I heard shouts as a swarm of soliders filled my vision. They had circled us, making sure we couldn't escape. I watched as their breathes made large puff of clouds in the air a they shouted to one another.
I searched the men's clothes, looking for some clue on whose side they where on. Unfortunately their was nothing. Jameson must have been looking too because he unsheathed his blade. I did likewise and pushed Terra in the middle. She knew how to fight, but not well.
"Aria, what the hell!" Sebastion hissed in my ear. I sighed, knowing I had failed.
"They where to quiet for me to pick up." I spat, irritated mostly at myself for getting distracted. I watched as they settled, their blades pointed at us. They didn't move or talk. Sebastion and I traded uneasy glances.
Heavy footprints sounded behind the wall of men. As it got closer, they seperated to form a path, letting in a tail man with pitch black hair. It was short with long strands in the front hang in his eyes. I watched as his gold eyes shifted over us. Although he was cautious, he strode towards us with confidence. Handsome. He stopped in front of Jameson, and his eyes narrowed.
"You realize that there is a huge battle going on, and you are trespassing? State your purpose." The man demanded. His tone was cold, detatched. General? Commanding officer perhaps? Jameson hesitated.
"We bring a warning for the King." Jameson replied coolly. The man's eyes narrowed.
"What kind of warning?" I glanced at Jameson. We still didn't know who these guys where. Just because they say we are tresspassing, doesn't mean they actually belong to Atticus's army. Jameson caught my eyes and gave a curt nod. I watched as the man eyed us.
"Forgive me for not trusting you. You wear no emblem, or sign of who you are. I don't want this getting into the wrong hands." I heard a growl and a solider lunged for Jameson. I brought my blade up and blocked it. A single ring sounded in the forest. I kicked my foot into his chest and sent him backwards. He stumbled and fell on his butt. With a quick flick of my wrist I twirled my blade in my hands, waiting for another attack.
The tension shifted. I glared challengingly, begging anyone else to try. Sebastion cracked his neck in anticipation. Survival instincts where starting to override reason.
"Men stad down. I didn't give the order to attack!" The man glared at his men. They didn't move. He regained his composure, his face hiding any further emotion. They hesitated at first, but then sheathed their swords. Jameson placed a gentle hand on my arm, telling me to do the same. Again, Sebastion and I shared another uneasy glance before obeying his orders.
"Come with us. We will take you to Atticus." Praise the gods. It was silent and tense as we trekked through the woods with our new 'friends'. The General type walked beside me.
"What's your name?" He asked quietly. I eyed him nervously. He didn't look at me. He disn't seem very threatening. I've been wrong before.
"Aria." I was surprised with how quiet my voice was. It was silent again.
"Beautiful name." I just nodded my head, not wanting to continue a conversation. It was the first time any random man talked to me since the battle.
"Where are you guys coming from?" Before I could say anything Jameson nudged me next to Celeste. I watched as Jameson chatted with The man. I learned his name was Drake, and he was in fact a general.
"I have heard much about you from a friend of yours." Drake commented. What? Who? He looked down at me, watching,my reaction.
"There are survivors?" I whispered pushing past Jameson. Drake nodded.
"There is a handful, not very many. But there is a man who just never stops talking about you. D-" He was cut off from the shouting in the distance.
"General! It's good to see you back." I knew that voice. I pushed past Drake's men, making my way to the front. They gave me dirty looks, but it didn't bother me. I pushed one last time and came out front. Dallas! His sandy blone hair had been neatly trimmed away from his face. His blue eyes went wide with shock as they looked over me. He wore casual black cloth garments and a loosely belted sword at his side.
He was casually leaning against the gate door when he pushed off it. I was faintly aware that everyone had stopped. The air was still. I took in a shuddering breath as I took off towards him. He ran and met me in the middle. I felt my feet leave the ground as Dallas wrapped me into a hug and spun.
"Praise the gods, Dallas!" He set me on my feet and didn't let go. I laughed and cried, my emotions all over the place with fatigue. Dallas let me go and held me at arms length. We had been friends since we where kids. Even trained together.
"Jeez, you really wasted away." He said disapprovingly as he looked me up and down. I rolled my eyes and smiled.
"You try surviving the harsh winter for six months." He ruffled my hair before looking serious.
"You are an idiot though. Pulling a stunt like you did." He muttered. He was talking about the battle. The King and his family had been slain, so to avoid capture we tried to flee. A small group that he was in had been entrapped. I was by myself at the time, so I took it upon myself to throw them off guard. As I attacked them, the others had fled to safety. If it hadn't been for Jameson who eventually found me struggling, I wouldn't have lived for very long.
"You are alive. That's all that matters." Someine cleared there throat and I turned my attention to Jameson.
