The Endless Forest

Felix watched with a mixture of surprise and awe as Eri began handing out tasks. She hadn’t seemed too confident at first, but that quickly changed as she became the center of attention. But even then, there was a brief moment where he saw her nearly back away.

It was then that her demeanor changed. He almost missed it, only him knowing her for so long had been what allowed him to see it. There was no helping, he thought back to their time after the dwarven ale. To the carefree and free-spirited Eri.

This was different, however. She wasn’t carefree, nor wild, nor free-spirited…

But she’s burning just as bright as that night. Felix smiled as he let himself get swept up in her speech.

Unfortunately, as things began to calm down and elves went running off, his eyes drifted towards a lonely Aluin. His smile dropped to a frown. He knew he could not wait any longer.

He quietly approached and cleared his throat to get the Sage’s attention. “Aluin, do you have time now?”

The Sage studied him before nodding. “I suppose I do, Eri is doing much better than I thought.”

“Really? I thought you were sure she was ready for all this?” Felix asked, a little confused.

“That doesn’t mean she was just going to fall right into place. I thought she would need a period of adjustment, but it seems she has found herself.”

“Hmm, I suppose you are right. For a moment, I feared she might run,” Felix admitted. “Still, I am happy for her. I told her I would support her no matter what.”

“That’s good, and make sure you keep your word. The two of you will need each other.”

Felix nodded, but the conversation was starting to drift, and there was more to discuss. “I will keep that in mind, but… About the thing I needed to speak with you about in private? Can we do that?”

“Right, let us find a more secluded area.”

He thought about it for a moment. The hatchery might not be a good spot right now, and too many people could wander right into the manor… Plus, I should probably see if Zira wants to join us. It wouldn’t be right otherwise.

“The forest?” he offered.

“Lead the way,” Aluin said, gesturing.

“Alright, but I am going to see if Zira will join us.”

Aluin cocked an eye, asking an unspoken question.

He gave another nod before turning towards the hatchery.

Hey, Zira? Me and Aluin are going to talk but I wanted to see–

I’m coming. She was frustrated but at least he could tell she wanted to make an earnest attempt at figuring this all out.

He sent a mental acknowledgement and began making his way over. However, by the time he and Aluin had reached the hatchery, Zira was already waiting for them.

“We’re going to head into the forest, I don’t want anyone else to hear this,” Felix said out loud for the benefit of Aluin.

“Well, at least you want to keep this private,” she said with an edge to her tone.

Ignoring her quip, Felix began to lead them to the forest. However, as they continued their trek the tension quickly became too much for him. He decided to try and break the silence and hopefully ease the pressure.

“So Aluin, I never got to finish filling you in on everything…”

“I believe you left off shortly after you woke from your mana depletion. What sort of mischief did you manage after that?”

He heard Zira chuff at that, but he took it in stride. “Well for starters, Solanna, Yedril, Noria, and Lorem were able to each hatch an egg.”

“I did see that, I am glad for both them and you. But I would’ve thought you would have started with that from the beginning.”

Felix tripped at that, nearly falling face first. “S-sorry… It’s been–”

“That isn’t even all he’s forgotten to mention. How about that small annoying dragon, Yarnel? Or maybe how Watcher became possessed?”

“What?” Aluin came to a sudden stop.

Glancing to the sage, Felix saw his surprised look. “Well, Yarnel wasn’t too much of a problem… Actually, I wonder where he is. He’s been surprisingly quiet and–”

“No, not that. What Zira said about Watcher. What happened?” The elf’s expression became serious.

“Well…” Felix trailed off, but Zira quickly took over.

“We’re not sure, Felix hasn’t talked to the kobold yet,” she gave him a pointed look. “But something definitely took control of him.”

“That is…concerning,” Aluin suddenly looked deep in thought. “I will definitely have to investigate that.”

Realizing he failed to lighten the mood, Felix continued trudging forward in silence…

After several tense minutes, they made it sufficiently deep into the forest and came to a stop within a familiar clearing. Felix and Zira had used this one many times to rest and relax.

There would not be any of that today.

Aluin stood to the side, between Felix and Zira. The other two were both sitting down and staring at each other. He didn’t need his magic to read the room, or air as was the case here. This wasn’t going to be pleasant.

“Tell me, do you wish for me to merely be an observer? Or do you want me to be a mediator? The choice is for the two of you to make.”

He watched them closely as he waited for their response. Felix looked extremely uncomfortable while Zira’s tail was silently whipping behind her in agitation. He could only guess they were having a silent argument right now.

Finally, Zira spoke. “We want you to be a mediator.”

Felix gave a slow nod, creasing his brow in the process. That wasn’t going to do…

“Felix? A straight answer please.”

“A mediator, if you will.”

“Very well, I will be a mediator. I will ask questions and take no sides, but be prepared for me to question both of you. Also, I want you to speak out loud. I cannot read either of your minds– And please don’t interrupt each other.”

He waited until both acknowledged his stipulations before he continued. “Now, I will start with you, Zira. Tell me, what is bothering you?”

The amethyst dragon turned her head towards him before answering. “I am constantly worried about Felix. Yet, he does not seem to feel the same.”

Felix went to speak, but Aluin gave him a warning look before he addressed Zira. “Can you elaborate for me?”

