True Return

By Alison Chiu

 

Chapter 1:  Welcoming of the Storm

 

    A

 storm was brewing on the edge of the coast, and Kira could feel it in her veins.  Kira was thirteen, tall with grey eyes, the color of a storm.  A cottage sat on the top of a cliff, overlooking the threatening, and slowly changing stormy sea.  The wind whipped the coast, snapping the thin trees and churning the sea.  The rocks began to loosen out of the sand, wiggling and writhing like snakes.  The wind howled, but Kira did not return inside the cottage. Instead, she sat down, and watched the storm. 

She sat down on a rock, as the wind twirled and blew around her.  The sky was a dark grey; streaks of a green tinge lay in the unearthly water.  Slowly, the storm began to recede, taking back the grey, and returning some sunlight, little at a time.  The wind had also begun to die down, but a whirlpool circled where the center of the storm had once lain. 

She looked out into the distance. Observing the sea, and watching the horizon, as the sun flared its mighty rays, and cast shadows upon the earth. 

            The shadows, however, were different. They were black as night, and shaped into people.  Their eyes were red, and broad black wings stretched out.  Their claws were curled into a ball.  An old legend once, described them as messengers of the death god, the Destroyer of the World, or simply, Tyrgnats.  They were shape shifters, magicians, and immortals.  The legend told of a sword, as bright as the sun, and broad as a beaver’s tail.  The sword was called the Esta no Renku, the Sword of Light.  The legend began when it was first forged, and so the story lives on in one destined child.

            Thousands of years of ago when the land turned into terror, a sword was forged to punish them all.  For three days and three nights, the world’s greatest smiths worked on the    b sword.  The sword was forged from the heart of a volcano, the water of aof a  b  stream, and the strongest metal from the land beneath the earth.  The blade, shaped was a crescent moon, the color of the moon, glinting like the stars.  The hilt, too, was a work of art, a shining cross, brilliant like the sun.  The sword burned into the hearts of fire like as it chastised the evil. 

            After the sword was made, it had cracked, and continued to do this.  Each time, it was fixed, and every time afterwards, the sword cracked again.  Each wielder was left with burns on their hands, for their soul was still not clean of the evil that ravaged within.  Yet, there remained one clan, who solely defied the course of evil; together they were called the Exzacyers, the messengers of God.

 The people were said to be five to six feet tall, with their ancestral lines running back to the elves.  The people were the greatest of their kind, some becoming the greatest smiths, trackers, hunters, and riders in their religion.  Dragon riders, Phoenix riders, these were the greatest title any person could receive.  Then one year, one by one, each person became corrupted, except one. 

The family was said to posses the skills of a tracker, hunter, rider, and spell-caster.  When the rest of the clan became corrupted, and went to war against each other, the family went into hiding, traveling to a cove by the sea, but each year, the number of children from each new adult grew less and less, until there remained      only one child, from the main house.  Soon the cove disappeared, and the cove became a cottage.  The people still say that if you listen closely to the wind, you can hear the screams of the people.  There lies a rumor that one remains, and they will be the one who will break through the days of the shadows, and bring back the former glory of the Exzacyers.

            Over the years, the legend was told, and many tried to wield the sword, but none could.  Each time, the sword would burn them, and torment them; finally, the sword remained untouched for centuries.  Kira knew that she was the last of the great line, and staring bleakly at the land of blue, she ended her gaze at the horizon.  A giant bird settled down, thumping the ground with its mighty claws.  The bird was red as fire, its eyes intent with intelligence.  The bird’s head was regal, a crown of feather’s at its cheekbone.  Am I seeing a real phoenix?  Kira wondered with amazement, not able to take her eyes of the regal bird.

            My name is for you to know only, if you swear to never once speak my name with out my permission. Will you not question me?  The phoenix spoke with great dignity, his words, forming in her mind, filling her with a tingling sensation.

            “I swear to obey your words, and I am honored to meet you.”  Kira curtsied, and then stumbled a couple of steps.

            Thank you for accepting, for this was the end to the last of the Exzacyers.  My name to all is Ryit, but to you it is Shkllyn, the Bringer of Fire.  Kira smiled, proud of her new found friend.

            “I am honored to be your rider, and your companion.  I am honored for to have met you, and for that, I thank you.”  She bowed this time, and waited for him to speak again, following the ancient tradition.

