As Kestra awoke to the knock at her door, she realized today was no ordinary day. She
watched as a guard entered her room. Stifling her smile, she pulled the covers
back over her head. Grabbing a spare pillow, she hid it beside her. She placed
a hand over her mouth when she heard him grumbling slightly. With any other,
she wouldn't dare. To her friend, she couldn't help it.
"Rise and
shine, you sleepy-head." He said as he drew closer.
She heard
him stop beside the bed, the rustling of his clothes hitting her ears. She
waited for the right moment to strike. Before she could react, she felt the
pillow she was lying on get pulled out from under her. With a grunt, she heard
laughter from beside her. She pulled the covers down to see his face.
The young
elf was only a few years older than herself. Broad-shouldered, he stood at a
height of 5'9. His golden catlike eyes gleamed with mischief. His short brown
hair brushed, yet messy, with sideburns reaching just past the ear. He offered
a gloved hand to her.
"I think I
won this round. What do you think?" He asked with a grin.
Kestra took
the gloved hand as she examined it. She saw the Royal Guard symbol and smiled.
"Sure. If
you call the cheap shot a win." She replied. She quickly changed the subject
before he could answer. "I see my father finally accepted my request for you to
join the guard."
"Yes, he
has. We can talk about it later. Right now, get ready for the day. I'll be in
the sitting area."
Kestra
chuckled as she watched him open the window to her landing before leaving. He
knew her well. The fresh air danced around as a slight breeze brought the trees
outside to life. She walked over to her closet and browsed through her gowns.
She picked out a light blue one with short sleeves. Turning to the bathroom,
she went to change.
Stepping
back out, she made her way to the vanity. Brushing the knots in her hair, she
let her thoughts wander. Is the war finally over? Taking a ribbon, she tied her
black hair back out of her face. She heard shuffling to her right and chuckled
softly.
"So, what is
it you wanted to tell me?" She spoke to the other. As she adorned her neck with
a light gold chain, she caught sight of him entering. She never cared for heavy
jewelry or gowns. There were times it was required, but she avoided it when she
could.
"I wanted to
tell you that there have been talks of negotiations." He declared as he knelt
by her side. He put a hand gently over hers before continuing. "I believe those
talks. But the question is, would you believe it?"
"You know, I
do. Your instincts haven't failed yet. Why would they now?" Kestra replied
gently, slightly squeezing his hand.
"About what
that means. You haven't changed your mind, have you? I mean, it lasted longer
than either of us wanted and…" Keldo started. He couldn't tell his daughter
what the argument was about. "Drave hasn't been acting like himself lately, and
we were wondering why you left."
Kestra
wanted to tell her parents about what she heard while in Entoen. She wanted her
parents to explain more; she felt they were hiding something from her. When
they said nothing more, she shared her own insight.
"I need to
say something," she started. Once they focused on her, she continued. "I was at
Entoen, and I heard Drave talking to someone. I'm not sure who it was, though."
She saw her mother trembling.
"What did he
say?" Keldo said firmly. He needed to know what Kestra had heard. If she had
heard something that might put her in any sort of harm, she would run to the
source and fight before thinking about the consequences that could follow.
Kestra
relayed the words that she heard as her father urged her to continue. "I heard
Drave say that he would deal with the girl and that the other needed to make
sure that nobody found out."
Kestra
shuddered as she said this. She didn't mention that she thought she was the
girl in question. She didn't dare. Looking at her mother, she saw Celia
beginning to cry.
"Kestra,"
Celia said thru the tears. "I was afraid of this. Drave is furious with us. He
wants the throne for himself."
"Celia, don't
say anymore," Keldo commanded. He didn't want their daughter to know too much.
He didn't wish for Kestra to do something before she thought it through once
again.
"Is that
what the argument was about?" Kestra asked. She wanted to confirm her
suspicions. She needed to know why Drave was acting differently.
"It's late.
I suggest we go to bed." Keldo said before Celia could say more. Seeing the
confused and wondering look in Kestra's eyes, he took her hand. "Kestra." He
wanted to tell her everything, but he couldn't yet. She wasn't ready.
"Father,
what is it?" Kestra asked. She had never seen her father act like this before.
It worried her.
