THE BATTLE OF AOHORN

CHAPTER SEVEN: MINEA

They were already approaching the campfire where the smoke was coming from. The Centaur was distinctly honest in leading them to Minea.

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The Necrodomes were not evil nor good. They are of the people that believe in protecting their kind at all cost and safeguarding their land.Legend has it that some nymphs would want to use their charms to lure their victims to their trap.They leader of this coven was Sivina; a sleek figure with very long nails and dark hair, she was a healer and a sorceress whose primary magic was to produce herbs.

Rigleggs turned towards Galz: "I believe my friend that whatever quest that brought you here...would be as successful as the growing of the conovaral seeds by the Great falls"

"A battle is coming Rigleggs. I believe you would be of help to us. "Galz said.

"I believe that one has to fight when one can. We will meet another time dear old friend" with this words the centaur dashed with such speed as lightning bolt, of he ran into to the woods till he was out of sight.

The sojourners saw campfire where hence came the smoke they saw a distance away. There were tents and camps and caves.

Lystere was as surprised and shocked as Lerrick to see this creatures both male and female living in this part of the woods. Their looks and appearances looked somehow something more mystical than Lystere could ever imagine. Long straight body figures like a tree, their faces part wood and part human. Their movement was rather a little rigid and motionless. And at the centre over there standing under a tree trunk was their leader.

"Welcome Galz the soothsayer,". Sivina voice was elegant and young for someone her age. " What brings you here?"

" Dear Sivina leader of the Alistairy coven. I and my dear friends have come to seek for one whose help will be needed. She has been far to long here and maybe forgotten where she came from. I bring news to her to help fight the dark forces that are coming " Galz was not bothered of Nymphs and mystical creature and their demeanour. That is what interest Lystere in him. Galz was as a brave as he was tall. He respects and love as much and as well fear is not part of his person. He was a strong and respected wizard. Respected as much as his superior Aomarion.

"If I know of something, Galz" Sivina looks beaming a little threatening. " The one you seek won't ever want to come with you".

"And why did you think so?" , The Wizard held his magic staff tight.

"Because I think..." Sivina eyes were beginning to glow with rage." She would-.."

"Halt it you two", a more elegant tone disrupted the both.

The voice came from a cave just some feet away from where the mage and the nymph was standing.

Standing at the mouth of the cave was an elegant creature, an elf who has green eyes and skin bright as crystal. She was very much like Ashqtorak but a little fairer and younger than he was. She wore animal skin and was holding a long elven bow.

" I heard you are looking for me Galz" her voice was peaceful as the midnight river.

" Yes. We have come this far to see you your royal highness" Galz bowed his head. Both Lystere and Lerrick prostrated.

" And this are your friends?" Asked the princess.

" Lystere is my student from Eystebith he came with me, and this is Lerrick the son of Malcolm, they live in the plains "

" Well well I think I will have to leave you all for your family reunion" , Sivina left to attend to other matters the nymphs had brought to her in another cave.

"Lerrick I think I have heard of you... The news of your expertise in handling the sword has reached the outstretche of every land" The Princess looked at the man who was stunned by the beauty of this creature his eyes behold.

" Your majesty. What you say is nothing but the truth. I am he-"

" Your majesty." Lystere was running towards the princess held her hand and kissed it. " I am Lystere .Galz already told you just now. I have read alot about you and very much wished to see you one day and today my dream comes true. My princess i do have some questions for you-" .

" Oh goodness. Lystere can you let the princess be, she doesnt need them questions" Galz became impatient.

"You will have plenty time to ask your questions Lystere", The princess was smiling at little-dimpy and gave him a pat in the elbows,"but first, I welcome you all to my humble cottage. Do come inside".

Inside the cave, they were given wine.

" We won't be staying long my princess. I have a proposition for you" Galz was determined to the quest than he was in a warm welcome.

" Okay Galz .Say whatever it is" . Minea gave the permission.

" We are going on a quest to stop Heragon and his dark magic, i and your brother have discussed about it when I arrived in Neverland, we need your skills and talent such as yours in archery".

"My brother and i are not the same". Minea's face was showing signs of agitation.

" I understand it's family. I have such of my own. There was a time i and Aomarion were not much very much in good talks. Pardon me i won't say Aomarion was my brother in blood but in the Mystical Art of mages he was my brother, today we are getting along very much."

Minea stared thoughtfully at the fire she made in the cave.

Lerrick was focused at the elf all this while, when she stares back at him Lerrick will avert his gaze or maybe concentrate on the drink in his cup. He was flattened when she said she knew him. He has never known someone to know him outside the shores of his home in the plains or even in Caldburn. If this beautiful elven princess knows him that means a great feat for him, at least his name was been known not only in the Otherlands but in the mind of one of the most beautiful elven princess.

The princess left them for a moment and went out the cave. Leaning on one of the pine trees and in deep thoughts. One of the Necrodomes who was her close friend , Emera was by her side.

" Friends of yours?"

"Sojourners from Neverland. My brother wants me to help them fight a war against Heragon, who they believe is conjuring some kind of dark magic" Minea's face was sadden with lots of thoughts going on in her mind.

' Minea we have been friends for a long time now.I believe your brother still loves you and won't imagine anything evil to happen to you likewise your other brother the voyager. I...think you should go. For if the Otherlands and realms needs saving. You are one of the people i can trust" the Nymph said.

"Emera, i swore to myself never to do anything with the Neverland or with otherlands or even with my brother the King".

" Yes. I know but some oaths can be revoked remember there was a time I thought I would never have known the skill of Archery, you were the one that made me believe that nothing is impossible and today am good an archer as i could have never believed I would be."Emera brought back memories of how Minea and her first met, their hunting and first kill together. Both ladies laughed and hugged each other.

"I will miss you dear Emera"

"I will miss you more Minea".

In Minea's cave the sojourners were waiting patiently. Who knows maybe she didn't want all this going to fight Heragon and rescuing the Otherland adventure. Galz knew he was doing the right thing. Ashqtorak had pleaded with him to please reach out to his brother and sister those he knows are strong and powerful to wield of Heragon in battle. Their skills and expertise will be highly needed. And Galz being their leader means the mission would be a success. Galz has a plan of infiltrating the mines and getting at the helm of the place where the dark magic was practised; surely it was Heragon's abode and that's why he needs this -fighters and warlocks- for the quest.

"I will come with you"

The Wizard, the elven mage and the young warlock looked at the figure standing at the entrance of the cave.

" I will come with you and stop this menace of Heragon and dark magic that is looming".