Surviving the Lock Keeper's Game

012: Unwanted guest

Eleanora had this frown on her face as she arranged a tent big enough for all of them. She had the mind to prepare separate tents, or put the new girl in the sleeping bag alone out for the vultures to feast on her unconscious body, but then Pamela opened her stupid mouth and convinced Corey, that it would be safer for all of them to sleep in the same tent.

This way, no one can be kidnapped while the others are asleep. Eleanora hated that it was a good idea.

Greta had spit her flames onto a patch of broken twigs, and dry wood that Corey had found. She was his wingman in chopping down trees to make little logs for them to sit on. Her talons provided the necessary sharpness.

Pamela on the other hand, had taken a bath in the lake nearby and was watching Eleanora as she worked to get the large tent ready. It was easier to fold into a small wrap, and much harder to untangle and set up.

But she wouldn't ask for help.

Corey was out in the forest, looking for something they could prepare and eat. Greta followed him. The forest was built for dragons, so she moved freely. Like a kid at an amusement park. With Corey gone for now, Eleanora was a ticking time bomb waiting to implode on the first person to bug her. And she didn't understand why. Pamela had done nothing to her, but jealous reered it's ugly face at her. She just didn't like the idea of the attractive red haired stealing Corey's attention, though his face was as impassive as ever. There was no difference, that she could thank her gods for.

But Pamela wore clothes that belonged to her. Corey asked her to share a gown he had given her the night before, how could she smile with the woman wearing HER dress?

"I think I can help you with that." Pamela spoke out, having gotten tired of sitting around the fire and watching Eleanora struggle with the tent.

The mage shot her a glare that stunned the human. "I don't need your help."

"Yes, but we can't sleep until you make the tent and it'll be faster if you'd let me help." She argued. Ticking Eleanora off even more. It's like everything that came out of Pamela's mouth was right, and smart. And she hated that.

"What do you know about a Lithuanian's tent?"

"Nothing, but if you show me what I need to do, I can help. And we can get this done faster. You look like you could use some relaxing time by the fire. I know it's very warm." Pamela added a friendly smile, making Eleanora feel horrible for her attitude. Though she didn't trust the 'human' as Corey put it, she knew the girl was right in her assessment.

"Fine, come here." Pamela squealed, she wanted to get her hands on something to do. After cleaning up, and eating osem berries Corey found, she felt rejuvenated. And ready to get back to doing something, after being held by chains for what felt like eternity.

She bounced over to Eleanora, loving the mage's name.

"This has to go over there." Eleanora demonstrated, painting an image of how the tent is supposed to look like. Nodding, Pamela got to work. Aiding her in setting it up. She proved very useful, and when one of the important tools broke, Pamela snorted and said they were surrounding by nature's equipment. And made a replica replacement, not as strong as the original but very helpful.

They didn't talk while the added the finishing touches.

"I'll admit, you are very handy have around." Eleanora complimented.

Pamela smiled, brushing her palm against the ruffles of the dress. "I was an engineering student. Building, and calculating the right measurements, those were my way of having fun."

Her eyes grew watery, she missed home. Not because of her parents or friends, she only missed her best friend, but because of her scholarship. And all the interesting projects she was going to make.

Her parents were never around in her life. Hence the reason Pamela went to university in a small town while they lived their lives in a penthouse in the big apple. New York city.

Her friends thought of her as lame for constantly focusing on school rather than her social life. She didn't miss any of their taunts. But she missed being in her world. With coffee, and doughnuts. And no creepy old purple creatures whipping her.

Eleanora noticed the change in the air, something was bothering the girl and she sighed. 'I should make friends with her. Since she'll be going with us to- wherever Corey wants us to go.' Eleanora almost questioned herself, she never asked Corey what he went to Eldris eyes for.

His rank hadn't increased as far as she could sense. There's a band on everyone that shows you their level only. It appears on your skin after crossing the fifth rank.

Corey and Pamela didn't have theirs, but Eleanora has Corey's scent. She would know if he boosted up.

"Come with me to the fire. I'm exhausted."

Pamela snapped out of her depressing thoughts, and gave a nod. Following Eleanora back to the logs surrounding the fire. The tent not too far from it. They would have to set up their sleeping bags, though the bottom of the tent had a foam that made it comfortable to sleep on.

