The Forgotten Zodiac

"Yeh to'ohl." Jerod said, still smirking a bit at Reetah's temper. She would never be able to tame such a thing. They were lucky she had learned not to attack valuable things; there was once when she was young that she stubbed her toe against a table. The entire dining room's furnishings were found later that day, outside and burned nearly to ash.

Gabe smiled at Jerod, grateful for the help, then looked back at the book. "Should I start now, or do I need to draw one of those circle thingies?" he asked. He was referring to a rune circle - not completely necessary except for the most powerful spells, but useful to enhance the power of the spells used by beginners.

"It would be best if you drew a rune circle, yes. You can find one for healing on page...oh, eight or seven, I believe." Jerod turned the pages for him, finding the right design. "There you go. It'll keep the spell from backfiring, so you won't accidentally cause any damage if the spell fails. At the same time, it'll add a bit of power to your own. Let's go try," He ushered Gabe inside the infirmary, fetching a piece of charcoal out of his pocket so Gabe could draw the rune circle.

Gabe took the charcoal, turning it over in his hands as he studied the little book. "Do I draw it around L'arc, or me? For healing spells?" he asked.

"For healing spells, you draw it around yourself, like you would a defensive spell. Here, I'll start you off." He took the charcoal back, putting it to the floor and spinning in a small circle, quickly making a thick-lined circle around himself. He stepped back, handing the charcoal back to Gabe. "There you go. Just follow the diagram. I know you can do it," He said with a smile.

Gabe nodded and took the charcoal back with a smile. "Thanks, Jerod," he said, holding the book in one hand and the charcoal in the other as he copied the picture in the book. "Like this?" he asked.

Jerod examined the circle carefully, double-checking to make sure Gabe didn't make any mistakes. "Very good. Now then," He said, flipping back to the awakening spell page. "Stand in the center of the circle and try it."

Gabe nodded, then began to read the runes on the page aloud, quickly settling into a rhythm. This spell was not too long or complicated, and the circle beneath Gabe's feet began to glow an odd purplish-green as the warlock finished up the spell.

"Good job," Jerod praised. "L'arc should wake up any second now, I should think." He looked towards the Forest Prince expectantly, smiling happily. This would be an excellent day. Perhaps, with L'arc awake, they would be able to ease Minori's troubles, as well...

"It is, but only by a week or two. Gabe here woke you up," Jerod said proudly, smiling happily. "Excellent work, Gabe! He'll be on his feet in no time, and--" He cut himself short as there was a thump. It wasn't L'arc who had fallen out of the bed...it was Sylas? The boy groaned with pain; his wound had been healed internally, but it would still hurt for a little while. Especially since he just bumped it. Being run through with a sword was no laughing matter.

"Sylas?" Jerod said, suddenly nervous. Of course, L'arc had explained to them what was going on in Sylas' mind. L'arc had explained that the poor boy had been hypnotized and was now determined to kill everything on sight. Perhaps they should have moved the human, before doing this...the older Manakete moved forward, peering at where the human had been only moments ago. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye; Sylas, darting through the door. The crafty human had crawled underneath the beds to make it to the exit. No doubt, he was headed straight to the armory to find a weapon.

"Shoot...wait here, Gabe, make sure he's okay!" Jerod said, running out to find Minori before Sylas found the king.

Minori was sitting in the santuary - as its name implied, it was a good place to think and be alone, to try and come to some sort of internal peace over outward stresses. He was standing near the Moon Stone at the moment, watching as his own dragonstone, the Sun Stone, glowed in response to standing so near its counterpart.

"Minori," Sylas called, lingering outside the Sanctuary. "Minori, there you are." He looked...normal. Tired, but relieved, and definitely normal. "It's good to see you. How...how long was I asleep?"

"Sylas, no!" Jerod snapped, dragging the boy away. Sylas dropped what looked like a throwing dagger, which he had concealed behind his sleeve. He had been waiting for the perfect opporotunity, but Jerod was getting in his way. Sylas immediately screamed and swung a punch at the older Manakete throwing him off.

Minori darted out to aid his retainer, transforming as he reached the large hallway, which had been designed large enough to allow fully transformed Manakete inside, two astride each other, and clearance enough to extend one's wings. "Sylas!" he snapped, looking confused and troubled. He easily pinned the human under his clawed foot, holding him with just enough strength to keep him in place, not to harm him. "Sylas, what are you doing?"

"I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you! I hate you!" Sylas screeched at the top of his lungs, squirming around. He got one arm free and stabbed a second knife at Minori's foot; the blade bent against the solid scales. Sylas didn't just give up, though. He started digging the bent edge of the knife under Minori's scale, trying desperately to hurt him. Even just a little bit.

Minori's pupils narrowed to slits, and he let out a soft growl of annoyance. "Jerod, what's wrong with him?" the Manakete asked, turning to the older dragon while still easily keeping his hold on Sylas.

"I...I don't know. Before he slept, L'arc said he had been hypnotized...told that he should 'kill them all'...I haven't the foggiest who all that entails, either. L'arc is awake now, though, maybe he can do something about it..." Jerod murmured, watching the human struggle uselessly. Finally, Sylas gave up on that, weighing the weapon in his hands. He then took aim for a short moment and threw it upwards. It would have hit Minori dead in the eye, but Sylas hadn't been able to throw it hard enough. The bent knife hit the boy on the face, leaving a deep cut from his cheekbone to his ear. He didn't even flinch, glaring up at the great dragon with fierce disgust and anger.

"Then we'll ask him. Of course, there's the matter of dealing with this one right now..." Minori said, sighing as he looked down at the human. Then, he turned to Jerod. "Find Gabe, and see if he can use the sleep spell on Sylas again."

"Right," Jerod nodded, running off.

Reetah approached next. "Skies above, who woke him up?" She exclaimed, darting away again. She returned with ropes. "Shall I bind him, my king? He has to be subdued somehow. You can't stand on him the entire time the others are away..."

"That's probably the best thing to do," Minori consented, shifting slightly so that Reetah could get to Sylas's wrists and ankles.