Part 2: Chapter Ten ~Near Escape~

Okay guys, this is rather a rough chapter, but i hope you like it anyways! I love this chapter though because my favorite character comes back!!!

Amy screamed again in horror at what she saw. A huge, long, green tentacle was wrapped around her leg. Each of its suckers squirmed as it attempted to tear off her skin.
“TAYON!!!!!!” she screeched in fear as she kicked her legs trying desperately to free herself. She didn’t know why she yelled his name but all of a sudden all she wanted to see was him and his sword, coming to her rescue. “HELP!!! Oh help” she said as tears of terror ran down her face. She half expected to feel that overwhelming bubble of power in her chest like when they had fought the fowlgers but nothing came. Nothing but her raw fear as it consumed her.
Another tentacle shot out of the water and wrapped around her other leg. It tugged and she felt herself slide across the sand to the waters edge.
She screamed and kicked her legs harder as she desperately grabbed the sand around her trying to hold on to something. The sweet smell of the lake was making her tired again. She realized that it was probably a drug to make her sleep. It had worked on her last night. Now she understood why she had been so sleepy. She fought to clear her mind.
Her heart raced as she slowly made her way to the water. She stopped trying to grab something and clawed at the tentacle trying to make it let go. She had never felt so scared in her whole life.
“Amy?? Amy what’s wrong?!” the voice of her savior and angel.
“Tayon HELP! It has me!!!!” she pounded the slippery skin over and over again. To her horror another smaller tentacle came out of the water and grabbed her wrist.
“AHAHAHHHHH!!” she cried out, tears flowing down her cheeks. She was going to die. She hadn’t even saved Kara yet.
Tayon’s footsteps sounded on the sand as he ran to her.
“Oh Kendora” he swore as he screeched to a stop and stared at the monsters arms in shock.
Amy yelled as another arm grabbed her around the waist. She felt her body being lifted. She screamed again and pounded the arms. Tayon ran over and with a swift swish of his sword the tentacle that had been clinging to her left leg dropped to the ground.
A huge roar of pain erupted from the lake and huge bubbles covered the surface of the lake.
About a dozen more tentacles shot out of the lake and began waving wildly in the air. Amy was thrown into the air and she clung to the tentacle in fear.
She was upside down and stared down at Tayon who was fighting madly. Tentacles flew through the air. Tayon’s sword was moving so fast that it was a blur. Tayon himself was almost a blur too. He was rolling and twisting every which way.
She heard more shouts and saw Kevyn, Safyra and Kaprie burst out of the forest, swords high in the air. At least, Kevyn and Safyra did.
Amy felt helpless as she dangled from the air. Soon Safyra and Kevyn were locked in battle too. Each one had several tentacles that were attacking them. The battle wasn’t going too good.
Safyra yelled some strange words and a blast of white fire seemed to come out of nowhere and slash into one of the tentacles. It twisted and jerked around as a deep thundering sound came from the lake.
Tayon had several sucker marks and blood was flowing from his left arm. Suddenly a huge tentacle shot out of the water and grabbed him from behind.
It squeezed and Tayon gasped for breath. He dropped his sword as his hands tried to pry away the arm.
It squeezed harder and Amy heard ribs crack. Tayon dropped to his knees. He was turning a pale green.
“Tayon!” Amy screamed and tried to get out of the clutches of her captives. Her efforts were worth nothing. She longed for that buzzing in her stomach and that wave of power, why was that stupid jaharah abandoning her now! She was going to watch Tayon be killed and she couldn’t do anything. Kaprie’s endless scream finally died away and Amy saw her fall to the ground in a dead faint.
A flash of metal caught the moon light and another scream of rage came from the lake. The tentacle loosened its grip and Tayon took a shuddering breath.
A dagger was protruding out of the huge tentacle.
With a war cry a dark figure jumped off one of the many ledges of the cliff and brought his sword down, this time cutting through the tentacle while twisting the dagger deeper into the flesh then pulling it out.
Amy couldn’t see the rest as she was flung to the ground. A huge blue ball of light appeared in the figures right hand and with a cry the man threw the ball into the water. The water boiled and a deep cry echoed through the canyon. With one last cry every tentacle pulled back into the lake. Soon, only a ripple was left on the lakes surface.
Several tentacles lay twitching on the bank. Tayon lay were the arm had dropped him.
Amy cried out as she tried to stand. Her legs gave way and she sank back to the sandy ground.
The figure had already reached Tayon though and was turning him over.
“Tay??? Are you alright? Tay talk to me!” the boy said desperately. Tayon grounded and coughed spitting up blood.
The boy grabbed something from around Tayon’s neck and unscrewed a lid of a small bottle.
He dripped something into Tayon’s mouth and Tayon gagged but choked it down. After a couple of minutes of silence Tayon’s eyes fluttered open and he groaned.
“Everything hurts…” he said. The boy laughed.
“I wonder why? You haven’t fought any lake monsters lately have you?” Tayon’s gaze focused as he looked the boy harder.
“Is that who I think…it is?” he asked sitting up. The boy laughed.
“It is I, the amazingly buff, godlike brother of yours. I came as soon as you called.” Amy, who was watching with anxious eyes, stared at them in surprise. Tayon had a brother? He called him? Wasn’t there no phones here? She tried to stand up again but only managed to make her legs burn with the effort.
Tayon finally seemed to notice her struggling by the waters edge.
“Amy…” he said and stood with a groan. The boy helped him over to her. “Amy are you alright? We’d better get away from the lake…where’s Safyra and Kevyn?” Amy didn’t answer, her chest hurt and she was to busy trying not to start crying again. Tayon kneeled down by her.
“What hurts?” he asked calmly. Amy could only point to her leg. They pulled back her ruined hem and a grim site met them.
The flesh on her leg was almost gone. What was left showed huge circle marks where the suckers had held on.
Amy looked away and gagged. She was in to much shock to feel most of the pain.
