Lex of Rhule

Chapter 6: No Secrets

Zander~~~

   Zander closed the door behind him and inhaled the sharp smell of pine and the rich smell of fresh rain, grass and dirt. There was nothing he loved more than the smell of this valley. He couldn't bare to think that if it wasn't for his son ,he may never have had the chance to lay eyes on this beautiful place again.

    Mirthwood had been home to he and Lex for nearly 18 years now,and the place had grown on him. On days like this he couldn't imagine leaving this place, ever.

Clouds overhead haloed by the sun that shone brightly on the forest casting different shades of green across the wheat covered field.

   He could feel the cool breeze still carrying the whisper of rainfall as he closed his eyes cherishing the moment, he felt a small creature rub along the side of his ankle and circle around only to rub against the other leg . She then rolled to her back demanding her belly be scratched. It was none other than Ells,Kairi's little butterball cat.

    Zander had no joy in useless pets but every cat he had ever came upon loved him. Not only that but they always seemed to have a personality that was so perplexing to him that he couldn't help but find them useful after all.   
   Ells always knew what he wanted and where he needed to go. Even if the cat herself had never been there before.
Zander sometimes thought that the cat and Kairi were connected in a way. He also knew that where Ells went ,Kairi was sure to follow. The cat stood and walked a few yards before turning expectantly to Zander.
"I am looking for Clare. Have you seen her Ells?"

The orange cat turned her green eyes to the forest and then looked back to him.
"Well what are you waiting for? Lead the way!"he teased as he scratched her behind the ears.

She then took off at a steady pace and he knew without a doubt that this smart little cat would show him the way.

  She led him along the dirt path past the field and sure enough. She led him directly past the pond he and Lex had dug years ago to keep their fish in from the stream,and led him directly into the forest.
   Everything was lit by the sun and tinted green by the trees. It was a good day for hunting but he had no intentions of such  today. He was here for information. He didn't know what was going to happen. He didn't know who cast the magic on him but he hoped his suspicions were wrong.

    Just as his thoughts turned sour Ells took a sharp turn that he had almost not picked up on. He knew that the cat would find Clare but couldn't fight the thoughts in his head that hoped the cat wasn't looking for a good spot to pee or praying she wasn't following a squirrel or whatnot when he heard soft footsteps behind him.
Ells stopped and flopped down on her bottom.
    While Zander turned to greet a face he had thought to never see again. With tears in his eyes and an awkward grin on his face. He softly kissed his two fingers and placed them on his brow slightly bowing in greeting to her.
    Mocking his gesture and bowing in full was none other than Clare. Dressed in a flowing green dress with lilies in her long braided hair. Her green eyes meeting his blue she dropped all formalities hugging him so hard that he could have sworn he felt something crack. With tears in her eyes she slowly let him go.
     He remembered the promise he'd made to her upon taking her in as his own. When she had no one. He had promised her he would never abandon her and that he would always be there to show her the way.
He hoped she had forgiven him since then.
She may be grown but she would always be the little green eyed girl that he and Arica had raised as their own.

" Father, it has been far too long. I have travelled all of Agramond hoping to find you,and warn you,but you were so sick. If I had not found Lex upon arriving all would have been lost..."she rambled uncontrollably.

    Looking into his daughters face he could see all the pain his absence had caused and every single trace of her loss . Though she may have saved him there was still cold rigid fear in her eyes.

   He could only wonder what could have put it there. For she was strong and intelligent. She surpassed even the highest in his class. And this was not the Clare he witnessed growing up. That Clare was strong and unafraid nothing could move her but she could break anything to her will.
  Whatever brought her to this point could only mean trouble for all of them. So he wrapped her in his arms and whispered to her all the things that were left unsaid, and comforted her with his presence until the tears stopped and the only sound left was that of the forest surrounding them.

"Calm my child. Tell me what has struck fear in the heart of my daughter." He whispered.

She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. He waited on her to begin and just as he thought she wasn't going to speak a tremendous voice intruded on his thoughts. It was deep and full of reproach.

"Why do you sadden my rider with such a request when she has only just arrived? She has been through a lot to get to you and then risked everything to save you. She owes you nothing.
I have been there through it all and she has yet to speak a word. But I feel it and its crushing her. Not just that but as soon as she makes up her mind to stop looking, the Dwarven kingdom was attacked and the last of my kin stolen. You were in charge . What can you say in your defense? So... when you look at me ,tell me. What put that fear in your eyes?"
Before him stood a rather large ,golden dragon. He had two horns that twisted out to line his brow before disappearing behind the dragons massive head. His scales glimmered with touch of silver to his gold. He was magnificent.
Zander was impressed .
   He hadn't seen the dragon since he was a hatchling. Ryse was not very small anymore but he was still beautiful. Zander couldn't look away.

" leave him be Ryse its not his fault and you know it. If you want to help you can start by hiding we are about to receive another guest." Said Clare as Ryse jumped into the air and with one big woosh of his wings and a golden flash he was gone .
    Zander wondered at how a creature of his size hid so easily in a forest as the two of them were left to await their visitor.