Chapter Seven

Chapter 7: Protect the Artifact

Days had come and days had gone, since Kyra’s first dream about the swordsman and the frequency of them was picking up. She was seeing more of him and was feeling a growing bond towards him as if she was just getting to know him better, through his actions. When she awakened, she just ignored the dreams since all they were, was dreams. They were fascinating, and intriguing to her but they were still only dreams. Kyra found herself rooting for him, as if she was spectating a brawl, she wanted him to win; she NEEDED him to win. This was her only form of outside contact and she was enjoying it as much as possible.

Kyra had awoken in her room during the morning hours. She stood up in front of the window in a pair of shorts and tank top, that she slept in. Her brown hair blew slightly in the breeze as she gazed out over the Quadrant. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and then stepped out onto the tree branch. She just sat there and waited for a sign, even though she didn’t know what she was waiting for. A strong urge that something felt like it was going to happen. There wasn’t an extrasensory sense telling her exactly what was going to happen; she just had a strong feeling something was coming.

“Kyra come inside, you need to get dressed.” The Queen spoke quietly with a smile on her face. “We’re going out as a family today and you need to look the part.”

“Yes, mother.” Kyra said somberly as she never liked going out as a family because she didn’t like the attention it placed on them, or the attention her father placed on her. She climbed back in the window and saw the form fitting green and white dress. Another dress. She thought to herself.

Kyra put the dress on and headed down stairs to meet with her family. Everyone was dressed up in similar white and green clothing including her Uncle. Aylan’s was more military styled and her father’s was more royal. Her mother had a long flowing dress of the same color...and Kyra was beginning to wonder why her dress was so form fitting?

The family walked together to the Sacred Grove with their entourage of escorts and body guards. They were so heavily guarded that it seemed more like a military parade instead of an escort. The amount of guards must have meant someone else, also, felt like something was about to go wrong. Aylan kept his eyes and ears open and carried extra weapons on him, as a safety precaution.

He quickly walked up to Kyra, who was in the middle of the group, and stood next to her, then whispered. “I have extra daggers on me if something should go wrong. Do you remember your dagger training?”

“I do, Uncle. What’s going on?” She replied cautiously.

He shook his head left and right,"  I don’t know. There is a strong sense of dread filling the air. It feels like I’m back at war.”

Kyra’s eyes darted to him,"  This can’t be a good sign then.”

“No, it’s not.”Aylan stated coldly. “Stay on guard.”

“I will.” She sighed and asked another question,"  What is this family meeting thing about?”

“I’m not sure. I was only told this morning that it was happening.” Aylan shrugged.

“You’ll see soon enough, Kyra.” The Queen replied with a smile.

“Yes, mother…” Kyra sighed again.

Forty five minutes passed, as this huge group entered into the Sacred Grove to see a mass of people in front of the pond. Even the Elder was there with his daughter, Anariel, who was standing next to him with the same scowl on her face that she always had and dressed in full black. She waved to Kyra slightly and Kyra responded while walking by waving back to her. They weren’t close but they were friendly towards one another.

The Royal Family stopped in front of the pond on the opposite side of the people, by a pedestal. They lined up behind it: The King in front, the Queen on his left, Kyra on her left, and Aylan on his right. Her father was going to make a speech.

“Greetings and good morning. Thank you for coming out on such a moment's notice. I truly appreciate you all making your way here this morning. My beautiful daughter, Kyra, has just turned nineteen.”

Cheers from the crowd, filled the air and pounded the ears of the onlookers. Kyra turned red and stepped behind her mother, to hide her face in embarrassment. The Queen turned around and hugged her. She whispered,"  It’ll be okay, Kyra.” Kyra nodded and stepped out from behind her mother as she turned around.

The King continued on,"  That means that for the next year, the Queen and I will be selecting the perfect candidate to marry our daughter when she turns twenty.”

Kyra turned to her father,"  WHAT?” She said angrily.

“You heard right. Your marriage is coming up soon and we’ll find the perfect companion for you.” The King said proudly.

“Shouldn’t that be my decision?” Kyra stated.

