₦airaland Forum

9: The Beginning of the End

"Beware the Kindness of Strangers Beware of the kindness of strangers it may be a minute too late ah, you have a lightbulb moment just a minute too late that they were just users and, Lions in wait when you find out the danger of trusting others who desire your favors ah, Just a minute too late justifying all of their hate."--Kirsselle S. Cosgrove.

Aagi returned sometime later while Aly lay awake staring off into the distant woods. He quietly shuffled into his bedroll and went to sleep. Aagvardak slept, well, unlike the Aly who was serenaded by his thunderous snores. Most nights she would have minded the interruption, but not after what she had just learned. One question played on repeat in her mind as she watched his red beard rise with each dormant breath, how could this jovial guy have suffered so much? She thought to no one in particular. It is because he knows the deepest of sorrows that he tries so hard to make other people happy. He knows what it is to feel true pain and darkness and he wants no one else to feel the same if he can help it. Roxanne's voice purred into her mind knowingly.

Aly looked at Aagi with a deeper understanding of him. "oi girlie stop staring at me its creepy" Aagi yawned and rolled over.

Aly was left alone with her thoughts as she watched her companions under the guise of sleep, while her wakeful mind rushed with memories. Alyenna understood some of his pain, not all of it but she had a deep well of comprehension for the pain of his loss. She had a blissful childhood. Her parents fought as everyone else's does, but overall there was a lot of joy. Though, they moved frequently following her father's military career. By high school, she had learned to adapt quickly to new surroundings. An ability that served her much better than she would have appreciated back then.

Aly had plenty of after-school activities to keep her busy in preparation for college. She took karate for sport, got straight As, and volunteered weekly at an animal shelter. As a teenager, she was an academic 'poster child' for college. Alyenna smiled as she thought back to that time, she was not necessarily an outcast, but she was not picked first for prom queen that's for sure. Like you wanted that nonsense anyway, she chuckled to herself. No, Aly was her very own breed of 'weirdo.' She had her circle of friends, of which she was quite protective. Friends were a rare treasure in her nomadic life, and she was not about to let anything get in the way of their happiness.She cared nothing for the typical high school drama that took place around her. Aly felt grief contort her face as the memory turned black. It was her junior year, she had spent the night in SAT prep, and her nerves were on fire. The vice principal pounded on the classroom door. She spoke in hushed tones to the teacher of her class. The teacher looked alarmed quietly called Aly over and sent her out of the classroom.

Aly waited in the principles office for someone to tell her what was going on. Whispers were surrounding her in every corner. Teachers looked at her with deep pity in their eyes. She shuffled uncomfortably in her chair waiting to be called into the principles office, searching her memory banks to find something anything that might clue her into what was going on.

It took what felt like years for the principal to call her into his office. His secretary hurriedly closed the door behind her, and he gestured for her to sit. Aly folded her hands in her lap fiddling with a torn up sweat dampened piece of paper. She eyed the principle nervously. He looked at her and got up from his desk unable to look her in the eye, as he stared out of his window. Alyenna in a desperate frenzy searched her thoughts thinking of something anything she had done that would warrant being called to the principles office. "Aly," he said "you're such a brilliant student. How are your classes?" "Fine, I guess . . ." Aly shifted uncomfortably in her seat her heel tapping the floor anxiously. "Aly let me start by saying how hard it is for me to tell you this. Your parents." He paused Aly suddenly fearing the worst paled. "There's been an accident Aly. We aren't sure what happened, but your parent's car was involved. A tanker truck lost control on the highway. It flipped and took out several cars in its path. Including the one with your parents with it." He paused and took a deep breath, "They did not make it."

He continued to talk, but Aly heard nothing. His mouth moved but the sounds in the room just merged. Her eyes became blurry as she blinked rapidly trying to clear the vision she lost all control. She fell to the floor supporting her torso with her arms splayed out. She curled up into a fetal position weeping. Her heart began to rip itself apart. Her vision went black. Nothing made sense anymore. The next couple of weeks went by in a blur. There was a lot of black clothing and black things. A lot of strange people tried to talk to her, To shake her hand, to wish her well. Who cares? What did they know? Their practiced hollow well wishes meant nothing to her its, not like any of them were planning to help. She was a 17-year-old orphan. College was no longer an option she could never afford it, and she was facing a whole year in the foster care system. She stared at her room at her house trying to memorize it. This house was not hers anymore. She sat trying to imprint the memories as she knew this was goodbye. A for sale sign was nailed in the driveway. She remembered his poison words as they drove away. "How would a seventeen-year- old girl going to pay for a house?" He laughed at her "with volunteer work?"
A week or so had passed, and the line of visitors, social workers, neighbors, and real estate agents paraded in front of her. Her friends tried to cheer her up, but she locked herself away from the world. Only one of the strange people didn't go away
. She remembered staring out her window, and his hand rested on her shoulder. Still, in a daze, he spoke to her, but it sounded as if it was in tongues. All she understood was that he was her Uncle?

He moved her to the other side of the country. To a house deep in the woods of Oregon. He promised to make sure she was able to graduate even if she was moving away from her high school
. He 'homeschooled' her. She never got to walk with her class and as the time passed the pain of the loss faded. Paul was so nice initially, he warmed her heart with laughter and gifts, and he joined her on her morning running ritual as the sun rose in the morning. All of that had lulled her into a dangerous sense of security.

After about a year that changed. It started with the things he would say that didn't feel right but didn't feel wrong either. It was things like "No one will understand your loss like I do." When she would bring up seeing her friends, he would say, "They are all just going to use you, Aly. I am the only one who appreciates you. No one will be able to care for you as I do." At first, she would fight it with infallible logic. However, as time passed his words became true, and that was when her fresh hell was born.

***

"Wakey, wakey, eggs and snakey!" Baellnar beamed as Aly squeaked in surprise as she woke out of her dream. She apparently had been rolling around under her bedroll and was covered with leaves with small sticks pushing out of her hair. She hurriedly brushed herself down and glared at Baellnar.

"Well, at least it wasn't a bucket!" With that, he whistled happily busying himself with tasks for that day's journey. Aly looked around. The sun had barely kissed the tops of the tree, and already most of the camp had been packed up. A small breakfast of eggs and what she could only guess was a snake. She ate it begrudgingly the memory fading away with the morning dew. Paul was worlds away now she was at least safe from him.

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Aly brushed down and watered their mounts fetching water from the nearby stream. The mounts were all grateful and exhausted. Once Aly had finally finished her task she turned to see Aagi patiently roasting some wild caught animal she didn't recognize over the fire. She sat by Aagi in silence and waited for Baellnar to return. When he came back Aagi solemnly and wordlessly passed out their portions of the meal. This attitude of his was alien to Aly. She was not sure how this normally boisterous man was so quiet. What had she said to offend him?

"Scelestra is the very essence of wicked." Baellnar began. "She has many powers and many forms, but it is not her power alone that is devastating it is what she does with it. She has the control of fire and wind, her own shape, and her victim's minds. But the last part she can only control if they are helplessly in love with her. Essentially they have to surrender to her entirely emotionally." He paused a while staring meaningfully at Aly.

"Well, that last part shouldn't be that big of a problem if she's such a bitch then no one would love her." With her words, Aagi got up and left camp. She looked to Baellnar for guidance as to why he was so upset but he just stared at the fire for a few minutes. Finally, he continued. "No one is in love with her Aly. What she does is take the form of the person you love most. In that form, she easily manipulates people into believing they are in love with her. While on the outside she wears the form of their wife, their girlfriend, their mother, their crush, their child, even their lover. She studies the form she takes before she does. She is telepathic Aly. She not only takes on their physical form but the personality. So whoever she is conning has no idea of the doppelganger deception.

