Firewood was nicely piled to about a full-grown human height. On top was a lifeless Deborah covered with a white blanket to the neck. Even in death, she still looked proud of what she had done. At the bottom of the pile stood Jane whose tears were uncontrollably rolling. Jack was beside her, holding her shoulder to console her. Near the dragon was Catherine who had her head rested on Brenda's chest. They were both sitting on the ground. Catherine was literally crying. The chief was not with them for after the dragon healed him, he had been returned to his home. The dragon promised that one day, if the mage was alive, he would pay them a proper visit and probably free them from Kasnaya.
Green Wyvern towered over the altar of firewood. It just stared at Deborah who looked small below it. Its expression from the face of shiny scales was hard to read. However, one thing was for sure, he it was sad.
"Jack," Jane cried, "I barely knew her, but she sacrificed her life to save mine. How will I ever pay her?" "You are a love girl. She was a healer. You are the only love girl in Woodland. There are many healers on the other hand." Green Wyvern's low roar came in time to answer her.
"Wyvern, we have work to do. Get it over and done with." Catherine stood and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands.
"She was a friend I never wanted to lose. She always dreamt of a life of freedom from that assassins' group. She hoped Eddie would one day save her. She is now gone and none of her dreams are going to come true. I hope you find rest in the netherworlds." The dragon roared before giving out a breath. Its breath came with fire that consumed the entire wood altar.
As fire cracked the wood and seemingly melting Deborah's body, Green Wyvern shot to the air with the four humans on its back.
Canya was sitting one her bed reading a book. Since she left her grandfather's place, she had been unusually happy, except for the last three days. Before she approached a sorcerer to make Eddie be bonded to her, she had known that he did not love her at all. However, her grandfather told her that the mage had to love someone for him to lie with another woman. She had thought that it was because of the spell, but her grandfather had told her that the spell had only intensified his feelings, something that time would have given her best.
She had wanted to talk to him about it when they last met but he was seemingly in a hurry that day. She had thought that they would meet the next day and they would talk, but it was three days now. He had not shown up in class. His calls were not going through and the lock on his door securely spoke of his absence. She had decided to keep herself busy with books. She believed he would show up, and they would talk.
She stood to take a sip of water when she saw a notification. She picked her cellphone to check. It was Priscilla urgently wanting to meet her.
"You wanted me to kill the man I love. You expect me to come to you when you urgently need me? Forget it." She threw the phone disdainfully on the table. She then went back to her bed to continue reading. When she thought she would have a peaceful reading, Priscilla called. Her weak voice made Canya shudder. She nodded, although Priscilla could not see that that she would be in the shrine in minutes.
She arrived at the shrine to find Priscilla lain on a bed. However, she was in the most terrible shape she had ever seen a human be in. Bandages covered her entire body, only leaving her eyes, mouth and nose open for people to see. If she had not been told that she was Priscilla, she would not have believed. The woman standing next to the bed wore a sad face that made Canya feel a chill run up her spine.
"What happened to you?" Canya asked, grimacing in anger.
"Canya, that is not important." Priscilla said weakly, "I used the last of my strength to get here and give you this message. Canya, the war has begun. We cannot afford to waste more time. You must go to the Valley of Ravens. I have already sent a message to Ahkmath. He is expecting you."
"Priscilla, what are you talking about, and who is Ahkmath? Who reduced you to this state?" Canya was getting confused.
Priscilla abruptly grabbed her left arm and pulled her closer to her. With the other hand, she presented to Canya a light purple feather.
"This is Lily," she smiled, "She will guide you."
Once Canya received the feather, Priscilla's grip on her arm loosened and the one that had presented the feather slammed on the bed. Canya lifted only to see Priscilla heave her last breath.