Chapter Twenty: Drakosia

Until this point, Ash had felt like the creature before them, Sally of the Water, had been within what he considered normal limits. In other words, he didn’t feel like it required magic to win.

That feeling changed the moment Sally moved to attack. She was a blur of white and silver, and he knew he wasn’t fast enough to defend.

Nick Al’Smith could.

His dwarven friend moved to intercept the monster, his shield swirling, detonating with white power, and repelling it. She hissed, slashing with her claws with tremendous force, but once again, the scripts on Nick’s shield lit up, and the wraith’s attacks could not find purchase.

Rosalia made use of Nick’s tanking, her sword striking forth like a viper’s poisonous bite. Ash knew she was using elar, because she was moving far faster than he could. He could barely see her.

More of the wraith’s substance was slashed away, like cutting through cloth. Will was still out, and Ash wanted to help, but they were all moving at speeds he simply couldn’t match.

He gritted his teeth, and his hand squeezed the handle of the sword. Sally’s claws were moving so fast in an attempt to take out Nick, all Ash saw were bursts of silver and white. Nick’s shield held up well, but the wraith was moving too far, and her form flickered every time Rosalia tried to attack her.

His friend cried out as claws slipped past his shield, slashing into his forearm, throwing him back as blood splashed to the ground below.

Nick dropped his hammer, stumbling away as he pressed his teeth together, holding his arm.

Ash was about to rush forward with a healing potion, when Sally whirled around, her claws cutting across Rosalia. The half-elven girl jerked backward, but the wraiths claws still tore through her chest, splicing open skin, blood splattering into the open air like crimson rain falling from clouds.

Rosalia screamed in pain, eyes closing shut, face contorting as she fell to the ground.

Time seemed to slow down as Sally loomed over Rosalia. She was going for the kill. In another moment, Rosalia would be dead. There was very little Ash could do about it.

They were moving too fast.

Ash had to try. He couldn’t just let her die without him making any kind of effort to save her.

Ash was already lifting his sword, cocking his arm back, he threw it as hard as he could. Even with his quick actions, Sally was able to land another blow on Rosalia, her sharp claws tearing into her flesh as the night maiden howled in rage and pain as the sword pierced her back.

It was awkward, and the blade fell to the sand below.

But it was enough.

Sally of the Water howled, her form rippled, and then she exploded in a thunderous detonation of ethereal shards.

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Ash was over at Rosalia’s side in an instant. Her breaths were coming in short bursts, sanguine liquid spurting from her wounds at every breath. He poured the health potion down her throat. Rosalia swallowed; Ash let out a sigh of relief as her wounds began to heal, reversing themselves until nothing but healthy skin remained.

Nick fell to his knees beside Ash. His arm was slowly dripping blood onto the sand.

“Light! Oh Light, she’s okay!”

Ash nodded,

“Another couple of seconds, and she wouldn’t have been. I’m sorry, Nick, I don’t have another potion for your arm…”

Nick shook his head,

“Forget about it. I’ve had worse cuts on the farm. Light, I’m just happy she’s healed.”

“You have defeated the night maiden,” Amalia’s matter of fact voice stated from behind them.

“Hey, what did I miss?” Will said shakily.

The archer was sitting up, hand on his head, one eye closed and the other squinting.

“There were several things you could have done better, but I suppose you preformed adequately.”

Ash was about to deliver a sharp retort, when Rosalia’s eyes opened.

Her skin was pale, but she leaned up, groaning a bit.

“Master Lorcan, go and collect our fee. I shall take everyone else back to the inn. We have more to discuss.”

Ash took a breath, standing. Of course she wouldn’t tell them to relax, or compliment then, or do anything to encourage them. He was finding it hard to be mad at her. Not because what she was doing wasn’t scorn worthy, but rather because he was growing used to her attitude.

“Are you all right, Rosalia?”

Rosalia nodded, standing up. She stumbled, but Nick caught her.

“I got you, slow and steady, now.”

Rosalia smiled at him. Ash made sure she was walking, and then turned to go do as Amalia bid.

_______________

Eight silver pieces richer, Ash didn’t feel like it had been worth it. Yes, he had earned the money, which came with a certain satisfaction, but two of his friends had nearly lost their lives.

He was starting to think he should charge more if he did this again. On the other hand, there was an even deeper contentment knowing that no one else would die as a result of their actions.

He rubbed his face, then grabbed a fistful of his hair, pulling tightly as ice flooded his veins.

He was weak. With no elar, he would always be behind, always weak. Even if he vowed to get stronger, it wouldn’t matter. His determination, his feelings, they meant nothing in the face of reality. He could never match anything that had magic.

Maybe potions could help him, but that was something external, outside of himself.

He didn’t view that as true strength.

Despite that, he would go that route if he needed to. Or he could find everything out about dragons that he could.

Inside his room, he found everyone safe, and resting. Except for Amalia who stood by the table. She turned as Ash entered, nodding.

“You’ve returned. Good. We have next steps to discuss.”

The violet eyed woman stepped forward, addressing them all,

“Tomorrow we will be parting ways. Masters Al’Smith, Al’Seen, and Miss Va’Sear will be going onward to Wyrmhaven academy. I have already purchased you passage on a carriage headed that way. Master Lorcan will be coming with me”

Ash looked up,

“Why? What?”

Amalia held up a hand, her eyes closing briefly, she opened them up.

“I know you have many questions. Suffice it to say that this is necessary. You handled the night maiden, so I am confident in your abilities to handle anything from here to Wyrmhaven. You could argue, but you will end up giving in, because as it has been since the start of our journey, I hold all of the cards.”

Nick, Rosalia, and Will shared a look.

Will shrugged,

“As long as I get my beauty sleep, I can’t complain. As she said, we don’t have a choice.”

Nick grunted,

“We were headed there anyway. But we still have two months before the entrance exam. It will take us two weeks to get there. What do we do?”

“I suggest you keep up with your training, otherwise your time is your own. I will give you the silver earned from the hunt, and a little more besides. You should have everything you need before we return. Now then, I bid you good night. We leave in the morning, Master Lorcan. I suggest you be ready.”

“Wait! Where are we going?” Ash called out.

Amalia turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.

“Drakosia,” was her answer.