Tayon cringed. “Give me the bottle…” he said and the boy handed it over. He unscrewed its cap and looked troubled at the level of it. Shrugging over to his brother he poured a couple of drops onto her leg.
Amy shut her eyes and let the feeling of numbness envelop her.
“Amy? Amy we need to see to the others…are you okay to stay here?” Tayon’s voice came through her thoughts. She nodded.
“Don’t touch your leg. We’ll deal with your other wounds later. I need to make sure they’re okay, okay?” Amy managed another nod.
The next few hours were a blur to her. Safyra had a couple scraps but was okay. She had fought very well with her jaharah and had been spared contact with the deadly tentacles. Same with Kevyn although he was a little more bumped up.
Kaprie was fine but in hysterics that she was about to get eaten. Amy would have laughed if she could have found her voice.
She faintly remembered being cared into the forest for about an hour. They were going as far away from the lake…and the monster, as possible.
Amy didn’t dare glance down at her leg as the set up camp again. The moon was still high in the sky.
Tayon came over and poured more of the strange liquid on her many injuries again. She nodded her thanks gingerly back at him.
“Tayon? Where was Valk when we got attacked?” Tayon frowned.
“Actually, I don’t truly know. He left to go hunt a little while after dinner. I guess he hasn’t come back yet. He’ll be furious when he finds out what happened.” Amy nodded. She would have liked Valk there, to help fight. Somehow the dragon made her feel safe. Though, she would never admit that to Tayon, at least not yet.
“Are you okay? I guess that was a little shocking….” He said. Amy cringed.
“A little? I come from a world were there is no such thing as magic...sorry, sorry, jaharah, and there aren’t monsters that are in lakes that attack people like that!” she looked down at her leg, completely missing Tayon’s shocked face. The red colored covering over her leg was almost gone. New skin lay were it had gone. With a couple of sizzles the different colored coverings on her other wounds disappeared leaving behind perfect skin.
“If you have this kind of magic then why does anyone die of injury here? Wouldn’t you be able to heal anything?” Tayon seemed wary at her question.
“Most of this world doesn’t know about this. It’s very secret. I received this from my family…and mostly my brother, the one that saved us. He’s very talented, he’s the only one who is capable of making such a potion. ” He paused. “also the ingredients are close to impossible to get…well, that’s what he’s bragged and you never know exactly what is true when it comes to him…” He smiled, his eyes far away. “I only have half of it left though…” he muttered, frowning slightly.
“Tayon?” it was that boy, Tayon’s…brother. Amy looked up at him and realized he didn’t have his cloak on anymore. Like Tayon he was very handsome and had a black fenter. By this time, she had realized that fenters were some sort of sign to the elves who wore them.
He had long shaggy blond hair like Tayon. It was the same brownish blond and was styled the same. It was slightly shorter then Tayon’s though.
His eyes were a piercing grey that unsettled her. He was taller and leaner then Tayon but otherwise everything about the two was the same. They looked so much a like in their figures it bothered her.
Tayon turned to him “Hey. Thanks so much for coming. Good timing too, you always seem to come in with a bang.” Tayon’s brother shrugged but looked pleased, though slightly tired.
“I cam as soon as you called. I didn’t know exactly where you guys were so I’ve been wondering around for the past couple days. I saw Valk about four hours ago and he told me where you would be.” Tayon nodded then looked curious.
“You saw Valk? Where is he?”
“He’s over the ridge about two miles from here. He caught a big buck and was too tired to carry it over the mountain. His wings were hurting him. He told me what happened with the lighting. That was pretty stupid man…” he then set his gaze on Amy. Amy scowled at him. He didn’t seem to care that she was glaring at him.
“What’s your name again?” he asked his eyes probing.
“Amy” she said letting her scowl soften slightly. He smiled at her.
“Mine’s Tearck. As you probably have guessed I’m Tayon’s twin brother.” She gave him a strange look and watched as Tayon rolled her eyes. Inside she could have hit herself. Of course they were twins. Why hadn’t she guessed?
“Terck?” she asked, trying out his name for size. Though she didn’t think she heard his name probably. She hadn’t. He laughed and grinned at her.
“No. Tear-ick. It’s a dwarf name. They’re names are very…interesting. They often have hidden syllables in the names that they don’t write down. They have a weird issue with people knowing there true names from paper.” Tayon and Tearck shared a laugh at that. Amy guessed she was being left out of an inside joke.
Suddenly a roar shook the forest. Valk was back.
“Excuse me…” Tayon stood and walked over to Valk and they began talking in low hushed voices, well, Tayon’s was low.
“Um…so your Tayon’s twin brother ha?” Amy said trying to make conversation. Tearck snorted.
“No, we’re sworn enemies.” He said sarcastically. Amy glared at him and he grinned teasingly.
“Oh come one, it was just a really stupid question.” Amy rolled her eyes.
“Sorry, I was just trying to talk.” Tearck snorted and Amy snorted also, she was being ridicules. Soon, they were talking freely about practically nothing at all. Amy felt herself relax and she felt almost normal.
Tearck then launched himself into outrageous stories about his childhood.
Most of them were quite funny and Amy found herself laughing. Soon Tayon came over to them and told them they were ready to start traveling again. Amy eyed him, seeing him in a slightly different light. Where was the teasing manner she had just heard about? This stone-faced boy seemed to lack any of the qualities of the boys in Tearck’s story.
The sun was slowly peeking over the mountains heads. It spread a gentle glow through the small valley.
When everything was packed and Amy’s leg was all healed they set off. Amy tried to hop on behind Tayon but found she didn’t have enough strength to reach Valk’s back. Even with Valk’s help as he held his arm sideways so they could get up she still couldn’t. Suddenly strong cold arms made there way around her waist and lifted her up and onto Valk’s back.
Amy looked down to see Tayon smiling gently back at her. She smiled gratefully at him then down at her hands. Tearck came up behind Tayon hopped up behind her as Tayon helped Kaprie up behind him. Tayon didn’t look happy about four people sitting on Valk but he didn’t argue about it.
