Emilena felt cold anger.
"Father you can't be serious," she moaned.
Silvian, her father had just announced another war with Herence, again! Which meant that she would end up in some kind of safe house, her and her annoying older sister.
"I am completely serious Emilena. Don't worry my little one," He said passively, as if this was a normal thing. Which at this point it kind of was.
"Where will we be going?" Madisontia said, maintaining her calm as well. Looking like a younger version of Silvian.
Silvian smiled, pacing over to his oldest daughter. He placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I believe, my daughter, you are now old enough to stay."
Madisontia smiled and nodded slowly. Emilena groaned, her sister gets to stay?!
"You're mother would have been very proud of you Madisontia." Silvian turned to his youngest daughter, "You, Emilena on the other hand," he said, "Will be transported to a safe place."
Emilena clasped her hands together, "Please let me stay."
Silvian's face hardened, "Emilena you are still a child, there is no place for a child in war. Therefore obey my wishes. Your sister will soon be crowned Queen, she must learn. Those are my orders"
"Yes, Father" Masontia said fondly.
Emilena nodded, too angry to speak niceties.
Emilena packed her things unsure how long she'd be gone. As she packed her little servant ran up to her. Emilena considered this girl to be her only friend.
"Good travels my lady," she said, "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," Emilena said sadly, "Stay safe please."
Emilena's father transported her to the place she would stay.
The first thing she noticed was how cold it was. She shivered in the damp cold place, what an awful safehouse.
"Be good," he said softly, "I will collect you when it's safe again."
"Okay," she muttered. Then he was gone, and she sank to the ground, sitting completely motionless. What was she going to do?
Suddenly there was a loud bang, sounding like something hit a hard wall. She gathered her courage.
"Hello?" She called.
Silence….
Then a form flashed in front of her, light erupted from the other side of what must have been a chasm. Suddenly bat-like creatures came at Emilena from all sides.
Emilena tried to bat them away. When she could no longer feel the wind of their wings she opened her eyes.
In front of her sat four bat-like things. Then each one was enveloped in a cloud of smoke. When it cleared there were four children standing in front of her. Each one had their own set of glowing eyes.
"What is it?" One of them said this one was a girl. She had a high clear and familiar voice Emilena couldn't place.
"Why don't we ask it," Chimed in a very annoyed young boy who was standing apart from the others. He looked different than the rest because his hair was golden.
"I know what it is! I know," The boy looked ridiculous as he waved his hands in the air.
Emilena had had enough of this. "I'm Emilena," she snapped.
"Your old Silvians little girl aren't you," The gold-haired one snapped back.
"You're those Herence children aren't you?"
"You didn't answer my question!"
"You didn't either."
The golden one stared her down and she stared right back.
Something else occurred to her. "Get out! This is my house!" She screamed.
"It's a cave," They shouted back.
Emilena crossed her arms, "Whatever it's mine."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"Be quiet!"
Everyone stopped, another boy had emerged, he was definitely older than the others. Emilena had to admit he was quite handsome, short wild brown hair tumbled around his face, and his eyes glowed a pure white.
"What is all this noise?" He demanded.
"We were defending the cave," The other children chorused.
"From what?!" He noticed Emilena for the first time. His face changed to something softer.
"Sister, brothers where are our manners?" He sounded calm, and Emilena watched the others retreat. But he was still looking at her, "You're Emilena aren't you?"
"Yes I am," She rolled her eyes, "This is my home, so if you please." She didn't mean it as an offer.
His face looked pained, "I'm afraid we are stuck here."
"Roommates! I can't be roommates with her! She's an Endom!" the golden-haired boy complained. Once again the older boy silenced him.
"This place is lined with Emberstone which disrupts teleportation, so no one can leave," He said matter of factly.
Golden-haired, groaned.
"Wait, you're an Endom right?" Remarked the girl.
"Obviously," Emilena replied angrily.
"I have an idea then," She said, "To get you out of here."
Before Emilena could form a reply, the girl walked away.
There was silence once more and Emilena took an opportunity to look around herself. She was right about this being a cave. Moss covered the ground and something else looking at her feet Emilena saw a small bush of berries. She recognized them immediately.
"You haven't been eating these?!" She cried out.
"Mmm," Hand-waver said through a mouth full of berries. He was turning green.
The entire group chorused into outright laughter. Emilena found her own voice joining the cacophony.
In retrospect, Emilena was very glad she was dumped with this mysterious group.