Pricks and Bumps

Tarwyn crossed his arms. "Now, your goal is to go as far as you can, eventually completing the course. This time will be more difficult than the last, since you won't have any platforms after the quarter-way point. You'll have to use the branches themselves."

I stared down the course, keeping memory of my last attempts.

"Whenever you're ready," spoke Tarwyn.

I rushed forth, leaping on my third step. I continued just as the times before, jumping, and running, even off of the same trunk. I swung across the same vine, leaping off the narrow platform rather than landing. Miraculously, my foot met a branch I rushed off instantly, my feet moving at the mercy of my speed, not controlling it. I kicked off another branch, then kicked off of a trunk to keep myself on course. When my left foot planted on the next branch, it stomped down on its side, sending a shock of pain, crumbling my footing, leading me to fall. As my body rushed downward, I crashed my temple through a branch, bright white flashed in my eyes.

Suddenly I was laying on the ground in the darkness of the dreamscape. I could feel it; the cold.

I grunted, opened my eyes, brought myself up. "…My head…" I felt my temple.

"Yes, you hit it pretty hard, boy," the original Ladon's voice spoke.

"Why am I here again?"

"Because I need to speak with you." His unfathomable head, formed by his many flames, appeared in front of me. "I won't tell you what's to come, but I can tell you this, boy: do not quit."

"Did I ever say I was planning to?"

"Stay your lip, boy. You haven't said such a thing, but you've likely thought of it, or will. I told you so you can remember to not allow yourself to do it."

"The girl told me she saw many possible outcomes in the past, relating not to her latest vision. Have you seen the same?"

 "When she awoke me, she gave me her knowledge, to use to guide you to the proper outcome; an outcome that succeeded in coming to fruition. Saving her, and the challenges to come are that outcome."

"I agree with saving her; I wouldn't have it any other way, but how much… bother is this going to bring me? I didn't exactly sign up for it."

"Much. And no, you didn't. The change you could bring, no. The change you will bring… will be momentous."

"Do you know the power inside me? The potential I've heard so little about?"

"No. But, being attached to your being; your essence, I can feel it. It feels like strength; like speed; like raw power."

"Ladon! Ladon!" Inowyn's voice shouted, echoing in my mind; in the space.

I turned trying to find it.

"Perhaps it's your awakening."

"My what?" I turned back around, only to find myself falling on my back.

My eyes closed on their own, feeling warmth once again. My body was being shaken.

"Ladon!" Inowyn shouted again.

I gasped loudly, and quickly as I rose my body, just after my eyes opened.

"Oh thank the gods. Are you okay?!" She held me by my shoulders, from my side.

I felt my head with my hand, finding a bump just where it hurt.

"Let me heal it for you."

"It's fine; I don't need it." I began to lean into my weight to stand up.

"You're head is fine, but your mind could've gained an injury. And injuries of the mind must be mended quickly, or else they'll become permanent."

"Fine." I leaned back.

She pulled some moss, dirt, and other herbs from a small pouch that hung from her hip, mashed them together with some spit, then placed it against my bump softly, keeping her hands placed there.

"Ínthras . . . suthras . . . menden und áman sál nëmu…" A light began to peak from the side of my head. "...Líndin líf; líndin láf." She then wiped the mixture from my head that no longer hurt.

I felt the area and it had no bump any longer. "What is that light, that your spell makes?"

"It's the mark of the divine. Usually the spell doesn't produce light, but I use the divine magics to amplify it. Any divine magic produces a light of some kind. It's proof that I am Preyanor's choosing."

"I see."

"Ready to get back to it?" Came Tarwyn's voice from behind.

"Tarwyn!" Inowyn shouted in anger.

"What?! He's better isn't he?"

I turned to see him a small distance away. "I'm ready." I got up, and started climbing to the starting platform

"Ladon… Be careful."

