The Sons of Thor: Arc of Fantasy, #2

By Victorea Ryan Meadow

They were supposed to be having the time of their lives on the biggest gaming adventure ever. After all, nineteen-year-olds Daniel and Wolfgang have just received the best news imaginable. They've been chosen to be among the only five players to participate in Portal to Gaming's Arc of Fantasy pre-game launch, something they've wanted since the epic gaming adventure was announced.

Only something's gone wrong. The twins are now stuck in their virtual reality where the situation has gone from fun and make-believe to very real, very quick, and dangerously so. The only way they can go home is to embark on the very real quest of facing King Lopt's twin-headed fire wyvern, a creature no one has ever slain. The Salmorians, the alien race at war with Earth and her allies, chase after them, intent on killing them, and they're not the only enemies hot on the twins' trail.

Little do the twins know they're undertaking a journey of great and dangerous significance, one that will change their lives forever or kill them in the process. The race to the fire wyvern is on!

Book 2 in the Arc of Fantasy series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victorea Ryan Meadow
• Release date: Jul 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9780997118629

Book preview

The Sons of Thor

By

Victorea Ryan Meadow

(formerly Elise K. Ra’sha)

Cover art by

Kyla Booth (ebook)

Annabel Lee (paperback)

This book is a work of fiction. All characters and events are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarities to persons, events, and locales is coincidental.

Copyrighted to Victorea Ryan Meadow (formerly Elise K. Ra’sha/Raven Ember) and Enchanted Realms Fiction. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or produced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Published in the United States of America

ISBN-13: 978-0-9971186-2-9

Contact Information:

Email: [e-mail]

The story so far:

Fen Willows is the nineteen-year-old son of universally-renowned alien archaeologists, Farold and Victorie Amie Willows. He’s a college student, studying the same major as his parents. It is his dream to one day follow in their footsteps. War with an alien race known as the Salmorians prevents him from joining them as an intern, much to Fen’s chagrin.

Recently, Fen has been going through a time tough. His boyfriend has cheated on him, thus leading to a broken heart. With his parents away on another dig for the military, Fen turns to his best friends Daniel and Wolfgang Evans for comfort and to the virtual gaming reality simulators of Portal to Gaming. He and his friends have finished a quest in eliminating a group of Kobolds bothering the village of Tulupa when a mysterious man approaches him from behind and utters these three words:

Draw your sword.

Fen gets ready for the fight, only to have the game shut down. The computers have not detected the mysterious man, and our hero is told by a relatively new gaming supervisor to take a two-day break. Unable to fight the verdict, Fen agrees.

Things go from unusual to bizarre from there.

During his two-day suspension from Portal to Gaming, unusual phenomena haunt Fen. Twice, he ends up in his gaming world without the vests and wristbands to take him there. He’s hearing noises and enduring nightmares, which aren’t helped by a surprise visit from his parents.

Farold and Victorie Amie are home for less than eight hours, but they’re still able to watch over their son. The two harbor secrets, secrets that will change the course of the war and Fen’s life.

Daniel and Wolfgang are also harboring a secret or two. They’ve been playing the game without Fen, tracking Lance, the man who attacked Fen, and are certain that Lance is Fen’s ex-boyfriend, Trenton, trying to win him back.

The trio head to Portal to Gaming one final time where Fen and Lance finally meet face to face. The two fight, but it doesn’t end in bloodshed. Rather, Lance takes Fen to the north, leaving Daniel and Wolfgang behind in Tulupa. The twins believe they’ve successfully pranked the swordsman and are quite pleased with themselves for their efforts.

The three friends are learning that something has changed, something that’s preventing them from returning home, and now they’re faced with a single decision: Do they carry on and fight so they can go home?

Or believe that they’re stuck in their virtual gaming world? Forever.

