Felenn marched out, miraculously maintaining her large foothold on the narrow platform. It was ridiculous the number of questions running through my mind at that moment, but I had to compartmentalise and prioritise. Allowing my brain to become solely focused on everything about how it must feel to be a dragon had to be shoved to the back of my mind. We had an errand of the highest importance to complete, and it was almost within our reach. I had to give my full attention to the battle that was about to ensue. And the prize on that dais up ahead.

With our dragon ally in front, the four of us kept close behind – as close as her tail would permit anyway. Araellor was at the front of us, then me, Aden and lastly Garret. Our formation had become a game of musical chairs almost, going by the number of different combinations we'd adopted since we'd left the Shield. I heard Felenn laugh in my head. It seemed she thought the same.

I could just see through gaps between her feet as she walked; all the bodies flailing and twisting as she fired her great frosty breath at attackers. Once we reached the next platform, some managed to dodge her and snuck under her wings or tried to run between her feet to reach us. We were ready though, and we parried, countered and dodged as well as channelled, conjured and blinked. Our tactics seemed to be improving. Perhaps that was because we now had a dragon on our side; our confidence, boosted sensing the odds had shifted in our favour. Whatever it was, we fought like true professionals, a veteran and highly skilled team. I dared to even think I was enjoying myself.

"Stay focused," my dragon friend whispered in my head.

"Yes. Sorry," I answered, and promptly put my head down, concentrating on my colleagues' positions and methods of attack so that synchronicity was maintained.

But a familiar voice screamed, and I looked to my right. Aden had been pushed from the platform. He was falling, helpless, into the void below.

"Felenn!" I cried out.

She immediately locked on to Aden and she outstretched her wings. "In the centre, all of you!" she ordered.

I repeated her words, and Araellor, Garret and I formed a tight knot linking arms in the middle of the platform as Felenn's wings buffeted her into the air. With a swiftness almost lost to the naked eye, she swooped and throttled downward after our falling comrade. I just had enough time to see her grab hold of Aden in her giant claws before we had to break formation and fight more attackers who had ascended the ramp to our right. A ramp which blessedly led to a much bigger expanse of ground, a massively wider and longer platform.

We were hacking and blasting our way through the mana wraiths, azure warriors and enforcers when Felenn landed ahead, planting Aden safely on the large platform. She rapidly cleared the path of enemies, allowing us safer passage to the final platform. We reached the bottom of the ramp leading to the cure. Breathless, aching from our exertions yes, but immeasurably inspired and eager to reach the final part of this treacherous obstacle course that was the Rift.

Having despatched the stray and wayward wraiths, wyrmkin and chaotic rifts that were close to our final destination, Felenn plodded towards us on her large scaled feet. She awarded me an affectionate nudge with her snout, the breath she expelled almost knocking me onto my backside. She apologised, but I just laughed, light, letting her know there was no harm done.

She raised her head to the platform we needed to traverse. To all of our surprise, she spoke so each of us could hear. I cannot tell you how strange the phenomenon was, an enormous creature such as a dragon, speaking to us just like we did each other. Her voice, of course, was radically different to the gentle, dulcet tones of her elven counterpart, but it was still Felenn. At least to me, it was.

"The elemental who guards the cure is very powerful," she warned us. "He has many tricks to his repertoire, so do not become complacent."

We all nodded, but Garret had some questions he wanted to ask. "Are you going to join Malygos's ranks once this is over?"

It was a question I hadn't dared ask, partly for fear of offending my friend, but also because I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer. Afraid it went against what we believed was right.

"No, Garret," she answered. "I am hoping he will be persuaded to join my ranks, and by that, I mean the few of us who want our kin to mend broken bonds and reform the alliance we once swore an oath to many aeons ago."

I could not hold back a sigh of relief. Felenn blinked slowly at me, her long blue lashes affording me a breath of fresh air and quiet understanding.

"May I have a moment of your time, Klara," she asked.

I looked around at everyone. I knew they were keen to finish this task, but I felt it prudent to ask their permission.

Araellor stepped forward. "Should we not wait until we defeat this...thing up there on the platform before you girls have a chinwag?"

Felenn laughed, not unkindly. "Worry not, Araellor," she assured him. "Anomalus is in a state of suspended animation, I suppose you could call it. He will not respond or react until we step onto his platform."

The hunter nodded, giving us his tacit acquiescence as he stepped back, allowing us a little more privacy.

However, to ensure nothing was overheard, Felenn surprised me when she reverted to our telepathic method of communication. Once she advised me of her reasoning, I found myself extremely grateful for her discretion.

"You may think I have been deceptive with my secrecy, Klara," she voiced in my head. "But it was with good reason. Just as I know your secret is being kept close to your heart."

I flinched and subconsciously reached for my mother's locket which I still wore under my shirt. "You...you know?" I asked.

She nodded. "Since the day I caught it when it fell from your hand in our quarters at the Shield."

"You opened it then? But I didn't see..."

"No, I had no need to open it to see what was inside. It is an ability I have, at least, that's the best way I can explain it."

I hotched from one foot to the other, obviously uncomfortable. I snuck a look at my three companions, who watched us, pathetically pretending not to be paying attention. Araellor, however, held my gaze, a hint of concern casting a shadow over his handsome features.

"Worry not, my friend, your secret is safe with me. But it is only befitting of our friendship that I advise you to be careful. The secret you carry, while once precious to your mother, may not be looked upon so... sympathetically by others." She afforded a glance at our colleagues before she gave me another nuzzle with her snout. "I advise you to speak with one who can most definitely see things with a more open mind."

"Yes, I think I know who," I passed down our pathway of communication.

"Yes," she acknowledged, even though I'd tried to conceal the name from her. How stupid was I thinking I could keep things from her now? "I guess you could call it...a dragon-thing," she joked.

I laughed, light, and a little less nervous.

"Another thing, my dear friend."

I looked up. Straight into her reptilian eyes, the irises - absolutely perfect, symmetrical, and beautiful with their varying hues of amber and orange. "What?" I asked.

"Do not be afraid to open your heart," she glanced at Araellor. "He is a good man. And definitely worth overcoming your aversion to elves."

I smiled, rather coyly.

"Ah!" I heard the familiar tinkle of her elven laughter flow down our chain of communication. "I do believe progress has been made. Am I right?"

"Perhaps," I replied.

"I'm very glad to hear it. Don't let anything stand in the way of love. Not even your secret."

I nodded, appreciative of her kind words. "One question," I said before rejoining the others.

"Uh huh?"

"When we get out of here, and you become just Felenn again, are we to keep your identity quiet? Or can I at least tell Kalanae?"

Felenn laughed out loud. "Hmm, well, apart from her ..." She chuckled some more. "You know, I hadn't actually given that any consideration. Let's worry about that once we get what we need from here."

Again, I nodded in agreement. Then we rejoined the magi and Araellor.

_________________________________________________________________________

Klara and Felenn have definitely become good friends. And once more, 'the secret' has been touched upon. Do you have any idea what it may be?

Apologies, too, for the late update, things just got in the way this week. I cannot promise an update this coming Wednesday, as there is something else happening that day...I wonder what, eh?

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.