With only one person on the horse, she had reached the tribe much more quickly, though the morning sky was less colorful as the afternoon had approached and was seeping into evening.

  Her chest burned as her heart thudded powerfully. Finally, rounding the large boulders, she found the village to be empty. There were no fires, no dogs barking in the background. No one stood at the edge of the lake fishing.

  The horse came to a stop, panting heavily. Hopelessness washed over her as she dropped the reigns. She rubbed a gloved hand over her eyes as they dampened. She slid off the horse just as it weakened, falling over. The poor thing was over-exhausted and dying.

  She ran to each of the houses, barging in them, looking for anyone. In the center of the village, she fell to her knees, “Kane?” she cried. “Where are you?!” she screeched as she doubled over, closing her eyes tightly.

  As she opened her eyes, she laid her gaze on boots. Looking up the feminine armored legs, past the armed belt, and the beautiful breastplate, she met with a familiar face.

  Raven stared at her with frozen eyes. Her jaw was as tight and unwelcoming as Kiaran’s ever was. Her hair was sitting across her face, flowing over her shoulders. Beads and feathers lined down one side of her hair with three other braids.

  “Where are the others?” Raven demanded.

  “I could ask the same,” Stella said, nearly relieved. “We have separated to get our armies ready for the attack on Murdock today.” Stella stood, continuing, “The spirits of the Armogot are willing to help, but they have not shown up. I fear that they have become lost.”

  “How could a spirit become lost?” Raven snapped.

  “They travel differently than us,” she replied. “They seem to jump from area to area, and could possibly be trapped in unlikely spots and cannot leave. That’s what the stories say, anyhow.”

  “Where, then, could they be, and why are you here?” Raven continued to question her.

  “I do not know, and I had no one else to turn to,” her brows creased. Pointing to the mountains, she said, “Past those mountains, beyond your little tribe here is an entire country crying for help. Davin and Torin need help or they might possibly die before our deeds are done. This cannot happen.”

  There was a long silence as they stared at one another. Nodding to Stella’s horse, Raven said, “Your steed will not last long.” Turning, she headed toward the stable, Stella on her heals. “Our people have been herded up like sheep and taken away as our fighters tried to protect us. During a battle with some of Murdock’s men, our elderly, weak, and young were captured and thrown into cages on the backs of horses and hauled away.”

  Stella’s heart sank and her voice was very soft, “What has been done to them?”

  “I do not know,” she answered coldly. “I intend to find out.”

  “How did you remain behind?” she breathed, “Are you the only one?”

  Raven remained silent as her gaze slowly moved beside them to the field beside the lake. Mounds of dirt, nearly thirty of them, where lined side by side in three rows. Small, green leaves sprouted from them. Alone, she buried her men. Her family.

  “I have yet to find Kane,” she breathed. “I do not believe he ran away.”

  “Perhaps he thought he was the only survivor and escaped to find help?” Stella reassured her.

  “Or he is dead.” Her words chilled Stella to the bone.

  Entering the stable, they retrieved two horses and mounted saddles on them quickly and leapt onto them.

  “The only spiritual place I am aware of is headed the wrong way to your battle from where they began,” Raven said.

  “If it is near, it is possible. It is inaccurate the way they jump from place to place,” Stella replied.

  “Eava’s drop,” Raven replied. “It feels very…strange…Powerful to just stand at the cliff where Eava once stood, protecting her people.”

  “Let us see,” Stella nodded as they headed off.

  Reaching the base of the cliff, Raven left her horse, saying, “We must climb.”

  Stella followed Raven as they hoisted themselves up the rocks, the water rushing downward beside them. The sound of the crashing water was loud, filling their ears. The moistened rocks made it rather difficult to climb.

  An unfamiliar feeling overwhelmed Stella as she continued up the mountain. Her insides felt lightened and her heart grew heavy. The hairs across her arms stood on ends as they pulled themselves over the edge, on the top of the cliff.

  Standing, Stella looked to Raven with discomforted eyes. “You feel it as well,” Raven said slowly.

