Today's walk to school I thought was going to be just another chattered filled trek where I drank my coffee and begged Kidlet for 5-10 minutes of silence as we walked. But not today. Today we tried something different, we had an epic adventure.
"Get your book bag and lets go," I said to Rhys who was struggling with his gameboy to plug it in. "We're already late."
It was true, I had forgotten to set my alarm and we were running very far behind today.
"I'm getting it mom," he whined back at me. It wasn't until I had a kid of my own that I understood just how annoying whining can be. But I let it go.
Once we stepped foot out the door, immediately he began talking about his current favorites and I decided that we needed to squash that as I was tired of hearing about how much he loved Pokemon. As we walked and I tuned out his idle chattered until we got the corner of the my street.
"Mom, why do we always walk in the water?" Rhys asked me.
"Because it's safer," I replied, not even thinking about what he said. That's when it hit me. "It's safer to walk in the water so Deathwing can't get us."
The expression on Kidlet's face as I sank into his fantasy world was priceless. I handed him his water bottle with a grin.
"Drink this. It will make us move faster in the water and it will keep you from slipping on the rocks,"
Rhys drank the water deeply, I made a few magical bubble noises and we proceeded to get into the water. Which for those of you who need a translation, the water is the sidewalk and the street is where the dragon is lurking waiting to snack on us with ketchup.
"Deathwing, mommy?" he said with wide eyes. I nodded. "He breaths fire and lives in the black rocks!"
I nodded again. Deathwing is actually the name of the dragon in World of Warcraft. But for now, he's the name of the dragon who's chasing us to our destination.
"Yes, we have to get to Element Tree and warn the people there, they will be able to help us fight!"
I pulled out my cell phone and held it up as if it were a compass and pointed towards the school. "That way! Lets go."
We continued walking down the street, walking normal but with an odd gait as if we were struggling on the waters. Rhys bantered on with his usually chirpy talk and I pretended that I keeping a look out for Deathwing.
"Mom! Help!"
I turned my head to see him struggling against an invisible force. I looked around and being the magical mage I am, I cast my see invisibility spell. It was too dangerous to throw any other spells because they might hit Kidlet and that would be bad.
"They're sprites!" I said excitedly. I lifted my hand and blasted them away with an air gust.
Kidlet turned around and started battling them with his sword and shield. Various grunts and groans coming from him. I threw my low level spells at the sprites. I didn't want to hurt them and I bade Rhys not to hurt them too badly.
Soon the sprites retreated and we were able to continue our journey. I stopped to tie my shoe which had come undone in the battle and told him I was listening to the trees.
"What are they saying?" Rhys inquired, squatting down and looking at my face with such seriousness I had to keep from laughing at him.
"They're saying that Deathwing is not far from where we are and the quickest way to get to Element Tree is going up the Oriskany current."
Rhys stood up again, as did I. We sighed heavily knowing that this was probably the only way we were going to get to Element Tree to warn them about the dragon. Drinking more water, this time a healing potion, we trekked on. It was uneventful to the current. We looked at the flora and fauna of the area as it crossed our path. A simple alley cat became a sleek mountain lion, humming birds were fairies, wisps and other little distractions meant to throw us off the trail. Other people, were commoners, except the few in uniform that we saw.
I pointed to one of the men getting out of his car and said to Rhys with a look of awe on my face "There's one of the Nahval knights. I bet he's coming home from his work in the big city!"
Much to my surprise, the man played along.
"We did indeed ma'am and young sir," he said. "I am Nahval knight Holden and this is my fellow knight Ormand. I trust your quest is going well."
"No!" Rhys shouted excitedly. "Deathwing is coming! The big dragon!"
"C'mon Rhys we have to get to Element Tree and warn them. I'm sure the Nahval Knights will send word immediately to the King and let him know as well. We are expecting a big battle," I said, filling in the two navy men.
"We'll do our best ma'am," Holden replied. "Best of luck on your adventure,"
"Be safe," I said to both them. "And thank you."
When we go to the bottom of the hill, we looked up it and groaned. Oriskany current was flowing heavily today and it would be difficult to climb it. Rhys noticed the vines growing and grabbed on. He started pulling his way up the current. At one point, he lost his grip and slid into me. I grabbed hold fast and helped him back to the vines.
"Don't let go!" I said loudly, "We're almost to the top and then we have the cross roads bridges."
I was talking about the cross walks in the street which were now magically two rope bridges that would grant us passage into Element Tree.
"I know, mom!"
By the time we reach the top, we were soaked to the core and stiff. The rope bridge allowed us a better view, we were able to see the Nahval Knights riding their great steeds to the King to warn him of the dragon's approach.
As we cross the the bridge, it wobbled to and fro making it difficult. Hopping onto the middle platform, we shook our heads. We would have to balance it out. Rhys went across the second part and I follow closely behind. We were almost to Element Tree.
The main gate had been locked, but we could see the young scholars running around outside preparing for battle with flattened paddles. Several were reading books and there was a music. We rushed to the side gate and were granted immediate entry. In the Elder's quarters, we explained out situation and told them about the dragon.
"I'm going to the next village to warn them and will continue on until everyone is prepared for battle against this dragon," I said to him.
"I am going to stay here and prepare with Element Tree. I can help them," Rhys replied to me.
"I understand," I said with a nod, kissing his head. "Be good to them and be safe."
"I will, mom. I love you!"
I watched him walk into the next rooms where his mentor was and stood back for a minute to hear:
"Sorry I'm late, guys, mom and I had to warn everyone about the dragon."
I snapped back to reality and realized that in fifteen minutes, I had the best adventure in my whole life just by walking my kid to school.
