Chapter 20
The Outskirts was a big town, flowing with people of different ages and ethnicities. Demina and Avelyn followed Raquel to the center where she told them to wait and left.
“Do you really think we should be here, Demi?” Avelyn asked nervously. Demina bit her lip, looking around. What could they do? Demi squeezed her hand, trying to look reassuring but failing. Raquel didn’t come back and they finally turned to go.
“Demina! Lady Avelyn!”
They slowly turned around. A tall man with short black hair walked towards them, following Raquel. Demina’s eyes widened and she pulled Avelyn to a stop.
“My lady,” the man said, bowing.
“Um...Avelyn...I mean Lady Avelyn, this is Lord Ean Smythe, ruler and founder of The Outskirts,” Demina introduced. Avelyn smiled and curtsied.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ean.”
“Lady Avelyn, what are you doing here?”
Avelyn was taken aback by his bluntness. Demina sucked in a deep breath, shrinking behind Avelyn this time. To be honest, Lord Ean scared her. The only she was here was so Avelyn wouldn’t get killed trying to rescue Jaxon. If he was still alive. Avelyn blinked and cleared her throat.
“Excuse me?” she squeaked.
“What are you doing here? Do you know how dangerous The Outskirts are? It’s a good thing Raquel was the one that robbed you not someone else. You could’ve been killed. What were you thinking?”
“Uh...” Demi stuttered.
“I would suggest you turn around and go back to Impreza.”
“We can’t do that,” Demina said.
“And why not?” Ean scowled.
“Because....we...we just can’t.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Avelyn took a deep breath.
“Demina and I, are on a mission. We...I...need you to train me to use a sword.”
“Why?”
Avelyn hesitated, wondering if she should tell him. Demina spoke up.
“Prince Jaxon has been taken captive by the dragon Drax.”
Ean glanced around, wary.
“Don’t say that name too loudly. Most of the people in The Outskirts have had loved ones killed or captured by him. I assume Drax is awake then. Come with me.”
The girls rushed to keep up with him as he turned around and started walking away.
“How-how did you know about that?”
“I helped your father put the dragon to sleep. I told him that it wouldn’t last. That it was only a temporary solution. But...he didn’t listen to me. More’s the pity.”
“So you know how to put him in cryosleep?” Avelyn asked, eyes lighting up with hope. Lord Ean nodded.
“That I do, but...I will tell you the same thing I told your father, my lady. Drax is too powerful to just be put to sleep. He is awaking sooner and sooner and someday, if he is left alive, he will decimate all of our kingdoms...for good.”
