Avalonna

Even though there was no sunlight to tell, the dwarves were able to inform Avalonna and Drow that it was already the next day by the time they were ready to leave.

"I am so glad we will have your army to aid us, Prince Norran." Avalonna told the dwarf prince. She had woken up later than Drow and was just meeting the two of them in a field after breakfast.

"It is a pleasure to not only pay back our debt to your family, but end the Red King's reign once and for all." He replied, shaking their hands.

Drow nodded and followed Avalonna to meet the Dwarven army before leaving. The generals of the army wore gold colored armor with tower shields and war hammers. The numerous Dwarven soldiers wore silver armor with various crests and helmets. They had large round shields and the same war hammers as the generals. Some generals even had large warthogs and war ponies that were cladded in similar appearing armor and saddles.

"This is the mighty Dwarven army of Terraheim." Norran said from behind Avalonna and Drow.
"They will be at your service when the time is right. Come, I have something else to show you." He said and gestured for them to follow him.

The dwarf prince marched through leafless trees and over rocky ground to a large open area surrounded by a tall metal gate.

"For years we have trained mighty beasts to aid us, should the Red Guard ever invade. Behold." He said commandingly and held his arms out.

For a few moments, nothing happened. Then, suddenly the ground began to shake and tremble. Large creatures broke the earth's surface and roared. They were long and worm like with purple scaling and no visible eyes. Their teeth were large and sharp and they looked like they could swallow a horse whole.

"These monsters help us dig out tunnels and fight even the fiercest enemies." Norran said, clearly unaffected by the presence of the beasts.
"We have a native name for them, but in your tongue they would be called purple serpents. They can eat almost anything and swallow their prey whole." He added and walked up to the large creature.

The purple serpent lowered it's head down and allowed the prince to pet it's head before it and it's kin burrowed away into the ground.

"They will be quite an asset to us in the upcoming battle." Norran concluded.

"Yes, in all my travels I have not seen anything quite like them." Drow replied, nodding in approval.

"I agree, but how are they controlled?" Avalonna asked.

"They are not controlled, they are trained and made friends with. These are intelligent, living creatures, Avalonna, and can do as they wish. We simply persuade them to help us." Norran replied.

"So...they are not overly reliable, are they? I only ask to ensure that this plan goes smoothly." Avalonna added.

"I assure you, these serpents will do as you tell them as long as you are on the side of the dwarves." Norran stated with a nod.

"That is quite a relief." Avalonna said with a smile.
"I am glad to have the dwarves and the purple serpents as our allies. We shall go to the 13th Council and do all we can and return to decide our next actions." She said nodding and walking with Drow.

Norran nodded and lead them to the entrance of the city.
"I wish you the best of luck on your quest." He said with a firm handshake to each of them.
"What you are about to try and do may change not just the kingdom, but the world. You are giving magic a fighting chance again."

"Thank you, Prince Norran." Avalonna replied as she and Drow stood at the entrance of the city.
"You have been quite hospitable and we are very grateful."

"I agree with Avalonna, I look forward to fighting alongside you." Drow added, shaking the Prince's hand.

"May fate be kind to us all." Norran replied.

Avalonna and Drow nodded and left the city as quietly as they could. They came back to the cave opening and were relieved to see their horses still were they had been left.

Avalonna waved her hand and used her magic to seal the cave shut again using the large boulder. She and Drow then got on their mounts to travel further north.

"Val, you seem much more serious and in a hurry than usual. Is something wrong?" Drow asked after a few moments of traveling.

"I...I am not sure." She replied.
"I may have done something last night that I should not have."

"Last night? You mean in Terraheim?" Drow asked. Avalonna nodded in reply.
"What could you have possibly done? We slept in the same room all night."

"I did not exactly sleep last night." Avalonna muttered quietly.

"Come now, Avalonna, it is not like a lady to mumble. What happened?" Drow replied.

Avalonna took several moments before answering. She felt the breeze start to pick up slightly as it blew her hair back and the plant life around them began to lessen. They were indeed getting closer to the cold northern wilderness.

"I stayed up reading a book that Lydia had given to me when I left on this quest." Avalonna finally stated.
"It was a book on witchcraft and spells, and though half of it was meant for Connor, I was able to read and understand most of the text. So last night I woke up and practiced some of the spells I had learned." Tears began to form in her eyes as she spoke, but she was able to blink them away and continue.

"I had severely depleted my energy and I knew I would be almost useless to you come morning. That's when I saw some dwarves preparing to start their day in the road by the cottage we were in." She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts.

"I needed energy, they had some. I reread a newer spell from the book, one that enabled me to drain the energy from another without consent and from a distance...so I did it. I took their energy and refilled my own. The dwarves fell asleep and I felt quite replenished." Avalonna stated. She didn't know whether to frown at herself or try to force a smile. She dare not look at Drow until he responded.

They rode on in silence for several moments before Drow could reply. He had a deep look of concentration on his face and the mix of emotions he showed made him almost unreadable.

"Val... you know those kinds of spells are black magic, don't you? You shouldn't be doing that, you could've just rested and we would have left a little later." He stated.
"Magic is dangerous, haven't you ever wondered why someone as evil and powerful as the Red King is scared of it?" He asked.

Avalonna thought to herself and sighed slowly.
"I know, Drow. What I did was wrong and an abuse of my powers. I am afraid I may have gone against my mother's wishes. I hope the 13th Council will be able to point me in the right direction. I know I need to practice my magic and learn more powerful spells, but not at the cost of others." She concluded.

Before she could get out another word she noticed she could see her breath start to form and the air had a chill to it. She looked back and any traces of a town were far behind them. They had just left Aster's limits and entered into the cold wilderness of the north. Avalonna smiled slightly, the 13th Council could not be too far from here.