sarri
"Drake!"
I held him in my arms as Lucas put his hands on my shoulder.
"He is not dead,"
both of us looked to Karsha in shock.
"I have put him in a suspended state. As long as the dagger is still in him he can stay like this for two days no longer."
I looked to Lucas
"we have to get him to the sanctuary."
Nodding he said
"you will have to carry him and I will carry Jace."
I nodded
"very well. Then let us be off."
Gently lowering Drake to the ground I stepped away from him so as not to hurt him during my transformation. It only took seconds to transform but unfortunately you are venerable for those few seconds. My skin changed to black scales, scales as hard as granite, my neck stretched as spikes grew from my forehead down my spine all the way to the tail that had formed. Wings emerged from my shoulder blades as spikes grew at the joints of them and sharp claws grew from my toes and hands. Long and sharp spikes also grew from my four leg joints.
Opening my eyes I looked down as I was fully transformed into a black dragon exactly like my pendent. Transforming always made every dragon feel the freedom of being in their true form. When in our dragon form our senses are tuned into other dragons we can pinpoint the location of any dragon in range, our hearing becomes keener, sight becomes acutely accurate and our strength is beyond measure.
However as I have the power of the elder dragons my scales were impenetrable by everything bar another with the elders powers, I could see father hear more and the fire in my belly burned a thousand times hotter.
Lastly my knowledge of magic was far beyond any other, in being given the power I was given powers that were thought to be lost among our kind however it is not given easily I still had to learn to use my powers and perfect the elders way of using it. Alicia has had many more years then me to perfect her powers this makes her more powerful and harder to predict.
"Hurry Lucas we haven't time to waste, I will not loose another in my service."
My voice did not change much merely developing a deeper rumble to it. Nodding Lucas also transformed into a dragon although he was much smaller making him ideal for stealth. His orange scales also matched his pendent that he wore in human form. Like me spikes protruded all the way down his spine and from his forehead.
"I will follow behind you princess so that I can watch for enemies."
"As you wish, Karsha will watch from the ground." Rearing on to my hind legs I reached with my front legs watching my claws as I picked Drake up and took to the air as my wings swooped to the ground with enormous force. Climbing the drafts in the sky I hovered just below the clouds as Lucas did the same to Jace's body. Once he had met me in the sky both of us headed north towards the sanctuary with Karsha running faster then any creature could on foot.
Lucas, Karsha and I did not stop for sleep or food, we were only seven days out from the sanctuary on horseback, in the air we were only two without stopping. As dragons we could fly for days and still have the strength to fight a three day battle. Karsha was no different she did not stop while we flew above her.
as the sanctuary appeared before us at dawn two days after transforming we knew there was a good chance Drake would make it. Before us lay a huge hollowed out mountain. It formed a perfect circle leagues in diameter. The walls of the natural mountain barrier were taller then any mountain in Dralic.
Inside the walls the ground was covered in trees where the tops of houses could be seen amongst them. A maze of rivers and pathways winded through the hollow of the mountain. As we flew over the sanctuary those that we saw walking the paths looked up and instantly cheered at the sight of us in the sky.
They knew who I was for I was the only black dragon of my race. They began to run towards the center of the hollow where a large circle of stone had been laid to allow enough room for ten dragons to land at once. Beside the platform was the castle of the sanctuary it was built by the dragon elders the very walls were carved by magic. Many dragons were carved into it and for every dragon that was born another carving would appear on the walls of the palace by magic.
These meant that you could gaze at the walls for years and not know how many there were carved into it. They were so intricate that it gave the carvings the illusion of movement.
The crowd that had gathered on and around the platform stood clustered together cheering at our arrival. They parted as Karsha made her way through them to meet us in the center, those who knew what she was bowed to her, others stepped back in curiousness.
Both of us landed on our hinds legs as Lucas laid Jace's body down and I Drake's. The crowd consisted of both humans and dragons, only those of my race wore dragon pendants. No pendent held the same form, all had different characteristics.
As the crowd set their eyes on the two bodies mummers spread through the crowd like wildfire. Karsha stood next to me after I had changed back to human form even as Lucas did. Warriors from the royal army, Drake's own men were the first to come forward. Lucas stepped forward indicating two of them
"take your commander to the healers and hurry about it. Two men started to carry Drake away I watched as they took him through the crowd. I strange feeling overtook me as I watched him disappear amongst the strange faces. This feeling urged me to follow trying to ignore it I turned to Lucas
"Insure that Jace is prepared for burial I want him honored as a hero of Dralic."
