Secrets of the Realm Series: The Dark Knight

Chapter 2

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1.BROKEN DREAMS - Beautiful Emotional Music Mix | Ethereal Dramatic Orchestral Music

2.Don't Wake me just yet (Official Album)

There seems to be tension between Reysalor and Ruven these last few days of training but I try not to dwell on it too much. I have enough on my mind as it is. Ruven has been cold to me. He does not come to training and is only present on meetings. He is the leader in our task. He has barely spoken two words to me but his eyes always find mine when he enters the room. The gates close.

“Our first destination is the human Kingdom.” Reysalor speaks first coming close to me. He gives me a beautiful smile which catches my attention.

“No, we will not go there first.” Ruven intrudes. Reysalor looks at him his expression changing to frustration. “We will travel to the Dwarves Kingdom.”

“The Kingdom of Ellesmere is closer. This is what we discussed during our gatherings. Will you defy the king?

“We will do what I say. The gatherings were mere suggestions and a waste of time.”

“Ruven, I am sure the Kingdom of Ellesmere would give us a warm welcome, don’t you think Ruven?” Reysalor has sarcasm and anger in his voice. I am confused at that statement and want to ask what he means by that but Ruven doesn’t give me the chance.

“I am commander, and I was tasks with leading this mission, you will follow my orders, do you understand me? You are not a prince here, but my soldier, is that understood?” He looks at Reysalor and then me. He holds my gaze a little longer but breaks away and begins to walk towards the mountains. Reysalor although aggravated, follows him.

We walk for hours through the plains and reach a small patch of forest before the mountains. The sun is setting and Ruven finally stops.

“We will camp here tonight. From here it is four day’s journey. We will be going deep into the mountains to reach the Dwarf Kingdom Ketstorthr. I am going to see if I can catch some food.” I stand up.

“Ill collect firewood.”

“Ill see if I can’t find anything else edible in this forrest. There is bound to be some berries.” Reysalor adds. As we begin to part Reysalor places a hand on my shoulder, “Please be careful Veara.” I smile and head into the woods feeling his eyes following me as I disappear from sight. As am picking up wood I catch Ruven eyeing his prey. I see it too and I know I can get it with my bow and arrow. I reach for my bow and an arrow. I set my target, and breath in and close my eye. As I release the arrow I breath out feeling everything flow along with the arrow. I open my eyes and the hare is dead my arrow in it. Ruven looks in my direction and he begins to clap. He walk over to the hare and examines it. Takes out the arrow and strides over to me. Showing me the hare I caught.

“Impressive I have to admit.” He isn’t quiet smiling but his expression seems..kinder. He sizes up my game and seems genuinely impressed. “I know you just graduated to official warrior. Very good.”

“I am sorry if you were planning on catching it and I took that from you.”

“There is no need to apologize, you saw the opportunity and took it. Just remember to aim higher next time….” As he shows me the right place to hit, I see scared on his hands his arms are hidden but I imagine his whole body is covered in scares. He is a skilled warrior he must of see many battles.

“You are staring again.” I blush realizing I have done it again.

“Sorry, yes I will hit in the head next time.. wait, why does it matter?”

“Veara, we aren’t animals, we show mercy, no matter who or what we may have to kill.” Now he stares at me his eye burning into mine. I feel my heart thumb hard in my chest.

“We should head back.” He interrupts the silence. His attitude more reserved than before. I follow not sure of what to say. We walk back in silence, Ruven steps ahead of me. Although the birds sing and the leaves calm swaying create noise, the silence between me and Ruven threatens to crush me. I can hear my heart beating loud, I wonder, could he hear it to? I try not to dwell on it and examine my surroundings. The grass is lush and green, still young and small. Spring has just begun and the warm breeze fills the air but cool nights still persist reminding us that winter still lingers around us.

We reach the clearing where Reysalor sits cleaning his dagger. There are nuts and berries in front of him. Ruven ignores Reysalor.

“Veara! Looks like you found wood..”

“Yes, I am glad its dry. I was worried I would have a hard time finding dry wood considering how much rain we have been getting lately.” I smile beginning to set up the fire.

“Veara,” Ruven says in a commanding tone “come here. You will skin the hare you caught.” I am surprised that he calls me.

“But the fi..”

“Reysalor, make the fire.” Reysalor, although angry, obeys taking the wood from my hands. I walk over to Ruven who sits out of the sight of our camp. I sit beside him. He hands me his knife I take it and try to start skinning it, but I am have never done it.

“Stop. If you do it the wrong way you will spoil the meat.

“You have to take the back pinch its hide and cut it with the blade near the base of the neck.” I do what he tells me trying not to look like a girl and look disgusted. I wanted to impress Ruven.

“Then, turn the knife edge facing up and cut from the stomach to the neck. Be careful,” He stops me by placing a hand on mine, my heart leaps “pierce the stomach and meat is soiled.” I nod being very careful not to cut the stomach or myself. He continues,

“Use your index finger and middle finger on both hands to create an opening after you have made your cut.” He sees me struggle and takes me hands and guides them with his own. I struggle to control my feelings.

“Steady,” he said his warm breath on my cheek making me shiver.

“use your fingers to hook up under the skin and pull one of your hands towards the rear and the other hand towards its head.” He shows me by gliding my hand along with his. Although it was not pleasant to have your hand in a dead animal, Ruven’s hand on mine made my warm all over and made it hard to think about the task at hand. His body was pressed against mine. I could fell his warm body and his heart beating. It was loud and calm. His muscles moved as his body did. I felt safe. I need to stop thinking about this. I suddenly wondered. Did he feel the same thing I was feeling? That’s ridiculous. I have only known him for a short time.

I shake the thought and it’s as if he finally understands what has been happening. He pulls away from me and clears his throat.

