The Soul Saver, a Fantasy story

The Tree of blood

Mom lead us into what would be our new home it was much larger then our old one which made me wonder

"mom why is this house so big there is only 3 of us"

"well I took the role of being a war home mother so we will need the extra rooms"

Oh great my mom was going to be a mother to all the kids that lost their parents in this war, I knew what she was doing, she was trying to fill a gap that couldn't be filled, with my father and older brother gone Meider would be the only boy left in our family though he was only 3, and only just able to string a sentence together. I knew my mom was lonely but some times It was hard to listen to her, so I stayed in my room. Looking out my window I saw how close to the war we actually were, so close a stray arrow would break my window. I have to admit I looked on hoping to see my brother in the nearby camps but I didn't, I wondered if he was out fighting or already dead. I did miss him but I was getting used to being alone, I spent hours practising magik, but my mother decided that with there being new kids to come here soon I wasnt allowed to practise in the house any more so I had to find somewhere outside, though with the war being so close I knew she hoped this would discourage me from practising.

I wandered around outside there was broken down buildings rubble littered the streets, or what you could see of the streets anyway. I seen a boy about my age holding a sword that was as big as him, he swung clumsily at a pile of hay. His house looked like it had seen some close combat from the war, the walls were stained with old blood and scratches from swords. I wondered where he got such a big sword, did he just pick it up from the dead body of a soldier, or left by a family member. I focused my eyes back on the ground in front of me to avoid the rubble scattered there.

"a tree?..."

it had been a long time since I seen a live one or one that hadn't been cut down or destroyed trees offered cover for enemies and had to be cut down. This tree wasn't very tall but its leaves were blood red I made my way slowly towards it.

"you know they say that tree's leaves are red from it soaking up all the blood of people that died in the war"

I turned to see a woman in a cloak behind me, she was a mage for our emperor I was sure she looked tall and slim her hair was the blackest of blacks it seemed to spill out from her hood she removed it with such a swift movement it was hard to follow.

"do I know you?"

I wasnt sure why I even asked it was obvious I did not know this woman but I felt like I need to break the tension she looked at me in a strange way as if looking into my soul

"no I was just passing through what is a girl like you doing this close to the battle field?"

"my brother is fighting in the war my mom wanted to be closer to him my name is Nova"

I paused while she assessed the information I had just told her she stood in silence for a second thinking it seemed

"ah yes your brother is Cain Featherien yes?"

"yes thats him how did you know?"

"i am your brother's mage he talks about you says your quite the conjurer"

I did have some skills at conjuring but mainly animals I had trouble conjuring anything else animals for me were easier I guess I could relate to them more. I was surprised to think this woman fought with my brother I guess that ment he was ok it gave me a strange relief to know he was well.

"your brother and I have been relieved to base duty for a week I will tell him you are here so he can visit"

she looked back at the red tree then turned away without a word putting her hood back up I found myself staring at the red tree, the look on her face made me very curious about it, was she right? was it red because of the blood of dead soldiers? Why hadn't they cut it down yet? A wind stirred up and blew some leaves from the tree, one landed at my feet and I watched astonished as it melted into the ground..

3: A Home for many

A Home for many

A home for many

Over the next few days kids started arriving we had an 12 year old boy named Kaolin, he kept to himself, he barely spoke but somehow managed to be very mannerly. A girl named Ruka she was 16 and practising magik like me, though she seemed to be a little confused about it all, she told me her level of power was quite low, she seemed disappointed about that but actually it worked in her favour, the mage seekers only wanted stronger mages for the troops they had a tendency to take girls of a level 6 and above. She said they scanned her and rejected her because she was only a level 3 mage not yet strong enough to heal anybody. I hadn't been scanned yet I guess they saw it as unnecessary for now they would start scanning at 16 I've been told so I had 2 years until my scan and I'm not entirely sure if I'm looking forward to it or not, though a part of me was curious to know my level.

"Nova? Can you come here?"

I made my way out of my room to see what my mom wanted then I noticed Kaolin sitting in the hall, a ball was floating over his hand I looked at him quite confused. Men didn't carry the magik gene, no one could explain why but there has never been a man able to use magik it ran in women, though there has been cases of women born without any magik at all even if the mother has magik. I continued to look at this glass ball he had floating over his hand becoming memorized by it.

"Nova?"

my mothers call snapped me out of it and Kaolin was gone what the hell happened to me? how long was I standing there staring?...puzzled, I made my way to the kitchen to find my mother and another new kid.

"this is Meina she is 8 and she is going to be staying in your room with you"

"wait why my room? we have a spare"

"there will be a new boy and girl tomorrow I am going to have the new boy in his own room and the girl will stay with Ruka"

why did the boys get there own rooms? Before I could argue my mom pushed Meina forward gently and went about cooking dinner Meina was small for her age she still had a 4 year old look about her she gazed at me wide eyed

"you have pretty eyes"

"um thank you"

I left the house thinking about Meina's compliment my eyes were just a plain old blue nothing special about them as I walked a little through the rubble outside I noticed that cloaked women standing in front of the blood tree I felt hurried to get to her I felt as if she would leave at any second

"hi!"

I almost shouted it I guess I was trying to get her attention before she moved on she turned to me and stared with that same look like she was looking right into my soul it was so intense I almost felt her inside me, I had heard that the really skilled mages could look into your mind and see every thought you've ever had was that what she was doing? I felt like I needed to break the silence

"you never told me your name the last time we met"

"no I guess I didn't my name is Freya"

"is there something about that tree why haven't they cut it down"

"they cannot cut it down they have tried and failed its like the trees core is made of the hardest diamond "

it cant be cut? That seemed strange to me its just a tree isn't it? Its made of wood what is this tree my father told me once that soldiers killed in an unclean battle would hold onto this earth never moving on he said some times trees would be a hiding place for them I just thought it was his way of saying he would always be here could souls really hold on because of an unclean death? I had run away with my thoughts I hadn't noticed Freya was staring at me again.

