Chapter 11 - New Ways

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Chapter 11

New Ways

Ascendary recovered quite quickly thanks to the cure.

Marianne stroked his feathers.

The griffin enjoyed it.

Duke stood next to both of them and looked around.

There was nothing more to see or hear from the INQUEST.

Slowly, Acendary rose.

He shook himself and gently nudged Marianne.

She smiled.

"We have to move on," Duke urged.

"The horses have fled," Marianne sighed. 

"Then we have to continue on foot. Ascendary is too weak to carry us." Duke stroked Ascendary through the feathers.

Ascendary looked at Duke questioningly.

"I know, my friend. We'll get this to an end."

Suddenly, Marianne spun around, a blade flashed in her hand and quickly cold steel cut through the air and stopped at a human neck.

Surprised, Ascendary and Duke also drove around.

"Impressive. A true aranasera," said Lysander, the Librarian at whose neck the blade was stopped.

"How could you sneak up this silently again?" Marianne hissed.

"That, my dear, remains my secret. Who am I to reveal all my secrets." He put a finger on the blade and pushed it away from his neck along with Marianne's hand.

Duke looked at Ascendary and then back at Lysander and remembered the invisibility potion.

Lysander raised his right hand and shook his forefinger in the negative.

"Don't even think about it. You got everything from me."

Duke sighed.

"But I have a solution. Follow me." He turned to leave.

"Just like that?" Marianne asked.

"Just like that," Lysander confirmed. "Unless you are interested in another encounter with the INQUEST."

"No, no." Marianne nodded to Duke and Ascendary, then followed the librarian.

"As the royal librarian of this empire, my profession has its connections." Lysander stepped out onto the street.

Marianne was amazed.

A huge carriage with 4 horses stood in front of her.

It was less a carriage than a large closed cart for transporting goods. 

"Asmodis!" shouted Lysander and a small winged demon flew up and sat on his shoulder.

"This is Asmodis, my little friend and helper."

Marianne looked at the little demon in amazement. He looked like a little gargoyle. 

"Master Lysander! We should hurry." A woman got off the coach box.

"Thank you, Sedalia." Lysander nodded to Asmodis while Ascendary and Duke also entered the street.

Asmodis flew to the end of the car and opened the doors.

"Get in. You'll be safe there." Lysander pointed to the large interior.

Duke was amazed at the interior, which seemed to be larger than you can see outside.

Lysander saw the look and nodded. "Yes, it's magic, and now it's time for you."

Ascendary looked at Lysander strangely.

Lysander got down on his knees in front of the Gryphon and stroked his head.

"The two of us are more similar than you think. Trust me."

Ascendary nodded and got into the Carriage.

Duke followed.

Marianne approached Lysander. "Where are we going?"

"First of all, away from here. When we're far enough away, we'll discuss everything else."  Lysander nodded to Sedalia.

Marianne got in and Sedalia closed the doors.

Then she went up to Lysander and stroked his cheek with her hand.

"I hope you know what you're doing." 

Lysander took her hand and kissed it.

"Come on." He pointed to the carriage.

Sedalia nodded and climbed onto the coachman's box.

Then she set the carriage in motion.

Lysander looked after the carriage. 

>>And now? << the voice came into Lysander's head. 

"We will protect the carriage at all costs!"

 >> The carriage? << 

"Marianne!"

 >> Marianne.<< The Voice seems to be amused.

"Enough. Now it's up to you."

Lysander spread his arms.

In a matter of seconds, the Librarian transformed into the giant Wyvern.

Slowly he got up and followed the carriage.