Table of Contents

Prologue - The Gifts of Harry Festus and a Secret Revealed

Chapter One - The Goddess of Battle

Chapter Two - Stuck in Tulupa

Chapter Three - Magni and Modi

Chapter Four - Midnight Revelations

Chapter Five - The Serpent’s Trail

Chapter Six - The Stories of Kings Lopt Firefrost and Odin Ravenschylde

Chapter Seven - A Split in the Road

Chapter Eight - The Way to Valkyrie’s Cove

Chapter Nine - Victrese and Tryst

Chapter Ten - The Trials Begin

Chapter Eleven - The Staff of Inglorious Death

Chapter Twelve – The Ghosts of the Past

Chapter Thirteen – The Trial of Heroes, Part One: Magni and Modi

Chapter Fourteen – The Trial of Heroes, Part Two: Dharma, Victrese, Tryst

Chapter Fifteen – The Trial of Heroes, Part Three: Daniel, Wolfgang, Dharma – The Wrath of Hera

Chapter Sixteen – The Trial of Heroes, Part Four: Modi, Magni, and the Twins

Chapter Seventeen – The Daughters of Loki and Revelations

Epilogue – One Journey’s End is Another Journey’s Beginning

Prologue

The Gifts from Harry Festus and A Secret Revealed

What do you think is bothering Fen? Wolfgang asked. He and his twin brother walked up to the seven-story, glass building of Portal to Gaming. They’d just parted ways with their best friend and Daniel’s new gal pal, Bambi, not that long ago. Worry for Fen clawed at Wolfgang’s heart. He’d not failed to notice the dark circles under his friend’s eyes. He doesn’t look like he slept too good last night.

He never does after the profs leave, Daniel muttered. You’d think it wouldn’t bother him anymore, but it still does. Didn’t help that it was surprise visits all around. Might have been better off if they hadn’t come home at all. I really don’t want to talk about this out here. Feels like someone’s watching us for some stupid reason. I don’t like it.

We gotta do something about that, Wolfgang said. He understood what his twin meant and felt the same way. Every so often, his back twinged a little with a painful, tingling sensation. They stepped inside the air-conditioned building. For some reason, the weather was warmer than usual, and the cool air offered a small relief from the heat. The sensations vanished as well, a minor relief for Wolfgang.

We are, Daniel promised. We’re going to get Lance to leave him alone once and for all.

That won’t be . . .

Excuse me, lads, would you happen to be Daniel and Wolfgang Evans?

Wolfgang blinked then glanced at his brother. His twin’s expression of confusion mirrored his own. A chubby man in his mid-forties with short, dark curly hair plastered onto his head approached them. He’d just stepped off an elevator as they walked in the door of Portal to Gaming. Up close, Wolfgang noted more than a few scars and blisters on the man’s face. A set of braces covered one of the man’s legs, and he used a single crutch to walk.

Yeah, Daniel replied. We are. Who are you?

Name’s Harry Festus, and he extended his free hand. Glad to meet you.

Harry Festus?

As in one of the founders Harry Festus? Wolfgang gaped.

You boys know your Portal history. Harry chuckled. That’s good. Makes this easier for me.

Of course we know who you are! Daniel exclaimed. He eagerly shook the man’s hand. Wolfgang waited his turn. "We love your company. We’ve been looking forward to the new Arc of Fantasy event!"

Have you now? Good to know we’ve got some satisfied customers here.

You’ve really made our day, sir! We didn’t expect to run into you!

Oh, but I expected to run into you. You guys have been gaming like clockwork lately. He smiled. How ‘bout we have a seat, boys, and I tell you why I was looking for you, hm? That sound good?

Sounds excellent! Daniel enthused.

They followed him around a corner and into a room with three glass walls and oversized, plush chairs. Harry chose the one closest to him and immediately sat down, a sigh of relief escaping him. Wolfgang and Daniel turned some chairs around so they could face him.

Ah, that’s better, Harry murmured.

Your leg bothering you that much, Mr. Festus? Wolfgang asked.

Please, call me Harry, and you could say that they both do from time to time. It’s kind of like when you hear some old timer say something ‘bout a change in the weather, that they can feel it in their bones type of thing. That’s the best I can describe it, anyway. Thank you for asking.

Not a problem, Wolfgang said.

