David Bishop and the Mystic of Creation T.C. Crawford (icecream ebook reader txt) 📖

He caught them up on the battle of Draco’s Pass and Ravenfell, skipping the heavy details and getting straight to the point. He told them of the show of force from the Defiant One shortly after their victory over General Krauss and his forces, and how it had destroyed what remained of Ravenfell and sent the rest of the survivors with no choice but to fall back through the Southern Tunnel to Brineport where they had hoped to find David, Erin, and Tyrius.

“We had agreed to meet in the coming days, if all went well on your quest to the caverns, as I presume it did since you are standing here before me.” said Gilric.

“Yes, it went well enough.” said David, dodging the subject from any further scrutiny. “What of Rex, Orin, and the others?” he asked, eager to hear the news of his friend.

“They have started gathering as many men as they can who are fit and willing to fight, while the elderly and the women and children stay behind to rebuild.” said Gilric. “They are a valiant bunch and have suffered greatly, but still they wish to fight on. I admire their courage.” he said.

“Will you join us for a feast tonight in the White City?” asked Gilric, “Your friends have agreed already to meet us in the valley with the Dwarves no more than two days from now. I’m sure you could use the rest and we would be honored to host the bearer of the orb and his friends.” said Gilric, nodding respectfully.

David knew they would be cutting it close. The enemy would be on the move soon, if not already, and it was of paramount importance they stopped them before they reached the pass through the mountains. Everything he had seen depended on the final battle occurring in the Great Plains around Eldergate if they were to have a chance of surviving the coming battle.

He looked to Tyrius and Erin, who were watching him for confirmation, before agreeing and they joined ranks with Gilric as they made their way through the Forest of Immortals toward the White City.

When David saw the city for the first time, he didn’t seem to be impacted as much as Erin had expected. Before the caverns, he would have been amazed at the great ancient tree and its marvelous white bark and golden leaves. Instead, he seemed unaffected by its grandeur as if it were just another place, just as ordinary as the rest.

She tried her best to hide her worry, but no matter what she did, that feeling in her gut continued to grow the more distant David seemed to become.

That night they enjoyed a great feast as wonderful as the last time they had been in the city. The great dining hall was even more packed with elves than the last time. This time, however, they were all trying hard to get a look at David and introduce themselves to the great warrior of legend.

He was polite and humored them all with grace and kindness, but Erin could tell that his mind was off somewhere else, distant from the party around him. He smiled and bowed when he was expected to, and partook in various conversation and idle talk with all of the elf lords and ladies, but she knew him well enough to see that the real David, her David, was not at all present.

When the party quieted down enough for her to get a chance to speak with him in private, Erin led David to an outer balcony that was quiet and secluded from the rest of the party.

It was nestled near the outer edge of the canopy of the great white tree and they could see the clear night sky dotted with a million stars shining brightly above.

Hundreds of little fireflies flittered around the branches around them, lighting up the area in a soft glow that was truly spectacular, but David barely seemed to notice.

“What’s bothering you, David?” asked Erin softly, concern etched in her face. She gently placed her hand on his hand that had been resting on the railing – he didn’t move it, which was promising she thought.

“It’s nothing…” said David unconvincingly.

“Is it your visions?” Erin asked, gently prodding him for more information. She took his hands into hers as she faced him, forcing him to look at her. She was looking in his eyes, and he kept diverting them from her gaze, trying to hide his inner feelings.

“David…you can talk to me. After all we’ve been through, I’m here for you, no matter what.” she said, lifting his chin with her finger and forcing him to look in her eyes.

He did, and finally the faintest hint of a smile began to form on the corner of his lips, but then faded almost as quickly.

“I know, it’s just…” he started, struggling to find the words to say to her. He knew she was frustrated with his unwillingness to tell her what he was thinking, but he was only trying to protect her.

In truth, David wanted to tell her how much he loved her, how much she had come to mean to him, but he knew that if he were to do so, it would only make things that much worse…that much harder, when the time came. But Erin didn’t know any of this, how could she?

She leaned in and quickly pressed her lips against his. At first it seemed as if he was going to resist, but he eventually gave in, returning her kiss passionately in kind.

They stayed locked together for what felt an eternity, until finally their lips parted, and their heads rested together, reveling in the moment.

“David, I love you.” said Erin softly.

For a fleeting moment, David hesitated, unsure if he should tell her how he felt, but he quickly gave in deciding it was better for her to know, than for it to remain a mystery forever and risk