Through The Mirror Portal

Chapter 6: Return To Silvergrove

Then out of nowhere the tree they were resting against opened up into a massive swirling portal. Two large arms reached through, pulling all three of them back through the portal and out onto the edge of Silvergrove. Rayla, Callum and Zym all stood up at once to face a group of serious looking moon-shadow elves. Runaan and Ethari both at the front, arms folded. Runaan spoke,
" I think someone has got some explaining to do!" Callum tried to speak. Then was silenced abruptly by Runaan,
"You first Rayla. Someone take this human to our holding cell, we'll decide his fate later."
Rayla immediately drew both swords and stood shielding Callum,
"You are not locking him up. He's done nothing wrong that's why he's still here!" Also Zym began snarling at one of the elves who started towards them.
The village Mage stood and laughed, "Seems like the boy has himself a fan club, let's hear him out. I sense a strong magical force about him and it's not dark magic either. That's unique in itself."
Runaan then relaxed his posture,
"So be it, we'll sit round the fire and you both can explain what's going off and why the egg is now a dragon!"
Ethari spoke quietly to Runaan,
"If the legends are true then a storm dragon can only be hatched in the eye of a storm and it appears the Dragon has taken to the boy. Dragons can sense someone of pure heart so the boy can't be a threat." Runaan nodded,
"That maybe true, but we have to find out how he got the egg and who he is."
So they all sat round the fire where they ate and Callum explained who he was and how he found the egg. Also he explained how he connected with the sky Arcanum. This was met with laughter from the elves until Callum did a lightning spell then everyone was silenced. The village Mage then decided he would teach Callum some extra spells that would help him, as he and Rayla had been chosen to return the young dragon to his mother. Mostly because Zym attacked anyone else who came close to him.
After the fire had died down, Runaan, Ethari, Rayla and Callum went back to Runaan and Ethari's cabin. Ethari turned to Rayla,
"Its good to have you home, how did you get rid of the binding, because your target seems live and well?
Rayla looked at Ethari sheepishly,
"Funny story, Zym ripped it in half!"
Ethari laughed,
"Handy thing you had a dragon nearby, I don't think we'll be sending you to kill anyone else. We've only got one spare room." Callum looked down in embarrassment.
Rayla then spoke,
"Ah, ok I get your point, to be fair it was mah first mission, plus Callum's special.... ah mean different!" Callum by now was really embarrassed. Runaan and Ethari just looked at each other shocked. Not only had the little girl they had looked after for years grown to be a strong elf warrior, but she was showing interest in a boy... A human boy! They all entered the large cabin of Runaan and Ethari. It was full of decorative clay pots and the walls adorned with ornamental weaponry of Ethari's creation. Ethari who was definitely the more friendly of the two turned to face Callum and Rayla who were stood awkwardly.
"Our home is your home Callum. Rayla will show you to your room for tonight. You'll need your sleep because your mission starts tomorrow and you've got a long distance to travel." Rayla grabbed Callum's hand and dragged him to his room quickly, before she said anything else more embarrassing in front of her adoptive parents. When they had gone Runaan crept over to Ethari and whispered.
"I'm not imagining things am I, there is definitely something going on between those two. I hope she's not his hostage or this is some trick. You know you can't trust humans!"
Ethari looked relaxed and replied,
"Come on, have you seen the way they look at each other? I remember how you used to act when we first started dating." Runaan looked open mouthed,
"You're right, I can't believe I didn't see it, I guess it's just the shock of it all. If he harms a hair on her head, I swear I'll skin him to make a new coat."
Ethari laughed,
"Rayla's definitely the one in charge, I wouldn't worry. "They both laughed as they sat in their favourite chairs.