He bowed
"yes your highness."
Suddenly the crowd parted as my mother the queen of Dralic and Deagan approached. The instant Deagan set eyes on me he ran to sweep me into his arms
"Sarri thank god your safe, I'm sorry I was not there when you woke but-"
putting my finger to his mouth I smiled the strange feeling towards Drake forgotten as I gazed at Deagan.
"You were needed here I understand you need not explain."
He smiled
"I missed you."
"And I you,"
Deagan released me as my mother gathered me into her arms.
"I've been so worried about you,"
"you should not have, I was in good hands." Releasing me she looked past me then frowned "where is Coran?"
My heart sank as I remembered what had happened. My mothers eyes looked questioningly into mine, not answering I turned to face the crowd for the first time.
"People of Dralic, dragons and human alike, I arrive baring grave news of your prince, Coran of Dralic has been captured by Alicia's warriors Nardia and Nate."
I paused as I looked at the horror in my mother's eyes.
"They along with one of our own are responsible for the murder of Jace therinbee."
The crowd held their breath at my words
"Taleane has betrayed us and is personally responsible for the capture of your prince. Therefore I ask for warriors brave enough to storm our very own city to rescue our prince and deal our revenge for all the suffering Alicia and her followers have caused. It is time we stopped hiding and fought back for our homes."
The crowds cheering was deafening, I knew that their reaction meant that they would do as I asked. Smiling I started to continue but was interrupted by my mother who addressed the crowd
"I agree with my daughter but first we shall ready ourselves for a battle so great. Gather your weapons and continue to perfect your fighting skills so that when the time comes we will be ready."
The crowd cheered as they departed to do as she had said. As the crowd thinned I turned confused towards my mother,
"what do you mean when we are ready? Alicia has Coran, we must save him now before it is too late." Deagan stepped forward as he laid his hands on my shoulders
"come inside Sarri and we will talk."
Both my mother and Deagan greeted Karsha then started for the palace. Looking down at her confused I followed with her at my side into the castle . We walked through the halls till we arrived at my mother's study where various maps were spread out on her desk. She sat down leaving Deagan, Karsha and I to stand before her desk. Impatient I asked
"what's going on, why do you not want to get Coran back?"
My mother sighed but it was Deagan who answered
"Sarri you must understand Alicia has too many on her side, if we are to storm into Gradkail first we must gather more warriors. If we went into battle now we would all be killed."
My look of horror caused my mother to lean forward
"what Deagan says is true if we go now we will be wiped out and Alicia will win. I do not want to leave Coran in her hands any more then you do but we have no choice. To save him we will be sending our entire army to their deaths."
"How could you say that? I will not leave Coran with that witch! Who knows what she's done to him already, you did not see what they did to Drake you can not know. Please mother you must-"
She suddenly stood, using her full height
"you are not queen yet Sarri, you do not have the ordering of this army and I will not be responsible for their deaths."
Angry at her decision I yelled
"you can not do this! Coran needs our help!"
"Do not raise your voice to me! You will leave my presence until you have calmed down and when you have you will get ready for Jace's funeral witch you your self have given the honor of a hero of Dralic. Or have you forgotten what that entails?" Furious I spoke through gritted teeth
"I will respect Jace at his funeral as is his right however when it is done since you will not help I will save Coran myself."
I turned to leave but before I could leave the room my mother yelled
"If that is how you feel then after the funeral I will have you guarded so that you do not leave the sanctuary and if you manage to escape them as you always do I will tell the healers to let commander Drake die."
I spun to face her, my anger rising for I knew she was serious. She knew I would not leave before the funeral there fore I would not be able to get away before she would have half the army insure that I do not go, even if I could escape them and I could she will do as she says.
"Then you condemn Coran to death,"
I knew I had hurt her with my words but I was too angry at what she threatened to do. Turning to Karsha I said
"are you coming?"
"I have words for the queen."
That made me even angrier
"fine."
Leaving the room I slammed the door behind me, walking through the castle I went to my room. My room here was just as elegant as my room in Gradkail.
The bed was large enough for three people to sleep in comfortably and was made with the finest silk. The furnishings were just as elaborate with couches and a table. The window held a ledge to sit on as you look out to the surroundings below.
