Dragon Realm
Episode 16's

The face of the Lady is a mask of anger. “Knowing you and the people dealing with you, I don't believe in your statement!”

The black horse sighed. “Call me Dark Lord, Lucifer, Thanatos, Death—if you want! You know my nature, but not with my mind! If I am different, it is because one must be so when immortal! Otherwise, madness would have eaten me a long time ago! ”

Cabe felt compelled to intervene. “She helped, Miss Gwen. The firedrake dam will take me.”

He looked at her with burning eyes. He knew that he was capable of leaning in any way. He might be able to repel Darkhorse, but Cabe was a target that lacked such immunity. He tried desperately to hide his nervousness.

Finally, he lowered his hand. Cabe just breathed a little easier; his hands were still strained. The wrong word or movement can quickly change the situation.

The fire-haired witch spoke slowly. "Very good. I will trust you for now, Mountain Journey Without Borders. However, even the slightest false move will give you a long seclusion. You know I have powers. Be thankful my head is still messed up or I will never try a futile act like using violence.”

The cold eyes looked at him. “I won't pretend, Lady Gwen. This incident concerns me and you. ”

Cabe chose to change the subject. “We will try and reach Penacles. Lady wants to negotiate with Lord Gryphon.”

“And he's with her. The Dragon King was stirring. Something has done this, and events now can only be stopped, not prevented.” Darkhorse nodded his head at the witch, who did not bother to respond. “You will be needed. We also have to make sure that Cabe reaches the city as well. He might be our trump card. He may be our only hope.”

A deep chill passed through the chilli. If the black horse's words were true, it was likely that he would be in the middle of the worst situation. It was not a calming thought, to say the least. However, he did not say much to his friends. It might have lowered her in their eyes, especially Lady Gwen's eyes.

Darkhorse raised his head to the sky, his huge black mane falling backwards as he did so. “I can't travel so fast in light, but it won't be safe for either of you. We will also find ourselves easy targets for the Dragon Monarch or others. I don't like seclusion—for a long time—and the choice for you two is even dimmer. We must travel like most humans. We will draw fewer eyes.”

"We've pulled more than enough." Lady Gwen is the one who speaks. “At night, a Seeker attacked. Fortunately, he was looking for more information than anything else. ”

“Then Azran will know, become ruler over those ancient people. He will also feel the presence of the Horned Sword.”

He's nodding. "We need to hurry."

“I dare. Azran is the type of person who even dares to kill me, if that's possible.”

Cabe, given that they were now standing in the middle of the manor, thought of food. It had been a long time since he had eaten. He mentioned the idea to Gwen.

“I totally agree, Cabe. I've never eaten a decent meal in a few generations, I guess. ”

“Will there be anything left? I'm not sure I want to touch the food left by the firerake. ”

"We'll see later. I keep most of my food in a hidden basement. The place was sealed with a preservation spell. If it still survives, there will be plenty for us to eat.”

A quick examination by Lady revealed that not only was the basement still intact, but her preservation spell was still there as well. With Cabe's help, he collects a lot of exotic foods. The eyes of the would-be witches partied at the sight. Most of the items were unfamiliar to him, but they all looked delicious.

The emerald charm then forms a second stack of much more mundane foods. This, he pointed out, was their preparation for the trip. Cabe nodded, mentally reminding himself to eat as much as possible before they leave.

Both men eat lustfully. Darkhorse comments on the sin of gluttony, but is interrupted by Cabe, who throws a large piece of juicy fruit at him. The immortal stopped his speech and slowly absorbed the food into his form. Although he did not need sustenance, he apparently enjoyed the taste.

When the meal was over and various other activities had been completed, the large horse returned to its original form as a horse and let the two ride. Cabe offers his help to the Lady, who seems unsure whether to sit on the back of the creature she hates. Convincing himself that the Horned Sword was safe in its sheath, Cabe climbed in front of his comrade.

There's control, but no saddle. Gwen held onto Cabe. Darkhorse turned his head as best he could.

"Are you ready?"

Cabe looked at the Madam. “How about the palace?”

He looked at her sadly. “I've strengthened the spell. This time, no one will enter unless I allow it.”

He nodded and returned to the horse. "We're ready."

"Wait a minute! I'll push us as fast as a horse can go!”

Laughing, Darkhorse got up. The two riders held on tighter as he dashed out of the manor and into the forest. With such transportation, they would have no trouble reaching the Penacles.

Except for unexpected incidents, of course.

GRYPHON admired his chess set. “Everything is not made like it used to be, don't you agree?” The man who calls himself Simon shrugged his shoulders. "My word is patchy, you know that."

The witch interrupted his mind. "They're on their way."

"How fast?"

"Both days. Maybe three. Black horses need to be careful. He can't die, I think, but he might be exiled for some time. Plus that the passenger is still mortal.”

The furry hand put the dragon back on the board. "And did he know that you were going to be here?"

“I think it is wise not to say anything about my presence here.”

“As long as you two don't destroy the city. I remember the story about Sika. He might as well.”

Something that may have been a frown may have played on someone else's face. “I've tried to redeem Sika. As I have done for Detraq, Coona Falls, and a dozen other cities over the centuries. Until I can end myself, I will continue to try and atone for my sins.”

"While you add a new one."

"Maybe. But I can only try.”

The Gryphon walked over and placed a clawed hand on Simon's shoulder. The witch stiffened for a moment and then allowed herself to relax. It was obvious that the touch of others was bothering him.

“I'm sorry, my friend. I speak without thinking.”

The witch shook her head. “You are telling the truth. I've lived long enough to know that. I am fully responsible for my actions.”

“Let's change the topic. What news do we have about the Dragon Monarch?”

“The force led by the firedrake known as Kirg has stopped at Talak. There they demand meat in large quantities.”

"And accept it, no doubt."

"of course. They are now heading towards Mito Pica, and from there, the goal becomes clear.”

Nodding, the Gryphon walked seriously into his chess set. He took out another piece, this time an armored knight, and grabbed it as he spoke. "So. After a long time, the Dragon Monarch moved to regain the City of Knowledge. However, this time, there is no Master helping us.”

“We have Mrs. We also have Cabe. His own strength could make a difference.”

"could. I prefer something more concrete. If only we had Nathan on our own.”

For a moment, the two of them suddenly bathed in a sharp, burning ice wind. The wind disappeared without a trace and the room returned to normal. The two looked at each other.

"You feel that, witch?"

Simon stood up and walked to the window. Only after he scanned the surrounding area did he speak. “Unusual wind for the whole year.”

The lion snorted. “Unusual for any time of year. It's colder than bone. I feel it in my mind. What'sthat?"

“It's hard to say. Maybe the city has the answer.”

“An interesting thought. I believe it might be better if we investigate it all at once. ”

Replacing the knights in the right place, the Gryphon moved to a large rug that covered one of the walls. On the tapestry was a representation of the City of Knowledge. Although the statues were extremely detailed, they paled in comparison to the image that was now before him. Every building, every street, every wall; nothing is left behind and nothing is incomplete. Not even the eyes could see the city so closely.

Rugs are the only sure way to discover the legendary library of Penacles. They move on, though no one knows how or why to save their long-dead creator. Without a rug for guidance, one might search the library forever.

The witch came beside him. "Where is this time?"

"There. See that little roll design on the window of the house? Library will be under there.” The Gryphon pointed to a small house on the outskirts. The scroll on the window was barely visible, and only a trained eye would find it so quickly.

"Ready?"

Simon nodded. The Gryphon put one finger to the spot marked by the scroll and began rubbing it gently. As he did so, the room around them became blurred. No one noticed the change. They've seen it a few times before.