"weren't your eyes blue?"

"what?"

"your eyes I was sure they were blue like the ocean"

she reached into her pocket and pulled a small mirror out she handed it to me it was bloody battle worn what did she need a mirror for?

"its good for seeing the enemy before they see you"

I looked into the mirror to see that my eyes are turned a shimmering purple they swirled like a whirlpool it was like I had been hypnotised and this was the side affect I looked at Freya

"do you know where Kaolin is I would like to speak with him"

"um I think he is in the house"

I gave her mirror back and stood still looking at the ground wondering what happened,was the glass ball Kaolin had that caused this? or was it that tree? I looked up towards the tree to see Freya was gone, the tree almost pulled me towards it was like it was calling me, i thought i heard my father saying my name whispering to me. I made my way towards the tree, i was scared yet I dont know why I was so hesitant it was still just a tree. wasn't it? I held my hand out to touch the dark trunk it was shaking I felt the shudders up my shoulder fear was beginning to take hold of me as my fingers touched the cold rough bark I stood for a second as if letting it soak in it felt like it was reading me judging me but i wondered what am I waiting for? what did I expect to happen? then my ears rang out, something happened it was like a shock wave hit me hard knocking the wind out of me my breath left my body. I was deafened, I felt light headed and weak, my knees were falling from under me and then everything went black...

4: Fires from the sky

Fires from the sky

The Fires from the sky

"nova? Nova dear wake up are you ok?"

My moms voice? Uh it was hard to open my eyes what happened to me I struggled to remember what was going on before I blacked out, I heard someone talk to me while I was there by the blood tree, was it my father? My head throbbed, I felt hot but my body shook with cold, I felt sweat leave my brow and run down my cheek, it felt cold like ice on my hot skin, my hearing was muffled, sounds weren't clear it was like I had a helmet covering my ears blocking out the worlds noise, I could feel my mother and 3 other people in the room with me it was unusual to feel other peoples presence without using a lot of effort how could I feel them? My eyes met the sun as I tried to open them it burned, it was like fire I felt the heat on my face then it was gone and the room seemed darker, I opened my eyes a little more, I seen blurred figures around me I felt all their eyes on me, and then my mothers cool hand on my cheek.

"nova? Sweetheart? Are you ok?"

I tried to cough up a word but it was more of a whiny groan, another person entered my room I felt this person stronger then the rest she was more powerful I felt an aura coming from her I was sure it was a female because I could feel her magik it pulsed like a heartbeat it had a rhythm like her body could hold it all inside it was spilling out of her and it was coming towards me,investigating me.

"the child was she hurt by the blast?"

"we are not sure she has been unconscious for days there are only minor injuries on her body but her mind may be more damaged we haven't had the chance to talk to her yet"

"and the boy?"

"he ran we have soldiers looking for him but I can sense he is unharmed he is just scared"

"we must find him I was to scan him"

"scan him he is a boy he doesn't carry the magik gene"

"that will be all Freya we need you back at the base some injured troops came in today I need them healed and back on dragons by sun down"

I heard freya leaving what was this other woman talking about? Did kaolin run away? Why would they scan him?

"when your daughter is well I would like to speak with her about the incident send her to my quarters at the base good day ma'm"

Back on dragons? What did she mean back on dragons? There was no dragons there hadn't been for 400 years. Freya looked at me and smiled."

"she means dragons peak nova its where we watch over the camp"

The feeling of her in my head again hurt and made me think of the tree of blood, and I was beginning to wonder what the hell happened to me. I wanted to get up I wanted to find out what was going on did kaolin have magik? What would it mean for him if they knew what he could do? What ive seen him do. I couldn't move not right now anyway my body felt like is wasnt my own to control I was weak and then sleep took me. I couldn't explain my dreams that night it had been a long time since I had dreamt of anything or at least anything I would remember when I woke, but that night my dreams called to me they told me something was happening they said something was coming something with fire in its heart. When I woke up I felt strange I was tired and hungry I opened my eyes to see Meina no more then a few inches from my face staring at me with her big green eyes

"you talked in your sleep a lot"

"what did I say"

my voice was hoarse it choked out of my throat almost hurting me

"um you said the fire was burning you did you me the fire a few days ago? You dont look burnt"

"what fire?"

"there was a big fire a few days ago rocks fell from the sky burning stuff outside they said the sky people did it one of them was sooo big and hit so close that it smashed all the windows in the house the woman said the force of it knocked a lot of people out and she thought thats what happened to you"

flaming rocks falling from the sky? Is that what happened? I managed to get out of my bed my legs shook I felt sore now sore in places I hadn't realised. there were cuts on my legs the burned skin was blacked I also seen some on my arms and chest, the burns were strange not like burns from normal fire. I looked out the window my eyes took a second to adjust to the brightness of the morning light, there was fire damage everywhere buildings were scorched, old wood were now smoking piles the dust was blowing in the wind littering the sky in clouds of fog that shimmered in the light. I spotted something moving under a house the sun was not yet high in the sky so the figure was black, there was a gap in the bricks that lead underground perhaps it was an animal hiding from the fires. I kept watching until I seen my brother out of the corner of my eye sitting outside with mom, excitement overwhelmed me I had to go see him, I dressed myself, perhaps a little to quickly causing myself pain and pulling bandages off with my brisk movements. I hurried downstairs my brother who was sat on the scorched deck, he was still in his suit of armour, it made him look so big when he had never been a muscular guy not like my father was anyway, he carried new battle scars on his face and neck some newer then others, his hand held his blood stained broad sword. Flashes of images swelled my mind, images of that very sword searing the flesh from his enemies with swift movements slicing through bones, a hot knife through butter I felt Freya's piercing eyes on me again ignoring her gaze I turned to my brother.

