A few years had passed, and Gawain had grown into his teenage years. By this time Sir Bertilak and Lady Delyth had since gotten married and moved away. However Gawain's life, despite going fast around him, was still plagued by bouts of boredom that made him work harder to graduate.

In the spring of his twelfth year, his mother had given birth to triplets. Two identical twins and a single boy, the latter smaller and more weaker than his elder brothers. He grew up attached to Gawain, refusing to join in his older brother's child like acts and instead watched Gawain like a hawk. One such night was when Gawain was training in the yard of the Academy, the youngest brother sat upon a crate and watched entranced.

'Brother?' asked Agravaine, amazed by how Gawain moved with such fluidity and speed. 'Why do you train?'

Stopping mid-swing, Gawain lowered his greatsword and looked at Agravaine. Sweat pouring from his temples and down his neck, he wiped it with his forearm and walked over to his younger brother. Placing his sword next to the crate, he picked up Agravaine with both hands and held the three year old high.

'I train to get stronger,' answered Gawain, smiling at Agravaine, 'I train to get strong enough to travel beyond the safety of New Camelot. There is so much out there to explore, and I want to see all of it.'

'What is the point?' asked Agravaine, unfazed by Gawain spinning him around. 'Why? Is it not enough to see here?'

'Once, when you get to my age Agravaine, you will see what I mean,' replied Gawain, putting his brother down. 'I think that is enough training for now. Why do we not go home?'

'Alright!' Placing his sword in its sheath, Gawain slung it around his shoulder and grabbed Agravaine's hand. The two made their way out of castle ground and towards their home, a place that Gawain hated for one reason. His father.

The two walked into the Orkney household, a two story house a bit off from the city center. Knocking on the door before entering, he was met by the smiling face of Alis.

'Welcome back Master Gawain,' she smiled, curtsying. No longer the once sickly girl, she had grown into a beautiful woman. Her brown hair now tied into a bun, her maid uniform's sleeve brushing past him as she picked up Agravaine. 'Come now Master Agravaine, let me clean you up before dinner.'

'Thank you Alis,' said Gawain, smiling awkwardly as he walked past her.

'Do not mention it,' she replied, refusing to meet his face. She then took the drowsy Agravaine and carried him towards the bathroom.

Walking up the stairs, Gawain got to the first landing before something slammed into his face. Coughing out flour, he heard the combined giggles of his other two brothers; Gareth and Gaheris. The twins had waited for him to reach the landing before tossing a empty flour bag onto his head from the second floor. They had stolen the bag from the kitchen, waiting for Alis to leave.

'Gareth! Gaheris!' yelled Gawain, picking up the bag in hand. Looking up at their laughing faces, he saw himself in them and sighed. Walking up towards them, they just grinned stupidly at him and he grabbed the two of them and hefted them into his arms. 'I cannot yell at you, because I did some stupid things when I was your age as well.'

'Stupid!' cried Gaheris, smacking Gawain on the cheek.

'Stupid!' laughed Gareth, smacking Gawain's other cheek.

'Why you,' said Gawain as he rubbed his cheeks on theirs, laughing all the while.

'Gawain dear,' called his mother, a middle aged noblewoman with whitening hair but a kind smile, 'are you alright. These two scoundrels got away from me.'

'I am fine mother,' replied Gawain, kissing his mother on the cheek, leaving a white mark. 'I will take these two brats to dinner. Is father here?'

'Yes, he is at the table already reading some reports.' She stopped and frowned at Gawain, 'do you still plan on leaving after tomorrow?'

'I have told you mother,' said Gawain, his cheeks being pulled by the twins, 'this is what I trained for all my life. After tomorrow's graduation ceremony, I will leave to the Isles of Horai to begin my journal. I have already made the plans with a caravan.'

'I did say I would support you,' she said, taking Gaheris from Gawain, 'but do be careful. Make sure to visit whenever you can.'

'I promise mother,' swore Gawain, 'someone has to come back and knock these two down a peg.'

