*16*

"Kyrene, get out of here!" Crae shouted behind me as I took in the dragon's figure. His tongue flicked out at me and his pupils narrowed.

"Well, there you are." His voice was deep and had a slight guttural sound to it, like he was trying to talk around stones in his mouth. "I knew you wouldn't be able to hide from us."

I swallowed hard and held my staff out. "L-leave us alone..." My own voice was small and weak. I sure didn't sound threatening.

The Dwarf let out a bark of a laugh. "Look at her! Why, she's shakin' in her knees! There's no way she can possibly stand up to us."

"Ready the net." The dragon lowered its head. Smoke billowed out of his nostrils. "I'll take care of the Mage."

"Kyrene, run!" Crae shouted as he charged to get in front of me. I watched the Dwarf and took a step back as he held up a rather large crossbow. I took another step back as he pulled the trigger. Immediately, a large net opened, stones tied to the ends for weight.

Something tugged at my shirt and I was pulled out of the way just in time. "Kyrene, you're crazy!" I turned to see three Fairies, Fern included, zip around to face me. "We gotta get you out of here! Crae can handle himself!"

"But-" A silver elemental suddenly flew around me. Soon, I was floating in the air.

"Don't let her get away!" The dragon shouted as he pulled his head back.

"Let's go!" The wind Elemental flew higher into the air.

"But Crae-"

"Will be fine," Fern got right in my face and placed her tiny hand on my nose. "He's dealt with worse than this. I promise he'll be fine." I gave a small nod and allowed the Fairies and Elementals carry me off.

We didn't get far. I screamed as a net wrapped tightly around me. The Elemental couldn't handle the sudden weight and I began to fall. I panted and struggled to get out. I glanced around in my panic as dozens of Fairies fought to keep me in the air.

We landed on the forest floor in a heap, but a lot more gentle than if they hadn't been there. I grunted and tugged at the net, hoping to get free.

"Ah, there you are." I gasped and looked up as the Dwarf stood over me. "We need you alive. Alright, shoo, pesky bugs!" He slapped at the Fairies as they flew at him from all directions. This bought me time to try and escape. I gripped my staff tightly in one hand and imagined sharp thorn vines to cut me free.

I grimaced as the vines shot out and cut me in a few places. Thankfully, they also weakened the ropes. I tugged on a few and pulled myself out.

"Ah! She's getting away!" I gasped and turned to run as far as I could.

"Run, Kyrene! Don't look back!" Fern shouted from behind me as I pushed myself as hard as I could. I don't want to be taken. I don't want to go where they want. I just want to go home!

Unfortunately, I didn't get very far. I collapsed to my knees, seriously out of breath. I held my chest as my heart thudded painfully. This has to be the most running I've ever done in my entire life. Does it always hurt like this?

Chirping sounded beside me and I looked up. Four wind Elementals floated in front of me. Somehow, I knew what they were saying.

I nodded. "Yes, take me to the sycamore. Put me up as high as possible." They bobbed a bit and flew around me. I was brought back into the air and carried at a blinding fast speed to where the sycamore was. I held my staff tightly as I kept my eyes shut.

Soon, I was gently placed on a sturdy branch. I wrapped an arm as best I could around the trunk of the tree and let out a sigh of relief. I should be safe here. I carefully waved my hand in front of me to part some of the leaves and branches.

Smoke billowed out from the forest a short distance from my position. Crae and the dragon. A muted roar soared on the wind, no doubt from the dragon Crae was fighting. What did he call him? A Drake? Whatever he is, I never want to see him again.

~You have returned, Orelie.~ A voice filled my mind. ~What brings you here? You seemed troubled.~

I nodded. "I am troubled, sycamore. I'm being chased by two rogue Druids. Well, I don't think one of them is a Druid. He's more like a dragon."

The sycamore hummed under me. ~I see, a Drake and a Dwarf are coming for you. Such a pity that such talented magic be wasted on them.~

I sighed to myself and adjusted on the branch so I was a bit more comfortable. "They almost got me. The Dwarf had launched a net at me. Thankfully, I was able to use my magic to cut through the ropes. But he's still after me, and I need a place to hid until Crae finishes with them."

