Chapter Eight

Soranto leapt up into the air with rigorous determination, wanting to get as far as he could before she'd want him to stop and rest. Once he passed Orwin Valley and Lucipheria, she tapped him on the ear.

"I'm not landing yet."

"I wasn't going to ask you to... I wanted to know if you'd stop by my castle first."

"I can do that for you, yes."

"May I ask how long it will take by dragon?"

"A few days, maybe more."

"That's amazing, It makes me wish I had a dragon."

"I fly a lot." Soranto told the gremlin, enjoying the extra attention.

"I wouldn't doubt that one bit Mister Soranto.. I've seen a few dragons in my time but you sir are by far the fastest.'

"I think I'm going to like this little fellow." The dragon responded.

They flew onward, taking a short break half way to Goblin's Hollow. The dragon didn't even nap, just rested his wings for a good twenty minutes before he'd been ready to keep going. When they had finally reached her beloved castle, it was well beyond the dawning of the next day. Even Ralvania couldn't believe they made it that far so quickly. The empress slid down his back then turned around to help the gremlin as well.

"Thanks."

"Think nothing of it, would you like to come in?"

When they reached the door, the gremlin crawled up the wall. The empress just froze, as if in a trance.

"What's wrong?" Vamier asked, seeing the panic in her eyes.

"Why are you scaling the wall?"

"Oh I'm sorry.. I can use the door if you want... Most gremlins crawl through the windows, it's like our trademark."

"I see."

"Is there more to it?" Vamier asked, concerned for her.

After a long hesitation, slowly she told him what was really going on...

"It's strange, but I'll tell you."

"Yes, go on, please."

Giving him a sad look, then letting out a deep sigh, told him what was on her thoughts.

"Several months ago, I had a dream of gremlins taking over my home, by climbing up the walls just like you did now."

"Did you misinterpret the dream?"

"What do you mean?"

"Not all dreams are literal...maybe you were overwhelmed with your Empress responsibilities... needing to focus on you, not others."

"That makes more sense then it should."

"Happy to help."

"Let's go inside, I won't take long."

He nodded, then she slowly opened the door leading him into the gorgeous marble and cobblestone design of the castle. To her it was a small home but to him it was huge, possibly one of the biggest one's he'd seen; other than the warlock's place. A young woman ran up to both of them.

"Miss, so glad you've returned.. Who's the critter?"

"He's a gremlin that needs my help. I'll be gone longer than intended. I need to grab a few things before I go again."

"Would you like a pot of pixie brew to go?"

"I'd love that, yes."

"I'll make it now... Things were well in your absence, miss."

"I knew it would be, I have faith in you, Gin"You're too kind, miss." She replied, then dashed off to start the pot of brew.

The Empress turned to Vamier.

"Feel free to look around while I grab a few things we might need.'

"Sure, thanks." He said.

Giving himself a tour of the spacious main floor, he admired her decorative home. It was a nice, comforting place to see. As he looked around, she ran up the stairs and started to hunt down any extra supplies they might need for the quest. After grabbing magickal supplies and extra clothes, she left back down the stairs to the kitchen, seeing one of her staff.

"Miss, good to see you." The servant greeted.

"You too. I'm going to be gone for some time, I need to pack a little food with me."

"Anything special?"

"Breads, crackers, anything that won't spoil in a few days."

"Got it." The servant replied, filling a large bag of different foods for her.

"Thanks." She said turning and almost bumping into Amberosia.

"I'm so sorry." The servant replied.

"It happens."

"Oh, here's your coffee."

"You're a lifesaver. Thanks." She said, taking the coffee and wandering through the main floor until finding the Gremlin near the door leading to the courtyard.