The Queen of the Light Forest

Chapter 9

                                                                                         Kage

I was on a mission. There was a family that was in danger to my clan and needed to be stopped before the Phantoms could get too much information. A group of Fae in the far west side over by the changes have always been competing with us the Ivory. My mission today was to cross the border and kill the family. The family used to live close to me and I stupidly let some key information slip not seeing that they were actually spies.

'It's about 10 am so the boys will be training the new recruits.' I think as I get up from my desk. As I get up I look out my window at the town and see families waking the city doing there weekly shopping. I turn and walk down the hall to go to the training grounds to inform the group of our next mission.

"Hey Kage, wait up," Kela says catching up. My beautiful sister. My polar opposite. Where my eyes are bright red, hers are a soft blue. Where my hair is as dark as the night, hers is as bright as the sun in the sky. Today she is wearing a sundress that goes just above her knees; if you look closely, you can see mud on the edges. 'She must've just come from the gardens.' I think as I wait for her. "Where are you going?" She questions as we start waking again.

"I going to see Lukius, Forthus, and Opik. Why what are you up to?" I question already knowing the answer. The mud on her dress tells me she was in the garden all morning. She loves planting seeds and watching them bloom over time.

"Oh, you know gardening. Why are you going to talk with the boys?"

"Because I have a mission that Father put us on," I say with a grunt.

"Oh?" She puts on a confused face.

"Remember that family I was telling you about that were spies and that and trying to kill us."

"Yea?"

"Well, we are going to burn their house down and take them to the prison or kill them. Haven't decided yet." We turn a corner that takes us outside to a path that takes us the the outskirts of the house.

"Well don't kill the kids unless you have to get it."

"When have I ever been a person to kill a child?" I turn with a smile on my face. She huffs and goes to wack me but I dodge. We walk past a small group of trees and come out to a large field with soldiers training. As we continue we start to hear people banting and swords clashing. As we walk to the center of the fields and see Forthus, and Opik sparing against each other while Lukius is helping a younger girl train with his sword on the side. I walk over and listen to Lukius teach the girl.

"Okay that's good, now I want you to strike me with the sword." My second was always good and getting along with kids and people. Always able to keep an even temper. The girl swings with lots of power the metal clangs. "That's great. You're doing great. Let's take a break and come back in 5." She says ok and they split off. Lukius sees me and Kela standing and walks over.

"Hey," I say, "How's it going today?"

"It's good. Are you joining or just checking in?" Lukius says looking over at Kela and then back to me. I've known they have had a thing going on now for a while but haven't said anything. When I first found out I wanted to rip Lukius to shreds but I realized after a while that I can't control my sister and if he makes her happy then I will have to accept it.

"Just checking in and wanting to let you guys know we have a mission tonight so be ready. We leave at dusk." I say and turn to see Forthus and Opik shaking hands with shortness of breath. They both look at me and I walk over letting Lukius and Kela talk to each other without being too obvious.

"Hey boss, what are you doing here? You going to fight us and try and beat us because I don't think you can." Forthus says as he swings his arms around in a crazy pattern. I chuckle. Lucius has always been that kind of kid. The one that doesn't fit in and uses humor to mask it.

"I'm here to tell you guys that we have a mission tonight and we leave at dusk," I say as I turn to Opik who is currently laying his knives out and in speaking them.

"What's the plan for this mission?" Opik says with all serious.

"We're going to make it look like it was an accident." I wink at Forthus just as he swings his sword in a flip with a devilish smile on his lips.

"That's my favorite kind."

*

I walk into a clearing and see a house on the other side. It's not a large house, only one story with not much space around it. I turn and see Lucius, Opik, and Forthus all crouched and waiting for my signal. I look back and try to see the house through a small window that looks like it's into the kitchen. I walk a little closer to see the whole family is sleeping soundly. 'They are in for a rude awakening.' I think to myself just as I turn to Forthus and give him the signal.

*

We stand in a circle as I watch the excitement on Forthus's face as he watches the fire consume the family house. He's always loved fire but I can never see the appeal.

"This fire is amazing. I love fire." Forthus says in a drunken-like state. Opik just slaps him on the back of his head and rolls his eyes.

I remind myself of the mission and walk over to the family that is huddled on the edge of the property watching their house burn down. I feel angry that they think we are the bad guys when they are the ones that told the Phantoms and about 100 of my men killed. I don't feel when Lukius walks behind me until his hand is on my shoulder. It calms me down.

I speak to the family in an even tone, "You guys are coming with us. You can do this the easy way or the hard way. Which would you like?" Just a finish speaking the dad spits on my shoe. I go to slap him across the face when I hear a gasp coming from the house. I turn and see this absolutely beautiful girl standing in the doorway of the house. Her hair is brown with a hint of red. Her skin is pale with a slite tan. Her face is smooth and agentless but at the same time sharp enough to cut a man down. His nose is small but beautiful and her body is perfect. She's wearing a leather jacket and leggings. I can see all of her curves and they are perfect. She swears and I smile. Her voice sounds like the best thing I have ever heard, even when she's swearing.

I see Forthus come up beside me and ask the family, "Who is that? I thought you said it was only your family in that house. She could have died!" Forthus has never liked killing only likes to destroy things. Opik and Lucius go to calm him down but I just stare at the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life. I whisper under my breath, "I love her." I see her try to walk forward but just as she tries I see a dagger fly out of the forest line and land on her shoulder. She looks and grabs the dagger and just as she does that, she drops like a feather. I rush to her panicking. I wrap one of my hands around her shoulders and my other hand holds her neck. I feel her soft skin underneath. I look up at her eyes and I see a pair of the most beautiful brown eyes with hints of gold. I look into her eyes not even noticing that she is evaporating. The last thing I see is her eyes closing and she is gone.

I stand up I look to the stars making a promise not only to me but the the gods above that I will find that girl, even if it's the last thing I ever do.