"cain! Your alive?"

he turned swiftly to look at me his eyes were green like our fathers

"well yea it will take a lot more then some sky people to kill me I can see you hold my ability in high regard"

his gentle humour comforted me made me feel happier then I had felt in a long time I pressed my face to his cold armour

"i missed you it feels like its been forever"

his arm secured me to his body I felt safe like he and I were the only 2 people in the world

"i missed you to but hey whats with all these cuts and burns your not even in war yet and already your bloodier then me"

I thought for a second about what happened or at least what I remembered which wasn't much any more, but I remember touching the blood tree I remembered hearing my father call to me

"can we talk?"

a seriousness came over his face I knew he could tell it was important he picked me up and walked with me I stopped him at the blood tree and looked at it for a second his gaze followed mine

"something strange happened the day the sky burned I met freya in front of this tree that day and she was staring at it. There is a boy that lived with us but he ran away I seen him he had a glass ball floating over his hand like magik i know it sounds crazy but I swear I seen it, then I came out here and there she was she told me my eyes had turned purple and I think It was something to do with the ball kaolin had"

"how could he make the ball float nova you know men dont carry the magik gene its impossible"

"cain its true I swear please believe me I was just as shocked as you are now"

"ok nova ill believe you but the emperor will want to scan him"

"no! he cant be found"

"what do you mean he cant be found?

"dad told me he needs to be kept safe he whispered to me when I touched the tree of blood"

"nova you've been sick you hit your head dad is dead he has been dead for 5 years how could he have spoken to you?"

"Freya told me that the tree soaks up the blood of dead soldiers do you remember what dad told us that souls could hold onto earth and hide in trees"

"nova this is crazy how coul..."

"cain we have been called back to the base for the day we need to go"

cain put me on the ground he didn't look at me before he turned away why wouldn't he believe me? I felt frustrated even angry. Flashes of images took over my mind again I could see fire, people burning, screaming.

"take care of yourself nova don't need you having more scars then me before you join me in battle"

and then he was gone Freya stared at me as if trying to figure out what was going on I broke her gazed and turned towards the blood tree and the I heard something, someone moving I had forgotten about the figure id seen under the house, I looked towards the hole and spotted some blood on one of the bricks, I felt that heat envelop my body again, as I moved closer I heard another noise it sounded like a rat screeching, I was becoming a little nervous as I knelt close to the opening, something was there it moved again, this was no rat it was larger, and then teeth emerged large and pointed...a dragon!

5: A New friend

A New friend

A New Friend

Let me explain...dragons weren't exactly unheard of they had been great battle companions of old warriors they fought and died together, but my father gave me a book that told me about how the alliance with man and dragon ended a long time ago. the book was dated 1302 and the date today? 1709 that means the book my father gave me was 407 years old! Dragons have been gone from our lives for over 400 years according to this book, they weren't all killed off but the remaining dragons just kinda left and when no one saw them for 50 years or more they thought all the dragons had died. men combed the earth for decades looking for any signs of dragons and found nothing. Where have they been hiding? And where did this baby dragon come from? All I knew was that I needed to protect this dragon from everyone.

I looked back under the house at him, he was small no bigger then a wolf pup or a small bear cub, he didn't seem scared of me just cautious, I wondered how would I get him out without anyone seeing me. I went into the abandoned house bricks and wood covered the remaining floors I spotted a hole in the floor boards large enough for me to fit through I slid down scratching my arm on the rusty nails that stuck out from the boards.

"come here little dragon"

I called out to him obviously not expecting him to come to me like a dog but more so in the hopes that he would move so I could hear where he was. He moved past some light it shone on his bluish black scales I made my way over to him not realizing I knew nothing about dragons and I didn't know what exactly I was going to do with him dragons were portrayed as violent vicious creatures that could eat a man whole with ease but I doubt this little dragon could eat a rabbit whole let alone a girl of my size. Story books for kids tells of dragons breathing fire and burning down whole villages in rage to eat the livestock farmers kept anything from sheep and cows to yak and horses.

I could hear him breathing and then his breathing became a little louder and began to sound like dogs to when they sniff around. I hadn't noticed that he was right next to me sniffing my arm. The blood! I had forgotten that I cut myself on the nail, I became I little worried now he smelled blood and was probably hungry and I didn't plan on being his next meal.

"no no not me i'm not for eating"

once again I spoke to him expecting no reaction. How could he understand me? But it was clear he was hungry I thought for a minute realizing, I have no idea what dragons eat. But he was interested in blood so I guess he ate animals I focused real hard and conjured a squirrel. It ran off the dragon quickly followed. At least I could relax now I didn't have a hungry dragon eyeing up my arm for a tasty meal.

"NOVA?"

my mom called out to me it was probably dinner time. I didn't know what to do I had to go but I didnt want to leave the dragon here alone. I conjured some more squirrels hoping they would keep him occupied while I was gone. I climbed out of the hole in the floor boards and covered up the hold with some old wood and held it down with rocks and bricks the ran into my mothers sight.

"nova I called you and you didn't answer"

"im sorry mom I didn't think you would hear me if I called back"

"well come inside dinner is getting cold look at you your a mess and you've ripped your sleeve, clean yourself up and leave that shirt out so I can sew it your out of the house 1 day and already your getting yourself in trouble"

"im fine mom I was just playing"

she was always like this, girls didn't play in the dirt, they wore pretty dresses and read books or painted tables or made silly cushions. I didnt want to do any of that stuff I wanted to explore and find new things and be outside mom didnt quite realize we were living in a war zone now there was no "pretty ladies" in dresses making cushions here. Their was women with swords and magik killing people so that they could live and go home at the end of their war shift. I went upstairs to wash myself and find a new shirt I got distracted and stared out my window to see if I could see the dragon.

"nova! Hurry up your food will be cold"

I went downstairs and saw Meina, Ruka and kaolin sitting at the table. Kaolin your back? Where have you been? When did you get back?

"nova sit and eat please kaolin has been back since this morning while you were outside"

he had small cuts on his face I wondered where he had been and what happened to him but he remained quiet and ate, I began eating my own food I didn't realize how hungry I was it remained quiet at the table for a long time until a flash of light and a loud rumble of thunder shook us all we jumped with fright and Menia screamed.

