The Champion *ON HOLD*

Chapter 24- Fine Lines

A/N: Okay so we are fast coming up on new material. In other words, soon I won't be editing and revising older chapters, but actually writing down new content. Of course this content is new to you all regardless, since it only ever got as far as draft mode, but that's neither here nor there. The point is, uploads may be a bit slower due to my busy schedule and possibly writer's block. Regardless, I hope you all enjoy Chapter 24 of The Champion!

After Leovar came to this shocking revelation, it took both him and Sila a moment to move. Neither one knew how to go about solving the problem. The violation of everything he stood for was so deep and scandalous that he almost didn't believe it, despite the obvious signs. That led him to another thought. If the signs were so obvious to him, and he had come to the conclusion, why had no one else realized Raenavan's sin? That alone made him want to forget he had even thought his Dragon Knight was capable of such atrocities, but Sila told him something that both eased his worry and heightened it.

Men have always turned a blind eye to things they do not wish to see or believe. Leovar realized that yet again, his dragon was right. With a weary sigh, he stood and looked into the ruby-red eyes of his most trusted companion and his greatest friend.

Then a thought hit him.

Maybe it wasn't just his fellow riders refusing to see the issue. Maybe it was magic. Sila, picking up on Leovar's thoughts, huffed out a stream of smoke.

That is a disturbing thought, My Rider, but if it is true, then our task has just become that much more difficult.

"I know, Sila. But it makes so much sense. Most, if not all, Dragon Riders are adept in the way of compulsion. We have to be, to be able to diffuse tense situations, but what if someone were to turn that power of compulsion on their own people?" Sila's eyes narrowed at this.

It would not work, Leovar. You cannot compel someone if they are adept compulsion users, you know this.

"I know this, you are right, but even compulsion users can be compelled if the person casting the spell is strong enough. Raenavan must be an extremely powerful compulsion user," he stated. The thought did not comfort him.

It takes a frightening amount of power to compel the whole of the Dragon Riders, Leovar. Raenavan did not have this kind of power before coming to be Dragon Knight. She must be enhancing her power somehow, from an outside source. Leovar found this thought disturbing.

"So something is helping her."

Or someone.

"But who?" He asked, incredulous.

I do not know, she lamented, shaking her head. Leovar sighed, frustrated.

Neither one knew how they were going to put an end to this violation, but they both knew they had to try.

"We need allies," Leovar stated, looking away from Sila. "If we are to put an end to Raenavan's plot and stop whatever or whoever is helping her, then we need people behind us. Preferably people who can fight, should those siding with Raenavan not be able to break free of her compulsion. Since it seems that no one has broken free of it so far, I doubt the chances of someone coming to their senses will be very high."

What about the woman? Leovar frowned.

"What about her?"

She could be a valuable asset to our cause. She has a tremendous amount of power, and apparently no limit to what she can do with it, if her ability to send Kaelvar and his dragon on to the other side is any proof. He thought it over and while Sila had a point, he was unsure she would be up to the task.