Day Two.
But I didn’t die there, either.
In fact even with my eyes closed all I remember seeing was that bright flashing purple light, then hitting my head on something solid. As I struggle to open my eyes, I make note of something in particular...I’m freezing. Why was it so cold? I put my hands down to the ground as my vision slowly comes back. Was this snow? I hear a grunting sound and I realize I’m actually sitting up against Corvu who had just banged the back of his head into a wall. Pulling back I realize the most important thing. He’s alive. I take a deep breath and look around me.
This is familiar. I know where I am.
“Ow.” Corvu sighs, grabbing the back of
Day Twenty-Eight. The next thing I know, the three of us plonk onto the floor, the bench no longer there. I let out a short yelp as a spear is pointed into my face. “Wait!” I hear Sandy’s voice. “It’s okay, they’ve returned.” The guards pull back for a moment and appear to recognize us. As Sandy helps me and Shelia from the ground I take a look around. We’re inside the main hall and the Prince was nearby, this time in full golden armour like this father wore before. Approaching us, he looks a little relieved, “And they have the amulet! The Orcs aren’t going to be victorious today, it seems.” He chuckles. I roll my eyes and run to the nearest door. Beyond it I could see various archers lined up along all the windows. I had to find out what was going on. Through a gap between them, I could see torches below u
Days Without Them.When I opened my eyes, I really was home. It looked like time had barely moved despite being gone for an hour. I could feel my face was hot and flush, but also wet from tears. I didn’t even notice I was crying that whole time.Walking through my apartment, everything seemed...like an illusion. That’s when I saw Corvu’s old clothes on the bathroom rail. It really wasn’t a dream. Grabbing onto his tunic I wonder, will they think of me in years to come? Maybe as part of the King’s Guard they’ll be happy? Moving around my apartment slowly I go to my bed and drop the satchel by my feet. The clothes Patricia had given me lasted so long in the woods, and I was never really that cold or too hot. They were perfect. I fall into the bed and start to cry. It would stop hurting eventually. I’m sure of it.&nb
The next morning I woke up in the giant bed I had slept in the night before I originally left Skiora. Sandy had knocked on the door and entered, laying out a lovely casual purple dress for me. It was a hesen fabric of some kind to be worn on warmer days, which this certainly was.“This afternoon you must return to change into ceremonial wear, for your Knighting.” She smiles.“Knighting?” I question, getting up out of the bed in a pair of pyjamas I had picked up from a thrift store that said ‘I Heart New York’. She was very interested in my clothing, little did she know I brought back a dress for her.“Yes, the King has to knight you in order for you to join the King’s Guard. He’s very excited to have you.”
Being Knighted was an adventure all of its own. I managed to single-handedly tear my specially designed dress right before entering the Throne Room, which meant Sandy had to rush a last minute repair - literal last minute. But other than that it all went fairly smoothly.Corvu and I are part of a six-man squad that are frequently sent out on missions, and since Shelia is around to teach me what kind of magic I need to know, those missions are quite smooth. I promise, I’m not in any real danger. Corvu protects me with his life, which is almost turning into some kind of game to him on how many times in a month he has to save my life. It’s a little embarrassing, one month he got up to about seven. Guess I’m still a klutz. The other squad members are a little strange and not all human, I’ll have to detail them a little later. Just know they have my back.
I’m going to tell you a story. Normally, I’d tell you not to believe a word I say, but I promise you, every word is true. It’s also the reason you will never see me again. So, right down to its core, this is the story of how I died. Let me start at the beginning. Day One Running late was almost expected of me. I thought I had found the perfect routine, but I still end up late. Late to every lecture, appointment, or interview. It wasn’t my fault, really. Something always happened. The day this all started, the subway had stopped unexpectedly and everyone on the subway was stuck for twelve minutes. Afterward, it was a mad rush to exit the station; I got my scarf caught on the escalator railing which pulled me down, and none of the taxis would stop for me,
I didn’t die there.After the gun went off, I don’t remember hearing or seeing anything else. There was a flash of purple then it all went black, and that’s when I woke up in a very strange place. My initial thought was that I was still in the park only, somehow winter had stopped and the blistering heat of what felt like summer crept in. The sun had shone down at me with unforgiving aggression. I needed shade, and water. I looked down to locate my bag but I didn’t have it, which meant someone had taken my phone as well. That was when I realized there was no path beneath my feet and I couldn’t hear any traffic. The dirt was dry and a little dusty and the tall grass in the small clearing pricked at my legs through my clothes. I needed to get out of the sun.Because of the heat, I wrapped my jacket around my waist. Usually, the conve
The outfit that Patricia gave me was not flashy at all. A pair of lightly colored breeches and tan boots, paired with a white tunic and a darker tanned vest to accompany it. She had also given me a sage cloak in the event I felt cold. I was lucky in a way my hair was naturally blonde, it blended in well with the outfit overall. Regardless of how beautiful it was, I kept the amulet tightly tucked under the vest as per Patricia’s warning. Corvu kept his word. He took me to a place with a painted blue wooden sign that read ‘The Dragon's Keep’. “This place is also an Inn.” He says to me as he opens the large wooden door to a bustling tavern. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I was about to be welcomed by the innkeeper to begin an adventure or quest. “Welcome!” I jumped, not expecting the bartende
Day Three I wasn’t. I opened my eyes to the dawn peering through the one window in this attic, which lit the room enough for me to see that Corvu wasn’t there. Hearing faint voices I get up. The stairs nearby were steep and stretched around a corner, where I slowly waited to hear if it was Corvu’s voice so that I could come out. I didn’t want to meet any unexpected people or creatures. “Are you sure, boy?” I recognized that voice as the barkeeper. “Amulet’s like that are dangerous, and using them is just as bad.” “I won’t have to use it,” Corvu’s voice responded, “, have you heard how much Daemonaria are willing to pay for an amulet like that?” “What color was it?” “It was an amethyst.” “Hu