"hush hush menia its only a little lightning"

mom looked out the window and confirmed a coming storm by shutting and locking the shutters on the windows.

"clean up then off to your rooms please"

"but mom I need to go back outside"

"there is a storm coming nova you wont be going outside until its passed now do as your told"

the rain began to pour outside filling small holes in the ground with water as the hours passed the rain became worse turning the dry earth into thick deep puddles of mud I peered out my window worrying about the dragon I decided I needed to expand my knowledge on them so I could better look after him, so I went searching for my fathers book. I found it locked in a chest in our loft where my mother put all of my fathers things after he died, she said it would be disrespectful to throw them out and I was kinda glad she didn't.

"are you looking for something?"

I jumped with fright when the flat voice of kaolin rang out behind me I turned to face him

"i just looking for a book that belonged to my father what are you doing up here?"

"i heard some noises and thought I would check whats the book about?"

I wasn't sure weather to tell him or not but I did feel like I could trust him and then the idea of a compromise seeped into my head.

"if you tell me how you were able to levitate that ball over your hand a few days ago ill tell you all about the book"

his eyes glazed over a little as he thought about my proposal he looked down at his open hands and then back to the chest then to me.

"ok ill tell you if you promise to keep it a secret?"

"i promise"

I could hear worry and fear in his voice when he asked me to promise not to tell anyone it made me more curious he approached me and locked the door to the loft so no one could hear. He looked directly in my eyes and sat down.

"my mom was a mage she was really powerful and could do anything but she didnt fight in the war for very long because she had me inside her but she told me that on the last night of her service there was an ambush at the camp a sneak attack from the sky people, she fought with the other mages and warriors and they killed all but 1 sky person my mom stood over her body about to kill her when the woman shot a ball of light at my moms stomach she told me the light passed through her that the warriors could see it pass through her body and out the other side a man cut the mages head off and my mom fell to the ground. A powerful mage took her home and took care of her and healed her my mom was afraid I was dead inside her but I was born 3 months later my mom said she could always sense magik in me and told me never to use it in front of anyone or tell anyone.

I was in awe at his story I couldn't take my eyes off him as he spoke. I had never heard of a man having magik and it was fascinating how it happened any blast from a trained mage should kill a person, it seemed to me that kaolin had been affected by some strange anomaly like he absorbed the magik the mage used to try kill his mother.

"so I guess thats how I have power I can move things with my mind lift objects I haven't really tried much else and my mom died before I could learn more from her"

"thats a really interesting story I cant believe that happened your mom is so strong I wish my mom was like that but she hates magik"

he glanced back to the chest I looked also thinking about how to get my fathers book. I couldn't just ask my mom for the key she wouldnt give it to us.

"so how do we open it?"

"i dont know my mom has the key and I know she wont give it to us"

"maybe I could get it if I knew where it was"

I knew it would be in my mothers room but how to get it without her seeing? I wasn't sure but I had an idea I ran downstairs to my room and opened my spell book.

"what are you looking for?"

"there is a spell to make someone unseen I cant do it for very long but it might work"

kaolin nodded and happily volunteered to get the key. I was unsure he wouldn't know where my mom would hide things like that.

"i can get it without even going into the room I could levitate it out to us"

he had a good point though I was still sceptical what would my mom do if she seen a flying key? We were beginning to waste time mom would be going to bed soon and then we wouldnt be able to get it.

"stand in front of me kaolin"

I hadnt cast this spell very much what use had I of being invisible? So I was unsure of how long it would last. I spoke the words slowly from the book my candle flickered and kaolin began disappearing before me I had to contain my joy that it actually worked! I quickly walked downstairs to my moms room I pointed to a jewellery box in my moms room its in there kaolin I wasnt fully sure if he was there or not I could have been talking to myself but I was quickly reassured when I seen the lid of the jewellery box open I stood watch at the corner peeking back to see if he had found the key and sure enough it was floating towards us I turned around to see my mom standing over me.

"what are you doing nova?"

"um me and kaolin are playing"

my heart began to beat so fast my cheeks filled red she looked at me ready to snarl for playing by her room.

"i dropped my ball mrs featherien it rolled to your room and I didnt want to go in so we waited here to ask if you would get it"

shocked that kaolin had come up with an excuse and more shocked that he wasnt invisible anymore mom peered into her room to spot the ball she went in slowly and brought it out.

"play upstairs please"

"ok mom"

I ran upstairs as fast as my legs would carry me then let out a huge sigh of relief that was close kaolin stood beside me holding the key in my view I wondered where the ball came from how he even thought of it I smiled at him and looked back to the loft opening

"lets go open it"

we both climbed up to the loft, now that I stood in front of the chest key in hand I was becoming nervous, I had never actually seen any of my fathers things before he just gave me the book when I wanted it then put it away, I wondered what I would find in there if anything at all. The key was beginning to feel heavy in my hand I felt it would fall through my hand if I held it long enough. With a deep breath I pushed it into the keyhole it was stiff and rusty, I tried to turn the key but it just wouldn't turn, it was so old and rusted that it was far to hard for me to turn. I noticed kaolin lifting his hand upright over the key I felt the force on my fingers as it slowly began to turn, it made a grinding noise and screeched as rust rubbed against rust then a loud clunk as the lock opened. I was beginning to shake now, my hands wouldn't stay still, I found myself thinking of the dragon again as I moved to lift the lid. It was heavy like lifting the trunk of a fallen tree, I groaned and grunted as my efforts failed. Kaolin moved close to help with one of us at each side we began to slowly lift it until the lid was self supporting, on the underside of the lid there was letters and old books strapped with bull leather to the hard wood.

