The first rays of the dawn lit the city of Highwind, awakening those who still slept in their warm beds. Kail went down from the guardian tower. Lightwing began to feel better after the fight and Kail will probably leave soon. In the meantime he could spend some time in the streets of Highwind, thinking about the journey ahead. His thoughts drifted to the dreams he had recently. He went to the training yard to see how Liana does with her new sceptre. Liana was standing in the middle of the square, practicing , when she noticed Kail “Hey, come to see some new tricks that I’ve learned” she said and quickly went into the air as lightly as a feather. “Oh yea …” said Kail “something is wrong ?” she asked and quickly landed near Kail “No , I’m just bothered with some … dreams, visions I had ever since I came to the city” “What visions ?” “It’s a dark room, covered in glyphs, old room. In the middle of it I could see a glow, but never quite what it was, then it all becomes dark again, my body shakes and boils, I stop breathing, all I want is to leave that room, leave that dream, and then I awake in my bed, with the shard glowing in my hand” “You never quite told us what is that stone and what are you doing here” “Well, it is an old artefact created by our ancestors a long time ago. This shard is part of it and I need to collect all parts of the shard. “ “Yes but why ? “ “I … I don’t know, I only know the words my master said when he gave me the task … why couldn’t he be clearer and make it all so complicated …” “Maybe you should go to Crazy Eniry, I heard she knows how to read dreams” “Where does she live ?” “On a mountain to the west of Highwind” “Maybe I should, we will see once Lightwing recovers”
==>
The morning rays of light lit a large map on the table in the middle of the room. The door opened and Elian entered the room “You called me father ?” “Yes, sit down” said the high councillor. “I just received a letter from the high Lumian council . They … are not convinced we can win this war, even with the help of the Odelians. I’ve told them that we can win but they won’t listen. The vote currently stands on 6 to 6 . High councillor Elniron believes we should surrender while I say we should fight. If we won’t convince the council that we can win the Neferonians will come and destroy our homes. “ “Yes father, but how can I help ?” “I need Kail, I need him and his dragon and his magic. He could singlehandedly destroy 4 Neferonian battleships, moreover he inspires and boosts morale, he is the trading card we need to convince the council. I need you to bring him to us, convince him to help us. Go with him and help him out, then bring him to the council as soon as possible, I trust you will do this to the letter. The Neferonians are assembling and as soon as they have enough resources left over from the battle with the Odelians they will bring their whole might on us. By the last sunset of the summer he must be at the council, at any cost”
“Are you leaving tomorrow ?” asked Liana “I guess so, Lightwing feels much better and he can fly already. He is not fully recovered but I should get going as soon as possible” “Wish I could come with you, to see the world and go to a big adventure like that. My brother and father won’t let me go, they will stand there and complain how young I am and how dangerous it is and how we should take care of home and Highwind instead of going to who knows where … oh here he is. You’re not going to let me go with Kail right Elian ?” Elian looked confused at Liana “To go where ?” “To his adventures around the world !” “Oh are you going already ?” “Tomorrow I think “ said Kail “Alright I’m packing and meeting you tomorrow, maybe you also want to tell you’re going to our father”. Liana looked shocked at Elian “You … didn’t say that, did you ?” “What ? Are you waiting till I change my mind ? Go pack your things.”
==>
Kail entered his room. The few things he brought with him were already packed in his bag. “Today is our last night in Highwind, did you like the city Twinkle ?” Twinkle chirped with acknowledgment “It’s a quiet and beautiful place” he set down on the bed. Although he was tired Kail couldn’t fall asleep. He took off the shard and put it on the table near the bed. He was afraid of those dreams he had. He didn’t want to see or feel them again. Eventually the body claimed what it needed and Kail fell asleep. The night passed quietly and Kail could rest before his journey continues.
