“And others say she’s still alive,” said Marina. “Calling out for help, for she and the Ice Serpent are still out there. She’s to remain alive as long as that Ice Serpent lives because there is a bond they both share that won’t leave this world as long as they both live. There are many more theories of what happens after the story ends.”
The sound cried out again, but it was quieter and fainter and clearer than the last time. This instead of a cry for help; it was a name being called. The voice faintly said: Vaeludar.
Vaeludar was shaken up when his name was being called by the mysterious voice. He got up to his dragon feet. His wings whipped wide open, curvedly folded. His hands were clenched into fists.
The voice called out his name more faintly, and this made everyone and the Griffin stand up.
“Did that just call your name?” asked Wonomi.
It happened four more times within a range of ten seconds.
Vaeludar stood emotionless.
“Vaeludar?” said Marina, touching his left wing. “Vaeludar, are you alright?”
“I am alright,” said Vaeludar. “Men, it seems this tale is true. Since this tale happens to be told by the Sirens, then these events were witnessed by Sirens. For a story to be told by any man or creature there must be witnesses to watch these certain events. Believe me when I say, the Sirens were from the northern parts of the island and that means they saw the Ice Serpent with their own eyes.”
“That would make sense then,” said Flarefur, “for a tale to be told.”
“This princess must either be a ghost or still alive by a spell, waiting for me,” continued Vaeludar. “It seems that Ralenskrit and Belverda may have gone to the place where we are going: to the castle where the princess was held. In the meantime, get some sleep. I’ll take first watch for the night.”
Vaeludar sprung into the air and landed on a high point of a rocky wall. For the rest of the night, he kept his watch for any dangers lurking in the night.
WALKING IN THE MOUNTAINS
V
aeludar stared to a bitter, dull dawn; the sun’s light was so dull that it couldn’t shine through a darkened sky or reflect its brightness in a fantastic pink horizon. Instead, Vaeludar saw a blank sunrise with a dark sky and dried up clouds. With the dull dawn arriving, Vaeludar knew the time had come to get going.
He walked to the spot where he left the sword and sat down. He pulled out the sword for a quick glance at the mysterious cloud inside. The glow sparked in Vaeludar’s hybrid eyes. In the blade, Vaeludar could see a large portion of a tall-squared building with four towers built on the four corners. Three were coned towers and the floor was flat, which would be for watch guards. It was in a flat valley with black burnt mountains with some trees in green. Then the image faded within the cloud.
That had to be the Lost Castle, but I can’t say for certain, he thought.
Vaeludar sheathed the weapon back in its scabbard. As his right hand slid the sword in, he hung it to his back again and tied the strings around his chest. Making sure it was good and tight, Vaeludar straightened out the strings in a tie that would not be undone.
After he had finished tying down the sword to his body, Vaeludar swung his body around and made sure the sword wouldn’t fall from him. He had found it was a magic sword, and a rare one at that. If he were to lose the magic sword, he would never be able to find a replacement. This was a lifetime opportunity to wield such a powerful weapon, and he didn’t want to lose such a magnificent weapon.
He stood up and walked to the camp. He saw everyone still sleeping, except Flavius, being the only person up. Vaeludar didn’t see Marina anywhere upon the campsite, which meant she was out someplace else and wondering what mountain territory they were in. He saw Flavius waking everyone else up.
It seems we’re off to a slow start this morning, thought Vaeludar. I’d better help in a sudden awakening or we’ll end up taking all day to get ready to travel.
Then Vaeludar whipped his tail into the ground loudly like a lightning bolt striking from the ground from a thundering rainstorm. The noise was loud and sent quite a shockwave into the ground. The ground shook quite a bit and suddenly went back to normal.
This sound and little weak earthquake awoke his companions from their sleeping and drew them to their feet. The unexpected noise and earth tremor caused them to form lazy kidlike soldier-ready battle stances. Even Flavius drew out his sword ready for battle.
Then they all stared at Vaeludar who said, “No need for battle, soldiers. I caused your rude morning awakening. I think it’s time to eat and head out.”
“Just when I was having a good dream,” complained Wonomi.
Galvin and Monico were the only ones who shook their heads in disbelief. Flavius only glared at the hybrid that did his job for him.
Remembering the Griffin, Vaeludar saw Flarefur eating off a bone and didn’t pay any attention to Vaeludar’s rude awakening. The Griffin didn’t seem to care what the hybrid did to wake the others; it paid more attention to its breakfast than to anyone else. And right beside the Griffin was Marina nibbling on a small fish.
After some time, Vaeludar’s companions were eating their fill of breakfast. Vaeludar himself ate some honey-glazed meat he thought would be best for him. The claws of Vaeludar’s left wing held the meat he was eating. It was half an hour before
