Chapter 2

Memories of a Distant Past

It was too late. She knew it, she could feel it. Nevertheless, her pace quickened hoping, praying for a miracle. Running at the same speed as she was, her traveling companion tightened his grip on the blade by his side.

"We won't make it in time Emrys," her companion said. "You know what awaits us, even we can't change this outcome."

Biting her lip, she took a deep breath and composed herself. "I will not abandon them Iorek, even if it is just one person, I will be there for them". Receiving no answer she turned towards her companion, anxiety was present in his face, along with something she couldn't name.

"Very well," he said. No more words were spoken, as their eyes shone gold and their pace increased to their destination.

The city of Lodet, currently celebrating their harvest festival, Samhein. A day where not only successful crops are collected and stored for the winter, but also a day where most children awaken to their magical abilities. All of them patiently await for the full moon to rise and the ceremony can begin, hosted by their protectors.

But no one expected this to be the last day the people of Lodet will see the morning sun. The children would not have their special day, and their hard earned harvest would be coated in blood.

There was no happiness, nor any celebration that day. Instead of laughter, there were screams and wails.

Then silence.

The city was quiet when they finally arrived at the scene. Both man and woman scanned their surroundings, hope diminishing with every corpse they could count. Smoke filled their lungs, but they kept moving; fire lapped at their legs, but it didn't stop them from looking for anyone lucky enough to have survived the massacre.

"How could this have happened?" Emrys whispered. "They were under our protection, they should have been safe!"

Not wasting any time, Iorek's eyes flashed gold and immediately the raging fire faded leaving behind trails of black smoke. The once beautiful town was now ruins, its people was charred to the bone or mangled in the most horrific ways. Of those that the fire hadn't touched, their faces were twisted in pain and fear, their aggressor had tortured them before showing a semblance f mercy.

Emrys' eyes clouded with tears when she saw little bodies huddled together under what used to be a nursery, she had known these children. She had often played with them and sung to them, most of the children had presented her with flowers before showing her how far they had gone with their magical studies. Fighting back sobs, she joined Iorek in looking for any survivors.

"H-Help", they heard a small whisper. Frantically they searched among the rubble and found a little boy, no older than five summers, fighting to remain conscious.

"Daniel!" Iorek recognized the boy quickly and gave room for Emrys to collect him. She set herself on the ground and gently cradled him in her arms, and it took all she had not to let out a cry.

There was no bone in his body that wasn't broken, the damage was far too much for him to survive. He was at death's door. Her eyes glowed gold and the boy gave a relieved sigh, the least she could do was give him a painless passing.

"Milady? You came," he muttered. Looking at the grim faced man, he gave him a small smile. "And you brought Lord Iorek too."

"Of course I did, I promised you a dance at the ceremony. And I never break my promises." Brushing some soot off his face, she gave him a smile. "What happened here Daniel?"

Daniel closed his eyes, a few tears falling down his face, "an army of soldiers Milady. They started attacking us before sunset, they went for me and the other kids first but the grown-ups told us to run while they held them off. I left them while they were running and went home to warn my mama, but there was a man in there already. She told me to run, but I fought him the way you taught me Lord Iorek."

Next to her, Iorek gave him a proud smile and gently rubbed Daniel's head. "You were very brave".

"Is mama ok? Did I save her?"

Emrys gave Iorek a pleading look, before he replied "yes, she is just fine. She's very proud of you."

The boy looked at the clear sky, eyes going in and out of focus. "I'm tired. Will you sing me to sleep?"

Gathering the child closer to her, she started singing an old lullaby. She thought of all the townspeople who now laid dead at her feet, of all the young children whose lives were cut short in the most horrific way. The people they were sent to protect, the ones that looked up to them for guidance were dead.

Iorek was right, they were too late. They had failed.

She finished her song, her voice fading with the wind. Looking down at the child in her arms, she kissed his forehead and set him down on the ground, his heart had already stopped beating.

"Dammit all!" Iorek screamed. Running his hands through his face he paced around her trying to understand what had happened. "What happened Emrys?"

Vigorously shaking her head she replied, "I don't know! This wasn't supposed to happen! These people were destined for a happy, peaceful life. I saw it! Everything was fine until now, something happened that changed their future."

"Did you have a vision?"

"I didn't see the past nor did I see the future. It was the present that was shown to me, that's when I knew something was wrong." Tears pooled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, "we failed them Iorek! All the magic in the world and we failed."

Her voice had broken at the last word, the last shred of self control was gone and with an anguished cry she let her tears flow freely down her face. Swiftly, Iorek sat next to her and without a word he took her in his arms, as he let her grieve for the both of them.

Tears and sobs welcomed the full moon, as it shone brightly upon the ashes of Lodet.

AN: No excuses, for my tardiness. But I hope this chapter will make up for it.