Smears of green, brown and sneaky silver rays of a distressed moon flooded the hazy vision of a limp body. Once a mesmerizing scenery that took breaths away was now mere a disregarded background as Alyviah jostled slightly, the vibration of a shout coming from behind her grabbed the reins of her slipping composure and the horse beneath her.

"You two head right, you three go left and the rest of you stay with me!" Thaddeus' commands resonated around the tense atmosphere, his voice traveling from his body and tickling hers as his chest rubbed against the full length of her curved back. "Follow the wolves to avoid clashing with Veles' armies and head back to Uthain."

The remaining warriors needed to be informed in case his highness decided to attack the village. Besides, the mother was in dire need of proper care and dragging her along would only harm and hinder her healing process. Thaddeus' grips tightened around the reins, consequently squeezing the shell of a girl that was teetering on the verge of reality.

"Snap out of it, Alyviah." The low hum wrapped itself around her scattered being, its harshness wedging itself within and pulling her out of dark bottomless pits. Downcast eyes finally refocused before moving until they connected with blue so icy, she shuddered. The dullness of her amber left Thaddeus scraping his, suddenly, empty head for the appropriate words to say.

"I didn't ask for any of this, Thaddeus." The hoarseness of her feeble, lifeless voice that barely reached his ears as hooves collided incessantly with jagged lands tugged at his heart.

"None of us did." Alyviah jostled again, the animal picking up its speed and dodging obstacles that littered the ground. "Do you simply wish that I dump you here to fend for yourself while the rest of us proceed with our journey to safety?"

"I don't know what to do." The defeat that reeked off her was suffocating. "What do I do? I don't know." Tears welled up and flowed down awfully slow. "I don't know. My head hurts." Her murmurs didn't go unnoticed by her fellow rider. "Where is my...mother?" And, neither did her hesitation.

"Excuse my intrusion, my lady. However, despite what she's told you, that woman raised and loved you as one of her own." More regretful droplets clouded her vision.

"I know. I know that." A small hiccup was the end of their conversation, his mind brimming with plans about what to do next, for now that they've found her the enemy will only keep coming relentlessly. His eyes settled on her for a fleeting moment. This girl that was drowning in a sea of despondency and confusion, trying and failing to grasp the whole situation, was indeed who his father has been looking for all his life, abandoning them for the sake of finding...and protecting her.

His embrace tightened, his teeth gritting against each other, for, whether he liked it or not, he was following the steps of his old man.

"Warriors!" His voice boomed, reaching all of his men. "We will rest here for tonight."

Alyviah stirred, damp eyelashes fluttering until the haze of sleep lifted. Men and women were scattered around with pale and exhausted faces. Everyone wrapped their cloaks around their bodies, dropping down on the ground to catch some sleep. With their previous camp burnt to ashes, it was the only thing to do. "Burn it all," Thaddeus had said. "Leave nothing behind."

Her head twisted slightly to gaze at him, sitting erect like the highly-respected leader he was as he continued to bark orders and observe his warriors settle down before deflating and motioning for his horse to move. With everyone seeking sleep, it finally downed on her. "You'll be staying up to guard them, for tonight."

He'd sensed her watching him, glad that she regained some self-control over her raging emotions. "They deserve to rest."

"So do you."

"I know."

Silence overlapped as he guided the animal to the far back before descending to take a look around. Alyviah tried her best to ignore the goosebumps that covered her still, very, indecent attire whenever his body brushed hers. Thaddeus left her sitting there, not knowing what to do for she's never ridden or actually been this close to a creature this big before, and roamed the small clearing to check on everyone.

High in the sky, the moon's childish rays sneaked past taunting clouds and so, splatters of light covered the foreign lands. Alyviah watched his slender frame cut through the distance separating her and the others with confident, sturdy steps as he headed back. As soon as he reappeared by her side, her lips moved faintly. "Where is my mother, Thaddeus?"

Warm, large hands wrapped gently around her feminine waist, hoisting and placing her down on unsteady legs beside him. "I made sure to send her back to Uthain in a carriage to avoid endangering her life any further. Do not worry, I have sent the wolves to accompany her. The remaining warriors will take good care of her."

Davette was in no state to ride a horse; her body wouldn't be able to handle the strenuous journey either. On top of that, the roads past the, now nonexistent, camp were unused and not meant for carriages...or even horses. The odds of the enemy ceasing their pursuit wasn't something Thaddeus wanted to gamble with. He knew how much Veles wanted Alyviah, how adamant, persistent and merciless he was.

He had witnessed it firsthand.

"Wolves?" Somehow, she trusted him. Thaddeus just oozed simple authority, righteousness and...charm.

A faint smile stretched his thin lips, amused that she chose to ask him about that but also satisfied that, in some way, she was starting to trust him despite not knowing each other for long. "I'm sure you have seen them shifting. Those are werewolves."

"Werewolves? Does that mean they were wolves but not anymore?"

Thaddeus stifled his laughter. "They hate that term, in all honesty, and prefer to be called Lycans. Humans simply like to tease them. Behind their backs, of course."

His smirk was contagious and she found herself staring at him stupidly with a shy smile plastered across her numb face. "Lycans? I prefer that as well. So, what are they? Half human, half wolf?"

"Perhaps. I haven't encountered many. However, I have heard that they're creatures blessed by the moon goddess with many impressive abilities. They are able to shift between two forms: their human and wolf side. You'll have to ask them if you need any more information."

"Oh." Alyviah sat down, pulling the cloak tighter around herself. "Shifters and witches...magic. Oh." Alyviah couldn't help but gawk at how little of the world she'd experienced.

Thaddeus settled beside her, deciding to keep a safe distance between them this time. It was maddening how her sweet smell wafted around, invading his senses despite the dirt and sweat covering her. "Indeed."

The night wrapped around their hushed whispers, the gentle breeze dispersing it across their small private space. Alyviah counted her heartbeats, lulling herself to sleep and avoiding the annoying thoughts swarming inside her head.

Heavy eyelids shot open when the familiar stranger beside her spoke. "You know why no one knows of Ducriedan?" He didn't wait for her to reply. "It is because that was what these lands were once called before the dragon wars. All those kingdoms were united, ruled by these beasts that don't exist anymore and no one knows why. Extinct, perhaps. I presume you're the key to that, hence why Veles is hell bent on finding you."

Sleep evaporated. The doubts came back in full force. "Me? Dragons? How did you-"

"I sincerely apologize about eavesdropping and interrupting you, my lady. However, both of you weren't really discreet while discussing your family issues."

"You're right. I sincerely apologize."

"There's no need to. In fact, I'm glad for that finally replenished the purpose of our existence, us warriors."

"Thaddeus, I have had enough with riddles and twisted truths. Please, I would highly appreciate it if you were direct with your approach." Alyviah sighed, shifting until she settled on her right side, facing him.

"King Veles wasn't the only one looking for you. The Warriors, as well, were assembled for the same reason." His blue irises, dilated in the dark, moved to examine every inch of her scrunched up face.

"A lot of people have been looking for me...Stupid, naïve and lame me." Disbelief coated her voice.

"Nonsense. Have you not heard what I said about the dragons and-"

"I did. However, that doesn't change those traits." He nodded. "And, you're not supposed to agree." She huffed, fully aware about the contradictions in her statements. Low chuckles shook his body, small wrinkles appearing in the corners of his eyes. Alyviah smiled.

Long, muscled arms covered in a leather jacket were outstretched by his sides. "My father is going to absolutely love you, Alyviah."

"Your father?"

"Yes. That's where we're heading."

MEANING OF THE WORDS USED:

Onism: is the awareness of how little of the word you'll experience.