“Linus, I remember when you sent me away, you told Serena that I would grow up in both worlds. Why didn’t that happen? I never had another dream about this world. What is this world called anyway?” I asked him.
“Jade, come sit next to the fire. We have much to talk about this night,” he said, as we sat next to the fire with stones all around it.
“First of all, this world is called Akizma. Before your father was king, Akizma was full of peace and happiness,” said Thorn as he sat next to me looking into the fire.
“Yes, and when he became king the days of happiness and peace left this world,” Talon added as he lay down at the entrance of the cave.
“We all know that Warwick was born with magic, just as you were. Warwick took his powers from the sorcerers he killed,” said Linus. “When he killed his first sorcerer, he did not know he would gain the sorcerer’s powers, but he had always been power-hungry. So, he goes from village to village killing my kind and destroying everyone who stands in his way,” Linus said as he put more wood on to the fire. I could see the hate in his eyes as he stared into the fire. “The only reason I’m still alive is because Warwick thinks I lost my powers a long time ago,” he added as he looked from the fire to me.
“Somehow Warwick’s spies have found out about a girl with the same birthmark as him. We don’t know how they know about you, but they have told your father. He knows what Serena and Eve did 18 years ago and now, Talon has told me you and Thorn have been seen by Warwick’s men. If he had any doubts about what his spies have told him they have been put aside now,” Linus added looking from me then to Thorn then back to the fire.
As I looked at Linus I could feel my heart beating harder and faster than ever before. “Linus, what has happened to Serena? I mean my mother and Eve, where are they?” I asked, feeling more afraid of his answer.
“I’m sorry Jade, I’m afraid your mother may be dead, knowing your father like I do, for lying to him for all these years. I can’t see how he wouldn’t kill her for her deception. I am waiting to hear what is happening at the castle. I have a spy of my own there,” he said. I got to my feet and ran to the entrance of the cave I felt the tears running down my face at hearing about my mother’s fate. I can’t do this. How can this be happening? I’m not strong like my mother was, I thought to myself looking up at the stars.
“Jade you are the queen’s daughter her strength runs through your veins. She is watching you now and forever.” I heard Talon’s voice inside my head. I turned towards him, he just smiled at me as he lay next to me.
“Just as you can hear my thoughts, I can hear yours too,” I heard his voice in my head again. “Whatever happens, I will be right by your side and you can do this,” he said, now talking out loud, as Linus and Thorn came over to us.
“We believe in you, Jade,” said Thorn.
“Linus, tell me what was she like?” I asked, as we all went back in the cave and sat by the fire. Talon lay down behind me.
“She was the most beautiful and kindest woman I have ever known,” said Linus, as I lay back against Talon. With everything I had heard about my father, I felt safe with my new friends but wondered how long was this feeling going to last.
“Jade, you got your pure heart from your mother, you know,” Linus added, as he looked right into my eyes and smiled at me. “When we sent you away the spell allowed me to watch you grow into the girl you are today. You may have felt alone but I was by your side at every turn you have taken. I can see you are more like your mother than your father. Never lose faith in yourself,” Linus added. “We need to talk about your powers. You may ask one more question and then we should get down to learning about how to use your powers,” he said.
“Well, if I have one last question then it is still, why didn’t I grow up in both worlds like you said I would?” I asked Linus again.
“After I sent you away to hide you from Warwick, we all went back to the castle to find that Warwick had already returned from his war ride, as he liked to call them. Serena was never ready to see him back and she told him the story that we made up about you and he believed us. Not that he cared about what happened to you. Then he dismissed us, so we left him alone in the throne room and went to Serena chambers. It was there where Serena felt just for a moment, that Warwick didn’t believe our story. She begged me to change the spell so that you could not come back,” said Linus, holding my hand. “She told me she couldn’t take the chance that Warwick could see the girl with the same mark as him,” Linus added. "Kelly and Harry Winter told you that they saw me when I sent you to their world, didn’t they, Jade? Linus asked.
“Yes,” I said, looking at him.
“I went to tell them about who you were and how important you are to our world and how you would someday bring peace to Akizma once again,” he said.
"Linus, I know you said I need to learn how to use my powers but there is just one more thing I would like to know. In the other world my name is Jade Winter but did Serena name me in this world? I asked him.
“Yes, she told me that you were named after her mother. Your name is Alissa. I think Serena knew that she wouldn’t be able to tell you your name herself. She knew how her last days would end,” said Linus with tears falling down his face, as he looked into the fire. “I’m so sorry Jade, but there was not a day that went by where she did not think of you. She loved you very much,” he added.
