CHAPTER TWO. IT BEGINS

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HER MOTHER HAD HELPED HER OUT OF THE GOWN AND INTO BED. Tarinne had slept the most peacefully she's sure she's ever slept since what happened in Felea. That is, until commotion outside caused her to stir.

She woke up to shouts of fear and the clashing of swords. She rubbed her tired eyes and sat up in bed. Her head pounded painfully, a side effect of all of the alcohol she consumed that night. When the screams grew louder she stumbled out of her bed and out of her room. Her parents were already up, her father preparing to leave the house. Both of them turned to her when he heard her come out.

"What's going on?" Tarinne asked.

She stared into her father's wide eyes and for the first time in a long time she saw something different in them. Fear.

A feeling of unease washed over her as he moved to stand in front of her. "Do not leave this house, do you understand me?"

"What—"

"I don't care what you hear, do not leave. Do not leave," he spoke before turning and running out of the house with his sword in hand.

Tarinne looked at her mother, "What's happening?"

"Something's here. They got past the Barrier, I don't know how," Raia answered.

"What is it?" Tarinne asked. The woman shook her head. She didn't know.

Tarinne didn't even think as she walked back to her room. She put on her boots, putting a sheathed dagger into each, and grabbed her sword, unsheathing it from its scabbard. She walked to the front door with a newfound determination.

"What are you doing? You heard your father—"

"I'm not going to sit here and let some other creature destroy the place where I'm supposed to feel safe. I'm not," Tarinne ran out of the front door and toward where the shouts were coming from. She looked around the darkness, fog obscuring her vision. She took careful steps forward, walking on the balls of her feet so that she didn't make much noise.

As she got closer to the castle, the fog grew thicker. The hairs on her arms began to rise as an eeriness settled into the air around her. All she heard as she walked through the streets were the screams of the guards. Whatever they were fighting, they were losing badly.

Without any warning, a large dog jumped at her. Tarinne barely dodged out of the way from it. The Death Dog charged at her and she swiped it down with her sword. She didn't give it a chance to get up, stabbing it in the head before yanking her sword from its body. She heard growling and turned slowly just as another Death Dog lunged at her. Before it could reach her, it was knocked down mid-air by a sword, her father effectively killing it.

She panted as she looked up at him, her eyes wide in fright. He opened his mouth to speak but was struck down by the whip of one of the intruders. "Dad!"

The man was quick to get back to his feet, knocking the whip away with his sword when it swung at him again. Another spiked whip flew at Tarinne and she used her sword to block it. When it swung again, she ducked under it, shuffling forward to get closer to the creature to land a strike.

"Tarinne, get back!"

She didn't listen though and swung her sword. The creature dodged out of the way, whipping the whip at her. It wrapped around her sword and ripped it from her grip. The creature moved quickly, sending the whip at her again. She slid to the ground, just narrowly avoiding it. Her father moved quickly, beginning to attack the intruder with his sword. Tarinne grabbed one of the daggers from her boot and pulled it out. The man with the whip was beginning to get the upper hand. The whip wrapped itself around her father's neck, the other whip flying out to attack another guard. Tarinne wasted no time, charging at the creature and tackling him to the ground.

She raised the dagger and brought it down. The creature moved enough that she only stabbed him in the shoulder. With his free hand, he smacked her away from him. She flew backward, rolling a few times before springing back up to her feet. The whip came hurtling toward her again and she grabbed it with her left hand, wrapping it around her wrist and grabbing the length of it with her free hand. She pulled it toward her, the creature tilting his head at her. A faint glow emitted from her hands but she didn't have a chance to notice it. Her father's sword came down on the metal whip and it uncoiled itself from her hand. The creature and his whips retreated into the fog and the two Alinacs stood back to back, anticipating the next attack.

"I thought I told you to stay inside," Esai reprimanded.

"Seeing as disobeying orders just saved your life, maybe it's time I stop listening to what you tell me," Tarinne breathed.

"I'm pretty sure I saved your life," Esai pointed out.

"What? No, I totally had him, you just didn't give me enough time," Tarinne denied.

The two slowly moved in a circle, squinting to see in the fog.

