Airen

Chapter 2

"So, what now, genius?" John asked sarcastically as he looked around their cell.

Megan shook her head, and then walked over to look out the small window in the wall, over looking the dry yard of the town.

"Now we start planning our escape." Megan answered.

John laughed and laid down on the straw-covered ground.

"Good luck." John said sarcastically. "And have fun getting an arrow lodged in your back as you're running away."

Megan smiled, and then laid down next to him.

"It's not that bad, you know. We'll have plenty of time to escape when they come and get us for the execution."

John just shook his head and rolled over, leaving Megan to ponder their escape on her own.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_* 2 weeks later*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Zac rode long and hard to get back to Ave Tal and talk to Philip before he returned to the School to make sure Megan died. As he was riding through the front gate, a huge army on Araxi trotted out and turned in the direction of Ave Borron. Zac counted a hundred soldiers, all with the capital's symbol embroidered across their breastplate. Zac was wary of their direction, but he decided to talk to Philip first.

He rode deep into the city, until he made it to the stables at his training ground. Philip was waiting for him there, with water and food for his Araxi.

"Philip! what are you doing in the stables?" Zac asked.

"Waiting for you. I overheard the Holy Trio talking about an informant at the school. They said that she told them a black rider was galloping away from the school in the night."

Zac smiled, and pulled his cape a little further down over his face. No one had ever seen what Zac really looked like, he always wore his cape over his face.

"What was the Holy Trio's army doing?" Zac asked as he brushed his Araxi's soft coat.

"Going to burn down the entire city, and find someone by the name of Megan."

Zac froze, and fear gripped his heart. His breath quickened, and he jumped onto Eclipse's back and galloped out of the stables. Philip called after him, but he didn't turn back. Only when he was halfway to Ave Borron did he question his actions. Why did this girl matter so much to him? She had no special gifts as he could tell from her fighting, and although her eyes were stunning, she wasn't the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. So why did he care so much?

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Megan heard screams coming from outside, and she hastily looked out the window. Outside, a massive fire roared through the town, devouring everything in it's path. Children ran crying through the streets, while their parents ran after them, screaming orders and shouting their names. Chaos had overtaken the town and no one knew what to do about the fire, knowing water was scarce due to the close proximity to the desert.

"Megan? What's going on?" John asked groggily as he rubbed his eyes.

Megan turned to him and gestured to the window. John got up, yawned and then slowly walked over to the window. His eyes widened when he saw the fire, and then he stumbled back, and pounded on the cell door.

"Guard! Fire! Theres a fire outside!" John yelled frantically.

Megan heard the clicks of Madame Desdemona's heels, and then they stopped just outside the thick door.