Chapter Three: Reunion

The angry shook of the ground had alarmed his people greatly. They were even more confused when they saw Shane carrying a wounded Virginie back.

"What's happened, my lord?" Galadriel cried.

"We were caught in an earthquake. Virginie fall and wounded her leg."

Galadriel nodded and send a troll to care for Virginie's wounds. She turned to Shane.

"Where were you?"

"At the Inner Circle."

"But the place is full of mist!"

Shane nodded. "Yes. But I wanted to.erm. check for any survivors."

Galadriel nodded quietly. If she didn't know better, she swore her liege was lying. But she would not questioned him. Not now.

Shane quickly change the topic. "Any news from the humans? Have they moved closer to the borders?"

"No news yet. The Dragoons are doing an excellent job patrolling and scouting the area. All is well for the time being."

Shane nodded. But the truth is, all is not well. It won't ever be. He knew the game his brother is playing at. And he had lost to his brother. Raul had succeeded in cornering them to the western borders. There is no other escape route for them now.

"What about the elders? Still at the garden?"

Galadriel shrugged. She clearly detests the witches. "Well, they certainly are not helping the situation. We've lost contact with them. The other routes are all enshrouded in the mist. We have no way of reaching the garden, and they have no way of returning to us."

"That is bad."

"But I won't be worried if I were you, my lord. The witches have their own cunning. They'll survive. Why, they've the largest number here."

Shane was so tempted to confide in Galadriel. To tell her of his folly. Of how his evil brother had been released. But he didn't want to alarm everybody else. He would have to wait till everyone's settled down a bit.

The earthquake had shook everyone's nerves. None of them felt like sleeping. Most of them either gazed out into the open sea or stared wearily at the sky, waiting to see if the mist should befall upon them here.

"There used not to be any earthquakes here." Frances was saying. "This can only mean a dark omen."

And a dark omen it is, for Shane felt himself unable to rest or closed his eyes. He was alert. Waiting for any sign that his brother may give him. When he was sure he would go crazy just waiting for Raul to appear, he made his way to Virginie's tent.

The troll that had tended her wound had left. Virginie raised her head when Shane entered.

"Its you." She muttered.

Shane nodded. "How are you feeling?"

"Worst than ever. I never saw that wooden plank until it got stuck in my leg."

Woods of any kind to a vampire, is the greatest evil of all. Virginie's face was still white with pain.

"I do not recall we kept anything wooden in Inner Circle." Shane remarked.

"Must be those stupid trolls. They are into making things. Anything wooden is a gift to them."

Shane nodded thoughtfully. "I do not see him. Or her for that matter."

Virginie closed her eyes. It could be pain from her wound, or maybe from her heart. "He is here. I can feel it."

"Maybe we didn't really succeed. Maybe we can never free them in the first place."

"No.I won't believe it."

"Its been two hours, Virginie. And still no sign of him."

"What about the mist and the earthquake then? It had to be him. Its his style."

Shane paused. The girl need no discouragement. "Hold out your leg."

"Don't even think about touching it. It hurts like hell."

"Do not worry." Shane sighed. "It'll be alright soon." He placed one hand on her wound. The gentle gesture caused Virginie to grimace in pain. Shane closed his eyes.

Whatever happen next was most interesting to Virginie. For she felt her wound closing, and the pain subsiding. She also felt a strange warmth spreading across her wound.

"What did you do?" She whispered.

"I just healed you."

"You can do that?"

"Every vampire can heal themselves." Shane smiled.

The girl nodded. "I know that. But heal others? That is just."

Shane shrugged. "I guess everyone of us is different. With different gifts."

At this, Virginie snorted. "I'm your average vampire, mister. No special gift whatsoever!"

Shane was about to say something about everyone having gifts if they tried hard enough to discover it, but the wind outside suddenly picked up and blew the whole tent away.

The night people gathered together. All frightened, all weary. Shane and his council calmed the crowd by ordering the trolls to set up the tents once more, and this time, make sure they nailed the tents deeper into the ground.

The wind continued to howl unmercifully. Even the dragon was disturbed. The dragon was usually stationed near the bay because it needs to drink water frequently. So Shane had Iker and the dragon set up a tent near the lake. The howling wind caused much fear in the dragon, for it roars and howls, its voice majestic and scaring the hell out of the night people. Iker had to calm it down by feeding it moonflower weeds.

"Is he okay?" Shane asked. He had ordered the council to see to the needs of his people while he make a special trip down to the bayside.

