RAVENNA LEAD VYSES and Lyth through the stone covered streets, toward the beach. Each of them wore a dark cloak, with hoods to conceal their identities. Her two soldiers walked beside her, marching to the rhythm of her footfalls. The moment that her toes kissed the sand, her heart started to thud within her chest. This was it, she realized. Her next actions would completely change the course of her life.

She took a deep breath and focused.

Already, several guards had begun to gather around the edges of the beach, lingering within the shadows of the buildings situated behind them. She paid them no mind. Lifting her hands, she focused on the ocean, focused on the spell. Her fingers glowed a light blue color. Whispering the chosen words under her breath, she imagined a massive army of soldiers marching across the water, toward the beach, appearing just like her daggers.

The moment the sound of heavy, synchronized marching filled the air, Ravenna opened her eyes to admire her work.

"Only the guards," she ordered.

The soldiers burst into a sprint. Terrified shouts erupted from behind her and Ravenna turned, watching as guards rushed to meet the attack. From her spot on the beach, she could somewhat see the main market. The townsfolk scattered, the sounds of their terrified shrieks mingling with the heavy footfalls of Ravenna's soldiers. Most seemed to rush inside their homes, their shops. The one or two that bolted forward to help the guards were quickly subdued by her soldiers and taken further into the city to prevent harm.

The whole attack didn't take long.

In a few swift moments, the air fell silent. Armored bodies littered the streets. Ravenna looked to Vyses. He stepped forward, immediately disposing of the bodies, just as he'd done in the previous town. Once the guards had vanished, Ravenna snapped her fingers. Most of her army melted away. The few that remained began to patrol the streets and took post at the entrance to the city.

"Their mission is to protect the humans at all cost," Ravenna remarked as she and the others started toward the main street. "When we leave town, they should remain intact and function on their own accord, keeping to their mission. We shouldn't have to worry about them."

"We need to move closer to the Capitol," Vyses responded. "The more towns that we are able to liberate, the more that the king will be forced to respond. If we can get closer to the Capitol before he notices, we will have a better chance of bringing the kingdom against him."

"I agree," Ravenna said.

Ravenna's plan was fairly simple in theory. In order to create a rebellion against the king, she wanted to steal his own subjects, make them her own. She, Vyses, and their army would go from town to town, killing the guards. Her own soldiers would be left in their place. The goal was to get as close to the Capitol as possible, forcing the king to respond. Once she could get him on a battlefield, Ravenna would be able to take his crown and reform the guards herself.

As they walked through toward the entrance to the town, they noticed eyes watching them from the windows of buildings. Doors slowly opened and heads peaked out. Cautiously, the humans around them emerged.

"Do not be alarmed," Vyses announced reassuringly, his voice loud, carrying through the streets. "We have freed you from the brutal control of the Capitol's guards. You are free to live as you wish. The remaining soldiers will protect you from any threat that enters the village. You need not be afraid of what the future brings for you, humans. You have witnessed the power of our army and can rest assured that our army fights for your safety and protection."

The people around them still seemed hesitant. Then a small rumble bubbled from the crowds, gathering strength and energy until excited cheers exploded around them. It was different compared to the previous town –the gratitude seemed lacking, more so overwhelmed with a strong sense of relief. Ravenna turned toward Vyses. "We should locate horses and leave immediately, before word spreads."

Vyses nodded. "The last thing that we need is to meet up with the Blood Knights."

Ravenna nodded. She hastily summoned a few more soldiers and ordered them to bring her a horse. Before she could blink, two soldiers were leading a somewhat frightened horse toward her. She reached out, stroking its mane. "Hello there, friend," she greeted it softly.

Vyses sucked in a sharp breath. He waved a glowing hand over the horse's face. The horse's eyes glazed over with a crimson red color.

Another horse was summoned and, as they went to leave, Vyses paused. "Do you mind if I place one more spell upon your soldiers before we take our leave, lass?"

Ravenna narrowed her eyes at him. "Another spell?"

"It will give their armor and choice of weapon a little more power," Vyses explained with a small smile. "You may know how to summon a weapon, but you have yet to learn how to add special enchantments to that weapon and make it more fearsome."

Ravenna blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Allow me to show you."

She pursed her lips and relented. She watched, slightly worried, as Vyses waved a glowing hand toward her soldiers. Her own hand lifted, fingers curling around the amulet that dangled from her neck. It burned her skin.

A cloud of red magic spread through the town like a cloud of perfume. As it touched her soldiers, the red magic stained their armor. The jagged edges that formed around each piece of armor seemed to magnify, stretching across the armor as if the actual piece had been formed from shards of magic glass. Most of the armor remained Ravenna's ice blue, but the very tips of each shard now glowed a bright crimson red.

"They glow red now," Ravenna remarked, struggling to keep the sarcasm from her voice. "What an improvement."

Vyses smirked at her. "Order one of them to unsheathe their sword."

Ravenna folded her arms across her chest and turned her attention to the soldier closest to her. "Show me your sword," she ordered it.

The soldier reached toward its belt, fingers curling around the hilt of its sword. As it pulled the magical weapon from its sheath, the blade caught fire. The soldier held it out for Ravenna to inspect.

Her eyes widened. "It doesn't burn them?"

Vyses shook his head. "Only their enemies," he answered. "There are other ways to enchant weapons, but flame is my personal specialty. I don't want to risk potentially damaging the spells that you've already performed on them by adding a weak enchantment."

Ravenna didn't respond. She nodded to the soldier, silently telling it that she was finished with it. The soldier sheathed its sword and started to walk toward the others.

"Can my enchantments stay?" Vyses asked. "Or would you prefer that I remove them?"

"They can stay," she answered softly. "Flaming weapons will give them an added advantage against threats."

Vyses shot her a large smile. "You are absolutely right, lass."

She heaved a sigh. "Alright," she said. "Where is the next town?"

Happy Halloween babes!!! 

I hope that y'all get all the best candy and spooky goodies tonight! Remember to please be safe as well! ❤