The Travelers:
Enchantress' Flame --
Part Two
by supergirl309

In the Past

Rain poured down from the skies and thunder and lightning cracked the air every few seconds. Dane ducked under a rocky outcrop to shield herself from the rain. Tila and Lao followed suit and crowded into the small protected space.

Tila stuck out her tongue. Blech. I hate rain, she griped.

Lao shrugged. I kind of like it, he said softly. It sings you to sleep at night, he whispered. And it is always pure. As he said those words, a shiver ran up Dane's spine. She couldn't tell just why, but the storm--or maybe the territory they were in--was making her nervous; wary.

A crack of lightning split the sky in two and illuminated the forest for a splite second. Dane shuddered. Well, this is not what I'd call friendly rain, she said shakily. I think it would be best to find a better shelter.

Tila nodded vigerously. I'm with you, Dane.

Lao shrugged. Well, I suppose there's no harm in finding a safer place, he said shortly. Another crack of lightning cut the skies. For a moment, Dane glimpsed a glow off to the right.

That cliff, she whispered, we should head for that cliff. she pointed to the spot where she'd seen the glow. Tila and Lao nodded, and they ran out from under their shelter and into the rain.

When they reached the cliff, they were met with a strange sight. At the edge of the cliff, there was a tall rocky structure.It curved over at the top, providing shelter from the pouring rain. Sitting under the rocks were two Poogles, warming themselves over a blazing fire... which sat in the rain.

Tila gasped. One of the Poogles, a short starry fellow, turned his head to look at Tila. He grinned. Oh, hello. What brings you out in this rain?

Dane tucked up her gaping jaw and answered, We're looking for shelter. Then, How is that fire staying... on fire? she blurted.

The other Poogle, this one was purple, shrugged and turned to the three travelers. Dunno. We found it here when the rain started and since no one was using it already, we warmed ourselves. He smiled and stared into the flames. It's been blazing for hours now. I spect it's magic.

Sub-consciously, a grin spread accross Dane's face. Magic had always appealed to her somehow... But she doubted she had any talent for it--very few did these days. she said softly.

The first Poogle shrugged. I really couldn't say. Could be anyone's--could be yours. A crack of thunder split the racing rythm of the rain. Lao shuddered.

It could be, he said seriously. But it's not. Far as I know, none of us even has magical talent.

Tila rolled her eyes. Bah! Magic! Who cares who created it, as long as it's still burning?! She raised an eyebrow. By the way, who are you two?

The starry Poogle laughed. Mayhap it's us who should be asking you three that question? He smiled warmly. Aye, but we'll introduce ourselves first. He swept a paw in his companion's direction. That is Herin, and I am Ryill. We are brothers. I am Herin's elder by two years. He smiled and nodded beseechingly at Tila. And who are you?

Tila swallowed. Uhn... oh, my name is Tila. Uhn...

Dane picked up Tila's trailing sentance. And I am Dane. She nudged Lao.

Oh. My name is Lao, he said, casually strumming his harp.

Ryill grinned. Ah. Lao... I knew you looked familiar... that harp, you were the old court musician at Ilt. He laughed. I remember you ran away during late summer.

Tila and Dane stared at Lao. So that's what-- Dane cut her off sharply with a kick.

We stayed at the castle that summer to talk to King Ellsmar of land claims and the new boundaries tween Ilt and Shiria, Herin explained.

Lao nodded slowly, his mouth dry. Ah yes, he croaked. I remember you.

A wry smile crept across Herin's face. So you're the runaway, he said. I liked your music, and had wanted to meet you in person. ...But alas, you ran away, before Ryill and I got the chance to speak to you.

Lao clicked his beak nervously. Well... you're meeting me now, eh? he said tentatively, silently hoping no one chose to inquire about just why he'd ran away. Luckily, the subject changed.

Ryill began, what brings you three out traveling?

Dane took a deep breath, pausing to try and explain... but she couldn't. There was no way. She didn't even know why they were out here. ...And yet... she did. But it was impossible to explain.

Luckily, Tila spoke. Our purpose for being out here is strictly confidential, she said flatly.

Ryill nodded. Alright then. Well, we're simply returning home to Shiria. A venomous look flashed momentarily across his face. Our king will not be pleased to hear that the negotiations with King Ellsmar to not go well... at all.

Herin nodded sharply, a grim look on his face. King Ellsmar is a fool. He knows nought of running a country. It will be a good day when Prince Fayin takes his place at the throne.

Ryill nodded. A good day indeed.

Lao slowly raised his head. Prince Fayin is the best thing that ever happened to the royal family, he said simply.

Ryill caught his eye and gave him an understanding look. I know what you mean, he said quietly. He yawned. Well, I think I'll go to bed soon.