            I too am honored, to be your companion and too have met you.  I am honored for to have you as my rider, and for that, I thank you.  Shkllyn bowed, his head, slightly inclined.

            “We must leave here soon, will tomorrow at dawn work for you, or can you not hold your horses?”  Kira grinned from ear to ear.

            Very funny indeed, no, dawn will be fine for me.  Shkllyn looked amused, his eyes twinkling brightly.


Chapter 2:  Dawn at the Hill

 

    K

ira jumped out of bed immediately, quickly remembering the journey ahead of her.  She gulped bleakly, and stared out side.  Shkllyn gracefully glided down from the sky.  He landed this time, with a soft thump on the ground, quickly, she ran outside to greet him.  Then, she ran back into the cot to gather all of her supplies for the journey. 

Quickly, she shut the door behind her, and grabbed her cloak that lay on a carefully carved, wooden table, brought to the land by her ancestors.  When she grabbed her cloak, she noticed something.  A rolled up parchment lay beneath it, quietly she unrolled it, and silently to her amazement, she gasped.  She rolled it back up, and stuck it into a hidden pocket in her cloak.  The cloak was an earthy green; elfin made, and had protected her from the dangers of the woods, as well as magical, for it could camouflage its master.  Kira soon became curious of the other wonders that laid within the cot, which she had lived in for all her life. 

On a coat rack, she grabbed a bow, also elfin made.  The bow was a dark mahogany, with golden filigree, that ended like horns on the tip of the bow.  Carefully, she placed it in a tube that ended in a slight, blunt point.  A strap laid on the back, but it too, carried the same leaf like golden filigree.  Within in the tube, there lay at least three dozen or so arrows, perfect in any other way. 

When she was just about to turn around to leave, she noticed knocked no a shelf of books.  A loose piece of wood soon gave away, falling to the earthen ground, showering her with dust.  Kira yelped with surprise, but quickly regained herself from the surprise.  When the dust settled on the ground, she noticed a hole where the board once stood.  A book laid there, green with golden inscriptions, thick, and heavy bound.  The book was covered in dust; Kira picked up the book, and examined it.  She guessed the book had been hidden in there for a while, just waiting for someone to find it.  A note fell out, and read:

Who dares to seek the mighty Sword of Light, must journey to the ruins. 

Follow a silver moon. 

A door within will lead the way, two will enter, one will live. 

Three to find, one to die, one to fly, and one to lead.

            Quickly, she pulled out the map, and placed it on a window.  Silver marks began to appear on the surface, a moonlike mark, with an arrow began to swivel.  Then, it stopped, and a voice spoke inside her mind.  For too long I have been laid to sleep, until my true master would come for me.  You have freed me young one, from my prison of darkness.  Listen to me, and I will guide you to your destinations, Kira, stared blankly, not able to believe that her map, could talk.  Her mouth was gaping open, resembling the mouth of a cave.  Quickly, she regained herself, and walked out of the cot, her supplies, slung over her back, with her hunting gear.

            Outside, the sky was covered in shades of pinks, red, yellows, and oranges warming the morning sky, as if the sky were greeting her.  Birds soon began to wake, cheeping to the warmth of the new morning.  Kira sighed.  It would be a pity to leave such a place, but with her only inheritance ever to be passed down for hundreds of generations, Kira couldn’t bear leaving anything of her past behind.  Shkllyn quietly descended behind her, and nosed her with his beak.  She patted him quietly and sighed.  Time to go, she told herself.  Finally, she mounted Shkllyn, and they flew away, like the wind in the sky.


Chapter 3:  A New Beginning

 

    “S

hkllyn, do you believe it was a good idea to leave the cliff?” quietly, she whispered to her stead.  They had been flying for hours, under the guidance of her mystical map.  Currently, the crescent’s arrow pointed west, over forest, streams, rivers, and mountains. 

I believe you made the right choice.  If you hadn’t, what would happen if someone else took a hold of your sword?  Night quickly fell, and Shkllyn feather’s glowed in the night.

“Thank you,” Kira whispered to him.  “We should land soon though.  Your feathers are glowing too brightly; they will attract the creatures of the night.”  Shkllyn then began to descend into the trees, but not before he caught himself a deer, which he began to eat.  Kira settled down by his body, warmed by his feathers, she sat down and opened her pack.  Carefully, she removed a piece of bread from her pack, and strips of dried meat.

