Chapter 4
Author's note: I had gotten some flames the other day about my writing skills and how I make things obvious. Tell me, please, who is the evil wizard? Does anyone die? If so who? I hope I make my point. To the others who have encouraged me, I thank you. Namely, Shannon. It helps. Reviews are welcome, including constructive criticism. Flames will be deleted promptly.
DISCLAIMER: I really did not think that I needed to point this out, but I have gotten a few complaints. All characters except a select few are the creation of Ms. Sherwood Smith's wonderfully colorful and brilliant imagination. All bow down to her superiority.
This chapter will be in Wren's POV (point of view)
Oof. I thought to myself. I feel as if I had been beaten to death by clubs, hot, metal clubs. Letting out a slight moan, I opened my eyes and felt my heart jump to my throat. Hovering scant inches from my face was a giant muzzle. A murmured word and the muzzle withdrew, leaving in its place the concerned and relived face of Hawk.
"Oh, thank the lady. You're alright!" He looked at me in an indiscernible way. "I thought we had lost you when we came for you." My weariness deteriorated into anger when I heard this.
"You came looking for me?!" I shouted. "You stupid, stupid man! You put yourself in too much danger! I told you to stay away!" Hawk looked hurt. He caught himself and soon started to shout back.
"Oh, I put myself in danger. I'm sorry, I seem to have things mixed up. I was quite sure that it was you, not me, who sent off their only means of help when a Belrothol attacked!"
"Well, I was sure that you were the one who was too weak to be of any help because you were too stupid to say that you were cold! Nor was I the one who transported to an insecure area! How did you know that the Belrothol wasn't still alive or going to come back?" I was positively seething. Then I saw that look on his face again and nearly exploded, but a large snout in my face prevented me.
"Now, now children," the bear spoke in a slightly sarcastic voice. "You both know very well that you are too weak to get too angry." the hurt look returned to his face, as well as a touch of red on his cheeks. I just glared at Hawk. He caught me glaring and gave me an icy stare that could have frozen a Belrothol. If looks cold kill, both of us would be dead, several times over.
Suddenly I dissolved into laughter. Hawk abandoned his cold look for one of puzzled bemusement. Falling backward in the course of giggling, I rubbed a burn on my arm against the nest like thing I had been placed in. I cursed, loudly. Even the bear looked shocked. This just caused me to fall apart again.
"Wren, what the hell are you doing? What the hell is so funny?" Hawk started to snigger as well, if for no reason because I must have looked absolutely ridiculous.
"You two do this often?" Asked the muzzle that still was all I could really see. In my sudden fit, I guess I hadn't noticed that the bear could talk. By the look on Hawk's face, I assumed the same was for him.
"You– You, you can talk?" asked he in a slightly shaky voice. Now he was fearful of the bear. When was the last time Hawk was ever scared around me? Oh that's right! Right before we all went into the large battle. He didn't look scared for himself though ... he must have been scared for Tess. That was the only logical reason. I shook my head, remembering it did no good to reminisce.
"Apparently, Hawk. How did you guess?" I added dryly. For all of his magical smarts and strategist mind, he seemed to point out the obvious a lot. "I mean, what, she did seem to open her, permit my saying so lady, muzzle and speak to us, did she not?" Oh boy, more cold stares. By the end of this, I was sure I would end up in a block of ice. I had the sudden urge to woof. Wow, even after the six or so years I had been out of the dog shape, I still retained some tendencies. I resisted the urge. Meeting Hawk's eyes again, I fought the urge to shiver. There were two things wrong with his eyes. One, they were even colder than before. Two, underneath that layer of ice that seemed to coat his eternal self there was a river of hot passion. Towards what, I did not know. Actually, this was the first time I had seen this flow before. I caught myself staring, as did Hawk. He grinned, albeit a bit maliciously. Sighing, I once again brought myself to the present, fighting the high color rising to my face.
"Great lady, who are you? I am completely mystified, and yet I feel familiarity in your presence." I bowed deeply in the Iyon Daiyin fashion after scrambling up and dusted myself off.
"And in one so young," the bear muttered. Hawk seemed poised to ask a question, but with a sharp nod from yours truly, he shut his mouth. The bear proceeded to answer.
