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ok so this is my story warrior. it is far from finished but I just want to hear some of your opinions. ok so onto the story...

Warrior
Prologue
Nakita looked to both her sides in despair. There were only six of them now, the greatest and the last, the end of their kind. Her purpose was now a lost cause, her friends and family had been murdered, and her home lay in ruins. She reached for the wolf pendant that had been on her neck as she had so many times in her past, but it was gone now. All of them were weak without the extra boost of energy they had become so accustomed to and could no longer reach within themselves to utilize the magic that had aided them so many times in the past. Wise as Nakita was she knew that the end was near. They were to be used for betrayal and then sentenced to spend the rest of there eternal lives doing there enemies bidding. The value of their actions seemed to be constantly challenged for she knew their leader, one of the six, was in immense pain somewhere in the castle, being tortured into submission. Nakita knew the king’s actions would be in vain for Tel would live up to his namesake: Ruler of the people. Tel would be free even when in shackles, he would never abide by another’s rule. Nakita reached out and touched Tel’s consciousness only to be met with powerful mental blows.
"It is I, Untamed and Uncontrolled!" Nakita screamed mentally in the ancient, long forgotten, tongue, and the pain subsided. A lie could not be spoken in the ancient language and so people were not called by their mortal names but by their namesakes, who they really were. "Are you well," Nakita continued softly.
"I am well enough," Tel thought, switching back to his native tongue as to conceal his lie. Nakita did not object and too returned to the more familiar language. She sensed minor amounts of Tel’s pain as he struggled to conceal his emotions. "What shall we do," Nakita sighed.
"We shall destroy ourselves; it is the only way to save those under Carell’s rule."
"You know as well as I we could not achieve this, we can only die by the blade of an enemy. We could not rid of each other if we wanted to, and the king will never destroy something so valuable."
"We may not be able to destroy our souls, but we can destroy our bodies."
"And be doomed to roam the void forever? I think we would all rather suffer our current fate."
"You speak with a naïve tongue Nakita, for even you know that if we live our present lives thousands of others shall be lost."
"Yes, this is true, but must we doom ourselves so another may find sanction."
"There is an ancient magic that I know of which may resurrect your souls over time but it is so powerful, and I so weak, that I doubt I will live if I attempt it… only you and the other four shall be reborn."
"We would never doom the soul of our leader." Nakita thought allowing sorrow to pulse through there mental link. They had been friends for many years and even more at one point, she could not comprehend a future without him.
"I am only your leader by mortal stature… I am your equal by all other accounts, and so I give up my freedom so you may be reborn." Tel thought. His mental barrier quivered releasing waves of his feelings through there link exposing fright and worry but most of all determination to Nakita, it alarmed her. The connection between them was suddenly severed and a blinding, impossibly bright light was the last Nakita ever knew.


Chapter 1
The Beginning

“Get up! Get up you dumb girl!” I awoke, blinded by the light of Hanson’s lantern. “You fool, don’t just stand there, you know what time it is? Six. Six! You slept in a whole hour. Now you’re behind on your chores.” His rough, powerful hand slapped me across my face and I fell to the ground as the pain reached its maximum, seeping into my consciousness. He grunted and left the sleeping area. I got up and came to my senses. It was warm yet still dark and the sounds of the forest were almost overwhelming. I looked to either side of me, the others were already up and working, scampering about, constantly looking over there shoulders like hunted rabbits. Hanson, by his prospective, was our savior. For he found us, the lost, abandoned, and runaway, children of Rebell. Hanson’s story has been told many times throughout the secluded land, but the details of his accounts have often been obscured. It was not frequent that it be our choice to abide here. He had tracked many of us for days, or happened to come across us by chance as we lived peaceful existences in the Rebell Mountains. For most, the question was not if he would capture you, but when? He was a master at disseat and trickery and his bronze was not easily outwitted. One you were captured there was no easy way out. He would bring you to his overpopulated, heavily guarded camp where he keeps about thirty or forty of us there at a time. He works us relentlessly, and has us do his bidding, but usually not for long. He brings those of us he can recapture to the towns below the Rebell every few months, where he sells us as slaves to foreign empires.
I started to head toward the forest to get some water when a small, preoccupied girl, ran into me at a quick pace. The girl fell back as I stood unfazed.
“Sorry, so sorry, I didn’t mean to really, don’t hurt me, please.” The girl whimpered as she got to her feet. I took pity on her and reached out to help her up.
