Fearing for Kepan’s safety, the two of them immediately follow Amber’s directions and get there within 30 minutes. As they arrived at the smaller cave in the mountain, they could see firelight reflecting on the walls and could hear the sounds of voices arguing. Luke immediately charged in with his magic primed and ready so Hallie quickly did the same as Amber lands and followed the two of them in.

As they enter, the two of them immediately stop. They could see Kepan and the stranger arguing. Upon seeing Hallie, the stranger immediately glared at me before spitting out, “I don’t care if you want to help him, but I draw the line at her. She is a stranger, from another world! Why would you help her?” 

Hallie could now see that the stranger was a woman, although she was quite small, Hallie could quickly sense that she was one of the most powerful people she had met. The more she hones her own magic, the more she is able to distinguish about others and her control is precise. Despite her large amount of magic, Hallie could see the way she manipulated and controlled it. Realizing that she was silently casting a spell, she quickly looked over at Amber, “Can you shield us quickly? Try to keep it as invisible and untraceable as possible.”

Within seconds, Hallie could see the finest traces of the shield Amber had casted. She knew that Amber was also able to see the magic and would shield us more appropriately if needed. 

Still watching the argument, Luke interjected, “Kepan, who is this?” Luke still stood in a fighting stance although his magic had faltered a bit as if to show his indecision about whether to attack or not. 

Kepan spared a glance our way before turning back to the woman. “Peony was my girlfriend and one of the co-leaders of this operation. However, she violently opposed Hallie’s joining and as a result was told that she needed to leave if she couldn’t keep the peace.”

After hearing his words, Hallie could see Luke bristle as he once again primed his magic, this time with more intensity as he asked carefully, “You said that she is an ex… How attached are you to her?”

Grabbing his arm, he instantly disarms his magic. “You won’t be hurting anybody today.” Hallie says as she looks over at Peony. She was still priming her magic and Hallie could tell that despite her control, keeping such a spell hidden during the casting means it takes her much longer to cast than normal. Although she was close to casting it, Hallie had already figured out how to dispel it by now and she promptly did so, before looking her in her eyes with a warning. “I suggest you avoid trying to cast spells at us. You are one of the most advanced magic users I have ever had the pleasure to meet, but you forget I have a dragon on my side.”

As Hallie dissipated Peony’s spell, she could see the panic wash over her face. Peony then looks over at Kepan with a desperate look on her face as if for protection. 

“You tried to cast a spell on them! I can’t believe you! I was trying to stand up for you, but if you are going to be like this, you are on your own!” Kepan says as he walks over to Luke and Hallie. “Punish her as you see fit.” he says as he walks out. 

Despite his words, Hallie could see that it hurt him to give up on Peony like that and she stopped him immediately. “You don’t mean that. I know you don’t want to see her hurt.” Then as she turns to look at Peony, she says, “Does my being from another planet bother you that much. As far as I am concerned, this place is to be where I live the rest of my life, just as you will. Does that not make it as much my home as it is yours? Is it not obvious that I would like to make my home a better place, just as you do? I suggest you take some time to think and if you dare attack me again, I will not hesitate to respond accordingly.”

After her speech, she grabs Luke’s hand and leads him out of the cave, leaving Kepan and Peony to sort things out on their own. They make their way back to the cave to get some rest to prepare for the fight ahead.