IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ BELOW SENTENCE![]
Please, to anybody who views this, DO NOT EVER EDIT ANY PART OF THE STORY, EVER AT ANY TIME, PERIOD.
I may be working on it and it can be soul-crushing to see hours of work disappear. It is even harder to recover that. So NEVER TOUCH MY STORY. AT ANY TIME. If there is a mistake you want to fix, then kindly tell me via the comments. Thank you!
Chapter 1: Bride[]
I felt a sense of gloom in the air. I looked up at the sky, seeing the dark gray clouds, not a bit of blue anywhere as I continued sweeping. I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. I would be getting married tomorrow. Then I'd be safe from the curse. My family had been cursed ever since...well, no one could remember...except perhaps Old Ra. Oh, shoot. I always forget the intro. I'm Flare. My parents named me that because they said I shine so brightly, like a Flare from the sun. Doesn't stop the town boys from teasing me though...Anyway, My family is the Ra family, because we are supposedly descended from the great Sun god, Ra. I consider us lucky that we have no priests here. BACK TO THE STORY. Sorry. (Can we get a reminder for me to stay on topic, producer?) Where were we? Oh yeah! Old Ra, the oldest member of our family. We have no idea how he managed to live to 200...He's my great-great....30-something great-grandpa. The curse always strikes the women of the Ra family on their 20th birthday. Terrible things happen. It's only happened once I can remember when I was really young. Shadows, screaming, hisses, like a giant serpent. A cold chill falls across me as I sweep. I had two weeks until my birthday. I'll be 20...Two weeks until the curse comes for me.
BUT! I'm getting married, and for whatever reason, the curse doesn't take married women...I have no idea why, so don't ask. Footsteps behind me snap me out of my thoughts...great. My soon-to-be-husband. I get married tomorrow. To a pale, black-haired, 25-year-old man named...Far Darkwell. Because he's the richest, eligible bachelor, looking for a wife. Needless to say, in a classic story like so...I was A, not marrying for love, B, I got a bad feeling about him. He smiled as I straightened and turned to face him. It wasn't a nice smile, more...triumphant. Like I was married to him already. Arrogant butthead. "Hello...Far." I said, making an effort not to glare, as usual.
"Hello, dear Flare. Hard at work, I see?" he said, still with that smile. I took a couple of deep breaths to stop from slapping that smile off his face. My fingers itched to give him a good right hook to the jaw, followed by a nice left uppercut. He smiled like he knew what I was thinking. His eyes darted to my hand and I saw his eyes suddenly tighten, an expression I knew well. He was irritated, but...was that...fear in his eyes? It was! "Dearest Flare...Honey. Why aren't you wearing your ring?" I gritted my teeth. The nerve! I'm not your wife, not yet! I thought, not liking already being called 'Honey'. I imagine you can't wait, to have me, your beautiful, meek little housewife. I couldn't help it. My eyes narrowed and I took a step forward. He didn't seem to have noticed my sudden hostility. He was focused on something else...His eyes snapped back to me. "I hardly imagine you'd be very meek, but yes, I do think I'll enjoy it. Having you, Flare Ra, at my every beck and call, forced to do my orders. Yes. I imagine that'll break your...free...spirit nicely." He smiled. Wait a minute...did he...did he..."Yes, I did. Your thoughts are so very interesting, even more so compared to the others."
"Stay out of my head!" I hissed at him.
"Or? I hardly think it'd be wise to hit your husband."
"I'm not yours yet!" I snapped. Of course, he wins every argument, reading my thoughts...like now for example. GET OUT!!!! I thought. He reeled back, surprise on his face.
"How did you do that?!" he snapped at me, anger and surprise the most dominant emotions on his face. He grabbed my arm and I couldn't help it. I reacted instinctively.
My fist came up and boom! Left hook. I felt the savagery of the blow. His hands flew up to his mouth as he stepped back. They came back with blood. He glared at me. "You little wench!" he smiled. "Oh...you'll regret that! I can assure you!" he smiled, taking a step toward me. I smiled.
"Bring it on!" I turned and ran, my bare feet racing across the grass as I fled. I glanced back and saw he hadn't moved, but I kept running, feeling the air rush through my hair, and I went into the woods. My feet thudded on the dirt as birds chirped around me. I made my way to a small sheltered area and sat down. I listened to the birds and squirrels, admiring the light on the green leaves. I thought back to the confrontation. "How did you do that!?" he snapped, angry and surprised. What was he talking about...wait. I feel that presence, didn't realize he was reading my thoughts before but that's probably what it was...I shouted 'get out' at it...right? Did I...Force him out?! Really??? SWEET!!! I tried to avoid the whole, 'you'll regret that part'. I took a couple more minutes to relax and then headed back for dinner or something. As I fell asleep that night, I couldn't suppress a feeling that bad things would happen tomorrow. Bad, bad, very bad things.
I stood in front of the mirror and looked at the big, white poofy dress, lace and pearls, and...pins. Ow. I thought, wincing as one stabbed me. "I still don't realize why I have to wear white, not green," I said.
"It's tradition, honey, every bride wears white." My mom responded. "You look beautiful." Like that helps. I flinched, thinking about his nasty, cold lips touching mine at the end of the ceremony. I took a deep breath. Blue skies, sunny days, sunshine, warmth, happiness. Happy thoughts, come on, I can do this. Flare Ra. Come on. I thought, readying myself. Mom didn't seem to notice my worries as she handed me my bouquet of pale pink and peach-colored roses. Not my choice, of course. We began walking down the aisle. As I felt the presence I now recognized as Far's mind-reading, I shoved it out. A quick look of annoyance passed over his features before he plastered a fake smile back on his horrible face. I smiled triumphantly at him as we reached the wedding arch. He just glared back. I noticed that his right cheek was slightly swollen from my left hook yesterday. He didn't need mind-reading to know that I was contemplating making his face match. He smiled at me though, a twisted, wrong smile, and I knew, suddenly, without a doubt, that I COULD NOT marry him, no matter what. Quickly, before anyone could stop me, I drew back my fist and gave him a good right hook to the jaw! Savage pleasure flooded me as everyone gaped.
"I will NEVER marry you!" I snapped, standing over him, as he had fallen from the blow. I turned and ran, away from my family, my friends, my home, anything and everything I'd known for 20 years, minus a week. The wind streamed through my hair as I kicked off my heels and ripped my dress. My bare feet thudded against the ground and I let myself be lost to the wind, earth, and sky, reveling in the freedom!
Once the sky had darkened, I began to head back toward the village and my house, after smearing some mud on the dress so I'd be less visible. I planned to get in, take what I needed, and leave. I crept into the house, taking the key from behind the loose brick in our house. As I walked in, I saw a beautiful medallion left on the table. It was a golden sun, surrounded by a dark blue enamel, ringed by a green jade border. It hung on a leather loop, intended to be worn as a necklace. It took my breath away and I reached out to brush it instinctively. It was warm to the touch, despite it being indoors, and it seemed to shine with a small radiance in the gloom. There was also a note. Dear Flare, It read. You may know little about me, but in one of my few moments of clarity, I must write this. You must break the curse. Go west, to where the sun dies each day. You must avoid the man you nearly called husband, for he is no mortal man and I fear he is in league with dark powers that we know nothing of. Take this medallion. It has been in our family for ages and it is older than me, but it was said to be passed down by Ra himself. I wish you luck and I hope it protects you on your journey. - Fall Ra. I knew it could only be Old Ra. I picked up the medallion and carefully placed it around my neck. It nestled perfectly in the hollow of my neck. Made for me? I shook my head. Yeah, right. I decided to do as he had said, taking the note with me. I gathered a pack with rations and some clothes and changed into a dress that seemed ideal for traveling. I picked up a pair of earrings my mom had given me, two suns that always felt warm to the touch, golden as well. I was about to leave my room when I grabbed a simple ring, just a silver band inlaid with a swirling pattern of gold and slipped it on my finger. I left that night.