“Mika, be calm, it’s me, Aleaha.” I said reassuringly.
Mika looked up at my face in shock and embarrassment “Aleaha? I thought you were one of the slavers.” I stifled a laugh, “Do I look like one of Hanson’s overseers to you?”
“No, but you’re like a wall, no give.” I rolled my eyes at this.
“Mika, I’m going down to the river to collect some water, would you like to join me, or would you prefer to wait around and really run into one of the slavers?” Mika did not find my rather ironic comment very funny, it was no laughing matter having an encounter with one of the cruel men. She answered me harshly. “Fine, I need to collect some more twigs for the fire anyhow.”
I waved my hand in the direction I was heading and Mika followed after me. We started to walk through the thick brush making sure we did not step on any of the poisonous inhabitance of the forest. The foliage around the river was so thick you could hardly see two feet ahead of you. Once we got there we collected our things, and started to head back. All of a sudden a strange feeling came over me.
“Mika, I think someone’s following us.” Mika turned to face me “What?”
“I think someone’s following us.”
“Don’t be paranoid, no one could have followed us if they wanted to, this forest is so thick.”
“I guess your right.” I said and we continued walking. As time went on the feeling got so strong the hairs on my neck stood on end. That was it, I raised my leg and twirled around kicking the stalker, who was caught off guard, as hard as I could.
“Aah! My nose, I think you broke it.” I turned to look at the stalker, there on the ground lay Leo, Mika’s older brother, who was about the same age as me, squirming on the ground, looking dismal and pathetic. I reached out to help Leo up but he pulled away.
“Don’t touch me!” he yelled and rolled onto his side. Leo was a headstrong boy and never could admit to needing help, it was not in his nature. Mika tilted her head back toward the direction of the camp and took a step forward, I followed and we started to walk off. The idea of Leo stalking us so stealthily was not surprising. Before he and his sister were captured, they were the apprentices of a notorious thief. Mika and Leo still held hopes that he would rescue them one day, although I knew it was unlikely, I dared not discourage them.
“Wait, your not just gonna leave me here are you!” Leo suddenly screamed after us realizing that we were leaving his presence.
“We had considered the idea.” Mika said as she moved back toward him.
“I shouldn’t have come out here, something is going eats me.” he said in a quiet, trembling voice as he attempted to stand. Mika moved forward and poked him on the arm causing him to wobble.
“Nothing is going to eat you, you’re too soft, you were just successfully attacked by a girl.” Mika said in a taunting manor.
“By Aleaha, there is a difference.” Leo said in defense. He leaned against a tree holding his nose in pain, when he looked up a noticeable frown had been placed upon his lips.
“Hanson.” he said in a low whisper.
“What?” I said, now standing behind Mika.
“Hanson! He sent me out here. If you go back without me he’ll eventually figure out what happened, and will flog you both!” Leo screamed even though we were not far apart. Mika suddenly showed barely discernible signs of fear. Hanson beating his workers was rare but not unheard of. The more bruises his valuable property had the less they sold for. Suddenly realization hit me.
“Wait, Hanson sent you, for what?” I said accusingly.
“I don’t know, he just said to go get my sister and Aleaha, I don’t question him.” Leo said now standing. He was circling me from a safe distance, blood running down his hand that was clamped on his nose.
“Fine, come along, just don’t tell Hanson anything. If he asks, say you tripped on a log or something.” I said now in a panic of realization.


Chapter 2
Caught
We quickly bolted between the trees, almost colliding with them in our haste. The prickly bushes brushed against my face, scratching it as we ran. Blood started to flow from my surface wounds in long red streaks, streaming between and into my eyes, blurring my vision. Just as we started to reach the clearing I heard it, the screaming of the others, the rattle of chains, and the cruel laughter of the slavers. I turned to tell Mika and Leo to run, but when I spun around two of Hanson’s men already had them clamped in their soiled hands. I started to scamper towards the woods but shortly after, I was confronted by three men who came racing towards me. I stopped short, turned and kicked one of the slavers in the chest and he fell to the ground, clenching his heart as if I had stabbed him. The second man stopped, unsure of what to do after seeing his comrade fall. I could have run at that moment, but my pride held me back. Running away from my enemies made me feel week. The unsure slaver made up his mind and ran forward, his intention to grab me. I had done this enough, to test me was fatal. I grabbed the man’s outstretched arm, twisted it back, and slammed him into a nearby tree. The crunch of his skull made me flinch, but I had no time for remorse. When I turned to look for the third man his clenched fist was already racing towards my face. Quickly, I grabbed it and swung my own fist back at his jaw. The man looked stunned for a moment as if frozen in time. His hand rose to grab his jaw as he hastily retreated into the shadows of the forest. I started to dash through the thick undergrowth; I knew if I made it past the river I would be safe. I was breaking through the bush at the edge of a clearing when a sharp pain streaked down my back knocking me onto the soft forest floor. The unexpected pain had stunned me. I hesitantly turned to look at what had caused my pain when I saw Hanson himself. He looked livid. He had a large horse whip in his hands and was standing a few feet away from me. I slowly raised my hand to shield my face when the whip lashed out and wrapped in a coil around my wrist. With a single jerk, it constricted my wrist and pulled me toward him. I was in utter shock as he grabbed a fistful of the thin material that clothed my body and held me inches from his face. Between the pain of my back and my right wrist, I was unable to defend myself. An evil smirk crossed his lips as he watched me wince in pain.
