Sapphire Kingdom: Quest Two (Dragon Quest Series Book 2) (3 page)

Quester

Location: Training Grounds

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Angi
e
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Not even the pungent sweet spices coming from the bowl of oatmeal like substance in front of me, could encourage me enough to keep my eyelids open.

Ever since we made the decision to stay and fight in Eupai six days ago, I have been getting less and less sleep; as Nolin’s training intensified.

Once again I tried to focus on what Nolin was saying across the table, but my eyes just kept drifting shut.

It felt like Nolin was intentionally setting me up. Who wakes a person up only to have them meet them in a large meadow with flowers, and birds that sings, and a breeze that blows at just the right speed? This answer is simple. Someone who doesn’t want my attention for long.

My entire body soon became alert as I was startled out of my thoughts by a sound coming from in front of me.

As my eyes flew open I already knew who was responsible for disrupting my peace. Turning toward the culprit, I found Leo smiling at me, as his hands were still gripping the cup he used to slam down on the table.

“Are your lessons boring you?” Leo asked arrogantly taking a sip from his cup. “We have very little time to prepare all of you, it is rude to sleep during the time you are supposed to be learning.

“I was under the impression that that this time was made for us to prepare for training, and that is what I am doing.” I said looking down at my untouched food, which caused my stomach to growl.

“Even a calf knows how to chew the grass in front of it when it is hungry.” Leo muttered picking up his cup of water as he sent an infuriating smirk my way.

Using the knowledge I gained from Nolin, I concentrated my energy in a small dose without lifting a finger toward his glass, waiting for the right moment. As soon as his lips touched the rim of the cup I heated the water as hot as I could get it.

“Have you lost your wits?” Leo barked as he quickly dropped the hot cup, quickly picking up the pitcher in the middle of the table and drinking it down as fast as he could.

“I am fully awake now,” I said feigning innocence, while taking a sip from my cup. “Thank you for the show. Who knew you could move like that.”

“You could have seriously hurt me.”

“Even a minnow knows not to awake a hungry shark.” I responded finally taking a bite out of the food in front of me nonchalantly.

“Why you-”

“I am glad I now have everyone’s attention.” Nolin continued speaking as if nothing happened. “As I was saying today will be your last day of training. Your lessons will end today and your real quest will begin.”

“What do you mean our quest will begin today?” Ashley asked with widening eyes.

Instead of responding, Nolin motions to
Rṓ
gaire, who was already walking toward him with a giant book.

At the mere sight of
Rṓ
gaire, Leo tensed and Prince Leev’s eyes narrowed, as if they were expecting him to attack someone.

Something is definitely going on between them, and I am going to find out what it is.

Rṓ
gaire placed the book on the table with a huge thud in front of Nolin, for a moment it seemed as if he was lost in thought as he gazed down at the book. I could see many emotions play across his face, but the one most prominent was sadness.

With one deep breathe, Nolin quickly snapped out of his daze. “I have taught you everything you need to know to find and claim your dragons. I regret not having more time to go over everything with you, but I am confident you will succeed.”

              It seemed as if time had stopped, as I realized the full meaning of his words.
I don’t think none of us are fully ready, I am more worried about my sisters, with no fighting experience whatsoever. It must be even harder for them.

Looking at April pale knuckles as she gripped the fabric of her dress, made me want to become stronger. My eyes locked onto Ashley’s, and they were no more reassuring than April’s clinched fists. I could see doubt and fear behind her blue eyes, it was so clear to see, I could physically feel it, or was it my own emotions I was sensing?

“Since I am not able to physically journey with you, I will leave you with two things. First, I will send you off with the knowledge of the dragon warriors.” Nolin continued as he opened up the large book to a map. “What you see before you is the map of Eupai.

A wave of familiarity washed over me, as if I have seen it somewhere before.

“Inside this book lies the ancient history of Eupai, this is the original book, a copy of it was entrusted to your guardians.” Nolin continued.

I knew I had seen it somewhere, but I still cannot recall when, as I tried to remember more about the book, a buzzing sound started in my ears, and my head began to feel like it was going to split.

I realized that I was not the only one experiencing this. Ashley and April were both holding their heads, when I looked their way it was hard to see them through the pain.

“What’s going on?” Prince Leev asked sounding helpless as he and Leo ran to our sides.

Just as fast as it started it ended. That was the scariest thing that has happened to me so far. “Are you two okay?”

“Yes. I am now.” Ashley answered.

“What was that?” April whispered still clutching her head.

“Things has become a great deal more complicated.” Nolin sighed tugging on his long white beard.

“What is happening to us? Is there something else you are keeping from us?” I asked pushing my way in front ofPrince Leev and Leo to get to Nolin, only to be blocked by
Rṓ
gaire. “Why are you in my way? I only want answers.”

“Step aside.” Nolin quietly commanded
Rṓ
gaire, causing him to instantly obey. “I have a theory, in order to verify this. Do you mind stepping closer?”

Nolin’s words piqued my curiosity, hoping that he would be able to explain what was happening I slowly made my way toward him.

I was two steps away from him, when he brought both of his hands up to cup my head on both sides. “Try to relax and clear your mind.”

I tried to do as he instructed, I could feel a soothing warmth coming from his hands, which made it easier to relax.

“Now picture the book of Eupai in your mind.” He instructed still holding my head.