You’re some good kids, I can see that. Harry smiled. And, while I’d love to chat with you some more, I am quite the busy man, sadly. Gaming launches don’t oversee themselves. So right to business, shall we?

Sure. Wolfgang and Daniel glanced at each other. You said you were looking for us.

"Yep, I was. In fact, it’s ‘bout the Arc of Fantasy launch. I’m sure you’ve heard that certain players are going to be selected for early participation, right? That there will be specially designed non-playable characters to talk to for you to get started and all that?"

Yeah! Daniel enthused. We’ve been looking for the NPCs designed for the launch!

Wonderful! Harry beamed. Absolutely wonderful! But you won’t need to after today.

What? They exchanged another glance.

Boys, you’ve been chosen to be among the first ones to participate in the launch. Most of those NPCs now will find you based on keywords and the like. We programmed them that way.

What? Daniel exclaimed.

The words, at first, didn’t register in Wolfgang’s mind. Excitement bubbled in his twin, and Daniel slapped his arms a few times. Wolfgang shot his twin a short-lived, disgusted look.

Yep, Harry replied. He reclined back in his chair. You’ve been chosen to be among the five players to help with the new adventure’s release. The official launch is still a month or so away, while we work out the kinks in the system, but we’re ready for our designated players to begin. Rather than have the supervisors make those calls, like we originally planned, we founders are speaking individually to those players. It’s a little more fun for us this way. Gives us a chance to meet with the players and chat with them for a bit. Nice for them, nice for us. A once in a lifetime experience. Everyone wins.

That’s awesome. Wolfgang grinned. At the same time, Daniel asked, Who are the others?

I’m not at liberty to say. I’m just here to let you know you’ve been chosen for the fire wyvern arc and, he drawled out the last word, to give you your upgrades for your accounts.

Next to him, Daniel’s right foot started to bounce. He tapped his fingers on his knees. Wolfgang could only stare at Harry, shocked.

Our . . . upgrades.

Yep. Upgrades for the both of you. Three each.

You’re kidding!

Nope. Both of you are gonna get the same upgrade of having whatever you got on you with you in the game. Can be most anything. Pictures, trinkets from home, what have you. You each can have up to fifteen different items that will be unique solely to you. Now which one of you is Daniel?

I am. His twin raised his hand.

Okay. Harry glanced at his tablet. Says here you’re an archer, eh?

Yes, sir.

Interesting. Well, allow me to get a little formal with you. I’m gonna bequeath to you something any archer would love to have. A quiver that never runs out of arrows. Harry smiled almost triumphantly as he spoke.

Really? Daniel’s eyes shone.

Yep. Never know when such a thing might come in handy. Some battles can be tougher than others, eh? Nice to know you got plenty of arrows in that type of a situation! And it’s only one of two quivers like it in the game. No one can steal it from you, either. The quiver is coded specifically for you.

Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!

I’m not done with you, boy. Harry chuckled. You got one more upgrade comin’.

Okay. His twin’s left foot started bouncing in place.

You’re also gonna get a whistle.

A whistle? That’s . . . kind of different.

Believe it or not, it’s a very unique whistle. It can summon one of two ravens to you to carry a message to whoever you want.

Daniel’s disappointment tugged at Wolfgang.

No one else in the game will have anything like it, Harry continued. Think of it as a way to send an in-game message faster without all that summoning up the computer and typing. Just write down what you want to tell the person, summon the birds, and they’ll get your message off right quick. Heck, you don’t even really need to write anything done. You can tell them whatever you want and who the message needs to go to, and they’ll take it to that very person.

It’d be a good way to find someone, Wolfgang said, albeit reluctantly.

Yeah. Just be careful in how and when you use it, kid. It’s a one-time use thing. Don’t lose it and don’t give it away. Harry’s dark eyes burned as he gazed directly at Daniel. For a moment, Wolfgang shifted in his seat, a little uncomfortable.

Okay . . . Daniel replied.

Now for you . . . Harry glanced back and forth between them, as if unsure which twin was which. He then pointed. Wolfgang, is it?

Wolfgang nodded.

