The Amethyst Quest

By Bernadette Poggi

Raine is contacted and sent on a quest to obtain a magical amethyst. Raine is joined by a group of companions and sets out on the journey to find the amethyst. The companions travel meeting friend and foe as their journey continues out into the lands that are controlled by bands of orcs and goblins who take what they want.

Raine and her companions work together to defeat their enemies and heal friends. They know that they will have to out wit the dragon who holds the amethyst and prepare for that meeting.

The dragon finds the amethyst missing and goes on the hunt to locate it. She finds the companions and to her surprise they stand and fight. See who wins the battle in The Amethyst Quest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462010783

Bernadette Poggi

I enjoy reading and writing fantasy novels. I have been reading them for years and find them to be extremely interesting. I have played role playing games in the past and that is where Raine came from. She is a character that I played in a game and took on a life of her own. I enjoyed watching her grow as a character in the game and will enjoy watching her grow in books. I currently live in California with family and I spend my time writing and reading.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Bernadette Poggi

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ISBN: 978-1-4620-1077-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-1078-3 (ebook)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 04/28/2011

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

CHAPTER 1

The arrow came out of nowhere, or so it seemed, as it flew past Raine’s left cheek and struck a tree. As Raine dove for cover behind a shrub, she looked to her left and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. She had just come this way a few hours earlier on her way to Tenderpaw’s cave.

She and Tenderpaw had been companions for almost three years now. Raine had been checking on Tenderpaw, who had a sick puppy. The puppy is three months old, the same age as when Raine befriended Tenderpaw. Tenderpaw was lame with a thorn embedded and infected in her right front paw. Tenderpaw was also starving. Raine carefully approached the wolf puppy and removed the thorn and cast a spell to heal the paw. She also gave the puppy some deer jerky that she and her companions had on their trip when they came across the puppy. Tenderpaw had remained with Raine ever since.

Raine let her senses take over as she surveyed her surroundings; there were no strange noises or smells. She did not see any trip wires or traps in the area. But then those were not her area of expertise. Slowly Raine rose from the ground and noticed for the first time that there was a note attached to the arrow that had barely missed her cheek. As Raine looked at the note she felt something strike her in the back to the left of her right shoulder blade, then came the pain. The pain was sharp and stinging. She reached around behind her shoulder and felt an arrow sticking out of her; her hand came away bloody. As she started to fall she noticed her other wolf companion Aramil had also been shot and was unconscious on the ground. She didn’t remember hitting the ground.

Raine woke up in a small room with Aramil pacing and growling. Raine noticed that her shoulder had been crudely healed and that there was no visible way to get out of the room. As Raine became more aware of her surroundings she noticed that there were chains attached to the wall at eight different places, two sets of chains on each of the four walls. There were five that were empty and three that were holding people prisoner, including her.

As she looked at her fellow captives she pulled with both arms to see if the chain anchors in the wall were loose. They weren’t. She tried to pull the right anchor out of the wall by using both arms and placing her right foot against the wall for extra leverage. She was unsuccessful; she tried the same thing with the left chain and ended up slipping on the straw on the floor. She landed at the base of the wall on top of a pile of straw. Damn it! She yelled. Where in the hell am I? she said to no one in particular. Come here Aramil. Aramil approached Raine and Raine noticed that he was favoring his left fore leg. When he was close enough Raine checked and noticed that he had an arrowhead embedded in his shoulder. Raine looked around for something to remove the arrow with but couldn’t find anything suitable. She continued to pet Aramil and as she did she commanded him to lie down. Aramil lay on his right side; Raine continued to inspect his wound and she saw that there was about an inch and a half of the arrow shaft still attached to the arrow head. She placed her right index finger and thumb firmly on the shaft. As she talked to Aramil she started to pull the arrow out of his shoulder. Aramil flinched and growled. I’m sorry Aramil but the arrow has to come out. You know I would never do anything to hurt you if I could avoid it. It’s almost out baby. Just a few more minutes and it will be out. She bent down and kissed Aramil on his head and replaced her fingers around the arrow shaft. She gave one last pull and the arrow came out. She grabbed some clean straw and put it against the wound to help stop the bleeding. She then cast a heal spell on the wound after she neutralized any poison that may have been on the arrow. Aramil stood up and started licking Raine’s face as if to say thank you for taking care of me.