“I think thats enough for today. You will have plenty of time to practice. I will finish the rest.” He turns back to the hare and works on it without looking at me. I feel a little annoyed at his sudden cold demeanor. I leave without a word and go wash my hands in a nearby creek. My reflection shows my hair is disheveled and my complexion flushed. The warm feeling in the pit of my stomach is persistent and will not let me remember that just moments ago Ruven’s arms were around me. I walk back to camp where Ruven is already back and cooking the hare. They both sit in silence. Ruven tried to keep his eyes to himself. It is a rather quiet evening with only small talk. We eat and prepare to rest.

“I will take first watch. Reysalor, you..”

“No, I will take second watch.” They both look in surprise at me. “I want to, please.”

“Very well.” Ruven says looking straight into my eyes now. Something is different, he seems more colder. He walks to a nearby tree and sits. Reysalor and I lay.

“Veara,” Reysalor whispers. “I want to show you something tomorrow, will you let me?” I nod and he smiles the biggest smile. I return a smile. Reysalor is kind to me. I fall asleep dreams swirl in my mind. I hear a voice. It’s a woman’s voice. Familiar but distant. I see a pendent its a gem. It is white as snow. Pure, it shines I reach to take it but suddenly the pendent is gone.

I feel a tug and I open my eyes, Ruven stands beside me.

“It is your time.” I wake up go sit beside the tree where Ruven sat. Its dark and the stars light up the night sky. The moon, I feel it calling to me.

“Its beautiful, isn’t it.” Ruven says his back facing me.

“Yes, it is.” I hesitate but ask anyway. “Do you ever feel like there is more to your life than you know? Do you ever feel.. different?” He chuckles.

“Veara, we are half breeds, we’ll always be different.” I let out a small chuckle myself realizing what I said.

“Ruven, you know what I mean.” I sigh.

“Yes, I do. I try not to dwell on it.” I feel frustrated with his words.

“But how? I cannot keep this feeling inside. I need to allow what I am feeling to guide me.” But in return I heard silence. He was asleep. Feeling lonely, the silence threatens to engulf me but I look at the night sky again. I have never asked questions. Always did my part and tried my best to become the warrior I needed to be. Why do I have all these questions now?

Lost in thought I do not realize the sun has begun to rise. Another day has begun. I close my eyes allowing the sun to warm my skin. I feel as if the sun has given me power to rise. I see Ruven is the first to rise. Our eyes lock and I feel as though I am in a trance. I cannot seem to look away. He seems as hypnotized as me. Reysalor shuffles and wakes.

“Good morning!” We finally break our gaze. I look down at the grass my cheeks on fire. What was that? I shake the feeling away and look at Reysalor finding that Ruven is already gone.

“Good morning, how did you sleep?” I said smiling.

“Good! Well as good as one can in the woods.” He grins.”How about you?”

“My night’s rest was good too. I enjoyed watching the night sky during my watch. It was mesmerizing. You promised to show me something.” I get up ready to go. I want to keep my mind off of Ruven. I am not sure what is happening to us but I need to clear my head.

Reysalor excited that I remember, jumps up and motions me to follow. I look back and Ruven looks at me but quickly looks away. I quickly follow Reysalor. We walk far but not too far. He stops me.

“We are here.” He says. “Its just through here.” He points to a weeping willow. It must be old because the beaches are long and the leaves reach the floor. There is no seeing what it inside. He goes first and creates a small opening. Inside I see a small pond and butterflies. So many butterflies. There are so many colors. The flutter everywhere.

“It’s beautiful.” It almost looks like their wings glow under the light. The light peaks through the branches illuminating the area under the tree.

“Beautiful.” He says looking at me. I feel a little uncomfortable but in a good way. I given Reysalor a peck on the cheek and smile.

“Thank you. It is beautiful. I really appreciate this.” His smile could light up the world.

“We should head back, Ruven will not be happy if we are too long.” I say. His face changes at Ruven’s name.

“He is never happy and a brute. I only listen to him because I do not want to fight him. I do not want to put you in a difficult situation. Also, we need him to find these medallions.” He says the last part with difficulty.

“What do you mean we need him?”

“His mother… she is a powerful elf. He holds her power.”

“Powerful? How?” We begin to walk out of the weeping willow.

“She has the power to see the past. These elves are only born once a generation. Ruven has gained her power. He can locate the medallion by seeing where it was last.”

“I am confused, why didn’t you use his power before then?”

“Because it disappeared. We did not know where it went. We know where it was last seen. He can go there and see who may have take it and we can go from there.” I look down trying to connect all the information I have received.

“Reysalor, what happened between you and Ruven?” He doesn’t look at me.

“We have our differences. Let us leave it at that.” He says walk ahead of me as we get closer to camp.

“Where have you both been. It has been over an hour. We need to go. We cannot take pit stops.” Ruven’s voice is stern and cold.

“I am sorry Ruv…”

“Do not apologize to this brute.” Reysalor stops me. “You will not talk to the lady like that.” He now very close to Ruven. Their bodies in a protective stance.

“I will speak to her as I will. Might I remind you, I AM THE COMMANDER HERE!” He shouts the last part and I am roused to anger. I move past Reysalor and get in come before Ruven.

“THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!” I shout back. I am so close to him I can feel his warm breath on my face. The heat from his body radiating reminding me of when his arms were around me. His eyes are not angry, not like they were with Reysalor, but rather betrayed. I feel as though I should have sided with Ruven.

“I will do as I wish. I am in command here, and you will know your place.” He says leaning in close to my face. So close our lips could meet. I shutter at the closeness, but I stand my ground. He backs away.

“Let us go on. We have along journey to the dwarves kingdom.”