Fizzle strode awkwardly alongside his friend in silence.  He thought about the Dra’Sorrian they helped.  That they didn’t have long to go now.  All they needed to do was cross Rapid River and go another mile or so and they’d be at Tazmenzy Castle.  Fizzle looked back down the trail they’d come from.  It still wasn’t too late to turn back and catch up to them.  He looked at Tom.  I think we should help! He stated and stopped in his tracks.

Tom also stopped and looked down at him.  “We can’t.  I’m too untrained.  And that powerful sorcerer would fry me before I could even show my face to him.”

Who said you would be the one fighting him? Fizzle asked off handedly.  There would be others with you… they all looked very capable to me.  And none of them are interested in fighting him only rescuing a dragon egg.

Tom was about to say something, but stopped and sighed.

I have a point, do I not? Fizzle stretched; his large swirling eyes still focused on his Dra’Knyll.  That’s Trinity’s job...to fight him.  Is it not?

“Yes… I guess you do have a point, and not just the one on your midget tail.” Tom commented and scratched his head.

Fizzle looked at his tail, extending and un-extending the ends of his tail blade.  My tail is not small! It’s just horizontally impaired! He said in defense.

Tom laughed.  “Sure.” He said and looked back at the trail they just came from just as his dragon had.

You have enough training to fight bilnogs and other species that follow the evil sorcerer.  And you have a tough dragon that knows how to kick ass to protect you.  Fizzle told him, he practically hopped from one hind foot to the other.

Tom nodded as he sat on a rock at the edge of the road.  “True.”  He rubbed his forehead.  A strained look came over him as he went over all his choices and consequences.  At last, he made his decision and stood up.  “Let’s go.  If we’re lucky, we’ll catch up to them by night fall.” He said, got up and started walking.

Fizzle jumped in joy and followed Tom.  They were soon running to try to cover as much distance as they could.

Trinity watched Ranen groom his horse as everyone else looked through the supplies, seeing what they wouldn’t need anymore and what they needed more of.  The stallion seemed relieved from all the heavy bags that held the supplies no one could carry or fit in their packs, and grazed on some tall grass.

Trinity looked back at her pack, which she had gone through and reorganized.  She even dusted off her sleeping bag before rolling it back up and stuffing it back in; then stuffed everything else back in, except her extra clothing.  Last time she wore them was from when they left to when she took a bath in Gate Lake.  Trinity giggled at the thought and looked back up at Ranen after putting the clothing in her pack and did it back up.

Ranen came up to her, his stallion tagged along behind him.  “Hey beautiful.  What’s got you giggling?” he asked, knelling next to her.

Trinity smiled at him.  “Just thinking of you.”  She buckled the belt on her pack and set it aside.

Ranen chuckled as he knelled down beside her.  “Good thoughts I hope.”

“Like there’s any other kind.” Trinity whispered and kissed him quickly.

“How about we take a short little ride? Get away from all the pepping eyes for a while.” He suggested as his horse nudged his arm.  “And this fella has needed a good run for a long while.”

“Okay.” Trinity replied, getting up.  “But not for too long.”

In a fluid movement, Ranen stood up and took Trinity’s hand in his.  “All right.” He said, and then to the others he said, “We’ll be back later.  Aspen, you’re in charge.” He told them.

Aspen smirked as she did up a pack.  “Don’t do anything naughty!”

Trinity giggled as Ranen put the blanket and saddle back onto his horses back.  He held out a hand for Trinity.  Trinity took it and mounted the cream colored stallion with ease.  Ranen mounted in front of her and grabbed the reigns.  “Don’t eat until we get back.” He said to the others and motioned for his horse to start moving though a small trail.

Once they were out of site of the others, a thought came to Trinity.  “Ranen…?” Trinity asked.

“Yes, my sweet?”

Trinity laid her head against his shoulder.  She sighed happily, though it didn’t reflect her thoughts.  “What do you think will happen when we get to the castle?”