Amy felt slightly squashed but she found it bearable. Valk pushed off the ground and flapped his wings, making a miniature tornado.
Tearck and Tayon laughed and then Amy found herself joining them as the wind whipped her long black hair.
Then they were air born and the wind subsided but didn’t stop. By now it was almost natural to fly on Valk’s back.
They flew higher and higher with the two dishora’s and there riders following them. The cold wasn’t as bad as she remember. Between both Tayon’s and Tearck’s warm bodies she no longer felt the cold.
They flew over many peaks in the next couple of hours. By the time the sun was high in the sky Amy was feeling cramped and was sick of sitting down.
Tayon and Tearck keep her well entertained though. Each one had a million and more jokes and often made Amy laugh. Even Kaprie, who was pouting about who knows what laughed every once in a while with them. All there jokes were new, mostly about dragons, fowlgers, and humans. Amy tried not to act annoyed at their hits on human behaviors.
The she noticed that Valk was going lower and lower as the mountains seemed to flatten out.
No more peaks or endless rocky slopes meet Amy’s eyes as she stared over Tayon and Valk’s heads.
All she could see was water. A vast shimmering lake laid a head of them.
“Welcome to the Untillack Sea.” Tearck’s deep voice whispered into her ear.

Part 2: Chapter six ~The Meeting~

I'm very sorry about the format of this chapter. I'm not sure what's wrong, it won't do anything i want. From here on is Part Two, which should mostly be in Amy's point of view with a couple juicy moments from Kevyn and Safyra.


Amy’s eyes snapped open as she quickly sat up. Her muscles trembled with the effort. Her head ached and a constant pounding made her feel woozy. She raised a heavily bandaged arm up to her face. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead, and she quickly brushed it away. Still the face of a wolf burned her mind.
But she couldn’t remember what it was doing in her memory. She was so confused.
Amy’s limbs shook violently as she lay back down on her soft bed. Bed! Ignoring her pain, Amy shot out of bed. Where was she?
She walked over to the stone dresser and lifted up a small glass jar. It had beautiful designs of flowers carved into it. She set it back on the dresser and backed up.
Her whole body ached, and as she walked, icy stabs of pain shot up her back and into her chest and stomach. Amy clenched her teeth, willing the pain to go away. She lifted up one of her bandaged arms and tried to pull the strange fabric back, but it held tightly. She moved a step closer to the door.
Something on her neck swung slightly and an icy coolness touched her skin. She reached into her bloodstained, ripped shirt and pulled out a necklace. It was beautiful and she marveled at its finery. There was a rainbow stone in the middle of it, and she reached out and touched it with her finger. She had to find Kara. She had to get out of this place.
She rammed into the wooden door, trying to grasp the door handle, but there was none. The sudden movement pulled her injuries apart.
Amy gasped as pain, like none that she had ever before felt, crawled through her. She screamed, unable to keep it in and clawed at her body. Desperately she tried to keep her body from ripping apart.
She fell back on to the floor, crying softly.
She heard footsteps , but no words. The door swung open and a silvery-blue haired, smooth-faced girl ran into the room. She instantly recognized the face of the girl who clamed to be an elf. She had been the one who had found her in that forest called Trydony. Safyra.
“What’s wrong with me…?” she choked out through rasped breaths.
“Shh,” the girl said, her voice slightly hoarse, examining her from a distance. With quickness that startled her Safyra set her hand on Amy’s forehead then pulled it away hurriedly.
“Fever...you’re delirious; back to bed.” The girls choppy speech seemed strained. Amy was still confused. Was she at Safyra’s home?
Safyra helped her to her feet, ignoring Amy’s protests. The elf girl seemed stiff, and hurt herself.
Yet she made no noise or indicated she was in pain.
“Do you remember what happened?” Amy nodded, then, frowning shook her head. Safyra grimaced.
“I thought as much. I found you in the forest. We were attacked by a wolf, you were knocked out then…” she frowned and her words trailed off. The girl absently touched her rips, and Amy knew the girl had been hurt.
“I see. Well, um, have you found Kara?” She wanted desperately to see her nod her head, but instead the girl frowned and shook her head.
Amy saw the confusion behind those deep eyes.
“I don’t…know who she is, much less where she is. We’ve tried to scry her but nothing comes up, just an unusual darkness.” The girl seemed annoyed. Amy didn’t understand what the girl was talking about, just that Kara hadn’t been found. She was lost, but was Kara totally lost? Maybe if she explained who Kara was.
“You can’t not find her though. She’s my friend. She…came with me here.” Amy said, feeling anxiously run around in her stomach. Safyra smiled sadly in a hidden way. Then she shook her head, her long hair slipping from its place behind her curved shoulders.
Safyra reached forward and set cold rags soaked with a strange sticky substance on her head.
“The rag is soaked with Fever-yai, it will help your fever. Now sleep. No one can hurt you, I promise.” Amy smiled and had the strength to snort at the absurdity of the promise.
“That’s a stupid promise.” She said. Safyra frowned, seeming offended.
“It was no promise like the one you speak of. I am just…letting you know we won’t hurt you. Now, back to sleep. You need rest,” Safyra said after many long minutes.
The elf stood, cringing slightly and stretching her stomach experimentally. Amy examined the rest of the tall girl.
She was tall, not amazingly towering but as in around six feet. She had long silver hair that had a tint of blue behind its white glare. She had an oval face, with high, sharp cheek bones and slim cheeks. Her eyes were dark blue, but they seemed tired. There was paleness to her cheeks, as if she hadn’t slept well in months.
Her eyebrows were forever in a brooding arc that made her look like she was deep in thought. Her lips were full and a strange, soft green. A cloudy white jewel was placed in the middle of her forehead, peaking out from beneath her long bangs. She had a silver crown that was made of leaves, twisting around a silver rod.
