This chapter isn't nearly complete. I have more, but it's starting to get to the point where it starts to sound dumb. So bear with me while I rethink what the heck I'm doing. Once again, I apologize that Therixz's and Lurr's comments and Saracne's mind comments aren't italicized. I'm too lazy to go throguh it and italicize all over again lol.

Chapter 3

Kayden looked down at the sleeping girl. She looked so young. It was hard to believe he was only four years older. He didn't want to wake her, but wished she would get up so they could begin travelling to Hikbash, the dark kingdom. He wasn't really sure how, but he knew that they could defeat the dark king's armies. Saracne had power in her, he could feel it, and Kayden didn't doubt that she underestimated it. With her power combined with his, he was sure they could make it.
He looked down at her. She held onto the wolf pup so tightly, even in sleep, as if protecting him. And Kayden knew right then and there, that he wanted to protect her.
She needed protection.

Kayden was there when Saracne awoke. She smiled up at him. "Good morning," she greeted.
"Good morning," he replied, returning her smile. "Are you ready?"
"Ready?" she inquired.
"Yes," Kayden looked down. "We leave today."
Saracne groaned and lifted her head off the pillow. "Alright," she said, putting Therixz on the stone floor. "Where are my things?"
Kayden pointed to the corner on the other side of the bed. Saracne grabbed her bag and tent and walked back over to where Kayden was standing. She looked at him with a steady gaze and said,"I'm ready."