“Arranged marriages are our custom, Kyra, and you’ll follow it.” Her father retorted.

“What if I don’t?” She asked.

“You have no choice in this matter.” The King replied before turning back to the audience,"  For our first suitor we have Batin, just turned Twenty Two. A proud elven man who practices his trade and craft every day. Strong, bright, and formidable.”

Batin walked forward and stood across from the King in the grass about fifteen feet away. He had short blonde hair with bright cyan eyes. Tall with broad shoulders. His clothes neatly pressed and tailored to his body. “Princess Kyra, I know it’s sudden but I’ve always admired your form and your grace. I just couldn’t find the right words to tell you.”

“Go on, Kyra.” Her mother nudged.

Kyra sighed and walked forward. She thought, I guess this is why the form fitting dress as it shows off my entire body basically. She rolled her eyes at the thought.

“What do you say, Princess?” Batin asked.

“What do you want me to say, Batin?” She said playfully while batting her eyes.

He turned red,"  I’d personally like to hear, yes.”

“How cute, you’re blushing.”Kyra said jokingly. “Sorry, I don’t get a choice in this decision. If you want me; go talk to the King, since my FATHER has apparently checked out. Maybe, if he likes you enough, he’ll let you lay your hands on me, in every way.”She winked. “As for me, Batin…”Her eyes narrowed and shined brightly,"  I wouldn’t let you touch me if you were the last elf in the Quadrant.”

The King looks highly confused by the words and trying to figure out what he did wrong? He only thought he was following their traditions. He was also part of an arranged marriage which is how he married the Queen to begin with.  The Queen has a look of shock on her face but it turns into a slight smile along with a chuckle. It seemed that Kyra had picked up her way of talking from the arguments and was using it herself.

“What’s wrong with me?” Batin replied with a cautious and confused look on his face.

“What’s wrong with you?” Kyra responded in an exaggerated sarcastic manner. “As if I don’t know your reputation with women, who here doesn’t. The proud trade my father spoke of is being a dog. Finding a woman, using her, and removing her for your life. You’re not worth my time. Also, I prefer men with gray eyes.” The gray eyes were just something she said randomly because of her dreams.

Aylan tried covering his face so no one saw him laughing. She was too headstrong for arranged marriage and he knew that from experience with her training. A thought crossed his mind. Gray eyes? That’s a characteristic of few...and not elves at all, that’s an Arenian trait.

“KYRA!” The King shouted out. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Speaking my mind, like I’m not supposed to, YOUR MAJESTY.” She said harshly instead of calling him her father. To her, he had long checked out of her father today and she wasn’t dealing with it any more. ”I can save you all some trouble right now, there is absolutely no one here that I would be interested in that’s male.” She blushed and face palmed. “That sounds weird and it’s not what I meant.”

The Elder stepped forward,"  Please calm down, sapling.” He asked as he made his way towards her. “You know our customs and this is a part of them. They’ve been around longer than most of us remaining.”

“THEN MAYBE IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THEM.” She shouted so everyone could hear.

“That may be, but that’s not up to you; it's up to your parents. Seeing as they’re going along with this..I don’t believe that’s happening, sapling.”The Elder replied while he walked closer to her and removed his tinted glasses,"  You can marry me if you want since I do have gray eyes.” He playfully whispered to her.

Kyra chuckled lightly in surprise,"  I had no idea.”

“Some secrets are worth keeping. Next time you visit me, I’ll explain my heritage to you.” He put his tinted glasses back down.

“I’d like that, Elder.” She replied.

“Come visit me any time, Princess.” The Elder replied, emphasizing the word Princess.

Kyra shook her head with a smile. She always enjoyed the Elder stories but now she was very curious about why he had gray eyes. There was a splash of green in his eyes but they were mostly gray. She watched him closely as he returned to Anariel’s side.

“We still have three hundred sixty four and a half days to find her perfect match. “ The King announced, finally coming out of his confusion.

