n

n

n'Where do you think we are going to start from?' asked Dawn. 'If we knew where to look for it, we could have won the battle easily. We don't know where to go. All we know is that Daryn, you and I are in a team. That is all I have.'

nQuetz slowed his pace and replied, 'Dawn, if you have the confidence in Daryn and me, then we have won half the battle. I can't assure you that we will not face any defeat, anything negative, but we can try to find the possibilities. Also, we are going to the Hartmoors.'

nDawn chuckled. 'You sound like a Management Graduate.'

n'Yes, if I remember correctly, I was given management lessons right from when I was born till I was five.'

n'That was one good thing you did in your life,' Dawn said in a patronizing manner.

n'I didn't have a choice!'

n

"So where are we going?

" Daryn asked.

n

"Hartmoors.

"

n

"No. Let's start it my way and go to the Wolfghum Barrens. I have heard of a powerful Shaman, the strongest and the wisest amongst all who lives there,

" said Daryn.

n

"And how will he help?

" she asked doubting if a Shaman would even be able to provide any information.

n'Tell your mate that no one knows how to get to Derize Barrens. I have heard that it is a wasteland. No one can survive there. It's a desert full of dangerous creatures.' Quetz sounded angry. 'We don't have time to die in a desert. Besides, is that an enchanted place?'

nDawn pursed her lips.

"Do you know how to reach the Shaman? And we can only travel between the enchanted forests…

"

n

"Of course I do!

" he replied but didn't divulge that one needed to be invited to meet the Shaman.

"That place is like a wasteland Ulfric.

" If we visit him, he might be able to tell us if there's a way to find the stone.

" He would find a way to meet him.

n'We are going to Derize Barrens,' Dawn announced. 'Take us to this portal that Brantley mentioned about.'

nA low and frustrating grumble was heard from the sky above.

n'What is this portal all about?' she asked inquisitively.

n'It is a passage that can create a shortcut for very long journeys across various places, realms and even the universe. Remember the long tunnel through which you traveled to the Ulfric. Imagine if the tunnel is bent in a way to meet at two specific points And then what would happen if you were allowed to walk through two points joined to each other? You can pass from one location to another immediately without destroying space and time. That's what a portal is.'

n'Sounds intriguing.'

nQuetz guided them to the portal.

nWhen they reached to the northernmost part of the forest, to her left Dawn noticed a gush of wind swirling around a few umbrella pines in the distance. The air vibrated strongly as they reached near it. Izar started neighing as soon as he sensed that something was odd about the place. Daryn held his leash tight.

n'When I say, you leap inside the portal shouting the name of the place you want to go to,' Quetz said.

nAs Izar galloped, the air seemed to twirl in a circle noisily. It sucked in the limbs of the trees. Magic crackled with the sound of thunder. The tree branches started to weave an intricate pattern and soon they formed a circle. As the wind rushed around the portal the leaves beat around wildly. It was no more than two meters in diameter.

n

"It is very small,

" Daryn shouted so as to be heard over the noise.

n

"Jump in it!

" Dawn replied on top of her voice. Their hair was slapping against their faces.

nIzar was getting anxious, but Daryn encouraged him by pressing his legs against him. Holding her breath, Dawn waited to approach the portal. Quetz was behind them. As soon as they were at a ten meters distance, the portal opened. Magic bellowed as green lights sparked around.

n

"Derize Barrens!

" Dawn shouted and Daryn loosened the reins. Both of them took their natural position to balance on Izar and he lifted his forelegs to jump inside.

nThey landed on the other side of the portal and Izar continued to gallop.

n

"Quetz!

" Dawn shouted.

nA whistle in the air assured that Quetz was there.

nExcited, Dawn gave a throaty laughter. Daryn pulled the reins and turned Izar towards the portal, but they saw it diminishing in girth. Within a few seconds it was gone and a black, thorny tree took its place.

nThe howling winds, heat waves rising off the sand, cacti, thorny shrubs and dry air welcomed them. Dawn sucked in a deep breath. An eagle screeched in the sky. The sun was receding with the dusk, casting a yellow glow over vast blue sky, the ground and dry and cracked mountains in the distance.

n

"We are standing on the edge of the Derize Barrens,

" said Daryn.

n

"Now what?