“Talon has told me that Warwick’s men could not see through his wall of fire, so they didn’t see what way he took you but that doesn’t mean he isn’t looking for us right now,” said Linus, as he brushed the tears away, looking from the fire to me. “Jade it is time to learn about your first power,” said Linus. “Your first power is you can see all the terrible things Warwick has done and what he will do,” said Linus. “This power will come to you as a vision. You will relive what Warwick has done through his eyes. It will be like you have done all the terrible things,” he added. “I am sorry for what you will see and feel,” Linus said, looking at me. “Like you, we all can hear dragons when they speak to us, but you can hear their thoughts and that is your second power. But I think you know that already, don’t you?” said Linus as he looked at Talon and back at me and smiled at us both. “But with Talon it is easy to hear his thoughts because he wants you to hear them. He has a pure heart like you do. All the dragons used to be pure of heart a long time ago, just like you and Talon but Warwick has corrupted the hearts and the souls of the dragons,” said Linus, looking at Talon.
“But we hope you, the king’s daughter will have the power to bring them back to the way of peace,” said Talon, looking at me.
“How can I change a dragon’s heart and soul?” I said, as I looked from Talon to Linus.
“It won’t be easy, you will have to get close to the dragon, place your hands on it, close your eyes and let your loving spirit go into the dragon. I don’t know all of what you need to do after that, I’m sorry. But I think it’s Talon’s place to help you with that when he thinks you are ready,” said Linus, looking up at Talon. “The next power is really odd and difficult. Warwick can make the rocks around him turn into whatever kind of creatures he wants, but he can only keep them alive for a short time,” said Linus.
“Again, we are hoping you can do the same, but keep your creatures alive for longer than his,” added Thorn, looking at Linus.
“Every time Warwick gains a power, you will gain that same power, but we are sure that if you gain a new power it will just be yours and not Warwick’s,” said Linus, as he once again looked into the fire with hate in his eyes.
“But Linus you said Warwick gains his powers by killing sorcerers. I don’t want to kill any sorcerers because that would mean I would have to kill you, wouldn’t it? I can’t kill you! Don’t ask me to do that!” I cried out at him.
“No, Jade be calm it going to be alright. Be calm,” said Linus holding me in his arms. “There is a power that even Warwick would not try to gain but when the time comes to gain that power we need you to be brave. For now, we need you to learn how to use your other powers before I tell you more of the power that your father will never gain. Now we you need to sleep. It’s been a long, and for you, a strange day. We will start your lessons tomorrow,” said Linus as he let go of me. “Sleep well, Jade,” he added, as he kissed my forehead.
“You all expect so much of me. I hope I can do all that you think I can. I don’t want to let you, Linus, or the people of Akizma down,” I thought to Talon as I lay down against him.
“You won’t. I will help you. I will always be by your side. Now sleep, you will need your strength,” he said, as he rested his head on the ground.
“Goodnight, Talon.”
“Goodnight, Jade.”
“Call me Alissa. After all, that is who I am now,” I said to him, as I closed my eyes.
“As you wish, Alissa,” Talon said, as he looked to Linus and smiled.
What am I going to dream about now? I am in this world, I wondered as I fell asleep.
I opened my eyes, I was in the castle with Warwick’s men all around me. This is a dream, this has to be a dream, I thought to myself, as I looked at Warwick’s men. They would be trying to catch me if this was real, I thought to myself. I walked over to the window. By the window, there stood a mirror against the wall. I turned and looked into it but it was not my reflection in the mirror—it was Warwick’s. I felt so cold with Warwick looking back at me, but then he went back to looking out of the window. I was inside of him. I can see through his eyes just like Linus said I would, I thought to myself.
“Here is your queen, my king,” said Rydan, as he pushed Serena down on to her knees at the king’s feet.
“I know what you did 18 years ago and now you are going to tell me where Linus and my daughter are hiding, aren’t you, my love?” Warwick said as he knelt down to look into her eyes.
“I will never tell you what you want to know but what I will tell you, is the time of pain suffering and bloodshed this land has gone through at your hands is almost at an end,” she said. “I am proud of the part I have played in your downfall. This land will know peace again,” Serena added as she spat in his face.
“Take her away, Captain Rydan,” said Warwick, as he wiped his face. As he did, it felt like it was me that Serena had spat at.
“No wait, I want you to meet the man that saw our daughter,” said Warwick looking at one of his soldiers who was standing by the throne. “Come forward and tell me again how you let our daughter get away!” yelled Warwick with one hand reaching for his sword.
“No, my lord, it was not like that. She had a dragon and Linus’ boy, he was there helping her,” the soldier said, shaking with fear as he looked at Warwick’s sword.
“You, Serena, should thank this man for the news of our daughter’s safety. Don’t you think so, my queen?” said Warwick. And again, it felt like I was saying everything as Warwick was. “But as for him, he has failed me and you know what happens to people who fail me, don’t you Serena?” said Warwick. “Guards, hold him!” Warwick yelled out. Serena turned her head away not wanting to see what was about to happen.
“Nooooo, Serena you watch this. Rydan, hold her head!” Warwick yelled at him, with an evil look in his eyes. The guards held the soldiers down. I could feel the sword in what felt like my hand, as Warwick raised it above the soldier’s neck and then the sword fell, cutting the soldier’s head off. Serena just looked at the man’s head rolling along the floor.
“Take that thing away,” Warwick said as he picked the head up off the floor. “You should have never gone against me, my queen,” said Warwick, making Serena look into the dead eyes of the soldier, with blood dripping down on to her dress.
