Suzi: Thank goodness! Both Kelly and Rath are gone! Oh, and I found the right notebook! *holds up notebook*

Adeena: Give that back! *points at a random ice cream shop* They have chocolate!

Suzi: CHOCOLATE! *drops notebook and runs to get chocolate ice cream* Hey! I forgot the notebook!

Adeena: Stupid. *walks away with all her notebooks*

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Knights.

Chapter Eleven: Life or Death?

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Forest clearing a little further upstream

"You say Fire left camp right after we returned last night" Adeena said to Ruwalk as they moved through the woods towards where she and Rune had rescued Cesia.

"Yes. He seemed rather in a hurry" he replied.

"Let's hope he was able to protect Rath when he became totally exhausted, or ran out of demons" from Lykouleon moving swiftly behind them with the rest of the search party.

Minutes later they came upon Fire curled in the middle of a clearing. Adeena signals the others to stay back as she approaches Fire cautiously. As she approaches, Fire moves his tail from where it had been wrapped around his body, revealing Rath who was slowly uncurling from sleep.

Taking Nadil's seal out of the pouch she'd been carrying it in, she tossed it in the air and caused a breeze to blow it so that it landed on Rath, falling over his head. He cried out as he fell back against Fire, unable to see or hear, flinging his arms as if to ward off an attack or keep his balance. It didn't work, as Adeena moved quickly to his side, caught his hands and made him sit once more.

"Ruwalk, keep Cesia and Zoma over there with you. Lykouleon, Rune, Thatz, I need your dragons and I need you three to guard this clearing" she said as Wind appeared beside Fire.

"Ok, but I hope you know what you're doing," replied Lykouleon as Deus appeared beside Wind. Then Earth appeared on the other side of Fire and then Water, forming a circle around Adeena and Rath.

"If I don't, I'll be dead and Wind's next partner will have to try," she replied from within the circle of dragons.

"Good Luck!" called Thatz and Rune as they moved to either side of the circle of dragons while Lykouleon moved to the far side of the clearing.

Inside the circle Adeena reached out to touch Rath, who turned in to her hand as if for comfort even though he couldn't sense her.

"Poor thing. Let's see what can be done for you," she said settling down next to him as if she were going to go to sleep. She tuned in to his mind as she had done to Kai-stern, but this time it was her directing things. She opened her dream eyes and saw a quiet hillside at sunset, similar to ones she had watched in her many years away from the castle, and Rath standing in front of her staring at the horizon.

"Pretty, isn't it?" she asked startling him.

"I don't know. Doesn't feel right" he replied. Then "Who are you and where are we? You look like the Dragon Lord."

"Where we are is that place between waking and sleeping. My name is Adeena. I'm Lykouleon's twin sister, although we were raised as cousins, and the Dragon Knight of Wind. We're here so we can talk."

"Talk, about what?" as he sat down next to her.

"You and what you want to do with your life" came the calm reply, as she reclined on the grass continuing to look at the horizon.

"I want to die. I never wanted this life. I hate it and the ones who forced me into it" he snarled.

"That's a poor way to look at things. There's a lot to be said for both sides, so I won't argue about that, but did it ever cross your mind what would happen to those you claim to hate if you did die?"

"No. Why should I care about them? I didn't ask for this" came the surly reply.

"Maybe you should. I did, many years ago. I was left for dead by those who were my closest friends. I almost died but something made me change my mind," she said smiling slightly at his tone.

As if against his will he asked "What stopped you?"

She smiled inside as she turned a serious look on him and said "Someone needed me, someone unable to fend for themself without me. Over the years since then there have been times when death seemed desirable but always there came a reason to live that was stronger."

"So. What does that have to do with me? Why are you telling me these things?" once more spoken in a sullen tone.

"There are many people who rely on you – for more than demon killing. They've told you so, in so many words, many times. Do you care so little about others?"

"Don't!" he shouted, jumping to his feet and placing his hands over his ears.

"Now you're acting like a spoiled little brat. You're scared to live, that's why you want to die. You are a weakling. I'm wasting my time," she stated in an angry tone although once more she was smiling inside.

"Am not!" he pouted, causing her to laugh. At her laugh he looked a little sheepish and sat down beside her again and said, "What did you do to me?"

"I tossed Nadil's seal over your head. Do you think you can break his spell, or are you going to need some help?"

"Help" he replied quickly. "I don't think I could break it on my own."

"Ok. I'll break the barrier on your mind. You make up your mind whether to live or die and let me know, then, depending on your decision, I'll either take your life or help you break the rest of the spell."

"How do I answer you?"