There was a long pause before she answered. “Felix and I…have been having dreams, nightmares even. Sometimes they are vague, sometimes they’re intense, and sometimes we can’t remember them. That's not all, however. We, along with Eri and Kyrith, each had a vision…

“Felix has been brushing them off. But it has me worried… I just don’t want anything bad to happen to him.”

Aluin gave her a nod, not allowing any emotions to show. However, internally, he was truly apprehensive. He knew that Felix had dreams about his past, but those had been a while ago to his knowledge. But what Zira was saying was a new development.

The question is: Why? Fortunately, he had a few guesses. Unfortunately, none of them entirely explained what was going on, nor were they good news… I will need to alert the others about this, and soon.

Turning to Felix, Aluin decided to ask the same question.

“What Zira says is…true, but not the only issue. I agree I have been, uh, ignoring them or pretending they didn’t happen… But need I remind everyone that I have Fea’s soul in me? I don’t remember much before waking up here, but I get the feeling most of what I’ve been doing isn’t exactly normal for most people.”

The human took a breath. “That being said, I am truly worried but there isn’t much I can do about it. At least not until I actually know what this unforeseen threat is. Also, what really bothers me is how Zira acts towards mine and Eri’s relationship.”

Aluin, again, took a moment and pondered on what Felix said. While I don’t agree, Felix does have a unique point of view. To him, everything that is happening must seem almost normal, even if he knows it isn’t. Perhaps it might be time…

He let his thoughts trail off as he spoke aloud to both. “So, let me make sure I understand everyone’s complaints. Zira, you think Felix is being naive, clueless, and possibly reckless?”

She chuffed, “An apt description… Yes.”

“And Felix,” the human frowned, “You think Zira is being controlling, selfish, and jealous.”

Felix’s frown disappeared as he chuckled. “Yep, that sounds about right.”

The dragon let out a rumbling growl, clearly not happy by that.

Aluin took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Personally,” he started with, “I think both of you are being idiots–”

Both looked like they wanted to object, but he continued before they could.

“–Zira, tell me, when has Felix ever listened to reason or been cautious? Never, not once since he awoke here has he ever done either.

“Felix, since when has Zira ever learned to share? Again, never, she was born already bonded to you. There hasn’t been a moment in her life where she wasn’t, she doesn’t know what that is like.”

The human and dragon suddenly looked down, clearly averting their eyes from one another and him.

“For all the good the bond does for you, the two of you will still have to try and talk. There are things you will never agree with. There are things you will never truly understand. But you two have something very special, do not squander it for such stupid reasons…”

Chief Calsen came to a stop. Irritated at the lack of progress he and his group were making, he turned to the closest elf.

“We are losing time, I bet the villagers are already there.” He said curtly.

The elven man glanced at the group behind them. “It seems that there is someone in particular slowing us down…”

Calsen let out an agitated sigh. “My daughter?”

The man hesitated, “Yes.”

Pushing past him, Calsen waited until the group got closer. “Calinna! Get up here!”

The group came to a stop, but not before parting. Many eyes looked towards him with curiosity while others turned towards the individual in question.

“Father?” His daughter called out, walking up the path created for her.

“Stay here for a moment.” He then spoke aloud to the group. “The rest of you get moving, we can’t stop now.”

There were a few grumbles but most gave him approving nods as they set off past him.

Calsen waited until they were far enough away before he began speaking, softening his tone. “Calinna… What is going on?”

She quickly looked away, fidgeting with her hands. “Father, I… Are you sure I should be doing this?”

He studied her for a bit longer before answering. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

“It’s just I don’t think I’m cut out to be a q-queen…” She stammered out. “I’m not so confident in myself. Not like you, father.”

He let a smile show. “Dear, that is why I am making you do this. Don’t you understand?”

She shook her head, no.

Gods, I love her but she isn’t the brightest… This wasn’t the first time he had to explain this to her. “Don’t you want to lead once I step down?” he asked.

She nodded, “I do.”

“Then you will need to build up your confidence. Truthfully, I don’t think you will make it as Queen. But there is more to this than that.”

“There is?”

He put an arm around her and pulled her closer to him. He didn’t notice her flinching from his touch. “You see, Calinna, the experience you’ll get will help build your confidence. However…”

Calsen leaned close to her ear and whispered. “There is a major threat as well. That human, Felix, has a dragon bound to him. Worse, I believe he has manipulated Master Aluin and possibly his apprentice…”

“What?!” she gasped out in shock. “That can’t be! Master Aluin is powerful, there is no way he would be fooled by such tricks!”

He let go as he continued. “Yet, it is the only thing that can explain this whole charade.”

“B-but…” she glanced downwards, balling her hands. “You said the human bound a dragon? What about Eri? I heard–”

“That is the question. If Felix can bind a dragon to his will, what is stopping him from doing the same to Eri, or another dragon? You’ve heard the old tales, about how humans were able to enslave entire cities.

“Personally, I don’t think he can bind too many dragons to himself but he can easily bind elves. He’s probably enslaving elves and using them to hatch those dragon eggs…”

His daughter had a shocked expression, but Calsen could tell he was finally making a breakthrough with her.

“Listen to me, dear.” He leaned forward again and spoke low.

“We have to save them, we have to save the dragons.”