" she asked and looked around at the vast expanse of desert.

nDaryn looked at the mountains and said,

"We have to head to the west towards those jagged peaks called Cardval.

" He turned the horse that side.

"The legends have it that this desert was a dense forest, but there was a meteor shower and everything burnt, killing all the flora and the animals. The Shaman had made the prophecy but no one listened to him.

"

n'Please leave Izar here and fly on me. With the horse you will take more than two days to reach there,' Quetz suggested.

nWhen Dawn conveyed it to Daryn, he said,

"You can only reach the periphery of his abode on him. For the rest of it, you have to walk through very narrow ravines and dried creeks. It is hidden under a mountain.

"

n'Don't worry, I can take Izar too,' Quetz said and landed on the ground. He crouched low in order for them to climb his neck.

nThough he appeared cool, Daryn was extremely excited on the inside. He couldn't believe that he was riding a dragon. It was one of the best moments of his life. As soon as they climbed him, Quetz took off.

n

"Wait, you are leaving Izar!

" Daryn shouted as they ascended.

nAn angry grunt filled Dawn's head. Quetz dived down keeping his wings half raised and scooped Izar from the ground in his giant claws. Darnyn's eyes were wide with amazement as Izar neighed and then suddenly became still. Dawn laughed and exclaimed,

"You are awesome!

"

nAs for Daryn, flying on Quetz was like flying in a glider without engines and roof. The experience was so thrilling and beautiful that he made a note to buy one.

nSoon the four of them landed near the edge of a hill. Daryn jumped off holding a spike and then helped Dawn to alight.

"We have to leave Izar here,

" he said.

n'You go Dawn. I will look after that useless creature.'

n

"Come on,

" Daryn said and started down the hill. There were several sharp outcrops and pits in the ground.

"Be careful of those.

"

n

"How old is the Shaman?

" Dawn asked as she jogged down with him. It was not easy, but she felt that she could naturally traverse the hilly area.

n

"Some say that he is as old as the advent of the werewolves.

"

n

"Wow!

"

nWhen they reached the base of the hill, Daryn slowed his pace.

"His place is near. Be careful. I have heard of werewolves encountering monsters here. Perhaps it is a way of guarding him.

" What he didn't say was that the monsters appeared if you weren't invited by him.

nDawn raised her eyebrows and stopped.

"Monsters? Are you serious?

"

nDaryn panted heavily.

"We don't have time to think about them. Remember to keep your mental link open with me. Let's hurry!

"

nShe growled in displeasure. They entered a ravine on the sides of which were steep slopes.

nThey neared a hill that was weathered by air to the extent that its bare rocks were pale red and a sickly grey.

n

"Where does he live? Damn it!

" she asked.

nSuddenly an arrow hissed through the air. It struck the rocks behind Daryn and exploded. The stones shattered and splintered through the air. Daryn ducked.

"Dawn run!

" he shouted.

nBefore Dawn could even run, another arrow shot through the air and missed her by inches.

"This is nasty!

" she muttered and started running ahead. They didn't have any weapons to protect themselves.

"Why are they shooting arrows?

"

n

"Because— because we are uninvited!

"

n

"What?

" Dawn looked at Daryn incredulously. She gritted her teeth. He never told her his plans.

"Do they think we are enemies?

"

n

"Yes!

" Daryn was dashing at the speed of a cheetah.

nWithout knowing the enemies, she had to conquer them.

"In that case don't run.

"

n

"And get killed?

"

n

"If you will run, you will get killed.

"

nBut Daryn didn't listen to her. He carried on running. Suddenly a barrage of arrows flung at him from the top of the ravine. He stopped immediately and hid in a crevice but an arrow brushed the skin of his hand. Blood oozed.

n