SAELYNAI'm running through the village. My eyes are hot with tears, stinging with the smoke that blocks the air, my throat burns with my brother's name. I stumble on a body; it's an elf, his open dark blue eyes piercingly accusing, hand flung out as if reaching for mine.I gasp as I pick up and continue my deranged search. The screams echo through my very being, I can taste their tears, the blood.Quain stands in front of me, eyes wide with fear. His thick hair falls over his face, and there is no burn on the left side of it. 'Come on!' he yells, reaching for my hand. 'Cyran!' I yell back, 'I have to find my brother!' He gives me one last frantic gaze before disappearing around a corner, fast as a hare.Quain.One second I'm staring at death, the next he's in front of me and his name replaces their screams in my head. Right next to the horrible crack of breaking bone, as he falls to the ground with a thud that sounds so very far away.I barely have time to register the pool of blood
CYRANThe world is a haze of a furious, dark blue, and everyone I see are black shapes within it, claws and all, they are threats to me. I can't stop. I have to get out of here. We have to. Another steps in front of me; mage or wolven, I cannot tell; his eyes glaring a weird violet through the harsh blue. Saelyna throws her arm forward, and hurls a bolt of iden at him, ripping him cleanly in half. We storm forward, through the forest, two unstoppable forces brining anything in our path. Someone calls out my name and hers. I pause, more because it is a roar, loud and reverberating through my bones. We both turn at the sound. A wolven, fully transformed stalks towards us, as tall as Argell but more terrifying. I still can't see properly, and the magic within threatens to burst at the slightest impulse, but I don't need to look any further when I recognize the deep sea green eyes of Veesa. Someones zips at her, a flash of horns and fangs, but she grabs the hybrid out if the air like a
KEILENIt is large, not so large but big enough to cover my entire palm, and warm to the touch. I stare at it closely, at the swirling patterns on its shell, the colours blending within the oval. Beauty in solid form.I can't take my eyes away from it, even though I want to so badly. There is a strange fascination that posseses me, not of my doing, but decidedly eerie. Maybe it's because I'm too disoriented to know a thing. No, that's wrong. At least I know where I am.The void. The name comes quickly, a sharp, instinctive response to an unasked question. But it fits this crushing web of darkness that threatens to be my end, that keeps me trapped as long as the spider wants.I increase the pressure on the stone, and close my eyes. Even that makes no difference, though it's a bit lighter than the bleakness around me.I flip my eyelids open and she's in front of me, her lips part slightly in a wide, wholesome, perfect grin. I yelp, flinging out my claws with surprise, and it catches her
CAIVANThe smell of burning thatch is thick in the air, and it still lingers on my coat if all traces of the inferno have vanished. Barely minutes ago, someone had set flames to Eldad. And I sit here, among the soft grass of the plateau, in the quiet peace of the morning sun, watching the last thick tendrils sail upwards, its black soul tarnishing the tranquil blue of the sky above.The wolf snarls something at me. I scoff quietly but I don't reply. I wouldn't know what to say, being half-wolven and all. The irony tugs at the back of my mind and I want to laugh again. I've been wanting to do so since the chaos that ensued yesterday. Since coming up here and finding the wolves had been killed in their sleep; how, I know not; but one had the sense to flee the attack. And he's been behind me since I found him nursing his wounds behind a particularly giant rewan tree near the creek, on one of many reconnaissance missions.He snarls at me again, and this time, I think he's asking what happ
RONNUsing a map looks easier than it actually is. Argell had a certain fluidity to it, the way he'd tilt his head and frown impressively while he stared at the very same map I now hold in my hands. And all it is to me is a network of blue lines, red dots and yellow impressions. I can barely make out the name, "Tussel" and even then, the lines jumble up the whole thing.They don't mean a river, though, I'm sure of that; the creek runs across the plains and ruins of Eldad behind me, separating these parts from the forest that line the borders of Asthan. No, these lines mean something else, most probably some secret meant for the "inner circle".And where are they now? Argell, Veesa, Haron, Jenna. The twins. Caivan. The son of a bitch who had vanished immediately those beasts attacked. I had caught a whiff of his scent, above the starks smell of smoke, but was in no mood to go for a bleeding scout. And definitely not in a mood to see his face. There is only one place they would all have
CAIVANThere is a reason these back roads are not plied regularly, or at all, for the same reason the valley is called Delagad. They are not the safest to follow, especially not when winter is close, even if they are removed from clear sight. Gazens constitute a major part of my angst, however; one or two we can handle, but a herd? Lian; the name had come naturally to me, the Sneyan name for Lupion's forerunner, and he seems to like it; sniffs at a cluster of purple flowers beneath a large tree to my left. I'm about to point out that curali are not exactly nose-friendly when he sneezes violently, backing away from them with a snarl. 'Keep your nose to yourself,' I caution. Not that I should bother. This wolf is particularly bull-headed. I squint down the path that winds through the tress ahead of us like one giant snake, crossing my fingers with superstitious instinctiveness at the thought of the dreaded creature. I've only taken the back roads this far south once, and I had been wi
