Chapter 3
Exhaustion finally overwhelmed Dorcas. He had been running from Riko Port for at least an hour andsuddenly collapsed in the middle of the plains. I have to keep moving! Dorcas struggled to move his legs but they wouldn't budge.
"Why did you have to take her," Dorcas panted, "Why not me? Am I not good enough?" Dorcas wept. His tears poured from his eyes and rolled down his face.
"Natalie," whispered the weeping warrior. He then fell to his exhaustion and passed out.
"Dorcas?" whispered a somewhat familiar voice, "Dorcas can you hear me?"
Dorcas' vision started to clear up and he started to recognize the young girl calling to him. "Florina?"
The girl hesitantly smiled, "Yeah it's me," She got up from her wooden stool and rummaged loosely through some cupboards looking for something. Dorcas then remembered the girl's discomfort around men. She probably isnteven looking for anything.He noticed he was in a small bed. He wastoo big for it and noticed it because he could feel his feet going off the edge.
"Where am I?" asked Dorcas. Florina was nowlooking at the floor.
"You are at my house in Ostia," Florina replied. Dorcas was surprised. Riko Port was very far from Ostia; she must have flown him to the capital of Lycia.
"Thank you very much for taking care of me," said Dorcas.
Florina nodded her head and replied, "It was nothing; I found you passed out in the middle of the fields, so I had to do something."
Dorcas respected the girls kindness, but he had to see Lord Eliwood… or Lord Hector! Hector is much closer, which means I could find Natalie faster.
"Florina?" said Dorcas.
Recognizing Dorcas' tone Florina responded, "Yeah?"
"Which way to Castle Ostia?" responded Dorcas.
"You are much too tired to be leaving here," said Florina. She turned around to face Dorcas.
"I have to," Dorcas replied, "They kidnapped Natalie and I have to get some help." Now Dorcas could see the girl shocked again. She struggled to say something and then finally did.
"Then let me be your help!" exclaimed the young pegasus knight. Dorcas gave a look of shock; he never would have expected Florina to say such a thing for a man. "I have a pegasus so that could be our transportation. I also have my two sisters, they would be happy to help you."
Dorcas saw thatFlorina was really trying to help.Hedidn't like it but decided it was against his will to deny Florina for help. She was going aid him no matter what he said.
Raven sat down at his usual table in the lobby of the most famous inn in all of Arcred. Of course, today he wasn't coming at his usual time and was waiting for a supposed unexpected guest. The person sent a letter to Raven that told him to meet him/her at the Rukitaka Inn.
So Raven came to the inn at sunset and took his table. He dressed in his best pants and shirt but was still fairly pathetic compared to most of the people in the city of Arcred.
The mercenary sat for a while thinking ofwho the guest could be when hesaw a women dressed in a cloak come through the door. He looked at her and theireyes locked.He turned away but he could see in the corner of his eye that she was approaching him.
"Sorry I am waiting for someone," said Raven. Despite his words,the woman removed her cloak and took a seat. The lady was beautiful. Shehad black hair andwas wearing a black dress.
"I sent you that letter, so don't worry," said the girl in a serious tone.Raven didnt expectthislady to be the one who sent theletter but he accepted it.
She kicked her heels up and laid them on top of the table."I came here to give you an invitation."
Raven couldn't help but noticethat he was staring at the beautiful woman. "And what does that invitation say?" asked Raven with curiosity.
The lady smiled and put her feet down, "I am inviting you and your sister to join the four fangs." Raven remembered that was the name of the Black Fang's top warriors. But they were dead... except for one. Jaffar!
"Did Jaffar send you?" said Raven. The lady laughed and leaned closer into the table.
"Of course not. That assassin cant even plan a way to kill his own opponent," said the lady.
"So you're just plain evil then?" said Raven.
"No, I am just helping the world by re-establishing the connection between humans and dragons," whispered the girl, "I am actually insulted that you would call me evil. Meet me tomorrow at the ports of Badon. I am hoping you come with your sister." The lady then bent in and kissed Raven on the cheek. "See you then,"
Raven watched as she got up and left the inn. Hethen had the sudden urge to visit Badon the next day.