Aylan was in the back, seeming paranoid like something was bugging him about this whole situation. His eyes were shifting all over the place and his hand was on a dagger. His ears caught the sound of wind humming through the trees, a faint whistling sound howling off the back. “GET DOWN!” Aylan shouted as he tackled the King and Queen to the ground quickly. Kyra took to the ground below her ducking. 

The arrow flew past them and stuck into the ground. The odd thing was that the arrow was covered in green energy. A green energy that Kyra learned recently; was only an ability of the Royal Family. There was an air of confusion surrounding Kyra and Aylan about who could have fired the arrow covered in the energy of the Royal Family.

Aylan removed a set of daggers from his back,"  Kyra.”, he said before tossing them to her.

She looked over at her uncle and caught the daggers. Quickly removing one of the blades, she sliced down the center of the dress and separated it allowing her room to maneuver comfortably. As she did so, Kyra noticed people were starting to stare,"  Get your minds out of my panties, you pervs.” She took a crouching position. “Uncle, what do we do?”

“Form up. Protect the King and Queen at all costs.” Aylan began taking command of the forces in the area. “Kyra, come with me.” He added.

“I will not let you take my daughter, brother.”The King replied.

“Now, I’m your daughter.” She says sarcastically.

“...Kyra…” He said quietly, as he started feeling ashamed the more she called him out. However, he would be sticking to the customs they had for hundreds of years. He was ruling over every aspect of her life and not fully grasping that she was growing to resent him. 

Taking control of the silence, Aylan retorted," We’re in a battle situation, my power overrides yours, brother.” This was his way of pulling the focus back to the situation. If they were in danger it was his job to get Kyra out of here. He was specifically; HER bodyguard.

“Just be careful,"  The Queen added quietly with a head nod.

“Of course, ma’am.”Aylan replied. “Escort them back to the palace. Everyone get to the safety of your homes.

Aylan helped Kyra up the rest of the way as the two began their trek to find; who shot the arrow. They darted off into the trees from the direction it came through as fast as they could  move. Kyra was slightly slower due to the dress still constricting her a bit at the hips. Luckily, she had a secret stash hidden in this direction; as she did in every direction leading away from the Sacred Grove.

“Hey uncle, hold up for a moment. I need to change out of this dress.” Kyra stated as she tried to find relief in removing this horrid garment from her body.

“Make it quick.” Aylan responded, as he kept watch for her while she changed.

Kyra tore the dress off her body quickly and stood in her underwear, a white tank top that covered down to her thighs and panties. She felt the relief from being out of the dress. She put on her leather pants, jacket with the hood, her boots and finally, the gloves.

“Kyra, did you notice anything odd about that arrow?” Aylan asked as he watched forward to keep an eye out for her while she changed.

“I did. The arrow had green energy wrapped around it.” She replied while tightening her belt around her waist and securing her daggers. She lifted up a quiver; placed it around her shoulders and onto her back with her bow. “Ready.” She handed him a second quiver and bow.

“Thanks.” He says in confusion while taking it from her. “Why is this out here?” Aylan asked.

“Escape.” She replied.

“Alright.” He shook his head and sighed. “Back to the task at hand; you’re right. The arrow was shot as a singular version of our multi-arrow ability. Someone was trying to make a point from where they were.” Aylan added sternly.

Kyra’s confusion and patience for the day had reached a new level of annoyance.“Do you have another brother or sister?” She asked sternly with her eyes focused on him, waiting for his response.

“Akashingo.” Aylan is unamused by the memories, brought up by the question. “He’s been exiled for so long, I never expected to see him back. He was exiled long before you were born.” His mind wandered as he thought about his exiled brother.

“Why was he exiled?” Kyra asked curiously.

“He was after an artifact called the Blood Dagger.” Aylan’s mind clicked,"  SHIT! WE HAVE TO GO NOW.”

“What’s wrong?” She replied with a confused tone as she looked at him. 

“This is all a diversion, someone is probably trying to steal the artifact now.” Aylan explained. “Your parents are in trouble.”

“As much as I hate what my father did, I don’t want him dead.” Kyra says sternly while balling up her fist. Her face showed clear signs of anger and confusion.

“No time to waste, let’s move!” Aylan commanded.

