chapter25

It was loud siren and had a strong feeling of fear connected to it. The way it change Blake from sulking into full alert was not good. He grabs my wrist tight and dragged me towards the Auditorium. Students were starting to fill the place as he pushed me down on a chair.
            "Stay here" he orders and I nod my head as he made his way outside of the Auditorium again. Becky and Sammy found me a couple of minutes later, and seems just as scared as Blake. "What is happening?"
            "It's not good Elena" both girls sounds frantic. A cold shiver runs up my spine as I think of all the reasons that could be behind this.
            "The last time they sound the alarms was the night the king and queen died" Sammy looks as if she was about to cry.
            "What?" I shriek and a cold shiver runs up my spine again. I was glad when Lucian spins me around and hugs me tight. I felt save in his arms.
            "You know what is going on" Becky asks Lucian as George appears out of nowhere.
            "No idea" he replies. The Auditorium was almost filled with students asking the same thing. What the hell is going on?
            Master Longwei came in and I didn't like the look on his face. It was tense and full of concern. He ordered everyone to stay quiet and we settle down to find out the terrible news.
            I realized Lucians fear as Arianna was crying. Their families are seen as royals, s**t what if it was death again. "The King of Lions sword is stolen." Master Longwei cuts to the chase and there was an utter silence before panic starts to rise.
            "This isn't good" Lucian speaks first.
            "How could it be stolen" Becky shrieks.
            "Silence!" Master Longwei's voice roars and bounces off the walls. "There is no reason to panic yet. Members of the Royal Council is searching for it as we speak. However we have to keep guard watching for any kind of danger. Dragonia will be one of the first places they  attack because of all the dragons staying here."
            "Should that news make us feel better" I ask Lucian softly as Master Longwei carry on speaking about the plan and how we are going to be on guard, twenty four seven until the sword is save.  He just squeezed my hand with a terrified look. It can't be good if he is scared  too.
            "We will have the groups up into place as soon as possible" was one of the last things Master Longwei said. He calls three names I haven't heard before. Blake and Lucian were the last of the five names and that they have to meet him in his office.
            Lucian kissed me quickly goodbye."I will tell you what I know okay." I watched him disappears through the ocean of students trying to make their way out.
            Everyone was terrified by this news. Some girls were even crying while the guys just comfort them. We went to the cafeteria to analyze all of this.
            "Who would have stolen it" I ask both girls.
            "It could only be one person Elena."
            "Goran!" I shriek and both girls nodded their heads. "But he is locked up behind Etan."
            "It doesn't mean he can't compel someone's mind. He did it before" Becky replies. The Chef and his staff put out coffee and sodas for everyone to calm the nerves but the way I felt I couldn't drink anything. George returned with four sodas but kept mine closed. 
            "So the sword is now with him?" I want to know and she lift up her shoulders not knowing that answer.
            "I hope it still exist" Sammy cries softly.
            "Exist, you mean he is going to destroy it" I ask and she nods her head. I knew all of this, Cheng did tell me about it the day on our first History lesson. 
            "With the sword out of the way, there is no stopping him if he manage to break out of Etan. He will destroy the wall and Paegeia with it" Sammy was close to tears. My throat tightened up as she said destroy and I struggle to swallow.
            "Relax Elena, they will find who ever got it" Becky comforts me. It was hard to wait for Lucian to return. It felt like hours before he finally plunge down on the pillow next to me.
            He gave me a quick kiss on my temple while wrapping his arms around my shoulders. "They stole it somewhere between midnight and four pm. If they don't find it soon we are going to be in serious s**t. They believe that Goran found a way to break out of Etan, but won't do it until the sword is destroyed" he spoke in a trembling voice.
            "So what, the council is really searching for it" Becky asks and he nods his head.
            "My dad and Arianna's has send out a small search party."
            "We just have to wait?" I sound frantic.
            "It is the only thing that we can do Elena" he tries to comfort me.
