Author's Note: Yes, I know this took a long time . . . so shoot me . . . I had to study for finals. Who doesn't? But now there's no school! Hip Hip Hooray! I'm FREE, you hear me FREE! I survived my freshman year! So I lost most of my remaining sanity, but it was bound to happen sometime, ya know? So why not now? Newayz, ya'll are probably really anxious to read this next chapter, seeing as I haven't updated for a while ;-; I think you'll enjoy this one . . .
The Warrior PrinceNight turned into day, and the Dragon didn't attack, a blessing in most people's books. But that didn't change the fact that Sonari couldn't sleep. As soon as he closed his eyes, he was haunted by visions of a Wingly dancer-warrior with a glowing silver stone on her neck. After what seemed like hours, he managed to fall asleep, but even in the land of dreams, he couldn't rid himself of the woman, always following him, but never speaking. A silent specter, haunting and ethereal, whose glowing stone seemed to make the mark on the back of his right hand glow with the same eerie light.
He woke the next morning drenched in a cold sweat. His hand was still glowing, as if an aftershock from his dreams. He sat up and looked out the window. The sun was just beginning to creep over the horizon, the pale colors of the sunrise starting to paint the sky. Sonari knew that he didn't want to spend another night like that. There may not be anything he could do about his haunting visions, but he could try and figure out the mystery of his glowing symbol. He knew what he had to do . . .
He got out of bed and dressed quickly, preparing himself mentally for the confrontation that he had been trying to avoid. But it was the only way to get the answers he needed. He wrote a quick note to Yani, telling him what he planned to do, and that he would be back by sunset. Then he grabbed his long coat and Shotel, and left the Inn.
He found his way to a back alleyway, where no one was likely to come and stumble upon him. He relaxed his body, then closed his eyes and visualized where he wanted to go. He visualized the city that was built inside an invisible dome, the dome that kept his people from freezing in the intense winters of the northernmost reaches of Valandia. He saw once again the place where the dome began, marked by the change from almost non-existent tundra growth to hardy evergreen trees. He felt the familiar buzzing in his brain and the sensation of wind whipping through his hair. He opened his eyes and found himself exactly where he wanted to be: Valeria, capital of Valandia.
He took a deep breath of the crisp air. "I'm finally home."
He walked through the maze of wide streets with confident ease. He walked through the town to a large hill on the outskirts. On top of the hill was a large palace: the permanent home of the Royal Family of Valandia. He took a deep breath, before walking purposefully up the hill.
The guards at the doors bowed low to him as he passed. He made his way to a room that he knew only too well. When the guard outside offered to announce him, Sonari declined and walked in the room himself. He made his way down the lavishly furnished throne room and knelt before the two thrones, currently occupied.
He kept his eyes fixed on the floor as he addressed the occupants. "Your majesties, I seek your counsel."
Before he could continue, the Queen of Valandia was on her feet and bustling over to Sonari. She was rather short and pudgy, with long black hair that was beginning to go gray and almond shaped eyes that were a deep, rich brown. Sonari seemed not to notice her until he was caught up in a deep embrace.
"My son! Why did you not return for over half a year?"
Sonari flushed as he returned his mother's embrace. "I, uh . . . I was certain that you had disowned me, and that it would be a disgrace for me to return."
By this time, the King of Valandia had made his way over to his wife and son. Anyone who looked could tell that he was related to Sonari. His hair was the same sandy brown, even though flecks of gray were starting to pepper it. He had the same intense hazel eyes, and the same height. He put a hand on his son's shoulder.
"Maybe we should have disowned you. But then again, we have no other heirs, so you must bear the burden of Crown Prince. One day, you will rule in my stead. Come now, what did you wish to discuss?"
Both Sonari and his mother stood. "I wish to have a private word with you, Father. I have some questions that I need answers to."
"Then come with me to my antechamber. We can talk there." Sonari followed his father through a side door.
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"What questions do you have? I will do my best to answer them." The King initiated the conversation.
"It's about my powers. I don't understand what's going on anymore," Sonari said, sounding downcast and depressed.