Fish?  Shkllyn inquired eagerly, sniffing like a madly.  He nosed the Kira, as if he were begging for some.

            “You smelled it didn’t you!”  Kira looked cross, but you could tell by the glint in her eyes that she was laughing.  “You can have some if you’d like.”  Shkllyn nodded his head, and Kira threw him a piece, which he gracefully caught with his tongue.  Quietly, he savored the taste, of the rich, and buttery taste of the fish.  Then, he jerked his head sharply and began to hiss, something cracked underneath, whoever was watching them.

            “Quiet down or the Rangers‘ll find me!”  A quiet voice popped out into the night.  Shkllyn did not stop hissing, and then, he lowered his head, stopping where the voice had come from, and picked up someone.  Kira had been expecting something else, but definitely not a boy.  The boy was dressed in a long green cloak, brown pants, and leather shoes, obviously worn.  He had brown eyes and light brown hair, with an orange tinge, the boy seemed tall, and willowy, like Kira.  Kira could tell that he was stronger than he looked, since she guessed that he was no ordinary boy.  A thief she guessed or someone who runs a lot.

            “Explain yourself.”  Shkllyn dropped the boy in front of her, with a big Thud.  Kira drew an arrow, and pointed it at the boy.  Her eyes narrowed.  “Do it quickly now, I’m running out of patience, and who are these Rangers you little thief.”

            “Thief?  Who said I was a…”  His voice trailed off, and then looked back from Kira’s arrow, and Shkllyn.  He gulped.  “Well, why don’t I introduce myself first?  I’m Ryon Theldon,” the boy bowed, “Also; the Rangers are people who’re spies for the king.   Basically their job is to stop anyone who tries to assassinate the king, an enemy, they also watch the border, and are messengers for the king too.  They got a pretty big job, and lots o’ pay.”  Ryon rubbed his hands greedily.

            “You’ve answered those questions, so I guess I should ask you why you were in the woods in the first place, and why you headed here.”  Kira mused quietly, her head tilted; resting on her pointer finger, as she sat cross legged, leaning on Shkllyn.

            “Well, what’s your name, and what’s that big mutt—” Shkllyn hissed.

            “My name is Kira, and his name to other people like you, Ryit.  Ryit is also a phoenix, and he’s my companion.”  Kira smiled and patted Shkllyn.  Finally, he stopped hissing, and he lowered his head, but he did not break his contact with Ryon.

            “My apologies, well, I guess I should answer those other questions too…  I came into this forest to escape a couple o’ Rangers.  Well, I came across ‘em, when they found me pick pocketing some big ole’ rich guy.  So there I go, tearin’ of into the forest, but I think I lost ‘em in the dark.  Then I see something shinin’ infront o’ me. an’ so that’s how I found you guys.”  Kira pulled herself up, and walked around, musing to herself.  Soon, more footsteps began to pound through the cold midnight darkness.  Voices shouted through the night, Kira and Ryon held their breaths as they climbed up trees, Shkllyn, burying himself in the dirt, until nothing could be seen.  Kira had her bow ready; the only light that emerged was the light of the moon.  Then a rope was swung, and Kira shot it, the rope, falling down into a heap.  Then another rope emerged, and it hit Ryon.  Ryon lay on the ground, gasping for air.

            “Shoot!  Looks like some stragglers finally caught up.”

            “Ryon just shut up already.  I’ll help you out in a—.”  Her voice was cut off, and Shkllyn began to hiss uncontrollably.

            “Your not going anywhere and exactly why are you here?  Is it because you’re one of his cohorts?”  Another voice cut through the darkness.

            “Let me go Ranger, and maybe I’ll tell you.”  Kira looked grumpy.

            “Bold one aren’t you.  Fine, we’ll let go of you, but you’re going to have to stay under our surveillance.”  The Rangers let go, and backed off into the distance. Then Kira took a second look at the Ranger.  The Ranger was dressed in a mottled cloak of earthy colors.  Black boots, and brown pants, were all Kira could see, but she noticed a white shirt when the Ranger began to move around.  Kira noticed that the Ranger was a women.  The Ranger had kind brown eyes, and white hair, that seemed odd for someone so young.  Long slender fingers of the Ranger held onto the rope which held Ryon’s rope, and Kira’s arm.  Then, Kira looked up, astounded by the height of the Ranger.  The Ranger stood at least ten or twelve inches taller than Kira, and Ryon.

