Dralin

Chapter 22

“We need to get some rest before we try to do this,” Ebudae protested.  Hezzena had gone over every detail with both girls for three hours in the library and was insisting they leave immediately to begin the rescue.

“No!” Hezzena slammed her fist on the table, cracking the stone that had survived a millennium of ruin.  A chunk of the corner fell off and the girls hugged each other desperately.  Hezzena ran fingers through wavy, metallic-orange hair to regain her calm.  “My son is dying.  They will drain his life and use his body for ingredients.  Every moment counts.”  She began pacing back and forth.  “You must save him immediately no matter how tired you may be.  You have the plan and you’ll succeed.  The necklaces I loaned you will help with stealth.”

Pelya touched the silver linked necklace with a circular pendant that had three onyx stones set in it.  The girls could each use theirs to go invisible for a short while.  They were powerful enough to hide sound and smell too.  Hezzena made it clear that the necklaces were only on loan, being a very important part of her treasure and she had already used the most valuable piece she owned to save Pelya’s life.

“We know what to do,” Pelya said.  She was a little tired, but not bad since the healing tooth had fully restored all of her energy along with health.  “We’ll meet you at the doorway as quickly as possible.”  Ebudae sighed, but agreed reluctantly.

“Go then!”  Hezzena moved behind them in a blur, put the lanterns in their hands and pushed them toward the door.  “Go on.  Save my son.  Don’t let him die!”  The girls stumbled out of the library.  Not wanting to be pushed anymore, they ran up the hallway.

Pelya looked back to see Hezzena in the glow of the orbs, staring at them with her swirling eyes.  They turned the corner and headed back along the halls, through the theater and up the stairs until they reached Ebudae’s secret room and flopped to the ground in exhaustion.

Their breathing settled few minutes later. Ebudae lay on her back and asked, “What do you want to do?”

Pelya turned to her side.  “What do you mean?”

“Are we really going to save the dragon?”  Ebudae also turned to her side.  “If we’re caught, they’ll kill us even if we are children.”

“That makes it that much more fun and exciting,” Pelya answered with a grin.  She quickly became somber.  “You don’t have to go.”

Ebudae jumped to her feet and pointed a finger angrily at the young warrior who scrambled to her own feet.  “Don’t you ever say anything like that to me again.  We do this and every other adventure together even if we die!”  She folded her arms and lifted her chin.  “Besides, you know you can’t do it without me.”

She was right and Pelya knew it.  The wizardess was surprised when Pelya wrapped her in a fierce embrace.  They hugged for a few minutes before breaking.  “Shall we go?” Pelya asked.

“I really think we need sleep, but Rizzith could die, so I say we go,” Ebudae answered.  She began moving back and forth between tables, shelves and drawers to gather magical items.  “Grab that pouch on the wall by my workbench,” she told Pelya pointing at the bench where she did most of her experiments.  “It has rune balls that cancel out wards.  There’s only four and I don’t know if they’re strong enough, but they’ll make it easier if they work.

Pelya grabbed it and a few other things Ebudae directed her to.  They gathered the items in two backpacks, the heaviest of which Pelya took.  Most of it had been planned in the library, but the wizardess grabbed a few extra things she thought would be useful.  Pelya kept the magical sword at her waist instead of leaving it.  They both wore black cloaks that would help disguise their age, though not their size.