Starborn

Chapter 5 (Part 1)

Without a second thought, I call upon my sword, but the Shadowheart bravely grabs my blade. He breaks off a portion of the blue fire, making my jaw drop and reducing my sword to a pitiful size. The fire smolders away in the man's hand as he keeps laughing, his free hand gripping a dark ax formed from his shadow.

But before he makes another move, a steel bolt pierces his skull, making the vile Shadowheart drop dead with a loud and thundering boom. Several women in the caravan scream in fright as people flee from the grisly sight. Their lanterns leave with them, leaving me in the impending night.

However, that same Shadowheart starts laughing even more. I'm dumbfounded to see him back on his feet, still clutching that dark battle ax- the guard's bolt is still lodged in his skull.

PONDERO!

As I swat away his dark blade, I lodge my short blade deep into the man's abdomen, and he emits his last breath with a final chuckle. The dark in his body seeps out into the ground, leaving only his withered corpse and a permanent smile.

The guard inside the booth pants heavily after reloading his crossbow. He even daintily adjusts his helmet afterward.

"Damn Shadowhearts," he mutters before looking at me with a much more content look. "No matter the circumstances, your return is a blessing."

Without even taking his eyes off me, the guard pulls the lever. The gate creaks open, leading to a foggy bridge that stretches out into a seemingly endless void.

"Thank you," I say while saluting the man in respect. "I'll remember this."

"Make haste. My superiors will know about this by sunrise. You must reach the end by midnight to avoid being detected."

Duncan has already pulled the carriage behind me, obviously excited beyond belief. I jump into the cabin as soon as Charlotte swings the door open, and we give the kind guard a wave. The gate slams shut just as soon as the wheels make it through, leaving us with nothing but more fog and the little lantern swinging at the front of the carriage.

"It's too foggy out here," Charlotte says while leaning out the window. "Can you see, love?"

"Could use a hand," Duncan says with a wink.

Charlotte starts to mutter while clenching her fist softly. Her hand glows brighter and brighter, almost like her fingers are candle wicks.

PHARUMINA!

Straight from her palm, a blue orb launches into the sky before BOOM! It explodes and blankets the bridge with lovely blue light. Charlotte smiles and straightens her hair before dipping her head back inside the carriage.

Ameline looks up at the night sky, watching the dark clouds roll by. Meanwhile, my head is feeling light, and the side of the cabin feels comfortable enough to be my pillow.

"Are you really a king?" Ameline blurts, waking me up.

"That's what the Netherbane are known as. My ancestors built this nation, long before I was born."

"So that's why Duncan called me a princess."

"Yes. Does that surprise you?"

"No, I guess not," Ameline says. "I just never met a king before. I've heard about them in some stories Grandpa used to tell me. They wore crowns and lived in a big castle, and they led armies to fight off the bad guys."

"That's right," I say with a smile.

"Are we gonna live in a castle one day?" Ameline says with a giddy heart. "Maybe there's room in Theoton! We can build a great, big, beautiful palace right there in the city!"