Aylan led the way back to the Elven Palace, but they were still an hour out even at top speed. Kyra was worried deeply for her parents' lives even though she was still angry with her father, about the arranged marriage. This artifact was more important than a grudge against the King and she, along with Aylan, were going to prevent it from being stolen.

Meanwhile the escort had returned the King and Queen back to the palace. The lower basements of the palace were used for storing ancient artifacts and weapons. These areas were heavily guarded but not impenetrable. Their room was being guarded from all sides that were vulnerable; the door, the window, the balcony, and even from the roof. The guards were taking this as seriously as they could.

A lone assassin and master of stealth infiltrated the basement storage level. A black garbed warrior, his face unshown and unknown, except for his gray eyes. A chain sickle wrapped around his body from left shoulder to his right side. He stepped out of the shadows and removed his sickle from his body. He swung it around to the side of him allowing it to pick up speed as he spun it, slinging the bladed end through the air. The blade flew and stuck into the guard, he pulled the guard out of the way and stabbed him in the heart immediately upon confronting him. Another bladed chain flew through the air and wrapped around the second guard’s neck tightly. Pulling as hard as he could, it snapped the guard’s neck in the blink of an eye.

“Simple enough.” The man spoke to himself while he walked past his victims. He looked down at a blueprint of the lower areas and matched the location with the map. “This is it.” He opened the door and an alarm went off. “Great.” The man said sarcastically.

Guards heard the alarm and came running immediately from all over the area.

“What’s going on?”

“Someone opened this door.”

“If you’re in there, come out. We have the door blocked.”

The man said nothing and slid into the darkness. He thought to himself, Come on, Kurai, it’s just a few guards. Nothing more nothing less. He stayed quiet and watched as they entered the room.

“We know you’re in here. You can’t escape.”

“Come out now.”

Concentrating his energy he created a doppelganger of himself. The doppelganger appeared for the guards as if he didn’t take them seriously. “Here I am. You found me. Congratulations.”

“Identify yourself.”

“No.” The doppelganger responded.

“What are you after?”

“An artifact for killing people.” The doppelganger smirked under the hood and the wraps it was mimicking in design.

Kyra and Aylan were still on their way to the palace. They weren’t talking much, only running with determination. They had to make it...they had to. With this man in the basement storage areas, all the help they could offer upon arrival was needed. They still needed to make it first. Aylan was thinking about his brother as he led Kyra back to the place and the reason why he was exiled from Quadrant Two. 

Akashingo was exiled from Quadrant Two because he wanted the power of the Royal Family and didn’t care how he got it. He was the middle child of the group. Aylan, Akashingo, and the King. Three brothers who were almost entirely different in personality. Aylan was a futurist and open borders man. The King, a man who believed all traditions should remain the same. Akashingo was a power hungry man willing to kill his own family to gain power. He was exiled for killing both of their parents, with the blood dagger. One of the few weapons that got stronger with the blood it tasted. A skilled noble warrior could use the blade for good only to defeat evil. He wanted it for the opposite, he wanted to use it to destroy anyone he came across making the blade stronger, infinitely.

Aylan felt a presence following him and pulled the bow back as he landed on a branch. He spun around using his multi-arrow creating hundreds of arrows at once and firing in the location of the presence that he felt. Kyra looked on in amazement, as her Uncle unleashed a barrage on his own. There was no way he ever needed help doing anything, in her mind. He was a one man army, she had no doubt any battle would be over quickly.

“Kyra, keep going. I’ll fight whatever is coming.” Aylan ordered.

“Will you be okay?” She asked worriedly.

“Yeah. I got this.” He spoke with confidence, while trying to hide his anger from her.

“See you at home.” Kyra said reassuringly. “I will see you at home..right?”

“Of course.” Aylan nodded his head and smiled at her before turning his attention back to the matter at hand. Kyra continued running until she was out of sight.

“How fitting, brother, that you have our Niece run away from here.” Akashingo spoke slowly and quietly. His voice raspy and grating to the ears. 

“She’s not involved. What do you want?” Aylan spoke with clear disdain for his younger brother.