'Your father still will not accept it,' sighed his mother, 'but that is no matter. He has three other sons, and you have always been the best.'

'I would think Agravaine would be the most likely to hold to father's views, these two are too much like me,' chuckled Gawain, attempting to bite Gareth's finger.

'I will let him choose like you, no child should be on a fixed path.'

'Knowing him, he will accomplish great things. I know it.'

◊◊◊◊

The horns blared across the city at noon, announcing the beginning of the Knighting Ceremony. Streaming into the ballroom of the castle, were men and women all dressed in fancy clothes, bright and colorful. The older Knights wore their armor, all polished and gleaming while their spouses and companions dressed in silk.

The massive hall was lit by the glowing chandeliers from above, with the noonday sun streaming in from the massive glass windows. The nature of the ceremony was joyous, with the soon-to-be knights talking to various lords and members of the upper class of society.

'Did you hear about the Mad Shaman? I heard they saw him outside Sakurai before he ran.'

'Goodness. Did they catch him? He has been all over the place recently? With his preaching's about the wrath of nature and the anger of animals.'

'Is that not Gawain Orkney? I heard he was valedictorian.'

'You should come to my lands, I have heard great things about you.'

Gently refusing the Lord, Gawain breathed a sigh of relief as he made his way to the refreshment table. Picking up a tart, he popped it into his mouth as he viewed the stuffy ceremonial gathering. This was not for him, this was far too boring.

'Avoiding the nobles are we.' Turning his head, Morris walked over to Gawain with his hands behind his head. 'A bit too dull for you Gawain?'

'Who wants to hear about their trade deals? I am no merchant,' he joked, patting his friend on the shoulder. 'Ready to become true knights?'

'Not really, no. You have to get knighted in front of this lot...that is a lot of pressure.'

'Corwyn seems to have taken to their pleasantries like a fish to water,' nodding in the direction of their friend who was talking to a group of nobles, clearly enjoying himself. 'Ever since he got betrothed to that noble's daughter, he has been putting the effort in. So much for being one of us bachelors...the traitor.'

'You mean you, I already am moving forward,' chuckled Gawain, nudging Morris. 'Did you talk to the Aagario like I asked.'

'Yeah, hope it does not bite your hand off. Otherwise all this planning is for nothing,' sighed Morris, 'I do hope you are making the right call. You think she would join you?'

'Probably, I am hopeful.' Reaching into waist pouch he pulled out two silver rings, with a single wing engraved on each. Looking at it once, he shoved it back into his pouch and just smiled.

'Well you too would make a great couple.' Bucking up, Morris patted Gawain on the back, 'hey, name one of your kids after me.'

'Maybe do something great, then I will consider it.'

'Ouch that is harsh,' feigned Morris, before standing up straight and at attention.

'Good afternoon your highness.'

'Afternoon Morris.'

The squeaky voice of the crown prince drew Gawain's attention. The young boy who was barely a decade old, was dressed in the most luxurious of clothes. His collar pressed, he wore a bright blue waistcoat over a white shirt with brown pants and leather boots. Godwin Pendragon could only be described as a princeling.

'Hey runt,' chirped Gawain, grabbing the boy's head and ruffling it.

'What are you doing,' hissed Morris, nervously casting glances at the people around him. 'Are you trying to get me blacklisted? It does not matter to you because you are going to go gallivanting anyway. Do not ruin this for me.'

'Heh.'

'Do not heh me!' whispered Morris, grabbing Gawain by the collar and shaking him furiously.

'Oh my.'

'What is that knight doing?'

'In front of the prince as well.'

'...' Morris stopped midway and turned red. Letting go of Gawain, he turned his back to the crowd and began looking at the refreshments.

'So what do you want runt?' Gawain asked. 'Nervous because you will not have me to defend you anymore?'

'No,' replied Godwin, looking somewhere else. 'I am just going to miss you when you leave. I thought this would be the best chance for me to thank you for everything.'

