Sedrak looked down at Rythe and smiled. “Sometimes…” Sedrak said as he turned and flapped his wings, “…the truth is what we make it, and this is a battle we were meant to win.”

Sedrak held Rythe up against his shoulder. Rythe climbed on and sat holding on as Sedrak dove toward Renthar and Krothwing who were tying up Clal further up the shore.

The sky was beginning to lighten and the sunrise now would soon be emminant. Rythe was surprised to see Ansa and Leara unbound and standing on their feet running toward Clal. Imforo wasn’t far behind them. He thrust another ball of flame toward Sedrak which missed and hissed as it sank into the ocean.

Sedrak, instead of coming to Clal’s aid, swooped down and grabbed Ansa and Leara with each of his massive hands.

“We have to get you to a safe place.” Sedrak told them.

“What of Clal?” Leara said.

Sedrak responded by diving toward Renthar and Krothwing then swinging his great dragon tail around sending both flying through the air and into the sand several feet away.

Sedrak landed next to Clal then Ansa, Rythe, and Leara all pulled Clal up onto Sedrak while the rest of them climbed on Sedrak. Sedrak lept into the air just before Krothwing dove in below him.

Imforo and Skeldruc had joined eachother and were now running toward Renthar. Krothwing continued to follow Sedrak through the air like an angry hornet.

Rythe cut the half tied ropes once again around Clal’s ankles which allowed Clal to saddle Sedrak along with the others. He nodded at Rythe then looked back at Ansa and Leara.

“Are you alright you two?” Clal called back.

“I’m alright, Clal.” Ansa spoke softly. “I don’t want to see those men anymore. However, we must get the Book of Legends back…”

“And your sword, and the dragon summoner,” Leara said.

“We could leave, now.” Rythe looked around toward the East. “We have the Crystal. And we’re together.”

“Hittle!” Ansa said pointing out into the endless asure sky.

They turned and there flapping toward them was Hittle, though, it wasn’t quite him. His flight pattern was irregular. He flew closer then landed in front of where Ansa was sitting upon Sedrak’s back.

“Clal, look.” Ansa reached out her hand and touched Hittle. “His wing...he’s hurt.”

“Gulnerye,” Sedrak spoke, “is a bird tamer, but is also a healer. He will take care off him till mended.”

Ansa looked at Hittle. He too had suffered from their encounter with the RISHK.

Krothwing was still behind them and Sedrak continued to fly further and further from him.

(scrolls from parents - burned)

(clothes/packs - burned)

(Crystal - Rythe’s posession)

(daggers - ocean)

(clal’s sword - ocean)

(necklace - pile on the shore)

(the book of legends - pile on the shore)

(dragon summoner - pile on the shore)

“Sedrak,” Clal called out, “Do you think we can return to retrieve some of our belongings that were taken from us?”

“The Book of Legends that Gulnerye wrote.” Ansa said loudly over the wind.

“The dragon summoner…” Leara shouted, “...and Clal, what about your sword and necklace?”

By this time Krothwing had joined the others on the shore. Clal knew they needed the three items that they had decided to go back for but was it folly. Should they not leave. They were safe. They where unscathed, for the most part. But how could they leave the very things that had brought them so far and would surely need.

“Sedrak,” Clal leaned over his shoulders. “Can you bring me close to that small pile and somehow distract the RISHK? I am going to get what’s ours.”

Sedrak nodded then hurled through the air at the RISHK who were standing in the morning sunrise light upon the shore.

As Sedrak approached Krothwing took to flight again. Imforo sent another ball of fire into the air which passed over Sedrak’s tale. Sedrak groaned then rambed into the remaining three sending them sliding in a shower of sand.

Clal jumped off of Sedrak’s back. He ran to then scooped up the dragon summoner, the necklace and the Book of Legends. Only Renthar and Imforo had run to assault Clal, Skeldruc lay motionless in the sand.

Imforo sent another ball of fire, this time directed at Clal. But, before it reached him another ball, brighter and larger intercepted and dicapated Imforo’s fiery weapon.

Clal looked behind him then up into the air. Sedrak was hovering over the ocean. Leara stood on Sedrak’s back and Clal watched as she threw another ball of fire twoard the RISHK.

Clal smiled then turned and ran as Sedrak swooped down, Clal leaping on his back. He slipped then slid down from Sedrak’s shoulders but Leara reached out and caught Clal before he met further danger.

“Your flame…” Clal started.

“...I found it again.” Leara smiled.

“Where was it?” Clal inched closer to her.

“It had gone away…” Leara leaned toward Clal, “...then came back.”

“And my sword?” Clal asked her, “Where did they drop our weapons?”

