Phoenix

Chapter 11

When I awake Fe-Fe gives me a piece of cloth. "This will go over your eyes, you will be able to see through it, it is to stop whatever sand it can. The storm is really bad today. We will not be able to make good time for it." She hands me another piece of cloth, like the one that goes around her mouth. "That is so you do not choke on sand as well. Are you ready, my Prince?" She asks.

"My name is Roakin." So we eat some left over food and put our coverings on. Fe-Fe pauses at the opening of the cave. She takes off the rope that is tied around her waist. "If you do not mind I would like to tie one end on your belt and the other around my waste. I mean no insult, but the storm can get really bad, and I can not be searching for you every five seconds." She says. I nod and she begins to tie it. Once done, she presses the caverns wall, and we begin the journey up.

Fe-Fe was not kidding. As soon as we step out I am almost pulled backwards by the force of the sand. I can hear nothing over the roar of the wind. Fe-Fe drops like a rock with a loud cry. I am confused, until I realize she's holding her shoulder. I get in front of her shielding her from the sand. Her wound has reopened form the force of the storm. "Hang on." I mumble at her, taking some water and cleaning it out. I rip off part of the bottom of my shirt.

"This is going to hurt, but I must do it." I warn. She nods in response. I tie the cloth around her wound and pull tight. She let's out another cry, and grips my hand I offer her. She pants for a few more seconds, before standing. "Thank you," she says hoarsley. Then, she steps in front of me. We can not run, like we have been. The force of the sand is too grand.

I can not see a thing in front of me, and I'm glad she thought of the rope. I even bump right into her when she stops. "My apologies!" I shout. But she is looking up into the sky. Quickly, she unties the rope around her waist and takes her sword out. "Do not leave this spot!" She roars at me. In that second a huge bug drops from the sky. I hit the ground to dodge it. The stinger on it cuts my fave mask, but that is it.

San fills my mouth instantly. I look to Dee the bug coming back towards us. I choke on the sand, my vision going black as I cough it up. Fe-Fe's lips are moving, but I can nkt hear her. She takes her face mask off and puts it around mine. I've never seen that thing off of her face. Her lips are small and pink, yet firm like I had imagined. She jumps up and stabs at the giant bug. Green too oozes from the wound, and I roll to not get it on me.

I watch as Fe-Fe attacks at it again, cutting its giant wing. She wastes no time, grabbing my hand and forcing me to run. It feels like we are trying to run through thick mud, but she pulls us through. She takes a sharp right, and then we are through. The sand storm stops, as if hitting a wall. We are out of the dessert, and I can not believe my eyes. Behind us is the storm, yet in front of us is a lush green forest.

Fe-Fe heaves, and starts to cough up sand. Blood mixes with it, and she's almost doubled over. I stand, frozen, as I watch. She wipes her mouth when done, and spits out the last of the blood. "You're incredible," I whisper. She reaches out an unties the mask, putting it back on her face. "You've given something for me to fight for, my Prince. And I would expect to do nothing less." Is all she says. "That place is a nightmare!" I laugh out. I can almost feel her smile.

"That is why no one survives it, I imagine." She says. "Where are we going anyways?" I ask. "To get your kingdom back." She sits. "Excuse me?" My jaw drops. "You said you wanted to get it back, right? I will help you." I shake my head. "No, that is not sane. There are two separate kings, with two very powerful armies. You believe that the two of us can waltz in there and battle?" I almost shout at her.

"My abilities rank far beyond what you could ever imagine." She whispers looking at the clouds. "On the night of the blood Moon Lord Crewe will send his army far north, near the borders of Kakrurot. He plans on waiting at see to overcome their kingdom, reigning more power of lands. That means we will have only one army to deal with. And even then, we have the element of surprise." She looks at me.

"They will not send an army just to fight you off, you are only one person, they will want to deal with you themselves. By now they know who you are. If we can get passed their main guards, we will only be dealing with them. They will not know who I am and what I can do. All we have to do is get inside that castle, right? Can you prove to the armies and the people of the land you are who you say you are?" She asks. I nod and show her my ring.

"This is the ring of my kingdom. It will only fit on the hand of my blood. It is known to every kingdom, even the ones to the west." She looks at it and nods thoughtfully. "Your master said your powers are at its best during the blood moon. So we must plan to get to your kingdom a day before that." It seems simple enough, but then again I have no clue how far away we are from my kingdom. Due to the fact I have no idea of knowing what side of the desert we exited from.

"How far are we from my kingdom?" I ask. "That is depending, my Prince. If we travel by the forest, we will not make it in time, for the length is too long, even if we run days on end. If we go through the mountains, however, we can make it in time. But the mountains will be much more trickier than the desert. I assure you that, my Prince." I mind my tongue from profanities in front of her.

I look at the mountains she is pointing to. Even from close up they look dark and dreary. I have never traveled this way before, it being too close and dangerous to my kingdom. And I was not sure how much more damage Fe-Fe could take. But as I studied her she looked fine. She was still a mystery to me, this women with no grace. But I owed it to my people, I owed it to my academy. If there was any a chance to get my kingdom back, this was the last one. "Alright, my lady. Please, show me the way."