Skiora is a land that is far from the kingdoms and castles filled with knights in shining armour and damsels in distress. Tia is just a modern-day girl from New York who is transported to this realm filled with demons, magic and danger. Will she make it home? Or will possessing a magical amulet lead to a swift end?
View MoreI’m going to tell you a story. Normally, I’d tell you not to believe a word I say, but I promise you, every word is true. It’s also the reason you will never see me again. So, right down to its core, this is the story of how I died.
Let me start at the beginning.
Day One
Running late was almost expected of me.
I thought I had found the perfect routine, but I still end up late. Late to every lecture, appointment, or interview. It wasn’t my fault, really. Something always happened. The day this all started, the subway had stopped unexpectedly and everyone on the subway was stuck for twelve minutes. Afterward, it was a mad rush to exit the station; I got my scarf caught on the escalator railing which pulled me down, and none of the taxis would stop for me, so I had to run. I had hoped that once I started attending college my old habits would cease but it just wasn’t meant to be.
Deciding to accept that I wouldn’t make my lecture I stopped running and stood outside the old college building as it began to snow. Honestly, I dislike the cold, but something about snow itself was quite refreshing. I watched the students and teachers around me bustle, trying their best to maintain a social life and get good grades.
No longer in a rush, I had turned from Hunter College to walk home only to stop at the convenience store on 2nd Avenue. Buying two sandwiches and two bottles of water, I continued to walk towards the Pulitzer Fountain where I usually run into Shelia.
Shelia is an older woman with a hunch, tattered grey hair, and two different colored eyes, one of grey despair and the other, green emerald. I believe it’s called heterochromia iridum. She was often passed and avoided in the street because of how she looked. Her clothing you’d consider quite typical of someone in her position. Of the few jackets she wore all at once, you could tell most were a little too big for her, as were the pants she used from the donations box. I’ve seen her almost every day for the last seven months, ever since she saved my life. I won’t go into details, but it was very heroic and there was no way I’d ever truly repay her for my life.
Many years ago she lost her home and all her possessions in a fire. She frequently sits by the fountain and it’s where I bring her food when I’m not in classes or working. Shelia is very kind and grateful but doesn’t speak too much, mostly listens.. That day she was a bit more talkative, she told me about the son she once had, a really cheeky boy that was always mischievous but had a good heart when it mattered. She didn’t know what he was doing now, or if he even thought about her. In fact, she assumed her son thinks she abandoned him. It was truly sad, so in return, I told her that I grew up not knowing if I even had any family, although I do consider that the kids I had around me in the orphanage were like my siblings. I’m not sure why I told her about my past. I felt like she needed to know that even without parents I was okay, hopefully implying her son would be too.
That day I noticed she was shivering a lot so I gave her my red scarf. Shelia asked me why I was kind to her so I told her that everyone deserves a second chance and that I’d be there to see her second chance come along. Of course, I didn’t mean to make a homeless woman cry but at least it showed me she was just as human as everyone else that passed us by.
In response to what I had said to her, Shelia pulled something off from around her neck and put it around mine. An old rope necklace with a large pendant. It was beyond the description of uniquely beautiful. The large tear dropped shaped amethyst stone encased in a peculiar metal that swirled around it like vines and leaves. I told her that I couldn’t accept anything like this from her but she insisted, and also insisted that I was never to take it off because it would not only help me where I needed it but protect me when I’m scared as well.
It was a strange request but I didn’t want to refuse an old homeless woman that was just crying minutes before. She thanked me for bringing her food and sitting with her, then told me to go home before it got too cold and I caught a chill. As confusing as the whole situation was, I thanked her and left. I took the usual shortcut home through the park.
Typically, it was always a bad idea to travel alone through Central Park, but it was the middle of the day and I had nothing to worry about except my own clumsy feet getting stuck in the snow. To state this very clearly, I am a klutz. Floors and walls are my greatest enemies. The building I go to was directly off of Central Park West, actually known as the West Apartments. The outside of the building was rustic but elegant, and if you were a full paying tenant of the building you’d also experience luxury internal designs year-round. But I was not a full paying tenant, and technically I didn’t actually live in the building, but behind it, above a store that sold unusual merchandise - merchandise I’d never ask about no matter how old I got.
