Post by doomsdaylee on Jan 24, 2008 15:46:55 GMT -5
This is the last one for now. I like the cliff hanger here, and I need you all to swear to me. When this is published, you'll buy the books. Even though you'll know the story, do it for me. I'll try to check on these at school or something, and post more later if you agree. Thank you and enjoy.
Chapter 10
“To Frezion!”
About the next day, Mia shivered, feeling the cold from the far north region. They had been traveling the entire time, stopping only for a few hours to nap for the night. Wyrin had joined the group again, under orders from his master. Zinri walked along side them, fur covering his body once again, his twin tails drooping behind him, simply because he didn’t want to hold them up, and his ears exposed. He wanted to be warm. Kalia nestled herself in Zinris tail fur. Xaviers task force was with them as well, all except Nina who had flown ahead, promising to meet them there. Zekeial was still upset, but less so it seemed, but he still never spoke. Mia yawned loudly, holding her pet to her. Rose’esk, or Rose. The little dragon looked up to her owner and cocked her head and gave a light peep.
“Yeah, I’m alright.” She answered the Dragon. Rose was almost, from tip of her nose to the tip of her tail from her elbow to halfway up her arm.
“We’re almost to the entrance of the northern Glaciers..we’ve a small human village to pass through, then we’ll be close.” Xavier looked over his shoulder at the woman, smiling lightly. He had left his robes back with the dragon during the attack, and had picked them up before they left, depositing them under his shirt, “to keep people from knowing I am the former prince.” He told them.
“But…Wouldn’t you be king? Your father died and left the throne to you, so how is Akamain king?”
“It’s different in this world…if a man kills the king, and survies without the heir killing him, he will be the king. Or her and queen of course.”
“So…I could be a queen?” She asked, blinking.
“Yeah..If you killed the rulers of another kingdom.” Anna told her. “But you? Kill anyone? I doubt it.” Anna smiled, her armor nearly freezing her to the bone, she had had to remove it, keeping a bag on her back, but having no cloathing to take the blunt of the cold could have been worse, she shivered frequently, her teeth chattering almost constantly. Her feathers curved up around her chest, covering her obscenities. The cloth of the tent they had slept in the previous night wrapped around her body to keep from being sick. But she knew they were near a village, so she kept quiet about her plight. Suddenly, Rose began to growl, looking behind the group.
Wyrin smelt the air.
“We being followed. But not near, can you smell Xavier?”
“No..Lord Shi’nen must have given you an excellent sence of smell. What is it?”
Everyone listend, Kias ears twitching lightly, homing in on any sound and keeping her nose to the air, Zinri doing the same. It was this way for a full minute before Xavier smelt the air again. Smiling, he looked back to his friends.
“It’s ok. There’s no threat, but we must wait here for a moment.”
“What is it?” Kai asked, still unable to smell what those with dragon blood could.
“It have Xaviers scent on it.” Wyrin noted. About a minute later, Trido tackled his master, all three heads licking his face hapilly, his tail wagging about a mile a minute. Mia was the only one who reacted negitivly to the puppy, shrieking.
“The dog of the devil! The gaurdain of hell itself! Th-!” Both Kai and Zinri covered her mouth, there sensitive ears ringing, shattering there brains at her scream.
“Never do that again. EVER!” Kai told her, growling at her lightly. “What’s wrong with a cerebus puppy?” Kai moved her hand, as did Zinri, still recovering from the shriek.
“Those are the dogs of the devil..the guardians of hell..arn’t they?”
“No, they’re small three headed dogs. Compainions, just like dogs.” Zekeial told her. Xavier nodded to this, standing. Mia kneeled down towards the dog. Kai pulled her ears down incase she screamed. Mia bit her lip, biting back just that, as the three headed dog cocked his heads at her, the middle head sniffing her hand. Mia hesitantly moved her hand to Tridos middle head, putting her hand on his head, scratching his ears. The pups leg started going, the middle heads eyes closing. He barked, looking up at her. The lynx slowly let go of her ears, cautious in case she screamed again. Rose pushed her way out of Mias grip, droping to the ground, she put her nose to one of Tridos. Trido woofed, cocking his head in curiosity. Rose nudged his nose lightly, jumping, using her tiny wings to flutter backwords, before turning around and running off. Trido barked chasing her. Xavier grinned, laughing lightly at the two beginning to play.