“What are you, stupid?” He shouted at him.”Of course she’s involved, anyone in our lineage is. Every single one of us . I was exiled and now I have returned. Praise me brother for I am stronger than I ever was.” He responded while raising his arms up to the sides.

“Only physically, your mind is still as weak as ever, if you think I’m going to let you lay a hand on our brother’s family.” Aylan retorted, his anger growing towards Akashingo with each moment.

“Ha ha ha.” Akashingo laughed brazenly before continuing. “I wouldn’t dare hurt a hair on Kyra’s head. She is untainted by the choices that were made, before. She has grown beautiful though hasn’t she? Would be a shame not to admire her beauty by keeping her as a pet, a slave if you will. If she fights back it’s only a plus...and it’d be such a turn on.” He said with a disgusting sneer.

“ARE YOU LISTENING TO YOURSELF? THAT’S YOUR NIECE.” Aylan shouted back, completely disgusted by his brother. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing from Akashingo.

“Who cares, beauty is beauty. She has become very ripe for the taking.” He licked the tip of an arrow. “Just imagine caressing her body with your hands as they travel to forbidden lands.” Akashingo laughed again.

Aylan pulled back on his bow and readied another multi-arrow. He was entirely grossed out by the words that Akashingo was saying. There was no way he would let her touch Kyra.  “I won’t let you touch her, brother.” He released his barrage of arrows.

“Good luck.” He said with a smirk on his face. While laughing, Akashingo flicked his wrist up creating a barrier around him. “I’ve been enhanced.”

“You’re working with the Sorcerer.” Aylan stated.

“I always was. He helped kill our parents and he helped massacre the Sacred Grove. I should have burned that place to the ground, instead I decided I wanted it for myself.” He replied. “I had enough being on the bottom and it’s my turn to rise to power!” A magical bow appeared in his hands. He pulled back on its string as the arrow appeared.

“Shit.” Aylan said as he pulled the bow string back. This was only going to end one way for them; a battle. The two brothers were ready to wage war on each other over the fate of the Quadrant, and the fate of their niece.

Kyra made it back to the house, she noticed trails of blood outside but none of them were leading inside. She searched the grounds for another entrance, when she came across an access panel she had never seen before. Opening it up, she crawled inside and entered the basement area. She had no idea this area had a point outside and thought the only way to enter was through the house.

This doesn’t seem right to me and everything is silent. She thought to herself before she climbed out of the inside panel and landed on the floor. Kyra noticed seven more lifeless bodies by the door. “Oh no.” She audibly said.

“Oh no is right.” Kurai replied, as he came out of the doorway.

“Who are you?” Kyra asked.

He looked her over as he placed the item in the bag hanging from his hip.”You can call me Kurai, Princess.” He bowed politely to her showing her the minimal amount of respect.

“What do you want Kurai?” She questioned him sternly and was irritated that he had broken into her home..

Kurai looked her up and down with a smirk under his wraps,"  Looking at you, I'd say you but I’m on a mission. That’s going to have to wait.”

“You couldn’t have me if you wanted to.” She retorted while crossing her arms.

“You’re probably too stubborn for me anyway.” He shrugged, still looking her over, he was still impressed with her body and appearance. “My contract is basically over now, so I’ll tell you.”He removed the dagger from the pouch slightly to show her. “Blood Dagger is one of a kind. Murderer of Kings and Queens Now, I could make it a killer of princesses too, but I have orders to not harm you. My employer doesn’t want your body or mind being destroyed by anyone but him.” Kurai waved his hand in a circle as he spoke.

“Employer? My Uncle…” She replied.

“Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner. She’s smart, sexy, and stubborn, triple threat right there. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going.” Kurai said, trying to slip past her.

Kyra stuck her arm out as he tried to pass,"  I can’t let you out of here with the Blood Dagger.”

“I’m not giving you a choice.” He stated as Kyra pulled out her daggers and prepared herself for a fight. “Listen, Princess, I don’t have time to play with you; I’m in a hurry.” Kurai spoke, becoming increasingly annoyed.

“Give me the dagger and you can go.” Kyra retorted sarcastically.