Once they truly believe she is who she pretends to be. She slips into their mind stealing their free will. Once she has a person sworn to her she forces them to accept some sort of villainous task and until that task is completed she controls you entirely. She will slip unseen in and out of their mind. The claimed rarely know they have been captured. Which makes it impossible for those around them to identify what has happened. She becomes like a virus and will infect whoever she chooses. Silently taking down strongholds. We have some magic wards to identify people but they are almost impossible to acquire so we can only use them when we are almost positive a person has been claimed. It is because of this that we never know until it is too late and their task has been completed." Baellnar solemnly looked after Aagi's shadow in the forest.

"Usually the task involves killing that same person she pretended to be. They cannot complete that task until she says so. Up to the point that they do complete her task. She is free to manipulate them to do any number of tasks. Essentially it is only death that breaks her spell. There is no true loves kiss. It is only death." His hands balled up into fists. He pulled out his lute and began to play a soothing melody. Whether it was for her or for him Aly had no idea. She was now terrified of what he was saying was true then there was no happiness for anyone here. That old adage of love conquering all was wrong. It was love that destroyed so many lives.

He continued. "It is in this way that she has created an army of men and women bewitched by her. Their loved ones lost at home without them mourning their loss." Aly protested not allowing the sense of hopelessness to overtake her. " there has to be a way to identify the claimed? Everyone has a weakness."

Baellnar strummed harder his anger and loss becoming a part of the song. "The only way you know if someone is bewitched by her is to look them very closely in the eye. In moments of strong dark emotions like anger, greed, or jealousy their eyes flash red.

The single worst part of all of this is when the spells break and the claimed wake up. They have control over themselves the moment their loved one is murdered by their own hand. At the last sigh of death the spell breaks. Many of the victims have been so devastated by the loss that they take their own lives in that same moment. Scelestra has taken thousands of victims in this way over the centuries. No one is safe. No in any position of importance can openly admit they are in love. So many in this land will never marry, will never have that first kiss, will never raise a family for fear that they will be taken by Scelestra. Our people are isolated and alone and miserable. It is by your hand Aly that we can end this. So whether or not you believe you are the girl in the prophecy. We need you to be."

Baellnar then whispered firmly to her. "Aagi himself was taken by Scelestra once. He lost his wife and his entire family. He woke up to her lifeless body in his arms, her dead eyes staring at him in surprise, and her cooling blood in his hands. He has sworn since that day to bring about her downfall however he can.Aly, we need you as a country and as your friends. We all need you-you are the last hope of a dying nation."

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Aly lay there hunched in the grass her heart racing, and she had no idea why. She was vaguely aware of a rising aura of panic encompassing the group. Their alarm gave credence to her mounting anxiety. Even the whites of their mounts eyes were showing. All of the tension resonated in the simple thin line that formed on Baellnar's lips. Aagi silently pulled a blade from his pack and held it next to him close. Then Aly heard it. A low rumble of horse hooves on a dirt road. A black carriage roared by with am emblem of a roaring fire on the side. Aly never had the lessons about the culture of the land, but she had a broad sense of foreboding just looking at the carriage. She caught sight of a man in the carriage. She could not see him from a distance, but something familiar about him haunted her. Her eyes locked on the carriage as it thundered by. A chill coursed down her spine. Her horse sensing her did the opposite one would expect. It nuzzled her carefully and blew warm air on her face. The act did brighten her mood and oddly reassured her. Then her mind echoed again this time it was a new one this was deep but feminine. Similar to what she thought a conversation with Billie Holiday would be like. Do not fret little Philly no harm will come to you this day. Confused Aly looked around. It was only the three of them Roxanne was clearly focused on the road, not on her. All she saw was her horse looking at her calmly. Who is speaking? How she got so used to random voices in her head was alarming, but she decided to go with it. They call me Sadie. Shocked at this realization, she was speaking to her horse. Immediately confused thinking that this voice thing was a dragonkin thing but not wanting to offend her horse and upset some animal manners system she knew nothing about, she answered back with a normal sounding question. What do you mean they? Do you not call yourself Sadie? I had another name once, but Sadie works just fine for me. Human's change my name all the time. Human names do not matter to horses we have our own but you could never comprehend it. Our names are part of our smell and our rank in the herd. Our names are ever changing but to you, I can be Sadie. I rather like the simplicity of it. The sound of cracking underbrush startled Aly out of her conversation. She watched as their mounts and the two men slowly stood up. "What was that?" Aly asked. "That" Said Baellnar. "Was one of Scelestra's coaches. She knows we have left the Kaelen's Keep." They were off in a real hurry most likely following the road to our next obvious stopping point which is a town a little bit from here. So we must wait here and go deep into the wood we must take as they say in your world "The scenic route." The group pushed deeper into the brush. Aly was knocked with low-lying branches and tripped several times on raised roots. She kept her bruises to herself focusing now on the danger that she was slowly starting to realize she was in. "Okay so clearly Scelestra is a mean bitch and my sworn enemy according to you and the prophecy. If I am to conquer her and save everyone I need to know exactly what I am getting into. No one is actually this bad this has to all be an exaggeration." Aagi's face grew ashen his eyes started to well up with tears, and he looked away. She turned to Baellnar and waited. He looked at her a long time. "I was hoping to spare you from this part so soon," he whispered and signaled for the group to stop. "It's about time we made camp. Aly water the mounts and settled the ground for our bedrolls. I will work on getting firewood." "Are you sure we want a fire?" Alyenna shivered at the thought of a simple tendril of smoke revealing their position. "Remember what I told you about magic Aly?" He said "We can shield our camp and our fire from watchful eyes remember I have power over the element of air. So I can control our smoke. We are too far from anyone to catch sight of the blaze so we will keep it low." With that, he went off into the woods to work on his task.

She stared determinedly at Baellnar hiding her momentary spell of weakness, an expectant look scrawled over her face. He sighed and said "what do you want to know?" his voice was soft it ran through her like the feeling of jumping into a pool on a really hot day. In a blissful way, it forced her to calm down. "Well, I have figured some of what I want to know. Somehow I am living inside one of my favorite books which are fantastic. Never ending story weirdness aside, I want to know why and yes I heard the prophecy bit but how do you know you didn't get it wrong?" A heavy pause followed her inquiry. There was silence for several minutes. The two gentlemen eyeing each other in some sort of wordless conversation. She waited to figure since she didn't know where she was going that she had plenty of time to wait. Finally, Baellnar spoke. "Well Aly, that is a very difficult question to answer. We aren't entirely sure but we are almost positive that you are the correct girl. Allabandar is never wrong and we have been watching you for quite a long time. The kicker Aly is whether or not you are the girl from the prophecy you will have to learn to be her anyway. There is no other chance for us. If you cannot save this kingdom than to put it lightly we are doomed." His voice no longer soothing. It was full of force and meaning that made it impossible for her to argue. Alyenna somehow realized that was all she was going to get from either of them, for now, she attempted a new way to glean information. "Honestly I would call your kidnapping more of a rescue." Aagi and Baellnar raised their eyebrows. "Well, I was not exactly in the best circumstance. You found me as I was running away anyway." Baellnar smiled softly. "We know." Dumbfounded she stared at both of them. "What do you mean you know." "Like I said we have been following you for some time now Aly." "How!? I was in another world, and the only route to me was a portal that only opens every 150 years. It is not possible that you could follow me." After the words escaped her mouth she realized the stupidity of her assumption she was now in a land with talking dragons, elves, and monsters, of course, there were other ways. "Oi girlie 'aven't ya realized we're in a land o' magic?" Aagi piped in looking up from polishing one of his many weapons. "Well yes but I do not exactly know what kind of magic do I?" She retorted, trying to cover her mistake. "Well, girlie all kinds o' magic o' in dis land," Aagi said like it would end the whole thing so he could go back to lovingly working on his arsenal like they were his brood. "You are being terribly non-specific Aagi," she said coolly. Baellnar sighed "Aly; you will find in time all the answers you seek. For now, know that there are ways for us to monitor dimensions other than our own. Know also that means others including Scelestra have that same capability for all of our stealth we could be watched at any time and never know." Aly was shocked. "So I have no privacy." Aagi let out a howl of laughter "oi girlie traveling' wid us privacy is da least o' your worries." He winked and let out a playfully lascivious growl, thus ending the conversation. Afterward, the trio rode in silence for several hours. When the sun had reached its pinnacle in the sky Baellnar raised a hand and all the horses stopped. Wordlessly he jumped down and put his hand on the road. He pointed to the woods and obediently the three followed. They led the horses away from the site of the highway Baellnar quietly whistled a couple notes and the horses laid on the ground and then Baellnar beckoned for Aagi and Alyenna to get down.