“Come on you two, keep it around us ok?” One of Tridos heads bobbed in a nodding motion, running after the dragon. Rose turned sharply running in a circle around the group. Xavier laughed again, but they kept waking. As they began to approach the village, pets in their owners arms, a large colomn of smoke rose from the horizon looming over the small group.
“The humans were attacked!? By what!?” Xavier growled, running towards the village, the others following. As they arrived at the village gates, the village was intact, a great fire burning in the center. The villagers were around the fire, sitting. Xavier thought for a moment.
“Oh yeah! I remember now… It’s the festivle of darkness.”
“They celebrate darkness?” Mia asked.
“Nah…I heard of this too. To keep evil at bay, they try to trick it into belive they are evil as well..or at least..that’s how it used to be. Now I think it’s just for fun.” Kai told her.
“I wonder if we’re welcome.” Zekial mumbled.
“Everyone is!” Came a voice that made them jump. A Human stood near the gates. He wore a parka to keep him warm. Fur lining the arms, waist, and hood where red, eminating heat. His pants were much the same, a very warm material, with the same fur around his ankles. His skin was a dark color, his hair black and blowing in the light wind. Nina waved lightly smiling, wearing the same cloths he was. The man noticed Anna with a shocked look. “Why in the name of the ice mother are you not wearing anything!?” Without waiting for an awnser he took her by the arm, jerking her into a nearby house. “Quickly! We must get you dressed before you die out there!!” He quickly retrived a red coat and pants, throwing them at her, leaving the room. Anna dressed thankfully, sighing and loving the warmth of the red fur garments. She walked out, pulling the hood down around her face, she left enough open so she could see, and her grin was visable.
“Comfy?” Zekeial smiled at his friend and partner, his fur protecting him from the increasing cold, but he knew he’d need an outfit too soon.
“You’d better belive it.” Anna laughed, watching as they tugged Mia in, dressing her in the same furry cloths.
“Come..Join the festival of darkness with us. This is a time of joy, and if you are not part of it, you may be killed or taken to the darkness yourself.” He grinned, knowing the old sayings.
“Excuse me…Who’s the Ice Mother?” Mia asked, quickly explaining she wasn’t from the world when she saw his shocked look.
“The Ice Mother, the Goddess of Ice, rain, snow, water and wolves. Kai-Jin.” Kai grinned hearing her name was shared by a goddess. “Athough she frequently can blow blizzards and hail our way in her feuds with the god Dai-Rin, she always gives us a gentle snow afterwards to apologize. Now come.” He turned around, walking to the circle of people and taking his seat. The others shrugged and did the same. A young man moved aroud the flame, getting as close to children as possible, trying to scare people. What looked like a body was pinned agenst the post that the flame was burning around. He approached the group, his chanting being heard.
“…More than evil, I laugh at your trust.” He threw his masked head back and let out a mighty and evil sounding cackle, then began moving again as he approached the group. “While you burn at the stake, “He motioned to the body “I dance with the flames.” He threw his face right into Mias. The mask looked like an attractive young man, the black “hair” flooding down to his waist. But in its eyes were deep in evil, they eyes even painted red, and even Mia could almost feel the hatred that the mask was made with. “I am more powerful than all the armys of the world!” He growled wickedly going back to circling the fire and scaring children. “I am more violent than violence, more deadly than death! I have destroyed more men than all the races wars!” He stoped, rising infront of the “body.” “I am relentless! Upredictable! Waiting for your last breath!” He let out another great and evil laugh as the fire seemed to give a heave to the sky, and die down. “I have the fingers of spiders, and the fangs of Snakes. The devil herself is my play thing. Beware all you who would oppose me. Today is my day, and tonight is the night of death. But by this chant I am sealed, and if the children of the the village are good, the seal will hold, but if you are naughty, I will come, and snatch you from your very beds!” He cried, scaring the children into their mothers arms. Wyrin cocked his head, beginning to talk, but his mouth held shut by Xavier, he understood to talk very quietly.
“Why they be afraid? He just human in smelly mask.” Wyrin whispered.
“It’s a human thing Wyrin. Not to mention they can’t smell it’s a human, and the children are afraid. The adults know it’s a human in a mask and are just pretending.”
