Chapter Six

We head out of the stables and straight for the forest. I’m not sure where we’re planning on going, but we can’t stay here. I still have no idea who wants me dead. The quickest route to the forest leads us by the crowd of people trying frantically to extinguish the fire. We have just passed by the crowd when a foreboding presence from before engulfs me.

Even though the cloak hides me from view, I can sense that Merikh knows I am there. He watches us pass by, wearing one of the worst expressions imaginable. The overwhelming sense of rage targeted at me makes me shudder. I notice Ayita and give her a quick wave. Her face shows concern and sorrow, although I’m not sure she can even see me. I turn quickly and lower my hand.

The festival masters are trying to calm everyone down and make sure the fire isn’t getting out of hand. I wonder if they know we are already matched and are leaving to ensure the safety of others.

I lean forward to Ahmik’s ear and whisper, “Take us to safety, friend.”

He darts out of the festival as fast as he can, dodging people as we go. We haven’t gotten far when I hear a malicious voice in my ear.

“You have not escaped me for long, Princess. I will have you in my custody very soon.” The voice fades out with a sinister laugh.

I can’t help but hope this is all a terrible dream; that I will wake up, and my life will be back to normal. I look at Declan and Rafe to see if they also heard the voice, but they don’t show any signs of discomfort.

We ride on in silence for about an hour when Declan stops us to call his steed. He is completely still, just breathing with his eyes closed. I am just about to ask what he’s doing when Rafe shifts back into human form and puts his finger over his mouth, whispering faintly.

“Shh, something is coming.” I nod in understanding.

We wait in silence for what feels like ages, but only five minutes have passed when I hear something moving. Looking towards the source of the sound, I see the most amazing creature walking towards us through the woods. I notice it’s an enormous deer. He has golden antlers that almost mimic branches of a tree, his body is white like snow, and his hooves are bronze. I have never seen anything thing like him. He sees us and pauses for a moment then cautiously walks up to Declan.

Declan reaches out his hand, placing it gently on the stag’s forehead. They stare at each other, as if they are linked telepathically. He looks away and motions with his free hand for me to move slowly towards him. I slide gently off Ahmik and move towards Declan as patiently as I can. I can’t help myself; I want to run towards the stag and touch it to make sure I’m not imagining things.

Declan takes my hand and gives it a squeeze; he smiles knowingly at me. I reach out my hand to touch his snout like I would Ahmik, and he leans his head into my touch. His head is velvety soft, and his eyes are golden brown. I can feel his kindness, and it’s beautiful. I look over at Declan.

“What does his name, Glandur, mean?” I whisper. Declan grins at me.

“It means white.” He laughs gently. “I know, its real original. But, he’s even rarer than the rest of his species, because he’s white.”

I smile knowingly. Seeing his head held high and his chest held out confidently gives me some understanding of his feelings. “It’s okay. He seems proud of it. Ahmik means beaver, and he loves his name, probably because it is unique.” Rafe walks slowly to Glandur and puts his hand out to gently stroke the stag.

“We need to get going before they start after us.” Declan reminds us. I nod in agreement.

“Where are we going to go?” Rafe asks. We are silent for a moment, contemplating the best place.

“Um, we should go see my parents. It is only a day’s ride from the festival.” They nod at me, and both men glance over their shoulders.

“Okay, but we can’t ride the main road, so we will have to go through the forest.”

“That’s fine with me; my wolf can handle any kind of terrain.” Rafe says with pride.

He shifts back into wolf form, and I finally get the chance to admire him thoroughly. I hadn’t realized just how big he is as a wolf. Ahmik is 16 hands at his shoulders, and I realize, if I am on his back, Rafe can look me in the eye as a wolf. He truly is a beautiful animal. Declan gets on Glandur, and I hop back onto Ahmik.

We set off to my kingdom, where I hope we can find some answers and sanctuary. My father will know what to do next, as my great grandfather was the one who slew the last evil overlord. We had been traveling for only three hours when we hear wolves howling behind us. Rafe stops short and listens. He lets out a sorrowful howl in response and shifts back into human form.

“We need to find a place deeper in the woods and make camp for the night.” Declan gives a short nod, while Glandur turns left and heads deeper into the forest.

Rafe shifts back into wolf form and takes lead, Ahmik automatically following Glandur. We go deeper into the cover of the forest, as if we are following the light of the moon, when we come upon a stream. When we stop there, Declan starts giving orders in a serious tone.

