Traitor Part One

The group still made their way through the forest, not wanting to be carried away from all the excitement they had been sharing together. "One day I'm gonna take Willow and Ezran to this field and I can't wait to see Ezran's hair covered in those adorable Adoraburrs,"

"I can imagine Willow laughing out loud," Raylan giggled making her giggle too.

Zym and Felix continued to play with each other. Carol looked at him with a sad expression.

"You okay?" Raylan asked.

"I'm fine,"

"You know you can tell me,"

She sighed. "It's just…I'm worried about him. If he's a firefox, why doesn't the sun's primal symbol glow when he's near the cube? How can he not remember doing this? What if he's from Xadia? And I have to say goodbye to him when all this is over?" she was beginning to cry.

"Carol…" Raylan side-hugged her. "Nothing could ever change between you two. He loves you too much,"

Zym, having telepathically read her mind, purred to Felix. He looked over to her and then he bounded over and she knelt down to embrace him tightly, stroking his back.

Nothing could ever get between you and me. He promised. It's just like you said. I'm still the same fox no matter what. He promised.

Zym bounded over and joined in the hug. You're both my best friends.

Carol pulled Raylan into their group but just then, Felix's nose caught the scent of something very small. Or more somethings. He sniffed at Carol's knapsack. "What is it, buddy?"

There's something in there.

Carol pulled off her knapsack and her heart jumped when three bumps appeared. Zym squirmed in fear and hid behind Raylan. Carol unzipped it and to her surprise saw the pink, yellow and blue Adoraburrs. "Looks like we have not one but three stowaways," She giggled, picking up the little creatures out of her knapsack.

"Looks like I forgot to mention they can sneak into your backpack without you noticing," giggled Raylan anxiously.

The three little critters jumped about on her palm. "We should take you back to your home," said Carol. Instantly the critters pulled on large wet eyes and puffy lips.

"You wanna come along?" she asked. They jumped for joy on her hand and Felix barked. Let's take them. He remembered playing with them earlier in the meadow and he didn't want to say goodbye.

"Looks like he wants his new friends to join us," said Raylan.

"Welcome to the team little ones," Carol stroked each of their heads, making them purr in joy. "But first we're gonna name you guys. About we call you: Adorlily?" she named the pink one. The little one jumped for joy.

"And how about Adorabelle for this one?" Raylan stroked the yellow one who jumped for joy, approving it.

"And what shall we call you?" Carol stroked the head of the blue one.

Adorapy? Zym suggested.

"Good thinking Zym," Carol approved. "Adorily. Adorabelle and Adorpy…" she addressed the little creatures. "Welcome to the team,"

The three named Adoraburrs leapt for joy and they jumped off Carol's hands onto Felix's furry back for a ride. They continued on through the forest.

"We're not far from my village now," said Raylan. "Now, how to approach my people. Lord Moono is as stubborn as he is bloodthirsty to humans. And Marcus…" he clenched thinking of his former friend who didn't stick up for him. "He's just gonna along with whatever his dad says just to please him. What really worries me is that the assassins might have reached home before us. If so, they'll have informed Lord Moono of my treachery,"

"Once we show them Zym. They'll have to listen. But in my case…I'm gonna need to take on a cover in order to approach them,'

"Oh no," Raylan refused.

"Trust me. This'll be perfect," Carol picked up some twigs and tied her plait into a bun that covered her ears," she then pulled out a pair of gloves and held out a hand, facially asking Raylan to let her borrow one of his blades. He took it and she cut off the index finger on each one. She then slipped her fingers into them with her index finger into the middle fingers. "Earthblood elf Carol at your service,"

"This is a bad idea," said Raylan.

"If we're gonna approach this so called-leader of your home, I need to play elf until we can get in his good graces enough to listen to us,"

Felix, Zym and the Adoraburrs eyed each other uncertainly.

"Okay," said Raylan. "But when we get there, you have to do everything I say. No questions,"

"Absolutely," she said.

"Now if you're gonna pose as an elf so we can get close to the lord, you need to have the good accent of one. I will teach you. Now if we keep going, we should be there by nightfall,"

King Ezran walked down to the dungeons, his guards and Corvus escorting him. They came to the cell of Soren and Claudia.

"You are free to go, Claudia," he said.

"I'd rather be stuck in here with Soren," she said.

"It was not a request," said Corvus.

"I'll let you come and visit Soren. I'm still deciding what punishment lies in wait for him," as Ezran spoke, he stared coldly at Soren who hung his head in shame.

The guards unchained Claudia and escorted her out, Soren sending a guilt-ridden face towards her. Ezran turned his back to leave. "She really had nothing to do with it,"

"Why?" Ezran turned around and walked to the bars. "Why did you try to kill my sister?"