8: Last Hope
"All it takes is a beautiful smile to hide to hide an injured soul, and they will never notice how broken you really are"--Anonymous
By the time the sun gently rose over the whispering trees the trio had already traveled several miles. They had vanished from the keep early in the morning, so as to not arouse suspicion. Only Allabandar and Ruth knew of their departure. Baellnar led the group. He sat atop a beautiful chestnut mare. His enchanted elven yew wood bow was displayed prominently over his shoulder. Alyenna could not help but admire him from the corner of her eye. Her admiration was not lascivious in nature but even in her short time knowing him, she respected him. Even dressed in simple traveling clothes there was no hiding his strength, kindness, and intelligence.
Aagi sat stoically on his mount Roxanne. Agi had explained that she is a kind of dragonkin that exists only in caves. Her crystallized and granite skin was a form of camouflage for the elaborate underground roads that laced the underbelly of Tendaara, and because she is dragonkin she shares the ability to change her size, which is an ability that her kind evolved to navigate different styles of terrain in the underground caves.
Roxanne had chosen a size that dwarfed Baellnar's mare. Seeing as how Aagi was a dwarf and apparently didn't need her to be quite so enormous Aly giggled to herself Someone is compensating for something. You caught that eh? Roxanne's voice slipped into her head. Makes him feel 'manly.' Roxanne chortled, and to empathize their wordless conversation, Roxanne threw her serpentine head in the air and pranced mockingly. Aly's eyes settled back on Aagi trying to take in his "manly" look. His armor shone brightly in the sun almost blinding her. It too was an elaborate piece. The steel housing his body was twisted and contorted cleverly and beautifully perfectly fitting his frame, but the most shocking part was his arsenal.
He was weapons master for a reason. From his back alone protruded about 12 medieval style weapons. His saddle also came well equipped with several more massive armaments including an enormous crossbow mounted on the back of his seat. You would think he was a portable arsenal for a small contingent not just one 4 foot tall man. Alyenna looked at her measly saddle bag and depressing lack of armor. She still had the beautiful dragon sword she had forged yesterday; but, due to their quick retreat, she was not able to stay long enough to be fully outfitted. She stroked the hilt of her sword and gazed off into the distance comforted by its weight at her side.
It had been quite a while since Aly had ridden horseback. She remembered several summers where she would at camp but nothing more than a trot unless she could sneak in a canter when the counselors weren't looking. Alyenna loved to ride, but it was not a readily an available option for her growing up. She grimaced, definitely not once she moved in with Paul.
Aly sat silently for a while on her horse another chestnut mare. Her horses' name was Sadie. Sadie was incredibly responsive but as they meandered the long dusty silence began to even bore her. The horses head drooped lower and lower almost to the point where Aly believed she might be sleepwalking. Aly still had so many questions but she could cut the silence with a knife so she was not sure if she was even allowed to say anything.
Finally, her impatience got the best of her, and she blurted out. "So you kidnapped me, and some random guy sees a saw a lady with scary eyes, and now we are running from nothing." She paused dramatically grumbling. "could one of you warriors care to fill me in on what is happening to me!" Baellnar let loose a soft, airy chuckle. He looked back at her smiling. She scolded herself inwardly as she felt her resolve soften her mind started meandering into pleasant dreams of her and Baellnar cuddled up on a blanket by a tree somewhere. SNAP OUT OF IT she scolded herself C'mon you are better than that you were kidnapped get answers.

Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend.

Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within." --The Temptations*

Emily's day couldn't end fast enough. She heard Damien had an incident. She wanted to run to him, wanted to make sure he was safe. She had loved him ever since she stepped foot in Kaelen's Keep. His soft green eyes, his loving smile, his playful personality. She knew he was a flirt; she was okay with that it was just for show.

She never actually saw him choose another lady before her. She always watched from a distance. Forever his shy shadow, his secret admirer. He always treated her with kindness, but he never seemed to notice her. Until a couple of weeks ago.

He found her one night while she was working. She dusted off an image of Eleanor, 'savior' of their people. She had been working quietly, too terrified to speak as he confessed his hidden feelings and how he knew she loved him as well.

He insisted that their love remain a secret. It had to, or she would find out. Emily agreed eagerly to their arrangement, and they have been meeting in secret ever since. He was such a gentleman. He always left her little gifts, or notes to demonstrate the purity of his affection. Emily mentally swooned at the thought of their first kiss.

 It was perfect. It was midnight in the garden. Damien had begged Emily to meet him for a secret rendezvous. The scene was straight from a romantic ballad. Moonlight lightly kissed the tropical flowers. Fairies danced lightly between the blooms of passion flowers and gardenias. The fountain water was still as glass framing their forms in a perfect liquid mirror.

He came up behind her his warm arms encircling her waist. He held her close and said something that made her laugh. She couldn't remember exactly what. The whole evening remained in a blissful haze. After a few minutes, he gently cupped her face in his palm. She leaned into his palm enjoying its warmth. Her eyes met his and held them. She was unable to look away from the sparkling soul contained within.

"Thank you so much for your help." The strange new girl said. Everyone was fussing and excited about her but Emily could not for the life of her figure out what for. Eleanor was the savior this was some girl that looked like her. She was more annoyed at the interruption of her blissful daydream than she was interested in answering questions. She wanted to complete her work quickly and check on Damien.

"what is your name?" The annoying new girl asked.

Exasperated at the continued interruption, she answered"Emily."

"Emily that is a pretty name what does it mean?" The girl probed. Emily realized, with exasperation, that her task this evening would take much longer than she originally planned. She choked back a sigh and put on her most hospitable expression. 

"My name miss? It's just the one my parents gave me." Keeping her answer short. Not like this girl cared, but she had more important things on her mind, well one thing, Damien.

Emily busied about the room the newcomer girl firing off irritating questions at her. She wanted nothing to do with her idle small talk she had to get to Damien. The faster she finished her tasks the sooner she could check on him. To look into his emerald eyes and make sure he was okay.

The girl interrupted her musings yet again with irritating questions. "No, I mean where are we what is the name of this land?"

"This land miss? Well, we live in the land of Tendaara." How could she not know that?

