The very next day we set off on foot towards the Cave of Noelle. None of us knew where we were going, but Robert strangely seemed to know the way. Luca would occasionally make comments about heading the long way, or that Robert was going in the opposite direction. Of course, all his words fell on deaf ears. No one believed him, but for some reason, I couldn't shake this feeling of him. He was odd and seemed to hold so many secrets.As we walked through the forest, I noticed a few white patches along the ground. Snow was falling in this area already, and the cold chill in the air only proved it. Pulling my fur coat tighter around my body, I let out a shaky sigh. My stomach hurt with each step I took, and as time went on I was feeling my body weaken.Shaking my head, I licked my bottom lip. The sound of a small whine to my left had me gazing up at Torren. His eyes were cast down at me, and as I gazed up into his eyes they softened. Moving his head down to mine, Torren gently nudged my s
"Here you go." Passing me a small wooden bowl filled with soup, Talios offered me a small smile. Although it didn't reach his eyes, I could tell he meant well. Since we stopped for rest, everyone seemed to be on high alert. They knew something, I could tell and whatever it was they weren't telling me.Off to the side near a large oak tree, William and Robert were huddled close as they gazed at a small map. I could see their fingers pointing to certain locations on the map, but no matter how hard I tried to listen to their conversation, I was only able to pick up on a few words.A gentle nudge to my side, had me jumping slightly in shock. Moving my gaze to Torren, I noticed his eyes too seemed to be on alert. They were darting around the forest as if he was expecting someone or something to jump out at any moment.Moving closer towards him, I rested my back against his shoulder. Although he was smaller than Aurora, he still seemed to bring me comfort. Placing some of the contents from
Walking down the long corridor that led to the holding cell, the sound of growls emitted from under the large wooden door at the far end only caused the man to smile. Pulling his long red cape closer to his body, he nodded at the man at the door.Once the door opened, his smirk grew in size as he gazed at the dragon in front of him. Barring her teeth at the rogues who tried to get closer to her, Aurora snapped her large teeth in warning. Laughing, the man walked closer catching Aurora's attention. Growling towards him in warning, she lowered her body."Easy now, we don't want to wear her out too quickly." He said.Stepping closer, the light caught his face causing Aurora to growl threateningly at him.Step closer and I'll make sure my jaws clamp around your face.As if he could hear her, the man raised his hand. "Be kind dragon... I'm not afraid to hurt you, or your precious rider."Growling, Aurora lowered her body further in warning. The chains around her rattled at her movement, th
Night had fallen upon the land of Athena quicker today. People who remained around the villages locked themselves in knowing what was to come. Rumours had spread about the night quicker than anything they had seen.Mothers had sent their children into secret tunnels hidden around villages, with the males rushing around to put on armour and find weapons. Something bad was coming and they could feel it. The days of the riders had finally vanished and all had now lost hope. It had been over a year now since the attack on the kingdom, and no one had hope.As the moon began to rise in the night sky, loud growls and chanting seemed to come from the woods. Those creatures of the night the riders had been able to keep locked away in the forest, now had free reign as the red moon began to make its way higher into the sky.Walking towards the stone table, Anna gripped the knife tighter in her hand. Lying on the table with nothing on, Markus' pale blue form lay still. All life had ceased when Ab
Pulling the string of my bow back, I released my finger. Watching the arrow sail through the air, I sighed when the arrow hit straight into the fake body. I was currently in the training room for the soldier elves.Going against what William wanted me to do, I decided I needed to train. It had been nearly a year since I could use my bow. Being injured meant others had to protect me but not anymore. I was going to show them that I was able to go straight to Toban and take back Aurora. If anyone tried to get in my way, I'd get rid of them too.Pulling another arrow from the quiver, I aligned it up at the body. Gritting my teeth, I closed my eyes. Energy surged through my body, the feeling almost welcoming to me. Opening my eyes, I zeroed in on the area I wanted to hit."bel-," I whispered as my finger let go of the arrow. Hitting the target with a loud whistle, I watched the stuffed body burst into pieces. As soon as the arrow hit the body, it instantly exploded. Gazing at the falling h
