SWNOVELS Chapter A New Power
A static charge of blinding light jolted past him with such heat, he jerked his arm away watching the bolt crackle an intense white hitting the castle’s main gate.
The impact had the gate buckle and the soldiers flying in all directions, the shock wave that was about to them was suddenly absorbed by another charge of power nearing the gate. Drathis pulled the reins of the two horses back trying to prevent them from crumpling up into the damaged gate when the next charge hit it again, exploding it off the wall, sending it crashing into a nearby building.
Drathis cursed steering the horses through the wreckage, barrelling out the now crumbling bridge that had been above the gate. He cursed again as a few loose stones fell on him, but a piece of metal from the gate shot back and sunk into the front of the carriage blocking the shaft from allowing the carriage to turn. He yanked the shard of metal out hissing at the heat of it chucking it aside, watching the red-hot tip hit the snow, right above it he saw the buckled gate still heated as well.
They were almost free, almost through the abandoned city racing at top speed, dodging and diving between the wreckage of war when he heard something soring through the air towards them. He stood up turning to judge how to avoid it when he was caught off guard by a figure standing on top of the carriage, through the smog he ripped his sword lose ready to slice the intruder till the giant ball of fire flying at them was deflected and sent right back towards the castle.
Gobsmacked he noticed the figure to be the women from inside the carriage, having no time to process the information he turned to steer the horses back out the crumpled path before him.
He growled in frustration as another ball of fire came soring towards them narrowly being deflected by his passenger. The activity had awoken both sides of the war, Black Maser soldiers were suddenly active now, slowly but surely catching up to them on horseback, he cursed for what seemed the hundredth time seeing three Black Mase soldiers nearing him from the right.
The dumb bastards had no idea who they were escaping from the castle, yet wanted them dead either way. Rage flooded him as one rider neared, he steered the carriage a hard right then leaped through the air sinking his sword into the stunned rider, swinging in the saddle he threw the spear he had pulled out the dead man’s hands at the other two behind, the one ducked and let the spear sink into the other. He spun the horse around charging head-on for the remaining man slicing him with his sword then scanned the fields looking for more.
He saw shadows in the unclear light but they seemed to be far away enough to grant them a clean escape, turning around he kicked the horse's side willing it to fly back towards the carriage, the carriage had thankfully stayed on course due to the women now in control of it.
“Keep to the left, we need to go through the hills.” He called out near the carriage.
“Left will have us out in the open.”
“We already an active target, steer left.” He said closing the distance between them, together they managed to push through the rough farmland towards the hills. Two more fireballs were sent after them, but due to the distance, they had already between them and the castle it was missing its mark.
Seeing the abandoned farmhouses now he looked back one last time going rigid, recalling the gorgaknights on the night of his first escape, and shook his fear away, it had been long enough, he had to start to ignore the demons of his past.
Behind him the fog was thick and not providing any clear view of the men chasing them, he strained his ears but there were too many sounds interfering.
“Keep straight I will catch up.”
“Where are you going?”
“To fetch a friend.” He didn’t wait for an objection back tracking to the farm house. He knew it most probably hopeless but he had asked Galaxy to wait for him, and if that horse was as intelligent as he knew it was, it would still be there.
Reaching the farm house, he jumped off the skitch horse that hardly waited for him to grab it. Well at least that confirmed it, Galaxy was nearby and was one hell of an interesting animal he hoped to one day figure out; she looked and felt like a horse but her speed, her ice cold feel and intellectual eyes were anything but that relating to a normal horse.
Giving a low whistle he creeped towards the dilapidated building listening for anyone nearby, the part of the house that was broken open creaked and cracked under the weight of something dark and heavy, Galaxy.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, things got complicated in there.” He tried to apologize walking up to her, she snorted flinging her mane back, “I will make it right I promise, but for now we have to leave.”
She dipped her head-turning her rump towards him in agreement, he stroked her neck swinging himself onto the magnificent beast, almost double the size of the small skittish one he had just been on. He almost sighed with relief, now this was power.
It didn’t take long for them to leave a great distance between the nearing hooves sounds, they caught up to the carriage and were greeted with bright violet eyes that spotted him through the fog, she stood up instantly static energy charging up in her hand aiming at him.
“Whoa stop.” He shouted out pulling Galaxy to halt.
“Arun?!” she called out unable to see clearly.