“Oh Aleaha, how long have I waited for this moment, you have been here far too long.” I cringed as he threw me back onto the floor, his large whip still in hand. My head was throbbing and it took all the will power in my body to remain conscious. I herd the ominous rattle of chains as he unattached them from his belt, I felt the cold metal as he clasped my wrists, and that was all I knew before I passed into the void of unconsciousness.

Chapter 3
Fate
Fate, I thought as I slowly regained consciousness. It is inevitable and yet always surprising. Both my hands and legs were bound as I felt myself rock back and forth in the rear of a cart. My vision was still blurry and all I knew was that my body was in tremendous pain. I felt like I was going to puke, and I almost wished I would pass out again so I would not have to be witness to my pathetic state. Hours seemed to pass before my vision cleared enough so that I could see the rest of the group, walking in line behind the cart I was bound in. They seemed tragic, there hands were tied and there eyes seemed to be glazed over in thought, gazing somewhere off into the distance, looking but not truly seeing. From the day I arrived at Hanson’s camp I knew that this was my inevitable fate, but how come I could not accept it. Although I have not had a moment where I was not confined or watched in the two years since I arrived, I have never felt truly owned by anyone.
Even now I was not sure I had accepted slavery fully or if I was still in denial. I had been captured when I was thirteen, and as far as I was concerned I had never had parents nor had ever had the need for them, I had lived alone in the Rebell as long I could remember. I was young and naive when Hanson first captured me, now that I was fifteen I could confidently say I knew more about the hardships of life than most people do in their entire lifetime. Human nature however, was something that puzzled me. Living alone without human contact for most of my life did not help this either. I found it cruel and amazing that man could perfect the art of lying in such a way that he could look into ones eyes and commit a mortal sin and never have a second thought on the matter. When I was thirteen, how long ago that seemed, I had never seen another man except the occasional hunter that wandered through my remote corner of the Rebell. When Hanson showed himself to me long ago, I was interested by his presence. He spun fantastic tails of a land near by that was plentiful with fruit and game, and could sustain a thousand men. I was all too eager to accept this as truth and to leave with him, having never heard man speak falsely. I have never again fallen pray to false assumptions, in fact I have in no way fully trusted anyone ever again. I have never known anyone long enough to trust, after all, considering every person I have ever met has left me within a few months. Thinking upon this I found foolish. I have never needed anyone, I thought. I have taken care of myself have I not? I have lived the past two years within Hanson’s grasp and have survived. But I knew this no longer mattered, I had slipped up once and now my fate was sealed.

Chapter 4
A New World
As time inched by the only things that appeared to be changing were the increasing dryness of my mouth and pain in the pit of my stomach that longed for food and drink. As I looked out at the wilting appearances of my comrades, I could tell that they were equally exhausted and possibly more so, having to walk the distance. I however had the “privilege” of being tied in a cart during our journey. Suddenly something changed, some of the drooping figures looked up. To my distain I was facing the wrong direction, and could not perceive what was occurring. I turned my head and strained my neck in order to see, but to no avail. Suddenly a new voice came into play.
“Halt, what is your business hear?” An unfamiliar man’s voice said.
The rusty, booming, voice of Hanson announced “We are here for trade.”
“And the form of trade?” the man asked accusingly. I assumed he was looking at the line of chained figures before him.
“I believe I will keep that information to myself.” Hanson said. There was a pause and the sound of flicked metal before the man responded. “I believe that is all.” Then there was a loud creek and we began to move forward once more. As we moved onward I could then see a guard who was admiring a silver coin.
