A Raven's Choice (Book 2)

Chapter 16: Julia's Engagement

Carter's Point Of View:

Ova flew Sara, Fredrick, Trish, and I to Trinity's River. There, we would wait for my sister. Once we all got off Ova, Sara petted her. "You're the best Phoenix, ol' girl." Trish looked at her with her hands on her hips. "I thought you said she was the last of her kind." Sara narrowed her eyes at Trish. "Just because she's the last, doesn't mean she isn't the best." I rolled my eyes and walked over to Fredrick. He seemed deep in thought. "What are you thinking, leader?" Fredrick turned to me. "We're just near the Bunard Border is all." I raised an eyebrow. "Do you know someone there?" Both Sara and Trish immediately shut up once hearing our conversation. Fredrick looked pained as his jaw moved uncomfortably. Sara proceeded cautiously. "It's a delicate situation for him, like how my situation is with Valor." I turned to Sara."I see. I shouldn't have asked, Fredrick." Fredrick waved his hand. "Everyone will know eventually." He paused. "There is an arranged marriage between Julia and I. We have had this since we were kids. However, she parted ways with Princess Silvia and I after a time and joined the Bunard Clan. I haven't seen her in a few months, but last time didn't end well." I paused and looked at him. "I'm not good with emotions, but I am very sorry to hear it." Fredrick looked at me and nodded. "Don't worry about it, I appreciate it." We turned as we saw Raven, Rater, and a woman with them. The river beside us flowed heavily as they now stood in front of us.

Raven's Point Of View:

We stood in front of the brother who betrayed me. He chose Oanin instead of his own flesh and blood. I didn't know how to feel. Should I be happy? Should I be angry? Rater took initiative, with Darth watching him carefully. "You called us here to help you. What we want to know is, will you help us?" What appeared to be the leader, took initiative. "We are helping the world. Whether you trust Oanin or not, we are all trying to stop John. We need the nullifying casters to dampen the amount of deaths. It was two months, but now, it is one month. We don't have much time to look for them. We need you. The world needs you." Carter looked at Fredrick and then at me. "Whatever we need to do to fix our relationship has to wait until after the war. Right now, we need to focus on all of the clans." The girl in the back petted her large Phoenix. I honestly didn't know they existed. "Those two are right. As much as it pains me, we need to all work together for the war." The girl next to her giggled. "Princess Raven, I heard much about you. It would be an honor to save the world at your side." I breathed in, as Darth held my hand in comfort. "I understand your point. I will help as much as I can." Their group smiled as their leader continued, "We need to track down Rayenlie. The few soldiers guarding that jail said she was last seen with someone from the Raven Clan. We could only assume it was your group." I hesitated, thinking of all that transpired. Rater talked for me, "I was there myself. Nora and I rescued Arish, with the help of Rayenlie. We all separated and last we saw her was when the war announcement happened and we all got separated." Carter probed, "Do you have any leads on where she might of went?" Darth cautiously stepped forward. "I can help with that, cousin." Her once sweet voice, was very monotone and cautious.

Carter's Point Of View:

Raven turned to the woman, "Darth, now isn't the time." Darth held up her hand. "Carter, we are cousins. Better get that out of the way before we all die." Rater held back a chuckle as she continued, "I know of one nullifying caster myself. His name is Zachar." She paused, clearly harboring a deep emotion for the man. "I know that Zachar would have went with Rayenlie and I can track him." Fredrick grinned. "Good, we can start with this. Everyone, get on Ova." Raven cautiously looked at Darth as Darth nodded to her. "Trust me, Raven. Have I ever let you down before?" Raven shook her head and they both walked to Ova and hopped on top of her. Rater slowly walked toward me as the rest of the group got onto Ova. "If it wasn't for Raven, you'd be a dead man." He whispered as he walked past me and joined them. I felt chills up and down my spine. Rater wasn't the fighter like Racon was, but he seemed intimidating when he wanted to be. I joined them all as Darth pulled out her communicator and lead us to Zachar's destination. A few minutes later and we spotted a dragon flying in the sky. Ova circled the dragon and the dragon started to stay in one place, clearly enumerated by Ova. There was a man riding the dragon with a young girl. Darth started, "Zachar, we need you." Zachar's orange eyes changed blue, indicating that he was possessed by another spirit. "Darth, I'm so happy you got out alive." Darth nodded. "I'm glad you're alive as well. Listen, we need all five of you for the upcoming war." The dragon startled my group, but not Raven's, by talking, "We're on a mission to find a boy named Rafael. He will be the key to winning the war." I raised an eyebrow as I looked at Raven. "Do you know of him?" Raven shook her head. "Who is the boy and why is he so important?" The dragon continued, "He holds the key to getting into the Grosen Clan. We need their army for the war." Raven looked at Darth in acknowledgment. Darth looked at Zachar. "Very well. Where are the other four?" Zachar chuckled. "We just left them for the mission. Once the mission is complete, we will all join the war together." The little girl beside him shot up and looked at Darth. "Darth! It's me! Marik! I got my body back!" Darth smiled. "That's amazing. I'm happy for Dieris." Zachar's blue eyes changed orange. "Thank you, Darth. As soon as the mission is over, we nullifying casters will meet you on the battlefield. I suggest we make our stand on the Bunard battlefield. It's in the middle of us all."