~ CHAPTER 2 ~
Rain fell from the dark sky, the world seemed mysteriously dark. There were no noises not even the river sang. Except for the cold hollow blow of the wind as it blew through the forest. Ria awoke startled as fat drops of rain landed on her, she gasped and realized how late it was. Ria quickly packed her books and art away in a secure waterproof bag which she kept up there.
Ria started climbing down the rope that swung in the harsh wind the rain was so heavy it was like you were underwater. Suddenly she felt a tremor pass through the trees and the world started shaking. Ria screamed as her hands slipped from the rope her heart leaped and she hit the ground with a thud. Looking up she saw tree branches fall and a crack of lightning streak across the sky, thunder rumbled and the world went black.
Ria's eyes fluttered open her head was aching and her foot felt like it was on fire. Slowly sitting up Ria took in the broken forest around her, her tree had lost branches and the rope had snapped, everywhere around her was ruin. Trees had fallen and debre littered the ground. Ria gasped in pain as she put weight on her left foot, she had fallen more then 30 feet and was surprised that she had not broken a leg.
Ria felt her foot and sighed in relief realizing that it was only a sprain. Brushing the dirt off her short tunic and leggings Ria slowly got up testing all her limbs for breaks. Grabbing a piece of branch she used it as a walking stick and hopped painfully through the forest. "I am so dead" thought Ria as she looked around it was almost sunrise.
Ria suddenly felt the sensation of someone watching you, her heart quickened and she slowly looked around. Nothing. Ria shook her head "I must be in a daze" said Ria aloud. Suddenly a crack sounded from her far left and Ria startled tripped over a tree root landing painfully on her elbow.
"Ouch!" said Ria as her elbow formed a bruise and her ankle protested as she tried to rise.
"Do you need help?" asked a male's voice from behind.
Ria was very nervous now, everyone would have been back in the castle, maybe this person had lost track of time too.
"Um.. no I'm fine" said Ria as she fumbled for the walking stick she was using.
"Here" said the male's voice and Ria heard him move towards her feeling hands wrap around her waist lifting her up.
"Thanks" said Ria rubbing her elbow.
Turning around Ria was surprised to see that the man who helped her was around her age which was 17, he was quite tall and had dark black hair his eyes were obsidian it was startling, and he was dressed all black like he was part of the shadows. He stared at Ria with curiousity.
"Why were you in the forest alone?" asked the stranger as Ria started to walk away trying not to limp.
"I was just reading.. and then a storm came and then this happened" said Ria pointing at her foot
"It would be best that I got you back to the castle" said the stranger as he walked ahead.
"Thanks but no, I can take care of myself" answered Ria annoyed
"No I think I'll take you.. there's a storm coming"
"Uh yeah I know it just happened" said Ria puzzled now
"Not that one.. the real one, the one of the prophecy"
"What..But it- that means the Black Stag is looking for his successor now! Queen Delma will be able to reach this realm!" exclaimed Ria
Suddenly in the distance a bell sounded and from behind Ria heard hoofbeats, coming around the corner was a patrol of 6 knights. They galloped towards them, Ria got off the path in a hurry.
"Get to the castle! The war has begun!" yelled one of the knights slowing down beside Ria.
"Here get on" said the knight extending his hand. Ria looked to where the stranger was but he was no longer there. Ria grabbed the knight's hand and swung on behind him as he urged his horse onward to the castle.
"Do the other Lords know of this?!" asked Ria as they galloped up the hill towards the gates.
"Yes everyone is preparing for battle" answered the knight as he slowed his horse down trotting it across the drawbridge.
"Close the gates!" yelled the knight up to the other men.
"What about the farmers? asked Ria as she slid off the horse
"They are all safe, now get to your family" said the knight turning his horse away and trotting it down the street towards the King's house.
Ria limped through the busy street of people yelling and soldiers running to and fro. Ria was still curious about the young man she had met, he was mysterious and seemed like he was on the run.
"Ria!! yelled Lily running up to her and throwing her arms around Ria.
"Ow! Wait, I sprained my ankle" exclaimed Ria pushing Lily away.
"Where have you been?!" said Aunt Sandra pushing her way through the crowd.
"I'm sorry-
"No, we'll talk about this later. Come we'll get you home" said Aunt Sandra glancing at Ria's foot.
Ria followed them back to their small house on the very edge of the castle, it provided a small amount of privacy. Aunt Sandra had bought this house many years ago after her parents died, they weren't rich but neither were they poor since Aunt Sandra worked as a baker.
Ria hobbled into her bedroom and flopped down sighing, her elbow hurt and her head hurt and all she wanted to do was sleep.
"Here let me bind your foot" said Aunt Sandra as she sat on the bed and removed Ria's boot revealing a swollen ankle.
"Ow.. that actually hurts" grumbled Ria
"Well your lucky its not as bad as you probably thought it was" said Aunt Sandra as she wrapped Ria's foot.
Half an hour later Ria was rested and well fed her thoughts far from the troubles outside.
"Ria? said Lily timidly as she poked her head around the door way.
"Oh hey Lily, you can come in" said Ria smiling
"Sorry, I hurt your foot" said Lily fumbling her doll.
"No, no its okay, I was just being grumpy" smiled Ria patting the bed beside her, Lily jumped on opening her favorite book and started reading it aloud to Ria. Ria and Lily eventually fell asleep as the world outside turned dark.
