The Dragon's Consortium 2

59 - People of the Forest

Soterios - POV;

"I think we got away!" I panted as I dropped to the ground, trying to catch my breath.

"I hope we did. I can't run anymore!" Csilla declared falling beside me.

I sat up and looked at Alduin whom had just began to stir again after his heroic deed left him sprawled over the floor unconscious. He stared up at us with an awkward smile on his face.

"You did great Alduin," Csilla praised him.

"I second that claim buddy," I said to the juvenile dragon. Alduin looked at us seeming proud of his clumsy accomplishments.

After a short break, we proceeded to navigate through the dense growth of the Magical Forest. This forest was one of the many across Qostros which harbored great quantities of magic within its flora and of course was home to some of the fairies which took residence among them.

"Wouldn't it be amazing if we could find a fairy village?" Csilla proposed.

"I guess it would be interesting but that's highly unlikely. From what I've heard, the fairies use a powerful magic to ward off outsiders from entering their property. Apparently it's a means of protecting themselves. Besides, this is one of the largest Magical Forests in the entirety of Qostros. It links Qaezia directly to the mountains at the centre and it then branches off to surround much of the base of the range," I rattled out my knowledge of the land.

"You seem to have kept up with your studies on Qostrian Geography quite well," Csilla remarked giggling.

"I always make myself aware of my entire surrounding to gain an advantage, is what I want to say. I actually just checked it all out for possible escape routes a few moments before I came to get you though," I admitted.

We continued to traverse the maze-like natural region, using the sun to determine our direction. Before we had realised it, night had fallen on us. We found a small hollow at the base of a gigantic tree and opted to settle there for the while.

"We should get to sleep quickly. We have to make an early move. We can't afford to stick around here for too long just in case we are followed into the forest," I announced. Shortly after, we had all turned in to rest.

The next day I had awakened long before sunrise and any of the others......or so I thought. I watched around the hollow to witness Alduin and Dark Matter curled up in one corner but Csilla was no where to be seen. I hurried outside to look around for the missing girl.

After searching for a couple of minutes, I happened to come upon a large clearing in the trees and there a large lake shone in the dim light of the full moon. Sure enough, Csilla sat on some boulders overlooking the view. Her armor lay on the rock beside her and she wore only a simple t-shirt and leggings. Her bare feet splashed in the water.

"Hey there beautiful!" I said hugging her from behind .

"Don't scare me like that," she frowned placing her hands on my own.

"This reminds me of that time I found you by the stream when we were travelling to Crethia," I whispered to her.

"Don't talk about such embarrassing things," she pouted.

"But you're so fun to tease," I nibbled on her ear making her squirm.

"That's enough Soterios," she began and pushed me away, "Come feel the water. It's really warm from all the magic in this area."

"It really is," I confirmed as I dipped my toes into the lake, "Almost like a hot spring even. But.... you are so much warmer."

I pushed her down onto her back and bent forward to kiss her. After locking lips I pulled back to stare at her cute, reddened face.