"If I waited any longer you'd probably be dead," Esai said.

"Yeah well... I still saved your life first," Tarinne responded and he rolled his eyes at her.

The creature with the whips was now gone, and the two were unsure of where it went. They fought off a few more Death Dogs and then suddenly, the dogs ran away. A few minutes went by and the fog was beginning to lighten up but just barely. "Are they leaving?" Tarinne asked. The two walked further into the streets, seeing the bodies of guards that littered them. Queen Sorsha was laid on the ground, injured by the whips of the creature Tarinne and Esai previously fought. Her father ran to the Queen, going to assist her.

Tarinne looked around the area, unsure of what to do. An unfamiliar blonde walked past her, muttering Airk's name as she searched for him. Too much was going on around her.

"They took him," Prince Graydon drew her attention. "I think... he's what they came for."

That certainly wasn't good.

••••

Tarinne's hand was bandaged, the metal whip doing some damage from when she grabbed it. Nothing too terrible, just some bloody cuts, but it's a good thing it wasn't her sword-fighting hand. She along with her father, King Hastur and his son, Jade, Kit, Queen Sorsha, and some knights were in the throne room. The Sun had come up at that point and Graydon was relaying to them what had happened.

"I was up in the tower, and I didn't know what to do or how to...," he cleared his throat, "And then I heard that voice speaking in Pnakotic, I think. I saw a creature with huge gossamer wings rise out of the mist, with someone in its talons, thrashing around as it flew away, like a hawk who'd caught a mouse."

Voices began overlapping as people tried to figure out what to do. Tarinne just wanted to go home and go back to sleep. The doors of the room opened and two guards came in, hauling a man with them.

"Caught up with him on the edge of town, trying to steal a horse," one of the guards said.

"False. Patently false. I was actually checking on the conditions of the stables as I was concerned for the welfare of the animals. Is it a crime to care, huh? To feel?" The man claimed.

"Enough!" King Hastur exclaimed.

"I'll go," Kit professed and Tarinne looked over at her. "I'll go."

"Yes," Sorsha agreed.

"Mother, I said, I think I should go west to search for Airk," Kit said, unsure of if the woman had heard her correctly.

"I heard you. And I agree," Sorsha winced.

"Oh. Okay," Kit said, still unsure.

"My queen, if that is your decision, I volunteer to go with her," Ballantine said.

"You are the commander of the Pacalcade. You can't relinquish that responsibility to go questing," Kase walked over to him. Esai opened his mouth but the old man turned to him, expecting him to volunteer. "And you are second in command, Esai, you also cannot go. Especially not now," Kase took a breath. "I'll go. I've known Airk since the day he was born, and he's as close to a son as I'll ever have... At least, that I'm aware of."

"Thank you. You're just the leader this expedition needs," Sorsha said.

"Well, in that case, Tarinne should go in my place," Esai said.

"What? No," Tarinne was quick to protest.

He ignored her, instead looking at the queen, "Tarinne showed immense bravery and skill last night. I cannot think of a better person to go on this quest to find the Prince and protect the Princess."

"I can think of a lot of better people, actually," Kit spoke immediately. "I don't need anyone to protect me, especially not her." Kit sent Tarinne a look of displeasure. Tarinne rolled her eyes.

"The Princess doesn't want me to go so I think I should stay," Tarinne spoke.

"No, I think you should go. This is a journey that could use someone like you," Sorsha said. And just like that, it was decided. Tarinne was going, she didn't have a choice. She moved to walk over to where Kase was now standing next to Kit.

"I'm going too. Where the Princess goes, I go," Jade announced. She looked over Kit before her eyes moved to Tarinne. Tarinne however was too busy glaring at her father to notice.

"In that case, so is Graydon," King Hastur said.

"I'm what now?" Graydon looked at his father in surprise.

"You know, I think we're good, fellowship-wise," Kit spoke, not wanting him to join them too. It was bad enough Tarinne was going, she didn't want to have to deal with the man she was forcibly betrothed to.

"You'd let your bride-to-be travel beyond the Barrier without you?" King Hastur said.

