The Tales of Scora

Chapter Fifteen

A few days passed, and Ailia was feeling well enough to set off on their awaiting journey.

"Thank you again, Chief Fiachra." Raelyn bowed, smiling gratefully at the man who had been so incredibly hospitable and kind.

"No, thank you." He replied. "If it wasn't for your healer friend, we would've lost our son." He turned to Chibi. "We appreciate what you did for us, so so much."

Chibi blushed at the attention, averting her gaze. "It's no problem, really." She said quietly, "I'm glad I made it in time to help."

"Remember to keep your wound clean, yes?" Enara hummed, looking over Raelyn with her brows slightly furrowed in concern.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure of that." Ailia smirked lightly, placing an arm around the queen's shoulders.

Once they said their goodbyes, the group was finally setting off towards Peterra— the Dwarven kingdom of the Northern mountain range, that bordered the Badlands where the Dragonkin resided. A few days later, they were finally drawing ever-closer to their destination; to the last piece of the sword that Raelyn needed to save her kingdom.

"Everyone, wait a moment," Raelyn called as they approached a clearing, hiding in the trees of the North Hinterland Weald. "Directly past these trees lies the Badlands; we need to be very careful from here on out."

"But why?" Rivka asked, "Don't the Dragonkin live further south?"

"Yes, but they were just attacking Chivalin six months ago— they know this area is vulnerable. They're likely to be patrolling."

"Not to mention, they're allies with the Shadow Elves aren't they?" Beira added, arms crossed. "They're probably looking for you as well, Raelyn."

"Yes, that's a likely possibility." Raelyn sighed.

"But the Dragonkin aren't our only threat— goblins and orcs roam these lands too, and there is no shortage of them. Plus, who knows what else is out here?" She paused. "Kiernan came here once before— I can't even remember why, but when he returned, he immediately stationed more soldiers in this part of the woods." She chuckled grimly. "If only they were here now." If only he were here now...

"I remember when his majesty took that trip." Ren began, ignoring the way Raelyn's furious eyes bore holes into her skull. It was after that trip that he made me his Queen's personal knight... Ren thought, as she continued. "I recall him saying that while he didn't come into direct contact with any threat, he observed the goblins' and orcs' camps— he said they were far more violent and barbaric than any enemy he'd ever encountered."

"So, basically, if we get attacked..." Drago began, trailing off.

"We're done for." Ren finished.

"All we have to do is make sure we aren't noticed, and we'll be fine." Elida piped up. "I've been here too."

"I mean, we've done it before with the ogres in the bog..." Rydel said. "We can do it again, right?"

"Well, sure... But I've heard that the monsters' senses of smell and hearing are far more superior than ours." Raelyn crossed her arms, tapping her foot. "So, we're going to have to blend in somehow."

"And I know just the thing." Ailia grinned, before promptly plunging her hands into the nearby murky pond. Raelyn and Rivka watched in disgust as she took a handful of mud and smeared it on herself—her clothes, her arms and legs, her face, her hair—as Drago soon followed. The others seemed relatively unbothered, and not one bit surprised.