CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  NO REST AT THE INN

  “No. Leave me be!” yelled Cerelene. “Take your hands off me!”

  Tal, suddenly awakened, jumped from Maldrin’s stomach where she lay and ran over to the sleeping elf maiden, who was slouched in a comfortable chair near the sleeping wizard. Seeing Cerelene tossing and turning her upper body and head, Azure screeched loudly and flapped her wings repeatedly from the back of one of the four wooden chairs pushed under the lone table the companions had in their room at the Gallant Night Inn.

  Once the falcon’s screeches combined with the elf maiden’s screams, Onyx jumped to his feet. As he trotted over to Cerelene he saw Tal flung into the air as the elf maiden swung her arms, trying to fight someone or something that was not there. The mystic wolf started to bark once he made it over to Cerelene, but was swiftly kicked in the snout by the uncontrollable archer.

  “Unhand me! No! Leave her alone!” screamed Cerelene again. Then she whispered through tears, “She is all I have.”

  “Cerelene! Cerelene!” came a gentle yet stern voice.

  The elf maiden twisted in her chair and kicked and kicked as she felt firm hands grab her upper arms and shake her.

  “Wake up child. Wake up,” continued the voice.

  The voice was soothing. It was one she knew. As she concentrated on the voice, Cerelene began to feel herself leaving her nightmare and beginning to wake. Once she finally stopped tossing and turning, she opened her eyes to see Maldrin’s concerned face. When she blinked, his demeanor had become thankful as he slowly sat back down on the bed.

  “That was quite something my dear,” stated the old wizard, running his right hand over his face and then down over his long gray beard.

  Cerelene wiped the tears from her face as Tal jumped onto her skirt and crawled up to her shoulder, chattering. “I am sorry, Maldrin. Thank you.” Then the elf maiden gave a short laugh as she pet the squirrel. “And here I was supposed to be watching over you. How do you feel now that you are finally awake?”

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  Seeing Maldrin conscious for the first time since The River Caverns, Onyx trotted over to the wizard and sat down. Maldrin began to caress the mystic wolf’s head and then patted his broad right side with his left hand.

  “No, my royal elf maiden. How do you feel now that you are awake?” replied the wizard. He looked from Onyx to Cerelene as he fingered the wyvern tooth that hung around his neck. “Would you like to talk about it?”

  Cerelene stood up. “No. I thank you for your concern, my friend.” Then she walked over to Azure.

  As Tal jumped down to the floor, Azure hopped into the air and floated down onto the elf maiden’s shoulder. The falcon chirped while Cerelene looked at her and pet her wing.

  Maldrin watched the young elf maiden who, though he had only known for a short time, had quickly become a true companion in travel and battle. Then as the silence became uncomfortable, Cerelene, still looking down at Azure, spoke.

  “Let us just say that my travels from The Elven Forest to The Holy City were not easy.”

  Ears perked up, Onyx left Maldrin and headed for the door. Hearing footsteps outside, Cerelene and Maldrin looked at the door as well. After it opened, Garrick entered the room.

  “Good! You are up, old man!” said the mercenary with a relieved smile. After petting Onyx, Garrick looked over at Cerelene. “I do not see a spell book in his hand so I assume he just came to?”

  Pushing the conversation between her and Maldrin behind her, Cerelene tried to return to her normal self. “It looks like that question is in no need of an answer, mercenary. I can see you know each other well enough.” Then the elf maiden sat down on the chair that Azure had perched on and continued. “How was your trip to the guild?”

  Garrick smiled, remembering his altercation with the thief, but kept it to himself. “I have some news. Citizens of Tanisgroth are starting to hire mercenaries to protect their homes and businesses, in case the dwarves cannot defeat Rosser and his army.” Then the mercenary crossed his arms. “The invasion from The Barren Wasteland is becoming more known, despite many of the town officials saying it is only rumor. Once Elias returns we can use the high priest’s map to decide the best way to get there.”

  After placing his sword, bow, and quiver on the table, Garrick sank into the comfortable chair next to the bed. Then he placed his hands together and leaned forward to look at his friends.

  “Get a good rest tonight, because tomorrow we leave at dawn,” continued the mercenary with a serious face. “The time we have to find the Scepter Sword could be shrinking.” As the wind from the open window washed over his face, Garrick closed his eyes for a moment. “And who knows? If it is in Elion’s plan, maybe we will find the dwarven representative.”

  Hearing a familiar sound, Tal ran to the window as Onyx looked over at the door. Seconds later the door opened and Elias walked in, followed by two women. One was older, with long black hair with a few strands of gray. The other younger, with short blonde curls.

  “I may not have found the dwarven representative, Garrick, but as with Maldrin, I believe that I have found two more people to join our quest.” announced Elias.