  The air about them seemed to thicken and grow cooler. “Emmet,” Stella spoke softly, “Are you here?”

  Raven stared just passed her, alarmed. She slowly turned around, following her gaze. A faint image of a woman stood at the edge of the cliff. The woman watched them, her hair whipping about violently without any wind. Suddenly, she fell backwards, plummeting into the water below. Stella rushed to the edge, looking downward. “That was Eava, wasn't it?”

  “Yes,” she nodded. “Well, I suppose. I’ve never met her, this was years ago.”

  Stella faced Raven, only to find Eava standing between them. She watched Stella closely, speaking with a whisper, “You are here…for years no one has come…”

  “Eava…” Stella spoke softly.

  “What is it that you are in search of?” she questioned.

  “The Armogot…they are not here are they?”

  “Armogot?...” she breathed.

  Suddenly, her smoky figure burst, the air exploding between them sending a cold gust of wind through their lungs. A fog settled in and Stella felt something familiar. Many soldiers stood around them, their bodies difficult to see. Her gaze glided over them until it landed on Emmet.

  “You are caught here?” she asked.

  “We are,” he nodded.

  She looked around for a moment. Raven remained silent as she grew edgy. Spotting the green smoke heading into the sky, she pointed, saying, “That is where we are to head.”

  “Perhaps it can help,” Emmet said.

  Chapter 15

  The air was still, the heat from the lava radiating on Kiaran’s back as she faced the entrance of the room. She had removed most of her armor, standing barefoot on the hot rock. All that remained was her fur-lined vest and deep purple shirt beneath it. A matching skirt flowed down her legs, parted on the sides.

  She wore gauntlets of black metal and chainmail hung overtop her skirt. The silk gifted from Davin was wrapped across her head, keeping most of her hair from her face, her horns standing from beneath it. Her long braid was resting down her spine between her wings. Her large, beautifully built sword was strapped to a belt around her waist.

  Her talon-like hands were to her sides as her bright eyes looked through the darkness, though she could see rather well compared to her human eyes. Kriettor…The First…the powerful. Kriettor was everything, the beginning. Without looking to him, she said, “Why is it that you had named me?”

  “You were mine,” his voice trilled across the air and through her mind.

  “Was I the only babe?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why?”

  “There was something within you, searching for love, for acceptance, for faith. Or rather it was I who needed such things. You were willing to give me everything. So innocent and charming. I could not help but connect with you,” he answered lowly. “It is all still within you, Kiaran. Pure love. You will never seize to be who you are.”

  She slid her tongue over her extended canines, the taste of blood still in her mouth. Planting her feet sternly, she reached her hands out, touching her fingers to the stone doorway. Black roots ejected from her feet and hands, crawling across the stone.

  She closed her eyes, listening to the forest around her. Animal feet pattered, their minds racing as quickly as they rushed about. Her vision grew clearly as she saw the trees reaching toward the clear sky.

  Her sights moved passed the mountains of Avestitia and over the waves of the ocean to the lands of Rishana. The blades of grass blew passed her eyes as she rushed to the castle with the wind. Her sight flew high into the air, viewing the fortress. Soldiers marched the streets and bells rang continuously. The only reinforcements within sight were the Avestitians as they neared the walls. Their numbers, though, were low.

  It was concerning, seeing as how night was weighing in and no armies were at the City yet.

  She could see Brick easily; narrowing in on him she noticed the Holloway brothers. They crept through the streets near the soldiers, just behind their backs. Walter, and a hand full of men with him rushed the streets in rags. One of the soldiers turned around, shouting. Her heart raced and she gasped.

  Her roots shot back within her as her chest filled with stone. Looking to Kriettor, she sighed heavily. “They need my help, Kriettor,” she said, finally.

  Closing his large eyes, he exhaled deeply. He stood tall, his roots retracting inside. Stretching his neck and wings, he swayed his tail to the side. “I am a bit tarnished, but I shall enjoy the flight,” he said.

  “You are going?” she questioned.

  “You are here to protect me, and I you,” he replied. “We shall prevail together. It is meant to be...I have made the mistake once by sending him alone."

