Ryder rode with Lyra in front of him, one had around her waist and the other holding the reins of his horse. It had gone dark and the rain was coming down now in showers but still, he rode even faster through the forest. Lyra was delusional, her breathing was shallow and she could not stay stable on the horse. She whimpered a lot and it was evident to see that she was in a lot of pain and desperately needed any sort of healing and release.
“Hold on a little while longer Lyra.” He whispered to her and whipped the reins on the horse even harder.By the time they arrived at the castle, the rain had intensified and it was now nearing the midnight, Lyra had passed out a couple of times on their way here which had caused Ryder to be worried sick out of his mind. They got to the castle faster than the time it had taken them to reach her and without even waiting for his horse to steadily stop, Ryder jumped down, pulling Lyra with him safely into his arms and running inKing Duras was shaken into sobriety, the horrific sight before him, seeing his own commander’s severed head, seeing Dimian Tekren’s severed head on the platter was terrifying enough to do so. He was up on his feet and shaken to the bone, what did they say he had done to be punished in such a manner? And… he turned to look at his queen who looked just as terrified as he did and could not take her eyes of the head on the platter. They had said she had something to do with this as well, but what exactly had they done? What did they commit? And what was their crime?He turned his attention back to the other lady who had been kept in here with them to ensure that they don’t go out of this room. She was just as scary and her laughter sent chills down his spine. She looked determined enough to server their heads as well if she was given a command or an opportunity to do so. Duras swallowed and took a careful step back, his mind could not wrap around what exa
Her sleep this time was dreamless and she was grateful that she did not see that same woman. She took in a deep breath and opened her eyes, parts of her body ached, but otherwise, she felt pretty rejuvenated, like a bear fresh after hibernation. She sighed and blinked once then looked around her, she felt her fingers in someone’s hair and she looked down towards her left hand. Ryder was seated on the floor beside the bed with his head resting on it and his long black hair spread out on the bed. He had his eyes closed but Lyra was sure that he was not asleep.She tried to moved to sit up and his eyes flew open immediately. He turned to her and she paused, frozen in her movement as his eyes remained on her. She flashed him a smile and he frowned, then pushed himself up from off the floor and sat by the edge of the bed. She sat up and rested her back against the head board as an awkward silence descended upon the room.“Do you…?”“How
They rode solo.All four of them; Ryder, Lyra, Iris and Xanth, having left a few of their soldiers in Rocheveron and a number sent back to Astaroth to get more troops. Ryder had the intent of keeping Rocheveron under the control of his army until he had the time to deal with them on his own and he intended on dealing with them. All throughout the ride, he could not take his mind off the things that had happened and he rode steadily beside Lyra, constantly keeping his eyes on her.They had left the Rocheveron castle a little later than Ryder had wanted them to but still in the morning, Iris led the way for them and they only stopped twice in their journey to rest, mostly for Lyra’s sake, much to the annoyance of Iris but she could not do anything other than shoot the girl with death stares and glares.The Tajon river was up ahead, they could see the waters shimmering under the evening light as the sun descended on the right side. They were riding sout
Winter was here now, and it brought with it the first snow of the season. It was cold and it was quiet, eerie quiet. They stood right by the edge of the forest, with the river to their left and the sun on the other side of the forest. Neither one of them hesitated when entering into the forest, neither one of them had in mind the dangers associated with this forest and what drove each one of them was different from what drove the other, but their reasons were very closely intertwined.Ryder went in for Lyra, he was very determined to get through this forest with his Khione in one piece and therefore he was more likely to do anything to prove that.Iris went in because this was their plan all along; to pass through the forest. The fact that the Khione girl was missing really did not affect her, except for the fact that she was Khione and she was very important and valuable to Ryder and to the kingdom of Astaroth.Xanth’s only mission was to act as a body gu
Ryder calmly watched Lyra, he knew he was seeing her because that was her body but that was his Lyra, her eyes glowed like it had done a couple of times when they had been in Astaroth. She had the witch’s spirit in her, his Lyra had been possessed by Indie.He held out his burnt hands to his side and summoned the dark energy from within him, it oozed out of his hands, from his finger tips and around the air close to his hand, until the dark mist formed a sword which he held in his hands. He stood straight and took a step forward.“Indie.” Ryder called. His eyes were darkened now and they burned with a dark smoky mist. His body radiated the same energy and he looked fearful, like a beast ready to go hunting. Lyra turned her head to him and her smile dropped. Ryder fumed and fisted his palm. “Get out of her body.”Xanth turned to look at Ryder and was immediately alarmed. “Ryder, what are you doing?” He whispered to him, s
“I know of your intention with the girl, Ryder of Astaroth.” Indie said. She paced as she spoke, the Khione girl was now asleep because of the spell she had cast on her so she only spoke to Ryder, Xanth and the other lady that had attacked her first, Iris. She perceived jealously and hatred in the lady for the Khione girl and it set in motion a plan in her head. She was a witch and she loved drama, besides it had been a while since she stirred up some kind of trouble.“You may not know this…” She continued at first but then paused and smiled at Ryder, shook her head and chuckled. “Okay you do not know about this but I want to see him again so I will be needing the Khione girl you have with you.”Ryder’s muscles tensed and he frowned even deeper. “And you think I will just let her go? Just so you can see your lover again?”“If you do not agree, then none of you will be leaving this forest. Ever.”