I looked down into the chest to see a dusty horse blanket, it was still faintly red, I remembered when my father had this blanket under his saddle he said red signalled pride and courage. His horse DareDevil now stood in the stables next to our house once a proud and fearless war horse would now never wear this blanket of pride again. I carefully lifted the blanket out of the chest and laid it on the floor. I looked at kaolin who was now wide eyed looking into the chest I spun my head back to the chest so fast it hurt, we sat there in silence staring at the recently unknown and hidden contents of the chest I couldn't find words for what lay in there untouched, untarnished and unheard of...

6: A Lost treasure

A Lost treasure

A Lost Treasure

It seemed like we had been sitting there staring for a lifetime. A flash of lightning lit up the loft a blinding light shone on our faces, a reflection. Kaolin was the first to move to touch it I watched his movements like a cat watches a feeding bird. Kaolin tried to pick it up, he struggled it took me a second but I was able to snap myself out of my trance to help him we groaned as it slowly left the chest. We set it on the floor and examined it. It was large, about four feet long. It barely fit in the chest and it was shiny like silver. It was a dragon helmet. I never knew my father had a dragon they have been gone for such a long time but he must have had one. Why else would he have this armour?

"Do you think there is more armour? This is just a helmet"

"Well it would be to big to fit in this chest. I wonder where he put it"

I thought of all the places my father would hide something like that but I didn't think it would be here. This house is new and this armour it would be huge. My mother wouldn't have moved it, so it must be back home where we came from. How would I get it? Another strike of lightning snapped me out of my train of thought. I looked to Kaolin and the dragon helmet then I found myself thinking of the dragon I found. It was obvious that mine was just a baby and according to the size of this helmet he had a lot of growing to do. I wanted to go check on him and if this rain kept up the crawl space under the house would fill with water. What would happen to him?

"You think of anything?"

"One place but its very far away. A three day ride at least"

"That far?"

"Yes back home. My mother wouldn't have brought it here, maybe he buried it"

So how would I get it? I couldn't just ride back home, mom would never let me. Besides I wouldn't know where to begin in terms of directions and my mother would be furious if I just took DareDevil without asking so how would I get it.

"Nova?"

I jumped and quickly closed the chest just covering up the helmet with a large sheet. Me and kaolin quickly went downstairs and reached the bottom just before my mother came into view.

"Are you two not washed and ready for bed yet?"

"No mom, sorry we were just about to. We got carried away playing."

"Well get washed and into bed now, its late."

I hadn't realised how long we spent in the loft but it was already dark and late. The storm had been raging for hours. I washed myself quickly and made my way to my room. I immediately went to my window trying to catch a glimpse of the dragon. I didn't and the water was staring to fill puddles near the hole. I began worrying, he was still very small, only a newborn. I would say though he could have been years old, my knowledge of dragons was limited, non-existent actually. And how would I learn? Who knew about dragons when there were none left? A flash of light blinded me as lightning struck the roof of the house. I was so scared, I threw myself at the window so hard it made a noise and then I saw him. My dragon running out from under the house. My heart beat so fast I didn't know what to do. I had to save him, no one else could be allowed to see him.

I quickly opened my window the wind nearly took it from my hand. I waved to him franticly. What did I honestly expect him to do? Wave back? He was a dragon, one that had probably never seen a human before me. I threw a sock out the window in the hopes of grabbing his attention. He smelled the sock and began looking around. Did he remember my smell? He look up at me in the window he stared for awhile before trying to fly up to me. The powerful wind blew him away like he weighed nothing. He landed on the ground hard only a few feet away. I had to think of a way to get him up here. I began searching my room for a rope, something long he could grab onto. I began tying my sheets together. I let them slowly drop out the window. The wind kept blowing them off the ground. The dragon jumped to try and grab hold of the sheets but it wasn't working, the wind wouldn't allow the sheets to settle. I had to think of something else and fast.

"Nova?"

Kaolin's voice outside my door made me jump but I was quickly relieved it wasn't my mother. I ran to open the door still holding the knotted sheets. I dragged him inside with maybe a little to much force it made him fall to my floor. I quickly shut my door my hesitancy made me almost slam it.

"I need your help now my dragon is outside in the storm and the wind keeps blowing the sheets away"

"Dragon?"

"Quick Kaolin I'll explain later. Please help."

Kaolin went to the window and looked out. The dragon was still standing in the pouring rain looking up at my window nervously. Kaolin held his hand out flat towards my dragon, who soon began to float upwards. I could see Kaolin was struggling. He groaned and veins began to bulge on his forehead. The dragon soon grabbed a hold of the sheets with his teeth, perhaps he knew or sensed Kaolin's struggle. I began pulling him up as fast and hard as my body would allow. I wasn't exactly a strong girl.

The dragon latched his claws to my window frame and pulled himself in. Kaolin fell to the ground breathing heavily. I locked the shutters and closed the window before breathing a sigh of relief. I hadn't realised how wet I had gotten from being out the window but my night clothes were soaking along with my recently dried hair. Kaolin lay on my bedroom floor also wet with rain his face was beat red. I looked around my room for the dragon who's tail stuck out from under my bed. Kaolin's eyes followed my gaze to the scaly tail resting under my bed. I was hesitant in my approach to this still tiny dragon. The tail disappeared as I lifted my sheets to look under the bed.

His eyes were purple and glowed like the moonlight. His face looked solid like rock. His body was already dry even though he was out in the rain. I could feel heat coming from him, it was like sitting in front of a fire. He didn't seem scared of us, it was more like he knew he had to hide. I glanced back at Kaolin who was in awe with the dragon under my bed.

"Is he yours Nova?"

"I guess he is I found him. He has been living under that house. I don't know how or when he got here but he is here and I think it means something. Why else would the dragons return?"

I wasn't sure how much Kaolin knew about dragons but he obviously knew something. I was beginning to wonder what I would do with this dragon. If anyone found out I had him, they would take him and use him for war. I looked at Kaolin, seriousness had taken over my face.

"Kaolin you can't tell anybody about him. They will take him away and use him for war"

"Isn't he a bit small to be ridden?"