Meanwhile as Rayla showed Callum into his room. Callum closed the door behind them both, spun Rayla round and kissed her passionately. Rayla taken aback, held onto him and responded with equal passion. Rayla broke off kissing to whisper in Callum's ear,
"Your in trouble now mah Mage Prince." They both laughed and flopped onto the bed. Callum looked at Rayla,
"You really are amazing. I've noticed you don't have any pictures up on the wall. Let me draw some of Runaan and Ethari. We can leave them as a little thank you present. Rayla looked into Callum's eyes,
"Ah think they would like that, it will probably make them feel safer about hosting a human man who might steal their adopted daughter away!"
Callum giggled,
"As if I could steal you anywhere you didn't want to go! "Rayla nodded,
"Aye your probably right, best get drawing then!" Callum stopped Rayla,
"First though before I draw anything!" Callum crawled over to Rayla and grabbed her feet pulling her under him. Rayla looked surprised and then half smiled, half smouldering. Then she said deeply,
"Ah don't know what ya have in mind but ah barely know ya. Am definitely not that kind of girl." Callum leans over her looking crest fallen, then with more of a pleading look.
"Honestly Rayla I haven't a clue how to seduce you, I just want to look at you naked cos your so frigging hot!" He leaned right down over her and reached both his hands round cupping her face. He then kissed her deeply. Rayla shut her eyes and kissed him back, taking over slightly. Callum definitely loved that Rayla knew exactly what she wanted. Then Rayla rolled Callum over to one side and got up.
"That's enough for now mah Mage Prince, ah don't want ya to bust a hole in those pants of yours." Rayla giggled, pointing to his hard-on which was threatening to break free. Then her face turned serious.
"Ya better have that ready for me later, cos am coming for ya. After everyone's in bed though, am not explaining 'us' to Runaan and Ethari tonight! They're like ma parents do ya understand!" Callum just held his hands up in a sort of surrender pose,
"Look Rayla I totally understand, I just can't seem to control myself around you. I've never been like this before. I am sorry. I'll grab my sketch book and do the portraits we talked about." Rayla beamed,
"Your so sweet am going to gobble ya up", she reached over and gave Callum one last kiss and ventured back into the living space to chat with her parents. Runaan and Ethari paused their quiet chat they were having a both turned to face Rayla. Ethari was first to quiz Rayla,
"So Rayla is Callum ok."
Rayla smiled.
"Yeah just checked he was ok, I've left him drawing for a while, he's had a traumatic few days."
"Drawing, hmm" Ethari replied, "Is he any good?"
Rayla responded,
"Yeah really good, almost lifelike, when we were in that other world ah snuck a peek at his sketchbook. Ave seen all his family, he lives in a castle!"
Runaan poured cold water on this friendly chat,
"We were going to storm that castle to kill the king. To avenge the killing of the dragon king. How does that make you feel?"
Rayla looked shocked,
"Ok ah didn't know that, but glad we didn't have to, cos ah would like to go there at some point maybe. Think Callum would need help finding his way home."
Ethari's grin broadened,
"Rayla, I know that look, we know you like him!"
Rayla looked sheepish and fidgeted in the chair.
"Ok ya got me, ah like him, he likes me. He's a dumb human, it won't work no one will accept it! Maybe his family won't accept me!" Rayla then realised the gravity of her situation and then the horror crossed her mind, what if Callum's family didn't like her. Or even worse, locked her in the dungeon.
Runaan has stayed quiet for most of this conversation but added,
"I can't see why they wouldn't like you, your kind and caring, too much so to be an assassin, but after they get over the fact you're an elf I'm sure they'll love you for you!" Ethari stroked Runaans hand, "Runaan's right, we just have to make sure that evil Mage is dealt with because he will cause problems for you and Callum. He craves power and will hurt anyone who stands in his way."
Rayla nodded,
"Aye your right, I'm not in any hurry to meet them, but as long as the dragon prince gets home we'll all be safer."
Runaan sat up in his chair and stared at Rayla,
"We'll be safe when that evil Mage is dead and buried, he'll start another war and you could be in danger. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."