Amelia was seated on her bed in her room that was located in the guild house, her journal that she did daily, the quiver in her hand was moving at a slow pace as she wrote about the events of Gascony. Writing in a journal, helped her mind calm and herself relax, she started to write when she was about five, helping her cope with being different than the rest. She set down the quiver in the ink that was on her wooden bedside table before closing the journal and placing it next to it.
Swinging her feet over the side of the bed and looked around her room; her room was a rectangular shape, with wooden furniture, the floor was covered with dark blue carpet, to her right was a large bookshelf filled with magic books and also some crystal she had received on her trips, or by herself. The newest addition to her collection was the red crystal she was given by Seviphal. Lights were provided by wall lamps and a ceiling light.
Amelia couldn't help but when she looked at the crystal she was mesmerized by it, the beautiful red glistened whenever the sun would touch it, the clear speckle of black could also be seen in the crystal. Unfortunately Amelia was drawn out of her thought process as she heard a knock at the door, clearing her throat as she stood up and wandered over to it, amazed to see Phyahi standing behind it. He never came to her room for anything, it was something he always avoided.
She raised an eyebrow at him before he spoke, "Someone is here to see you? She refused to tell me who she was but I think I noticed the mage necklace she was wearing."
She nodded, "Thanks." She stepped outside her room wondering who the person could be. She hasn't spoken to a maze in our 7 years, nor has she wanted to.
Closing her bedroom door before heading downstairs towards the front door of the guild, she hummed to herself, stepping onto the last step she turned her head towards the door where a girl stood, Phyahi was right she was a mage. Amelia could tell from the red and black cloak she was wearing, the girl was also wearing a dragon eye pendant which only mages wore.
"Who are you? What are you doing here? In all places?" Of course, she had a million questions, who wouldn't?
The mage let out a chuckle, removing the cloak from her face so Amelia could have a good look at her, the mage had emerald green eyes, pale skin, and her hair was a brownish-blonde that was French braided, "Calm down, my name is Abigail Stronghold, I of course as you would know am a fellow mage like yourself. Your family has sent me to request that you go see them."
Amelia frowned at Abigail, "My parents? Why would they want to see me?"
Abigail sighed deeply, "Unfortunately they wouldn't tell me the details as to why, but they say it's urgent. You know they wouldn't call on you unless it was desperate."
Amelia couldn't help but chuckle this time, "Right, my parents wouldn't either way." She felt a little calmer as she felt Ruvaen's hand come to the small of her back.
"Amelia? You alright? Who is this?" Ruvaen asked.
"This is Abigail Stronghold; she has come here on my parent's request."
"Request?" He asked a little shocked; he knew that something had gone down with her parents and to why she never spoke about them or to them.
"Please just come Amelia; your parents won't be happy that you declined, please?" Abigail pleaded; she knew it would be hard to get Amelia to help.
Amelia took a deep breath as she rubbed her forehead in thought, biting her lip ever so gently, "Alright fine, but I'm not going alone. I will bring Ruvaen and Caeda with me."
Ruvaen nodded, "Alright let me go tell Caeda, I'll meet you in the stable Amelia."
She nodded and looked back over at Abigail who looked happy that she had even agreed, this was something Amelia was hoping to never do, see her parents and brother again. "So how did you get here?" Amelia asked.
"I took a boat, took me a day and a half to get here, I think I figured out that I don't like travelling by sea" Abigail let out a chuckle, to which Amelia smiled, just a little.
Abigail and Amelia arrived at the dragon stable where Ethrinria was laying down, her head laying on the hay beneath her, Amelia took a few steps towards Ethrinria which made her lift her head, a happy puff left her nose only for her mood to change when she saw Abigail, Ethrinria flared her nostrils puffing out bits of smoke while guarding Amelia with her wing.
Amelia gently stroked Ethrinria's gold face as tears formed in her eyes thinking of Gandor, the one place she never wanted to return. From a young age, she was classed as an outsider due to her having a love for dragons. She always wondered where she got her love of dragons from and that was simple.
