sarri
I woke during the night with yet another haunting dream, not bothering to try sleep again I sat up. The events of earlier were still clear in my mind, I could not believe the hate inside Drake. It reminded me of how I felt when this thing Alicia planted inside me takes over. I had to rid him of his anger I knew I had to keep trying. Even though I did not know him very well these past weeks have brought us together in ways that I could not understand. I remembered the look in his eyes when he talked of Nardia the hurt in them. I did not understand the feelings I felt for him but I knew they were becoming stronger the more I knew about him. What could have happened to him to cause this anger inside him to build to such a level? What ever it was it doesn't change the fact that I will not let him take on Alicia by himself.
He was right to fear opening up to someone, for now that I know I will not let him kill himself in this foolish mission.
"Can't sleep?"
Startled I turned in the direction of the voice. Jace sat by the fire, it must have been his turn to watch. "I was just about to wake you, you looked like you were having I bad dream."
I nodded
"a never ending bad dream"
I shivered from the memory of it
"It's almost like my mind is trying to remember what happened the night of the attack, but I can never understand what any of it means."
I got up and sat next to him
"maybe you are not ready to know what happened yet."
"Maybe, it just gets frustrating sometimes."
I used the heat of the fire to keep my hands warm. Wanting to change the subject I asked
"How can someone so young be so good in battle?"
He laughed at my question
"It's just worked out like that, but unlike most I had Drake to help me perfect my talents instead of them wasting away."
Hearing Drake's name made me remember everything that had happened.
"Yes he is a good commander, Frall made a good decision in choosing him."
Jace nodded,
"I was honored when he picked me to go on this mission."
"As well you should be he rates you very highly to have chosen you."
Jace paused I could tell he was working up the courage to ask something
"If you don't mind me asking your majesty.."
I indicated for him to go on
"I was just curious as to who trained you?"
I smiled at the memory
"Naran, he taught me everything about fighting and with every kind of weapon. He had mastered them all, he also trained Coran. Though Coran received more years of training from him then I ever did."
Lost in the memory of the great warrior I did not notice that Jace held his mouth open in shock. Realizing that I was staring at him he closed it then said in awe
"THEE Naran, the greatest human warrior to ever live in all our history?"
I laughed at the childish tone in his voice
"yes THEE Naran wolffang the greatest human warrior."
His eyes widened
"I would kill to have been trained by him. I mean Drake is just as good..I"
laughing I quickly said
"Don't worry I want tell Drake I'm sure he feels the same way."
I snuck I quick glance at the sleeping form of Drake wrapped in his blankets.
"Her highness is right."
Both Jace and I spun around to see Lucas rising from under his blankets.
"I know for a fact that Drake would have loved to have been trained by Naran anyone would."
The sun started to shine behind him as he sat across from us.
"We were both only common warriors in the royal army the first time we saw a picture of wolffang." After that Jace and Lucas began to talk about everything Naran had done in his life to become the great Naran Wolffang. Having heard it all before I stood saying that I just needed to go for a walk. They barely looked up from their talking which suited me fine for they would not stop me from going off on my own.
As the camp got further and further behind me I felt this odd sense of freedom. Ever sense I woke up I always had to be with someone never being able to be by myself, never being able to think without being interrupted. I smiled to myself at this feeling Coran would call it me rebelling against being heir to the throne, but I was just being myself. Not having to watch what I say, not having to do what was proper. Suddenly a portal opened right in front of me. Drawing my swords I watched as Nate stepped out of it.
"Finally, I have you alone these guards of yours were beginning to become annoying. You would think we were hunting you."
"Isn't that exactly what you are doing?"
Nate stepped closer
"In some way yes but we are not trying to kidnap you, there is no need."
Tightening my grip on my swords I spoke through gritted teeth
"I know your plan and it's not going to work, I will not be controlled. You might as well go back to that witch and tell her she will not have me."
Nate smiled
"but Princess I only want to talk."
Spreading his arms in innocence he continued
"I am unarmed I give you my word I only want to talk."
"You word means nothing to me."
He stepped closer now we were only inches away. Looking into his yellow eyes I felt as if I could trust his word I didn't know how but I knew he had at least some honor. Slowly I reshealthed my swords, "You want to talk then talk."
He smiled
"there we go now we can talk like civilized beings. We are a lot alike you and I, we both want the same things, though in different ways but the same none the less."
I kept my eyes on him as he circled me
"I can't believe how destroying entire towns and murdering thousands is what I want."
Nate laughed
"Everything we do is only a means to an end. If we Destroy Dralic we can start over anew. We can make a new and better world with you and your power you will rule the new world along side Alicia."
"How can you justify what you are doing, you are destroying a land that has stood for centuries. You are condemning an entire race to slavery, or are you just trying to hide the fact that this new world involves the slavery of humans so that I will join you? What you are doing is ludicrous."
His face changed at the mention of humans
"The humans are not meant to live freely in this world, already their numbers far out way our own. If they turn against us and some day they will we will be defeated. They have the power to wipe us from this world and if they ever find that out they will not hesitate. Don't you see they breed like vermin always multiplying always evolving, if we do not stop them now they will become too many."
I stepped back shacking my head, fast as lighting he gripped both my hands in his.
"Look into your self you know I'm right."
With one hand he caressed my check in a seductive manner, I tried to avoid his hand but there was something in his eyes that rendered me immobile
"Let her go Nate!"
Spinning me around Nate wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we both faced Drake.
"Always interrupting, have you no manners."
Drake held his sword in his hand before him
"Let her go Nate before I force you to."
He laughed
"such strong words."
Nate released me
"we were only talking right your highness?"
I did not answer as Drake pulled me towards him until I was behind him never taking his eyes
off Nate. Nate laughed again he turned towards the portal, meeting my eyes he said
"I'll be seeing you again soon your highness."