  “Rigain?”

  “Yes,” he slowly nodded his head. Lowering his head to her, he asked, “Are you ready?”

  “Absolutely.” She climbed onto his head, gripping his crown tightly. She stood on his neck, her feet gripping his broad, rough scales.

  Reaching up, he broke away the stone and dirt with his mighty talons. The fresh air blew passed them and inside. Then, he tore his way through the earth into the darkening sky. His wings beat heavily, carrying them to the clouds. Her wings were pressed tightly against her back as she gazed about them.

  “Are your wings yet dry?” he asked.

  She nodded and she could feel his chest rumble with a laugh. Hesitantly, she began to open her wings. As the air caught her, she brought them back in, grasping him tightly. Her entire body flexed, keeping herself in place. Again, she tried and her body was snatched from Kriettor, carried far above him. The wind carried her easily through the air, her wings nearly keeping her at an acceptable pace of gliding.

  She grinned as she brought her wings in slightly, sending her body twirling toward the earth. Stretching them out again, she was thrust upward once more. Laughing, she beat her wings to catch up with her dragon.

  The soldier shouted as he laid eyes on Davin and his comrades. A strong wind heaved at them, nearly shoving each of them over. Fighting the gust, he and the others jolted away, rounding a house in an attempt to lose the soldiers.

  Rather than finding a place to hide, they ran straight into another group of men. Without a second to spare, the first man grabbed onto Davin’s helmet. As he ripped it off Davin, he threw it aside, landing a hit on his face. Davin fell to the ground from the ambush. The man let out a short, scared laugh. He landed a hit on Davin Holloway!

  There was nearly no time to react as Brick swung his ax through the air, taking down as many people as he could. Davin forced himself to stand back up. A sword flew toward him, slicing right down his arm, reaching his elbow. Somehow, it had ripped through most of his chainmail sleeve, though the blade bounced off the bracer on his forearm. As he gripped his wound, he was kicked back to the ground. Before he was aware of it, they were all being dragged across the ground.

  His muscles ached as he squirmed in the soldier’s grip. He had fought all day, ran all day--his body couldn't handle much more.

  Once they entered a tall gate, he was tossed to the ground, dirt filling his lungs. His brother fell beside him, barely conscious. His gaze moved to the massive, wooden walls about them. They were unfamiliar; a new structure as a result of Murdock’s paranoia…his obsession with survival. The moon was above them, the sky streaked with thin clouds. The sun had nearly disappeared, the sky a dark blue which faded to orange.

  Where were his armies? No one was within view. All they could see were a few plumes of smoke from the dragons. But even most of them were shot down. Sitting up, Davin laid his gaze on the king. He grinned at Davin as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You have returned,” he mused. “And you seem to be doing such a wonderful job.” His eyes narrowed as he refused to reply. King Murdock walked to him, saying, “You are running out of time.”

  He could not bring himself to say anything as his eyes darted between the warriors around them. Panic slowly became aroused within him as he tightly closed his eyes. Murdock kicked his chest and he fell onto his back. Torin slowly pushed himself up, watching.

  “You are his brother, no?” he questioned, facing him. Torin lowered his brows and spit at the king’s feet, blood mixed in it. “You are nothing to me, and you will die.”

  “You cannot convince me of that,” Torin retorted.

  He watched the sky as it grew clouded and the air coagulated with fog. "Oh?" he reached over, grabbing Torin by the throat. He tried gasping passed his closed throat, his heart thudding.

  One man began convulsing, falling to the ground. Saliva flowed from his mouth as he groaned in horrific pain. Murdock and his men turned to him and another began screaming and scratching at himself, tearing at his skin. One man became possessed and attacked the other standing by him.

  Turning back to Torin, Murdock growled, “How are you doing this?”

  “I am not,” he grinned smugly, despite the lack of air he was receiving.

  He threw him and drew his sword, shouting, “Tell me, boy!”

  Murdock slammed the hilt of his sword across Torin's face. He tumbled to the ground, hardly awake from the hit. Blood blossomed from the rip across his cheekbone.

