed out towards Ischarus with his spear. Ischarus easily batted the strike away.

Another creature used his weapon to take a swipe at Charis. This blow landed solidly and opened a subtle wound on her left arm. She immediately wished she had more protective armor on as well as some kind of a shield to defend herself with. Since she had neither, the dagger point would have to do for now. The pain of the wound flowed through her body but she could manage to continue on. She flashed the dagger back towards the reptilian creature with another strike of her own. Unfortunately for Charis, the small creature easily ducked underneath the strike.

The fourth creature slipped in between the other two as they engaged Ischarus and Charis respectively. It used Charis’ motion to help disguise his own lunge against Ischarus. The attack nearly succeeded but for a late second twist out of the way on Ischarus’ behalf. As Ischarus began to think about parrying the attacks one more time and then lunging forward in a counter attack, a bright blue burst of energy leapt past his left thigh and hooked around the creature that had just attacked. The energy burst was identical to those thrown earlier by the reptilian spell caster with the exception that in this case there was only one energy ball thrown. The energy bolt hooked around the creature that most recently attacked Ischarus and then immediately blindsided the one that had attacked Charis earlier.

A voice, filled with a hint of anger, sounded out from behind Ischarus. “I have awakened and no longer need protection, Ischarus. Do not be angry with Charis.”

Ischarus stopped moving his sword in an erratic defense posture and turned slightly to peek a glance at Charis out of the corner of his eye. As he did, he saw the rescued Drakontos Provenience trying her hardest to anticipate a defense against the reptilian aggressor opposing her. He also caught a slight glimpse of personal vindication as a slight smile crossed her lips following Semeion’s speech from behind them. She offered no haughty retort to Ischarus’ earlier chastisement and he decided now was not the time to press the issue. He focused on his two opponents.

Ischarus half-heartedly swung at one of the creatures opposing him. His swing was merely an attempt to keep them honestly interested in himself rather than Charis. It also served well as a defensive blow to avoid the possibility of the creatures from flanking his position. Each of the reptilian creatures sliced back at him with their spears, but Ischarus directed the shaft of one away with the flat of his blade and allowed the other spear to connect quite solidly with the front of his shield.

Charis and the reptilian creature opposing her exchanged blows once more, but the defenses of both were up to the task. Charis recognized the same attack sequence and this time easily dodged a blow designed for the same arm. The creature used its superior maneuverability to avoid the simple swipe offered in return. However, the creature could not avoid being struck by another one of Semeion’s energy bolts. As the magical energy slammed into the creature it scorched a significant portion of its draconic scales and flung its body backwards into the cavern wall. The creature stumbled back and attempted to regain consciousness. However, the effort was useless as the creature tripped over the body of the one that Ischarus had previously knocked senseless. Once this creature solidly hit the ground it was no longer able to maintain the strength to keep conscious.

The final two creatures didn’t quite realize that they were the only ones left out of their original party. Ischarus swung once more, this time knocking the one that was not between himself and Charis down with a single blow. Ischarus’ sword crashed down upon the reptilian adversary’s thigh bone and struck with such force that the leg broke under the pressure. The creature dropped his spear instantly and crumpled to the ground in obvious pain. With a look of anger, Ischarus turned to the final opponent and breathed heavily. No words were needed to express his fury. His right foot made sure to step on the shaft of the spear from the creature that he had previously dealt with in order to avoid it being used as a weapon again.

The final creature was already in too deep to turn back now. There was little it could do except fight and hope for the best. Only too late did it recognize that what used to be the upper hand in numbers had now turned into fighting alone. The final creature swiped half-heartedly at Ischarus, but the shaft of its spear clanked hard off of the edge of Ischarus’ shield.

Charis stepped around to the back of the creature as it swung at Ischarus. She made it pay for its desire to come forward against the party. The blade of the dagger bit hard into the creature’s scaly shoulder and it howled in pain as it dropped its spear and fell to the ground. Ischarus paused once he realized that Charis had landed the telling blow and held his sword toward the darkness of the deeper tunnel in preparation of more coming. He secretly hoped that this had been the final gathering.

Semeion doubled over in pain, fighting the urge to pass out. Charis rushed to his side and quite calmly offered up words of help to the one she had worked so hard at saving. “Semeion, Semeion, are you all right? Can I help you?”

Semeion held up a hand as Charis approached. “I will manage. The pain from my recently healed skin is only barely manageable. But you must find Rhema and heal her.”

Ischarus guided Charis to the location of Rhema’s body with a simple outstretched finger extended from underneath his shield. His sword was still gripped firmly in his other hand and he continued to point it in the direction from which the reptilian creatures had come. Charis quickly slinked over to where Rhema lay unconscious and found her wounds. Her first task was to bind her wounds and this was easily enough accomplished. Rhema’s wounds were not deep enough to need magical healing. Charis simply treated her and immediately her condition began to improve.

As she worked, Ischarus walked a few steps further down into the tunnel in the direction from which the creatures had come. “Heal her just enough so that she is capable of riding, Charis. Then heal the beast whose hand I severed. He will need to be stabilized before we can leave here. The rest of them will also need to be made stable. They need not be fully healed, however. Although they came against us, we will bandage their wounds and allow them to live. If they are the servants of the dragon then our quarrel is not with them immediately. It is not their fault they got in the way.”

Charis objected quickly. “But they would have killed us gladly!”

Semeion knelt beside her, the pain flowing over his face. “It is they way we do things, Charis. We do not aim to kill – only to defeat and move beyond if our opponents are unwilling to concede. We’ll leave them stable here in the tunnel. When they awaken they’ll know that they were cared for rather than outright killed. Of course, they’ll also be weaponless until they return to their clan.”

Charis protested again. “But…”

Semeion smiled and lay down on his back on the ground beside her. The pain was excruciating now, and only his strong mental training allowed him to think through the pain of his recently healed skin. As Charis began to object, Semeion merely smiled. “It is who we are, Charis. If we kill and leave them dead, we are no better than they are. When I joined this group only a few days ago I had difficulty understanding as well. But seeing your rescue convinced me of the good that we can do. But the good that we can do is tainted by any evil done by our own hands. When we kill, we cause people to hate us and justly so. It cannot be the way of the righteous. If we heal our enemies, we can certainly teach them that they were defeated. Yet we can also show them compassion by not only sparing their lives but ensuring that they do not die as well.”

Charis looked down at Rhema and prayed a simple prayer, reviving her from her unconsciousness. Charis looked to Semeion and said, “Explain this to her. I apparently have healing to perform.”

As she stood, she found herself face to face with Ischarus. He had apparently returned from his brief walk down the tunnel. He said nothing to Charis as their eyes met. Ischarus’ lips flashed a crooked and unbalanced smile and he patted her shoulder with his leather gloved hand. He turned so that she could easily pass by him and Charis set about bandaging the wounds of the wounded and ultimately expending what was left of her divine healing power to ensure that the life of the reptilian spell caster was not lost.

As she rose from her final task, she noted that Ischarus had been standing watch over her actions the whole time. He had not been watching her, but he had been watching out for her safety. As she rose to her feet, Semeion and Rhema helped each other to their own feet. They were a badly beaten group and low on resources. But now was not the time to stay still any longer. They were capable of moving on and the need was greater than ever. It would be a long way home.
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