Suddenly the new girl lost her mind. She collapsed in the chair drool lolling out the side of her mouth. The girl was catatonic and unresponsive to Emily. Emily clapped and yelled trying to get her attention, but nothing happened. Worried that this would further delay her evening Emily called for help.

It did not take long for the noisy dwarf and silver elf to come in. Nice guys but nothing special as far as Emily was concerned. They threw water on the new girl wrecking Emily's braids. The girl sputtered and yelled but was utterly 'fine.' Relieved that the evening was finally progressing, despite having to re-do the girl's hair. Emily finished getting this troublesome girl ready for the gala and promptly left the room.

***

Emily ran to the garden in excitement. She ran with the enthusiasm of a small child smelling the aroma of fresh pies. Her pace picked up as the clock chimed the first stroke of midnight. She arrived in the garden and looked around frantically. She was alarmed that she may have missed his opportunity, but then his hands covered her eyes, and she smiled. Excitedly she turned around and there he was her handsome man. She held him so tight he grunted.

"Easy my midnight flower. What has you so excited." The deep baritone of his voice sent a thrill through her spine. She snuggled in deep to him.

"My love you, of course, you had me worried are you okay?" she said carefully stroking his cheek and running her fingers through his silky chocolate hair.

"Yes, my midnight flower why wouldn't I be?"

"My love you had an episode today!" Shocked that she had to remind him. "Then everyone started acting quite weird. The new girl especially."

A flash of red appeared in Damien's eyes and then vanished. Emily was too busy nestling into his embrace to notice.

"I am fine darling." He cooed "Tell me about the new girl." He pressed.

"Well, she is pretty I guess. Average height and all. I do not understand all the hubbub." Emily said downplaying her looks. Emily knew that her form was not much to look at, she always feared Damien would one day decide he could do better.

"Darling you know my episodes are hard for me to remember." He crooned at her. "Did you hear anything about what I said?" Placing her on his knee and covering her neck with sweet kisses. His hands traced her waist and gently grabbing her hips and her rump. All of it drove her wild with passionate distraction.

"No nothing." Emily thought hard on her about the strangeness of her day, 'Though everyone acted quite strangely after you did. The dwarf and elf  requested a surplus amount of dried goods to their quarters." She was pensive for a moment, "which is weird because they had a big gala planned tonight. Hardly the time for snacking in your room."

Her eyes popped open "unless they were planning on leaving?" She shook her head, "no, they are not supposed to leave for several weeks." Emily groaned and held her hand up to his face. "Which may make these meetings of ours a little less frequent."

Again Damiens' eyes flashed red as he pulled a bit of her hair. Emily was so focused on the moment and the depth of his affections that she did not notice. His kiss intoxicated her erasing her mind of any cognisant thought. All she knew at this moment was want. He asked more questions plying her caresses and kisses. Not all of them about the new girl, thankfully. Some were about Allabandar and the other nobility. After an hour or so he made some excuse about how the vision wore him out, and he disappeared into the night.

Emily was left staring longingly at his shadow. Her veins on fire with wanting.

****

In the infirmary, Damien slowly nursed a mighty headache. He stared at the midnight moon. There was a light knock on the infirmary door.

"Come in." He said weakly. A man stood in the doorway the most handsome man Damien knew. They grew up childhood friends together and then fell in love. "Kevin" he sighed in relief.

Kevin ran to him covering him in kisses, "I was so worried about you." Concern etched across his delicate features. "I am so angry at myself." He clutched Damien's hand, "for not being there when you needed me." Kevin said as he stroked Damien's hair. His eyes scanned him for any damage or weakness. 

Damien repeatedly tried to sooth Kevin's hysterics. Finally, he grabbed his face looked him directly in the eye and firmly said "I am Fine!" and kissed him. Kevin moaned into the kiss. Then crawled into Damien's infirmary bed and held him close. There they cuddled and slumbered until morning.

The real op for this story was banned and he just inbox me with the updates. I think he'll be available on friday to continue by himself

Each dragon has shapeshifting powers. The shapes we can take are largely determined by our birth element. I am of water so I can create a great storm or a summer rain and I can be any creature of the sea. This ability has protected us through the centuries both from Scelestra and from the age of dragon hunters. We only reveal our true form if we choose.
Damien oblivious to this mental conversation sighed and began to relay his vision. "a tower covered in thorns. There are red eyes everywhere. Death and darkness have swallowed the ground here. Then up to the top of the tower. There is a man a large man with black hair and black eyes. There are scars on his cheeks. He is kissing her feet. She hands him something a tracking stone I think and gestures to the door. She crosses the room and then all I see is her eyes her horrid red eyes. She is looking into the keep she can see us! She is speaking to someone here!" Again he fainted. Ruth the size of a small cat nestled herself onto his chest and closed her eyes. The glow around her tiny serpentine body pulsing and surrounding her and Damien. Allabandar's brow furrowed and he looked at Aly shaking his head in sadness. "It is too soon but you must go. We cannot trust anyone. Not where Scelestra is concerned, and she has a spy at the Fortress. It also sounds like she has someone hunting you. You must leave." He turned to Baellnar and Aagi "You two get provisions. You know where you leave by dawn."