"I am Aalen. I once was human, but a wizard," Hawk and I noticed simultaneously that she used the word 'wizard', not 'magician' or 'sorcerer'. "Came to my village. She felt that there was too much power in my family, so she killed my family in front of me. Then, as she said I was the most powerful, she turned me into a bear, to be feared by all, respected by none. Able to feel the power I had, but unable to use it. I am roughly your age, though a sense of time fades within a bear." she sighed, or, at least, the bear equivalent of a sigh. "You, girl, I know you from somewhere." she directed this at me. Rummaging through the tumult that was my memory.
"Aalen... Aalen...." with a small gasp of surprise, I asked a question tentatively. "Aalen wouldn't happen to be short for.. Aalendrianna, would it?"
"Why, yes... it would." The bea- Aalen answered. I gave a squeal of delight. Running up to Aalen, I hugged her crying
"Oh, Aalen! It's such a relief to know you got out okay! Aunt Niss said that they couldn't find you!" a slight glint of recognition slid into her eyes.
"Wren? Oh Wren, you have grown! I am so sorry I missed your last few visits, but I was on little excursions of my own!" She gave a toothy grin, and Hawk seemed more than a bit wary.
"Umm.... Wren? Do you mind, er... introducing us?" He eyed Aalen, puzzled-ly. Grinning ear to ear, I introduced my friend.
"Hawk Riscarlan, may I introduce Aalen, or Aalendrianna, Merindar.." I smiled inwardly when I saw the look of horror and amazement on his face. "She helped out with the horses and healing at my aunt's and uncles Inn, until it burned down. Heh. Don't worry, This Merindar was actually the leader in foreign forces and supplies for Her Highness Meliara and His Highness Vidanric. I helped in some of that you know." In the past year, a group of rebels here in Cantirmoor did exactly the same, I contentedly thought to myself. You see, about a year before our war broke out, another war started in Remalna, a country about a two week journey south of Brennic Marches. A brave marquis and an even braver countess met one fateful night with The countess, Meliara Astair, caught in a trap set by her own side. The Marquis, Vidanric, had helped her recover, without Mel's knowing. They set out hating each other, then ended up saving each other. Now married, and Mel with child (last I heard) the country was in peace. Turning back to Aalen,
"So how are Mel and Danric these days?" I asked.
"Oh, they are fine. Mel gave birth to a fine, healthy girl. Her name is... well, I thought this might surprise you, but her name is Wren!" she exclaimed.
"Oh how wonderful! How old is she? Why did they name her Wren? Where is she being raised?" I was bursting with questions.
"Calm down, my friend. She is three to the day, they named her Wren because of what you did here in Cantirmoor and because they like the name, and she is being raised in Tlanth and the capital, depending on the season." I saw Hawk edging away, outside.
"One moment, Aalen. I'll be right back." she nodded placidly. Slowly creeping after Hawk, I watched him find a boulder to sit on and he placed his head in his hands. I walked up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay, Hawk? You seem... I don't know, unhappy." He started at my touch. "Hush, it's okay. Just me, little ol' scrawny, weak, pitiful, hideous, stripy-haired Wren." I thought that bringing up all fo the things he had called me at one time or another might cause him to laugh, but he just burrowed his head further into his hands. I knelt in front of him, momentarily forgetting the bruises and burns on my knees. "Here now, what's this?" I asked, pulling his hands away form his face. Tear tracks traced a path down his face. Following these tracks with my thumb, I repeated my question. He blinked, then stood up, swiping at his eyes surreptitiously.
"Nothing!" he snarled. He strode away, back up to the cave. I shook my head.
"Hopefully nothing I have to worry about, though I admit, seeing actual proof that Hawk has emotions really changes what I think of him." I murmured to myself.
"Aalen, have you thought of any ways that you could, well, change back?" I asked when I got back to the cave. Hawk was sulking in a corner. She shook her great shaggy head.
"Nary a one." I could see on the inside she felt terrible, as did I. Brow furrowed in thought, I sat for hours thinking. Aalen and Hawk seemed to think I had gone mad by the time I sprang up from a log and shouted "I have it!" Bounding to Aalen, I hugged her first, then I went over to Hawk and hugged him– none to gently mind you. But I was too ecstatic to notice. "Hawk, Aalen, I have it!" Digging in her pack, she took out a necklace that Hawk recognized, though he wasn't sure where from. "Hawk, I need you to grip my shoulders, waist, feet, whatever, just hold on tightly and leave my hands free." I ordered. He obliged, placing his hands on my waist. " I need to borrow some magic to turn her human again. Is that alright?" He nodded. Taking the necklace, she made several signs over it. Complex, healing, undoing, and remaking spell signs. "Okay, Hawk, I need you to focus on this necklace. Imagine that you are switching the configuration of it, from human to animal, to animal to human. Then, place the most powerful and lingering permanence spell you know on it. Okay?" I gave him the break down.
