Hey all! I'm doing a chapter jam, basically. I've got just a few more days until winter break is over and I have to go back to school, which will slow my chapter production by A LOT, so I'm trying my best to get as far as possible before then. Evidently, there was some disappointment on my decision to leave Malefor dead, and I apologize for those of you who were, but there is nothing I could do with that. No way for me to know where the original author was going to go with that, or any of that side stuff he was doing. Please refrain from messaging me and asking me to change what I am doing. I have done my best to make this an original work, to make this my story, and it doesn't make me feel good about that when people come in and try to make me change it to what they want. If you are unhappy, I am sorry, but I am doing my best. I welcome constructive criticism, not a collar and leash. Thank you, and enjoy!
Chapter 14
Once we got out of the temple, our route through the city was random. We found ourselves at dead ends, or walking in circles, but eventually we found ourselves on one big road. It was long and wide, and covered in merchant carts. Most of the carts sold food, or clothing for moles, which was of no interest to us. We did stop by a few food carts which were offering samples, and I dare say those chefs had some good techniques. As we progressed further down the road, we found much less popular carts which held items not meant for moles. We approached one stand in particular had what looked like metal armor meant for dragons. Standing behind the cart was an elderly-looking mole.
"Why so much dragon armor?" I asked
"There used to be many more dragons to sell to, and when the war began, I made plenty. I never would've expected Gaul to attack the dragons. I have armor in your size if you're interested," He offered
"We'll be glad to look, but we don't have anything to pay for it," I replied
"Well, I would be glad of the company anyways. Let me pull out my stalk in your size," He said, and disappeared into a cupboard in the cart
From our perspective, all we could see were different pieces of armor flying up and onto the counter. They were strange things. The helmets seemed like they were only meant to protect the top of the head. The body pieces weren't so different from the chest pieces used by medieval knights. The only other piece of armor were random assortments of plates and bracers. The plates, as I later discovered, were meant to be places on top of the body where the tail meets the torso, and the bracers were obviously to be put on the wrists. When everything was up, they had been arranged into full sets of armor, amounting to six full sets. We both jumped when the mole popped back into view from behind the cart.
"Here we are, every set of armor I have arranged from lowest to highest quality," He said, and grabbed the set at the beginning of the line up
It looked to be made of iron, and it wasn't very polished. It was dark grey, and not decorated at all, making it very bland and looking quite heavy.
"This is one of my first every young dragon designs. It was meant to be more for training armor for the young ones. Its weight helps build strength, and most could afford it as a beginning set," He said, then grabbed the next set
It wasn't much different from the first. It looked to be made of the same material, and the same color, but it had subtle decorations imbedded in the iron, and it looked like it was made to fit the body of its wearer more comfortably.
"This is an improvement on the first design. It's a bit more expensive, but it's less heavy, more stylish, and more comfortable. Usually, the more well-off dragons would buy this set for their children to train with," He explained, then moved to the next two
These two looked much better than the first two. They looked to be heat forged and polished steel. They were shiny, attractive, and had emblems imbedded on the body pieces.
"These are my third model, for real combat. The only real difference in them is that one is curved to fit a female body structure. They are meant to be light weight, tough, and durable,"
"Wow, you really worked," I said as he moved to the next two
These two were GORGIOUS. One looked to be made of silver, and the other of gold, and both had six red gems running along the backs of the body pieces. The gold one also had three larger green gems running straight down the back of the body piece in between the red gems. The silver one had four green gems on the bracers, one on each.
"These two are my latest creation. I made as many of these as I could just before the war, in all sizes, but when the dragons were nearly wiped out, there was nobody to use them. The red and green gems imbedded in the armor increase a warrior's stamina, and heal them when they are injured. The armor pieces are made of gold and silver plated steel, making them very beautiful and very valuable. They were the only things I was ever able to sell, but only as decorations for the homes of moles," He finished
"Wow…well, if we're ever in need of armor, we know where to come," Tina said
"Thank you. It's been a while since any of these armor pieces have even moved. Do come again!" He replied, before we walked away
"Man, those last two sets were beautiful," Tina said
"I know. They would suit you," I replied, once again using more confidence than I had to spare
Tina looked at me, surprised by my bold comment, and trying to add to it, I shot her a confident smile. She was silent for a few moments, and I began to think that I maybe went too fast, or too far, or maybe it was too sudden. She put my thoughts to rest by smiling and planting a quick peck on my cheek. From that moment forward, we just ran around the city, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The six year old came out in both of us as we ran and had simple, innocent fun, free of any care or worry for the first time in our lives.
