Sword of Flames [Book I] - {#Wattys2017}

Chapter 11 - Zikarith

Chapter 11 - Zikarith

Levana gulped as she waited for the culprit to come out. She slid behind the tree in a sly manner and did what she knew how to do best: stay invisible. She looked out with one eye as a male Above came out into the open. The bow in his hand revealed himself as the one responsible for the blow.

He was about a foot or so shorter than the king but still tremendous in height. His hair was truly black in color - with a natural blue hue in the light - which was unevenly cut and disheveled. She would have been intimidated by his appearance, but his lack of muscle, which was less than hers, made him all the less formidable. His skin was a ghostly white unlike any on Earth; his undertone was one she could just not describe.

He scratched his head and scanned the region. "I thought..." he began in wonder, his voice a balanced medium of high and low pitched. His eyes continued to wander the area, and his head and body stopped moving once he was turned the opposite way. However, his bruised finger pointed in her direction which gave her the incentive to hide better than she did before.

"You," he voiced directly to the girl. He turned his head directly to Levana behind the tree. "Why have you come here?"

He seemed rather defensive. Knowing that she could not hide any longer, Levana gripped her sword and exited the shadows. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the girl, his defense lowering. "You're not one of The Above knights," he spoke. Levana finally realized that his accent was different from the rest of the citizens of the kingdom. Why is he talking as if The Above is foreign to him? She furrowed her eyebrows in thought. Is he an Arcond?

"No I'm not," she agreed, walking towards him without thinking. She stopped when she was out of arm's reach of the tree she hid behind. "I'm a-"

"Human," he finished, putting his bow away. Levana put her sword in the pouch in truce.

"How did you know?" Levana asked. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion of his extensive knowledge. If even The Above knights did not know about the appearance of humans, how did he?

"I read about them in only storybooks. But it seems like you people are real."

Levana almost laughed at the comment. On Earth, kingdoms and cities like The Above were often idealized in children's novels and movies. But there, her kind were thought of as the mystical beings!

"That's how I felt about Aboves," was what she was about to say. But the moment before those words escaped her mouth, Levana goggled at his eyes. They were not the clear violet of the people in the streets and the castle. They were a light gray color; lifeless and bland, helpless and sorrowful.

His whole countenance transformed into the same tone as the one in his eyes with great speed. He bit his lip and tapped his left foot on the ground repeatedly, his hands wrapped around his torn shirt for protection.

His voice was shaking, but he was trying to keep the sadness in. When he knew that it was nearly impossible, his voice became higher and quieter. "You're wondering if I'm an Above, aren't you?"

Levana shook her head, but stopped as she noticed that she was unconsciously lying. She was going to put a hand on his shoulder in comfort, but she could not move her limbs. She decided the truth was the best thing vocalize at the moment. "Yes," was all she uttered. "I'm sorry, you looked like one, but your eyes...."

"Are dead, aren't they?" He scoffed. "Yeah, I know."

The two young people stood together in silence until a heavy breeze made its way through the forest. Goosebumps formed on Levana's arms and she reached into her bag to find the sweater; and when she did, she was disappointed. Its cloth was soft and luscious but was rather fine, likely because of the expensive cost and the limited amount they could get. To wear it she would dress like a queen, but not like a survivor; if she had to wear it for the whole journey, she would not be able to live through the winter. If they had one, anyways.