            "If they destroy that sword Lucian..."
            "Shh, don't think like that okay. It won't happened. But Master Longwei is with the Seer now to draw up the groups that will guard the school. We will have to be on watch for twenty four hours, seven days a week, not that it will take that long - I hope."
            "Until when?"
            "Until it is found and don't worry you won't be alone."
            "That is their master plan, to patrol the school grounds." It wasn't enough.
            "You are save here, you won't be alone" he says again as if I didn't heard it the first time.
            "Will you be there with me?" He shrugs.
            "We don't know in which team we will be divided in to, that is up to the Seer."
            "They are relying on a woman that sucks everything out of her thumb" I got up angry thinking that they rely way too much on what she has to say.
            "Calm down Elena, just take it easy okay" he got up and give me another hug. "It is going to be fine. I promise nothing will hurt you."
            Tears were close by. I never felt so scared my entire life and believe me I had been through deep s**t with dad and his running from place to place.
            That afternoon they put up a dozen of white sheets on the announcement board and students were storming to look for their names. It is five groups and all the students of Dragonia is divided into those groups. Two on a team and about forty teams in a group if not more. Lucian explanation was thorough. We have to stay guard at all the main entry points of Dragonia. It sounds so scary thinking that we have to watch for any kind of danger. It's really not my cup of tea and my luck I will get someone like Collin for a partner. He doesn't own a bone of courage in that skinny a*s of his. The only plus point is that we will be armed.
            The one girl glare at me as she stormed off in the direction of the main building. I didn't pay attention to her until a couple of other girls did the same. Some even start pointing at me and as I wanted to ask Lucian if I am imagining things, he was looking at it too.
            "What the hell is going on?"
            "Don't know, I will go and check" he said and walks towards the boards. He came back after fifteen minutes.
            "Sammy, you are with Dean and in Lionel's group" he says and she starts to complain softly being in Lionel's group, whoever he was. "Becky you and George are in mine" he didn't say anything about me.
            "I am not in yours" I sound frantic again.
            "Calm down okay. You will be fine. You are in Blake's group" he replies and leaves it there.
            "With who Lucian" I ask the ill fate of my partner, please don't let it be Collin. He looked away. "Lucian, with who."
            "You are with Blake."
            "What!" all of us sings in unison.
            "Elena it is not going to help to protest. The Seer made the decisions and you are going to waste your time if you think Master Longwei is going to listen to you."
            "I can't be on guard with Blake."
            "You have no choice. You are save with him."
            "Who are you with" I sulk.
            "Tabitha."
            "The Snow dragon" I grind on my teeth as I just think about the two of them staying watch together.
            "Are you jealous" he teases.
            "Don't" I grunt and he chuckles.
            "Come here" and he grabs my shirt and pulls me closer. "Will it helps if I tell you that I don't like her."
            It worked. I giggle.
            "I don't want to be in Blake's group or have him as my guarding partner" I complain.
            "Well I only think it's fair that Tabitha is mine then" he smiles.
            "There is something wrong with the Seer, I swear it" I grunt and we went to our dorms waiting for further instructions.

They declared school out until further notice. We are going to be on guarding duty until the sword is safely back. Master Longwei said that we have to guard Dragonia, night and day and not to see it as time off but as a serious matter.
            The ambience around the school change drastically during the next two days. Lucian's group was on first. I was worried sick about him because they guard the main gate during night time. Only to find that Blake chose the exact same spot when it is our turn on the third night.  He is most alert during night time and wanted the best post to guard. As if they are going to chose the main entrance to attack.
            On the day that it was my turn, I slept most of the day and Lucian came with me when I went to pick up the axes. I felt much saver with them by my side. He walks me to the main gate and said goodbye while Master Longwei was talking to Blake who was already at his post.
            It was the spot behind the big beautiful gate I admired on the very first day I step foot out of the infirmary. I hate that spot.