My name is Sky, said the person closest to her on her left; she was shackled to the east wall. Raine was shackled to the north wall. Attached to the south wall was the third prisoner, she also was a druid, as were Raine and Sky. She had a black eye and wasn’t looking very well.

She said, My name is Crystal. My sister, Windy and I were brought here four weeks ago. Last week they took Windy and I haven’t seen her since.

I’m Raine. Do you know where we are?

No. I haven’t been outside since I was brought here two weeks ago. Sky answered in a low voice. We haven’t been outside of this room. We have tried to get loose but have not been successful as you can see. The guards come twice a day to bring us food.

Raine was looking at the shackles around her wrists and noticed that they were loose on her. She tried to slip her left wrist from the shackle; her wrist began to slide out of the shackle as she heard a key turn in a door leading into the room. She slid the shackle back into place and waited. The door swung open and a male drow appeared in the doorway. He was carrying a tray with four plates of food. The tray was placed in the middle of the room. The guard placed one of the plates close to the wolf, as Aramil growled and slowly approached the guard, the guard left the room making sure to lock the door.

Three plates of food consisted of bread, dried deer jerky and various vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and leeks. The other plate of food consisted of raw deer meat. Raine looked at the plates of food and the deer meat that was placed in front of Aramil; she started to say a spell that would detect poison on the plates of food. Sky said Raine our magic does not work in here. We have been trying to use our magic to get out of here since we were brought here, nothing works.

I’m not sure if I will have any spells since I don’t know how long I was unconscious. Let me see if my magic will work in here. Raine cast her spell and was able to detect the poison on all of the food. But she was not able to cast a second spell to neutralize poison. The food still indicated that it was poisoned; Raine passed out the plates of food, Have you been eating this? Raine figured that it was a poison that would prohibit their magic from being effective. They nodded their heads as Aramil ate his deer meat. The druids ate their magic depleting poisoned meal. The druids left their plates next to them so that the guard would have to approach them in order to pick up the plates. Raine was able to slip her wrists free of the shackles and was currently wandering around the cell where she was being held captive. She then heard a key in the lock of the cell door. Raine moved back to her place and had her arms at her sides. The door opened and the same drow guard came in to pick up the plates. After shutting the door he bent to pick up the plate by Crystal. Raine quietly moved up behind the drow and took the keys from his waist band. She then moved back to her place, sat down, put the shackles back on and hid the keys under her cloak that had been thrown onto her bed of straw on the floor. The guard then collected the rest of the plates. As he reached for his keys Raine asked, What’s your name? The drow ignored her. Raine continued to sit on the floor and watch the drow as he searched for his keys. Are you looking for something? Raine asked. Again the drow ignored her and moved toward the door. As he reached the door he realized that he had not heard the keys fall. He looked around the floor covered with straw and did not see the keys laying anywhere.

Raine carefully stood up quietly as she could and smiled at the other two captive druids. She was just starting to move forward toward the drow when the door suddenly opened and a young human druid was thrown into the room. She landed in a heap at Raine’s feet. Crystal and Sky watched as the new druid was kicked in the side by the two drow that were now in the room.

Don’t you think she has had enough? Raine asked. The drow ignored her and continued to kick the newest druid. Raine moved to protect the newest druid and was rewarded with a back hand to the left side of her face; her lip started to trickle blood down her chin. Crystal and Sky both screamed. Raine looked at the two drow and kicked the one closest to her, the one who had split her lip, in the stomach. The other drow hit Raine on the right side of her jaw. Aramil jumped between the drow and Raine. When the drow tried to hit Raine again Aramil bit the drow on the left calf drawing blood. The drow grabbed his leg and pulled the doubled over drow, the one kicked by Raine, out of the room locking the door after them as they left the room.

