Chasing Darkness Part I

Chapter Ten

"We're in the Main Land," gasped Alisia.

They all looked around the city and it was almost as if it had no citizens. The streets were filled with the military, shops were boarded up and some were shut down. In the distance the castle could be seen, it seemed to be the only thing that was colourful around the city at the moment.

"Come on, this way," said the hooded man and nudged all of them forward a little. They walked on through the city. With every step they took and everywhere they looked they saw soldiers and a broken city that was almost abandoned. Soon they were led to the beginning of a large twisting path that was guarded by soldiers.

"I need to take these three to see her," said the hooded man to the soldiers. The soldier looked at Alisia, David and Crispin, and then nodded at the hooded man. The soldiers moved aside to let the travellers and the hooded man up the twisting path. Once at the top of the twisting path the travellers came across a gigantic castle with a huge oak door which was guarded by more soldiers. "I need to take these three to see her," said the hooded man again to the soldiers in front of the oak door. The soldiers looked at Alisia, David and Crispin. Then exchanged looks before one of them knocked three times on the door in a tune.

After the soldier knocked there were several loud clicks before the door began to open. The door only opened very slightly, and it was just a big enough gap so they could all go in one at a time.

They all walked into a big room, the most noticeable thing was the number of soldiers surrounding the massive area. The room had a large chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. The floor was made of cream and salmon coloured tiles and there were paintings and tapestries on the walls. At the far end of the room there were two gold chairs with red fabric seats in one of the chairs was sitting a lady in her forties, she was in a large white and pink dress and she was wearing a gold crown on her head that was encrusted with a number of jewels. Just then a man in a red outfit came with a trumpet. He blew the trumpet which echoed around the room.

"May I present, her Majesty Queen Karina of the Main Land," announced the man with the trumpet. The hooded man pushed Alisia, David and Crispin forward. They began to walk forwards towards the Queen who appeared to be waiting for them. Once the three travellers were in front of the Queen they waited patiently.

"Well, honestly I didn't think we'd be able to find you," said Queen Karina to Alisia. Alisia was a bit confused when Queen Karina said this.

"Why were you looking for me?" asked Alisia a little worried about what the answer was going to be.

"We need your help," said Queen Karina.

"How can Alisia help you?" said David.

"Alisia, do you know who you are standing next to young man? This is the Witch of the East," said Queen Karina. David and Crispin exchanged looks and were speechless.

"That isn't incorrect," mumbled Alisia staring down at the ground.

"Untie them," ordered Queen Karina as she walked closer to Alisia. The hooded man drew a sword from his belt and sliced the rope around the hands of the travellers in half.  Alisia, David and Crispin rubbed their wrists which now had red marks dotted around them. "Now, you are probably wondering why you are here," said Queen Karina.

"Well, you sent a bounty hunter to capture me and my friend so I'm guessing it's pretty urgent," said Alisia.

"You're correct. The war between our world and the spirit's has grown stronger over the years, and we are gathering all the help we can so we can win this war," explained Queen Karina.

"Help, like who?" asked Alisia.

"Come this way, we will explain," said Queen Karina, and she showed Alisia, David and Crispin into another room. They walked into the room and saw hundreds of beings in the room, all standing and talking with one another. "As you can see we have gathered people beyond mankind, we convinced the vampires of the darkest realms to join and even the Winter Fairies,"