            Lucian's watch beeps and I know it is nine. I was so not looking forward to this at all. To stay awake for nine hours when you are suppose to be asleep is not cool.
            "Just relax. Blake is one of the best dragons in Paegeia, not just Dragonia and if he turns, don't freak out" he warns me. I only see a Rubicon in the museum and he was huge. I can't imagine what Blake looked like.
            He kisses me softly and Master Longwei teased us when he walked past. I blush scarlet red, but was Lucian's queue to go back inside. I got a knot in my throat as I hear them locking the door and sulk towards my post to where Blake was waiting.
            "Hey" I greeted him but he didn't say anything, he just stared into the night. I  made myself comfortable by a small fire in front of the stone dragons. I wonder if they will come to life in times of danger. I didn't care, I felt saver here than on the edge looking down on the forest and part of Elm.
            All sorts of things was going on in my mind. My biggest concern was what they will do if the sword gets destroyed. If it's existence is one of the things that can destroy an evil sorcerer like Goran, then that sword is mighty powerful and our only hope of keeping Paegeia the way it is.

            I had in my mind sky scrapers burning down and tumbling towards the floor turning Paegeia into ruins. The picture is not a beautiful one and I can't see myself living in a world like that.
            My other concern revolve around Goran's power. Cheng told me in one of his lectures that they are advance which makes him one of the best sorcerer that ever lived. What if Becky is right and he knows how to destroy the wall? What will happened then? Humans will know that dragons exist.
            I sigh deeply. That can't happened and deep down in my heart I was begging for that alarm to go off and announced that the sword has been found. All I know is that I don't want to feel like this anymore. "There is coffee in the flask when you feel tired" Blake speaks for the first time and look at my watch. It was just after ten. 
            "Thanks, I am fine."   I stared into the night too. It is beautiful with all the stars shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.
            "It is the perfect night to watch" he says. "I hope you don't mind me choosing this time." If I am not mistaken I can swear that he is trying to make some sort of conversation. My heart starts to raise a little faster. Why does he have to be so beautiful.
            "No, I understand why you chose it" I reply and he had a soft smile on his face. He should really smile more. "Your senses are most alert at night, right?"
            "Something like that" he mumbles and it was silent again. The stone dragon was really starting to freak me out too. I don't know if it was just me but I could swear that I felt him move.
            "Will they wake?" I ask Blake.
            "Who, the dragons" he wanted to know and I nod my head. "They got no reason to. To be honest I think it is just an old wife's tale trying to put naughty children to sleep" he jokes.
            "With the sword missing they got all the reason in the world to wake" and he curled up his lip. He then look over to his shoulder and take a packet out of his pocket. "You smoke" I shriek.
            "Shh Elena. It is a disgusting habit I know" he snaps back softly and light one before he pulls a long drag. He was surrounded by smoke as he blew it out and I could smell it from where I am sitting. I coughed softly while whipping the smoke away with my one hand. He is right about the disgusting part.
            The next couple of hours were boring. Blake stopped talking but kept smoking. I didn't like it because it made me think again about worst case scenarios. My worries grow more thinking it is the fourth day the sword is missing. What chances do they have of finding its location. The only excitement we had was me around three, trying my at most best to stay awake.  My eyes burned and I felt as if I haven't slept for two days.
            Around six Master Longwei came with the next shift that relieved us. It was two guys from James' group, or think it's his name. I didn't even said good morning or goodbye and went straight to my dorms and crawled into bed.
            I slept till about two and went to the cafeteria for lunch. Lucian was waiting for me with a strong cup of coffee, he is so sweet.
            "So how was last night." There was concern in his tone that sounded like he is scared something miraculous happened and I am Bff's with Blake now.
            "Nothing much. I understand the meaning of grave shift now and can tell you that I hate every minute of it. It is so boring."
            "I know what you mean, lucky you didn't had a nagging partner that wanted to flee at every stupid little sound" and I giggle.
