-Julie-
I stood up, my shoulder slightly aching, but I didn't feel any serious pain. I knew that dagger didn't even break my skin, but it was still terrifying. I looked around, still shaken up. I don't know where I was, but it was terrible. Great, giant trees, that could have been beautiful once, were now dying and growing withered fruit. The flowers on the ground looked ugly and brown, as did the grass. And the sky was a mucky red color.
Then I remembered Vincent had been stabbed before I was. "Vincent!" I called. I stepped forward, hearing a grunt. I looked around more closely and saw a heap in the dead grass. I ran over and pushed Vincent to his back.
"Julie?" he asked, opening his eyes. I nodded and helped him up. "Are you okay?" He rubbed his head.
"Am I okay? Are you?" I started to pull him up. The Powers must have protected me from any side effects. I felt awful I was perfectly fine while he was no more than a wet noodle. When I was finally able to get him standing, he leaned on me heavily. I managed to not fall over, but I had to hunch. "Come on, we need to figure out what the hell happened."
As I started to pull him along, someone came into view. I weary, but came in with an open mind. I took in the person I saw before me. She was taller than me, maybe even taller than Viktor. She had short, silvery hair with a crown of gold and jewels on her head. Pieces of her short hair had beads weaved in and braids. She wore a Native American style dress made of some kind of hide. Golden bands with small gems were all up her arms and around her ankles. And her ears came to sharp points with gold hoops in them. That wasn't even the strangest part.
Her eyes were like mine. They were glowing bright and blue, just like my green ones did. It hurt to look into her eyes, and I could see it hurt for her too. She looked away from my eyes and then to Vincent. Then she spoke, her voice strong and clear. "Who are you, outsider? And the man, he is wounded."
"I'm Julie, and this is my friend, Vincent. We were forced here." I bit my lip, hoping she wasn't hostile. Vincent was in no condition to fight, and I could only cast minor spells.
She smiled kindly at us. "I can offer you help. I am Analael. Come with me. I can carry the man." And with that, she picked up Vincent, who was no better than a rag doll, and threw him over her shoulder. Then she started to lead us to God knows where. I really had no other choice than to trust this Indian elf lady.
As she carried Vincent, we neared a great castle made out of weathered marble and stone. It looked cracked and old, as if it had seen wars. Something about the walls made me uneasy. My eyes ached, but I would know if there was real danger. They would have let me know in some way.
I was pulled from studying the castle from afar when Vincent started to struggle. "Put me down," he grumbled. "Who are you?"
All she said was "I am the queen."
