The Secret Garden Of Adriana

Chapter 11: The First Companion

The castle bells rang with urgency.

Knights rushed through the corridors, fastening their armor as servants hurried the royal family to safety.

From the highest tower, dark clouds gathered beyond the eastern border.

The Shadow General had arrived.

Adriana stood beside Alaric at the castle walls, watching thousands of soldiers prepare for battle.

"I should help," she said.

Alaric gently shook his head.

"Not yet."

"But they're risking their lives for me."

"They are protecting their future Queen."

Adriana lowered her eyes.

She still wasn't used to hearing those words.

A sudden voice interrupted them.

"Then perhaps the future Queen should learn how to hold a sword."

Adriana turned.

Standing behind her was a young knight, no older than twenty.

He had tousled black hair, bright green eyes, and a confident smile that suggested he found trouble wherever he went.

A wooden practice sword rested across his shoulder.

He gave Adriana a respectful bow.

"My name is Rowan."

"Captain of the Royal Scouts."

"...Well," he added with a grin, "Captain-in-training."

Alaric sighed.

"You always arrive at the worst possible moment."

"I prefer to call it the perfect moment."

Adriana couldn't help but smile.

It was the first genuine smile she'd shared with someone her own age since arriving in the kingdom.

Rowan noticed.

"There it is."

"What?"

"A smile."

"I was beginning to think princesses had forgotten how."

Adriana laughed softly.

"I've only been a princess for two days."

"Then we still have hope."

Before either of them could say another word...

A brilliant beam of light burst from the Hall of Ancients.

The Lumipetal Fox immediately raced toward it.

"Something's wrong," Adriana whispered.

They followed the fox through the castle until they reached the ancient hall.

The twelve crystal pillars were glowing wildly.

At the center of the chamber...

A map of light floated above the altar.

Seven brilliant stars marked the locations of the Crystal Hearts.

But one of them...

Was fading.

Alaric's face turned pale.

"No..."

"The Shadow King has found the first Heart."

Silence swept across the room.

Adriana stepped toward the map.

"Where is it?"

Alaric pointed to a vast forest in the north.

"The Whispering Forest."

The Lumipetal Fox let out a determined chirp.

Rowan rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"When do we leave?"

Adriana looked at the glowing map.

Then at the little fox.

Then at the kingdom she had only just found.

She took a deep breath.

"At sunrise."

The journey to save the Spirit Guardians...

Had finally begun.

End of Chapter 11