Hailey: Oh my gosh that is the sweetest thing you could have said that is my dream job thank you!
Keeper: You are all so nice thank you! Here's that chapter
Dex POV
Dex stumbled when he landed from his light leap, he body weak and his heart weary. His vision blurred with tear and his mind fogged with despair he entered his father's shop. It was the first place that came to mind, well after Havenfield with Sophie on his mind but knowing he would have to face Sophie's almost parents was too much. He missed his dad, the smell of exploding potions and freshly baked desserts. It was time to go home.
As he walked though the back door, since the front was locked, he entered into the familiar peculiar little shop. Through his grief he barely registered the lack of fresh aromas or the lack of light. All he saw was the lone man, hunched over in his desk.
"Dad." He was surprised by how raw his voice was. The man spun around so quickly his chair toppled over. Through the darkness the man squinted to make sure his mind was not playing with him. Then he ran over to embrace his son, returned from the dead, only to catch him as he collapsed from sheer exhaustion.
Before he passed out he could only choke out a mouthful of words, but they were plenty, "Dad, Dad she's gone. Sophie's-Sophie's dead."
…
Would you hate me if I ended it here? Don't worry I'm not that cruel.
Dex groaned as light flooded his vision. His head was pounding but it was doing nothing to clear away the grogginess.
"Glad you finally came to. I was beginning to worry you were in a coma or something. You kids do like to sleep." The foreign voice caused Dex to jump to his feet, suddenly alert.
"Where am I, where's-WHERE"S SOPHIE!" All the past events suddenly came rushing back. Their capture. His being burned. Sophie's scream. He felt sick. She had screamed so much. As he wobbled on his feet he realized that feeling sick might also be because he was, well sick.
He turned and met the glare of a man. He approached him, every intention of beating the location of his best friend out of the elf, despite the odds. "WHERE IS SHE?"
"Boy lower your fists. If I was here to hurt you I would have left you with them."
He lowered his arms but did not unclench his fists "Sophie?"
"Dexter, Sophie is dead. I could only rescue you. I was too late for her."
"NO." His world began to spin and his legs suddenly seemed far too weak for his body. He felt himself slipping back into unconsciousness and he welcomed it. Anything was better than here. That this cruel twisted reality. Before he slipped away he felt strong arms wrap around him and lift him to his feet.
"Oh no you don't. I have places to be. I need you to get yourself home okay? Don't give in just yet. Hold on, for Sophie's sake. Bring this to Alden. Go now, us this crystal to get home."
Dex tool the wad of paper from the man too numb to ask questions or think rationally. Robotically he leapt home.
….
"Dex? Can you hear me? Honey wake up, please." Dex took a deep breathe before opening his eyes. Once he did he found his mother hovering over him, tears in her eyes, as she pulled him into her arms. Behind her Dex saw his dad, siblings, Grady and Edaline, and…Alden.
"Mom!"
"I know honey your father told me what you said its okay you can take your time." This just made his heart hurt.
"No, Mom. The man who rescued us. He told me to give this," He fished the letter out of his pocket and looked directly at Alden. "To you."
….
Alden POV
After speaking with Dex a little more he left the family to themselves. Once he was home he opened the tiny scroll Dex had handed him. It was a thick parchment wrapped with a tiny black bow. The sign of the swan was in the top right hand corner.
Inside it read:
For ten day you have been left to mourning,
One has risen, the other fallen,
At the next rise of sun,
To the grave of the potion maker's son,
Gather the broken crown's in peace,
To discuss that which you all seek
I am no poet but I hope its okay. If you still don't understand after the next chapter I can explain it.