  "Stop it," Davin tried to order.

  Murdock laughed maniacally, his wide, fearful eyes looking to his soldiers as they continued to hurt themselves and each other. Then, he stomped on Torin's chest.

  Flames lit up the city just outside the fortress's walls. Cyrin and Lorelei led the innocent people out of the city and into safety. Many of the Chastin shouted and chanted excitedly as they leaped out of hiding, cutting down soldiers.

  Cyrin looked up just as a wolf lunged through the air, slamming a man to the ground, ripping at his flesh. Crows stabbed at men with their beaks and talons. Kriettor was controlling the animals, creating a rather large commotion. It was unexpected, but very happily accepted.

  Stella and Raven rode their horses through the streets, easily removing limbs as they passed the men. Reaching the town square, they nearly stomped on a wolf as it lunged at a man. They were late--it seemed most of the fighting had just begun, however.

  Suddenly, something fell from the sky, landing on the ground with a great crash. She stood tall, her wings folding behind her. Kiaran slowly lifted her head, her pointed ears aiming toward the heavens and her curling horns reflecting light with a terrible grace. Raven watched her in awe and shock. She could easily recognize her, and yet she was not herself at all.

  Kiaran drew her large, beautiful sword. Her eyes were stern and unwavering as all attention was on her. Moving forward, she aimed to reach her comrades in the walls not but yards away. She could see the smoke-like fog licking at the clouds just above them.

  Finally, the soldiers aimed to attack her, launching arrows at her from atop the stone walls. Swinging her sword at them, the blade shoved wind at them, knocking them back wickedly, the arrows splitting everywhere. Others ran at her and she lifted her hand at them, the earth moving with her motions. Stone from the sidewalks burst in a line toward them, exploding as it reached them. The shrapnel shredded them.

  She came to the tall, heavy door. Taking her bare foot, she kicked it, slamming the entire door to the ground which sent a great gust of wind through the air, carrying dust with it. Davin and Torin sat on the floor, holding their wounds. Many of the men were dead within or were screaming and rushing about like madmen. She laid eyes on Emmet as he stood directly behind Murdock. He grinned, nearly ready to kill him.

  “No,” she demanded. Emmet looked to her, as did everyone else. Nodding, he faded away. The fog lifted slightly, as the indistinguishable spirits hovered just above.

  Murdock’s eyes were horrified as he stared at her. “You are an evil man,” she said smoothly. “What makes you believe you must live? You have nothing good to deliver. Do you wish so badly to spread your hatred across the lands and destroy lives and kill for treasures?”

  The panic in his eye was thrilling. She continued to keep his attention as Davin slowly stood. Kiaran neared Murdock who readied his sword, rotating with her, keeping her from his back. With his back now to Davin, he was able to slink back and silently snatch up a sword. Torin remained on the ground, nearly beaten to death from his quips.

  Warriors began storming their way in and Kiaran grinned, “You do not seem to understand, it is in my blood to destroy. I was brought up in death.”

  Murdock turned, racing into the walls of his castle. Looking to Davin, she nodded. He took off after him as she faced the army heading toward her. She lifted her sword, slicing through the meat on the men’s bones like they were nothing.

  The spirits shifted above them restlessly. Shooting out one at a time, they forced themselves into the men. Through their eyes, noses, mouths, and ears they sent men to their knees, screaming in agony.

  The soldiers and guards continued to flood in. Her abilities began to grow stifled, unable to attack the massive amount of men without injuring her allies. Looking over, Brick rushed to Torin, lifting him and pulling him away, his feet dragging behind him as he tried to hold himself up.

  Her brows lowered and her eyes narrowed as she faced the enemies that swarmed her. Her enlarged canines gleamed in the sun as she grimaced. Lifting her wings, she batted herself into the air, the wind staggering the men around her.

  Davin reached the throne room, finding Murdock alone. The king stood with his sword in hand and his eyes as wide as dinner plates. He looked mad--crazy as ever. He faced Davin and wasted no time in attacking. Though Davin was an impressive fighter, he was badly wounded and caused his abilities to weaken.