In my dream, I walked seemingly unnoticed through the crowd of people. I found myself in a plaza. Stalls with food and games were set up and a dance was being held in the middle. Smiles and cheering. People running and walking without a care. Lanterns illuminated the night sky made the scene breathtaking.

Yet among all the peace I saw it. The shadow. Standing there in its own world, surrounded by seven others. Their faces hidden by the light of lanterns hung from ropes far above my head. I ran toward them, my heart ablaze to meet them.Yet, as I got closer somehow they vanished. My eyes darted side to side, and I caught a glimpse of the shadow. I gave chase. The feeling to get to it, meet it was strong in my chest.

After running for what seemed like an eternity, a castle stood tall in front of me. A glance back and the town seemed so small now, but the lights from the festival still illuminated the night sky.

Two huge doors blocked my way in. Their height made the clouds seem even farther away. If anything from the dream was clear, it was the deep brown of those doors. At the time, the best I could think of was scaling the walls, but as I looked tall towers daunted the idea.

My head down in defeat, but out of the corner of my eye a strange curve brought me forward. An opening in the door. The crack just large enough for me to slip in like a rat into a kitchen.

Inside I found myself at a courtyard filled with strange plants. The floor was stone, yet it had a sleekness to it. It seemed like a perfect reflection of the sky above. Ahead massive steps lead to the next level. The castle was in parts almost. It seemed like a separate town was above the one below. I wasted too much time. I ran up the steps, with many complaints along the way.

The steps made of marble and stone were nice and sturdy and I could find no cracks or even evidence of lack of maintenance to them. On either side of me, the walls seem like a cage, but I could tell they were fortified and that gave me a sense of safety. I saw strange flags with an insignia that I couldn’t see it. Like a strange blur.

I once again saw the shadow on the top and double my pace I wanted to call out, but my words failed me. My lungs burned, my breath coming in rapid gasps.

Once at the top, another courtyard almost the same as the one before came into view. Ahead were a few shorts steps to smaller doors that led to a bigger and well-modeled building.

I sense of wonder fill me as I looked at it. This place was something beyond my imagination. War was clearly in the architect's mind, but it didn't give that feeling. I only felt safer, and more relaxed.  Another difference caught my eye.

Bakery signs and smith's signs lined the sides. It was like a market was just before the castle entrance. It was so different from books. None of the castles I had ever read about were like this. Lost in wonder as my head turned to view all it could, It came again.

The shadow went through the door, into what I assumed to be a throne room. I gave chase and found myself stunned. A red carpet filled the walkway. It reached up to the stairs and even farther beyond them. Yet even that was minor compared to what was above me.

Walkways hugged the walls, but instead of doors, books as far as my eyes could see lined them. I walked past marble columns supported the walkways. It was amazing they could support such weight.

I heisted slightly. I could see guards, all standing by the pillars that held up the upper level. Four guards on each side, but as I walked forward they didn't make a move.

Ahead large chandeliers lightened the entrance.  My eyes found every little thing about the castle absolutely riveting. Then I saw the chair.

My eyes were glued to it. Like a small space in time was carved for this meeting.

The throne seemed to call out to me and I really did want to sit in it. It was made of wood, but its craftsmanship seems unworldly. It arms rest made and covered with the finest woodworks. The end of each arm curved into a knob. The red velvet seat covers seemed to burn with a crimson light. It echoed royalty from every piece of wood. The wall behind the chair was even more magnificent

A stone drawing of a giant tree. Surrounding the tree where animals of all kinds. Foxes, dragons, phoenixes and many other mythical creatures surrounded the tree. Light from above made the whole thing feel holy. The sight before me filled me with fear and excitement. I could only wonder what I would be like to sit with my back to such a masterpiece.  It would surely be intimidating to see.

Like a rat, the shadow moved from behind it toward a door. The game of tag began anew.

After running up many stairs and seeing so much of this wonderful castle. Of I hadn’t been a dream I would have stayed there to explore until my curiosity was extinguished. A different question also burned in my head.

Who or what this shadow is? I had wondered a long time. What kind of monster inhabited my body? I wasn't sure if it was a monster, but given everything  I had seen so far, it sounded good.

Through a door on its right, the shadow went. How we had gone so far I wasn’t sure. The back of the castle had come so fast, the rest of the running up the stair hadn’t hinted at much forward progress toward an end.

I burst through the doorway and came to a very nice looking bed. Extravagant pillows and blankets lay on top of the mattress. It would at least fit eight people if not more.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

A crossed from the bed, a balcony window was wide open. I inched forward. I had it trapped. I couldn't get careless and let it escape. I peeked out only a little.

The shadow was looking over a balcony and the sun was just rising in the background. I could see land spreading far and wide in the scene that played out before me.

“Who are you?!” I threw caution not the wind, my words replaced it. The shadow raised its head. It raised its hand and a cloak hood fell to its neck revealing a good amount of golden hair. Needless to say, I was stunned.

I had assumed it was a person, but after always seeing black, the golden hair drew my attention for a long while. I broke my gaze, I was more than ready to see a face. As it turned to face me, the sun rose just enough that light stopped me from seeing. I covered my eyes, but dared peeks thru my fingers.

