Although it brought life with it, the sun was merciless in its approach as its rays resembled tiny armies attacking her sleepy eyes. Alyviah groaned, rubbing her face and pushing herself upright before shooting a glance around. Everyone was asleep, including Thaddeus.

Reluctantly, her hand reached forward, resting on his shoulder. "Oy! Thaddeus." Her murmured call fell on deaf ears. "So much for staying up late guarding everyone." Turning around, Alyviah's loud gasp reverberated around, almost breaking the insides of her skull as it bounced inside her head. No one was there. Her gaze moved to where her hand was...not even Thaddeus.

'Would you look at that?' Raucous laughter filled the still, dead atmosphere. 'To think, a little girl like you would be the one threatening my throne.' The voice, so sharp and unpleasant, nearly made her ears bleed. 'Such a disgrace, an abomination!'

"Who is there? Show yourself, coward!"

'Ah, the bravery, the nerve, the guts...I would love to tear through your intestines, smear my hands with your blood, and have my lovely children feast on your unholy flesh.'

Suddenly, everyone reappeared again. Torn flesh, crimson red and lifeless bodies dispersed across the empty space before her. Alyviah trembled so badly her knees knocked against each other, worsening the urge to urinate that squeezed her bladder. Her breathing picked up, labored, scarce, choking. Her back was glued to the giant tree behind her and she pressed harder hoping it would hide her within. Unruly knotted curls flopped as her head moved from side to side, eyes wild, frantic, searching. The voice seemed to be coming from everywhere and was so distorted she couldn't figure out whether it was a person or a creature talking to her.

"What are you?"

'Your beginning, your end.'

Frenzied, Alyviah jerked, scrambling to her feet, her chest moving rapidly. Sweat trickled down her flushed body, soaking her flimsy garments and creating a thin luster across her exposed skin. Startled, Thaddeus jumped to his feet as well, arms outstretched before him. "What's wrong, Alyviah?" She recoiled, staggering away from him. It was too dark to see. "Easy, it's just me, Thaddeus. I'm here, just me."

"Thaddeus?" She croaked, fumbling with her cloak before discarding it to the side. Her body was burning. "Where are you?" Her pants alarmed him.

His hand reached forward slowly. "I will hold you right now, alright? It is my hand. It's just me." She nodded quickly, although he couldn't see her, welcoming his cool touch before deflating. He pulled her in, glad it was too dark for anyone to spot them, and embraced her shaking frame between his steady arms. "What did you see?"

"Nothing. Just a voice." She swallowed. "A very horrible voice. It was full of hatred, anger...and promised death." Tears flowed freely from her unblinking eyes, sliding down the leather that shielded his torso.

Speechless, Thaddeus only hugged her tighter, his hand moving involuntarily while it stroked her matted hair. "It's alright. It is but a nightmare." Alyviah nodded again, unconsciously wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing, reminded of Peter who used to do the same whenever she awoke startled in the middle of the night.

Silent sobs racked her body as Thaddeus tucked her small head under his chin, his soothing murmurs and movements never ceasing.

Alyviah must've drifted back to sleep after her embarrassing session for she awoke to the woolen fabric of the frayed cloak draped across her torso, and loneliness looming over the private spot Thaddeus chose for them. Her face burned; she needed to change out of this shameless attire. However, with everything turned to ashes back in the camp, she doubted anyone had anything to spare other than what they were wearing. Veles be damned, they barely even had any nourishment or time to hunt. Curling in a small ball, she used the overgarment as a cover and pulled it under her folded legs.

Benefitting from the obscurity the tree offered, she watched life pour from and surround everyone as they bustled around, letting it fuel her final resolve. The sun was barely awake by that time, everyone tending to their horses despite the lack of sleep due to the short hours of rest. The warriors consisted of men and women, both clad in all sets and shades of brown, consisting of linen, wool, and leather.

It wasn't long before Thaddeus was making his way toward her with some bread and a flask half-full of water, what he managed to scavenge from his comrades, in his hands. "Let's go." Without wasting any time, he hauled her up to rest on the horse. "Eat while we gather ourselves."

The gigantic beast, covered in scattered spots of brown and white, trotted as his master guided him around. Forcing the food down her throat, Alyviah willed it to settle in her stomach for the ever-growing headaches were beyond nauseating.

"Is everyone alright?"

"Yes."

"How long until we reach our destination?"

"A couple more days as long as we keep resting to a minimum." She nodded, awfully aware of how distant his responses were. Shielding her body as much as she can, Alyviah kept her mouth shut and let herself drift among the thoughts in the crowded rooms of her mind.

Soon after Thaddeus climbed behind her, silence befell them. The only sounds emitted were those of hooves and the crackling tension surrounding them. Everyone was aware that their monotonous patrols were no more now. Roaming around among endless trees in search of something, someone has finally paid off. It should've been obvious that things were going to take drastic turns the moment Veles started sending frequent heavily armed groups to Uthain.

All the villagers were spooked, highly alerted and it was no shock that the person Alyviah decided to confront would snitch on her. Thaddeus chanced a glance at her swaying form, a faraway look adorning her features. He'd witnessed how she almost broke the arm of a man with one dainty hand. Jaw taut, fists clenched and calculating eyes, he'd watched from the shadows as the scene unfolded and consequently stirring a whirlwind of rumors that were bound to reach the superiors this time.

If only the forest had allowed them to get through to her before the fire did. Those damned trees, his grip tightened, always moving, cunning, protecting.

They passed in a blur again, weaving, spreading, and calling. They were always calling for her. Alyviah has always disregarded the whispers invading her head as mere fabrications of her over-active imagination. The forest has always been inviting her, now she was sure. It was a heavenly sound that beckoned her closer, farther, deeper. She never knew as to where the voice was attempting to lead her.

However, the further they dived into the forest and the closer they got to their destination, the louder the whispers became...and it drove her crazy.

Time elapsed and days passed in smudges of vicious nightmares, incessant headaches, and restlessness. The journey took longer than expected despite the very brief stops to sleep or rest. With dark circles under heavy-lidded eyes, slouched figures continued moving, advancing and pushing themselves harder.

Alyviah tilted her head to the side, irises turning to slits as the whispers suddenly ceased as soon as the sight of scattered cabins, hidden among the mistiness of dawn, invaded her vision. Pallid faces lit up.

"Halt!" Her breaths faltered as the gruff order resonated around them. "Introduce yourself, travelers."

Thaddeus almost rolled his eyes. No one has ever come this way, this far into the woods, only the ones that knew about this place. His gaze roamed the haziness. Everything was the same. Gritting his teeth, and with a steady booming voice, he responded, feeling Alyviah glancing at him. "I am Thaddeus, son of Aaryavir." His hands tightened around the reins. "Us, warriors, are returning with great news. We were successful in our last mission." Faint gasps and murmurs erupted. They always loved to gather around the entrance whenever he came back from a mission. "I wish to speak to my father."

Alyviah flinched, nearly falling off the horse when a burly man with familiar blue eyes and long, ruffled brown strands appeared out of nowhere by her side. His orbs twinkled in, what appeared to be, relief, paired with a small dose of mischief. His hand felt rough, warm, and gentle as it cradled hers while his head bowed slightly.

"We meet at last, my queen."

MEANING OF THE WORDS USED:

Abomination: is that which is exceptionally loathsome, hateful, sinful, wicked, or vile.

Aaryavir: is a masculine name that means brave, courageous, and fearless.