Unexpectedly, a large wooden arch loomed over me, then passed. I could hear many voices now, in fact, it was probably the largest number of voices I had ever heard at one time. It made my head hurt. I could also see many large boxlike figures. They were similar to the cabin Hanson slept in, but bigger. I could see on the faces of the others that they were in equal awe in the strange surroundings. Hanson led us through a large isle of the boxes. The streets were filled to there maximum with people in strange clothing who continuously looked at us with disgust. I felt singled out like a toad among brilliant poisonous frogs that wished to devour me. After what felt like a century of being lead and gawked at, we stopped. There were more words transpired between a man and Hanson, but I could not here them clearly over all the noise. We lurched forward once more, there was another arch, and to my pleasure, after we moved forward a short wile longer I could perceive forest.

Chapter 5
Collin
After a while Hanson led us off the trail into a clearing where we stopped. The clearing was large, yet unnoticeable from the path and appeared to have been used in the past.
“We stop here for the night and get rid of our load tomorrow.” Hanson said to the slaver that accompanied him.
“Should I untie the slaves sir?” the Slaver asked
“Fine, and feed them to, they look sickly. If I plan on getting a good price for them they must at least look reasonable.” Hanson’s voice boomed over the silence of the forest. This all felt so strange and unfamiliar, I had never left the Rebell in my life. It had been my only home, but what was left for me in such a place anyhow. When someone walked into my view I was surprised to see that the slaver was a boy, no more that two years older than I. I watched as the boy took his knife and cut loose the others. They looked bewildered, unsure of what to do with there newly found freedom. After he released the group he walked up to me and looked at my shackles. I could see the sympathy on his face as he looked at the numerous gruesome gashes that contorted my body. My right hand had swelled greatly and stung like fire to the touch. The boy looked up towards where Hanson was taking off his boots and spoke. “Sir, can you toss me the keys for this one.” Hanson flicked off the last boot, stood, and walked towards the cart I lay in, his uncongenial smile spreading rapidly, threatening to devour the rest of his features.
“No, I fear this one might escape us.” Hanson said when he came into earshot.
“In such a state sir?” The boy asked with a look of surprise and confusion. Hanson pulled on my shackles as the boy retaliated. I saw him flinch as Hanson did this. A blaze of excruciating pain shot up my arm and a howl of agony became lodged in my throat. I refused to release it, I would not allow Hanson to enjoy my misery more than he already was.
“Although your reasoning may be correct Collin, never underestimate Aleaha.” Collin looked down at me, his brilliant green eyes filled with wonder.
Parched, I watched as the sun slowly began to set. Both Leo, and Mika, tried to approach me only to be barked at by Hanson. After Hanson retired for the night, Collin came out of his tent to oversee us. He brought out a bucket of water and some loaves of bread for the others to share before approaching me. In his hands he held a pail of water, bread, and a set of keys. He set down the food and water and placed the key into the lock on the shackles. As the clasps came undone, my wounds that had begun to heal against the metal, reopened, causing incredible pain as blood ran down my body. I gritted my teeth so hard I feared they might break. Collin noticed my obvious pain and looked around franticly for something to stop the bleeding. I heard a loud rip as he tore off part of his shirt and placed it against the wounds. The blood and pain started to subside almost instantaneously.
“I cannot imagine what you did to deserve this.” Collin said sympathetically. I smiled at this. No creature deserves what I have gone through, I thought. Collin looked at me as if he expected a response, but I did not reply. He then picked up the bucket of water and handed me the ladle. I tossed it aside and drank heavily from the bucket. When I placed it down Collins eyes were large with amazement.
“Did Hanson do this to you because you drank the river dry?” I cleared my throat and realized it was now moist enough that I could speak. “Compared to what I have done in the past, that doesn’t sound so horrible.” I said weakly.
“Ah, so you do speak. I was beginning to wonder if you were mute. If so, we were about to get into a very interesting, one sided conversation.” This made me smile despite the pain.
“How old are you, you look to young to be a slaver and you seem to… to compassionate, for the job.” Collin frowned and I felt badly after he had just made me smile.