*****

Their departure was kept a secret. No one could know that after only a day in the keep she had to leave. The plan had been she would stay for so much longer and prepare. There was no time for that now. Her remaining at the keep put too many lives at risk. Those who lived in the castle only knew that tonight would be a welcome Gala that evening. The party of the century. They did not know that their hero would leave them in the morning twilight. To quell any suspicions Aly was forced to attend. She was escorted back to her rooms after Damien was resting peacefully. When she opened the door she barely noticed that on her bed was a beautiful emerald lace dress trimmed with gold. Next to it was a lightly jeweled emerald necklace with a dragon pendant and teardrop emerald earrings. A maid waited for her as she entered and escorted her through the bureau into a luxurious bath. One that was impossible for her to enjoy. Worry crept through her veins. She knew nothing about this Scelestra but it was enough to send even a dragon into a panic. No one was willing to speak of her for fear she is listening. How is that possible? Scelestra is one woman and she is clearly not in the fortress. She is clearly notorious wouldn't it be obvious if she was? The maid scrubbed away some of the tensions of the day. Aly tried to enjoy it. She had a sinking feeling this would be the last bath she would have in a while. This was an old world one without electricity and plumbing. Out on the road, there would be very few resources. Aly still had no idea where she was, or even when she was; but, she was here and she would do what she could to survive. The maid stood beside the tub carrying a luxuriously fluffy terrycloth towel. She could not have been more 17. She shuffled about the room quietly expertly arranging the items needed to prepare her for the Gala. Aly was sworn to secrecy about their plans for the morning. So not knowing what else to talk to her maid about she strained for conversation. She did want someone to tell her where she was though but knew it would be weird to ask directly. She chose to start with softball questions. "Thank you so much for your help." She said testing the waters. The maid said nothing she just handed her the towel and gestured for her to step behind a changing screen. Aly tried again "what is your name?" "Emily." in a tone that clearly indicated she was not interested in conversation. "Emily that is a pretty name what does it mean?" She tried again. "My name miss? It's just the one my parents gave me." Alyenna frustrated with the lack of interest she was getting from Emily. One word answers would accomplish nothing. So she tried a more open-ended question. "So, how did you start working here?" "Allabandar took me in when I lost my family and our home was destroyed in a local skirmish," she said this so matter of factly it mystified Aly. How could something so devastating seem so casual to Emily? She waited for her to continue but Emily was too busy tending to the task of braiding her hair. Sighing in frustration she was almost ready to let Emily complete her work in peace. Then one more question pushed at her to be asked so she did. "Emily, what do you call this place?" Emily stopped and looked at her. "What do you mean miss? The fortress? It's called Kaelen's Keep" Aly Nodded that helped a little. "No, I mean where are we what is the name of this land?" "This land miss? Well, we live in the land of Tendaara." She said casually as she busied herself around Aly. That is inconceivable! No, it cannot be. "Sorry I must not have heard you. Where are we?" "Tendaara." The maid said clearly annoyed. Aly sunk forward in her chair. Her head tucked between her knees. "Are you okay miss? Miss?" Aly stared into the distant tiles. Oblivious to the maid worrying about her person. Nothing mattered in this moment. This is impossible. I accepted talking dragons, ridiculously handsome men, enormous caverns that are feats of architecture and art, but this is too much. This cannot be . . . how am I in my books!? When am I in my books!? How is this place real!? in the distance, she heard her name being called. Her mind was spinning. she continued to stare at the tiles. Her muscles unmoving. She lost herself in her own dimension her own time. She didn't care. She felt her body shake. She didn't care. Then everything got cold and wet. "Stop doing that!" Alyenna screamed at Aagi who held the offending bucket of water in his hand. "We were worried about you." Came a soft voice behind her. "I am fine. . . I was just thinking." "oi! Must o' been a' 'elluva thought miss!" "care to share?" Said the soft bell tones of Baellnar. "No, not particularly," Aly said defiantly. Then stared accusatorially at them, done with the nice way of getting information. Politics was never her thing anyway. " How about you care to share? What is really going on?" The three figures stared at each other for a while. Emily relieved she could continue with her task, no longer cared about their conversation. She continued to fuss around Aly fixing the sopping mess that was her head. Eventually, the men dismissed themselves. After that Aly was lost in thought, oblivious to the movements and ministration of Emily. She spent the rest of the evening in a daze. She ate very little and quickly excused herself from the celebration. She claimed the very valid excuse of exhaustion for her early departure which most understood. Baellnar rose with her concerned with her withdrawn and forlorn appearance, and escorted her gently back to her room. Alyenna crawled into bed. The flowers, pearls, jewels, and other trimmings for the gala stick thickly laid in her hair, and she finally slept, but not well. Aly awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of her own screams. Drenched in a cold sweat. Her sheets were strewn all over the floor. She sat wide awake. Her mind flashed back to the image. Blood covered her body. There was a gaping hole in her chest. Her heart was held aloft by a man with auburn hair, and it was on fire.


***Thank you for reading! Please don't forget to comment***

The nurse was alarmed by the sight of Damien's nearly lifeless form. She swung the doors wide and hurried them inside. She gestured toward an empty bed, as she was busily running around the room gathering supplies and potions. Alyenna went to bed and stared worriedly over Damien. Cocky, confident Damien now pale and helpless. His mouth still covered in dried sweat and red-yellow foam. A gentle hand lightly rested on her shoulder, pulling her attention away. It was Baellnar. "he's okay Aly I promise." He whispered to her. The soothing tones of his voice seeping into her veins. She did not notice the glow in the air around her as he spoke. Aly visibly relaxed. She decided to make herself of use. She grabbed a wet cloth and started dabbing away at Damien's face. Aagi threw his hands up in frustration at the ease in which Aly was settled down. "Oh, o' course you listen to 'im. oi already tol' ya that!" "It's because you're a redhead. No one trusts redheads." Baellnar said shoving Aagi "everyone knows gingers have no soul." He beamed proudly at Aagi. Aagi glared at him and then started laughing hysterically and walked away saying something about weapons being more manageable than women. Alyenna's attention focused back on Damien whose breathing was getting stronger. Slowly his eyes opened, and he smiled at her. "Hey, beautiful like I said you don't have a class with Arienne today because I am in charge of your anatomy lesson." He winked. Alyenna stood frozen and uncomprehensive of what had just happened and even more so of Damien's immediate nonchalance. He then looked around the room, and a sudden realization hit him. He sank back into the pillow. "Well shit." He sighed. "What did I say then?" Then his face scrunched up, and he moaned in pain"God my head hurts." Damien shoved his face deep into the pillow. Aly continued to dab his forehead with a cold cloth as Baellnar sent for Allabandar. Moments later Allabandar entered the room. Aly suspected Aagi had already informed him of the situation. He walked silently up to Damien's bedside. His eyes were full of care and concern. "It's been a while since an attack Damien are you okay?" He said with all the care of a father with a child who skinned their knee. "Yeah, I am fine. Is Ruth around?" Said the nurse. "Ruth?" Aly asked confused. "Yes, as a dragon Ruth is especially talented for pulling prophecies out of seers and healing them. Prophecies are usually incredibly traumatic it is only Dragonkin that can bring our seers back quickly without harming them. We are not entirely certain how it works, but it does." I am right here young one. Said a beautiful and familiar voice in Aly's head. She turned toward the window, and there was one enormous serpentine eye. It swirled with colors of every jewel she had ever seen, surrounded by pearlescent scales. Alyenna worked to contain her shock as the drake;'s face shrank. More and more of the dragon appeared until the dragon's daunting sized evaporated and a small winged lizard, no impressive than a house cat, had appeared in its place. It carefully picked its way into the room and perched on the headboard of Damien's bed. The creature nuzzled Damien a faint golden glow circled both of them. He sighed in relief and sat up in bed. What did you do to him?
I healed him, hatchling. His visions take so much from him I just gave a little bit of his life force back. He should be able to remember now. How did you heal him? Aly asked. All dragonkin can heal. It comes from the fire within our souls. With that essence of fire, we both heal and destroy. What else can you do?

Paul's throat tightened, her magic cutting off his ability to breath. Paul was cowering in the corner of her house. She stood over him brandishing the ever-offensive frying pan. "You will retrieve her for me." Her eyes lit with fury, and at that moment the frying pan caught fire. "You lost her again! How could you be so careless?" She sidled up to him her voice deadly quiet "Does your love for me mean so little?" She threw the pan her eyes boring into his. The whole room smoldered as large hungry bursts of flame consumed the house. Paul felt the real pain of her statement, as he crawled to her. His desperate hands trembled as they grasped for the black lace of her dress. "My love," He pleaded, "how could you say such things. My love for you is an ocean. It is my world. As everlasting as the stars in the night sky. My love for you swallows me whole. I know no other love than yours."He continued to tremble with the weight of her rejection. Paul did not notice Scelestra roll her eyes. He was too focused on his own emotions and not being burned alive. Paul, unlike her other pets, was in love with Scelestra of his own accord. She did not need to possess his mind nor had any interest in expending the effort to do so. His dedication to her was unmatched, and for this reason alone she kept him alive. The Fire continued to advance the hungry flames crept closer to them. She bent down to meet his eyes, expertly feigning the affection he craved. She stroked his cheek. Pau leaned into her hand and moaned with monumental relief. Her voice then took on a dark rumbling tone that he rarely heard. A support beam came crashing down two feet from him. The sparks were flying everywhere burning his skin. Her nails dug into his face drawing specks of blood. "You will return with me to Tendaara, and you will find her and bring her to me as planned." her voice now a vicious hiss. With that, she grabbed his hand and dragged him from the house. As they left the entire house was caught up in a blaze and came crashing down.