“Now you can take her back to the dungeon. Oh, and guards don’t forget this,” Warwick added, with the head in his out-stretched hand, as the guards dragged the headless body past him. “Your time is over. She will finish you and I am glad you hear me, Warwick, you are finished!” Serena screamed as Rydan dragged her away.
“Are you going to kill the queen, my lord?” asked Rydan as he walked back into the throne room.
“Oh, I don’t know. I will think of something special for her,” he said.
He left the throne room and walked down to the dungeon.
“We need to have a little talk, now that we are alone,” Warwick said as he opened Serena’s cell. “You were once my queen and you may have hated me for all these years, but once, I did love you, believe that or not. So, that’s why I want you to leave this place. I don’t want to kill you,” he said looking into her eyes. I could feel the hate inside of him as he looked at Serena. I could see she did not trust him but she did as he said and left the castle. Warwick was watching her walk out of the castle gate.
“You’re not just going to let her walk away, are you my lord?” asked Rydan as he looked down at Serena.
“You should know me better than that Rydan,” Warwick said, as he looked to the sky. A loud roar filled the night sky a dragon flew over the castle. Then the dragon looked at Warwick, then down at Serena. Serena looked back at Warwick, she knew what was going to happen to her, she looked up at the dragon. The dragon took one breath in, and then its fire surrounded Serena. When the flames and smoke died down, Serena was gone there was nothing to say she was even there.
“Alissa, wake up!” I heard Talon’s voice in my head.
“Linus! I want Linus!” I screamed as I woke up.
“What is it, Alissa?” asked Talon, who was still watching over me.
“Please, I need to speak to Linus,” I said, as I looked into Talon’s eyes.
“Thorn, where is Linus? We need him,” said Talon.
“He is outside, casting some sort of spell on the cave,” said Thorn, as he got to his feet. “Don’t worry, Alissa. I will bring him to you,” Thorn added as he left us.
“I can’t breathe. My heart, it’s like it is going come out of my chest, it’s beating so fast. Talon, I need Linus,” I said looking at him.
“It’s going to be okay. Thorn will bring him to you. Try to rest Alissa,” Talon said, as he watched for them.
“Linus! Linus, it’s Alissa. Something is wrong. Come, we need your help!” Thorn cried out, as he reached him at the entrance of the cave. They ran through the cave back to where they left us.
“Alissa, what is it my girl? Tell me,” said Linus as he looked at me.
“She woke up like this,” said Talon. “I cannot get her to calm down and tell me what is the matter. What’s wrong with her, Linus?” Talon asked as he looked down at me.
Linus ran over to his bag and took out a black bottle. “Drink this, Alissa. It will help,” said Linus, as he pressed the bottle to my lips and held me in his arms. “Now tell me what’s wrong. Can you feel the tonic working?” asked Linus, looking into my eyes.
“Yes, I feel a little better now. My heartbeat feels like it has slowed down and I can breathe now, thank you Linus. But what was that you gave me?” I asked him.
“It’s just something to relax the heart. It is a tonic that has been passed down by the great sorcerers that once lived in Akizma, before Warwick killed them all,” said Linus. “Some of the tonic is herbs, but most of it is magic,” Linus added. “Now tell me Alissa, what have you seen?” he asked as he took the black bottle away from me.
“It was Serena—I mean my mother. You were right. Warwick had her killed. Somehow he has found about what happened 18 years ago. He knows that you and Thorn had helped me. She was so frightened but she would not tell him anything about me,” I said looking at Thorn then back to Linus. “Then there was a soldier, one of the men that saw us with Talon. Warwick had his guards hold him and then cut off his head in front of Serena. Then he had his Captain take her back to the dungeon,” I said. “He tricked her. He told her she could go free. He said he had once loved her and could not kill her. It was horrible. As she reached the castle gates a dragon flew over and burned her alive,” I said, looking at Talon who had tears in his eyes when I said about the other dragon. “When all of this was happening, it was like it was me looking out of Warwick’s eyes. Is this my first power you were telling me about, Linus?” I asked.
“Yes, I am so sorry for the death of your mother,” he said as he held my hands. “Alissa no one is safe in the castle now that Warwick knows you have returned to this world. Thorn, you must try and get John out of the castle without anyone seeing you,” Linus said as he got to his feet and placed his hand onto Thorn’s shoulder. “Be careful,” he added.
“I will be back soon don’t worry about me,” said Thorn as he left the cave. “John? Who’s John?” I asked, feeling better from whatever that stuff was in that bottle. It was still working its magic. “Just as Warwick has many spies, I have just one spy that works for me. John is my spy. Now no more questions, we need you to start your lessons right away. Talon you must teach her how to become one with an evil dragon and to share her pure heart and spirit with it, so that dragon can break away from Warwick once and for all. I know they want to go back to the dragons they once were,” said Linus as he looked up at Talon.
Talon just looked at Linus and bowed his head. “I will help her with the other powers, if I can, Linus,” he said as he sat next to me.