He was back in the forest, the same place where he had been with Xanth, Lyra and Iris before Indie had taken him away. His expression was grim and he didn’t smile, well, not like he had ever been used to smiling, but this time it was different. He stood in front of the portal after he had passed through it and closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath and releasing it slowly through his slightly parted lips. His eyes opened slowly and he fixed them on Lyra who was standing with the support of Xanth. She looked like she had just woken up from the slumber Indie had put her into earlier. He took careful steps towards her until he stood right in front of her and Xanth, and then he took a hold of her arm, a little more forceful than he had intended to, she looked up at him with a pained expression.“Ryder, what are you doing?”“How do we get out of here?” He asked her suddenly.Xanth looked at him in confusion and so did Lyra, Iris came c
There was a reason it was called the Nuxvar village, and that was because it was indeed a village, undeveloped and not bothered about change, or maybe they didn’t know about the change seeing that they were practically cut off from the rest of the world by the Oerth forest and the very crazy Goddess, Indie, of the said forest.There were more people living right at the outskirts of the village by the edge of the forest than they had expected, and the way they were being carefully watched and distanced told them that it was not everyday that someone walked out of the forest coming from the other side. And they had arrived when it was night time.Ryder instinctively wrapped an arm around Lyra’s shoulder and pulled her closer still to himself as they continued walking further into the village. His eyes were sharp and alert, and so were Xanth’s and Iris’. Lyra felt like walking diamond, like a treasure that everyone wanted and would kill to get, and she
“Lord Dixon and lady Annora won’t be staying, they wish to travel the lands, and maybe find settlement somewhere unclaimed.” Xanth said to Ryder as he joined him on the balcony. He had dismissed the elders and generals, taken Iris body to be prepared for burial, settled with Lady and Lord Axeris d’Croix, Ryder’s parents, and arranged with Syrana for her stay and departure the next morning. “They have been away too long,” he sighed. “I can understand that they would feel strange in this place which they once considered to be their home.” “Iris’ body will be buried tomorrow.” he said and then sighed. “Her mother can not be consoled, she was hacking away at Mavrek’s body down in the courtyard outside the castle doors.” Ryder frowned in unbelief and looked at Xanth. “Hacking away?” “With a sword,” He nodded. “It is a mess down there, Ryder.” He looked away from Xanth and leaned on the railing with his elbows, then lowered his head. “Mavrek’s body was never going to be buried anyway,
“He’s killed her too.”He allowed the talk spread around the room without saying a single word as he watched the men talk and whisper among themselves, picking out with his eyes those who believed and those who doubted by the way they reacted to the talk spreading around the room. “How many of you in this very room knew of Mavrek’s journey to Fang Peek and the reason he was going?” he spoke up and everyone hushed.The room fell silent and nobody was willing to give him a reply as they all feared what he might do. He looked around the room once more, studying the expression on their faces, none of them had their heads lifted to meet his gaze and he was beginning to get impatient. He gripped the reins of the horse and whipped it so the animal neighed loudly, stood up on its hind legs, and fell back down on all fours.“How many of you knew?!” he asked again, this time in a louder voice.“All of us knew,” Ulric spoke up. “He had called for a meeting to announce it, but he had known of th
“That’s Iris’ body in the snow over there,” Tezani said to Xanth in a whisper. It had been a day and a half since they moved from Mavrek’s camp, the warriors journeyed with them as they made their way back to Astaroth. The cold here was minimal but the snow was still thick on the ground. Mavrek shivered in the cold, his body and feet were bare and Ryder had not for once stopped to rest. They didn’t run the horses, Ryder didn’t seem to be in a hurry, and all through the journey, he had kept to himself, even Xanth knew to keep a distance because he knew this ruler of Astaroth was troubled and in pain and anger, but he would have to disturb him now as Tezani had just shown him something.He lifted and fist up in the air, signaling for the troop to stop which they did, then he snapped the reins on his horse, hurrying it up to get to Ryder.“Ryder,” he called out, fishing him out of his thoughts and drawing his attention away.“Hmm?” he hummed and turned his head to face Xanth. He was ti
"Xanth and I will enter the tent, the rest of you, wait outside, where he cannot see you."They sat on their horses afar off, where Mavrek’s camp was now visible to them, Tezani had led them here and they had found his camp to be exactly where she had predicted it would be. The general journeyed slowly, and it was not just the size of the warriors that slowed him down. He had already spent weeks on a journey of just a few days, it was the general’s pride, to think he could make it to Fang Peek before Ryder would.“His tent would be the one positioned close to the forefront,” Tezani said to Ryder. “And it would be the largest too.”“Good,” Ryder hummed and kicked his horse in the side. “That should give us the advantage of surprising him.”* * * * * * *“General?” a warrior positioned at the tent’s entrance as a guard called out to Mavrek from outside. “You have a er…”Mavrek frowned, struggling to take off his armor. “I have a what?!” he yelled out in frustration, nothing
