Day 15

Viola Stone wanted to say goodbye to her friends before leaving to take revenge on those who tried to drown her sister and find the crystal so they could go home.

She approached Xoma.

“I am so sorry for my behavior towards Rider. You have been nothing but kind to me. I am so sorry!” Viola apologized.

Xoma hugged her.

“You are always welcome. I have written down my address. If you fail to get home, come and join us.”

Viola wanted to cry.

“Thank you!”

Viola turned to Viv,

“My closest friend. I am sorry my behavior disappointed you. Please forgive me.”

Viv hugged her

“I hope you find your way home. But if you do not. Consider coming to live with us. You and Rider can work out your differences.”

“Thank you!” Viola answered.

Viola hugged Jacob.

“I am sorry I scared you with my crazy.”

“I am glad you are not sick anymore.” Jacob said “I will miss you. I don’t want you to leave.”

“I must try to return to my family, they will be worried and sad.” Viola answered.

“I want to be your family.” Jacob responded.

Viola hugged him and tried not to cry.

She turned to Rider.

“I am sorry!”

She didn’t know what else to say.

He hugged her goodbye.

“I am glad you are alright.” He said.

His hug was genuine. It had no ill will in it.

“Well.” Viola said wiping her eyes “I am off to the mountain.”

After her goodbye, Viola joined Nikki who was packed. All the groups were ready to leave.

“Should we not say goodbye to Tẽra?” Nikki asked.

“Isn’t she in a meeting?” Shane asked.

“Let’s go.” Sugar urged.

Viola watched as Fiona got smaller. Fiona’s and Ranger were already on their way.

Nikki looked up at the castle.

“Goodbye.” she said to Tẽra softly.

Then they started on their journey.

They walked for about an hour. Saying very little as everyone thought of what will happen? Who they were leaving behind and worrying that going was not the right thing to do.

Viola felt sad. She was tempted to go with the family she had come to love.

Shane worried about Jessica and if she would be alright. What would happen if he was not their when she returned?

Nikki worried that their mission would fail and that she was leading them to their deaths.

Sugar worried that Chris would return while she was not there and someone else would get to kill Joe. But going home was the only way she could kill Joe fairly, not that she really cared about fair, just being better, stronger.

A cold wind picked up.

“I think we should make camp” Nikki said.

“In the open?” Sugar object.

Shane looked at the clear sky.

“I remember a rainstorm coming up in minutes. We do not understand the weather here.” He said.

“So, we camp?” Nikki said unsure.

“Shelter would be better.” He agreed.

“I have tents.” Nikki replied.

“Let’s try make it to the tree line. Then some of the wind will be broken.” Sugar said.

But the wind got colder, and the trees stayed just as far away as they had been. Then all at once a blizzard was upon them. The snow stung their faces as it beat them. The wind stripped their bodies of all warmth.

Cold and frozen, with a howling wind in which they would not even hear each other. They tried to set up the tent. But it was not happening. The wind would not ease up for a moment. It began to gust in different directions. Ripping the tent from the ground and swallowing it.

“The tent is gone!” Nikki shouted.

“The tent!” Sugar cried.

“Catch the runaway tent!” Shane yelled running after it.

But no one could hear each other. The storm beat on. Determined to destroy them.

Viola couldn’t feel her feet.

‘All the things I have survived just to die of over exposure’ she thought.

Shane knew their chances were low. They should have set up camp when Nikki suggested. But they didn’t and now they needed a plan.

But like most people when freezing to death the mind slows down. Until it finally stops.

Nikki stood still. She was soaked from the snow. The wind had taken all her warmth and her energy faded.

‘Get warm’ she thought.

When the other’s saw she had stopped they came to her.

She sat on the ground with her backpack on her back.

“Nikki?” Viola asked.

Nikki saw them but not as they were but as children. Her heart pounded. She was hallucinating.

With fingers so cold they burned and ached she unzipped her pack and pulled out the sheep skin blanket.

“Come, come.” she said “We will use our back packs to block the wind on our backs. Let’s huddle.”

No one had a better idea. The trees were as far away as ever. Almost like they intentional kept their distance from them.

“Gather in.” Nikki said.

She rapped the sheep skins around them and with their packs behind them they huddled. The storm ranged on.

They slowly began to get warmer. The shivering and chattering of teeth, was the only sound heard from them. The snow built and built around them, casing them in.

When Nikki awoke, they were in darkness. No light from the sky above them. Nikki felt around her pack. She was feeling better, she was no longer frozen, and her mind had cleared.