At last the days of fear are almost over for the people of this land, thought Thorn to himself as he made his way through the mountains. But part of him did not believe I had it in me to do what it takes to defeat Warwick and bring peace back to this land. No, Linus believes that Alissa can do this and I believe in him. She will bring peace back to Akizma, he thought to himself as the castle came into sight and all his thoughts turned to John and how was he going to get John out of the castle.
“Alissa you hear Talon’s thoughts where we cannot, this is part of the power you need to become part of a dragon,” said Linus. “Like your father, you could change a dragon’s spirit to make them do your bidding,” said Linus. “Warwick’s heart and spirit are cold and full of hate so when he becomes one with a dragon, that’s what he changes a dragon’s spirit into, and the dragon only answers to Warwick,” said Linus. “Alissa your heart and spirit is pure and burns just like a dragon’s. I can feel it just being next to you,” said Talon, as he sat next to me.
“Talon has told me what you need to do to use this power,” said Linus as he got to his feet. “I want you to try that power on Talon now he has closed his thoughts from you. Now do as I say. Are you ready?” asked Linus, looking from me then to Talon.
“I think so,” I said, looking at him.
“Now place your hands on to Talon’s skin, close your eyes and concentrate, clear your mind. Do all that I tell you to. Talon has told me what you need to do to use this power,” Linus said as I got to my feet. “Listen to his breathing, feel his heartbeat, feel the warmth of his skin on yours, let it consume you, let it flow through you.”
Then all of a sudden Linus’ voice faded away. I can feel everything Linus said I would feel. I can hear Talon’s heart beating against my hands. I can feel the warmth of my dragon friend’s skin all around me, I thought to myself. Then I heard a voice it was more like a whisper I could not hear it clearly what it was saying at first. Talon’s heartbeat is so loud and getting louder and stronger his breathing is getting deeper, I thought to myself again. The voice got stronger it was Talon’s voice.
“I can hear you, Talon. I can hear you!” I called out to him.
“I am here with you. Follow the sound of my voice, Alissa,” Talon said. As I did as Talon told me I felt warmer and warmer as his voice was getting louder than before.
“Alissa open your eyes and see your power at work,” said Talon loudly. As I opened my eyes slowly I was inside Talon’s body.
“I can see your heart, Talon. It’s hard to explain what I’m seeing, it’s like I really am a part of you,” I called out to him.
“You are. You are a part of my soul, Alissa,” said Talon.
“Talon, your heart is surrounded by fire. I thought you breathed fire out of your lungs?” I asked him.
“I do, but we dragons have more fire running through our bodies than blood,” Talon said.
I looked around to see that there was fire mixed in with his blood.
“Now if you concentrate, you will be able to see through my eyes and you can talk to Linus but it will be with my voice,” said Talon. “But first I need to tell you something about this power,” he said. “Alissa I know you would never try to change me, you have a pure heart and spirit. Now we are one, I can feel them both and that’s what this world needs,” said Talon in softer voice. “Your father’s heart and spirit is full of hate greed and power-hungry,” Talon added with anger in his voice. “Long ago there was a dragon who thought your father’s power of becoming part of us dragons was a great gift, and he wanted to see this power at work for himself. The dragon trusted your father. The dragon let Warwick’s spirit inside of him like I have let your spirit inside of me,” said Talon his voice full of anger once again. “Only once Warwick’s spirit was inside the dragon, he did not see the evilness in Warwick until it was too late. Warwick touched the dragon’s heart and as he did, the heart of the dragon went cold and turned black, as black and cold as Warwick’s heart and spirit is,” said Talon. “Warwick’s evilness spread through the dragon’s body and the spirit of the dragon now is full of hate. But that was not the only dragon he did this to,” Talon added his voice was now full of sadness. “Even now I can feel your heart breaking at what I have told you, Alissa. I can see and feel how much you want to help this land and all who live in it,” said Talon. “Now I need you to concentrate, Alissa, and the next thing you will see will be Linus, but through my eyes,” said Talon.
Then, just as Talon said, I saw Linus stood by Talon’s side.
“Linus, I have done it. I’m inside,” I said as I looked down at him but with Talon’s voice.
“You have done well, Alissa. If you take to your other powers like you have this one, I can see great things for this land,” said Linus, looking out of the cave. “Peace will return to Akizma,” he added looking back at Talon.
“Talon, how do I go back to my own body?” I asked.
“Just look at your body, imagine you are looking at Linus through your own eyes again,” said Talon. “You need to concentrate,” said Talon. “Pull away from me with your mind and then you will be back in your body again,” he added.
So, I did everything that Talon told me to do and he was right. I was once again back in my body.
“Linus, we can’t wait. I’ve seen what Warwick has done to my mother and heard what he has done to the dragon’s and what he has done to this land. You might call him my father but I have no feelings for that monster,” I said, looking at him, then to Talon. “Please, I want to stop him you need to tell me about my other powers. Please, Linus?” I asked him. “This needs to stop,” I added.
“Alissa come to me. You need to rest look at yourself you can’t stop shaking,” said Linus, as he put his arm around me. “You can’t push your powers so hard, you will burn out. You are only just finding out how to use them. Look the sun is setting. You really need to rest,” he added in a soft voice.
