Twin Eyes

Chapter 8: Gaerian, 1886

The green shores of Gaerian drew near. Three months we had been in Ignious training to become stronger. It was now time for our return to the battlefield. We hardly had any contact with the others, so as for how the war was we were completely clueless. I looked to my friends around the deck of our ship. Everyone was dressed and ready for battle. Kai had his bow and quiver on his back; Nalia and Anderson, too, stood close and ready. Garrett was leaning close to the captain discussing all the cool things he learned in training. Last was Will, who leaned against the railing, looking out at the rising sun.

"Are you happy to go back?" I asked, standing next to him.

"In a way, yes, because it is home," he answered.

"But?"

Turning to me, he looked me hard in the eyes. "Do you ever wish we could live in a world with no fighting? Where we can live in peace and not fear for our lives? I wish we could have stayed in Ignious and lived our lives peacefully. However, I feel guilty for feeling that way because I think of all the people who would die if we didn't come back."

I touched his hand, which lay on the rail. "Don't feel guilty, we've all felt that way. Some of us still think that way."

"Hey guys, get ready, we're about to dock."

I pulled my hand away from Will's and followed Garrett to the rest of the group. "Home sweet home."

Nalia screamed.

"What is that?!"

The guards that Richard had sent to collect us were spread out across the stone road that connected to the dock. Blood pooled in the cracks of the stone. Limbs of some of the guards lay on the wooden dock. My heart was pounding tightly in my chest. A group of Graes, maybe fifty of them, stood prepared to fight and behind them was someone shocking. The guard of the training facility Joy Hadley stood proud behind the Graes. He wore an evil grin as he looked up at us. Traitor. Nalia and Anderson ran quickly from the ship and engaged the Graes in battle.

"Isn't that a beautiful sight?"

I spun around. "Nathan."

"Hello sister," he grinned. Over his left eye, in a diagonal position, was a three-inch deep red scar. "Welcome home."

"Kai, Garrett, Will, help the others!" I ordered.

I went to join my friends when Nathan's arms wound around my waist. "I don't think so, let's just stay right here. I will get you back, sister. Don't think just because you cut me a little that I will cower in fear. I will kill your friends then drag you before our father."

Kai's hand slipped around the bow strung across his back and in a matter of seconds he was shooting arrows at the swarm of Graes that surrounded us. His skill with his bow was beyond measure. His weapon was an extension of himself. The bow glowed bright allowing him to shoot and never miss a target. When all his enemies fell around him, he looked for Nalia. He finally found her fighting by Anderson's side.

Anderson reached back and grabbed both swords bringing them down quickly on the Graes that were rushing him and Nalia. He was lethal and fast when he had both blades in hand. Having martial arts training led him to being able to handle the blades in aerial attacks. He jumped over Nalia's head and caught the Graes who were attacking her from behind off guard. He quickly cut down the opponents before him. Before he could do anything Joy's hand reached out and grabbed his throat tightly. Anderson struggled against his restrainer's grip. Nalia and I cried out. Nathan held me back so I couldn't run over to my friend. There were too many Graes separating Nalia from Joy and Anderson. Joy laughed grabbing Anderson's right sword and stabbed it right through his chest. With the last ounce of breath he had, Anderson swung up with his left hand trying to cut into Joy, but he was halted when the larger man snapped his left arm. Nalia screamed, having just reached the redhead, as Joy sliced off Anderson's left arm with his own sword. The blood of her boyfriend splattered across her face. Anderson's body fell to the ground, lifeless.