'Is that what this is,' laughed Gawain, 'well Godwin, I will miss you too. I still remember when you could not handle the sword, you went and hit yourself on the head!'

'Please do not remind me,' replied Godwin, rubbing the back of his head.

'It took me months to show you how to swing properly. I mean how do you manage to hit the target and then yourself?' said Gawain a bit louder, garnering the attention of a few.

'Enough please,' pleaded Godwin, aware of the stares he was getting. 'people talk Gawain.'

'You tell him your highness,' mumbled Morris, his mouth half-full.

'I care not for their poisonous talk, it is too boring,' waved off Gawain, picking up a glass and sipping the water. 'When will the ceremony start? I have things to do.'

'Yes, you do,' laughed Morris, grinning suspiciously at Gawain.

'Really Morris,' chuckled Gawain, face-palming himself.

Godwin just looked at them confused, 'what do you have to do?'

Paling, Morris turned once more to the refreshments.

'Ignore what he says Godwin,' grinned Gawain, placing his arm on the prince's shoulder and walking him away from the table. 'Let us go talk elsewhere.'

'As you wish,' muttered Godwin, still confused.

The ceremony party continued for another hour, much to Gawain's annoyance, before the trumpets sounded for the coming of the Queen.

'Her Majesty, the High Queen of Avalon, the Southern Wind, the Mistress of Peace, Queen Reannon Pendragon has arrived!' The Herald proclaimed this at the top of his voice, the massive doors of the ballroom opening. The polished spruce doors opened with a flourish, the sound of the trumpets gaining a few decibels.

Queen Reannon walked in, a tall woman with golden hair tied in a elaborate bun and grey eyes. Wearing ceremonial golden armor, with silver engravings and a blue cloak that hung just above ankle length. At her side hung the Sword of Kings, Excalibur in all its glory. Her armor clinked as she walked through the crowd, parting them like a eagle through air, as she headed for the front of the ballroom. Her eyes scanned each and every one present, noting who was here...and who was not.

Behind her, dressed in a peacock blue jacket with gold embroidery was the King Hadryn. He wore a pair of silver spectacles and had his hair tied in a ponytail. At his side hung a rapier, however the most startling thing about him was the black crow sitting on his shoulder. While he did not command the respect the Queen did, there were those that feared him for he had not become King with no power to his name. As he walked, there were those that muttered under their breaths. 'Spellsword...'

Ignoring their whispers, he looked around and spotted his son. Like a hawk, he swooped in and stopped before the two. 'Gawain Orkney,' nodded Hadryn, 'I see you are still brash as ever.'

'You majesty,' replied Godwin, throwing his hands behind his head, 'another lecture for me?'

'Not today,' grinned Hadryn, looking at how uncomfortable Godwin was. 'Come now Godwin, we must take our place beside your mother.'

'Of course father,' replied Godwin, unnerved by how cocky Godwin was. 'I will see you Gawain.'

'See you runt,' said Gawain, looking for his two friends. The ceremony would start soon.

'Gawain!' Turning, his heart stopped for a few seconds. Walking towards him in a light green dress, with a silver necklace with a jade in the center was Alis. She walked with such grace and poise, that a few Nobles stopped mid sentence and stared.

Oi you bastards, look somewhere else!

Stopping before him, Alis curtsied and twirled. 'How do I look?'

'Beaut...'

'Gawain!' jumped in Morris, placing his hands on Gawain's shoulders, 'we have to get...oh hello Alis...you look amazing!'

'Thank you,' she replied, her energy dying a bit.

'How did you come in? Only knights and their families were allowed?' he asked, using one eye to gauge Gawain.

'That would be my doing.'

Walking in with a newly grown beard with a sword and shield strapped to his back was Bertilak. He had grown a bit taller and bulkier, but he still had that stupid smile plastered across his face.