“So, I am here forever now. It feels so strange seeing the sunset and not leaving this place,” I said as I watched the sunset over Akizma.
“I know how much you miss your mother and father and I know they miss you just as much but they knew this is your home. They know you will bring peace to this land Alissa. Now please Alissa, sleep we will talk about your other powers tomorrow. We need you strong,” said Linus.
“Can you tell me something about my powers as I go to sleep? The more I know about them the easier it will be to learn how to use them too,” I asked Linus, as I lay down next to the fire.
“As you wish, I will do as you ask but close your eyes and I will keep talking until you fall asleep,” said Linus with a smile on his lips.
Thorn had got out of the mountains and was on his way back to the forest where we were almost was captured by Warwick’s men. But first he had to go across the open land that was in front of him. In the distance, there was smoke covering the skyline. Seeing the smoke, Thorn headed toward it to see what had happened. Warwick’s men are attacking more of his people. I can’t just look the other way. God I pray there are some survivors. Warwick has his army Alissa will need an army too, for what lies ahead, Thorn thought to himself as he headed toward the smoke. As he got closer the night sky was burning red above a small village. The screams of the villagers filled the night sky. Warwick’s men and a dragon were setting fire to their homes and rode their horses through the village killing the people who there trying to run to safety. Thorn hid behind some rocks. There are too many, he thought to himself, as he watched on helplessly. One by one Warwick’s men lined the last of the villagers up, with one of Warwick’s men stood in front of them, with the blood of their friends dripping from his sword. The man with the blood-covered sword looked at the terrified villagers with their blood running down their faces then looked to his men. Then he raised his hand his men drew their swords took one step forwards and ran their swords through the villagers’ chests then they pulled their swords out slowly. Thorn just watched as the villagers’ bodies fell to the ground. Warwick’s men got back on to their horses and rode away from the burning village. The dragon flew around the village once more and let out one last fireball. Then it let a loud roar fill the sky and followed Warwick’s men away from the village. There has to be someone alive down there, Thorn thought to himself as he watched the men and dragon go out of sight.
“Hello, is there anyone here!” Thorn called out as he walked through the burning village. “Please, I won’t hurt you. I’m here to help you,” he said in a soft and concerned voice. Please let someone be alive, Thorn thought to himself as he walked past body after body burning house after burning house. Just then he heard a voice. “Help, help me!” it called. It was coming from a little house, the roof had caved in. Thorn ran over to the house and stepped through the burning doorway. “Help please, help me!” a voice called out from up the stairs.
“Hold on! I’m coming!” said Thorn as he went up the stairs, with the house still on fire all around him. In one of the rooms was a young man pinned down by some of the caved in roof. “Get me out of here please,” cried the man.
“Don’t move. I’ll get this off you,” said Thorn as he pulled some of the rubble off of him.
“So, what’s your name?” asked Thorn.
“Doyle, my name is Doyle. I have to find my master this was his farm,” the young farmhand said, as Thorn pulled him out from the rest of the rubble.
“Did anyone survive other than me?” he asked as he got to his feet.
“I don’t know. As I looked around what is left of this village, I had almost given up hope that anyone was alive. Then I heard you call out,” said Thorn, as he helped Doyle out of the house. “Come, you know this village better than me, let’s see if we can find anyone who might be trapped like you were,” Thorn added, as they looked at the burning village.
“So, Doyle what happened here? Why did Warwick’s men do this?” asked Thorn as they searched through the houses.
“Warwick’s men came for what we thought was money but when the village leader went to give them what money we could get together, the men’s leader, a man called Rydan, knocked the money bag out of his hands and kicked him to the ground,” said Doyle. “Rydan stood over our village leader,” he said. "He knew that we had all heard the story of the child with the same mark as our king. ‘It is said that one day she will come and bring an end to these days of our great king,’ Rydan yelled at us, as we watched on. ‘Well, it seems that child has come to save you all and that someone is hiding her so let this be a little warning for you to give to her. If any of you survives give her a message from the king. He says to go back where you came from, forget what you might have seen here because there is nothing you can do to stop me. This world is mine and every living thing in it is mine, to do as I please with them. If you stay, well I want to say you will regret it but you will not live to regret anything. I’m sure your new friends have told you what I am capable of. That’s the message word for word,’ said Rydan.
‘Now I really do think this girl should heed her father’s words, don’t you?’ said Rydan as he laughed and looked at his men. Then he drew his sword and the rest of the men started their attack on our homes, setting fire to them with people still inside of them," said Doyle. “I heard the people screaming and I can still see my friends faces full of fear as the village was burning around them and I heard a dragon’s roar fill the sky but I was too scared to look up into the sky to see it. My master pulled me away,” said Doyle with tears in his eyes.
“Look, the child that Warwick’s told you of is Warwick’s daughter and she is here and it terrifies him to know that she’s going to end his days of suffering, torture and his power-hungry ways,” said Thorn. “Believe me just like Warwick, I know his dark days are coming to an end,” Thorn added holding out his hand to him.