My apologies, lad. I’ve never been good with names and you being a twin makes it all the trickier for me. Anyway, for you, we have a pair of boots and an enchanted bag.

Boots and a bag, he stated flatly. The bag itself was cool, depending on what it could actually do. From Fen, he learned enchanted could mean anything, and it wasn’t always good.

The boots are good for sneaking up on people. Stealth boots, if you will, and the enchanted bag can hold as much as you want. Clichéd, I know, but that’s kind of how we do things around here. We do love us some clichés. Harry laughed. ‘Sides, the bag does have some limits and is special. Can’t store foods or fragile items. The foods will go eventually go bad, and things like glass will break if you’re not careful. Only five of these babies are being released into the game.

Wow. Wolfgang blinked, stunned but still a little disappointed.

I can tell from the looks on your faces you were expecting things with a bit more wow factor. Armor and weapons and all that, yeah?

Yeah . . .

Well, you boys already got some of the best armor and weapons out there. You found the Boar’s Head, for one, and the armor shop.

How did you . . .

You bought specialty items, Harry said. One of a kind specialty items to boot. You know we keep track of that kind of stuff to prevent player theft and fraud. I guarantee you, the quest promises to be quite intense. You’re not gonna know what’ll come in handy until you need it.

At least you’ll be able to sneak up on Fen now, Daniel said helpfully.

Wolfgang pursed his lips, considering his brother’s words for a moment then nodded. For the life of him, he’d never been able to sneak up on Fen. He’d stripped almost completely naked and failed even then.

Yeah. There’s that.

Great! Harry clapped his hands together. It’s settled then. Good luck to both of you. A supervisor will be along shortly to help you get set up.

Harry pushed himself to his feet with a groan and hobbled out of the conference room. Daniel leaned back in his chair.

I can’t believe it. He laughed. I simply can’t believe it! This is turning out to be an awesome day! First we get these upgrades. They’re weird upgrades but unique. Next we can get rid of that loser Lance and teach him a lesson for trying to mess with Fen. This is great!

Yeah . . . Wolfgang glanced around and saw them.

They were Alethea Light and her best friend, a guy by the name of Jordan Taylor, and they strode by the conference room. Wolfgang sat a little straighter in his seat and watched her walk by, his heart quite literally skipping a beat. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen her around – they’d attended some of the same classes throughout the semester - but he’d barely paid any attention to her before. She wasn’t the type of girl he normally chose to date. Girls like Bambi, his twin’s latest crush, who were tall and slender, their bodies sculpted like ancient Greek statues usually caught his and Daniel’s attentions. They weren’t interested in long-term relationships like Fen, and they certainly weren’t interested girls like Alethea. She wasn’t exactly tall but not exactly short and still pretty in her own right with her long and dark curly hair askew and extremely intelligent. More than once Wolfgang had heard her, Fen, and Jordan discussing various topics in and out of class, subjects that left his head reeling in confusion. He had no hope of ever keeping up with those three.

‘Wonder what it’d be like to hold her hand . . . Wonder if she even notices me . . . why am I even thinking that?’

Why can’t we just beat up that dude and leave it at that? he asked Daniel absently.

"Because then we’ll be the ones who get suspended for breaking the terms of service. I can’t prove that it’s Trenton anyway, not without trying to hack the system, and no one’s ever been able to do that successfully. They have mad security and firewalls in this place. I know. Remember Kaito? Rumor has it that he tried, and that’s why his parents sent him off to who knows where at this point. Besides, don’t you think it’s odd that some blond-haired dude approaches Fen in the game and starts a fight with him? Then lurks around, just waiting for Fen to come back? Daniel’s eyes glinted when Wolfgang cast a quick look at him. I’m telling you Lance is Trenton, but we can’t just start a fight with anyone. We gotta be smart about it, like Fen would be. Beating that jackass at his own game is the only way to get him to leave Fen alone."

Oh. Right . . .

Dude, Daniel complained. What’s gotten into you?

Nothing. I just want to . . .

He’d just gotten to his feet to chase after Alethea when she and Jordan rounded the corner. At the same time, a staff member wearing the trademark white dress shirt and grey suit jacket and pants entered the room from a side door.