He wore a silver breastplate, with a single green spaulder on his left shoulder. His left arm was covered in a leather bracer with a Fleur-de-lis stitched onto it. His right arm was covered by a metal bracer, but ended in a leather fingerless glove. Beneath his breastplate, he was wearing a silver and gold tabard that had a design that Gawain could not recognize. 'She is my family.'

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'Bertilak!' exclaimed both Morris and Gawain, the latter going in for a hug.

'You have grown up, haven't you scamp,' laughed Bertilak, ruffling Gawain's head. 'You have not gotten into trouble since I left?'

'Oh has he got into trouble,' sighed Corwyn, leaving his newly made Noble friends. 'Did you hear of the time he hijacked one of the ballista and used it to fire at a herd of passing Yesbryd...they nearly stampeded through town.'

'I had it under control!' argued Gawain, before feeling Bertilak's hand slap the back of his head,

'Oi!'

'Seem there is no correcting you,' sighed Bertilak. As he smiled, he looked tired...so tired.

At that moment, Alis broke her noble facade and began laughing. Wiping a tear with her gloved hand, 'look at us, we are all grown up and still it feels like back when we were children.'

'So it is,' admitted Gawain, his gaze once again drawn to her.

'KNIGHTS GATHER ROUND!' The Herald's voice echoed through the ballroom, gathering the fragments of attention from all present and presenting it to the Queen.

'Brave graduates of the Knight's Academy, gather round!' she proclaimed, her mature voice carrying across the large hall. Her voice much more soothing, making the Herald sound like a braying donkey.

'I will talk to you later Alis,' promised Gawain, as he waved at her before walking towards the Queen alongside his crew.

'How you going to do it?' asked Corwyn as they joined the rest of their graduates, standing side-by-side before the Queen, who was sitting upon a golden throne.

'The best way possible,' grinned Morris, before getting nudged by Gawain.

'Quiet, she is speaking,' he hissed.

'Graduates!' began Queen Reannon, 'you have all grown so much from the first day you entered these hallowed halls. You have grown in knowledge, you have grown in strength and you have grown so that you will offer your souls to this nation!'

Ripping Excalibur from her waist, sheath and all, she slammed it onto the marble wooden floor of the hall and boomed, 'HONOR! DUTY! VALOR! THESE ARE THE PILLARS OF A KNIGHT! THESE ARE THE PILLARS ENGRAVED INTO YOUR HEARTS SINCE DAY ONE! NOW ANNOUNCE IT TO THE WORLD!'

'HONOR! DUTY! VALOR!' cried the graduates in one voice, all of them slamming their closed right fists over their chests.

'Now,' said Queen Reannon, sitting down, 'we have something out of the ordinary this year. Our former headmaster, Sir Hadrian Logres recently stepped down due to his health and is unavailable for the proceedings. Instead, the new Headmaster shall announce himself to the Nobles gathered and to you all. He left these very halls years ago, I myself knighted him and he has gained a reputation for himself.'

'Is it him?'

'Did he not take down that poaching ring up in Odinsvollur?'

'He was the one who killed a Wyrm?'

'That knight?'

Gawain's sharp ears picked up this chatter from the nearby Nobles and frowned. Who are they talking about?

'He who is known as the Green Giant, Sir Bertilak Hautdesert!'

Walking through the crowd, Bertilak's smile had disappeared and replaced with the firm face of a man who had stared at death and laughed. He could hear some of the nobility gasp at how he was dressed, for his armor while polished was still scratched and dented from his many battles. Walking past the gathered knights-to-be, he cast a glance at Gawain but did not smile in the slightest.

Instead to Gawain it was like he caught a glimpse to the real Bertilak, a tired man who wanted peace...the same look he had all those years ago at the Pool of Tears. It was then that Gawain's mind was filled with something besides the thought of tonight.

Killed a Wyrm! Those beasts that even the dragons feared? What has happened to Bertilak in these past years? This was not the man who had dreamed of peaceful life, a life of being a husband and a father...instead it was the life of a hardened adventure and knight. That does not seem right.

