Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

Reunion

"Dad!" Menxilya exclaimed, before throwing herself at him.

She hugged him by the waist, as the tears that were falling from her eyes were soaking her father's battered armor. He hugged her gently and lovingly, caressing her green hair. He was also unable to hold back his tears.

When they had parted, he had done so without knowing if he would see her again. Menxolor had feared for his daughter's safety, even though he knew that his life was in even greater danger. Now, before even reaching their destination, they had unexpectedly met again. It was a great gift.

The Guardians of the North let themselves fall into the vegetation. They were marveling at the existence of such a place among the corruption. It was hard to believe the existence of such clean air, the purity of the mana and the absence of miasma.

After the tension, finding themselves in a small paradise, safe, free from corruption, made them lower their guard. Tiredness took them, and more than one let themselves be overcome by the sleep they hadn't been able to enjoy for days. Goldmi distributed nutritious and refreshing drinks among those still awake, though not a full meal. That would have to wait until everybody woke up.

Particularly striking were a little girl and a father cuddling on the grass, eyes closed, sleeping. Their soft breathing and smiles gave a sense of peace that wouldn't last long. This was just a short break. Soon, they would have to leave for an uncertain fate.

The dryaptile suddenly stopped. She was one of those in charge of purifying the miasma, at least in the medical tents and dormitories. However, in the last few days, they hadn't encountered opposition, so there had been little work for the former. The latter were necessary for the fighters to rest. Continued exposure to miasma was harmful, though not for all races equally. She was especially sensitive.

"Cocrra? Is something wrong?" her reptilian friend asked her.

The dryaptile didn't answer. She only raised her hand, indicating to her friend to remain silent, that she needed concentration. She had felt something, something it shouldn't be there.

Without even looking, she advanced towards the battle front, where some corrupted trees were being cut down. Those who saw her approach were surprised, as she didn't usually come that close.

She stopped for a moment and looked at them, while trying not to lose the perception that had been intensifying as she was advancing.

"I need an escort, it's urgent," she requested.

They looked at her stupefied. That was an extremely strange request, but that reptilian was somewhat singular. Perhaps, her status wasn't so high as to make that request under normal circumstances, but her existence had a special meaning in that place. They didn't know very well what to do.

"You've already heard her. My squad with me to protect her. The reserve squad takes our place," a red-skinned reptilian ordered.

No one dared to disobey Kroquia's orders. After all, she was the empress.

The dryaptile nodded, but said nothing more, since her focus was on that sensation that she didn't want to lose. Her attitude annoyed some reptilians, who thought it was an insult to their empress. However, Kroquia's stern look prevented any complaints. In fact, it made them wonder what else was in this strange situation.

For her part, the empress was a bit surprised, but she knew perfectly well the role of the dryaptile, her importance. There was a highly improbable mission that only beings like her could carry out. Until then, there hadn't been any signs that they could even attempt it.

She wasn't sure if that was the case now, but she didn't want to interrupt her for anything. All they could do was escort her, make sure nothing bothered her.

The squad advanced around her, five meters away. They made sure there was nothing in her path, and changed their trajectory according to Cocrra's movements. Her friend followed them, as worried as she was bewildered.

Suddenly, she stopped. For a few seconds, the dryaptile stood still, motionless. Only the roots that came out of her feet and dug in the corrupted soil indicated that something was happening.

Strangely, a slight glow enveloped her. It was emitting an aura that seemed impossible to exist in that place. They seemed to be able to smell the grass, the flowers. Not in vain, a dryaptile is a hybrid between a reptile and a dryad.

Little by little, a smile formed on her lips, as tears flowed from her closed eyes and ran down her cheeks. She had heard a "Hello."

They stared at her intrigued for a long while, until she opened her eyes and looked at Kroquia.

"I found them. Your friends are fine, they've achieved something incredible, awakening them. They were alive... You must tell the others, we have a lot of work to do," she revealed, moved.

The empress nodded. She tried not to show how excited she was, but she couldn't help but smile. News about her friends, for whom she had been fearing, was something she hadn't expected to receive in that place. They were more than welcome. She felt elated.

The second news was also extraordinary. She, as empress, had access to more information about the operation than most of the combatants, and knew that it was of utmost importance. As much as she was the empress, she was even proud to be able to act as a messenger of that extraordinary news.

Kroquia took out an artifact from her clothes, which was hung around her neck by a sumptuous chain. She imbued it with mana to send a short and concise message.

"Plan Dry in phase two. Starting point, my position. Warn them. Elfhumvam and Gunor teams operational, approaching their objective."

The leprechaun was on one of the fronts, overseeing the operation. They were advancing, but not achieving anything significant since their enemies had retreated. Destroying the corrupted trees was necessary, but it would take years. Purifying and repopulating the corrupted areas would be even slower.

He also had no news from the Guardians of the North or the group of visitors. It was frustrating, but they could only wait.

That was when he received Kroquia's message. His first reaction was to open his eyes and mouth wide. The second, to clench his fists and give a shout of joy. Everyone in the command tent looked at him strangely.

"Cough, cough. This... Warn the half-dryads. They have found their sisters," he reported.

A smirk spread across his face as everyone else exclaimed as loudly or louder than him. That was the best news they could hope for.

Everyone there knew part of that plan, although many fewer knew about the two groups in enemy territory. The leprechaun then activated another device, whose echo would be received by those who had the appropriate receiver.