"We need to go Aria." I sighed and nodded my head. I said my good bye and followed behind Drake. It was quiet as they led us through the bustling Kingdom. Vendors lined the streets as people scurried about. Loud chattering and laughter filled the air. A sweet smell wafted through my nose and I let a moan escape my lips. Food here smelled so good.
Drake had glanced down at me and I turned, blushing. He couldn't see it anyway because I had my mask on my face, but I was still embarressed that I let my guard down. We trekked up a paved hill to the marble stairs that led into the castle. It was a very large stone castle. The windows where tiny dots in comparison. I took a timid swallow as we passed into the massive archway.
The main area was just as impressive. Pillars lined the middle of the room, a red carpet leading down the hall. We followed it down to a set of bronze doors. Two guards saluted Drake and cracked the door open.
"Entering General Drake Windburne!" He shouted as the guards swung the doors open. Drake strood in first, swift. His aura was powerful and dangerous. Like a mountain lion stalking it's pray. I watched as he knelt before the King. We followed his lead and knelt down beside him.
"Your highness, we found these stragglers just inside the border and they come with a warning." Drake stood before the King as he nodded. Jameson bumped me lightly. Nervously I stood and cleared my throat. The Atticus was deffinetly a threatening man. He had long brown graying hair that had mulitiple braides along side his head that merged into one down his back. His dark Gray eyes pierced into mine as he waited.
"Your highness we are from the fallen Kingdom of Elistria. We where just passing through when we over heard a group of Malfathicus's me talk about attacking you. There a massive army on the way here-" He held up a hand and I bit my lip.
"Pull down your mask." My eyes widened and I nodded. I let the thick fabric fall from my face and he smiled.
"You are so young to be fighting. Let alone a female. What's your name?" I looked to Jameson who stated blandly at Atticus. He then looked to me and nodded.
"Aria, your highness. I'm a Huntress." He nodded his head, his eyes far away.
"Why?" Was all he said. I didn't know how to answer. My parents where murdered in a neighboring village when I was younger. Bandits. Jameson had found me and I guess I just grew up with it, it's all I know.
"It's all I know." I stared him down as he sat silently. His eyes never left mine as he grinned.
"Intriguing." Was all he said before he directed his attention toward Drake. "I want extra men on the perimeter of the territory. Report anything out of ordinary. Malfathicus is no man to be triffled with." Drake nodded his head. The he turned back to Jameson.
"I have heard much about you and Aria, Jameson. Dallas never stops. I want you two in my ranks until this war is over. I could use skills like yours." I watched Celeste open her mouth. I glared at her to shut up. Her mouth shot and she passed me a dirty look.
"We would be happy to serve your Majesty. You have a better advantage than we did, so we should be victorious." Jameson paced a hand on my shoulder. I eyed him warily, but said nothing. Atticus saw this and raised an eyebrow.
"Is there a problem Aria?" Another grin on his face. I silently shook my head no. I wasn't really sure if I wanted to battle again. But it appears I would have no choice.
"I like her. Obediant. You can stay in the castle, I'll have Drake show you two to the Guard wing. The rest, I'll have Meredith show you to the guest chambers." Sebastion tensed. It's been six months, and we never seperated.
"I'm sorry, but we can-" I placed my hand over Sebastions mouth. I sadly shook my head and patted his shoulder.
"It's ok. We must do what we have to. We aren't very far." I pasted a smile to my face, but it must not have been very convincing. He glared and shook his head. I watched him turn on his heel as a pretty maid came and took them away. A hole I had been fighting so hard to keep at bay, reappeared.
A soft hand was gently placed on my shoulder as I continued to watch Celeste, Terra, and Sebastion walk out the door. Tears had started to prick my eyes. This was for the best right? The hand dropped off my shoulder and wrapped around my arm, tugging me gently.
I looked up at Jameson, his face placid. He sighed when he saw my face and wrapped a gentle arm around my shoulders.
"So, what's the relation between you too?" Atticus asked quietly.
"Why is that relevant?" I looked at him. I couldn't hide the distress in my tone. I cleared my throat, hoping he couldn't detect it.
"We aren't here to make you life miserable Aria, understand that we only want strong people in our ranks. You two have done much to prove so. You can see your friends anytime." Atticus said softly
"I know. It's just these past six months have been trying. They are all I have left." I clenched my hands. Drake passed Atticus a look and he nodded.
"I'll be bringing you to our quarters now. Please follow me." Again, we passed through bright white halls. Jameson never took his hand off my shoulder, trying to comfort me the best way he could.
"Aria!" Dallas called out as we passed his room. His mood changed when he saw me. I waved at him, not wanting to talk. I felt the hole grow bigger inside me, almost swallowing any cohernt thought I had. I barely made out where our room ws as we where ushered in.
All I knew, was that I was tired. So when I felt my body drop on a soft mattress, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.