Angry, I kicked a chest and watched it fly to the other side of the huge room. Flare had escaped me and now the right side of my face hurt. I would hunt her to the ends of the earth. I summoned a faithful creature. To most, it was repulsive to look at. I merely smiled at it's hooked teeth and dark, bristled pelt. "Find her. The one who stinks of the sun god and....the Light." I whispered to it. I followed it to the end of the gardens. It bounded away into the night. Flare had no idea of the power she held. For she was a Lightwielder, the last of her kind. Once she was mine...I savored the thought. "I will find you Flare Ra! I will hunt you down! And then, you will be mine! The Line of Ra shall be gone, FOREVER!" I swore to the great dark god Faroh. I, Far Darkwell, would never rest until it was so. I grinned into the night.
Chapter 2: Pursuit[]
Faster. I urged myself on. I had heard something behind me, but I think I may have lost it once I entered the forest at the edge of the village...But it might have followed me. I continued running, my footsteps growing swifter as they hit the pine needle-coated ground. Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump. A new sound reached my ears. The sound of steps. The sound of pursuit. I ripped my dress as I ran, the dark green material restricting my legs but now I was able to run faster. A thornbush ripped at my leggings and I sped up, my eyes darting back and forth, looking for a spot, any spot, where I could safely hide. I heard the heavy breathing of the creature now and resisted the urge to look back, knowing it could spell the end if I did. I leaped as high as I could and grabbed hold of a pine tree branch. I swiftly scaled it about twenty meters up then stopped. I counted the beats of my racing heart, trying to slow my breathing. "I ssssmeelll yoooou...I smelll the reeek of Ra!" A screech echoed through the forest. A smell, like rot and death, reached me as a hulking, shadowy shape paced below me. Please don't look up, please don't look up! I silently prayed. It peered around in the gloom and breathed deeply. It hissed and prowled off, continuing the hunt. I didn't dare come down, not now, while it lurked nearby. I looked at the moon and stars, staying as still as I could, cloaked in shadows and silence, and silently prayed for dawn to come quickly.
............2 hours later......................
I carefully climbed down the tree, exhausted from the night. The sky was a lighter gray now, Dawn wasn't far off. I went to investigate some prints left behind by the creature. They were large, clawed paws. As the rising sun touched the prints, they vanished without a trace. "Flare Ra......" My head snapped up. "A curse unbroken, the light shall pay, a toll not given, the dark shall raze." the voice continued, sounding whispery. "Who said that?!" I demanded, looking left then right. I sighed. Just the wind, a girl in a ripped green dress and the forest. The wind grabbed my blond hair, streaming it out of my face. The sun was burning the early morning mist off the forest. It flashed into my dark green eyes and I set off. My shoes squished in the mud as I trudged away from the village, following the sun's path. I was on my way!
Chapter 3: The Quest Begins![]
I soon left the forest and came to a road winding through a huge stretch of prairie. Nowhere to hide...I thought. I touched the medallion for comfort and traveled along the road. I hitched a ride with a cart full of Horses. One caught my eye, gazing at me with a spark of interest and intelligence. She had a lovely dapple gray coat and a black mane. "Is she for sale?" I asked the cart driver. "Her? I'm looking to get rid of her, never lets anyone ride her or put a saddle on 'er." The man said with a thick accent. "Course you can have 'er if you want." "How much?" I asked, smiling sweetly. "50 crenz." He replied, smiling toothily at me. "Deal." I pulled out the money and paid him. "And for you, the reins are included. The town up ahead has a good leatherworking shop if you'd like a saddle?" "No, I think I'll be just fine, but if you could let me off there, that'd be great," I replied. We came to the town and I hopped off with my new horse. "Hello there," I said to her. "First things first. You need a name. Mind If I call you Storm?" She snorted. I carefully put the reins on her. I mounted Storm with no difficulty. I waited for her to buck or rear or anything, but she stood calmly and stoically. You aren't expecting me to buck you off, are you? I started. "A little..." I said, guiltily. Well, you are a lot better than that old sod who had me before. Kidnapping me, then forcing me to work for him, seriously, what did he expect? I like you though, you're nice. "Pardon me, but, are you talking to me?" No, I'm singing to that man over there. Of course, I'm talking to you. "A sense of humor. Good, I'd hate to think I purchased a horse with no sense of humor." I replied dryly. Storm just snorted at me. "You wanna head west off the road?" I asked her. Sure...