I nodded, then brought my eagle out of its tattoo. I sat and meditated shortly, entering its eyes. I flew forth, through the course, making my way to the last platform quickly. As I flew past, I began to chart a path among the branches, circling through the whole course. I dissipated my eagle when I made my way back to myself.

I saw Tarwyn smirk slightly.

I sprinted off, jumping from platform to platform, this piece of the course becoming rehearsal. Eventually, as I swung between the last platforms, I found the branch, and the proceeding ones of my path. I jumped off the last platform as soon as my feet reached it. Kicking off a branch, I sprinted carefully, watching the branches just ahead. Similar to last time, I kicked off a trunk to keep me on the circular course since turning proved rather difficult. The further in I got, the denser the course became. I found myself jumping over some branches, vaulting, and squeezing. I didn't have time to even think about my performance. I noticed I was only picking up speed with every branch, and didn't know how to slow down. Fortunately most of the branches were big, so I managed to give slight harsh landings to slow down with each one. Quickly my speed became manageable again. After three more sprinting leaps, I noticed I had a gap ahead—one I didn't realize was so big; one created by the distance between the trees. On my last branch, I jumped as hard as I could, knowing there wasn't too much above me, though there were trees to the side. The branch broke under my force, causing me to fall before I could make any height. I sent my rope up to no avail. I fell on my back into the net, rolling until I made it to the middle.

"You made it so far!" Inowyn cheered.

I climbed back up.

"You were almost seventy percent of the way," Tarwyn said.

I rolled onto my back, and breathed. "That's probably good enough—for today."

"It will be time for dinner soon anyhow," Inowyn added.

Tarwyn looked somewhat confused. "You learn too fast. Even I took a month to get that good."

"Took me less time than you, Tarwyn," Inowyn mocked.

"By one week. My point stands strong."

I sat up, before standing.

"I just don't get it," Tarwyn continued, "I knew you take to things quickly. You proved that yesterday. The fylgja makes sense, but this… This is practically unbelievable."

"I'm not not trying. I just focus keenly on what I'm doing, to learn; to improve." I started walking.

"Deligence and perseverance can't be enough."

"Why not?"

"Maybe it's another demidragon trait: a fast mind."

"Maybe he's just talented and gifted, and cool," Inowyn said.

"I have no clue."

We continued our way to the stave house. Eventually, After we entered the building, we sat at the same table and began eating our small feast.

"Tarwyn, Inowyn, could you tell me more about your culture? I'd be a liar to say I have no interest."

"Well," Tarwyn started, "For starters, as you know, I'm Tjalin, and Inowyn is Tjali. Grandpa's role as Trewari is a bit more complicated, as is the role Inowyn is preparing for. The Trewari of our city is often called the voice of the Trelanwi, basically meaning he's the voice of the city; the leader and representative. All wood elf cities have one. Though they are the leaders, they aren't king. They technically are the final word, but as they are the voice of the people, it's the people who propose new laws, and changes, as well as making decisions. The Trewari have the power to oppose, but not by much since it's in the people's hands anyway. With that said, it's the Trewari, and Gythya, who have the most influence, so they are just as important in bringing about change and making decisions. There are situations where a Trewari might have to make a decision without the people's say. Deciding to go to war against an emanate threat, for instance, is one of those times. It's kind of complicated, but it works for us."

"I see. So what do Gythya do?"

"It's kind of similar to a Trewari in a way, just in a different subject." Inowyn started, "Gythya are the closest things Peryanor has to a champion. Because of that, we enact his will. If he tells us to fight a war, we relay that to the people and the Trewari. If he tells us to find something, we find it. But in times where he doesn't tell us to do anything, we often help out in our temples, in any battles, or with any injured or sick since we're the most capable magic users. Sometimes we travel to the other cities of our people, to help out there, or see how they're doing since a Trewari can't always. Sometimes, on the rarest of occasions, a Gythya will go into the realms of humans for various purposes."

"What is Preyanor the god of? Trees?"