"It's not ideal but I'd learn to live with it," Graydon replied. This made Tarinne laugh under her breath but both the King and Graydon heard it, turning to look at her. Tarinne looked straight ahead, covering up her laugh with a stoic expression. King Hastur looked back at his son and took a step closer, whispering something in his ear. Graydon walked over to the growing group of people. Jade stepped in his way as he moved to stand next to Kit. When he moved to stand next to Tarinne instead, she side-stepped him, blocking his way from her too. Graydon instead went to stand next to Kase.

That was weird.

"Thraxus Boorman," Sorsha spoke loudly.

The man pushed the guards off of him, "Get off."

"You've been beyond the Barrier," she continued.

"Aye, and it's no place for children," Thraxus said.

"Be their guide, and I'll pardon all your crimes," the Queen spoke.

"Really? Even the one in the haberdashery with... I like the feel of velvet on my—"

"Even that," she interrupted him.

"Okay," Thraxus agreed.

"Madness! As good as setting him free!" King Hastur protested.

"He'll see it done. Not for a pardon, and not for me, but to square a debt with an old friend," Sorsha said, giving Thraxus a knowing look.

"Where would we even look? You can't track something that flies," Thraxus pointed out.

"Which is why you're going to need a sorcerer," Sorsha replied.

"A sorcerer? Terrific. Okay. All the sorcerers are gone," Thraxus reminded her.

"There's one. A Nelwyn. Lives in a village on the River Freen. And I have a feeling, he's expecting you," Sorsha informed them.

••••

"Why would you volunteer me to go on this quest? I don't want to go," Tarinne yelled at her father. They were back in their home, her mother being filled in on what had happened and helping Tarinne pack a bag.

"This is what it means to be a knight. This is what we do. Besides, I thought you'd be thrilled to finally leave Tir Asleen," Esai said, almost sarcastically.

"And I thought you said it was dangerous out there," Tarinne fired back.

"It's dangerous in here too!" He yelled before taking a second to collect himself. "Those things got in here, they got past our defense. Past the Barrier. And who knows what else could do the same? Staying here isn't safe anymore."

"So you think going out there is safer?" Tarinne questioned.

"I don't know! But you're going, it's already been decided. Pack your weapons, and don't forget your belt of daggers, you're good with those," Esai walked away from her and out of the front door. Tarinne huffed, stomping to her room and sitting angrily on her bed. Her mother took a seat next to her.

"You'll be okay," Raia said.

"How do you know?" Tarinne asked.

"Because you're you," Raia said. Tarinne said nothing and the woman sighed. "I understand being scared. But you need to trust and believe in yourself the way we believe in you. Tarinne, you are more than you will ever know."

Tarinne took a deep breath and nodded. "And remember, if you ever get scared, just hold onto your necklace and say those special words and you'll be safe," Raia went on.

Tarinne scoffed, "I'm not a child anymore."

"I know," the woman replied.

The two packed the rest of Tarinne's things and then left the home to go and meet the others by the horses. Her father was there waiting already. Tarinne turned to her mother, giving her a long hug. "I love you," Raia whispered.

"Love you too," Tarinne replied. The two pulled away and Tarinne turned to her father, beginning to walk over to him. He gave her a curt nod.

"Are you serious? No hug?" Tarinne asked.

"I didn't think you'd want one," Esai admitted. She rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back, closing his eyes and squeezing her tighter. "I know that I can be hard on you, but I just want what's best for you." He pulled away from the hug, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Be safe." Tarinne nodded and walked away from him, going over to the gray horse that she would be using on their journey.

She mounted the horse and waited for the others to get on theirs so they could leave. The quicker they got this done, the quicker she could get back to Tir Asleen. The rest of the party mounted their horses and then the group was off on the journey of a lifetime.

They rode for hours and hours but were no closer to the Barrier. One thing was for certain, this quest would be a long one.

"How much further to the Barrier?" Kit asked. It was as if she read Tarinne's mind.

"Another day. Maybe less," Boorman, he told them he preferred Boorman over Thraxus, informed.

"Let's hope it's less," Tarinne said.

"Why? Can't wait to get rid of us?" Kit said, sending her a sarcastic smile.

"If I could count down the minutes until I was free of you, I would," Tarinne snarked back.

