Chronicles of The Craft - vol 3 [COMPLETE]

The Destiny Charm

Not for the first time that morning, did Liyara wish she had thought before she had acted. Then, perhaps she wouldn't have stolen the charm. And then the guards that were currently pursuing her through the woods would be about their business somewhere else.

Hindsight was a blessed thing.

What had possessed her to grab for the small crystal sphere, she had no idea, but she had done it and was now fleeing for her life. Thievery was a capital offence in Taria (as were most things). If the soldiers caught her, she could expect to be executed there and then, with no trial - if they were feeling merciful. If they were not and she was taken back to town, things would be far worse and ultimately end the same way. So, Liyara was doing her best to make sure that she stayed ahead of them.

Darting in and out of bushes that ripped at her skin, jumping over fallen logs in the path and ducking beneath low branches that would have taken her head off had she not seen them in time, were all beginning to tire her. Although only nineteen years old, slight and swift, she knew she couldn't maintain the pace much longer. Her chest ached with exhaustion, and as she leapt over a fairly wide stream, she stumbled on the far bank, cutting her hands and knees on the sharp, angular stones as she fell.

As she tried to get back on her feet, the stolen charm rolled out of her pocket and across the short grass. Suddenly a burst of light blinded Liyara, forcing her to shield her eyes and look away.

The next thing she knew, a hand was tightly gripping her shoulder and pulling her to her feet.

With what strength she had left, she prepared to fight for her life. A sharp elbow behind her struck the firm abdomen of her attacker. But it didn't change anything. In fact, there was nothing to suggest that they had felt anything at all.

Kicking and wriggling, she did her best to break free, but the vice-like hold remained. Finally, all she could do was slip out of her coat. This time, it was enough. She fell to the floor once more, landing hard on the open wounds on her knees, causing her to cry out.

'Stupid girl!' a man's voice exclaimed. 'I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm trying to help you.'

As Liyara rolled over she came face-to-face with a man only a few years older than herself. She took one look at him and noticed that he wasn't wearing a liveried uniform so could not be a soldier, but that didn't mean he was her friend. She watched as he took a step to the side to pick up her fallen coat, and by so doing revealed what had been hidden behind him.

A doorway.

A doorway that hadn't been there moments before.

'Stupid girl!' he said again. Making the most of her confused, stunned silence, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder as if she weighed no more than a feather pillow.

'Hey! Put me down!'

But he was already halfway through the doorway before Liyara had opened her mouth. Then, without warning, it was closing behind them before vanishing entirely with a loud "pop".

*

The sunlight hurt her eyes.

'What in the name of the Wood-Shades did you just do?' Liyara shouted as soon as the man put her back down on solid ground.

'What? No "thank you"? I just saved your life and you invoke the name of the Wood-Shades.' He shook his head sadly.

Liyara had the good grace to look remorseful. 'I'm sorry. Thank you. Now could you explain what's going on? What just happened? Where are we? And who are you? How did you know I needed help?'