After what had happened, King Arod had summoned the council for an emergency meeting. Something wasn't right and we could all feel it. The air seemed more thick and heavy than it had only a day ago. Now that Markus could reach me at any given time, I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid.I still didn't understand why or how he was back. I know I had killed him, and every time I played the scene out in my head it ended the same way. Death. There was no explanation as to how he was alive.Sighing, I sunk further into the dark wooden chair. On either side of me was Luca and William. William had refused to leave my side since I entered the room, as for Luca he pushed an elderly Elf out of the seat before throwing a smirk my way.Sighing, I ran my fingers across the mark on my cheek. I was still confused as to how I was able to be hurt when my body was still left there. I had wished that it was all but another vision but with me being able to sustain injuries, it was anything but a vis
"You want to help me, but why?"Smirking, he sighed. "They want to keep you away from your dragon, and I know that's not a good idea."Gazing back at the water, I mulled over his words. How did he know keeping a rider from its dragon was a bad idea? If a rider was away from their dragon for too long, their connection would start to fade. Although the rider would be fine, their dragon's energy would slowly fade until they died. I needed Aurora back that was for sure but if I left, William would be furious. Did I want to disappoint him?With gritted teeth, I walked into the water. It was warm, unlike the cold winter air just outside the cave walls. Turning my head slightly, I watched Luca. He made no move towards me, instead he seemed to be watching my every step.Walking further into the water, I closed my eyes. It felt like the blood in my veins was alive as I stood there, and I enjoyed the warmth the water provided. The sound of splashing echoed around the cave, and as I opened my ey
"Well?"Bowing his head, he whispered. "She is coming."A satisfied smile graced Anna's lips as she turned to the man beside her. "Well done." As she gazed at the man her smile fell. "I want her to suffer, Markus."Bowing, Markus placed his hand across his chest. "Your wish is my command, my Queen."Turning her attention to the kingdom, her smile returned. Her eyes danced over the view in front of her, as her smile grew. "I want all of my people to see her fall. I want them to know that I am the only one with the power to keep the red moon around, and only I can take it away.""You are the strongest Queen they have, one that will see even Toban falling to his knees."A small chuckle escaped her lips. Turning away from the balcony, Anna made her way down towards the holding cells. "Toban was too blind to see what I had planned. Besides, he is old now and all he wants is his precious daughter."Falling into step by Anna's side, Markus nodded. "Are you going to let her go to him?"A laug
flashbackThe air was thick with heavy smoke. Buildings around the village had been torched by the Rogues, as Toban's men pulled all the women and children to the small clearing. Off to the side, men were being pulled towards the forest where they would soon be killed. Their screams could be heard from where Sarah was hiding, causing a chill to seep deep within her bones.Upon the first set of screams heard from the farming area, she had hidden in the back corner of her hut. From here she was sure she wouldn't be seen. As the sound of footsteps came closer to her, she prayed no one would see her. She wasn't about to let these people come in and take what they wanted.As carefully as she could without making any sound, Sarah reached down to grasp the knife strapped to her thigh. If they were going to take her, then she was going to give them one hell of a fight. There was no way she was going to just let them drag her out there without a few cuts from the sharp blade in her hand.Takin
Walking towards the room where Abagail was sleeping, William fixed the cuffs of his shirt. Tonight he wanted to take her back to the water where she was healed. He wanted to spend the night with her, and hopefully tell her how much he cared for her.In all his years he had never felt this way about someone. The way she would stand up to the other men or the way she easily made orders stirred something in him. He wanted to protect her but at the same time, he wanted to watch her rule like he knew she could. After all, she was born to rule.Even though her father may be Toban, William knew she was nothing like him. She was kind-hearted and caring to those around her. She wanted peace whereas Toban wanted darkness and for everyone to bow down to him. William would not let that happen. He would rather die than bow down to him.Taking a deep breath he cleared his throat. Standing at the white canvas of the curtain that separated him from Abagail, he felt his nerves prickle along his skin.
