In the Shadow of the Night

Darkness and Light

The sword glistened in the sunlight and my pulse quickened. "What are you doing?" I said my voice trembling. "You don't have to do this" I stuttered. The sword was pushed against my throat. I kneeled down, a tear finding it's way across my cheek. Maybe I would at least see my mom and dad.

"Tristan.... Why?" I finally sobbed. The magic inside me roared and my hand went towards my dagger. "Tristan please stop, I don't want to hurt you" I said my voice still filled with emotion. "Oh, you think you can beat me!" He laughed but his laugh was twisted and cruel. "Tristan this isn't you" I shouted at him as I swiped away the sword and stood up. "But it is me, a stronger and better version than I ever was" He shouted as we parried across the grass.

He charged but I blocked his sword. He tried to push it forward but the magic strengthened me. I felt it coarse through my veins and it seemed to tell me exactly what to do. Within a few moves I had removed his sword. "Tristan please give up, I do not want to hurt you!" I begged but the murderous look didn't leave his eyes. "I will not give up until your heart stops beating" He shouted as he lay on the ground. "So come on, KILL ME" he screamed at me and the dagger in my hands shook. "I thought so"

He laughed as he pushed the dagger out of his way and stood up. "You're weak! You don't deserve a country!" He said as he moved to pick up his sword. I held out my dagger. He stopped, I knew it was my only choice. "I'm sorry" I whispered as I drove the dagger into his heart. His eyes went wide in shock and he stumbled backwards. Within seconds he was gone and I fell to the ground crying. "WHY?" I shouted at him but he didn't answer anymore. A deep sorrow came over me as the entire world seemed to turn dark. I sobbed letting the waves of pain crash over me.

A hand rested on my shoulder and I twisted around, dagger clenched in my fist. The kind face of an old man stared back at me. "Princess, you need to come with me, it isn't safe here" He spoke in an urgent voice. I didn't even have the energy to question him, I did not want to fight anymore. I took his hand and he lead me to his cabin in the village of Coill.

We stepped into the small cabin and the man quickly glanced outside and closed the door. "Sit, please make yourself at home your highness" He said as he went to his kitchen where pots and pans stood over the fire. I sat down feeling very uncomfortable, the image of Tristan collapsing kept repeating itself in my head. The man finished his cooking and gave me a large bowl with soup. I burned my tongue eating it as fast as possible, I didn't even care. I was so hungry and the man gave me another bowl of soup, this time I ate it a bit slower. "My name is Abhain, but you can call me Abe, most people do" He introduced as he took his place in the chair across the table. "I'm" I started but he interrupted "I know who you are, You are princess Aislin" He said. I gave him a questioning look, not sure where he got this information. "I know this because I was your mom's most trusted guard in the days of her rule" He explained while sipping his soup.

"You knew my mom?" I asked and he nodded. "I knew her for many years, she was the most gracious and kind woman I knew" he answered and I looked at his soft eyes. "Did she... did she love me?" I stuttered with tears in my eyes. He put his hand on my knee. "My dearest Aislin, you where beloved before you were born." He comforted. He handed me a handkerchief and I dabbed away my tears. "Now then, we have business to attend to" He said as he stood up and walked to a cabinet. "Your mom asked me to keep this safe for you, it will help you channel your magic just as it helped her once" He said as he handed me a beautiful golden necklace with the sun on it. It looked exactly like the mark I had in my neck and my hand automatically went up to it. Abe laughed "It is the sun of Solin, it helps you to find your light within" He explained.

He gave it to me and I traced the fine edges with my fingers. "Here let me help you" Abe said as he put the necklace around me. Immediately the room was filled with a bright light, I felt the magic coursing through my veins. An intense happiness filled me, in the light appeared a figure. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I recognised her immediately. "Mom?" I stammered, she smiled in response. "My dear Aislin, how beautiful you have become." She whispered as she took my hand. "Mom I have so much questions" I said looking up at her beautiful smile. "I know my dear and they will all be resolved in the end but for now I do not have much time" She said and I nodded. "My sister has blocked out all the light in her heart, she has filled herself with an evil that is not easily defeated. Tristan himself fell to that same temptation and you yourself will be tempted by it my dear. The dark path might be the easiest but all it brings is pain, that is why you have to find your light within." She said as she held my hand. "Only the light within can safe you and safe this kingdom, do you understand my daughter?" she asked. "Yes mom but I don't know if I can do it alone, it's so hard and Tristan..." I said a tears rolling down my cheek. "I know it hurts but if you feed your hurt it will only get worse, feed the light and you become the light. I know you can do it Aislin," she shushed and she put her hand on my heart "don't forget I'm with you, in here" She walked away and I tried to call after her.

