Chapter 43: Two Paths Diverge

August and Gwendolyn just stared at Saffron as she finished explaining what Kingsley had told her, mouths agape. “So, she is a daemon?” August asked, running his hands over his shorn hair. Saffron nodded.
“In a manner of speaking. She sacrificed her soul for her power,” she replied and leaned heavily against Elric.
“And he is trapped?” August asked, looking at his brother who glowered from the corner.
“Yes, brother. I cannot change back,” August was startled as Elric’s voice entered his mind.
“How?” August exclaimed, his eyes wide.
“We don’t know. I am not sure how to help. Whatever magic is infecting him, is beyond any of my skills,” she said apologetically.
“I am not well versed in magic either. Politics, yes. I would not even know where to turn to find help,” August replied.
“Udril, perhaps?” Gwendolyn offered, her face and voice tired.
“Udril?” August asked and looked towards his wife. She nodded.
“They are magic practitioners, are they not?” she retorted.
“Well, yes. I suppose they are. But dark magic like this?”
“The dragon I fought was made of stone and was given life by magic. It would seem that someone of great power would have had a hand in its creation,” Elric voiced. His brother nodded, still unused to hearing a voice inside his head.
“It would seem so,” he replied, stroking his stubble with the edge of his thumb. “It isn’t a horrible idea. Although, I would say perhaps you do not go,” he said and looked over at his younger brother. “Mira is still rather angry about your engagement.” He chuckled as Saffron glowered.
“What are you proposing?” she asked August. He glanced towards his wife before replying.
“I say Gwendolyn and I go. Beg for their aid. I am the rightful heir to the crown. If I promise a truce perhaps, they will help,” August replied.
“It could work,” Elric thought. “They were not happy with the current agreements. If you are inclined to negotiate new terms, they might be willing to help. They might also have an idea of how to get rid of Ishild. I have a feeling a simple blade would not do the trick.”
“We will leave in the morning. What of our own people?” he asked and looked at Elric.
“They are loyal to me…or at least they were before all of this. I believe Wulfstan is going to speak to them, but I cannot lead an army like this,” Elric replied thoughtfully.
“Well, we will handle Udril and I’ll seek out Wulfstan. What will you do?” August asked.
Elric looked towards Saffron, his eyes questioning. “We will also search out an answer to this. There have to be other dragons out there right?” she said to them.
“On my mother’s side, I believe there is still some family living. I’ve never met them so I cannot be sure, but we can seek them out. Æðelfrið would know better than I. We can leave tomorrow as well,” Elric replied. Saffron laid a hand on his side, her fingers splayed against his scales.
“It is settled then,” Saffron said with a nod towards August, who inclined his head once.
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Elric and Saffron left early the next morning before the sun had risen. They did not want to chance Ishild seeing them fleeing. They said their uncomfortable goodbyes to August and Gwendolyn before leaving. August had awkwardly patted Elric’s head which was rewarded with a singed sleeve. Gwendolyn had pulled Saffron into a stiff hug but whispered an apology in her ear.
The day was blissfully overcast, the sun shining weakly through the thick clouds. They had walked a few miles in the forest when Elric finally stopped and turned to look at Saffron. “This would be much faster in the air,” he thought.
“I cannot fly. Will you dangle me from your talons?” she teased with a smile. He snorted and a column of smoke leaked from his nostrils.
“You can climb onto my back. If I fly, we can get there within the hour. Otherwise, we will be walking for another day,” he retorted. She looked over his back warily. “I will not let you fall,” he said looking at her worried face.
“I would hope not,” she said and stepped closer to him. He lay down but she was still unsure how she was to scale the dragon. She couldn’t see over his back; her head came a few inches below the swell of his spine.
“You are too tall,” she declared and stepped back. He huffed in frustration.
“There is a log there. Stand on it and then climb on,” he pointed his tail towards a fallen log near them. Saffron climbed onto the icy log, feeling ridiculous as she windmilled her arms to keep her balance. Elric sidled up next to her. She threw her leg over his back and scrambled up the side. She began to slip and called out. He caught her with his wing and helped her onto his back.
“Hold on to my neck. I would suggest closing your eyes,” he thought and she threw herself down onto his back, her arms wrapped around his neck and her eyes squeezed tightly shut. “It will be better once we are in the air.” With a few great pushes of his wings, they were lifted off of the ground. Saffron felt her stomach drop as they rose higher.
“Open your eyes,” Elric thought softly. Saffron was trembling and didn’t want to look. The air whipped past her face and she was very aware of the lack of earth underneath her feet. She was not so sure that this would be her preferred way to travel. “Go on.” With a sigh, she cracked one eye open and gasped.
She could barely see the ground from their height. Farms dotted the landside and minuscule rivers wound through them, appearing to be no larger than thread. “This is incredible,” she whispered. Elric let out a content grumble and pushed them higher, breaking through the clouds.
The sun was radiant; pink and gold stretched above the clouds and reached in every direction. Saffron felt tears run down her face as she took in the beauty of what she was seeing. “We are close to Avolire,” Elric’s thoughts mingled with hers.
“You might want to close your eyes again,” he warned and tucked his wings. Saffron yelped as they dove, the ground rushing towards them.