Chapter 2: A Returning Friend, but Curiosity Takes the Better
The next day was bright and sunny, like nothing had ever happened in the near by city of New Granseal. The great hero Bowie stepped outside of his large house to smell the air. He, and everyone in New Granseal enjoyed the new found peace. In the past 20 years, Bowie had started a family, and really settled down in his home. Bowie barley looked any older than he was 20 years ago, because he didn't want a beard. He was about to head inside when he saw a familiar face.
"Slade. How are you?" Bowie greeted his old friend.
Slade smiled.
"Well I thought I was going crazy this weekend," Slade said.
He explained to Bowie what happened at the temple, and that Slade thought he saw Oddler. Bowie didn't like the idea of something else threatening the world. Slade knew that Bowie had other things to worry about now.
"I noticed that dark clouds are forming over the mountains, and towards Grans Island. Is it possible that something could be happening?" Bowie asked.
Slade shrugged. No one knew what was happening. Bowie thought on the subject. This was the case of making sure the world wasn't in danger again, or staying with his family. Then Bowie made his decision.
"I'll help you find out what happened, but I'll need to get some things ready," he said.
"Well I'll see you tonight then," Slade said.
The two friends said goodbye, and went to prepare.
Hidden behind one of the walls of the house, Bowie's son, Irilos, over heard his father's conversation. Irilos wanted to go too, but his father wouldn't even tell him what he did, let alone go with him. Irilos sighed, and climbed up the green vines to his bedroom window. No one ever realized when he left the town let alone his own house. Irilos snuck back into bed, before Bowie came up to wake him.
"Its morning son," Bowie said unaware of what had happened.
"Is mother making breakfast?" Irilos asked.
Bowie nodded. Irilos crawled out of bed, and scratched his head. Bowie smiled and opened the door.
"And don't forget to brush your hair," Bowie said noting Irilos's messy blonde hair.
Irilos didn't like brushing his hair. Bowie left the room, and Irilos changed into a simple green tunic, and brown pants.
Bowie waited downstairs in the kitchen. Breakfast was ready on the table, and the sunlight ran into the brown room. Irilos walked down the stairs and sat across from his father. They began to eat the large breakfast of fruits and bread that was laid out on the wooden table.
"Are you going to your tutoring today?" Bowie asked.
"Yeah. Why do you ask? Are you doing something today?" Irilos asked.
He hoped that Bowie might say something.
"No. I was just asking," Bowie replied as usual.
Irilos lowered his head. Bowie didn't like keeping secrets, but he also didn't want his son to be doing anything dangerous.
"Hey, maybe after your classes we can explore the forest outside of town," Bowie said.
Irilos's face brightened.
"Really?" Irilos asked happily.
Bowie nodded.
"Now you should head off to your lessons," Bowie stated.
Irilos ran out the door. Bowie smiled. He was happy to make his family happy, but it went away in a second. He remembered what he had to do later that day too. Although he didn't want to, Bowie knew he had to leave. And there was this feeling that something wasn't completely right. Something zipped past the window, and Bowie went to investigate.
Meanwhile, Slade rested in a tree just outside of town. He enjoyed the cool breeze between his round ears. The peaceful deer below feasted on the green grass, and enjoyed life.
"Well I see why Bowie likes it here so much," Slade whispered to himself.
Suddenly the deer ran off shocked. Slade notices a blur run between the trees. Slade jumped down, and saw Bowie running after the blur.
"So you saw it too," Slade asked.
"Do you know what it is?" Bowie asked.
The blur went into a clearing and stopped. Slade, and Bowie crept up to the bushes and saw a short goblin talking to a woman. The woman had long red hair, and wore silk. She appeared to be a princess of some type.
"The boy went into the temple of Bonalis," the goblin stated.
"And we can't charge the temple," The woman said.
There was a pause in the conversation, as the woman thought.
"That's Ranisa, the princess of a distant city," Slade stated
"But why is she here? And what is on her forehead?" Bowie asked.
The two looked at the large black gem on her forehead. It seemed to be attached to Ranisa's skin. Ranisa smiled.
"Send your goblins to attack the city. Burn it! Since we can't get Bowie, well flush out the boy," Ranisa ordered.
The goblin laughed, and ran off. Slade, and Bowie did the same before they were spotted.
"I thought you didn't want your son to be fighting," Slade said, when him and Bowie were about half way to New Granseal.
"I don't, and how did you know that?" Bowie asked.
"I figured that out when I saw him spying on our conversation," Slade replied.
Bowie took in what Slade said.
"What makes you think my son knows how to fight?" Bowie asked.
He wanted to challenge Slade's knowledge.
"Because Bonalis is the Goddess of Battle," Slade stated.
Bowie stopped. Slade stopped as well.
"I guess I really couldn't protect him by telling him nothing," Bowie mumbled.
Slade shock Bowie violently.
"Get a hold of yourself!" Slade yelled.
Bowie looked at Slade.
"Your right we have to protect the city," Bowie said.
Bowie and Slade headed for the city, on a hope that the enemies wouldn't get there first.
At that time, Irilos was inside the stone library of Bonalis's temple. He was helping his friends find a book. Irilos searched through the high dark metal shelf. From above him, the elf Orison searched the top half of the shelf. His long almost white hair was in hundreds of braids that touched his knees. Small knifes were ties to the ends of the braids.
"You see it down there?" Orison asked.
"No," Irilos replied.
Orison sighed. Shania came around the corner. Her short green hair bordered her face, and blue eyes showed when she was angry. She wore chain mail, unlike Orison who wore a black robe.
"I found nothing," Shania stated.
"Found it!" a voice called from the other end of the room.
There was a loud crash. Irilos, Orison, and Shania ran to the other end, to see that one of the bookshelves had fallen over. The three pushed the shelf away to see a small puddle of water, and an old brown tome.
"Is it off me?" the puddle asked.
"Yes Arelis," Irilos replied.
The water lifted into the air, and formed a boy with long messy brown hair that touched his back.
"You alright Arelis?" Orison asked.
"Being able to turn into any element can come in handy," Arelis snickered.
Arelis brushed off the dust on his brown leather clothing. He smiled and picked up the brown tome.
"Here you go Orison," Arelis replied.
Before anyone could look at it, there was a loud boom that echoed through the library. Irilos looked out the window to see that New Granseal was burning. Irilos was shocked, and headed out of the library. Shania grabbed his arm before he could leave.
"We are your friends," She stated.
"Well help you," Orison said.
"After all we could show those enemies not to mess with us!" Arelis stated.
Irilos smiled and nodded.
"Then lets go!" Irilos replied.
The four ran out towards the burning city, prepared for battle. Unaware of what is truly happening.