Amelia's grandmother Adriana had a love for dragons just like her, Adriana wanted to show everyone that not all mages were bad and she began to make a difference, Adriana began showing a side mages thought was evil and unlike them. Adriana grew so many followers until they realized that only certain people could ride dragons.
People with good hearts, since Adriana was sweet and gentle lady dragons and other animals loved her. Mages didn't approve of this so they tried to take away her pure heart which backfired killing Adriana in front of everyone in town especially her loving husband Richard. A few elders at Gandor still adore Adriana even if she was no longer with them. Amelia heard stories about her grandmother around town as she killed when Amelia was only a year old.
"It's alright Ethrinria; she isn't going to harm you. We have to go back," Amelia whispered gently towards her dragon, who whined in pain.
Amelia wiped her tears away before looking over at Abigail who was awkwardly standing in the corner, she motioned her hand towards Abigail letting her know to step forward, "Ethrinria needs to feel your touch so she knows you aren't a threat."
Abigail whimpered a little before taking a gulp as she stepped forward towards Amelia and her dragon, she slowly stuck out her hand as she got closer and closed her eyes. Amelia couldn't help but roll her eyes grabbing Abigail's hand she guided it towards Ethrinria's nostrils, who gently smelt her hand.
"Let her pat you Ethrinria, I know it's hard," Amelia said as her dragon gently nudged Abigail's hand shortly after.
Abigail gasped and opened her eyes, "Oh my, your scales feel amazing. How could someone harm something as gorgeous as you?" Abigail looked into Ethrinria's eyes to see the fear that both she and Amelia were feeling, not to mention the pain those two had been through.
"Alright, we should get you tacked and ready Ethrinria, it's a long flight" Amelia spoke, she was hoping she would calm on the flight but she knew it might be unlikely.
Ethrinria shifted so her body towering over Amelia, Abigail watched as Amelia saddled her up ready for the trip to Gandor. The sound of pattered feet brought Amelia's attention, making her turn to see Ruvean and Ceada walking in.
Ceased looked Abigail up and down before ignoring her glance, "How long will it take to get to Gandor?" She asked.
Amelia looked over at Ceada, gently smiling, "I can't remember but i think its about 45 minutes, the winds get a bit stronger, meaning the dragons gain more speed."
Ceada took that as her answer, heading over to her dragon Atrastrasza, where she got her ready for the trip, Ruvean was a bit concerned about the matter, he didn't know if he could trust Abigail, or what Gandor had to offer. He knew Amelia all too well and she wouldn't just go home without any reason, especially since she never speaks about them. He knew Hillverion sensed danger as he has been very edgy since they walked in.
He shook his head and gently calmed his dragon down before watching Amelia lead Ethrinria out of the stable and into the valley where she climbed on, waiting a few minutes before leaning down to grasp Abigail's hand once she had that, she pulled her up. Abigail gripped onto Amelia's waist quickly and tightly.
"You ready?" She asked
"As I'll ever be," Abigail whispered.
Amelia nodded her head before gently tapping onto Ethrinria's scales and kissed them, "Let's do this girl, we have got this."
With that Ethrinria stretched out her wings, allowing them to gently move against the wind, jumping off the ground, she glided into the sky screeching for Hillverion and Atrastrasza to follow behind her, the screeching was returned by the two dragons as they followed behind Ethrinria.
Abigail began to smile as the wind flew through her hair, she was brought out from her thoughts as she felt someone bump into them, she looked to see Ruvean who was looking at Amelia.
"What are we going to expect?"
Amelia faced him as she let go of the reins, allowing Ethrinria to glide through the sky, "I am not to sure anymore, I am only going to see what they want from me."
Ruvean nodded his head before allowing Hillverion to glide beside Ethrinria, Abigail cleared her throat alerting him that she wanted to speak.
"Gandor hasn't changed much from what you left Amelia, its still the same as before just the rules have been more strict and consequences are deadly," Abigail spoke.
"You aren't sending us into a trap are you?" Ruvean grew concerned at Abigail's words.