'Graduates, I stand before you as a knight with more than a decade to my name. Some of you may remember me from your younger years, some of you may not. I have only a few words to speak to you about. I have one phrase to tell you and as of now make sure to hold these words in your hearts.'

It felt like all the heat in the world was sucked away leaving nothing but the frigidness of his words. The words he spoke next were ones Gawain would never forget, words that would haunt him for the rest of his days.

'GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS AND DIE!'

The pin drop silence that followed was so oppressive, everyone was so caught in the vortex of those words, that no one saw Bertilak walk away and leave the hall like a wraith. Everyone except Gawain, whose eyes were wide whilst a constant chill ran up and down his spine.

Holding his heart in his hand, he looked to Bertilak who seemed to be consumed in anger and grief. After that, his gaze caught that of Alis, who unlike everyone else was looking down at the ground.

'Master!' yelled Gawain, breaking out from the trance and screaming at the closed door. 'What do you mean!' There was no reply but the nervous shuffling of the graduates, and the sound of gasps as some of the nobility passed out.

'Can we get some water!'

'What the bloody hell was that!'

The crowd burst into chaos amidst that fallout of Bertilak's strange command. The graduates started talking amongst themselves, while Gawain, Morris and Corwyn just looked at each other in confusion.

'What was that?' asked Morris, his face regaining some color.

'Is that the same Bertilak we knew?' said Corwyn, patting his sweating face with a handkerchief.

'No...something has changed,' said Gawain, looking instead at Alis who was still looking down at the ground and refusing to meet his eyes.

'SILENCE!' Queen Reannon stood firm, her hands on Excalibur. She looked out at everyone with a stern face while on the inside she prayed her legs were not shaking. She had not expected Sir Bertilak to say such a thing...and with such power.

'The ceremony will continue!' said King Hadryn, kneeling by a pale and sweating Prince Godwin. 'Will the valedictorian of the graduating batch, Godwin Orkney please step forward to receive his knighthood!'

Gawain was lost in thought, still staring at the closed doors which stood between him and his master.

'Gawain Orkney, step forward!'

Shaking his head, Gawain turned around and clearing his throat, made his way towards the Queen. Kneeling before her majesty, he looked down at the ground and while he could hear her knight him, his thoughts were elsewhere.

Drawing Excalibur from its sheath, Queen Reannon touched him lightly on the left shoulder, then the right and finally on his head before lifting her hand up and proclaiming, 'I dub thee Sir Gawain Orkney, Knight Of Avalon. I expect great things from you.'

'Are we done here?' he said, standing up. Looking once at Godwin, he rushed off the stage much to the surprise of everyone present. Dashing off towards the doors, he grabbed the handles and threw them open before running down the brightly lit halls.

'Well I never!' exclaimed Reannon, before being nodded at by her husband.

'Let the boy leave...he knows where he should be,' turning to the rest of the graduates, 'Step forward when your name is called!'

◊◊◊◊

Gawainfound Bertilak staring at the calm waters of the Pool Of Tears. The knight hada frown on his face but a small parcel in his hands, as if he had left itoutside of the ballroom before entering. It was wrapped in quilted cloth andhad a distinct shape.

'I expectedyou would follow me.'

'Master. What was that?' askedGawain, slowly stepping out of the shadows. 'What was that declaration...whathas happened to you.'

Smilingsadly, Bertilak just nodded, 'too many things Gawain...too many things. But nowit is fine...everything will be fine now.'

'Whatabout your dream of you and Delyth? Is that dream dead?' exclaimed Gawain,walking closer.

'Itis alive...' swore Bertilak, 'despite her trying to kill it!' His free fist wascurled as he swore at the water with rage.

'Her?'asked Gawain, looking at the water.

Lowering hisfist, Bertilak sighed, 'it matters not. Gawain, it matters not. Me and Delythare to marry upon the winter solstice, and I will serve as Headmaster for a fewyears until a suitable replacement can be found.'