“I believe you,” said Doyle. “Come, we need to find some more people for the fight that’s ahead of us,” added Doyle, as he looked at what once was his village. As they looked through the rubble they were starting to lose hope of finding anyone alive, as all they could see was dead villagers on the ground. But then out of nowhere they heard two more voices call out from some rubble.
“Mama, Papa! Where are you? Help!” a little voice called out.
“It’s going to be okay, Max. Mama and Papa will find us,” a voice said. Thorn and Doyle pulled the rubble out of their way under the rubble were children.
“Zoe! Max! Thank god!” Doyle called out to them. “You’re alright,” said Doyle. The children flew into Doyle’s arms. “It’s okay. Where are your mama and papa?” asked Doyle as he ran his hand through their blood stained blond hair.
“They were in the house,” Zoe said, as she looked at Doyle then back to her brother. “They were screaming at us to run away from here,” Zoe added as she tried to look at her house but Doyle held her tighter in his arms. As he looked at their home, which was still burning, part of the house had caved in on itself.
“It’s okay. You are going to be okay,” said Doyle as he rocked Zoe and Max in his arms. “Zoe, I want you to take your little brother over to my new friend. His name is Thorn. I’m going to look for more of our people,” said Doyle looking into Zoe eyes.
“No, I want to stay with you,” she cried as she held on to him.
“Zoe, you and Max need your wounds treated and we can’t stay here for long. Warwick’s men could come back now. Please do as I say,” said Doyle as he held her by the shoulders and made her look into his eyes. Zoe looked over at Thorn who was bringing water up from the village well. She took Max by the hand and went over to Thorn. Thorn tore some cloth from his clothes and soaked it in the water and tended to the children’s wounds as Doyle went back into their house to see if their parents were alive somewhere. As he looked around the house still burning in places he saw two pairs of feet under some rubble he found Zoe and Max’s parents. He could see that they were holding each other in their arms, as he lifted the rubble off of them.
“Stay here with your brother, Zoe. I need to talk to Doyle,” said Thorn as he looked toward their home.
“Doyle this is no place for the children,” said Thorn. “I have to go to Warwick’s castle let me take Zoe and Max with me. Don’t worry, before we get there I will hide them out of the way and you can do what needs to be done here,” Thorn added. “We can meet you back here,” said Thorn.
“You are right this is no place for them now,” Doyle said as he looked at their parents. “Don’t tell Zoe and Max. I want to tell them myself,” Doyle said as he placed a blanket over the bodies.
“What are their names?” asked Thorn.
“Henry and Jane,” said Doyle as Thorn knelt down beside them.
“I am so sorry this happened to you. We will avenge you and know we will look after your children. I swear to you,” said Thorn as he looked at the blanket and got back to his feet.
“Zoe, Max, I want you to go with Thorn to get his friend out of the castle. I will stay here to look after our people,” said Doyle as he hugged them both.
“Do as Thorn tells you. I will see you soon when you come back for me. When you come back we will need to talk about your mama and papa but not now. Just go with Thorn,” Doyle said. “Now go,” he said again, as he turned away from them and looked at their burning home. Zoe took Max by the hand and walked away with Thorn.
“Zoe when we get closer to the castle, I will need you to hide with your brother until I come for you. It won’t take long to find my friend,” said Thorn. “So just stay hidden. You can do that for me, can’t you?” asked Thorn.
“Yes,” said Zoe. Still crying, she took one last look at her burning village, as they headed toward the forest.
Back at the cave, Linus was still trying to get me to rest, but my mind was still full of the images of what Warwick had done to my mother and to the people of this land. “Linus tell me more about my powers,” I asked looking into the fire.
“One of Warwick’s powers is he can turn the rocks around him into living creatures,” said Linus, as he looked at me then over to some rocks that lay at the entrance of the cave.
“If he knows how to do that, then I want to learn that too,” I said still looking into the fire.
“As you wish, Alissa,” said Linus. “Do as I say,” he added. “Alissa, look at the rocks at the entrance of the cave. You need to look at them as hard as you can. See them form the shape of any creature you want them to be,” said Linus.
As I looked at the largest rock, it started to move. It stood up tall, then as I kept looking at it, it started to look like a gargoyle. The sort that you would see on old buildings and churches. Its eyes started to blink. I thought it was just in my head. But then with everything that was happening to me I couldn’t just dismiss what I am seeing, I thought to myself, as I looked at Linus and Talon who just smiled back at me.
“Alissa, you are doing it on your first try, but you need to concentrate harder. Bring the rest of it to life,” said Linus, as he looked at the gargoyle. So, I turned back to the gargoyle and really concentrated on it. Then it happened. Its arms, legs and its wings all started to move.