We galloped off across the prairie until Nightfall. I stopped and persuaded the horse to travel just to the edge of a forest. "You're free, now. You can head back to your home and family." Thank you. Storm replied before galloping into the night. As I stepped into the forest, I paused to let my eyes become adjusted to the gloom, resting my back on a tree. That was when the arrow struck the tree, an inch above my head. "Don't move an inch!" A voice from above spoke. "Karan, no need to be so harsh. She obviously has no idea what's going on." a second voice said, more feminine. "Yeah, the lads agree." A third voice said. The first, Karan, said, "Don't be fooled by her face, just because she's pretty, doesn't mean she's not evil!" A shape dropped down from above and cautiously approached. It was a short, wiry, strong-looking man with dark brown skin and he held a dagger outstretched. Wisely, I made no move. "Who are you? Why are you here?" He asked. "I'm Flare. Flare Ra." They all gasped as I said this. "Where is the medallion!?" Karan, the one in front of me, said. "This one?" I asked, pulling the medallion from under my shirt. I had hidden it, not wanting to attract any attention to myself or it. Another chorus of gasps from the trees. "My apologies," Karan said. "Please, come join our tribe for the night." I didn't exactly understand but I accepted his hand as he helped me climb into the trees. As torches around the village were lit, I could see that the entire village was in the trees, connected by rope bridges and ladders. "You are the first in generations to set foot here," Karan, the leader, said. "...Why me?" I asked, confused. "You mean...Don't you know?" He asked. "No...?" I asked, even more puzzled. "Ah...Nevermind, We will discuss it after dinner." Karan said in the silence. "Come meet our guest!" He announced as the tribespeople clambered down ladders, leaped across rope bridges, or, in some cases, swung across on vines. The feminine voice I had heard was Karan's wife, Afira. The third voice was their son and heir, Kalvik(Credit to Plactro for the name). He winked at me. "Pleased to meet ya." "Kalvik. Please." Afira said, shaking her head. Kalvik just sighed. We all crowded into their communal feast hall. I was given a place of honor, right next to Karan, his wife and son were on the other side. Karan was discussing how the village worked for me. Some people work as hunters, some work as guards, some work as gatherers or farmers and some are crafters. Crafters make things like baskets, carvings, tools, anything really. Guards watch to make sure that no one discovers our village. Anyone who comes directly in here, or someone we are interested in, will either be a guest or killed once we show ourselves. Hunters, of course, do all the hunting. Farmers farm our limited crops and keep healthy animals. Gatherers collect anything the crafters need, such as wood, plants, leaves or berries. For metal, we generally bargain with a local blacksmith who won't give us away." "This life seems difficult to maintain. Why do you do it?" I cautiously asked. His eyes narrowed slightly. "We were thrown out of our home on the Greenlands, simply because people believed us savages, and thus unworthy of such fertile land." "Wow..that seems really unfair," I said, severely understating it. "No matter. That is far in the past now. Let us talk about you." "Um...okay?" I thought, still a little worried. "We have a prophecy that foretells of a savior, bearing the medallion of the Sun god." "But, what am I your savior from?" I asked, curious. "...We've been having a bit of a...problem-" Karan was cut off by a shout from one of the guards. There was a commotion. "Excuse me," he said with a smile. "I must tend to this." "Of course," I said, bowing my head. As he left, a louder commotion erupted outside. Yelling, screams and the unmistakable clash of swords and the thrum of bows. I stood and ran outside, grabbing a sword I didn't know how to use. As I emerged into the dark forest illuminated by torches, I saw the archers in a line, shooting at a creature on the forest floor, looking straight out of a storybook. It was sleek and gray, silvery hooves flashing in the light. It looked roughly equestrian. A mane and tail of pure ebony flickered in the slivers of moonlight. It reared and slashed at the few tribespeople fighting it with swords. Arrows stuck out of its hide, many of them seemed to be mortal wounds. As I watched, another volley of arrows slammed into it. One struck its spine. It collapsed to the ground. "Quick! While it's down!" I heard a voice cry from the swordsmen. I saw them rush in before stumbling back as the horror rose. The arrow fell from its skin and a small bit of blood like quicksilver dripped out before the wound sealed and it charged at the men. I vaulted the railing of the walkway and fell to the forest floor below, landing in a roll that brought me to my feet. It screamed with rage at the sight of me. I braced to use the sword and it whirled, charging away into the forest. "What was that thing?!" I asked Karan, one of the swordsmen. "Now you know. This is the scourge of our land. Every night a monster comes. Every night, we retreat into our trees as much as we could. I've never seen one retreat." he said, looking at me with a kind of admiration in his eyes. "What was it?" I asked again, my sword hanging limply at my side. "That was what we call the Frajilh or horse." He pronounced it like fra-sheal. "There are three more." Karan continued. "The Cajuli, or the leopard(pronounced Ka-zhjulie), the Areaktil, or the spider(pronounced ah-ree-ack-til) and finally, the much-feared Harzhun(pronounced Har-shun). That is the creature some would call a...dragon. It never visits, but we have heard it roar from the place where the others go." he said, shuddering. "But let us not speak of these things. For tonight we have won a victory! Tonight, we feast!" he replied. We climbed back up and the feast continued tenfold. Instruments were brought out and dances began. Kalvik took me for a couple before I convinced him I was tired. I sat at one of the tables and soon Afira joined me. "Thank you for all you have done, though you have just arrived here." She said, before joining her husband on the dance floor. Finally, all the music quieted down and everyone gathered around Karan. "I gather you all here now to tell you the story of our victory tonight." Everyone quieted down and I had the unsettling feeling of eyes glancing toward me. "As you all know, our guest comes bearing the medallion of the Sun god Ra, exactly as Viridin the seer foretold. She left the safety of the trees and put herself in danger for our sake. She charged toward the creature with a sword she tells me she can't use. Tonight I have seen something amazing. When the frajilh's eyes landed upon her, it turned and ran away." Karan said, making it seem like I was heroic when I thought it was more idiotic. Everyone seemed to look at me with admiration now. "I proclaim her our savior and she should be treated as such, agreed?" The whole village roared its approval. I was lifted on their shoulders and carried to a hut where I was finally left in peace to sleep.
I screamed in rage as the creature gave its report. No sign of her. I would kill that cursed Flare Ra! I summoned a more powerful beast. "Gather your compatriots. Once you have done so, return to me for your orders." I ordered the Spine beast.
Shivering, I awoke in a cold sweat. I had just seen what Far Darkwell was up to. I knew he would never rest until I was in his clutches once more. On that happy thought, I let sleep reclaim me once more.
Chapter 4: A Hero Revealed[]
I woke up to birds singing in the trees and sunlight shining through my windows. I stood and got dressed before heading outside. There were very few people outside, as it was very early in the morning. Kalvik was waiting for me. "Hey Flare," he said, giving me a smile as though I was the best thing in the world. "Where is everyone?" I asked. "Most are sleeping, some are out farming or hunting." I nodded my head and carefully checked that the medallion was around my neck and safe. "So..uh...I was wondering if you wanted to have...a swordplay session?" He asked, seeming to have a bit of difficulty. "Sure, but I have to warn you, I have never picked up a sword before in my life..." I added, a bit bashful. "Ah, that's fine. I'll teach you!" He said, full of life and energy again. "Come on!" he said. I followed him across the rope bridges and ladders until we reached a large platform between trees, shaded from sight by trailing tree branches. "Choose a sword," he said, pointing to a large number of swords on a rack. I tested the balance of multiple swords and finally settled on one that seemed just right. It had a long blade with a groove running down it. Its point was sharp, made for stabbing and slashing equally. The hilt was leather-bound, the pommel was a beautiful shape, similar to a star, with a tiny sliver of something shiny in the center of the star. "Is that starstone?" I asked, amazed by it. It was incredibly rare and incredibly valuable. "You want that sword?" Kalvik asked. "Can I?" "Sure. I find it interesting that you would have chosen a Sticklestad Viking sword. They were used by raiders a long time ago. They fell out of fashion because they needed someone skilled to wield them. The ones that could were incredibly skilled." he added, picking up his own sword from the rack. It was a falchion. Shorter than the blade I held, it had a slight curve near the end. "However, you said you don't know how to use one, so for now, we will be using these." He gestured to wooden swords. "These will leave a bruise but won't kill you or severely injure you," he added. He tossed me a wooden model of the Sticklestad. Kalvik picked up a wooden falchion. "Well. Shall we begin?" he asked. "Sure...?" He showed me the different ways I could attack, block or defend. "Your greatest advantage is speed. You don't have the muscle of power of a man, but you can use that to your advantage, ducking away from his slower blows and delivering multiple fast blows to him. For now, we'll start slow, but gradually increase your speed as we go on." We engaged in mock swordplay. I stabbed at him and he deflected my sword with a twist of his wrist. We clashed wood on wood, again and again. He hit my knee and I soon got hit on the arm. I saw him drawback for a stroke and I brought my sword up. I suddenly had a feel for it. I lunged, ducking through his guard, whirling around to hit him from behind. He blocked every single one, but now, I was on the attack. I slashed and stabbed, parrying and dodging as fast as I could. Finally, he called a break. "You did well today. That'll leave a bruise in the morning," he said, rubbing his side. I hadn't even noticed the blow in the pure rush of the fight. "You should probably have those checked out too," Kalvik added, pointing to four or five bruises I had on my arms and legs. "See you tomorrow?" "If you're up for another beating, sure!" I responded. "We'll see..." he said, ducking out. I ate lunch, a simple affair of bread and butter, some cheese and an apple. I spent the rest of the day helping the townspeople with various tasks they wanted to be done. I helped out in the fields for a bit before joining the gatherers. We passed a party of hunters heading back with a deer and some grouses. Two falcons were perched on two of the men's shoulders. They all carried bows and skinning knives. I joined the hunters and helped them with the catch. I worked in the kitchen to prepare some of the grouse. Rolling them in flour, chopping greens for a salad, scrubbing and baking some potatoes. I got a sneak peek of the dessert, a frahella(pronounced fra-heal-ah.), or a berry cream pie. It had berries decorating it, cream coating every inch of the otherwise golden brown cake. It had three levels, like a wedding cake. The first level was blueberry, the next was strawberry and the final small top one being raspberry! It smelled heavenly. I went back to work soon after the cooks rushed off to let the cream cool and settle. Too much heat would make it drip off and slough off the cake. I helped set the tables and soon heard the bell ring for dinner. Tribespeople slowly trickled in from the fields, finding their preferred seat and sitting with their families. I sat with Karan and his family again and we discussed the village once more. I joined the watch outside, waiting for a creature to show, but when our shift changed, there had been no sign. As I rested that night, I thought maybe the tribe was safe now. Little did I know I was wrong. Very, very, VERY wrong.
