ARTHODON AND THE FOUR DRAGONS

CHAPTER 11: THE SECOND SEER

"Here" Markus took Maiari's right hand and put a bracelet made in salamander's skin decorated with black gems and silver. 

"Thanks" Maiari said and they paused in their walk to the shore to meet Mister Tul's boat. Maiari has a long hair that is curly on its end and it reached her back. But she always tie her hair to hide her ears. She has a little round black eyes and thin, red, smiling lips. Her complexion is fair but became tanned because of her always working in the sun and hunting on the woods or diving at the sea for their everyday needs.

"Happy birthday" he greeted her friend and she smiled and they started to walked again. "I really don't understand my mother why she don't want me to go anywhere outside this place. There's no special about this place. This place is sucks, full of thieves and fugitives and rebels" she complained. Maiari was favored by many because of her wisdom and talents. She invented the well to give the people of the Crow additional water source for farming. She also suggested to the town to plant in their backyard for family consumption.

"I'm sure she has a big reason why" Markus replied, looke away from his friend.

"But why she didn't tell me? That's why I don't understand! There's a life there outside the Crow and I am sure we can live better there and I can provide for the three of us" she continued in her declamation.

"You know, we better enjoy this day. Forget everything for now, huh" Markus suggested and move his head towards the horizon. Maiari ran to the shore.

"Mister Tuk!" the half blood shouted and waved hef hand.

"Maiari" the old man pulled his boat to the shore ad Markus helped him.

"How's Rutheos?" she excitingly asked the old friend.

"Aaah, I know you'll ask that" he chuckled. "Here" Tuk gave her a small bag of tea, "that's good for the eyes".

"Thanks, Mister Tuk" she appreciated.

******

Damien still wandering in confusion what was happened. All eyes were on him and the prince of Desteon and two generals and soldiers standing in front of him. Her mother holding his hand with teary eyes. They both on their knees and facing the earth. 

"What did you just said?" the prince asked in a firm voice. "What did you mean by it? Dwarf" 

Damien don't know what to say. He don't even know what happened.

"Speak, the Prince was asking you!" the soldier said.

His sweat started to form in his face and fear totally made his body tremble. He looked at his mother and then bravely stood up. "I'm afraid I do not know remember what happened, Your Grace" he stutered without looking to Prince Althios.

"What do you mean on 'You don't remember anything'?" he asked again and thinking what he should do to this young fellow. The whole Desteon is witnessing the scene and waiting to his decision. 

"Take him" the prince ordered. "Wha..what?" Damien's mother was shocked at his decision. "Please, please, I beg of you, Your Grace. Please don't take my son" she cried and knelt down before the prince. Two soldiers took Damien, hold him in both arms and then bind him. The parade continued and his mother was left there weeping.

******

King Jeron informed immediately the Encanta about the unexpected that transpired at their kingdom. The Desteon's incident which happened exactly on the prince's birthday spread quickly over the land that lead to different supposition and speculation. The rumor brings fear and uncertainty. Many believed that it has a connection to the Great Prophecy and the Dragon's Awakening as they called it, that occured more that 15 years ago. Few days later, the news even reached and scattered like a wildfire to the other kingdoms. You can hear everywhere the name that echoes 'The Second Seer'.

"Time to show me how much you improve" Neia teased prince Althios on their secret practice. He smirked and opened his both palms. Slowly the stones near him floated in the air and without second thought it flew fast towards the witch. Neia immediately create an energy field which when the stones touched it, they turned to dust. Instantly, the invisible shield gathered together in front of the witch and formed an energy ball. She threw it to the Prince. Althios unsheathed his sword and tried to cut it. But it didn't instead it made him thrown away and fell hard to the ground on his back. He stood up swiftly and run then jumped. Mid-air Neia disappeared from where she was standing and appeared on his back. Althios forced to face the opponent and swing his sword to her but she disappeard again. The prince landed bended on one knee. He looked around but he saw no one.

"You know you can't hide from me" the prince immediately create a green fire-like energy ball in his right hand and throw it behind him. Neia was hit and was thrown to a tree. 

"I'm impressed but not enough" the witch also threw an energy ball to Althios but he caught it amd played it through his hands. And then threw it back to the opponent but she wipe it with her hand and it faded like a smoke.

"You're ready. It's time to learn the kind of power which is not taught in Arthodon" the witch said while walking towards the prince. "And I promise you, you will be the most powerful in Arthodon" she smirked. Althios immediately felt the intense rush of passion and pride. An extreme hunger and greed for power and dominion.

******

In Encanta,

"Now that the Dragons have chosen and called a new seer, what do we need to do, my lord?" Gorin asked Neia. She chuckled and looked at the fake seer. "Relax, there's only one solution for that" Neia walked around the room and get the quill pen on Gorin's table. She put her index finger on its tip and cut her own finger. "Kill him" she looked furiously at Gorin and showed him her blood.

"My lord, I..." he stuttered. He never killed anyone before. He can't do such horrendous task.

"You'll kill him or I kill you" she jabbed the tip of the pen to the table, "the choice is yours" she laughed insanely and terrifyingly.

******

Maiari walked to market to buy some herbal medicine and goods. She felt someone was watching her and following her. Many times she looked back and around but she didn't see someone strange. Just a normal market scene of customers and merchants. She went to a part of the market where there are less volume of people to confront whoever stalking her.

"So, I see you're a bit well known here" a fat human bolcked her way. "Maiari, right?"

"Who are you? What do you need?" She asked though she already knew who they are. Maybe just to trick them or study them.Build a conversation to get some answers like how many they are and what group exactly they were.

"I heard you're half-blood" another came out from her back holding a knife. "Maybe your blood is pricey for the nobles" he chuckled.