“I can’t do that.” He replied with a sigh,"  I don’t want to hurt you.”

Kyra positioned herself with her blade and began her attack on him. Slashing at him with both hands in rapid succession. Kurai stepped out of the way of every attack. She was fast...but he was faster. She switched her grip, then began slashing upward with one hand and across with the other; trying to catch him off guard. As her right handed attack came upward, he blocked it with his left hand knocking it back down and out of her hand. He caught her in his right hand and lifted her up.

“Say good night, Princess.” Kurai said quietly.

“Good night, Princess.” She said with heavy use of sarcasm while reaching into his pouch, pulling a long throwing needle out, and stabbing him in the hand with it.

“SON OF A–!” Kurai shouted. “No more playing nice.” He placed his hands together at the palms, turned them sideways, and clenched his fists. When he pulled them apart a glowing chain of red came out of the darkness and bound her at the wrists and ankles, suspending her in the air. From his training, he had become immune to the effects of his own weaponry and poisons.

Kyra pulled and pulled trying to break free. “What is this?”

“Underworld Chains, as I call them. You’ll be released when I’m gone. I told you that my contract says:I can't harm you.” Kurai stated,"  I’ll always remember this day as a warning that you’re strong and resourceful. I WON’T let this happen again.” He pulled the throwing needle out of his hand and threw it on the ground. “Keep it as a souvenir.” Sighing and looking back up with a smirk under his facial covering, “Screw it.” He swiftly punched Kyra in the stomach while she was hung up and knocked the wind out of her. From his bag, he pulled out another needle, soaked in sleep poison, and stabbed her in the arm with it. “Good night.”

“WAIT!” Kyra yelled before passing out almost instantly.

Kurai disappeared, back into the shadows, leaving the area in a quick manner. The plans he had were very detailed and intricate. His skills were highly advanced. With control of the shadows, it allows him to slip in and out of places usually undetected. He was gone in a matter of moments.

Kyra suddenly awoke in her bedroom,"  KURAI!” She shouted. She grabbed her head and thought to herself, What happened? How’d I get here?

“You’re finally awake, Kyra.” The Queen said quietly beside her after sighing in relief.

“How’d I get here?” Kyra asks in confusion.

“Your father found you in the basement among dead bodies. There are bruises on your wrists and ankles. Your father carried you back up here to your room. I changed your clothes when we were alone sinceI wanted you to be comfortable, as you slept.” She smiled at her, just happy to know that her daughter was safe and sound..

“Thank you, Mom. I guess I should tell his majesty thanks too, since he decided to be my father for the first time today.” Kyra said, sighing and looking down then quickly back up at her mother “I failed.”

“I understand your sentiment about what happened today. To be completely honest with you, I don’t like it either.” She paused and wanted to address why Kyra thought she failed,"  What did you fail? What’s wrong?” The Queen asked.

She was surprised at her mother’s opinion of the marriage ceremony but it was clear to her that the Queen was more worried about her failing, at the moment.“A man named Kurai stole the blood dagger.” Kyra replied, as she felt the defeat in her heart and depression in her mind.

The Queen sighed in relief,"  If that’s all he took then I’m glad because he left my daughter alive. For me, your life is more important than an old artifact.” Her mother hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. “Rest.” She patted her on the leg and got up.

“I will.”Kyra paused for a Moment. “Where’s Uncle Aylan?”

“Aylan hasn’t come back just yet. We have a search party out looking for him in the direction you went in. We’ll find him but he’d want you to rest.” The Queen spoke in worry due to the situation, but she was trying to hold it together, in front of Kyra.

“I will, Mom.” Kyra laid back down against the pillows. She began feeling depressed while thinking that she shouldn’t have left Aylan out there on his own. It was his decision but she felt bad for leaving him and if he was hurt; she’d feel even worse about it. There was nothing she could do; her body was stuck to the bed being sore and exhausted. Kyra was deeply worried about her uncle but couldn’t stay awake much longer after her mother left. She passed out again on her bed with the covers sticking to her from sweating.