“Yeah, told you ill catch up.”
The glow in her hand died out as she turned to sit back down on the carriage, he caught up again alongside the carriage making sure to keep just enough distance between them and the other horses before that started up a whole new series of disasters, he doubted Galaxy would be impressed pulling a carriage.
“I can’t see anything,” she said with uncertainty. He looked ahead through the dark road but it was only visible a couple of meters at a time.
“I think you can stop for a moment.”
“We don’t know how far behind they are.”
“I doubt they will follow us for much longer.”
“Why?” She asked slowing the carriage till it stopped and they both remained still listening for any sounds.
He didn’t answer her, it was obvious, both sides had too much to lose chasing after one carriage, their war was more important than them.
The air was thick swirling with a cold bite to it all around them, but apart from the horse’s breaths there was no other sound at all, he nudged Galaxy slowly forward scanning the surroundings best he could, they were on a dirt road that hadn’t seen travelers in a very long time, dusted with snow and thick overgrowth, he gazed out thinning his eyes to spot any tell sign as to where they were, but it was not possible.
“I will lead,” He said as Galaxy stepped towards the front, “We need to put a bit more distance between Zitex just in case.” She nodded clicking for the horses to go forward. Together they moved onward at a slower pace, Drathis kept his eyes on both sides leaving Galaxy in charge knowing she would lead them astray.
A few hours later Drathis picked up on the sounds of rushing water guiding them towards a large waterfall hidden by thick trees and small caves. Jumping off Galaxy he drew his sward nearing the caves inspecting them for life, they weren’t large enough to sleep in but he wasn’t in the mood to be bitten by a wild animal.
“It's clear.” He sighed replacing his sword walking back to Galaxy stroking her neck.
“We can’t stay here.” She said climbing down from the carriage front.
“Sorry princess, but you at least have the carriage to rest your head in, and until this fog clears up, we cannot carry on.” he walked past her to tie up the carriage horses to the nearest tree.
“Arun!” Another female protested in disbelief stepping out of the carriage, “That is no way to speak to a queen and her lady in waiting.”
Oh yeah, with all his mistaken identities of late he wasn’t sure which catch of the day he needed to be anymore. He needed to put that to rest, after fastening the last horse he turned to the cloaked women standing near the carriage door, he couldn’t see what they looked like but one had unusual coloured eyes and a wicked jolt of power in her, he needed to tread lightly before his ass was set on fire.
“Look, I’m not Arun, but I needed to escape, you were my only means.” He said softly stepping forward as the one woman took a step to be in front of the other. “Don’t zap me with your witchy hands,” He snapped pointing at her, “I am not an enemy and don’t want to harm you ladies, I just need some of the supplies from the back of that carriage, and ill be on my way.” He stood still watching them waiting patiently, eventually, the woman behind raised her hands to lower her hood revealing a gentle face framed with golden long hair, a delicate tiara, and soft blue trusting eyes, everything a good queen should have.
“What happened to Arun?” She asked quietly as if already summing up the fact that he was dead.
“I don’t know.” He lied watching the other women still perfectly motionless, “So you are the queen’s protector?”
“I’m whatever my lady needs.”
“Fair enough.” He shrugged taking another step forward. “As I said, I just need some supplies and I’m out your way.” He nodded towards the carriage.
“You can’t leave us here stranded in the middle of nowhere.”
“Ashleigh!” The women objected hushing her.
“I highly doubt you will be stranded; you little helper seemed to know what she was doing back there.” He snorted folding his arms over his chest.
“Little helper!” She snapped in disgust stomping towards him, “Show yourself!” She demanded.
“You first.” He stood his ground not intimidated.
“Why?”
“The same reason you want to see me.”
“Huh?”
“You curious as to how I look.”
She said nothing dropping her hands from her waist, then sighed raising her hands to her cloak, “Fine!”
“Sinira, do you think it wise?” Ashleigh called out towards them. The lady had a point she had been cloaked for so many years hiding her identity yet in the front of this stranger she wanted him to see her, why?
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” He tried to pass her towards the carriage till her arm grabbed him.
“No, I will, I wish to see the man brave enough to get us out the castle.” She said whipping the hood of her cloak back faster than she intended before she second-guessed herself.