“Keep going,” said Linus, as he looked on. As I kept my eyes fixed on the gargoyle he got up off the other rocks that he was sat on. He looked at me and shook his body and stretched out his wing. As he did, the rocks fell away from his body. He started to walk over to us. The gargoyle got closer to me the ground shook with every step it took. I felt happy with myself, the fact I could use this power on the first try. I looked up at this creature and placed my hand on to the gargoyle. He did not feel or look like rock any more. He has hard flesh and long black hair, I thought to myself. But as I looked at it I felt the worst pain in my head. I held my head in my hands as I looked away. I saw the gargoyle fall apart in front of me and hit the ground at my feet. I closed my eyes from the pain in my head.
When I opened my eyes again, the pain was gone but I was no longer sat in the cave with Linus and Talon. I was sat on a horse. I looked down I saw I was wearing armour. This has to be a vision, I thought to myself. “Attack!” I heard Warwick yell out loud. I could see his men burning a small village I could hear the screams of the women and children I wanted to look away but I couldn’t. It was Warwick watching so I had to too.
“You have you found the sorcerer of this village?” Warwick yelled at one of his men.
“Yes sir, we found him trying to hide in the stables just outside of the village,” the soldier said, covered in blood.
“Bring him to me,” Warwick yelled as he looked to the stables. Three of Warwick’s men dragged an old man with black hair with grey strands running through it out of the stables. They threw him to the ground in front of Warwick’s horse.
“So old man, tell me what is your power?” asked Warwick, but again it still felt like me that was asking him.
“Why should I tell you?” said the old man. “You are going to kill me and take my power,” the old man added, as he looked up at Warwick with blood running down into his eyes.
“Yes, but I like to know what power I am about to gain,” Warwick said, as he leaned down to look into the old man’s eyes and laughed at him.
“Go to hell!” the old man yelled and grabbed his walking stick from one of Warwick’s men to help him to his feet. He looked into Warwick’s eyes and spat blood at his face and what felt like mine too. Warwick took one last look at the old man’s face. As he looked at him I saw he had a long scar along his forehead. Warwick got down from his horse drew his sword and raised it above the old man. Then Warwick swung the sword down toward the sorcerer but as he did that, I opened my eyes and I was back in the cave with Linus and Talon looking down at me. Again, the cold sweat was running down my face.
“Alissa, what happened?” asked Linus. “I know this power takes a lot out of you and for the first time using this power you did better than I thought you would have done. I am so proud of you,” said Linus. He put some wood on the fire and then sat next to me and held my hand. “Alissa, I need you to tell me what have you just seen,” said Linus. He knew I had a vision somehow.
“It was like I was inside Warwick again. He was destroying a village hurting and killing people,” I said as I looked from the fire to Linus. “The village was burning all around me. He ordered his men to bring the sorcerer of the village to him. The men brought this old man to him—to me. He just looked like an old man but he was a sorcerer. Warwick demanded him to tell him what power he had but the old man would not. The old man told Warwick that he knew that he was going to kill him and take his power. He told him to go to hell and spat blood into Warwick’s face. Then I saw Warwick’s sword coming down toward the old man. Then I opened my eyes and I’m here with you both by my side,” I said looking at Linus and Talon. “Linus, I can still see the fear in the villagers faces as Warwick ordered his men to kill all of them,” I said as I looked back in to the fire with tears in my eyes.
“Linus, it feels like I did it all, like I told them to kill all the villagers. I can’t bear it Linus, Talon, I just can’t,” I said looking at them both with tears running down my face. “This hurts so bad, help me please,” I said as Linus wrapped his arms around me.
“Alissa it was not you. This is all your father’s doing. I’m just so sorry you have to go through this. See what you are seeing,” said Talon as he lay down beside me with his face resting against my side and looking at Linus.
“I know this is hard for you but I need you to tell me if what you saw felt like it happened now or in the past or what he will do,” asked Linus.
“I don’t know,” I said as he looked into my eyes.
“Maybe I can help you. Tell me, what did this sorcerer look like?” asked Linus.
“He had black hair with grey strands running through it and he had a long scar that ran across his forehead. He had a walking stick with a bird’s head carved on the top of it.”
Linus looked at Talon, “That was Raven he was my old friend. He disappeared 7 years ago no one knew what happened to him, until now. His death will be avenged,” said Linus, a mix of sadness and anger in his voice as he looked away from Talon.
“I’m sorry Linus,” I said as I held his hand in mine.
“It’s okay Alissa, now we know for sure that all your powers are coming into you. Every time your father kills a sorcerer you will gain the same power that the sorcerer had,” said Linus.
“Linus you said these visions are what Warwick has done, what he is doing and what he is yet to do, but all my visions happen when I am sleeping. Will it always be like this?” I asked him.
“No, when your powers get stronger you will be able to tap into your visions whenever you want, asleep or not,” he said. “Now you really do need to rest. Here, drink this it will help with the pain in your head,” Linus added as he handed me a bottle with some green looking liquid in it.
