Author's Note: Apologies for the lack of updates! I've been so busy these past few months as well as working on a new fic that I will post shortly. This chapter is a little laid back compared to the others, but for all you action lovers out there, no worries. If Raven wants her dragon, she will have to fight for him. ;)

Part Two: A Path is Chosen

Chapter Five

Raven walked inside the inn and saw that the room had been rearranged since the meeting earlier, the chairs in the room now faced the tables they surrounded rather than the front of the room as they had before.

Sitting at the nearest table was Wolfencreek, Dantea, Imaru and Razor. Wolfencreek was leaning back in his chair fast asleep, his mouth hanging open. Dantea picked up a cooked pea from her plate and tossed it at him, the little green ball bouncing off his closed eye. Wolfencreek twitched but didn't wake. Imaru grabbed a pea, took aim then tossed the pea right into Wolfencreek's open mouth. His three tablemates tried in vain not to laugh when he still didn't wake and Razor grabbed another pea. Raven turned her back on them to look for the others. Admakir was sitting in a distant corner reading a book while Vorthos and Liam leaned against the counter talking.

Raven approached Admakir and sat down beside him. "What are you reading?" She asked.

"A book on alchemy." He answered.

"Planning on making some potions?" "Not really, but I am a scholar, I enjoy researching things and studying them." He said as he closed the leather book. Admakir looked at her closely and said. "Something bothers you Raven, what is it?"

Hearing loud shouting, Raven turned and saw Wolfencreek spitting peas out of his mouth. Glaring at his friends he picked up a spoon and threw it at Razor who ducked. The spoon sailed over his head and clattered to the floor while Dantea and Imaru were doubled over in laughter.

Despite the humorous situation, Raven did not laugh. "It is nothing that can be fixed." She answered quietly. Before Admakir could say any more she announced. "It has been a long day; I am going to get some sleep."

"Sleep well Raven." Admakir said. She ignored his worried look and went upstairs.

One Week Later

Raven and the other heroes stood shoulder to shoulder in a straight line, facing the people of Falconreach. All the bones had been cleared from the streets and the only evidence there had been a war just seven days earlier were two houses that had been partly burned by the undead and the words spoken by the Mayor.

"People of Falconreach! We gather today to celebrate the victory over the Undead Assault and the bravery of these heroes. Without their aid this town would surely have fallen."

The crowd cheered and Raven couldn't keep a smile from her face. She stood at the end of the line beside Wolfencreek. Beside him hovered Razor, followed by Dantea, Imaru, Admakir, and at the far end, Vorthos.

"To honor our heroes, I present each of them with a Defender's Medal." The Mayor said as he approached Vorthos and handed him a small metal object. Rayf went down the line handing them each a Defender's Metal and after presenting Raven with hers he steeped back and addressed all of the heroes. "These medals can be exchanged for rings and necklaces so that all may see and know you helped defend this town in need."

Mayor Rayf then started clapping, encouraging the crowd to do the same.

Some Time Later

Raven leaned against the side of the inn and examined her Defenders Medal. It was shaped like a silver shield and on the back was inscribed a message.

This Medal was awarded to you by the town of Falconreach for your help defending it against an invading force.

She placed the medal in her backpack and looked up in time to see Liam get tackled by Imaru. "Goal!" Liam shouted from underneath Imaru.

"It is not, you fumbled the ball!" Razor shouted as he ran over, Vorthos, Wolfencreek, and Dantea behind him.

"I did not!"

"Did so!"

"Guys look, the ball is two inches from the string so it doesn't matter if the ball was fumbled or not." Vorthos said.

"Aww." Liam said.

"Whose ball is it?" Dantea asked.

"It's ours." Imaru said. He picked up the ball and handed it to Wolfencreek.

"Aww." Razor said.

The six heroes got in position and at Wolfencreek's nod Imaru and Vorthos took off running. Wolfencreek threw the ball and Imaru jumped up and caught it. He faked left then ran right avoiding Razor's attempt to bring him down.

"Ha!" He taunted Razor. However he did not see Liam coming from the side and the two hit the ground, the brown ball falling from Imaru's grip.

"Mine!" Razor shouted as he dove for the ball.

"Not on your life!" Dantea said as she jumped on top of Razor. Each wanting the ball, Imaru, Liam, and Wolfencreek joined the pile.

Admakir approached Raven carrying a mug of moglinberry cider in each hand. He handed one to Raven as he looked at the pile of heroes and said. "Idiots. They are too busy fighting each other to realize that the ball rolled away from them."

Raven took the mug from Admakir and thanked him, then looked over to realize that he had spoken truth. A few feet away from the human pile up the brown ball rested against the wall to the barber shop.

"We should probably tell them that." Admakir said.

"No, let them fight, it's amusing." Raven said with a grin.

Razor managed to separate himself from the tangle of arms and legs and tried to run, but Imaru saw him and dove for his legs tripping Razor who fell flat on his face. "I don't have the ball you crazy pyro!" Razor shouted to him.

"Then who does?" Imaru asked.

"Liam does!" Raven called to them.

"WHAT!" Liam shouted, then seeing Imaru and Razor charging toward him he turned and ran as fast as he could.

"Guys, the ball is over here." Vorthos called to them as he floated over to where it rested and picked it up.

"It's our ball this time." Dantea said as she took it from Vorthos. Raven sipped the moglinberry juice as they continued their game.

"Why are you not joining them?" Admakir asked Raven.

"The game requires an even number of people." She answered.

"That's not it; they would let you play even if it makes the teams off balanced."

Raven sighed. "I'm just not in the mood right now."

"Want to talk about it?"

Raven thought of how Sepulchure sent an entire army to retrieve the dragon box. They had barely managed to push back his forces and Raven knew he would not make the mistake of sending so few soldiers again. Next time… they would surely lose. "Not really." She answered Admakir. I still don't even know where the box is. She thought.

"Waven!" Twilly shouted as he ran to her side. "I know where the black dragon box is!"

Wow, talk about perfect timing. "Where?" She asked him excitedly.

"In Surewood forest. Come!"

Raven handed Admakir her empty mug and turned to leave. "Will you be coming back to Falconreach?" He asked.

Raven hesitated. "Maybe." No. I won't endanger this town, once Sepulchure learns I have the dragon, he will hold nothing back. She thought to herself as she and Twilly headed east.

Author's Note: Working on the next chapter, hopefully it will not take long :)