Alexander listened quietly as Jeremy spoke taking in all he said about the powerful lady and their travelling companions finding it all extremely interesting. But all Jeremy said was his personal opinion and feelings. Therefore Alexander chose to file all the information away for now and get better acquainted with the others first before making any decisions or judgements where they were concerned based only on what Jeremy had told him. Besides it kind of sounded like Jeremy was jealous of Soran and Rowan’s relationship. When Jeremy bid him good night, Alexander nodded absently. He shifted onto his back and began thinking. After a time Jeremy’s even breathing registered and he looked at him. Finally, Alex got up, left the room heading to the bathing room. He continued to think while he bathed.
Alex found it a little unusual that an old lady would want a magic wand and he began wondering why she wanted it. A few moments later his thoughts shifted to Jeremy and their companions. By the time he finished bathing and returned to the room and climbed into bed he’d made some decisions.
The next morning Alexander gathered everything up and went down to the common room with Jeremy. When Soran looked at him he nodded then gave him and the rest a quiet greeting while sitting down. He remained quiet listening to his companions while they ate and continued to remain quiet while Eremis penned his note. When they were ready to leave he spoke up.
“I’ve decided to keep travelling with all of you. Jeremy has asked me to teach him archery and I’ve decided to go ahead and teach him while we travel. Also, depending on the situation or circumstances, I’ll be choosing which battles I’ll be fighting in and which I won’t.”
As they were getting ready to leave a couple of the townspeople from those who’d gathered to present them with in thanks, hunters or perhaps rangers by the looks of them, handed Alex a quiver full of arrows. Alex thanked them then pulled the men aside. He asked if he could buy leather and sinue for a quiver, shafts and feathers for arrows and wood and bow string for a bow along with anything else they could think of in the way of archery. He explained that he was going to be teaching one of his companions archery. The men grinned saying they’d be back shortly. While he waited he pulled the mayor aside asking if anyone present would be interested in buying some jewelry. A few of the people heard him and approached asking to see what he had. Alex pulled a box out of his pack and opened it to display a variety of very well made jewelry, some plain and simple others with intricate designs and gems. Four people bought one piece of jewelry each. Alexander thanked them then stowed the box away again. By that time the two men had returned. Alex thanked them and paid for the wares they’d brought. As a result of all this and securing the new wares to his horse he was the last to mount and so ended up riding at the rear of the group. He chose to stay at the rear listening, watching and making comments from time to time.
When they stopped to eat lunch Alex pulled Jeremy aside and showed him what he’d bought explaining that he was going to teach him how to make a bow, arrows and a quiver. Any questions Jeremy had Alex answered. Then they were off again.
Alex continued to ride at the rear of the company and by doing so he saw most of what took place when the rocs attacked. Shadow reared up when the roc grabbed Jeremy and his horse. Immediately Alex tightened his grip on Shadow and managed to stay on but was jolted a bit when Shadow thudded back to earth and took off. Alex continued to hold tight, pulling back on the reigns and calling out to Shadow and finally bringing him to a stop. Suddenly Soran’s horse crossed his path several feet ahead of him. Alex sent Shadow after Sorn, saw his horse jump, Soran fall off. Alex stopped Shadow a stop a few feet from Soran. He dismounted and ran to wavering boy. Alex could tell Soran wasn’t in the best of shape. He gathered the boy into the protection of his arm pulling him close to his side.
He heard Eremis’ call from a short distance away and looked to where he pointed noting the two birds and their apparent destination. He led Soran to Shadow and used a levitation spell to lift him up onto Shadow’s back then climbed up and settled down behind Soran, placing a protective arm around his waist, pulling him close to his body and holding him there. He then sent Shadow after the others feeling for Soran knowing this wouldn’t be helping him feel better but not wanting to leave him behind on his own especially after seeing how his steps had wavered and the confused look on his face.
Alexander and Soran reached the rest of the group just as Kato was chanting the spell to bring the clouds down. He dismounted, reached up, took hold of Soran and gently lifted him down holding him protectively until he felt the boy would be able to manage on his own. Then he led Soran off to one side where he felt the boy would be safe. Both saw the staircase Kato’s spell had formed.
“Soran, I suggest you stay on the ground where it’s relatively safe and let the rest of us go up and rescue Cas and Jeremy. However, if you feel you’re steady enough and your head has cleared enough to ascend that cloudy staircase then I can’t stop you from doing so.”
He gave Soran a worried look then a soft smile then turned and headed to the staircase and began to ascend it a short distance behind the others. Just as he was almost to the others he heard a whooshing sound and felt heat. Looking up he saw that the two rocs had returned and that one was now aflame. Alex felt a pang of sorrow as the burning roc plummeted to it’s death. Looking back up he saw that the other adult roc was upon his companions and that fighting it might be a problem.
Pausing where he was, Alex considered the situation for a few moments and what he’d brought with him that would be of help. Then he reached into his pouch and brought out a silver ball. He activated the spells attached to the ball and directed it upward toward the roc. When it was hoovering above the roc he called out.
“Everyone, move as far away from the roc as you can!” Alex waited for them to do so then he called out. “OPEN!”
Immediately the ball split apart and an object fell out. The object expanded and formed a weighted net which fell onto and around the roc. Alex cast an air spell and called wind to push the roc away from the nest and down to a wide ledge several feet below them. When the roc landed and Alex was sure the net would keep it in place on the ledge he looked up at the rest to see how they were fairing at rescuing Jeremy and Cas.
