Noah stared back at Julie in confusion. Something’s not right. He saw her face clear for a moment and her eyes betrayed a look of helplessness. She looked like she was about to say something when she doubled over, holding her head in her hands. Noah stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders.
“Julie, are you okay? What’s going on?” He questioned. She shook her head but didn’t respond further. He held her as she began to rock back and forth. All the while holding her head and clenching her eyes shut. Noah looked around at the gathered crowd with a desperate plea.
“Are any of you doctors? Can someone help her?” He asked, his voice tight. Several people shook their heads and others stepped back, put off by the strange scene. As Noah’s concern built, Julie’s body went rigid and her hands dropped from her head. His eyes widened as she pushed against him, freeing herself from his grip. She glared at him with a look of disgust.
“If you want to help us find Kyle, fine. After that, you’ll no longer be welcome here.” She stated flatly. Noah nodded slowly. Is she possessed? The thought was unnerving as he didn’t know what he would do if she was. For now, though, he needed to find Kyle.
“That works for me.” He lied. “Which way did Kyle go?” The Drakon stepped forward and cleared his throat.
“I can lead the way.” He volunteered.
“Thank you, Jergin.” Julie replied.
“After you then, warrior.” Noah agreed, thankful for the exit. Jergin led Noah through the crowd and to a gate on the forest side of the compound. They turned east from there, moving along the edge of the trees, scanning them for any signs of life. When they were out of earshot, the drakon motioned to stop and Noah stepped beside him.
“What is it?” He asked.
“Are you truly Noah Denter?” Jergin asked.
“Yes, I am.” He replied. Jegin nodded.
“Hmm.” Jergin grumbled, frowning while he scratched at his scales. “I do not share secrets with outsiders. I know of you though, you saved many of the humans in our village and are praised in the streets. You are worthy.” He said the final words and bobbed his head. “I will tell you.” Noah listened, trying to follow the drakon’s line of thought.
“Tell me what?” Noah asked.
“Something is wrong. Many of the people have changed over the last month, becoming more timid and irritable. The spectacle in the street with lady Julie was further evidence of this. She used to be sharp and courageous, and she never would have let someone else search for Kyle.” Jergin explained. Noah pondered his words.
“I thought something was off, why are you not affected though?” He asked.
“I have wondered the same. I believe it is because I am an Iron, one of only two in the village. I already verified that the other drakon were impacted like the humans. Kyle is the other Iron, and he suspects an outside party to be the source of the change. He is currently searching the area for any sign of foul play.” Jergin concluded. Noah’s mouth opened and closed a few times before he could find his words.
“So Kyle is alright then?” He asked. Jergin shook his head.
“Not at all, he didn’t want to draw suspicion to his search so he never would have missed his post. I suspect that he found what he was looking for and that it is more than he can handle.” Jergin said hurriedly.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
“I see. Did he at least go east like they believed?” Noah questioned.
“Yes, but he is much further into the forest than anyone would suspect. We have already scoured the surrounding areas to no avail. I can lead you there though” Jergin replied.
“Good. How fast can you run?” It turned out that the drakon was quite fast, perhaps an advantage of his elevated grade and he could likely give Ta’Ku a run for his money. They sprinted through the trees, the familiar environment giving Noah a wave of nostalgia. It had only been a matter of months since he first arrive in these trees but he had endured significant change over that short time. On a whim he lashed out at one of the trees and was pleased when his hand dug into the bark. He grinned and Jergin threw a concerned glance in his direction. Noah didn’t mind and continued to get vengeance on the occasional tree as he ran by.
Eventuall,y they came to a stop as the forest darkened in the waning light of the sun. The canopy blocked out the stars and Noah experienced real darkness for the first time in many weeks. His eyes seemed more capable of seeing into the darkness than they would have been on Earth, but that wasn’t to say he could actually see. On habit, Noah took off his pack and withdrew his firemaking supplies.
“What are you doing?” Jergin asked, hearing Noah’s shuffling.
“Starting a fire. Did you have another idea?” He responded.
“You have magic? I figured you were a warrior after that run.” Jergin replied. Noah chuckled.
“No magic! It sounds like Matt spread his rumor about the nature of this wood though. Here watch.” He instructed, grinning to himself. He struck a nearby tree and gathered the fragements that he knocked loose, then began working his fire spindle. Within a minute they had a flame, which grew as more of the enchanted wood was added to it. Noah’s satisfaction grew as he saw the awed look on the drakon’s face.
“See. No magic required.” He stated proudly. Jergin nodded enthusiastically.
“I see now why you are number one. Even the elven magic can’t keep you from bending nature to your will!” He proclaimed. Noah frowned. Elven magic? That makes no sense. He shook his head, not ready to pop that bubble. Instead, he pulled out some cured meat that he had procured at the orc village, and set it to warm by the fire.
“How much further is Kyle?” He asked.
“The last area we scouted is close by, he shouldn’t be more than a couple hours past this point. That is supposing that he wasn’t taken elsewhere, of course.” Jergin responded.
“Then we should find him tomorrow.” Noah stated, pleased at that prospect. As much as he wanted to search for him now, he knew it would be a lost cause. It had nothing to do with the last night he spent in the forest, not at all. They sat in companionable silence while the meat cooked and a realization struck Noah.
“Shall we fight?” He asked, out of the blue, pulling a dagger from his pack. Jergin tilted his head, a gleam in his eye.
“You know our custom? It has been prohibited in the village.” Jergin replied. Noah handed the dagger to the drakon and withdrew his smaller axe.
“How can I eat with you if I don’t know that you’re worthy?” He asked with a grin. Jergin jumped to his feet, a wide smile on his face, and dropped into a ready stance. Noah reciprocated the motion, stepping away from the fire. The fire crackled and they launched forward, their blades meeting with a satisfying clang, sending sparks into the air. Noah restrained his strength, instead looking to scope out the drakon’s skill. They exchanged blows for several minutes, scoring cuts but stopping short of any serious injuries. With a quick movement, Noah sidestepped a lunging strike and brought his axe blade to Jergin’s neck.
“I consider you worthy.” Noah announced, dropping his weapon. Jergin nodded, catching his breath.
“You have honored me. I know now that I made the right decision putting my trust in you.” He replied sincerely. They returned to the fire, and Noah cut the meat in half handing one side to Jergin.
“How did you learn our custom?” Jergin asked between mouthfuls.
“I met the drakon, Recter far up the mountain. We fought alongside eachother for a time.” Noah explained.
“Recter! He is nearby?” Jergin exclaimed. Noah shrugged, puzzled.
“I haven’t seen him for a month now, we split paths after our other companion got injured. Do you know him?” He asked.
“Know him? All Drakon know his name! He is the mightiest of our people, second in this world only to you!” Jergin replied. Noah smiled. So he managed to ascend as well. The thought of Recter surpassing the other rankers was pleasing to Noah, especially knowing that his knowledge had opened the door for him. Now curious though, he opened up the top 10 list for the first time since his breakthrough.
[Global Ranking System.]
Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 116
Recter Jandon-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 89
Dariss Ashfield-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 127
Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 101
Do’Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 91
Ma’tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 89
Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 77
Fastion Briner-Elf: Iron, Lvl 76
Syton Talir-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 76
Flamir Axehead-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 75