Under The Land Of Wonder

Chapter 6 - The Chopping Block

A few Things to Note: 

In this chapter there are made up names and words. The way to pronounce them are: 

Alka'wlΰk (Ala-coo-walk)

Sálo Vic Ná (Shallow Vic Nane) – rough translation: clarity with you

Mál viċs tόl fёlόck (Mell Vice toil feen-look) – rough translation: Beast will feast on family flesh

Kingstёl (king-steel)

Now For chapter 6 ^^

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The journey in the carriage resides in tense silence, however, Trish is too preoccupied gazing out of the large window. Curiosity fills her as she watches the hedge maze rush by. She has no idea of how large the barricade is and much to her surprise it extends for at least two miles before suddenly ending at the remains of a limestone wall. Peering around she notices chunks of what, she guessed, used to be a vast network of walls. Trish's head turns to the sound of the Queen clearing her throat.

"Let me enlighten your curious stare," the Queen says meeting the Trish's eyes, "As you can well see, here lies the remains of what used to be a massive and mighty labyrinth. In the center lay a beloved kingdom, which once was the crown jewel of this land. This is what's left of the High King's domain." She gestures out the window, "Nothing remains, but the ghost of painful memories and better days."

Skeletal remains of a massive castle slide into view. The only thing left of the limestone castle are a few pillars and a broken parts of a tower with crumbled spiral staircase. The entire area is dead like a plague had be thrust upon it. There are scattered carcasses of darkened trees and more rubble of what used to be a shining town. The anxious horses come to a stop in the front of decaying stairs that once lead to the entrance of the king's domain.

"This is where your test will commence." The Queen announces as the door to the carriage swings open.

Both females glide out eager to stretch their cramped muscles. Trish lets out a sigh as she leans her head back allowing the pink and orange sky to fill her eyes. In little more than an hour the sun would be completely submerged, leaving the moon as the only source of light. She turns towards the Queen with an earnest expression, desiring to complete the test before dark, if possible.

"So... when do I get started?" Trish inquires, adjusting her shoulders.

"Now." The Queen replies striding up the steps. Once she reaches the top her arms rise in an arcing motion and she exclaims, "By the lands and the sea, of my right, I summon thee, Alka'wlΰk!"

Energy radiates across the land like a drop in still water, centering from the fallen tower. Darkness pours out of the earth in ghostlike waves as a creature as black as night emerges. The horses cry out in fright, fighting against their masters. Trish begins to comprehend the dark mass and dread starts to fill her. It was massive, its inky scales gleam in the fading light as the creature's head arches to stare at the two females. Two night sky eyes open, capturing their forms in each of them. Steam rolls from its nostrils and its wings stretch, wrapping around the worn pillars, lazily. Trish stares up at the dragon before her with mix feelings.

"You summoned me?" the deep draconic voice asks, rumbling across the land.

The Queen nods her head. "Alka'wlΰk, I ask of your wisdom and piercing eyes of judgment in regards of the maiden besides me."