Soren sighed. "I just...I just wanted my father to be proud of me for once,"

"If he was your father, he wouldn't ask you to do something so horrible like that. And the way you tried to kill Raylan too…you've become just like him. Filled with hatred that you lack compassion for others. Hope it was worth it to you," he turned and left.

Willow was lying in the stables against Pyrrah who purred having her as company again. "Wouldn't let you be here alone whilst you here," she stroked her scales.

Thank you. Pyrrah licked her face making her giggle a lot.

"You're a wonderful dragon. I'm really glad we met you. And you know the big bad knight who shot you down…"

Pyrrah growled softly remembering Soren.

"Well, he's in jail where he belongs. It's time horrible humans got a taste of their own medicine. Think you could give me a lift somewhere,"

Sure. Pyrrah stood up on her four feet and genuflected allowing her to mount on her back. She then walked slowly out of the stables, tense soldiers watching.

"Princess I heartily recommend you get off this beast," a soldier insisted. Pyrrah growled in response.

"She's not a beast," said Willow. "Her name is Pyrrah and she's just taking me to see something. Please tell my brother the king who specifically said she was not to be treated in any way or insulting that I'll be back soon," Pyrrah flapped her wings and took off slowly into the air, the princess stroking her.

Thank you for sticking up for me.

"No problem. It's not right how he spoke to you like that. Can you take me towards a large canyon north of here please?"

Sure. Pyrrah descended down a bit and they found the canyon just beyond the forest.

Caldor walked over to his shop and opened it. He walked upstairs and Skyros flew through the window, chirping. "Still no sign of Castor?"

No. The bird shook his head.

"Let us hope he does not come anywhere near here. Now to take care of the rest," he went to a shelf and pushed it to the side. There was a lock with moon ruins on slabs. He pressed the slabs in a specific order and it opened revealing the orb containing his imprisoned brothers. He stored it safely in his bag and walked out and towards the castle. He came inside and King Ezran approached him, wearing his crown. He showed him the orb again.

"I will make the guards guard this every hour," he promised.

"We cannot let any of them lose,"

"Any sign of Castor?" asked Corvus

"No. Skyros couldn't find a trace," Skyros flew through a window and landed on his shoulder. He chirped and he scratched his chin.

"He's such a lovely bird," said Ezran.

"He belonged to my good brother. The Sky Mage. When he was killed, I promised him I would take care of his beloved companion,"

"What was his name?" asked Ezran.

Caldor wiped a tear. "I'd rather not talk about it please,"

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking," said Ezran. "Now let's get the others locked up,". As they walked away, a guard turned his head and narrowed his eyes. He followed quietly behind them.

Ezran led Caldor and Corvus into the dungeons and cellars where he and his sisters used to play hide-and-seek. They came to a special fault where over ten guards guarded the late king's most prized possessions. A guard went pulled out a set of keys for four locks and opened it. Caldor then placed the orb inside and the locks were locked again before the keys were distributed among the men trained to defend this vault against anyone who dared to rob it. "It will be safe in here," Corvus promised. "King Harrow insured no one could ever rob it,"

"Then let's make sure it stays that way," said Ezran. "In the meantime, send word to look for Castor. Caldor, can you draw a picture?"

"Absolutely," he said. "I only hope that Carol and Raylan are making their way safely through Xadia. With each passing day, peace becomes less possible,". Unknowst to them, the guard who had followed them eyed them intensely.

"Should you be on duty?" said a sudden voice behind him. He turned his head and saw it was Opeli.

"I thought I heard voices," said the guard. "So, I went down to investigate. I'm new here you see,"

"Well back to your post," ordered the cleric. He walked off slowly, keeping up a good pose.

"King Ezran…" announced Opeli. "Kasef has returned again,"

Ezran was escorted back to the throne room where he saw the imprudent prince awaiting. "If you're here to make me change my mind, I am not. Katolis will not go to war. Not while there's a chance to end this dynasty of demise,"

"I am going to get serious now, child king," spat the selfish prince. "You are foolish to believe in fairy tales, thinking elves and dragons can be friends with humans when you haven't even met one,"

Ezran refused to back down. "I have. His name is Raylan. When he came with those elves to kill my father, he defended us when he realised he was innocent. He even fought against his own people to protect us, to protect my sister, my sister whose life he spared even when she discovered them," his words amazed his allies and the soldiers. "And my father entrusted him to protect us. And now he is protecting her and helping fulfil my father's dying wish. He believes in peace as much as we do. And it's time you did as well,"

Kasef remained stubborn as ever. "Then it seems as if Katolis is against us, against what's real and instead of believing in fantasies,"

"You dare accuse Katolis of siding against the other human kingdoms?" Opeli interjected.