Down streets, around corners, and everywhere through Warfang, we laughed and giggled the day away. By the time the sun began to fall, we had to ask for directions back to the temple. We discovered that we weren't far from the temple, making us feel bad for troubling someone for the directions we could have acquired by just looking around. We thanked the mole before making our way around a few corners until we arrived back at the temple, where we immediately knew something was going on. As soon as we entered the Vision Pool room, we found that all of the guardians were gathered along with Spyro, Cynder, and Sparx.
"What are you trying to say?" I heard Spyro ask
"What I'm saying is that you were right," Volteer replied, as soon as we turned the corner
"What's going on?" I asked
Everyone's attention was turned to Tina and I as we walked into the room. Terrador was the first to take charge and answer me.
"In preparing to bring you to the White Aisle, we discovered that the gates leading inside were already open. He has been waiting for you, or if not you, then someone," He said
"Wait, the gate? You mean the White Aisle is here?!" I asked urgently
"Yes, but the gate locks from the inside. It takes time to get word inside for him to open it," Cyril replied
"We've been talking to them, and have decided that at mid-day tomorrow, you will be escorted to the gate, but from then on, you'll have to go on alone," Spyro said
I was silent. Preparations to take me to the White Aisle, that is what they said. Not getting the gate open so I could get in. They led me to believe that I would have to make another journey to reach it. They never even thought to mention that the key to finding out what is happening to me, the key to getting me home to see my parents again, isn't even far enough to be a hop, skip, and a jump away?
"Vexx, are you alright?" Tina asked
"Fine," I lied
My fib was obvious, but they seemed to not be concerned with my response at the moment. The continued making plans amongst themselves.
"I'm going to get some rest," I said, before walking past everyone and back to Tina's and my room
As soon as I got into the room, I let my anger show. I screamed out to the world and smacked my tail against the wall, accidentally leaving a cut in the stone where the tip it.
"That doesn't look fine to me," I heard from behind me
I turned around to see Tina, standing in the doorway.
"Why wouldn't they tell me it was so close? This entire time I've been waiting, to find out that my answers were a few minute's walk away?" I asked angrily
Without answering, Tina quickly walked up to me and pulled me into a hug. I closed my eyes and let her presence soothe me. Too soon, she pulled away.
"Vexx, I don't know why they wouldn't tell you, but you must trust in their judgement. It won't be long before you get your answers, and then you can go home," She said
I detected an obvious hint of sadness in her voice. Despite everything we'd gone through together, we both knew that time was nearly up. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't stay. My parents needed me. I was bringing in the money which gave us food. They've already gone too long without me being there. I looked into Tina's eyes, and I saw a tear fall. It broke my heart to see her like this, and I couldn't help but pull her back into a hug.
"I wish I could stay, Tina. I really do. But my family needs me to be there," I said, my own voice faltering
"But I need you, Vexx. I need you with me…I love you" She replied, beginning to sob into my shoulder
"I love you too, and I will always be with you. Not a day will go by when I don't think of you, and I won't rest until I find a way to get back to you"
With no more words, we both laid down and cuddled together, falling asleep in that position. My sleep was dreamless, and I spent the entire next morning with Tina. We were both afraid that this might be my last day in Avalar. It was exactly mid-day when Cynder appeared in the doorway. She didn't say anything; only gave a nod to me, confirming that it was time. Tina and I both stood and walked out of the room together, making our way to the front room of the temple, where Terrador was waiting for us.
"I will take you as far as the gate, but past there you must proceed alone," He said
"I understand," I said
With no more words, Terrador led us out of the temple and through the streets. I intertwined my tail with Tina's and wrapped my wing over her back, just to hold her for that much longer. The farther we progressed, the stranger the path got. It started as roads through the city, but it seemed to turn into a lone, walled off path leading in one direction. It didn't take long for the gate to come into view, but when it did, Tina and I both knew that it was time to say goodbye.