That was true, he was very small but I did know he would get bigger. I just didn't know how long it would take him to grow. Puppies grow pretty fast, I know he isn't a puppy but maybe its the same.

"Just don't tell anyone please? I want to keep him."

"I won't Nova. I promise."

I was surprised how quickly me and kaolin became friends but I felt like I could trust him. I would keep his secret about his power and he wouldn't tell anyone about my dragon.

"What are you going to call him?"

I hadn't thought about naming him but I guess I should. I looked the dragon over for any clues as to what to call him. He had scales that were the blackest black and eyes that shone like the moon. Then I had it, the name struck me right in the face, it was perfect.

"I'm gonna call him MidNight."

"Oh MidNight. I like that it, suits him."

MidNight looked at us both. I had no idea what he was thinking but he looked happy that he was somewhere warm and dry, not to mention safe. I began to wonder why Kaolin had knocked on my bedroom door this late. I turned to face him, he was standing now drying himself off with a towel I had hanging up

"What did you need me for? How come you knocked on my door so late? Is something wrong?"

"Well I was in my room thinking about the dragon armour upstairs and I wondered if we could go look for the rest?"

I had to admit the thought crossed my mind to but how would we ever get there and what about MidNight? I couldn't just leave him here in my mom's house alone for days while we travelled there. I began to think about DareDevil and the horse cart in the stables. We could take them but it would have to be at night and we would need food and supplies to bring. Mom would be furious when we got back but it would be worth it. Maybe I could give her an excuse like, I wanted to go back to see my friends... No she would never allow me.

"If we go, it will have to be a secret. We would have to do it at night and we need food and supplies to take with us."

I couldn't believe I was actually telling Kaolin that we could go. I did want to go but it wouldn't be easy. It was a three day ride at a decent pace with the cart, Kaolin and MidNight it would take longer. We needed enough food for eight days at least. To gather it, we would have to get it from outside the house. Mom would notice food missing. So where would we get it?

"We should probably go to bed Kaolin before my mom finds out and were in trouble. Before we leave, I'll try and find out where to get food tomorrow."

"Okay Nova I'll meet you outside after breakfast."

I shut my door behind Kaolin and checked MidNight. He had already fallen asleep under my bed. I still had wet hair so I began drying it using the towel Kaolin had used. As I dried my hair I thought about what we would see back home. How would it have changed in just this short time? When we were leaving they were moving families out to make room for troop camps. Apparently there had been a mage from the sky city who was able to get into the deeper parts of the city. They found her soon after they first found out about the break in our lines. She was hiding in an abandoned house only thirty miles from the emperors castle. I heard that the emperor was furious at the incompetence his mages had shown it was there job to be able to detect any enemies. So he raised the level on new young mages from four to six in the hopes that it wouldn't happen again. But just in case they started setting up camps closer to the main city this was for a faster response to breaks in our defence.

My thoughts wandered about home. They filled my head as I climbed into bed. I didn't think they would allow me to sleep but before I knew it the darkness of the night took me and I was asleep.

7: All Things Considered

All Things Considered

All Things Considered

I felt a little groggy when I woke that morning. Every movement seemed labored getting dressed took forever. I had almost forgotten about MidNight, he was still there tucked up under my bed I was honestly surprised he had stayed there all night I assumed he trusted me I wondered if he was hungry I wasn't sure how many squirrels he had eaten the other day but he is a dragon so I would think he eats quite a bit even at his size so I conjured some more squirrels. He immediately jumped up and started chasing them eating them whole, he crawled back under the bed after looking at me for a second. It was as if he was telling me thanks for the food I wasn't sure if he was full or not, how would he let me know.

I made my way downstairs after hearing the breakfast plates being set out the smell from mom's cooking filled my nose and made me hungrier then I thought I was. I began feeling...homely I almost didn't want to leave my warm house and warm meals but I had kaolin all excited and didn't want to let him down and I was curious myself about the dragon Armour.

"morning mom"

"nova? You look tired dear"

"yea I had some strange dreams"

"about what?"

"just magic and battles things like that"

I sat myself down for breakfast kaolin was setting out the plates, he tried to look inconspicuous but he was failing his hands were almost shaking, I assumed it was from the excitement of the journey ahead. I just wasn't feeling enthusiastic I felt like something would go wrong I didn't want to betray my mother and I guess I was worried to the battles on the plains in my brothers camp seemed to be getting closer to our house what if something happened to her while I was gone? and I came back to nothing? What would I do id be an orphan just like meina and kaolin and all the other kids who lost their parents in the war. It was clear I was having second thoughts about this whole thing my head was telling me go and my heart was saying no.

"Nova would you like to try some of my muffins I helped your mom make them this morning"

Meina she was so cute looking at me with her big eyes and smiling face it actually made me feel quite a bit better, I almost forgot all my troubles...almost I did feel happy that kaolin was excited about it.

"sure Meina I would love to try one"

I could see her heart soar when I agreed to try one a smile swept my face also and I wasn't disappointed the muffin was soft and buttery it wasn't dry it was nicely moist and it had a sweetness to it like fresh jam I could help but stuff my face with 3 more of them Meina was so happy that I liked her muffins she skipped around the kitchen happily. I took my time eating that morning then made my way outside to see kaolin sitting on a rock with a bag that already had food in it.

"how did you get that? Where did you get that?"

"there's still food in the abandoned houses around here no one else needed it so I took it how are we going to get enough and carry it all to the cart"

we would have to make several trips to and from houses bringing food to the barn I honestly wasn't sure how much we would need for the trip but I knew we would have to ration.