Pausing a moment to think, he shrugged.  “I don’t know.  Most likely there will be many men we’ll have to go through.” He nudged the horse to go faster.  “But most of the fighting should be our job.  I’d think the only thing you need to worry about is getting that egg.  It should respond to your presence.  After that, no one will be able to keep it from hatching and joining you.”

“And what about Siegev?” Trinity grimaced.  She wasn’t sure she was ready to handle such a powerful sorcerer.  She shook her head.  Trinity will worry about that when the time came.  She noticed Ranen hadn’t answered her question; he was tense under her fingers.  “Ranen?”

He came out of his train of thought.  “Siegev… I don’t know Trinity.  It’s not a job for anyone else but you.  We’re here to help, you know that… but when it comes right down to it… I think you’re the one that must fight him.  Though right now, your only worry should be to get the egg away from him.” Ranen brought his horse to a stop right by a clearing full of wild flowers and hundreds of birds flying in and out of the tall grass.  Ranen turned in the saddle so he could look at Trinity.  “You think you can?” He asked, his swirling eyes showing concern.  “Fight him I mean? If it came down to that?” He added, placing a hand on her cheek.

Trinity frowned and moved her gaze away from his.  “I don’t know.  I don’t think I am ready to do battle with him.  The only thing I know I am ready for is getting my dragon back.  No matter what it takes.”

Ranen nodded.  “You will get your dragon back, Trinity.  I don’t think even he could stop you.” He kissed her before turning back and led his horse into the clearing.

The clearing was not very wide across from the place where they came, but the other sides of it spanned almost to the near horizon each.  It was filled with many colored flowers and a few deciduous trees.

Looking around them, Ranen smiled.  “Hold tight.” He said, when he felt her arms grow tighter around him, he kicked the horses sides to make his stallion gallop.  He steered his stallion towards one far end of the clearing.  Wind rushed through his hair and his cloths.  His horse’s mane waved back gracefully.  The feeling of pure freedom swept through both him and his horse.

Behind him, Trinity had the same feeling.  She had her eyes closed, imagining that she was up in the air on a dragon’s back.  She opened her eyes again and looked over Ranen’s shoulder to see that they were nearing the tree line.

At the very edge, Ranen turned and stopped the stallion abruptly so that its mane fluttered around its shoulders.  “I’ll never get tired of doing that.” He commented.

Trinity giggled, her heart was beating wildly.  “Again!  All the way to the other side!” She suggested.

“Okay my fair Lady.  Your wish is my command.” Ranen said and got in horse into a swift run.

As the wind rushed passed them, Trinity closed her eyes and imagined she was once again on dragon’s back, flying.  As the horse went faster, she could even hear the beating of steady wings.  Then she heard Ranen say something, trying to speak over the rushing air.  She opened her eyes and saw Ranen looking up.  She looked up also, and gasped.

There, flying right above them was Skyflyer.  His wing muscles pulsed at every beat.  His chest, covered in large, flexible scales, rose and fell as he breathed in and out.  His whole underside was more white and glittery then the rest of his aqua body.  His tail shot straight out behind him, allowing him to fly in a straight line.  His large and muscular arms were tucked against his body as his legs were only half tucked in; his calves dangling down making sure he kept his balance to keep level with the ground.

Ranen turned back to guiding his now edgy horse while Trinity stared up at Skyflyer in awe.

Suddenly, Skyflyer tucked in his wings and twirled upside down and stared back at Trinity.  Trinity could see his shoulder and side muscles flex with the tension as he flew.  The tips of his wings skimmed the ground on both side of the running horse as he glided low to the ground with only little of ease.  He winked before propelling himself straight up in the sky, his tail hitting the ground behind them as he did, startling Ranen’s horse.

Skyflyer’s ‘Speaker stopped the stallion at the edge of the tree line.  Skyflyer came back down from the air and landed a couple feet from them after hovering for a second.  He folded his large wings behind him and caught his breath.

“Hey Skyflyer.” Ranen greeted as he dismounted.

Trinity giggled, hugging the stallion before turning back to Ranen.  “Where are you going?”