Iker shrugged. "She'll forgive you for that gender slip. Fayth is usually quiet, my lord. But she seemed rather restless tonight."

"Maybe it's the wind." Shane said.

Iker nodded thoughtfully. "Could be."

"How old is she?"

"A good seventy thousand, I was told." Iker beamed with pride. "I've been with her for two years now. But She'd been around for longer than that."

Shane was intrigued. He looked at the dragon. Her scale was ruby red and she might have been the size of three human double-deckers buses.

"Does she listens well to you?" Shane asked. More than ever, he felt he should get acquainted to Iker. After all, he had happen to be a close friend of his brother.

"She is rather tame. And she is a rare gift from an old friend." Iker smiled. That smile was tainted with some sadness.

"A friend you say?" Shane probed.

Iker sighed. "If you must know, Fayth was a gift from Raul. She's been with me ever since."

At this, Shane froze. He was sure his council had make no mention of Raul ever taming a dragon in the Night World two years ago. Maybe he had kept it secret. Suddenly, Fayth had another reaction and roared even louder. Iker quickly pushed Shane aside.

"I don't' know what's wrong with her but you better not get too close." He winked boyishly. "She breathes fire."

Shane nodded hastily and hurried away, leaving Iker and Fayth. More thoughts haunted his steps.

When Shane got back to the camp, his people were pointing frantically at something up in the sky. Shane looked up and saw the clouds above their heads swirl and spin, and the sky soon turned a crimson red.

It was a sign, he thought. His brother's sign.

"Oh lord, forgive us!" His people fall unto their knees and begin to do what seems to Shane, like praying.

"What the hell are they doing?!" Shane demanded angrily.

Galadriel's white face did not calm him down. She looks fearful. "It is during this night when Lord Raven was born into power. The sky turned red then as it do now." Her voice dropped to a whisper." He is back."

"Are we still fearful of him after all these years?" Shane demanded. "Are we still cowering behind this evil? I say, everyone! Get up on your feet! Damnit!"

His people turned a deaf ear. They were crying. Some were trembling and all of them remained on their knees.

Shane sighed. It was no use.

Suddenly, there was another crackling sound and this time, it came from the far distant.

Shane shook his head. No now, he thought. But he was certain of what he had heard. The humans had returned. This time, with guns and battle tanks for all he know.

He quickly signaled to the dragoons. "Armed yourself and go to your respective positions! We have unwanted visitors!"

With that, the dragoons marched to the frontline with their iron armor and spears, ready to fight to the death for the Night World, while his people.his people continue to cower. Shane was so disappointed, so angry that he didn't heard Virginie approaching until she slapped him on the head.

"The humans have returned." She said softly.

Shane nodded. "Yes. This time, I fear the damage will be bigger. Look at our people. Look at them praying to the sky! I feel like killing every single one of them!"

Virginie chuckled softly. Almost deliberately. It makes Shane want to strangle her as well.

"You're tired, my lord. Rest and I'm sure all will be well."

He eyed her wearily. "What's your game?"

"Oh, no game at all. Don't misunderstood me." She leaned forward, so that her face is just inches away from Shane's. "I saw him."

Shane grabbed her throat. He pulled her close to him so that he was breathing right into her face. "Where?" He growled.

Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, despite the pain she must surely be feeling now, with Shane's claws tightened around her throat.

"At the bay. With the dragon boy."

He didn't wait for her to say more. He just threw her aside and raced to the bay.

When he reached the bay. There was no sign of Iker and Fayth. There was no one, which was odd. But then Shane reasoned that Iker probably took Fayth along with him to the frontline.

His heart was still thumping. Of course he had no reason to believe Virginie. She was a dirty vampire. One he won't mind killing at a later date. He sighed deeply and sat down by the bay. He was bad king, Granny, if she were still around, would have been deeply disappointed in him. He should not be here. He should be back with his people, encouraging them to take a stand against the humans. Instead, his people and himself had withdrawn from the fierce battle that is surely taking place now at the frontline, with only the dragoons defending them. And Night World isn't even their home!

Shane felt sorely alone. He'd wished that maybe he wasn't here. Maybe he didn't know of his place in the Night World. He thought of his time when he was still very human. When he had had wonderful human friends, and a wonderful human home.

No, he thought firmly. He cannot let himself be driven by his past. He was not a human, and he never would be. He never did belong in the human world. This Night World, this savage land was his home. And it is here he would stay forever.

Shane..

