Darkness. That was all I could see. Just an empty void of nothingness. There were voices coming from all around me. Some were calling out my name, others were just screams of dying men and my sisters fathers roars in pain.
A crack of thunder and a flash of lightening bring me out of the darkness back to my cave. My sister is curled up close to me peacefully asleep unaware of the storm outside the safety of our cave home. I looked around the dark cave and in the flashes of light I see the sleeping forms of Kara and Brother Gilbert dead to the whole world. Sighing I tried to get back to sleep curling up with my sister till I notice that the warmth of my father is gone. I look around the cave and see him lying of his stomach at the entrance of the cave staring out of the water fall. He seemed deep in though as he looked outside. Wrapping my blanket around my shoulders I stood up and walked over to his side.
"Do you think he is okay in this storm," I asked leaning against his right shoulder.
"Trouble sleeping, are you worried about him,"he asked still staring out of the cave.
"The storm woke me up," I yawned. He sighed then wrapped his arm around my body to were I was resting in his elbow.
"Did you ever miss him,"he asked resting his head in front of me.
"Some what," I replied, "I was mad more than anything else. He left my sister and I alone when I was going to need him the most. He was my teacher for so long and was more of a father than my real father ever was to me. When he left it felt like I wasn't as important to him as he was to me. I lost both fathers to my no good brother and I have hated all three of them because of it. Because of them , I was showen so little love by my own family. Than I was adopted by you and for the first time I felt what it was like to have a real father. I still am mad at Bowen for leaving me and not even caring about my opion or what would happen to me or my sister when he left us. Nothing is going to change those feeling."
"Did you ever want to go back to your old life at all?"
"To go back to a life where I was unloved by my own mother? No. I never wanted to go back to that life. I'm happy here with you. I have never been happier than when you first called me your daughter. I love you papa."
"I love you too my Ava," father said nudging my lovingly. I hugged his snout in return. When we separated we looked back at the entrance of the cave.
"So are you going to go get my general for me," I asked tightening my blanket around me.
"Do you want him back," he asked smiling at me.
"Not entirely," I shrugged my shoulders, "But I'm not going to be able to raise and train an army by myself and he has had more experince than I have at this sort of thing."
"Alright then," he smiled standing up, "I shall return with your general. I love you Ava."
"I love you too father and be careful," I said as he left the cave. I stayed up the rest of that night watching the storm blow by. It wasn't long till the storm ended and the sun came out drying any evidence of the storm except the scent of morning dew. I took a quick nap before I went out to get our breakfast of fish and berries. I started up a fire on the bank of the river, poking a stick through the fish I caught and sticking them in a ring around the fire to cook. Soon after the fish started to cook my sister came out of the cave her favorite fur blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
"Morning Ava," she yawned as she sat next to me, "What's for breakfast?"
"You're favorite," I smiled at her.
"Bear food," she cheered. I nodded at her, she giddily jumped up and down. When two of the five fish were done I added the berries to the stick. Abiagael was happily munching on her fish when Kara and Brother Gilbert came out of the cave. Kara seemed to have slept well last night while Brother Gilbert looked like he didn't sleep at all.
"Morning you two," I said taking to more cooked fish away from the fire and adding more berries to the stick, "How did you sleep."
"Very well actually,"Kara said sitting next to me. I smiled at her and handed her a fish, "And you Brother Gilbert?"
"Not much my dear," he said sitting down next to Abiageal, "I kept dreaming about last night and falling off Dracos back."
Abiageal mutters something while she still had her fish in her mouth handing him his fish.
"So whats your plan sis," Abiageal asked finishing the bite in her mouth.
"Well first off is raise my army, train them, then get back what was mine in the first place from my brother," I said poking at the fire, "Well that's the basic of it anyway. Kara I hope you can convince your people to fight."
"When I tell them we have a dragon fighting with us they will," she replied back then taking a bite of her fish.
"Speaking of which where is father anyway,"Abiageal asked taking a berry off her stick.