Inowyn laughed, almost spitting out some melon. "Not quite! I mean trees are a part of it. He's the god of nature, a god of death, and one of the gods of life. It was his idea to create the seed that would grow to become the tree of life. He created us, and we worship him."

"Who's Asteria and Chlowan?"

Tarwyn answered, "Asteria is the goddess of the stars and light. Chlowan's the god of water. In fact, Asteria's home is actually in the astral plane."

That explains the Ginnungavatn.

"So someone could meet her if they went there?"

"If she wanted them too, sure. Space can… get a little weird there."

"Mmm. How many different types of elves are there?"

This time, Inowyn. "Well… there's Trewa álfari, Ljós álfari, Dökk álfari—"

"Right."

"There's also nÓg álfari, and Ægir álfari, though we haven't heard from them for several millennia."

"What are they?"

"NÓg álfari were wood elves that taveled with a small number of humans to Tír na nÓg. Apparently, we never heard back from them after they left. Ægir álfari are ocean elves. They have gills and live exclusively in the oceans. They came about in the ocean completely separate from us. If I remember correctly, we never kept close contact with them."

"What's Tír na nÓg?"

"It means Land of the young," Inowyn answered. "It was a large, floating island, teeming with life and natural beauty. Apparently you'd be granted youth and immortality while there. It's in a different plane. I think the humans called it the other world. Not very original. It was said to be very difficult to get to, but we have no written records of how they actually did it, so we're kind of left to question if it was real in the first place. It was before grandfather's time."

"I see. How long ago did the humans do what they did to your people?"

Tarwyn swallowed some food. "Centuries before the cull. Most humans and dragons never interacted socially with each other back then, from what I read."

I glanced over to a window across the room to see the day had turned to dusk.

"Is that everything?" Inowyn asked.

"For now. Thank you Inowyn, Tarwyn."

Inowyn smiled. "Anytime, Ladon."

In a positive tone, Tarwyn answered, "Knowledge is power."

We walked up the stairs together, parting ways on our floors. Even though I knew I was sore, I felt it more than ever when I dropped onto my bed. It took me no time at all to drift to sleep in its comforts.

In less time than a blink, I shot out of bed in a sweat-covered panic to grab and attack an enemy only to grasp air. My breath was quick and labored, as if I'd been fighting for my life all night. I slowly calmed my breath down, as I looked around, reminding myself of where I was. Whatever my dream was, I had no memory.

Suddenly my door opened quiet, yet no less quick for it, as Inowyn rushed in. Her eyes were wide; ears tucked in and back, wearing a soft camisole and leggings. "What happened?! Are you okay?!"

"...I'm fine."

"Was it just a bad dream?"

"Probably."

She sighed a sigh of relief. "You had me worried there. Do you usually have dreams that bad?"

Tarwyn rushed in, realized the situation, then regained his composure in a second. "What's going on?"

"Ladon had a bad dream."

"A dream?" he asked, incredulously.

"I'll ask again," she said. "Are your dreams normally this bad?"

"When I have one. It's been a while."

"How can a dream be that bad?" he asked.

Her eyes narrowed, though her ears didn't move. "Brother! Did you forget what he went through?"

"No… He just didn't make it seem that bad."

"All his friends died! When he was a kid!!"

"I—"

"It's fine. It's just a dream." The noise bothered me. Probably other people too.

They both relaxed their defenses, though Tarwyn still had a stiffened, guilty look.

"I'm just going to go back to bed."

Her eyes widened again. "Will you be okay?"

"Yes."

I couldn't tell if that meant sadness or worry. "...Alright then. Goodnight."

"Night."

Both of them left the room, somewhat slowly.

I went back in bed, and found the comfort needed to pass out. Like a groggy blink, I awoke to the new morning; to the songs of birds accompanied by rhythmic knocks on my door.

"I'm awake!"

Inowyn came in just as she did last morning. "Ready for the day?"