"Right because that's the kind of person you are. You drop people when you get sick of them or bored of them—"

"Or maybe I just can't stand you—"

"I'm glad I'm getting a reminder of the type of person you really are. Aren't you Jade?" Kit looked over at the redhead.

Kase spoke before Jade could respond, "Enough of your childish squabbles please." Tarinne and Kit rolled their eyes at each other and looked away. "Rangers garrisoned at the Mothers' Gate are led by Commander Remar, an old friend. We can resupply before we head beyond the realm," the man stated.

"You ever seen the Mothers' Gate?" Boorman asked him.

"Aye," Kase confirmed.

"Ever been beyond it?" Boorman asked next. Kase looked at him but said nothing. "Don't worry. There's plenty of stuff I've done that you haven't."

"I think someone's followin' us," Jade announced.

"You know, that's what I thought. Then I realized, you'd have to be daft to follow us, considering we're all gonna die," Boorman said.

"Why would you say that?" Tarinne questioned at the same time Graydon said, "Wait, you think we're gonna die? I wish someone told me. I'm really scared of dying. That and communal bathing..."

Jade shushed him before speaking, "Let's get off the road."

They all did just that, going into the forest. They dismounted their horses, tying them to trees before waiting for whoever was following them to come into view. Tarinne hid behind a tree, arms crossed over her chest as she impatiently waited for something to happen.

"Hey, they're coming. Get down," Boorman whisper-shouted. The person was on a white horse and Boorman came up from behind them, grabbing them off of the horse.

"Hey, put me down!" The blonde protested. Boorman did just that and they all got a good look at her.

"Who's she? Who are you?" Tarinne inquired.

"Uh uh. Absolutely not," Kit shook her head. She clearly knew who this girl was.

"I wanna help rescue the Prince," the girl said.

"Tough. Go home," Kit shot her down.

"You don't understand. We're in love," the blonde girl continued.

"I don't know how to break it to you, but Airk's been in love with quite—"

The blonde interrupted Jade, "Not like this, not like us. You think I'm a fool, fine, I don't care. What we have comes around once, maybe, if you're lucky. There is nothing we wouldn't do for each other."

"Have you ever been in a fight?" Kit asked.

"You mean, like, verbally?" The blonde asked back and Boorman laughed under his breath.

"Are you serious?" Tarinne spoke.

"I mean, like, defending yourself against someone who wants to hurt you," Kit elaborated.

"No. Have you?" The blonde asked, almost smug.

"Ooo, I think I like her," Tarinne said, smiling over at the blonde who smiled unsurely back.

"Shut up, Tarinne," Kit fired.

"Make me, Kit," Tarinne replied.

The blonde began speaking again, "I can do other stuff, whatever you need. Tend horses. Somebody's gotta cook, right?"

Boorman took a few steps closer to her. "Are you any good?" He asked.

"I'm phenomenal," she gloated.

"She's not coming with us, Boorman," Kit said.

"You heard the Princess. You're going back to Tir Asleen at first light," Kase announced.

Kit turned to look at him, "What?"

"What? It'll be dark soon. She can go back in the morning," Kase defended his decision.

The blonde girl looked a little more smug.

"So what can you cook out here?" Graydon asked.

••••

The group had set up camp and the girl, Dove or something, was cooking for them. Tarinne picked at the grass beneath her, completely bored. The sound of a song began to trickle into her ears and she looked over at Graydon who was now playing a flute.

"Seriously? You brought a flute?" Kit asked.

"Yeah, was that not a good idea? My nan believed that music was a balm for the soul. So—" Graydon began but was interrupted.

"This is not some jaunt or your chance to see the world. It's dangerous. And those things that took Airk, they're not just gonna give him back," Kit said. She looked at Boorman, "Hey, tell him."

"Well, you're all so naive, it's adorable. What? You've never known pain, fear, hunger—"

"I have," Tarinne blurted without thinking. She immediately regretted it when the attention fell on her.

"Oh? Do tell," Boorman raised his eyebrows.

Tarinne avoided everyone's eyes and refocused her attention on pulling up grass. She wasn't about to tell a bunch of strangers about her past. The only ones who knew were Jade and Kit and for now, she was going to keep it that way. "Maybe if you buy me a drink first I'll spill my deepest darkest secrets."