Suddenly, the tree shifted and the branches seemed to close around me tighter and create a small pocket. ~Then I shall aid you and keep you hidden. You will not be found and I will keep you safe until your master comes to get you.~

"Master?" I shook it off. "Anyway, thank you, sycamore." The branches under me moved a bit so I could have a more comfy place to rest. I settled in and relaxed, glad to be out of harm's way. I fiddled with my staff so I wouldn't worry too much about Crae. He can handle himself. He'll be okay.

~Is that the staff you made of my branch?~

I nodded. "Yes, it turned out beautiful. Thank you for letting me use it."

~Anything for an Orelie.~  I went to say something but was quickly silenced by the sycamore. ~Someone is here...~

"How could we lose her?!" My blood ran cold. It's the dragon man... He sounds human. Did he defeat Crae? "Our boss isn't gonna be happy when he find out she got away."

"Hey, at least you bested Crae." I held back a gasp. "I got overrun by meek Fairies and was forced to take shelter somewhere."

The dragon man hissed. "She has to be in this forest somewhere. There's no way she could have gotten away so fast. She's weak and can barely run. I betcha the Fairies and those damned Elementals helped her."

I gently eased the branches and leaves aside so I could see where the rogue Druids were. They were at the edge of the tree line where the clearing was. I gulped and hunkered back into my shelter. Please don't let them find me...

The dragon man suddenly growled. "If we don't find the Orelie today, they'll have our heads. Literally! We can't go back empty handed. Spread out. She has to be somewhere in this forest. Check under every stone and shake every tree. Don't look past anything!"

"Shall I start with the sycamore?" I paled and held back a whimper.

"Idiot!" There was a smack. "You don't touch the sycamore! That thing is the sacred tree of Fucrya! If you so much as even try to blow your wind at it, you'll have every single creature on your ass! Touch every tree but this one. Go!" I relaxed when they raced off and left the clearing with the sycamore.

"Thank you," I whispered as I climbed out of the branch cocoon the sycamore provided.

~My pleasure. Please stay here until your master returns. We can't risk those two finding you.~

"But..." I peaked through the branches again to where the smoke was still rising. "Crae might have gotten hurt. What about Fern and the others? Are they okay?"

~I promise all of them are safe.~ I wanted to believe the sycamore, but I was still worried. I should have seen Crae or the Fairies by now.

"Kyrene!" I turned just in time to see Fern fly right at my face before landing in front of me on the branch. "Thank goodness you're okay! I'm glad the Elementals brought you here. You're in the safest part of all Fucrya. Nothing can touch you now."

"Are you okay?" I asked as I gently scooped her up.

She nodded and brushed some of her hair back. "Yeah, I'm okay. That stupid Dwarf just smacked me into a tree, but what he doesn't realize is that the trees heal me, so long as I can get the sap from a leaf. I'll be fine."

I nodded slowly and set her back down. "And the others?"

"Also taking care of injuries." She stated. "I got to you first, since I was the least injured."

"And Crae?"

"I haven't seen him." Worry closed over my heart as I glanced around.

"Fern, I'm scared." I hiccuped. "I don't know what to do. I don't know how to defend myself against these guys. I don't know where Crae is. I'm afraid that the dragon got him."

"Crae wouldn't let himself be taken down that easy." Fern huffed. "Especially with your life on the line. Knowing him, he would have fought with everything he had."

"You're right," I sighed. "He probably has a plan. I just hope it involves finding me soon. I don't know how much longer I can stay here."

"It'll be alright," Fern placed her hand on my leg. "Everything will work out. I promise."

Suddenly, the sycamore began to shake. I didn't have time to steady myself. I let out a yelp as I fell. The sycamore quickly caught me and I was placed gently on my feet.

"I had a feeling you were here." I froze as the dragon man and the Dwarf stood before me. "Of course an Orelie would turn to the most powerful and ancient tree in Fucrya. I just needed you to lower your guard and think we left."

"Now we're gonna get you!" The Dwarf smirked through his beard. He raised the crossbow with the net.

"Leave her alone!" Fern shouted and flung her hand out. Instantly, the two were tangled and trapped in thick vines.

"I should have known the Orelie would have gotten assistance from the Fairies." The dragon man snarled. "No matter. I know how to deal with this." My eyes widened as he morphed back into his dragon form. He easily broke through the vines.

I staggered back a step, frightened. I can't take him. There's no way. They'd make quick work of me and take me to where their boss is. I'll never see Crae, or the Fairies again. My training would have all been for nothing.