Leara looked out at the sea then to the shore. “It must have been somewhere…” She rubbed her finger across her ear. “Oh, Clal, I don’t think I can remember.” She turned to look behind her.

“Ansa! Rythe! Where do you think Clal’s sword could be?”

Sedrak circled in the air as the others were discussing what they remembered about where they thought the weapons might have been deposited.

“I remember Krothwing using one of our sacks to put the weapons into. I don’t know that I ever saw Clal’s sword in there, however.”

This was strange. Perhaps the RISHK couldn’t part with it. Indeed it was a rare treasure. Clal was determined to find it.

“I have to find it. My sword must be with the RISHK on the shore.” He climbed up and once again sat upon Sedrak’s shoulders. “Sedrak, we must return.” Clal announced.

Clal turned to Rythe, “Rythe, give the Crystal to Sedrak? We have some unfinished business with these RISHK.”

Rythe cocked his head for a moment then blinked several times. “But, Clal, your sword…”

“My sword...I am the steward and it was for me and me alone that it was forged.” Clal looked down at the ocean then to the shore where the RISHK were assembled. “Rythe, I don’t know what to do. I can’t bare the thought of never seeing it again and the RISHK...they are right here and it must be here.” Clal looked down and shook his head. “If we don’t find it now, I’m sure I’ll never see it again.”

Rythe looked long and hard at Clal, then he squinted and searched the shoreline.

“For the sword.” Rythe smiled. “We fight for the sword because without it, we cannot fulfill what we were sent to do. It that it Clal?”

“Yes.” Clal took comfort in knowing that Rythe trusted his judgement.

Clal turned, “Ansa, Leara, we are going back for the sword. It is part of how we will be able to fulfill our quest. Thus, we can go no further until we find and obtain that sword. I know it might be dangerous and the peril may seem beyond us. However, if it is to be done, then we must do it.”

“I am with you, Clal,” Ansa exclaimed.

“And so am I.” Leara shouted.

“Then, Sedrak,” Clal said as Sedrak turned his head to listen. They had been hovering over the ocean for a brief stint. “Will you set us down a little further up the shore, then wait for my signal?”

“Are you sure?” Sedrak spoke.

“Yes.” Clal looked toward the RISHK as Krothwing descended slowly from the sky. He was glaring in Clal’s direction and soon stood by the side of his rogue companions on the shore.

“Wait for my signal.” Clal said. “Take us to the shore!” He shouted.

Sedrak flew over the RISHK as Imforo sent another ball of flames. It missed but Clal could feel the distinct heat that came from it. If ever he was hit by one of those he feared what might happened to him.

As they arrived at the shore Sedrak crouched down each one sliding off his back in turn. Clal walked up to Sedrak’s head and put his hand on his nose.

“Thank you, Sedrak.” Clal smiled.

“You will find your sword.” Sedrak smiled back. Then, with a great downward thrust, he lifted off of the shore and was sent skyward.

By this time the RISHK were approaching them far down the shore.

They began to walk through the sand, wind blowing and the waves crashing upon the shore. The sun was reaching further into the sky having peaked over the horizon not too long ago.

Clal looked as the ocean sparkled from the sun’s yellow glow.

“Stay together,” he said, “Take care of each other, and use all of the stregth, wits, and power you posses. We must take the sword…”

“But first, we must get them to tell us where it is,” Ansa interupted. “How do we do that?”

“A negotiation.” Rythe said.

“No,” Clal said, “I know where it is.”

Clal thought back to when he grabbed the dagger from Renthar’s side. He hadn’t realized it then, but in his mind’s eyes he could remember seeing another weapon at his side. And though he could only see part of it, he knew his sword and the hilt.

“Renthar, the ring leader, the large one, he wears it at his side.” Clal stated as they continued to close the gap between them and the RISHK.

“Here comes Imforo’s flames!” Leara cried.

The girls jumped out of the way, Ansa running several feet in a short distance. Rythe barely managed to grab Clal and pull him down before the flames hit him.

Clal had noticed Ansa and shouted, “How...did you do that, Ansa?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I was always a fast runner.”

Clal thought then shook his head. “No, not like that.”

“Well,” She half smiled, “since leaving Gwynn’s I’ve felt lighter on my feet and when we…”

“Your shoes,” Clal shouted, “Gwynn’s shoes. They must have some kind of power that…”

“...makes me run faster.” Ansa finished his sentence as she sometimes does. “Perhaps you’re right.” She winked.

“We must each take one of the RISHK and keep them at bay until Rythe or I retrieve my sword. Then, when it’s time, I’ll signal Sedrak.” Clal said to them. Then he lept out, running through the sand, ever closer to the ones some call banished.