Hours had passed, it was dark and a cool breeze rolled in her window. Kyra had awoken but this time, she had the energy to move. Throwing  the cover off, she climbed out of bed and began stretching. Her body was stiff and unable to move normally; due to how much it ached but she had to push through it. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and continued stretching.

I will be stronger and faster than Kurai. He pushed my speed back with a single hand and dodged all of my attacks. Kyra thought to herself while she stared out the window and saw a figure walking back holding his face and limping.

“Kyra, I’m glad to see you're safe.”

“UNCLE AYLAN!” Kyra shouted, as she leaped to the ground from her window. She grunted as she hit the ground still feeling the pain from earlier. “Are you okay?” She asked worriedly.

“I’ll be fine. I won’t have perfect vision any more, though.”He replied jokingly trying to make light of the situation. He was attempting to keep things calm by hiding his pain behind a mask of sarcasm.

“You’re seriously hurt.” Kyra shouted sternly. “It’s not funny.”

“I know. Save me the lecture.” Aylan responded with a bit of grunting as the muscles surrounding his missing eye twitched. “I’m very glad you’re safe.”

“I’m glad you’re safe too, Uncle. Let’s get you inside.” Kyra replied quickly. She was clearly worried and couldn’t wait to get him to someone who could actually help him. This was not one of her areas of expertise.

She helped Aylan inside to the medical room and sat him down in the chair. “Kyra, listen to me closely.” Aylan asked quietly as she came in closer to him. “Be careful and escape the forest. I’ll ask you to wait for the most opportune moment. You’ll know when the time comes but until then we’ll act like nothing has changed. I’ll be stern with you like I was before and am around certain people. When you find the moment, tell me.” He paused. “Do you understand?”

“I do. What’s going on though?” Kyra responded while nodding her head.

“I’ll tell you what I know next training day in depth but know this; Akashingo is working with the Sorcerer.” Aylan explained to her before changing the subject. “Now though, we need a medic.”

Kyra was taken aback by the news that one of her uncles was working directly with the Sorcerer. Why would he do that? She didn’t have the answer for. She just agreed with Aylan instead of pressing the issue.“Yes we do.” She went to the front of the house and ran into her parents immediately. “Where’s the healer at?” She asked quickly.

“Why do you need one, Kyra?” Her father asked with concern in his voice for her.

“No, I’m fine but Uncle Aylan does; he’s in the medical room already.” She announced it to them.

“Oh god.” The Queen replied.

“Brother, what did you get yourself into this time?” The King questioned.

“I’ll head in first to see what I can do for him.” The Queen stated before continuing on. “I want to get information so I know what to relay to the medics. They’ll be able to prepare better with more information on the situation.” She walked in first leaving the King behind her with Kyra.

“Father?” Kyra said questioningly.

“Yes, Kyra?” He asked softly.

“I just wanted to say, thank you for finding me and taking me upstairs. I know that you didn’t like how I acted at the gathering and you know I didn’t like the idea of an arranged marriage, at all. Maybe one day we can actually talk about that more openly. For tonight though, thank you for coming to my rescue.” She hugged him tightly and just stayed in his arms.

“We’ll see, Kyra. It wasn’t appropriate to spring something such as that on you or anyone and I apologize for the surprise.” He held her tightly,"  You're my daughter and you’ll never have to thank me for coming to help you. It is, however, appreciated.” The King could feel it just from her posture, body language, and words that she had an exhausting day. He was happy to be able to comfort her at all after his own blunder.

Together they walked to the medical room. The room itself was  fairly close to the front of the house. The reason was that it was easier to get from the front side. What were they going to do about Aylan? The King sat in the room with his brother while the Queen went to fetch the medics. Several minutes had passed and Aylan hadn’t said a word to his brother yet, no matter what he asked. He remained quiet until his help arrived. Kyra and the Queen were asked to leave the room but the King stayed.

“Kyra, you should go back up to bed.” The Queen spoke.

“Yes mother.” She replied in a low voice. All she wanted to do was be there for her uncle. Her uncle, who unbeknownst to her, was defending her life from her other uncle.