Saracne had never ridden a horse before, but she had spoken with them. She tried to avoid their saucy behaviour at all costs, but her feet were tired from her last journey. So on horseback she was.
Slide up on the saddle, will you?! her mount complained
Saracne moved up and grumbled a curse under her breath.
And tell that stupid dog of yours to keep it's paws in the saddlebag!
"Alright!!!" Saracne screamed. Kayden looked at her critically. "The horse," she explained, uneasily. "I'm afraid she doesn't much like me."
"Brolo said you had odd relationships with animals," Kayden laughed.
"I can talk to them," Saracne corrected, "and do other things."
Brolo nodded his head toward the falcon on his shoulder. "I can talk to falcons, and shift into them as well."
Saracne was relieved that they had something in common. She was growing increasingly nervous, as she wasn't used to being around so many people, ecspecially ones like Kayden. She looked at the army that surrounded her, and started to get anxious again.
Kayden noticed her anxiety. "I don't like to be crowded either," he told her, "I'd rather be alone, or with my falcon, Lurr."
Saracne was glad to have him to talk to. "I like to be with Brolo," she replied, "and the wolves." She looked down at Therixz who was sitting inside the saddle bag at Saracne's side.
Kayden reached out and stroked the wolf pup's head. "What are you going to do with the pup when the battle begins?"
Saracne thought for a moment. "I guess that Brolo will have to tell me." she replied.
"I could get Lurr to send him a message if you like," Kayden said, generously.
"That's alright," Saracne declined, "I have a ring. Brolo tells me things in my dreams when I wear it."
"That's amazing!" Kayden replied.
"That's Brolo." Saracne said and smiled.
They talked for the rest of the day. Saracne didn't ask about the prophecy, or the war, for she didn't want to know. Not that she enjoyed being surprised, but she felt like when she needed to know something, it would be told to her. She also didn't want to risk making her or Kayden uncomfortable. In the time they talked, Saracne learned that Brolo taught Kayden his fighting skills many years ago, and they lived together until Brolo was accused of blasphomy and was sentenced to exile. She also found out that Kayden's parents had died when he was just an infant and Brolo took care of him, like an older brother. Until he was four. That's when Saracne was born, and that's when Brolo took care of her. But such things were spoken in hushed voices. Kayden made it clear that none other were to know such things. Saracne felt special and priveledged to have these things known to her.
The more they talked, the more Saracne like Kayden.
It was dark now, and Therixz was complaining that he couldn't sleep on such a bumpy mount. The horse, of course, retorted, and Saracne was getting tired of hearing both animals argue. "Kayden," she started, "don't you think we should set up camp soon?"
"There should be a clearing up here," Kayden replied.
They rode a little farther until they could see a large clearing through the trees. Saracne and Kayden decided to set up camp there, whilst other parts of the army looked for other clearings.
Saracne got off her horse, but her inexperienced legs were sore from the ride and her knees buckled. Kayden caught her at the last second. "Here," he said, "Up we go. Don't stand on these feet until tomorrow," he told her. "I'll set up your tent for you, just relax."
Saracne was happy that she didn't have to put up her tent, because frankly she found it quite difficult.
Once it was set up, Kayden turned to her. "Where is your sleeping sac?" he asked her.
"I don't have one," she replied.
"I'll get you one," Kayden told her, and he left to go find one.
"Saracne!" she heard a female voice call. She turned and saw a woman heading towards her. "Hi Saracne, I'm Anya."
Saracne envied Anya's dark golden ringlets. "Hi," Saracne told her, "how did you know my name?"
"Oh," Anya replied, "everyone is talking about you. They say that you are the child of the prophecy; the one who will lead us all out of danger. Is it true ? What do you know of the Dark King?"
Saracne's head was reeling. "I don't know anything," she said, uncomfortably, "I don't know who I am, and I don't know anything about the prophecy. Nor do I know of the Dark King, except that he can't be very nice if we are going to war with him."
Anya didn't look disappointed. "Well, atleast you know you're important right? I mean you've obviously caught Kayden's eye.."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Saracne asked, skeptically.
"Saracne, dear, Kayden is a very important person. He is the most powerful mage in Sarandale, not to mention in all of the other nine duchies."
"So?" Saracne asked, "Why should that stop him from paying me attention?"
"Well..."Anya didn't seem to be able to put her words together.
Kayden showed up with a sleeping sac for Saracne. "Oh, hello Anya," he said.
"Hi Kayden," Anya replied, smiling. "I suppose I'll be off." She turned to Saracne, "Nice chatting with you Saracne. Come by my tent sometime, I have more important news to tell you."
Saracne had no intention of going to her tent, but she nodded her head anyways. She took the sac that Kayden handed her.
"I know that it's late," Kayden told her, "but you haven't had dinner. Why not stay up a while longer, I'll get you some food. We can eat in my tent."
"Alright," Saracne said, yawning. "Food sounds great."
Saracne waited in Kayden's tent as he dished her some food. She looked around. It was a very large tent, and she had watched people pull things from carraiges and put them in it. Kayden's falcon, Lurr, was sitting on a perch by a desk with papers on it. She didn't want to snoop, ecspecially with Lurr watching her, but the papers just seemed important and were exceptionally inviting. She got up and went to look at them.
Why has your interest stirred? asked Lurr.
"No reason," Saracne said while looking at the strange enscriptments. It was the same secret writing that Brolo had showed her. She opened the drawer the desk. There were more papers inside. She lifted them, and a flat shiny stone fell from in between and onto the ground. It clattered loudy against the earth. She bent to retrieve it. As her fingers touched it's glossed surface, Saracne felt a rush of power around her, and a bright light filled her eyes. She was suddenly riding a winged horse - a pegasus. An army of decomposing bodies marched below her, charging in on Sarandales soldiers. She was trying to comprehend what was happening when she saw a dark figure tower before her. A molding black hand reached out and swung, slamming Saracne and her mount. She fell. She reached out and screamed as she felt the ground cave in on her already hurting body.
Kayden shook her. "Saracne!" he yelled at her. Saracne saw herself on the ground. She was in Kayden's tent again. She was panting. Kayden wiped a tear away from her cheek. "Saracne, you were screaming, it was like you'd been posessed!"
Saracne felt like crying, but decided to keep some dignity after most likely looking like a complete fool. "I don't know what happened..." She told Kayden.
"What's this...?" Saracne felt Kayden pry her clenched fingers open and pull out the stone.
"I took it out the desk, I didn't mean to, I was just looking at the papers and it fell, I - ...."
Kayden's eyes quickly moved to hers in a angry gesture. "You went through my things?" His voice was hot and dripped with hostility.
"Kayden, please, I'm sorry, I was just - "
"Out." Kayden said quietly. "Do you know what you might have done?!"
"Kayden..."
"OUT!"
Saracne ran out crying. She immediatly went to her tent where she buried her head in Therixz's fur and wept. She had just suffered a strange and frightening vision, and if that wasn't enough, she had to ruin her friendship with Kayden. She thought of when she had lived with Brolo and the wolves, and how happy she was. It was all over. The lowest of lows was crashing on Saracne's head, and it hurt her. She wondered if this was just a dream, and if she would be awakened by little wolf pups biting her feet..

