The Stolen Candle - Chapter 2

The Coffin Nails look at the dragon with renewed respect.

Candle squirms. "Alright, fine, I was squatting in this town. They found me when they were looting, I killed one of them and bloodied the others. They grabbed me and took me back to their camp, then sent me to their big camp. Are you happy?"

"No... because you could have gotten people in this town killed. I'm unsure what everyone wants to do but I think My grandpa would say 'Ye shuna dun dat Brat, You're on TIMEOUT.'" he explains blinking slowly and flares his nostrils hitting everyone with a rather hot uppity young dragon nose breath, "Also someone hit her in the back of the head for the full effect.". Kai states and stares.

Candle crosses her arms and gives the room The Look, as if daring you to smack her in the back of the head.

Singer gestures for her to sit down, and says, "Before anyone gets to the smacking, why don't you tell us your story."

Candle sits then stabs and pours herself an apple brandy, then sits again.

"My town was attacked. I ran. But it wasn't attacked by the Coalbalds, like I said. I think it was the Xiticix. If you've never seen their destructive potential, count yourself blessed. If they come here, you'll run too."

The what? The Zit ...e.... six? Who the heck are they? Chay not at all put off by Kai's threat of smacking, knew it to be just bluster, and awaited further explanation.

Candle looks at Chay with disbelief. "They're the end of all life!"

Danny speaks up. "The insectoid race called the Xiticix is one of the great dangers to all other beings in the world. Some believe them to be the greatest danger to life and civilization the world has ever known, possibly fulfilling a rather famous Doomsday Prophecy—potentially naming them the Seventh Demon and the Fourth Danger. They mostly live up north, but occasionally send scouts very far to establish colonies. If they've attacked a town nearby, everyone is in grave and imminent danger."

"What they taste like?"

"Dragon," Candle smirks without missing a beat.

"How would you know, you're a scaredy cat." Kai states resting his head on the ground muttering about they might be crunchy, but crunchy spicy, crunchy salty, or crunchy sweet self discussions seems to cause him to ponder.

She replies quietly, "No, I'm not. Anyone would run." She looks miserable as if she doesn't believe her own characterization.

Ok Kai let's quit the foollin' around for a minute huh? Chay turns to the girl, no semblance of play in his posture now.

Do they have any weaknesses that you know of? Like... what do they eat.... uh...other than us?

"No, I don't know. They destroy everything, even change the land around their hives. I didn't stay long enough to write a freakin book."

Tipolei say we go see. If problem to big, we ask help.

"Xiticix?" Ben says. His eyebrows raise at the word, and he seems genuinely surprised."That's a problem, and not a small one. Right, we need to check this out, and be ready to notify Castle Refuge if it's true. When are we leaving? And Candle, you'll be joining us, I believe."

"Me? Why? Is it because you don't trust redheads?"

"We don't know where we're going, or anything about the place. You do," says Ben flatly. "Why wouldn't you come with?" There's space in our transport, or maybe you could fly with Kai. You're choice. Do you have a preference?

Before Candle has a chance to choose, Chay jumps in and mentions how much people like to ride up top on Echo, with the big guns! You'd love it! There's room.

She takes some convincing. Going TOWARD the apocalyptic insect swarm seems counter to the laws of men and gods, but the sturdiness of Echo wins her over, not riding on the grumpy dragon.

Tipolei is ready to go !