Raine are you okay? Sky asked as Crystal started to cry. Crystal is a young human druid who just turned thirteen the previous day. Crystal is just starting to learn about being a druid; she was learning from her sister Windy. Windy is twenty-seven and has been a practicing druid for the last six years. Crystal is wearing a leather shirt that stops about two inches above the navel. She wears a cotton shirt under the leather the same length as the leather. Her midriff is bare. She is also wearing a cotton skirt under a leather skirt both of which come down to mid-thigh. Both are loose fitting now.

Sky noticed that, before Windy went missing, that Windy was wearing a cotton type shirt under her leather shirt; her shirts came down to an inch above her navel. She was wearing a cotton skirt under her leather skirt, both of which came to her mid-thigh. Windy’s shirt and skirt both have leaves and other elfish designs embroidered on them. It was obvious that Windy took extra care in making her outfit.

Sky is wearing a leather shirt with an under shirt made of cotton under the leather that comes to her waist. Her skirt is also made of leather and has a cotton type skirt under the leather. The skirts ended at mid-thigh. Sky’s shirts had a cut in them on the front of the right shoulder. There was also some dried blood in the same area.

Raine was wearing her leather shirt and adventuring pants both had cotton under them. Raine’s outfit was embroidered with elfish designs that she had learned to make from her friend Arlyn. Raine remembers Arlyn, an elf who lived in the forest by Geyser Lake where Raine and her fellow adventure’s had retired. Arlyn was teaching Raine to make elfish designs and Raine was helping Arlyn train her wolf puppy. Arlyn was not a druid; she preferred to work in the tavern owned by her parents. Arlyn has been working there since she was a child and has no desire to leave.

Raine noticed that the other druids were looking at her strangely. She knew why. She was a half elf an Ashameir but didn’t look like your normal elf. She had long silver hair and a birth mark of Lathander on her left shoulder blade. Her eyes were a light violet color. She ignored the starring.

Raine checked the newest druid after she slipped the shackles from her wrists. Raine cast a spell to help heal some of the druid’s injuries. To her surprise the spell worked and she started to stir. She moaned but her eyes did not open. Raine did another successful healing spell on the druid that was still lying at her feet. She stirred and opened her eyes. I know you are probably pretty sore. Otherwise how are you feeling? Raine helped the druid to sit against the wall. I think I’m okay. Who are you? she asked.

I’m Raine. This is Crystal she said pointing to the north wall. And this is Sky she said pointing to the east wall. Aramil came over to the druid sitting against the wall and sniffed her. This is Aramil, my companion.

It’s nice to meet all of you. What happened to your lip? By the way my name is Makayleigh. Sky was the one to answer the last question. Raine was protecting you from the drow and they hit her. Aramil bit one of the drow as he tried to hit her again.

Can you stand Makayleigh? Raine asked.

I think so. She carefully got to her feet holding her left side as she did so. How long have you been here? she asked looking around her new surroundings, the bare walls with the shackles attached to them and the straw on the floor.

Raine answered I’ve been here since yesterday, I think. Crystal has been here four weeks and Sky’s been here two weeks. I don’t plan on being here long. Raine said this last statement as she started looking through the straw near her shackles. Here they are, she said almost to herself as she picked up the keys she had stolen from the drow. She looked at the keys and noticed that there were twelve keys on the key ring. She knew that one went to the door and figured that some of the others went to the shackles. She decided to try her theory on her own shackles and tried each key until she found the one that unlocked her shackles. She then went to Sky and Crystal and unlocked their shackles after numerous tries. She also found the keys to the shackles that were not being used at the moment. She wanted to have a better chance to find the key to the door quickly if necessary.

Do any of you see anything we can use for weapons? Raine asked.

They answered in unison. No.

What are you going to do Raine? Crystal asked.

I’m going to leave. Are you going to stay here or are you going to come with me? she asked looking at the other three druids. I’m coming answered Makayleigh and Sky. Crystal said I don’t want to leave my sister here.

We can look for her on the way out. Raine said. If we stay here we will probably die. I quite frankly have better things to do. Raine moved to the door and listened. She didn’t hear anything outside. She looked at Aramil and noticed that he wasn’t alerting to anything outside the door.