Screams echoed throughout the vast field. Women and children ran from the scene as men tried their best to stop the rogue's attack, to no avail. It was all in vain as the rogues were too strong. The women screamed as their children were ripped away, and their kids screamed for their parents to save them. No one would, for they knew going against their King would end them up dead.Sitting atop his horse, Toban smirked down at the village below him. Dragons in different shades of red and grey flew around breathing fire on the once happy village. This is what he wanted. He wanted the village to remember who their king was and who their king would always be. Once Toban had the Great Book, he would be able to live forever.The power the book would give him would be enough to have him living for many moons to come. Hearing the scream of his people, Toban turned to look at his general. "I want all of them brought back to the Palace at once."Bowing his head, the general nodded. "Yes, my King
"Well?"Bowing his head, he whispered. "She is coming."A satisfied smile graced Anna's lips as she turned to the man beside her. "Well done." As she gazed at the man her smile fell. "I want her to suffer, Markus."Bowing, Markus placed his hand across his chest. "Your wish is my command, my Queen."Turning her attention to the kingdom, her smile returned. Her eyes danced over the view in front of her, as her smile grew. "I want all of my people to see her fall. I want them to know that I am the only one with the power to keep the red moon around, and only I can take it away.""You are the strongest Queen they have, one that will see even Toban falling to his knees."A small chuckle escaped her lips. Turning away from the balcony, Anna made her way down towards the holding cells. "Toban was too blind to see what I had planned. Besides, he is old now and all he wants is his precious daughter."Falling into step by Anna's side, Markus nodded. "Are you going to let her go to him?"A laug
"You want to help me, but why?"Smirking, he sighed. "They want to keep you away from your dragon, and I know that's not a good idea."Gazing back at the water, I mulled over his words. How did he know keeping a rider from its dragon was a bad idea? If a rider was away from their dragon for too long, their connection would start to fade. Although the rider would be fine, their dragon's energy would slowly fade until they died. I needed Aurora back that was for sure but if I left, William would be furious. Did I want to disappoint him?With gritted teeth, I walked into the water. It was warm, unlike the cold winter air just outside the cave walls. Turning my head slightly, I watched Luca. He made no move towards me, instead he seemed to be watching my every step.Walking further into the water, I closed my eyes. It felt like the blood in my veins was alive as I stood there, and I enjoyed the warmth the water provided. The sound of splashing echoed around the cave, and as I opened my ey
After what had happened, King Arod had summoned the council for an emergency meeting. Something wasn't right and we could all feel it. The air seemed more thick and heavy than it had only a day ago. Now that Markus could reach me at any given time, I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid.I still didn't understand why or how he was back. I know I had killed him, and every time I played the scene out in my head it ended the same way. Death. There was no explanation as to how he was alive.Sighing, I sunk further into the dark wooden chair. On either side of me was Luca and William. William had refused to leave my side since I entered the room, as for Luca he pushed an elderly Elf out of the seat before throwing a smirk my way.Sighing, I ran my fingers across the mark on my cheek. I was still confused as to how I was able to be hurt when my body was still left there. I had wished that it was all but another vision but with me being able to sustain injuries, it was anything but a vis
Pulling the string of my bow back, I released my finger. Watching the arrow sail through the air, I sighed when the arrow hit straight into the fake body. I was currently in the training room for the soldier elves.Going against what William wanted me to do, I decided I needed to train. It had been nearly a year since I could use my bow. Being injured meant others had to protect me but not anymore. I was going to show them that I was able to go straight to Toban and take back Aurora. If anyone tried to get in my way, I'd get rid of them too.Pulling another arrow from the quiver, I aligned it up at the body. Gritting my teeth, I closed my eyes. Energy surged through my body, the feeling almost welcoming to me. Opening my eyes, I zeroed in on the area I wanted to hit."bel-," I whispered as my finger let go of the arrow. Hitting the target with a loud whistle, I watched the stuffed body burst into pieces. As soon as the arrow hit the body, it instantly exploded. Gazing at the falling h
Night had fallen upon the land of Athena quicker today. People who remained around the villages locked themselves in knowing what was to come. Rumours had spread about the night quicker than anything they had seen.Mothers had sent their children into secret tunnels hidden around villages, with the males rushing around to put on armour and find weapons. Something bad was coming and they could feel it. The days of the riders had finally vanished and all had now lost hope. It had been over a year now since the attack on the kingdom, and no one had hope.As the moon began to rise in the night sky, loud growls and chanting seemed to come from the woods. Those creatures of the night the riders had been able to keep locked away in the forest, now had free reign as the red moon began to make its way higher into the sky.Walking towards the stone table, Anna gripped the knife tighter in her hand. Lying on the table with nothing on, Markus' pale blue form lay still. All life had ceased when Ab
Walking down the long corridor that led to the holding cell, the sound of growls emitted from under the large wooden door at the far end only caused the man to smile. Pulling his long red cape closer to his body, he nodded at the man at the door.Once the door opened, his smirk grew in size as he gazed at the dragon in front of him. Barring her teeth at the rogues who tried to get closer to her, Aurora snapped her large teeth in warning. Laughing, the man walked closer catching Aurora's attention. Growling towards him in warning, she lowered her body."Easy now, we don't want to wear her out too quickly." He said.Stepping closer, the light caught his face causing Aurora to growl threateningly at him.Step closer and I'll make sure my jaws clamp around your face.As if he could hear her, the man raised his hand. "Be kind dragon... I'm not afraid to hurt you, or your precious rider."Growling, Aurora lowered her body further in warning. The chains around her rattled at her movement, th