Descending Magic

Chapter 3

A girl and a boy sat hidden behind the brush surrounding the castle cemetery. The Lord and Lady stood in front of a fresh mound of dirt with their daughter seated in a wagon next to them. The boy and girl sat quietly, watching the family. The two carried no weapons and spoke softly to each other.

"That's her, the one in your vision?" The girl, Esme, questioned the boy.

He answered, "Yes, with the brightly colored hair."

"You sure, Aderyn? She doesn't seem like much. I thought you said she was some kind of deity."

"She is. I think." He shrugs and turns his attention towards the family.

"Do you really think that she can help us, though? I mean, look at her, she's crippled for a start. And I thought you said she had a dragon," Esme mentions, "I don't see a damn dragon."

"I don't know, it was here in my vision. Maybe it's inside?" Aderyn suggests.

Esme shakes her head. "So what now? We just walk up to her and ask her to leave with us? You know people aren't as crazy and spontaneous as you."

Aderyn sighs. The two continue to watch Celosia, the Lord, and Lady. The family remained silents before making their way back to the castle. Carefully Esme and Aderyn followed them, hiding in the shadows. The family disappeared behind the castle doors and began to settle down for the night.

Celosia was put in her chambers, the maids helping her get ready for bed. They leave some time after to let her sleep, blowing out the candles that lit her room. Celosia laid down and covered herself in her blanket before closing her eyes to sleep.

A crash sounded and Celosia's window was shattered. Celosia shot up from her bed, startled by the shattered window. She looks at the window with wide eyes. A girl hovered outside the window, her wings were translucent and glittered in the moonlight. Her hair was blonde and extremely long and her eyes an emerald green. Celosia turned to scream.

"Shhh." The girl out the window whispered. "I'm not here to hurt you. You just need to come with me, now." She hisses.

Celosia shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"

The girl sighed. "My name is Esme and you really need to come with me. Before it's too late. They'll come for you if we don't hurt. They know you're here and I'll explain more later but please just come with me." She glances around nervously.

  Celosia faced Esme. She uncovers herself before stopping.

"I can't." She says, gesturing to her legs.

Esme sighs heavily. "I forgot about that."

Esme flies through the window, cursing under her breath. "Can you fly?"

Celosia quickly shakes her head. Esme grumbles and purses her lips. Esme grabs Celosia from under the arms and drags her towards the window. She steps out the window, her wings flapping heavily as she dragged Celosia out with her. The two dropped a few feet of altitude once Celosia was fully out of her room. Esme flew a few feet before her wings started to give out from the weight. She settles Celosia on the ground and collapses a foot away from her, out of breath.

A boy comes rushing over to them. "Esme? Are you okay?" He asks frantically.

Esme nods slowly. "I got her. You happy?"

He shakes his head. "I'm more worried about you right now." He admits.

Esme laughs. The boy extends his hand out to Esme and helps her up. Celosia watches the two of them, her head spinning. They shared a tight embrace before turning their attention to Celosia. The boy smiled at her. He had messy auburn hair and soft brown eyes. He was lanky and his eyes were round. Celosia shifted herself to sit upright.

"Hello, Celosia." The boy speaks. "I'm Aderyn."

Celosia gave him a strange look. "How do you know me?" She questions him.

"I've seen you. I know more about you than you know about yourself." He explains quickly.

Esme interrupts them. "We don't have time for this, do we?" She looks around nervously.

"No, we don't. We need to keep moving." He states, getting serious.

"Why?" Celosia asks.

"I'll explain later. Let's move." Aderyn says.

Together Esme and Aderyn carry Celosia into the forest, the kingdom disappearing from sight.