She was dressed in simple black leather-looking clothing. It didn’t seem to have any seems but looked as if it was just slipped over her head. It had long, stretchy black sleeves that ended just below the elbow and the neckline was open except for straps wrapping around her neck. It ended at her knees and then she had long, animal skin boots that laced up the front. She was unbelievably beautiful in a sharp, alien way.
Safyra, oblivious to the fact that she was being observed, frowned slightly. She tilted her head to one side, and Amy was suddenly aware of a strange fuzziness in her mind that she remembered from when she had first met Safyra. She quickly pushed the tingling out of her head and Safyra let a small gasp of pain escaped her lips.
Serves her right for messing with me, Amy thought angrily. Safyra quickly walked out of the room, not looking back.


Safyra walked through the small halls carved into the huge tree until she reached a large silver door. She sighed and leaned against the wall beside it, recovering herself. Her ribs ached terribly and she laid a hand over them as if trying to quail its pain.
Her thoughts were on Amy though, and the pain slipped away as she was occupied.
She couldn’t understand the strange girl. Those green eyes haunted her every time she gazed into them. How come Amy had those same green eyes that had followed her in her dream?
Half of her still yearned for answers. But some of her…most of her, just wanted the girl gone. She had almost died trying to save a girl she had barely met. Plus she was sick of hearing the words “help her” echo through her head.
What if she didn’t want to help her anymore? Safyra had obligations, problems of her own. Shaking her head, frustrated, she pushed off the wall and looked at the tall door in front of her. Was she ready to face her uncle?
Whether she was ready or not she pressed her hand up against the cool wood and muttered “unarkyia”. The doors shimmered slightly then disappeared completely. She walked through the open doorway and once she was through the door materialized back into place.
The room had no furniture except a table and chairs, which stood in the middle of the room. Maps and papers littered the walls. At the table sat her uncle and aunt, the queen and king. She was the last living descendent of them, so therefore the heir for Aletheaon.
Sitting at the table was also Denner, the warrior captain, and Kevyn, sat at ether side of them.
Kevyn smiled when he noticed her and she nodded sharply, ignoring his casualty. His eyes were questioning and she slightly rolled her eyes in answer to his secret question. He frowned and eyed her sharply but she wasn’t willing to talk right then. She had a job to do.
Her uncle had fallen silent as she walked in through the door.
Welcome princess Denner thought-spoke, and they all nodded to acknowledge her. Safyra was thankful they talked in thought speech, she wasn’t sure if she could take anymore talking out loud.
Her uncle lifted his arm and flipped his wrist. Another chair appeared at the table. It clinked to the ground, and Safyra sat in it, scooting her chair up.
She stared at the large map of Baldemoore laid out in front of her. Red and blue dots were scattered around the surface. The enemy was growing stronger, she noticed, as she counted the red dots. Denner, with a sigh, rolled up the map and put it behind him then turned back to them. He leaned forward, clasping his hands together.
How is the girl doing? Have you got anything out of her? Safyra sighed at her uncles words and shook her head.
I’m afraid we’ll lose her soon unless her blood flow is stopped .Then there’s the problem with the rest of her body. Her uncle shook his head sadly.
I have noticed some… things about her though. She has an unusual necklace that she wears under her shirt.. He rose his rigged black eyebrows, considering her words.
I’ve tried everything I can to heal her but so far nothing is working. I’m afraid she might die. He stood at her words and began passing back and forth.
I can’t help but keep thinking about her injures. How could someone deliver such a strange wound? Kevyn said, shaking his head. Safyra caught his eye and they shared an idea.
Wait, most of them don’t seem to be man-made. Only a couple scrapes on her arms and the slashes on her back are healing. But the other marks…inside her…they seem to be made from something else altogether. So what if this is jaharah we’re dealing with, a kind we’ve never seen? Safyra watched her uncle closely, his expression didn’t change but he seemed to be considering the idea.
I’ll think on that Safyra, but it isn’t very probable. Safyra nodded, her outward mask blank. At least he would think about it.
It would be nice if this girl could remember how she got here. This Amy is very irregular, going with Safyra’s idea about her strange injuries; there could be a secret weapon we could use against Glodrian.
Kevyn stood, looking serious as he grabbed the map again.
“There is something else to consider,” he said out-load, his voice hurting her ears. His head was bent, his hair falling in front of his face. Safyra glared haughtily at him as he slowly as he laid out them map.
The enemy is growing stronger and stronger in the west, especially around Glodrian. We think he must be gathering his army there where he will have a direct hit at us.
What is irregular is that everywhere in the Glodrian forest there are red dots, except around the tip here. His finger pointing to a small portion of forestland that was cut off of the rest of the forest by the Astrauff River. We think this might be evidence that some of the Glodrian elves escaped Sletheyon’s raid and are hidden there. Safyra raised an eyebrow. The thought was wonderful; if it was true…there would be more people to help them fight in the war.
That’s wonderful of course but what are we going to do about it? And how could they possibly have gone unnoticed by the Glodrians’? There has to be a reason why there is no solider camps there, and the Glodrian’s would know if something stood in there way. They all looked at each other, frowning.
We don’t know yet. Denner thought and the whole table drifted off into their own thoughts on the unoccupied part of the map.
Suddenly cries broke into her mind and even more filled the air.
All the elves jumped up, knocking their chairs to the ground.
Kevyn was first to race to the window. He looked out then pulled his head back in and turned towards them. His shaggy hair fell down his furrowed brow. His face was pale and shocked.
It’s a dragon. She could feel his astonishment even in her mind.
Everyone moved immediately into action.
Denner pulled out his sword and ran out of the room with everyone closely following. Safyra grabbed at her sword but felt Kevyn’s hand on her shoulder.
Safyra stay inside. He said softly in her mind, but she still felt the power of his words.
She narrowed her eyes and shook her head stubbornly, she wasn’t going to miss a battle. He sighed, shaking his head at her then the two quickly raced after their companions.
