Magic in the Mist

Chapter Four

     Hazel woke up in the middle of the night, faint moonlight shining from her window into her room. Hazel looked around in the dim light; her dad must

have come in while she was asleep and turned the light off. Bri was asleep, her cage door open. Hazel looked up right as Orian stomped above her.

So that wasn't a dream, she thought, her heart pounding as she raced out of her room and down the hall.

Reaching up to the ceiling, Hazel pulled down the attic stairs and climbed into the attic. Sure enough, Orian was there, snorting and nickering to Hazel as she walked towards him. As she walked forward, her hands outstretched, lavender colored magic flowed steadily through her palms. Orian stopped, taking a small step forward. Hazel stroked his muzzle, scratching his forehead. Orian neighed happily, and Hazel laughed as the pegasus nuzzled her. Then Orian turned up to the roof where the tarp was hanging to cover up the hole Orian had made.

'Do you want to take it down?' Hazel asked.

Orian stomped the attic floor as if saying Yes! Please take it down!

'Okay, but I'll have to put it back up before dad comes back.' Hazel said, walking up to the ladder and sliding it into place above the tarp.

Hazel picked out the nails, and finally the tarp fell down, a puddle of rain water along with it. Hazel looked down to see Orian, who bumped the ladder causing it to shake. 'Easy, boy.' Hazel said, taking a step down the ladder. Orian neighed in protest, knocking against the ladder once more. This time Hazel wobbled and fell off the ladder, landing square on Orian's back. Before she could regain herself, Orian shot off, flying into the night sky. Hazel quickly held onto Orian's mane, holding on tight as Orian soared in the sky.

'Needed a stretch, eh?' Hazel said shakily, trying to slow down her breathing.

Orain snorted, flapping his great wings as they neared the ocean. Before she knew it, Orian was descending slowly until he was cruising just above the ocean, his hooves skimming the water. Hazel slowly let go of Orian's mane and spreaded her hands out, closing her eyes as wind blew through her hair, cooling down her sweaty hands. As Hazel sat there on Orian's steady back, she finally felt. . . free. For the first time since her mother had died, Hazel truly felt free.

Golden magic flowed steadily from Hazel's hands as he opened her eyes, once again holding onto Orian's mane as they climbed further into the sky. Orain broke through a cover of clouds, and Hazel gasped as her clothes were drenched in water. The night sky was beautiful; you could see every part of the wispy clouds around them as Orian glided through the sky, the moon casting shadows on the different shaped clouds. Stars twinkled merrily dotting the blackness around her, and for once Hazel felt like she could see the whole universe, the milky way, the other planets. . . Then Orian dived down through the clouds, drenching Hazel once more.

Now Hazel could see land below them, and Orian seemed to be racing towards it. Hazel clutched Orian's mane and bent down towards him as he curled his wings against himself, diving down as the air whistled past them. To Hazel's left, a horn blew in her ear. Turning, she could see someone riding a lean dapple-gray pegasus, who was descending close to Orian. On Hazel's right flew a buckskin pegasus and a tough-looking rider.

Oh, no. Hazel thought, her mind racing as the pegasus' riders glared at her as she and Orian descended.

Orian nickered to the pegasi, opening his wings and catching the wind. They were now closer to land, and Orian was descending a bit slower.

'What is this place?' Hazel asked Orian, but he ignored her, landing on a dirt path that led through a hilly field.

Hazel looked up and saw the two people who were sitting on the pegasi, who's bows were drawn threateningly.

'Who are you?' the one on the buckskin horse said.

He had long, white hair and strange clothes, accompanied by pointy ears.

Elves, Hazel thought, holding in a startled gasp.

'Answer me!' the elf said angrily, his horse pacing in front of Orian. Orian neighed to the elf, rearing about a foot off the ground.

'I. . . he brought me here,' Hazel said, finally getting the nerve to talk.

'Hmph,' the elf said, studying Hazel carefully. 'Dismount your pegasus and follow me.'

Hazel nodded, dismounting Orian and standing close to him as the elves dismounted their pegasi and led Hazel through the dirt path. They quickly came across a small town, houses littered on either side of the dirt path. In the center of the town was a large statue of an elf. She was wearing an elegant dress with a small crown, with an assortment of rubies, sapphires, ambers, and opals embedded into the stone. The statue-elf was holding a long sword, and even though the statue was made of stone, Hazel could swear she saw confidence in her eyes.

'That's our leader, Raya,' one of the elves said. 'We're going to meet her.'

The elves led her to a large, white building, walking confidently inside. The interior of the building was beautiful; white marble columns lined a silk carpet leading to a large throne where Queen Raya sat, her pearl-white hair tied back in a beautiful braid. Next to her throne stood an elegant white pegasus, their color matching Queen Raya's hair.

'Queen Raya,' the elf said, getting on one knee as he addressed her. 'We have found a trespasser,'

'Stand,' Queen Raya said, her voice strong as she addressed him. Then she turned to Orian, her eyes unreadable. 'I see you have found someone? But dare I say you are wrong.'

Orian stomped furiously, waving his wings.

'Take her away, wipe her memory.' Queen Raya said dismissively, waving her hand to the elves.

'Wait!' Hazel said, and Queen Raya turned to her. Her gaze was glaring, so much so that Hazel almost backed down. But she stood her ground. 'There is a reason I can see Orian as a pegasus,' Hazel started, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room. 'I've been able to see mythical creatures since my mom died—and I can do magic.' Hazel opened her shaking hands and violet magic streamed out. Queen Raya put her hand up as a signal for the elf to stop.

'Iphie,' Queen Raya said, looking at the female elf who had been addressing her. 'Take Elms and this pegasus to the stables,'

'Yes, my queen.' Iphie said, bowing to Queen Raya before signaling to the other elf, Elms, and taking Orian out of the building.

When the door closed behind them, Queen Raya turned to Hazel, studying her intently. Hazel's violet magic was still floating and twinkling in the air of the large, white room. The white pegasus next to Queen Raya's throne nickered softly as a little speck of magic landed on her nose.

'I was told that there would be an unusual girl that would come into our camp. You are supposed to save us, Hazel Martinez.' Queen Raya said, her voice confident and strong.

'How do you know my name?' Hazel asked, trying to keep fear from seeping into her tone. 'And where in the world am I?'

'You are at MoonTribe,' Queen Raya said softly, but her gaze was strong and hateful.

'MoonTribe?' Hazel repeated.

Elves have tribes? She thought to herself.

'Yes. I would explain why that pegasus brought you here, but you need to sleep first. I expect you've had a long night,' Queen Raya said.

'Yes, I have.' Hazel said, and for the first time that night, she realized how tired she was. Queen Raya nodded, turning to her white pegasus.

'Pearl will lead you to the stables where Thalia will show you where you are sleeping. In the morning, we will talk about more important matters.'

Pearl, the white pegasus, trotted over to Hazel, stopping for a moment before leading her out of the building and into the town. Hazel's thoughts were jumbled, but through her confusion, she knew one thing:

She had a strange feeling that the next time she entered the large building and talked to Queen Raya, may it be tomorrow morning or in a week, month, or year, something terrible was to happen.