Legacies, Destinies, and Betrayals.

Chapter #13 Disaster Strikes.

Ezekiel paced around the tent. "Templeside? We have to go all the way to Templeside to find the Crown of Control?"

"I know that it is a journey, but I have yet to be able to decipher the riddle for the Dagger of Friendship so we might as well do something productive while we work on that." Liva's eyes never moved from the map she was looking at. He was sure that she hadn't looked at him since that first day she woke up.

"I agree, sitting here just a days ride from the Royal City is a dangerous move and we really need to be proactive about this whole thing." Malachi looked at him though. Ezekiel knew that he was trying to keep tension down and the easiest way to do that was to side on the side of Liva because at least Ezekiel would give a little she wouldn't budge when her mind was made up.

"Okay we will head out to Summer's Breeze. It is the house of an ancient noble in Templeside, but it will be a long journey." He stared at the dark-haired girl who was now looking at him defiantly.

"If your are asking if I am up to the challenge then all I have to say is try to keep up, Prince." Her voice was light and playful and his surprised expression resulted in laughter from all present.

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We were now headed towards the airy hills of Templeside. While Ezekiel's and Bruce's searches hadn't found the artifact we were after they had found pieces of a torn up map that had been missing for hundreds of years. Now the map was almost complete and it clearly showed the place of two of Templeside's artifacts. One being the Belt of Wisdom and the other the Helm of Promise. It was a long journey and everyone was being overly protective of me. Even though I was only riding horseback they would constantly ask me if I was okay and if I needed anything.

      Zahid had become a quick friend and had helped my magic by leaps and bounds. Turns out that every elf-blood is different and that some control magic by Nyriad means and others by elf means. I was one who did so by elf ones. I soon mastered all the spells I had been struggling with, but I was a little afraid to try to summon my fighting style again. 

         "I must say, Liva, you are very talented in the arts of healing." He marveled as I healed the wounds him and the other males had inflicted upon each other during their evening sparring.

          "It is one of the properties of Seastone." Ezekiel hadn't really said much outside of being friendly to me since that day when I first woke up. His distance was sort of depressing since it had been nearly two weeks.

        "Healing, control, and friendship, all united under King Grayson." He was weaving his words into the ancient rhythms of the kingdoms. "Thus the story of Seastone. Wisdom, Promise, and abundance untied under King Reno, carries the legacy of Templeside. Swiftness, Rage, and balance untied under  Queen Fira, holds the power of Ironbrooke. Cunning, Peace, and loyalty united under Queen Stevia, bears the symbol of Forgotten Fields."

       "Each of the Artifacts bears one of the characteristics of the kingdom." I felt stupid to have just realized this.

        "Also each of the locket-bearers should bear the characteristics of the kingdom." Zahid eyed me and Malachi. "I would say the two of you fulfill yours quite well." I had to agree on the part about Malachi. He was incredibly swift and if he got mad it was bad for anyone in his way, yet it kind of balanced out the gentler side of Malachi that made him so quick to react if his friends were in danger.

      "OH NO!!! THIS IS BAD!!!" Alar came running from his tent.

      "King Nickolas and Queen Lillian have been taken. The Hideout is in shambles, and everyone is gone." Alar was shaking as he spoke and for once I worried for his well-being.