The rays of light seemed to love this man. They seemed to bend around him almost. The only thing from the face I could see was a set of amber eyes locked onto me, yet at the same time, peering into me.

They were warm, yet there was something inside them that told me to be afraid. I felt a shiver down my spine. He was dangerous. A smile crept upon his face.

The light faded, yet I still could not see his face. Thru my fingers his lips began to move. I poured all my sense into hearing his voice. His lips parted.

The world went dark.

I was meet with cold steel against my throat. I tensed and through my dazed eyes, came to realize I was surrounded by three men. I gulped. I understood the situation and gave up any attempts to attack.

They hauled me up and tied my hands behind my back. I was placed in a crouched position with the rest of my party. We all exchanged glances, but none of us seemed to have a real plan.

I decided to gauge our new threats. They seemed too bulky to be normal bandits. All of the wore chainmail under their light armor. All were dressed in the same get-up. There brown color clothing reminded of an old oak tree.

They seemed to be searching the camp for something. Maybe they were looking for Danzeth? He slept in a high up in a tree before we all went to bed. I stretched my neck and looked up to see him. Once our eyes meet, he then sighed and went back to sleep. This asshole! I was moments away from shouting at him. I gave up the attempt.  I dropped my gaze and went back to staring at the black ground. Danzeth clearly didn't care about the situation. After a long silence, a man stepped forward.

“Alright, you damn maggots!” Those were his first words to us.  His voice rough, yet clearly like some drill sergeant. I knew then I wasn't going to like him. Oddly enough being called a maggot was a new insult to me. It was oddly refreshing. I might have gotten not use to negative criticism, but that is unimportant.

“Now be nice little kids and tell us why you are here?” His gaze fell to Cross and held it there. The older of the group was the leader, would be the natural assumption. Cross just shook his head no and gestured to me. The bandit a little confused pointed his finger at me and Cross shock. I didn't get why he wasn't talking. None of us had been gagged. Maybe he was just trying to hide his fear?

The bandit started laughing. “This kid is you, leader!” Making a kid the leader did seem pretty dumb. In less than a second, he seized my hair and pulled my face closer to his. I was meet with the smell of alcohol and sweat. I nearly threw up.

“Ah, all scared are you? Don't worry. I just want info. I don't need your life. ” he said as snidely and arrogant as possible. I managed a nod and he released me. Thanks, gods. The shower had avoided this guy.

“May I ask you something first?” I asked him while trying to claim clean air into my lungs. And get my face out of the dirt. I would l have relished not having a nose at this point.  I licked my lips, which was a mistake because dirt entered my mouth.

I coughed like mad for a little bit.

The air was tense “.....Sure ask away, but any funny business and one of your friends will be missing a head.” He got his composure back. A man stepped behind Erica and produced a sharp dagger.

“Alright, what is your goal?” Learning their goal would be useful in negotiations. The man looked changed from cold gaze to a serious one. This look told me it was no secret what their goal was.

“Once we have enough men and weapons, we plan to storm the castle and dethrone the current king!” he said with lots of pride and vigor. The man all around shouted in agreement. Now convinced off my suspicions, I decide to press my attack. I let a smile lit my face. I pulled myself up for the dirt, which hurt a lot with support my hands to help.

“Alright, then you can just release us.” The cheering went dead silent. Then a familiar smell filled my nose. The bandit took a coach stance that put his face in front of mine.

“What do you mean by that boy?” A menacing frown plastered on his face.  I was scared, but I had to press on.

“Well, I plan to murder the king myself,” I said with a smile. that should work I thought.

Laughter. That did this for a will before stopping. The bandits were all holding their sides except one who stood too far for me to see him.

“Well, kid you just broke the requirement.” He looked to the man near my friends “Frank kill one.”

“Hey wait!  I gave you my answer!”

“Kid, if that's your answer then, I’m doing all your friends a favor by killing them.” He got up in my face again. “You think four strangers can stop a man that sent an entire army to an early grave?” if his words weren't enough the scar that lined his face were proof. The man pulled up his shirt to show wounds from arrows and magic.

“I’ve lost many for that single idea and so did everyone here!. He got up and moved around the circle of men. “Hearing a kid say our dream, feels like we have been wasting our time.” He pulled me forward and placed me near two others who grabbed my shoulders holding me firmer in the ground.

“Kid this is the end result of that dream.” He gestured finger to my comrades. “You should leave it to us before you get hurt.” As the words hit my ears, a sensation filled my body. My heartbeat, sending a shock wave through me.

“Stop it we can work together!” I yelled the man just kept facing one way and not respond to my plea.

The man named Frank, place the dagger to Erica's throat. A slight yelp escaped her. I could see the blood rolling down her neck.

She turned toward the man and looked him dead in the eyes. “So killing someone is how you teach a lesson. That just sick and wrong!” her resistance didn’t last long. Frank clapped his hand over her mouth. An evil light filled his eyes. It was over-

The dagger began the slow drag to the left. He got no further. A hand suddenly grabbed his and he looked into my eyes.

-The spotlight lost again.