Night of Day
1030 Words
It was morning...
The three ran for what seemed like days.
It seemed the very shadows were on their tail
Catherine seemed to be indefatiguable. "How are you still running" Flynn asked.
"You'll soon learn everything " Catherine replied. "Sleep friends".
A commotion arose in the early hours, "what was that?" Flynn drew his sword, then fell to the ground. A large rock had flown across, knocking him unconscious.
"Goblins!" Catherine shouted out.
Twelve came forward...
They seemed to shun Catherine's presence, afraid to come near. A large, black goblin grabbed Aeliana by the wrist
"You come with us!" It bellowed.
Aeliana slapped away its hand, and drew her father's sword. More goblins circled, the sounds of Catherine fighting the others in the distance.
The large goblin slapped away Aeliana's sword.
"Catherine!"
"Flynn!"
She cried out.
Darkness encompassed her...
All sounds went silent...
Then...
Chaos....
A light.. deep within Aeliana burned outward..
She opened her eyes.
The goblins screamed and tried to run
The light escaping her had made it as day.
"LEAVE US!" Aeliana said, unconsciously, her voice echoing, a pulse resonates from her core, she was about three feet off the ground, with her arms out.
Then Aeliana returned to the ground.
Catherine came running toward her, black and green blood of goblins on her hands.
The remaining goblins were now pillars of ash.
Catherine looked at the scene, then at Aeliana "ket terrat" she whispered to herself "Valai...." She walked to Aeliana, and reached a hand to her face, her eyes still had. Faint glow..
Catherine bowed to one knee, then rose, Aeliana fainted
Aeliana woke with the sun, no memory of the night before...
Catherine was already up. "Where are we" Aeliana asked, then kicked a snoring Flynn, to rouse him. "Ow!" He grumbled, then groggily sat up.
"Here's some food" Brii brought leaves with berries, some apples and figs and..... "Bread!?!?" Both exclaimed. "How?" Flynn blurted out...
"A traveling saytr" Catherine said, matter of factly, "rather generous creatures."
Aeliana, now in disbelief "Really???"
Brii smiled "yes"
She'd never lied to them as long as they'd known her, so the couple left it at that.
Flynn, with a mouth full of bread, started "I had a strange dream last night, that something was out there.. I got hit in the head.. I even have a knot.."
Aeliana laughed "You probably rolled into a tree... I slept better than I have since we left." Catherine looked at her, now intrigued
She pointed south "just over those hills is the kingdom of Rii"
"Why did we stop then" Flynn asked, slightly annoyed.
"Trolls in the hills" Catherine replied.. "They hide during the day."
She understood this wasn't the place to dig into what really happened last night
"The wind must have blown our campfire ashes all over" Flynn said, "they're everywhere"
Catherine smiled... "Well.."
The sound of hooves thundered in the distance. "Dark guard?" Flynn reached for his sword.
"Illians"Catherine answered.
"In Rii?" Aeliana questioned
Catherine laughed "they've been allies for centuries". She called out to them. "It's ok"
The soldiers came close "Viryn! You're still alive?" Brii jested.
The head soldier dismounted, and bowed... "My lady"
Flynn and Aeliana glanced at one another
"What does he mean by that?" Flynn, now visibly confused.
Catherine ignored him.
"Nice seeing you here Viryn! My friends and I are headed south could you lend us three horses?" He looked at the three, "South you say? To Rii?? Or .." she cut him off "Yes, South." He nodded, seemingly understanding.
"Veridonia has fallen to Blyxx"
Viryn's eyes widened.
"Then we shall ride south with you"
Brii nodded in approval "send a raven to Kialis.. tell them to muster the illian army, and watch for my signal"
Viryn nodded, and helped with getting the small camp packed onto the horses..
"May I ask what happened here?" He asked Catherine privately.
"Goblins...." She answered, looking at Aeliana
"Burnt to ash??? What could do that ??" he asked
Catherine came close and whispered in his ear "Valai..." Viryn was dumbfounded...
"One of them..." He looked at Flynn and Aeliana. "Yes." Catherine replied.. "but they have no memory of last night. I hope Garion can help us." She wrote a note on some parchment When we are finished at Rii, go West to Acheron. Find Amarra, and beckon her to come to Everbright immediately.. and to bring Jaolis..." She handed him the note, he tucked it away, and bowed.
The party mounted, and headed toward Rii
"You going to explain that? " Aeliana, now somewhat upset looked at Catherine.
"When we get to Rii" she said pointedly
Aeliana, not content, but understanding nodded and they went on their way.
It was lunchtime when the group arrived at the edge of the city.
Rii, was a beautiful, rural area, full of farms and pastures. With lakes and mines here and there in the hills.
The people of Rii were hearty, dark skinned, with black or blonde hair, and sky blue eyes.
They went into the center of the city, a small fortress, heavily guarded.
"What is this place?" asked Flynn
A horseman from Rii had ridden up unnoticed.... Flynn jumped
"This is Haven! The capitol of Rii" the man said.
"And you are?" Flynn asked
"He is Jaryn Feladyn, the queen's general " Catherine interjected "where is your lady?"
He smiled... "She's bathing in the Iryd. should be back soon. She ordered me to prepare food and drink for our guests."
"And how did you know we were coming?"
"Cole" Jaryn replied
"Who" Aeliana interrupted
"The Saytr" Catherine answered "I must speak with him about secrecy next time we meet... Though he knew you were friends.. he meant no harm... Ah, so be it! Let us eat and rest! Haven has some of the finest chefs in the world."
Flynn sped. His horse up "FOOD!!!"
Aeliana laughed, "what a buffoon!"
Catherine just shook her head "Thank you Jaryn. Go and tell your lady we are awaiting her arrival in her hall." The man bowed, and turned away.
"He's beautiful!" Aeliana said quietly, riding beside Catherine.
She smiled "They all are... Wait until you see queen Aravi"
- Writer