The next three days passed without any particular events happening. I practiced swordplay with Kalvik in the morning, learned balance and grace, all while getting stronger. It came in the form of aches and soreness, but on the fourth day, I noticed my legs and arms were slightly larger than they had been. I got up and saw Kalvik waiting outside, as usual. We went to the arena but this time, he handed me the real sword, not the wooden practice sword. "I figured it was time to up the game a bit," he said, smiling. An hour later, I stood over him, sword lightly balanced on the tip of his chin. "I think I win," I said, smiling back. I stepped back and allowed him to rise. "One last thing. Only give your opponent once chance. One chance to surrender. ONLY ONE. Understand?" He said, suddenly very close. "Yes, but-" "ONE chance." he snapped, cutting off my reply. And that was when I stepped back. "One chance." I agreed, smiling sweetly, knowing what he was leading up to. "I think our session is over for the day," I said, picking up my sword, scabbard and leaving the arena. He gazed after me with a disappointed look in his eyes. Not my type. Neither am I his. I thought to myself. We had become close friends, but that was it. We had reached an agreement on that. For now. Nonetheless, I continued on toward the guard outpost to test out some skills against other opponents. That way, I wouldn't become accustomed to one style of fighting. I fought against Jomar and Frel, two members of the guard. I defeated both happily. I took up a position on the guard for a bit before heading to lunch. I worked in the kitchen for the rest of the day, hoping to improve my cooking skills. I had dinner with the rest of the tribe. Kalvik got up to join the guard. That was when the alarm sounded.
I pulled my sword out and rushed to see the trouble. Kalvik stood alone outside, facing a monster. The guards lay behind it, bundled up. I could tell they were already gone. It was the Areaktil, the giant spider. Its pincers clicked and whirred and the fangs dripped a milky-white venom. It's 8 dark, beady eyes locked on to me. With a swipe of its legs, it knocked Kalvik aside and reared over me. I raised my sword as it scuttled around me. It lunged, fast and quick. I slashed my sword in an arc, sensing where it would be and that was when it screamed. An unearthly howl that echoed of rage and pain. It paused and I could see dark quicksilver blood flow from where it's leg had been. I knew then, suddenly, that I could beat it, as long as I was fast and determined. One down, seven to go. "Come on then, you great ugly!" I shouted at it in a show of bravado. "Let's dance, shall we?" It lunged again and I noticed some of the tribe watching with Wide eyes as we began to fight, one lunging, then the other. Attack and counter-attack, stab, then block. It leaped forward and I rolled under the blow, coming right under its belly. I lashed my sword at its legs before planting my foot and stabbing directly upward. I felt no resistance as my sword pierced its flesh, like a knife through butter. It screamed once before dissipating like a shadow on the wind, leaving no sign it ever existed. The bounds holding the guards fell away and also dissolved, the clouded fog over their eyes lifted and they stumbled, alive, into their loved ones. "Thank you." One guard said tearfully. "Were it not for you, we would have been devoured, our bodies powering that monstrous creature. Thank you." He bowed. All the guards fell to their knees and bowed before me. I smiled and helped him to his feet. They all stood, relieved I wasn't lording over them. I happily smiled at the guards and everyone burst into cheers, calling for another feast. I politely made my excuses and retired to my bed. As I did, I noticed a burning sensation and frantically grabbed at my chest, pulling out the medallion as I did so. The second it was off my skin, I felt a cool sense of relief. It was still uncomfortably warm, but I had no time to puzzle over it. The second my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.
Chapter 5: The Dark Prophecy[]
As I woke that morning, I tried to stand. Unknown to me, my legs had apparently suffered from the battle. They buckled and I went down, faceplanting. "Ow....." I slowly stood and managed to take a couple of limping steps forward. Once I got out the door, a tribesperson helped me to the healer's hut. As I lay down, I thought about last night. What were you thinking? You can't kill a monster! One part of my brain said. EXCEPT I DID! a different part argued back. I can't believe I did that. Hey, wait one second...What about the medallion? Why did it burn last night? It's never done that before...I thought endlessly to myself, utterly confused as to why it would do that. In the short amount of time I'd had it, it felt like a friend that I'd come to know and trust...But it burned me! I would have to think about this later. I pulled it out and noticed on the silver backing, there was an inscription in an elegant, flowing script. As darkness sweeps across the land, the final spark flees to the west, to meet its foe in a final battle. The light must not go out. A healer came back in and carefully bandaged a gash on my leg, putting some salve on it first. "You should be good in a day or two!" she said. "However, you do have a concussion. I suggest you rest." "Thanks," I said, struggling to stand and somehow miraculously managed to walk back to my hut. I took out my sword and polished it off, sharpening it and oiling it. While doing that, I noticed someone had given it a name, inscribed along the blade. It was called the Sunburst. For the rest of the day, my meals were brought in and I read, ate or slept. Afira came in and showed me how to sew/mend the rips in my clothes. I finally felt well enough to go down and take a position with the guards, by which the sun was just dipping below the horizon. As the last rays disappeared, we felt rather than heard a wave of rage. We stumbled back for a second before regaining our composure. I noticed the other guards glancing over at me and the Captain of the Guard. The moon rose, barely a sickle and that was when I froze. I tensed, my sword positioned and ready. I crouched. The medallion warmed, just slightly. My ears were pricked. The rest of the guards had frozen. A sudden blur bowled over one of the guards. It was a huge leopard, completely silent, except for the man's crash of armor as he tumbled. It was the Cajuli. "Get back!" I shouted, ordering the guards in a circle, a classic defense position as it vanished into the trees. It was pure black like all the others. I saw two small spots of light in the darkness. Silvery-like the moon. "There! It's eyes!" I shouted, pointing with my sword. It rushed the line suddenly, and we buckled under its charge. I saw huge claws, perfect silver sickles that cut cleanly through the shoulder of a man near me. Blood spurted out. "Healer!" I bellowed. The Cajuli was gone again! A man lunged for the warning bell and it suddenly appeared, slicing him down with barely a whisper of wind. A healer bound the man's shoulder. He