Chapter Two:
Kelti sat at the training grounds for the Queen's Riders. He watched them practice and awaited his turn to get beaten, but maybe today would be his lucky day. His thoughts turned to the day that he had taken the princess's offer. He had been very nervous and thought he might have imagined the offer. He had decided to come and make sure though, an opportunity like this only came once in a lifetime. He had been granted an audience with the Queen, King, and a couple of the Riders. Before the doors swung upon to admit him, he quickly patted his clothes getting some of the traveling dust off and he tried to pat down his hair. He thought he was going to have time to clean up, but the Queen had wanted to see him immediately. The doors had swung open and he had gotten his audience. He was accepted into the Riders and had begun training that very day. He was surprised to see the mystic boy Cammon was now king. He heard his name being called and he looked to see Justin waving him over with his sword. Kelti grinned and went to try and out beat Justin. As soon as they started a servant from the place stopped them.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the Queen would like to see both of you." The servant said and glanced uneasily at their swords. Justin and Kelti glanced at each other and started immediately for the palace. Kelti looked for the servant, but he was running the other way.
"I wonder what's going on." Justin said and Kelti just shrugged.
They entered the palace and were shown into a private room. The Queen, King, Senneth, Tayse, and Ellynor were all sitting there. Justin grinned and Kelti felt out of place. He had heard that these 6 had been through a lot together and were some sort of team.
"Took you both long enough. We don't have all day!" Senneth the fire mystic said as she waved them both over to the extra seats.
"Where's Kirra and Donnal?" Justin asked looking at all the faces gathered around.
"They can't be used in this particular mission." Queen Amalie said. "I have heard reports and Cammon has confirmed it that mystics are being kept in some building right outside of the Lumanen Convent. Not near Neft," She said answering Justin's look of surprise. "It's near the Lireth Mountains."
"How are they keeping the mystics there?" Tayse asked curious.
"We suspect they are using moonstones. We don't know how, but I'm picking up a lot of pain…the kind that comes from moonstones."
"When do we leave?" Justin asked.
"You and Ellynor aren't." Queen Amalie answered. "Ellynor is pregnant and you need to stay with her. I thought I would tell you about the mission and you, Tayse, and Kelti can figure out some plans."
Justin nodded, and Kelti spoke up,"Me? You want me to come with them?"
"Of course. Justin can't come and Tayse said you have been improving greatly." The Queen answered. Kelti looked over at the other rider. Tayse had said he had improved…greatly? He had only beaten 2 of the riders. Neither of them were Tayse or Justin.
The Queen got up and Ellynor and Cammon followed suit. "We shall leave you to your planning." She gracefully swept from the room and Kelti watched with awe. He kept thinking they were all going to laugh and say,"Just Kidding! Maybe next time kid." They didn't and he paid attention to the planning.
An hour later they had most of the details down. Justin had left earlier to let them iron out the details.
"We will leave in the morning. Make sure you get some sleep." Tayse told Kelti as Senneth and Tayse left. Kelti nodded and went over the plans once more, before he followed them out of the room. He went back to the barracks and most of the riders clapped him on the back and congratulated him for his first mission. Kelti put on a smile, but he felt uneasy. Only 3 of them were going to rescue them and Donnal and Kirra might join them on the way back, but 3? Kelti put his doubts aside and finally fell asleep.