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“'Nothing to worry about,' she says. I won't be in any danger, she assured me. Well I should have known better,” I shouted to no one in particular. Then I sighed; I did know better. I was just being stupid. Stupid to think I could do this alone.
Right then and there, I felt like crying. I was in a tree, which I scarcely remembered climbing because of a huge ugly beast—whom I named Billy because he reminded me of a bully that I once knew—saw me and, like his namesake, thought it would be fun to chase after me. He was huge. The shape of his body and facial features reminded me of a bulldog. A very big, very ugly, very menacing bulldog. But unlike a bulldog, his fur was long and black. He had a hump on his back starting from his neck to midpoint of his spine. I had been waiting for an hour for Billy to get tired and go away, but so far he was as tenacious as I was. I had called for help many times with no rescuers in sight. I didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. There were plenty of people looking for me. And with my luck, it would probably be Nara's minions who would hear my calls for help. So here I was, waiting on top of a tree for someone to come. After thirty more minutes had passed, I sighed. I really didn’t want to do this, but I had no choice. I couldn't stay here forever.
Holding on to the branch above me, I slowly got up. I carefully balanced myself so I would not slip and fall into the awaiting claws of my nemesis at the moment. I had this idea which I was not thrilled about implementing, but Billy did not give me any choice. Slowly, sliding one foot at a time, I moved as far as I could to the end of the branch. I tried to ignore the sound of the branch beneath me giving way and the growl of anticipation from the creature below. This was a very bad idea, I thought then. A very stupid idea. But, I couldn't think of anything else. I stretched out as far as I could with one hand, took a big gulp of breath and jumped. I swear, when I thought of this in my mind, it worked. The branches of the tree next to the one I was on looked so close that it seemed logical I could jump over to it easily. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Once again I was being stupid as I screamed at the top of my lungs. I felt nothing but air when I reached out; saw only sky above me. I heard screams and the menacing sounds of Billy below me. Suddenly, I was hit from the side. Then a cloud of green swished above me and covered me in darkness before I felt my body engulfed in something warm, safe and solid. I was whorled around and then seconds later, my breath was knocked out of me. I didn’t even get a chance to catch my breath before I was turned around and the next thing I knew, sunlight beamed down on me. The warmness and the heaviness that was wrapped around me was gone.
I lay there on my back trying to get my bearings and wondering what had just happened. First, I was falling. Now, I am on the ground and my body feels surprisingly fine. No broken bones or pain. I remember something hit me and then cushioning my fall. I scrambled up to my feet when I heard a loud growl. Billy. I saw the beast crouching down ready to strike at some thing or someone to my left. I turned to look and saw a man in the same position, on all fours, as Billy was, facing the creature, ready to strike. He must be the one that saved me. They circled each other slowly, not taking their eyes off of each other. Then in a flash, the creature was in the air. The man was quick to react and rolled to the side just in time. But the creature was faster, it turned the second his paws hit the ground, and leaped on top of the man. They struggled and started to roll on the ground. Dust scattered everywhere. I frantically looked and found a very thick stick. I picked it up and was ready to hit Billy with it, but they were moving too fast. Then the beast was on top of him ready to strike. I made my move, then halted when the man used his legs to push upwards—flipping Billy over him. He quickly rolled, grabbed an object from the ground and pointed at the creature. While Billy was in mid-air ready to strike again, he shot. The target met its mark and the creature landed heavily on the ground with a big thump.
I have no idea why, maybe it was curiosity or stupidity, but I slowly crept to where Billy laid. When he twitched, I gave a small yelp, dropped my stick, and moved a couple steps back. A movement caught my eyes and I turned to see the man staring at me. He was angry and displeased. He looked like an Elvain, one of Von's people. He reloaded his weapon that was now attached to his wrist.
“So, you are finally here, Cassiea.”
I was surprised that he knew me. “How do you know my name?” I said.
Ignoring my question, he walked over to me. “Why are you alone? Where is Von? Why is he not with you?” he demanded angrily.
I slowly took a step back and my hand went protectively around the crystal. He stopped when he saw my gesture. A glimpse of hurt ran across his face before he quickly concealed it. I noticed it and was confused by his reaction. Did I somehow forgot that he and I knew each other well? So well that he would be hurt by the fact that I did not trust him? I didn’t remember seeing or speaking to him in any of the campgrounds that I was in but then, there were a lot of people there.
“Sorry,” I said as I slowly walked backwards, “I can't talk to you about those things. You know, the whole binding spell and all.”
“I have been informed of everything about you.”
Well that doesn't sound ominous or alarming at all I thought as a moved back even more.
“Then you should know why I am here.”
“I know why you are traveling in the forest. I do not know why you are by yourself and going in the wrong direction.”
“There was a change to the plan. So, I'll just be on my way.”
“You are not going anywhere alone.” He said as he moved closer to me.
“Hold!” I said with one hand out in a stopping motion. I was surprised he listened. “I don't need your company. I will be fine on my own.”
“You almost got yourself killed.”
He did had a point, but I chose to ignore it.
“Listen I don't know you and frankly I don't care. I'm not going to tell you anything. For all I know, you are one of those people who is trying to take this magic.”
“If I wanted your magic, I would have it already.”
“Well, maybe you do want this magic but can't take it from me because you are afraid that I will use it against you so instead you are trying to be nice me so I will let my guard down and then you can take it.”
“Cass,” he said dragging out my name in exasperation and impatience.