had lost the arm but he was going to be okay. As I stood, I slipped in his blood. That saved my life as the Cajuli soared just inches over my head, great silvery teeth and slavering mouth wide open. This thing was smart. It would take cunning to kill it, and wits. It was smarter than the spider. Think think think! It relies on stealth and isn't particularly great at fighting, but still deadly. "HEY! I shouted at the eyes, lifting the medallion from under my shirt. It gleamed in the darkness. I heard a hiss. "Don't like the light, kitty?!" I took off, running across platforms and I heard the wind of its pursuit. In a leap of faith, I leaped toward the dark forest floor below. I hit the ground running. The brambles tore at my skin as I made for the edge of the forest. This was my only chance. I saw the moon shining ahead. Almost there! I thought, putting on a burst of speed. And that was when it landed in front of me. It hissed, its lips curling back, exposing huge sabers, perfectly suited for ripping flesh. "Nice kitty...." I muttered, stopped in my tracks. I ducked under its first swipe and lunged. It hissed as I scored a cut along its ebony-black flank, its blood oozing silvery in the moonlight. It drew back into the trees. I could hear the faint sound of the alarm bell from the village ringing. I rushed the last few meters, emerging into the waving grass of the prairie. I slowly backed away from the forest. It slowly crept into the light. "Well, kitty, shall we dance?" I smirked at it. Its eyes glinted savagely at me. And our battle began. As it leaped for me, I ducked under it and rolled, coming up with my sword. I spun to face it and quickly ran while it's back was turned. As it turned to face me, I leaped, my sword a shining arc in the moonlight. I slammed down on it's back, my sword driving deep. It roared in pain and bucked, flinging me around. I gripped its fur, trying to stay on. My sword had no such luck and was flipped into the tall grass. I was weaponless now. Looks like the end of the line for me.....It paused, and looked around, presumably for me. I crawled up it's back and grappled it around the throat, right as it turned it's head to throw me off again. Carefully, I reached into my boot and drew out an onyx dagger. I plunged it into its neck. Its teeth snapped at me and I leaped off its neck, leaving the dagger where it was. It clawed at its neck, sinking to its knees in agony. Finally, it crumpled on its side, laying still, dead.
After the Guard caught up with me and recovered my dagger and sword, they left me to get some sleep. I woke in the morning, feeling better than I had after my first fight with the shadow monsters. After a quick breakfast, Karan leads me into the woods, where we walked for some time. Finally, we arrived at an opening, the bright blue sky shining above us. There lay the ruins of an old temple. Moss and plants covered some of it, the forest trying to retake it. It had once been a smooth dome, broken and cracked now. Crumbling steps lead up to broken columns, watchful sentries. Large claw marks were slashed through stone walls, scorched stone peeking through the green foliage. A great evil had happened here. I felt a watchful presence, wary of us. I could sense it's anger and it's malevolence. "Hello?" I called. "There's no one here, Flare," Karan replied. We walked away to a stream where he sat at the water's edge. He sat, quiet, for a long time before he spoke. "We are an ancient people, Flare. Many years ago, before you or I were born, we lived here in peace. We were happy and carefree. Safe from any danger. Life here was perfect. We built temples and homes. We had no need for fighting or anger. No war or hatred. The seers that once warned us of danger slowly faded away. All but one finally remained. He saw the warnings. He warned us of the signs, of the darkness that was coming. We ignored his mutterings, believing him mad. Finally, he said we had to leave. Leave? we thought. Leave our homes and lives? Our perfect safety? All we had come to know and love? We refused. In the dead of night, he left, leaving nothing but a single note. It read: 'My gift has told me I must leave. I pray that you all escape the darkness that comes, a dark wave that drowns all in its path, smothering the last light in the world. I will welcome all who follow me. I will leave you, my people, one last, saving grace. Read the ancient prophecies. Tell the last Flare what she must do. Return to your roots.'" Karan turned to face me, deep sadness in his eyes. "No one listened to his note. But one night it all came true. One night we try to forget. The darkness came, snuffing out each star one by one. The moon shone brightly through, illuminating the horrors that came and fell upon us. Our temples were destroyed, reduced to rubble, burned. Our houses were gone. We tried to escape. Many were lost that night...." He trailed off and turned away once more. "Once we had gathered once more after the darkness had moved on, drawn east by some inexplicable reason, we studied the oldest temple carvings and found a hidden prophecy. I believe you were the one meant to hear it," he said gravely, looking into my eyes intently as though searching for an answer. Apparently, he found it because he beckoned to me and we re-entered the temple clearing. The dark presence I had felt was gone and I helped him pull aside a curtain of ivy, revealing a hidden door in the few standing walls of the temple. The dark passageway leads us deep into the earth. Picking up a lantern, Karan lit it with a match he had. We walked down the passageway and it soon came to a dead end. Or so I thought. He felt around a dark corner and I heard a click. A boulder slid aside and we continued into a circular room. He lit the torches around the room and I saw intricate carvings across the walls, all of my medallion or...someone wielding a sword that shone with light. As I looked closer, I saw a feature that surprised me. There was a large carving of her face, with freckles and a tiny one shaped exactly like a heart.....just like mine. As something suddenly sank in, I stumbled back, tripping over a stone. As I crashed to the floor, I gasped, breathless. 'The last Flare' that's my name...The medallion...my face...I can't be the heroine...right?! I thought distractedly, worried, winding my finger in my bangs. Karan hurried over to help me up. "It is you, Flare, whether you wish to face your destiny or not," he said, showing me a different carving, this one with words. He read them for my benefit. "A curse unbroken, the light shall fail, a toll not given, the dark will raze. This is what you were meant to hear. You have a great power you haven't used yet, Flare Ra. With great power comes great danger. You do not yet know how powerful you can be, but I pray you will discover it soon, for your foes will only get more dangerous." he said, solemnly as we left the tunnel. As we left the tunnel, he handed me some lunch. "Please, speak of nothing you have seen today. If anyone asks, say I was helping you sword fight," he said as we left the clearing and reentered the village.