My apartment was small, to say the least. It was the best I could afford between education, busking, and a part-time job, but despite the creaky floors, leaking windows and odd holes in the walls, it was my home. The entry, kitchen and living room were all within the same four walls, which only had one other door which led to my bedroom. Occasionally I don’t turn on my main lights, but a secondary switch I have connected to hundreds of tiny tealights. I had thrown my jacket onto the couch and kicked off my shoes, attempting what I could to relax before needing to get dressed for work in an hour. I sat for about thirty of those minutes at my laptop, continuing the fantasy adventure story I had been writing for the last year or so and posting online for people to read one chapter at a time. I get a lot of good feedback. If you have read any of my previous work, you’ll know that my work is a little juvenile and basic. Don’t worry though, this story is far more entertaining. I had sometimes wished that a publisher might one day pick up my online story and I would be able to afford a better home but I also knew to be realistic. Busking was how I paid my rent most of the time, as I usually got more out of it than my part-time job. I consider myself a rather skilled magician, which is why it was so easy for me to make a lot of money from a cheap set of playing cards. It was a lot of smoke and mirrors honestly. It was one of the older kids in the orphanage that taught me how to perform magic tricks, and I’ve done my best to learn more, but who has the time? I just didn’t have the time to learn. Things were easier back then.
I’d had a quick shower and fixed my hair into a short ponytail. It wasn’t my intention to cut my hair at my shoulders but honestly, it was my fault for following internet trends. Thankfully, because it was bright and blonde it meant I could pull off most hairstyles, including messy.
That day I managed to make it to work right on time at the convenience store, which resulted in a lot of teasing from my manager.
Day Two
Technically, the end of my shift marked the next day, since it was a little after midnight by the time I had left. I’ll admit it wasn’t the best idea to take another shortcut through the park but I was tired and walking the long way around would take forever.
Eleven minutes was not worth the short cut. It was a huge mistake.
As I walked briskly across the park's dimly lit paths, this guy came out of the nearby bushes and grabbed onto my shoulder bag, insisting I let it go and give it to him. Instinctually I screamed and he yelled to be quiet - but the gun in his hand just made me scream louder. I was the type to panic in such a situation, not at all a tough New Yorker. I wasn’t even trying to hold my bag, it was just stuck around me and my hood was doing a great job of holding on even tighter.
That’s when he held the gun up to my face.
That’s when I heard the gun go off.
Being Knighted was an adventure all of its own. I managed to single-handedly tear my specially designed dress right before entering the Throne Room, which meant Sandy had to rush a last minute repair - literal last minute. But other than that it all went fairly smoothly.Corvu and I are part of a six-man squad that are frequently sent out on missions, and since Shelia is around to teach me what kind of magic I need to know, those missions are quite smooth. I promise, I’m not in any real danger. Corvu protects me with his life, which is almost turning into some kind of game to him on how many times in a month he has to save my life. It’s a little embarrassing, one month he got up to about seven. Guess I’m still a klutz. The other squad members are a little strange and not all human, I’ll have to detail them a little later. Just know they have my back.
The next morning I woke up in the giant bed I had slept in the night before I originally left Skiora. Sandy had knocked on the door and entered, laying out a lovely casual purple dress for me. It was a hesen fabric of some kind to be worn on warmer days, which this certainly was.“This afternoon you must return to change into ceremonial wear, for your Knighting.” She smiles.“Knighting?” I question, getting up out of the bed in a pair of pyjamas I had picked up from a thrift store that said ‘I Heart New York’. She was very interested in my clothing, little did she know I brought back a dress for her.“Yes, the King has to knight you in order for you to join the King’s Guard. He’s very excited to have you.”
