The Final Storm (Part 3)

Arianna's Crew

Arianna paused at the door. She didn’t want to talk to Daemon at all. She didn’t even want to see him. But she really needed to have Fraylon on her side. Drake was on her shoulder, his huge fuzzy bat ears brushing her cheek. “What are you waiting for?” he squeaked.

Arianna had already asked him along and he had readily agreed, saying that “It’s about time I have an adventure!” Sprite had also agreed but had demanded that she was to get the jackpot of sugar cubes when they got back. Arianna had looked at her rotund belly and thought that she should probably cut down on pampering the Pegasus, but she agreed to her terms.

Now they had to recruit Fraylon.

Arianna mustered up her courage and knocked as hard as she could, twice.

The door slowly creaked open and she found Daemon, looking like he had aged over the last couple days. His shoulder-length blonde hair was for once not even combed and his blue eyes were as deep as the ocean. He cringed when he saw Arianna. “Hi, Arianna,” he squeaked.

The last time they had spoken it had been a fight. A bad one. Arianna had never fought with Daemon before. But there had been a few scarring names called on both sides.

Now they stood face-to-face, squirming, wishing they could forget what had happened.

Arianna brushed her matted hair out of her face determinedly, “I need to talk to Fraylon. Is he in there?”

Daemon opened his mouth, but before he could say anything Arianna heard a familiar melodic voice call, “Arianna? Is that you? I’m over here!”

Daemon scooted aside as Arianna brushed by him, walking towards the voice. On her shoulder, Drake stuck out a little tongue at Daemon, who staggered backwards at the sight of a tiny bat.

Fraylon was on the bed- still. When he had heard her call he slid into bed and pulled the sheets over his bandages. He gave his most heart-warming smile when he saw her, “Arianna!”

She slid onto the bed, patting his leg, “Hey Fray. Why are you in bed? You should be out flying. I haven’t seen you since I got here.”

Fraylon’s smile turned a little lopsided, “Yeah. Well I’m kind of tired.”

“You are?” Arianna looked disappointed, “Because I was really hoping you could help us on a special quest.”

“What kind of quest?” Daemon asked, his arms folded as he walked up alongside them.

“I was asking Fraylon,” Arianna said stiffly. She turned back to the ice dragon, “We were going to go looking for Ralem, and hopefully kick some cat butt. I would really love to have a strong dragon like you on our side.”

Fraylon beamed, “You really think I’m strong?”

“Of course you are!” Arianna said, “You would be awesome!”

You aren’t really thinking of going, Daemon asked his dragon mentally.

Of course I’m going! Fraylon replied. It’s your fault he flew away and it’s our responsibility to go and find him.

No it’s not. And your broken ribs, remember? You can’t be running across the continent with four broken ribs!

My ribs are almost healed. I’m fine, Fraylon replied frostily.

But.. Daemon was distracted from his thoughts when Arianna waved a hand in front of his face. “It’s rude to talk to each other like that when I’m right here,” she said crossly.

“He’s not going!” Daemon spat, “You can’t just ask him to go- without me! I’m his Rider, remember?”

“That’s right,” Fraylon spoke up, “You can’t.”

Daemon let out a breath, relieved that Fraylon agreed with him.

Fraylon locked gazes with him, “That’s why you’re going with us.”

Daemon and Arianna froze. Arianna crossed her fingers, please don’t go, please don’t-

 “Okay. I’ll go. It was my fault he left. And I can’t have you go out there and get… hurt,” he said, looking at the ground. “I’d never forgive myself.”

“I knew you’d do it!” Fraylon said, excited. He threw off the covers and about jumped out of bed. The second he touched the ground he started changing. His fingers quickly turned into talons, his neck elongated and his wings formed. A tail was flicking behind him in less than a minute and he inhaled a great lung-full of air before letting loose a tremendous roar of triumph.

Drake nearly fell off Arianna’s shoulder, his big ears back, “Ouch. He needs to use his inside voice.”

Fraylon was breathing heavily, his severe face cracked into a blissful smile. “What are you waiting for, let’s go!” he roared.

Arianna smiled, “I’ll give you guys some time to pack. We leave after lunch.”

“At the fountain!” Drake called, “Be punctual people! That’s what my dear mom always said. The early bat gets the blood!”

Daemon and Fraylon looked at each other. “You know there’s a bat on your shoulder?” Fraylon asked tentatively.

“Of course! Sorry, I forgot to introduce you! This is Drake. He’s coming with us. Drake this is…”

“Frostybreath and the Frayfray. Nice to meet you,” Drake said as he disappeared with a crack and reappeared in human form with his hand extended.

“It’s a vampire!” Daemon said, reaching for his sword.

“Woah, woah, nice Frostybreath,” Drake said, “I wouldn’t drink your blood even if I wanted to.” He grabbed Daemon’s hand and gave a long, deep sniff. “Your blood is cold. I hate my blood cold,” he made a face and Daemon jerked his arm away from the vampire.

Arianna smirked at the terrified expression on Daemon’s face, “Don’t worry Frosty- I mean Daemon. He’s a good vampire. Saved my life before. He only drinks chicken blood now.”

“Yes, chicken blood is delicious. Especially with this spice I came up with. You want to know how to make it? Well first you get-”

“Drake, we should go so they could have time to pack up,” Arianna said, her smile a slim line. Drake nodded and –crack!- he was back on Arianna’s shoulder ready to go. “Let’s go!” he piped up. Arianna was only too happy to oblige.

When Arianna shut the door, she slumped against the side, running her fingers through her hair, “What have I got myself into?” she moaned aloud.

Inside, Daemon was saying the same thing. “This is a suicide mission!” he groaned, flopping on the bed, “When he finds us, we’re dead meat. And we’re traveling with a VAMPIRE!”

“I don’t have any clue why you proposed to her- when you knew he loved her- in front of him,” Fraylon replied, “After all you’ve already done. I don’t blame him.”

“I didn’t know he was proposing to her!” Daemon said hotly, “And I just thought the ball would be a romantic time-”

Fraylon glared at him.

“Okay, okay. Maybe I had an idea he might propose. But what was I going to do? Let her get married to someone who can’t take care of her? He would ruin her life! I love her too much for that!”

“If you love her so much, then maybe it’s time to let go,” Fraylon said softly. He looked at Daemon one last time before stepping out onto the balcony and spreading his wings, leaving his Rider to his own thoughts.