20

"What is this place?"

Zander asked that for what felt like the thousandth time. He spun around in a circle, taking in his surroundings.

Kaya had taken the girls and Ronnie's brother somewhere where they could wash off and change.

A boy wearing a cloak and tunic cut in front of them. "This is the Wasteland. I'm Xavier, I'm curious to know what your names are."

"You kidnap us and expect us to tell you anything." Asa snarled. "What is this place and why are we here?"

"And all of those questions will be answered in time." a blonde elf said, stepping out from behind Zander.

Zander's gaze traveled slowly and deliberately over the elf's form, leaving no detail unnoticed. He was struck by the elf's impressive height, which almost rivaled his own, and the well-defined muscles that seemed to ripple beneath his tunic. The swords that hung at the elf's sides gave off an unmistakable air of danger, their hilts glinting in the light. The elf's expression was smug, as if he knew something that Zander didn't - a knowing smirk that only served to heighten his mysterious aura.

"And you are?" Asa snipped.

The elf bowed. "Sawyer." he looked them over. "We'll need to get you guys caught up with everyone else. You need to start training right away."

"Excuse me?" Asa spluttered. "I'm doing no such thing!"

Russell cocked his head. "Can someone please tell me what's going on?" 

Xavier sighs. "Like I said before this is the Wasteland and we're known as the Revolution."

"Oh!" Russell gasped. "Wait, aren't you the group that got Ronnie's parents in trouble? Aren't we going to get caught?" he squeaked and hid behind Asa.

"Nope." Sawyer shrugged. "The Revolution is fighting back against King Kojo and his rule. Our people have suffered enough by his hand."

"So you dolts waited until now to do something?" Asa exclaimed. "If nothing's changed since you guys started what's going to change now?"

"We didn't have the numbers we do now." Xavier gestured toward the field of dragons. "And we didn't have the dragons until I told mine about our cause and he went to get help."

"So why not just burn the Kingdom of Men down?" Russell asked, peeking his head out. "Wouldn't that make things easier?"

Sawyer shot a pointed look at Xavier. "I said the exact same thing."

"Nico." Zander sputtered.

Sawyer blinked. "What?"

"Nico. Where is Nico?" Zander whirled around looking for him. "You left him?"

Xavier nods. "We had to-"

"Have you any idea what the hell you just did?!" Asa spat. "A group of elves have gone missing and only one is left. But not just that two royal brats are missing too."

Xavier opened his mouth to interject but Asa held up his hands and continued.

"Who do you think is going to get blamed?"

Sawyer and Xavier exchange a look. Sawyer sighs. "We didn't think that far. But Kaya said he'll be fine."

"Oh, yes, because everything the princess says is right." Asa drawled, putting his hands on his hips. "I can't believe you of all people fell for this." he points a finger at Sawyer.

"I have to go back for him," Zander said. "I can't leave him at the mercy of King Kojo."

Sawyer folds his arms. "He'll be fine." 

Zander's mouth fell open as if he were about to protest, but before he could utter a word, Sawyer took a menacing step closer to him, causing him to close his mouth again. Zander's gaze quickly shifted down to the weapons that hung at Sawyer's side, and a sudden surge of fear pulsed through his chest. Despite being the same height as Sawyer, Zander knew better than to take on an armed man. His heart thudded loudly in his chest, adding to the tension in the air.

"For how long?" Asa snaps. "And say we go along with this Revolution what then? You know as well as I do that King Kojo will not stop until we're found. How many people do you think he'll kill, torture, and step on to get his way?" his chest was heaving and his face was bright red. "We can't hide forever and if that's what you're going to do. I'm out."

Asa marched off calling them all the curse names known to man.

Russell reached toward Zander his eyes wide with both fear and worry. "What are we going to do?" he whispered. 

Sawyer sighed. "It's your choice. I'm going to go tell the other kid that this is a one-way trip. Unless, of course, you find a way to bond with a dragon."

With that Sawyer took off after Asa.

"Bond with a dragon?" Russell whispered.

Xavier nods. "Every so often, a dragon will bond with a rider they think is worthy to be a rider."

Russell looked up at Zander. "I think we should stay, give this place a chance. Great mother knows what'll happen to us if we go back to King Kojo. I'm sure Kaya and Xavier will come up with a plan to get Nico out safely." he let out a breath. "You and I both know we can't take out a whole kingdom ourselves."

Zander's eyes met Russell's, and a sudden flood of emotions washed over him. Looking into Russell's eyes felt like looking into the eyes of his younger sister once again. He remembered how small she was for her age, but how she could always hold her own and speak her mind when it really mattered. The memories were so vivid that he could almost hear her voice, clear as day, echoing in his mind. It was as if he was reliving those moments all over again. Zander couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and comfort, as if his sister was still with him, even after all these years.

"Please," Russell whispered.

Zander swallowed. "But..Nico-"

"Kaya and I will keep an eye on him I swear. Kaya said she has a plan to get him out, though she hasn't shared it with me yet." Xavier gripped Zander's shoulder. "He'll be alright."

Russell tugged on his arm sleeve.

"Alright." Zander sighed. "Alright. We'll stay."

Russell sniffed the air and made a face, "Whew! What's that smell? Oh, it's you, my friend. You smell like week-old porridge!" he teased Zander, who looked a bit embarrassed. "Don't worry though, I won't hold it against you. So, where can we go to clean up? I don't think we want people to mistake us for a couple of hobos."