Chapter 2

Walnut the fairy sighed and lifted into the air in impatience. He flew to a fat, yellow, buttercup and jumped on it, saying, "Rose, you sleepy head, where is Anaella (uh-nay-uh)?"

The flower slowly opened and a chubby little fairy with purple hair and rosy cheeks stepped out. She looked at Walnut with a tired expression and said in a high voice, "I don't know, you had her last."

"Ohhh..." growled Walnut, "Come help me find that girl."

The fairy stretched her arms and yawned, and then she flew over to a tree. "Anaella!" cried Rose in a small voice, "Quit hiding and come out!"

"I'm not hiding," came the amused voice of a girl.

Rose flew this way and that but could not see the sought girl. She flew to a little room created by vines and trees where pretty fairies about three feet high sat sipping tulip dew. They were brushing each others unruly colorful hair and telling stories.

"Have you seen Anaella?" she asked.

They all shook their head and chuckled. The larger human size fairies didn't know either. Neither did the tiny mice and birds which shared the meadow with the fairies. Walnut had no luck either. They suddenly saw the figure of the girl stepping quietly away. They flew towards her in a rush, but as the tried to land on her, they fell through the air and landed on, nothing. The figure of the girl had just been a mirage, a small fairy trick Anaella used often.

"This isn't supposed to happen," cried Walnut, "We fairies find everything!"

"You never find me."

The two fairies turned around in joy as a beautiful young girl with long golden hair entered their flower patch. Her eyes were dark blue and looked slightly mysterious under her long dark lashes. She was dressed in a light blue graceful gown; behind her stood an elegant white unicorn. This was no illusion, the young girl was real.

"Anaella!" the fairies cried, flying to her. They each took a seat on her smooth shoulders and Walnut began to scold, "When will you ever stop hiding from us like that?"

"Never," she smiled settling down in the middle of the beautiful meadow. The unicorn stood still as Walnut and Rose continued to scold her. She just smiled and plucked up a few flowers. One was a dandelion and she blew the white seeds into her lecturer's faces, as if telling them their talking was for naught. Suddenly a horrible, long roar sounded through the forest. Anaella lifted her head in surprise, "What's that?"

The two fairies became silent and doleful. They looked at each other and said nothing.

"What is it? What's wrong?" the girl asked.

"I guess we better tell her," mumbled Rose.

"Okay," sighed Walnut, "But I'll make it short. That is the dragon of Ardunt, Anaella. The witches put a curse on him and the humans; he sleeps for five years then awakes and feeds on human flesh."

Anaella pulled a face, "But there are no humans here."

"Oh, yes there are!" cried Rose, "You are part human!"

"Rose!"

Anaella stared at them. "What do you mean I'm part human?"

"Eighteen years ago," began Walnut in a sad voice, "The dragon awoke, even though it was not his time and found a young, human mother, who had gone to the fairy world and married a nice, fairy boy. Her fate was closed that terrible night. The next day the fairies heard a baby's laugh. They followed the sound and found a baby girl near where the dragon had eaten. They took the baby home and brought her up as their own."

"That baby was me," concluded Anaella, "So I am half human?"

"I'm afraid you are," moaned Rose.

"But why would humans come in here?"

"The witches make them have a reason, or drive them here."

"So, the dragon is getting ready to feed on human flesh," determined Anaella.

"Or is eating right now," said Rose solemnly.

"That would be interesting to see," said the girl standing up. The fairies flew off of her and cried, "No, no you can't go!" But that did not stop her. Rose pulled her hair, Walnut buzzed in her face, but Anaella was not altered. She jumped on the unicorn's back who ran lightly through the forest and easily threw the fairies off track. She slowed her steps as she felt the heat of the dragon's lair. The unicorn softly stepped through the trees until she came in sight of the dragon's cave. All around her was darkness and a foul stench.

She concealed herself and the unicorn in some thick brush, then watched in amazement as the dragon came into view. He was a sight to behold. He was huge, with large black scales and a sharp tail. His eyes were red and smoke steamed from his nostrils. His roar again echoed through the woods and Anaella felt chills go up her spine.

Suddenly a horse's clatter was heard and a high voice, the victims were coming. The dragon backed off a step at the sight of the humans and Anaella strained her neck to see who they were. The first rode a large, grey, prancing horse. He was young with dark blonde hair and a long sword drawn. He held a shield and his armor was light.

"So," murmured Anaella to herself, "This is a real human."