The following morning Kail cleaned the room after himself and took his bag “let’s go Twinkle”. On the top of the guardian tower Elian and Liana were already waiting for Kail together with the high councillor. “We .. took the liberty of equipping your dragon with a saddle” said the high councillor and called the keepers to bring the dragon. Lightwing was rested and looked much better after his time in the Windhawk cages. The saddle was more of a large platform covered in hide with bags hanging off it. It was rather large but set well on Lightwing. “The bags are filled with food for your journey. Here is some money for your way too” the High Councillor took out a purse with golden coins in it. Kail went up on Lightwing. “Liana , take care of yourself” said the high councillor “Are you ready ?” asked Kail. Liana climbed up om the back of the dragon “And you Elian, you know what to do… and take care of Liana” “are you coming ?” said Liana. Elian began to climb the dragon “Thank you sir” said Kail “May the spirits of this world guide you” said the councillor as Lightwing took off the ground. He then watched how the dragon went higher and higher, disappearing in the horizon.
==>
“So where is that Crazy Eniry ?” asked Kail “She lives to the West, with Lightwing we’ll be there in no time” answered Liana. They kept flying for an hour. “Sir we can see them again !” “Give me the scope” said prince Telion pushing the scout aside. “Eh Kail ? we got trouble and it’s closing fast !” said Elian as the dark star appeared behind them. “I thought you blew it up” said Liana “Hey, seems like they fixed it” Elian pointed at a large area to the side of the ship, awkwardly covered in steel plates. “We see him again !” “Give me the scope” the ambassador pushed the scout aside “Yes it seems like the ship of our prince”. “C’mon Lightwing we need to get out of here” said Kail. “He’s escaping ! I can’t afford loosing him !” shouted the prince “More power to the core !”. “They are escaping ! I can’t afford loosing them !” shouted the ambassador “More power to the engines !” “Can you afford loosing another ship ? Our engines are at the limit” said the captain. The ambassador stopped to think for a second “You are right, we can’t catch them at this rate but sooner or later they will come to us, slow us down”. “They are slowing “ noted one of the scouts “Why are they doing it ? “ asked prince Telion “Because their ship is not as fast as ours or the dragon, he does however has the advantage in numbers and connections. He will know where we are from his men on the ground at any time and instead of going straight for us he will go around, waiting for us to come to him” the master replied “Humm, the small dragon will be able to pass through undetected but the large star will attract attention and give him information of the dragon’s location … Helm, bring us down, we will continue to fly at night, keep an eye on the dragon’s heading”. “The dark star, it’s slowing down” said Liana “why ?” “I don’t know, but it was close. From now on we will fly only at nights, so that they won’t see us” said Elian.
Kail began to scan the ground for a place to land. He noted a road below him and began to descend towards it. Within a few flaps the dragon was on the ground. “So are we going to sleep at days ?” asked Kail “We better split the night in two we will fly in the evening and for the night we’ll land to sleep, in the morning we’ll keep walking” said Elian. They began to walk by the road to the west.
==>
The dark star slowly landed on the ground. The peak of the lower spire lowered until it touched the ground. Four large chains were shot out of the sides of the ship anchoring it to the ground. “Ah we can actually enjoy the local wild life” noted the master “You can’t focus on anything” noted prince Telion “I will take a tour around, do you want to come with me ?” “No” “And if we’ll use this opportunity to scout the immediate area and maybe locate the dragon while enjoying the wild life ?” “Alright alright . Also deploy scouts in the area, be in the lookout of the dragon and the ambassador’s ship” they went into the transport chamber. They stepped in the platform and in a puff of black smoke reappeared below the ship. They kept walking forward “It’s quite different from home isn’t ?” noted the master. Prince Telion was walking forward with no interest toward the flora. “Over there, it’s a road” said Prince Telion as they approached the simple mud path “If I was those travellers I would take the road to ease up my travel” said the master. “You’re right, I bet we’ll find them ahead”.
