Arriana's Return - Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Mary fell to her knees crying. Once the last of the light was in Arriana, Caleb stayed where he was breathing heavily, nearly fainting, he continued to watch. He stared at the now stitched wound and a smile crept across his face. His eyes lit up as it began to close up slowly around the thread. Arriana's usually pinkish color began to return and her chest began to rise and fall again. After a few more moments her eyes fluttered open. She gasped and sat up.
"What happened?" Arriana stammered looking around. "How did I get back here? Where are Deacon and everyone?"
She tried standing up but fell over. She sat back down, holding her head.
Oh I think I'm going to throw up. Where is everyone? What happened to me? How did I get back here?
Her parents and Danni stood there staring in disbelief. Arriana was dead! Wasn't she? They managed to break their stares at Arriana to look at Caleb who was in the same spot as before. He knelt there smiling at Arriana.
"I, I did it! I've never been able to use...to use my gift! Arriana, how do you feel?" he stammered.
"I'm a little dizzy but I'm fine. What happened?" She asked, confused.
"You were stabbed in the fight. You almost died," he looked her up and down making sure it was really her and she wasn't actually dead.
"I remember a pain and then nothing. Are you sure I was stabbed?"
"We thought you were dead Arriana. No, you were dead! Why did you start a fight in the middle of the night?" Mary yelled at her.
"Mom, they were going to murder all of those people and animals! I was not going to stand around and ignore it. I'm fine aren't I?"
"This time." Scott looked away as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"Guys, this is something you're going to have to handle. I'm a queen. It is my job to lead my army into battle. To protect my people! I am not going to stand around twiddling my thumbs while those who depend on me die for no reason! Caleb, thank you for saving me. "
"You're welcome, Arriana," he said, staring at Arriana in admiration.
The young girl who arrived in Coresova just a few short weeks ago was beginning to fall into her father's shoes. She almost lost her life fighting for another person and she was still more concerned about them.
"Arriana!"
She looked up and saw Deacon on Ronan. They had broken through the wooded area and were heading towards them. Ronan stopped quickly as Deacon jumped off and ran to Arriana. He put his hands on the sides of her head and pulled her in close for a kiss.
"Don't scare me like that again!" he cried.
"I'm sorry, Deacon. I'm fine. Caleb saved my life." She smiled at the man who was finally standing up.
"Thank you, Caleb," Deacon said to him.
"You're welcome." He said, still smiling.
"How did you heal her?" Arion asked Caleb.
"Well, you know how every wizard family has one special gift that others don't? My family's gift is the power to heal. I've never been able to use it before. So that was pretty big for me," he laughed.
"That was amazing," John said, stepping off the porch.
"What did you do differently this time than the other times?" Barwick asked.
"That's just it. I have no idea what I did differently this time. I know I was running on pure adrenaline. I kept thinking that I have to save her. I have to use my power and heal her or Coresova's queen, my queen was going to die. I concentrated, focused on Arriana and it just happened," he explained.
"You didn't use a wand," Arriana said, suddenly looking up at him.
"No, I guess I didn't," he said just as surprised as Arriana.
"What if there is a way that we don't need wands? Maybe I'm not that special. Caleb was both of your parents magical?"
"Yes, they were," he replied.
"Mr. and Mrs. Tomasrow are you both magical?" Arriana asked.
"Yes, actually we are."
"And I'll bet any money you're both magical as well," Arriana asked Katherine and Arnold.
"How did you know?" they asked her.
"I have a bit of a theory brewing around in my head. It may be crazy or it may have some legitimacy to it but what if a witch or wizard who has a wizard father and a witch mother? Just like me. They too would be a pureblood, super witch or wizard. Meaning, like me, they can use their powers without wands. Where as a witch or wizard who only has one magical parent does need a wand because they don't have as much power," she explained.
"That is one hell of a theory Arriana," Marc said, "but there could be something to it."
"Deacon and Zoe, have either of you ever tried to use your powers without a wand? Or at all?" she asked them.
"No. I never have. What about you, Deacon?"
"Can't say that I have," he replied.
"Well, I guess we're going to have to start trying when we train."