The first key she looked at was smaller and looked like it might go to a chest or trunk of some kind. She skipped that key and went to the next key; it went to her shackles. The next seven keys went to the other shackles in the room. That eliminated all but three keys, one of which was to the trunk. Carefully Raine tried one of the keys that didn’t go to the shackles. She slid the key into the lock and turned the key. The key started to turn but then it stopped; it was the wrong key. Raine started to try the next key when she heard something outside the door. She quickly put her fore finger to her lips and said Shhh. She put her ear next to the door and listened.

What do you mean? I’m not doing that. I want to spill human and elven blood.

If the trolls don’t start listening I’ll be killing them. I don’t care what Rahan says.

You better be careful you know he has spies all over the place. I wouldn’t want . . . . The voices faded away.

So Rahan is behind this. Raine muttered.

Who’s that? asked Makayleigh.

He’s the main drow wizard in the area of Geyser Lake. We must be somewhat close to there if he’s involved. He doesn’t normally travel too far from his home base. It is very well protected. If you aren’t expected and permitted to enter they say it is impenetrable.

Raine again listened at the door and heard nothing. She tried the next key on the ring. Slowly she slid the key into the lock. And slowly started to turn the key; she listened as the key turned. She started to say something then the door exploded inward. Raine flew across the room and hit the opposite wall with a thud. Blood was coming from the right side her head and her right shoulder was cut and bleeding from her broken shoulder bones. The other druids were also knocked backward but were only dazed from the impact of the explosion. Aramil went over to Raine and was standing protectively over her.

A drow came into the room with a stick in his right hand. First thing he saw was the druids unshackled. He muttered something under his breath and the three other druids fell to the floor from a sleep spell. Aramil for some reason was not affected by the spell. He was standing fast over his mistress and would not allow any harm to come to her.

The drow stopped a few feet away from Raine and Aramil. He shook his head as he looked at Raine’s prone and broken body. You are more trouble than you are worth, he commented to her. Aramil growled and moved forward. Don’t worry boy. I’m not going to hurt you or your mistress. Again he muttered something and a circular, shimmering doorway opened on his left. He walked over to Sky, picked her up; carried her over to the doorway and threw her in. He did the same with Crystal and Makayleigh. When Raine was left he carefully approached the wolf; talking to him as he did so. Aramil calmed some, enough for the drow to grab Raine’s left arm and throw her through the shimmering door. Aramil hesitated for a split second and followed his mistress trailed by the drow. When the other drow came in response to the explosion the room was empty.

CHAPTER 2

My lord, here are the druids from the cellar. What do you want me to do with them?

Make them comfortable. He looked at each druid. Aramil growled as Raine was approached. Good he is protective over this one, she must be his mistress. He looked at the wolf she is safe for the time being.

When Crystal, Sky and Makayleigh woke up a few hours later they looked around their room. It was larger than the room they had been in and was missing the shackles. There was a window, they stood and looked out. There was nothing around except trees about three hundred yards away. The air was still; it carried no sound. Makayleigh went over to Raine. She’s bleeding. Give me something to stop the blood. Where are we?

Sky found a cloth on a chair in the room and brought it over to Makayleigh. I don’t know. Crystal, are you okay?

Yes, is Raine going to be okay? Crystal asked.

I don’t know. I’m doing the best that I can. Makayleigh answered. Her arm is beyond my skill. It’s broken. I don’t know how to fix it.

Raine stirred periodically through the night but never woke up. She was unchanged the next day and night. On the third day Raine awoke to find Aramil lying next to her on the floor. She slowly looked around and took stock of her body. Her head was very painful; she shut her eyes to limit the pain from the sunlight. She noticed that she had a lot of pain in her right shoulder. With her left hand she touched her right shoulder; she felt something sticking out of it. Again she opened her eyes. She was alone in the room. Where were Sky, Makayleigh and Crystal? What had happened? She remembered trying to unlock the cell door and that the key was turning in the lock.

Raine slowly sat up on the floor and leaned her back against the wall. Looking around the room she noticed that the room was not a cell. There was a door and a window. With assistance from the wall Raine moved to a standing position. She took care not to move to fast. Slowly she made her way to the window and looked out. She didn’t recognize the area. Where was she? With that thought her knees buckled and she fell unconscious to the floor, landing in a heap.