It was there that I sat as I watched the people below running about excitedly preparing for the far away battle. It wasn't long before there was a knock on my door
"Sarri?"
I heard Deagan question, angry at him as well for agreeing with my mother I said
"Go away Deagan."
He opened the door anyway and walked into my room I turned away from him not wanting to acknowledge his presence.
"Sarri please don't be mad,"
I remained silent. Listening as he stepped closer and put his hand on my shoulder.
"I know you are worried, but you must believe me when I say we would be murdering everyone who marched to save him. Do you want everyone to end up like Jace?"
I sighed remembering his sacrifice, no I did not want that to ever happen again. Silently resting his hand on my cheek he sat on the ledge beside me his touch excited me as it always did but somehow I felt like it was missing something. I figured it was just my anger at what was happening or what wasn't and leaned forward as we kissed, my own hand went to his check as I remembered how much I'd missed the feel of his lips, his so much like Drakes flowed with the wind coming through the window. Parting he held me in his arms
"Oh Deagan I just don't want anything to happen to him."
Stroking my hair he answered
"they will not hurt him not while they still want you. He is merely a tool to force you to their side."
Hearing his heart beat against his chest comforted me.
"I missed you so much, ever since I woke up I've felt as if I'm missing something. Like a part of me is gone, I feel as if I'll never get it back."
I lifted my head to see his eyes
"it's alright you'll find it, I know you will."
Standing he held out his hand for me
"come, you have to get ready for the funeral."
I nodded as I took his hand, walking him to the door we kissed again then he was gone. Seeing him again brought back all the strong feelings I had for him he was not as strong looking as Drake but something about him made my heart soar. Sighing to myself I walked to my wardrobe and got dressed in purple velvet with white trim gown the same colour as my eyes. The gown had v neck corset style lacing at the front and back of the gown which falls into a paneled skit that flowed to my ankles. The sleeves were mid length that has a sheaves chiffon overlay from the elbow. Putting on purple shoes I walked to the door and left my room for the funeral.
The crowd at Jace's funeral was just as large as the crowd that greeted Lucas and I on our arrival. Jace's body was laid on a wooden panel carried by Lucas and the warriors of Drake's command. As the wooden panel was laid on the funeral pyre before me I faced the crowd.
"Jace's death was early in coming, but he dies as a hero. He gave his life willingly to save others. He believed in the power of Dralic and her people, he believed in the fight for peace between all races. He sacrificed himself for that belief and for that I deem him a hero of Dralic. May he dine with the dragon elders, may he be blessed by those who fought for the peace that has held between humans and dragons for centuries. Jace was a good warrior and a good man, he will forever be in our hearts."
Accepting the torch from a guard I lit the wood beneath him. Seconds later a bright light burst through his chest to rush towards the skies as it exploded blanketing the world in a purple light then disappeared. Deagan walked out of the dispersing crowd towards me.
"It is done, come let us get back to the castle ."
Not moving I could not bring myself to leave, Deagan waited silently. Finally I turned towards him "I just need to do something."
He looked at me suspiciously
"I'm not going to leave, mother has made her point very clear."
He looked around true to her word there were already guards standing close by to watch me. "Very well go, do whatever it is you need to. Will I see you at dinner?"
I nodded
"of course."
Kissing me good bye he left. As soon as he disappeared I headed away from the castle . As I walked the people that I passed bowed, smiling back they continued on their way. It wasn't long before I knocked on the front door of the healers building. The head healer Julie answered the door
"your highness to what do I owe the honor?"
She asked as I walked through the door
"I just came to see how the commander was doing."
She smiled her blond hair flowed all the way to her hips. Her skin flawless she had the gentle touch of a healer.
"Of course, you'll be pleased to know he is doing fine. The blade just missed his heart and Karsha's magic insured that he did not loose too much blood and the various other wounds were extensive but he is a fighter and will recover in good time. He is sleeping right now but it always helps if he senses the presence of others."
I nodded
"This way your highness,"
She lead me down a series of halls until we stopped at the door to his room. Excusing herself I was left alone in the hall. Staring at the door I was confused at why I was here all I remember is something pulling me to see him. I knew that I wanted to see him, needed to see him. Taking a deep breath I turned the door knob. Like most healers rooms his was void of furniture except the bed he laid upon, a bedside table and a chair beside the bed. As I stood in the doorway I looked at Drake, he seemed so peaceful. It was hard to believe such a man as Drake could look like that.