 Kira gulped.

            “Yeah, whatever, I’m here on a…  Journey you could call it.  My name is Kierthernhy Erohoneistaie of the Exzacyers, but you may call me Kira.


Chapter 4:  Journey to the West

 

    A

ll of the Rangers stopped and stared at her.  Then they kneeled down to her, and bowed to her.  Kira stared at them, puzzled.  Then she called out for Shkllyn, he rose out of the ground, and shook his brightly glowing feathers.  His feathers were like the sun in the midnight sky, showering everyone in light. When he rose up to shake the dirt of, more voices emerged from the forest, shouting.  Then, he returned to his hole, and once again, buried himself.  The rest of the people hid in the trees.  Staying alert, and waiting to see who was heading their way.

            As the footsteps grew louder, torches burned into the black sky, and men on horses began to approach.  Horses neighed, and reared in freight.  Men soon began to jump down to calm down the horses.  The men then began to scatter, observing their surroundings.  Kira watched them closely; too make sure they didn’t get too close to the camp.  The camp laid cold, with Shkllyn hidden, the ground, a squishy mess, and the air, a fragile sliver in the moonless night.  The ground squelched as the men walked on the wet mess.

            The sucking noise from the ground brought Shkllyn to curiosity. Unknowingly, he stuck his head out, and a bright light filled the night.  The riders walked forward, trying to figure out where the source of light had come from.  Then, someone shrieked.  The shriek pierced the night, and if it could, it would have shattered some windows.  Then Kira realized it.  Someone had stepped on Shkllyn while they were wandering around the camp.  Kira fell out of the tree, laughing.

            “Ouch,” then some riders walked forward, “Oops, I guess I’ll be going now…”  her voice trailed of because what ever she was going to say, could not be heard because of a gag inside her mouth.  Kira coughed.  The cloth was dirty, and dusty.

            “Who are you, and what are you doing wandering around in these woods,” Kira was certain it was the voice of one of the riders.  The voice was deep, and gruff.  The figure walked out into the clearing, riding a white horse, with leather tack.  “I am the Lord Haythur, and again with the gags?  Really now Richard, take it off.”  The one call ‘Richard’ reluctantly undid the gag.  Kira coughed when the gag was removed.  Lord Haythur was dressed in a White tunic, covered by a long red cloak, which seemed to soar when the horse moved.    Leather pants, and long black boots, were one of the first things Kira took note of.

            “My name is Kierthernhy Erohoneistaie of the Exzacyers,” the men stared at her, “The time has come, and I will take what rights are mine.  My inheritance.”

            Owls hooted in the midnight air.  The world seemed to freeze when Kira spoke.  Then the riders became full of life again, and began to move back towards their horses.  Then another voice spoke up through the night.  “Please take one of my mages with you,” in a hush whisper, the voice turned to one of the riders, “Bring Erin forward now.”  A girl, roughly eighteen years walked forward, stumbled, and grinned.

            “I’m Erin Thayhur, mage to the Lord Haythur.”  Erin was dressed in a blue robe, with golden thread woven into the seaming.  Intricate designs were formed, swirls and the bottom of the robe, and at the sleeve seemed to move.  Kira blinked.  The last name seemed quite suspicious.  On the other hand, Ryon was staring, like he was looking a god or goddess.  Snow began to fall down, slow at first, and then it quickened.

            “If any of you are to join me, come with me now for we leave tonight.”  Kira turned, and then she hoped on to Shkllyn’s back, and circled the camp twice, and called again.  Then Veryn stepped forward, and bowed, then did Ryon and Erin.  In unison, they spoke.

            “We pledge our lives to you.  In life and death, we will be your protectors, together we fight.  Together we are one.  We pledge our honor to you, we pledge it in our hearts, for you are our one and only master.”  When they looked up, Kira was grinning, and jumped down from Shkllyn’s back to greet her companions.  Then, they turned around, and gave their silent thanks to the Lord Haythur, and the Rangers.  Then with silent goodbyes, they turned around to face their destiny.  Melancholy laid in their eyes, as they tore them selves from the safety of their home, but disappeared when they left to find the sword.


