Seatair Chronicles: Book 1

Prologue

"Are you sure we get out without being seen?" Fianna asked, looking around nervously. She had managed to sneak out of the mining area, despite being heavily pregnant and carrying a bag full of clothing and food that she had kept hidden. Wearing an Olbug skin coat over black thick woollen trousers and jumper. Fianna still felt the cold underneath it, her brown eyes darting back and forth to check for any guards. She went to play with her hair, but Dochin recommended she cut it to make it easier to manage and to keep it out of her face, as they would be crossing the plains in the dark. The wind had picked up over the day. He had also managed to get her shackle turned off so they wouldn't be tracked. Dochin felt her moving beside him and pulled her into a hug,

"Don't worry, my friend said we have easy passage out of city. He will be here soon to open old gate," he whispered to her. Fianna felt the warmth from his body and safe in his arms, but she was still worried about them being caught.

They had been standing by the outside wall for what seemed to be forever when Fianna felt Dochin tighten up, and he gently pushed her behind him. A dark figure walked in front of them. The wolf-like features of the Songu were frightening during the day, but at night, it was worse. His grey eyes and pale, leathered skin shone in the little light there was, and his matching coarse hair moved in the wind. He was wearing the black leather armour of the mining guard, Dochin had changed out of his uniform into the same clothes as Fianna. He's slightly smaller than most Songu with ice blue eyes and matching hair, but he was still as fearsome. He meets the other Songu by grabbing onto his forearm,

"Bulugaan finally made it. We were thinking you had forgotten us," Bulugaan smiled, his sharp white teeth gleaming

"Course not brother, but mate not happy I leave," Dochin quietly chuckled,

"Mine is here, cold and heavy with child, we must leave quickly. I found cave to stay until morning," he said as he released his friend's arm. Bulugaan nodded and looked at Fianna,

"No worry, little Talacha, be on your way now. Dochin protect you better than anyone," he said as he turned around. He pulled a key from his belt and unlocked the old stone door. Pushing it open, he put his head through the gap, smelling the air and using his eyes to check for anything unusual. He pulled his head back and nodded at Dochin, "Good luck brother, one day your child can come here as equal," he pushed the door all the way open.

"Thank you brother, one day maybe," Dochin said quietly as he shook Bulugaan's hand and put his arm around Fianna, leading them out into the darkness. They heard the door shut and lock behind them as they faced the long trek across the plains to the mountains,

"Stay close Fianna, bad things roam at night," he said as they walked. Fianna nodded, knowing that the Olcono, a giant wolf creature with glowing red eyes and veins with thick white fur stalked the plains and during the quiet night, their howls would fill their air. She put her hands on her belly and felt the baby kicking wildly,

"Dochin, the baby, it kicks fast, maybe something wrong?" she said, looking worriedly at her stomach. He put his hand on her stomach and the kicking slowed,

"Scared, it feels your fear. Don't worry, it'll be fine," Dochin smiled and kissed her head. She smiled and felt the baby calm down.

They continued walking towards the mountains, the wind was fierce and bitterly cold. The two moons shone brightly above them, the smaller one had a blue tint while the bigger one was a bright white. The plains looked like the ocean with the long grass rippling in the wind, thankfully, the snow was late this year. Dochin held Fianna close trying to keep her warm, but he could feel her shivering violently and slowing down. His thick skin and coarse hair protected him from most of the cold, but even he could feel it working its way through. Knowing the cave was not far; he picked her up, and she was glad. Her legs and back were aching terribly, and the weight of the baby seemed to have gotten heavier. Eventually, the mountains were in front of them, large and foreboding, standing black against the pale moonlight. Within a few minutes, he had found the cave, he stooped inside and gently laid her down. He put the bag down and pulled out two sleeping bags made of Olbug skin, a deer with four antlers and thick shaggy fur, as well as the portable campfire. He put the device in the middle of the cave and started it up while she laid out the two sleeping bags next to each other. After a few minutes, the cave had warmed up, and he put some food on to cook.