He paused and glanced around. Did he heard someone whisper his name? There was no one in the vicinity. He must have been dreaming. Maybe he was too tired. Maybe he really needed a rest. He closed his eyes briefly, imagining all the good things in life that might give him strength. His thoughts only strayed to Rindy. He wondered if she was well. If she was dead.

"Shane."

He jumped up immediately. "Rindy?"

The girl that greeted him smiled plainly. The innocence and purity about her was very real.

"My lord, I am Anna."

He closed his eyes again. Maybe he was still dreaming.

"My lord?"

He eyed Anna."Yes?"

"The elders wished to speak to you. They are at the Garden of Eden."

"So the mist never reached the place."

Anna nodded. "Much to our relief."

Too bad, Shane thought. He wouldn't mind if the garden was lost forever. He never did like that place.

The elders were highly agitated when Shane greeted them.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"We foretell great tragedy to come. Anna told us that you and Virginie had the aurora spell unleashed."

Shane didn't even want to lie to them. The elders were the wisest creatures here in the Night World. It would be no use to start a story.

"Yes. I admit to it all."

"But why, my lord?"

He shrugged. "I wanted to speak to them."

"His lordship's evil is beyond our imagination. He will ruin you, as he will ruin us."

Shane frowned. "He is my brother! I intend to talk to him!"

The elders shook their heads sadly. It seemed to Shane that they do things all together, in sync.

"This is terrible. This is bad. "They muttered. "My lord, you do not realize the extend of harm you have brought upon this land."

"The humans are gaining on us. It may be good fortune if we can lend his strength."

"His lordship's prowess does not kill. It destroys. He will destroy the world, didn't your granny spoke to you about this?"

He thought of his granny. After he had been given the throne and had rejected it, his granny and moved on to live among the humans. She'd told her she was sick of the council, sick of the elders, sick of the night people. Shane had been tempted to join her.

"My granny says Raul is not evil. I do not believe her of course, for I had witness his cruelty and malice. But I know him to be strong. So if he would fight alongside us, we can."

"Wake up, will you please, my lord!" The elders cried. "Raul will kill us! Yes he will!"

"Why is everyone so afraid of him?!" Shane was perplexed. Raul was after all his brother. They share the same cursed blood. He didn't believe, didn't want to believe that he was unmatched for Raul's powers. He wanted to believe that he could be equally strong, if not stronger.

Before the elders could come up with an answer. There was a loud roar in the sky and they saw Fayth flying majestically across the crimson red clouds.

"That's a dragon!" Anna exclaimed.

Shane nodded. "While you were all hiding here, I had the dragoons allied with us. They brought with them a dragon."

"I never imagined they would be that big!" Anna was in awe. Shane turned to the elders.

"Fayth will protect us from the humans for the time being. I insist you tell me where Raul can be found. I hadn't seen him since we released him from that spell."

The elders were depressed. They told Shane they didn't know where Raul might be. And told Shane again and again how a great tragedy will befall upon them. Shane left them and their pessimism behind. But Anna tailed him quickly.

"Where are you going, my lord?"

"To the frontline. I've idled enough. I'm going to help the dragoons."

"May I come along?"

"And for what? You're useless against guns and tanks."

"I can use my magic." She said eagerly.

"If you're courting an early death, follow me by all means." He said coldly and walked away.

She did follow him to the battlefield, for she felt it her duty to aid her lord in which ever way she can. Shane saw dragoons fighting humans and the like. The ground was already littered with dead dragoons and humans. It was a sorry sight. He killed a few humans. He didn't enjoyed it but he felt he had to do it. When he saw Iker lying amidst some dead dragoons, he rushed to his side.

"You're hurt." He said. Iker was wounded from his leg. The humans had tried some nasty trick indeed. They had apparently had acid guns with them. Iker's right leg was lost.

"Do not bother about me. Save the others, my lord."

"Lilia will turn me into a toad if I don't save you." Shane muttered. He quickly carried him away to the capital, away from the action.

When they reached the capital, the mist was still there, but somehow it had subsided considerably. Iker was in pain and there was nothing Shane could do. He could heal small wounds. But he couldn't bring Iker's leg back.

"I am alright." Iker said quickly, sensing Shane's sorrow. "It is never a bigger honor to a Dragoon that it is to die bravely in battle."

"Stop that talk. You'll live."

At this, Iker groaned again. His whole body jerked and Shane had to held on to him. The bleeding hadn't stopped. He would bled to death soon.

"Do you have any unfinished business? Anything you want me to help you do?" Shane quickly said. He could see that time was of the essence and Iker was dying slowly.

