Chapter One- On the Road

The road was rocky and full of rabbit holes, so it was no wonder Aiden's horse tripped and cracked a shoe. It was lucky that she did not injure herself more. Milos was a good mare, swift and gentle, never needing to be urged to obey. Aiden and Milos were of one mind. She was aware of her master's feelings and thoughts while one the road. It would have been a sad day if that rabbit hole had led to Milos breaking her ankle. Aiden couldn't bear the thought of slitting her throat. He had been traveling home from his audience with the King of the bordering country of Seinkuul when they reached the treacherous road. The guards had decided to continue on the road, though Aiden felt that going through the forest would have been a better choice. His guards had laughed at the thought. No one ventures into the Taulwyn forest, especially if that person was on horseback. There were things in there that hungered for horseflesh, and didn't mind in the least if there was a human conveniently there for dessert.

Aiden was the young son of the King of Iola. The crowned prince of the kingdom. A fact that, when mentioned, made him turn up his nose in disgust. He was only twelve years old. He didn't want to be thinking about taxes and wars, he wanted to run in the mud, swordfight, and what he had really wanted to do was adventure into the forest. Instead, here he was, tending to Milos' twisted ankle and broken shoe.

Elias had seen the mare stumble, and had leapt off his own horse to see if the young prince was alright. Aiden had picked himself up and was looking anxiously at Milos.

"Are you alright your majesty?" Elias asked as he knelt down to inspect the horse.

"I'm alright, just a bruised backside. I dunno about Milos though." the boy's eyes welled up with tears, which he quickly brushed away.

"She'll be alright. Just a twisted ankle and a broken shoe." Elias assured him.

"Okay." Aiden looked up at his friend with whom he trusted his life. Elias was at least forty, with short graying hair and hard features making him look fierce, though Aiden knew otherwise. He was sure there was not a kinder soul in all the world. Elias had been appointed the prestigious position of captain of the guards before Aiden was born. He had fought in the Great War with his father, before he had become king. He had been a brutal fighter then. The enemy called him Demon-eyed Soldier because Elias' eyes were the color of an open flame, orange rimmed with bright yellow centers. They were terrifying to look at because they made him look almost other-worldly. Only Aiden and his father could look him full in the face without turning away immediately.

"We'll need to get this horse to a blacksmith." Elias said, while helping Milos gingerly to her feet.

"I believe there is one about half a morning's walk from here captain" one guard pointed down the road towards the village.

"Do you think you can make it that far girl?" Aiden whispered in Milos' ear.

Milos whickered softly in reply.

Elias was well aware of where the blacksmith's stable was, and who lived there. It was the home of Alethea, the Seer. She would never see to the horse, if she knew he was there. If only I had…Elias shook the thought from his mind. There was no use in regret,was what the years had taught him. The horse would never make it all the way back to the palace, he had to try. Maybe, after all these years, she had forgiven him.

"Well then that settles it. Let us try to get there by the noon." Elias called to the band "Gillus, ride up ahead, and tell the blacksmith we are on our way. The royal horse is in need of a shoe."