Holding his hand out to her, Ranen said, “You know how long it’s been since he’s been cursed.  I’d like to make sure his hide is in good shape.  He also hasn’t had to fly with his full weight; I’d like to see if being cursed has impaired him.”  His anxiety about his dragon shining through with clenched jaw and the set of his eyes.

Trinity dismounted and approached her fiancé.  She put a hand on his cheek and smiled reassuringly.  “If those antics just a moment ago is any indication, I’m sure he is just fine.”

“I still want to check.  It will give me a moment to get to know his true form much better.  You’ll never know when we can get that curse completely lifted.”  Ranen explained, taking her hand in his and kissing the palm in gratitude.

Skyflyer, though quite big already, was still an adolescent building his flying abilities; and though he felt quite capable, he knew how his Dra’Sorrian fretted.  Which was why he didn’t say anything when Ranen expressed his concern.

Seeing this as the bonding experience they needed, Trinity nodded.  “Alright.  I’ll keep the horse calm” she chuckled.  Even now, the horse was edging away from the dragon.

Ranen laughed and pulled her in for a kiss before she could step away.  “Thanks love.” With that, he strode over to Skyflyer and the two touched foreheads.

While flying was yet out of the question, Ranen was able to clamber onto his dragons back to inspect every inch of hide for itches and stress injuries.  Both Ranen and Trinity had helped Dion with Bluemoon in such inspections when the dragon was younger, but right now, Ranen preferred to go through the check list they’d learned himself.

After a few minutes of comforting Ranen’s horse while she watched Ranen, with Skyflyer’s playful help, check his cursed dragon over, Trinity broke her silence.  “How’s Nemesis, Skyflyer?”

Skyflyer shifted into a sitting position, causing Ranen to slide off his back and land on his tail.  Acting very strange, even for her.  It may be because she’s spending time with wilder dragons.

With a smirk, Ranen ran his hand along his dragon’s side as he came around again.  “It’s been a long time since she’s seen her family.  Or have been able to be in deep waters.  So I’m not surprised.”

Skyflyer shook his large head.  It’s more than that.  I’m not sure if I’ll be finding out soon.  I’ll be small again soon enough.  Then I’ll be able to travel with you again.

Trinity smiled up at the cursed dragon.  “Maybe I could change that.” Trinity told him.  “I’m sure I could.”

Ranen shook his head.  “I don’t know, Trine, I think you’ll need Anesolis’ Spirit Gem first.” He said, motioning for Trinity to get on the horse.  It was time to get back to the others.

“Spirit Gem?” she asked, climbing on to the stallion’s back.  “What’s that? Is it like our dragon gems?” Technically speaking, her pendant was already a Spirit pendant, but there was fire in the dominate slot.  Trinity often wondered if there was a single gem that would properly represent all four elements that were within her. 

Mounting behind her, Ranen hesitated.  “I’m not sure I’m the one to tell you; I don’t know much about it myself.  We need to concentrate on getting you your dragon first.”

Trinity nodded and shrugged.  “Okay, fine.  Well… see you later Skyflyer.  We should be crossing the river tomorrow, so we’ll hopefully only need another day or two to get to the castle.”

Skyflyer nodded as he stood on all fours.  I’ll await Ranen’s word to start to the castle with Nemesis and the others.  He remarked.

Grabbing the reigns, Ranen grinned at his dragon.  “Just don’t bore yourself as your waiting.” He said and winked at his dragon before steering his horse back towards the campsite.

When they got there, they found a surprise waiting for them.  “Tom!” Trinity called as the horse entered the camp.  When the horse stopped, she dismounted with Ranen and went to greet the young Mystic Knight.

Tom stood up as they approached him.  “Hey! I came in and found your group two short.” He commented with a smile.

After shaking the Knights hand, Ranen smiled.  “So I guess this means you changed your mind or are you just paying us a little visit?” he asked.

Tom grinned wider and nodded.  “I’ve changed my mind.  To take something like a dragon egg right from under that Sorcerer’s nose, it would be wise to have as much help as one could get.  Besides, I know a short cut when we get across the river to Tazmenzy Castle.”