I sat at my bedside, stretching my back. "Sure."

Inowyn and I left the stave house. Tarwyn caught up outside, along with two fully-equipped escorts: one a tall, slender male, and the other an average-height female. The female's armor was significantly lighter. She had two shortswords, and a shield, while the male had a spear on his back and a longsword on his hip. Their eyes were the exact same color: white, filled with a foggy blue.

"Escorts again?"

We started down the path to the girl's room.

"There's been some . . . unrest in the thoughts and speech of some Álfari," Tawryn began. "Same reason as last time."

"Any unrest in the thoughts and speech of your trained Álfari?"

The female's brows furrowed as the male showed no change in face.

"What are you implying, Ladon? They'd never revoke their honor as protectors, and right now, they're protecting you."

"Nothing. Just curious on how far you thought into it. I see there's no need for concern." I looked at both of the guards. "I apologize if I disrespected either of you."

"Can't blame a man for a smart question," the male answered, his voice carrying more emotion than his face.

The female only sighed.

"What are your names, if I may?"

"Kalyn," The male answered.

"Laryn. I'm his older sister."

I looked at both of them, walking backward, perplexed since he looked much older.

"I know. No sense at all, right?" She half-forced a smile.

"Hm." I turned back around.

We made our way to the girl just as we had before. As we crossed the bridge leading to her tree, I saw her, holding onto the railing, looking below. Her aurora hair blew to the side in the wind along with her white, cotton nightgown. She had more color in her face. Inowyn and I sped up, though she was moving quicker.

The girl turned to us, a tired smile meeting my eyes. As I got closer, I glanced at Prewana, who watched her from the door, then back to the girl.

"Should you be doing this? Is it safe?" I asked.

Prewana uncrossed her arms. "She insisted on trying. She's actually doing pretty well."

"I've felt much better today… than I had for a long time. I was even able to stomach some meat this morning."

"That's… good."

"The fresh air here's… nice, isn't it, Ladon?"

"It is." I had no clue how to talk to her.

"What were you… going to do today?"

"Check on you, tree stride. After that? I'm not sure."

"What's tree striding?"

"Running and jumping from tree to tree. I've been training."

She took a breath. "Can I come?"

"Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I… wanna enjoy the day."

Prewana walked a little closer. "I'll allow it, if she doesn't walk."

"I don't think… I can stay on my feet much longer anyway."

I could see her arms shaking from keeping herself up. I looked to Inowyn to receive a nod.

I walked to her other side, and kneeled, my back facing her, arms stretched low behind myself. In almost an instant, I felt her weight land on me; her arms wrap around my neck loosely; her legs land on my hands; her chest on my back. I stood up, leaning forward so she wouldn't have to support her weight. She was heavier than the last time I carried her.

"Will you be coming, Prewana?" I asked, since I wasn't sure how comfortable I'd feel without her caretaker.

"I would like to keep an eye on her during this journey."

I nodded slightly. "Let's be off then."

We walked off, heading to the striding course. The girl's long hair brushed the sides of my head often, letting me know every time she turned to look at something. She turned a lot. She gasped in awe at all the flying astral creatures, the smell of the air, and the rays of sunlight peeking through the gaps, big or small.

"It's amazing here!"

"It is."

"You've got that right!" Inowyn began, practically leaning into us. "There's no shortage of food, housing, or wonder. We all have responsibilities and jobs to do, but it definitely can be blissful. The air never smells bad here."

"Unless Gerickst flies over," I said.

"True, but he doesn't do that often."

"He doesn't?" I asked.

"He usually goes around Ith Trelanwi," Tarwyn answered.

"I see."

Inowyn rushed up close, again. "Hey, girl?" she asked.

Her arms were tighter around my neck. "Yes?"

"What's your name?"

I hadn't thought about it myself for a while. I couldn't remember, and I didn't want to ask because then it would be known.

"I… don't… remember. Whatever it was, I stopped hearing… and even thinking about it after that night."