Daniel and Wolfgang Evans, he said with a smile, my name is Jason, and we’re ready for you. Let’s get you set up, shall we? Right this way, please.

"Man, Fen is not going to believe this! Daniel crowed. I can’t wait to tell him and see his face!"

You sound like you’re gonna be bragging. Wolfgang gave his twin a rather pointed and disgusted look. Daniel hesitated for a second.

Yeah. Guess you’re right. Still can’t wait to tell him, though. He really isn’t going to believe this, and you know it! Think he might like that whistle?

Dunno. Wolfgang shrugged. He glanced in the direction he’d seen Alethea and Jordan walking, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl. His shoulders drooped in disappointment when he didn’t. Only way to find out will be to ask him. Even if he can’t use it, he might know when.

True . . . Daniel punched him in the shoulder. What’s up, bro? It’s like you’re not even paying attention to what I’m saying. You look like Fen right now, all sad and droopy faced.

It’s nothing. Wolfgang shook his head. Come on. Let’s gear up and have some fun. Still can’t believe Fen told us to come here without him.

Yeah, I know. Something’s really bothering him. We’ll ask him about it when he gets here. In the meantime, we’ve got some business to take care of before he gets here. You read for this?

As ready as I’ll ever be.

Great. Daniel slung an arm over his shoulder. Because this is going to be fun!

Jason stopped outside one of the gaming rooms. He turned to the twins and smiled.

You two ready to begin the gaming adventure of your lives?

You bet we are! Daniel grinned.

Great. Let’s get started. What personal items do you have on you that you would like to have copies of in the game?

Wolfgang hesitated. Out of everything on him, he really only wanted his Thor’s hammer pendant, owl brooch, which he’d just purchased last night, and a picture of him, Fen, and Danny together. It was an old-time style photograph, one that resembled a painting more than an actual photograph, but he liked it all the same. He always carried the picture with him. Having such a treasured item in the game meant more than what words could ever convey to him. The pendant and the brooch just felt like they belonged on him at all times.

I just want these, Daniel said, holding up his Thor’s hammer and owl brooch. What about you, Wolf?

Same, really, and this. He pulled the picture out of his pocket. Can I have that and let my best friend use the rest of my item upgrade? He’d know more about what we’d need than I would.

The picture won’t be a problem, Jason said. Who is your friend? I can relay the information on to the owners to see if it’s possible. Just so you know, I don’t think that you can transfer upgrades like that, but I can always try. Just to be sure.

I wanna do that, too, if we can, Daniel said.

For Fen Willows, Wolfgang added.

The supervisor nodded then scanned their items with his wrist tablet. When he finished with that, Jason typed everything into the wall console outside the simulator. Daniel bounced a little next to Wolfgang.

I’m sorry, guys, Jason said, "but I can’t transfer the rest of this particular upgrade to your friend. This is specific for the two of you. I’m also seeing that he’s receiving the same thing so maybe the three of you can talk about what to bring when you guys meet up. Your new weapons and armor will be in your room at The Raven’s Inn along with most of your upgrades. Your personal effects we’re adding in will appear on you."

Really?

Really, the man confirmed.

Then I guess we’re good to go, Daniel said. Thank you.

You’re welcome. If you decide there’s anything else you want to add, come find me and I’ll help you out. Remember to ask for me, Jason Brisingamen. Please enjoy your gaming session.

Jason left, and Daniel started typing in their gaming parameters. Wolfgang glanced at his photo. Fen’s smile threatened to split his face. Since Trenton had cheated on him and broke his heart, Fen never smiled like that anymore. Fen didn’t want to do much of anything anymore, seemed like to Wolfgang, beyond gaming and forgetting that part of his life had ever happened, not that he blamed his friend. He just missed Fen’s cheerful, easy-going demeanor, and the picture he held drove the realization home hard and fast. The computer beeped, indicating an incoming message.