Upon waking the second time Raine looked out of the window again trying to learn of her location. The room was roughly a hundred feet above the ground. Not much chance to use the window as an escape route. Besides she couldn’t leave Aramil in a dangerous and unknown place. She hoped the other girls were all right and not hurt.

The room began to spin wildly and Raine sat down on the floor under the window. Raine was again unconscious when the door opened to reveal her host. He noticed that she had moved and shut the door. The other druids would be pleased that this one, Raine they called her, seemed to be recovering.

Raine noticed the next time she woke up that the sun was still shining. Was it the same day? She wasn’t sure. Her head wasn’t as sore as it had been earlier. Her shoulder still hurt like hell though. Too bad she couldn’t cast a healing spelling on herself. She looked at Aramil and noticed that he was watching the door. Raine sat up and also watched the door. Slowly it opened and revealed a drow. Ah, Raine, you are awake. I’m so glad. Your friends will be pleased.

Where am I? Who are you? Raine asked from her position on the floor. What do you want with me?

You are my guest at my residence. I am your host, Reinyard. Maybe you have heard of me in Geyser Lake? At the shake of her head the drow continued. I am a wizard that has heard of some trouble brewing in the west towards Geyser Lake. I understand that Rahan is behind the recent trouble and is trying to amass an army to take over the area surrounding and including Geyser Lake; as well as anywhere else he can. He sees himself as a god that should have dominion over all he surveys. He watched Raine as he spoke to see how the information affected her. Raine gave nothing away. What I want from you is your help. With those words he left the room; leaving the door open. Crystal walked into the room closely followed by Sky and Makayleigh. They helped Raine to stand up then were assisting her down some stairs to take her into a large dining hall. As they started down the stairs Raine became dizzy and pitched forward down the first flight of stairs. As she fell Sky tried to keep Raine from falling and lost her balance and fell down the stairs as well. Crystal and Makayleigh rushed to help Sky to her feet. I’m okay. Just some bruises. How is Raine? Is she okay? The three of them looked at Raine at the bottom of the stairs; she was unmoving.

Raine woke up in a different room. Last thing she remembered was starting to go down some stairs with the other druids. She was aching in the same spots as well as some new ones. She looked around the new room. Aramil was there at her feet. He was sleeping with his large head on his front paws. There was a bone in front of him; it looked like a deer leg. Aramil opened his eyes and stood up; he licked Raine’s left cheek. She patted his large head and noticed for the first time that she was not alone in the room. She looked at the drow sitting across the room from her. This was a different one than before. She thought that she may recognize him but with her head aching she wasn’t sure.

Hello. The drow said. Yes, you do know me, at least by sight. We have never actually met in Geyser Lake. I have done some business with the church of Lathander. Brother Cardamis has been extremely helpful when I’ve been there. Raine nodded her head as she realized that’s where she had seen him before. The drow continued, My name is Arthamus. He stood and moved closer to Raine and Aramil. He sat in a chair across from Raine and made a motion with his hand. A young human girl entered the room and approached them with a couple of mugs of herbal tea. The tea contained some mint and tea leaves. Raine accepted her mug and took a tentative sip. The tea will help with your head and stomach my lady, the servant said before bowing and leaving the room.

Arthamus, why am I here? Where are the other druids?

You are here so that you would not be killed by the enemy. They have been capturing and killing druids for the last couple of months. Most of the other druids, before you were captured, came from the Shadowvale area. You probably know that Crystal and her sister Windy came from the Forest of Shadone to the north of Geyser Lake. Sky is from the Valley of Shadone. Raine was shaking her head. No, she isn’t. Sky is from the land of Kuballa to the south of the Valley of Windone near the settlement of Krestill. Her clothing is a dead give away. Look at the design on her clothing. Arthamus nodded. I stand corrected my lady. Makayleigh is from an area near the Mountain Tothanoleos west of the settlement of Silverdell.

Arthamus muttered some words and Raine felt her various aches and pains go away. Her shoulder was also returned to its normal state as much as was possible given the severity of the injury. Thank you, she said.