My eyes opened and I was back in the cabin with Abe. "What did you see child" He asked and I told him everything. "I see that you have an important mission, one you cannot do alone" he said. "Will you go with me" I asked hopefully but he shook his head laughing. "What use is an old fool like me" He laughed "No my dear, I will send my apprentice with you, he is a child of light just like you. You can trust him" He added. I nodded, I did understand but being with Abe just felt so good. As if he sensed it he put his hand on my shoulder "We will meet again Aislin, this will not yet be our goodbye" He comforted and I wiped away a tear on the edge of my sleeve. "But first you will need a good nights rest, follow me" He said. I followed him to a small bedroom where and actual bed stood. It had been so long ago that I slept in an actual bed and I wasn't going to let this chance waste away. "I'll tell my apprentice Daniel to prepare a nice warm bath for you" he said as he walked out of the room. I sat down on the bed and took the necklace in my hands. "Thank you mom" I whispered.

While I was resting there was a soft knock on the door. A kind voice called through the door. "Are you decent your highness" it asked "Yes, of course, come in" I answered and the door opened. A boy around my age stepped in the room, he had a kind face with blond hair and a smile that was sweet yet fierce. "Let me introduce myself" he said with a slight bow "I am Abe's apprentice Daniel, I shall accompany you on your journey and assist you when needed" He spoke, his manners were very correct and I blushed. "I'm Aislin" I said as I stuck out my hand. He looked at it bewildered but took it anyway. Why did I have to be so socially awkward.

We stood there in awkward silence, neither of us knew what to do. "Well, uhh, your bath is ready" Daniel said hastily as he quickly left the room. I went to the little outdoors washing place and got into the bath. The water was rose scented. I never had such a luxurious bath before. I wanted it to last forever but eventually the water cooled down and I had to get out. I got dressed and walked to the edge of the garden. It had a beautiful view of the lands around it. The luscious green forrest that surrounded it seemed like it was made of pure emeralds in the glistening sunset.

"It's beautiful isn't it" Daniel said as he walked up to me. I nodded breathing in the twilight air. "If you want I can help you train with your magic, Abe has taught me a lot about it in these past years" He said breaking the silence. I stopped staring at the sunset and turned towards him. "That would be very kind, I'm sorry if I was too awkward before" I said tucking my hair behind my ear, my cheeks were glowing again. He laughed and somehow relief washed over me. "We were both awkward" He smiled "shall we try again?" Daniel suggested. He walked back into the house only to appear again a few seconds later. "Hi, my name is Daniel, what is your name?" he asked casually as if we just saw each other in town. "My name is Aislin, it is very nice to meet you" I said trying not to burst out in laughter. "Aislin, that is a beautiful name, say can I accompany you on your journey?" He said with a broad grin. My cheeks were probably bright red by now but I didn't even care. We chatted until the sun finally disappeared behind Kings Rock.

I crawled into the bed and tucked the sheets tight around me. It made me feel safe. I never had such a lovely bed for myself and after just seconds I slept. Thunder roared and I sat straight up in bed. It felt like something horrible had happened. The door to my room opened and Abe stood there. "Princess, she has discovered that Tristan has passed." He spoke and I understood, I had to go. I got dressed as fast as possible tripping over my feet a couple of times.

I looked outside, it was pitch black and rain poured down. I gathered my stuff and walked into the living room where Daniel stood. "Now my boy, I've taught you everything I know" Abe croaked as he hugged him. "Take care" He whispered as he turned to me. "Princess, you will have a hard journey ahead but if you keep to the light I know you will succeed" He said as he put a beautiful cloak around me. "This was your mothers, may it keep you warm and protect you" He whispered and I saw his bright blue eyes sparkle with tears. "Now go both of you, there isn't much time" He said as he guided us to the door. We walked out the door, the rain hitting our faces hard. We looked backwards once but the cabin was already cloaked in rain and darkness.

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Woohoo another chapter done!

I hope you all enjoyed it. What did you think of Tristan?

Was Aislin right to kill him?

let me know what you think in the comments!

Love Sharon