Prologue

In the beginning lands, there lived a man. A poor man but one with power. His name was Osgile Meyloon. Osgile had the power to look into the future, so far that he could see when his days would end, hundreds maybe even thousand of years later. In the city of Pollsken, the king lived. The king was a man of propriety. His family was small, but he was known. His eldest, Sebene, was a most beautiful girl. Osgile was in love with her.

The king did not approve. He did not like Osgile. As many had found out, love was not to be stopped. In secret Sebene and Osgile were married. Love had triumphed. After a while, commoners noticed Sebene growing quite large. Sebene denied any accusations and fled. After months of looking the King's armies located Sebene in a small cabin with a newborn and her husband.

The king was so furious; he took his daughter back to the castle with him. He killed his daughter saying she disobeyed him and needed to be punished. Ever since then, a war has been waging. For years men battled each other. That is, until the king summoned the deadliest creature that walked this earth. Men and women feared to speak his name. They called him the Leviathan, and claimed he came from the pits of fire.

He was unable to be stopped. Neither man nor beast could kill him. Osgile was left with this vision. His power and his son were the only things he had left. Osgile would always remember what Sebene had said before she was killed, "Make our son a great warrior. Teach him… or die trying." Osgile had a fresh wave of tears as he stood on the battlefield. He had left Deyna, his son, with his grandmother.

He looked at the line of men he commanded. They all looked to him and nodded. Osgile spurred his horse.

"Men! One week ago, I lost my loved one! My son's mother! I am here to fight, and you are here with me!" He looked at the men.

"You came on your own accord! I thank you!" He turned his horse towards the king's army.

"For Sebene!" Osgile charged his army down the hill.

To this day, Osgile still fights along side with the willing and able. The king has yet to be defeated by Osgile's small armies. He had another plan. He had sent word to the lands in the east. This war would be over soon enough, and he would be able to rest in peace knowing that he had killed Osgile and the brat along with him.

The king chuckled coldly.

"Oh, you are in trouble." The kings cackling could be heard throughout the castle, shrill and cold.

Elaina slowly surveyed her surroundings. Her senses sharpened as she took in the things around her. Every breath, every snap, and every whistle she could hear. Her ears twitched as she turned them to a distant cry. It sounded distressed, frightened. Elaina cocked her head and galloped off towards the sound as it grew louder.

Farlina rocked back and forth looking about as she heard the night creatures coming out to look at her. The crickets chirped and the trees swayed to and fro, groaning from the wind. Her tears had mingled with her the beads of perspiration that rolled down her forehead. She took in a shaky breath and placed her head on her knees.

Elaina crept into the foliage that guarded the entrance to the palace. As she looked about, her acute vision took in the site of a figure rocking back and forth. She squinted her large almond eyes on the one spot to relinquish her curiosity.

"What are you?" she whispered into the night.

Elaina slowly, and carefully, made her way towards the creature. As she scoured the outer rim of the tower, she groped for an opening, a handhold, anything. She found the weakest spot of the stone that met with the castle itself. The grand castle had been much more long ago, but now decay and erosion had weakened it.

Through the large crack she was startled to find, not a monster, but a girl!

"Dear girl, what are you doing in there?" At the sound of a voice the girl swiveled her head from side to side.

"Who speaks?"

"Elaina. My master calls me Elaina. Come towards me."

silence…

"Thank you! Oh thank you so much!"

"Quick, before they find you! Come towards my voice." The girl scurried to the crack that Elaina's voice echoed out of. The girl tried to see what was surrounding her, but the veil of night was still heavily upon them.

"Come here child." The girl looked at the horse standing next to the field.

Pretty horse she thought.

"Right here girl."

"Where? I can't see you!" Elaina snorted white puffs and pawed the wet earth.

It can't be! "Please tell me you aren't talking." Elaina threw her head into the air.

"I can smell danger, get on my back." Farlina hesitated to put her hand on Elaina's curved back.

"Don't dilly dally girl! Get on!" Farlina gave a small jump at the horse's sharp tone.

Farlina looked at the horse's squinted eyes. "Let us hope the King's spies do not follow us." Elaina galloped off.

First my arrest and telling mum about my gift… and now a talking horse. I doubt anything will surprise me now."