After they finished talking Arriana walked over to the barred wagons and peered into each one of them. She studied the men that they had captured then went to the newest villagers and smiled at them.
"Are you all okay?"
"I think so," a small cat said.
"Where are you all from?" she asked.
"We're from a village to the south of the great mountains," the cat said, looking into the distance.
"And we're from the western beaches," a tiger said, stepping to the front of the group. "Our villages were attacked three days ago. We're the only survivors of the shape shifting clans."
"I am so sorry. You are all more than welcome to join us here. Did you say you are all shapeshifters?" she looked at them.
"Who are you?" the fox sitting on a tree stump interrupted.
"I'm sorry. I always forget the introductions. I am Arriana Bawors. I am here to reclaim my father's throne as Queen of Coresova."
The group gasped and stared at her.
"Is it really you? You're finally here?" A small child looked at her with big brown, hope filled eyes.
"It is and I promise I will get your home back for you, for all of you. Those who are able and willing I would be honored if you would join my army. Those who do not want to or are unable to are still welcome here. It is safe and protected in the village."
"Not all of us are shapeshifters. Lucas has been trying to kill us out since he learned we have been able to infiltrate the castle," the small cat said, looking at Arriana.
"You were able to infiltrate the castle? How? Did anyone learn anything new?" she asked the little tabby.
"I was the one who got in. I morphed into one of the domesticated horses and once I was in the stables I transformed into one of Lucas' dogs. I was able to hear plenty. It's how I was able to at least warn some of the villagers about his plan to attack us. Whenever I heard that I hurried back shortly before those he had already sent. We were unprepared and defenseless. Yet he still murdered our kind." She had anger in her voice and in her green eyes, not that Arriana could blame her.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"I am Sammie Velistiro. My father was the chief in our village, which I guess makes me the chief now seeing as how my entire family was executed." She choked back a tear as she said it.
"I am so sorry Sammie but have no regret we will get our revenge on Lucas. All of us will." Arriana assured them.
Out of the sixty that were in the group forty five stepped forward. She smiled at them, it was more than she expected.
"For right now how about you all get cleaned up and get some rest? Victoria? Victoria, can you show everyone where they will be sleeping? If there is any food could you also make sure they get plenty to eat? Clean clothes and anything else they may need?" Arriana asked the little girl.
"Yes! Of course! Thank you, Arriana!" she giggled, motioning for the group to follow her. She showed them to the different houses and stables making sure everyone had everything they could possibly need. That was when Arriana noticed him. He hadn't spoken since the newest survivors entered the village. He didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the humans that were there. Instead of sun kissed skin his was pale and chalky. His honey blonde hair spiked back and his amber eyes were piercing. As the strange man walked past Arriana he stared at her, boring his eyes into her soul. She was taken aback by this. This newest addition was giving her the creep's big time. Yet she couldn't help feeling strangely attracted to him. He was even more handsome than Deacon. He had an air of elegance about him.
"Who is that?" Arriana asked once the group was out of earshot.
"Who?" Zoe asked.
"The really pale guy."
"Oh, you mean the super gorgeous, mysterious one? I have no idea but I'm going to find out tomorrow," Zoe giggled and winked.
"Yeah, you do that." Arriana watched as he headed into the house across the way from where she was staying.
"Hmm, interesting," she whispered to herself before turning back to her friends.
"I think it's time we turned in for the night as well. We'll begin our magic training in the morning at sun up followed by more combat training. Aroman will you work with the new guys tomorrow on sword fighting? Barwick, will you still do archery training? Will there be enough weapons and armor for everyone?" she asked around the small group.
"Arriana, calm down. Everything will be fine." Barwick reassured the girl when he noticed how panicked she was getting.
"Xander will fashion more swords and armor, while Adaia prepares more bows," Aroman said, looking at his son and daughter.
"That's great. I think we are going to be okay. I hope. The training is coming along nicely and we have a pretty big army now. The additional forty five will be a big help to us. Right? Now, before we do go to bed I'm going to talk to one of our new prisoners." She turned and walked back toward the barred wagons.
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