Siren

Siren - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"First things first. We must find the location of the Edge of the world. I, personally, have heard its past Vaarin. That will take us the same route as we were already going."

"Convenient." Complained Mallach. It meant they would have to go through the mountains, and didn't expect help from Moyra at all.

Octavious stood, while the rest sat, or hunched in Lady Moyra's case, the wind howling loudly. Engulfed in the safety of Moyra's wings, the three of them hardly felt the sting of the harsh storm. Clara only stayed near to hear the conversations being held, but she wished she was out there to let the wind dance over every part of her.

"Are there any maps?" offered Clara. "Even if from a children's book."

"Perhaps," began Moyra thoughtfully, speaking through Clara. The three men could not help but make faces at the low and high octaves her voice hit as Moyra contemplated. "There have been many a tale of the edge of the world, woven through time both from fact and fiction. My brethren once knew of the location. But I fear that it is only my husband and I that remain. That is why our young are so precious. We are finally able to restart the bloodline again."

"So you have never ventured out to look for your brethren?" asked Raven, looking up at the great beast rather than Clara.

"We have been... rather occupied, I'm afraid." Clara giggled as her own voice and the three did not press any further.

Clara turned to Raven, stepping closer through the snow.

"Perhaps your mother could help." She said, sitting beside him. His long black hair mingled with her red, and Mallach couldn't help becoming jealous. He sighed, pushing it away from his mind. Friends, just friends.

"I have already undertaken that task," they all heard, including Moyra, "Elbiz... I mean, the king and I are looking as we speak."

"You mean you are looking. I have much more important things to attend to." Groused Elbizar. He was sitting in his plush chair again, sulking.

"Like what?" snapped Moonstone, losing her patience with him. It was true, she had been looking for an hour while he lazed about, complaining about how long it was taking to search the royal library. The large shelves reached all the way to the ceiling, and she was up on a ladder, thumbing through pages while holding the book with one hand, the other, steadying her balance. "Finding a bride for your son, who is already betroved?"

"You and I both know it is the witch's curse!" he cried angrily, standing up and slamming his fist on the chair.

"Siren." She shot back, baring her teeth.

"Whatever!"

Her hand ran from book to book, searching for the answers they sought. Taking out one every so often to search through it's pages.

Elbizar, now that he was standing, strode over to a shelf far further than from where Moonstone was standing, and running his hands over the books, grinned.

"It was here all along." He called to her, hoisting the book from it's resting place and, after some deliberation, put it down on the large oak table with a resounding thud.

Coming down from her ladder, she went over to the table, and as she saw the oversized book, curled her lip in disgust.

"Dragon skin. Putrid. Wherever did you get it?" she said, refusing to touch it.

Elbizar chuckled. "It was my father's," he started, "and his father's before him, and before his... it has been in my family for generations."

Moonstone sighed, gently moving a chair and sitting down. Elbizar opened the book, scanning it intensely. He was about to flip another page when Moonstone's hand stopped him abruptly, resting there. He blushed.