“Ooh.” The Wyvern mumbled, watching as the ceremony ended. The man in the mask removed the mask, walking over. Like the village leader, he was dark skinned with black hair. He smiled, walking to Mia.
“Sorry if I scared you. I’m supposed to go to the ones who looked the most scared.” He fell to one knee, kissing her hand. “I am Dion Fisher, son of Zeel Fisher, Duke of this village.” He rose to his feet, bowing to the former prince. “You are visiting Frezion am I right Lord Xavier?” Xavier nodded to this. “The Ice mother has gifted us with a great pack of riding wolves. Great strong and fast ones too. Word has it Frezion had a good litter of them too.” Dion smiled. Mia blushed lightly at having her hand kissed.
“We need to hurry and get to Frezion. It’s very important and we don’t want to risk flying through a blizzard. May we use some of your wolves?”
“Of course. I couldn’t say no to Prince Xavier Veln.” He smiled “We’ll be ready by tomorrow.”
“Alright!” Mia grinned.
“Finnally a time to rest!” Kai streached.
“No kidding. I’m bushed.” Zinri agreed.
“No stealing Kai.” Xavier growled, Wyrin growling as well trying the threaten the thief.
“I won’t I won’t.” She assured “I enjoy thieving, I’m not addicted.” But even as she got the senctence out, her eyes followed a particularly shiney gold dagger that was on a mans hip. At Xaviers growl, she blinked and looked back innocently. “Whaat? I was looking at HIM not his dagger.” She told them, lieing her silver tounge out. Xavier rolled his eyes.
“I’m going to check the area, see what the people know.” Zekial began to walk away from his boss and friends, going to socialize with the people of the village. Everyone soon left on their own paths. Zinri and Kai, both members of the guild of thieves, went together, speaking of future plans, and previous escapes and thefts. Anna went off to explore the area, and to get a scan of future routes. Nina had decided to go off alone, not telling anyone where she was going. Wyrin had smelt some food and flown off to find it. This had left Mia and Xavier alone.
“So, we need to wait until tomorrow. What do you want to do Xavier?” She asked.
“I don’t know..but I’m getting a very bad feeling. Like that festival wasn’t the only thing that we’ll see of that face tonight.” Xavier looked at the mask that Dion held in his hand, the feeling of dread setting in.
Chapter 10
“To Frezion!”
About the next day, Mia shivered, feeling the cold from the far north region. They had been traveling the entire time, stopping only for a few hours to nap for the night. Wyrin had joined the group again, under orders from his master. Zinri walked along side them, fur covering his body once again, his twin tails drooping behind him, simply because he didn’t want to hold them up, and his ears exposed. He wanted to be warm. Kalia nestled herself in Zinris tail fur. Xaviers task force was with them as well, all except Nina who had flown ahead, promising to meet them there. Zekeial was still upset, but less so it seemed, but he still never spoke. Mia yawned loudly, holding her pet to her. Rose’esk, or Rose. The little dragon looked up to her owner and cocked her head and gave a light peep.
“Yeah, I’m alright.” She answered the Dragon. Rose was almost, from tip of her nose to the tip of her tail from her elbow to halfway up her arm.
“We’re almost to the entrance of the northern Glaciers..we’ve a small human village to pass through, then we’ll be close.” Xavier looked over his shoulder at the woman, smiling lightly. He had left his robes back with the dragon during the attack, and had picked them up before they left, depositing them under his shirt, “to keep people from knowing I am the former prince.” He told them.
“But…Wouldn’t you be king? Your father died and left the throne to you, so how is Akamain king?”
“It’s different in this world…if a man kills the king, and survies without the heir killing him, he will be the king. Or her and queen of course.”
“So…I could be a queen?” She asked, blinking.
“Yeah..If you killed the rulers of another kingdom.” Anna told her. “But you? Kill anyone? I doubt it.” Anna smiled, her armor nearly freezing her to the bone, she had had to remove it, keeping a bag on her back, but having no cloathing to take the blunt of the cold could have been worse, she shivered frequently, her teeth chattering almost constantly. Her feathers curved up around her chest, covering her obscenities. The cloth of the tent they had slept in the previous night wrapped around her body to keep from being sick. But she knew they were near a village, so she kept quiet about her plight. Suddenly, Rose began to growl, looking behind the group.
