Gisaea LeClaire is a simple Woodland girl living a simple life. That is, until two strange Aysgarthians arrive in her village, and hope is accentuated by an unexpected dream. Suddenly, everything isn't so simple anymore, and Gisaea finds herself on...
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Kaeirin Iysteon asked no questions as he hopped onto Raene's back, joining his friend—who was clearly up to something. Something reckless and undoubtedly dangerous. Rule breaking was one of Cyprian's favorite hobbies. It was like the prince had vowed to apply his life to every single page in, '100 Ways to Get Yourself Killed!'
Kaeirin grinned. "So, Captain, what's the plan?"
"Leaving Aysgarth," Cyprian answered vaguely, like Kaeirin had asked what he'd eaten for lunch today. It took Kaeirin a few seconds to process what had just been said. "What?!"
And that was when Raene burst off the ground so fast, she practically left Kaeirin's soul behind.
Holy Alaevia.
Beyond the border. They were going beyond the border. It was something Kaeirin had, of course, always wanted to do, but...he hadn't been beyond the border since he was eight! Nine years. It'd been nine years since Kaeirin last saw his hometown, Hibernia, and somehow, he could still smell the scent of those lush pine wood forests that'd surrounded the village. Could still feel the thick, clean snow under his boots. Could still remember that first breath of fresh wintery air after stepping outside at first light.
But the most prominent memory in his mind...was the day that Kaeirin's world shifted completely. The day he was left blind and stumbling in the shadows of unfamiliarity.
His eighth birthday.
The day Kaeirin's father stupidly sent a huge fist flying towards an Aysgarthian watchguard who'd been at the wrong place at the wrong time. The day they'd sent both Kaeirin and his father to suffer through trial because of it. The day Kaeirin nervously awaited punishment for his father's crimes.
The queen offered them two choices that day. Die, or attend Erebus–-the training facility for Aysgarthian defenders.
Obviously, his father chose Erebus in order to save both of their behinds.
But Kaeirin—he'd been deprived of the opportunity to attend the facility with his father due to his status as an eight-year-old. So, instead, he'd simply resided in the dark kingdom while his father trained and trained, standing idly by as an observer while his father graduated from Erebus with the highest marks in the facility, balancing every single mission upon his own two shoulders until he'd achieved the status of Head Defender—protector of the people, warden executive, devoted servant to the queen.
Of course, the man soon expected his son to take over as the next Erebus prodigy. Obtain top marks. Rise above the others.
And it wasn't like Kaeirin hadn't tried. In fact, he'd pushed himself to the limit. Fought like he meant it. Trained until his muscles burned like fire.
But it'd never been enough. Not for him. Not for his father. Not for anybody else.
So maybe Kaeirin was glad they were crossing the border. He'd never have to walk through the gates of Erebus again. Never have to face the disappointment—the anger—in his father's eyes, or feel the burn of shame on his cheeks as the others laughed at him.
Yeah, maybe...
Maybe crossing the border was a good thing.
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Kaeirin jumped at the sound of a ROAR! that ripped through the air and echoed throughout Aysgarth, sending an icy chill running down his spine. The defenders were after them. And if they were caught, it was the end. Tears watered in Kaeirin's eyes. Did that mean he'd never get to eat another chicken wing? Another baked boar nugget? Wait, did this mean...no more spicy dragon sauce?
Raene started picking up speed as dark dragons popped up behind them one by one.
"Cy!" Kaeirin frantically yelled over the wind. But Cyprian was quiet as he focused on what was ahead. The border. Cyprian obviously believed they could make it. Kaeirin wasn't so sure.
A warm sensation prickled Kaeirin's skin. Holy Alaevia. He knew that feeling. Stygian Fire. And even with the good amount of distance that separated Kaeirin and Cyprian from the dragons behind them, he could still feel the stuff. The fire only dark dragons were capable of using. The hottest fire to ever exist.
A flash of purple shot past them, missing them by an inch. An inch. And even though they hadn't been hit, Kaeirin's skin burned from the close encounter. He didn't want to know what it felt like to be hit straight on by that stuff.
Kaeirin's heart raced in his chest. "Faster, Cy!" He shouted—and Raene gained even more speed. But it wasn't enough. The Aysgarthian guards were directly behind them now, and he tensed as one of the dragons screeched—close enough to make Kaeirin think they were goners. Another blast of Stygian Fire shot past his cheek, and he yelped, almost flying off of Raene as he toppled to the side.
How much further to the border?!
Kaeirin glanced ahead, relieved that the border was closer, but not close enough.
When he inspected the scene behind them, he once again just about toppled off of Raene. The guards were right there. One more shot of Stygian fire and Kaeirin could kiss his life and spicy dragon sauce goodbye. Forever. He felt sick to his stomach as he shut his eyes. This was it. The end!
"Surrender, Prince Cyprian, and you will be spared!" the defender directly behind them demanded as he pointed his sharp-tipped sword towards Raene. Kaeirin wanted to warn Cyprian that maybe he should surrender. But, of course, Cyprian did no such thing.
FLASH!
Purple light nearly burned out Kaeirin's eyeballs as he found himself weightless, like he was falling. They got us! Kaeirin's mind emphasized through a whirlwind of sudden panic. We're gonna die!
But when Kaeirin opened his eyes, he found that he was still seated on Raene's back. And not only that, but the kingdom of Aysgarth was no longer laid out beneath Raene's wings. Instead, there were trees. Many trees. With leaves!
They'd crossed the border. They were still alive. Kaeirin wasn't actually falling to his death, and was seated peacefully on Raene's back—safe and sound.
SCREECH!
Raene shrieked in pain as a purple flame sliced through her wing.
Kaeirin was falling.
Falling towards the ground that was coming too fast below him.