"Are you the outlaw last week? Or the rebel last month?" she asked again and acted calm 'How are they know I am a half blood?' There are only few people know about their secret, Markus, Wilhelm and Mister Tuk. Maiari only knew that her father died for them and they were cast out here at the Crow as punishment of her mother in bringing a half-blood.

"Seize her!" shouted by the man in fron of her. Suddenly, another four humans full of tattoos and earings came out from the dark and jumped down from the roof. She ready herself to an aggresive attack. Maiari knew self defense and fighting because Wilhelm taught him since she was young. Her skills and knowledge in combat improved because of hunting and of troubles like this. But stil fighting six men with sharp long knife and an ax is suicide. The first man attacked. She dodged it and gripped his hand and threw him to the one at her back. They both fell to the ground. Another two attacked and shunned their jabs. She was cut on her shoulder. Maiari get a dirt and threw it to them and quickly get one of a knife from them. She seized the one nearest to her who is rubbing her eyes. She put the knife on his neck and threat them that she will kill him if they dont let her leave. They laughed and attacked her. She kicked them and ran as fast as she could.

Scene like this is normal at Crow so every one dont dare to intervene. No one helped her. The skinny one from the group caught her so she threw the pot from the stall to her opponent. Another from her back will stab her but he fell stopped and fell to the ground. From the distance she saw Markus, holding a bow. She ran towards him.

"Another trouble?" he smirked. Markus is always there for Maiari especially in these kind of situation. He is ready to help and rescue her but sometomes chastise her being stubborn and trouble maker. Maiari just looked at him like an 'are we just stand here or what' stare. They both ran away from the bad guys. "You're welcome!" Markus shouted while running and he chuckled.

"There they are!" One shouted and pointing them.

"Maiari, Markus, this way!" They heard a voice calling them. It's Mister Tuk. They immediately followed the kind merchant. 

"Hey!" the fat and tall one shouted, pointing to them with his ax. What should they do next? They saw them with Mister Tuk.

"To the boat!" Mister Tuk instructed.

"But.." Maiari doubted.

"Just for now. They will not stop 'til they kill you" the old merchant said. They all jumped on the boat and with some of Mister Tuk's trading products to be sold. "Don't worry we will be gone and be back in a few days. Didn't you want to see the southern kingdom?" Mister Tuk said with a smile. Maiari exhaled and smiled.

******

Damien from Desteon was brought to Encanta for observation and final decision of the four kings of Arthodon. They have discussed what the meaning of having a two seers. Why the Guardian Dragons called a new seer? What did Damien meant for 'The Darkness has now commence'? because all they know the half blood child was dead. 

While staying there he received a small rolled letter hidden in his food. 'Beware. Your life is in danger. Do not trust anyone'. He felt scared and a bit confuse. Whom do I need to be careful of and why? 

******

It's starting to get dark and the sun is setting down to the horizon. Clanis was now worried and nervous because Maiari still hasn't come home yet. She walked through the house to and fro. When suddenly they heard a loud sound outside their house. Someone break their fence and now knocking hard to their door.

"Let me" Wilhelm said and then opened the door.

"Is this the house of Maiari?" the tall fat and ugly outlaw asked.

"I'm afraid not" the dwarf answered. "I don't even heard that name, Sir"

"You're lying"  the intimidating stranger squinted his eyes. "Anyway, I just wanted to say that she went to Rutheos" they turned back to leave when Clanis called them.

"Wait!" Clanis stepped closer to them, "How did you know that?"

"Why are saying this to us?" following question from Wilhelm.

"We saw her with Mister Tuk" the man paused "Tell me is your daughter 16 years old?"

"Thank you, gentlemen" Wilhelm said no information and then closed the door.

"She was born on the year when the Dragon was awakened" he smirked and when he said it Wilhelm paused a bit before closing totally the door

The six strangers walked away and leaved the fence down. "What's are next plan?" asked one of his comrade.

"We're going to Rutheos. I just got the information I needed" their leader let out a soft chuckled.

******

"Greetings, Head Seer" Damien said when Gorin visited him in his room. 

"How's your stay here in Encanta?" Gorin asked but Damien remembered the letter so.."It's good, my lord" Damien answered.

"Let me tour you through the temple" Gorin said kindly and smiled.

As they walked around the temple inside and the outside it, Damien asked the Head Seer bravely, "My lord, can I ask, when did I get home?" 

Gorin chuckled and looked at him, "I am afraid, you will be staying here for now... On how long? I do not know" 

******

"Your Highness" a sentinnel entered the King's Royal hall,  "there's a group of bandit that wanted to see you"

"What did they want?" King Ramiro asked.

"They said have a valuable information that will surprise the kingdom" the soldier relayed.

"Let them come" said the king. The six bandits entered the hall and escorted  by two guards.

"Greetings, your Highness!" the leader said and then they all bowed their head.

"So what kind of information you have for us?" King Ramiro said and give them permission to explain.

"Information worth of gold!" the leader explained and then he continued,  "16 years ago the whole land shook and the four Dragons awakened; that same night a half human and half elf was born"

King Ramiro straightened his back on his seat and looked at the group attentively.

"That half blood is alive" he concluded proudly and smirked.

Nothing can be heard in the hall but only silence. King Ramiro don't know what to say or react. "Are you certain?" the king finally opened his mouth.

"Yes my King. We wouldn't dare to lie before your presence. She's even here in Rutheos" he revealed to make the conversation more intense. Ramiro closed his fist tightly and stood up and instructed his righthand man, "prepare the troop"

 "We can accompany the troop, Your Majesty" the leader said and scratching his palm. Then the righthand man throw to them a three big purses of gold.