Bad news, Daniel said in a dull voice. Mom and Dad are going to be out of touch. Again. Top secret mission. Want us to let Fen know that the profs won’t be in touch for a while, either, in case he doesn’t get their message. Getting the order in for our supplies, too. Fen will have our heads if we don’t.

All right. Wolfgang tucked the picture back into his pocket. Such messages weren’t unusual nor huge surprises, though they still hurt when they came. The general and colonel cared more about fighting than they did about their sons, or so it seemed to Wolfgang. Let’s just get this over with and keep that jerk away from Fen. Bambi gonna join us? Oh, hey, before we go, can you check something out for me?

The twins slid into their gaming vests and wrists bands. Daniel glanced at him.

No. I told her it’d be best if she found someone else to hang around with. Didn’t like her looking at Fen the way she did. It was like she was using us just to get to him or something. Anyway, sure. What do you want to check on, bro?

Alethea Light, Wolfgang answered. What’s she doing?

Alethea? His twin shot him a baffled, questioning look. Why her?

Because, man, I’m . . . curious. Just check, ‘kay?

She is . . . Daniel’s fingers flew across the LED keyboard. "She is currently in the middle of a quest in a small village called Thorsville, which is having troubles with some undead creatures called the Draugr but was chosen to participate in the Queen of Valhalla portion of Arc of Fantasy . . . You know, that kind of sounds like fun. Fen might like that. Maybe we can do that, too. Definitely be more challenging than Kobolds. Let’s run that by him, see what he thinks when he gets here."

After we take care of some business first.

Right! Daniel grinned. He continued to type commands into the computer. Healing potions and bandages all set, everything Fen likes to use, and we have us half of the third floor of an inn waiting for us in Valkyrie’s Cove after we journey there. You know he’s gonna make us ‘walk’ there, too. Estimated gaming arrival from Tulupa to Valkyrie’s Cove, eh, about two to three weeks, providing we aren’t delayed. The computer’s stating Valkyrie’s Cove will be a good starting point for the wyvern arc to really get under way. We are ready to rock!

Voice and iris recognition initiated. State player names, the computer intoned.

Daniel ‘the Elf’ Evans.

‘Sir’ Wolfgang Evans.

Player names accepted. State your destination.

Tulupa, they answered.

Destination accepted. Enjoy your gaming experience.

A soft white light showered over them. The scenery shifted from the grey walls of Portal to the empty alley behind The Raven’s Inn. Wolfgang stared at the door. Next to him, Daniel inhaled a small breath. His elf ears were now the only things separating the twins in appearance.

Time to get this show on the road, Daniel muttered. I’ll meet you upstairs.

Gotcha.

They headed inside, and Wolfgang clutched his Thor’s hammer in his hand.

‘I hope we’re doing the right thing.’

Inside their room, their armor, new and old, lay on the beds with their weapons propped against the wall. Wolfgang slid into his old armor first, sort of one last huzzah before he headed off to find the two-headed fire wyvern.

Here goes nothing, he muttered. Danny, you better know what the hell you’re doing, or I’m gonna be punching you in the face for this.

* * *

Daniel tried not to fidget in his hiding spot. Fen had just shown up at the location Lance had told him, a part of their trade. Lance claimed to have some information and a trinket for them, things to aid them on their journey to the fire wyvern, but the swordsman wasn’t about to say what until he fought Fen and defeated him. Knowing he had to let this creep near his best friend grated on Daniel.

‘I’ve got a part to play,’ he told himself. ‘Nothing more. Nothing less. Dude won’t get away with bullying Fen anyway. Fen won’t allow it, and neither will I.’

I don’t like this, Wolfgang whispered. I really don’t like this.

Me neither, but, if things get too bad, we’ll jump in, promise, Daniel whispered back. We’re not gonna let anything bad happen to Fen.

Welcome . . . Fen Willows.

Lance’s voice floated to him on the breeze. Daniel glanced back in their friend’s direction. Fen whirled around to face Lance, and their friend reached for his sword. The swordsman held his blade, ready to fight. His dark brown cloak floated in the breeze. Daniel held his breath and waited.

A little spooked? the man asked. He took two steps towards him. I expected a little more . . . strength from you. Or perhaps you simply were not anticipating to find me upon your arrival?