Chapter 5:  The Return

 

    W

hen they left the forest, they were each given a horse.  The sun was setting, and the golden hues flew over the sky.  As they marched in silence, quietly, each heart laid grieving.  Shkllyn, do you think it was a good idea?  Maybe it was the wrong decision.  As Kira’s mind turned to doubt, Shkllyn flew over their heads, looking for dangers.  Also, we need a place to stay for the night.  Do you see a good place?  I doubt there will be, since we just came out of the forest.  By the way, what was the forest called?

            Did you notice you could speak mind to mind?  Why didn’t you tell me so earlier, it would’ve saved you a lot of trouble!  Do not turn to doubt Kira, this decision has lead you to find companions, you will learn to trust.  Also, there seems to be something on the horizon, but I don’t know what it is, but it looks interesting.  I’m going to go on ahead.  Oh, and the forest was called, ‘Riasta aei Temprae’.  It is also known as The Black Grounds.  The reason why it is called that is because that was the same forest the war between ancestors took place.  As Shkllyn flew towards the dark lump on the horizon, Kira watched with amazement.  She watched how graceful he was.

            “Veryn, Ryon, Erin, Ryit is going to go ahead of us.  He said that he thinks he found a good place to rest for the night.  Also, be careful not to loosen your guard, we don’t know what kind of things could be around this area.  For all I know, this place could be cursed.”

            “You mean it’s cursed?”  Ryon began to shake uncontrollably, and started sweating puddles.  Veryn looked at him, with a face that said, ‘that’s disguisting’.

            “Ryon, do you always have to be so loud?  Besides, Kira said it might be cursed.  No it is cursed.”  Ryon glared at Veryn, and then looked back to see Kira’s reaction. 

            “I didn’t say that I thought she said it was cursed!”  Ryon retorted back.  Kira looked utterly amused.

            “You did, and we all heard it.  Right?”  Erin and Kira exchanged glances, and then started giggling.

            “Hah!  See I was—”

            “But they didn’t say any—”

            “Oh yeah?  Well, I say giggling is proof!”

            “It is not!  Besides, I know you said it was cursed.  How would you know anyway?”  Veryn, glanced at Ryon, and then gave him a sour face.

            “Why don’t you ask Kira then?”  Ryon jabbed his pointer finger into Veryn’s arm.  “Besides, why do you have to be such a stingy, OLD, lady?”

            “How rude!  I am not old!”

            “Right…”  Then, Ryon looked hard at Veryn.

            “Will you quite staring at me?”

            “Hmm…  What’s that!  Is that a wrinkle?”

            “A wrinkle?  I’m not that old!”

            “How sweet, just like brother and sister.  Awww, aren’t you too so cute together.”  Kira grinned, and as if to prove Kira’s point, Erin pushed Ryon and Veryn together.  Ryon tried to shove Erin away, when Veryn pushed him over, off his horse.  Then Veryn looked down on too the ground, and grinned.

            “This means war!” and to prove his point, Ryon threw a fistful of dirt into Veryn’s face.

            “Why you little—” The sound of Shkllyn returning silenced the two.  Then Kira trotted her horse over toward his direction.

            How was your trip?  Did it fare you well? 

            It did in fact.  I was right, that black lump on the horizon was a castle, except it was in ruins.  Still, the condition of the castle it not to bad, some parts are still intact, and it should be able to fit all of us.

            That’s good; I’ll go tell them now.  Kira turned around, she glanced at Erin, and the girl had been quiet from the start of the journey.  Sadness filled Erin’s eyes.  Then, it struck her.  Thayhur, was spelled almost the same way as Haythur, you just needed to switch the letters around.  She would have to keep a close eye on her.

            “Hey, you guys!  Ryit found a place to stay for the night; we need to get there before night falls.”

           


Chapter 6:  The Discovery

 

    T

hey reached the castle ruins by nightfall, with the stars, twinkling from over their heads.  A new moon had begun to form, with time, ticking faster than it seemed.  The clock was ticking, and Kira knew it.  It would be a matter of time before war would fall, and the downfall of the world unless the sword was retrieved.  Allies would be needed, and supporters.  The world would have to be prepared for the war of the world.

            The castle was in ruins, the sides, crumbling down, eroding with time, and weather.  Torches were lit in a circle around their encampment, to ward of the Shadows.  A cold breeze, wrapping and enfolding the camp, then, someone choked, and the silence was broken.  Kira turned around sharply, and a sharp twang of pain.  She walked close to the wall, carefully listening for the sounds of life. 

