SORRRYYY! sorry for taking so long. Hopefully you guys are still with me. This is a new chapter! Please enjoy! :)


"Here you go! All of the supplies you will need for your long journey ahead." Sarah said as she heaved bags of food, warm clothing and three costrels filled with water onto the table. During the day, Sarah went into the city and came back with a wagon filled with food and daily essentials for Darwin, Amelia, and Shiana's stay. However, when Darwin told her of their plans to leave that night, she started to pack the supplies needed for their trip. Although, she knew the bounty on Darwin and Amelia's head were tremendous, she also knew they were not bad people.

While she prepared for their parting, she sang songs her and her husband used to sing. This brought back warm feelings she had lost for years. She spent the entire afternoon cooking for their parting-away dinner, while, packing breads, preserved foods, meats, and mead. This mead was specially made by her husband. Before she knew it, she was starting to miss her husband and the realization that he would not come back started to creep up on her.

When he went out to hunt, he could be gone for hours, for days or even for weeks. However, he always came back to her. When they were first married she would nag and complain how he would one day leave and never come back. Although her words were filled with spite, her heart was just worried for his safety. She loved the way he held her and the musky smell he had. After making love, he always whisper into her ears about how he would happily leave the house knowing that he'll come back to a house filled with enriched aromas of the foods he loved. She really missed that.

However, this was the first time in years that she felt connected to anyone. She wanted to help these strangers, so that she can have a closure. They ate dinner in silence knowing the dangers that lurked in the dark. Before Sarah covered the wagon where Darwin and his family were hidden, Darwin expressed his gratitude and placed some gold coins into her hands. However, Sarah didn't have the heart to accept the money because she was helping them for selfish reasons.

She led the wagon to the edge of the forest and prayed to the four gods that they would be safe. When she turned around to go home she felt a gust of wind knock her off her feet and found a hooded figure hover over her. She saw the creature's golden cat eyes and when she wanted to scream, her voice was choked at the bottom of her windpipe. The figure reached out with slender and pale fingers. In her head she screamed and her body was squirming on the ground but before she knew it, her mind and body was paralyzed. She could see the memories of Darwin, Amelia and Shiana slipping out of her skull and seeping out of her skin. Before she lost consciousness, she felt the night wind sweeping down and gently filling up the hole in her mind.

While Shiana was walking amidst the shadows, she felt a spasm of panic hit her. She smelled the wind that picked up the fear from Sarah and a wisp of magic from an unknown creature. Shiana started to whip her head back and forth, looking for this mysterious individual. She felt it running swiftly through the forest while picking up Shiana's scent. Her natural instinct told her to run, so she ran. Amelia felt the same panic from Sarah, but before she could react, Shiana was running. Darwin and Amelia ran after her and Amelia felt a friendly feeling from this pursuer. However, she needed to calm Shiana down before greeting this man.

Shiana could feel this man trying to reach her mind. He was humming the same song that her mother uses when she tries to soothe her during the full moons. However, she hated this foreign feeling. She just wanted to go home and find Emily so that they can giggle over the handsome stable boy in their Castle. She wanted to sleep on her bed and cuddle in her blankets. She knew her parents and this man were in her pursuit but she didn't want to stop. She ran through the forest, feeling the looming trees ridicule at her petite size and the owls scowling at her for being weak. She felt frustrated and dove into the stream in front. She needed to cool off. She stayed underwater to block out whoever was trying to reach out to her; whether it was her mother, the strange man, or the trees. She needed some time to herself in order to register the situation her and her family is in.

She knew that the king would take over her father's lands and kill their servants for a ridiculous reason in revenge towards her father and mother. She continued to stay submerged for what felt like an eternity. She thought back on her life before her mother was captured and the things she will lose as a runaway. She closed her eyes and the streaming water glided through her fingers and toes. She relaxed her muscles as she started to feel tranquil. She reached out with her mind and giggle when she found a startled pool of fish disperse when her mind reached theirs.

She absorbed the moonlight and felt the light slowly cloak her finger tips. Eventually this light surrounded her entire body and protected her from the cool water. Shiana slowly opened her eyes and found a beautiful women staring back at her. This women wore a see through garment and Shiana could feel herself calming down in her presence. This godly presence looked at Shiana in the eyes and smiled gently. She placed her hand under Shiana's chin and mouthed something but Shiana could not hear her. Before Shiana could react, this women glided past her and everything became dark.

Shiana felt herself running out of breath and pulled herself out of the water. She then saw her mother and father running at her. Then, within the shadows another figure stopped in front of the water bed. However, this time Shiana was not scared of this creature. Instead, she wanted to welcome him. While Shiana got out of the water, the creature suddenly appeared in front of her, on one knee and right hand placed on his heart. Then he said something in the ancient language and she saw her mother throw her arms around this man.

When Shiana came back to her senses, she was already seated in front of a campfire across the cloaked man. Her father and the cloaked man were talking in a very serious tone and her mother was also giving her advice. Shiana closed her eyes out of exhaustion and the image of the women flashed across her mind. Shiana jumped up in joy and gasped. The three adults stared at her and listened to Shiana as she told them what she saw under the water.

The cloaked man walked over to Shiana and she realized that this man was a fairy! She could see his feminine features under his hood. When he stopped in front of Shiana, he took off his hood and Shiana jumped back. He was the most beautiful man she has ever seen. His eyes were painted in gold and his pale skin reflected the flickering fire. He had his long black hair tied in a side braid that draped over his slim shoulders. "My princess, my name is Joiv and I am a warrior whom has served our Queen for thousands of years." His voice danced in Shiana's ears and left a lingering note that resembled the soft breeze on a spring day. "From the story you have told us, I believe that the creature means no harm. However, if you don't mind, I would like to look at your memories to affirm this." Shiana gave her mother a worried look and Amelia nodded in approval. Shiana then relayed her mother's trust by connecting with Joiv's mind.

Through Joiv's mind, she could see a thread of magic that strung from Joiv's finger tips and woven as a protective dome around their campfire. Knowing that Joiv would protect them from a surprise attack, Shiana voluntarily fused her mind with Joiv's. Joiv closed his eyes and she could feel him scrimmaging through her mind. He was picking up bits from when she was young then moved on to how she flew miles to find her parents. Then suddenly, Joiv was thrown across the camp ground and onto a tree. He struggled to get up and grumbled at the bruises he had attained.

He looked up and stared at Shiana in amazement. "When I got to your odd encounter, my mind went blank and a really bright light blew me off my feet and threw me onto that tree!" He continued to stare at Shiana and his eyes danced with excitement. "However, before I left your consciousness, I got to hear the voice that was talking to you. The reason why you didn't understand was because she spoke to you in the ancient language." He started to laugh and he looked at Amelia. "I can't believe it! I can't believe it!" He continued to laugh and the rest of the party gave each other confused glances. Then, Amelia asked, "Joiv, who was it and what did she say? What has gotten you so excited?" He calmed down but with the same ecstatic tone, he said, "This godly creature said, "We are excited to have finally met you. Please stay strong until you meet him. When you do, your fate and the fate of the world will change. Until then, we will continue to protect you, little one. Don't forget us because we will always be on your side.""

Shiana gave her mother a puzzled look and looked back at Joiv. Then Joiv closed his eyes and his features softened. He said something in the ancient language and placed both his hand on his chest. Amelia gave out an exclaiming gasp and took her daughter's face in her hands. With tears she said, "Shiana, you met Asmanthia!"