She found her lantern, pulled it out and felt for the flint stones. She lit the lantern. She saw Viola, Sugar and Shane all sleeping. They were in a snow cave. Huddling together with blankets that had kept the warmth in while the snow built up around them protecting them from the wind.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

‘This was a clever idea, well done to whoever thought of it’ Nikki thought.

She didn’t remember it was her.

She shook Shane. He stirred and opened his eyes.

Nikki came into focus. He became aware of his sore body. He had been sleeping at a funny angle and Sugar’s heavy head had made his leg dead.

“Ahhh” he moaned.

He wiggled his fingers and toes. He was worried about frost bite.

He shook Sugar awake.

Viola woke up. She assessed the situation.

“Are we trapped under the snow?” Viola asked.

“We are.” Nikki replied.

“That’s not good.” Viola said.

“It’s not so bad either.” Nikki replied “We are alive and protected from the storm. I am unsure how deep the snow is.”

“You mean how much is over us.” Sugar said.

“My suggestion is we all put our packs on and keep the skins over us and ensure we close any gaps over our heads so we can stand up at the same time and push through together.” Nikki said.

“Won’t the snow cave in and kill us?” Shane asked.

“Not if we keep in air by closing the gaps above us. Like creating an umbrella and pushing it up. If the snow moves in around us, don’t panic. We have air. We can dig our way out then. I will use one hand to hold the lantern and the other to hold the skin. I will need everyone to work together.” Nikki encouraged.

“Ok.” they agreed reluctantly.

They did as Nikki had said.

As the stood up they broke through the snow. They could see light. Nikki tested moving the skin above them slightly. No snow wasn’t on top of them anymore.

“We can climb out now.” Nikki said.

The snow was only knee deep. It had covered them but not trapped them. The whole situation seemed a little anti-climactic.

“Now that our tent is gone, we will need shelter for the night.” Viola said.

The blizzard had passed but it was still snowing.

“I would suggest the trees, but since we are no closer than when we began I will not. Instead, I suggest go in the direction we need to go and hope for shelter. Or at least lots of wood for a fire.” Shane suggested.

“I do not want to die out here. Clearly these storms or sudden. I think we should go back to the castle and get a new tent.” Sugar said, “We are only hours from the castle. But days from the mountain. I also think we should make use of the horses offered to us.”

They looked at one another. Sugar made sense. Her idea did have the best sound to it.

“Let’s return to the castle. Maybe we can be there before night fall.” Nikki agreed.

So, they headed back the way they had come. As they walked Nikki saw some of their tent.

She pulled the poll out of the ground. But it was a poll and that was all.

She sighed.

Using it as a walking stick, she carried on towards the castle.

Viola Stone walked frozen half to death towards the castle. Shane West was close behind her as he walked. Nikki and Sugar froze behind them. They were all soaking wet and numb with cold.

Then a man on a horse came over.

“You look half dead. Come home with me. I have a warm fire, and dry clothes. Food and shelter for the night.” Ferox said.

“You’re that guy that brought Viola in.” Shane said.

“Well remembered.” He replied.

They followed Ferox to his mansion of a home. It was huge and beautiful.

“Why are you so quiet?” Ferox asked Viola.

“They don’t know that I understand you and I want to keep it that way.” She replied.

Ferox eyed her.

“Why wouldn’t you understand?” he asked.

“We are not from around here. We are earthlings.” She explained.

“What?” he asked.

“Please just keep my secret.” She asked.

“Is anything you told me true?” he asked.

“Mostly.” She answered.

He shook his head.

Servants brought clean clothes for them. The women were shown to a room to get dressed.

“Do you know that guy?” Nikki asked.

“Yes, he brought me back to the castle when I was injured. I picked up a few basic words.” she lied.

“Good for you.” Sugar said, “I have battled with this horrible jumble of languages. I usually have a knack for picking them up. But it’s like it’s a bad version of Latin.”

“I have also battled.” Nikki confessed, “So glad Tẽra can understand them.”

A bath of hot water was provided.

The clothes provided were more traditional. Dresses for the ladies and shirt and pants for Shane.

Viola stripped and climbed into the bath.

“I am so cold, and I need a bath.” She said.

“You’re naked.” Nikki said.

Viola shrugged

“We are all ladies.”

“Huh.” Nikki replied.

She went and changed in the corner out of sight.

“See you.” She called as she left the room changed.

“Guess I made her uncomfortable.” Viola said.

Nikki went down the stairs and was taken to the dining hall.

“Welcome.” A friendly woman said, “Please have a seat.”

Shane translated.

“Why are you doing that?” The woman asked.

“She is from a place far away and she doesn’t understand you.” Shane explained.

“But you do?” the woman asked.

“Mostly. I still have some difficultly, but I can follow and answer.” He confessed.

“How interesting.”