They reached one of the overhanging rock patios jutting out of the tree and jumped out on its wide patio, looking around.
Soldiers were shouting orders at the base of the TreeHold, archers cocked their arrows. Safyra stared with wonder at the great red dragon that was steadily flying towards them. What could this attack mean? Was the war finally going to come to her home land?


Amy, in her bed, heard the shouts and a feint buzzing in her head and stood up hesitantly; pulling on a blue shawl that hung on a chair by her bed. She clenched her fist as her muscles strained and sharp stings went up her body.
She ignored it and rushed out of the room, holding on to the objects on the walls to support her aching body. She had no idea where she was or where to get to the screaming people. She instead climbed stair after stair until she saw a glass door leading out to an empty patio.
She opened the door and stood out into the wind.
She was on a rather small patio overlooking the whole forest. She was in the largest tree in the whole forest, but still the trees she looked out at were huge, hundreds of feet tall. Beautiful vines and foliage covered most of the forest floor. She looked down and saw Safyra and several more people with swords in their hands standing on a overhanging much like hers. Archers below them held their ground ready to shoot.
She grabbed onto the stone that was in front of her and looked out across the tops of the many trees. A huge red dragon was soaring swiftly at them. She didn’t question why there was a dragon but merely looked for a rider.
She saw a small figure on its back and raised her hand to shield the rays of light shining off the dragon’s scales.
What she saw was incredible, the dragon was huge, and so beautiful. It was like one of those picture dragons, flown out of the book. It had such grace in the air, twisting and its huge wings beating the air.
She felt something in her head, a slight disturbance, and she relaxed, letting it somehow in, not knowing what it was but merely that it wouldn’t hurt her. Automatically, a boy’s voice filled her head.
I come in peace. Don’t shoot! The presence went away and suddenly Amy’s body seemed not to be her own and some alien instant kicked in. Thinking intensely she opened her mind and called out as strong as she could.
STOP! The words burst from her mind, like she was sending them out into the world, losing them somehow.
She half expected for nothing to happen, but instead she feel many eyes on her, but she kept hers on the dragon and its cloaked rider, feeling a faint flush creep across her cheeks. What had she just done? Now that the strange presence in her was gone she was left with an uncertainty.
Most of all, Amy felt Safyra’s iron gaze on her. Amy didn’t let her eyes down and instead stood tall.
The dragon rider was closer now and Amy saw him grip on to the dragon’s many black spikes. He seemed to have heard Amy’s shout and was glancing from the lone girl on the balcony to the archers who were hesitantly lowering their bows at a signal from a tall green robed girl standing below the tower. Amy ignored the murmurings below her and stood tall, erect and proud and having no idea why.
The wind flipped her midnight black hair to and fro making it slap her face as it twirled around her waist. For a few minutes she forgot the pains in her body and could think clearly.
The beautiful red dragon began his decent, flying to the open field below.
Amy kept studying the dragon and its rider. She felt like she had falling into one of her fairytale books she kept hidden back at Dona’s house. Was she really dreaming…or was this real. She sure hoped she had done the right thing. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Safyra walk back into the castle and disappear.
A dark, handsome elf boy seemed to lean after Safyra, as if calling to her.
Amy kept gazing down as the dragon hit the ground, neatly folding its huge wings. She heard another rush of wings beating and saw Safyra flying up to her on a black unicorn with bat wings. It was fierce looking and made her quiver. It’s horn could have easily passed through her.
Safyra pulled the unicorn up against the wall and looked up at Amy. Finally Amy tore her whole gaze to the dragon surrounded by armed elves and to Safyra.
“What are you doing?” she asked, surprised. Safyra sighed and her thin eyebrows tilted farther downward.
“I should be asking the same question. Why are you not in your room resting?” Amy shrugged at this, seeming to not care.
“I heard shouts. What’s going on? And what kind of animal is that?” Amy asked as she noticed a second horn, shaved down to only a stub, coming out of the back of its head. Safyra sighed, acting calm and composed. Her marble face didn’t even crease now.
“A dishora. Come with me. I’ll get someone to help carry you back to your room.”
Amy hid a scowl, there was no way that she was going to go now that she was curious about the dragon. A real dragon. Instead of protesting she awkwardly grabbed Safyra’s arm and allowed her to swing her up behind her. She awkwardly, and painfully, situated her legs around the thick black wings and clutched Safyra around her thin waist. She tried her best at ignoring her body’s cries of displeasure as she did this.
Safyra pulled down on the reins and they dove slowly to the ground where they glided across the ground until they reached the dragon’s landing sight.
The dragon rider, who was eyeing the arrows of the surrounding elves, looked up and a burning pair of golden eyes broke through the darkness of the hood covering his head. He met Amy’s gaze as the dishora thundered unto the ground in a jerked landing. Amy grabbed her elf friend’s wrists and swung down. She hit the ground then crumpled, crying out in pain. The elf princess jumped off and helped her to stand. Amy couldn’t help but notice the elf’s obvious annoyance. Feeling hurt by the hard look in Safyra’s eyes Amy took strong steps towards the dragon, and Safyra let her hands fall.
The rider jumped down, landing gracefully on his feet. His long black cloak had billowed around him when he had jumped but now it settled around his figure, making him seem dark and mysterious. Everyone tensed up. The elf who had been with Safyra stood forward and Amy felt the buzzing again. She shook her head, trying to clear it. Safyra stood forward, and looked like she was trying to say something. A murmur went through the crowd around them then the elf-boy spoke.
“State your name and business and throw down your sword,” Kevyn growled, walking up to Safyra’s side, his sword at the ready.
The hooded boy looked at Kevyn and said slowly, in a deep, musical voice:
“If I do, promise me that I will get it back.” Kevyn stared at the hooded figure. He was grasping the hilt of his sword.
“I make no promises.”
The boy seemed to sizzle at those words and unsheathed his sword, then handed it hesitantly to Kevyn.