I rested for the rest of the day before once more joining the Night Watch, expecting the Frajuli(horse) to arrive tonight. I was not disappointed. As the sun began to set and the first rays of moonlight streaked across the forest, we heard hoofbeats, thump-thump-thump-thump,thump-thump-thump-thump. It was going at a gallop, full speed. As it raced into the clearing, it reared back, angry, silvery hooves flashing. Its mane was like a halo of white opal fire, it's eyes burning with a red flame, fanned by a rage we knew not. I leaped from the platform to engage it on the ground. One of the other guards shouted after me. "It's healing power comes from the moon! It's dangerous!" I thought that the last remark was a little unnecessary considering I'd fought these things before. It reared and screamed upon seeing me. As it charged, I threw myself into a roll to the side as it raced by. I stood, too slow as it circled and charged me again. I took two steps forward and leaped clear over it's arced head. It whirled as I landed on one knee. This time, as It charged, I pulled out my sword and left a long gash across its flank. Silvery-crimson blood dripped down its side. Then the moon came out from behind the clouds and I rushed the horse, fast as I could...then the moonlight hit its flank. The wound sealed as if it had never been there in the first place. Crap! I have to block out the moon somehow or it'll just tire me out and I won't be able to defeat it. I thought, thinking fast. The thing charged me again and I vaulted into the trees, giving myself time to breathe. If I can get it under the trees, to block out the light, it'll also have less maneuverability and won't be able to charge me as much. Wait a minute...FIRE! That's it! I thought, running to the rest of the guards who weren't occupying the Frajilhi. "Okay, get everybody you can rouse to grab a torch and assemble in a line down there on the forest floor!" I shouted, vaulting back over the railing to the floor below to partake in the battle once more. I had a torch myself and now I lit it, rushing at it and yelling at the others to get clear. The horse shied away from the fire, rearing back. Keeping it at bay with jabs of the torch, I gestured for all the other torch-bearers to spread out in a circle, trapping me with the horse in a ring of fire. "Under the trees!" I snapped, seeing Karan help me direct them. Slowly, our ring of flame moved under the trees. The horse reared and charged, turning aside from the flames at every time. I drew my sword. It screamed and charged, turning aside once more. I stabbed my sword toward it and it twisted, more agile than I'd expected. I couldn't afford to underestimate it, or, no matter my prowess or skills, I would lose. I waited for it to turn back to me, then whipped the torch at it, making my move as I did so. I charged at it, stabbing my sword deep into its chest, then using it as leverage to vault on to it's back! It screamed again, a terrible sound, as I drew my dagger and stabbed it through the neck! It reared and tried to buck me off, but it slowly crashed onto its knees, blood seeping through the devastating wounds I'd inflicted on it. Without its healing power, it was no harder than taming a wild horse, which I had experience with. It slowly fell still and dissolved into a pool of dark shadow that soon dissipated. I staggered to my feet, picking up my sword and collapsing, exhausted, into the arms of a tribesperson.
Chapter 6: The Last Lightwielder[]
I woke up the next day in my bed, my sword gleaming, hung on the door by the door. The light was shining through the thin curtain that was my door. I groaned and sat up. "I HATE waking up late..." I muttered. Just then, A guard entered, carrying a tray of steaming biscuits and some hot morning tea that they called Cantafa to wake me up. I grinned as he gave me the tray, bowed respectfully and left me to enjoy my breakfast in bed. I got up after finishing it and changed into a set of brown, deer hide pants and a shirt of the same material. As I stepped outside into the sunlight, I wanted to just curl up in the beautiful sun and take a nap in its warmth. I shook my head and walked along the treetop paths, nodding greetings to the few villagers I saw, as most were already working out in the fields, hunting or in the kitchens. As I swung down from the platforms, I spotted one of the rare jungle cats whisk out of sight. They were considered an omen of good luck, so I smiled, though I didn't know then what I would need good luck for...I went to the armory and greeted the person working there. "Good morning-Afternoon...?" I said, correcting myself. "It's Opus, Your honor." "Please, just call me Flare," I replied. "As you wish...Flare." Opus said, smiling. "What can I do for you today?" "I will need a suit of armor. Light and easy to carry, but strong." I replied, smiling back in return. As an afterthought, I glanced down at my sword, checking that it was good. "Will that be all, miss?" Opus said. I nodded. "We have a number of things you could try. Leather is always light. " "Leather it is then!" I said, smiling. "If you'll just come into the back then, we have a couple of pieces that will fit you." I followed him into a room with all sorts of armor arrayed on the shelves, from steel to leather, helmets to gauntlets, he picked out a leather breastplate, greaves, gauntlets, and a suitable helmet. "These should be easy to pack away and carry but prove serviceable in a time of need. We make our leather out of the finest breed of cows, the Farhen strain. It makes for the toughest leather." he said, in a proud tone. "How much?" I asked, eager to try it out. "For you, none at all! You've been doing us a service, keeping away and killing those Shadow beast!" Opus said, smiling from ear to ear. I smiled and headed back to my quarters, where I tried it all on, making sure it all fit. It was almost as though it had been made for me. I thought with a wry grin to myself. I polished it up and went out to practice my swordplay with my armor on, all to strengthen myself. I'd never felt this strong before, for the village I had come from always put more emphasis on girls being pretty, not strong. That didn't stop me, of course, but it slowed me down considerably. I finally left for my house tired and sweaty, but grinning happily. As I finally lay down to take a nap before waking up to stand watch with the guards, I settled the medallion around my chest...
A scream tore me from my dream. Then more. "It's the Harzhun! It's here to kill us all!" At the very word, my blood froze in my veins. The dragon. It's here... I buckled on my sword and pulled on my armor before rushing outside. Trees and branches were wreathed in bright flames. I saw a dark shape above turn and wheel in the sky, plunging down at us. Flames burst from its mouth and bathed a hut in flames. I ran over to the hut, pulling open the door to see a mother and her kid huddled against the wall. I smiled, reaching out my hand. "Come with me. I'll protect you." The woman smiled at me. "Thank you, Lightwielder." She said, scooping up her child. I rushed out the door, drawing my sword as I called over three guards that had been standing, putting out some flames. "Get everyone to safety!" I shouted. "Including yourselves!" "What about you, Lightwielder?" One of the guards asked, concerned. I wrapped my fingers tightly around my sword and looked up to the dark shape circling above. "I'll keep it distracted," I said, a grim smile on my face. "Go!" I shouted at the guard, my heart beating quicker now, like a bird frantically trying to escape a cage. "Here we go..." I ran across the platforms, quickly climbing as fast as I could, while the dragon swooped in, setting more buildings aflame. "Crap," I muttered as my hand slipped and I scuffed my shin. I pulled myself up the last rope, heaving myself up on the platform. I stood, pausing to look over the treetops. My silver blade glinted in the flames from the forest. The dragon spotted me instantly. It roared, swooping at me. I ducked, throwing myself to side at the last moment. Its wing clipped me and threw me on my knees. "ow..I'll get you for that, you great lizard..." I muttered, standing and looking around for it. A breath of wind was all the warning I had before I felt its claws slam into my chest as I turned to face it. It swept me off the platform and soared into the sky. I looked helplessly at my sword and hacked at the ebony black scales that morphed smoothly into large silver talons. The sword rebounded, and it fell from my numb fingers to the forest floor far below. "Ah! Horrid lizard!" I saw the dragon's great head swing to look at me. Its eye was a dark purple color. I lunged as much as I could and tried to punch it. It winced and blinked, it's talons flexing open and shut, just enough for me to slip from its grasp. "Well great. Now would be a great time to grow wings and fly!" I shouted into the night as I plummeted. Then I felt something hard slam into my back, stopping my fall. I felt claws close around my chest once more, stopping my face from slamming into the forest floor, just inches away. "Great." "You didn't think I'd let a prize like you escape so easily, did you?" The dragon spoke. I glared at it as it got off and allowed me to move to a sitting position. "No..." I said, wincing as my ribs groaned in protest of breathing. "But you never know...Ow..." I said, wincing again. I let my right hand fall to the ground, my left occupied holding my side. The dragon glared at me. "Well. You certainly don't seem powerful enough to have defeated my shadow beasts." "Those were yours?" I asked, buying time as I inched my hand back, fingers finally closing around the hilt of my sword. "Of course.." it hissed, grinning at me, as it stepped forward, its steps shaking the ground. I sprang up, sword flashing in my hand as the dragon leaped forward, claws slamming me to floor, knocking my sword just out of reach. "NO!" I gasped as the dragon pressed me down. "Such a shame. You have courage...Why not join me?" It asked, laughing. "I....Would...NEVER...join you..." I said, gasping out each word as I spat at the dragon. "Of course." It said, grinning as it snapped at me to end my life. I thought of everyone in the village, of my parents and everyone I was supposed to save in the future, and finally, the woman and her child, trusting me to save them. I felt the medallion grow warm on my chest and I shouted, "FIAT LUX!" as I raised my hand. (Bring the light!) A bolt of pure light struck down from the sky, smashing into the dragon, shoving it off me. I leaped to my feet and grabbed my sword as it shone with pure, white light. The dragon roared and I turned to face it, letting out a challenge of my own. "NAM LUX!"(For the light!) Then I began to duel with the dragon, my sword a flashing, crackling, white blade of pure light, the dragon pure darkness, the color of evil, of everything that hid in the night! As I struck at the dragon, it batted at me with its great claws. I threw myself forward into a roll, winding up under its belly. I thrust my sword up through its scales, not heeding the scalding hot blood that poured around me. As the dragon roared and collapsed, I saw myself reflected in its great eye. "And so the light comes, to end the reign of the night..." It said as I beheld myself, glowing with a faint golden aura, in its eye before it shut with a final snick, never to open again. Then it slowly dissolved into shadows, vanishing without a trace, as the lip of the sun peeked over the horizon. "And so the light comes..." I whispered before my vision turned black and I slid to the ground.