“And that is the agony of it all, I am not a slaver. My father is, I just came to visit. Hanson is taking me down to Parell, my mother lives there.” I had never heard of Parell but it was still nice to meet someone who was neither the hunter nor the hunted. Collin gave me the bread and I clumsily ate with my left hand. The moon was now high in the sky and there was a rustling coming from Hanson’s tent where he was preparing for his overseeing shift. Collin picked up the shackles once more. “I know it is cruel but I fear if Hanson sees you without chains he will flog us both.” Collin needn’t say more, I stuck out my arms with my wrists together and waited for the metal to close on them. Just as Collin finished rebinding my hands and legs Hanson came stumbling lazily out of his tent for the watch. As the two overseers traded places I lay my head down on the wood bottom of the cart and fell into an uneasy sleep.

Chapter 6
The Value of a Life
Late the next morning the sound of unfamiliar voices filled my ears. As I awoke and the slit between my eyelids grew wider, I could see that the group had been placed in a line on the other side of the clearing. There were several strange men standing about, poking and prodding the others. One of them was deep in conversation with Hanson. Hanson pointed towards where I lay and a deep laughter erupted from the man who was shrouded in black garments. Hanson then began to move towards me, the man not far behind.
“This is the greatest you have ever had.” The man said sarcastically. “She does not even look fit to stand, let alone do what you say she has.”
“Sir, you must understand, this is the first time we have managed to capture her out of the two years we have had her in our possession. We had no choice but to place her in this state.” Hanson said desperately trying to induce the man of my abilities. The man looked at me as if I was a tree he was about to cut down, where to lay the first chop?
“What is your name girl?” The man in black asked. I fixed him with a killer stare that would terrify most men and did not respond. To my distaste the man almost laughed at me and I cursed under my breath.
“Answer him when he speaks to you!” Hanson snarled and raised his hand as if he was to hit me but when I did not flinch he lowered it again.
“It is quite all right sir, but is this truly the one that women in Parell fault for the deaths and injuries of their husbands?” The man inquired.
“Indeed, in two years she has killed four and injured twelve of my best men.” Hanson said, whether with pride or remorse I could not tell. Just then a second man dressed in travel worn clothing confronted Hanson. “I am interested in purchasing that one there, with the braids.” He said pointing towards where Mika was standing. My heart dropped. Hanson then turned to face him leaving the man in black to watch the conversation.
“I will pay ten silver caps for her, I believe my wife would enjoy her presence greatly.”
“Ten caps!” Hanson said as if that was the most obscure thing he had ever heard. The two men continued arguing for quite a while, meanwhile the man in black turned his attention towards me again. He looked at me intensely for a while longer before he spoke quietly. “I see fate has not been kind to you Aleaha.” This stunned me for a moment realizing I nor Hanson had spoke my name.
“Fine, fifteen silver and you got yourself a deal!” Hanson suddenly yelled and a wide grin overtook the man in travel worn clothes face as he took out his purse. Hanson then turned back towards us. “Now where were we?” Hanson said grumpily while giving me an evil stare.
“Is she at all obedient?” The man in black asked now facing Hanson.
“Not exactly, but that may be easily fixed. May I ask as to what you intend on using her for, I fear she may be too much for you to handle.”
“Don’t fret my dear man,” the man in black answered. “At the end of the day you still get your pay whether she escapes me or not. As for her use, I travel a great deal and I am in need of a companion who is not completely incompetent when it comes to defending themselves against whatever may befall us.” Hanson looked at him as if deciding whether he spoke truthfully. As I looked at my possible future owner, I could not help but find myself doing the same thing. The man did look foreign. He had stringy black hair that sat atop his head and fell over his eyes and strong tan arms that greatly suggested he had labored in the past. Upon his face he had a scar that stretched from the right corner of his brow to his left eye. His eyes, what amazing eyes, they were an icy, pale shade of blue that they almost appeared clear but with such depth, one could never possibly fathom. As Hanson and the man debated on my value, I found myself slowly getting lost in his numerous untamed features. The man must have felt my stare because his pupil moved towards where I lay and the corner of his mouth moved upward so slightly Hanson could have never noticed. Then as quickly as the smile appeared, it vanished back into a very serious frown. I blinked wondering if it had ever appeared.
“Thirty silver, and I will not go lower than that!” Hanson said gruffly.
“Sir, you must not expect so much. In fact you can blame yourself for the low pay, you were the one who placed her in this condition. I would be surprised if she could walk let alone do anything productive.” The man reasoned calmly. Hanson grunted and opened his mouth to retaliate but closed it again.
“Twenty-five then.”