"Okay," he replied warily. "But I don't see how you..." Waving a hand, I interrupted him.
"I'll take care of the rest. You don't know Aalen as I do." Hawk and I closed our eyes and did as I said, changing the function of the necklace, reversing it. I then placed every memory I had of her, good and bad, the way she looked, spoke, dressed, etc. into the necklace. Then I wove a very potent spell to place the effect on her permanently.
"Hawk, we must stand up. Do not break contact, otherwise we'll lose the spell. Keep contact 'till I tell you to let go, then let go. Immediately." Hawk looked ready to object, but shut his mouth. I nodded. Slowly getting up, and even more slowly walking over to Aalen, I placed the necklace over her head. There was a blinding flash of light. "Don't let go!" I bellowed over the sudden rushing sound in my ears. Hawk's arms just came over from his hands-on-hips position to arms fully around my waist, just so he wouldn't break contact. I felt fur fly, literally. Feeling my powers wane, I snapped my head back, letting go of the necklace and flying backwards against the wall of the cave. Or, more like, me flying into Hawk flying into the cave wall. The light faded. Slowly opening my eyes, I gasped. Standing in front of me, was one of my dear friends, in all of her green haired glory?!?!
end of Wren's POV
Away in Remalna
A few hundred miles away to the south, a three year old ran to her father in the library. A few steps behind her came a woman of medium height, fair skin, chiseled nose and lips, unfathomably deep blue eyes, and long, straight auburn hair. When one looked from child to woman, it was evident that the woman was the other of the child's parents. With the same head of auburn hair, fair skin, and facial features, the resemblance could not be mistaken. Only the grey orbs that belonged to her tall, blonde, equally fair and slim man who was her father were any trace of the lineage.
At the sight of his toddling child he grinned and scooped her up, spinning her around, earning a squeal of delight from his child and a smile from the mother. But the smile did not reach her eyes. In fact, with one look at the emotions clearly evident in her stature and poise, the father went from happiness to concern.
"Mel, what's wrong?" Vidanric, King of Remalna, asked, placing his daughter down and embracing his wife, Meliara, Queen of Remalna.
"Oh, Danric," she breathed into his hair. "I just got word about Aalen."
"The one who helped us so much up north? What's wrong?"
"Her family was found murdered a week ago. She was- is- missing." she stammered.
"How can we help? We are two weeks away from the capital, more if you count the city where she lives. I am sorry. I cannot leave." He looked as if he was ready to tear out his hair.
"Don't worry Vidanric. You don't have to go. I will." once again the king's face changed. Placing her so he could see her face, he asked:
"Mel, you know I won't stop you, but will you reconsider? For all we know, she is in danger, putting you in danger. What about Wren?" she sighed.
"Danric, Wren is too young. Aalen is one of my dearest friends. It's like asking you to stay when Russ was in danger; you know you just have to go. Besides," she smiled "she said the next time I visit, I may get to meet our baby's namesake." at this he chuckled.
"Alright Mel. You go with my support. How many guards do you want?"
"Absolutely none" she replied firmly.
"Mel, I can't let you go without a guard. Even I am not that self confident." came the expected reply.
"Well, if I must, may I have Ness and her group?" I asked, remembering the kind woman who helped me during the war.
"Of course. She had a new group though. Promoted. She is the only one you'll know really." She nodded her consent.
"When will you be leaving?"
"First gold, tomorrow. With the messenger."
"So soon?" he asked pleadingly. Mel's eyes held a sorrowful look.
" I am afraid I must, dear one. But, think of it this way; the sooner I leave, the sooner I find her, and the sooner I come back." smiling a sad smile, Vidanric took his child in one arm, and his wife in the other.
"Come on, Wren and I will help you pack." striding to their rooms, Mel mentally prepared herself for a long journey.
end of chapter. Thanks for all fo the good reviews. A/N Yes, for a little fun, I thought I might add crown duel to an already brilliant mix of characters, all thought up by the all-powerful Ms. Smith. Only Aalen and the name of the child(sort of) is/are mine.