            Snap, crash, bang.

            Kira slowly walked around, surveying their surrounding.  Then something crept behind her.  She whirled around and gasped.  Before she could speak, a hand clamped her mouth shut.  The figure was a man, at least in his early forties, he reminded her of the Lord Haythur.

            “I didn’t expect you to be here so late.  I was beginning to wonder when you would get here.”  The man stepped forward, under the light of the moon so Kira could see him.  Then he quickly slipped a rope around her, and unclamped his hand.

            “Curse you Lord Haythur,” slowly recognizing the man.  “So, did you come back for your daughter, Erin?”  The Lord’s face turned to shock.

            “H-how did you know?  I thought you’d never find out.”

            “When we left, she looked sad.  That was the part when I realized it.  The first clue was when she revealed her last name; which was scrambled, but with not too much thought put into it.  You really should be ashamed.”

            “Ashamed?  You should be, now that I have you right here,” and as it to prove it, he tugged the rope, with surrounded her.  The rope tugged hard against her stomach, giving her a sick feeling.

            “Let me go, or I’ll yell.”  Kira threatened him warningly.

            “No, because I have you, and I can kill you in a snap,” to prove it, he flipped out a knife from thin air, and pressed it across Kira’s throat.  “One move, and your dead, so don’t try anything funny with me.”  Kira gulped.

            “Let me guess, you want me to lead you to the sword.”

            “I see you are so smart to have figured out my plan.  Yes, I want to find the sword, so I may use it.”

            “But you can’t use it unless you are the true heir.”

            “Ah, but maybe I am.”

            “But that is impossible!  There is only suppose to be one heir, and that is me.”

            “We shall see when the sword has proven its decision.”

            The lord led Kira through a maze of passageways.  The crumbling wall was unstable, ready to fall at any moment.  Then, something glinted in her eyes, and Kira tapped the wall two stones down, five up, eight diagonal, and four left, then the wall disappeared, revealing a hidden chamber.  A sword was laid out, glinting in the moonlight, its pale colors gleaming.  The lord grasped the sword, but then screaming, and dropped the sword.  Carefully, Kira stepped forward and grabbed it as it dropped and pointed it at his throat.

            “My spell, how could it not work?”

            “No spell can match the power of the sword.  Even if there are to Exzacyers left, only one is the true heir, and that true heir is me.”  The lord stared hard at Kira, wondering if she was right.

            “Maybe it was my turn to evil, that caused the sword to become yours,” the lord looked solemn, and then his face turned to rage as he began to charge towards her.  “but the sword is still mine, and I want it!”  Haythur kept on charging until the point of the blade was inches away, and then, he tripped.


Chapter 7: One Day You’ll Know

 

    A

 memory appeared in her mind, of the past.  Carefully the wind whipped around her, as the memory flowed before for her.  “One day you’ll know that there will be peace. There will not be peace without war though, so listen carefully and I will guide you.”  Kira nodded.  “Gather your forces, and in the years to come, you will guide them.  If you lead them, and only you, the War of the Worlds will not come to pass.  You must go to the highest range, and head to the west.  From there, you will meet your enemy.  Do not fear though, for you will win if you use the sword.  If you ever need me again, go to your memories, the memories of the past.”  The wind died, and a body laid at her feet.  Footsteps faltered by the open door, and Erin stood there, watching with wide eyes.

            “Father!”  then she turned to Kira and glared, “What did you do!” 

            “Nothing.  Just simply the fact that what was gone is now returned to its rightfull owner.”  Erin stared at her and then, began to look angry, and then she began to hiss, and scream.  Kira watched in horror, as something emerged out of her.  A Shadow, its eyes, glistening with hatred, as the sword in Kira’s hands became to cover with mist.  A wolf began to form, and an image began to form.  Kira’s hands trembled.

 

Streaks of white fur flashing,

Yellow eyes glinting,

The teeth shining broadly.

 

Paw prints are formed,

The moon a silver ball,

Glowing in the midst of night.

 

Howling cries fill the soundless,

Echoing across the tundra,

Small, white balls gently falling.

 

            Then a voice spoke in her head, like the same way Shkllyn had when they had first met.  If you are to ever to call upon me again, you must recite those words.  The misty wolf padded towards Erin and growled softly, now, what are we gong to do with you?

