Release

Runaan comes to to see his sweet Rayla in the grasp of an ash-faced Dark mage.

Where is his sword? The last thing he remembers is the Dark mage's chanting, and then… nothing.

Gold. He remembers gold. Lain's and Tiadrin's faces trapped in coins. He can only guess that the Dark mage trapped him in a coin too. And now, somehow he is freed, but the Dark mage will imprison Rayla if Runaan cannot stop him.

For the first time, Runaan regrets not eating what the mage offered him. Perhaps then he'd be strong enough to overpower the mage now.

He forces himself to his feet. His body is his weapon. It will not fail him now. Not when his daughter's life is on the line.

"Mage!" The strength of his voice surprises even Runaan. "Release her, or you'll wish you'd never been born." He doesn't have the strength to back up his threat. He hopes the mage can't tell.

The mage and Rayla turn, identical looks of surprise on their faces. This is not the same mage that imprisoned him. This one is younger. An apprentice.

"Runaan!" Rayla pulls away from the mage to run to Runaan's side, supporting him. "You're awake! You're safe now."

"Rayla," Runaan says, eyes on the mage, "stay behind me and pass me your sword."

The mage's eyes widen.

Rayla's eyes dart between Runaan and the mage, then she steps firmly between them. "No," she says.

"Rayla," Runaan says impatiently, "I'm not asking you to kill him. Give me your sword so I can rid Xadia of the menace."

"Excuse me?" the mage says, raising a hand. "Mr. Runaan, sir? I think you've misread the situation a little."

"No," Rayla says, putting her hands on her hips and glaring at Runaan, "he's misread the situation a lot."

Runaan is very confused.

Rayla looks behind her, reaching a hand out to the mage. He takes it, and she draws him to her side and looks back at Runaan. "Runaan, this is Prince Callum of Katolis, Sky mage, friend of Dragon Prince Azymondias… and my fiancé."

Runaan's eyes widen. He blinks. Then her words sink in. "Rayla, he's a Dark mage! He steals the life of Xadian creatures to fuel his twisted 'magic'! Prince or not, you can't marry one of them!"

"Didn't you just hear me? I said he was a Sky mage! Yes, he's used Dark magic, but that was the only way to free you!"

"She's right," the mage says. "It only took so long because we were trying to find a way to use Primal magic to free you all. Plus, we managed to do it without killing!"

"Dark magic done without death? Impossible."

"Not really? Phoe-Phoe saved her molted feathers last year, and Ez saved Zym's baby teeth. Even Queen Zubeia gave us some loose scales!"

None of those names ring a bell for Runaan except one. "...Queen Zubeia?" His anger grows. "You took scales from the Dragon Queen?"

"No!" The mage steps back, hands up. "She gave them to me! Freely! And they were falling out anyway!"

"Runaan," Rayla says placatingly, putting a hand on his arm. "Yes, Callum used Dark magic. But he didn't kill anything for it, and he only used it to free you and the Dragonguard."

Runaan does not stop glaring.

"Let's just get something to eat," the mage suggests. "Ooh, and before I forget, there's an elf here who wanted to see you when I'd gotten you out. No one expected you to wake up quite so soon."

Someone who wants to see Runaan? Who?

Rayla takes Runaan's hand and the mage's hand, and begins leading them out of the room. When she reaches the door, she pauses and looks back. Runaan follows her gaze.

On two simple beds lie his best friends. Lain and Tiadrin. The last time he saw them, they were terrified and in pain, imprisoned in golden discs. Now they're free, sleeping peacefully. And Rayla says it's thanks to a Dark mage.

Perhaps… perhaps Dark magic has its uses. Perhaps this mage isn't so bad.

Runaan turns back to the door at Rayla's gentle tug on his hand. The mage opens the door. And Runaan sees a face he never thought he'd see again.

Hiya! Alyce here. I've been thinking about making a Tumblr? At least three. One to be my personal/possibly authorial Tumblr, and at least two more for ask blogs. TDP ask blogs, to be precise, and to be even more precise, an ask Aaravos blog and an ask Rayla blog. (my favorite characters)

Any of you on Tumblr? Anyone a Tumblr roleplayer? Any thoughts or advice you have would be much appreciated!

(And in the meantime, mind checking out my Official Author Blog, worldofdedanan dot wordpress dot com, or my DeviantArt, deviantart dot com slash tamaraaduncan? I accept requests on both. Requests are welcome here too!)