“Ryder…” Xanth called calmly as he quietly approached Ryder who was kneeling down by the edge of the ledge. The fiery pit had grown cold and was quiet now and the cave was slowly losing the heat, welcoming the cold.“She is gone,” Ryder said softly and lifted his head up to the cave ceiling. He let out a sigh, folded his lips, and raised his eyebrows, his eyeballs darting from left to right as he felt tears coming. His heart ached terribly and his body shivered. “She is gone,” he repeated with another sigh.Xanth turned around when he heard footsteps running, only to see Syrana and Tezani. Syrana looked at him asking him questions with her gaze, but he just blinked once and looked away from her. She sucked in a breath and her body crashed into the cave wall, she clutched on to her dress around her chest area and slowly fell to the floor as tears pooled out of her eyes.“Lyra…” she sobbed. “My baby girl.”Ryder turned his head to see who had just come into the cave and he saw the white
His wound refused to heal and he was losing blood fast, he groaned and leaned on the horse as it slowed down to a gallop, approaching the mouth of the cave. His body felt extremely weak and he wondered what indie must have applied on that sword she stabbed him with that was stopping his body from regenerating.He groaned as he fell off the horse and onto the hard, hot ground. Never in his life had he felt this way, and he hated it, the feeling of being vulnerable as he was now. He knew that if anyone was to come for him, to kill him, they would succeed in that, he couldn’t even muster the strength to use his powers.He managed to get on his feet, leaning against the cave walls, he stumbled further into the cave where he found Borox, sitting up and propped against the cave wall with a small knife wedged into the side of his neck.“Borox,” Ryder called and went to him, crashing on the ground on his knee beside him, he took the man’s hand and had genuine pain in his eyes. The pain of see
They had all heard the noise, the loud bang from far behind, toward their far left and they had turned just in time to see a mushroom of fire rise up and then die out. The noise had spooked the horses and they stopped riding.“What was that?” Tezani asked no one in particular.“The wizard maybe,” Xanth replied. “But a blast of such magnitude? What is he doing?”“Practicing spells?” Syrana chipped in. “Prepping for a battle.”They both turned to look at her and Xanth’s heart fell, if they could not find Ryder in time and get him to perform the sacrifice with Tezani, then Osyron would break free of his prison and it would be bye-bye to the world as they knew it to be.“What if we can’t get to Ryder in time?” Tezani asked Xanth as if she had been reading his mind.He let out a breath. “Can you go back to Mavrek?”She shook her head and looked down at her horse, she didn’t want to go back to him. She couldn’t. She hated herself for still loving him when all he had ever done was lie to her
“They are close now,” Vixra said as she galloped on her horse. She had Pythias riding beside her, Royn and the rest of the warriors rode just behind. “I can sense the girl.”She pulled out the bow hanging on the horse behind her and an arrow, she let go of the horse’s reins but still managed to stay perfectly positioned on the horse. She positioned the arrow in the bow and drew it as far back as she could, closed her eyes and whispered a spell then released the arrow to fly. Without delay, she drew another arrow, whispered the same spell, and let it fly as well.She flung the bow to the side and gripped the horse’s reins, taking control of the animal’s movements. Within seconds, Ryder and his team were within sight. Vixra smirked when she saw that Lyra had been knocked down to the ground, one of the arrows had pierced the horse she had been on, and the other arrow had struck Ryder in the shoulder, causing him to fall off his horse as well.“Do not let them escape!” she yelled out the c
The group traveled in silence with Lyra at the forefront, Ryder just tagging behind her, Borox and the rest of his men followed behind. They had ridden way past the city of Beor and were far away from the Erstonian castle so it was safe for them to just allow the horses to walk for a bit.The landscape was slowly changing the further they journeyed, the snow here was lesser, and from a distance, she could see mountains different from the ones she had been used to seeing in Erstonia, these had no snow covering them and nothing grew in the ground around them.“Fang Peek,” she whispered and felt a chill run down her spine. Fear engulfed her as the weight of what she had agreed to do rested on her heavily. In only a couple of hours, she would be dead, Ryder would head on back to Astaroth and life would continue for them just as normal.She thought of Xanth, the man was softer than Ryder, and a lot more understanding, and yes she would miss him dearly. The last time she had seen him was we