Fight of the Nymphs - The Master of the Dragons

18. EVOLUTIONATTA

By the time Eleros and Delvero made it back to the lair, the morning had fully arrived. Outside, birds sang their songs as the morning sun peered through the trees, casting deep shadows across the dewy ground. A gently breeze filled the air and ruffled the fir trees surrounding the woods.

Naradan had been sat up all night, waiting to hear news from his Guardians and hopefully the success of their mission. Saralin had returned some time ago, having ensured Sandy was safely back with her father. She made sure to tell Naradan as much as she knew from the mission, only able to confirm the young nymphs had excaped the castle before the destruction.

The hour that followed Saralin's return was an anxious one. Both she and Naradan could not settle until Eleros and Delvero returned, hopefully with the five young nymphs at their side.When they finally entered the room, followed by the five young nymphs, Naradan collapsed with relief, barley able to believe his eyes. They had done it, the mission was a success.

The five young nymphs were returned to their families immedietely, the repercussions of their rescue caused overwhelming joy through the community. Eleros, Delvero, Saralin and the human girl had become heroes over night and the residents of the lair would never forget it.

After reuniting the young nymphs with their families, Naradan requested both Eleros and Delvero to his room to discuss the nights events. Although the young nymphs had been returned safely, naradan wanted to be sure that the destruction of the castle had disposed of Diem.

After a lengthy conversation, in which Eleros and Delvero explained their experiences, and how they had narrowly missed attack by a first hostile brownie and then an aggressive dragon, both retired to their huts for a deserved rest. As they headed home, Eleros and Delvero stood for a moment in complete silence, neither talking about what they had done, and how they had ended the life of their once true friend, but almost unconciously paying their respects to the nymph they had once known before his transformation.

Late that afternoon, Eleros awoke, memories of the previous nights rescue still fresh in his mind. Since his return, he had not really thought about his encounter with Trian, but now, as he remembered their duel, he thought back to how he had managed to escape Trian's magical binds. Something had happened to him. Something that he did not control. Whatever it was, he was grateful for it, but now he needed answers. Soon, he was out of bed, and readying himself to go visit Naradan.

As he left his hut, and headed into the Main Street, several nymphs surrounded Eleros, desperate to offer their congratulations and gratitude for his efforts in rescuing the young nymphs. Eleros, being the polite nymph that he was, waved off their comments, explaining that it was all part of his duty as a Guardian.

Gradually, the group departed, allowing Eleros to continue his way to see Naradan. A few more instances of thanks met his way, but soon he was outside Naradan's door, trying to prepare himself on how to ask his perculiar question.

*  *  *

The fire brigade and police had spent the whole morning investigating the unknown explosion reported in the early hours of the morning. A resident from the nearby village had seen the smoke, after hearing the deafening blast whilst out for a jog, and had called the authorities immediately.

The rest of the day was spent digging through the rubble and debris of the castle, and coming up with no source to the explosion. By the time the afternoon had rolled in, the investigations dried up, and no sign of foul play could be found. Not a single shred of evidence was unearthed, and all parties involved in the investigations were stumped. Something had caused the old building to come crashing down, but whatever it was, there was no trailback to it's cause.