The Species of Power [Draft 1]

Chapter 15

Dawn brightened the Kingdom with each second of the sunrise. The air cleansed Ruth's lungs every time she inhaled. There was an inexplicable feeling of serenity that overcame Ruth by simply being in the Kingdom. It felt... strange to her; feeling so relaxed. The Kingdom looked like something from a story book; a grand city standing tall and fine. It felt as though pride was built into every single stone building in sight. The grand masterpiece of the Kingdom was a palace that overlooked the city. Sami and Hero led them through the city; around hidden shortcuts and secret spots. Ruth wasn't sure where they would end up, but she had no choice but to trust them.

All that Ruth new about the Kingdom was that it was made up of five separate cities; four of them were named after the gods and goddesses the Children of Peace worshiped, and in the center was the capital; Kingdom City. There was Sival City, which north-west of the center of the Kingdom, named after the goddess of who they believed to be the mother of their creation. About north-east of the center of the Kingdom was Blorrow City, who was named after Blorrow the Healer; the eldest son of Sival. In the south there were the two last cities, in the south-west was Ambros City, named after Ambros the Compelling, and in the south east was Crism City, named after Crism the Explorer. In the center of course, was Kingdom City.

The Kingdom City was to represent unity between every Child of Peace, for each child was given an additional title, which was named after the god or goddess that shared their talent. If there were any new powers that their world hadn't seen before, they would be a Child of Sival, which was extremely rare. Samia, would be a Daughter of Blorrow. Ruth couldn't figure out if Hero would be considered to be a Daughter of Crism or a Daughter of Sival.

Children of Peace didn't have to live in the city they were named after, however for a period of time each and every child were sent to school in the city of their god or goddess, to learn about their specific gift. Ruth knew that she was in Kingdom City, the palace made it obvious; only this rich lived in the heart of the Kingdom. She knew that Hero and Samia wouldn't take them far from their home, but as Ruth walked closer and closer to the palace of the Royals, anxiety began to grow inside her.

The two most protected things in the Kingdom would be the Kingdom Academy, and the Palace of the Royals. Mark and Margaret had a slim chance to make it through the sheilds and enchantments with the protective charms, however these traps were specifically designed to ward off Children of Rage. The moment her toe would step over the protective barriers, Ruth would be in deep shit.

"Sami," said Ruth with a harsh whisper.

"What?"

"Where exactly are we going?"

"We are going to my home," said Sami.

"No way in hell that's going to work."

"We have no choice."

"The moment I set foot on your lawn," said Ruth. "Our cover is going to be blown, shit is gonna hit the fan, and they will send me back to where I came from, at best, and last time I checked, we can't let that happen! Just cause you're a thane doesn't mean you have a get out of jail free card!"

"Hold on," Mark said. "I thought Children of Peace were supposed to be, you know, peaceful..."

Sami pulled everyone aside and they all formed into a huddle. "The Children of Peace and the Children of Rage have been in many wars throughout the years," said Sami. "At the moment, we have a temporary truce, but one of the conditions is that no Child of Rage is to step over the border without personal permission from the King or the High Sorcerer himself."

"Whoa, you guys have a high sorcerer?" said Mark. "That. Is. Awesome."

"Yes..." said Sami. "Anyways, people smuggle the Children of Rage in all the time, for any reason or purpose."

"Yeah," said Margaret. "Usually for sex and business, but never into the palace. If she goes down we go down with her. We will be punished for being accomplices, and that's just a start. Sorry Sami but I don't think flipping your hair and saying 'she's with me' is gonna cut it."

"There is no other alternative."

"What exactly is your plan?" said Ruth.

"If we can perhaps reason with them-"

"Reason with them?" said Ruth. "I'm sorry, but I don't think the leaders of a kingdom that was founded by the principle of 'no, you're not allowed in our clubhouse,' are going to be very open to conversation."

"We have to try!"

"So let me get this straight," said Ruth. "I am just gonna step in a death trap, get in an abundance of shit, and hope they are in a chatty mood?"

"Yes."

"You are fucked in the head Samia."

"Just trust me."

"Sam," said Mark, his voice gentle and calm. "Are you sure Ruth will be okay?"

"Yes," said Sami. "Ruth is going to be okay."

Mark nodded. The five of them took the long walk up to the palace; Ruth could feel herself weakening as the remedy Sami gave her wore off. The five of them stood right outside the gates, which were spread wide open, welcoming Sami and Hero back home. 

"Sami," whispered Hero. "What happens when a Child of Rage crosses these shields?"

"I don't know Hero," said Sami. "But we are going to be okay."

"So much shit is gonna hit the fan..." said Margaret.

"Just take one step," said Sami. "In 3...2...1...Go!"

The moment Ruth stepped into the shield she was snatched away from everything. She was twisted and pulled by invisible forces that tugged every inch of her body. She closed her eyes and waited to be ripped apart, until, suddenly, it stopped. Was she dead? She felt cold, she felt her body lying there, unmoving. If you were dead you don't feel cold, you feel nothing, Ruth knew that. She couldn't possibly be dead. Where could she be? What did they do? She didn't want to find out. She didn't want to open her eyes. 

Out of nowhere she felt a new presence, she had almost missed being alone. She kept still, and kept her eyes closed, kept herself in the unknown. She could feel them coming closer, whoever they were. They approached her and eventually knelt down beside her. Strong hands brushed a strand of Ruth's hair behind her ear. 

"I finally found you, my little assassin."

Ruth felt paralyzed with fear as Joseph's smooth threatening voice lingered inside her.