Packing up our camp, and loading our horses with our supplies was a silent chore. The blood stone sword was rolled in a fur strapped onto the side of my horse. I was thinking about what my life would be like now, being able to channel power straight from Aadi's heart, rather than my own source. I was going to have to train myself to add more magic into my fighting abilities. I have become so accustomed to depending on my natural skills of fighting, that I only use magic to add fire into my blade. A dragon's flame was something I always wanted to do, it felt good to finally deal out some real damage with magic.

"Ready?" Bellator asked.

"Yeah, let's get going." I said.

"Let's head southeast towards the valley. Let's hope we find a village, and maybe a map maker." My father suggested.

Agreeing, we kicked off into the trees, heading south east.

"We might be able to get some good trade for Sigurd's horse, I don't fancy having to take her around with us, especially if we need to leave in a hurry." My father offered.

"It's your horse." I said.

"It's settled then. She will be happier at a farm." He said

"I think we would all be happier at a farm." I laughed.

Bellator laughed, "I don't know, I feel like I'm more of a wild man then a farmer."

"Bellator, the man of the forest!" My father jokes.

We didn't see too much for the morning aside from wild life. I was starting to think that the elf's were the only other people in the forest.

I could hear running water in the distance. "I think there may be a stream around here. I can hear the water."

My father nodded, "I hear it too, let's head towards it, it should be drinkable, the sea is too far behind us to be connected."

We headed towards the sound of water when we heard another horse coming from behind us.

"Someone is coming." I said jumping off my horse. "You go that way, circle back around."

Bellator grabbed the lead to my horse and both he and my father rode into the woods. I hid waiting in the trees.

Pulling my sword out as the sound of the beating hooves got closer. I crouched down, the ride was coming fast and went by me with speed.

I stepped out behind the riders path showing myself, the rider knew I was there. They turned their horse, slowing down and coming back towards me.

The rider was wearing a dark green, hooded cloak, riding gloves, and tall leather boots. I could see dark leather leggings, these I recognized.

"Valandria?" I asked the rider.

She pulled her hood off and looked at me with her large eyes. "Yes. I expected you to be farther away." She said,

"Where are the others from your group?" She asked as she looked around.

"They will be back, I was waiting to see who was following us." I told her.

She bowed her head towards me, " I have come to accompany you to the Valley of Gweiadur. A group of Dryadalis passed by there, they brought news of your Magus. He has set up an encampment there. He plans to break open the realms. Bringing a god here?."

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm not gonna let that happen." I put my sword back in its sheath, "How did you know we were headed there? And why would an elf help us?" I asked her.

"Do you not wish for help? The 'elves' can assist you, or not." She said irritated.

"Yes, we need assistance. As much as we can get, really." I lowered my head to her, "Thank you."

My father and Bellator came out from the trees behind us, my father surprised to see Valandria.

"Oh, Valandria of the Dryadalis, what brings you to us once again?"

"Her clan has offered assistance" I answered.

She nodded once. "Correct. I will send word when we have information. For now, you and I will work together."

"Great news." My father said, "I am honored."

"I can say the same, Treydon of Theramill. The Dryadalis knew your great, great grandfather. We worked together in the settlement of Thereamill." Valandria said.

My father nodded, "Yes. That was many years ago, I know nothing now of the relationship between the two any more." He replied.

"Kai is evil, we can probably bet there is not much left between our two people there." I said.

"You are right, Kaida. We no longer have a relationship with Theramill." She told us. "For a long time the leader of all dryadalis, Hafa, and the Magus would assist each other often. Kai, however, was looking for the kind assistance we do not offer."

"What kind is that?" Bellator asked.

"The sacrificial kind. We believe that life is a gift, Sacrificing a sentient life is forbidden in dryadalis law. Kai asked us to participate in your sacrificial ritual, or no longer be welcomed in the city of the Awakened. This was no loss to us. The people of the Dryadalis have not been a part of Theramill in over 40 years." She explained to us.

"So why do the dryadalis not have contact with the rest of the awakened then?" I asked.

"Why should we? We do not need to be awakened." She answered.

I had nothing left to say.

After a short distance a large stream came into view. Good, I was hoping to stop to refresh ourselves.

I walked down the stream away from the others, I removed my leather armor and boots, placed my swords within reach, and sat at the edge of the stream. Putting my feet in the water and rubbing my legs clean, and splashing the water onto my fac and shirt. I thought about a new blade. I leaned over and grabbed it, admiring it. I held it across in front of me, I was going to try and cast a water spell but was interrupted by Valandria.

"Your friend told me much before his sacrifice. Seer's are mysterious creatures, even to us." She sat beside me, removed her boots, resting her bare feet in the water next to me.

"He has created you a wonderful blade though. May I?" She asked.

I passed my sword over to her. She took it and held it straight in front of her, looking at the edge of the blade. She passed it back to me.

"It's a good weapon. What will you call it?" She asked.

I Laughed, "The dryadalis name their weapons as well? I never understood that."

She smiled, "There is power in the right name. Many famous elven warrior's weapons have names. Even your god Ota has named his spear, Cyfiawnder. Meaning Justice."

