As daybreaks and our heroes awake, Dobram lets out a sigh of relief.
*yawn* "Good morning everyone". he says weakly. " It feels like a Cromana hit me at top speed".
"Cromana"? Prorid said. "... and that iss in lamentss termss"?
"You mean layman's terms and it's just a huge fish that swims really fast and hits hard. It can literally tear through your body instantly". He answered.
"If it can tear through you like that, how would one know how it feelss after that"? Prorid asked.
"It's just an expression". Dobram said.
Prorid shrugs off the statement and our four heroes begin to head towards the castle.
"So Lap...I mean Braman, how do you know if the king will accept you. Do you even know his name"? Korrin asked.
"Yes, I do. it's Ramodrie. Don't forget, I lived here my entire life". Braman replied. "I...I just don't know what to do when we get there".
"...I see". Korrin answered.
As they continue to travel, an awkward silence fell on the group. Just then...
"Braman? Is that you"? A womans voice is heard breaking the silence.
Braman looks back at the voice calling out to him.
"Gwen"? Braman excitedly shouts. "Oh my God! How are you"?
Gwen used to play with both Braman and Lapran before she joined the kings warriors. She was always rough and tomboyish so it was a perfect fit for her.
"Hey. I'm good, thanks. Where's Lapran"? she asked.
Braman silent and hesitant told her the whole story leading up to this point in time.
"...Wow. I can't believe all that's happened to you, so much". she said. "So, let me guess, you're headed to see the king now, right"? she asked.
"...Yea. I know I've had runnings with the king, but, how can I tell him that his son has died"? he asked.
"Well, that should'nt be a problem because, for one you're not dead, and two...well, I don't know what to say". she continues to say. "Well, let's get you to the king then".
Our four heroes and Gwen proceed down the dirt road on their way to the king's castle.
"So, Ko...rrin is it? Did I say it right"? Gwen asked.
"Yes". He replied.
"Ok, so is it true what they say about the Lamantails? That you guys are able to shoot fire and have claws that can cut diamond and you can shoot lasers and...". She kept asking.
"...Um, yes and no. Our claws are extremely sharp but we can't shoot fire". he said.
"Really? I personally saw one shooting fire". Gwen said.
"Where? How"? Korrin said
"It was in our play. He shot fire from his mouth and even lasers from his tail. Also, his wings could flap and make tiny whirlwinds". she replied.
They all confusingly looked at each other and then back at Gwen's smiling childlike expression. They begin to laugh making Gwen confused.
"What's so funny guys"? she asked.
"Hey! what have you heard about me"? Prorid asked.
"Hmm, let me think. Oh yea, the Serpentorns. You guys can anticipate anything. You're also like really super strong. like, ridiculously strong. Even you can probably lift us all up with no problems". She said.
"That'ss not true. I couldn't even lift a ssword to help Braman when he wass in danger. I doubt I could lift anything heavier".
"Have you worked on your breathing"? she asked. "I was told that they take a deep breath and swell with strength causing them to expand above their normal build".
Prorid begins to think and then try to work on his breathing. As the four of them watch Prorid's technique, they notice he's actually starting to grow.
"Prorid! You're doing it"! Dobram said.
Just then Prorid exhaled and began to shrink back down to size.
"Damn it! It'ss a lot harder than it lookss. My lungss felt ass if they would explode".
"Aw, little buddy. Just keep practicing and it'll get better". Gwen stated. "You can't master anything without first being a student".
Prorid nods and they all continue to head to the castle. As the road winds down, the castle appeared before their eyes.
"We're here guys"! Gwen said.
It was a huge castle standing at about four stories tall.
"Hey! Worley! Lower the bridge will ya"?
As the bridge is lowered, Gwen tells everyone to act normal and don't get too excited.
"You don't have to tell me Gwen". Braman said.
The bridge hits with a loud thud and the sounds of business can be heard.
"Wow"! Korrin, Prorid and Dobram said in amazement.
"It's so huge"! Prorid said. "I've never seen anything that big before"!
The bazaars were bustling with lively people happily living their lives. It was filled with workers selling goods and the products that they've grown.
"Yea, Lapran and I used to play here all the time". Braman said.
As they head to the king's throne room, Braman looks around and starts to become nostalgic about the earlier, better times. A grin appears across his face and he looks forward heading towards the throne room.
"Your highness, I have with me Braman and his friends,
Korrin, Prorid and Dumbram". Gwen said
"It's Dobram". Dobram whispered
"Oh. Sorry. Dobram". She corrected.
"Ah, yes. Braman my boy. How are you? I haven't seen Lapran in quite awhile. Is he at your home currently"? Ramodrie asked.
"Um, about that, you're highness, it's a long story that I would like to discuss with you. In private". Braman pleaded.
The king nods and guides them to his private chambers. Korrin, Prorid and Dobram stand idly by waiting for their return.
"Well, while they talk about all that happened, what's say we all go and I show you around our quaint place". Gwen suggested.
"Okay. Let'ss ssee what everything'ss about". Prorid said.
As the four head out, they eagerly begin to shout and laugh out the door.
Back in the chambers...
"My boy, what is it that you had to say in private"? King Ramodrie asked.
"Well, sir, it's about some events that transpired over the past few weeks". Braman continued to say. "It all started with a quake that happened about two and a half weeks ago".
The king shocked, he interrupted.
"A quake? You felt a quake"? He asked.
"Yes sir, I did". He replied.
Braman anxiously looked at the king as everything started to flood his mind. He asked one question.
"Were you visited by...Treha"?
He hesitated but answered.
"...Yes".
To be continued...