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Chapter 2
Finding Raphael Part 1

I had been dragging on for hours, telling time was one thing that I hadn’t mastered. *Note to self, get a digital clock* I finally stop and rested on a near by tree root of an old oak tree. I felt the gentle breeze lighting touching my face, and the warm sun on my cheeks. I was at peace. Before I knew it, I was asleep.

I cracked my eyes open…it was dark. I pulled myself up into a sitting position…something was wrong. I wasn’t in the forest; I didn’t even know where I was for that matter. My adrenaline quickly picked up pace and starting pumping in my veins. I didn’t know where I was, but I knew I needed to get out. I squinted in the darkness looking for shapes, no dice. I tried to stand up and quickly realized I was in Mitch’s house, because I slammed my head on the ceiling. “Ah, you’re awake Gabriel,” whispered a familiar voice. “Yes, Mitch. Is there a certain reason we’re whispering?” I said quietly. He gave me a hardy chuckle, “Tarra and the children are asleep. Now where did I put that oil lamp?” He muttered quietly as he rustled around the house. A dim light illuminated the room. I saw Mitch, quietly taking notice to that his crown was tilted. “So, why did you kidnap me?” I asked. “I wouldn’t say kidnap; I’d call it rounding up for a request from someone.” “Oh, how much money are you getting this time?” I said with a shifty look. I saw him grin pointy ear to pointy ear. “One hundred caps.” (Hobbit money) I stared at him with a puzzled look. “So who is requesting my presence anyway?” I said under my breath hoping not to wake anyone sleeping.

“The Order has been watching your progress Gabriel.” My mind drew a blank, how could The Order keep their presence hidden and watched me at the same time? Darn those elves!! The little critters probably created another one of secretion orbs. Now I have to work my way around those too. I quietly pondered the thought on how to escape The Order. Mitch interrupted my thoughts with a tap on the shoulder. “Um, do you intend on leaving now or when dawn cracks?” he questioned. I bent over and stretched to touch my shoes. “I guess I’ll be off now and get it out of the way” I said with a slight smile. I made my way to the door but was seized by the quick hobbit. “Might I suggest using this?” He handed me an elixir contained in a vial. “What is it?” I asked with a puzzled look on my face. “Just take one sip and announce the name that you want to go.” I stared at it trying to decide if it’s going to kill me, knock me out again, or actually take me there.

I cautiously took a sip from the vial feeling is slide down my throat. I yelled “The Order!” then I saw myself disappearing and Mitch waving good bye. “Come back to see Tarra and the young ones.” He said as my body completely disappeared. I slowly arrived at The Order’s Headquarters. I couldn’t move until the rest of me appeared. I saw the head of The Order, Renka, one of the smartest elves overall. She also likes to use that reverse psychology stuff. But she really is quite a genius amongst the elves. She took a glance at me and I quickly bowed, it was one of the basic mannerisms for the race. She bowed and looked back and kept walking to her destination.

I walked over to Dren, one of the guards at headquarters. I bowed, and then he did the same. “Gabriel, Renka and the rest of the order need to speak with you.” “Do you know what for?” Dren shook his head. “I have no idea usually these meetings are kept in secrecy until decades after the dispute has been taken care of.” He mumbled. “Word around is that Raphael can’t be found. We don’t know where he is, but that is just what I heard. Other then that, I don’t know a thing.” I walked up to the massive doors and gave a meek knock. The massive doors creaked open and there I stood in front of The Order. I gazed at each, Zanel, ruler of the 1st division, Menay, ruler of the 4th division, Luna, ruler of the 2nd division, Leo, ruler of the 3rd division, and then Renka, Head of all the Divisions and The Order, sat in the middle. I quietly bowed then rose back up as they all bowed their heads. “It has been a few ages hasn’t is Gabriel?” asked Leo. I nodded my head and then looked at Renka. “What is my task Ms. Renka?” I said in an almost whisper. “You are to find Raphael, your mentor. He has disappeared from our radar and is no longer traceable.

I looked down in thought of what might have happened to my mentor, Raphael. I looked back up at Renka and said “I accept.” “Good, I was thinking you would accept but I wanted to make sure. His last coordinates were in Zanel’s division. You will need a key to pass through.” Zanel threw a small key at me, and I caught by the tips of my fingers. I examined the key; it had glowing lines entwined in the key. “So, um, where is the 1st division? I haven’t been in Zanel’s territory in quite a while.” “This we had predicted so we will give you a map to guide you to the last known coordinates of Raphael. Do you understand your mission?” Renka asked. “Yes ma’am, Understood.” I turned around and walked out.