Aloura, a journey of the Dimensions Book 1

Marking a path

As I sat on the veranda, soaking in the warm sun and the chaos of military orders, Drax appeared, leading two stunning horses. My eyes flicked over to Ryker, who was sprawled over a well-worn map, detailing our strategic initiatives with the fervor of a seasoned general. The Ketican Training Facility was to be our pride and joy—a dual-purpose stronghold that would not only enhance Amoridia's military might but serve as a united training ground for our forces.

I had heard whispers about Ryker’s army being the stuff of legends—an unparalleled navy and ground military that had torn through kingdoms like parchment. His family lineage read like an epic saga, featuring war generals whose reputations preceded them. Talk about pressure, right?

“Ready to ride?” Drax broke my thoughts, his voice steady as Ryker wrapped up the initial guard posts discussion.

“Yes. Good, let’s mount up,” Ryker replied, eyes still fixed on the map. His hand beckoned towards me, and I took it, grateful for the support as i stood from the short wooden bench my legs slightly sore from the position.

Okay, here's the part where I should’ve felt like a lady, all elegant and poised. But the thought of mounting a horse in a dress? Not so graceful. Ryker literally lifted me onto the horse like I was a feather. “You’re seriously strong,” I joked, adjusting myself. Growing up, my parents had made sure I had riding lessons, so I was no total rookie. Western, English, side saddle—you name it. Just never done it in a fancy dress before!

I balanced myself side saddle, and Ryker’s initial frown transformed into a smirk. “He didn’t make you a traditional lady’s saddle; he must have assumed you’d switch to my kingdom’s style immediately. I am oddly surprised by how quickly you have sorted a suitable position. I had been told you weren't overly proficient with horses."

Just another adventure highlight of my life in a new dimension, I thought, mentally shrugging off my other self’s inability as I grinned at him. “Can’t believe everything you hear, I guess.”

As we set off, I couldn’t help but feel relieved that Ryker wasn’t tearing off at breakneck speed. It had been years since I last rode, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself by toppling off.

With the landscape unfolding like a painter’s canvas, I soaked in the sights—the hills undulating, vibrant spring flowers bursting from the grass, and a gentle breeze rippling over it like a sunlit wave. Before long, we approached the forest, where the men slid into position to mark our path.

“Are we making a road wide enough for wagons?” I asked, pulling alongside Ryker as the men tied ribbons to the trees, clearing dense underbrush.

“Very astute my queen. We need to map this wide enough for wagons, going around would just waste time on every trip. Simple as that.”

I frowned, a hint of concern surfacing. “Isn’t it risky not scouting ahead first?”

“Today’s about testing the waters. We’ll send the wagons around today; it’ll take them longer, but this way we can scout proper routes safely and begin marking so a crew cant start clearing tomorrow.”

“Got it.” As I fell back a bit, letting the rhythm of the horse comfort me, I couldn’t help but admire the men’s cohesion.

We had hit several areas where it had become too tight, and the men broke off looking for alternative routes re mapping a path as they located them.

Ryker now led ahead of me by five horse lengths sat tall in his saddle as he called out to his men when he spotted additional routes or widening areas helping mark the path alongside his men.

As we wove through the trees, it wasn’t long before my sharp instincts kicked in when I heard a sudden snap of a branch. My heart raced as I whipped my head around, just in time to see a massive wolf charging at us. Instinct took over, and I clutched the reins like my life depended on it. My trusty steed was just as freaked out, rearing up, and I squeezed with everything I had, praying I wouldn’t end up in a faceplant on the forest floor.

With raw panic coursing through me, I clutched the horse’s neck tightly, praying I wouldn’t be thrown. The beast backed off momentarily, but lunged again, more hell-bent than ever. Just when I thought my heart would explode, a giant black panther soared onto the scene, tackling the wolf with a ferocity that shocked me.

Taking that as my cue, my horse bolted, and I felt my heart drop. I was barely hanging on, trying to get control of the reins again. We tore through the trees, and somehow, I finally managed to grab hold of the reins with my fingers, pulling the horse’s head around to get some momentum with where I needed to go.

But the howling of the wolves behind us was enough to set my blood on fire. Sensing danger, I unhooked my leg and swung it around to properly sit astride. Dress be damned—this was a survival situation!

“Go, girl!” I yelled at my horse as she kicked it into high gear. My instincts kicked in. We were meant to fly! I leaned forward, barely having time to look back as I heard the snarling growls rise around us, threatening to swallow us whole.

We bounded through the trees, dodging branches and jumping logs like a scene out of some wild action film. In the distance, I caught a glimpse of the ocean—a shimmering escape ahead. "Don't fail me now!" I urged under my breath, kicking her again to go faster.

A quick glance behind confirmed my fears: grey and brown wolves were gaining on us. No way in hell was I going to be dinner. I urged the horse on, leaning forward, feeling her energy sync with mine, pushing her through every obstacle in our path.

I pulled hard to the left, as we tore off in a new direction. A second more horrific sound tore through the trees, a deep resonant growl, it started low and rumbling, menacing and terrifying. As it grew, others of its kind joining in with it, building in intensity, a primal rumble for blood, morphing the sound became a sharp, deafening roar, rich and throaty, it sounded like death calling. That was no pack of wolves kinda noise I thought.

We cleared the tree line, a vast open field ahead meeting the glimmering ocean. Freedom, if my hourse kept running at this pace, we had a chance.

Then it hit me: horses couldn’t run on water. I glanced back and saw those relentless wolves hot on our trail. But to my relief, we were pulling way ahead.

As my horse galloped forward, my heart surged with adrenaline. I couldn’t believe how thrilling—and terrifying—this all was. I was more than just a girl in a dress; I was a warrior in a strange land, and for the first time, I felt a tingle of something more. A strength in my core like a whip of electricity that I could extend, that I could shape.

If i could just figure out how to connect to it, it felt as if it could be my very salvation from all that was happening. I concentrated hard feeling like I was reaching my soul down into the depths of myself. It was a surreal sensation I'd never felt before.

As we reached the waters edge, the connection snapped into place. I felt myself expand as I willed the ocean to become firm under my horses hoves. Good God, this was insanity. Still, I urged the horse forward, my will to live driving me to do so.