"He went for a fly," I smiled at her popping a berry into my mouth. After we ate Abiageal and I did our morning swim then we went to Karas' village. My sister and I armed to the teeth our masks on. We walked most of the way to the my horse fallowing right behind me. We arrived to the village that afternoon. All of them were surprised to see us again though they were mostly surprised to see Kara alive. My sister and I stayed in the back just listening to Kara talk to a man who I guessed was the village leader. As Kara talked to him it seemed that he wasn't agreeing to the whole thing. At some point the two started to walk and talk so my sister and I decided to walk around the village. We looked around at the village people they seemed strong for their life styles.
"Ava do you really think we can train these people to be fighters strong enough to win a war," Abiageal asked me as we walked around the village looking at all the people.
"They seem strong so I believe it can be done," I told her. We then headed back to where Kara and Brother Gilbert were which was now in a farm field. The man Kara was talking to was becoming angry with Kara and grabbed a near by shovel and was about to hit her with it. My instincts kicked in when I saw this i gripped my sword handle and started running towards Kara, my sister on my heels. Before we could get there he had raised the shovel but before he could swing it at Kara an arrow flew into the middle of the shovels blade. We all stopped dead in our tracks and looked to where the arrow had come from. What I saw made my jaw drop and my hopes shore. It was Bowen riding on his horse towards us.
"Bowen," I yelled running towards him as he came the fence around the farm field, "It's about time you started running the other way."
He smiled at me then looked at the man who threatened Kara, "Save your strength for the fight against Einon."
"There isn't any fight against Einon," the man said back.
"I'm going to start one," I said taking my mask off, "We are going to start a fight against the tyrant king."
"You and what army, girl," he said. I looked over at Bowen smiling at him he nodded at me then kick his horse causing it to start galloping to a near by hill. When he was at the top of the hill father flew over head.
I smiled at the man, "If I'm correct my father the dragon should be worth an army we just need ground troops. If you will join us we will stop the tyrant king."
The man was in pure shock at the sight of my father but he still managed to nod.
"Good," I said, "Now go and gather everyone to the center of the village." He nodded at me then ran off to gather everyone. I looked over at Kara and Brother Gilbert smiling at them. Bowen soon came riding back to us.
"Well my friends," I said to them, "Lets go raise an army."
"Lets kick butt," Abiageal said removing her mask and running to the center of the village.
Well here goes nothing. I thought as we walked down to the center of the village. When we arrived father had already landed on the out skirts of the village. Many of the villagers were afraid of him and were cowering at the center of the village. I looked at Bowen and then father, my stomach was turning over and over. He gave me a confident smile and father smiled and nodded at me. Taking a deep breath I walked out too the center of the crowd.
"Do not be afraid my friends," I started to speak, "The dragon, our father, will not harm any of you. We are here to help you fight Einon. And I hope that in return you will help me get back what belongs to me."
"What do you want," someone in the crowd yelled out.
"I want my crown back," I shouted back. A dead silence went over the crowd, "I was Princess Catherine. First born daughter of King Freyne and Queen Aislinn. But after Einon became king I was reborn as Ava first born daughter of the dragon Draco and this is my baby sister Abiageal. Though most of you would have know her as the young princess born 12 years ago."
"Princess Catherine you're still alive," many of the villagers spoke out.
"Yes I am still alive and I'm stronger than my past self ever was. I'm back to make amends for leaving you all twelve years ago. I wanted to protect my sister from my brothers wrath but by me doing so I left all of you. But now I am here to take back the crown from that tyrant and fix everything he has done to all of you."
"How do we know you won't be as evil as Einon or worse than King Freyne," a male villager spoke up. I looked around at them all then turned to Kara and Bowen. I walked over to Kara. Pulling out my dagger I dragged it against the palm of my left hand causing a large cut to bleed out.
I then held up my dagger and my hand so all could see, "From the blood on this blade and by the Old Code I swear to protect this land from all threats. Be them from across the seas or in our kingdom, I will defend the land and all of you with my very life. So let the earth taste my blood for I will gladly spill it to keep all of you and this land safe from evil." I then extended the dagger out to Bowen and Kara while letting the blood from my hand drip down onto the ground.
"Sir Bowen and Kara I entrust you to make sure I keep this vow, and if I should stray from these vows you are to run this dagger into my heart."
They both took hold of the dagger, "We promise to always to remind you of your vows Queen Ava." At these words the villagers began to cheer.
