Lying in bed for one of the last times in this beautiful tree they called home for the last few weeks Doric thought about what the book asked. "Save Runic, huh." Wondering what kind of place it was he wondered if it was even worth saving. Or if they could save it with their skills.
He fell into sleep before he realized it the questions plaguing his dreams along with the fight against the Za. He kept reliving that fight trying to understand how he could have been more useful. Thinking of how he was flung into the creature on accident did give him some ideas for the future.
The last three days of training with Welsher helped him build up his strength as well as agility and accuracy. He was grateful for the training since it looked like it would be useful soon.
The morning came and Doric was woken up by a knock at the door. It was Onyx doing her daily routine of making sure everyone woke up for breakfast. Rising for the day, Doric shook off the sleep from his skull.
He moved to the breakfast hall. Even though he could not eat with everyone he enjoyed the company of his friends. He saw Nyssa and Skia walking in at the same time. Nyssa looked half away walking with her eyes barely open.
Skia on the other hand was full of energy. She had learned so much from Onyx in those last three days and she was a lot more confident in herself. She was even given special gear from her teacher to help her.
Nyssa was also decked out with more space for her potions to quickly retrieve them and use the. Doric thought they looked more like Larpers from his world but at the same time he could not help but think they looked kinda cool. They sat down and began eating. Welsher was watching them. His gaze stopping at Doric.
The other two did not know that this was their last day here. Welsher communicated to Doric with his eyes. "Prepare yourself, soon you will be leaving." Is what they told him.
Doric was still not ready for this but he had no choice. Welsher was going to send them way wether they liked it or not. Taking in a big gulp from his cup the large fey began the conversation with everyone.
"Nyssa, Skia, Doric. As you know you have been welcomed guests here for almost 3 weeks now. You started knowing almost nothing but like an empty glass, we helped fill you full of knowledge and skills to aid you in life."
Laughing Nyssa responded "Yea we were so helpless. Especially Doric!"
Doric shook his head and Skia giggled to herself. "I am so glad I met you guys, I feel so much stronger than before."
Onyx gave a small thumbs-up as she continued eating her food. "You are a completely different person now Skia," she responded in a monotone voice that Skia was used to.
Blurting out in excitement Mauve flew over to Nyssa and patted her back looking at the rest of the group. "My student has learned way more than any of yours, I feel like I might have overfilled her glass." She started laughing with a confident grin.
Welsher nodded. He had enjoyed their company this entire time. Even his two friends were more lively than they had been in years. He felt a slight tug at his heart knowing that he was about to send away his guests.
"Now that your glasses are pretty full it's time to get bigger glasses and continue working on filling them up." He paused a moment looking at the table for a moment before raising his eyes again.
"I reward you guys with a one-way trip to a town that could use your help. The town in question has been having troubles with monsters and they requested aid from us last night. I want to send you guys there because I believe in your strength."
Nyssa and Skia stopped laughing and looked at Welsher with a hint of sadness. "You mean you are kicking us out?" Nyssa asked hoping she had misheard.
"Did we do something to upset you guys?" Skia asked looking at Onyx who also seemed surprise by the news.
Welsher shook his head. "You are welcome to come back anytime and we can keep training but for now your training cannot continue without more experience that we cannot provide. After this meal I would like you to prepare yourselves for transport to the Town of Runic."
Doric looked at Welsher as he said the name of the Town. "Runic, I knew it. Folia knew we would go there so she sent me on a mission to guarantee we arrived there." He whispered to himself which Welsher caught.
"I think we should go. Doric spoke carefully and loud enough to cut through the disapproval that Skia and Nyssa were giving Welsher. They paused and looked at Doric.
"Are you sure? We can still learn so much here!" Nyssa interjected with a bit of desperate anger.
Skia started tearing up a little she felt she had done something wrong to offend them even if what they said proved otherwise. She did not want to leave here so soon.
Onyx looked at Welsher "Are you sure they can handle Runic? That place is crawling with monsters right now."
Mauve looked upset, and in her fashion of overexaggerating her motions, she pointed at Welsher. "We still have so much to go over! If they are going to Runic, they need to be more prepared!" She then pointed at Nyssa. You come with me real quick. I need to give you one last lesson before you head out."
She tugged on Nyssa who stood up and began walking with her in a daze from all the information being given to her.
Onyx looked to Skia and finished the last bite from her meal. "We might as well get you prepared as well."
Welsher nodded to her and looked to Doric. "Their preparations should not take too long. Doric when they are ready. Gather them and meet at the throne room. We will do the ritual there.
The preparations really did not take too long. Nyssa and Skia both arrived with Doric to the throne room they all seemed uncomfortable but they proceeded forward. Standing on the center of the room, Welsher raised the stone in the air and began chanting the words for sending.
"Prepare yourselves, we don't know how bad it is there right now." He said after the incantation. Before they could respond they were gone. Now in an area that was normally pitch black but curently was fully lit up as fires were seen all over the town. Which appeared to be underground. The sound of battle could be heard all around them.
Before they could adjust to what was going on a group of mushroom monsters appeared around a corner and started towards them making a strange noise as they did.