"I will have to think of a name then. Have you named your daggers?" I asked, pointing to her hip. She had a dagger on each one, and a bow and quiver on her back.

Laughing in an even higher tone than her voice, almost like a bird's trill, she said, "Yes, Dand and Binasakari. They have been with me through many battles."

"Valandria, Sigurd told you of our quest?" I asked.

"Not so much told me, he thought about it, and I heard it. The dryadalis have their own magic." She told me, flicking some water with her toes.

"So you know that we have to stop not only Kai, but Amaia as well? We may have to fight a god." I warned her.

She nodded, "I understand the situation, little dragon." She said,

Little dragon was what Loa called me. "Why did you call me that?" I asked.

"It is what you are. The very meaning of your name, Kaida." She told me.

"The meaning of my name? I was named after my mother's grandmother." I said.

"Maybe, but that is the meaning, and you wear the name well. You are fierce." She smiled.

Okay, so I liked her. "You and I are destined to be friends." We both laughed.

When we got back to my father and Bellator we all enjoyed some fresh pickerel and trout. Valandria told us more about her people, of the few things that keep us different. Her one god, versus our many gods. They possess green magic, healing, nature based magic. They naturally have the ability to hear your thoughts, but only if you directed the thought to them.

That reminded me.

"I need to try and communicate with Aadi tonight. And maybe do some training when we settle for the night." I said.

"I will train with you as well, If you like?" Valandria offered.

"Yeah, I enjoy new opponents. Keeps me fresh." I said happily.

We didn't rest long, after we had finished dousing our fire we continued south west through the forest. We had at least two more days according to Sigurd, and Valandria did not contradict the information.

We stopped late in the evening, Bellator shooting a flame into a pile of sticks, the fire starting up with a roar. We settled in for the night, taking this opportunity to concentrate on trying to connect with Aadi, I brought the blade out with me. Valandria scavenged up some leaves, twigs, some herbs, we put them together and placed the blade over top of it all. I placed my hand on the blade, closing my eyes thinking about Aadi, his face, his cloak.

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It was amazing how fast it happened. Aadi and I were standing in an empty space. Completely void. He reached his hand out to me, and I took it. He pulled me in and embraced me.

"Sigurd was a good man, I will miss our conversations." He said to me,

I soaked in every bit of his embrace, It felt good. Warm. "Thank you, Aadi."

I stepped back and he waved his hand, changing our surroundings to a single room cabin, complete with two wooden chairs covered in furs, a warm fire. It smelled of cloves and pumpkin, and my favorite, Dream meat which was piled on a platter, on a small table near the two wooden chairs.

I smiled at Aadi, and he gave me a wink. "I got to keep my dearest friend happy."

"Friends? I never thought such a thing was possible." I laughed.

"Fate has brought us together, Kaida. For good cause. Let's use our time well." He replied.

I nodded. "I will train with magic tomorrow. Are you ready?" I asked him.

"Ready? I have been waiting a long time to stop my sister. She is a danger as long as she lives. Only a god can kill another god, Kaida." He reached over for a chunk of meat and took a bite, the juices dripping onto his hand. I reached over and took my own.

"You have to be willing to do what you have to, when the time comes. My soul will become one with yours. You will become a demigod of sorts." He explained.

I laughed. "Sorry, the entire 'you will become demigod' was a bit much for me. Up to a year ago, I was no one."

"You were never no one, Kaida. You have always had the eye of the gods. Magic is a gift from Ota, not a way to separate the weak and the strong." He said to me,

"How am I going to stop Kai? The Dryadalis has offered assistance to stand against his army, or any followers. We don't know anything yet."

"Kai needs the valley's darkness. It's soaking with evil. Not just the magic kind, but actual beings. A Draugr will not allow him access to his claimed land without payment. He plans to sacrifice many awakened for his cooperation."

"That's what my father thought. Why would Kai kill the awakened who were willing to help him bring Amaia here?" I asked

"That's how they will help him, with their deaths. Kai has no care for anyone, but Amaia. She will have promised him to be by her side. Why would Kai want anything more than that?" He answered.

"I hate him. I hate that we share blood." I admitted.

"Kaida, you will have more hard decisions to make. Decisions that will not only affect you, but many others." He finished his meat, "Good Journey, my powers are open to you, always." He smiled, and the room filled with a white mist.

I blinked a couple of times, adjusting mentally to my surroundings. My father looked proud, and impressed. "Kay, you have surely come a long way. I am happy to see you are finally matched with magic and combat skill."

"My magic hasn't changed, I am sure of that. I just have access to someone else's power. We will see what happens in the future." I said.

"Regardless, Kay, you are doing incredible work." He said to me, smiling.

"Thank you, father." I said.

Valandria smiled, "Told you the earth would help!" She said to me,

"I think anything helps me to be fair." I said.

