Aurora

Part 1, Chapter 8

Arrabella.nine

“What did I tell you about doing that? That isn’t fair, Claire.” Slone glared at her.

“War isn’t fair.” Claire grumbled in return. I rolled my eyes as I stood up, brushing myself off. I looked over in Tessa’s direction and saw her standing there with her eyes wide.

“You okay?” I asked when I was standing in front of her. She blinked before nodding.

“That was invigorating, though it didn’t last long.” She sighed and I laughed.

“Yeah, she just really doesn’t like these training things. She loves ending them before we’ve barely started. She’s the reason why we don’t do them much.” I explained and she shook her head.

“Training is important for physical and mental growth. She should acknowledge that.” Tessa said. I nodded, opening my mouth to reply but didn't get the chance to.

“We’re going out to eat dinner today.” I heard Slone say as she landed behind me.

“Oh, where to?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at her.

“One of the border cities with Airenna. Without permission, of course.” She laughed and I shook my head. I looked at Tessa again and tilted my head.

“I don’t think it’d be safe if I left you here alone. Someone would probably try to kill you.” I looked at the ground, attempting to be nonchalant.

For no reason, of course.

“I guess I’m going with you guys then. It wouldn’t be very good for you all if I died.” She laughed and I frowned.

“No, it most definitely would not.” Slone said before putting a hand on my shoulder. “Meet us at the topmost tower in fifteen minutes.”

“Well we better hurry. I better go get changed. Come on.” I motioned for Tessa to follow me as I speedily walked away.

I tugged my dirty, dark brown cloak over my plain gray tunic and black pants before turning towards Tessa, who was sitting on the lush grass in my room. Her auburn hair was tied back and up, and a cloak similar to my own covered her body.

“Let’s go.” I said and she stood quickly and followed me out of my room.

“These clothes seem pretty plain for a person of your stature.” She said and I giggled softly.

“Yeah, well, the border cities are some of the poorest in the kingdom. We can’t exactly walk in donning gold and silver all over our bodies. It’d be rude and demeaning.”

“I'm sure your father doesn't share your sentiments.”

“Of course he doesn't.” I sighed.

She stared at me for a moment before nodding softly and looking away.

We speedily walked along the halls in silence for a while before Tessa spoke again.

“Which city are we going to, exactly?” She asked curiously.

“Ironwood.” I told her and she turned her head to look at me, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Ironwood? That doesn't sound like a word in Na’aine or Daketi.” She said and I nodded.

“That's because it isn't. It's an odd assortment of letters that, I assume, used to be a language millenia ago. Actually, almost all of the names of the towns and cities and such are in that odd language.” I explained and she nodded.

“I did see a map of this country and saw many words that were foreign to me that didn't seem to be in Na'aine either.” She said and I nodded.

“All of those words never rolled off of my tongue right when I was little. It seems nearly natural to me now.” I told her. She stopped in her tracks, looking to her right. Confused, I look at her.

“Isn't this the entrance to the topmost tower?” She asked me and I jerked to a stop. Smiling sheepishly, I walked over to her and opened the door beside her.

“Run on up ahead of me, I'm going to make sure everything is okay.” I instructed and she nodded before she went in and climbed the stairs two at a time.

I looked around carefully as I slowly stepped inside before shutting the door quietly. I ascended the stairs quickly, eager to reach the top.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I reached the top and saw the six waiting for me.

“Late again.” Slone chided and I smiled sheepishly. “Let's get moving. Tessa, you're coming with me.”

She swept an alarmed Tessa into her arms without her permission before preparing to take off. Her large, pitch black wings stretched high into the air before swinging down, launching them both into the air.

Claire was next. She stepped back and took a running start before jumping off of the tower and into the air. I shielded myself from the heat wave that came off of her body that she used to keep herself afloat.

Chrys and Acira both went, whooping as they were rushed with adrenaline. I shook my head as I watched Acira keep both herself and Chrys afloat.

My turn.

Taking a running start, I launched myself into the air, my arms spread out wide. I watched the ground come up fast with a grin.

Just before I hit the ground, a vine whips out from the nearest tree and wraps around my wrist, swinging me through the air at an alarming speed. I whooped loudly as the vine tossed me into the air, before another grabbed my wrist again.

The process repeated multiple times, filling me with adrenaline, before I was slingshotted through a portal that Slone opened for us all.

Not anticipating the ground to come up so quick, I face planted, sliding ungracefully before rolling to a stop.

Sitting up, I rubbed my face before looking around.

I was graced with the faces of my sister's, and Tessa, laughing at me.

“That was quite amusing to watch.” Slone shook her head, holding back her laughter.

“Who are you losers and what are you doing in my city.” My head whipped around to look at a skinny looking man with dark skin. He had white eyes that were glowing in the darkness, which made them quite intimidating when glaring at you. I stood quickly, brushing myself off. His scraggly hair and town clothes no doubt had absolutely no insulation.

“We're just visiting.” I told him and he squinted his eyes at me.

“How exactly am I supposed to know that you're not unseelie?” He asked me and his eyes glowed brighter. I saw small sparks at the corner of his eyes and I took a step back. I knew the others saw it too because they all tensed up.

Slone took a stride forward before stretching her wings up into the air in a menacing manner and screeching loudly at him. He fell back in surprise before glancing at all of us.

“Oh my gods, you're the princesses.” His eyes widened in shock before scrambling to his feet and bowing low. “Please forgive me your highnesses.”