Herin nodded. Yes, I may too bed down, if this infernal thunder will keep quiet enough to let me sleep.

Ryill and Herin began to roll out two sleeping mats. They were thin, woven from pressed reeds. They layed down on the mats and took several worn blankets from a traveling pack. Ryill threw several blankets at Dane. he said, for you and your friends.

Dane nodded. she said.

The two Poogles layed their blankets over themselves and bid Dane, Lao, and Tila good night. It wasn't long before the sound of quiet, contented snoring was heard.

Lao, Dane, and Tila sat for a while in silence. The rumbles of thunder were becoming more infrequent, but the rain still poured down torrentially. Finally, Dane broke the silence, saying with a sigh. Lao, I think you a lot of explaining to do.

Lao sighed heavily. That I do. He plucked at his harp. A song began to take form as he played. He glanced at Dane and Tila. I hope you are prepared to hear a long story.

* * *

Fog. It was another foggy night. Several days ago, the great flooding rains had ceased, and been replaced with a thick, persistant fog. A lone cart traveled through the foggy forest, clanking and thumping along the rough rock-covered road. The cart was driven by a muscular blue Eyrie. A small young Eyrie rode in the back of the cart, peering with squinting eyes into the fog.

He turned to his father. Aren't the woods great, father? he said happily.

The blue Eyrie turned to his son, smiling warmly. Aye, they are great, Lao. And the fog adds something to them... something mysterious--it makes em more interesting. He laughed. But I need to be careful in this fog ar else I'll be mystified as to where we are!

Lao started to laughed. Suddenly, though, he stopped. he whispered, did you hear that?

His father stopped the Whinnies that pulled the cart and perked his ears. Eh? Hear what? I don't hear anything. He reigned the Whinnies on. It's probably just your imagination, Lao.

Lao nodded and hung his paws over the edge of the cart, gazing into the mist. Suddenly, his ears perked up. He had definately heard something. He turned and tapped his father's shoulder. Father, I heard something--I know I did!

Lao's father cocked his head and listened. He sighed. Lao, I believe you... but I don't seem to hear it anymore. He shrugged. It was probably just the wind in the trees.

Lao nodded, but he knew it had not been that. There was no wind that night--only thick, still fog. He began to grow nervous. Father, how far are we from home? he asked nervously.

His father shrugged. Eh, about seven miles. Why?

Lao shrugged, trying to conceal the way his shoulders trembled. I was only wondering.

They cart continued to travel quietly down the rough trail. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the misty-looking bushes to the side of the road. Lao leapt forward and clutched his father's mane. The bushes... he stammered, there's something in the bushes!

His father stopped the cart. He glances at the bushes. They rustled again. Lao ducked to the bottom of the cart, peeking his head up to see the clump of shrubbery. He shuddered as the bushes moved once more.

Suddenly, four creatures sprang out of the bush--two striped Kyriis, a red-eyed blue Draik, and a tall slender Lupess with strange blue and purple flame markings on her legs, tail and face. She leaned against the bush and called to the Draik and the Kyriis, Take whatever interests you from the cart! She crossed her arms and smiled as the pets moved forward, drawing numerous daggers from their belts. Her eyes glinted. And kill the Eyrie!

Under the cart, Lao! Lao's father cried, grabbing a small knife from his belt and leaping off the cart. He crouched into a defensive stance as the three pets advanced. The first Kyrii leapt at him, flinging two of the four daggers he clutched in his paws. Lao's father ducked instantly, and the daggers drove into the wood with two loud thunks. The Kyrii himself landed several feet in front of him, swinging two daggers. He looked at the blue Eyrie's face, and aimed a dagger at his chest. Then, just as the Kyrii made to throw the daggers, and Lao's father side-skipped, he flung the dagger downwards, nailing the Eyrie's foot to the ground.

he cried out in pain, bending down and clutching his foot, which was stuck to the ground by the dagger. The Kyrii grinned. The Draik and the other Kyrii were going through the contents of the cart. He reached for his belt and began to draw a long sword from its sheath. With great pain, Lao's father took advantage of the few seconds that the Kyrii was unarmed, and, tearing the dagger from his foot, leapt up and drove his knife into the Kyrii's chest.

It stopped for a moment, and stared at the blade protruding from its chest, then, a stunned and horrified look on its face, slumped to the ground, dead.

The blue-fire Lupe's eyes burned. The Draik leapt down from the cart and drew two curved swords from sheaths on his back. He turned and faced Lao's father, grinning. Still in immense pain, the blue Eyrie had pulled the Kyrii's sword the rest of the way from its sheath and stood in bent stance, sword bared in before him.

The Draik laughed and stood before Lao's father. Come at me like that, he said with cold pleasure in his voice, and you shall surely die quickly.