Then entered the portal and disappeared. Instantly Drake turned to me
"did he hurt you?"
Stunned by what had happened I could not talk at first, Drake raised his hand to my face
"your highness are you alright?"
Concern was in his eyes quickly I nodded
"yes I'm.. I'm fine."
"Good, come we have to go, we have to get you to the sanctuary and soon."
He started to pull me back to the camp but I stopped him, turning he looked at me questioning with his eyes
"Thank you."
He did not move only stared, I saw something unknown enter his eyes. Then it was gone hidden behind his ever familiar mask as he continued to pull me back to the others.
Hours later we were on our way towards Archgrote. Drake had told the others what had happen and they were all eager to be leaving. Coran never left my side his protectiveness showing in every sound he heard. Always searching for unknown enemies, the others showed their concern as well. Always they had their swords drawn or an arrow nocked.
I also had my sword drawn but I was not as attentive as the others all I could think about was the look in Drake's eyes. What was it that I saw and why did it excite me to see it? My mind was also on everything that Nate had said. He seemed so convincing, could he be right will the humans turn on us? No, they wouldn't after everything we have done for them.
After the history our races have been through to create this peace, I will not believe it. I can not believe it Nate is wrong they would never do as he says. I stared before me not really seeing what was there merely thinking. However as I stared I began to sense something approaching through the trees that surrounded the road. Drake was the first to sense it, as he stopped our party in it's tracks. "What is it?"
Whispered Coran
"I don't know just don't move."
As everyone readied themselves for a fight I concentrated on what it was. Somehow I knew it was not of our kind nor was it human. Whatever it was I sensed something familiar about it. Without thought I moved my horse forward Coran touched my shoulder, turning I smiled
"don't worry it will not hurt us."
He looked upon me with confusion
"What are you talking about?"
Ignoring him I dismounted as I whispered
"Karsha."
Closing my eyes I smiled
"what did you say?"
I heard Coran question. Suddenly as if in answer to my call the creature calmly walked out from between the trees before me. She had the body of a black feline her back reached my hip. Around her neck was a black feathery mane, the tip of her five tails also held feathers, just as long feathers protruded from her leg joints. Mesmerized by her beauty as I always was, I slowly walked towards her. I heard Drake move forward lifting his sword, fearing for her life I quickly turned on him.
Using my powers I froze all of their movements including the horses, they were all forced to watch as I approached the creature. Lowering to my knees I extended one hand, without hesitation she began to purr as she nudged my hand with her head her fur was like velvet. Smiling she came closer as I hugged her, standing I turned to face the others. I released them from the hold I had. Stunned they did not move closer nor did they speck. It was only Lucas that stepped forward
"It can't be"
he exclaimed. The others turned to him with questioning looks.
"Lucas what are you saying, do you know what that thing is?"
asked Drake. Lucas shrugged
"I can't be sure for there is no description known but it has to be there is no other explanation."
I did not hear the end of his theory for I suddenly felt a strange feeling overcome me. Before I knew it I had collapsed to the ground. I knew I was in a strange sort of dream as a bright light formed all around me. As the light slowly faded I began to see a beautiful garden grow around me, rising to my feet I looked at all the different colored flowers. Rose vines of every colour covered all the walls surrounding the garden.
I knew where I was even before I set my eyes on the fountain at the very center of the garden. The main sculpture of the fountain was a huge silver dragon with it's wings spread beside it. At it's paws were many smaller dragons all of whom gazed up at the silver one, almost as if they worshipped him. I sensed that Karsha was behind me, turning I looked down upon her feline form.
"It has been awhile."
She said as I smiled to hear her voice again
"yes, you disappeared almost a year ago."
She padded closer
"I am sorry my old friend but I was needed else where."
I smiled
"why have you brought me here?"
"Don't you remember?"
"Of course I do, this is where I first saw you." Karsha was one of the legendary Sithadons of our world. They did not normally converse with any but their own kind, however when Karsha was a cub she ventured away from her home land. I found her captured by palace guards who thought to sell her to the highest bidder not fully comprehending what she was. I saved her, ever since then we have been friends. Bringing her back here and nursing her back to health.
That was almost twelve years ago
"I did return when I sensed that you were in trouble, but you had already left this world. I have been waiting for your return, I would have found you sooner but I could not connect with your spirit properly."
I sighed for I knew the reason for it.
"I know what Alicia is trying to do."
I looked away from her, sensing her concern. "Come I want to show you something."
I followed her to the top of a small hill in the garden. I gazed down at the enormous city, it stretched for miles in every direction. At the very center of the city was the most beautiful castle , my home. We gazed down at the heart of Gradkail, the shining star.
"As I look upon this great city, I remember everything it represents, peace in Dralic, peace between two races."
I looked down at her
"As long as you remember what you fight for Alicia can never win your mind. Gradkail is the heart of Dralic but it is the people that allow that heart to shine brightly. You must remember that even though Alicia controls the city she does not control its people nor does she control you."
I looked around again, this garden was special it held magic in its purest form, the magic of nature. The beauty of the view we stood before made my heart ache for home.
"Alicia does not realize the true beauty of Dralic, all she sees is a kingdom to overpower. She does not comprehend that without the help of both races Dralic would not be what it is today. Both races live and work with each other, they have their strengths and their weaknesses like every living being should. She does not realize that without peace there can be no kingdom."
I felt Karsha's approval of my words.
"What Alicia does not understand is that one race can not live without them all. To defeat Alicia you must enlist the help of all races, human or otherwise."
I smiled into her eerily beautiful red feline eyes, "thank you Karsha for showing me this, I have been away from my home for too long and had forgotten its meaning."
Enough said together we exited the confines of our minds to return to our bodies.