“We should be deep enough for tonight. I’ll make a perimeter. Elysia, you make a fire and put a protective barrier around us, please. Rafe, you unload Ahmik and let him get a drink from the stream.” He then gets to work.

While Rafe unloads Ahmik, I gather sticks to make a tented shape for the fire and rocks to go around it. Once that’s done, I light the sticks on fire. I make a protective barrier to shield us from the weather and anyone who might cause us harm while we sleep. After Rafe walks Ahmik down to the stream, he returns to the campsite to make beds with the blankets we brought. Declan returns as soon as Rafe has finished, and Glandur lies down by Ahmik to sleep for the night.

“Alright, let’s make ourselves comfortable, because I have news that you guys need to know now.” Rafe is dead serious. We sit down on our beds by the fire, Declan and I listening intently.

Rafe starts speaking. “I left a note for my pack, letting them know I met my matches and to be careful but not worry, as all would be revealed soon.”

“Okay, so all the howling was to tell us they got your note?” I’m a little edgy.

“I wish it were only that. They told me that Merikh slaughtered the festival masters and anyone who tried to stop him. Everyone else scattered and hid. Merikh’s companions rounded them up, and they were brought before him with the option of death or service to him. Any groups who had already been matched were either executed on the spot or separated if he has need of them.” He stops to let this sink in.

Declan is silent but has a distant look in his eyes. I am stunned; I can’t believe what I’m hearing. How can someone be so evil to do such horrible things to people with no mercy?

“But, why would he do that? What kind of plan does he have?” I ask, slightly bewildered.

“We aren’t for certain, but he believes you are the princess from the prophecy who is supposed to defeat him. This is why he wants you dead.” Rafe stares at me with a sad look on his face.

“What? What is it?” I ask nervously.

“He has Ayita captive and has been torturing her for information on you.” Rafe looks away. I can’t stop the tears rolling down my face.

“NO! He can’t do that! He’ll kill her.” I am sobbing uncontrollably. “We can’t just sit here. We have to go back.”

I am rolling up my blanket when Declan lays his hand on my arm so delicately. When I turn to look at him, he wraps me in his arms. I let him hold me for a moment while I sob at the thought of sweet Ayita being tortured for my sake. Declan whispers in my ear.

“I’m sorry, Elysia, but we can’t go back. That’s exactly what he wants you to do.” Hearing the finality in his voice made me cry harder.

After I calm down, we start to devise a plan to head towards my kingdom to counsel with my father.

We fall asleep quickly; it has been an eventful day. I dream briefly of Ayita being cruelly tortured. I then see myself on the edge of the woods looking out into a clearing. All I can see is lush green grass and some pretty flowers. Otherwise, it’s basically empty. I take a few steps forward and look around, but I don’t see anything new. I am about halfway through the clearing when I see a beautiful waterfall in the distance. Once I confirm that I’m alone, I walk towards the waterfall.

I crouch down to gaze into the stream. I then lie down comfortably on the grass, listening to the roar of the waterfall and running of the stream. Suddenly, a deep, almost rumbling voice speaks.

“Fear not, Daughter of Lighting. Your destiny is a great one, and I shall be there to help you soon.” I gasp and sit up quickly.

I look around again, but I still don’t see anyone. Suddenly, I can feel Rafe gently shaking me awake. I open my eyes and see his amazing smile.

“Good morning, sleepyhead. Declan has almost finished loading our stuff onto Ahmik.”

He looks down at my blanket and back at me, giving me another dazzling smile. I sit up, wipe the sleep from my eyes, and start to roll up my blanket.

“We travelled farther than I originally thought last night. This means we are only an hour or so away from your kingdom.” Declan takes my blanket and ties it onto Ahmik’s pack.

“Which means you want to eat breakfast at the castle right?” Rafe asks. Declan nods.

I give them both a short nod, scatter the remnants of the fire, brush my hair, and climb onto Ahmik. Then, we’re off again, riding as quickly as we can.

As the sun comes up higher in the sky, I can see the castle in the distance. We ride for about an hour when we stop at the edge of the forest. I put my cloak back on and put a protective barrier around Rafe and Declan before we continue. I lean forward to Ahmik’s ear and whisper.

“Take us home friend, take us home.”