Entering The Forbidden

The Border

*Viviana*
"The best time to cross would be just before dawn." Isadora stated.
"No dusk" Skylar argued.
"Between midnight and one. Darkest time of night." Raziel added. The argument has gone on since we left our last camp.
"Well?" all three asked in unison.
"Middle of the night. That way we can have dinner on one side of the barrier to hopefully cross without attracting anything. And that will give us more time to prepare for what's on the other side."
"Really that's your...... reason...." princess quickly stopped after reciving a glare from everyone in the group.

After riding for awhlie longer I stop the group. The area is heavily wooded and dusk was falling fast.
"Where's the boarder?" princess asked, sensing its power.
"Not much further" Raziel said not looking up from his food.
Before princess could ask for more specific directions, "Look ten feet to your left" I clarified flatly.
Princess then stood and walked over to where the border is, she almost touched it before being launched back to our fire.
"Will why don't you work on your defense skills. So you are a little more prepared." Raziel said
"What's the use?" he sighed in response.
"Do you want to die?" I questioned in a sarcastic tone.
"Yes....I think it may be a pleasant experience." Princess cut in before Will could answer.
"Then try to touch the boarder again, Miss arrogant reckless pain in the ass" I answered with a smirk.
"Well I try to be sometimes. And, Miss Control Freak you just waltzed in on this trip. You were not invited." She screamed from across the camp keeping an expression of rebellion on her face.
"Really! Like you were invited! I saved your lives and I don't even get a thank you!" I screamed back.
One of her daggers flew inches from my face and imbedded itself in the tree behind me, "How's that for a thank you?" she qestioned almost laughing.
"You missed" I stated in a bored tone
"I was aiming to," Princess said with a challenge in her eyes an her hands itching to grab another dagger.
I grabbed my sword that was leaned against the tree and ran towards Miss No Manners, dodging the other dagger still in her hands. Skylar and Will both scrambled to get out of the way as we collided. She did have skill yet she could only attack in short range. She dodged my offensive moves and I dodged many of her stab attempts, but she threw me off balance and caught the outside of my arm after my attempted blow. As she stopped to bask in triumph at first blood, I pinned her to the tree. I watched as her soul began to be sucked from her body and her life flew through her eyes. She continued to glare with defiance as we keep the necessary eye contact.
"Viv......Viv!" Raziel yelled.
I looked up and walked away, as Princess slid down the tree to the ground to sit glaring at me with the smallest hint of a smirk. I placed my sword back where it was and sat.
"What was that?" Will questioned looking shaken.
"She was pulling Princess's soul out." Raziel answered as I examined my arm.
"Its an old technique. Only used if there is no other way to survive. But there are some consequences...." I trailed of as I stood to get bandage from my saddle bag.
"There were other ways to survive." Skylar criticised as she checked Princess for injuries, while princess tried to avoid her prodding fingers.
"Not with what weapon she was using......"
"Really you, an Oh-so-great swordsman can't win against someone with a little dagger" Princess added smirking knowing what nerve she was poking at. I resisted the urge to lunge at her again.
"When those daggers are the only thing capable of killing a me, then there is no other way to survive." I stated as I finished the bandage.
Princess sat in disbelief as realization hit her, while Will changed the subject, "What are the consequences?"
"The soul that is removed from a person turns into small white bead, almost like a pearl," I pointed one out on the hilt of my sword, "As long as you have the bead you will have their voice as a second conscience. The only way to get rid of them is for someone to take them willingly knowing the price."

"We should practice your swordsmanship" I looked at will.
"Alright" he sighed in response.
Will, is in no way shape or form hand-eye coordinated. His parry is slow and awkward, yet he knows what he should be doing he just hasn't mastered the execution of any of the actions.
"Stop" I say after about ten minutes of sparing.
"What?" Will gasped to catch his breath.
"Keep your arms more to the sides..." Raziel cut in.
"Then how do I deffend myself?" Will sighed in response.
"With quick and precise movements, always returning to this position." I state demonstrating, with sword in my right hand and left foot back, "Always be on your toes ready for the next move and countermove. Think of it like a dance." I finish.
"A deadly dance! That could kill if you mess up! And in this case it's great if you step on your partner's toes!" Princess interjected. Will paled but didn't address her comment
"Easy for you to say you read minds!" Will complained turning his focus back on me.
"Just a little more sparing and then I'll leave you alone." I bargained.
"Fine" Will said sharply.
Will was instantly better, after adjusting his stance. He was still sloppy with his parry against low jabs. After another fifteen minutes I stop our practice since it is almost time to cross the boarder.
"Eat something now while you still can." Princess announced more to Skylar but loud enough for the group to hear.
"Don't need to sound so pessimistic" Skylar whined back, without reading her mind I knew she was thinking of the dangers we could meet on the other side.
"We will all live. I'm just not promising no injuries." Raziel cut in as he tighten the girth on his horse's saddle.
"The only survivor you can guarantee is Miss I'm-Immortal-haha" Princess mumbled with a mocking head shake as she ate.
I rolled my eyes and turned to continue saddling my horse, and watched as Will did the same.

His thoughts were jumbled and stressed about the whole ordeal of crossing and finding his way home. Princess's thoughts stray to the thought of who to sacrifice to gain a dragon for her own personal self. Skylar, well she is thinking about anything and everything mainly how to stop Princess from being idiotic and gaining a Dragon. Of course the elves were based on my rough translations. Then there's Raziel...his thoughts are clean and precise as always and he has a clear plan for what is to come once we cross.

I finish preparing my horse and weapons waiting for the call to cross. Our fire was put out by a saddened Princess and our camp dismantled.
"Alright"Raziel stated as he mounted his horse,"Let's get out of here."