Chapter 21 Wounded

"I hate to ask…who is Sharma?" Ryder gulped.

As he spoke, the dragon landed a few feet away; we had to cover our eyes because the sand kicked up and blew in our faces. Two women, a boy and Faramund slid down the dragon's shoulder.

"Sharma is King of the Fire's; you know his son and mate." Siegbert said.

"Plamen and Ugne?" I asked.

"Correct, he flew here to protect the Queen, princess, and prince." Seraphina said with a chortle.

"Queen?!" Aysel yelped.

The four humans and dragon walked to meet us.

"Hello Siegbert, Seraphina." The dragon smiled.

"Sharma." Seraphina and Siegbert said simply, both bowed slightly in respect. Sharma returned their bow.

Faramund stood still beside the boy, he gazed at all us, almost ashamed that he had left.

"Ladies, and gentlemen, this Raziela, Queen of Akosh, wife of Boris, mother of Faramund, Trinity and Bryce." Siegbert introduced.

We all bowed to Raziela. For about an hour we listened to Queen Raziela as she told us her story. It was dark when we set off for the shoreline. Sharma was now a human figure, and walked with us. Some walked while others rode slowly on the horses. We had met Euphemia on the way and spoke privately with Xenia for a few minutes. Then she took off for more hunting, leaving us two goats and devour. Thankfully Faramund and I were walking behind the rest.

"I'm sorry I left, Ya'el, I just needed to think." He began.

"But you couldn't say where you were going?" I said under my breath.

Faramund gave me a calm look. "You…you care about me?"

I looked ahead, then at the ground. "Yes, I have been ever since you took me to see Ugne…" I said after a few uncomfortable quiet minutes.

Faramund gave me a half smile, and then looked on. "I talked with her a few weeks ago."

"About?" I asked.

"I asked her if I should ask you about something." His eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

"She said the only way to find out was to ask you." He chuckled a bit.

I looked silently; I wanted to say something but decided not.

Faramund slowed down, making sure we were out of hearing distance. Xenia glanced back and smiled, she kept walking.

"Will you marry me?"


"How did you get in here?" Boris asked.

"You sent me, by Nagendra's orders." He said. "Also, that young man of yours will be crowned king the moment he enters the palace gates. And he will sit beside his elven Queen; they will loved by all men, dragons, and most importantly; elves." John said.

"I hate elves!" Boris yelled; not even glad for his.

"So you do, for you shall be killed by the ones you hate."

After a few hours, two soldiers walked to John's cell, unlocked his door and led him up the stairs; where three lords awaited his presence. But he said one last thing to Boris.

"Be aware of the murderer you renamed David. He's violent." He stated.


They rode on for an hour or so, and then Lalan used his keen sense of hearing and led the way to the large canyon. Everything was red as rust, except the face David. He was white as snow, almost deathly white. He kept one eye on Gunner's sword, and other on Lalan's bow. His heart could be heard a mile away, his eyes were wide open. Lalan laughed when he glanced at David.

"Relax David; I'm positive Xenia will kill me if I kill you..." Lalan said, he stopped his horse, and looked around. "Where shall we go now Gunner?"

Gunner also laughed, "I think we're fine here." He jumped from Shade, who trotted a few yards away to nibble on a clump of grass, and dragged David off.

"Let go of me!" David shouted, now his voice was serious.

Lalan slid off his horse, took the reins off and let him go. "So David, have you thought of how not to die?"

"No!" He yelled, prying himself from Gunner's grasp.

Gunner stood across from Lalan, David was in between them. He said nothing, but a smile tugged at the edge of his lips.

Lalan glanced at Gunner, as if David was annoying him. He turned to David. "Don't you want to live?"

"Who wouldn't?" David asked. "I'm sick and tired of being your little hostage!"

"Well, think of a way to redeem yourself to avoid MistMaker's wrath!" Lalan stated.

Gunner unsheathed his great sword and leaned on it. "You better hurry up and think..." He said with a crooked smile.

"I know Xenia might want to hear your apology..." Lalan started to say.

"Well, what if I don't to apologize?!" David slowly merged to the right.

"Well, there are two possibilities, one; The Night Lord will most likely kill you, second; Gunner here will use his massive sword. And it won't be very pleasant." Lalan said, stroking his horse's nose.

"I could make it quick though..." Gunner laughed. He knew he never would kill this man, but it was fun to see the way he squirmed and trembled.

David stuck his tongue out at Gunner. His eyes nervously glanced towards his chest, as if making sure something was still in its place.

Lalan laughed along. "Considering you don't want to be slayed by this amazing swordsman...you can be killed by fangs, fire and or smoke. Except...there is another way...but that won't do you any good."

David reached for the inside of his chest and pulled out a metal object, before Lalan or Gunner could stop him, he had shot a bullet into Lalan's shoulder. Lalan fell to the ground screaming in pain while holding his bloody shoulder. David shot again, only this time at Gunner, but missed. Then ran off down the steep slope.

When the first shot sounded, Gunner was already close to David. His sword grazed the side of David's torso. Gunner then sprinted to Lalan, saying, "He'll leave a trail for us now. Are you able to ride?"

Lalan held his eyes taught, his hand covered in blood. "Ugh, I hope so..." He tried to sit up, but his neck and shoulder were in so pain he fell back. "Go after him, I'm sure the others heard the shot."


Before I could answer, my heart pounded as we covered our ears; for two piercing sounds echoed through the woods, followed by screams; making everyone freeze.

"Someone else has possession of a gun." Seraphina said, shivering.

"Who here has the knowledge of healing?" Sharma demanded to know.

"Aysel and I." I volunteered, sprinting to her before she could hide, and grabbing her arm.

"Excellent, Seraphina gather the herbs and meet me at red canyon! Faramund will help you"
"Yes sir." Seraphina said, and ran off with Faramund to search for herbs.

I pulled Aysel to the dragon. She reluctantly climbed his back, I followed. Sharma sent the rest to head back to the shore. Then we took off.

"Who could have obtained a gun?" Aysel asked.

"Who were the ones that did not meet Seraphina and Siegbert?" Sharma asked.

"Gunner, Lalan and David." I answered, "But Gunner would not be someone who uses a gun, and Lalan only lives on his bow and arrow…"

"Or, they didn't know about it, until someone fired it."