"It's
nothing. Really. Let's head to bed. I will explain everything later. I promise."
Keldo finished. He knew Kestra saw the sorrow in his eyes. He turned to his
daughter. "Kestra, don't worry about what you heard. There is extra protection
only for tonight. I don't want you to do anything drastic. Don't run off just
because of what you heard."
Her father
kissed Kestra on the head and walked in the opposite direction with Celia.
Kestra stood there in the silence for a few minutes, letting everything sink
in. She debated doing her own research about the Morvaies and the Dark One. She
let out a yawn and decided she would start it in the morning.
Kestra
exited the room and headed up to her chambers. As she headed up the stone
staircase, it filled her mind with the day's activities. Who was Drave talking
to? Was she the girl that was in question, and if so, what did Drave want with
her? Was the extra protection just for one night like her father had said?
Kestra was
so deep in her thoughts that she didn't hear the footsteps coming up behind
her. They seemed to speed up as they got closer. She thought little of it until
she heard a voice.
'Your time
has come, Liberator. You will be mine.' The voice hissed.
Kestra
quickly turned around. She was about to reach for her sword until she recalled
locking it in her room upon returning with Shadow. She was defenseless except
her hands and magic. "Just great." She mumbled to herself. She may be decent,
but wasn't proficient.
While
looking around the empty stone corridor, she saw nothing. It's probably just
Shadow and the other guards patrolling. I've got to get a grip. Kestra thought,
shrugging her shoulders. She continued on a few more steps when she knew
something wasn't right. As she went to look back again, Kestra felt a gloved
hand cover her mouth. What is Scyfire up to now? When she tried to turn around
to face him, she felt cold metal under her chin. That's not Scyfire.
"Not a word,
Princess." The voice whispered. Kestra didn't know the voice, but it sounded
familiar. They cut her off from her thought when they started whispering again.
"The Dark One said that it would be hard to capture you. I didn't expect it to
be this easy. Now start walking." Kestra studied the voice. It was so low it
sounded like a growl, almost like it belongs to a MORVAIE! Drave wasn't lying
when he said that they were planning an attack.
Kestra's
eyes widened with fear, and she knew that a muffled scream would be worthless.
She realized she had to find a way out. She had heard an abundance of stories
about Morvaies and their actions towards captives. Looking closer the gloved
hand that covered her mouth. It had a claw set upon four knuckles, the rank of
a general.
She elbowed
the Morvaie in the gut, making him double over. Kestra knew he would soon go
after her again. Quickly, she sprinted towards her room. Before her mind could
comprehend, the floor was closing in. The Morvaie grabbed her ankle before she
could run. Before Kestra could get up, the Morvaie pinned her roughly to the
ground.
"Tsk, tsk,
Princess. I won't like it if you tried to run. Now, are you going to come
quietly, or are you going to be stubborn?" The Morvaie whispered in her ear.
"The Dark
One can eat my sword sparks." Kestra remarked furiously, trying to place the
voice. It seemed deeper than any other Morvaie's voice that she heard.
"That hurts."
The Morvaie replied, mockingly, placing a hand over his heart. He continued,
reaching for Kestra's arms. "So cruel, Kainer. Then again, you have a tendency
to say such things about the Dark One and his humble servants."
'Kentight.'
The voice from earlier hissed. 'Don't let the Kainer escape. Bring her to me
before the Guardians notice.'
Kestra heard
the voice broke out in a cold sweat. For a few seconds, it paralyzed her with
fear. 'Singina,' A second voice whispered. This one was different. Instead of
hissing, it was gentle and warm. 'Help is on the way.'
Kestra
gently shook her head to clear it. "Who are you anyway?" She spat. The Morvaie,
named Kentight, pulled her to her feet and turned her around.
"You mean
you haven't figured it out yet?" Kentight's smile frightened Kestra, and his
eyes brightened. They were unlike any eyes she had ever seen. His left eye was
as dark as night, and his right was light maroon. "You are pathetic, Princess.
Since the first raid, people have known, including your parents. Don't they
tell you anything? What's this?"
Kestra didn't
have time to respond to the questions before she felt him move her hair to the
right.