'Then...why?' asked Gawain, 'why make that statement?Why say those words? "Give up on your dreams and die!" why say that!'

'Becausewhat use are dreams, in a land festering with those who would crush youunderfoot with their might and power.'

'What?'

'Sorry,that was a strange thing to ask,' apologized Bertilak. Taking a moment, heseemed to remember he was holding something in his hands. 'Oh, I almost forgot.This was for you...a graduation present.'

Taking the egg shaped parcel, Gawainwatched at the quilted cloth fell away...leaving the jaggy, obsidian coloredegg for him to see. It was quite heavy, for he had to hold it with both hands.As he hefted it, he felt its warmth through the cloth and was drawn to thegentle heartbeat of the baby inside.

'What is this?' he asked, enamoredby the gift.

'Adrake egg.'

'No!'exclaimed Gawain, his face lifting as he beheld the gift with renewed energy. 'Where...how...how did you know I wanted a drake?'

'I remember that conversation you, Alis,Corwyn and Morris had all those years ago,' replied Bertilak, smiling. Then itvanished and the grim face once again came back, 'I will always remember thatday.'

'Thankyou Master!' giggled Gawain, like a kid receiving a present on his birthday hehugged the egg.

'Found itamongst the poacher I fought up in Odinsvollur. It was an odd one, for they hadno idea where it had come from.'

'Iwill raise it perfectly,' said Gawain, gazing at the ridges and edges of theegg.

'Iknow you will.' When he said this, Bertilak was not looking at him but onceagain at the water.

'Now, Gawain. I ask you to leave me to my thoughts for awhile...and I assume you have big plans for this evening?'

'How did you know?' askedGawain, looking at the sad face of his Master.

'Onecan always guess my friend, one can always guess,' sighed Bertilak, sittingdown by the pool and staring at it.

As if his previous accusation had ben forgotten, Gawain walked away from Bertilak carrying his precious egg. All thoughts of his Master's declaration buried beneath his anticipation for tonight and the thought of raising his own drake.

◊◊◊◊

As the sun set on the horizon, Gawain stood outside the gates of the castle. His back to the wall, he was slightly panting as he waited for Alis in front of one of the pair of banners that showed the Pendragon crest.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he prayed his twin brothers did not find the egg he had hidden in his room.

'Knowing those two, they would find it in mere hours,' he breathed, taking a deep one before exhaling sharply. Casting a glance back to the castle, he wondered if his father had made it to the ceremony in time to see him. Sir Lot Orkney was always busy, and he had insisted he had no time to see his lazy son graduate.

'Bah, forget it.' Reaching into his pouch, he fumbled around until he found the case containing the rings and he breathed a sigh of relief. A shrill whistle caught his attention, and he quickly looked for the source. There standing in the shadow of a house was Morris, who was flashing hand signs like his life depended on it.

'Aagario...eastern gate...graduation over...Corwyn taking her...get...going.'

'Why...are...you...signing?' asked Gawain, signing back before his eyes widened as a pair of hands grabbed Morris by the shoulder and pulled him away. 'Morris!'

Leaping forward, Gawain opened his mind to the Yennibwyd. The energy of life that surrounded everything and covered all of Avalon. He grabbed it and channeled it into his armor, circuits coming alive across the metal and glowing white. He felt his armor become lighter, his muscles become stronger as he dashed towards where his friend had vanished.

Drawing his sword, he slid around the corner, determined to save his friend.. 'Morris!' yelled Gawain as he took the corner, only to come to a screeching halt. His feet clattered as he tried to slow his momentum, shoulder slamming into the side of a house. 'What the hell Morris!'

Morris was currently in the embrace of another graduate, the two of them shaken at the sight of Gawain. The female graduate turned beet red, grabbing Morris by the hand and dashing off. 'Sorry Gawain! You got things to do as well!' laughed his friend as the two disappeared from sight.