“Fine, but you should really be paying me after the trouble this girl has caused.” I watched as the coins traveled from the man’s purse to Hanson’s hand. Before I was a captive and worker, now I was a slave.

Chapter 7
Days in Sleep
“Oi, boy! Unlatch the girl and load her up into this man’s cart for me,” Hanson called to Collin. He was leaning against a tree, looking less than content with his surroundings. Collin did not respond and made no move to get up. Finally, he slowly moved into a tent, reappearing shortly with a chain, from which keys were dangling, occasionally clinking against each other. He moved towards us slowly, as impatience became more and more apparent on Hanson’s features. When he finally reached us, Hanson ripped the keys out of Collins hands and undid my clasps. The bloodstained band of cloth on my wrist was instantly and glaringly visible, but no one seemed to be paying any attention.
“Do you have chains for the girl?” Hanson demanded of the man in black. The man seemed to be evaluating every passing moment very critically, his eyes never staying in the same place for more than a second.
“No I don’t think she will be going very far,” The man said while he stared into the distance, somewhere between Hanson and myself. Hanson then pulled my limp body forward and held me so my feet were touching the ground. To my surprise, he released me as if expecting me to walk into the cart of my own accord.
My body crumpled into a fetal position as I fell to the ground and I felt the eyes of the three men land on me. The one thing I will never miss about the Rebel is Hanson, I thought as I felt my body tremble with pain. Multiple colors seemed to be flashing before my eyes as I heard mumbling which gradually grew into yelling, all of which I could not understand, almost as if it were a language I could understand. The entire speech sounded like meaningless gibberish. Suddenly, I felt two strong arms grab my waist and lift my body into the air. My head began throbbing and I tasted the unpleasant and easily distinguishable taste of bile rise in my throat. I knew if people did not stop tossing me around soon it would not be long till I passed out again. My body gave another tremble as the person who had lifted me threw me over their shoulder, creating an uncomfortable pressure on my abdomen. The person must have been remarkably strong to have tossed me about in the manner that they had. Even after years of neglect and abuse I still weighed multiple times more than the sack of flour he handled me like. After some brief movement, I felt the person lift me again and lower me into the bottom of a cart. I assumed the man lifting and tossing me about had been the man in the black. The strength seemed to fit his gruff appearance well, just as strange and out of place as his presence in the Rebell, or wherever we had traveled to. I felt the initial jolt of the cart as it began to move forward, then only the numerous bumps and imperfections of the dirt road that led to our unknown destination. It was not long before the steady rocking motion of the cart became hypnotic, lulling me into an uneasy in yet much needed sleep. I was so tired and my body was so weak that it would have been impossible for me to remain awake for much longer. My muscles ached with every movement and I was beginning to feel my previous brutal treatment. My eyelids drooped and I knew it would not be long before I finally surrendered to sleep.

I was walking down a long stone hallway. No light entered the passageway, but despite their absence, I could see clearly. There were several small blueish-purple stones melded into the gray rock that made up the walls. When I reached the end of the hall there was a fork that bore to the right and left. Again there was no light, but the left passageway seemed to glow, almost as if it were calling to me. I turned to the left and was soon confronted with numerous gaping holes in the ground. I either jumped over, or moved around these quickly, until I had reached a door at the end of this hallway. When I reached out, the handle was deathly cold. I pulled away for a second, then quickly opened the door, almost ripping it off of the hinges in the process. In this room, there was light. It was an eerie blueish glow, emanating from a necklace with a pendent shaped like a wolf. The necklace was lying on the cold stone floor. There was a ring of white smoke circling it that seemed to pulse, radiating steady humming noises. I slowly moved toward the necklace, walked through the ring of smoke, and picked up the coin-sized silver pendent. At the contact, my skin crawled with a strange, burning sensation. The air in the room was frigid, but the pendent was strangely warm. I placed the chain around my neck and fell back against the wall, gasping for breath. A new being had awoken inside of me and was now taking over, becoming me…

I awoke as suddenly as I had fallen into this troubled sleep. Beads of sweat had formed on my brow. Had that all been a dream…where am I? I thought as I looked around me at the unfamiliar environment. I was in what appeared to be a giant wooden box. Panic invaded my senses. I had never felt so surrounded in my life. I tried to move but my limbs felt like rubber. I was on what appeared to be a bed…it was comfortable. I had never slept on one before and had only seen one through the open door of Hanson’s cabin. The sweet smell of cooking food was coming from somewhere on the other side of the walls of the wooden box. I suddenly felt ravenous. I could hardly remember the morsels of food Collin had given me now. I had no idea how long I had slept for, but I could tell that today was a new day just by the bluish tint of the morning light. There was a creak from a door opening and a women’s figure entered the room. She gave me a quick glance, and walked towards me.
