The Path of the Adventurer

Chapter 20

Magon, Huffey, and Norder camped in a meadow in the mountains, although they were still close to Gugbirim. The area was barely wooded, and a grey shining stream trickled near them.

"I can only wonder what Tikana and Erion are up to now..." Breathed Magon.

"How many times do I have to tell you, they're not coming back." Norder replied sternly. "Face it, they were abducted into a king's prison. Only a master wizard could escape from that, and the last time I checked Erion and Tikana are not magic-users."

"We've faced a danger just as grave or even worse than this. I have faith in both of them; they're both young prodigies. Most people of their age would never dream of escaping from Deadeye's lair alive."

"Magon, are you sane?! Just because they escaped from a dragon doesn't mean they can escape this!"

"And why not? You obviously know nothing of what they are capable of. Yes, it is not certain that they will escape, I am just as worried as you are. But I still have hope."

"But we're not present with them. The dwarves will easily overpower them if they make one move. And if we came to their aid, we'd be in prison as well!"

"Aye. Yer' feelings are understandable, lad." Replied Huffey. "But I too have faith. I prayed to the Deity. Sure, the Deity does not always answer our prayers the way we desire them to, because the Deity always has a plan for us. But still, we must have hope."

"Like I said: I doubt they'll escape. It's unfortunate, yes; but we'll have to use that teleportation stone and leave without them." Stated Norder.

"You're thinking ahead of yourself, Norder. We heard the news that they were to be executed. Thus, we shall wait for the day of their execution, then make our decision."

"But we have no time to lose! We need to ascertain our next quest as soon as possible!"

"Norder, turn around, lad!" Huffey exclaimed.

Norder turned around and saw the mountains and Durn Buldar in the distance. The white light of the sun burned through the cloudy sky, and a flying figure with wide wings descended from it like an angel. The figure began to fly toward their direction.

"That's not another dragon, is it?!" Norder exclaimed, grasping his longsword.

"I haven't a clue what it is." Stated Huffey.

"It is Wynd." Said Magon.

"Wynd?" Responded Norder. "Who's Wynd?"

"I mentioned her a few times during our travels, but I didn't speak much about her." Explained Magon. "She is a giant thrush that is one of Ixis's servants. She is also one of my very best friends."

"But why is she here?" Replied Norder.

"Maybe she found out somehow that we were here and came to give us our second quest." Suggested Magon.

"It's not just her, laddie!" Said Huffey. He patted Magon's shoulder and pointed toward Wynd. "Look carefully on Wynd's back and in her talons!"

On Wynd's back, someone was clinging tightly to her neck. Not only was this the case, but she was carrying someone in her talons.

"No, it can't be." Said Norder. "So they did manage to escape!"

"See, I told ye'." Huffey smiled. "Bhalthran probably drinks so much that he can't manage his own prisons. No wonder he's called 'His Highness'."

"This is a miracle..." Said Magon.

Wynd descended to the campsite, carrying Erion in her talons and Tikana on her back. As usual, Tikana's face showed sickness. She dropped Erion onto the ground, before landing right next to him. Tikana, filled with tire, climbed down quickly, falling to the ground.