"I don't really understand either. You do remember what exactly that mark on the back of you hand is, don't you?"
Sonari nodded before replying, "The Mark of the Artifice."
"Exactly. It means that you are an Artifice, the first one in over 16,000 years. It truly is a miracle that you have survived this long at all. We were almost certain that your powers would destroy you before you were able to experience life. Now, back to your question, but be aware that I might not have the answer to it."
Sonari took a deep breath before asking his father, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer. "The Mark on my hand . . . it started glowing . . ."
"Glowing?! May I see?"
Sonari held his hand out to his father, but continued talking at the same time. "It's not glowing anymore. That is one of the things that confuses me. Not only do I not know what this glowing means, but it only seems to glow at certain times . . ."
"As you know, I have been studying the ancient documents that have survived since the time when Artifices were being actively trained. There seems to be a reason for the Mark to start glowing," the King said as he examined his son's hand. "It seemed to be highly celebrated, and was always called the 'Coming of Age.' It is apparently the time when the apprentice has fully matured and he becomes a fully-fledged Artifice. His powers are at their peak for some years after this, but start to decay with age." He looked straight into his son's eyes. "I have yet to figure out exactly what prompts the Coming of Age, but whatever it is, you should have already experienced it. I will keep searching for the answer."
Sonari dropped his head. "Thank you, Father. You do too much for me, a renegade, rebellious son . . ."
"And you think too little of yourself, Crown Prince of Valandia." The King pulled his son into a rough embrace. "Now go and see your mother. She has missed you terribly."
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As soon as Sonari stepped into the room where his mother was waiting, he found himself bombarded with question.
"Where have you been this last half year? Why did you not contact us? And don't give me that line about disgrace. That's a load of bull. What's the real reason you didn't come back? You know, you have no idea how much your father and I worry about you, especially seeing as you're out only child, and we're getting too old to have any more. That makes you the only heir to the throne, unless you want your cousin Malik to take it, and the Gods only know what would come of that. Come, come, sit down and tell me all that's happened to you. Oh, and how is Yani? He should really come and show the new Captain of the Guard a thing or two. Things are really falling apart there without him, you know." She sighed as Sonari sat down. "It's really rather lonely here without you two guys and your antics all over the place. You really have no idea . . ." Her voice trailed off sadly.
Sonari chuckled. He was used to his doting mother, but the trait had been multiplied fivefold by his long absence. "You don't need to worry, Mother. Yani and I are big boys; we can look after ourselves."
"Yes, I know, but it doesn't help. Parents worry, you know. Trust me, you'll find out one day. But tell me about what's been going on. What's happened? I know that you and Yani can't go anywhere without an adventure." Sonari chuckled as he thought about just how true that was.
Some time later, he had finished recalling the events of the last couple of weeks to his mother. He started his account when he and Yani wound two stones: a red one that seemed to glow in his hands, and a green one that had that eerie glow in Yani's. He talked about how Yani had finally managed to persuade him to go to a Wingly town to try and figure out what they were. He finished with recounting the events of the past day or two, and all that had happened in Lahrin.
"So this girl . . . what was her name again?"
"Sil-alia. At least, that's what Yani said it was."
"Sil-alia . . . That's a pretty name. But you said she has powers like yours? Like a Wingly Artifice?"
"She has the innate ability to use magic, yes," Sonari explained. "But as to whether she has the other parts of my Artifice's powers . . . that I don't know. But I'm guessing she does. I think she was holding back in that fight. There's something in her aura . . . something I've never felt before . . . an undercurrent that's similar to mine . . ." He shook his head and looked away.
"So you think she has these powers, but you're not sure?" The Queen broke the uncomfortable silence. Sonari nodded the affirmative. "So . . . what do you think? Ally or enemy?"
"She would be a very useful ally, but she's too strong willed to let herself be controlled. I could see it in her eyes. Then again, I don't think that she's really an enemy either . . . I don't know, Mother."
"Okay then. Well, what does she look like?"
"Truthfully? She's drop-dead gorgeous . . ." Sonari trailed off, his cheeks flushing a deep scarlet.
