Page 53 of A Simple Truth

“So, what are we waiting for then?” she questioned.

“We don’t even know exactly where the stone is,” Zora argued.

“We do now. I have the location. I can only assume you have a map of Elfland, don’t you, General?” Finn asked, still not moving her eyes from me and I fully enjoyed that attention.

“I do,” I gave her a slight nod.

“Sounds like we are ready.” Finnleah shrugged.

“Well, okay then. So, who is going?” Zora released a long sigh.

“I think the fewer people that go, the less chance of starting a war with the elves prematurely. Since I am the only one who can speak or read Elvish, I am definitely going, and since he clearly has no issue with turning people to ash with the blink of an eye, he gets to go too.” Before I could say anything, Finnleah narrowed her eyes at me and sternly added. “Please don’t let this get to your head, General, it is not a compliment; more of a statement of fact.”

Too late, I dramatically mouthed to her, earning a little smile mixed with a scowl, that made my heart jump.

“Sounded like a compliment to me.” Xentar and Orest chuckled near me, and even Zora hid a crooked smile.

We spent hours planning late into the night; how we’d cross the elven border undetected, what strongholds and wards we’d encounter. After a while, once the main plan was decided, Finn crawled onto my couch, tucking her legs underneath the length of her dress as she scanned the Elvish text.

“Shit,” Finn cursed, turning a page. We all turned to her at the sound. “It says here the stone can only be found on the full moon. That’s in two days. We won’t make it there in time.”

“We will if we take the dragons,” I responded casually.

“You havedragonsnow?” she asked, stunned.

“Sort of.” Orest smiled tenderly.

“You know what…I amtootired to question that right now.” She let out a sigh, mumbling something under her breath as she returned her eyes back to the unbound pages.

Perhaps I was too exhausted myself, because I allowed my eyes to shamelessly stare at her half-asleep figure, crouched amidst the elvish scrolls on my couch. She was still dressed in that red dress that looked so damn good on her, my stomach summersaulting each time I looked in her direction. My mind frantically grasped at every single detail my eyes devoured, engraving them in my memory, so I would never forget.

“Focus, brother,” Xentar prodded, politely clearing his throat. But it was of no use, because the only thing I could focus on right now was how perfect she was.

30

FINNLEAH

Itrailed Orest’s tall figure as we hiked the hill to the top of another island. I was dressed in my fully mended black leathers, feeling a bit odd wearing them for the first time since the Glide attack. My few weapons, all strapped on the side of the small sack with a few essentials, laid tightly against my back.

I thought I would get used to the loud waves of the roaring ocean, but each time we made our way to the cliffy islands, a certain level of reverence filled my soul at the limitless horizons sprawling below us. A gust of wind played with my braid as I adjusted some of my hair.

Dragons…actual dragons. Perhaps I really should’ve questioned what that meant yesterday.But I already lived amidst Destroyers, what was another fire breathing, scaly creature? One I had never seen before...one that I’d have toflyon.

Just another day in my life.I swallowed as we approached the top of the island, clenching my clammy fists.

“These are thedragons?!” I gasped, as we made it to the green pasture covered in gigantic dragonflies, eating what I could only guess was sticky nectar in the large buckets thata few Creators were refilling. My eyes wandered in complete bewilderment as I observed these amazing creatures. Actual dragonflies. With two sets of wings, a long body, and a thin tail. As if made from crystal like glass, their bodies resembled a clear mirror, reflecting glimpses of morning rays.

Dragonflies…I shook my head as we made our way through the pasture.

Gideon and Zora were already stationed by one of them. The General was dressed in his black pants, off-white tunic, and a black leather jacket. His two large swords were strapped to his back, the blood rubies glowing in the sun like a bloody halo.

“Ready?” Zora asked, sending me a half smile. I nodded in reply, handing my bag to the General as he put it with the rest of our supplies in the large, white saddle bags attached in the space between the creature’s wings.

Xentar finished chatting to the couple of Creators close by, and turned to greet us.

“This is Greyfas,” he said, petting the creature softly. “He is one of the fastest ones here. He will fly you across the desert in no time.”

“Are they made of glass?” I asked, unsure if I was ready to come any closer to the giant critter’s legs, realizing that I wasn’t sure which one was more disturbing: a typical fire breathing dragon or a gigantic insect.

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