Chapter 7: Farewells and Good Luck[]
I woke up on my bed, still clothed in my scuffed and dented leather armor. I brushed some dirt off as I sat up, wincing. I gingerly felt my side before carefully stepping outside, after buckling my sword on, it was hanging, polished and oiled, next to the door. The village was not as bad as it had looked at night. A couple of the houses needed to be repaired, but other than some slight scorching, there was no damage. A few people had burns, but because I sounded the alarm quickly enough, no one was seriously hurt. I felt as though I'd been pounded with a hammer..."Ow..." I muttered, rubbing my back and stretching, then wincing and biting my tongue to not scream. The second a person spotted me, everyone rushed over to me, surrounding me and bombarding me with questions."Now, now everyone, calm yourselves!" Karan said, parting the people and guiding me out of the circle that had formed. "She will answer any questions to the best of her ability, AFTER she has had breakfast, been checked for wounds, and I explain what else happened last night! Then you may meet us in the audience hall," he said forcefully, supporting me with one arm. "Thank you..." I muttered weakly, leaning heavily on the wiry, compact man. "Sorry about that..." he said as he lead me to the healer's hut, where we found a delicious plate of buttered rolls, scones, and muffins. As I picked out a blueberry muffin, a raspberry scone, and a couple of rolls, the healer checked me over. "Well, you seemed to have escaped injury for the most par- oh dear." She exclaimed suddenly. "What? How bad is it?" I asked, my mouth still partially filled with muffin. "I won't lie to you. It looks bad, but it seems shallow, if long..." "Where is it?" I asked, looking around myself. "You side, here," she said, pointing to my left-hand side, where my armor separated into two main halves. There was a long gash as I lifted my shirt. It was still oozing blood. She patched it up after sanitizing it with a wonderfully soothing balm of some sort. "You should be good to go now!" she said, smiling as she left to let Karan and I talk in private. "As you know, you blacked out after you defeated the dragon. We picked you up and carried you back to the village, feeling it would be better to leave you to rest. We put out all the fires and posted guards, but once you defeated the dragon, the night was almost more restful than any we've had in the last couple of months." Karan added thoughtfully. I nodded. "I think I'm ready to answer their questions..." "Are you sure?" "Yeah," I answered, standing and wincing. We entered the hall and I answered any and all questions everyone asked. The rest of the day was a blur. I had lunch, then dinner and I gathered and packed all my things. As I began to walk through the village, I found Karan. I hefted my pack over my shoulder. "I've got to leave. I'd love to stay, really, but-" "I know. You must go and stop the curse." "I-yes.Thank you." "Go. I wish you luck and safety on your journey, Flare Ra, Last Lightwielder of Ra!" he said as I strode across the waving plains of grass ahead of me, the falling sun glowing ahead of me. As I trekked across the plain I was still on the open plains, but there was a small forest of trees ahead of me that I could hide in for the night. If I slept in the open on the ground, I could only escape by running, and I knew Darkwell was after me, thanks to that dream. And sleeping on the ground, same thing. I'd be caught easily. If I was in a tree, Then I'd have some warning and could fight if I'd been found, but hiding was my best defense. As I entered the trees, I opened my pack. It had a new, dark brown cloak, assorted dried fruits, jerky, and one obsidian dagger. There was a note, from Karan. In addition to the pack items, I wore my armor and my sword was strapped to by side. The note read, 'Dear Flare, I know you must go on according to the prophecy, but I do wish you could have stayed longer. 'Well, of course. That was obvious enough. I read on. Maybe once this is done, if the world isn't consumed in darkness, maybe you can visit. I wish you luck on your journey. I have faith in you, as do many of the tribespeople. One last note, about the dagger. It has proved that it can severely wound Dark beast and shadow beasts, along with other creatures of the dark. Beware of any dark creature that can withstand and walk freely in the sun's rays. The dagger is not enough to destroy them. If thrown or left or dropped, the dagger will return to you unless you give it up, willing and freely. I wish you luck Flare, the last light of Ra.' Then the sun dipped below the horizon and I quickly climbed a tree. The dark brown bark was rough, but thanks to the new calluses I had acquired thanks to all that sword training, I didn't feel a thing. I did feel the many needles from the many branches of the pine tree though. I winced as one particularly sharp clump brushed against my neck but I finally found a decent place to rest for the night.