Author's note: I had gotten some flames the other day about my writing skills and how I make things obvious. Tell me, please, who is the evil wizard? Does anyone die? If so who? I hope I make my point. To the others who have encouraged me, I thank you. Namely, Shannon. It helps. Reviews are welcome, including constructive criticism. Flames will be deleted promptly.
DISCLAIMER: I really did not think that I needed to point this out, but I have gotten a few complaints. All characters except a select few are the creation of Ms. Sherwood Smith's wonderfully colorful and brilliant imagination. All bow down to her superiority.
This chapter will be in Wren's POV (point of view)
Oof. I thought to myself. I feel as if I had been beaten to death by clubs, hot, metal clubs. Letting out a slight moan, I opened my eyes and felt my heart jump to my throat. Hovering scant inches from my face was a giant muzzle. A murmured word and the muzzle withdrew, leaving in its place the concerned and relived face of Hawk.
"Oh, thank the lady. You're alright!" He looked at me in an indiscernible way. "I thought we had lost you when we came for you." My weariness deteriorated into anger when I heard this.
"You came looking for me?!" I shouted. "You stupid, stupid man! You put yourself in too much danger! I told you to stay away!" Hawk looked hurt. He caught himself and soon started to shout back.
"Oh, I put myself in danger. I'm sorry, I seem to have things mixed up. I was quite sure that it was you, not me, who sent off their only means of help when a Belrothol attacked!"
"Well, I was sure that you were the one who was too weak to be of any help because you were too stupid to say that you were cold! Nor was I the one who transported to an insecure area! How did you know that the Belrothol wasn't still alive or going to come back?" I was positively seething. Then I saw that look on his face again and nearly exploded, but a large snout in my face prevented me.
"Now, now children," the bear spoke in a slightly sarcastic voice. "You both know very well that you are too weak to get too angry." the hurt look returned to his face, as well as a touch of red on his cheeks. I just glared at Hawk. He caught me glaring and gave me an icy stare that could have frozen a Belrothol. If looks cold kill, both of us would be dead, several times over.
Suddenly I dissolved into laughter. Hawk abandoned his cold look for one of puzzled bemusement. Falling backward in the course of giggling, I rubbed a burn on my arm against the nest like thing I had been placed in. I cursed, loudly. Even the bear looked shocked. This just caused me to fall apart again.
"Wren, what the hell are you doing? What the hell is so funny?" Hawk started to snigger as well, if for no reason because I must have looked absolutely ridiculous.
"You two do this often?" Asked the muzzle that still was all I could really see. In my sudden fit, I guess I hadn't noticed that the bear could talk. By the look on Hawk's face, I assumed the same was for him.
"You– You, you can talk?" asked he in a slightly shaky voice. Now he was fearful of the bear. When was the last time Hawk was ever scared around me? Oh that's right! Right before we all went into the large battle. He didn't look scared for himself though ... he must have been scared for Tess. That was the only logical reason. I shook my head, remembering it did no good to reminisce.
"Apparently, Hawk. How did you guess?" I added dryly. For all of his magical smarts and strategist mind, he seemed to point out the obvious a lot. "I mean, what, she did seem to open her, permit my saying so lady, muzzle and speak to us, did she not?" Oh boy, more cold stares. By the end of this, I was sure I would end up in a block of ice. I had the sudden urge to woof. Wow, even after the six or so years I had been out of the dog shape, I still retained some tendencies. I resisted the urge. Meeting Hawk's eyes again, I fought the urge to shiver. There were two things wrong with his eyes. One, they were even colder than before. Two, underneath that layer of ice that seemed to coat his eternal self there was a river of hot passion. Towards what, I did not know. Actually, this was the first time I had seen this flow before. I caught myself staring, as did Hawk. He grinned, albeit a bit maliciously. Sighing, I once again brought myself to the present, fighting the high color rising to my face.
"Great lady, who are you? I am completely mystified, and yet I feel familiarity in your presence." I bowed deeply in the Iyon Daiyin fashion after scrambling up and dusted myself off.
"And in one so young," the bear muttered. Hawk seemed poised to ask a question, but with a sharp nod from yours truly, he shut his mouth. The bear proceeded to answer.
