The Twin Sample

The Twin Chapters 1-3

Chapter 1

As Drathic soared over the horizon, far above the ground, Devlin and Elena clamped to the rough scales against the several times rougher wind that howled in protest in their ears as it whipped passed, threatening to displace them both and send them plummeting to the forest-filled ground several kilometers below. The proud dragon did not appreciate being used as transport, a fact Drathic made Devlin very aware of numerous times throughout the flight.

For a giant, ice-breathing lizard, he complains a lot like a child, Devlin thought to himself, not daring to speak it aloud lest he suffer more of the dragon's whining. Elena picked out the frustration on Devlin's face and gave him a sympathetic smile. "We flew over the border not too long ago, so we should reach the capital soon," Devlin shouted trying to make himself heard over the wind as he watched the markers of the border between Crestialis and Grandis. Thank god.

"Devlin, you best be on your guard. I don't trust Raven. I would not put it past her to lay a trap for you as revenge," Elena yelled as her voice echoed Devlin's recent thoughts prevalent in his mind.

"I know," Devlin yelled back as he thought through his potential solution. "Don't worry, I have a plan. I charmed a pair of glass orbs. The orb will act as an eye for you on the inside. I got the idea from the scrying spell you taught me in the elven forest." Devlin handed Elena a glass ball about the size of her fist. It shone perfectly clear, nondescript, and also felt smooth and cold to the touch. "It will work only if we use the scrying spell at the same time, but once we do, we will be able to see through to the other orb. If I am in danger, I will put three fingers in front of the orb." Devlin put up three fingers to demonstrate.

"Understood," Elena answered, observing the orb. Devlin took out a second glass ball virtually identical to the first one. "Three, two, one." Elena and Devlin cast the scrying spell on the orbs. Devlin brought the orb in front of his face and saw Elena's face inside it. Perfect, worked like a charm.

We have nearly arrived at the capital of Grandis, Drathic spoke through Devlin's mind in his rough and irritated tone, much like the voice of a commander to his men. Do not make a habit of using me as your errand pony, boy. I merely suffered it this time because you restored balance to the continent.

"You have my humble gratitude, Drathic," Devlin called, trying to reign in his frustration with the dragon. Drathic growled in a way that sounded akin to a grunt of approval. At least, Devlin hoped that's what it was. When Drathic was nearly above the city gates of Gradis, the capital of Grandis, Devlin leaped off the dragon's neck. The air stung with the bite of the cold from the autumn winds. Devlin could see some of the trees below showing brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange. The forest almost looked as if it were on fire as the leaves swayed in the wind. Devlin held no affection for the cold weather, but the sight of the changing colors never failed to take his breath away. When Devlin drew close to the ground, he pulled the wind with his magic to slow his descent, landing on the ground as softly as if he had jumped from two feet up. As he casually strode up to the front gate, the guards stared at him, mouths agape.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" Devlin asked the guards pretending to distort his face with fear and searched for any offending spec.

"N-no, sir. Please, state your business," one of the guards said, shaking like a leaf as if he had just witnessed his own death.

I would figure these guys would be used to seeing a person fall out of the sky seeing as their queen has a dragon under her own command. Devlin digressed the thought. I still don't understand why that dragon Horris stayed with her.