As they sat side by side, waiting for Corey to return, Eleanora cleared her throat. Deciding to strike a conversation. She still didn't trust Pamela, but she wanted to he civil.

"So, Pamela?" The girl nods. "Tell me about yourself."

"There's not much to say. I'm an engineering student. Not from here, and I don't know how I got here. I like reading, building, and drinking coffee."

"What is coffee?"

"It's a beverage made from cocoa beans."

"Oh, we have those in the multi city. But I haven't been there in awhile, they might have removed it."

"That's okay." It really wasn't. She surveyed the surrounding area. The dual moons in the sky, and the empty silence in the forest. Not even crickets made a sound. If they had crickets. "What about you Eleanora? Tell me about yourself."

The mage laughed. "I am level five dragon mage. I come from a big line of powerful, and wealthy mages. Heck, my family hasn't worked in over sixteen generations."

Pamela let her gasp be heard. "Sixteen? You're that rich?"

Eleanora nodded in response. "I don't have to worry about money. I have enough in my account, which I don't use. I've also done some quest to earn more."

"WOW! So why are you just at the level of five? You look like you could take on an army."

Feeling uncomfortable with discussing her failure, Eleanora fiddled with the hem of her shirt.

"I can't get my dragon in line. At level five, you're supposed to be able to wield your dragon and compete in an arena to get your rank from five to two hundred, of you win first place. My family has always won." She swallowed, suddenly feeling the need for water to help her dry throat.

Pamela listened attentively, offering no commentary- she could see it wasn't necessary.

"I'm supposed to compete in two blood moons, the first one passes by soon. Leaving me with little time to get Greta in position."

"Ah, so you ran away to train in secret, or to avoid failing your family?"

The mage sighed once more, and that was all the answers Pamela needed. She could understand that pressure to live up to your family's name. Although her's was nothing this amazing. Her parents wanted her to be an artist like them.

But the only things Pamela could sketch weren't made for art galleries and it would make Picasso cry. She drew only what design model she was to make next.

"Do you know anyone who can teach you how to control Greta?" There had to be someone. The stakes of Eleanora participating in that competition were high. Pamela compared it to all the science fairs she'd won to be the best.

"Corey. He has Greta obediently doing what he wants. He promised to teach me, but we haven't started yet."

"Does he know the stakes? The reason why this is important?"

The mage shook her head, strands of her lengthy hair fell forward.

"Then tell him. Corey is smart. My best friend talked about him all the time. How brilliant his strategies are. How he stayed number on in CLASH of THUNDER. If there's anyone who can help you, it's that guy."

Eleanora only understood half of what Pamela had said. "I can tell him. How do you know him?"

"We're from the same place." Pamela answered.

Eleanora gave the woman a look, she didn't look like a devil. Does that mean Corey is a human too? Or from a place with humans? She wanted to know.

Instead, she kept quiet and watched the flames instead. She didn't need a fire to stay warm, her vein pulsed with hot blood. She can control her temperature whenever she wanted. The perks of being an Aphelion.

Corey returned to the camp site shortly after, carrying two bags in his hands. He found the woman sitting together, and got a bit confused as he was sure Eleanora didn't like Pamela. He shrugged, it benefitted him better if the two became friends.

They ate with a comfortable silence, and waited a few minutes for the berries and fruits to digest. Corey had refused to eat the fish Eleanora had fried because he was full, and the mage could eat alot more than he saw the night before. He fed his piece to Greta. She had already eaten alot of fishes when he was catching them, and herd of something Corey hadn't cared to read about. They looked like snakes, and NewAge said they weren't dangerous for the dragon.

Eleanora turned the fire off, immediately feeling how cold it was. They made their way into the tent, leaving their shoes outside.

NewAge: YOU ARE A LUCKY MAN, COREY. SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO HOT WOMEN.

He rolled his eyes, slipping into his bag. The woman took a spot on one end of the tent, leaving Corey in the middle.

Pamela was the first to crash, and he didn't blame her. He stayed up for minutes, thinking about the map he had made and how he would use it to find the best quest.

The sound of movement caught his attention, and he turned to find Eleanora laying on her side. She blushed that she had be discovered staring, Corey pulled the mask from his face and stared back.

Making her face darken. She shoved her head into the bag, and he found an amused laugh coming out of him.

He soon fell to sleep, after a moment.