Slowly closing the door behind me I sat in the chair. Staring into his face I did not know what to do, how I felt or why I was here. Everything that had happened between us raced through my mind, what compelled me to come here. I watched his chest move with his breathing, as I watched everything left me. It was as if I no longer controlled my own body. Reaching out I held his hand in mine, I felt as if I should say something but nothing come to me. Slowly my eyes getting heavy I lay my head down planning to just rest my eyes.
However within minutes I was asleep and within seconds I was plunged into my reoccurring nightmare. So many images pain seared through my head
"what do you want from me?"
I screamed
"Take my hand."
"No! You will not have me Alicia."
"I can help you, do not fight it, there is no need not for you."
"Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"
The voice laughed
""come little princess you help me and I'll help you. I only want what's best for everyone in Dralic,"
"I don't believe you."
"You have no choice,"
Suddenly something moved my hand. Instantly I sat up frightened not remembering where I was I looked around. As it all came back I look down to see Drake staring into my eyes. He did not say a word but I saw the questioning look in his eyes. Looking out the window I realized how long I had been asleep, I had already missed dinner.
"Your highness, are you alright?"
His question caused me to laugh,
"You are the one lying in bed from an injury that almost killed you, that was gained by saving my life and you ask if I am alright? I should be asking you if you are alright."
He smiled as he tried to sit up I quickly moved forward and helped him.
"I am fine, I have suffered worse before." Forgetting the time and the lost dinner I sat back down.
"I can imagine,"
as our eyes locked neither of us saying another word. His sapphire eyes made me think of the night sky full of stars, how they could make you loose yourself and not be aware of it. Whenever I looked into those eyes I was changed somehow. It was hard to describe but it was strong. Thinking of how he saved me I hesitantly asked
"why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you take the dagger, you could have easily have let it hit then Alicia would have gained nothing from me. She could not use this thing she's put inside me to bring me to her side and please do not say it is what you are ordered to do for it is so much more."
He looked at his hands
"I could not let you die."
Slowly he turned back to me
"it was not your time."
I sighed
"so it was yours, even though you did not die you could have. Just because I am princess does not make my life more important then yours."
"What would you have done?"
I stared at his confused face
"what would have changed if I did die?"
I could no longer look at him I could not find any words with which to answer.
"If I had died the world would still spin, the army would find another commander and the people would still fight against Alicia. However if you died everybody in Dralic would mourn for you. The world would be in chaos and Alicia would be in control of this world that much easier. So you see your life is more important, if I had died only my foster parents and maybe Lucas would mourn but that is all."
I stared at him as I slowly whispered
"I would mourn."
His stare suddenly became more intense as he dug into my very soul.
"What are you doing here your highness?"
Reality hit home hard ignoring his question I stood "I'm glad your feeling better commander."
Then turning I left his room and the healers building. My guards who had been following me the whole time and had waited outside the building resumed their guard.
As I walked back to the palace my mind was reeling with conflicting emotions. So much so that I did not realize when I was already at my room and Deagan was at my door waiting with a worried look on his face.
"Where have you been? You weren't at dinner,"
"I'm sorry I lost track of time. I didn't mean to worry you."
He pulled me into his arms
"don't be sorry it's just with everything that's happening I fret every time you are away from me." I smiled as I stared into his eyes
"do you want to come in?"
"Sure I waited long enough to know what's happened to you since Killarai."
Going into my room we sat down on my bed as I told him everything thing that had happened. I avoided everything Drake and I spoke about for I did not want to betray anything about Drake. Once finished we both lay down on the bed just staring at one another. As he moved for me to rest my head on his chest within minutes we fell asleep in each other arms.
It was the middle of the night when I woke up sweating after having another dream. Gently I slipped out from under Deagan's arms, as I left the bed I stared down at him. My heart soaring with my feelings for him, quietly I went to the window as I stared out at the stars. They were so bright from the sanctuary, in Gradkail it was hard to see the stars for all the lights that stayed on almost all night. On nights like this it just made me want to fly but at present if I transformed my mother would only think I was going after Coran. I missed him so much he loved looking at the stars just as much as I. We always used to sneak out of the castle leaving the city behind just to watch the stars.
