40 Chapter 40

As the dawn of a new day rose, Lovell made his way to the castle as the others followed behind him chatting about yesterday's banquet, Lovell couldn't help but look at Luna who walked behind everyone. They had almost kissed that night if Ark hadn't caught them. Lovell could see Ark watching him as to make sure they were not alone; he knows that their love was forbidden and frowned upon by the world.

Lance walked up to Lovell, "So where did you disappear to before I saw you with Ark?" Lovell shrugged him off as he didn't want the others finding out about last night. "What did I say?"

Gale looked up at Lovell, seeing that he was distraught from last night about something Lance had asked, he looked at Luna and figured out what was going on. Gale grabbed Lance's shoulder; he looked back to see Gale shake his head on the subject. Lance turned to see Luna saw the same way as he realized that they were having a hard time with something between them.

The guards welcomed Lovell and the others as Zero and Zephyr greeted them. "So, did you guys enjoy the night last night?" Zero asked as Lovell walked by him. "What's with—" He went to ask as they all shook their heads. "Oh, it's bad, huh?"

Orville walked in as they were heading to the griffons. "Hopefully, you are all set before you leave?"

Lovell walked up to him shaking Orville's hand. "I think we are, thanks for letting us use them, Orville—sorry your majesty."

Orville laughed at Lovell, "No need for formalities here, Lovell, besides it's the least I can do for now after all of your help."

Lovell smiled as if nothing was wrong, "I was a pleasure, and I was able to save Ark's life as well, so all ends well in the end."

Lance watched as they chatted away, Ark walked up to him. "Don't talk about last night where he was; I had to stop him, and Luna. so, do me a favour and keep them away from each other."

Lances face went pale as he watched Lovell smile it off. "will he—"

Ark shook his head, "Its worse since he is part theyan, so he'll be suffering when he's around her until she is no longer a part of his life forever."

Lance turned to Gale as he saw her, and the other stared at Lovell in worry of breaking down. Lovell finished talking to the King as the griffon tamers took out griffons for each of them. Scarlet walked up to one and mounted it, and the others followed suit as Lance walked over. The griffon purred at him as he stroke its feathers.

Orville walked over to Lance. "It seems that this has taken a liking to you."

Lance looked at Orville. "Is he like this to others?"

A tamer walked over to him. "No, but it seems that you're the only one he has ever let be touch."

Lance felt special as he mounted the griffon. "What's his name?"

"Whirlwind."

Lance scratched Whirlwind's neck before moving him over to the others. Orville smiled as he yelled at Lance. "He's your if you want him?" Lance turned to see the King was serious about what he said to him, Lance looked down at the griffon, and his goofy smile told it all to the King, before taking off with the others.

Ark flew close to Lovell, "Lovell, I think I should lead since I know where to go?" Lovell nodded as he pulled back, ending up beside Fang.

Fang peered over at Lovell, "So, you and Luna kissed again?"

Lovell lost control of his griffon for a moment as he flew back to Fang's side. Lovell turned to Fang, his face red, "Almost is more like it if Ark didn't stop us, and before you say anything, I know that whole speech. So, save it!"

Fang huffed as he looked at Lovell. "if you know, then remember you're her guardian, not her lover." Lovell looked at the griffon, as he let Fang at him. "Lovell, I know it's hard, but you need to suppress those emotions even if you have to cast a spell to do so, or you will end up dead, and the other will suffer without a leader!"

Lovell could hear Fang ready to boil as he yelled at him. "Fang, I know, but sometimes magic is not the answer. I would rather suffer than be hollow." Lovell moved back behind Luna.

Luna watched as Lovell flew back tears washing over him. She could see he was in pain being around her and reminded by Fang didn't help. She watched as Ark took the point in front leading everyone to his group. She moved forward past Zero and Zephyr to put distance between them as to ease Lovell's, weak heart.

As the hours past Ark looked over the horizon to see the edge of a forest, he looked back at Lovell, "Lovell, come up here!?" Lovell looked up at him as he gestured him to come up. Lovell flew up as Ark pointed at the forest. "Everyone is there and has been for some time. Lua said that we needed to stay put after we ran into some trouble. Most of the warriors were badly injured over a month ago, and I went off seeking some more aid and well, you know the rest."

Lovell could see the columns of smoke from the camps many fires. His eyes lite up as felt an overwhelming sense of excitement to see everyone again after that short amount of time he left back in Jura. Gale and the others saw it as well and became just excited that they were almost there.

As they landed, Ark was greeted by everyone; they asked him what took so long as he explained what happened. None had seemed to remember Lovell as he walked up beside Ark, looking at all their faces Lovell noticed they were all new faces that he had never seen.

"Lovell!?" A voice from a distance called out, Lovell looked to see who was calling when Grailla jumped at him. Lovell caught her as she hugged him. "It's so good to see you!"

Lovell hugged her back, "I told you I would come back." Luna felt strange as she watched them. Lovell pulled her back. "It seems I'm not the only one who has changed?"

Grailla huffed in pride at him. "I am much more mature than before—"

Ark hit her. "Actually, you haven't changed one-bit Grailla.' Grailla rubbered her head as Ark looked around. "Where's Lau?"

Grailla looked over to a medical tent. "Over there tending to some of the wounded. They seem physically fine but won't wake up?"

Lovell walked over to the tent as Grailla tried to stop him, but Ark watched as he stood tall as if he knew what was possibly going on. Lovell opened the shelter to see the ones in a deep sleep. Lovell placed his hand on one of the men's forehead and closed his eyes. Lua didn't notice Lovell as he cleaned one of the other wounds. Lovell muttered some words as the man woke up. The sound of the man caught Lua's attention, as he looked over, and noticed Lovell heading over to another one of the men. He repeated the process, Ark walked in, and Lau walked over to him.

Lau looked at Lovell. "Who is this person, Ark?"

Ark looked over at Lovell as he watched him heal the men from whatever ailed them. "That's our Lovell."

Lau turned to him, "Wait, are you serious?" Ark nodded as he was surprised that Lovell was able to do. "where did he learn that trick?"

Lovell finished as he looked over at Lau, "Hey, Lau."

Lovell walked up to Lau as he looked at the men. "Lovell, how did you cure them?"

Lovell turned his gaze away from Lau. "I was able to guide them through some of the darkness fever."

Ark grabbed Lovell by the collar. "Wait, don't tell me you have it too!?"

Lovell couldn't look Ark in the eyes. "Yes, but it doesn't affect me like my father or others who succumb to it."

Ark went to punch him, when Lovell turned to Ark, his eyes filled with the darkness, but a light of hope sparkled brightly within his eyes. Ark pulled back in shock to see someone able to entirely fight it off. "So, what did you do to overcome it?"

Lovell stared at him. "I learned to accept that it will always be a part of who I am."

Lau stunned at what Lovell had said as Ark let go of him. "So, overcame it by accepting it, and you never turned evil."

Lovell closed his eyes. "Yes, and it was thanks to a spirit named Ulva." Ark went pale as he heard the name. "She dragged my spirit to the afterlife to help overcome it."

Lovell left without looking at them, Lau turned to Ark as he looked ready to fall apart. Lau touched Ark, but he closed his eyes and walked away, pain ran across his face as he left. Lau could not make heads or tail of what just happened as Gale approached with Luna seeing what they could do to help out. Lau put them to work as he waited to talk to Lovell personally.