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1.) Good news, Bad news and plans of a Goddess

Leaving the city caused different feelings inside me. I was happy that I was about to walk into another adventure with those magnificent beasts. I was sad that we had to leave the city of miracles, where I found out my origin, where I learned more about My Lioness, where I had many exciting moments with different people. It was just five days and I spent two unconscious, but it was the most eventful period of my whole life. Back in the Academy my days were passing in the token of reading books, doing experiments with the teachers learning Alchemy. Almost every day looked like the same, you could call boring, but I liked it. Every day welcomed me with new knowledge I could make it mine. But the Pilgrimage showed another way of living. Full of adventure, full of pleasure and new way of gathering that knowledge. It was only a month ago when I was standing in the gates of the Academy trembling like an aspic under the weight of leaving the well-known castle. That day when I took the first step outside of the City of the Gods, I was excited about the upcoming challenges. I felt myself changing from a shy to-be wizard to a… well, adventure-hungry Demigod.

To my biggest surprise leaving the city with seventy lions in plate armor and four chariots caused a little commotion among the guards on that marble bridge. They were ready to stifle any fight with bows and swords; the magic was resonating in the air around the wizards and witches ready to take form in case we would have cause any trouble. It made me uneasy.

“Calm down Magister Anderson.” The Wind-walker told me who was walking behind me. On my right Pa’adre al’Escon on my left Clarissa Blood-drinker. I was in the middle of a legendary group.

“They have the reason to be tensed like a string.” I remarked as half of the magic user lions, two legends were in that little army of battle-hardened warriors. One Grand Master and me; the guy who was flying on a Dragon Goddess’s back.

“They won’t attack first.” Clarissa told us. “The Guardians of the Peace won’t engage in battle only when they or the residents of the city are in imminent danger.” She added and Pa’adre just nodded under his hood. He wanted to hide his face and colorful plate armor in a huge traveling cloak.

“I can’t wait to sink my teeth in human flesh again on the battlefield.” Captain Jeremy Bone-crusher whispered soo silently I was barely hearing. I thought he will get the chance as we were about to leave the sanctuary of the city and took our feet on the enemy territory; The Empire of Copperhill.

The first day had been elapsed without any problem but my companions told me it wasn’t a surprise. Even the fiercest gang of highwayman wasn’t dared to cause troubles next by the mighty City of the Gods. We were in safe for two days at max. But after we left the perimeter, we should have taken the hardest path through the forest.

“So, this dragon we are looking for, where is he?” I was sitting on a log inside the camp we established quickly only for the night surrounded by lions eating. There wasn’t tents just rugs and blankets all around, the food was provided by Henrietta who brought some salted beef, dried vegetables and made something half way between a stew and a soup. It tasted good.

“He is near at the border.” Clarissa started. “That is why Pa’adre’s guidance is needed as he knows a secret pathway to avoid the battlefield.” She chewed on a portion of dried beef she just pulled out from the bowl. Next to me Liam and Max were joking about Harvey’s new arm-plate with a stylized lion head on it, the inseparable duo was often laughing loud. The mentioned lion just shook his head and rolled his eyes like ‘they are hopeless’. On the other side Valeria with Gordon were chatting about substances good to keep the fur silky and strong at the same time. To my surprise the rich maned lion made his own decoction and used it every day. He had usable knowledge on the basics of potion-making. Julia was sitting in front of me on the other side of the fire continuously snarling at me every time our eyes were met and whispered the ways of eating a human to Henrietta who was agreeing with her most of the times. Next by them Clarissa with a lion I have never met before. He had red eyes which was odd and made him even more terrifying as he had black fur too.

“What if we accidentally get in fight with a million soldiers meanwhile looking for a dragon?” I was asking finishing my food slowly. I wasn’t hungry that much. To that question every eye was on me which made me squirm on the log.

“Then we will fight till our last breath.” She told me slowly. “It would be our last battle and we would die a heroic death.” She added silently.

“We could win, together.” I told her as consolation as she became sad. Probably she remembered the Battle of the Bone Tower where she lost her closest friends and brothers-in-arms. Seventy lions wouldn’t stand against million soldiers for too long even with two demigods in the team and a magic using legend. But somehow, I was sure that side-by-side with Clarissa there wasn’t any power that could stand in our way. Maybe I was living in a delusion.

“No Eric. We need Ximminth’s help. This is our only chance to win not just a battle but the war.” She told me looking deep into my eyes. She was unusually serous which made me understand that she will push her plan through eventually no matter the costs. She was about to save her people, end a war that was ongoing for three hundred years. That determination was respectable, and I nodded her that I understood it.

“I will help you till my last breath.” I made promise and a smile appeared in the corner of her mouth, but her eyes were greatly glad for that little consolation. I meant my every single word.

During the night I couldn’t sleep well, and I had no idea why. I was tired because of the forced march, I eat my dinner, so I wasn’t hungry, but I was only able to turn from side-to-side.