The dragoon nodded. "Yes. I have a request. Go to the city of Norwich. It's a human city. Then tell Alexia. she works in a CD shop.tell her that I am every grateful to her."

"That's all?"

Iker nodded. "Thank you, Shane."

It was the first time the young man had called him by his name. It would be the last.

The footsteps behind him did not alert Shane. It could have been a human, but Shane was in mourning. Iker, though he had known only for a short time, had strike Shane as a wonderful and pure man, devoid of evil thoughts and darkness. Much like a Dragoon.

"Are you going to let him die?" The soft voice behind him whispered.

Shane closed his eyes. He would not believe it. He refused to believe this. It was a dream. Another one of those damned dreams.

"Shane."

He finally looked up. And saw those pure green eyes. And he wept, shamelessly. She reached down for his face and wiped away those tears.

"Rindy.you're back."

She nodded. Everything about her was so quiet, so grave. It was like she was really floating. It was like she wasn't there.

"Where's that man?" He asked quietly, not really in shock, but more weary than ever.

"He's near. I do not know where he is." She looked at Iker. "He needs help."

"He's already dead, Rindy."

"I can help him. I really can." She insisted.

Shane let her. He watched her as she lifted her palm and placed it on Iker's chest. Then she closed her eyes. Shane watched her closely all this time. Age had not gotten to her. Nor darkness. She was still as pure as ever. Still as beautiful. He wanted to run his fingers down her lovely black locks.

Suddenly, Iker sighed and Rindy moved away. Shane saw Iker's eyelids tremble slightly.

"You healed him?"

Rindy nodded gravely. "He is a good man. I cannot let him die."

Shane eyed Rindy. 'I've been waiting for you for a long time."

She smiled sadly. "But my coming is not to be rejoiced about."

He looked at her. "What do you mean?"

But she didn't answer him. Instead, she got up on her feet.

"Raul's been wanting to talk to you."

Shane stared at her. "What about?"

She shrugged, as if she don't really care. "Ever since we got here, there were so many fighting taking place. He is much worried about this. He probably wants to discuss strategies with you."

Shane had to stop himself from smirking. Strategies? His evil brother would willingly want to cooperate with him? Rindy must have spend too long a time in the binding spell.

She eyed him curiously. "You do not believe me."

He nodded. "I am an open book before you. Yes. I do not believe you. To me, Raul is always looking for a good fight."

She shook her head. "He's become much better now. I do not believe he intend to harm any body on this land. He said. he wanted to take back something that belong to him. That was it."

Shane was about to say that Raul wants to take back everything that was once his, including this land, the people and his throne. He intend to tell Rindy that Raul would kill to get his wishes. But he didn't have a chance, because a loud siren rang in the sky, and Shane looked up to see a big red fire bird flew past their heads. He turned to warn Rindy but when he looked, she was not there.

He was alone. With Iker, still breathing softly.

Rindy had gone.

"I may have dreamt of her." Shane confessed.

Virginie groaned loudly. "You still doubt yourself? Obviously she had been there. How then can you explain Iker's recovery?"

Shane nodded. He had been equally astounded to find Iker, injured but alive and both his legs intact. Iker swore he could not remember anything.

"How's the frontline holding up?" Shane suddenly asked. He remembered that great big fire bird before Rindy had mysteriously vaporized.

Virginie shrugged. "Last I look, the humans have retreated to the bank, but they're re grouping. Will probably attack again to night. But this gives everyone some time to rest and tend to their wounds."

"How many dead?" Shane asked.

"700 dragoons." She sighed. "I believe 1000 humans were exterminated."

Shane was sad. "We will never be able to repay the 700 lost lives. Brave dragon knights they were. I don't believe all of them know what they were really fighting for."

"But they fight all the same." Virginie said softly. "I wish Raul would appear to me like Rindy did to you."

Shane sighed. If it wasn't a dream, then where was Rindy? He didn't want to lose her again.

"Fayth disappeared too." Virginie was saying. "No one knew where that damned thing took off. Probably back to the Dragoon Island." She looked at Shane. "Iker will be hurt, won't he? His most precious friend taking off like that."

Shane wasn't listening. He was still thinking about what Rindy had said to him before. During their very short meeting. She had said that Raul wanted to speak to him. But where was he? Why hadn't his brother appear before him?

He said. he wanted to take back something that belong to him.

Shane paused. Rindy had said that. Did Raul take Fayth back? Didn't Iker mentioned that Fayth was originally Raul's? Is that the reason why Fayth had mysteriously disappeared?