He seemed very confident as he glared at the dragon in an almost eager way, his dark brown eyes flashing as if telling the dragon to make the first move. Another man appeared behind him on a tiny horse. The man was tiny as well, and was all skin and bones. His black hair was disheveled as he looked timidly at the dragon.

"C-c-aptain," he stammered, "I don't think this is a good idea."

"Draw your sword, Willy."

Anaella watched in fascination as the young man came near the dragon. The dragon lunged, breathing a fury of fire. The young man dodged it easily, but the dwarf was not so fast. The fire singed his hair, clothes, and the pony.

"Great Jupiter, that's hot!" he screeched. The pony began to buck into the dragon's lair squealing in pain and annoyance. The dragon was completely taken by surprise at this act and paused a moment, wondering if he should ignore them, or chomp them up. He leaned down to sniff the little horse and got a kick in the nose. That was all the time the young man needed. With his back turned, the dragon was invulnerable. He drove his sword right into the dragon's side.

The dragon twisted in pain and let out an awful howl. The pony was frightened and ran for cover, the skinny man clinging to her mane. "Stop! Halt! Stop I say!" cried the dwarf. Of course the pony did not listen but continued to run for her life.

The creature had recovered from the surprise attack and had turned on the young man in rage. Again he dodged the fire thrown at him. He then quickly took his bow and arrow and fired an arrow into the dragon's mouth, just as he was opening it for another blast of flames. The dragon again roared in pain and raised one of his claws to strike the man.

But before it landed, the little man came back, his mini sword drawn. When he saw his friend in danger he shouted in horror and rushed at the dragon. He drove his sharp sword into the dragon's heart. The dragon twisted in pain and bellowed once more before falling to the earth, dead.

Dasian looked at the dragon silently as Willy ranted on, "I told you it wasn't a good idea! You were almost killed!"

"Aye, well it wasn't much of a challenge though. I've seen better." He mounted his horse and turned back towards the road.

"Hey!" squawked Willy pushing his pony forward, "We just came from that direction!"

"I know," replied Dasian calmly. "We have to stop at the fairies realm first."

"You are still going the wrong way."

Dasian swung around in complete surprise at the woman's voice. He was even more surprised when he saw her. She was sitting on a pure white unicorn and her deep, blue eyes were shimmering. For a moment he did not know what to say. He had never seen a fairy before and the sight of one left him weak in knees. Nevertheless he quickly regained his courage and said coolly and boldly, "Then lead us in the correct direction."

She hesitated a moment looking at the audacious young man almost timidly then silently passed him and the astonished Willy and began to ride into the thick forest. Dasian rode up to her side as flowers and beautiful trees began to appear, and said, "Since you are a fairy, you must know the whole forest of Ardunt very well. I am...lost. I'm looking for the Wizard's city. Will you show me and my friend where it is?"

"I do not trust strangers who might do harm to me," she said.

"You think I would hurt a fairy after I have slain a dragon?" he asked indignantly

"Anaella!"

Two tiny fairies burst in front of them and flew to the girl in a rush. "How dare you go off like that!" chided the man fairy.

"You could have been killed!" cried the little girl fairy. Then they saw the two men and gasped. The girl fairy flew into a flower for protection and the man fairy demanded weakly, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Dasian bowed slightly to the little creature. "My name is Dasian son of Riley. This is Willy, my man."

"Aye." cried Willy snappily, "We just killed a dragon and we're..."

"Shut up, Willy," hissed Dasian, then he turned to the baffled fairies and smiled apologetically. "What are you're names?"

The fairy decided he was harmless. "I am Walnut, the fairy in the flower is Rose, and this is Anaella," he said gesturing to each one in turn.

Dasian bent down to Walnut's eye level and said, "I am here to bring back a woman to use as a spy in my army."

"We have none to give!"

"We will care and feed them the whole time," persisted Dasian.

"There is no dew in your unnatural world, and fairies only drink dew!"

"But the girl isn't pure fairy."

"How did you know that?" asked Anaella, for she hadn't known this very fact until only an hour ago.

Truth was Dasian didn't know. The words had just come out of his mouth. But he smiled slyly at his good fortune and said, "I'm a spy. I know everything."

"A spy!" cried Walnut, "Heaven help us!" Rose peeked out from her hiding place and stared at Dasian with frightened eyes.

"I'm not spying on you," assured Dasian, "I'm spying on an enemy camp trying to destroy my... unnatural world."

"War! Spying! I can not let Anaella go into this!"

