The Heroes of the Elemental Academies Book 2: Dragon's Breath

Chapter 9: The Whereabouts of the Gems

   It didn't take long to finish the battle. By the time Seth had arrived back on the scene the dragons had already pulled out and were already far away. Now began the long process of rebuilding and taking care of the wounded. But Seth wasn't interested in any of that. While he felt for those hurt in the battle, now he had a singular goal: find his mother at least what she had been hiding. 

     The evacuation of all the wounded had been well underway by the time Seth had arrived at Barbratoss' humble abode. As Seth was about to knock on the door, the door was swung wide open and Seth almost didn't have time to dodge the axe that came flying out. Having no time to throw up a shield of light Seth threw himself backward in a summersault the axe narrowly missing his head as he did. The axe embedded itself three inches into a boulder on the other side of the clearing that surrounded Barbratoss' house. Seth drew his sword as he stood but almost immediately lowered it when he recognized the owner of the axe. Barbratoss stood there in the doorway of his home another axe already ready to throw. However, recognizing who it was Seth saw Barbratoss lower his axe.

    "Boy? Is that you?" 

   "Yes it's me, Put down the axe!" Seth exclaimed sheathing Sonfang. Barbratoss hesitated for a moment but then put down the axe. 

   " So they captured her didn't they?" He asked. The question completely threw Seth off.

   "Wait you knew this would happen?" Seth demanded. The old dwarf solemnly shook his head.

  "No I didn't know it would but we always knew it could happen which is why she told me that if after the battle you came to see me before she did that she had most likely been captured."

   " Wait, by her you mean my mother?"

  "Of course, that's who I mean. We also thought they might come after me so that is why... Anyway sorry for the axe." Seth dusted himself off as he guestured  with his head toward the door. 

   "Can I come in? I think we have a lot to talk about." Barbratoss nodded

   "Yes you can and Yes we do." He turned and went inside and left Seth to follow.

    After they were inside Barbratoss motioned toward the table with his hand. "Sit, you must have a lot of questions." Seth sat in the seat the dwarf had indicated and awaited Barbratoss to start talking. Barbratoss eyed Seth up and down before he began to speak.

   "You know, I have never been one to talk in rhymes so i'll come out and say it. The thing me and your mom were hiding was the location of the air gem." Seth was on his feet in seconds.

   "What!?"

   "I told you i wasn't much of a story teller, but i guess that was a little too much straight to the point, eh?" Seth nodded and took his seat again.

   "If you guys knew the location of the Air Gem then why didn't you reveal this information to Samson and Strat?" The dwarf sighed as he reached onto the table to a long silver pitcher with a long pouring neck. He grabbed it and stood up and walked into what Seth could only guess was his version of a kitchen. He reached into the cupboards and withdrew two silver cups but hesitated before he could fully pull them out.

   "Would you like some ale?"

  "No," Seth said. "I'm still underage."

   "Right," Barbratoss said as he poured himself a glass. "I forgot you still cling to the rules of Terra." 

   "Terra?" Seth asked. Another sigh.

   "That's what we dwarves call the normal world." Barbratoss sat back down this time cup in hand. he took a sip. "To answer your question. Because we felt it was not yet time to reveal such information. Your mother was tasked by a certain angel to protect and hide away the air gem."

   "An angel? for real?"

   "Yes we can see angels here. You didn't know that? They usually appear with a message from God, so when one arrives it is of the utmost importance. However, this one appeared in secrecy to only three people me and your mother were two of those people."
   " Anyway my mother had instructed me to come see you. What do you know?" Seth only needed a moment to process all that had been said before he continued. "You were entrusted with the whereabouts of the air gem weren't you?!" Barbratoss shook his head.
    " No! Not me, but I do know who knows where it lies."
   " Who?" Seth asked anxiously. Seth saw the fleeting but still very clear moment of hesitation before he answered.
   "Stevos Arnoclaee," he said finally. The name only served to confuse Seth further.
   " And, who is that."
    "The king of the elves," Barbratoss answered.

    "You know you'll have to report this with me to the war council right?" Seth said. Barbratoss raised his tankard and down the last several gulps of ale in one go.

   "Yeah I know," He said grimly as he rose from his seat. "Well better get to it we both have important things to do." Seth rose as well recognizing that the war council would have already started by now.
   By the time Seth and Barbratoss had arrived at the council chambers the session had been well underway. Samson stood as Seth entered the room a look of worry on his face. The same look that was shared around the room.
   "Seth, are you sure you should be here right now?" Samson asked the tone of his voice made it clear to Seth that he should leave of he couldn't keep his cool but Seth simply replied.
     " I don't know where else I'd be. Besides I have some new information that has come to light."
   "And what information is that a burly man said from where he sat beside Samson.
   Seth recognised him as Johnathan  the new leader of the nature academy
   "I'll let Barbratoss explain." Seth said as he backed away and let Barbratoss into the room. Strat who was sitting to the right of Samson a clear charred smell coming off his armor leaned forward.
   "What do you have for us Master Barbratoss."

After the explanation was complete shock emanated from all the council members. Matt was the first to respond
    "The air gem! And it's location was right under our noses. Why didn't she tell us." Strat stood and began to pace
   " We can't blame her from what you've said Barbratoss she had very specific orders from the angel. And we are bound to follow those orders. So it makes since that not even we were made aware." Matt nodded
   "Makes sense."
   " So our mission is clear now, we will send the Disciples to collect the Air gem." Samson said standing as well. He turned to Strat
    "Are you and Jack going to tag along again?" Strat turned to face Samson a resolute expression on his face.
   " Yes I am I can't speak for Jack but I am because I'm going to be continuing Seth's training." Samson raised an eyebrow.
    "Master Seth has learned to master water and is very capable with most of the elements but he still has much to learn and relies on his power far too much." Seth looked down slightly embarrassed but the feeling only worsened when John laughed.
   "Well," he said "if you are headed to elven lands you'll be passing through the nature academies territory you'll need a guide. Lucky for you, I'd be happy to help."
   John was a burly man who looked more likely to cut down a tree than grow one but he was talented. At Only thirty three he was a giant of a man standing over six foot tall , With black sleeked back hair and a full but trimmed beard for someone who lived in the wild he looked very refined. His Olive skin served to further this sentiment but the wild look in his eyes told a very different story.
  " Okay," Samson said clapping his hands together "we are in agreement. Seth Strat and master Jack if he so chooses will accompany the desciples on their mission to recover the air gem and save Chief Commander Malcovitch!"