Dart was worried. He was certain it was Aelar stalking them. That it was Aelar who had attacked Meru. If his suspicions were correct then they were in serious trouble. He wasn't sure what he wanted with them but from the look if it, it wasn't good.
Rose wasn't sure what was eating up Dart. After Meru had come back screaming that she been attacked he went more withdrawn and sullen than ever. Oh well she thought he would tell her about when he was ready, he always did. But that didn't stop her worrying.
Aelar and Cael watched the group from afar. Looks like the third fragment is with them also' grunted Cael. Like it matters' replied Aelar. We shall just have to take it from her as we did the other'. Well let's get to it then' said Cael as he headed towards their camp. Stop!'. Don't be so hasty' snapped Aelar. Why they are pathetic' growled Cael menacingly. You underestimate her' Aelar said coolly turning his gaze toward Rose again. You don't have any idea of her power.'
Dart sat by himself thinking of what he was going to do about this problem. He looked at the divine dragon spirit in his hands. Perhaps this could help' he thought to himself. Something in the pit of his stomach twinged uneasily. It felt almost likeNo it couldn't be. He stood up on the brink panic. What is it Dart?' asked Rose from behind him. He drew his sword and almost decapitated Rose before he realised it was her, not Aelar. Rose just stood there gaping at him. Sorry' he said. What is up with you Dart' Rose yelled. I'm just a bit edgy I guess' he said sheepishly. Edgy enough to almost kill one of your friends?' Its just the guy who's attacking us, its making me paranoid.' Why don't you tell me about what happened at that fight with the divine dragon.' Alright' Dart said.
Aelar and Cael watched from the bushes behind Rose and Dart. That's her?' Cael whispered. She seems pathetic'. Not everyone is as strong as we, but not all of them are exactly weak either' Aelar said. It looks like we will have to hold Dart off while we extract the next fragment from her' he said pointing to Rose.
Rose could do nothing but stare after Dart had finished. So you think this thing came out of you' Rose said. Yeah and then it gave me this' said Dart holding up the divine dragon spirit. Have you tried transforming with it?' 'No but I think I might be forced to if we get attacked again though, I'm not sure what help it will be'. Rose sat thinking for a moment and caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. Don't look but we've got a visitor' she whispered to Dart. I know he's standing behind you Rose' Dart said calmly one hand on sword and the other holding the dragon spirit.
Hello Dart' said Aelar in his smooth voice. Hello Aelar, here to kill us?' No its just you have something I need'. This puzzled Dart but he didn't have time to think over it because the thunderous voice behind him disrupted his thinking. You won't take me this time Aelar' shouted Rose in a voice that wasn't quite hers. Dart looked at her in bewilderment wondering how Rose's voice had changed so dramatically but was again interrupted in mid thought as Cael attacked him. Dart barely parried the blow before the next was launched against him which he dodged with a twist before sending an overhead chop a Cael. Cael laughed off the blow as he blocked it with ease with his foot long claws. Dart backed up and rushed back in with a crush dance that was blocked as easily. Cael wasn't expecting the low chop afterwards though and took a gash on the leg. HA!' You think that will bother me little man' Cael laughed as the cut was covered by darkness that stitched up the wound and replaced the lost blood. You're good ill admit that but not quite good enough' Cael laughed again and lunged.
Well I didn't expect rebellion from you Sandriel.' I thought you would rejoice in returning the master.' Well I like being my own a lot better than being a part of a puzzle' replied Sandriel/Rose. Very well I guess we have to do this the hard way' Aelar said in an almost bored tone of voice. Sandriel/Rose leaped in to attack, much faster than Aelar had expected and slashed her rapier at Aelar throat. He blow connected on Aelars cheek rather than throat and was healed almost instantly. I see you learnt a few tricks Sandriel'. Want to see another' she mocked as she transformed into a dragoon. That won't help' said Aelar and dived into an attack black katana in hand. Sandriel thought to block the attack but had underestimated the speed with which Aelar struck. She was hard pressed to defend herself. Aelar left her no openings and she couldn't parry his attacks fast enough to launch her own. She knew she wasn't going to win so She took the only option left and retreated back into Rose's mind. Running away are we?' said Aelar in a mocking tone.
Cael was having a harder time with Dart than he thought he would. I might lose he thought' and redoubled his attack but it wasn't enough. Dart was fighting with fury. He could see rose losing her fight and he was powerless to help. He needed to finish his fight and help Rose.
Cael now!' Aelar shouted. Cael hearing the call leaped out of range of Dart's sword and made some symbols in the air, shouted and pointed at Dart. All Dart saw was impenetrable blackness. All Rose saw was Cael impaling Dart upon one of those long claws. Nooo' she yelled in anguish. Aelar seized his opportunity and muttered under his breath. He gestured at Rose and a thin line of pure darkness shot into her head.
Rose felt something strange. The feeling was coming from her head. All at once it became painful. It felt like someone was holding her above ground by her hair. She fell to her knees in agony as Sandriel was dragged out of her. Rose passed out from the pain just as Sandriel was removed. Sandriel was tethered around the neck by the line that Aelar had used to drag her out. Cael lets go' Aelar called to his partner. Cael let the illusion drop from around Dart and fled into the darkness with Aelar.