"I am sure that isn't the case at all," Abigail didn't know much of what was going on or why they had summoned for Amelia.
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Amelia felt numb as she knew she was getting close to Gandor, her body felt like it would freeze at any moment. Ethrinria made another screeching sound before she flew down towards the ground. A loud squeal left Abigail's mouth as the rush from the landing had turned her stomach upside down, a small chuckle elft Amelia's lips as she heard the squeal. The grass beneath Ethrinai's wings danced against the wind she carried before claiming as she landed smoothly on the ground.
Amelia took a deep breath as she gently got off Ethrinria, Abigail following behind her as they waited for Ruvean and Ceada to do so as well. Amelia began to notice it had the same features and textures as before, they had landed on the Western side of the sea, the settlement of Gandor, where the mages roam and practice their magic. This settlement wasn't built by a sea by accident, as it was a great area to hide and be themselves with hidden passageways and ancient burial grounds, which is important to the mages; as some of them study the dead.
The settlement itself looks humble. With its spruce wood rooftops, pinewood walls, and frozen waterfall, Gandor has an enthralling atmosphere. The main attraction is the hostel, which was built 48 years ago and designed by mages and wizards.
Gandor has a hurting economy, which is mainly supported by alchemy, thieving, and engineering. But their biggest strengths are rare wood production and weapon making. Amelia looked up at Ethrinria and she could feel her anxiety, she gently rubbed Ethrinria's shoulder blade making her purr.
"It's alright, I won't let them hurt you," Amelia whispered, but she was also trembling in fear as well.
Abigail was the first to walk down the path with Amelia and Ethrinria following behind followed by Ceadaand Atrastrasza, Ruvean and Hillverion. Amelia kept her head down as she walked towards the one place she never wanted to return to. The Jayne manor; From the outside, this house looks magnificent. It has been built with white stones and has grey stone decorations. Small, rectangular windows allow enough light to enter the home and have been added to the house in a mostly symmetric way.
Abigail knocked on the front door before stepping back, she gave Amelia a small smile who returned it. It only took 2 minutes for the door to open to reveal Amelia's mum Teresa. Teresa hadn't changed in the last 8 years; blonde, flowing hair awkwardly hangs over a chiselled, worried face. Sparkling brown eyes, set low within their sockets, watch cheerfully over the estate they've come to love for so long.
Scars reaching from the top of the right cheek, running towards her right nostril and ending on her upper lip and leaves a burning memory of restored honour. "Amelia... you are back!" She gasped and went to hug Amelia only for her to step back.
Teresa stopped her movements and cleared her throat before stepping inside, "Please come inside, Abigail will you escort the dragons around the back please."
Abigail nodded bowing her head slightly before backing away and headed outside shutting the door once again. The house is equipped with a modern kitchen and 6 lavish bathrooms; it also has two snug living rooms, 8 bedrooms, a cosy dining area, and a modest basement.
The building is shaped like a squared S. The two extensions extend into stylish gardens to each side. The second floor is the same size as the first, but part of it hangs over the edge of the floor below, creating an overhang on one side and a balcony on the other. This floor follows the same style as the floor below.
The roof is low and triangular and is covered with stone slabs. One large chimney pokes out the centre of the roof. Several long, thin windows let in plenty of light to the rooms below the roof. The house itself is surrounded by paved ground, with a pool at the backside of the house.
"Thank you dragon riders for coming on such short notice. We didn't know who to ask. So we sent Abigail. You see we aren't very welcome in most cities" Teresa explained.
Amelia scoffed, "I wonder why," she rolled her eyes as Teresa escorted them into the living room.
Their living room which was still spacious and delicate; has coordinating plastic furniture. The seating is plush. The floor is stone and the walls are painted with a wallpapered dado. Light is provided by wall lamps. The room is done in autumn colours and overall has a cluttered look. Among the first things, one notices walking in is an old sculpture of the family.
Amelia looked away from the sculpture watching as her mother walked into the hall, "Richard... Tony... come down, Amelia is here with some friends!" Teresa shouted.