CAIVANBy the gods, they are fast, even for me. There is no telling their number and that has got to be the scariest fact that faces me (or in this case, pursues me). I take a sharp turn, veering off the path and into the unmarked parts of the forest. Another warning tugs at my mind, one that I studiously ignore. Lian, the big brute, is a long way ahead of me, too fast for me to follow, and a sure temptation to transform.Come now, Caivan. You can evade them. No need to give in to that scary part of you.Something catches at my foot, and I go tumbling down a slope I had not seen in the first place. Plants catch at my hair, scratch my cheeks, have at my clothes. I reach out sharply as soon as the ground becomes smooth enough for my grip, and dig my claws into the earth, just as a pond comes up to meet me. Lian growls softly at me a little way to my left, half-hidden beneath some bushes. The beast must had tripped me up, bless his hide. I limp over to the small outcrop overlooking the
CAIVANI eye the bow in her grip with an old fear. There's something about the way she wields it that sets me off. Most wolvens are fast, usually quicker than weapons. Arrows seem to find that fact amusing and untrue. It's no wonder Gylen lost his eye to Cyran, though it would have to be close enough for him not to notice it on time. As this one is. Daena notices my uneasy stare and cocks her head. 'You don't like bows?' she asks. 'No,' I reply evenly, 'Just don't trust people that carry them about'. Camille makes a small noise, like she's stifling a snort. 'I saved your life back there,' Daena says, a little too quickly. 'I did not exactly call for one. Regardless, it looks to me like you two need my help more than I do yours,' I point out clearly, and she purses her lips in silent agreement. 'We told you everything, sir. We are not your enemies'. I find myself nodding quietly, because they are not, I realize. Not in the least. The blonde one keeps shooting glances behind us, down
Reflections Their progress was slow, and the constant motion did little to lessen the stress that weighed heavily on their hearts. Each minute brought them closer to the witch, closer to the woman who threatened the safety of the people of Eriu and their future. Every inch took them further away from home, further away from their families and their friends. Time was running short, and soon enough they would be forced to make a choice. Either they could save their Kingdom or die trying. They had lost track of the number of times they had narrowly escaped the clutches of the witches; yet, none of them gave up hope. A feeling of uneasiness settled inside of them, an uncertainty that they were approaching the center of the witch’s domain. Finally, the group reached an intersection, and all eyes turned in unison towards the hallway that split down the middle, one path leading to freedom and the other to destruction. The Queen raised a trembling hand towards the rightmost passage, ta
Their progress was slow, and the constant motion did little to lessen the stress that weighed heavily on their hearts. Each minute brought them closer to the witch, closer to the woman who threatened the safety of the people of Eriu and their future. Every inch took them further away from home, further away from their families and their friends. Time was running short, and soon enough they would be forced to make a choice. Either they could save their Kingdom or die trying.They had lost track of the number of times they had narrowly escaped the clutches of the witches; yet, none of them gave up hope. A feeling of uneasiness settled inside of them, an uncertainty that they were approaching the center of the witch’s domain.Finally, the group reached an intersection, and all eyes turned in unison towards the hallway that split down the middle, one path leading to freedom and the other to destruction. The Queen raised a trembling hand towards the rightmost passage, taking a deep breath,
With the amulet clutched tightly in his hand, Caivan rejoined Saelyna and Gylen, his expression determined. “I’ve found it,” he declared, his voice filled with a mix of hope and determination.As Cyran continued to engage the witch in a fierce battle, Saelyna stepped forward, her eyes meeting Caivan’s. “Give me the amulet, Caivan. It will amplify my magic and weaken her grip on the Queen.”Caivan nodded, passing the amulet to Saelyna with care. “Use it well, Saelyna. We’re counting on you.”Saelyna held the amulet close to her chest, feeling its power resonate within her. She took a deep breath, channeling her courage, her determination, and the collective strength of her friends.In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The air crackled with anticipation as Saelyna prepared to confront the witch head-on, armed with the ancient incantation and the newfound power of the amulet. The final battle was about to begin, and Saelyna was ready to seize their chance at victory.The room puls
