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The Pêkwan, upon seeing Elva, frowns. She closes her eyes, and a telepathic polarization forms between them.
Pêkwan: (Opens eyes, gestures with elegant precision).
Elva: {Long time, no see.}
Pêkwan: {I see your life hasn't stopped attracting complications.}
Elva: {So you knew long ago that I was a Dragon Successor and never told me?}
Pêkwan: {(Elegantly rolling eyes) Of course. Nothing escapes my notice.}
Elva: {😑 Sure, sure.}
Pêkwan: (Glancing at Alf and Raina) {You seek a ride for the Emperor, his Red Enchantress...}
Alf bows his head respectfully, and the Pêkwan returns the gesture.
Pêkwan: (Looking at Elva) {...and you.}
Elva: 😊 {You know the way perfectly well.}
Pêkwan: (Sighs with eyes closed) {Very well.} (Opens eyes with a frown) {But keep those Yang claws to yourself. He and I have a dispute to settle.}
Elva: {My Draga Spirit is a male 🤨 ? But in the Shed of Deceit, it was definitely a female.}
Pêkwan: {Stupid. Dragon Spirits take the gender form of their Vessels.}
Raina stares curiously at the Pêkwan's buttocks.
Elva: {Amusing. Anyway, got that covered and...}
Princess Raina: (Mumbles) Where's the tail?
At once, the Pêkwan's full tail rises from the ground and curves toward Raina, nearly tripping her. Alf catches her from behind, creating an unintentionally affectionate scene — one the minds of Elva and the Pêkwan immediately exaggerate.
Alf: Are you alright?
Princess Raina: Hm.
Alf helps her stand properly.
Princess Raina: Thank you, Your Majesty.
Elva & Pêkwan: (Watching quietly).
Pêkwan: {It seems...}
Elva: (Looks away) {That's what I thought at first.}
Pêkwan: (Lowering her body) {You may get on my back.}
Night falls.
They stop a few metres from the Border of Cavens Cave and dismount.
Pêkwan: {This is as far as I can go.}
Princess Raina: Thank you so much for your kindness.
Elva: I'm sure we will see a—
A sharp blast erupts as Elva reaches toward the Pêkwan's foreleg, sending her crashing onto her back.
Princess Raina: Ooh.
Pêkwan: {💢 I told you not to touch me with those hands. 😒 I hope the Yang felt that pain as well.}
Pardon me, but what exactly did the Yang do to you?
Elva: 😵 (Rises to a sitting position, aided by the Pêkwan's power). {What do you truly have against my Draga?}
Pêkwan: {(High-pitched) Hmph.}
Princess Raina: Lady Elva, entering Cavens Cave like this isn't safe.
Elva picks up a handful of sand.
Elva: This is black sand.
Pêkwan: {Give me.}
The Pêkwan draws the sand from Elva's hand and trims a few strands of her brown fur. She intertwines both materials, forming black cloaks lined with fur.
Pêkwan: {Wear this.}
Elva: Thank—
The Pêkwan turns, walks away, and collapses into sand that sinks into the earth.
At the border market,
The people are cheerful and peaceful. Something buzzes in Elva's pouch. She removes a Quë Bead.
NOTE: The Quë Bead is a rare bead that transfers voice and visual signals to other bead owners. It has been scarce since the incident of Hans and the Dragons' Cave.
Elva: (Mutters) It's working again. (Out loud) Alf.
Alf: (Looks at her).
Elva: You can reach Commandant Philip now.
She tosses him the Quë Bead. Immediately, a hefty elf taps her shoulder.
Garrun: Hey. I think your hand slipped onto my property.
Princess Raina: (Shields Elva) She stole nothing from you.
Elva: (Gently moving Raina aside) Don't worry, mistress. I know how to handle his kind.
Princess Raina: (Concerned) But—
Elva: 😁 (to Alf) Tap it twice and whisper whom you seek.
Elva and Garrun begin fighting. Within seconds, Alf and the Royal Commandant are speaking through a fog screen.
Princess Raina: We are all here— (behind her, Elva leaps to deliver a jump attack).
Royal Commandant: But where is the Duke?
Princess Raina: 😞
Alf: Lay aside that—
Meanwhile, the soldiers training behind Commandant Philip watch the fight between Elva and the hefty elf with amusement.
Royal Commandant: ...I'll order the Knight Barrack there to send a carriage for you, Your Majesty.
The contact cuts off, and the Elf-Soldiers sigh in disappointment.
Royal Commandant: (Turns to them) 😠 Were you listening—
Training Elf-Soldiers: (Cowering).
Royal Commandant: ...to me and the Regal Elflord's—
Ernest: (Running up) Master Philip.
Royal Commandant: Your Highness, what do you need—
Ernest: (Pulling him along) I need your guidance in something of great importance.
Royal
Commandant: Oh, I see.
Ernest sneaks a wink at the relieved Elf-Soldiers.
Elf-Soldier: That wink 🙂 .
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