Raine, will you come with me please? he asked. He stood up and Raine followed; they walked together toward the door. They entered a dining room and Raine saw her fellow druids in the room eating. Raine was motioned to sit down. She sat and a plate of food was immediately brought to her. She tentatively took a bite of food; it was really good. Arthamus had also sat down and was enjoying the meal as well. Sky said Raine you are looking well. Are you feeling better now?

I’m feeling good. Arthamus healed me a little while ago. How long have we been here? How did we get here? The last thing I remember is the key turning in the lock of the cell door.

The door exploded and you were thrown into the wall. Then we fell asleep and woke up here. Makayleigh answered with a shrug of her shoulders.

Another drow entered the room, Ah, there you are Angusthol. You may recognize him from the prison you were in. He is the one who helped you to escape. Arthamus said. My lord, Angusthol said with a bow. He then turned to address Raine. My lady you are quite troublesome. Trying to escape from the tower prison was a foolish idea. You are lucky you weren’t killed when the door exploded. Actually, I’m surprised that you weren’t killed. I arrived before the other drow and put your friends to sleep and threw all of you into a portal to Master Arthamus’s domain. He was shaking his head as he looked at Raine. Rahan has been looking for you, Raine, for quite a while. He seems to think that if he kills you he can take your place in Geyser Lake and get control of the town and over your companions, fellow adventurers. He under estimated you apparently.

What happened to the other druids and Windy? Raine asked.

Windy was killed. I’m sorry Crystal there was nothing I could do for her. He looked back at Raine. Rahan thought that you would be older than you are. That’s why you were put into the cell so he could interrogate you later. If you didn’t have the information he needed, he’d kill you.

What information does he think I have? Raine asked between bites.

He thinks that you have an artifact that you picked up on one of your adventures with your fellow adventurers. Angusthol said. He added, Apparently he was told that you and your group were the ones responsible for destroying his group of drow in the mines above Geyser Lake. When he got there the place had been looted. He was told that you and your fellow adventurers were the ones who looted the place. He looked at Raine, she shrugged her shoulders neither confirming nor denying the claim. Angusthol continued. When the place was looted there was a small wooden trunk that contained an artifact that Rahan wants back. He is willing to kill to get this artifact back.

Reinyard entered the room from the hallway where he had been listening to the conversation. Raine you have the artifact in your possession in Geyser Lake. Do you remember when you, Brother Cardamis, Rowyn, Steval, Zorn, Ashameir, and Brenawhal went into the abandoned mine above Geyser Lake?

I remember, Raine responded. Reinyard continued, Remember the treasure that you found in the monsters lair? Raine nodded. The artifact was in that room. It looks similar to a loose amethyst. It will cause great destruction if it falls into the wrong hands.

I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t remember seeing anything that looked like that in the treasure. Besides if Rahan thought that I had this artifact in Geyser Lake why didn’t he just go to Geyser Lake and take it? Raine said.

He did go to Geyser Lake but was unable to find the artifact. You happened to be out of town when he went there so he assumes that you had the artifact with you. That’s why he is kidnapping druids trying to find you.

When did he go to Geyser Lake? Raine asked. I haven’t been gone from home very much over the last six months or so.

I have heard that he was there about two and a half months ago. Were you in town then? Reinyard asked. Raine nodded her head.

This artifact, what does it do exactly? Makayleigh asked.

Well the artifact is said to control a person’s will, it apparently amplifies the evil in the person. If the person does not have much evil in them the artifact will slowly corrupt the person until they are evil. The artifact needs to be destroyed as soon as possible. Every day it is still out there Rahan stands a good chance to find it for himself. Reinyard said. He continued, Raine, I will be accompanying you back to Geyser Lake. Your friends here will be escorted to their own homes by some of my associates. At Raine’s look of concern Reinyard said Fear not my lady; they will be well protected and kept safe.

Angusthol motioned for Raine to follow him; she did and was given her scimitar, bow, quiver of arrows and daggers. I swiped these before they were inspected by Rahan’s minions. They would have kept these wonderfully magical items you carry. With that Angusthol left the room and returned a few minutes later with Arthamus and three other drow. They bowed as they came into the room.

