Within the Fire

Chapter 3

-Ryan-

I sighed, looking out my bedroom window overlooking the sparse land of my fathers. I could see the farmer picking up different pieces and throwing them back down. The kingdom was slowly running out of resources, and any of the partnering colonies had pulled out of there peace treaties. I sat down at my desk with my head in my hands. “Three more days, and this is mine.” I whispered to myself. “Three more days and I have to start cleaning up the messes my father made.” 

There was a knock at the door, “Ryan?”. It was dad. He walked over to my window, peered out and took a deep breath. “You are going to have to lead the troops to battle.” 

Absolutely stunned, I turned to him. “Uh….why? When?” 

“Before it begins to turn cold. The land is poisoned, we’re running out of reasources.” I could hear the worry in his voice, but deep down I knew, this is why we’re in this position to begin with. We’re rich to say the least, but instead of bartering, or buying, my fathers initial response is to attack. Just as his father, and his fathers father. I nodded to my father, and he made his exit. 

I began pacing, almost overwhelmed by the news of what he told me.  

I wasn’t going to be like my father, or his before him. I don’t want innocent blood on my hands. I could feel my heart begin to race. What if what he told me wasn’t a suggestion, but a command. Me, Ryan Henry, 17 years old, clumsy as can be, a stick of a man really. Leading an army to battle. As my head began to spin, I started to slowly lose my vision and “POOF”

Next thing I knew I was in woods. I could hear whispers and small glow through the trees. “What the hell?” I thought to myself. It was warmer here, humid. The air smelled fresh just like it did after it rained. “Where am I?” I whispered. Slowly, I decided to move toward the glow in the trees. I tried to move as quiet as I possibly could, and that’s when, SNAP, a twig broke right under my foot. “Ugh” I thought. I lowered myself to make sure no one could see me, and when I looked up I saw. 

She was beautiful. Long blond hair, with ice blue eyes.  She was slender, but strong with beautiful olive skin. “Who is she?” And that’s when I was brought back into my room. 

“WHAT THE f**k?” Nate cried. “You weren’t here and now you are? What kind of games are you playing man?” The terror and shock in his eye made me burst uncontrollably with laughter.

 “Are those tears? Like actual tears?” I pointed. 

“Shut up man. You don’t know what you're talking about.” Nate said with a scowl. “But seriously, where did you come from?” 

“I honestly don’t know.” I shook my head. “One minute I was sitting at my desk and the next thing I knew I was in the woods.”      

“Pfft, okay dude” he rolled his eyes. “You and Cam finally figured out a spell to scare me. You guys are too good. But on a serious note, you dad said we need to get down to the field, training is about to start.” 

 Nate may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s strong and loyal. We’ve been best friends since we were born, and yes Cam and I were always trying to figure out ways to scare him, but it was unlike him to blow it off. “RYAN” I heard my father scream. I decided I would talk with Cam after training, but right now I had to quickly get ready and head out to the field for practice. 

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When I got to the field, my father and Alex Cain, my fathers right hand man, were at the edge of the field talking with the trainers. All the other guys were huddled around talking and laughing, Nate saw me and did a head nod. I dropped my bag with the others and headed to my position. The others began to fall inline, while Sir Nicholas took his place at the head of the class. 

“Today’s the day boys!” He smiled as everyone cheered. “You begin the placement testing. The king and Kain are here to observe and help us make the final decisions.” I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. I’m f****d. The panic began to set in and I knew I was going to embarrass myself and my father. “Dude you good?” While I was lost in my own head, I hadn’t realized Nate had walked over. “You're pale as a ghost.” 

“I’m fine, just nervous.” I said with a forced smile. 

“We’ve practiced, you may not be the strongest but you're quick. Use that to your advantage just like we practiced.” 

I nodded. Part of me knew he was right. I could shoot with ease and suit up quickly. But when it came to hand to hand combat, I always ended up with my ass to the ground.