"I do,"

"Did what we showed not make you see reason?" asked Corvus.

"If anything, you're trying to manipulate me because you believe in this childish king who can't do what's best for his kingdom and others," Kasef accused. "And I for one believe that stupid step-princess isn't capable of anything. She'd barely last one day, let alone one hour in that magical land of monstrous beings,"

"How dare you speak of my sister that way!" Ezran rose tall and strong. "My sister is anything but those things. She is strong and kind and caring. She is the most open-hearted person I have ever met. Without her, Willow and I wouldn't be the people we are today. When we lost our mother, she was the one who filled that gap that losing her had left us. And she is the first human in centuries to perform primal magic which only Xadians were believed to do," Opeli was amazed. Saleer was flabbergasted. "And now she is going to accomplish the greatest deed that anyone could achieve. She will stop this war. Now leave Kasef!"

Kasef tried to speak again but Bait in Ezran's arms growled and Caldor reached for a knife on his belt. "The king has spoken. Don't make me escort you out,". The prince marched out, leaving them alone.

Soon after he had left, Ezran walked back to his throne and sat upon it, sighing deeply. He was terrified of things becoming worse and worse every moment. "The way you spoke about your sister…" said Opeli. "…I have a feeling she would make a great mage if she took Viren's place,"

"That's what I'm hoping for," prayed Ezran. Suddenly Gren burst through the doors, panting heavily. "Gren?"

Corvus stumbled forward and helped the tired, worn-out soldier to his feet. "Are you all right? What has happened?"

"It's your aunt, King Ezran," Gren struggled to breathe. "She has been taken prisoner by the Sunfire elves,"

Ezran gasped.

Willow and Pyrrah landed in the canyon and she dismounted her gently. In front of them was King Harrow's statue with unlit candles. Seeing the poor upset girls' tears, Pyrrah lit them up and she patted her head in response. "He was a wonderful man. You would have loved him. I wish he knew what it was like to ride a dragon,". She walked up to the statue, holding up some roses. "I wish you were here Dad. Ezran has taken up your crown. He's trying very hard to build a better future for our people. And Carol is in Xadia right now with the elf you trusted to protect us,". She placed them down. "There's so much I have to ask you. Ez and I don't know why he can understand animals and why I can see glimpses of the future but…we will use them to establish an age of peace. And…" she sniffled. "You have seen Caroline. She can do magic. And we know she will make a far greater mage than Viren ever did. He has been locked up for his crimes and we will make sure he pays for everything he's done," she placed the flowers down and genuflected towards the statue. As she closed her eyes, she remembered all the fun times their beloved father had with them when they were kids. Sledging. Ice-skating. Horse-riding. Even though he was gone physically, he was spiritually with them. And so was his love.

Carol was about to be killed by an elf with a moon-shaped blade.

Viren rising to become king.

A Sunfire queen about to be killed.

"Carol!" screamed Willow, her eyes flashing open with tears.

Are you okay? Pyrrah asked.

"We've got to back to Katolis," Willow was panicking. She rushed down to mount her dragon friend when all of a sudden a ginormous net of metal with prison balls appeared out of nowhere and trapped Pyrrah.

"Pyrrah!" Willow tried to run forward but she was suddenly grabbed from behind and pressed down the ground. "What are you doing?! Let me go!". Pyrrah cried to break free but the weight held her down and she couldn't fire either. "Let go of her!". Men in black and white and gold surrounded them. She realised they were…men from Neolandia?

Kasef approached them, hands behind their backs. "It seems like I've going to have to do things the hard way,"

"When Katolis learns of this, they will go to war against you," Willow spat.

"No. Your brother will join us against Xadia or you can be the first one to die. Take her away,"

"Do whatever you want me but please…please let Pyrrah go!" begged Willow in tears.

"And have her roast my army? Never. She'll make a nice trophy," Kasef clicked his fingers and Pyrrah was bounded in chains. "Put a sack over her,"

Willow struggled to breathe as a sack went over her face and she was lifted off the ground.

The team had made the final stretch of the journey towards the Silvergrove. They walked up along the long log branch. "We're here. My home," said Raylan gleefully.

"Here?" Carol was sceptical. All ahead of them were just raised heaps of land. "I don't see anything,"

"That's because it's hidden by an illusion. To get inside, we need to perform a key to let us see through the spell,"

"And how do we perform a key?"

"Through dancing,"

Carol's eyes enlarged. "Oh no. I'm a terrible dancer,"

"How do you know unless you try?"

"Because I have tried. Once at all ball. But I fell and everyone laughed,"

"Don't worry. Just do what I do," he said. "And don't worry no one is here to laugh at you. Just do what I do…" he held one hand up and one above his chest like a danger. Carol looked down at their companions.