This time when I remember the book in my head, I didn’t hear the buzz or feel any pain; instead I began to get a glimpse of a memory, at least it feels as if this has already happened. I could see the book, in the hands of my stepmom, as she sat on the couch, with the lamp on the table by her illuminating her long jet black hair. My heart began to pound faster, as I began to feel homesick.

In my mind I could see myself walking near her, watching her opening the book, I could feel myself pulling up on the couch to get a peek at what she was reading. I was beginning to make out the words on the page, and that is when I was brought to my knees with the most excruciating pain, starting from the back of my head and spreading all over. I could not hear anyone over my own screaming, but I knew I was surrounded by people. Curling up in a ball, I could feel myself being lifted, and someone’s hands cradling my head. I stayed that way on the ground until the pain began to slowly subside.

Feeling drained and weak, I struggled to sit up, only to have someone push me back down.

“Stay down for at least a few more minutes.” I heard Leo say, and for once I was not going to argue with him.

The voices around me started to become clearer as I laid there.

“What did you do?” I could hear Ashley yell.

“This is worse than I expected.” Nolin responded.

“What do you mean? What is happening to her?” Ashley yelled.

“Nolin, is there anything we can do to help.” Prince Leev questioned.

“No, young prince, the pain should be subsiding now.

He was right, the loud buzz had become bearable, and my vision and sound was starting to return.

“What just happened to me?” I asked attempting to get up for a second time.

“It seems that you have part of your memories blocked.” Nolin explained extending a hand to help me up. “Are you alright now?”

“Yes, other than the small buzzing in my ears, and the temporary hearing loss, I think I am now one hundred percent back to normal.” I responded realizing for the first time that I was previously being cradled by Leo. 

Great, my day just keeps getting better.

“I am glad to hear that.” Nolin said with a sigh of relief, completely ignoring my sarcasm. “The most logical conclusion to this is that Nanina and Machen has blocked certain memories from you, and when you are reminded of these forgotten events you began to experience mental and physical pain.”

“That’s crazy why would our parents…I mean guardians do that?” Ashely exclaimed helping me to find a seat at the table.

“In light of this discovery, I believe that Nanina and Machen never meant to betray Eupai.”

“The only thing that matters is that they ultimately betrayed all of us.” Prince Leev stated intensely.

“Young prince you are missing the most important piece to this puzzle.”

“Which is?”

“The dragon warriors and their symptoms.”

“Symptoms? There is something you are not telling us!” I accused more than a little concerned that we had come into contact with an extraterrestrial illness.

“No, but there is something your mind is withholding from you.” Have you experienced anything like what just happened, but on a smaller scale, since your venture back home?”

“No, I-“I began before remembering the way my head throbbed as I stared at the moons on the balcony during the celebration.

“There was a time I felt like I was forgetting something, when I first looked at the painting in the room of the men riding on the backs of dragons.” April admitted, handing me a cup of water to drink.

“I suspected that was the case.” Nolin acknowledged.

“Can’t you just remove them Elder Nolin?” Leo asked.

If it wasn’t for the fact that he believes my sisters and me to be obligations, I would say that he actually appeared to be concerned.

“That is the problem, the only way to unblock their minds is for the person who put it there to remove it.”

“We need to have the command passed to have them both captured.” The prince suggested.

“That will do you no good.” Nolin quickly retorted. “Knowing them the way I do, they are most likely seeking sanctuary in the place of their ancestors.”

“Where would that be?” I asked, becoming more than annoyed at the half-answers he was giving us.

“The place you will find them, will most definitely be Diamond Kingdom”

“I may not know much, but isn’t that where the evil Queen Lady is currently at?”

“That is correct. Diamond Kingdom is a kingdom inside of a kingdom.” Nolin stated chuckling to himself. “I am not expecting you to understand what I have said now, but once you are there, it will all make sense.”

I wanted to demand he explain everything to us, but I knew that was a lost cause, as I sat there just as confused, as the day we were transported to Eupai.

“Here are your celta stones.”
Rṓ
gaire said from behind us causing all of us to jump.

This guy creep meter is becoming dangerously in the red. It’s like he is part shadow.

“What is a celta stone?” April asked already holding her stone in her hands.

“These stones will allow you to communicate with me, while on your journey.” Nolin explained.

As I ran my fingers over the surface of the celta stone, it was very smooth like glass, but the stone was very warm to the touch. I found it strange that the rock was actually diamond shaped with strange zig-zag lines carved on it.

“These stones does not require much energy to work sufficiently.” Nolin continued, “You may use them at any time you find yourselves in need of my assistance.”

“I don’t know why, but I have a feeling the reason you are giving us the celta stones, are because our mind blocks.” April stated softly, looking down at the stone. “Us not being able to touch or look in the book has given us a disadvantage hasn’t it?”

For a brief moment April looked directly at Nolin, only to look back down with fear in her eyes.

“Wisdom is to be expected of the Emerald dragon warrior. What you have spoken is correct.” Nolin sighed. “The previous dragon warriors would gain the knowledge of the ones before them, from this book, and it also holds the locations of your dragons.”

“Basically, we are going in completely blind.” I rephrased in terms that we all could understand. “How are we even supposed to find our dragons without a map?”

“I can tell that you have already been taught everything you need to know, you will just have to tap into that knowledge and trust in your first instinct.”