Drathis stilled, his heart skipping a beat as he looked into the most intense violet eyes he had ever seen, yet it wasn’t just that, that had his breath leave him. Perhaps it was her silver flowing hair, spilling out the coat loosely plated down to her waist, or perhaps it was the way her face was framed by the most kissable lips he had ever see. He wasn’t sure what it was about this sensual creature before him, but something in him burst to life filling him with a deep desire to claim her as his. To say she was stunning was an understatement, she truly took his breath away, a man could lose himself loving a woman like this.
Clearing his throat, he took a step back letting her hand fall from where it had held his arm.
“Silver hair?” Out of all the million things racing through his mind, this was the only words he could form while he tried to regain his composure.
She ignored the comment a delicate frown on her face as she crossed her arms. “Your turn.”
“I changed my mind.” He carried on near the carriage.
“NO.” She snapped rushing up behind him yanking down his hood pinned to his cloak, it ripped and he spun to grab her wrist, but his cloak gave way falling back slipping off his shoulders in a pool on the floor behind him. He looked at her still holding her wrist, he was about to release it but the look she was giving him had him thinking holding onto her static hand was a safer bet.
She was looking at him with what he could only describe as horror and a rage that had her eyes nearly burning through him.
“Galaleiath!” Ashleigh screamed after a gasp.
Drathis released her wrist spinning to look for his brother, drawing his sword he scanned the area.
“Where?” He hissed looking at the woman who raised a shaking hand pointing at him.
His gut twisted as he recalled the castle's servants mistaking his identity, then it sunk when he heard the air crackling behind him.
“I knew you wanted us, but to stoop so low,” Sinira growled the purple hue intensifying in her hands, Drathis dropped his vibrating sword, it would not help him here, he dove for her taking her to the ground, pinning her hands above her head. She kicked and grunted head butting him in the nose, Drathis cursed pulling back as she swung a fist at him, he caught it just before it connected with his cheek then pinned her down again using the weight of his muscles to keep her down as he lay on top of her.
“Stop fighting me, I am not the enemy, I am not Galaleiath.” He growled struggling to restrain her, she was more powerful than most he had encountered but, he held her down, his muscles bulging as he gripped onto her hands above her head and his other arm on the floor, keeping just enough weight to pin her down without suffocating her.
After a few more struggles she grunted in frustration sighing, looking up at him.
Momently paralyzed again by her beauty he stared at her a moment longer than necessary, “I am not Galaleiath, see me.” He whispered watching her eyes jump between his before focusing intensely.
Sinira stared up at the man, his touch calming her, willing her to trust him without knowing the man, her heart just knew it was right. Galaleiath had never given off such a vibe he was the complete opposite feeling, that man had her skin crawling in the wrong way, yet this man...
He had the most gorgeous emerald eyes she had ever seen, nothing like Galaleiath’s dark pools of hate. He looked so much like the man yet studying him now, she could see differences. His features were gentler, warmer, and more welcoming, his skin had the perfect olive tan, he had a scar under his chin which gave it the smallest dimple as if the gods thought he needed it to be more perfect, his lips were full, sultry and she had the sudden desire to touch them, had anyone ever trailed their fingers over such faultless lips?
He caught her looking and couldn’t help returning a look at hers, a small smile pulled at his lips he could feel her relaxing in his arms studying him, he liked the fact that her silent interrogation had her hooked on his mouth.
Sinria jerked at his smile looking back into his eyes a small blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Who are you?”
“If I tell you, will you stop trying to fry me?” He whispered back watching as she nodded. A drop of blood dripped off his nose onto her dress. He pulled back wiping his nose sniffing as he wiggled it before looking down at her again still sitting on top of her.
“Sorry about the dress uhm,” He said standing to offer her a hand, she took it being pulled to her feet.
“It’s Sinira, I’m sorry about your nose.”
“It’s alright, I’m used to being mistaken for someone else.” A left-sided smile pulled at his lips then disappeared replaced with a frown as he looked out into the fog.
“Ok, what the hell is going on.” A rattled voice spoke, they turned to see Ashleigh standing nearby with a tree branch shaking slightly.
“Oh, Ashleigh I’m so sorry, it's ok, he’s not Galaleiath.” She ran towards the woman taking the branch out of her hand, “this is, uhm.” He looked at him forgetting to get his name.
“Dray.”
“Right, Dray, he is uhm?” She stopped again at a loss of words. “Sorry I actually don’t know.” She giggled covering her mouth up trying to prevent the laugh.