It wasn't long before I heard Deagan wake to find me at the window. He knew about mine and Coran's love of the stars so I was not surprised when he said
"he's going to be fine Sarri, you'll see. When we find the warriors and figure a plan to storm the city you will find him alive and well."
Still staring at the stars I asked
"how do you know?"
"I just know,"
the sureness in his eyes comforted me and confused me at the same time. Turning I stood as I ran my hand through his hair and pulled him down to kiss him. Our kiss was passionate and full of emotion, full of longing. Slowly we went to the bed as I began to pull his shirt off as he began to undo my gown. Our passion became more forceful as we joined together.
"I love you Sarri,"
he whispered
"and I you,"
I answered. As our passion reached it's height we sat back panting. He held me in his arms as he kissed me on the forehead. Exhausted we again fell asleep in each others arms. This time I did not dream as I sleep the deepest sleep I'd had in weeks.
The morning sun shining through the window woke us up, as we dressed and went down for breakfast it felt like it did before. No impending battle to worry about nothing to interfere in our happiness. I no longer worried about Coran for if they wanted to hurt him they would have done it along with Jace. I was so happy that I let nothing get in the way of it, it was as if something had made me feel free. The whole day was spent together as we walked the numerous paths around the sanctuary occasionally talking to those who pasted. Karsha I had seen only briefly as she was forever in heated conversations with my mother.
It wasn't until we sat for dinner that our happiness was really interrupted as my mother joined us at the table with Drake at her side. He was dressed in the formal cloths of a commander, with white cotton long sleeved shirt and black pants, a cape of black with a brooch of the queen's symbol a soaring golden dragon holding it. As I wondered at how fast he had recovered I realized I had not known how fast he could heal, my nervousness was instant. To my relief Deagan did not notice,
"I hope no one minds but I heard that Drake was feeling better so I decided to invite him to dinner considering what he has done for this family in the last weeks I thought it only fitting."
Deagan smiled
"it's fine by me your highness."
For a short instant Drake and I locked eyes as I answered
"of all people I should have thought of that myself since it was my life that he saved but you beat me to it mother."
Laughing my mother sat as she announced
"then it is settled let us eat."
Drake was placed at the table across from me. As our dinner was served I tried not to look at him, for I was embarrassed by what I had done and could not bring myself to look into those eyes and loose myself with Deagan right beside me. All through our dinner there was small talk as was proper at the dinner table. The only time I looked Drake's way was when the occasion called for it, however when I did I showed no sign of my nervousness or my embarrassment for what I had done. Like him I wore a mask, showing nothing. When dinner was finished my mother who sat at the head of the table stood
"I thank you for the company Drake but the hour is getting late and you are still not fully recovered."
This was my mother's polite way of saying it was time for him to return to his own accommodations. Complying Drake stood as well
"yes your highness you are right it is time that I return to my bed."
She nodded with satisfaction, Drake faced mother and thanked her for inviting him then bowed. Turning to me he bowed again
"your highness."
Then he bowed to Deagan
"my lord."
Drake started to walk out of the room, but my mother stopped him
"Sarri will walk you out, I'm sure she would love to thank you for what you've done."
She turned to me to drive the point home silently dreading I stood
"of course, it would be my pleasure."
She smiled
"tomorrow I would like you to report to me."
Again Drake bowed
"yes your highness."
As I caught up with Drake together we left the dinning room and mother and Deagan behind. We walked to the large front doors of the palace, without a word he started to walk away. Feeling a sense of loss I opened my mouth to call him back but lost my nerve at the last minute. However as I started to close the door Drake turned
"would you like to go for a walk your highness."
Smiling I nodded as I slipped out as we took the first path leading away from the palace. We walked silently occasionally I would steal a glance at him. Finally not being able to handle the silence I asked
"how did you heal so fast, it was only yesterday that you were bed ridden."
He laughed
"it is one of my gifts as long as the wound is starting to heal it will heal within a day, although with some wounds such as the one from the dagger it needs a little help from the healers to get started. Though it does not rid me of any scars, it merely does what would normally take weeks to do."
"That is a very convenient power, even with my power it still takes days even weeks for me to heal."
He smiled, being near him I felt like nothing I'd ever felt before. I could not explain it all I knew was that I needed him in my life. Smiling back I said
"come I want to show you something."
