Chapter 17
Demi had always suspected her mistress as being crazy. She could never prove it though. But know she knew Avelyn was insane. Totally and absolutely insane. They had been traveling for nearly four hours when they had seen the house. Well, more of a shack really. Avelyn had gotten excited when she’d seen the sign above the house. Demi...not so much. The place was rundown and creepy-looking. The shingles were coming off of the roof and the windows were broken. And of course, it had to start raining.
“Oh come on, Demi! It will be fun!”
Avelyn jumped off her horse and Demi followed behind her slowly. She’d rather stand in the rain than go in the creepy shack. But then again...black people (Demina) did not get wet.
“Come on, she says. ‘It’ll be fun’ she says. I’ll remember that when we get our heads chopped off.”
“Oh, Demi. It’ll be fine! If it gets too dangerous we can leave.”
“This place looks condemned. There’s a good reason for that, Avelyn. Mages are all old, gloomy and grumpy men that only talk about people dying.”
“Oh...like you?”
“Haha...so funny. In all seriousness, Avelyn, I do not think that this is a good idea.”
Avelyn walked in and Demi looked around the room. It was small and just like she imagined it would be. Demina shivered just a little bit and Avelyn blinked.
“Hello? Is anyone there? Hello?”
“Ava...shhh!”
Avelyn bit her lip but her eyes brightened as she stepped forward and went to pull aside the curtain. Demi grabbed her arm.
“Ava, don’t!”
“Come on, Demi! Don’t you want to know what’s back here?!”
“Not in the least!”
“HAHAHAHAHHAA!!!!!”
They both jumped at the cackling and looked around. A little snicker sounded right next to them and Demina grabbed Avelyn’s hand, pulling her out of the house.
“Let’s go! Now!”
Demina suddenly tripped and both of them fell. The laughing suddenly stopped. The room lit up and they quickly glanced over as a roaring fire started in the fireplace.
A light, slow laughter sounded, coming from all around them.
“Who are you?! How do you about Drax?!” Avelyn shouted. There was no answer. Demi slowly stood up, eyeing the woman that had just stepped out of the shadows. The woman removed her hood, revealing short read hair and intelligent blue eyes.
“Who am I? My name is Ann. I am a mage.”
“A-A mage?” Demi asked, “But...you’re beautiful.”
The woman laughed.
“Yes, Demina. Mages are not ogres and that laugh was just to scare you. I think it worked,” she said. Demi scowled.
“I wasn’t scared.”
“Mmhm...sure,” Ann replied.
She quickly turned serious, looking at Avelyn. She bowed, “My lady. What you are doing is a noble thing. Going after Drax is very courageous. But...there are consequences.”
Avelyn tipped her chin up.
“Then I will pay them.”
Ann gave a small smile, her eyes flickering with sadness.
“So you shall. But...I do not think you will like the payment.”
Demina frowned, protectiveness rising in her chest.
“What do you mean by that?”
Ann looked at Demina, her blue eyes pinning her, not letting her go.
“One shall die by dragon’s blade;
By the dragon shall be slain.
One shall rise to do her part.
One shall rise, show strength of heart.”
The silence that followed was deep and Demi let out a breath that she didn’t know she’d been holding.
“Avelyn...it’s stopped raining.”
Avelyn shook her head, like she was coming out of a trance.
“We should go if we want to reach the outskirts by nightfall.”
“Yes.”
The two of them walked out, not meeting Ann’s eyes. They climbed onto the horses, riding on in silence.