******

"Damien!" Aly shrieked. His body was spasming, his eyes rolling into the back of his head pools of sweat forming all over his clothes. "Help! Someone, please help!" Aagi a vision of strength and fiery hair shoved her out of the way. He began throwing objects that Damien could hit in his spasm as far away from his body as he could. Then he grabbed Aly's shoulders and dragged her back. The throes of the seizure had buried Damien. There was yellow foam flaked with blood. After several minutes his body shuddered and stilled. Aagi released Aly and checked Damien's vital signs. " 'e'll be fine lass." he soothed "its all part o' 'is .... gift as it t'were." Aly threw herself at Damien double checking Aagi's assessment. He was indeed breathing softly almost peacefully. She sighed then turned the full force of her anxiety on Aagi. "What the hell was that?" She exclaimed. "Oi miss it twas nutin. 'e just 'ad a bad dream." Aagi heaved Damien's limp body over his shoulder and started to walk away. Damien's feet dragged on the ground behind him. Aly shadowed Aagi showering him with unanswerable questions. He politely let her spew nonsense until she calmed down when they arrived at what she could only assume was an infirmary. Aagi knocked impatiently at the door. "Oi! it 'appened again!" A patient looking middle-aged woman dressed in infirmary white cracked the door and glared at Aagi. "Was that really necessary?" She demanded. Aagi harumphed and shifted Damien's body on his shoulder in response to a comment. He captured her attention immediately.

Chapter 6 - She's Coming

"The soul that has conceived one wickedness can nurse no good thereafter"--Sophocles
**Barracuda—by heart**
Paul paced rapidly from one side of the house to the other. Stupid stupid stupid. He scolded himself. She is going to let me have it. He eyed his favorite liquor then shook his head. Now is not the time! She is coming. Must be presentable, must be ready. He admired his reflection in the mirror. He wore his only tuxedo, his hair carefully combed in just the way she liked, his black eyes twinkled with mirth. She won't be able to resist me this time. He shuddered at the suspicious silence. I just won't tell Scelestra the girl ran; she will come back. She always does. She has nowhere else to go. There is time before the portal clears. A delicate knock rapped at his door. He swallowed hard, and despite his pep talk, his fingers trembled as he reached out for the handle. Paul swung the door wide and bowed deeply to the gorgeous creature before him. Scelestra's breasts gently swelled over her corseted dress; which swept the floor with whispering black lace. He gulped imagining long sensual and sleepless nights. It had been so long since he had gripped Scelestra's porcelain skin and kissed that cinnamon scented neck. She leveled a warm and lascivious gaze upon him. Her ebony hair swept up and to the side of her perfect face. Scelestra's long lashes fluttered unabashedly at him and bit lightly on the corner or her ruby lips. She was a master temptress and had Paul wrapped around her blood manicured fingernails. He whispered his voice as warm as honey, "My dear Sc—" She raised a manicured fingernail to his lips. Her face inches from his. "My dearest pet where is she we have mere minutes before the portal closes." She purred, the silk tones of her brought him to his knees. Scelestra's scarlet stained eyes were impossible to ignore. Paul grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. "I sent your prize on an errand my dear so that we could have some time alone." He leaned in seizing her luscious lips in his and pressed her into him. It had been too long. Gently she chuckled and gracefully removed herself from his grasp. He reached longingly for her; but, she had already crossed the room. She found the frying pan, and she could smell his blood on the rim. "What is this?" Suspicion crept into her melodious voice. Tossing the pan around as if checking its weight. "Why is there blood on it?" Paul turned white as a ghost. How could he tell her that a little girl bested him? He was sure his prize would come back. It was just matter of when. It was not the first time Alyenna had ran from him; but, it would be the last. It did not matter that she destroyed what he used to track her. He could still find her. He knew her scent. He had played this game of cat and mouse with the girl for years. This time though was different he could finally go home to Scelestra's bed. The girl's timing could not be worse. That brat had knocked him out right before the portal opened. If she thought he hit her hard before, a cruel smile twisted his lips as he thought of her punishment, little mouse will pay for this. "Paul!" Scelestra demanded, her eyes boring into him demanding an explanation. "She is not here." His voice trembled. "She" He paused thinking of an explanation "went for a walk." "A walk?" She shrieked, her scream shook debris loose from the rafters. "You insufferable buffoon! Don't lie to me!" I saw her go through the portal. You lazy good for nothing excuse of a demon! I caught sight of her just as a dwarf and elf pulled her through!

Sighing loudly on purpose, I shut my eyes close as my fingers swiftly ran through my brown hair. It had gotten longer, and the ends tended to curl naturally into tubes, just a little something interesting about my growth. Basically it. "I'm going to bed," I let out just enough for the two in the room with me to hear. Glancing back before turning my head back to the front, I avoided Chestin's eyes and went to my room. - The moment I walked in, some eyes snapped my way and a look of confusion crossed their faces. They didn't know who I was, or why I was entering the training location all suited up and looking professional. I went up to the instructor-in-charge and greeted the woman. "Agent J," I nodded towards a woman whom I've done a few missions with in the past. The red-haired woman went wide eyes upon seeing me. "How many years has it been," she beamed, opening her arms and allowing me to come into her embrace, "Agent W," she ended with my code name, "Looking nice still." I laughed and pulled away. In a short moment, both of our eyes surveyed the small number of snipers-to-be students that came to class. "How're you holding up all these years, Clarissa?" "Been a rowdy group of kids," she replied with a side-smile, "Some need serious discipline." "And your hero has come," I let out, crossing my arms as I took in the faces of the students I was to teach. Clarissa raised her eyebrows at me, "You're back? Officially?" I gave her a small smirk, "Temporarily. Chestin fired me from our last mission." That got her to laugh. "How're you holding up?" I hesitated, "Let's just say stuff... happened last night that I wish I could take back. Chestin's mad at me..? I'm just confused." "Hmm," she contemplated sincerely, "You'll figure it out. It's Jamie Lennon we're talking about." I rolled my eyes playfully, "You say it like it's an amazing fact or something." "It's amazing and it's a fact," was all she responded with before she clearly called forth her students with those strict, loud military voices. Now every eye was on me. Who was this new woman and why was she standing with our instructor, would be some of their thoughts. Sammy looked up from his group of friends and smiled warmly at me, giving me a quick wave. I noticed the girl from last night in his group, Diana, glancing at the boy before looking up at me, then looking down like she was ashamed. I returned his smile and turned back to Clarissa, who was ready to start class. "ZIP YOUR TRAPS AND EYES UP FRONT," she shut the kids up impressively. It may sound rude, even unnecessary, but it was a daily protocol and all agents were used to it by now. Every one of them followed. Clarissa continued, "BULLET 15, now." They all positioned themselves orderly and faced me, giving a deep bow, all of them holding it there for a good five seconds before standing back up. Bullet 15, meant the 15th rule in the Agent Rule Book, which states that agents-in-training were required to greet senior agents in the cooperation regardless of relationship. They were probably all confused on who I was, but there wasn't enough time for them to process their thoughts because once an order was out, it was out. There was no repeating. And anyone who didn't follow would meet the consequences. R.U. agents don't play around. "Who's she?" One kid next to Sammy's group, spoke up. He was a little buffer than the kid, and had a threatening demeanor to him. "Jamie Lennon," Clarissa announced, frowning at him. He must be one of those kids that she talked about. The misbehaved ones. "Okay?" He brushed away in annoyance, "Can we get on with class already? I thought I signed up for sniping, not meeting more adults." Clarissa was about to snap at him, before I glanced at her and shook my head, signaling to her to let me handle it. I walked up to the boy, some students clearing the way for me because they didn't know where I stood in the R.U. I could tell they were the ones with common sense. "I dare you to repeat that," I tested him once we stood face to face, tilting my head a little as I waited. His fist acted faster than his thoughts, and in a split second I sensed a punch coming for the side of my face. Dully side- blocking his hit with my right arm, the same arm twisted around his and turned it in such a way that made him growl out in pain, before it eventually made its way securely to the back. I locked his arm at his back while I faced it. At that moment a similar scene tugged at the roots of my memory, but I wasn't too sure what had made me pause a bit to consider it. It could've been anything, considering how long I've been in the business. But... I'm sure I remember a mop... With my weaker left arm, I grabbed my gun and aimed it slowly at the back of his head, slowly sliding the weapon down till it reached where his heart on the opposite side should be. His legs tried to kick me down. I knocked against the back of his left knee forcibly with the side of my feet and like a domino effect, he fell with a loud thump to the ground on his knees, and let out yet another, louder growl. I emphasized the nuzzle of the gun against his head and felt his whole body give up on breathing at that instant. "You know," I spoke up softly so that it sent shivers down every student's spine, "Last night's bullets haven't been used up yet. You want to volunteer, smart one?" "Your words don't scare me," he dared to give another go. "'Bullet 299 will,'" I quickly stamped down on any noise that was present in the crowd at this time, "I'm sure you recall." "You're shitting," he retorted, but quieted down a bit at knowing the severity of the rule, "Only four agents in the whole cooperation are allowed to issue that rule." Bullet 299, the 299th rule in the Agent Rule Book. Punishments bestowed upon students only at the hands of the best in the cooperation, one in each division of Agent speciality. Very few students in all the history of the R.U. have experienced Bullet 299, and let's just say they disappear for a while before coming back completely renewed and disconnected. It's a harsh punishment that four agents are allowed to have control over, and because we're not team leaders, like Jay, or head R.U. commanders, we handle things our way and without diplomat. Assault- front-line battle Disguise- deception Hacking- digital infiltration Sniping- air-force attack Currently, and respectively, Agent R, P, A, and W held those positions. All attention was on me now, most students not being able to believe what they'd hear next. "Agent W," came my most dreaded announcement to everyone's ears, "Pleased to make your acquaintance." What can I say, I thought to myself as a small smirk finally tugged at the edges of my lips after all this time, I love my work.