"Oh really?" The Queen seemed interested now.
"Mother! Honestly, you're almost as bad as Yani!"
The Queen laughed before responding. "So, she's drop-dead gorgeous? Like Lana?"
Sonari shuddered involuntarily at the name.
"Ah ha! I think I've finally found why you haven't come back. I'm right, aren't I?" Sonari didn't respond. "I knew it! But you know what? I really don't blame you. If I was in your position, I would want to run away. I don't know what your father sees in that little bitch. Sure, she's beautiful, but that's not everything, right? And she may come from one of the most powerful families in the kingdom, but money isn't everything, right? I swear, your father can be so stupid at times. You have told him about her, haven't you?" Sonari nodded. "So he refuses to listen to you too, does he? Well, someone's going to have to talk some sense into him sometime or another. I'll tell you what, why don't you go back and go do whatever you're doing for a while more. Then, when you come back, I'll have this whole business sorted out."
Sonari's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Of course." She bustled over and wrapped Sonari in another tight embrace. "You and Yani come home soon. Things are starting to fall apart here. I don't know how much longer we can keep it up. You cousin Malik is gaining more and more power, with the help of his father, of course. If you don't come home soon, hon, I'm not sure if you'd still have enough support to keep the throne."
"I'll come home soon, I promise. And don't worry about us. We'll be fine," Sonari consoled his mother. Then he let go and started to walk out of the door.
Before he could get halfway across the room, the doors burst open, and a young woman was framed in the doorway. She was a very petite woman, short and slim, with long black tresses of hair reaching halfway down her back. Her eyes were a cold, hard, lack-luster gray. Her dark hair and eyes strangely contrasted with her pale skin. But there was no denying that the woman was undeniably beautiful, with a perfect figure and attractive features. She was flawless, that is, until one got to know her, and knew her personality. Sonari's fist clenched involuntarily at his sides.
"Sonari!" the woman in the doorway half squealed. "Why didn't you tell me you were here?" She barreled into Sonari's midsection, the only part the she could comfortably reach, with the force of a small missile. Sonari had to force himself not to cringe and back away. When she looked up at him, Sonari saw the closest thing to happiness that he had ever seen in her eyes: a cold, cruel, calculating eagerness.
"My apologies, Lana," Sonari said, picking up the formal attitude he often did when around his prospective fiancée, "but I must return. Yani is expecting me any minute."
Lana stood on the tips of her toes to reach her arms around his neck and force his head down. She twined her fingers in his hair while whispering in his ear. "Oh come on. Just one night? Yani can wait, and I've missed you so . . ."
Sonari cut her off before she could say any more. "We are in the middle of a very important development. It cannot wait." He managed to escape Lana's grasp without alerting her to his shuddering. "However, I will be returning soon. Perhaps then?" He walked out of the room without waiting for a response.
Once he was sure that he was out of earshot of the room, he broke into a run, and didn't stop until he felt the warm afternoon sunlight on his back. He rushed out into a secluded part of the palace's garden before concentrating and teleporting back to Lahrin. Anything to get away from Lana.
But in his haste, he had slightly miscalculated. He ended up in the forest that totally surrounded Lahrin, not too far from the town itself. Sonari swore viciously, not really wanting to walk all the way back, but not wanting to risk another teleportation so soon. He started walking back to Lahrin.
He had no idea that what was waiting for him would change the course of his life forever
Author's Note: Okay, who saw that coming? And be honest, please. So Sonari's the only heir to the throne of Valandia . . . Hee Hee . . . and evil cousin Malik is trying to get the throne . . . Mwahahahaha! Find out what happens in the next exciting edition of *bum bum bum* Warrior's Way! Oh, and don't forget to review, k? I likey reviewies! Now I must go back to watching my taped Yu Yu Hakusho episodes! *walks away muttering something about Kurama's dreamy green eyes*
Yani: You know, she scares me sometimes . . .
Rigana: I'm worried about her . . .
Sil-alia: Who's not?
Sonari: I'm more worried about what she'll do to us . . . *gulps*