She woke up in pain, and kicked a nose that was near her feet. She looked up, hope filling her eyes, but it was only Therixz, and she was in her tent. She heard people outside packing their things, getting ready for the long trip still ahead. She wrapped up her tent and hitched it up to her horse's saddle, making sure to watch out for Kayden. She didn't want to see him after what had happened the night before. She was trying not think about it when Anya approached her. Saracne pretended to be too focused on her mount to notice the older woman.
"Saracne, hi," Anya greeted.
"Hello Anya," Saracne replied, managing a smile.
"Rumor has it that yelling came from Kayden's tent last night and that you ran out in a flurry," Anya told Saracne.
"Do you believe everything you hear?" Saracne countered.
"He also woke up in a most unpleasant mood this morning," Anya continued.
Saracne didn't enjoy this critisism. She wasn't entirely used to talking to people other than Brolo, let alone having them analize her every move.
"Look," Saracne said, "I don't know what you want from me. I'm not going to give you details of my life." Saracne wished so much right now to just change into a small rodent and scare Anya away. "I'm here to help, just like you. Let's keep our relationship professional, just my relationship with Kayden." Saracne winced at that last statment: relationship with Kayden.
To her surprise, Anya looked genuinely hurt. "You have to understand," Anya started, "I'm not just a gossip. I really want to know more about you." And with that, she walked briskly away.
Saracne didn't understand Anya. There was something she couldn't place - Almost a familiarity in her face. Saracne shrugged it off. She noticed that people were already on their mounts and ready to go. She put Therixz in the saddle bag. When people started moving, she followed the crowd.
"Hello Saracne," said a voice. Saracne looked to her right. There was a lovely young woman on a proud mount. She had very long wavy light brown hair tied up and tumbling down her back. Her blue eyes sparkled, focusing on Saracne and waiting for an answer.
"Hello," Saracne managed.
"I'm Rilla," the girl said. "I've heard rumors that the child of the prophecy was among us."
Saracne looked sore for a moment. "If that's what I am.''
"Well, either way, you and Kayden seem to get along fine."
"Why is that such a big deal with everyone?!" Saracne said, trying not to to shout.
"Because," Rilla started, " Kayden is important among our people."
"Important -- like royal?" Saracne asked.
Rilla laughed, "No," she replied, "though Kayden is an important asset and it fawned upon by the majesties, he still carries the simple carter's blood from which he was borned."
"Why does that make the difference? If he is such an importance among the people, do you not think he could govern the people well?" Saracne was confused.
"As King?" Rilla laughed. "Your guardians did not teach you much about such customs. You see, when a king passes on, his heir takes over. Only someone who is related to him can be his heir. Otherwise, I suppose everyone would be applying to be King!"
"Is the King's heir as talented or important as Kayden?" asked Saracne, thinking with a wolf's mind that humans were confusing.
"As important -- of course. But as for talented..." Her voice drifted. "You see, there are four of the king's relations that are candidates for heir. Two females, and two males."
"Females? But wouldn't that make them Queen?"
"Yes, but it doesn't really matter. Since your interested I'm going to ask your advice. " She waited for Saracne to nod. "Now, of the males, one is really -- Well, vain, for loss of a more courteous word. He seems only to want the title of King for his own power - Not for the good of the people. As for magic, there are rumors. Some say he's able to curse people and bend them to his will. It can be frightening enough that people will take his interest to mind." Saracne nodded as she took this information in. "The other male, gracious as he is, doesn't seem fit for King. His mind often wanders. He fits the role of poet or artist more than King. "
"And the women?"
"One woman wants to be heir for the good of the people. She has a few powers, but some think it isn't enough. She tries her hardest to help the communtiy but no one seems to notice." She looked sad for a moment but a jolt from the stumble of her horse seemed to awaken her. "The other woman," she started, "is so far quite a mystery to us all. We know that she has powers -- great powers, so Kayden says." She noticed Saracne wince at Kayden's name. "I was wondering, who would you think to be the best heir?"
Saracne considered a moment. "Well," she said, "The first woman sounds like she would make a good leader. She wants to consider the needs of her people, and you said she tries to help them. It's much like what would make a good wolf leader." Rilla looked confused. "A wolf leader," Saracne explained, "Helps the pack. He doesn't just sit around and let the pack hunt for him. He joins the hunt."
"Joins the hunt." Rilla repeated. "Oh, she's hunting as we speak." She smiled and then looked to her right where a knight motioned for her to come over to him. "I must take leave now. A friend is calling for me. We'll speak again soon!"
Saracne nodded and watched her trot away. She reached down to pat Therixz's head. "I don't understand these humans," she told him. "I wish we could have just stayed with Brolo and the wolves." Therixz's silent assent comforted her.