“I see you have finally awoken. You must be starving. Let me get you something to eat,” The women said before quickly exiting the room. I opened my mouth to voice my gratitude, but nothing came out, my throat felt like it had been coated in sandpaper. A moment later, she returned holding a bowl filled with what appeared to be a thick stew. She dipped a spoon into the concoction, lifted it, and blew on the contents that it held.
“Eat this…it will make you feel better.” The woman said as she slowly spooned the stew into my mouth. The warm liquid that began flowing down my throat tasted amazing. The woman placed her hand on my brow. “It would appear that your fever has broken…Takoda will be pleased, he has been complaining about being forced to stay for the past three days,” I choked slightly on the stew. Three days! Have I really slept for so long? I thought as the women continued to ramble aimlessly. Just then, a second figure entered the room. It was the man in black. The women stopped talking and looked up.
“Ah Takoda, the girl has awoken. You two will be on your way shortly.” The women said. Takoda stared at me for a brief second before speaking. “Then we shall leave tomorrow morning.” The woman looked shocked at this. “I said soon, not this second. The girl has not completely healed.” Takoda walked over to me and produced a canister from his pocket. He removed the lid and pressed the rim to my lips. An acrid stench invaded my senses and made my eyes water. As he tipped the canister, I quickly pulled away. Although I was in poor condition, I was not willing to allow someone to pour a vile concoction down my throat. Takoda did not seem surprised. He violently grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled my head back. Although I continued to struggle, Takoda still managed to poor the liquid into my mouth. If it was possible to bottle fire, Takoda had managed to discover the method, for that was surely what he had just poured down my throat. Every patch of flesh it touched burned and I was terrified of swallowing it. Takoda pulled my head back quickly and I was forced to swallow the rest of the liquid fire. Takoda looked back at the woman who was staring in wonder. “We leave tomorrow.” He said again, his voice even more forceful than it had been originally.

I spent the rest of that day sitting in the bed, sparks shooting up and down every limb of my body. Since the time I had ingested the vile drink, such things had continued to happen. The woman had been screaming at Takoda all day because minutes after I had been forced to swallow, my fever had shot back up again. As the sun slowly began to set I closed my eyes, wishing that the entire experience had all been a dream and that I would soon awake in the forest, surrounded by familiarity.

Chapter 8
Confusion
Almost as soon as I had finished the thought, I awoke; there had been a sound outside. I subconsciously looked towards the door. Moonlight had flooded the room with a silver glow, casting ominous shadows around the confined space. It was too quiet now, the only sound was that of a dog howling somewhere in the distance. The sound lingered in the silent night and caused shivers to break out up and down my arms. Every one of my senses had been enhanced, I was on full alert. The sound had been out of place and, I could not describe it. Like a murderous scream compared to a bird’s morning song, it was horribly different. My body tensed as I heard the sound of footsteps moving toward the door. I readied myself to fight. If something horrific was about to occur I was ready…I was always ready. The footsteps had stopped just outside the door. I took advantage of the moment and silently jumped out of the bed and stealthily moved into the shadows. I was surprised at how painlessly I had achieved this. I had prepared my body for the assault it was to place on itself by moving, but I had not known it would be possible to heal so quickly. Just then the creak of the door was heard and when a figure entered the room, I jumped. As I attacked the only thing I absorbed was the quick flash of blue eyes. Then I suddenly found myself pushed against a wall, a blade pressed to my throat. A ray of the moons silver light fell on the figures face and I gasped. It was Takoda. He looked at me but said nothing, he only continued staring. After a moment Takoda removed the blade from my throat but kept me against the wall. He must have expected another attack from me and I was contented to say that I could have done just that. My body was placed in a way that if I pushed my lower body forward Takoda’s weight would be lifted enough that I could free my hands. I was not foolish however, the fact that I could free myself was irrelevant. I had never met a man that could take me down so quickly, especially when the element of surprise was on my side. If I did attack again, I did not feel it would be a long fight. I was probably in enough trouble as it was, given the fact that I had just attacked my owner and I did not wish to jeopardize my position even more. After a few more, seemingly endless, seconds, he released me, his clear blue eyes staring quizzically at me.