“Eric.” Someone told me quietly I was barely hearing, so I sat up and looked around. All I was able to see were the sleeping lions around, the embers glowing in the stifled campfire, Pa’adre leaning to a tree and sleeping in sitting position and the two guardians were walking in circles around us looking for trouble. I had no idea who was speaking to me as the voice was unfamiliar.

“Eric, here.” It was a woman calling me and seemingly nobody was hearing her voice except me. I was suspecting magic, despite there wasn’t any around us. Maybe I was just hearing things, I thought. I saw some unusual light next by the campfire not far from me on the ground, but it could have been only a reflection of the stars and the moon. One of the guards was looking straight that way but he was just continuing his path. So, I was hearing and seeing things too. For a brief second, I thought I gone insane because I used too much Source before.

“I’m here Eric.” It was crystal clear that time coming from my left side. I looked that way and was gasping for air. A lioness was standing there surrounded by white light radiating from her. Her eyes were glowing in silver and she was smiling at my surprise. Her body was symmetric and lean, muscular only to highlight her perfectness. She was the Goddess of Light no doubt.

“What do you want from me?” I asked a little harsh for the first time. “I mean, why are you here?” I corrected. She was the most powerful lion Goddess so showing some respect was advised.

“I was nearby and wanted to have a look on you.” She told me without opening her mouth, her voice was all over me like a warm blanket.

“Why? I’m not that special.” I said modestly. She laughed up like I was saying some childish stupid thing. All right, I was one of the two demigods existing, my mother was an Ancient Dragon Goddess, so maybe I was special after all.

“You are the only children of a God since a million years. You should revaluate your importance especially because you are about to...” She suddenly stopped. “…act special deeds.” She finished obviously on a way she wasn’t intended originally.

“Maybe you are right. Maybe I will change the world.” I shrugged, I was one of the two mortals capable of touching the Ether the power of the Gods. ‘I will be legendary just like Clarissa one day. Especially if I will stay with her and learn from her.’ I thought.

“You will change the Sky.” She whispered to me. “But before that, I have to say three things.” She kept a little pause. “One; Riadhyrrionth and the White-lion is alive.” She looked at me. “Two; You must use the Ixius Machine to survive Ximminth’s wrath at the first time.” She took another little pause. “Three; You are allowed to call me Sahirah.” She smiled at the end.

“I’m honored.” I bowed still sitting. The Goddess whose name should not be spoken and known let me call her on her name. It was the privilege of the High Priestess and Priest of their religion till that moment. I was touched a little. Also, the other names and nonsenses… riddles I must have solved. After she nodded to me, she vanished within a blink and left me there surrounded with lions fast asleep like nothing happened actually.

At the morning my first task was to lead away Clarissa and tell her the events. She looked at me with wide eyes when I told her the Goddess of Light just took a little visit and we were chit-chatting for a few minutes. My Lioness drop her jaw when I mentioned that she let me call her on her real name.

“That is the greatest honor a mortal could get from the Goddess.” She pulled herself together really quick. I had the night and I was still uncertain about that part.

“She said a few things I did not understand. Raidhyrrionth, White-Lion, Ix…” I couldn’t finish as Clarissa growled up, pushed me to a tree and grabbed my throat with her paw. Her eyes were utterly angry almost raging, flaring up in white color. She was touching the Ether which made me shiver in fear, that caused me also embracing the power of the Gods. Probably my golden eyes made her realize that she was acting like a lion gone insane.

“What she told you about them?” She asked still harsh, releasing my neck. I was sure I will find five little red points where she stuck her claws into it. I felt some blood were flowing from them.

“She said they are alive.” I grabbed my neck and I was right; my palm was red because of the spilled blood. I showed her but she just laughed up in relief and happiness, reached around my shoulders and kissed my mouth. It was a deep and wet kiss.

“Oh Eric! I’m so happy!” She commented after she released me. She danced around the tree where I was left in shock and dismay. Yep! It’s official; The Flame of the Bone Tower just gone insane! I thought and watched her humming and jumping from toe to toe.

“Well…” I pulled myself together. “…I can see that meant more to you. Who are they?” I asked tentatively which made her stop, but she was still smiling wide.”

“Ethan Turner named by the Brotherhood of Claws as White-lion. He was my best friend, my first human love and one of the fiercest warriors I have ever known. He died in the Battle of the Bone Tower. Or at least I thought but if the Goddess told you he is alive… It is the best news!” She jumped to me and hugged with force I felt my bones cracking.

“Stop it Clarissa you will kill me!” I pushed out through my tightly closed jaws in pain.

“Sorry. Raidhyrrionth was my friend since childhood. He just vanished in a huge burst of Ever Fire, so I thought he was dead too. Rionth is a dragon.” She kept a little pause in smiling and frowned on a thought. “I’m wondering if they are alive why they haven’t show up or sent me a latter about they are all right. Maybe they are far away, or they don’t know that I’m alive.” She was slowly losing her happiness when it returned again suddenly. “But they are alive! Alive!” She grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

“You will kill me!” I said slowly losing my balance and gaining a concussion.

To be continued....