            "Did they find anything?"
            "Nothing yet" he replies in a dull tone. I sigh as fear wash over my body again. The flaming city jumps into my mind one more time and bring me to tears. "Hey, come here" he pulls me closer and hugs me tightly. "I told you nothing will ever happened to you."
            "Lucian, what if�"" and he put his index finger on my mouth.
            "Don't Elena. Let me worry about the what ifs okay."  I nod my head. He tries so hard to put me at ease but fails miserable. It's the only thing I am thinking off.
            The rest of the week went fast. Around the sixth day they still had no leads to where the sword might be. It freaked me out. I don't like how my mind is working when I am nervous and there was one thing constantly dwelling on my mind. The Sacred Cavern.
            "The Royal Council are never going to find it Becky" Sammy complains in a terrifying tone one morning at breakfast."They don't even know where to look." I was glad that Lucian was on duty last night because he doesn't like to talk about the what if's.
            The thought about the Sacred Cavern still lingers in my mind, but the strange part about it this time is that it doesn't scare me anymore. The scary part vanish the minute my foretelling found a way to creeps into all this mess too.
             The Seer did say that I have to make a choice. What if this is that choice? I got a warm fussy feeling inside my heart that somehow knew I was on the right track. This is what she meant. I am sure of it. The only thing that is still confusing is the truth part but something tells me it's about what I am. That the off spring of a dragon can be worthy of the Dragonian mark too.
            It's quite scary to think that it's what her words meant. The choice is not an easy one to make and I smile softly thinking how I use to think that it was not something that will save Paegeia.
            The more I think about it the more it became clear it's what I have to do. I have to go to the Sacred Cavern and complete whatever it is I have to do to get its reward - a look into the magical millpond.  Cheng did say that it can show you anything you wish to know. I might find the sword's location and whether it still exist.
            Then the part where only five people, mostly women made it out alive makes its turn. It is the only part keeping me from running to the Cavern. Not knowing what is inside the cave scares the living hell out of me. I know it won't be easy but nobody else is doing anything.
            I thought again about what Goran will do once he breaks out of Etan. If he destroy Paegeia and the wall, letting the humans in, the dragons won't stand a chance. It will mean war that will destroy Paegeia, the end of my new home. With that picture imprinted in my mind death didn't sound like such a big sacrifice anymore.
            I made my choice, just like my foretelling said I would. There is no way I am going to wait for the wall to come down to see what happens. I will rather die than watch my biggest fear of buildings go up in flames come true.

For the next couple of days I read up on everything that's got to do with the Sacred Cavern. Cheng must have got his information from these books and articles. Some said that it was impossible but the queen and four other women did got out alive.
            That thought made me think again. The young women, why is it that only young women made it out. I research everything I could find on young women and got to maidens. In those times maidens had a different meaning than today's time. Paegeia's dictionary read that a maiden meant a woman with her virtue still intact.
            A virgin. The ones that made it out was all virgins.
            Something Becky said to me the first time she find out that I was still intact jump to my mind. It was about Brian, a Fire-burst and I search for Fire-burst.
            They throw me plenty of knowledge out about these dragons and how bad they really are. Becky was right when she said that they got a thing for maidens and I got a funny feeling that it was one of the things in the Sacred Cavern guarding the millpond. It made sense why others didn't made it out. It had to be it.
            I rent the book that contains the most  information about the Sacred Cavern and went back to my room. Cheng really does have good theories. I put the book down as I read the last part and close my eyes to rethink what I need before I can even think of leaving Dragonia. It will have to be on a horse and the only time that I ride one was with Lucian at the rails. A map was the other thing. I could find one on the internet easily. A couple of bucks would not be that bad either but then again, I don't own a scent and can't ask for Master Longwei for a loan. He will want to know what for. Lucian was the other source of income but he would ask exactly the same thing. I don't know of a person that would not want to know why?
