Chapter 3

Backing away slowly as the pungent smell of evil and rotten souls made her turn to one side and dry heave; then vomit. The vision from the nightmare had just come true after all. She crept slowly in the forest, until her nerves settled. Once she came to the dragon, taking one of his several daily naps. She tiptoed around him until reaching the castle. Knocking louder than usual, she waited a good four minutes when the door swung open. The butler recognized her right away and took her straight away to see Queen Lily. As he left and the Fairy Queen turned to see her standing there.

"Empress, it's so good to see you.'

"It's good to see you too."

"How are you? Is everything okay?"

Ralvania's eyes went blank, as she shook her head no.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's bad."

"How bad could it be?"

After taking a deep breath, giving Lily a serious as death look, she began to explain the problem.

"Here we go... There are demonic spirits running wild through the forest here. I know how they got here." She took a breath, after a good dramatic pause, continued with what needed to be said.

"Inside the wicked willow is a portal of evil.. In the tree lies a devil's hole."

"Are you serious, my gods we are screwed.'

"I've had to deal with demons before, but not many.. I may need help with this.'

"What about those warlocks that Salem knows?"

"You are brillant, thank you."

"I'll go to Salem, see if he knows how to reach them. I may be able to fix it."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Stay in this castle, Collin too."

"Is that all you want me to do?"

"I intend to keep you safe."

"Promise me.'

"I promise."

"Good now I must explain it to the dragon."

The Queen nodded as she said goodbye. She sprinted from the castle until reaching the dragon, sitting up waiting for her return.

"Ah empress, there you are."

"Yes, would you like to go see Kadrid?"

"I'd love to, but why?"

"I need to talk to Salem."

"Now what?'

"Trivett was right. The tree has a dark portal inside it. There are demons and evil spirits coming through it, I need help to fight them off.'

"Get on we'll leave immediately." He said.

She nodded and climbed on as they took off to the skies. When it was important he flew like a winged lightning bolt. Flying south east from the current location, he stopped for nothing. As he flew onward, the empress stayed lost in her thoughts. For once, she had to go to another for help. Had the situation not been so severe, she'd have found it amusing. All that mattered, getting the help she needed. They flew over forests, villages and small towns. A few hours passed when she finally spoke to the dragon.

"Are we getting close?"

"Not really."

"Are you doing okay?"

"Don't you worry I'm fine."

Rubbing the top of his head, glad to have him around. He wasn't just a majestic creature; to her he was family, a true comfort. Soranto had but one dragon he liked to see, Salem's dragon Kadrid. It was good to see him befriend his own kind. The Empress stayed lost in her own thoughts until looking down. She had no idea where they were, it didn't look too familiar to her.

"Where are we now?"

"Scarlett's Isle, a few towns away from the hybrid warlock."

"Thanks, do you need to rest?"

"It's pointless, we're close enough, I'll rest when I land."

After what felt like a quarter to an eternity, he circled a huge castle on top of a mountain, not far from a waterfall. He slowly landed near the front of the cobblestone grey castle.

"We're here." He announced.

"This is Salem and Pandora's home?"

"Kadrid lives here,too."

"Of course." She said, climbing down.

"I'll be here or with Kadrid."

"I'll return soon." She replied, then walked to the castle door.