Then the man of the home entered, and everyone stood up. Shane and Nikki copied.

“I am Lukente Barron. Welcome to our home.”

“This is my lovely mate, Zen. My first born Hild.”

He gestured towards the friendly woman.

“My son Ferox, my daughters, Dafini and Sib.”

“You have a lovely family.” Shane complemented.

“Thank you, son.” He said to Shane.

“I am Shane, this is Nikki. Viola and Sugar are still dressing.” Shane told them.

Viola entered the room wearing the satin blue dress provided for her.

Her wet hair stuck to her face and fell over her shoulders.

“That’s Viola.” Shane said not taking his eyes off of her.

“Welcome.” Lukente said.

Viola smiled and curtsied.

Shane pulled a chair out for her.

“Thank you.” She sat.

Sugar walked in wearing a purple dress, while Nikki was wearing a pink dress.

“Such beautiful ladies travel with you. Are they all your mates?” Lukente asked Shane.

“None are.” Shane replied.

“I am just travelling with as a translator.”

“It is good to be you.” He laughed.

His wife gave him a look.

“I have three fine daughters. If you are not bonded, then look upon them.” He offered.

“I work for the queen. It is not a safe environment.” He replied.

“You must be so sad that she still lives.”

Shane was taken aback.

Viola glared at Ferox.

“I can only say that she has treated me with kindness.” Shane responded, “I do not wish for anyone to die. Not her nor her enemies.”

The food was brought in, and a plate was placed in front of each person.

“I am surprised that you defend her.” Lukente said disappointingly, “She is a plague on this world. If only Black Beard had achieved what he set out to.”

“I do not know Black Beard. I arrived with the Dragon Riders at the castle. However, I can tell you she is a new person. If you met her for yourself, you would not speak as you do.” Shane said.

Viola wanted to say something, but she had to keep her cover.

So, she asked Shane what is being said.

Shane explained and Sugar was furious.

She stood up. Everyone’s eyes got big.

“The attacks on the castle, you agree with? You agree with sending children in to die? You are happy that every wounded person was attacked first, and Black Beard didn’t even show up himself! How can you condone such things?! Cowards!”

Shane translated.

“How dare you stand up for the queen in this house!” he snapped back.

“How dare I?” Sugar picked up a knife from the table.

“I got this.”

She pulled her dress up so even her underwear could be seen and showed them the stitches on her side.

“From a child I killed, for stabbing me in my sleep! I was nowhere near the queen!”

Everyone was silent except Shane who translated.

“Have you killed a child?” she asked him

“Have you?” she yelled and stabbed the knife into the table.

Everyone jumped.

“No.” he answered.

“Do you want to know how many children were sent into the castle to die?” Sugar asked

“Fifty.” She answered not letting them say anything.

“Fifty dead children after the attacks. They were sent to kill everyone. Not just the queen.”

Sugar pulled the knife free.

“If you want me dead. Try! But if you send your children, I will kill them and you!” Sugar said.

Viola gave Ferox a look.

If he had gone home and told his family the truth, like he said he would then this wouldn’t be happening.

Sugar faced the man. Both hands on the table leaning over at him.

“Who is this woman?” Lukente asked.

“She’s a warrior.” Shane replied “Killed many. She’s our protection on our trip.”

“Who have you brought into my home?” he said to Ferox.

Sugar slammed the table.

“Answer me!” she demanded.

Shane translated.

“I don’t want you killed. Nor did I believe that the attack was unjust. Now you must leave my home.” Lukente said.

Shane, Nikki and Viola stood up.

Sugar marched to the room and grabbed her things. Then she walked out into the freezing cold. The others just went outside.

Inside the family were having a tiff.

“Father, I told you about what happened. Did you not believe me?” he asked.

“You are a gullible boy. Believing anything you’re told.”

“But I saw for myself. I told you I went to the castle. I met the queen.”

“Why would I believe you? Playing pranks and messing about all the time.”

Ferox’s heart sank.

“But I have now heard it again and you brought them into my home.”

“I apologies.” Ferox said.

Ferox left the room.

“Is what that woman said true?” Zen asked.

“I don’t know. If it is then Black Beard played us all.” Lukente said.

“You shouldn’t be so hard on him. He can never grow up if you only let him be a boy.” Hild said.

Ferox rode out into the night. He was cold and he imagined they were colder. He had a carriage with him. He knew of a place they could stay. But wearing what they were wearing they would never make it.

He caught up to them.

“Please forgive me. Let me take you somewhere safe for the night. It’s too cold out here, you will die.” Ferox said.

“Thank you!” Viola said squeezing his hand.

The shivering four got into the carriage. It was a bumpy ride. But it was over quickly.

