Plaguebound

Chapter 15

FWOOSH! A large burst of flames erupted into the sky. A spire, a tower of smoldering embers and ash. A burning effigy of the preserver and ruiner of life. A symbol of creation and destruction. Savior and oppressor of man. Pure, unyielding energy given shape and emotion. 

"There. I'm done gathering firewood." Sir Isaac sat down on chopped log. "If you want to kindle that flame, do it with your magic." 

"Thanks, Sir Isaac!" Vera smiled. "That fight with Van Helsing really wore me out." 

"I'll say. He was on a whole other level. I'm just glad we survived." 

"I just wish I could've helped out more." 

"Ah, don't beat yourself up over it. You did what you could, and that's what's important. And hey! I honestly don't know what we would have done without you! I mean you saved Lenore; you helped me..."

"You patched me up!" Vera added.

"Exactly! You did good doc." Elizabeth smiled. "In any case, we should get some rest. The fire will help keep us warm."

"Oh, come on! I wanna hang out, talk with you guys!" Vera protested. 

"You were just saying how worn out you are."

"Not worn out enough to not gossip!" Sir Isaac rolled his eyes underneath his helmet, but still made the choice to stay close by and awake. "Alright, so... what'd you want to talk about?"

"For heaven's sake." He whispered. "You wanted this; I thought you knew what to talk about." 

"Uhhh... favorite color?" Vera said sheepishly. 

"Oh my god." Sir Isaac put his head in his hands. 

"I like purple." Elizabeth nervously tried to start the conversation. 

"We know." Sir Isaac and Vera said in unison. 

"I don't know, black or blue." Sir Isaac sighed. 

"White and red are my favorites, but I enjoy yellow." 

"Amazing." Sir Isaac said sarcastically. "Anything else? What about favorite animal next?" 

"I mean I think that's a good question..." Elizabeth perked her head up.

"What does everyone want to do when this is over?" She said. The other two just stared at her. "I can't imagine that this is everyone's end game. You guys had lives and surely goals before you met me, what were they?" 

"Well you guys already know my whole thing. I wanna become grand elder of the CAM. I wanna be the greatest mage in history! Master of the arcane! And I wanna stick it to the high council who don't think I'm worthy!" Elizabeth giggled while clapping her hands. Vera got so excited that she was trying to catch her breath. She wiped the sweat from her forehead. "What about you big guy? What have you got planned?" 

"Oh, uh... I want to be king." 

"Really?" Elizabeth beamed.

"You? King? I don't really see that happening."

"What? Why not?" 

"Let's see, you're rude, cold, kinda thick in the head..." 

"Hey! No one knows Ethros history like I do!"

"Oh yeah? Prove it! Who founded Ethros?"

"Artos the navigator, but he named the land after, and gave kingship to his friend Ethlas!" 

"Why can't you find dragons in Ethros?" 

"Because we hunted them to near extinction, only stopping when king Xeothum passed the species protection law in 1331! But you can occasionally find one if you venture close to the dragon graveyard!"