Grabbing his hand I pulled him away from the path into the trees.
"Where are we going?"
I heard him yell over the sound of our flight through the trees.
"You'll see,"
as the minutes went by we finally reached the wall of the mountain. Vines had grown on it allowing a way to the top of the wall without flying. Letting him go I started to climb the vine with Drake not far behind. It took a whole hour to reach the top by the time we did the stars were high in the sky. Sitting I gazed at the stars
"it's beautiful."
I turned to face him as he stood staring at the stars. The moonlight made his eyes shine brighter.
"How did you find this place?"
Sadness entered my heart
"Coran and I found it when we were flying one night."
Looking away I blinked away the tears that had started to emerge. I heard Drake sit beside me
"don't worry I plan to get him back."
I shook my head tears falling freely now
"mother will not allow it I already tried."
A determined look entered his eyes
"that changes things but it means nothing. One person can get into the Gradkail easier then an army."
Shocked at what he was saying I said
"but you can't you could be killed."
"It does not matter as long as I free Coran first, I will not allow him to stay captured."
"Fine, then I will be coming too."
He shook his head
"no your highness I will not allow you to risk yourself."
"There is no point in arguing Drake, you may have stopped me from going into Archgrote but you can not dissuade me from helping free my brother." Staring into my eyes he did not move
"what about Deagan?"
The question confused me, I wondered why he asked.
"What about him?"
His face a mask as always he answered
"are you prepared to leave him so soon? Are you able to keep this between us?"
Taken aback by his distrust I angrily answered "Deagan is not my master I am my own person I do not tell him everything."
Something in his eyes changed as he asked
"does he know that you came to see me yesterday?"
Furious at the implications of his words I snapped "what has that to do with this."
He frowned
"It has everything to do with this. Why do you continue to avoid the question?"
Standing furious with the direction this conversation was going I did not answer. I had no answer, truthfully I did not know why I did not tell Deagan. Drake smiled
"maybe you did not tell him because you are afraid how he will react. Don't you think it strange that your first day back with Deagan is spent with another? I certainly was surprised to see you asleep at my bed, yet I still don't know the reason for it."
He looked to me for an answer, I had none. My own ignorance of myself made my anger rise.
"How dare you question me like this, I am princess of this land and as such should be treated with more respect from the commander of the royal guard."
Finally meeting his eyes I spoke through gritted teeth
"I'm glad you are better and hopefully I can repay you one day for saving my life but for now I bid you farewell."
I did not get more then two steps before me pulled me back holding me by the shoulders. His eyes showed such conflicting emotions they seemed to pure out of him to engulf me in their strength.
"Please I only wanted to know what it is inside me that makes me feel like I do when I'm around you. Every time I hear your voice I can not stop listening, every time I see you I can't help but stare. I feel as if I have to know everything about you. I feel as if there's something very familiar between us."
Stunned by his words I was unable to talk, he had described the exact things I felt when I was around him. What does it mean? As I stared into his eyes I saw such longing, longing for answers longing for the truth.
"What is it about you? What makes me forget everything I know? Why do I feel drawn to you?"
He whispered almost to himself, the force of his eyes froze me in place.
"Drake I…"
whatever I was going to say was lost as he cupped my face in his hands. Suddenly horrible pain raked through my mind, instantly falling to my knees. I barely saw Drake kneeling before me fear on his face,
"what's happening to me?"
I scream again as the pain intensifies,
"do not let her take you, please you must fight it."
I heard Drake yell over my screams, sensing someone behind us I tried to turn but was in too much pain to move. Through the pain I watched as Drake was thrown back by an energy ball then held in place by a force field of enormous strength. I could see his mouth move but I could not hear. The pain sent ripples of agony through my body as she knelt before me. With flaming red hair, her eyes and pendant were the same. Even her cloths were red, dressed in warriors garb with a long sleeved shirt and long pants with red boots. The shirt supported a collar the length of her neck. She wore a chain of rubies that formed a v on her forehead. Pain still pulsed through my head as I looked upon the one I knew was Alicia.
"Take my hand princess and I will free you of this pain."
I shook my head not being able to talk, no matter how much pain I was in I would never give in to her. Looking past her I set my eyes on Drake, he no longer shouted. It was as if he had entered a trance, his face was blank. That was the last I saw of him as agony took over, then nothing.