I must be imagining things because it sounded like he did that a lot with my name.
“We will stay here until Von finds you.”
“You can stay here and wait for him, if you want, but I'm leaving.” I said and started to walk away. I stopped when I realized he was behind me. “Please, stop following me.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?”
“I would think it is self explanatory. No means no. I am not going to leave you alone by yourself in these woods, do I need to remind you again that you almost got yourself killed.”
“I was fine and I'll be fine.”
“Cassiea, stop being so stubborn. Where is Von? He is suppose to be with you.”
I was about to say something when I heard a sound behind me. The man moved fast. He was already next to me and was pushing me behind him before I can even turn around towards the sound. He held out his weapon, then quickly lowered it when Von appeared before us.
Von was surprised to see him and asked the man what he was doing here.
“Why are you not protecting her?” The man demanded, ignoring Von's question. “You should have been with her. She almost got herself killed.”
I moved to stand in front of Von, facing the man. “It isn’t his fault. I sneaked away when they were sleeping.”
Surprised, he stared at me then at Von for explanation. Von told him that Mirra had placed Shuron and him into a deep sleep and had convinced me to go on on my own. The man did not look pleased, in fact he looked like he was about to murder someone. Without saying a word to us, he abruptly turned to go.
I grabbed hold of his cloak to stop him. “Where are you going?”
“To have a talk with Mirra.”
He moved to go. I held on. “It is not her fault. It was my decision, not hers.”
“It doesn’t matter, she should not have left you alone in the forest.”
“But—”
“He is right, Cass.” Von stepped in. “She knew better than to let you venture out by yourself. The forest is dangerous and you do not know anything about this place and what kind of creatures live here. You also have no weapons for protection.”
The man moved to go again, then stopped suddenly and turned to face me. Like the others, he was tall. I took a slight step back so I didn’t have to tilt my head that far up to look at him. He was staring at me and I stared right back at him.
“Was there something else you want to say to me?”
I shook my head wondering why he asked.
“Then may I go?” he said and looked down at my hands. I looked down also and saw that I was still grabbing onto his cloak. I quickly let go.
“It's not entirely her fault.” I conceded—just a little.
He took a knife from behind his back and placed it in my hand. It looked old, but unused. It was very different from the ones that my uncle had and that he used when we went camping. The handle of this knife was made from wood with strips of leather that wrapped around it. There were a few decorative carvings, mostly lines and groves that gave it an aesthetic look and, my guess, were meant to be functional as well—to prevent one's grip from sliding. It was surprisingly light and it fitted my hand perfectly. The blade was an inch longer than the handle. Both sides of the blade were sharp. The shape was not straight but curved. It had a wide center and tapered down to a point at one end. At the other end, it tapered down half way into the handle. It looked handmade and I wondered if it had been made by his own hands.
“You are right, you should have known better. But then, you always did use your heart more than your head.”
He looked at the knife in my hand. “Learn how to use it,” he said and then turned once more to leave.
“Wait!” I called.
He stopped and turned to me.
“Thank you,” I said and held up the knife.
He nodded in reply.
“And also, thank you for saving me from Billy.”
When he looked questioningly at me, I gestured to the creature some distance away that was still lying on the ground. My face turned red when I realized I used the name I had given him.
“We—I was up there on the tree for a very long time. I had to call him something,” I explained to the both of them.
His mouth twitched and Von looked away, which I assumed was to hide there laughter. The man gave a slight bow before he left. I looked on and wondered who he was. There was nothing in his appearance that stood out. He looked just as beautiful as the others. His almond-shaped eyes were a light brown. His long hair, that reached to his shoulders, was black with some variation of brown and green highlights. He was dressed in those camouflage greens that I saw most of them wore when I first met them. All in all, there was no difference between him and the others of his race. But, there was something about him that disturbed me. I was confused by my reaction. He was a complete stranger to me and there was nothing in his looks or manner that would make me feel this way. I turned when I felt Von's hands on my shoulders.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
I nodded and asked him who was that man.
“His name is Wolrik Kyre.”
“Is he also helping to protect me?”
“Only the ones who gathered with the elders are here to protect you.”
“Then how does he know about me and what is going on?”
“News spreads quickly upon your arrival. We have been waiting for you to appear before us for quite some time now. But, they have only basic information about you. They do not know the details that were said in the meeting with the elders,” he explained.
“But he said he knew everything about me and why I am here.”
“You must be mistaken. We are the only ones who has the full detail of you.”
I guess that explained why he sounded like he knew me. But still, I had this feeling that he knew me on a more personal level than just rumors that were spreading around here. I looked down at the knife and wondered what I was going to do with it. I was interrupted from my thoughts when Von touched me lightly on the cheek.
“Cass, Mirra told me what you want to do. Is there anyway I can convince you to change your mind?”
I shook my head. “I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. If I could absorb the magic quickly, then Nara and her minions will stop trying to kill me and no one will get hurt trying to protect me. I don’t want anymore deaths on my hands.”
“None of what happened is your fault, Cass.”
“Yes, it is. If I hadn't insisted on going to the hospital to see my uncle, because of a dream, he would still be alive and you wouldn't have been so close to death.” He was about to say something, then I stopped him when I took hold of his arm. “Please,” I said, “lets not argue about this. Please, let me do this. I have to do this.”
He nodded and pulled me into his arms. “I will do as you say. Promise me that you will not go through this alone. We are in this together.”
I nodded in agreement.