Trinity smiled.  “That’ll be handy.  I’m glad you changed your mind.” She told him, feeling a little less weight on her shoulders.  She felt as if there was a reason Tom came to their help and he was meant to help.  Having him here felt right.  “Come on, let’s get some food cooking and eat.”

They walked over to the gently blazing fire that Dion had built.  “I figured you would have something started the moment the love birds came back.” She commented, teasing lightly.

“I was just making sure everything was ready before I started.” Aspen said, standing up and going through their rations and brought out bags of berries and roots to go with the fowl she was able to snare.  That done, Aspen picked up a twig and began breaking it in sections.  “How is Skyflyer faring?” She’d seen Skyflyer circle around the area and made the assumption.

Ranen sat beside Trinity and put an arm around her shoulders.  “He hasn’t been pacing himself like I’d like, but he is in good condition.  He misses being with the group.  Nemesis’ lake isn’t as big as Shanam Lake so he feels a bit out of place.”

The others could understand Skyflyers plight, all but Tom knew he’d been cursed since his later hatchling years.  Being small for years then suddenly big would take time to get used to.

Fizzle finally settled down between Ranen and Tom.  His swirling eyes looked into the fire, head cocked to one side.  That’s a puny fire.

Aspen looked up from her cooking.  “It’s big enough to cook with.  That’s good enough.  We don’t want to attract unwanted attention.”

Oh.  Fizzle curled himself up beside his Mystic Knight, eyes still gazing into the flames.

“So, Tom,” Aspen began, settling back to let the fowl meat cook.  “Tell me how you did that chaining lightning.  I’ve never been able to get anything like that done.” Thus began the groups play by play of their own; and each other’s, fighting against the bilnogs.  Tom did most of the talking and was quite elaborate and expressive when he recounted what he knew of the fight.  The group found themselves listening raptly while he told them about what they experienced like it was a legendary tale. 

Darkness soon overcame the camp.  Both moons were in the sky; the larger monthly moon, Ninnev, was half way approaching the Summer Moon; the smaller bimonthly moon, Quinshu, was a few days past its last full time. Even so, they were low on the horizon with most of their light hiding behind the canopy.  So far the only light was from the stars and the campfire, which gave the group view of the small clearing under the trees.  The talk had died down with the light, leaving just low casual conversation.  “We better get some rest.  Tomorrow is going to be a rough day.” Trinity informed the others.

Aspen stretched with a yawn.  “You’re right.  Crossing Rapid River is about as rough as it gets.  I hear that it’s so dangerous, no one will even build a bridge over it in fear that the river will break it.” She said.  “But don’t worry; a wet, wobbly log will do as a quick and temporary fix for our crossing.” Aspen stretched and got up.  “Well, I’m going to turn in.  Hope you all have a good night.” She said before heading towards her makeshift lean-to.

Tom and Fizzle exchanged glances.  From the stories he’d heard, all his new companions had some form of connection to each other.  He was the one without one.  It made him wonder what his part was in this tapestry of fate.  “This is going to be some trip.”

The noise of the crashing current overwhelmed the group as they stood near the edge, looking down at the Rapid River.  The gorge the river had meticulously gouged through was walled by fifteen foot cliffs which hung over the river at intervals.  The river itself was fifty feet wide at their current location.  For reasons no one really knew, the river was always deepest, with more treacherous cliffs, while it traversed through the Webon Forest.   And it was also the rockiest, which made for spectacular rapids.  Hence the name it was given.  Even in the dead of winter, the river raged on, although slightly slower; but when the winter snows found their way into the river, it would engulf the whole river bank.  In rare springs when the winter had seen large snows, it would overflow over the cliffs and soak the forest.  But it was summer now, and the river raged below, loud and still very dangerous.  Soaking traveler’s just with its ever present mists. 

The young group stood on one of the safer cliff edges, looking on the majesty of the river.  “Now that’s a big ass river.” Lauroran commented.  The others nodded, too awed to say so much as a word.  Their hopes fell slightly at the sight of what they had to cross.

Trinity shook herself and drew her gaze away from the river and looked around.  “Where’s Aspen?”