Wyrin smelt the air.
“We being followed. But not near, can you smell Xavier?”
“No..Lord Shi’nen must have given you an excellent sence of smell. What is it?”
Everyone listend, Kias ears twitching lightly, homing in on any sound and keeping her nose to the air, Zinri doing the same. It was this way for a full minute before Xavier smelt the air again. Smiling, he looked back to his friends.
“It’s ok. There’s no threat, but we must wait here for a moment.”
“What is it?” Kai asked, still unable to smell what those with dragon blood could.
“It have Xaviers scent on it.” Wyrin noted. About a minute later, Trido tackled his master, all three heads licking his face hapilly, his tail wagging about a mile a minute. Mia was the only one who reacted negitivly to the puppy, shrieking.
“The dog of the devil! The gaurdain of hell itself! Th-!” Both Kai and Zinri covered her mouth, there sensitive ears ringing, shattering there brains at her scream.
“Never do that again. EVER!” Kai told her, growling at her lightly. “What’s wrong with a cerebus puppy?” Kai moved her hand, as did Zinri, still recovering from the shriek.
“Those are the dogs of the devil..the guardians of hell..arn’t they?”
“No, they’re small three headed dogs. Compainions, just like dogs.” Zekeial told her. Xavier nodded to this, standing. Mia kneeled down towards the dog. Kai pulled her ears down incase she screamed. Mia bit her lip, biting back just that, as the three headed dog cocked his heads at her, the middle head sniffing her hand. Mia hesitantly moved her hand to Tridos middle head, putting her hand on his head, scratching his ears. The pups leg started going, the middle heads eyes closing. He barked, looking up at her. The lynx slowly let go of her ears, cautious in case she screamed again. Rose pushed her way out of Mias grip, droping to the ground, she put her nose to one of Tridos. Trido woofed, cocking his head in curiosity. Rose nudged his nose lightly, jumping, using her tiny wings to flutter backwords, before turning around and running off. Trido barked chasing her. Xavier grinned, laughing lightly at the two beginning to play.
“Come on you two, keep it around us ok?” One of Tridos heads bobbed in a nodding motion, running after the dragon. Rose turned sharply running in a circle around the group. Xavier laughed again, but they kept waking. As they began to approach the village, pets in their owners arms, a large colomn of smoke rose from the horizon looming over the small group.
“The humans were attacked!? By what!?” Xavier growled, running towards the village, the others following. As they arrived at the village gates, the village was intact, a great fire burning in the center. The villagers were around the fire, sitting. Xavier thought for a moment.
“Oh yeah! I remember now… It’s the festivle of darkness.”
“They celebrate darkness?” Mia asked.
“Nah…I heard of this too. To keep evil at bay, they try to trick it into belive they are evil as well..or at least..that’s how it used to be. Now I think it’s just for fun.” Kai told her.
“I wonder if we’re welcome.” Zekial mumbled.
“Everyone is!” Came a voice that made them jump. A Human stood near the gates. He wore a parka to keep him warm. Fur lining the arms, waist, and hood where red, eminating heat. His pants were much the same, a very warm material, with the same fur around his ankles. His skin was a dark color, his hair black and blowing in the light wind. Nina waved lightly smiling, wearing the same cloths he was. The man noticed Anna with a shocked look. “Why in the name of the ice mother are you not wearing anything!?” Without waiting for an awnser he took her by the arm, jerking her into a nearby house. “Quickly! We must get you dressed before you die out there!!” He quickly retrived a red coat and pants, throwing them at her, leaving the room. Anna dressed thankfully, sighing and loving the warmth of the red fur garments. She walked out, pulling the hood down around her face, she left enough open so she could see, and her grin was visable.
“Comfy?” Zekeial smiled at his friend and partner, his fur protecting him from the increasing cold, but he knew he’d need an outfit too soon.
“You’d better belive it.” Anna laughed, watching as they tugged Mia in, dressing her in the same furry cloths.
“Come..Join the festival of darkness with us. This is a time of joy, and if you are not part of it, you may be killed or taken to the darkness yourself.” He grinned, knowing the old sayings.
“Excuse me…Who’s the Ice Mother?” Mia asked, quickly explaining she wasn’t from the world when she saw his shocked look.