Caught in the crossfire SAELYNAQuain let out a long sigh, he was very curious, but, seeing how I answered, he thought he didn't want to disturb my concentration. I tried to concentrate as I thought about the sentences I had read from Gylen's writing.The sound of the door opening made Quain and I turn our heads. Caivan had just come out in the clothes he had changed into."Quain," Caivan called, causing Quain to raise half an eyebrow in surprise. "Me, Saelyna, Cryan, and Gylen are leaving. I trust you to take care of the others. Stay alert and keep an eye on the surroundings. Don't trust anyone except Prince Charles. I'll be back in a little over an hour, but if we're not back in an hour, I authorize you to take the others with you. Caivan gave Quain a message, then reached for me. "Leave the stone the queen gave to Quain, so he can access it if anything happens to us."I immediately nodded in understanding, it was only fitting that Caivan became an Alpha, famous for his ruthless wa
Walking togetherCAIVANThe one I've been waiting for has finally arrived. Saelyna and Cryan came into my room."There's Gylen too," Cryan said to himself, then Gylen told him to sit by his side while Saelyna sat next to me."Why are you all here? Are you having a little meeting?" Saelyna asked with a half-raised eyebrow in surprise."No, we're just having a little discussion," I replied, standing in for Gylen.While Saelyna just nodded in understanding. "What about when you met Prince Charles? What did you talk about?" Saelyna suddenly remembered and asked me and Gylen."I'll explain it to you, but first I have to ask you," I grumbled as I looked at Saelyna from the side, then I picked up a map and some notes we had made because it would be useful for Saelyna and we didn't have to go too far in explaining it. It was all done by Gylen before the two of them came to my room."Everything is summarised here. I'll explain later. But where are you going?" I said, wondering when I saw that
An unsolved mysterySAELYNA"Are you called the Queen?"I nodded my head as Caivan asked. "I will see her now." I quickly closed the door to the room as Caivan made way for me. Maybe Cryan had told him. "When I get back, tell me what happened while you were talking to the prince."Caivan followed my footsteps towards the room where the Queen was. "Of course, you must be careful. I will be waiting for you in the room." When we reached the centre room, with the Queen's room in front of it, guarded by several soldiers, Caivan told me to leave and that he would return to his room.Feeling my heart pounding, I steadied myself before walking over. The soldiers made way for me to pass, apparently they had been informed by the Queen that I was her guest."Excuse me Queen, it's a pleasure to be here and thank you for inviting me." I bowed slightly and waved my hands in front of my stomach.The Queen, who was in her seat, smiled at me and then told me to sit down in one of the empty chairs she
An unsolved mysterySAELYNA"Are you called the Queen?"I nodded my head as Caivan asked. "I will see her now." I quickly closed the door to the room as Caivan made way for me. Maybe Cryan had told him. "When I get back, tell me what happened while you were talking to the prince."Caivan followed my footsteps towards the room where the Queen was. "Of course, you must be careful. I will be waiting for you in the room." When we reached the centre room, with the Queen's room in front of it, guarded by several soldiers, Caivan told me to leave and that he would return to his room.Feeling my heart pounding, I steadied myself before walking over. The soldiers made way for me to pass, apparently they had been informed by the Queen that I was her guest."Excuse me Queen, it's a pleasure to be here and thank you for inviting me." I bowed slightly and waved my hands in front of my stomach.The Queen, who was in her seat, smiled at me and then told me to sit down in one of the empty chairs she
First mission CAIVANI saw the Prince's legs move, he was about to turn and face us. This was the first time we had met, and I had sent the Prince a letter before we had spoken by telephone."Yes, you are my people. And we should protect you if you need our help." The Prince smiled broadly, he was quite handsome and authoritative. He shook his robes back, then walked over to me. I sat up and looked at him seriously. "Have you looked around your room?" he asked again as we faced each other."I have, Your Honour." I wasn't the only one who answered him, my friends in the back also replied."All right, just call me Charles. Are you the leader of them? Is your name Caivan? It's good to see you here, I hear you're a great fighter. If you are not tired from travelling and have more time, perhaps we can have a chat first. Or if you want to bring your deputy with you, that's fine too.I smiled broadly at that, then nodded briefly. "At your service, Your Honour." Then I turned to look at Gyle
Prince's welcome SAELYNAI don't want to, he must be very tired. And who really needs to be carried by Caivan? We decided to walk together. Five minutes was not too far and long, we could observe each other's surroundings and make small talk."Later we will come to a village where people live a simple life and we have to be friendly, don't make any noise. Be polite if you want to pass through their area, when we walk again we will meet the market before entering the city park and there we can see the huge city of Lexington. Then our goal is to find one of the kingdoms there, the kingdom of Brahzeil is the largest and has a lot of knowledge we can seek. There is a prince there who will help us, I hope you don't make a fuss. This prince is called Charles". Gylen explained to the others as Caivan's representative, while they all nodded in agreement. There are ten of us on this journey. We had a well thought out plan and had made sure that we would not betray each other.After about five