Author's Note: Gah! I am so sorry this chapter took so long to get out. But my heart problems seem to be under control now so I can write again. I do want to thank my brother for writing out and posting the note for me. He knew how bothered I was that I couldn't work on the story. The next few chapters may take awhile since I tire easily now and can't work on them for very long so please bear with me and thank you for your patience. Please give me your opinions of the story so far, and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
By the time they made camp the next day, near a little brook, Xaldin assured them that they would be out of the mountains soon. "We should be within sight of Saphirian by midday at the latest. Saphirian is a farming village at the west end of Sheras Valley. At the east end is the village of Sheras Pass."
"Do you think the village will have any soldiers?" Xaldin shook his head at Roxas.
"The entire valley is surrounded by sheer cliffs that make coming through the mountains impossible for anyone not native to the area. The only way in is through Sheras Pass. The village is actually split in half by the pass itself, with one half outside the valley and the other inside. The pass is so narrow that only one person can go through at a time and any goods have to be carried by hand."
Xigbar glared at Xaldin. "So coming through the mountains like this was a waste of time? We can't go down cliffs like that with a pony and no gear!"
Xaldin shook his head. "I said it was impossible for anyone who isn't a native. I was born and raised in Saphirian."
"Does this mean we get to meet your parents?" Demyx and Axel grinned as their words echoed, but Xaldin shook his head. "They died eight years ago." Everyone was silent after that and set about having dinner. Axel and Xigbar decided to spar while Xaldin cooked with Demyx' help, and Roxas joined the sparring.
By the time Xaldin called them to come eat, Xigbar had a singed sleeve, Axel's right arm was numb, and both of them were blinking spots from their eyes. Roxas hadn't even been scratched, which made the other two grumble.
While they ate Demyx decided they needed some music to help them relax, so he started singing. His voice was a soft tenor and Axel thought he was very good. Closing his eyes so could just let the music sink in, he thought it was strange to hear a slight echo of the song.
Opening his eyes he glanced around to see who was singing along and was surprised when everyone else was still just listening. But Xigbar turned and met his eyes. This voice was a higher pitch than the first two and sounded female. It flowed though the notes and Axel thought it sounded a little bubbly.
Movement out of the corner of his eye made Axel turn and stare. Xigbar followed his gaze and nudged Xaldin. The three of them staring off elsewhere caught Roxas' attention and he poked Demyx gently. He stopped singing and noticed the others all staring off toward the brook.
When he turned to look the brook had risen up out of its bed and was now staring at him. Demyx grinned and clapped his hands in delight as he gave the dragon a very enthusiastic yes. Water spiraled around him before returning to its place in the brook bed.
He proudly showed them the black stylized waves in a small globe that had appeared on his arm, in the same place as Axel and Xigbar's marks. Demyx then felt he needed to start practicing right away to catch up with the other two and within five short minutes had put out their fire, soaked all of them, had a fireball thrown at him, dodged a small lightning bolt, tripped over Roxas' extended foot, and been clonked over the head by Xaldin.
By the time they started out again the next morning, Demy's persistent begging for forgiveness had worn them down and they all forgave him, albeit a little reluctantly in some cases.
When they reached the edge of the cliffs that Xaldin had warned them of, the now three dragon wielders and Roxas were more than a little damp and greatly surprised at their dirty-blond haired friends ability. He seemed to be a natural at his magic, and had happily related his dragon's praise at his control to the others.
Axel looked down at the village below them. The majority of it rested close to the cliffs they stood on with farmlands expanding out to fill the rest of the valley as far as he could see and he noticed several homes spaced out among these fields.
Xaldin led them over to a pair of thick trees on either side of a large boulder. "So how do you plan to get us down there, oh brilliant native?" Axel chuckled at Xigbar's comment and stared in confusion as Xaldin calmly reached up and yanked down hard on a low branch of the left tree.
A low rumbling made them stare in open-mouthed wonder as the front of the boulder slid down to reveal a sloping passage. Xaldin smirked at them and led their pony into the passage, leaving the others to scramble after him.
It only took them about an hour to follow the wide tunnel to the base of the cliffs and emerge into the light on the valley floor. A sudden shout put them all on guard and a streak of yellow hit Xaldin hard.
Axel stared for a moment in shock, before turning away with a blush staining his cheeks. The streak of yellow turned out to be a short haired blond man. The blond had both arms around Xaldin's neck and had captured his lips in a deep and passionate kiss. When they finally broke for air, Xaldin turned to the others with one arm firmly around the blonde's waist.
Axel opened his mouth to say something and Xaldin interrupted. "This is my husband, Luxord." He glared at all of them, daring them to make a rude comment. Luxord just gave them a wave and pulled away from Xaldin. "Come on Xally Luv, bring yer friends so we can celebrate. I just got a new shipment of the best rum in Thanaos."
Roxas giggled and started to follow the older blond when he noticed that the others weren't moving. Axel grinned, "Here we go again." Xaldin's eyes widened as wind whipped around him and eventually took the form of a dragon. Axel thought this one's voice was more breathy than the others and a light bass.
None of them were paying attention to Luxord, until he started trying to hit the wind dragon with a stick. Xaldin grabbed his arm and quickly reassured him that things were ok, before facing the dragon.
"I accept." Axel chuckled at Luxord's gaping expression as the wind whipped furiously around himself and Xaldin before dissipating.
"What the hell was that?" Xaldin looked a little guilty as he faced his love. "It's going to take a while to explain."
Whoo! So both Demy and Xally have their dragons now. And we get to meet Xally's husband! Who saw that coming? Besides me. Sorry this chapter is so short, but this was just such a perfect place to stop. And a thank you to GurranLagann who was the only person to review for the saving of Axel's hair.
Axel: Are you guys serious? Only one person cares that Kit is going to shave away all my beautiful hair?
Me: oh well you just have shit luck. ::Turns on electric razor and grins evilly::
Axel: ::runs away clutching his hair and screaming::
Me: ::chases Axel with razor laughing hysterically::