They are here to escort your friend’s home now. Raine walked over to Crystal, Makayleigh and Sky. She hugged each one and said in druidic, May your journey home be a safe one. The others left the room leaving Reinyard and Raine alone in the room. We should be going as well my lady. Raine nodded and slapped her right thigh her, signaling for Aramil to come to her side. The three of them headed for the door.

CHAPTER 3

As the trio left the building they were met out front by a stable boy holding two horses. As they mounted their horses Raine looked around the area; she examined the trees as well as the grass. She was fairly certain that she had never been to this part of the Geyser Realm before. She had done a lot of adventuring in various parts of the Geyser Realm with her companions; including attacking groups of Zhyleons as they tried to take over parts of the Geyser Realm. They had never traveled here. The Zhyleons were the reason she and her companions retired to Geyser Lake; they had a price on their heads courtesy of the Zhyleons.

Retirement wasn’t so bad when you were still young enough to enjoy it. Raine is still young enough to enjoy being retired. At one hundred two she has already made quite a name for herself and is apparently still being sought by some bad people judging by her current situation. What will happen when she gets back to Geyser Lake? Will the town folk be safe? Probably not, maybe she should try to go some where else to protect them; they are having enough problems without this too.

You are awfully quiet Raine. Thinking about something?

Maybe, she admitted.

Feel like sharing? he asked.

No, I don’t. Let’s get on the road.

Okay, okay have it your way. We are taking the black stallion and the white gelding there on the end.

Now that they were on the road she was beginning to wonder why the amethyst jewel was so important. After all there weren’t really that many jewels in the treasure from that lair, especially amethysts. Those she would recognize, she loved their color.

Raine turned her horse, Glandamore toward the dragon’s lair. She didn’t care if Reinyard followed or not. She was going to double check that lair; they must have missed something the first time. Aramil was keeping pace with her as the light started to fade. Raine kept riding, though she did slow down as darkness fell.

Reinyard caught up with her, Are you planning on stopping tonight?

Raine shook her head and realized that he probably couldn’t see her. Not yet. I want to get a little farther away from your place and not head directly for Geyser Lake. She turned and looked at him, If you have a problem with that leave now.

They rode for another hour before making camp for the night, or what was left of it. Raine ate dinner as she rode and Aramil hunted down a rabbit while camp was being established.

Raine took the first watch as she sat facing the only clearing into the cave she found for their shelter. It was very well concealed but it didn’t hurt to be cautious with things going on in the area. Two hours into her watch she heard something off to her left. She looked in that direction, not giving away her position. When she looked she saw what looked like four goblins heading towards her location.

Aramil woke and was crouching across from Raine when the goblins walked between them. The first two goblins passed by them without noticing them. The last two unfortunately saw Aramil crouching in the underbrush. They decided that they where going to have wolf for breakfast. As they attacked Aramil he leapt back out of range of their spears. Raine quietly came up behind the first goblin and sliced his left side and back. He died on the way to the ground. The second saw his partner fall and yelled for the other two. Aramil chose that time to attack the goblin and grabbed on to a leg muscle; it just happened to be the right thigh muscle. Aramil was shaking his massive head vigorously to tear the muscle free.

Raine turned to face the other two goblins with her scimitar drawn and dripping goblin blood. She took two quick steps forward, pulled the scimitar back to swing when both goblins dropped their weapons and ran off into the woods. Slowly Raine turned to see why they ran off and saw nothing except two dead goblins and Aramil with goblin blood on him. Aramil moved off to clean the blood off of him self. Raine cleaned her scimitar and then sheathed it.

As she walked over toward the camp she kept her senses attuned to the surrounding area in case there were any other surprises waiting for them. She didn’t sense, see, hear, or smell anything other than the obvious things. As she entered camp she got the horses ready for travel and woke Reinyard by calling his name. It took a couple of minutes to rouse him. He slowly got ready to go. Raine wanted to put as much distance between the camp and them as possible. Mount up. We’re leaving. The sun had just started to rise in the east. Their path was easy enough to see as the sun rose. Raine kicked her horse into a full gallop knowing that Aramil would be able to keep up while taking some short cuts that he knew from hunting in the area with his pack until his injury.

Reinyard grumbled and