Amy saw the sun glint of many jewels and the smooth metal of the sharp sides. It was very beautiful. Kevyn seemed to be marveling at its perfect balance and beautiful design. Amy noticed that Kevyn’s and Safyra met each other’s eyes and the beautiful elf rose one of her eyebrows at him.
“Nice sword,” he said bluntly turning back to the cloaked dragon rider. The boy nodded, his face still hidden.
“My brother made it for me. Also, my name is Tayon, son of Joeag, the seer.” A round of gasps filled the huge clearing and the very trees seemed to lean forward, their branches at the ready for more. Then the boy called Tayon continued. “I was on a search for my father, who was captured by the Glodrian elves when I felt a slight disturbance here.”
“This disturbance is why I am off track of my destination. I am a….sencer. I felt a great evil here and needed to know what it is. I thought it might be something to do with my father but I’m not sure. Even my abilities are limited. But what seems most peculiar is that it is no longer here, and hasn’t been for over twenty-four hours I believe.”
A tall elf with dark hair and a golden crown stepped forward. Amy immediately knew he was a king, or at the very least someone who was royal. When he spoke his voice was husky, even with the slight accent that hinted smoothness behind his words.
“I know very well of your father, young Tayon. We have a spy in the Glodrian castle. Your father is not dead.”
Tayon seemed to be much relived for his shoulders sagged in relief under his cloak.
This time, Safyra stepped forward, surprising Amy.
“I am Princess Safyra Nardelea of Aletheaon. I was present at the time. That great evil was a Rakeer.” Amy noticed offhandedly that Safyra’s voice was so much more hoarse then the others.
There were more gasps and murmurs. Tayon seemed to be none to happy now. As he sighed he leaned back against the side of his dragon that was still silent.
“If you will excuse us, but please may we see your face? We are no threat to you, but are you a threat to us?” It was the black-haired boy who asked it, Kevyn.
Tayon seemed to be toying with the idea of reviling himself, and then decided he would for he answered this time.
“I will revel myself, if you promise not to judge me for my fenter.” Amy wondered what a fenter was as she considered her position behind Safyra. She found that her view point was hidden by Safyra’s silver haired head and she realized that she was hidden from view from Tayon. Slowly she limped around Safyra, but kept her eyes on the ground. What would he think of her anyways? Would he just see some lonely girl that didn’t have half the looks of the elves around her? Would he even recognize her as the one who he had…thought too and asked for his safety?
She looked up though as the boy, Tayon, pulled off his hood. She was astonished at what she saw. He was definitely an elf, but different somehow, strange.
Long shaggy, brownish blond hair fell almost to his shoulders and over his forehead. He had a big black stone on his forehead like the white stones on all the elves around her. His eyes had a base color of gold, and light and dark blue specks were scattered around in the liquid gold. His pupils were lined with purple, making his eyes stand out from the white around them. He was strange, his whole being alien to her. He had long eyelashes and an oval face. High cheek bones and pointed ears revealed him as an elf.
He was about sixteen or seventeen, just barely older than her. He had tan, perfect skin that was strangely more olive like then the other elves around her.
She heard slight gasps and realized it was the black stone on his forehead that upset them.
“Glodrian filth!” someone shouted.
“I told you not to judge me because of my fenter. My family and I are outcasts of the Gordian city because of our powers. I am not one of them.” His dark eyebrows furrowed and Amy thought it made him even more handsome.
Amy felt Safyra relax and saw that some of the other elves had done the same. Apparently the elves believed his story.
The king stepped forward once again.
“So… you say that you are not an enemy, is that true? You speak no lies, either that or you’re a very good liar…but how did you come across a dragon?”
Tayon laughed. It was a deep pleasant sound that made Amy’s stomach do flip-flops. He still hadn’t noticed her rigid figure, standing among the huge tree’s shadows.
“If that is what is bothering you, do not worry. He is evil-free. I found him about a year ago, rejected from his home. I have cared for him since, and he has pledged to be my companion till death. His name is Valk.” Valk lowered his head to eye-level and gently nuzzled Tayon’s shoulder. He then sent a gentle growl to his audience. It sounded more like a purr to Amy then a growl though.
“No such thing as a nice dragon.” A man standing under a huge silver tree murmured, unsettled.
Many of the people in the audience murmured also, no one seemed to like the thought of a nice dragon. Either that or they were too frightened to agree.
The silence was broken as a man on a gray dishora came out of nowhere and landed swiftly on the ground beside the dragon. The dishora didn’t seem to be bothered whatsoever about the dragon, Valk, and just sniffed disdainfully at him. His rider was a dark haired elf with a long face and rather small elf ears. He jumped off his dishora and ran to the king.
“Your majesty,” he bowed then straightened.
“We have just received word from Beaumune; they have captured a girl who doesn’t seem to be from this world. They are still collecting young girls to be examined by Iserack and she is one of them.” Amy’s eyes darkened and her forehead furrowed as she gazed back at the man. He couldn’t mean…Kara? Had she really gotten here just like her? Was she as lost and hurt as Amy was herself? The thought of Kara with her in this bizarre fairy-tale land made her over fill with emotion. Before she could stop herself Kara’s name burst from her pale lips.
The dark haired elf looked over to her for the first time. His eyes traveled down to her neck where the necklace hung. She clutched it and starred intensely back at him.
“Yes, that’s her name.” He murmured softly, his eyes deeply curious. The whole clearing was dead silent now. The very birds and plants had stopped moving, stopped breathing. Each elf in the clearing had its eyes trained on her.
She was very conscious of the fact of a certain pair of golden purple eyes trained on her.
Amy stepped forward, feeling very shy of the stares and dared to ask Tayon a question that she was longing to ask.
“Tayon?” she paused, the name felt funny on her tongue. She dared a glance up and met his golden gaze, its purple edges swallowing her whole. “Your goin’ to this Glodrian place right?” He nodded slowly. His eyes still held her in shackles.