“Zoe, Max, I need you to hide here stay in this part of the forest. I will come back for you with my friend soon,” said Thorn as they all looked at the castle. “I will be back soon,” Thorn added as he turned away from them and walked toward the castle. As he reached the castle he ran his hand along the wall. He knew there was a secret way into the castle he just could not see it from the darkness of the night. There was no moonlight to show him the way in. Only he Linus and John knew about this way in to the castle. They knew that one day there would be a need to get out of the castle or sneak back into the castle without Warwick knowing of it. As his hand went across the wall, part of it opened. He had found the door. At last, he thought to himself as he looked down the tunnel. John must be somewhere in these tunnels, he thought to himself as he looked at the flame from the torches that were mounted the wall of the long dark tunnel. The tunnels run throughout the castle this is how John hears all of Warwick’s plans, Thorn thought to himself again. “John, where are you?” whispered Thorn, as he took one of the torches from the wall and walked around the corner. It felt like he had been walking around for ages. But then out of the darkness he heard footsteps. He looked around the corner. He couldn’t stop shaking as he looked at the flames of his torch, they were shaking just as much as he was.
“Thorn, is that you?” a voice whispered out of the darkness. Thorn looked around the corner, “Thank goodness John, it’s you,” said Thorn, as he looked at John who stood in front of him. “John, we need to get out of here. She is here Warwick’s daughter is here. Follow me, we don’t have time to talk here,” Thorn said, as he led the way out of the castle. “Linus sent me to get you, he wants you with us now. It’s not safe here for you anymore,” Thorn added.
“Linus wants me, that’s all you needed to say. Let’s get out of here,” said John as he followed Thorn.
“I have to get my little friends. I hid them in the forest,” said Thorn as he looked to the forest as they walked out in to the cold night air.
“So, who are these little friends?” asked John.
“You will see soon,” said Thorn as they reached the edge of the forest. “Zoe, Max, come out. This is John. He is a friend you are safe,” said Thorn looking to where he had left them. Zoe and Max stepped out from behind a tree they were hiding behind.
“Like Thorn said, I am a friend. Don’t be frightened of me,” said John looking at Zoe and Max. All they could see was a little man stood next to Thorn he was wearing a hooded cloak he was holding a small sword in his hand. John knelt down to them and took down his hood to show them his face to show them he was no one to be frightened of.
“You’re a… a… dwarf,” said Max. “Papa told us your people were all dead.”
“Max, stop it,” said Zoe and held him close to her side and looked at John.
“No Zoe, it’s okay, my people are not all dead much to the disappointment of our king,” said John as he looked at Thorn. “But we can talk more about that later we have to get going it’s not safe here so close to the castle.”
“We need to find Doyle and get to the mountains. We will be safe there,” said Thorn. As they reached Zoe and Max’s village Doyle was waiting for them. Thorn looked around and saw he was standing next to two graves. He knew that they were the graves of the children’s mother and father.
“Doyle…. Mama, Papa, they are dead,” said Zoe with tears falling down her face.
“Zoe, Max, come here,” said Doyle with his arms outstretched out to them. Zoe and Max ran straight into his arms. “Listen to me your mama and papa were so brave and they need you to be just as brave as they were said Doyle, holding them tightly in his arms. Don’t think that just because they have gone to a better place that they are not watching over the both of you. They will always be with you in your hearts and in your dreams,” Doyle added as they looked at the graves. “Zoe, you might only be 10 but that makes you oldest of your family now you need to be the strong for Max but you both have me to look after you now,” said Doyle.
“Zoe, Max you don’t just have Doyle, you have John and me to keep you safe too,” said Thorn as he and John knelt down beside them.
“I’m sorry but we need to go now,” said John. Doyle picked Max up and took Zoe’s hand and walked away with Max still crying and still with his eyes fixed on the graves. Thorn and John looked around and they saw the village still burning around them, they both knew that the only survivors were Zoe Max and Doyle.
“So much death on the orders of one man, it makes me sick,” said Thorn as he looked away from the burning village to John.
“Yes, but now that Warwick’s daughter has come home back to this world this burning village may be the last,” said John, as he as he looked up at him.
“Doyle, John is—or should I say was—a spy in the castle. He is working for my master and friend Linus,” said Thorn as they walked beside him. “John knows Warwick’s plans. We need to get back to Linus as soon as possible,” said Thorn.
“We all need to be brave for the role each of us has to play in Warwick’s downfall,” said John. “As Doyle said, your parents are always beside you, they will give you the strength you need to go on,” he added as he looked at Zoe and took her other hand in his, then looked to the mountains.
“Wait!” Zoe cried out and ran back to the graves, Max followed. Zoe took off a bracelet that her mother had made her from the vines of a tree they used to sit under. She placed it on to their mama’s grave. Then Max placed his little wooden horse his papa made him on to their papa’s grave. “We love you, Mama, Papa,” they both said as their tears fell to the ground. Doyle knelt down between them and held them close to him
“I promise I will look after them and protect them with my life. I make this promise with my blood,” said Doyle. He pulled out his dagger and ran the blade across his hand.
“Doyle we need to go. Linus is waiting for us,” said Thorn as he looked at Doyle’s blood dripping down on to the graves. “Here take this for your hand,” Thorn said, as he handed him a piece of cloth that he had ripped from his shirt. The new friends left the burning village behind them and headed toward the mountains with sorrow in their hearts.