The Mark of Arella(Book One of the Dragonfly Chronicles)

Chapter Five

Rhylan was sparring in the training area with his knights. He was unusually aggressive today and everyone noticed. His blows and parries were much more directed and fierce than his normal practice sessions. It was almost as if he thought he was actually in a battle. Tam had been sparring with him and almost had his head sliced off three times. "My lord", Tam said quietly while they were taking a break. "What is it Tam, speak your mind". "I can't help but notice you seem um, a bit emotional today", Tam said. "Is everything OK?" Rhylan sat on the bench and watched while Finn trained with his brother Prince Daren. Rhylan sighed and said, "I don't know Tam, it's the girl we saved in the woods a week ago." "My parents seem to think she is important and I think they sent her away to Brighton to stay with King Marlin and Queen Jenna. Everything is so hushed, I don't know what to make of it". "Perhaps they think it will keep her safer?" Tam said. "She was abducted closer to our territory and you know by law the human can never go back to her world". "Maybe they plan to foster her there and keep her away from the border?" Rhylan thought about Tam's explanation and shrugged. He couldn't help but think there was more to the story than this. Why did his parents seem to know her? And the tattoo that formed on his hand had to have meant something, even if it did disappear. He wasn't sure who to talk to about this but Tam was his best friend and he needed to confide in someone so he breathed out and said, "Several days ago, before she left, I went to visit the girl. I sat on her bedside and I don't know why I did this, but I grabbed her hand in mine. She looked so pale and sick that I guess I wanted to give her some comfort, even though she was unconscious. But just after I grabbed her hand, a burst of light and energy surged thru both of us. It was very quick but afterwards we both had a tattoo develop on our hand and arm".

Tam whistled and said, "Show it to me." "That's the weird thing Tam", Rhylan said, "It disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared. I felt the pain on my hand for almost 24 hours but I still can't see the tattoo." "What did it look like?" Tam said. Rhylan shrugged and said "some kind of bond or marriage tattoo, but she is human and I'm not getting married to her, so what was it?" Tam just looked at Rhylan with a thoughtful expression and finally said. "Perhaps it is gone, or perhaps it will show up again and more will be revealed. Until then, I suppose there is nothing more you can do about it. Now, it's been a long day and I'm itching to go to the tavern and drink some ale. You want to come along? Daren and Finn are joining me". Rhylan thought about it for a moment, usually he was the first to leave the castle and have a few drinks but he wasn't interested in that tonight. In a brooding voice he said, "No thanks, I think I'll stay in." Tam just looked at him with a weird expression and said, "Well then, I'll see you in the morning, I hope you take it easier on us tomorrow."

Lilly woke up in a large room on a soft and warm bed. There was a fire crackling close by and the sound and warmth made her feel good. Despite the comfort of the room, she felt as though she had been asleep for ages and needed to brush her teeth and take a hot bath. Then suddenly she remembered what had happened to her and she bolted up into a sitting position, panic setting in. Her eyes darted around the room looking around for the men that kidnapped her. "She's awake!" Someone cried out. Lilly looked over to the opposite side of the room and saw a man and a woman smiling at her. Wait, they looked like a man and a woman, but not at all like humans. They had similar features but they had a glow to their skin and their ears were pointed. Am I dreaming? She thought. Then she examined them closer and thought how interesting it was that they looked very similar to the man and woman in her dreams, the ones with the baby. But that couldn't be right. She must have a fever. Yes, that must be what is happening. "Go get William and Ashley", the man said to a tall slender woman who had been sitting by her side. "Yes your majesty, right away" the woman said. That made Lilly sit up again, those were her parent's names. She croaked out a few scratchy words. "My parents are here?" Her throat was so dry and it hurt to talk. "Oh child", the woman said. "You must be hungry and thirsty". She walked over to the bed with a glass of water and said, "drink this, you will feel better". She called out to the assistant and ordered her to bring up some food. Then the woman turned back to Lilly and said, "Yes, your parents arrived a few hours ago. When they get to your room, we can explain everything to you."