Fallen One (Book three of Alfireán age)

- Hot Springs? -

Alf watched as the heir of all Alfireá stormed off, only to be followed by the grand champion as she rode along on the sphere the prince had forgotten to release. "What in the world was that all about?" he whispered to Olivia as they followed along via traverse wake.

Livy stared in bemusement at the two of them. "I can't say for certain," she said as they continued their way towards Yemin. "But it appears that the grand champion derives great joy from tormenting the prince."

"That's because he makes it too easy," Scarlet said, swinging her red braid behind her back and rolling her eyes.

"He does at that," Silver agreed.

"I think it's cute," Pony laughed while she skipped along on the air beside them.

"You think everything is cute," the red-haired maid answered her overly jolly sister.

"I can hear all of yo..." Drake started to say as he turned around only to trail off midsentence as his eyes fell on the grand champion.

Zaphaniea grinned at him and gave him a jaunty salute.

If possible, the prince's normally straight face grew even darker, his countenance mirroring the dusky sky. With a low growl in his throat, he sharply turned back around and continued on his way, this time releasing his control over the large sphere and leaving the grand champion, and in turn, the rest of them behind.

Fiery orange streaks, blending with the blackness of night, lingered in the sky as the group stood motionless on the highway, stranded by the fuming royal. The black outline of towering trees and village buildings stood in stark contrast to the bright light in the distance.

With eyebrows raised, Alf and his traveling companions exchanged looks of amusement as Drakovian marched off.

"Well, I guess I better do something," Alf said, channeling energy into the earthen braces on his legs. With a soft hiss, the clay parted and clattered to the ground. He then claimed the now abandoned sphere as his own, told it to follow, and jogged ahead.

"Why thank you kind sir," the grand champion stated as she once again made herself comfortable on the makeshift chair, and the others continued to follow.

Catching up to Drake, Alf looked at the irate prince and thought about saying something, but as the boy looked up at him, then glowered back at Zaphaniea, he quickly changed his mind. Besides, Alf wasn't sure what he would say to begin with. Clearly, the prince was not used to having his authority questioned or to being mocked. Still, Alf couldn't help but think Drakovian was overreacting; he just didn't know why.

As the streaks of fire faded from the sky, the group silently made their way toward the town.

It wasn't long before the earthen dome houses of Yemin came into view, and the rich scent of sulfur reached his nose. That must be the hot springs, Alf thought as he approached an arched pair of gates with intricate gold metalwork and a set of Asian dragon statues on each side. To his surprise, he could see several people milling about on the streets beyond the decorative entrance.

"Look, Drake was right. There are no monsters," Pony declared.

"Yep, these people are perfectly fine," Zaphaniea answered. "But I think it would be best if you leave the main road and come in from the right side of the town instead."

Alf glanced back at her. "Okay, but why?"

"Because of him," Zaphaniea stated, pointing at a man, with hair that magically stood up in a wavy cone, standing behind the gates and peering out at them.