Days Without Them.When I opened my eyes, I really was home. It looked like time had barely moved despite being gone for an hour. I could feel my face was hot and flush, but also wet from tears. I didn’t even notice I was crying that whole time.Walking through my apartment, everything seemed...like an illusion. That’s when I saw Corvu’s old clothes on the bathroom rail. It really wasn’t a dream. Grabbing onto his tunic I wonder, will they think of me in years to come? Maybe as part of the King’s Guard they’ll be happy? Moving around my apartment slowly I go to my bed and drop the satchel by my feet. The clothes Patricia had given me lasted so long in the woods, and I was never really that cold or too hot. They were perfect. I fall into the bed and start to cry. It would stop hurting eventually. I’m sure of it.&nb
Day Twenty-Eight. The next thing I know, the three of us plonk onto the floor, the bench no longer there. I let out a short yelp as a spear is pointed into my face. “Wait!” I hear Sandy’s voice. “It’s okay, they’ve returned.” The guards pull back for a moment and appear to recognize us. As Sandy helps me and Shelia from the ground I take a look around. We’re inside the main hall and the Prince was nearby, this time in full golden armour like this father wore before. Approaching us, he looks a little relieved, “And they have the amulet! The Orcs aren’t going to be victorious today, it seems.” He chuckles. I roll my eyes and run to the nearest door. Beyond it I could see various archers lined up along all the windows. I had to find out what was going on. Through a gap between them, I could see torches below u
Day Two. But I didn’t die there, either. In fact even with my eyes closed all I remember seeing was that bright flashing purple light, then hitting my head on something solid. As I struggle to open my eyes, I make note of something in particular...I’m freezing. Why was it so cold? I put my hands down to the ground as my vision slowly comes back. Was this snow? I hear a grunting sound and I realize I’m actually sitting up against Corvu who had just banged the back of his head into a wall. Pulling back I realize the most important thing. He’s alive. I take a deep breath and look around me. This is familiar. I know where I am. “Ow.” Corvu sighs, grabbing the back of
I’m shocked. The determination and sternness of his voice almost frightens me. Why does he want the amulet now? “I thought you didn’t want the amulet.” I remark. He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment. After he opens them he takes a step toward me, then another. Mimicking his movement until I reach the bench, I practically fall into it. Leaning down to face to face with me he responds, “I don’t, but if it means they won’t torture you to death for it, then you need to give me the amulet.” He wants to protect me? He places his hands on both my knees and kneals between my legs. He was so close to me. Why was he so close to me? “Tia, if they find their way into this castle, they are going to kill you. I’m a Trickster, it would take a lot more effort for them to convince me to let them have the amulet.” The longer he stares into my eyes the harder he’s making i
The dress Sandy laid out for me was actually really beautiful for clothing made around here. It was mostly white underneath with a purple top layer that had silver swirls resembling flowers around all the edges. Perhaps upon seeing the amethyst on the amulet she decided I should stick to a certain color. I wasn’t against it, I thought it suited me well. It wasn’t poofy, in fact it sat on me nicely. I open the doors to my room and see guards standing by it. Were they standing there the whole time? “Are you ready to go to the dining hall, my lady?” One asks me. He sounded quite young beneath the helmet. I nodded as an answer and they directed me where I needed to go. This is going to be a long and confusing day. When I enter the dining hall, everyone is looking at me. This was the first t
Day Twenty-One. Riding to the top of the hill with Corvu and Gecko by my side, we finally see it; Wanbourne. The Capital from this heightened distance was magnificent. There are hundreds of homes, towers and farms circling a great white stone wall, and within those walls I can see towers made of white stone and emerald roofing, accented in glistening gold around all of the edges that glistened in the sunlight. I can’t wait to see what the area looks like from inside. Travelling past a guard tower we make our way inward. Dismounting the horses we walk them through the crowded village. Each home was built with a lot of care upon the dirt and ground beneath it. It was obvious by the flowerpots and colored paint on their front doors that people took pride in their homes. Gecko was right though, it was mostly dominated with humans, although I did see the odd
By the time I’ve picked up enough wood, Corvu and Gecko have made their way to me. I’ve become used to picking good vantage points for campsites, and preparing places for fire. If there’s ever the opportunity, perhaps I will actually go on camping trips when I return home. Gecko decides to sit against a tree trunk, wanting to keep out of the way. I knew he was in a lot of pain, at the very least it looked like his arm was broken, but the deep gash on his forehead and shoulder really needed tending to.“Hey Corvu,” I speak up, “, how far is the next village from where we are?”He thinks for a moment before answering, “If we leave at first light, we can probably make it before dusk.” That was a long ride for a child with a broken arm. Corvu looks at Gecko, noticing exactly why I asked. “I&rsq
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments