The Lost Kingdom

Chapter 5 - Sense the Sinister

Ivory was unstringing her bow, when she felt a darness overcome her, opressive and heavy. Her hands dropped from the bow, which clattered to the darkened forest floor, her heart in her throat. As the feeling intensified, images of dark smoke and malicious laughter rang in the back of her mind. Something evil was approaching Ellamenta, and even the air seemed colder, darker. The stars above head dimmed, as if their light was being sucked away, and the moon was almost invisible.

She looked around camp, where Pulcharians and Ellamentians were mingling around a meager campfire. Only a few people were still awake, and those who were didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary. Ivory knew that they couldn't sense evil like she could, but she didn't know how they could not notice the dark feeling in the air.

Laying down her bow gently, Ivory rose from her knees, fingering her dagger. Touching it made her feel slightly at ease, but the feeling of hatred and evil was still there. She cast a glance at those who were still awake, and met eyes with Prince Sarnist's. He peered at her curiously, and Ivory tried to avoid his gaze. Then, hoping he wouldn't follow her, she turned and disappeared into the forest of trees behind her.

Earlier, Ivory had walked around the forest, trying to ignore the horrid stench and sense of darkness that she felt now. There was a mound of boulders not too far from the camp, and maybe if she stood on them she could see where the darkness was coming from. It was harder to get through the forest now that it was night time, but Ivory managed.

A few minutes of walking and she had reached the boulders, which piled on top of each other to stand about fifteen feet high. Grabbing on to them, Ivory began to climb, trying not to lose her balance. She paused every few seconds, watching the stars grow fainter and fainter in the sky. Her feet slipped against the hard stone, but eventually she made it to the top. As she stood, her eyes focused on something that almost made her fall.

Against the dark ocean water, huge ships were bobbing up and down, no more than five miles from shore. Their flags were all black, the emblem being a throne of skulls and bones. As the ships moved toward Ellamenta, the water they sailed on darkened even more, the beauty fading from the sea.

"What are you doing down there?" An incredulous voice called, starling Ivory. She was sharply pulled from her horror, and she looked down to see Prince Sarnist. "You'll fall, you know. Everyone who climbs up those rocks does."

"Shall I break the curse and climb down now?" Ivory retorted, trying to remain calm. Her chest fluttered with panic, and her mind was on overdrive as she tried to deal with the fact that Malifimus was coming.

"Just jump, I'll catch you!" He cried, and Ivory let out a harsh laugh, imagining herself falling into his arms like a princess. But as she did so, her foot slipped on the top boulder, and her laughing ceased. With a piercing scream, Ivory felt herself falling down to the ground.

It seemed Sarnist had been quite literal with his offer, as he had his arms reached out. Instead of landing in his arms, Ivory landed on top of him, and they both fell to the ground. Ivory groaned as her head hit in the earth, her eyes squeezed shut. Now she'd have to fight Crow Warriors while dealing with the worse headache known to man.

"I told you that you'd fall," Sarnist grumbled, lifting himself up.

"You also said you'd catch me, and we both know how that worked out," Ivory replied. She took a deep breath and sat up, glaring at the Prince.

"What were you doing up there?" He asked again, his green eyes burning into her.

Ivory stood up, and as she did, so did he.

"Malifimus is coming," She said shortly, "we probably have less than half an hour to prepare."

"What?" Sarnist cried loudly. Ivory rose one eyebrow, and he took a deep breath. "Alright... I'll tell my father. Find Swan and tell him."