Fern flew up high into the air and let out a loud, high pitched whistle. "And what's that gonna do? Bring more Fairies?" The Dwarf chuckled as he took aim at me again. I tensed, hoping I could move out of the way in time.

Suddenly, a blur knocked into the Dwarf. He fell over and the crossbow skittered away from him. I looked up and saw a very large buck pace over and stand over the Dwarf. Did he... save me?

"What is this?" The dragon grunted. "Does this measly Fairy believe a single animal could protect this Orelie?" My eyes widened as more animals started to come out from the trees. Bears, wolves, foxes, and various other forest creatures from Earth soon surrounded me, facing the Dwarf and Dragon. Above me, Fairies of several colors of greens, blues, purples, and yellows hovered in the air. Elemental orbs of greens, yellows, and silver swirled around us.

"It's not a single animal you should be worried about." Fern flew in front of me, her arms out. "You should be worried about all of us. All the creatures of Earth and the protectors of this forest. You have crossed a line by attacking an Orelie. For that, you shall pay."

"You don't scare me, pesky bug." The dragon lowered its head. "None of you do! I can swat you all away with a flick of my tail! You all are nothing compared to my power!"

"Hey, you gonna take that from him?" A tiny, scratchy voice asked. I glanced down at my feet and yelped. An imp-like creature stared up at me. His skin is a dirty green color and a simple pink flower grew out of the top of his head.

"Well? Are ya gonna do something about it?" He narrowed his eyes at me.

"I, uh..." I looked back up to see the Elementals and Fairies attacking the dragon. The larger Earth animals attacked at the dragon's legs and feet. The elk and deer kept the Dwarf in check.

"You're an Orelie!" He shouted up at me. "You can easily overpower him! You just gotta let it all go and attack with everything you have!"

"But... I'll get hurt..." I held my staff tighter.

The imp scoffed. "Look, I don't normally don't do this, but Drid will help ya. Just raise your hand and do something. I'll be right here."

I nodded slowly to the imp, Drid, and focused back on the dragon. Rodnik said I can use any elemental magic. Let's put that to the test. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I held my hand out and imagined the ground cracking at the dragon's feet. The animals on the ground by the dragon perked their heads up and quickly scattered.

Soon, large cracks formed in the ground right under the dragon. He hissed and unfolded his wings. He took to the sky. I narrowed my eyes and swiped my hand in front of me. He won't get away that easily.

As I swung my arm, a huge gust of wind knocked into the dragon. He let out a snarl as my wind set him off track and he fell back to the ground. I can't believe this is actually working. I opened a pit around the dragon and he fell in.

He raised a murderous glare to me and started to get up.

I met his glare with my own. He's not getting away. "Hold this." I let go of my staff and the imp grabbed it.

"Uh, don't you need-"

I slid my feet apart and let out a sigh through my nose. Just as the dragon was righting himself to stand, I rose my hands high into the air and crossed them. Instantly, vines as thick as the sycamore's trunk surrounded the dragon and pinned him tightly to the ground. They twisted and tangled around him. I don't think he'd be able to turn back into his human form at this rate.

"Way to go, Kyrene!" Fern called out above me. I waved to her and faced the Dwarf once more. I flicked my wrist at him and the ground at his feet softened. He fell into the ground and I quickly solidified it once more when he got to his waist. He struggled and grunted, but to no avail.

"That was amazing!" Fern was soon flying in front of me, a huge grin in place. "I knew you could do it, Kyrene! You were so amazing! You handled them as if you were an expert!"

I smiled back at her and reached for my staff. "Thanks..." Sweat started to form on my forehead and drip down my back. "Drid gave me the confidence to push through my fear."

"Drid?" She looked down. "Oh! So you finally crawled out of your hole, you grouchy Imp!"

He huffed and crossed his arms. "You guys were making too much noise. I came out to stop it."

"And what would you have done?" She asked as she stared him in his eyes.

"Hey, I aided the Orelie! That's gotta count for something!"

The two of them bickered back and forth as I glanced around the clearing. The animals and Fucrya creatures watched over the dragon and the Dwarf, making sure they weren't going anywhere.

I felt dizzy. I held my head as the sweat dripped off me. What... is this...? My skin burned and it felt like my stomach was in knots. My limbs began to tingle and I found it hard to stand. I took in a shaky breath and felt myself starting to fall.

Everything went dark before I hit the ground.