Lao's father winced from the pain in his foot, which was torn through and bleeding heavily, and managed a small calm smile. What other way I am to come at you? he said softly.

The Draik laughed even harder. It would be wise for you to fear me, he hissed, taking several steps forward, grinning cruelly.

Lao's father's eyes gleamed, a sense of peaceful calm behind the pain. Why should I be afraid? he said calmly. I already know I am dying, why fear death from another source?

The Draik's face twisted into an ugly frown. he hissed. You will know nought but pain once I swing my swords! he cried, lunging forward and slashing at the Eyrie's stomach.

In an impossible burst of strength, Lao's father ignored the blows and cut around at the Draik's blue chest scales. He dodged most of them, though, and finally struck the Eyrie with a fatal chest wound, not that the wound in his foot wasn't fatal, he was bleeding to death rapidly.

Slowly, he collapsed to the ground. The Draik smiled, and wiped his blades on the grass. He turned to the blue-fire Lupe, grinning. We have taken all things of value from the cart, and killed the Eyrie, just as you asked. We are ready to depart.

The Lupe nodded, staring at the fallen Eyrie. Good. Come, let us move on. There is bound to be a village near by. We will seek it out. With that, the Kyrii, Draik, and Lupe walked off into the fog, unaware that they had left a survivor.

Lao crawled out from under the cart and raced to his father's side, tears streaming down his face. he choked. You-- you...

His father stopped him. he said softly, his strength running out, it is not safe in these parts any more. You need to get as far away from here as you can! He stopped, and gasped, the excrutiating pain in his foot taking its toll. He took a deep breath and started again. Head north, Lao, to the hills. Don't ever come back, for what you have just witnessed is only the beggining. That Lupe... she was undoubtly some sort of magic-user... He stopped and stared up at Lao. Good luck to you, son, he said softly.

Tears streaked down Lao's face. Father, but what will become of you? he said frantically. You'll die out here! He bit his lip, searching his thoughts for some way he could aid his dying father. His eyes lit up with a frantic hope, a hope that he knew deep down was false. I know! he cried, I can take you back to the village! You said it was only seven miles! I could get you there by--

His father cut him off. Lao, you could never reach the village in time. There is nothing you can. I am going to die here, and you are going to leave this cursed place. His eyes burned with pain. Now go, Lao... never come back here... soon, this place will be dead, all of it. All you can do for me is to save yourself--now leave, and don't turn back!

Lao's eyes brimmed with more tears. he stood up. Good-bye father, he whispered, then raced off into the woods, secretly knowing that against his father's warnings, he would come back here someday.

Good luck, Lao, the blue Eyrie whispered, the pain dispersing from his eyes as he breathed his last breath, and his spirit took to the wind.

* * *

Food. Water. The words echoed around endlessly in Lao's head. He needed to stay alive... he needed to do that which seemed impossible. He gasped and flopped down onto the ground. He had been traveling for four days. He had had little water, and no food. His paws ached, and his fur and mane were tangled with burs, twigs, and leaves.

He lay for a moment, panting, then stumbled back up and began again to walk.

His throat was parched and his mouth was so dry that even breathing made it burn, when he saw the stream. All ailments forgotten, he bolted for the water. He splashed into the stream and laid down in the water, lapping it up greedily. Suddenly, a wave of dizzieness took over him. He could feel himself dropping like a rock to a limp position, darkness playing at the corners of his eyes. But just before he became unconscious, he glimpsed the reflection of a shadowed Aisha in the waters of the stream.

* * *

Lao sighed, staring into the flames of the brightly burning fire. It was Prince Fayin, the prince of Castle Ilt, who found me lying unconscious in the stream. He took me to the castle, and showed me to his father, King Ellsmar. I was taken on as an apprentice to the court musician, and years later, I took his place. He sighed heavily. Then, the Princess, Tairi took to me, and fell in love. But I did not return that love. She was a whiny, spoiled thing, and her obsession with me soon grew so bad that I used her to help me run away. About half a year later, I met you two. He paused and stared intently at the flames of the brightly burning fire. Though the rain poured down just as hard as before, it was still lit. Lao sighed and shook his head. You two know the rest.

Dane nodded. She sidled over to Lao's side and put a paw round his shoulder. I'm sorry, she said softly. About your father. That Lupe... she must have been an enchantress.

Lao sighed and nodded sadly. Yes... I suppose I knew that when I first looked at her.

His gaze shifted to the ground below the cliff, eyes magnetically drawn to a specific spot. A flash of lighting illuminated it enough for him to glimpse two sets of wheels and a rotting wooden frame. His eyes widened. He stared at the dancing flames. I have been here before, he said in a dry whisper, in the woods of an enchantress.

to be continued...