Amendments Read Free

alone for the first time since he'd come this world.  Ratt was gone.  Grandel was busy dealing with Talik and the refugees from Chiron.  Adeel was also needed in Talik.  Ratt, Asiada, Grandel, or someone had always been there for him to rely on before.
                  “Where do I start, Fafnir?”
                  She seemed to naturally understand what he was referring to.  “That brings me to my next point, Noir.  There have been odd stories coming from Talik’s Tierian informants.  Adeel mentioned it to me last time we met.  There is a ‘Savior of Tier’ they are speaking of.  Your friends in Talik have not mentioned it to you because they made the incorrect assumption that you would have no need of the information.”
                  Noir looked at her with confusion.  She smiled at him and continued, “The savior of Tier is said to wear unique Azurite Knight armor.”
                  “Unique Azurite armor?  Do you think it could be Ratt?”
                  Fafnir stopped walking.  Noir stopped a few paces ahead and turned to look at her.  She was smiling at him.  “I am not certain it is him.  Many Azurite Knights disappeared from Chiron when they were exiled from the Azurite Tower.  However, I felt you would be appreciative of the information.”  She paused.  “I will leave you now, Noir.  I have said what I wanted you to know.  Good luck on your journey.  I will do my best to help you and your friends when I can.”  She turned as if to leave.
              “Fafnir, I need to thank you.”  He had wanted to tell her this for months.  “Without all you have taught me, I would have been dead many times over.”
                  A sudden bright light flashed to Noir’s eyes, then faded away.  In place of the elegant woman stood the massive form of white and yellow dragon.  She stood far over Noir's head, pearly scales reflecting the sunlight.  It had been months since he had seen the dragon, and the sight struck Noir with awe once again.
                  Fafnir’s voice grumbled deep in her massive throat.  “I am merely playing my part, Luxin Noir.  Our paths will cross again soon, I am fairly certain.  For now, I will watch over New Talik and your friends.  Go and find your friend and your cousin.  I am sure they need you.”  Fafnir spread her massive wings, leapt into the air, and forced the massive appendages downward causing her to soar into the air.  The wind from her wings whipped chilly air around Noir causing his cloak to flap wildly.  Then she was gone.
                  Noir turned and continued his way down the side of the mountain.  He walked back to New Talik as he had many times in the past months.  However, this was the first time that he had ever returned with hope and ambition.
     

 
    Chapter 2
    Abominations
     
                  Noir weaved between the wooden posts that were supposed to be the framework for the wall around New Talik.  Its groundwork had been constructed two months earlier when the people of Talik still feared attacks from Chiron and Tier.  Now, they talked about renewing their efforts on the wall again because of the increasing number of straghs.
                  Noir was soon passing between wood and clay houses.  Most residents of Talik had solid structures, but a few tents remained around the outskirts of the settlement.  Noir raised the hood of a simple brown cloak and wrapped the rest around him to cover his armor and white Luxin cloak.  As usual, he wished to avoid recognition by anyone so he could avoid their questions, reverence, or pitiful glances.
    New Talik was still a small settlement, but it was growing rapidly.  It was initially built for around 150 occupants – a number made low by the attack on and destruction of the first Talik.  However, the town had been expanding rapidly since