"I am Aalen. I once was human, but a wizard," Hawk and I noticed simultaneously that she used the word 'wizard', not 'magician' or 'sorcerer'. "Came to my village. She felt that there was too much power in my family, so she killed my family in front of me. Then, as she said I was the most powerful, she turned me into a bear, to be feared by all, respected by none. Able to feel the power I had, but unable to use it. I am roughly your age, though a sense of time fades within a bear." she sighed, or, at least, the bear equivalent of a sigh. "You, girl, I know you from somewhere." she directed this at me. Rummaging through the tumult that was my memory.
"Aalen... Aalen...." with a small gasp of surprise, I asked a question tentatively. "Aalen wouldn't happen to be short for.. Aalendrianna, would it?"
"Why, yes... it would." The bea- Aalen answered. I gave a squeal of delight. Running up to Aalen, I hugged her crying
"Oh, Aalen! It's such a relief to know you got out okay! Aunt Niss said that they couldn't find you!" a slight glint of recognition slid into her eyes.
"Wren? Oh Wren, you have grown! I am so sorry I missed your last few visits, but I was on little excursions of my own!" She gave a toothy grin, and Hawk seemed more than a bit wary.
"Umm.... Wren? Do you mind, er... introducing us?" He eyed Aalen, puzzled-ly. Grinning ear to ear, I introduced my friend.
"Hawk Riscarlan, may I introduce Aalen, or Aalendrianna, Merindar.." I smiled inwardly when I saw the look of horror and amazement on his face. "She helped out with the horses and healing at my aunt's and uncles Inn, until it burned down. Heh. Don't worry, This Merindar was actually the leader in foreign forces and supplies for Her Highness Meliara and His Highness Vidanric. I helped in some of that you know." In the past year, a group of rebels here in Cantirmoor did exactly the same, I contentedly thought to myself. You see, about a year before our war broke out, another war started in Remalna, a country about a two week journey south of Brennic Marches. A brave marquis and an even braver countess met one fateful night with The countess, Meliara Astair, caught in a trap set by her own side. The Marquis, Vidanric, had helped her recover, without Mel's knowing. They set out hating each other, then ended up saving each other. Now married, and Mel with child (last I heard) the country was in peace. Turning back to Aalen,
"So how are Mel and Danric these days?" I asked.
"Oh, they are fine. Mel gave birth to a fine, healthy girl. Her name is... well, I thought this might surprise you, but her name is Wren!" she exclaimed.
"Oh how wonderful! How old is she? Why did they name her Wren? Where is she being raised?" I was bursting with questions.
"Calm down, my friend. She is three to the day, they named her Wren because of what you did here in Cantirmoor and because they like the name, and she is being raised in Tlanth and the capital, depending on the season." I saw Hawk edging away, outside.
"One moment, Aalen. I'll be right back." she nodded placidly. Slowly creeping after Hawk, I watched him find a boulder to sit on and he placed his head in his hands. I walked up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay, Hawk? You seem... I don't know, unhappy." He started at my touch. "Hush, it's okay. Just me, little ol' scrawny, weak, pitiful, hideous, stripy-haired Wren." I thought that bringing up all fo the things he had called me at one time or another might cause him to laugh, but he just burrowed his head further into his hands. I knelt in front of him, momentarily forgetting the bruises and burns on my knees. "Here now, what's this?" I asked, pulling his hands away form his face. Tear tracks traced a path down his face. Following these tracks with my thumb, I repeated my question. He blinked, then stood up, swiping at his eyes surreptitiously.
"Nothing!" he snarled. He strode away, back up to the cave. I shook my head.
"Hopefully nothing I have to worry about, though I admit, seeing actual proof that Hawk has emotions really changes what I think of him." I murmured to myself.
"Aalen, have you thought of any ways that you could, well, change back?" I asked when I got back to the cave. Hawk was sulking in a corner. She shook her great shaggy head.
"Nary a one." I could see on the inside she felt terrible, as did I. Brow furrowed in thought, I sat for hours thinking. Aalen and Hawk seemed to think I had gone mad by the time I sprang up from a log and shouted "I have it!" Bounding to Aalen, I hugged her first, then I went over to Hawk and hugged him– none to gently mind you. But I was too ecstatic to notice. "Hawk, Aalen, I have it!" Digging in her pack, she took out a necklace that Hawk recognized, though he wasn't sure where from. "Hawk, I need you to grip my shoulders, waist, feet, whatever, just hold on tightly and leave my hands free." I ordered. He obliged, placing his hands on my waist. " I need to borrow some magic to turn her human again. Is that alright?" He nodded. Taking the necklace, she made several signs over it. Complex, healing, undoing, and remaking spell signs. "Okay, Hawk, I need you to focus on this necklace. Imagine that you are switching the configuration of it, from human to animal, to animal to human. Then, place the most powerful and lingering permanence spell you know on it. Okay?" I gave him the break down.