"It can't
be. You can't be." Kentight whispered. He followed a scar with his fingers as
he held his blade with his thumb. He traced down her neck to the top of her
left shoulder blade.
'KENTIGHT!
BRING HER TO ME NOW!' The first voice roared as darkness surrounded them.
"Yes, Sir."
Kentight whispered, acknowledging the voice. "Now, let's try this again, shall
we." He turned his attention back to Kestra. Still in awe of his discovery, he
placed his blade once again under her chin, turning her around. "Start walking."
"I don't
plan to go anywhere with you." Kestra's shuttering voice pronounced, feeling
her magic coursing through her veins. Before she could utter a single word, a
transparent barrier appeared in front of both. Kestra's voice died in her
throat as confusion took over her.
Kentight
blinked his eyes, perplexed. "How did you…" Kentight whispered. He heard
nothing.
'Singina,
run.' A gentle voice called out, startling the Morvaie. Kestra wiggled her way
out as the darkness disappeared. Not needing to be told twice, she ran.
"Lum!"
Kentight snarled as the figure appeared. The Guardian's messenger had appeared
before him. She had interfered many times in the past and continued to do so.
"Yes." Lum
spoke. Her armor that appeared to be made from crystals. "Her time is not yet.
And you will not go a step farther."
'You will
pay for interrupting Lum.' The voice hissed. 'I will destroy you with my hand.'
Lum looked
unfazed as she continued to stare at Kentight. She raised her hand and pointed
at him. A bright light shot out, and Lum disappeared just as quickly as she
came.
Kentight
growled but didn't move until Lum left. 'Kentight, get me the Princess.' The
voice hissed. Taking a step, Kentight felt his determination return. Before he
could blink, he was on the floor, clutching his chest. His blade dropped to the
ground. Once he recovered, he looked up and saw Kestra there. His eyes burned
with fury as he grabbed his dagger and threw it at her.
Kestra
stopped when she felt the sharp pain of a blade cutting her. Taking the chance,
she looked behind her and couldn't believe what she saw. Kentight was on the
ground, smiling straight at her. Coming back to her senses, she continued down
the corridor to her chambers.
"You'll
regret that greatly, Princess. I hope the Dark One doesn't take it too easy on
you." He cried after her. Of course, he won't. I know that for a fact. He
added only in his mind.
Once she
reached her room, she pushed the guards aside as she ran in. She didn't want to
explain what happened, and they wouldn't question her. Once the door was
closed, she examined the wound. It wasn't deep, for which she was grateful. She
would heal it later, opting for bandaging the cut. She halted when she heard
knocking on her door.
"Kestra, are
you alright?" Scyfire asked. Shadow informed him about what happened in town
and asked him to check on Kestra.
"Everything's
fine, Scyfire. I'm just tired, that's all." Kestra replied. She knew Scyfire
wouldn't fall for that, but he didn't push her.
"You're sure
you're alright?" Scyfire asked again.
"Yes. I'm
fine." Kestra responded without hesitation.
"Alright.
Get some rest. I will see you in the morning. Love you."
She listened
to the retreating footsteps. Waiting till there was only silence, she
continued. "How did a Morvaie get in here?" Whispering to herself. "No one
would let them in. One thing that bothers me the most is how well he knew his
way around."
Kestra
reached for her sword when she saw the one hanging on the wall. It was said to
be one of the few made by the Guardians themselves and brought the proper owner
peace and a rational mind. She never dared use it, though her parents believed
it was for her. Something was drawing her to it.
'It is time,
Singina, for sword and master to become one.' Lum's voice echoed.
Kestra
grabbed the sword as a light filled the room. A warmth, unlike any other, ran
through her. Her mind cleared as the light faded. Not knowing what happened,
she put the sword in the scabbard when she suddenly a vision filled her mind.
She observed
Drave in control of a vast army of Morvaies. Her eyes beheld the destruction of
houses and shops. It forced her to witness the slaughter or enslavement of her
people.
Kestra
jumped back in shock, dropping the sword. She had experienced nothing like that
before. Her visions have never shown that much detail. 'Remember what you saw,
Singina.' An unfamiliar voice told her. It was gentle like Lum's, yet
authoritative. 'You will be the promise that will save them.' Kestra looked
around to find who spoke. None were with her. She reached slowly for the sword
and strapped it on. Deciding to leave her other sword there, she placed it on
the wall in the now empty place.