Amy hesitated for a moment. She could barely form her question in her mind with those eyes watching her. “I…I want to go with you. To help you get your, a, lost father, and to get Kara. It is my fault she is here anyway.” Everyone seemed stunned. With the looks that went around the circle Amy was sure they had all heard of her sudden appearance in the forest. Amy had no doubt that many rumors had been told, the funny thing was that she didn’t know the truth anyways. Safyra seemed to finally find her voice and she stepped forward, a strange look in her eyes.
“No,” was all she said.
Amy clenched her fist and finally tore her gaze from Tayon’s to Safyra’s outraged gaze. The effort of standing was starting to drain on her of strength. “Why not?”
“You are hurt, that’s why. You can barely walk as it is and much less travel. You shouldn’t even be out here!” Her blue gaze smoked a hole through Amy but she refuse to yield. She HAD to go find Kara. The longing for her friend almost overwhelmed her to tears.
“I have to go!” Then she dropped into a dead faint. Safyra moved with unnatural speed and caught the falling girl letting out a annoyed sigh.



Amy flinched and moaned in her sleeping state. As Safyra laid her down Tayon walked over, ignoring the crowds protest. Amy resurfaced barely and could slightly understand what was going on around her.
“She’s injured and we can’t seem to heal her. It is slowly killing her, I’m afraid.” Safyra whispered, all pervious irritation gone. Tayon knelt at Amy’s side. Kevyn stepped forward protectively, thinking of Safyra.
Amy was now on her stomach and was softly moaning.
Tayon slowly reached out to touch Amy’s forehead. Safyra reached forward and grabbed his hand, her grasp firm and biting.
“What do you think you doing!?” She said glaring at the strange boy with the evil fenter. He sighed and gestured to the small bottle hanging from his neck.
“I have a special ointment that I think should heal this wound. I know that you’ve probably already tried healing this with magic, which is why it won’t work. Even I can tell that she is not from this world, so, I know that she probably got hurt in her other world, am I right?” Safyra gave him one of her penetrating gazes.
“Her injuries are healing fine on the outside. Something in her is wrong.” Tayon seemed to be confused by this and bit his lip in thought.
“What if I poor the potion into her mouth?” Safyra glared this time.
“I don’t know, would it help? It’s not my potion.” He seemed a little taken aback by her biting words, but quickly recovered. Kevyn was glaring at Safyra but she refused to meet his gaze.
“Fine, I’m going to try.” He reached for his neck but Safyra stopped him.
“How do we know that’s not poison.” Her hidden meaning that she didn’t trust him was so clear it was almost embarrassing to listen to.
Tayon sighed, but reached for his neck.
“Then you’re just going to have to trust me.” Safyra stared into his eyes for several seconds then nodded.
“Do it.” Was her only words.
Amy felt cool feeling of fingers around her mouth gently pry her lips apart. She shuddered and breathed in sharply.
Tayon reached up and quickly pulled the necklace from his neck, unscrewing the small, black lid.
Tayon let a single yellow drop fall from the bottle into Amy’s mouth.
It dropped very slowly as if it was as light as a feather. It turned black then gold then settled on a deep orange. It dripped perfectly between Amy’s pale lips.
A choking coughing erupted from Amy’s throat and her body heaved with the violent coughs.
Then, everything was silent.
“It’s not helping is it?” Safyra said watching Amy’s still body. Tayon shushed her, still watching Amy’s still figure.
Then slowly Amy’s skin began to glow and before their eyes she began to change.


They sat in silence watching and waiting. For hours they sat, concentrating on the changed girl in front of them.
After several more hours, after they had brought Amy in, Tayon broke the silence.
What do you think my potion did? He said as Safyra sighed and looked up at him. She frowned and then shrugged.
I have no idea. I knew she was different when I first found her but I didn’t think she could possible be an elf! Maybe your potion was so strong it changed her too. Tayon frowned at her words, considering.
Then, a low moan brought both sets of eyes to the bed again.
Amy rolled slightly, her neck twisting slightly more into the pillow. Her dark black hair slid back to revel her new pointed elf ears. Tayon reached forward and brushed a dark lock of hair out of Amy’s face. Safyra felt her face burn as she watched Tayon’s simple gesture.
Are you going to let her go with me to find her friend? Tayon said abruptly. Safyra looked at him, her lips drawn tight.
I don’t think I really have a choice in the matter” Tayon nodded at this, smiling inside.
“Valk can carry up to three on his back; she will be safer on his back than with a million jaharah-trained solders.” Safyra jerked her head up as he spoke out loud. She practically hissed her next words.
Don’t speak out loud. Tayon was taken back by her words, puzzled. Only hours ago she had been speaking out loud, why the indifference now?
She saw his confused look and glared back at him.
I don’t like to speak out loud. I only do it when it is necessary for everyone to hear me. Plus, Amy doesn’t speak though minds. She seemed to be thinking the last words to herself more then Tayon. Tayon’s brow furrowed at her words.
But she does speak thought speech. I saw her on the balcony when I was coming in and asked her to tell people not to shoot. I mistook her as the princess…He seemed lost in his own thoughts as he gazed down at the elf-Amy.
Impossible. Safyra shot back, remember how when ever she had tried to mind communicate with Amy the girl had torn her mind apart as soon as it had touched hers.
Safyra glared down at the sleeping Amy to avoid Tayon’s exasperated look. She couldn’t help wondering why in the world Tayon would think her royalty.
But what she saw made her confused.
Amy had indeed changed. Her cheekbones, which had once been slightly high, were now had the sharp raise of an elf’s. Her face was longer, her eyelashes long and a sooty black. Even her dark black hair seemed more full and soft.
There was a strange air about the girl. Once again, Safyra’s thoughts jumped to her old dream and wondered why this girl needed help.
She sighed inwardly. No matter how much she fought against herself she knew she would help her. But helping the girl was turning out to be a huge task by itself. After all, Amy now wanted to travel half-way around Baldemoore to find her friend.
Well, she was just going to have to go with her wasn’t she?
