Bran noticed they are being surrounded by greenish bullfrog goblins. Sienna turned abruptly. Her silky cloak became heavy as stucked to the ground. She realized it was held down by a few greenish warriors. They did not dare to touch her directly for some reason!
Sienna undo the buckle on her chest in panic, let the cloak fall off and threw herself in Bran's direction. Bran caught her as he was changing into an eagle, taking her to the sky immediately. He was getting his height when a number of colourful feathers almost covered the sky in a rainbow-like spectacle!
"We are ambushed," Bran called trying to avoid clashing them.
The huge parrot with rainbow eyes crossed his way in the air."Give us the queen and we let you go. We just want to play a little. We will send her right back after we are done.Promise." the parrot's eyes were glued on Sienna lustfully.
"No way!" Bran called enraged.
"Then we will kill you."parrot screeched. The number of them attacked Bran's body. They scratched him and dig him with their claws."Save yoursef Bran, "Sienna called."Just let go of me."
"Never. You are mine!"Bran called to her.
Bran held Sienna closer to his soft feathered belly and maneuver a circle like a war jet, he did a few circles in the air to make parrots follow him and then he crushed into the middle of them, causing them to fall.
The people down watched in awe."Huge eagle seized Sarcos's Queen," someone called and everyone repeated it. A panicked commotion broke out at the market! Bran watched how bullfrog goblins disappeared in the crowd and everyone was shouting at him!"Look, the Parrot King try to save her and was attacked." people rushed to help to fallen parrots.
Bran got upset and flew off with Sienna. The parrot warriors regrouped and followed them closely till they crossed to the land which was submerged in thick white fog. Bran flew in the white milky clouds and kept flying up. He landed at the mountain peak above the fog. It was too high for parrots to fly. The air was thin and Sienna felt cold and dizzy. Bran changed to a man but kept one hand as a wing to cover Sienna under it. She needed to warm up.
"They framed me, I will take you to Marco." Said Bran, holding Sienna tight on his warm chest. His heart beat strongly from the adrenaline rush.
Sienna shook her head."No, you need to meet with Sarcos, you don't want to make him upset. He expects that from you. He knows he can trust you. I do trust you," Sienna smiled."You were so amazing up there. Thank you so much for saving me." She looked at Bran's face but saw he was still upset.
The cold eagle had disappointment and hurt plastered all over his handsome face! Sienna did not know cold Bran is so sensitive inside. She smiled cheekily and touched Bran's cheek with her hand gently.
"I did not know, I'm yours as well." she chuckled.
"You are my queen and my responsibly to guard."Bran blushed.
"I know."Sienna chuckled."I'm just teasing you, don't be sad, it doesn't matter what silly people say. I know your heart is in the right place!" she tap his hard chest and hugged him tightly.
Bran smiled and nodded."Thank you for your trust in me."
"How could I not trust you?" said Sienna."You took care of me for so long. I will be not free without your help. Remember, you are always my friend." she kissed his cheek.
Bran's face lit up."When you will warm up, we go down the mountain, so you can catch your breath." he said gently.
When Sarcos with Gaius came to the market they saw Bran fly with Sienna away. Sarcos saw the parrots chasing them and bit his lips. He knew people talk nonsense. He trusted Bran and thought something is off there.
But Gaius got all excited."Let's go after them! He is clearly taking the queen for himself!"
"No need, he will bring her back..."Sarcos said darkly.
Sarcos took Gaius to his room and gave him a second dose of bloody antidotes. "This one will make you immune for the future. Bullfrogs are your neighbours, so you will need it."Sarcos sighted." I left you the written recipe in Temple laboratory, so you will be able to distribute it among your people."
"Thank you ." Gaius nodded.
Sarcos nodded and let him rest. He asked Xander to guard him and went with Ramse to Gaius's library. They were searching for books on wetland crystals and magic books! Sarcos always tried to gather new knowledge from any place he went and he always took magic books back with him. Most kings could not use them anyway!
Sienna get warm under Bran's wing but was getting very dizzy from the thin air. Bran decided it is time to take her down. He flew slowly with her in the milky fog. The fog was coming from the wetlands lakes, they were steaming white mist and gathered thick fog around them. It looked magical, white, deserted and a bit scary to Sienna, like a scene from a horror fairytale. Just the shrieks of wild cranes pierced thru the white foggy quietness.
Siena slid off Bran's back. She breathed the sharp air and went to walk around to stretch her legs. The ground was soft, covered in silky short moss and grass and very watery. Sienna's feet felt like stepping on water. The soft ground just sunk down under her feet every time she stepped on it! Sienna rather took off her shoes, it was no point to ruin them. The watery ground fell warmer than the air somehow. Sienna came to the edge of the foggy lake curiously.
Bran watched her as the eagle he was.
"Do you think this is thermal water in here?"Sienna asked him curiously."It feels warm, but it doesn't smell eggy."
"I'm not sure, rather don't go in, I'm not familiar with this place."Bran said resolutely."Just come back, we will go now."
Suddenly Bran smelled a faint scent in the air."Sienna, someone is coming."He changed to an eagle to scoop her up when a group of white lizards threw a silky net at him! Bran's wings got tangled so he took human form and cut thru it quickly. But then the big white lizards started attacking him!
Sienna looked in a panic at how strong burly Bran was covered in massive white lizards. He was throwing them off him but they kept coming as they had no end to them! Some of them turned to Sienna. They tried to corner her hissing with their long pink tongues as they went closer.