"I understand." I said, in Inowyn's stead.

Before long, we made it to the course. It was the same as it's always been, if not a bit brighter. I brought my dark-purple, black-streaked astral wolf out. He layed down in a way that let the girl comfortably rest her back against his side.

"So soft… and warm."

Inowyn quickly squatted down to pet him. "Perfect, right?"

The girl reached behind herself to do the same. "Yeah."

I climbed the ladder to the starting platform. At the top, I entered the starting stance.

"Be careful!" I heard the girl shout, though I'd hardly call it one.

"He can do it, don't worry, girl." Inowyn said. "Even if he does slip up, there's a big net to catch him."

Though I never really had during any of the other attempts, I felt nervous, like I needed to perform, or prove something. I didn't know why. Suddenly I felt a prick, an almost unnoticable sting, in the back of my neck. I instinctively reached to feel my neck, and my hand found nothing. I could've sworn I was ever-so-slightly nauseous. Weird. Must be the nerves.

"Whenever you're ready," Tarwyn said.

I quickly wrapped the rope around my left arm instead of my right, removing my thoughts, focusing on the path ahead. I exhaled once, then sprinted, jumping on the third step. Deftly, I made it to each platform, jumping off the same trunk, and swinging from the same vine. I followed the path I set out last time, using a couple trunks to correct my direction. Before I knew it, I was vaulting and ducking and contorting my body to fit wherever I needed it to, without sacrificing too much speed. I was closing in on the gap. I knew where the broken branch was, and that I couldn't use it. I jumped, then again harder, and again even harder, one last jump off the branch preceding the broken, I flew forward. I tossed the rope straight up since I knew my speed. It latched onto somewhere, letting me use my momentum to bring myself higher. It detached as I soared to the end of the gap. I kept rushing, moving as quickly as I could. There was a pressure in my mind. I wanted to do great. There were some branches and massive leaves from a lower tree ahead, blocking most of the left side, so I jumped to my right, kicking off a trunk as I passed them. I was instantly back on course. I noticed not far ahead was a left turn; the final one. I knew the lack of footing that was there, and how Tarwyn conquered it. I jumped, throwing my rope from my left arm. I swung around the corner, the platform in sight. The swing brought me just high enough before detaching, letting me fly right to the platform. I rolled to my feet in a controlled manner, reducing my speed to a halt. 

I did it.

Both Inowyn and the girl clapped, Inowyn definitely the louder. I took a big breath, hopped down, landing harder than I thought.

My wolf helped the girl stand upright. "That was incredible!" I saw more energy in her than I ever had.

"Thank—"

"Incredible?!" Inowyn shouted excitedly. "That wasn't just incredible. That was— was—"

"Oustanding job, Ladon," Tarwyn congratulated. "So much progress in so little time. I want to be mad, but I can't."

My head felt fuzzy. "...Thank you, Tarwyn."

The escorts looked dumbfounded.

For a second I could've sworn the world turned.

Inowyn tapped me on the back with her fist.

I turned.

She hugged me.

I stiffened like a statue, not hugging back.

"We're all very proud. Just wait until you tell Braxy."

She disengaged just before I turned around again, to look at the girl. She was approaching me with the help of my wolf.

"How… long have you been training this?"

I shook my head, to readjust something that didn't feel right in my neck. "A few days."

She smiled in earnest, one of the warmest smiles I'd ever seen. It made me feel comfortable, like I proved I was worthy of protecting her.

Tarwyn planted his hand on my shoulder. Somehow the force brought me down a little bit. My breath was getting a little labored.

"Ladon?" he asked

Suddenly my legs and arms felt weak as my mind grew foggy. Just after, my sight blurred. I could feel my breath becoming harder to achieve through my partially-tightened throat. I looked down, just before I saw everyone's expressions change. I reached for something with my left arm.

"Ladon? Are you—OH GODS!"

I fell as darkness came over me.