Kail kept walking the mud road “Can I ask you something?” he turned towards Liana “Why did you come along with me ?” “I lived all my life in Highwind almost never leaving the city. I want to see the world, what lies behind the walls in those valleys I saw each day I went to sleep out of my window” “and you Elian ?”. Elian thought about his answer for a bit “Someone has to take care of Liana” “Take care of me ? You can’t take care of yourself !” “Yes I can !” “You don’t even know how to cook !” “I don’t need to know it’s something girls should know, I should know how to fight and command and protect you” Liana casted some wind in his direction “Aww !” Elian complained as the stream hit his face “I can take care of myself” she added.
==>
The sun slowly began to set down, disappearing in the tree-line in front of them. “Should we stop for a dinner ? “ asked Kail. Suddenly Twinkle jumped off his shoulder and began to fly around chirping nervously “What’s wrong Twinkle ?” asked Kail. They turned around to see the men in dark armor running towards them. Liana swung her sceptre to send an air blast towards the enemies. Prince Telion pushed one of the guards aside “You’re mine” . He charged forward and cast a black stream at Kail. He blocked with a force shield and prepared to cast an attack of his own. Suddenly Lightwing landed between them with a terrifying roar and flapped his wings to crate a massive force wave and push the intruders aside. “Get on the dragon !” Shouted Elian. They quickly climbed up and Lightwing took off. Prince Telion stood up on his feet, cleaning away the dust as the large shadow of the dark star appeared above him. In black cloud puff he appeared on the transport deck. “Go after them”.
Lightwing began to fly quickly towards the sun that almost disappeared in the horizon. “So dinner cancels …” said Elian looking back at the dark star rising from the ground. “Get us in the range of the dragon and fry it to hell !” commanded prince Telion “Stabilize the ship, get us higher” ordered the captain “Casters prepare”. “Kail behind us !” shouted Liana as the smaller spires of the dark star began to glow. The captain was carefully following the dragon “Shoot on my mark , FIRE !”. A dark stream of energy left the tips of the spires “Hold tight !” shouted Kail and the dragon began to dive. “FIRE !” ordered the captain again . The streams flew at Kail again, missing by only few feet. One of the streams hit a large tree that went up in flames right in front of them. Lightwing quickly dodged to the left. Another dark stream left the tips of the spires , passing in a screech by the dragon. “Hold on tight !” shouted Kail “We are already holding tight !” shouted Elian. Lightwing closed his wings, pressing them against the body and they began to fall. Kail concentrated all his energy in a large force field around Lightwing to help him in his. “Kail he won’t pass here !” shouted Liana. Lightwing began to manoeuvre in between the trees, keeping on the fly only with the force field. Kail’s hands shook s he tried to hold the massive creature in air. Lightwing passed like a rocket between the trees, almost hitting them on the way through. Elian looked down at the closing ground below them “We are going to crash !”. Lightwing got lower and lower, slightly touching the ground with his legs. Kail’s body shook crazily as his cloths were wet of sweat. Suddenly an open valley opened in front of them. Lightwing opened his wings and gave a powerful flap, sending them into the air again. “We did it !” shouted Liana “yea … barely . We are off for a good start …” added Elian.
“They disappeared in the forest” the captain reported to the prince, preparing to accept his anger “They disappeared, you gonna find them, every single one of them and bring them to me” said the prince. “Maybe we should slow down for a bit and lower the ship, we have already attracted too much attention” said the master. Telion was angry but knew he has no choice.
==>
Lightwing kept flying until they reached the forest on the other side of the valley. They prepared a simple camp. There was no time to gather food so they are what the brought with them . Kail was too tired to talk. He entered his bedroll, thinking of the journey ahead. He fell asleep almost instantly. Liana was quick to follow him. Only Elian remained sitting near the fire, thinking about the men in dark armor. He covered the remains of the flame, entered his bedroll and went to sleep.
The end of seventeenth chapter.
[/spoiler]
, this Island will play an important role in the story. (And BTW you can figure it out quite easily ... if you know where to search)
