✨

  Chapter Eleven

The next morning, she'd been the first to rise. Sitting up, listening to the different birds chirping and local wildlife scurry through the forest. Meditating for well over an hour; waiting for her companions to stir. She preferred to let them wake from the dream world on their own. A good twenty minutes later, Soranto's eyes began to flutter. He stretched slowly, then turning to look at her, nodding good morning. Scooting a little closer to him she smiled.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I do feel well rested, how about you?"

"Better than usual, I must admit."

The gremlin sat up in slow motion, rubbing his eyes, before looking around. Once he was alert, added to the conversation...

"I had nightmares, but I usually do."

"I might have a potion for that."

"That's okay, I've gotten used to it."

The empress bent down and rummaged through a bag until she'd found baked bread and apples for them.

"I thought we could use a bite to eat before our journey."

They nodded in agreement, eating quickly; eager to get moving again. Two seconds later they heard someone coming their direction from the city. The gremlin was frightened, but she wondered who it had been. They stood and waited for the stranger to come into view. It was a short, elder woman. She looked to be a gypsy witch or forest wench. Her blue and white streaked stringy hair flowing limply in the soft breeze. When she reached the three, stared them down with a fierce look; radiating from sharp hazel eyes.

"Hello there miss." The Empress greeted.

"Why are you here?" The Wench demanded.

"We're on a long Quest."

"You a witch?"

"Ralvania, Empress of Sorcery."

"I'm Tika, a forest wench... I could sense magick from you."

"We meant no harm; just on a long journey."

"I know you speak the truth, I'm gifted and can sense lies."

"I read souls."

"I bet that's an interesting power."

"Yes, it is."

"I hate to interrupt; but we must get moving." The dragon spoke.

"Right of course."

"It was good to meet you," The wench replied, heading off through the forest.

The empress and little gremlin climbed onto the dragon and waited a few seconds as he soared through the air, aiming for the clouds. Over the next four hours he went faster than a shooting star. Knowing they wouldn't reach the gremlin's home yet, but thought maybe he could save them a half a day's flight. He half expected her to tell him to land. Another hour passed by as they flew over one small city after another when he heard a pair of smaller wings flapping near him. Turning his head to the right, saw a pale blue and lavender pegasus flying alongside him.

"Hi there, great day to fly isn't it?"

"Yes I suppose it is."

"You from around here?"

"No, Goblin's Hollow."

"Wow, that's really far from here."

"Yes, it is... I'm Soranto. On my back are Vamier and Ralvania."

"I'm Ferra, good to meet all of you.'

"You too."

"Where ya headed?" Aked the gremlin.

"To my home in unicorn's cove."

The gremlin and Empress just nodded.

"I love flying to different places, but nothing compares to my home."

"I can relate." Ralvania commented.

Ferra looked down then back up to the new friends she'd met.

"There's my home right there, glad to meet all of you.' The pegasus told them, before diving down near the waterfall of Unicorn's Cove.

"She was different."

"Yes, but harmless."

"Do you need to stop and rest? "

"I'll let you know."

"Okay, but please don't over do it."

"I'm fine," He stated firmly.

Ralvania just let it go before the dragon became aggravated. Looking down as they passed over caverns and cities; looking over to see the gremlin fast asleep. Watching him, hoping she could save his home and people, before it was too late...