             My head start to pound as I was making plans. I didn't even heard Becky and Sammy enters the room. "Elena, what are you doing with that book" Becky snatches it from my chest. She looks at the picture the book was opened on and her eyes were full of concern.
            "Nothing, I just want to read up on something" I lied and she raised her one eyebrow as if she could see through the lie.
            "The Sacred Cavern! What on earth is going on in that mind of yours. Why are you reading this." I looked guilty as she flip the book closed. A light bulb switch on above her head. She froze and then took a deep breath. "Have you lost your mind."
            "Becky it is more than a week. They haven't found the sword yet. Think about it, the Sacred Cavern holds the only thing that can make us see anything we want to" I said.
            "Elena, people disappear in that cave."
            "Five didn't" I said and I show her to give me the book back. "Look" I said and show her the names.
            "These are all people that was raised in Paegeia. No, let the Council find the sword" she sounds like my mother.
            "Becky are you blind. They are not going to find it. They don't even have any clue to where it might be" I snap back.
            "Elena, you are only sixteen, think please" she was adamant but so was I.
            "No, I've made up my mind."
            "Have you really lost you marbles" Sammy chirps too with eyes filled with tears.
            "What are you afraid off" I yell at both of them.
             "Elena, you don't know how dangerous it is" Becky tries to get through to me.
             "I don't care Becky. Something tells me if we don't find the sword it will get a lot worse."
            "Then you give me not much of a choice" she says and leaves. I ran after her thinking of what a coward she is by bringing Master Longwei into this but she change her direction towards the cafeteria.
            "Where are you going?" She ignores me and when I followed her into the Library and found Lucian, I huff.
            She spoke to him softly and I was starting to make my way back to the room. I didn't care if she tells Lucian about my plan. Just as long as it wasn't Master Longwei. I got yanked back and pushed to the side of the stairs as I was ready to take that first step.
            "Is this true" he grunts looking straight into my eyes.
            "Lucian please, I am not going to sit here and wait while the sword gets destroyed" I whispered back.
            "Elena, the Sacred Cavern. People don't come back" he said the same thing Becky did.
            "The queen did Lucian. There is no other way."
            "No" he orders me.
            "No" I reply back surprised. A couple of kisses and one night in the tower and he thinks he owns me.
            "I said no. It is too dangerous Elena and not to mention how stupid it is" he sounded mad. It pisses me off even more and he will learn how much right now. I was sure about my foretelling. Nobody else is making this sort of decision.
            "You aren't the boss of me Lucian McKenzie. I will make that choice of how dangerous it is. Besides none of you know what danger really means or what will happen if the sword gets destroyed. You think your worst enemy is Goran and what he will do to you once he free himself of Etan. Try imagining what will happen once that wall disappear. Your precious dragons won't stand a chance against the other side. The people living on that side won't listen to anyone and they have the weapons to destroy and blow up countries like this one. So don't you dare tell me no."
            I was firm and made every word count. I pushed him away and left them both silent hoping that I have left them with something to think about. It took them about an hour to enter the room.
             I just pretend to be reading, preparing myself for my trip. I still haven't found a map of how to get to the Sacred Cavern but I hope that one of the girls will help me with that.
            I know that it scare the living crap out of them, and maybe I should be too but there is no time to be scared. The humans will destroy every single dragon. Lucian came to kneel down in front of me. I look at him for a second.
            "Elena, please don't do this" he asks nicely.
            "Lucian, I meant what I said. I can't live my life in fear anymore. If the sword is the only weapon that can protect us from all evil then we have to get it back. Why am I the only one considering this. Paegeia is your birth plays for crying out loud" I shout looking at all three of them. Becky and Sammy looks guilty immediately and stare at the floor. Lucian just closed his eyes for a couple of seconds before taking a deep breath.
            "Elena, what you are trying to do is suicidal."
            "Do you have a better plan to find out where the sword is Lucian" and he shakes his head. "Then the Cavern is our only hope.