A Raven's Darkness (Book 1)

Chapter 7: Sozar

Raven's Point Of View:

I replayed the words I've said to Racon before I left, thinking that I made a mistake. No matter how hard I tried to think it was wrong, it felt right when I said it, looking into his brown eyes. I pushed the thought out of my mind, recollecting myself, and proceeded into Saber's Bark. Saber's Bark is nothing like the other forests. The maple trees are covered with ice, freezing their limbs in place. It is a snowy wasteland, which is always cold, even in summer. White doves soared overhead, reminding me of the dream where I flew with my dead mother. Onward I went, passing several ice dips that were about 7' deep and 4' wide. After what seemed like hours, I spotted a cottage over a hill. I ran towards the cottage, stopping at the door. My hair brushed my face as my clan cape wrapped me in warmth. Nervousness threatened my insides as I looked at the cottage. Smoke was coming out of the chimney. The cottage was shaped like an igloo but was made of yellow stones with wood trim. The door was a dazzling color of blue with a symbol on its knob. I looked closely and made out the writing. It was the Bunard language. A hand appeared from behind me suddenly and my pulse quickened.

Racon's Point Of View:

"I love you," said Raven with her beautiful red lips. I was so startled that I didn't even say anything. Her words made my heart jump like a rabbit, and yet, I couldn't even say anything. I hated myself for it. As I walked back to Sozar's place, I kept pondering about what to tell Raven. A quick image of Raven's lips on mine appeared in my thoughts. Then, it was swept away by the thought of my power. She could never love me, not like this. I began to quicken my pace, causing my sword to make a loud clicking noise across my back. My neck started to burn with searing pain. I winced as I continued to keep my pace. When my neck felt like it was a block of ice, I started to jog. Squinting, I see Sozar's castle 5 miles away. I started to run, making it there in a shorter amount of time. Painting from the pain, I knocked with all the strength I could muster. Minutes went by and still no answer. I knocked three more times. Three minutes went by, but still no answer. Finally, getting agitated, I burst open the metal door and stopped cold in my tracks. Below me was a path of blood, a lot of blood. I followed the tracks, finally coming to the basement door. I slowly opened the door, causing it to creak. Where the trail ended, I looked up and saw the one person I least expected. It was Raven's father.

Raven's Point Of View:

The hand moved away as I turned to look. I slowly raised my head, causing my hood to fall. The figure was covered from head to toe by a black robe. They wore a black cape with a gold stripe and trim, indicating that they were from the Bunard clan. I could see no hair flowing outside the hood and they had silver trimmed boots covering their feet. The figure was about 6' and I was merely 5' 5" tall. I saw an amulet shaped like a small green snake with a black tongue that was tied firmly around their waist by a chain. It was the Bunard's snake symbol. "Come." A hollow voice finally said under the robe. I followed the figure into the cottage. A small red tinted table lay before me. "Sit." They said as they sat. I sat across from the figure, trying to make out details about this person. Noticing my discomfort, the figure pulls down its hood. It was a girl of about twenty-four years of age. She had golden eyes, long curly red hair, and a scar that ran from under her eye to her mouth (making a curve). I stared in curiosity at her scar. She made a slight smile, straightening her scar. "You're late." Startled, I protest, "To be fair, it was a day's walk." Her smile vanished. "I am not the one who cares." Confused, I raised my eyebrows at the slight movement to the door behind her. Leaning on the wall with his hands across his chest was Sozar, Racon's uncle. Sozar's short straight black hair complemented his grin and his bright blue eyes sparkled at me.

Racon's Point Of View:

I noticed Raven's father had blood on his black cape with a single purple stripe, indicating that he belonged to the Raven Clan. Where did he take Rater? For a split second, my mind jumped to the conclusion that he could have killed him. His short spiked grey hair showed his age, of forty three years, and those blank grey eyes showed his pain and suffering. He stood at 6', causing him to look down at my 5' 8" self. "Where is Raven?" Startled by this, I struggled to keep calm while avoiding the question. "What are you doing here?" Robin shot me a blank stare that grew cold. He was staring at my exposed mark on my neck. "You know," was all Robin had to say about the topic. I awkwardly rubbed my palms together, warming myself up. I could feel Raven's surroundings. How odd. Sighing, I looked at the blood and then back up to Robin. "What happened here?" Robin's eyes narrowed. "Sozar escaped from me, leaving behind Rater's blood, as he carried him away." I breathe a sigh of relief. Then, my breath catches as he says, "We need to talk." He motions for two chairs in the corner of the basement. I gulp as we sit down. "What is this about?" I asked cautiously. He looked into my eyes, melting my courage. "Do you know how my wife died?"