“The Ice Mother, the Goddess of Ice, rain, snow, water and wolves. Kai-Jin.” Kai grinned hearing her name was shared by a goddess. “Athough she frequently can blow blizzards and hail our way in her feuds with the god Dai-Rin, she always gives us a gentle snow afterwards to apologize. Now come.” He turned around, walking to the circle of people and taking his seat. The others shrugged and did the same. A young man moved aroud the flame, getting as close to children as possible, trying to scare people. What looked like a body was pinned agenst the post that the flame was burning around. He approached the group, his chanting being heard.
“…More than evil, I laugh at your trust.” He threw his masked head back and let out a mighty and evil sounding cackle, then began moving again as he approached the group. “While you burn at the stake, “He motioned to the body “I dance with the flames.” He threw his face right into Mias. The mask looked like an attractive young man, the black “hair” flooding down to his waist. But in its eyes were deep in evil, they eyes even painted red, and even Mia could almost feel the hatred that the mask was made with. “I am more powerful than all the armys of the world!” He growled wickedly going back to circling the fire and scaring children. “I am more violent than violence, more deadly than death! I have destroyed more men than all the races wars!” He stoped, rising infront of the “body.” “I am relentless! Upredictable! Waiting for your last breath!” He let out another great and evil laugh as the fire seemed to give a heave to the sky, and die down. “I have the fingers of spiders, and the fangs of Snakes. The devil herself is my play thing. Beware all you who would oppose me. Today is my day, and tonight is the night of death. But by this chant I am sealed, and if the children of the the village are good, the seal will hold, but if you are naughty, I will come, and snatch you from your very beds!” He cried, scaring the children into their mothers arms. Wyrin cocked his head, beginning to talk, but his mouth held shut by Xavier, he understood to talk very quietly.
“Why they be afraid? He just human in smelly mask.” Wyrin whispered.
“It’s a human thing Wyrin. Not to mention they can’t smell it’s a human, and the children are afraid. The adults know it’s a human in a mask and are just pretending.”
“Ooh.” The Wyvern mumbled, watching as the ceremony ended. The man in the mask removed the mask, walking over. Like the village leader, he was dark skinned with black hair. He smiled, walking to Mia.
“Sorry if I scared you. I’m supposed to go to the ones who looked the most scared.” He fell to one knee, kissing her hand. “I am Dion Fisher, son of Zeel Fisher, Duke of this village.” He rose to his feet, bowing to the former prince. “You are visiting Frezion am I right Lord Xavier?” Xavier nodded to this. “The Ice mother has gifted us with a great pack of riding wolves. Great strong and fast ones too. Word has it Frezion had a good litter of them too.” Dion smiled. Mia blushed lightly at having her hand kissed.
“We need to hurry and get to Frezion. It’s very important and we don’t want to risk flying through a blizzard. May we use some of your wolves?”
“Of course. I couldn’t say no to Prince Xavier Veln.” He smiled “We’ll be ready by tomorrow.”
“Alright!” Mia grinned.
“Finnally a time to rest!” Kai streached.
“No kidding. I’m bushed.” Zinri agreed.
“No stealing Kai.” Xavier growled, Wyrin growling as well trying the threaten the thief.
“I won’t I won’t.” She assured “I enjoy thieving, I’m not addicted.” But even as she got the senctence out, her eyes followed a particularly shiney gold dagger that was on a mans hip. At Xaviers growl, she blinked and looked back innocently. “Whaat? I was looking at HIM not his dagger.” She told them, lieing her silver tounge out. Xavier rolled his eyes.
“I’m going to check the area, see what the people know.” Zekial began to walk away from his boss and friends, going to socialize with the people of the village. Everyone soon left on their own paths. Zinri and Kai, both members of the guild of thieves, went together, speaking of future plans, and previous escapes and thefts. Anna went off to explore the area, and to get a scan of future routes. Nina had decided to go off alone, not telling anyone where she was going. Wyrin had smelt some food and flown off to find it. This had left Mia and Xavier alone.
“So, we need to wait until tomorrow. What do you want to do Xavier?” She asked.
“I don’t know..but I’m getting a very bad feeling. Like that festival wasn’t the only thing that we’ll see of that face tonight.” Xavier looked at the mask that Dion held in his hand, the feeling of dread setting in.