"Are you even old enough to drink?" Boorman questioned and she threw grass at him. Tarinne could feel Jade's eyes burning into the top of her head, which was what was visible seeing as Tarinne was looking down at the grass. She made no attempt to look up at the redhead, not wanting to see what look was on her face. She didn't want pity or sympathy.

"Anyway," Boorman went on, "Out there, it won't matter who your parents are, or what you think you deserve. The world is bigger than you could possibly imagine... It doesn't give a damn about any of you."

Dove came out of nowhere, holding out a bowl to Boorman. "Possum stew?"

Boorman took the bowl from her, picked up the spoon, and took a sip of it. "Wow!" he exclaimed.

"Phenomenal," Dove whispered.

After they all ate, the group made small talk with each other. Graydon was sitting next to Tarinne, telling her stories. "Have you ever heard of the lost kingdom of Aetesia?" He asked.

"No, but I bet you're going to tell me," Tarinne said.

"I won't if you don't want me to," Graydon said.

"Just tell your story," Tarinne sighed.

"Okay, so I read about it in this book. There was this kingdom hundreds of years ago, Aetesia, that was said to be the most beautiful place to ever exist. And it was just filled with beautiful people. But it was also a powerful kingdom with a powerful nation and they were said to all have powers. The royal family were the most powerful of all and were believed to have these cool abilities that no other person in their kingdom could possess. The Queen, Vasylia Duras, was pregnant and that child was believed to be the kingdom's salvation from the evil forces that posed a threat against them. One night, the Queen had gone into labor. That same night, those evil forces managed to sneak their way into the kingdom; the Queen had been betrayed by someone she thought she could trust. They had set out to kill her and her baby. They broke into the the castle, the Queen on the verge of giving birth and unsure of what to do. She used her magic to fight them off as best as she could but, according to the story, she wasn't successful."

The entire group was looking at Graydon, completely entranced by his story.

"What happened to the baby?" Dove questioned.

"I don't know. Some believed she had given birth before they broke into the castle and got the baby to safety. Others believe the baby died that night," Graydon replied.

"What do you believe?" Tarinne found herself asking. His story, while interesting, hit a little too close to home. But she couldn't help her curiosity.

Graydon shrugged, "I don't know. I guess it doesn't really matter, it's just a story." That seemed to be the end of it and everyone began getting back to whatever they were originally doing.

"Why did you bring this up?" Tarinne asked.

"Bring what up?" Graydon asked back.

"The story," Tarinne clarified.

"Oh. It's just your hair reminded me of it," he replied.

"My hair?" She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Yeah the color. There are a few iterations of the story but they always describe Queen Vasylia and the Duras family as having either white, silver, or golden hair. I think it's how they knew who was royal and who wasn't."

Tarinne fake gasped, "Are you saying you think that I'm the heir of a fallen magical kingdom?"

Graydon laughed, "No. None of that was real, it's just a story. Besides, it takes place like, a hundred years ago. If it were real, the survival of their family would depend on the survival of the baby."

"And nobody knows if the baby survived," Tarinne said with a nod.

"Yeah," Graydon confirmed.

"It's an interesting story," Tarinne shrugged before averting her attention elsewhere. And that was the end of that conversation. She looked upward to admire the sky.

"I like your hair," Dove spoke softly, "It's pretty."

Tarinne sat up and looked at her, "Thanks. You know, Airk used to make fun of me for it."

"Yeah until Kit and I beat him up," Jade laughed, remembering that time.

"Yeah, he deserved that," Kit said before looking down sadly.

"Hey, we're gonna find him," Tarinne assured. Kit looked over at her. "We will. Then you can beat him up again for letting himself get kidnapped."

Kit allowed a smile to grace her features, "Yeah."

Jade looked between the two, a small smile coming onto her face.

"I know this is a silly question, but what is the Barrier, actually?" Dove asked the group.

"It's a force field, forged by Raziel and Cherlindrea to protect the realm. It was a refuge for those who wanted a life that was more than just survival," Jade paused, struggling to form her next words. She leaned back and rubbed her nose as she sniffled, clearing her throat before continuing, "My, um, family was headed to the Mothers' Gate when we were attacked. I was the only one who survived."

