Avery Quinn's mundane life is completely turned upside down when she is, quite literally, pulled into a whole another world. A world full of adventures and creatures she could have never dreamed of. There she is destined an important role, the most...
The sound of horses' hooves magnified until the riders appeared through the trees, I counted eight of them. They were all male, most of them appeared to be in their thirties and their horses were tall and black, panting after the run.
"Midland! I must say I was not betting on you finding the Bluebird," the leading man said to Cal with a deep voice as he climbed confidently off his stallion, his long, black fur coat flapping in a sudden gust of wind.
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"I was not either, Lord Aris. This is Avery. Avery Quinn," Cal replied with a small bow and looked my way.
Lord Aris turned to me, standing there unsure of what my next move should be.
"An honor to be in your presence, miss Bluebird." Lord Aris grabbed my hand, bowed down and kissed it, his dark stubble tickling my skin. I could smell the leather of his black gloves as he looked into my eyes. What a charmer.
"My men and I will accompany you to the Castle immediately, along with your new Guardian," Lord Aris said, gesturing towards Cal. He sounded like an old royal.
"He's not my guardian," I said. " I just met him ten minutes ago."
I heard one of Aris's men trying to cover a small laugh under his breath.
Lord Aris was quick to explain: "You must be confused, my dear, you are new to this world I presume. See, the day a new Bluebird is to arrive a scavenger hunt of sorts is held all through Aker Woods and eligable men, and some women I suppose, from all three cities search for it. It's called the Emblem Hunt. The finder is rewarded by the title of being their Guardian, it is a highly respectable role, you see. "
"I.. see, " I said hesitant, my mind overwhelmed.
"Physer! Gillan!" Lord Aris called out to a couple of his men; a grey haired bearded man and a red haired guy who looked the youngest of the riders.
"Hand your horses over to the Bluebird and Mr. Midland over here. We are heading to the Castle."
The younger one, Gillan, helped me up on his dark bay horse, boosting me so I could throw my leg over the horse's back, which stood there completely still and submissive. Behind me Cal had already gotten on back, sitting up pin straight like he'd been riding his whole life. I had never.
At Aris's call the riders took off, the horses trotting gracefully through the woods, panting as the ride got faster. My bottom started getting sore after a few minutes as the hard saddle repeatedly thumped on it over the horse's back.
"How far away are we right now?", I asked eager to get off on my feet, when we had been riding for miles.
"About a quarter mile, miss Bluebird," Gillan, the young man, called out from behind me.
Lord Aris suddenly held his right hand up, slowing his stallion down until he stopped the whole line of riders. I looked around me, searching out the reason for the halt.
