A/N: Yayyyyy! Hello, my friends, and fellow lovers of Avalon Web of Magic! I'm in a VERY good mood today! Why? Well, you see, it's CHRISTMAS VACATION! That is good for both of us because I get to relax and YOU get more chapters! So check in a ton this coming week (not every day, I don't have time for THAT many chapters)! My reviewer of the week… well, it's a tie between Mistyx7 for all of the wonderful reviews, and the nameless Guest…ooooh, mysterious!... Thanks, Guest, for your awesome review and, yes, the mansion being void of usable rooms was intended for complications later on. What complications? You shall see…. BWAHAHAHA!
Wow, that was long…
Disclaimer: I don't own A:WoM
Zach
He took a moment, gathering his wits, and then spoke to the girl on the throne, "Please, my friend is hurt, do you think you could help her?"
The girl, Brynn, smiled, "Of course. Dragon rider, your path, along with many others, is entwined with the warrior's. To let her die would change many lives, reveal many dark paths that I would rather remain hidden. Follow the mistwolf. She will lead you to a place where your friend can be healed,"
Brynn looked toward an icy passage where a rusty brown mistwolf stood. The mistwolf abruptly turned and began to walk down the hall. Zach looked to Brynn, "Thank you,"
"There is no need for thanks," Brynn said, smiling, "Follow her, and help the warrior,"
Zach, without another word, hurried down the passage after the she-wolf, Adriane cradled lightly in his arms.
Brynn
Brynn looked at the creature who sat before her, the paladin's eyes shining with gold.
"You know that your bonded is here," Brynn said quietly.
"Yes," The mistwolf replied, "I have been waiting for this moment since the three mages separated the worlds. It has been such a long time…"
"Indeed it has," Brynn replied, scratching the wolf behind her silver ears, "You will find the warrior and the dragon rider in the infirmary. Shya was given the task of escorting them,"
"Shya?" The paladin supplied a wolfish grin, "I believe that task would have been better suited for one with a sense of direction, don't you?"
"No, this was something the young she-wolf had to accomplish. If not now, then when would she meet her bonded? She was born to be a paladin, and a paladin of time, at that. With her abilities-"
"With her abilities, she should be training, learning to control her elemental magic. She needs to learn to control-"
"You're right. She needs to learn control. And who better to practice with than her bonded? She is meant to be his paladin, as you were meant to be Adriane's, Stormbringer. Shya's gift is important to the path on which we stand. As we walk along it, our decisions change and reshape our destinies. Trust me, friend, my paladin and I have decided that this is best, for this is the path that results in the least amount of pain and destruction," Brynn looked to Storm, a sad smile spreading across her face, "Now go, see your bonded and be happy. The death that approaches is miles and miles away. For now, we shouldn't worry,"
Stormbringer nodded, dissipating into mist, and made her way down the hallway that led to the infirmary, that led to Adriane.
Zach
Still following the mistwolf down the hallway, Zach tried to make conversation, disliking the awkward silence, "Hi, I'm Zach,"
The she-wolf glanced over her shoulder toward him, a constricted light flitting in her eyes, "Hello, Zach," After a pause, she spoke again, "I am Shya,"
Zach let out a nervous laugh, "Are all of the residents here so well spoken?"
Shya looked around as if she were about to do something she shouldn't, seeing no one, she looked at him, eyes alight, "Nope, I'm not really like that. I just wanted to make a good impression…Did it work?"
"Yes, it did," Zach replied, smiling, "but you should really just be yourself. Pretending to be proper isn't nearly as good as being true to yourself,"
Shya smiled and turned sharply, "Here we are, the infirmary. Put your friend down on a bed and I'll get someone to look after her,"
"Shya?" Zach asked. The mistwolf turned, "Adriane and I are only here in a dream, you know. We'll need to get back soon so that our friends don't worry,"
"I'll see what I can arrange," The brown wolf said calmly, disappearing further into the infirmary.
