The Heart of Shadow and Gold

Chapter 32

Ashley's POV

Bark slivers scattered the floor, leaves surrounded the perpetrator. I leaned on my sword as sweat beaded my forehead, a while ago I listened as Ajax and assumingly Romilly walking in the path of the kingdom, so at least I can rest knowing theyre safe.

After rested for a few seconds I hack at the tree again, swing after swing I start getting sloppy and using to much of my hips and I drop my sword. I ball up my fists and punch the tree harshly causing a loud crack in the bark as the tall tree falls over with enough force to send dirt flying into my face.

I stood there for who knows how long listening to my heavy angry filled breathing. I grabbed my face with one hand and lazily let it droop down with my sweat and tears.

Picking up my sword I sat down in the moss looking up at the canopy, letting my back hit the ground I slowed my breathing down.

"what am I doing?" I say to myself, what would Chen do? What would Xanthos do? The ground imbedded with footprints as I pace myself back and forth, with the occasional kick spraying the dust and dirt everywhere.

"Della wouldn't have a fit like this, this is childish I need to prepare myself, I need- I need Callie." I decide, if I could talk to Callie I could make a plan. My mind wandered to the colorful lake that Walela brought me to days before.

Clear your mind, relax, and pull on that little thread that sticks out to you. She said to me. My back hit the fallen tree as I slid down it, calming myself. Envisioning something simple, a room. I medium sized room with a golden chandelier, a silver lined carpet, wooden floors, and beige walls.  I imagined the feel of the rough carpet, the smell of the light breeze coming through the closed curtains, the sight of the portraits of familiar faces. I could almost touch the shut door, feel the coldness of the room. And then I was there, I could hear myself breathing but it was almost as though I was here myself. I looked around the room I made. It felt like home, it felt like me. I wanted to look outside but the curtains wouldn't budge. I tried the door, before looking at the golden lock on the seemingly intricate door.

Okay Ashley, focus. There are people counting on you. I though of Walela's mindscape, how she seemingly called out to my subconscious, how to find someone's subconscious, I don't know.

Alright Callie where are you, wherever you are get your butt over here so we can talk. I inhale a large amount of air and a gust of wind blew from the closed curtains. When I opened them, I saw a familiar figure with chopped brown hair viewing their surroundings in confusion.

"Callie." I call out, she looks at me with a weird expression, like her features are distorted.

"Ashley? Where am I? where are we?" she asks in a watery voice in confusion.

"Callie, don't worry youre still in the Etherial Kingdom. I think."

"you think? What do you mean you think? Listen the kingdoms in chaos right now." She says, her eyes wide with confusion still in her eyes as determination propels her forward.

"I know, I asked Walela, my biological mother for help, I don't know how I did it but I brought your subconsious here to talk about the emperors plans. At least that's how she explained it." I trail off.

"theyre trying to lure you into a trap Ashley, I haven't been able to get to you but theyre ready and going to leave any minute." She frantically explains.

"Where Callie, Where is the trap going to be set?" I ask. "I don't know I'm not on a high enough rank, but Ashley you've got to be careful." "Callie, you're our only hope right now, I need to to figure out where exactly they are, even the area would be great anything callie please."

"okay, but where do I find the information? You were practically besties with Trainor Xanthos and Leyla, any idea?"

I tried my best to imagine a map of the kingdom, but the harder I imagined the more the room started to blur out, I was losing her. At the last minute I yelled out "Chens office!" and I was thrown awake , scaring a creature to fly away from my face.

"Augh! Ew ew ew." I chanted as I ran my hands over my face. When I was satisfied, I stood up and disgustedly spoke "nature." As I grumbled towards the castle grounds to share this progress with them.