Avess soon learned the abandoned village was named Nighthill, a name fitting the dark circumstances there. He’d been obsessed with the odd situation he found there and since his return, spent time in his lair studying maps and ancient histories to give him any clue as to why they were gone like that. Dispatching a message to Ildor, he received word back that the Magus would indeed meet him to discuss the village, among other things.

Today was the day he was to arrive.

Not long after the midday meal, the Magus arrived with his novice Amorith, a young girl of about sixteen who was new to the Order but from what Ildor said, was quite strong with her power and quick to catch on. When the guards announced their arrival, Avess shifted to his human form, long red beard and hair and wearing a brown robe, he greeted the two.

“Ildor old friend, it’s so good to see you again!” Avess embraced him.

“And you must be Amorith. My pleasure.” Shaking her hand, the girl looked stunned as though she’d seen a spirit of some kind.

“Greetings Dragon Lord,” she said with a shaky voice.

“She’s new to the Order, but has much promise in her. I don’t think she’s ever seen a dragon up close.”

Avess smiled and nodded. “I understand it can be overwhelming. But fear not little one, you are among friends here. What happened to your other novice?”

“He didn’t make it,” Ildor said, shaking his head.

A Garnet dragon soon approached and both Avess and Ildor smiled.

“The lovely Etain, how wonderful it is to see you!”

Welcome Magus Ildor, he heard in his head.

“Does she not talk?” Amorith asked, then covering her mouth with her hand as though she spoke out of turn.

Ildor cocked his head, and then something clicked. “Oh, that’s right. You probably cannot hear their speech inside your mind. In time you will, if you have the gift.”

“My…mind?”

“Indeed. I hear them as clear as though they were speaking to me like you are now.”

Amorith seemed content with the answer.

“Etain, please remain out here and don’t let anyone enter. You know what we speak of and I must keep it between the Magus and I.”

“Yes father.”

Avess invited them both into his home.

Once inside, he gestured for them to have a seat and soon he brought them glasses of wine.

“To our friendships,” Avess said, and then they toasted.

“So Lord Avess, what is it that was so pressing? Kull Naga Ornas was not too pleased I left Tregaron to come back here, but after I explained it was an important visit about missing people, he relented, though not without more grumbling.”

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“Are we free to speak with your novice present?”

“She’s sworn to obey me, and if she does divulge this information, she will not be pleased with the consequences.”

“I’m trustworthy Lord Avess. I’m sworn to Magus Ildor and his confidential information is safe with me.”

Avess studied her carefully, but trusting in Ildor’s judgement, he decided he’d continue.

“To the east is a small village called Nighthill.”

When he said the name, Amorith made a slight sound and sat back from the table.

“The missing,” Ildor whispered.

“You know?”

Ildor sipped from his wine and then nodded. “We have heard the tales it was mysteriously abandoned.”

“But what does it mean?”

Ildor turned to Amorith. “Maybe it’s best if you aren’t here for this. Please wait outside. Maybe strike up a conversation with Etain.” He smiled at his joke, but to Avess, it seemed Amorith did not catch on.

“Yes Magus,” she grumbled, then left.

“If I had known you wanted to talk about Nighthill, I would not have let her stay.”

“Tell me Ildor. What troubles you? I’ve been fixated on this village because it doesn’t make sense. It’s so close to our home here and I want to stop whatever evil it was that made that happen.”

“Evil? Maybe so. Maybe not. The small vocal contingent amongst the Magus that have been calling for less than amenable relations between the Order and the Drakku have voiced their concerns with the Kull. They say it’s the work of the Drakku. They say dragons have taken all the people and eaten them.”

“What? That’s preposterous! We have done no such thing! I’ve been there. It’s empty as though the people were not expecting anything out of the ordinary to happen and then they never returned.”

“I don’t doubt your words Lord Avess. I know your honor to be true, but those few Magus have made the Kull question our relations.”

Avess slammed his hand on the table. “We did not do this!”

“I know, I know. I need no convincing. It is the Kull who I’ve been trying to persuade. He seems sure that the Drakku are involved in some way.”

“We are not!” Avess gulped down his wine trying to calm himself. “Let us go there.”

“Go there?”

“Yes. You and I can look together. Then what can your Kull say? We’ll bring your novice as well. That way you have more eyes on the village and a stronger case for why we are not involved.”

“Your plan has merit.”

“Then you agree? We can leave at once.”

“You are a man, or dragon, of action. Always have been my friend.”

They left the room and outside, Amorith was huddled next to a wall with Etain nearby.

“If you’re trying to speak with me, I cannot hear you!” Amorith said.

Etain’s wings flapped open as though she were growing frustrated.

“Etain! Leave the girl be. She doesn’t understand our tongue yet. Have you been out here hounding the poor girl this whole time?”

“Father! I’ve been conversing with her but she refuses to listen.”

“It’s because she can’t. Maybe in time she will, but for now she cannot. I am leaving with them to go to Nighthill. The Drakku are in your hands once again. But this time, I shall not be gone long.”

“Yes father.”

Avess turned to Amorith. “I do apologize, but she was trying to learn more about you. Have you ever ridden a dragon?”

“Have I what?”

Ildor cleared his throat, a clear warning to the girl.

“I have not my Lord.”

“Then you’re in for a treat.”

With a bright white flash, Avess shifted into his dragon form, towering over the girl and Ildor. Amorith tried backing away, a frightened look crossing her face.

“Do not fear our friend,” Ildor began. “He’s here to help us and take us to Nighthill.”

“We’re going…there? With him?”

“Novice Amorith! If you do not compose yourself and do as you are told without question, then you will be expelled from the Order. Am I clear?”

“Yes Magus,” she replied in a weak voice.

“Good. Now come with me and you’ll get to experience one of the greatest moments of your life.”

She’s a nervous one, isn’t she? How did you end up with her?

Ildor turned to Avess, a grin on his face. “Lucky I guess.”

Avess extended his wing so the two of them could climb on. “Come Amorith. It won’t hurt.” Ildor held out a hand and helped her up the dark crimson wing. They climbed up to his neck, between the wings.

Grab a spike and hold on. I’ll try and be gentle.

“Thanks, that would help a lot.”

“Help what?” Amorith asked.

“Hold on to whatever you can. We’re about to fly.”

Avess could feel them clutching to his back, and carefully he lifted off the ground.

“By Deavos! We’re gonna fall!” Amorith cried out.

“We will be fine. Just hold on.”

Avess rose higher in the air until they were above the clouds, the sunlight burning bright. They’d soon find what troubled him, and he hoped they’d discover the answers.