This dragon of yours, he can carry up to three? Are you sure about that? Safyra stood, straitening her dress.
Tayon nodded, looking perplexed. He saw a strange look cross her face but it disappeared as the skilled girl let her face relax into its powerful set.
Thank you, I’m going to go make arrangements for some matters of business. Goodbye. Tayon nodded as she turned to go.
She had almost made it to the door when Kevyn walked in. He smiled in greeting towards Tayon then reached out and took Safyra’s arm.
I was just coming to check on you. He said softly for only her to hear. She smiled and motioned for him to follow her out into the hallway. The two walked out, Safyra sending one last glance back at Tayon and Amy before she closed the door behind her.
What do you need me for? he asked looking slightly worried. You have one of those stubborn looks on your face. Safyra smiled at this and the two walked down the halls.
I was just talking to Tayon about Amy. He says that his dragon can fit three people on it. That means room for me to come with Amy. I’ve thought about it and decided I’m going with her.
“You are not.” He said quickly grabbing her arm and turning her to face him. “There is no way your uncle or anyone else for that matter will let you go. You have things to do here! For Kendora’s sake you’re a princess, you can’t go off on adventures whenever you want!”
She glared at him and pulled her arm out of his grasp.
How dare you command me about like one of your little solders and tell me no! She felt so hurt; she had thought he would understand!
“Some times even a princess needs to be ordered around, especially you. How dare you be so selfish in running off when your kingdom needs you? Sometimes I wonder if you really have what it takes to be Queen you stubborn…” He was cut off by messenger who was running up to Safyra.
My princess, you are wanted in the council room. The young elf body said with a small bow. He glanced nervously at the two enraged elves in front of him.
“Yes princess, go take care of you kingdom” Kevyn spat and then turned on his heal and walked quickly away.
Safyra was so mad she didn’t even have time to yell back at him. She turned to the messenger and dismissed him quickly and half ran to the council room.


So I plan on making a side-track during our travels and meeting up with these elves. What better protection for me then a dragon and this boy Tayon. I will be safer with him then with huge numbers of soldiers. This way I can make sure Amy is safely taken to Glodrian and also help find Tayon’s dad. It is my responsibility to keep her safe since I found her.
I can bring back news of these hiding elves and a Seer. Think of what benefits there will be in these actions alone! Safyra glanced around the room, feeling confidence growing in her. It was a perfect excuse, one that they couldn’t disagree on.
Take that, she thought to herself as she thought of Kevyn. She was still fuming at there conversation.
Her uncle stood and faced the rest of the members of the council.
Her mission seems sound and good, I propose she goes. The rest of the council nodded and Safyra felt relief overcome her. She was going!
But, I still think she should have a personal body guard of Aletheaon. Safyra barely kept from scowling. Her uncle seemed to think her incapable of anything!
Why don’t you take a guard with you? More nods came to this suggestion and it was made official. He began listing many different soilders, half of them Safyra didn’t trust. Well, I guess this is for the better. She thought quickly to herself then stood up.
Why don’t I take Kevyn Ushartree? I know him well and trust him. Her uncle thought slowly then nodded.
The council dispersed and Safyra quickly ran down the halls in search of Kevyn. She found him outside practicing sword fighting.
When he saw her his mouth set into a hard line and he turned away from her.
“Kevyn…” he jumped at the sound of her voice. He turned slowly and stared at her.
“What do I owe the pleasure of your talking out loud and to such a lowly person as I?” She ignored his sarcasm and walked up to him.
“Kevyn, I thought about what you said…”
“Ha, were you even listening?” He said quickly.
“Yes…” she shook her head and glared.
“I am going, they agreed on it.” He didn’t reply but his mouth was set in a grim smile.
“It’s a fine idea.” His voice was gruff and Safyra rolled her eyes behind his back. “Have fun on your adventure Princess, you made it possible.” Safyra sighed and reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Kev, I asked if you could go with me and they said yes.” His shoulder tensed under her hand and he turned.
“Really?” His voice was surprised. She nodded grimly, watching his eyes.
“Really” She smiled and moved to walk away but he grabbed her into a huge bear-hug and laughed.
Safyra, momentarily shocked hugged him back, and then she laughed as he set her back down.
“I should have known you were only throwing a tantrum because you couldn’t come along.” She said teasingly. He laughed and fingered a lock of her hair in his brown hands.
“Well I couldn’t let you off for no reason and leave me behind.” He smiled and Safyra looked down smiling in return.
He dropped her hair and cupped her chin in his hands and she looked up. He gave her a heart shattering smile and Safyra felt her breath become uneven as he slowly leaned down.
Uh…princess? The thought speech brought them quickly to their senses and they quickly tore apart, Safyra blushing deeply.
Safyra’s hand-maid, Hecrahse, stood awkwardly playing with her dress. Safyra breathed deeply, refusing to look over at Kevyn.
Yes Hecrahse? What is it? The girl seemed terribly embarrassed that Safyra almost forgave her for interrupting. What would have happened if the girl hadn’t? Pushing that thought from her mind she forced a smile at the girl.
The King says you are to go get packed and I’m to assist you…She glanced quickly up at her then looked down again.
Thank you, I’ll be up in my room in a second. The girl nodded but stayed where she was. Safyra sighed, annoyed and quickly snuck a look over at Kevyn, he was grinning at her and she gave him a little wave.
I’ll see you later, get packed yourself. He nodded, giving her a look she didn’t understand and she quickly ran after Hecrahse.


Flashing trees, and a light, so close. A tall women smiling down at her…a face so familiar, screaming threats…another face, stern and threatening but calling to her, her arms open wide, a tall staff in her hand…different images flashed in her head. She didn’t understand and slowly she began to resurface and the scary dreams turned to simple thoughts

Tayon watched aghast as Amy reached up and grabbed something at her neck. Then he heard her softly moan and twitch. Tayon leaned forward, concerned.
Then, Amy slowly opened her eyes.