Drathis nearly smiled at her then cleared his throat turning to Ashleigh, he needed to keep his head clear, the woman was addictive.
“It doesn’t matter who I am, I just need supplies then ill be on my way.”
“You look so much like him,” Ashleigh said stepping nearer
Drathis rolled his eyes, “Yeah well, I guess everyone has a double out there somewhere.”
“His voice is deeper, oh and did you hear that accent? Wow, talk about attractive.” Ashleigh said excitedly speaking about him as if he wasn’t just standing right there. Sinira’s eyes went wide as she came up to the women’s side hushing her. “I’m sorry, it just uncanny.” She wondered taking him in.
Drathis smiled, it was obvious this woman had a crush on his brother, or perhaps they were lovers and it hadn’t ended well, now here he was and there was a hunger in her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Sinira apologized pulling Ashleigh away.
Drathis left them to chat and finally got one of the bags down off the carriage unpacking a few supplies he needed.
After packing a few rolls, cheese, and some salted meat her wrapped it in a spare blanket and into a smaller bag taking it to tie onto galaxies saddle. He turned back to see the women still whispering and decided it was time to leave.
His body was still heated from her under him earlier in a way that made him want so much more, just the thought of running his hands over her pulling her in for a kiss did dangerous things to him, catching himself staring at her he pulled away feeling like a creep, the feelings in him were unrealistic, how could he fall for a stranger?
“Don’t leave,” Ashleigh called out stopping him.
“Why?”
“Stay one night then we can part ways.”
“Again why?” He asked.
“Because as you said, the fog is too thick, you wouldn’t cover the ground you need to, to, go where ever it is you going. Where are you going?”
“North.”
“North? What’s north?”
Drathis fixed her a look not answering.
“Ok, Mr. Dray.” She mocked before smiling “Stay for one meal.”
Drathis looked around him again scanning the surroundings, the fog was indeed still too thick for travel, yet a part of him wanted to enter the numbing cold hoping it would clear his mind of Sinira.
“Could you make us a fire?” She asked innocently, Sinira groaned next to her slumping onto a nearby log.
*****
“I know you; I just can’t place it,” Sinira said after they had made a fire and warmed themselves up around it.
“Doubt it, I haven’t been, around.” He grunted at the reminder of his life in prison.
“Where are you from?”
“North.”
“Then why are you down this side?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
“Why? What will you do with the information?”
“Why won't you tell me anything!”
“What difference will it make?”
“Oh, my word are you always like this?”
“Just drop it.” He snapped shooting her a look, she frowned hearing the warning in his voice, she was unsure what made it so sensitive, trying to read him was like running fall speed into a solid wall.
Since realizing he wasn’t Galaleiath something in the back of her mind was ringing alarm bells but she couldn’t place it and it was chewing her up inside, something was off about him and she just couldn’t put her finger on it.
“So, Dray, since we can't ask you any personal questions,” Ashleigh piped up trying to break the tension between him and Sinira. “What about your likes, what do you find attractive about a woman?” Ashleigh smiled innocently.
Drathis looked at her pondering the question, it was more than that, it was an invitation to flirt with her, he could see it in her eyes the longing for attention, but his body was only responding to the stubborn fireball seated next to him.
“Why don’t you tell me about your type of man?”
“Well,” She smiled as if she had won something waltzing up to him, placing a hand on his chest looking up into his eyes, “He needs to be tall,” She dragged her nail across his chest to his arm, “Have strong muscles,” She squeezed his bicep then trailed her hand up to his arm towards his neck, he grabbed her hand stopping her.
She squeaked with fright and he released her, “Don’t touch my head, I took a brick to it earlier when this one blasted the gate open.” He smiled looking towards Sinira who returned a sly smile. “Just sensitive, ok?”
“Oh, you did so much for us,” Ashleigh whispered he turned back to face her unprepared for her grabbing his face kissing him as her hands ran through his hair then down wrapping around his neck.
He jerked away pushing her back a bit more roughly than he had intended causing her to stumble, falling to the ground.
“I did say don’t touch me.” He looked down at Ashleigh still on the floor sitting watching him with an angry face.
“I throw myself at you and this is what I get? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“You are not my type.” He stepped forward offering her a helping hand up, she reluctantly took it.
“And you just sit there saying nothing.” She bit at Sinira.
They both turned to see her.
But she was gone.