'Actual bastard,' swore Gawain, rubbing his sore shoulder. Turning back, he activated his circuits once more and dashed through the sparsely populated backstreets of New Camelot, determined to beat Corwyin to the eastern gate. Like a white blur, Gawain ran with one mission and that was to get everything ready before Corwyn bungled it all up.

The Aagario was waiting calmly at the eastern gate, puffing on a pipe with his smoke rings dissipating in the cool night air. His face covered by a white and red hood with designs of his people, his hands gnarled and worn from his years as a travelling druid. His staff lay lazily beside him as he kept one eye on the creature requested of him.

Stomping the ground indignantly, with the frame of a massive horse and a mane of turquoise fire was a Yesbryd. The creatures amethyst eyes stared at its master with annoyance, shaking itself and jingling the saddle strapped to its back.

'Hey Tapco, calm down,' commanded the Aagario, tossing the creature a giant potato from his satchel. 'I want you on your best behavior.'

'Neigh,' spat Tapco, turning around and whipping the Aagario with its tail.

'Why you.' Lifting himself, the Aagario grabbed his staff and looked at the horse in the eye, 'why must you be so difficult?'

'Are you the druid?' Stopping mid-cast, the Aagario turned to Gawain and scowled.

'You the kid?'

'Yes, my friend told me I could meet you here.' Reaching into his satchel once more, Gawain felt for the coin pouch he had prepared and took it out. Tossing it to the man he watched as the Aagario hefted it with his hand, assessing the weight.

'Ten gold coins like we agreed,' said Gawain, walking over the Yesbryd and smiling at it. 'This is such a magnificent beast.'

'Careful,' warned the Druid, putting the pouch in his own satchel, 'Yesbryd can be very fickle creatures.'

'You are a powerful one, yes you are,' praised Gawain, stroking the creatures neck and face. Its eyes were magnificent, they held so much strength and power, like the power of wind crystalized.

Tapco whinnied, and knelt down. He liked this human.

'Well you do not see that every day,' chuckled the Aagario, sitting back down and taking another puff of his pipe. 'Seems like you are blessed by nature boy.'

'I just like animals,' replied Gawain, getting onto Tapco and grinning madly as the creature stood back up and began to trot around the Druid.

'Heh, that is what they all say. Sad same could not be said for my brother...'

'Why are we at the gate Corwyn?'

Both Tapco and Gawain simultaneously looked to the entrance and saw Alis and Corwyn walking out of it.

'You will see,' promised Corwyn, his gaze flitting around, looking for Gawain. Do not mess this up Gawain!

'Shall we make an entrance boy?' asked Gawain to Tapco.

Without asking for an answer, Tapco bolted off and dashed for the pair coming from the gate.

'Attaboy!' praised Gawain, leaning in as the creature began to run in circles around the pair with blinding speed. Remembering something he had read a while ago, he grinned as he asked, 'hey boy, show them the fire works.'

Neighing in agreement, Tapco began humming with magical energy. His mane erupted with bright flames, flashing all the colors of the rainbow as he ran around the awestruck Alis and Corwyn.

Trapped with the multi-colored vortex the two could say nothing as they watched the colors swim around them. Red, blue, orange, green, purple. The flames danced around them and Alis stood there with her mouth open as she spun in place looking all around her at the beauty.

Stopping before them, Tapco reared on his hind legs and neighed with excited energy. Landing back on the ground, he turned so that his side was to Alis.

Atop Tapco, Gawain held out his hand for Alis and grinned, 'can I offer you a ride milady?'

Still dumbstruck, Alis automatically grabbed his arm and was hoisted onto the back of the horse. Holding onto Gawain's waist, she still could not process what was happening.

'See you around Corwyn,' said Gawain, saluting his friend who did nothing but slowly wave a response. 'Hold on tight Alis!'

'Be careful young knight!' warned the Druid as he watched them dash off the east, careening across the plains like a travelling fireball. 'Chubby one, close your mouth!'