They stopped to make camp again. According to Anya, who had made some more conversation with her despite Saracne's snap at her earlier, they still had a long way to go until they reached the Dark Kingdom. "We don't really even know where it is." Anya told Saracne. "We are relying on very ancient maps. The people from Sarandale haven't gone on a mission like this since --- Well, I don't even know. Who knows what we'll find when we get there?"
"Why are we going to fight? Why don't we just leave the Dark King alone? He hasn't done anything to us, has he?" Saracne inquired.
"If we don't defeat him, when he reaches full power he will take over the entire world! He almost did, thousands of years ago. Rikh The Mighty defeated him, with the Web."
"The Web?"
"Yes." Anya replied. "Not many know about it. There has been no written evidence of anyone having it after Rikh The Mighty. Before that, many people had it. I'm not even sure what it is. But I can tell you that it is a very powerful beast magic. Kayden might be able to tell you more." Saracne looked away. "What is it?" Anya asked. "I had noticed that you and Kayden weren't riding together. Is something wrong between you?"
"I was stupid and now he's mad at me."
"What did you do?" Anya asked. Saracne looked at her feet. "Alright, well if you don't want to tell me...but you had better get things settled with Kayden. He's the one who knows the most about this mission. And he's the one who is supposed to be teaching you. It's his duty! You can't really blame only yourself." Saracne looked back up at her. "And you don't want to be on his bad side." Anya winked."Anyways, we'd better set up our tents."
Saracne nodded and got started. When she was done, she untacked her horse and brought it to a nearby pond. The horse was ornery and was insulting Saracne, so she blocked out the horse's comments, unaware that she even could. The horse looked annoyed that Saracne was ignoring her, but bent her head down for a drink anyways. Saracne looked at her reflection through the ripples. Her face was caked with dirt. She leaned over and splashed herself with the cool water. When she looked again, Kayden's figure was standing behind her. She startled, then kept looking ahead, ignoring him, hoping he would leave.
"I'm sorry I was angry." Kayden's voice said behind her. She kept looking ahead. "You have to understand the consequences of what you might have done." When Saracne still didn't answer, he went on. "That stone belonged to Rikh The Mighty. It showed him where to go, what to do. It helped him defeat the Dark King. It chose him. But where there is a blessing, there is an evil. The stone was passed on from son to son and so on, until it reached my best friend, Tulic. One day, while trying to discover it's secret, the stone took him in. His whole self. I've no idea where he'd gone to. No idea if I'll ever see him again. I didn't want the same for you."
Saracne looked back at him. "I'm sorry about your friend." she said.
Kayden nodded. "Just thought you should know." he said, and then walked back to the camp.
Saracne looked down at her ring. "Oh Brolo," she whispered, "why do I have to be this person? Why is it up to me to save the world?" He never answered. Saracne told the horse not to run off and then walked to her tent. She smiled as she saw Therixz rough housing with a dog. He was getting bigger every day. Already she knew that he would be traveling by foot instead of being in the saddle bag all day. She glowed with pride like Therixz was her own son. Lifting the tent flap, Saracne went inside and slept a deep sleep.

It's up to you because you have the power,
What? Saracne asked.
You asked me, Brolo reminded her, and I'm telling you. You have the power to destroy this creature, and you are going to use it. That is why you are to save the world.
What power? Saracne asked. So I can talk to animals. So I can shape-change. So what?! Do you really think that will save the world for what it's worth?
No, Brolo replied, I don't. But maybe your other powers will.
What other powers?!
Look inside yourself. And look inside the animals. Choose the thread that will weave the web.
Choose the-

Saracne sat up quickly. The dream was gone. She looked down at her ring. It was glowing prefusely, but the light dulled into dimness. Choose the thread that will weave the web. The words rang in Saracne's ears. She shook her head. Stripping herself of her dirty clothes, she exchanged them with new ones that someone had placed at her feet. She let her hands slide down the gold embroidery. She'd never worn something this presumptuous. She didn't feel she had the right. She slipped on her boots that had obviously been cleaned and shined. She walked out of her tent and found Kayden softly talking to Therixz. When he saw her, he stopped in mid-conversation and stared. Saracne blushed and looked to the side.
"Saracne," he said, "I thought you'd need a change of clothes, so I bought some from a passing merchant."
"Thank you," Saracne replied, "I was getting tired of smelling like horses."
Kayden laughed. "Would you kindly repay me by riding with me today? I feel that I haven't told you anything of the journey, and today is a lovely enough day to catch up on things." He looked up at the clear blue sky.
Saracne noticed the sly smile that cornered his mouth. "Alright." she said. "I have a few things to tell you as well."
When camp was cleaned up and everyone was ready to go, Saracne and Kayden sunk behind the crowd on their horses to talk. "Now," Kayden started, "I'm surprised that you hadn't asked anything before. I admire you for it. Taking charge, not knowing what you're getting yourself into. Very courageous."
"Actually," Saracne replied, "I think I was more afraid than anything. Afraid of what I'm getting myself into."
"Well, why not I tell you exactly what you're getting yourself into." Kayden waited until Saracne's nodded assent and then went on. "Last month we got word from Riddenkeep, the Glacier Kingdom to the north, that the seers were having visions of a king. A dark king. Bodies twisting up from the earth to perform his evil duties. A world of fire and smoke if this king shall become whole. Then, we got word from Frontington, then Allister, and finally all of the other duchies. The Dark King has risen out of the earth of which he laid for hundreds of years. And he has sent a message to everyone who saw the visions: This time, he will conquer."
"And do we know anything about him?" Saracne asked, awed.
"Nothing." Kayden shook his head. "The legend speaks in riddles. I can find out nothing."
"Do you know the riddle? Speak it to me."
Kayden took a deep breath.

"Once defeated, he shall rise. Coming forth to claim his prize.
The dead will slay, the living try, but blindness comes from eye for an eye.
Only two will win two worlds, the darkness and the light. One will become trapped forever the other will remain to fight.
The Child of the Gods must answer, must reach forth and spin, weaving an eternal light from souls so pure with threads so thin.
If the wheel remains unspinning, if the thread remains unspun, the light recieves the ultimate dungeon, then the darkness will have won.
Souls so pure they speak to one, unuttering a single say. Child of the Gods knows their language, can see their light as one sees day.
Only pureness defeats corruption, using the Child as the door. If they key remains in hiding, darkness fills the lives of fore.