Kyra marched back up the stairs to her room and got back onto the bed. This wasn’t where she wanted to be at all. She wanted to know what happened with her Uncles..but she’d have to wait. She laid on her back and stared upward at the ceiling wondering: why today, why me, why Aylan, and why was he back?

Downstairs Aylan began talking after everything was sewn up and healed properly. They couldn’t return his eye but they could fix the rest of him up. He would just have a blind side. One more spot that he would have to learn to compensate for.

“What happened?”

“Our brother has returned; Akashingo has come out of hiding and exile.” Aylan explained in only a few words.

“What does he think he’ll accomplish, this time?” The King asked harshly.

Aylan shrugged,"  If I had to guess, he wants to kill our family…except for Kyra.” He replied with disgust in his voice.

The King placed his hand on his chin,"  That definitely explains the theft of the Blood Dagger.”

“WHAT?!” Aylan shouted. “Who let that get stolen?”

“No one LET it get stolen. If they did, it wouldn’t have been stolen but given. Kyra defended it along with a bunch of other guards, who were killed in the process. I carried her back up here.” The King explained to his brother.

“We know who stole it?” Aylan questioned.

“We haven’t asked Kyra too many questions. She volunteered that it was a man named Kurai.” The King answered.

“Kurai, is not a name, it’s a title. Usually given to someone who is a master of darkness and assassination techniques. Since Kyra is still alive there is a reason for it. It must have been in his contract.” Aylan added.

“We did find her just unconscious on the ground with minimal wounds.”

“What were her wounds?”Aylan replied.

“Bruises on her ankles and wrists and a small puncture wound from a needle. We think that’s what put her to sleep.” The King replied.

“Definitely following our brother. Akashingo wants your daughter in ways he shouldn’t. When I battled him, he wouldn’t stop talking about how beautiful she had become, that she was ripe, and how he wanted to caress her body down into forbidden lands..by making her his slave.” Aylan was disgusted with what he was told and repeating it made him feel sick.

The King’s face contorted in disgust as Aylan explained what their brother had said.“He truly has gone off the deep end of disgust and it seems like his mental health has deteriorated quite a bit in his exile.”

“Seems like it.” Aylan was shaking his head in disgust. He changed the subject to get away from those thoughts. “I’m going to rest here tonight; I don’t think I should be out and about, in my state.”

“I agree, get some rest.” The King replied and began walking out of the room.

“One more thing, brother.” Aylan interrupted his brother leaving.

“What is it?” He replied.

“I need a favor. You won’t like it, but she needs to think it's her idea to go.” Aylan responded.

“You want her to leave the Quadrant don’t you?” The King asks.

“I do, but to keep her safe. Remember, she’s a Child of Light so she needs to leave.” Aylan stated.

“She has my permission to leave the Quadrant: when another from the prophecy arrives.” The King added.

“It’ll have to do.”

The King walked out of the room somewhat mad and annoyed with everything going on. He just wanted his daughter to be safe. After his hug from her, he did feel somewhat relieved to know she didn’t hate him for what he pulled. It was comforting to them both to share that specific embrace.

Aylan laid down on the cot in the medical room and stared at the ceiling, with his one good eye. He had to teach Kyra to be more proficient now and quickly because he knew he could get her out of here. This plan was being set in motion and Kyra was going to get her heart’s desire; the ability to leave.

From the balcony of the Cathedral in the Sacred Grove, a womanly figure watched from above. She smiled as she kept a close watch on Kyra and the Royal Family but that wasn’t all she saw. Outside the forest of Quadrant Two on the outskirts by a cave, a lone swordsman was drawing closer to his destiny. She knew it wouldn’t be long before these two met face to face for the first time. Her heart fluttered at the thought of them uniting and trying to make a difference.

Asleep in her room, Kyra was back to having dreams about this warrior again. Her body flinched in excitement with passion and intrigue about who he was. She was curious about him and it wasn’t just his skills but his mind. She wanted to know what made him tick and how truly skilled he was. She admired this lone warrior for his sharpness and ability to defy the odds. Kyra felt strangely drawn to him in a way she couldn’t explain.