I was dreaming. I was on the back of my ebony mare, my red hair blowing in the wind. I felt the stiffness of armour wrapped around me as I moved. Looking down, I saw that I was indeed wearing armour, but it was different to what I had. This was all stained black, with silver rivets and swirls. And most noticeably, silver plates in the shape of dragon scales on my chest and arms. The horse stopped, pulling on the reins and pawing at the ground. I looked ahead and saw that black, shadowy version of the world creep closer, the tendrils of smoke licking the ground.

Taking a breath, I dismounted, and walked straight into the blackness.

My belly burned. I fell to my knees, screaming, then opened my eyes.

It burned. The feeling inside me grew and grew, writhing and thrashing, but when I stood, It lessened. It seemed to pull at me, edging me forwards.

Should I follow?

The sky was still a deep blue, the stars above sparkling like tiny diamonds. Even without the light of the moon to guide me, I still could see. Casting a guilty glance back at the still-sleeping Risha, I strode out of the tent. I would be back before the day ended. I promised myself.

I looked in the chest we stored our armour in outside the tent, and my face drained of colour. Inside was that midnight black and silver armour I had been wearing in my dream. It had to mean something. I quickly pulled it on, fingers fumbling with the icy cold buckles. Getting to my feet, I debated where to go next. The stables would be the best choice: It would be quicker than travelling on foot, and I trusted the horse's senses more than my own, anyway. After hurrying around then, grabbing some cheese and bread, wrapping them in a cloth and putting them in a tuck, I ran down to the stables.

My horse was already awake when she arrived, her large eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

"Hey, girl." I stroked her neck, and realised that she too was wearing the armour I had seen in my dream: black leather and silver riveted tack, suited for war. She nickered softly, nudging at my hand. I put one foot in the stirrup, flinging the other over her back: at least I could mount without help now.

We left the camp together, and as soon as we crossed the border, she started galloping. I followed that pull inside of me. My heart pounded as we neared that place where the black mist had appeared once more. But It was not there, only the expanse of sand and rock ahead. The burning grew stronger the further we rode, until it was almost unbearable. But the moment I followed that pull again it vanished.

I slowed the horse to a stop. I obviously wast going to come back by the next night. I decided to make camp here for the night: there were large rocks that would provide the shelter and concealment I needed. That pang of guilt struck again when I thought of Risha waking all alone. I clambered down and looked me steed straight in the eye.

"Go home. Go find Risha." The horse nodded her head and galloped off into the night. Soon the darkness swallowed her. at least she would have something to look out for her.

I sat down, taking out my truck, and broke off a piece of bread. Slowly munching on the malty food, I let myself relax. Risha was safe. And I was as safe out here as I could be. Finishing off my food, I lay on my side and close my eyes. I drifted into sleep once again.

The bright sun seeped through my eyelids and I groaned. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sat up, looking at the vast plain surrounding me. I dug around in my tuck, pulling out the cheese and breaking it in half. Sticking a bit in my mouth, I savoured the creamy salty flavour. Brushing the sand off my damp armour, I decided to set off while the sun was still slowly climbing in the sky. That way I would hopefully reach the place I was being led to by midday.

My legs protested as I started walking: I wasn't used to long rides. Once again I felt the pull of that mysterious force beckoning me.

For hours I followed, stumbling and tripping over loose stones. My feet ached and my boots rubbed, the black armour growing ever hotter in the sun. Why had I decided to wear it? I was in a desert for the god's sake!

In the distance, a looming figure appeared, shimmering the heat, distorted in the sandy haze. The closer I got, the more it towered over me.

A statue.

It stared down at me with cold hard eyes. It's very look filled me with foreboding and awe. It looked like one of the old draconic gods: the ones people worshipped aeons before the war. He was the draconic god of Fire. Tiovert. The statue certainly looked archaic, crumbling and decrepit. As it stared down, I felt as if I should bow, kneel at its feet. The pull tugging me downwards certainly did. So I dropped to my knees, hands touching my shoulders, and lowered my forehead to touch the floor. An old sign of fealty that is not used anymore: we have had no reason to. I stayed kneeling, unsure of what I should do next. Then I heard a rumble, stones grating on each other. Looking up, I saw a hole at the feet of the statue, a few meters away from me. Sand was still trickling down. Gods.

Had he seen me? Had this deity lost to time seen me?

My belly burned, the writing creature alive once more, then it went out.

I stood, and strode over to look into the gaping mouth of the hole. A wooden ladder was rested against the side, made of strong branches lashed together with rope. I put one foot on, testing its strength. It held. I clambered down into the blackness below.

Hi!  A short chapter this week. What did you think of the new chapter, and how do you you feel about Kelsie leaving Risha on her own? As always if you liked this chapter please give it a vote, and comments are always appreciated!

Freja :)