"Turn your head. Towards me to live, away to die. Just seriously consider your choice. There are quite a few people who depend on you. Now close your eyes" she said watching him. She closed her eyes seconds after he did, said "Remember what I've said" and took both of them back to a waking state, where she concentrated on Nadil's seal and broke the first part of the spell, releasing Rath's mind. Then gently placed her fingers on his cheek.

As she waited for his answer she called to the others "Everything ok out there?"

"So far" came Lykouleon's voice. "How about in there?"

"It's decision time. I'll let you know after he decides" came the reply. As she turned her attention back to Rath she felt him start to turn his head. She expected him to turn away from her and that was the way he started turning but then he abruptly turned towards her and rubbed his cheek against her palm, then said "Help me open my ears" as his eyes focused on her.

She smiled and mouthed the word yes and together they broke the last of Nadil's spell. When he could hear again she said, "All five dragons want to give you something. Will you accept?" At his nod, each dragon touched him, imparting a gift to be known only to him and the dragon giving it. When all were done they shrank to their small size and flew to their Knight's shoulder.

She smiled and reached out a hand to help him up. He smiled in return and took her hand saying, "Thanks for the help, auntie. Maybe we should get everyone together and set up camp."

"How about we go back to the camp we've already got set up? I think the two of us will need some help getting there" as she fell against him, knocking him down too.

Rune and Thatz quickly moved to their sides and helped them up once more. By the time they were standing again Lykouleon had joined them.

"Are we ready to return to camp?" asked Ruwalk as he joined the group leaving Cesia and Zoma at the edge of the clearing.

"Almost" Adeena said, turning to face Rath once more. Pulling a dagger from her boot she held it out to Rath, not saying a word but knowing he knew why.

Rath took the dagger from her, smiled and lightly drew the tip of the blade across her throat leaving a line of blood, then handed her the dagger back and pulled her into a tight hug, and whispered "Thank you" in her ear before releasing her to an anxious Ruwalk.



Back at camp, minutes later

"Did you have to slice her throat?" Rune asked Rath as he took some bread, meat and cheese, made a sandwich and started towards where Adeena was relaxing in Ruwalk's arms while the two talked with Cesia.

"Satisfied?" Rune heard Ruwalk ask Cesia as he and Rath approached the three.

"Yes," replied Cesia giving both Adeena and Ruwalk hugs. "Who else knows about this?"

"Zoma and Lykouleon so far, but I'm sure others will find out as time goes on," replied Adeena. "One of these two perhaps" indicating Rune and Rath.

"I already figured it out," commented Rath as he sat down next to Adeena. "How's your neck?"

"Just fine, young one" she replied with a smile. "I didn't think you'd actually injure me so it was a bit of a surprise when you drew it across my neck instead of somewhere else."

"Don't either of you ever do that again" from a glaring Lykouleon. "If you even think about it, I'll … I'll..."

"You'll what, father?" asked a smiling Rath, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes.

"Yes, brother, what will you do?" asked Adeena, almost laughing at the furious Dragon Lord. "You didn't think he'd actually kill me did you? For shame!"

"Aaargh!" screamed Lykouleon and started towards the two who questioned him with murder in his eyes.

"You or me?" Adeena asked Rath, who replied "You, by all means."

"Tsk, tsk, Lykouleon, and here I was all set to be nice to you. Oh well," she said as she made a slight gesture, calling an increasingly stronger wind to blow against him. Eventually he gave up, sat down and put his head in his hands, reminiscent of Tetheus on her first day back at the castle.

"What am I going to do with the two of you?" he groaned.

"Take us home to Draqueen. You realize it's only a couple months before our birthday. I'd like to celebrate at home this year," replied Adeena. To Rath she said "Trade swords with him. Fire needs to be in his own sword and I'm sure Deus would appreciate having his back."

"But I'll break it, like all the others except this one" complained Rath as he handed Lykouleon the sword and took the one Lykouleon held out to him.

"No you won't. This one is made the same as that one but for Fire instead of Light. Trust me" she replied with a smile for the petulant lad.

"We'll fly home first thing in the morning," commented Lykouleon. "There are a few people who are waiting for our return" and looked directly at Ruwalk.

"Good" she replied. "I need to have a long talk with Alfeegi and an even longer one with Kai-stern." She then finished the sandwich Rune had brought her and fell asleep.

Cesia, Rune and Rath went to their own beds while Lykouleon, preparing to go to his bed, stood and said to Ruwalk "What are you going to do about Alfeegi and Adeena? Will you be able to give up one or the other?"

"I don't know" came the soft reply. "I'm hoping I won't have to. We'll just have to wait and see. Good night Lykouleon" and closed his eyes, praying he wouldn't have to lose either of the two who meant the world to him.

Adeena: Story over. Stayed tuned for the sequel, called Birthday Presents.