Light in the darkness

Chapter two

The sun hadn't yet risen over the mountains. The birds were still asleep and forest itself was silent. Yet the clashing of two swords echoed through the misty air. "Focus, Iridian!" Came the voice of Raphael as the hilt of his sword took her down once again. Both were out of breath, but none were determined to lose this fight. Iridian stood up and without pause, struck at her teacher. He was fast enough to block the attack, and the one that came after, and swung his blade towards her head. Iridian dropped to the ground, and as soon as the blade passed, struck at his hand, disarming him. With her sword to his throat it was clear to see who had won, until he smiled and said, "look down." She might have had a sword to his throat, but he was holding a knife to her stomach. "Always carry an extra weapon with you."

"Noted," she said, "Go again?"
"I think we've had enough training for today. The Sun is almost up and I have business to attend to. Help me pack up and then you can go."

                                 ~~~~

Iridian walked through the empty streets of the town of Day. The sun had only just peaked it's head over the mountains and all the townspeople had only just begun waking up. Iridian looked very different than any other person in this kingdom. Her hair was a dark chocolate color and her eyes were a lush forest green, in contrast to their blue eyes and light coloured hair. Everyone still treated her as one of their own, because for some unknown reason she was able to be touched by sunlight without being turned to ash.

The town itself was extraordinarily beautiful and clean. The paved roads were never overgrown with weeds and the smell of fresh bread from the bakery often filled the air. Sunlight seemed to touch every corner and every alley, leaving no shadows to lurk. In the soft morning light, the whole town seemed to glow with golden light.

This was however no match to the magnificent sight of the castle, her home. Made from expertly handcrafted white stone and a roof that seemed to perfectly reflect the mixed colours of the sunrise itself. Gardens so green and well kept it put the forest to shame, possessing the rarest and most beautiful flowers.

With a plump she fell on her bed, exhausted from the night's training. She thought to herself, if she could have an hour's rest...

"Moony? Moony. IRIDIAN!" She woke with a start. Looking up, she saw the face of Aurora, her sister and best friend. It's true, all people of the light had light hair and eyes, and Aurora was no exception. Her hair flowed down in golden shining locks and her eyes were so blue one could drown staring into them for too long. "What? What time is it?"
"Time for you to wake up! Come on sleepy head, the day is too beautiful to pass up! And... you know what day it is?"
"Your last day of freedom?" Iridian said, still half asleep.
"No! Well yeah, but it's exiting!" Aurora jumped on the bed, narrowly missing Iridian's head. "Tomorrow is our eighteenth birthday, in which I shall be crowned princess, and you..."
"Give up my life in the sun to rule a few dirty streets in the shadows. Not really looking forward to that part."
Iridian sat up and rubbed her eyes, she had been dreading going to that place since they told her that she was destined to rule it, fifteen years ago.
"Oh come on, with your great leadership you'll be able to bring that place back into the light... metaphorically speaking. Plus you could still visit often, or I could visit, or something."
"It's not gonna be that easy, Aurora."
"Yeah, you're probably right..." Aurora thought for a moment, "Hey, you know what we should do? Horseriding! We haven't went horseriding in forever!"
"We went horseriding two days ago."
"...And It's been way too long, come on!" With that Aurora dragged Iridian down the hall and to the stables, where the horses were already saddled and ready to go.