◊◊◊◊

'Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!' screamed Alis as she held onto Gawain, Tapco really pushing himself to travel as fast as he could. The two bolted across Avalon, the land disappearing as they travelled three times as fast a normal horse. Tapco enjoying the night air as he ran.

'Gawain!' asked Alis, shouting over the wind, 'why did you do this?'

Instead of answering, Gawain cast his gaze skyward and pointed. A shower of rain fell upon them, drenching them as the Tapco ran beneath the shadow of a Thunderbird. The massive bird flapped once in the sky, its gigantic body blocking out the stars. As it passed, Alis question was lost as the two just stared at the sky overhead and looked at the night sky.

Far away from the city lights, the gleam of the stars above peppering the black blanket that was the sky. They flickered and twinkled high above, their light cast upon the vast land that was Avalon.

'Boy,' said Gawain, bending close to the horse's ear, 'slow down and head to the north to the Flavus Fields.'

Whinnying in response, Tapco slowed his charge and headed north. Soon his feet trampled through the sunflower strewn, yellow carpet that was the Flavus Fields. As the horse ran through them, he unleashed waves of fireflies that jetted out from within the stalks of the flowers and into the sky, spiraling around him and his riders.

'Oh my god,' breathed Alis as she let one hand go of Gawain and reached for the flickering gems of nature.

'This is beautiful....' Looking at Tapco, she patted his side and told him, 'you are beautiful.'

Snorting in approval, Tapco began to turn and began to dash south-east. He knew where these two would love to be. Breathing in the energy of life, he felt the magic course through him as he charged towards the harbor city of Lirsgate.

◊◊◊◊

'That was fun,' laughed Alis, stretching her hands up to the sky as she slept upon a grassy knoll. Looking down she could make out the busy lights of the city of Lirsgate, the harbor city that never slept. She saw the Everbright lanterns hanging from the sides of the giant ships that were docked. She could see workers load cargo onto these ships, the sound of sails flapping were carried by the wind to her ears.

'I am glad you enjoyed,' said Gawain, his hand fiddling in his pouch making sure he did not loose the case with the rings. He watched as Tapco slept nearby, the Yesbryd grinning as he sensed what was to come.

Go on fool. It seemed to be saying.

I know, I know!

Turning to Alis, he gathered up his courage before he asked, 'Alis, about that question you asked earlier.'

'Yes?' she replied, sitting up.

'Well, I did all this because I wa...'

'RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!'

Like the string of a drawn bow, Gawain immediately jumped to his feet and searched for the source of the sound. Drawing his sword, his armor sparked to life as he scanned once again for the source.

'What was that?' trembled Alis, holding onto Gawain's arm.

'I...I do not know,' answered Gawain, looking to the forest to his left. He watched as a giant mass of birds left the foliage and took to the sky, their hundreds of wings beating followed by the sound of tree's crashing. Then as soon as it had happened it ended and the night was silent once more.

'Must have been the sound of an old tree falling,' lied Gawain, holding onto Alis.

'Yes...that must have been it,' she agreed, before letting go. Patting her skirts, she looked at Gawain, 'where were we?'

'I was about to tell you why I did all this.'

'Oh...yes,' she said nervously.

'Alis,' started Gawain, taking a deep breath. Getting to his knees, he held out the ring box and opened it. 'Alis I did all this because I love you. I wanted to this before I left, I wanted to tell you how I felt. I wanted to tell you how I had felt all these years.'

'Gawain!' gasped Alis. She had known something was about to happen...but not this! This was a massive surprise! 'I have always wanted to travel, to document all the mystical creatures that exist in our land. Alis Brys, will you come with me on my journey. Will you marry me?'

To Gawain it was as if time stopped for him.

1 second passed.

2 seconds passed.

Should I just say it was a joke? Should I just laugh it off?

His eyes flitted to Tapco, who was undisturbed by the previous noise. The Yesbryd just shook its head no and winked.

Damn horse...

Taking a breath, Alis gave her answer.