Fen forced himself to stand straight. His hand remained on the hilt of his sword, and he stepped forward.

In all honesty? he said. No. I only half-expected to see you again. I wanted to look for you but figured it was going to be impossible. I didn’t know what you looked like. That would have made searching for you difficult. I wasn’t sure if you’d stuck around, either. Not exactly encouraging thoughts.

I see . . . the fact you wanted to search for me is flattering, the man said. Daniel heard the smirk in his voice and wanted to sneak up on Lance from behind. Though to hear you chose to give up is rather disappointing. Understandable but disappointing.

Well, you flatter me, Fen replied. He radiated strength and confidence. The fact you still like to sneak up on people is more than a little disappointing.

I flatter you? How did you reach that conclusion?

You sought me instead, Fen explained. "Not sure why, but you did. You learned my name and observed me when I never noticed you. You’re the one challenging me, after all, not the other way around. I didn’t hide in the shadows and pick a fight at my convenience. You did. I’m quite content to mind my own business."

A well thought out argument. I’ve heard as much about you. I must admit, I thought it all to be exaggeration. Now I can see it is true. You are not like the typical warriors I have encountered over the years. This is good.

And yet I still know very little about you, Fen said. I think that’s hardly fair.

Do you now? The man tilted his head.

Get to it, man, Daniel muttered under his breath. Get to it. We haven’t got all flipping day for you to show your true self.

I do. You know my name, but I don’t know yours. A little uneven footing between us, in my opinion.

Hmmm . . . I suppose you will want a remedy for that.

"It would be nice, Fen admitted. He finally drew his sword but kept the tip pointed towards the ground. Of course, if you’re afraid to divulge even that much, I do understand."

Lance struck quickly with his blade, and Daniel clenched his hands together. Fen almost hit the ground, but he caught himself in time. His best friend raised his sword up, ready to fight.

We’ve talked long enough, Lance said. I grow weary of unnecessary conversation. Let’s settle this, shall we?

Yeah, Fen agreed. Let’s end this.

Try not to disappoint me.

Metal clashing against metal rang over the empty field. Daniel’s anxiety threatened to overcome him as the fight played out before him and his twin. Lance was skilled, and skilled was an understatement. Fen’s forehead glistened with sweat as their skirmish continued on before ending abruptly after Lance announced his name with Ravenschylde added and another exchange, this time about so-called warriors who trounced on the weak. Daniel disliked such players almost as much as Fen did. He had no problems teasing Fen and other mages for being magic-users, but only when he knew for certain no offense would be taken. He wasn’t that cruel of a person. The blond-haired man tossed Fen something then started to lead Fen to a wagon. Fen’s eyes drooped with exhaustion.

Time to get moving, Daniel said. "We’ve got a part to play. Remember that, Wolf. Looks like Fen’s game is about to reset itself. Good. That loser will be on his way without Fen."

I know.

They strode with confidence towards Lance and his wagon.

How long were you two watching? Lance asked. He turned around to face them. They stared at him in shock, and Lance stiffened. He shot them the oddest look.

‘Wonder why.’

How did you . . . Daniel began.

You promised to deliver me what I wanted, Lance said. "Rather than trust Fen Willows, as I’ve heard you’ve claimed you do, you had to be sure he arrived. Because of that, I knew you would come here. Now answer my question. How long have you been watching?"

Long enough to see that you didn’t kill Fen, Wolfgang replied. Why?

My reasons for what I do are my own. I do not have to answer you for something that is not your concern. You are not heading my way. You came for what I have heard about the wyvern, correct?

Daniel nodded as did Wolfgang. Another dirty look from Lance followed, but he offered them exactly what he promised.

The name of the city is Valkyrie’s Cove. It is nestled snug against the Fates’ Death Sea. Lance kept his gaze on them cool. He retrieved a blue dragon statuette and some yellow stones from a chest at the front of the wagon and handed them over. "It is a fortnight’s journey from here. As for who you should speak with, well, there are many an old timer who will speak to you of wyverns. King