That’s when they heard Aspen call them.  She appeared to the right of them, over the flat piles of rocky ground.  “I found a way across! This way, follow me!” she called over the sound of the water.  When everyone started towards her, she started back to where she found the crossing.  The group had to be careful stepping across the wet stone, tree roots and weeds that spanned several feet from the river cliffs.  The canopy from the trees kept most of the banks cool and wet, making the ground slippery and tricky to traverse. 

The crossing was a wide and very long log that ran diagonally across the river.  Tree branches stuck out from the sides.  One branch shot straight up from the tree like an obstacle waiting to be overcome.

When Ranen’s horse caught site of it, it shook its head with a neigh and backed up.  Ranen stopped it before it got too far and soothed the skittish stallion.  Trinity shook her head.  She hadn’t put much thought into how the stallion was to cross.  A look at the siblings gave her an idea.  “Lauroran, Dion, can you two combine abilities and get Ranen’s horse to the other side safely?” Dion’s element could use telekinesis well, but witches and mages were far more attuned to those mental abilities and could lift more, much easier.  Together, they would have the strength and control. 

Dion and Lauroran looked at each other.  “Well, it’s possible, I guess, but it would be very risky.” Dion said.

“Carrying a horse over a large river like this can be very trying and use a lot of energy from the both of us…” Lauroran trailed off, thinking.  “…But we also have our dragons that could help.”

“Then do it.” Aspen said.  “Ranen, your horse is going for a ride.”

Ranen looked at Trinity, who nodded reassuringly.  “It will be all right.” She looked at his stallion.  “Hey, it’ll be easier than going on the log.”

“Okay.” Ranen answered, bringing his horse closer to the others.  The horse followed reluctantly, looking at the two siblings with an unexpected anxiety and incredible intelligence.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be careful.” Dion told him and grabbed one of her brother’s hands.  They both closed their eyes and concentrated for a few minutes; after some moments, they slowly started rising their arms.  Second’s later dust like fog twirled around the stallion and became a dense patch of cloud and moss.  It became almost solid and slowly lifted the horse into the air.  The stallion didn’t resist, but the others could tell that it was frightened.  Lauroran and Dion both turned towards the river and lowered their hands until they were pointed at the other side.  The cloud of dust that carried Ranen’s horse started moving across the river, as directed by the siblings.  The others just stared in awe as it reached the other side and gently set the horse down on the ground as the two siblings lowered their arms the rest of the way.

“Oh… my… stars.” Tom breathed out.  Fizzle was at a loss for words, which was a rarity for him.

Dion and Lauroran opened their eyes and let go of each other’s hand.  “Well, that was inspiring.” Lauroran said, staggering a little bit and leaned on a tree.

His sister did the same.  “That was so wicked!” Though she looked just as weakened as her brother.

“Yeah, it was.” Ranen agreed and chuckled at their expressions.

A cough from Aspen turned them back to their current situation.  “We’re next.” She said, and without further ado, moved up to the end of the log.  She looked down at the roaring river.  The water crashed against the shore walls with such force that piles of solid rock and dirt would plunge into the water with one crash.  The cliff that the group was standing on now was still stable enough to stay up with all the weight, but with the rushing current, it was just a matter of time until it, too, would collapse, taking the log with it.

Dion stepped behind Aspen.  “I’ll go with you… just in case.”

Aspen hesitated, then nodded and climbed on top of the log, finding her balance before moving to let Dion on.  “Keep your eyes open.” She advised the others.  Aspen started across the log that suddenly looked as though it was more than a mile long.  She swallowed her fear and nervousness and kept going.  Behind Aspen, Dion was having less trouble crossing on the log.  It was no surprise to any of them, Dion was an Air element, and strong air users had a great sense of balance, nor did they have a fear of heights.  Dion only looked at the path in front of her, not at the events around her to get to the other side.

Slowly, but surely, they both found their way around the horizontal branch and to the other side.

“Come on Trine, we’re next.” Ranen said, gently pushing her towards the log.  Trinity nodded and put one foot on the base of the log.