"I swear to you Einon will fall," I shouted as loud as I could, "And I swear when I am Queen I will right every wrong he has done to you and thins land. If you will have me."
Everyone was silent for a moment then they all started to cheer, "Long Live Queen Ava! Long Live Princess Abiageal!" I looked around at all of them then looked at Bowen, Kara, and Brother Gilbert who were also cheering with everyone else. I smiled at them then my sister who smiled at me then lifted up her ax.
"Lets go raise some Hell," she cheered. All of the villagers cheered at her words.
"What are your orders my queen," Bowen said bowing his head to me.
I smiled at him, "First we need to set up a base camp for us to train everyone. I am placing you and my sister in-charge of training my army, General Bowen."
"Alright," Abiageal shouted happily, "I'm gone teach you all how to fight!"
"Yes my Queen,"Bowen said bowing his head then turning to the villagers, "All of you fallow me we need to start setting up a base." Everyone cheered as they fallowed Bowen and father gave a mighty roar which was fallowed by more cheering from the villages.
The very next day after we arrived to the village we begin our battle plans and training. Bowen and I helped set up tents for weapon making and a main tent where Bowen, and I set up our plan of action. We set up groups of defenses that would hide in the trees till they were called for. Bowen being an experienced fighter was able to help come up with the plan while I was able to help map out the forest. Abiageal even helped with crafting spears and arrows. Brother Gilbert even started training in archery and though he had never used a bow he was very good at it and picked it up faster than I did myself. Though who knows if he would brake his vows never to kill, but I trusted him to think of something he was a very smart monk even if his poems were some what not the best.
We trained for a whole week till Brok came by the village as we were training. Bowen, Abiageal, and I were looking over our battle plans while everyone else was sparing. Father was drinking from a pond just next to our tent when he stretched out his wings yawning a mighty roar. Not being used to this everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at my father though my sister and I kept looking over the plan.
"Ava," my father said peering into our tent.
"Yes father," I said looking over the map of the forest.
"I do believe the lord of this village as seen our work."
I looked up from the map looked at father than to Bowen. I then smiled at him straightening up, "Well then I think it is time to inform the king of our plans then. Abiageal we are going to pay our brother a little visit."
I then turned my attention to Hewe who was with us, "I'm going to need two of the best dresses you have one for me and one for my sister."
He bowed his head then ran off to get the dresses. I then left the tent grabbing my sword and Abiageal her ax.
"What do you think you are doing," Bowen asked as I left the tent grabbing my arm.
"We are going to visit my brother and give him a chance to avoid any conflict with us," I told him as the villager returned with two light blue dresses. They weren't as fine as the ones I had before I left the royal life but they were nice enough for the villagers and that would be just fine with me.
"Thank you," I said taking the dresses from him.
"Are you sure that is a good idea," Bowen asked following us to my sisters and my tent.
"If we win I will be queen Bowen and even though Einon is a cruel black-hearted beast he is still my brother," I said, "I would rather avoid any deaths in my family. I'm going to go and see him maybe we can avoid a fight."
"I hope your right," he said, "Though I know it is highly likely we will."
"And if so we will still win," I said then entered the tent that was set up for Abiageal and I. Abiageal fallowing right behind me.
My sister and I put on the dresses the villagers gave us. They fit very nice on us curving to our bodies very well. As we put on our breast plates shoulder armor as well as gantlets the dresses were still comfortable. Before we left the tent Abiagael and I grabbed our weapons. My sword was placed on my waist and Abiagael strapped her ax to her back. When we were ready we left our tent ready to go met with my brother. Outside the tent a village girl was waiting for us with my horse saddled and ready to ride. Before my sister could mount my horse Bowen called out to her. He had a beautiful firey brown horse with him with a saddle on.
"I think you should have your own horse Princess Abiageal," he said to Abiageal. My sister smiled at him then hugged him thanking over and over again, "It's a gift from the villagers and myself." Abiageal jumped happily up and down thanking Bowen then mounting her new horse.
"Are you sure about this," he asked turning back to me.
"Trust us Bowen," Abiagel said full of confidants, " Anyone tries anything on us I'll cut them with my ax."