She headed for the window but stopped
suddenly, realizing that her parents deserved an explanation for why she was
running off this time. After finding a paper and her ink well, she wrote.
By
the time someone reads this letter, I will be within the forest of Eldar.
A
Morvaie attacked me while in the upper western corridor.
I had a vision of the destruction of our
people.
I
saw was a Morvaie army enslaving and slaughtering our people under the command
of Drave.
Don't worry about me, I will be fine.
I'm
going to stop this threat before it spreads.
Please make sure Scyfire knows I love him.
Kestra
folded the letter and placed it on her bed. Giving one last look around, she
closed the bay doors behind her. She tossed her pack off the side, hearing it
land on the ground below. Clasping her cloak in place, she lifted herself up on
the sturdy branch. She has done this so often; she could do it in the dark.
Once her feet touched the ground, she found the dragon at the bottom of the
tree, with her eyes closed. Kestra knew better than to fall for that. "I'm
running away, Sylvaria. Please don't stop me."
The golden
beast opened her eyes and looked at her. "What's the reason this time, Kestra?
Did Scyfire break up with you, or is it you don't want a royal life again?"
Sylvaria asked, nearly laughing. She knew Kestra has said things like this
before but never followed through.
"Neither. A
Morvaie General attacked me on my way to my bedchamber." Kestra replied,
hoisting her pack on her back. Only then did Sylvaria notice the cut on Kestra's
arm.
"Kestra,
this is more serious than you realize. Don't you think your parents ought to
know about this? You know that this isn't the first time. First, you almost
disappeared in town, and now this. And didn't you almost get taken by a Morvaie
a year ago as well?" Sylvaria asked, worried about Kestra's safety. She knew
more than the young elf and knew what she means to this war.
"I already
wrote them a note. I'm going to stop this threat, Sylvaria, with or without
you." Kestra grumbled, looking at her friend.
"I will not
let you go alone. This is the opportunity that the Dark One is waiting for,
believe me." Sylvaria growled, standing up.
"Who is the
Dark One?" Kestra asked, as Sylvaria came closer to her.
"An
extremely wicked Morvaie. I cannot tell you his name, for I do not know it. But
it isn't someone you know."
"My vision
showed Drave leading the army." Kestra retorted, heading for the gate.
"There is
more to Drave than you know, Kestra. He has his reasons for doing what he is."
Sylvaria kept calm.
"Like
wanting to rule." Kestra whispered. She stopped, suddenly sensing a dark aura.
Looking around, she continued with more caution. "I heard the argument he had
with my parents." She whispered.
"You would
like to think that it's Drave, but he had no choice." Sylvaria replied, her
eyes glistening in the moonlight.
"What?"
Kestra stopped when she heard that. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not one
who should answer that. However, I will say the answers will come to you. I
promise." Sylvaria gave a reassuring tap with her nuzzle before they
disappeared into the night.
***
After
Kentight found the dagger that he threw at the Princess, he disappeared into
the shadows, knowing that guards would patrol this area soon. He found the
servants' staircase within the stone corridor. He pushed aside a stone that
blocked his path. Carefully rolling the stone back into place, he heard the
Princess talking outside to someone. Cautiously, he listened to what they said.
"Kestra,
this is more serious than you realize. Don't you think your parents ought to
know about this?"
Kentight
realized Kestra was talking to the dragon. Kentight hid more in the shadows as
he saw Kestra stop. He let out a small breath when she continued. "I heard the
argument he had with my parents."
'Let them
go, Kentight.' A voice hissed. 'She appears to be entirely ignorant of who she
is.'
Kentight
growled in frustration. He turned towards the voice and saw shadows gathering. "She
is right there. I could snatch her quickly." He whispered into the shadows.
'No. You
will have your chance. For now, find out what she knows and return to The
Abandoned Caverns.' The voice finished as the shadows dispersed.
In a low
growl of frustration, he turned his attention back to the Princess and the
dragon. Depending on what they said, once he captured the Princess, her memory
will have to be erased. Once the two were out of sight, Kentight continued and
exited the castle grounds before the guards could spot him.