I look at my sisters, feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

“You don't need to do that, sir.” I said awkwardly before stepping forward. “Don't be so formal, we're not here on official business.”

“I’d imagine not. The king does not like coming to the warfront.” He blinks as he stood up straight.

“Who are you exactly? You were about to use… magic.” Tessa tilted her head, looking at him curiously. He blinked at her, frowning.

“I'm just a citizen of this city. I'm one of the lucky people that can use magic here.” He explained and she hummed softly.

“And where are the soldiers? If this is a warfront city, it should be crawling with the military.” She asked and he frowned, looking at her weirdly.

“You're not from here, are you?” He asked and she scoffed.

“Why does it matter?”

“Because anyone who lives in this country know that we don't have a military. Us civilians fight for ourselves.” He said and she sputtered in disbelief.

“I-If there is no military, then how are you supposed to win a war!?” She widened her eyes and it was my turn to frown.

“We fight in the war, of course. With anyone that will volunteer to help. Do you do it differently?” I asked her and she stared at me in disbelief.

“Of course we do! All of the tactics that I know of, and the ways you could organize a military, and none of them are happening. I just don't understand why. This is absurd! H-how-”

“Shut your mouth!” I seethed she quieted down in surprise. Several moments passed as I kept my head tilted down, fists clenched, making sure my hair covered my face. My heavy breathing was the only sound I heard. How dare she? We might not have a military, but all the battles that my sister's and I have gone through have been real and they've been hard.

I immediately whipped my head up to look at her angrily when I heard her take in a small breath, as if she was about to speak.

“We don't have a choice! We don't get to choose if we fight or not. There's millions of people living in this kingdom and no one is here to protect anyone, not even us. We have a kingdom to protect-- I have a kingdom to protect, and if my father tells me that I have to go out there and fight, that I have to go out and die, I will. Without hesitation, as their princess, I will lay down my life to protect my people. Not because I want to, but because it is my job. I don't have a choice. None of us do. If we didn't fight, everyone would be dead.”

“I-I apologize.” She whispered and I huffed. I blinked, turning my head idly, not knowing what to do. I looked back at her, seeing her glowing yellow eyes looking at me expectantly, but all I did was nod and turn away. I motioned for her to follow me as I made my way into the city.

I looked on at the poverty with sad eyes. I never want this kingdom to live like this when I come to power. Sighing, I took a deep breath of the polluted air, scrunching my nose at the horrid smell. I closed my eyes and felt everything that was around me, all the life.

Inside of me, I felt my power in my veins, surging around, wanting to escape.

I let it.

A gasp escaped my lips at the feeling. I opened my eyes and looked down at my hands and saw my veins glowing green and gold. The earth pulled on my power, trying to heal itself with what I was offering. I allowed it.

I walked around looking at everyone. People lined the streets, staring at me in awe. My heart skipped a beat in anxiety, avoiding everyone's gaze.

“Hey!” I heard someone yell and I whipped my head around to see who called. A woman was standing at the entrance to a tent, waving me over. Confused, I walked over. When I come close, she staggers back.

“Geez girl, it feels like you've hit me with a tsunami.” She laughed heartily before waving me inside. “Anyways, come on in. I need your area of expertise.”

“This is a medical tent?” I asked her.

“It's supposed to be, but really and truly it's full of a bunch of dying people that we don't have the medicine for.” She explained before standing back, letting me walk in first.

My eyes teared at what I saw.

The sheer agony that emanated from the large tent caused me to unconsciously stop my magic flow.

Quickly recovering, I let it flow again. I felt their agony and it made a tear slip from my eyes. My breathing became heavy and I had to cover my mouth to muffle my sobs.

I could feel it, I could feel it all, but I walked on, and when I passed a little girl, my heart broke into a million pieces.

I went over and sat beside them. She stirred and opened her eyes, looking at me.

“Hey,” I whispered. “What's your name?”

She continued to stare at me, but her mouth slightly turned upwards in a small smile.

“Zinnia.”

I placed a hand on her arm and she gasped as my magic flowed through her, healing as much as I could.

“Arrabella?” I heard Tessa say from behind me. She placed a hand on my shoulder before crouching down beside me. “Who is this?”

“This is Zinnia,” I told her before looking back at the little girl, who was looking so much better. “Zinnia, where are your parents?”

She looked between Tessa and I before giggling, shaking her head. She pushed herself up so she could sit. Since she was significantly better, I stopped healing her.

“They're around.” She replied before looking around at all the other injured people. “Aren’t you going to heal them?”

“I am, it’s just taking a bit longer because many of them are… near death, like you were.” I looked down at the ground before looking around as well.

“I can help.” Zinnia told me and I tilted my head to the side, frowning.

“You have healing magic?” I asked her and she smiled widely.

“My magic is actually really similar to yours. Plus I have some residual magic left in my body from you.”

“H-How old even are you?” I stuttered, unsure if I should let her help.

“I’m eight.” She replied and I raised my eyebrows in surprise. A year younger me, but half my size. “I’m a halfling, if you’re wondering why I’m so small. I think something happened to my DNA that didn’t let me grow as fast as I was supposed to.”

“What are you mixed with?” I asked her as I released more magic so all these people could heal faster.

“Oh, I’m half Lioan and half Erathiahn.” She said and I choked on air. I looked at her wide eyed. How was that even possible?

“What year were you born and where?” Tessa asked her and she looked up at her.

“Red Era, year 3681, in Springmarsh, Xera, on the third planet in solar system Natsla, Na’aisho.” She told us and I looked up at Tessa.

“It’s the year 3665.”