Come on. The boys encouraged. The Adoraburrs jumped for joy.

"Okay," she pulled off her knapsack and placed it down.

Raylan swerved his arms and she copied them as best as she could. Then he started stepping around in a graceful circle. She tried to do that as well but she nearly lost her balance. Luckily Zym flapped his wings and he gently pushed her back upright.

Thanks.

She managed to get the hang of it. As they danced around, ruins appeared on the bark in a circle. Then Raylan held his hand out and she held out hers; they pressed together. As they circled each other, a bright force of white moon energy spread across the area, passing over them, the Xadian animals and across to Raylan's invisible home. As they did, buildings and huts and ponds appeared and the sky around themed turned darker and mushrooms and tree blossoms glowed. They stopped dancing and Carol looked ahead at Raylan's beautiful home.

"Amazing," she breathed.

"Isn't it? Come on. I can't wait for you to meet Ethari," Raylan held out his hand. She clasped it, unafraid to step into his home. "Do everything I say everyone,"

"Got it,"

Roger that. Barked the boys with the critters still riding on Felix's back jumping up and down.

They walked down the log and into the beautiful home of the Moonshadow Elves. Carol admired the amazing architecture and the plants. "It's so beautiful,"

"That's strange," said Raylan.

"What is?"

"Where is everyone?"

Carol glimpsed around and she was surprised to see no one was there. "That is strange. I was expecting some sort of welcoming community. Or anything,"

Felix sniffed around for any scents. The Adoraburrs huddled together, afraid for their lives. Zym purred worriedly.

"It's okay guys," she soothed.

"Hello!" Raylan called out. "Anyone? It's me Raylan! I'm home and I've brought friends!"

There was still no sign of anyone. Just then they heard something shuffle. Felix growled.

Zym suddenly flew off into the trees. "Zym!" Carol tried to run after him but suddenly from out of nowhere appeared several elven warriors. They pinned her down.

"Carol!" Raylan tried to rush to her but he was hauled by some guards. "No! Let her go!"

The elves tried to capture Felix but he flamed up. They pulled out nettings and tried to net him instead.

"Run Felix!" pleaded Carol. Felix tried to force them back but he was nearly caught. With no choice, he ran off, the little critters clinging heavily to his back. He looked back, with wet eyes. "Go," she shouted. Felix disappeared into the bushes to try and find Zym. More guards chased after them.

"Guys this is a big misunderstanding," said Raylan. "Just please let us go and I'll explain?"

"Quiet Traitor!" a soldier warned.

Raylan was struck. "What?"

"No! Raylan isn't a traitor!" Carol shouted.

"Silence!" a guard pressed a dagger to her neck.

They were confiscated of their weapons and bags.

"Raylan isn't a traitor. Just let us talk," begged Carol.

They were shoved to their knees. Two elves approached them. One of them had long white hair with part of it braided back and bangs braided by his cheeks and tall horns; he wore green and silver and carried a moon sceptre. He had unfriendly eyes and an arrogant face. The other one was shorter. Looked very similar to him but wore mainly navy. He didn't look as menacing but he remained very sinister seeing them.

Carol shuddered a little seeing them. Was this Lord Moono and his son Prince Marcus?

"Raylan," Moono sneered at the puzzled and scared former assassin.

"Lord Moono...whatever reason you have for…"

"You dare a bring a human into our home?" Moon sneered at Carol. "I've seen better disguises," he pulled off her twig horns and pull her braid and her bun came loose showing her ears. "Did you really think this disguise would fool me human?"

"Lord, please Raylan is not a traitor," Carol implored.

"First you abandon the elf who loved you to as his own and the rest of your team die and now you betray your kind?" he spat at Raylan.

Raylan was shocked. "No. No. I didn't abandon anyone,"

"Perhaps this will freshen your memory," the sinister leader clicked his fingers and Raylan and Carol were pulled and shoved forward. Raylan recognised where they were going to. They were taken to the lotus pond and…only one lotus flower floated. His heart dropped. "No," he shook his head. "No. No,". A tear fell from his eye.

"You left Runaan and your team!" Moono snapped. "Betrayed your kind for a filthy human!"

"No. He didn't do anything wrong!" cried out Carol.

"Take them to the dungeon. We will hold a trial to decide your punishment before we decide what to do with your elf friend,"

They pulled them away, Raylan's wet eyes reaching out towards the lotus pond.

What do you all think of this episode so far? It is not called Ghost. It will be the same episode but with different ideas. Thank you all very much for your ideas. I will try to use them as best as I can. Please let me know what you all thought so far. And Willow getting kidnapped by Kasef, how very unexpected. What will happen? We'll have to wait and find out. See you all soon