One of the reasons Tarinne and Jade connected so quickly when they were kids was because of their similar backgrounds. They both understood what it meant to lose someone you loved. They had bonded over their similar traumas. And even though they weren't friends anymore, Tarinne couldn't help the way her heart ached hearing Jade recount the events of what happened to her family.

She looked over at the redhead whose expression now held sadness. Before she could speak, Boorman began talking. "That's... depressing, but not why they built the Barrier," he said. Tarinne wanted to hit him over the head with a rock. Kit walked over to Jade, placing a comforting hand on her arm as she sat down.

"He's right. It wasn't built to protect the realm, it was built for Elora Danan," Kase said.

"What happened to her?" Dove asked next.

"People say she's dead. But the prophecy says that one day she'll return and unite the world against forces of darkness," Jade spoke animatedly. She chuckled, "Truth is, no one actually knows."

"My mother knows. Pretty sure my father knew too. I think he snuck her out of the castle one night and took her somewhere far away where nobody would find her. And then, stayed with her," Kit said.

"Is that what you really think or what you wanna believe?" Boorman asked.

"Why would I want to believe that he chose her instead of us?" Kit inquired.

"I don't know. Maybe 'cause, you know, sometimes it's easier to hate them," Boorman replied.

"Well, I think she's just a made-up symbol of hope. Someone to make people feel like they'll be protected if the world starts to end. And then they'll all learn the hard way that no one is going to save them and they'll have to save themselves. And by the time they realize that... it'll be too late," Tarinne spoke absentmindedly. She didn't believe in Elora Danan. And even if she was real, she wasn't going to put all of her faith into her.

"You are one dark child," Boorman spoke.

"I'm not a child," Tarinne glared at him.

"Well, if it looks like a child and acts like a child—"

"When have I acted like a child?" Tarinne interrupted him.

"Your little arguments with the Princess," he pointed out.

"That... that's different," Tarinne defended.

"Why's it different?" Boorman asked.

"Yeah, why is it different?" Kit implored.

Tarinne rolled her eyes and stood, wiping the dirt off of herself. "I'm going for a walk," she said.

"I don't think that's wise—"

"I won't be long," Tarinne interrupted Kase. She walked away from the group, grumbling under her breath in annoyance. She didn't get far before she heard someone following behind her. Tarinne quickly drew her sword and turned around.

Jade held up her hands, "Whoa, it's just me." Tarinne sighed and re-sheathed her sword.

"Why'd you follow me? I wasn't gonna go far," Tarinne asked.

"I needed to talk to you, away from the others," Jade answered.

"About what?" Tarinne asked next.

"About last night," Jade responded, watching Tarinne's features to gauge her response.

Tarinne's eyebrows furrowed, "What about last night? Is it about Airk?"

"No, no. It's... it's about what happened after Kit's engagement party," Jade explained.

Tarinne's eyebrows remained furrowed, "Before the attack?" Jade nodded her head. "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, Jade."

The redhead was taken aback, "What?"

"I had a lot to drink. I don't really remember anything that happened during or after the party. Just woke up to us under attack," Tarinne replied. Jade's face fell, which made the white-haired girl even more confused. "Was it important?"

It felt like Jade had been punched in the gut. Tarinne didn't remember. Of course she didn't. She was drunk and the kiss didn't matter. Just a stupid drunken kiss. Tarinne didn't even know what she was doing. It didn't mean anything to her. But it was all Jade could think about. And now, now she wished she could just forget it too. That way she wouldn't feel as hurt as she did.

"Jade?" Tarinne spoke up after Jade hadn't responded.

The redhead shook her head and plastered on a fake smile. "Nothing, it's not important."

"Are you sure? You said you needed to talk to me," Tarinne said.

"I'm sure. It doesn't matter," Jade nodded. Tarinne watched as she turned away and began walking back to the others, having no clue that she had just broken Jade's heart all over again.

••••

I'm a little evil, sorry. I hope everyone reading enjoyed this chapter! Be sure to vote and comment, but please do not comment for me to update!