Possible Chapter 19 or break

The others followed running after Clal and Leara sent a ball fire to meet Imforo’s blast of fire that he sent toward Clal. Ansa passed Clal and reached the RISHK first. Unsure of what to do and in a brief fit of confusion she bit her lip then ran toward Renthar and pushed him from behind. The great man tipped over forward having not expected such an assault.

Ansa winsed, grabbing her wrist which was now smarting. Renthar stood up, growled, then ran in Ansa’s direction.

Clal watched as Ansa ran drawing Renthar away from his companions. “Yes,” he whisped to himself then turned to Rythe, “Look” he pointed.

Rythe looked over at Renthar, then back at the other three. “That’s brilliant.” He said. “I’ll follow her.”

“I’ll stay with Leara,” Rythe nodded then ran toward Renthar who was foolishly chasing Ansa who he’d never catch considering her new found ability.

Clal turned then ran to Leara’s side. Imforo was sending his flames almost at an unmanageble rate. Krothwing launched from the shore going after Rythe. Skeldruc had once been present but had altogether vanished, a fact that made Clal uneasy.

“Leara,” Clal said running up to her pulling out his dagger. “We must keep them occupied.” Clal looked up into the sky as Krothwing was hearling himself toward Rythe ever faster.

“Rythe!” Clal yelled then he felt a heavy fist hit his face, then toppled backwards. He dropped the dagger and watched as it levitated in the air sliced at his arm.

“What?” Clal said jumping back as his eyes began to water, blood running from his nose.

“Surrender, now.” a voice came from in front of him, “We knew you would come back to us.” the voice hissed.

How could he fight what he couldn’t see. Then, he had an idea. Clal took out the necklace from his pocket and put it on. The stone began to glow as before. As it’s illuminating light intensified, Clal began to see the figure of a man, Skeldruc in front of him. Skeldruc leaned forward and swipped the dagger at Clal’s neck, but Clal jumped back again, then turned and ran.

Rythe had heard Clal’s call and turned right before Krothwing dove. Rythe crouched low to the ground as Krothwing missed him then swooped up into the air for another arial assault. He looked for Ansa and found her running much further than he had anticipated, a distance that he himself was not keen on traveling. Which he may not have to.

Renthar gave up chasing Ansa and was now running toward Rythe. Now, with two of the RISHK upon him, he pulled out his dagger and watched for Clal’s sword.

As Renthar approached, Rythe could hear some ruckous behind himhe turned and to his amazement saw Hittle flying around Krothwing who had been closer than Rythe had noticed. Hittle was playing his part as the rogue bird in a nasty assault on Krothwing. He wizzed here and there and pecked at Krothwings face. Krothwing was waving his arm in the sky and could hardly keep flying let alone focused on one direction.

Rythe smiled and shouted up at them, “Thank you, Hittle.” Rythe turned just in time to avoid Renthar’s sword sweeping down through the air.

The sun glinted of the hilt and Rythe looked down at Renthar’s hands. There, before him was Clal’s sword, gripped tightly by both of Renthar’s leathern hands.

“We meet again, boy.” Renthar spat. “I know now that I should have killed you when I had the chance.”

“You leave things up to chance and you’ll never get what you want!” Rythe shouted then thrusted his dagger at Renthar’s arm.

Though large in stature, Renthar was swift. In one movement he turned then disarmed Rythe picking up the dagger from the sand.

“And my dagger, theif!” Renthar snarled.

“I’ll only ask you once, Renthar.” Rythe inched toward him, “Hand over the sword.”

Renthar cocked his head back and laughed a low and booming laugh.

“Do you know what we did with the blacksmith who made this sword?” Renthar smiled. “I’ve heard you were looking for him, and since I’ll inflict the mortal wounds you deserve before you ride away on your dragon, I will tell you now.”

Rythe lept forward grabbing Renthar’s arm. Renthar threw Rythe down then swung the sword. The tip caught Rythe’s shin.

“Ahhhhh!” Rythe fell to the ground.

Renthar raised the sword high in the air as Rythe tried to crawl away. “We took him to the southern kingdom. There, we are building our army and he is our principle blacksmith in the forgery.”

Right before Renthar swung the sword downward, Ansa came from behind and knocked it out of his hand. The sword sailed to the ground, stuck into the sand, then was picked up by Ansa who ran as fast as she could to avoid any pursuit.

Rythe lept up and ran after her, limping as he went.

Clal had been battling Skeldruc who was still invisible but for some reason had left him, though he could see his footsteps upon the sand. Clal watched in horror as Ansa ran toward him, then was knocked over, sending his sword flying through the air. Krothwing, dove and caught the weapon, then flew high into the air out of sight.

Immediately, Clal pulled the dragon summoner to his mouth and blew. Sedrak, watching all that had been occuring on the shore, lurched after Krothwing in the air.