"we will have to make several trips, just don't get caught"

Kaolin didn't waste any time and immediately started searching for food. I spotted a berry bush in our backyard they would be useful on our trip I made my way to my bedroom where I kept a basket for harvesting fruits my bedroom was as it was when I left it earlier I had to remind myself that a dragon was laying under my bed. I lifted the sheets slowly not sure of the reaction I would get from MidNight to my surprise he just looked at me almost contently and laid his head back on a pillow he must have taken at some stage in the night I had spares in my wardrobe. I stared at his eyes for a second before returning to our yard to pick the berries without squishing them. They were ripe as it was coming into fall I remember when the ground used to be littered with leaves from the trees but its been years since then the trees are all gone now. After I harvested all the berries I possibly could I made my way to the barn DareDevil stood in his stall eating the golden hay my mom put out for him every morning he looked a tad scruffy my father used to spend hours a day brushing him, I would help though he would have to lift me up to reach the higher parts of his body DareDevil wasn't exactly a small horse he was a very large but somewhat less muscular Fresian draft horse. Built for pulling heavy carts or charging into enemies my dad always told me "don't let his size fool you he's got speed in these chunky legs" and he did at a full gallop DareDevil could reach speeds of 40 even 50 miles per hour and could leap fences 6 foot high.

"Nova"

Kaolin's voice made me jump I didn't expect him back so soon

"is something wrong?"

"no I got food"

Kaolin had a rather large bag full of food I was surprised there would be so much in these houses

"this is only from one house there are several others and berry bushes litter the roads we could eat those to. Eat berries and save our food when we can it will help"

He was right berry bushes were abundant and we could happily eat them saving us some food along the way.

We continued stocking the cart through the bright hours of the day until dusk fell on us the sun was setting and it was nearly time to go

"Nova, Kaolin, supper"

I found myself hoping this wouldn't be my last meal here I hoped there would be something to come back to that my mom would be ok. Worry was beginning to take over my mind I began to realize that even though she was difficult at times I wouldn't be here without her and I loved her for taking care of me and loving me. We went inside to the homely smells of mom's cooking the warmth of the house another thing I hadn't realized was how cold it had gotten outside. I began to wonder if we would need more then just food we would need things to start a fire blankets to keep warm even spare clothes in case it rained as well as something to cover MidNight in the cart so he would go unseen, I ate my food and contemplated all the things we required on my journey and I had scarcely begun to plan this before now. After I finished my supper I made my way to my room to pack clothes and blankets for the long trip I also stripped my bed of its bedding it would be useful and large enough to cover MidNight... but then I wondered how would we get him from my room to the cart? I didn't know yet if MidNight would follow me or even get out from under my bed willingly. A knock on my door snaps me out of my train of thought.

"Nova its me can I come in"

"oh kaolin sure come in"

Kaolin came in holding some tattered looking leathers. He held them up proudly showing them to me

"what are they"

they were worn and had some rips on then I had no idea what he was showing me or why

"they are dog armour the leather armour the use for battle dogs? I found some in your barn we could put them on MidNight to help hide him a bit better"

Kaolin had come up with an ingenious idea dog leathers were a strong sturdy leather armour for war dogs when they charged into battle along side there human companions the armour covered their chest, back and head but I didn't see how it would fit MidNight he was bigger then some battle dogs i've seen but it might work.

"good work kaolin this will be great but how do we get it on him? He isn't exactly a dog he's not trained"

"food? Maybe you could coax him with some rabbits or something? And while he's distracted eating ill put it on"

"kaolin had yet another good idea which lead me to think of food as a way to lead him outside to the cart"

I began by creating some rabbits MidNight seemed immediately interested in the food

"I guess he was hungry"

He came out from under the bed one eye fixed on the rabbit one eye scanning the room he came and sat at my feet staring up at the rabbit hanging above his head Kaolin slowly approached MidNight with the leather armour held tight Kaolin was able to easily put the leathers on while MidNight was fixed on the rabbit.

I was becoming lost in his gaze his eyes sort of brought me to another universe. I could see the blood tree as clear as day the trunk pulsed like a heart beating I felt fulfilled, like I was now part of something I could hear thoughts that I knew were not my own where they coming from the tree of blood? Were they from MidNight? I snapped myself out of the trance and focused on MidNight his eyes had changed they seemed softer, they had changed and become an emerald green glowing almost lighting up my room

"Nova I put some cloth on his feet so his claws don't make noise when we bring him outside"

before I had even realized what was going on I was leading MidNight out of my bedroom and downstairs.

"your mom is asleep in the rocking chair in the living room"

Kaolin had obviously worked all this out already I felt rushed into it all but I had to go through with it now MidNight stayed hot on my heels eyes still fixed on the rabbit I threw it into the cart once we were outside and MidNight was quick to jump in after it, devouring it.

"are you ok nova? you seem distracted"

Truth is I was very I wasn't sure what was going on things were happening so fast and now this weird visual of the tree of blood in my head and whispering voices.

"its ok its just strange is all lets go"

I was sure what I was saying but I got in the prepared cart Kaolin must have harnessed DareDevil while I was upstairs he sat In the front beside me smiling happily I strained a smile and rather reluctantly set off, I couldn't help but glance into the living room window as we passed, my mom looked so peaceful sleeping in the rocking chair her ball of yarn had fallen to the floor and the fire light up her face with a warm orange glow a tear filled my eye I already missed her but I couldn't turn back now. We were on the road, it was rocky and muddy from the storm we had just had. DareDevil slipped and stumbled over wet muddy rocks that scattered the roads the cart creaked and bounced from side to side as DareDevil pulled us through the rocks with little effort on his part it was a far from comfortable ride but none the less we rode off into the twilight the sounds of wolves and other animals filled the night sky with sound the hours seemed to blend together as we travelled along uneven cobble and dirt roads.

I wasn't sure how long we had been travelling for at this stage but it had been several hours kaolin had already fallen asleep and I was not far behind him my eyes grew heavier with each passing minute and at the risk of losing the way I decided we had to make camp till the morning but where? I tried to force my eyes open in the hopes of spotting a suitable place to camp when my blurry eyes picked up a worn shed in the distance about half a mile away I quickly set DareDevil on course to the shed he pulled us uphill to the shed I pulled him to a stop under an old wooden shelter outside the shed. I sat there a moment letting my body catch up with the movements I wanted it to preform, after a few minutes I climbed out of the cart falling to my knees when my feet touched the ground I was numb and tired.