Ferox opened the carriage door. A large barn was in front of them.

“You will be safe. It’s not very nice. But it’s better than nothing.” He said.

They went into the barn, but Ferox stopped Viola.

“I did tell him.” He said, “I told him everything I saw and what the slaves told me.”

Viola could see he was telling the truth.

“Thank you for trying. I know you said your family funded it. Maybe that’s why your father can’t accept the truth.” Viola said shivering.

“Come, let’s go inside.” He led her into the barn.

It was a storage barn. Big bags of seed and hay and even tools where stacked.

“I only have old horse blankets in here.” He apologized.

He pulled blankets out of a barrel. They smelt like horse, and they were torn and dirty. But it was better than nothing.

“Sorry, there isn’t any food here. Only grain and that doesn’t taste so good.” Ferox said.

“Thank you.” Shane said “Please tell your father I am sorry for the trouble we caused. It was very kind of you all to welcome us into your home. It’s a touchy subject for everyone I see.”

Shane was a peacekeeper.

“Your performance has left us hungry.” Nikki said to Sugar.

“Someone had to set him right.” Sugar defended.

“Just think, you could have conducted yourself better.” Nikki said.

“How many people have you killed during the attacks.” Sugar shouted.

“One and it was awful! But there is a time and a place.” Nikki replied.

“Ladies you are both right.” Viola said “I am sorry you had to kill someone. He did need to be set straight. But an invite to the castle might have been a better way. Then he could see for himself.”

Ferox handed out the blankets.

“If you follow the road left. It will take you to the castle.” Ferox told them.

“Thank you.” Shane said.

Ferox gave Viola a half smile and left.

“I am sleeping in the loft.” Sugar announced.

“Good idea.” Nikki followed.

Viola held her blankets.

“It’s good to be a peacekeeper. Sometimes it doesn’t work, and you shouldn’t be hard on them for it.” Viola said to Shane.

“Ever since I came to the castle things have gone wrong. My sister is missing, Pragya is dead and now I am cold and hungry in a stinky barn.”

“Your sister is here with you?” Viola asked.

“Yes… no. She’s not my real sister. But she is.”

“Adopted?” Viola asked.

“Only since we have been here. But I think she will be my sister even when we get back home. It’s a lie we told and now it’s more the truth then a lie.” He confessed.

“Who is Pragya?” Viola asked.

“She was someone I really liked. Unusual in a good way. Not awkward but shy. Sometimes…” he stopped talking.

“I like how you describe her and not her occupation or duties.” Viola said.

Nikki called from the loft.

“It’s too cold to sleep alone, we must make a Christmas bed.”

“You’re shy about being naked but not about sleeping next to a guy?” Viola asked.

“I am all about survival. Don’t mistake my will to live as being without boundaries.” Nikki answered.

Shane and Viola went up and lay some of their blankets on the floor. Then some over them. It was cold!

Sugar sat up.

“Can’t we sleep on seed bags, insulate us from the floor?”

“That is a great idea.” Nikki said jumping up.

They carried the seed bags up and lay on them with the blankets over them. It was dusty and smelly but warmer.

Viola lay awake looking at the moon out of the gapes in the wood. She missed home.

“I think he likes you.” Shane whispered.

“Who?” Viola asked returning to the present.

“Ferox. That’s why he is helping us.”

“I think he is just a nice person.” She said remembering how he help her on the run-away horse before he even saw her.

“Men are not that nice.” Shane said.

“Some are.” Viola said “Aren’t you meant to be sleeping?”

“Do you have someone special on earth?” Shane asked.

Viola shook her head

“You are determined to chat.”

Shane was next to her with Sugar on the other side of him.

Viola turned over.

“I am cold. I can’t sleep.”

He moved closer to her.

“You’re warm.”

“I am from Canada. My body is used to generating heat.” He replied.

“I’m from Germany. But this silly little dress is cold.”

“Tell me about yourself.” He said putting his arm around her.

Viola raised an eyebrow. Was he really cuddling her?

“I have a stone heart. Chew men up and discard them without a second thought. In fact, I enjoy it. I live with my dad. I like most animals. Not usually male animals…” she hinted

“I enjoy flying, driving, and martial arts.”

“Seriously.” He said, “I am not getting funny with you. You are cold and I am not. Take it for what it is and don’t read into it.”

“So, you’re being nice?” she asked.

“Haha. I see what you are doing.”

“Goodnight.” Viola said.

“Goodnight dragonfly.” He said.

“Dragonfly?” Viola asked falling asleep.

“Yip, pretending to be a dragon but really just a beautiful water loving bug.” He replied.

Viola smiled ‘If only you knew’ she thought dozing off.