Bonded by shadow

Sence magic

Lyra's POV

It didn't take the sun another hour before it roze. The soldiers from yesterday already lined up giving us clothes to change into and the clothes will be taking along. The seven us of girls wore tight pants and a shirt with our corset around us. We wore boots and held in some weapons with us.

Honestly the sword I was given was too big for me to handle I had to hang it around my back inside it cloth. Mara also was dressed in similar outfits has me and the other girls. We looked at each other one last time, we were journeying together but it was obvious that not all of us would make it.

I smiled faintly has another soldier passed us some food. We packed our bags and headed outside. The king and royals of Mideveil gathered around. We had our heads down in respect, it's so not true to be pragmatic. The smell of sumptuous perfumes and clanging of gold of the royals insigated me to raise my head to catch a glimpse of them.

I saw Sir Regaleone, he was looking mighty and manly in his outfit too, he was well built and strong, his hair was now up allowing me to see his face, he was also young too, I doubt he'll be twenty eight yet

His face was straight and hard, he didn't even look my way. Was this how things were meant to be like?, i mean I thought we're friends?. I sighed and focused.

We assembled in the center of the hall when the loud horn blast through the pipe

"The arrival of the King and Queen". They called, we all went down with our heads hung low until we heard

"You may all rise". King Simeon Danbury, the King of Mideveil Town called majestically. Come to think of it have met the king when I was young, am sure he doesn't remember me either because it's been years. He once came to visit my dad. I wasn't even sure what he came for but he gave me a precious gift, the hairpin I had on my hair.

He gifted me for being able to identify medications and herbs at a young age. I felt happy to receive such a gift from his Majesty.

I smiled looking at how old he has been.

"Welcome the people of Mideveil. The Touched shall reside in the Nightmare Thrift till they are able to access enough power for his highness. You are to tell the tale of the realm and the magic you encountered and learnt" The king's handman addressed us

I thought that was a taboo, I thought to myself, because no surviver should tell what the realm is like and its powers or else the person will never find peace with himself. I might not be that educated but I knew certain things about Mideveil, the tales have heard from my mom and dad.

"So few guards will be sent to accompany you along the realm and also Princess Lunaria has volunteered" everyone gasped including me, how can a royal blood leave her Palace unmarried and doing things that will claim her womb and pride has a woman. Although it hasn't been a surprise to me since she was the late king's concubine's daughter, she has no access to the throne and only few of his wealth, poor her it must have been hectic living in the Palace that she had to volunteer going with us.

She also was dressed in the most expensive and beautiful free pants, more equisite and royally outfits unlike ours. Her corset was one of the best of them all, rich in material from Qing another town away from Mideveil. Her blonde hair was tied in a ponytail has she walked with strength alongside her attendants.

Three of her hands girls were coming along packing some important things for her trip. Her eyes met mine and I instantly disconnected our eyes.

"King Simeon has donated clothing and food to both gender"

"Live long your Majesty" we all chanted and bowed.

"Now you may leave". We bowed one last time and went away behind the princess. Mara was smiling like crazy

"What's so funny?" I whispered

"The princess is going along with us".

"Yeah it is, which means we must protect her at all costs"

"Of course it makes it more fun". She squealed.

I caught Sir Regaleone's eyes on me and I smiled, he returned my smile back. I smiled to myself probably blushing though.

"Hey isn't that the duel guy?" Mara asked

"Yes"

"Why did you smile to each other like that, wait- did you fall in love?". I gasped trying to hold my giggled

"No it's not what you think, he's just nice".

"No Lyra it's something else, look at the smile on his face"

"It says platonic to me". I said

"No, it screaming Romantic to me". She said and we both giggled causing a halt to our movement. The commander leading us to the stable turned back

"Who just did that?" He asked and I nearly died

"Who?" He screamed in rage, I was silent not wanting to see his wrath because he had this heavy scar on his face, I feel giggling was a big deal to him.

"Commander that's enough let's get the horses". Princess Lunaria said walking to her carriage in a majestic way with her hand girls at her call.

"Yes your highness". He glared one last time and we moved to the stables. Wait did I hear horses?. Swears I didn't ride horses, I once coaxed Mara to teach me how to but she didn't now I need that help desperately.

I was sluggish has I walked to the stable. Other girls were given horses and Mara pressed her lips together knowing I didn't ride horses. Everyone had their horses and I was left alone looking stranded. Everyone had their eyes on me, I could Sir Regaleone wanting to help. But I swallowed my fear and pulled a small white horse out to it's stable.

The horse was smaller than everyone's. I nearly felt on the verge of crying because of the embarrassment. She neighed galloping like she knew me. I was nervous because she didn't stop there she continued galloping. I just stayed still watching her run away until Sir Regaleone came by and pulled her to me.

She stayed still at the command of Sir Regaleone. I moved closer

"Pat her" he said and I closed my eyes patting her, she neighed and sniffed my hand. I was delighted but the problem now is how will I ride and mount her. I suddenly felt Sir Regaleone's strong hands on my waist, before I knew it he was carrying me on her. I was burning red with embarrassment, I mean why the hell was everyone looking. He pat her and smiled

"You can find a name to call her" he said and went to his big brown horse. She was gentle with me had I rode her, but she was too slow. Mara rode her own horse closer to me.

"Lyra you have a lot to tell me".

"Like?" I was trying to avoid her question

"How that Lord held your waist" . I burned again

"No he didn't, he just helped me up".

"Hmm"

"Seriously" I maintained a stern face.

"What's the Lord's name?"

"Sir Regaleone"

"Woah, did I see you blush?" She continued pestering me

"Mara stop it, you're distracting me".

"Yeah when it comes to Sir Regaleone".

"It's not funny". she winked at me not believing me. Soon the road trip continued until it was almost dark, we took breaks and ate visited villages and dependent unfamiliar towns . I

finally came up with a name for my horse, I named her cotton because she was soft like white Cotton, except that she was slow or maybe because I can't ride her. After our short break again, Sir Regaleone and I barely spoke again, because he's always at Princess Lunaria's call.

We continued our trip again until Alexa asked looked tired

"Commander where is the road to the Nightmare Trial?". The commander heaved heavy making all of us to look at each other in unison, is he clueless like me too?, I thought.

"No one knows where it begins, but it's obvious we are out of Medieval Town"

"So what are we supposed to do?" Mara asked

"Just journey until we sense powers" he said

"How do we know how the presence of power is like?" Another male traveler asked

"Can any of you sense magic?" The commanded asked and everyone went silent

"No one?" He asked again, still everyone was silent. He sighed, I was starting to think we're all gonna die just at the beginning of the journey

We continued riding until It was almost dark, the thick sounds from the hidden animals and crickets began.

We got to a point in the forest that I became weak, something in me began to hurt, I thought they were just simple pains until my chest tightened at the pain, my vision became blurry.

I growled not knowing how to call attention.

"Mara--"I called her name

"Lyra are you okay?" I sensed magic, heavy dark magic. My eyes widen how could I sense magic.

"Arrggh" I screamed feeling the smell of blood from my nostrils, my body became heavy and weak, my vision blurry until I fell down from Cotton and blacked out.

TBC