“I am glad you have awakened Aleaha…we are to leave now.” I was surprised by Takoda’s calm greeting, I had expected both a fiery verbal and physical attack but such things must be below him. I slowly moved backward and found myself at the edge of the bed. All I wanted to do was fall back into the soft heap of blankets and forget this had ever happened. Takoda took a step forward and grabbed my wrist, I did not retaliate. I expected the fiery pain to shoot up my arm again but to my surprise it did not come. When I looked at the wrist which Takoda had his hand clamped on, I could see under the bloodied scrap of cloth, that my wound had completely healed. When I looked up, Takoda smirked at my confusion.
“Come.” He said and pulled me out the door. The air was crisp and cool and quickly froze the perspiration that had formed on my brow. The cart we had arrived in was sitting in the middle of the road. I tried to take a step back but Takoda’s grip was firm on my wrist and he half led, half dragged me to the cart. Takoda then turned to face me and held my hands downward.
“If you don’t do anything foolish, you may sit in the front.” He said in a low whisper. I just glared for I already did not like this man. There was something mysterious and not quite right about him. I had no intentions of sitting in the rear of the cart again, never again would I wish to endure that same experience, but neither did I feel content with sitting next to the man. After an intense moment I ripped my hands out of his grasp and pulled myself into the seat at the front of the cart. Although I did not look at him, I could tell Takoda was smiling. I sat straight and tall, never shifting my gaze. One minute, two minutes, three…time seemed endless. I had expected Takoda to take his place next to me almost immediately, but he never came. Suddenly, a dry, powdery smell crossed my nostrils, it could only be described as one thing, smoke. Not the smell from a fire kindled in a stone fireplace, but the smell of burning pine and sap that only comes from a mass burning. I tried to swing my head around in order to see the proximity of the destruction, but it was fastened in place, my body was stone, ineligible to move. I was in a panic, I could not move while a fire was quickly engulfing my surroundings. Realization seemed to abruptly awaken the villagers as they began to flood out of their houses. No one seemed to give me any notice as men ran toward the flames with buckets of water. Takoda suddenly appeared by my side. He said nothing, merely flicked the reins and sent the horses trotting through the crowd. What’s wrong with me? I thought as we made our way through the crowd. I literally could not move, every fiber in my being was telling me to do so, but I was held fast by an indiscernible force. We left the town silently for no one noticed our departure through all the mayhem. The moment the town was out of sight and we were engulfed in foliage I suddenly dropped out of the seat and landed hard on the ground. I was spasmodically convulsing, shivering and shaking, thrashing and jerking. Yes, I could move now. All of the energy which I had been desperately trying to release earlier was now being set free all at once. I could not control myself…my body was trying to do a million things at once. And Takoda just sat there. How could he just sit there? In that moment all I wanted to do was hurt him…even Hanson was better than him! At least Hanson showed emotion unlike my new master who was cold as stone. After what felt like a decade, my body lay motionless on the ground. I felt exhausted, like I had just run miles. The looming face of Takoda hung over me. He bent down to grab me but I rolled onto my side, avoiding his hands. All I wanted to do was sit there, to never move again. Takoda grunted and mumbled something under his breath and I found my eyelids grow heavy. I fought the overwhelming urge to sleep, but my struggles were all in vain. Soon, I was surrounded by darkness again.

I heard screaming and yelling, everywhere I looked was engulfed in flames. There were men in combat with solders, every face covered in blood and gore. I suddenly felt a sharp pain erupt from my left shoulder. I turned to look at it, only to realize that it had been sliced open, skin falling away to reveal muscle. I saw a glint of silver and I quickly jumped out of the way. When I looked up there was a young man in glittering chain mail. On his breastplate was a strange symbol with a deep red stone set into the center. He had a bloody sword raised, ready to strike. In this brief moment I realized that I too had a sword in my hand. As the man’s weapon came down, I lifted mine to block his blow. In a short period of time, I found myself in the midst of evenly matched combat. Every blow I fielded was one of extraordinary strength; the kind of strength I did not know was possible for a human to possess. Suddenly I felt a strange sensation come over me, a feeling of power. It was building. I could not contain it anymore. I could not concentrate on the movement of the man any longer. In the next second I heard myself scream in a loud voice. “Antarzia!” The way the words rolled off my tongue felt foreign, like nothing I had ever experienced, it felt empowering. There was a bright blue light that engulfed the surroundings and there was a loud howling in my ears like that of a wolf. Then there was nothing...