“We’ll be right behind you… once I get my dragon to get over his fear of water…” Tom said as Lauroran followed Ranen and Trinity.

Trinity got up on the log and helped Ranen on, while Fizzle shuddered in sudden fear of plunging into the crashing current.  Tom was trying to soothe him, gently patting the young dragonling that he had excellent balance and would be able to get to the other side easily—or he could  finally try flying.  Turning back to the crossing, Trinity slowly walked along the log that lay just above the rushing water of the deepest river on Starza.  The sounds of the rushing water were deafening against her ears, but her eyes never left the log bridge a head of her.  Ranen balanced behind her; he spoke softly to her even though he knew that she couldn’t hear him.   Aspen and Dion waited patiently for them to get to the other side.

Ranen grabbed Trinity’s arm when she started to sway.  “Come on, Trinity.  You can do it.”

Trinity nodded.  “I know…” she said and continued along the log.  She could feel her heart race though her veins.  Her arms and legs shook violently as they took step after step.  She took another step… then another.  Trinity looked up at the other side, ten feet away.  It felt like ten miles.  Trinity hadn’t pegged herself as someone who feared heights, but it was one of the surprising things that she hadn’t had to worry about until now. 

An unexpected gush of wind and river spray blew past causing her to flail for grip, and finding none, Trinity lost her balance.

Ranen tried to catch her, but was too late.  She fell into the water and was swept away.  “Trinity!” he shouted, practically flying to the other side and ran as fast as he could to get ahead of the panicking Trinity.  Aspen and Dion were already running a head of her, desperately trying to outrun the current.

“Help!” Trinity called, trying to grasp at anything that she saw.  After many minutes of trying to get a purchase over the raging river and continuous attempts to stay above the surface, she found a small log and wrapped her arms around it and kept her legs kicking.  “Aspen! Ranen! Help!” she said before a wave washed over her, stunning her.  She gripped the log tighter.  Though she was a good swimmer, she didn’t want to let go of the log, fearing to be swept under the water again.

“Trinity! Use the water!” Aspen instructed, trying frantically to come up with a wall of water to stop Trinity from disappearing from their view.  But she knew she’d have to get ahead of Trinity and stop first.

Trinity was swept under water again, almost lost her raft as she was pulled down.  She tried to think through her panic, but didn’t come up with any water skills that would help her, or else they had all escaped her.  Another wave sent her under again, this time, ripping her grip from the log as she was yanked deep into the river and tossed around with the rushing current.  Trinity struggled to the surface and tried to stay above water.  This time, she urged herself to try swimming against the current, as well as try to avoid the areas that were not as deep and had rocks jutting out.

Unable to get ahead enough, Aspen got as ahead of Trinity as she could and jumped in.  The shock of the cold water nearly stunned her, but Aspen had swam colder.  Adrenaline pumped into her muscles and she reached Trinity and grabbed her in her arms.  Trinity held on to her as she helped her futilely swim upstream.

On the shore, Ranen was the faster runner and got ahead of the two women and started concentrating on a water wall ahead of them to keep them from going any further.  The water rose up twenty feet tall over them, letting the river flow through, but stopped Trinity and Aspen.

Aspen, her mind thinking very quickly, concentrated on a water skill she’d never used before and was never really taught; it was inspired by what the siblings had just done.  She hoped that it would work.  She put all her extra energy into concentrating.  Suddenly, the water around them turned abruptly calm, and then started to swirl around them faster and faster; rising them from the river slowly like a geyser blowing water from its hole, but slower and more controlled.  The water tower, when it got as high as the overhanging shore where Ranen stood, tilted slightly to lower its cargo onto the other side of the riverbed.  Aspen gave Trinity to Ranen as she climbed off.  She sagged to the ground, her concentration wavering.  The tower of water sank back down into the river and became the fast rushing water it was.  The wall did the same.  Aspen sighed.  An exhilarated feeling erupted in her, though at the same time, undeniable exhaustion.

Trinity went up to Aspen and wrapped her arms around her.  “Thank you.” She said in a soft voice.  “Both of you.”

