Chapter Nine

She led Vamier out of the castle and back to the waiting dragon a few feet from the castle door.

"Are you ready now?" Soranto asked.

"I think we are, yes."

"Good, get on."

As soon as they did, he bolted for the skies, faster than usual. The Empress leaned back as the gremlin peered down just as they exited Goblin's Hollow territory. Soon they passed Meridian's Isle, the neighboring city. The dragon kept going, flying in and out of the clouds, high above the majestic landscape. After a few hours in the air, he called back to them.

"You two okay back there?"

"We're fine as long as you are."

"I'm fine."

"Thank you Mister Soranto. I know it's a long journey."

"No problem little fellow."

Vamier leaned against her and fell esleep for the next forty minutes as they passed over forests, mountains and several villages.

"I'm going to land soon, I need to rest."

"Sure."

A few minutes later the gremlin slowly stirred, fluttering his eyes a few seconds before waking. Then he sat straight up.

"Is everything okay? How long did I sleep?"

"Everything is fine, you slept an hour. We're landing soon so the dragon may rest, that's all."

"Oh, okay."

Fifteen minutes later the dragon slowed down incredibly, followed by a smooth landing of perfection; in a strange and deserted forest.

"Where are we?" Vamier asked, sliding down the dragon.

The empress noticed it right away. It looked like any other forest but the quiet was creepy. Not a sound. No bird in the sky, no leaves rustling in the distance.

"Tangent Hills, it's almost deserted."

"What do you mean almost?"

"There are no more than twenty creatures living here. Their defenses are weak so they stay out of sight."

The Empress nodded as the dragon curled into a ball and the gremlin just stayed close to her. Taking a stroll through Tangent Hills, the gremlin followed close behind. Watching out fro anything strange, having her guard up. Weak creatures were desprate too, that made them all the more dangerous. They crept through the silent and eerie terrain. She could feel the vibe of nervous anxiety coming from the gremlin. Another ten minutes of walking through the strange woods, Vamier broke the dreadful silence.

"How far do you plan to go?"

"Not that far. I walk to stretch my legs and clear my thoughts, mainly to let the dragon sleep."

"That makes sense."

Another five minutes passed and they heard something hiding behind a huge dark blue elm tree. As they got a little closer, it leaped out from it's hiding place. She could sense the fear coming from this fellow, he seemed to be part troll. He stood only a few inches taller than Vamier, who'd been hiding behind her. The troll mud yellow eyes and dark skin with very little white hair.

"Hello there. We aren't here to harm you." She said.

"Why should I believe you?"

"We're just passing through here."

"We're on our way to Depheria, my dragon needed to rest."

"What dragon?"

"He's about three miles up the road. I'm Vamier, This is Ralvania."

"I'm Fazzio."

"Good to meet you sir, are you part troll?"

"Yes, a gnome troll. I live out here. I defend my home any way I can."

"As would I."

"How long will you be here?"

"Another hour, then we'll be on our way."

"We don't get visitors too often, whenever we do it usually means trouble."

"I can understand."

"Thanks," Fazzio replied.

"How long have you lived here?" The Gremlin asked.

"I was born here."

"We're on our way to my home, it's being threatened by dark magick."

"I do hope you can save your home."

"Me too."

"I'm sorry if we startled you out here."

"No harm has been done."

"We should probably get back to the dragon."

"It was good to meet you," The gnome troll replied, going back to his post.

The Empress and gremlin headed back to Soranto before they ran into anything else out here.