Chapter Eight: Hamsters?!?![]
I woke to a horrific hissing sound. I froze, completely still. The hisses were all around me. I saw the snakes, dark black with small bone-white spines along their backs. One dropped from above my head and landed a hairsbreadth away from my arm. I bit down to keep a scream from erupting my mouth as it hissed, revealing a large hood like a cobra and two fangs with twin beads of a milky-white substance. Venom. I'll have to be extra careful. It doesn't look like it's going after me though, so I think I'm safe for now. I thought as the snakes collectively hissed and I saw the glint of all their red eyes turn away. I heard the light thud of their bodies hit the ground and heard them all slithering away, toward the open meadow I had come from. I sighed in relief. Then I heard the sound of heavy breathing and the thud of large footsteps. below me and another, smaller set of footsteps following the first. I stayed completely still as the snuffling sound stopped at the base of my tree. "How strange..." murmured a voice I knew all too well. I swore silently, thankful for the many branches in the way of my finance, Far Darkwell. "My bone rattlers would have woken her, or seen something if she'd been there, yet the scent leads here anyway." he mused to himself as the sniffing sounds continued. "Oh Flare, are you up there?" he said in a sickly sweet tone. I debated throwing my onyx dagger down at him but decided against it. "Well, one way to find out.." he mused, and I heard the sound of something hitting wood. No. Scraping through the wood. What the...He's cutting down the tree! I thought, instantly panicked. Should I jump to the next tree? I can't climb down, but if I don't move I'll fall, and If I break a bone, that's it. It's all over. The tree began to slowly fall and I somehow managed to reach a part of the trunk without many branches. I leaped from the tree as it hit the ground and I was running! "Oh, Flaaaare!" Darkwell shouted after me. I heard the growl of the shadow beast chasing me. I ran for a ditch and tumbled into some bushes. "Where did she go? Don't tell me you lost her!" He shouted angrily. I tested my arms and legs. Good, nothing broken! The beast crept closer, sniffing, getting closer and closer. I slipped my dagger out of its sheath, hefting it, it's onyx tip reflecting the tiniest bit of light. The beast lunged through the bushes, it's front paws crashing into my shoulder, the wicked ebony claws digging in as it held me down, my arms pinned. It snarled, exposing fangs as long as my hand, dripping salvia. I winced, turning my head away from its hot breath. Gross... I thought. It paused, not ripping me into shreds, but its head lifted like it was...waiting for something. A rustle and Far Darkwell stepped through the bushes. "Well, well, well, it is my dear wife Flare after all." It was too much. I threw my dagger and ran, fast as I could. stealth was out, my only option now was speed. Faster! I thought as I heard a shout of pain from behind me, meaning I'd at least hit him with it. The dagger, I'd found, would return to me, but I needed to be gone before he came after me. "YOU'LL REGRET THAT, RA-SPAWN!" He screamed into the night. So you keep saying. the cynical, calm-under-fire part of my brain had time to reply. I scrambled up a tree, then, terrified, I lept to the next. My time with the Tribespeople paid off as I went from tree to tree, finally resting in a big cottonwood, about roughly 130 feet above the ground. High enough that the beast wouldn't be able to smell me. The trunk cleaved into three larger branches, but there was a small depression/hollow, just big enough for me to stretch out in. I did my best to sleep. A whisper woke me. some sixth sense, like what had woken me with the snakes. There was nothing. I curled back up. Unknown to me, a small creature, the size of a beetle, scuttled away to report to its master. I woke in the morning to a warm, dry...thing on my head. As I began to fully wake up, I felt another one curled between my shoulder and neck. I reached up to my face and grabbed it. It squealed at me. It was a hamster, of all the things to find in a forest, while on the run from dark creatures! He was brown, with big ears and eyes. "What're you doing out here..." I wondered aloud, looking at the cute little guy, sitting upright. "Sleeping on you, of course!" It replied. "I jerked backward, my eyes going wide. "You-you can talk!" "Of course. Oh dear, my brother's found your cheese, by the way." he pointed with one paw as I set him down. I turned. there was another hamster, sitting next to my open rucksack, and, sure enough, eating my cheese. This one was more of a dark brown color, rather than an orange-brown like the first one that had spoken. The other one came up and patted my shoulder with a paw. "Will you be our human?" it asked. What the-...No. I'm on the run from my former fiancee who's an evil dark dude and I'm trying to break a curse too. Obviously no. I said yes. "You guys will need names. Do you have any?" "No." the first one squeaked as I lay down. he crawled up on my chest, sniffing at my face. "I'll call you...Teddy. And you brother..." I said, biting my lip as I thought of a name. "Ginger." he squeaked at me, which I assumed was okay. "Wait..." I said thinking. "How did you two get up here in the first place You can't climb that far..can you?" "We flew!" Teddy said, as though this was obvious. "You..flew?" I said, my eyes bugging out of my head the little hamster. "Of course!" he said, a pair of small, sleek wings unfurling from his back where they had blended in with his fur. "Oooo...that's so cool." I said, patting his head with one finger. It was roughly dawn now and light streamed into the hollow. "...Do you guys know if there's a village anywhere near here?" I asked them. "Yeah. Of that way." Ginger spoke, pointing west with one paw while still nibbling at my cheese. We climbed(or flew) down the tree and they curled up in my sweater pockets, happy to sleep the day away. Ginger and Teddy. I smiled as I walked through the forest, finding the road. Somehow I didn't feel as alone anymore.
Chapter Nine: Ray[]
I managed to reach the town and stock up on provisions, before picking up the pace and moving on before nightfall. The hamsters, or Teddy at least, kept up a running conversation with me after he woke up. He perched on my shoulder. He asked about my past, I asked about theirs and we exchanged stories of our younger life. I managed to make it up another tree for the night, thankful that I'd hurt Darkwell enough so he wouldn't come looking for me. The next morning, I made it to the next nearest town, managing to stay off the road. I pulled up the hood of my cloak, hiding my long blonde hair and distinctive green eyes. The sun was nearing the horizon, and I decided to treat myself and stay in an Inn for the night. The hamsters had decided to nap in my pockets for now, but soon they would start to squirm. As if on cue, Teddy poked his head out and, quickly covering him in my pocket, I hid behind a building in the dark shadows. He squeaked at me, annoyed. "I want to look around!" "Then be quiet, don't move and draw attention to me!" I replied, so I lifted him up to perch on my shoulder. A small squeak of thanks in my ear, then he was silent. I walked out of the shadows and began searching for the best-but-not-too-expensive inn.
☀Finally, just as the sun slipped below the horizon, I found one named the “Night Rider Inn.” The Night Rider was a mystical legend and I soon realized it was rather popular in this inn, at least judging by the decor. There were paintings of it EVERYWHERE. Nonetheless, I sat down and selected a room for the night. As I ordered some food, The door swung open and a large, thick-set, strong looking man entered, in full black hunting clothes. The room was dead silent, So we all heard his deep voice clearly when he said, “Has anyone seen or heard of a girl called Flare Ra?” I flinched, ever so slightly. Thankfully, no one noticed. His eyes roved over the crowd, and I was glad for my cloak, particularly the cowl, as it covered my head. Both hamsters were silent and still. No one answered the man. There was only one person who would be looking for me. Darkwell. Missing flyers with my name, description, picture, reason and a reward for information about me were handed around. 20,000 Sumac for information. Impressive, but I consider myself worth more than that! I thought indignantly. “Her husband wants her back after she was kidnapped. She has to be alive, and unsullied.” Everyone nodded but didn’t speak a word. He looked over us all one more time before leaving, the door swinging shut behind him. Conversation slowly started up again and my meal of lamb soup and salad arrived. After finishing it and the delicious, fresh, warm and buttered bread that came with, I nodded to the innkeeper and headed upstairs for the night. I carefully pried up the board outside my door, then replaced it, having made it so it would creak just loud enough to warn me if anyone was coming. The window was shut and it would squeal loudly if someone tried to open it, so I was safe that way. Also a plus, I had gotten one of the rooms with a lock on the inside. I turned the key, then checked my fortress. I pushed the bed against the wall, chest of drawers against the door, pulled the curtains tightly shut and finally blew my light out as I slipped into bed. I pulled the hamsters out and they both curled up next to my side, content to sleep for a while longer. I sighed as I dozed off, asleep at last in a normal bed….
---More coming soon!---