Over the next two days, we talked about my conversation with Aadi, and tried to make a plan for our arrival near the valley. We stopped occasionally to train and to chuck a few spells around, we did spend most of our time travelling though. Luckily enough we came across a small village who were more than happy to trade us for our northern furs, and the few rabbit furs we collected over our travels. They were also helpful with information about many people across the mountains. They were gathering in a valley they don't talk about. I could only assume it was the Valley of Gweiadur from the stories they offered. This was good and bad news for us, the more people that gathered there, the closer Kai was to giving the Draugr his demand for the use of his valley.

We filled our water skins with fresh clean water, and picked up some salted meats, and left without a word of our business.

We were coming up to a stretch of mountains that neighbored the valley of Gweiadur, so we decided to rest for the night.

"Would now be a good time to try those spells again, Kaida?" Valandria asked.

She turned out to be quite the fighter. She was almost unavoidable to catch, she moved like a fox. It was great. I will try and learn from her as much as she is willing to teach me.

"If Bellator and My father are willing to set up alone?" I suggested. I would much rather train than set up a camp.

"Go, but keep watch." Bellator said, my Father agreeing with him.

We stayed near them, giving them enough space to do what they needed. I knew Valandria liked her earth magic. She had ensnared me in a tangle of roots too many times over the last few days, and I was bound not to get caught by them today.

Pulling out the blood stone sword which I have come to name 'Draco', meaning 'Dragon' in the old language.

I stood holding my blade to the side, and my shield in front of me. Valandria holding her spear in her hand crouched down, ready to pounce.

I had been working on trying different moves, I learned to channel my magical needs from the blade, and the blade was what connected me and Aadi.

I fainted swinging my sword then pushed my shield forward sending a blast of wind towards Valandria. She did not expect this and it pushed her backwards, she recovered quickly jumping high in the air, and then dashed towards me. She swung her spear up in front spinning it, then spun herself around the right side of me crashing her spear into my back.

I stumbled forward, rolling into the motion and back up to my feet. She was gone from my sight. I turned around scanning for her. I thought 'Fulgur', and stabbed the ground with my sword sending lightning into the earth, I heard her let out a grunt as the lightning found her. She jumped out from the trees where she was hiding behind and dashed towards me, she rolled forwards as she was close enough, kicking for my feet. I jumped to the side bringing my shield's edge towards her legs. She moved and got back to her feet, and I felt the roots snare up my legs, I was unable to move.

"You are formidable, Kaida." She stood tall smiling.

"I will figure out a way to get out of these without burning myself, you can bet on that, Valandria." I laughed.

I had tried to cut them before, but they grew so fast that I couldn't chop my way out. I also tried to light them on fire but that proved to be a stupid move. I had to repair my leggings the entire time listening to my father lecture me about fighting with my head, and Bellator quietly agreeing with him.

"What if you taught me how to do that? If I can access Aadi's magic then I should be able to control a little bit of nature." I asked Valandria.

"Nature is alive, it's not so much magic, it's a relationship between Dryads and Terra." She explained. "I ask the roots with my anima, and they do as I ask."

I nodded. Gripping my red bladed sword, I closed my eyes and reached out to Aadi, and to 'Terra' as Valandria said. I asked the earth to grow and to bring its roots to the surface. I was concentrating when Valandria started to giggle.

"It's not going to be that easy, but I will try to teach you." She said,

"I appreciate that." I said. " What would you do if you were in my position?"

Valandria raised her eyebrows.

"I mean, I am supposed to try and stop Kai, given all these powers. Kai is said to have followers who support him. There are four of us, until we call for your people, that is, but that is all!" I breathed out. "What if we take Kai by surprise, take him."

"Abduct the Magus of the awakened?" She asked me.

"What were you thinking, Kay?" My father asked as he was walking over to us.

"Well, I don't want to cause a war between our own people. We should try to face Kai, just him and us. If we can kill him..." I stopped looking at my father, "Then we can stop Amaia, this time."

We walked over to the fire they had started, sitting down to rest for the night.

"This time?" He asked.

"She means Amaia will find someone else." Valandria said.

"There are plenty of men and women who would say yes to a god." Bellator said.

"What if we lured him somewhere. Spread a lie throughout the camp that we found something of Amaia's? I think he would go for it."

Bellator nodded. "I think you may be right. He probably would have a heavy interest in anything that may have to do with Amaia."

"So what do we have that he would want?" My father asked.

"Do you think he knows we have Aadi's gem?" I asked Bellator.

"When we left Perifrey, he was still looking for it. Vala was actively working against him. She was always sending him around looking for it, for years." He answered.

"Then it's easy, we spread the word that we have found Aadi, and bring him to a place of our choosing." I said.

"There are still only four of us, what if he shows up with a hundred fighters?" My father asked.

"That's where we can come in." Valandria said. "The Dryadalis will come, we can hold his men while you do what you have to, Kaida."

"It's settled then. We will draw Kai out, cripple his army, and stop him." I said looking at my father. I reached for his hand, "I will only take his life, if there is no other way."

He looked at me and shook his head. "No, it's the only way, He will never stop. I know that. The gods know this." He looked me in my eyes, "You must kill Kai."

I nodded but said nothing.

I would still try to find a different way. I knew that if it was not Kai who Amaia hand in her thrall, it would be another. Defeating Kai was half the battle. How do I stop Amaia?