"It's not your choice," stated Dasian, annoyed by the fussy fairies. He folded his arms over his chest and glanced at Anaella. "Let the girl decide," he said firmly to the little fairies.

Anaella's eyes fleeted over to her fairy guardians, Rose's hands were clasped in pleading, and Walnut was trying to look stern. Then she looked at Dasian, looking as calm as a summer's breeze, waiting for her answer. Whatever she said decided her life, either to be a beautiful fairy hiding among the aspens and willows, or to be a cloaked spy, always on the run, with hard missions. Her heart soared glad that she could actually choose her own pathway in life. She said boldly, "I will go with you to your camp."

Rose groaned and Walnut began to stutter and stammer in protest.

"Fine," cried Dasian quickly, he was afraid the fickle creatures would change their minds. "Now you can show me where the wizards live." He was relieved because half of his mission was accomplished, a woman set for a spy. Sir Loban had wanted a woman for a spy, Dasian had gotten himself a girl and he had no intention of letting her do important tasks. She would simply be a messenger, after of course they had made sure she would not betray them. He turned his horse and waited impatiently for Anaella and Willy to recover from this hasty agreement and follow him.

Anaella glanced over at Dasian who was kneeling on the ground examining the soil. His dark cape and brown tunic made her shiver. She only worn a fine blue gown, the thought of a warm heavy cloak almost made her sigh. Dasian stood and returned to his horse. He turned to Anaella and asked in his powerful voice, "Are you sure we are near the wizard's city?"

"Yes. A few more miles and we'll be there."

He nodded curtly and Willy sighed loudly, "So far we've encountered one dragon, two monsters, a giant scorpion and a screeching ugly bird, your sword has been bloodied three times over. What else are in these cursed woods?"

"Quicksand, large rodents, more dragons, witches and annoying midgets," murmured Dasian, but he did not look at Willy's scowling face, for he was distracted by something in the forest around him. He turned to Anaella and asked, "Did you hear something?"

Anaella nodded briefly and said, "Someone is near."

Dasian seemed a little surprised at this answer, as if he wasn't expecting for her to hear anything. He nodded and murmured, "Aye, someone is very near."

"What are you guys talking about?" squawked Willy annoyed at his ignorance. He looked around nervously trying to catch a glimpse of the next monster they had to endure. He did not fear it, knowing Dasian would easily dispose of it as he did the other creatures.

Dasian ignored his companion and drew his sword, bellowing, "Show yourself, if you dare."

Anaella wished he had not said that as she watched ten, dark, figures surround them. Dark hoods and capes covered their faces and tall frames. They slowly walked towards the surprised travelers, their feet making no sound. Then they all stopped three yards from where they stood, and a broad shouldered form stepped up to Dasian, he was followed by two other draped figures. He seemed to be the leader of the band, for there was an aurora of reverence around him.

"You seek the wizard's realm?" he asked. His voice was low and rich, yet filled with integrity.

"Yes," said Dasian, "I perceive you are one?"

He pulled his hood back revealing a hard emotionless face with dark eyes and hair. His mouth was set firm and his thick eyebrows were furrowed thoughtfully. He was unshaven and could have been called handsome, but he was so grave looking that there was hardly any beauty in the hard lines. He was not old, hardly in his mid-thirties, yet Anaella was sure that the wise honest face was much older. The two others pulled their hoods back as well. One was a large burly man with a thick black beard and wild eyes. The other was an attractive woman with short black hair and thin lips, they all had furrowed grave faces.

"My name is Tnsaiu," declared the first wizard, "These two are Veronica and Fidel. We are all wizards and sorcerers. My Master said you would come, Captain Dasian. Please, follow me."

Dasian mounted his horse and began to follow the disappearing figures; he motioned for Anaella and Willy to do the same. They trailed the wizards for some time before they came to a large, stone archway in the middle of the forest. Symbols and designs were etched all over it. There were only three wizards now, Tnsaiu and his two associates, Veronica and Fidel. Tnsaiu went under the arch and disappeared.

Anaella blinked in astonishment. One moment he was there, the next he was not. Veronica and Fidel also vanished under the arch. Dasian did not seem mystified at all as he unflinchingly passed through the arch. Anaella and Willy glanced at each other, daring each other to go first. Anaella smiled and went first. As soon as she was through the arch, Anaella nearly gasped in astonishment. Behind her Willy exclaimed, "Leaping Lizards!"

They had just walked into Quari; city of the Wizards.