"Aagi!" She yelled across the room gesturing toward
Damien. The dwarf looked up coolly from his work and
absentmindedly pulled a lever and went back to his task.
A sharp sound, like nails on a chalkboard, roared through
the hall. The ceiling above them opened, and the smoke
fled through the opening. Refreshing icy mountain air
poured into the room blasting Aly and Damien. All of the
dwarves sighed deeply in relief.
Agvardak chuckled, "Ah forgot 'bout the delicate nature o'
you human folk." Then he eyed Alyenna curiously, "'cept
you; you don't seem bothered at all pookey. Dat is very
strange." he mused to himself.
Damien, however, was in the center of the blast of cold air.
He was now shivering uncontrollably. His sweat soaked
shirt was quickly becoming a frosted mess.
Aly was also shivering. The cold wind like icy daggers
against her skin. She put an arm around Damien trying to
share what little warmth they huddled together desperate
for any shred of retaining heat.
Damien and Aly huddled like this for several minutes as a
pleasant warmth slowly trickled to her bones. She assumed
it was from the furnaces around her. Damien however,
looked directly at her in awe.
Once her comfort had been restored Aly shifted her
attention to the rest of the room. The beautiful weaponry
ignited a level of excitement in herself that had lain
dormant for several years.
"Gorgeous" She whispered eyeing a particularly magnificent
nearly completed sword. A fire ruby at its pommel and
dragon wings for the hilt.
Agvardak grinned broadly at the compliment. "Everyone is
a sucker for flattery and oi'm no exception, but be careful
little miss. This room ain't kind to 'umans."
"Well enjoy your lesson!" Damien said and hastily left the
cavern.
Agi and Alyenna labored together for hours in the smoke-
filled cavern, both unfeigned by the blistering heat of the
massive forges. After their session, Alyenna walked out of
fire filled cavern and sighed as she felt the room
temperature air creep across her sweat dampened shirt. In
her hand was the hilt of a newly finished sword.
The sword she had admired from earlier was complete and
was now hers. Aagi had been delicately showing her how to
finish its creation. Guiding her through the importance of
each step in sword making, and finally the importance of
the sword's name, and that the finishing touches should
always be done by its owner. A sword is the extension of
one's self in its creation and battle.
She let the blade delicately bridge the gap between her
hands. She could not look away. The sword was beautiful it
had fire etched on the blade, with golden dragon wings on
the quillions of the hilt and a fire garnet embedded
pommel. She kept its name a mystery under the strict
tutoring of Aagi a swords name controlled the power of the
sword. The name of the sword in the hands of your enemy
was the surest way to defeat.
"Well isn't that an impressive blade Aly" The delicious
sweetness of Damien's voice almost weekend Alyenna's
knees. Then his voice changed mid-thought. It became
double layered with his and a much deeper voice speaking
in unison. "There was a slight change in plans Aly, turns out
you're not going to be having your lesson with Arienne."
Alyenna blinked rapidly trying to see him. When the smog
finally cleared from her eyes, she saw something horrifying
in Damien's usually aloof and calm physique.
It was his eyes, they were white, and his face was etched
with fear. His words were smooth and calm they were
almost robotic.
"Whats going on." Alyenna's voice had lost all of its
excitement, but she tried to keep it warm and cajoling. She
was trying to soothe him and her nerves at the same time.
The undertone though was all business. He did not answer
her.
He suddenly gasped. His body became limp and slammed
to the floor. Aly ran to him. She grasped shoulders tightly,
cradling his head in her lap. She shook him gently, in a vain
attempt to bring him back. His head tilted toward her his
face ashen. His milky white eyes were terrifying to behold.
"What's wrong Damien" she cooed and rocked him trying to
calm him down. "Tell me what's wrong."
His eyes cleared for just a moment long enough for a
simple sentence to escape his shaking body.

"She's Coming"


***Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter,
please feel free to leave a comment***

She lay prone on the ground gasping for air. She gasped deeply for the precious air now in plentiful supply. Aly took in deep slow breaths; she allowed her heart to settle. The thunderous pounding in her mind amplified her relief and terror. "Some hero I am. I am supposed to defeat the ultimate evil queen, and I was nearly defeated by the water, of all the stupid things that could kill her." She heaved an frustrated sigh, as she agonized over her weakness and sheer stupidity. A little too late she remembered that Baellnar mentioned that he would send someone to get her. She sat up and looked around. Standing just a couple of feet away was a young man no more than 18 with startling green eyes. Aly suddenly became hyper-aware of her lack of clothing. A worried look on his face he asked: "are you okay?" "I know this is cliché," she said, " but how long have you been there, and how much did you see?" He handed her her clothes. "Enough to be worried and impressed." He winked at her trying to lighten the mood. Alyenna giggled nervously and felt her entire body turn red. "What was that thing?" "Oh that's Nessie, you are quite lucky to have met her. I have been here for nearly two decades, and she has never made an appearance." He eyed her up and down. "You may want to get dressed. You're lucky it was me who got to see two rare beauties today." "I don't believe I caught your name, smooth talker." She teased. "Oh how rude of me . . . I apologize." He bent to pick a lovely pink and white flower and handed it to her. "I guess only a beautiful woman such as yourself could drive me to disgrace myself. My name is Damien." She giggled to herself and smiled sweetly at him, "That was by far the strangest compliment I think I have ever received, but thank you ...?" **** They wound around the fortress through incredible marble hallways, vast rooms, and jeweled terraces. Finally, they arrived in an enormous furnace lit room. It smelled of molten fire, and the air was thick with suffocating black smoke. The white marble walls of the room now stained black with years of abuse. The machines were made of black iron but inside their hearts, was a powerful hot orange glow. Hundreds of dwarves swarmed over the floor, deftly avoiding the dangerous points of weapons and shrapnel scattered all over the floor. All of them were sweating heavily and coughing. Her companion Damien was straining to breathe; his sweat-sodden shirt was plastered to his chest. His once light and wavy brown hair looked drenched with his perspiration. His wave face was turning an alarming shade of red. Alyenna felt no discomfort; she stood happily absorbing the heat from the room around her. Convincing herself, it was evaporating the remaining chills from the icy lake. Aly had always done well in the heat. The cold to her was an insufferable concept, but feeling like she was standing in an oven always felt relaxing. It was so frustrating how of all the places Paul could have moved her to he chose the sunless frigid state of Oregon. Oh, How many dismal and grey winter days had she longed for the tropical feel of living in the south. Finally, she caught sight of Aagvardak; He was lovingly sharpening a weapon. It had intricate runes inscribed on the shining blade and an elaborately engraved hilt. Unaware of Alyenna's entranced gaze upon the weapon Aagi swiftly raised the blade and sliced right through a nine- inch thick log as if it was butter. After that, he lovingly polished it then cradled it like a mother to a child. Alyenna's jaw fell without her realization, and she forgot to breathe for a minute. In that time Damien began to cough as if he was dying from the smoke in the room.

Chapter 5- Drowning

Aly's feet felt as though they were ten times their average size as she trudged through the dirt away from today's training. Every part of her screamed in lethargic agony. It was not enough that she ran several miles yesterday, but today she used muscles she had forgotten existed. Every sinew, every tendon, was screaming as she moved. Her legs shook with the mere effort it took to stand, but she refused to rest now. She needed time. She just needed a chance to absorb everything and most of all she had an overwhelming urge to explore. It was all so overwhelming. Just yesterday Aly had hit Paul in the head with a frying pan in a haphazard escape attempt. Today she was battling elves and talking with dragons, in her mind! It was all too much to take in. She corrected herself. Too much was the wrong emotion. This world was a gift; she knew that. Entering this world was more like stumbling upon Santa's workshop, as an adult. It did not take long for Aly to find the lake Baellnar had mentioned. Just imagining the refreshing feeling of diving into that lake and icing her swollen muscles was invigorating. However, she found herself lacking a bathing suit. Glancing around to ensure her privacy she wandered a bit away from the main path so she could strip down to her bra and underwear. Decidedly the closest she could get to a bathing suit in her current circumstance. She took one last look at the shore and dove into the crystal clear water. It was icy but deliciously refreshing; she rejoiced submerged below the surfaces. She luxuriated in the feeling of the crisp cold water as it soaked away both her physical and emotional aches and pains. Aly swam for deeper waters and allowed to envelop her. She dove again enjoying the feel of her hair floating around her like the mermaids in the movies. While she was lost in aquatic bliss a very large serpentine looking creature came up to her. It tilted its shovel-faced head and looked at her, eye to eye. Aly gasped in shock, forgetting momentarily she was under water. A deadly mistake. She began to choke her lungs burning in pain to the unexpected substance invading them. Aly panicked, her tired arms and legs paddling around in the water. She kicked as hard as she could desperate to reach the surface, but she went the wrong way. She let out a precious stream of air, watching the bubbles to gain a sense of direction. Aly tried to follow their path, but she failed, she had too little air and strength left. Her left leg cramped painfully. She lost all control of it. She screamed into the water as she felt her body failing her. The icy refreshment of the lake transformed into thousands of agonizing icicle needle pricks. She still refused to accept her fate. She was a natural swimmer how could her body fail her so? Pain coursed through her veins. A feeling of absolute helplessness washed over her. Again she weakly kicked to the surface with her remaining leg. Her weary arms could drag her no further. She had Expended every last bit of energy she had. She was running out of time; panic and desperation clouded her mind and forced her to suck water into her lungs. She began to lose consciousness a feeling of terror and eerie peace took over her awareness. Icy black mist spread around her vision. Her eyes begrudgingly shut in defeat. Allowing the last thing she saw in the world by the beauty of the sun through this underwater world. The next thing she knew she was on dry land coughing and spluttering. She caught a glimpse of a dark aquamarine colored head with swirling rainbow eyes pulling away from her. Then it slipped deep into the lake. Barely a ripple in its wake.

I was pressed warily against the wall, with little room
between my body and his. I was getting irritated. What was
his problem, I thought to myself as I stared up at his
unreadable eyes. Finally, it got to a point where the silence
was unbearable.
"I'm uncomfortable," I stated lowly, almost hinting at a
growl.
Chestin raised his eyebrows and looked on without care.
"You're uncomfortable? Let's get into why you're in this
position."
"Chestin, I'm tired," I let out with a deep sigh, "Can't it wait
till later today? You're being moody for no reason."
"It's urgent matter."
"I doubt it," I answered back, but wanting to sleep, I sighed
and crossed my arms across my chest, looking back at him
in annoyance, "What is it?"
"Open your phone," he suddenly commanded.
I frowned, "Chestin, what are you trying to do?" But I have
nothing to hide, so I take out my phone. However, I hold it
out for a moment while monitoring him. He seemed to
stare at my phone like it was a person he didn't like.
I turned on my phone and the screen came onto the last
app that I was on. Correction- the last app Chestin was on.
My Contacts.
— Liam — | � |
I looked up at the man with a quizzled look.
"Who's he?" I asked, glancing back at the name.
Chestin glared at me in disbelief, but he blinked back a few
times upon hearing my words. "Are you serious, Jamie?"
"I am fucking serious," I repeated, getting irritated that he
was wasting my time with whoever his friend was, "Who the
Bleep is he?"
Chestin ran a hand across his face and stepped back- just a
little- from me before staring at my eyes again. "Lennon,
your memory can't be that bad."
"Why are you dropping informalities," I snapped, "I thought
we were close."
"This isn't about us."
"Oh I believe so," I retorted, taking steps forward, so that
he was the one backing slightly away this time, "What's
gotten into you? Do you know how late it is? Can't I go to
sleep, partner? I have a class to teach tomorrow and
reports to turn in, you're taking away my sleep time for
what? 'Liam?' A friend you called on my phone and forgot
to delete the contact? I'm not responsible. I've been on
loads of missions, visited plentiful places, and met with
thousands of people in the past 5 years away from the R.U.,
and you're asking me who this one mere insignificant cunt
is? Don't shit with me, Hall."
Chestin held his ground, but at the same time was forced to
show some respect. Not as in age, but as in experience. I
was a senior and well-recognized agent in the R.U., I point
out shitty things when I see them. My partner was no
exception.
"That's enough," came a low, grungy voice that sent chills
down my spine.
Both Chestin and I snapped our heads in the direction of
the voice and our eyes landed on Axel, who was rubbing his
temple and squinting his eyes open.
"Axel," Chestin said before I could, walking over to the man.
I stood in silence and frowned at the two men before me.
One side of me was still vexed after Chestin gave me a hard
time for no reason. The other side knew he probably meant
well overall, and that I overreacted.