"Don't worry, Adriane," Zach whispered, "You're gonna be fine,"
Adriane
When Adriane finally opened her eyes, four things immediately startled her. First, she wasn't in Ravenswood manor. The mansion didn't have glass walls or a hospital wing of any sort. Second, she was being looked at by an unfamiliar reddish-brown wolf who was staring at her intently. Third, not only was she in a strange place being watched by a strange creature, but Zach was there too! He stood over her, pain and fear lingering in his eyes. Those emotions were quickly replaced by happiness when her saw Adriane's eyes open. Fourth, when Adriane looked over at the doorway, she spotted a silver mistwolf with lovely golden eyes.
"Storm!" Adriane said, her voice raspy. Her bonded smiled and approached the bed.
"Hello, Warrior,"
"But…how are you here?"
"These are the Plains of Brynn, Warrior, home of the five elements. Paladins are direct connections to the elements. Where did you think we resided when we were not by your side?"
"This is where paladins live?" Adriane asked in wonder.
"Not live, no. But we have access to this place. Tell me, Warrior, if you could stay in a place as beautiful as this whenever you chose, would you not do it?"
A smile spread across Adriane's face and she pulled her paladin into a tight hug. Stormbringer nuzzled against her cheek happily. The warrior looked over at Zach, who was quietly conversing with the brown wolf and a figure who looked as if she were made of snow. Zach turned back to look at Adriane, giving her a wide smile. Adriane felt herself blush.
"My bonded," Storm said quietly, causing Adriane to turn toward her, "It is true that you have found a way to reach the Plains of Brynn, and to take others with you, but the time has come for you to return to Ravenswood. Once you feel well enough to worldwalk again, you must have Shya take you to Brynn. The Guardian will help you return to the preserve. I will be waiting for you in the throne room," Storm nuzzled Adriane again and turned, exiting the infirmary.
The snowy figure came toward her, "How are you feeling?" Her voice was as soft as snow itself, "You were injured by the trial you fell into when you arrived, but your friend was here to carry you to the palace…and to safety,"
"I fell into a trial? How it that possible?"
"When you arrived, you fell into one of the most dangerous of the twelve Plains. The Plain of Blood. It twisted your mind, made you see terrible things, and for that I am sorry,"
"Oh…um…no problem," That hadn't exactly answered her question, "So…who are you?"
The snow girl smiled, "I am Mina, the ambassador of ice. I work here in the infirmary as a healer when there are those who need healing,"
Adriane nodded, "Thank you," she paused for a moment, "Storm said that when I could worldwalk, I should ask Shya to escort me to the throne room to see Brynn. She said Brynn could help me get home. Am I…am I healthy enough to worldwalk?"
"Indeed you are," Mina replied. She turned to the brown wolf, "Shya, my dear, would you show these two back to the throne room? I'd suspect they'd like to get home as soon as possible," Shya nodded, a wolfish smile lighting up her features, and led us out into the hallway.
Brynn
When Shya arrived in the throne room with Adriane and Zach, Brynn immediately knew what she had to do to make her plan work. If the mages were going to defeat the evil that was coming toward them, they needed to train with their paladins whenever they could. As Guardian of the Elements, Brynn had to make a decision. And that's what she did.
"I'm glad you are feeling better, Warrior," Brynn said. Stormbringer sat by Adriane's side, and Shya sat by Zach's, "It is time for you to return back to Ravenswood, but I need you to do something for me. Once you have returned home, make a visit to your magic glade as soon as you can. There you will find help for the upcoming dangers that approach. Can you do this for me, Adriane?" Adriane nodded earnestly, her eyes wide. Brynn continued, "Wonderful, I am sure you will like what you come to see,"
Brynn winked, spreading her arms wide, and closed her eyes. The white and blue jewel on her silver crown began to pulse with thousands of vibrant colors, and Adriane and Zach faded into a swirl of mist. Brynn opened her eyes.
"That's too bad," Shya said sadly, "I would have liked for them to stay longer,"
"Do not fret, my friend," Brynn said, a smile on her lips, "You will see them again very soon,"
A/N: This was so much fun to write! I had to put Storm in here somewhere, I love her so much. I thought that Zach needed a paladin of his own, so now he has Shya (but they aren't very close…YET). The next chapter will have a few POVs, instead of just being in third person all the time. Review! The more you review, the more I'll write this week! See ya soon! :D