But beware the traitor, the one who lost, he's the one to betray. For he has evil accomplices and will turn the Child the wrong way.
The wrong way leads to confusion, and more betrayal there. Good blood turns bad, best friends turn enemy, and the only way is air."

Saracne's eyes widened at the words. "Kayden!" she said, "Brolo came to me lastnight. He told me "choose the thread that will weave the web." Do you think these have anything to do with eachother?"
"Aye," Kayden said, "they must."
"Kayden, do you know anything of the Web?" Saracne asked quietly.
"The Web? Like in the Legend of Rikh The Mighty?" Saracne nodded. "I know some. But only what I've been told." He looked around. "They say that the Web was a beast magic, used by powerful mages hundreds of years ago. In trying to defeat the Dark King, the most powerful mage, Rikh, was said to take the power from the dead mages that the Dark King had killed, and their beasts, and then turn it upon the Dark King himself. They say that the blast of the power wiped out not only the Dark King, but all of his warriors in Hikbash, the Dark Kingdom. But the legend also says that this blast was caused by pure sadness that his love had been killed in battle, and that nothing else could have made him do it. The next day, he died. He passed the Seer Stone, the one you held, onto his son, and it stayed in the family until just last month." Kayden looked down. "When my friend Tulic was...taken, he had no sons. No wife. No family at all to give it to. So now it's in my possession. And I've yet to know it's secrets."
"Kayden," Saracne started, "Did Lurr," she looked up at the falcon that was perched on his shoulder, quietly listening, "tell you what happened that night? The night I held the stone?" She felt bad for bringing it up.
"Only what he saw." Kayden replied.
I told him that you held the stone and then you fell, Lurr told her.
Saracne nodded. "I held the stone. And suddenly there was a bright light. I saw myself flying upon a winged horse. I was watching the warriors fight. And then a hand reached out and hit me. And I fell." She looked down. "It was like nothing I've ever dreamed. I smelled the rot below me. I felt my face give way under the hand. I felt the wind at my back as I fell. And then I woke up screaming."
"So it has chose you."
"What?" Saracne inquired, confused.
"You are the one." Kayden explained. "Just as the stone chose Rikh, it's choosing you. It's the Seer stone. And you are the Seer."
"The Seer, the Child of the Gods, what else?! I don't even know myself!" Saracne burst out. "I don't know what to do, and I don't know how to do it! Kayden, I'm so confused."
You are my friend, Therixz said, now beside her horse. You are my friend, and I say that we go. We go live a wolf's life. Wolves don't need to worry about wars. Wolves don't need to take over the world. The pack is their world. It is all they need. Let us be wolves now. Wolves know who they are, they know they are wolves. It's been so long since you became one. Change, change and run away with me. We can have a pack of our own. You are a strong wolf, we would make good pups together.
Saracne managed a small smile and shook her head. "No Therixz. It would not be good. I would not want to become like Brolo, too attached to his pack that he can not come help me." Tears stung her eyes.
"Don't speak of him that way!" Kayden told her. "Brolo does all things for a good reason."
The tall one speaks right. Brolo is wise. He stayed for a reason. He is my father, and so I can understand him better than you.
"You can understand him better because you are a wolf, Therixz! I am not a wolf. I am a pretender. I shape change into what I am not so I can be something and know what that something is." Saracne looked at Kayden who looked annoyed that he could only hear one side of the conversation. She told Lurr to translate.
If this is how you feel, I shall go make a pack of my own. I am not meant to be with humans. I am young, but I can find my own female and have my own pups, and maybe we shall have a cave, just like back home. Therixz retorted.
"You are only a pup yourself, if you go out there, you'll be killed!"
Atleast I'll be free.
Saracne watched as Therixz ran into the forest, a white blur against the green of the trees. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She squinted and looked forward, determined not to cry in front of Kayden.