Sienna was not sure what to do, so she kept backing off till she fall into the lake! With a shriek and a big splash, Sienna felt as if the warm water was closing over her head. She tried to swim, but her dress felt so heavy as if something was pulling it down deep. Sienna undo her dress fast and slipped out of it. The soft silk kept sinking as it brushed around her skin softly. Sienna come to the surface and gasped for air." Bran," she called."Is pulling me down." The water started to close over her head again. The water was warm and felt heavy. It kind of kept pulling Sienna down, even though she was a good swimmer. Sienna used all her strength to kick the water to keep fighting the pulling current.
The White Lizard King watched from the land as Sienna was drowning coldly." Then he bit his lips and whistled to his warriors."Let the eagle go, only he can save his queen. I do not want to be blamed for her death." he frowned.
The huge white lizards retreated and Bran flew to search for Sienna immediately. Sienna was still trying to get to the surface again when sharp claws pierced the water and pulled her out at high speed. Sienna gasped for the air and felt the sharp Bran's claws piercing her soft skin. She had only underwear on as she had to let her dress go. Bran took her back to the top of the mountain. He landed and placed her on the rocky ground to check her out when a White Lizard King approached him slowly as if coming from the milky fog in his white robe!
Bran stood in front of Sienna. His cold blue eyes shone wild. He was enraged and ready to fight!
The White Lizard King lifted his hand elegantly into the air."Calm down, brave eagle, I'm here to help, it was a misunderstanding. I was thinking you took the queen for yourself. Forgive me. "The king smiled gently.
Bran felt he is lying. He smelled Mathyas right behind him!
"Well, as an apology, take this cape for your queen, so she does not get sick." White Lizard King offered him a black folded cape.
Bran glanced at almost naked shivering Sienna and took it." Thank you."
He covered Sienna in it, still glancing at the white king.
Sienna felt warmer. She touched the black silky cape. It smelled like Midnight Lilies, leather and fresh blood. Very fresh blood!
"This cape, it is Mathyas's!" Sienna called." Is he ok? Did you hurt him?" she asked the White Lizard King.
The lizard rolled his pitch-black eyes and nodded."He is fine. Nobody can go over him. He sent me to give you this and apologize. Keep it safe, he will come for it later when you have your clothes on." he chuckled.
"Give him my regards and thanks. I also accept your apology ."Sienna nodded.
The lizard looked critically at Sienna covered in the warm cape. The black contrasted with her golden wet hair, she looked like an innocent flower in the dark night.
Bran looked at staring White Lizard King, he felt Mathyas's presence strongly. The white lizard sat down and made a fireplace by putting stones into the small circle."Fetch some wood Bran, I stay with the queen." he ordered to the eagle. "She needs some fire to warm up and dry her hair before you fly her back." he smiled kind of caringly. Bran kept his eyes on Sienna and quickly went to pick the closest wood around.
Mathyas laughed quietly in the distance. He was following the white lizards from early morning! He took the White Lizard King as his prisoner and used him as a puppet, he kept all his warriors at bay by holding him under his powers! He had fun after a long time! He watched Sienna wearing his cape. His heart rejoiced when she asked if he is ok and recognized his scent." She was actually worried about me!" he smiled cheekily. He liked this queen. "My little brother is right to be worried, you are such a little trouble!" he shook his head watching as Sienna sat at the warm fire. Sarcos actually met Mathyas that early morning in the forest while picking antidote stuff and asked him to keep an eye on her as he was not sure if Gaius is plotting something or really injured!
Sienna relished the warmth of the fire. She spread her long golden hair on the black cape to dry them. She brushed them with her fingers, trying to separate the tangled strands. Bran sat next to her and help her to straighten her silky soft hair gently.
The White Lizard King watched for a bit. "Is that a work for a strong warrior? To became a hairdresser? " he chuckled at Bran.
"I will gladly be anything my queen needs."Bran smiled coldly.
"I see." The white lizard stood up." See you later little queen, don't forget to keep good care of my cape." he said as in trance.
"Thank you, Mathyas, I will."Sienna chuckled. She could see the White Lizard King is not himself!
Mathyas chuckled and walked his White Lizard King puppet back to his shocked people. He clicked his fingers and white king sobered up.
"I could capture Sarcos's queen. Why did you stop me?" he asked Mathyas.
"You almost got her drowned! I need her alive, to kill Sarcos," said Mathyas.
"But is she not a mermaid?" the white king asked in surprise.
"Did you ever see mermaids drowning? Did she grow a tail in the water? She is prettier than mermaids! Just prettier! Ahh, at least remember the rumours right, you reckless puppet!"Mathyas shook his head in disbelief.
The White Lizard King stared in surprise."Where she is from then?" he asked curiously.
"It doesn't matter! If you got her killed, Sarcos will just destroy everything."Mathyas's face darkened."And I will help him to do it." He chuckled nervously. He did not like the notion of Sienna dying at all!
"Well, I will tell everyone to be more careful next time."white lizard nodded.
"There will be no next time!"Mathyas hissed, "I'm keeping his queen, so she is off limits to anyone. Tell the others."He grinned possessively.
"But she is quite curvy, don't you like petite females?" White Lizard King tilted his head.
"I do not want petite sons." Mathyas chuckled."I want strong warriors, not flies like you." he pointed his index finger mockingly at the white lizard, frowning his face.
"Really? I heard that you find her heavy?"White Lizard King was a bit surprised.
"Who everyone was listening to us that night?" Mathyas shook his head in disbelief.
"Me and the other two kings."white lizard bit his lips. He did not dare to lie.
"Well, she is too heavy for you anyway, you are skin and bones." Mathyas glanced at the elf-like white lizard.
"Well, I don't mind eighter. In case you will don't want her anymore, I'm willing to pay. She looks so soft and comfortable to lay on." the White Lizard King licked his lips.
" Don't be insolent and keep your distance!"Mathyas frowned a bit upset and went.
The White Lizard King chuckled."We will see if you can kill Sarcos and keep his queen!"