"kaolin were making camp here wake up and come inside"

He woke slowly and without saying a word he dragged some blankets inside the shed. I looked to the cart for MidNight who quickly showed himself by popping his head up, sniffing the air he hopped out of the cart and walked to my feet without looking at me, I had to admit I was confused, he was like my new puppy or something. I walked inside slowly while watching him, he got up to continue following me inside. Kaolin had been nice enough to set up blankets for us both but he was already asleep when I got into the shed, I lay down quickly joined by MidNight at my side I stared only a moment but it wasn't long before I belonged to the night in all its mysteries.

The dawn shone brightly on my face the heat felt great after the nights storm, I looked around the shed to find I was alone no Kaolin and no MidNight. I made my way outside to look for them, I was immediately up to my ankles in mud,

"it must have rained all night" I muttered to myself

DareDevil had sought shelter in an old barn in the back behind a ruin of a house, but I still didn't see kaolin or MidNight I began to worry it wasn't like MidNight to wander off the little I knew about him and I thought Kaolin understood people would be looking for us and we had to keep a low profile. Footprints at least the rain brought one good thing easy to see footprints both Kaolin and MidNights they lead off into the woods. Trees so tall they seemed to go on forever, It had been a long time since I seen a forest and it felt magical, forests had to be cut down to prevent the sky people from attacking unexpectedly. I followed the tracks becoming more cautious as I went an eerie feeling came over me, I didn't feel right here but I had to find Kaolin and MidNight. I began to hear feint voices and then my eyes caught the sight of MidNights tail just ahead, I moved quickly just needing to be near him I felt danger and that he would protect me. I stood beside him looking around for Kaolin but I didn't see him MidNight was eating a deer I guess I could understand he was hungry but where was Kaolin. I heard the voices again louder now someone was near and I wasn't sure whether they were friend or foe. MidNight occasionally lifted his head always looking defensively in one direction, I assumed that was where the voices were I had to see, I had to check who it was.

I slowly began moving in the direction MidNight was looking and then a red beam of light caught my eye, the glow of magic maybe? Or a lamp? I had never seen a lamp with a red bulb. My mind took me back to the light that shone from the tree of blood, but that's crazy how could a tree move? The light shone brighter almost blanking out everything around me it felt like it was just me and this light wherever it came from. Kaolin's voice I looked back towards the voices and the red light disappeared. I began moving forward again through the wet foliage of the forest and I came to a clearing in a small open meadow I spotted two figures, Kaolin was one but the other was cloaked, a tall thin figure, I didn't recognize them from the back but whoever they were they were in our kings army his emblem was bold obvious on the cloak and it was definitely a she only mages wore cloaks and mages were only female. Well apart from Kaolin but I think he is a rare case. I stepped out into the clearing and she turned instantly.

"Nova?"

"Freya? What are you doing here why aren't you at the war camp"

"we have been called to locate a missing girl and boy"

"wait? What? My mother called you to come find us?"

"well no in fact your mother invited me and your brother to breakfast and when she seen you and Kaolin were no where to be found a search began your mother is very worried Nova"

my mother knew and now people were searching for us I thought we had more time, I couldn't let them find us they would take the helmet and MidNight and I would never see either again not to mention some people know about kaolin's abilities he would be taken to.

"Kaolin run we have to go!"

Kaolin and I took off into the forest as fast as we could run I was so distracted I had forgotten about MidNight I almost hoped I didn't run into him Freya would take him from us in a heartbeat. But as we got out of the forest there he was sitting on the cart, I rushed to the old barn to get DareDevil I saddled him so quickly I cut my hand on a buckle I threw myself up onto the cart and drove DareDevil on

"Kaolin cover MidNight we cant let anyone see him"

Kaolin was quick to throw the remaining blankets on top of MidNight. DareDevil struggled in the mud his feet slipped on the slightest incline. And then my heart sunk into my stomach there standing atop the hill was Freya on a horse whiter then fresh snow we were caught.

"Nova this isn't like you why are you running away there are men looking for you, your mother"

I didn't know what to do I couldn't go back forward was the only option.

"Freya please I need to get by I will come back home when I am finished my journey"

"A journey? Journey to where? What journey could two kids need to go on so desperately that they leave a warm home food and family"

we were wasting time I felt the people that were looking for us closing on us.

"Freya can I trust you please its more important then you can imagine"

"what is it Nova?if it is a secret that needs to be kept that badly I shall give you my word"

I had no idea why I was doing what I was about to do but I felt I needed to in order to move on I trusted Freya enough to let her know why I had to go. I climbed Into the back of the cart and pulled the blankets back MidNight Lifted his jet black head and looked directly at Freya. She stared fear, terror ,shock and confusion all showed on her face, then the sun caught the helmet it shone on her face catching her eye she didn't move didn't make a sound her mouth could have been a fly catcher. I heard voices behind us it was the soldiers.

"Freya please I have to go this dragon came to me and this helmet was my fathers I need to find the rest of it I need to know why this dragon choose me help us please?"

Freya moved quickly she rode towards us covering MidNight with the blankets she rode to a pile of lose stones she gathered them up and threw them into the mud in front of the cart she came close to me our faces nearly touched.

"go Nova speak to no one there is a small farmland 27 miles North there is a man named Logan he will help you, ride there and seek shelter I will follow later. Speak to no one else now go go!"

I pushed DareDevil on, the stones gave him the leverage he needed to get up the hill we rode down a dark path as fast as he could pull us his legs were heavy with mud the cart heavier still MidNight was growing at an incredibly fast rate and the helmet was no light weight object either. DareDevils feet made a thundering noise as we hit the hard ground of the path. My heart raced I was really running from something now and not just me I had to protect Kaolin and MidNight too the pressure was on and I felt my determination burning now I had no doubts no second guesses I had to get back home I needed the truth about the Dragon Armour.

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