            Erin whimpered at the sight of the wolf, and then her face turned pale when she saw the wolf, staring at her.  Then she crumpled to the ground.  “Thank you, for freeing me.” Her words remained only a whisper, and then her words disappeared into nothing.  Kira’s eyes faded to sadness, her eyes, becoming darker, for she was filled with agony.  Pain raced through her, as she shuddered.  Then, she remembered her duty, and she swung the sword high, and swiftly brought it back into its sheath, which she had found close to where the sword had once laid.  Then she began to head towards the door when Ryon came skidding in, and crashed into her, leaving the two in a heap, and Veryn laughing.

            “Ryon, get of me,” Kira’s voice was muffled, still, Ryon looked clueless, “I said, get off me!”  Then Ryon scrambled off of her.

            “Sorry Kira,” then he whistled, “Nice place here.”  Then he turned his gaze towards Erin, and then he noticed the lord, whose bady was strewn across the floor, in a bloody mess.  “What happened here?”

            “Well, let’s see.  I was walking around a bit because I thought I heard something moving.  That’s when I found Haythur.  He gagged me, and then took of the gag when he roped me,” Veryn raised an eyebrow, listening closely.  “He said that he’d hold me captive, and use me to find the sword.  When we reached here, where the sword was, he tried to pick it up, but he dropped it.  Then I picked it up, and he tried to kill me.  He missed, and tripped on something, and I think he fell dead on the floor.  That’s when—“

            “How could you think he fell dead on the—“Ryon piped in, just to get cut off by Veryn.

            “Let Kira continue, I think this might be important.”  Then, to Veryn’s surprise he kept his mouth shut.

            “That’s when Erin walked in,” finishing the sentence Ryon had interrupted.  “All I said was that I was taking what was mine.  Then she began to shriek, and a Shadow emerged out of her.  After that, this mist began to form around me, and this wolf appeared.  The wolf told me that if I should ever need to call upon her, I would just need to recite some words.  Erin was still there, and the wolf walked towards her.  She looked pretty scared, and then the wolf touched her, and she fell to the ground.  That’s when she said ‘thank you for freeing me’.  After that, you guys know the rest.”  Veryn whistled, and Ryon stared hard at her.  Then, Shkllyn poked his head into the room.

            “So, what are we going to do now?”  Ryon finally spoke, breaking the silence.

            “I don’t know, I guess that’s up to Kira, what about Erin?”  Veryn and Ryon looked back towards Kira.

            “Well, this part of the journey ends here, so we go west now, and try to stop the War of the Worlds,” The other two nodded in agreement.  “As for Erin, I think she’s alive, so we’ll take her with us.”  Everyone gave a sigh of relief.  Then, she exited the room, Ryon, barely able to carry Erin out of the room.

            When they finally got outside, the sun was rising, and the castle’s shadows seemed to move.  Then, they headed back towards their camp, and found it in ruins, except for the horses, and a few supplies.

            “Were we really gone that long?”  Veryn mused out loud.

            “Yes, the time inside the castle is slower than the time outside of the castle.  One day in the castle is worth three days out here.”

            “We should get a move on now, if were going to go west.”  Ryon’s voice changed, it was more serious, and something they had never seen before.  Then he pulled back his hair and tied it with a long strip of leather, knotted in the back, and for the first time Kira noticed his hair was long.  Then Kira and Veryn’s face turned to shock, and then, Kira gasped.

            An elf.  Shkllyn noted carefully.


Pronunciation Guide

 

Kierthernthy Erohoneistaie: Ki-ER-hern-THY (‘Ki’ rhymes with ‘tea’) Arrow-hone-ay-stea

 

Ryon Theldon:  Re-on Thell-done (‘Thell’ rhymes with ‘tell’)

 

Veryn Mroin:  Vurn Mrr-oin (‘Mrr rhymes with purr’) (‘oin’ rhymes with ‘coin’)

 

Erin Thayhur:  Erin Thay-her (‘Thay’ rhymes with ‘hay’)

 

Ryit:  Rit (‘Rit’ rhymes with ‘it’)

 

Shkllyn:  Shick-lin (‘Shick’ rhymes with ‘lick’)

 

Haythur:  Hay-Ther (‘Ther” rhymes with ‘her’)

 

Tyrgnats:  Tier-gnats (‘Tier’ rhymes with ‘pier’)