"We will be back Bowen," I smiled at him mounting my own horse, "Lets go sister."
As we rode off I heard father tell Bowen to trust us. We soon arrived at my brothers new castle. We came to the front gate demanding to speak with the king. They let my sister and I into the castle and brought us to my brother. He was talking with his men about what Brok had seen and Einon was offensively afraid of father and the rebelling village.
"Hello brother," I said to him, "It's been a while hasn't it." He looked over at my sister and I.
"You haven't changed much at all. Still as wicked as our father."
"Catherine is that you," he laughed, "So you have returned to your brother. Are you here to beg for forgiveness for leaving me?"
"No," I said, " I'm here to accept your surrender."
"Catherine you don't mean to tell me you are with those scum."
"Not only am I with the villagers but I am leading them," I said placing my hand on the handle of my sword.
"And her name is Ava," Abiageal said.
"And who is the runt," Brok asked.
"I'm not surprised none of you recognize your princess she was only a baby when you firs met."
Abiageal smiled proudly glaring daggers at all of them. I then offered my brother a chance to surrender and no blood would be spilled. He refused.
"I'll ask one more time Einon surrender and hand the crown over to me. Or I will be forced to remove it from your head my self."
"I won't be surrendering to any one," he yelled back.
"So be it Einon," I then pulled out my sword pointing it at him, "Prepare your self for war King Einon! I, Ava first born daughter of the dragon Draco, shall take back my crown from you and free my people from your tyranny! This I swear!"
With that we left Einon with my promise. As we left the castle I saw my mother as I passed by to my horse.
"This is what you created my Queen," I said as I stood next to her, "I will do what you did not have the courage to do all those years ago." My sister and I then mounted our horses and left the castle heading back to the village.
As we left the castle Abiageal spoke up as we rode back to camp, "Who was that women you spoke to Ava?"
"That was our mother the queen," I sighed, "When you were just a baby she abounded you, neglecting you so I took care of you."
"Did she not want me," she asked.
"I believe she very much wanted you," I reassured her, "It was the king who didn't what another daughter."
"Would our father rather have a son than us," she asked.
"I could never have been happier without you two in my life."
We looked up and saw father flying over us landing right next to us. He scooped up Abiageal placing her on top of his head, "I have never been more prouder to call you my children and I could never be happier with anyone else than you my Abiageal. I love you both so much."
He then scooped me up placing me beside my sister. We both started giggling as we played around his horns, "We love you too father."
When we returned to our camp Bowen was the first to meet us.
"Let me guess it didn't go so well," he asked helping me down from my horse.
"Oh no it went very well," I said as I dismounted, "We didn't have to kill anyone so I think it went very well."
Kara then came up to us with Brother Gilbert. "So dose that mean we don't have to fight,"Brother Gilbert asked.
"No, Einon did not surrender and I have declared war on him."
"But I thought you said everything went well," Kara asked me.
"Negotiations didn't go well but we didn't have to kill anyone to make the negotiations so I would say it went well," Abiageal said walking over to us, "They didn't go great but they went well." All three of them gave a sigh of frustration then started laughing.
"So I guess it all starts tomorrow," Bowen asked after he stopped laughing.
"Yes inform the everyone to prepare for battle. I want all those who can't fight to go into the woods to my fathers cave they will be safe there till the fighting is over. That goes for children and the elders."
"Yes my queen," Kara and Bowen said.
"What about the women," Brother Gilbert asked.
"Many of the women have trained as hard as the men to fight like Kara," father said, "It would be wrong for them to be denied the chance to fight along with us."
"Father is right," I said, "But if there are any women or men who wish to stay with their family I will not stop them." With that said they all went to inform everyone about what was going to happen in the morning. My family and I soon fallowed to the camp where everyone had gathered at the center in front of the big ten we were using to make weapons.
"My friends," I started to speak to them, "Tomorrow we face Einons army. I can not promise that all of us will survive this fight, but I can say this we will beat Einon and you will have your freedom back!" Everyone cheered at my words.
"Now," I continued, "Eat, drink, and rest. For tomorrow we shall bring Hell down upon that no good King Einons head." Everyone then cheered again then left to go and prepare for tonight and tomorrow.