Ranen joined in and hugged her and Aspen.  “Piece of cake.” He breathed, silently sending Aspen a look of gratitude.  They all stood for a moment, catching their breaths and willing their hearts to slow.

With a shaky breath, Aspen looked back at the river.  “We should wait for to the others away from here.” She said, getting up on shaky legs and walking over to a grassy area under the trees. 

Trinity nodded and leaned her head against Ranen’s shoulder.  Every part of her body felt like it was shaking.  After a short moment Trinity looked up and deep into his eyes for a moment.  “I’m so glad you came, Ranen.  Cause I don’t think I would have made it this far if you hadn’t.” she confessed and kissed him.  It was deeper then they usually kissed, boring into their very bones.  All they could do was cling to each other. 

Aspen saw a berry bush a few feet away and started picking after checking what kind it was.  She looked over at the wet couple for only a moment, but sighed and turned away.  It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable with such displays, it was more that an image came into her mind that she wished wouldn’t.

Soon enough the others had caught up with them and everyone sat down for a quick break.  Of course Lauroran saw Aspens expression took the moment to bug her, knowing how uncomfortable she would be.  “Aspen, if thinking of me in such ways makes you uncomfortable, then maybe you should not have a crush on me.” He teased, his remarks light, hoping to ease the tension in his friend.  Both of them knew that there was no real interest. 

Aspen growled and threw a berry she’d picked at him.  “Oh shut up.  You are the last guy that I would even consider thinking about.” But she couldn’t help smiling; Lauroran was one to rely on when she wanted to stop thinking unwanted thoughts.

The Mage laughed and threw his own berry back at her.

At that, Aspen grabbed a handful of berries, but before she could throw them, Trinity grabbed her wrist and took most of the berries.  “Stop wasting food.” Trinity said and ate a few of the berries.  “These are to eat, not to throw at each other.” She added and sat down on a log.

“You okay? And where’s Ranen gone to?” Dion asked, taking some offered berries and popping a few into her mouth.

Trinity grinned, twisting her length of hair to get the water out.  “I’ll be okay.  He’s gone to check on Dusty—his horse.” She paused.  “We’ll get going in about ten minutes.” Trinity told them.  “Now that we’re across the river and only a few miles away from the castle, we should double our watch at night.”

The rest of the group nodded in agreement.  Aspen picked up a twig and started snapping it.  “That is, if we can sleep at all at night.  The closer we get the more chance we can be caught by his patrols.”

“If he even has patrols.  This guy’s cocky enough to forgo the need for that.” Tom commented dismissively.

Aspen glared at him from behind her lashes.  “Still, we need to be prepared for anything.”

Trinity just rolled her eyes and finished her berries.  Moments later, Ranen showed up and sat beside Trinity.  He took a few berries for himself as well.  He glanced at Trinity, who was finally rinsing out her wet cloths as best she could.  “Need help? He asked.

Trinity blushed slightly as she smiled at him.  “No.  I’ll dry up sooner or later with the sun and wind.” She told him. 

“And catch a cold in the process.” He threw a few berries into his mouth.  Afterwards he rummaged through his pack and brought out a tightly bound blanket and draped it over Trinity’s shoulders.  “I won’t take that chance.”

Tom smiled as he examined Trinity’s calm features.  “How are you, Trinity? That was a pretty close call.  You sure you want to get going already?”

Trinity smiled.  “I’m fine.  Still a bit shaken, but I want to get away from the river.”

Tom nodded.  “Then I think we should start walking again.  We could even get to Tazmenzy Castle by nightfall.” Tom informed.

Aspen nodded.  “We’ll need at least a day to assemble our dragons and develop a plan to get in.  We shouldn’t camp anywhere near the castle.”

            There was silence suddenly.  Their journey was almost over.  Suddenly the time was upon them to test their skills against a very real enemy.  A weight lay heavily on each of their young shoulders, especially Trinity’s.  If they didn’t succeed, she would lose her chance to have her dragon, and worst of all, she could also lose her new friends to this fight.