"Okay," he replied warily. "But I don't see how you..." Waving a hand, I interrupted him.
"I'll take care of the rest. You don't know Aalen as I do." Hawk and I closed our eyes and did as I said, changing the function of the necklace, reversing it. I then placed every memory I had of her, good and bad, the way she looked, spoke, dressed, etc. into the necklace. Then I wove a very potent spell to place the effect on her permanently.
"Hawk, we must stand up. Do not break contact, otherwise we'll lose the spell. Keep contact 'till I tell you to let go, then let go. Immediately." Hawk looked ready to object, but shut his mouth. I nodded. Slowly getting up, and even more slowly walking over to Aalen, I placed the necklace over her head. There was a blinding flash of light. "Don't let go!" I bellowed over the sudden rushing sound in my ears. Hawk's arms just came over from his hands-on-hips position to arms fully around my waist, just so he wouldn't break contact. I felt fur fly, literally. Feeling my powers wane, I snapped my head back, letting go of the necklace and flying backwards against the wall of the cave. Or, more like, me flying into Hawk flying into the cave wall. The light faded. Slowly opening my eyes, I gasped. Standing in front of me, was one of my dear friends, in all of her green haired glory?!?!
end of Wren's POV
Away in Remalna
A few hundred miles away to the south, a three year old ran to her father in the library. A few steps behind her came a woman of medium height, fair skin, chiseled nose and lips, unfathomably deep blue eyes, and long, straight auburn hair. When one looked from child to woman, it was evident that the woman was the other of the child's parents. With the same head of auburn hair, fair skin, and facial features, the resemblance could not be mistaken. Only the grey orbs that belonged to her tall, blonde, equally fair and slim man who was her father were any trace of the lineage.
At the sight of his toddling child he grinned and scooped her up, spinning her around, earning a squeal of delight from his child and a smile from the mother. But the smile did not reach her eyes. In fact, with one look at the emotions clearly evident in her stature and poise, the father went from happiness to concern.
"Mel, what's wrong?" Vidanric, King of Remalna, asked, placing his daughter down and embracing his wife, Meliara, Queen of Remalna.
"Oh, Danric," she breathed into his hair. "I just got word about Aalen."
"The one who helped us so much up north? What's wrong?"
"Her family was found murdered a week ago. She was- is- missing." she stammered.
"How can we help? We are two weeks away from the capital, more if you count the city where she lives. I am sorry. I cannot leave." He looked as if he was ready to tear out his hair.
"Don't worry Vidanric. You don't have to go. I will." once again the king's face changed. Placing her so he could see her face, he asked:
"Mel, you know I won't stop you, but will you reconsider? For all we know, she is in danger, putting you in danger. What about Wren?" she sighed.
"Danric, Wren is too young. Aalen is one of my dearest friends. It's like asking you to stay when Russ was in danger; you know you just have to go. Besides," she smiled "she said the next time I visit, I may get to meet our baby's namesake." at this he chuckled.
"Alright Mel. You go with my support. How many guards do you want?"
"Absolutely none" she replied firmly.
"Mel, I can't let you go without a guard. Even I am not that self confident." came the expected reply.
"Well, if I must, may I have Ness and her group?" I asked, remembering the kind woman who helped me during the war.
"Of course. She had a new group though. Promoted. She is the only one you'll know really." She nodded her consent.
"When will you be leaving?"
"First gold, tomorrow. With the messenger."
"So soon?" he asked pleadingly. Mel's eyes held a sorrowful look.
" I am afraid I must, dear one. But, think of it this way; the sooner I leave, the sooner I find her, and the sooner I come back." smiling a sad smile, Vidanric took his child in one arm, and his wife in the other.
"Come on, Wren and I will help you pack." striding to their rooms, Mel mentally prepared herself for a long journey.
end of chapter. Thanks for all fo the good reviews. A/N Yes, for a little fun, I thought I might add crown duel to an already brilliant mix of characters, all thought up by the all-powerful Ms. Smith. Only Aalen and the name of the child(sort of) is/are mine.