Quest (The Quest Saga)

Quest 2 Preview

First Chapter Of Quest 2 

Taryn’s Funeral. Two Weeks After The Invasion On Worthing Beach.

It was colder than any day before it. Grayer too. The grass in the cemetery was an artificial green, and over groomed. The whole graveyard was too immaculate. Katherine sobbed, as she had done since the day. Dean held her hand, they stood next to each other well aware of the growing gap surrounding them, all other attendees where opposite them on the other side of the empty grave. It was a ceremonial burial. Taryn was never found.

Dean and Katherine knew that inside the cheap coffin lay a rock. It was a very beautiful rock, and probably very expensive. It looked like an orange rose quartz.

She ran, fast. She knew she shouldn’t, she shouldn’t have legs. But still she ran. ‘If I get caught running they will kill me.’ The thought rang like a church bell inside her mind. She heard a low rumbling growl. She halted and looked back. Very near by a few trees back a sinister black blur grew nearer. As her eyes focussed on it however, it faded into nothing. But she heard it’s footsteps draw closer. She ran. Feeling it struggle to keep up she quickened her pace.

The ground did not taste appetizing. Her white gown was stained with blood. Stunned she turned onto the back and sat up. The blur was far off in the distance, she noted from the corner of her eye. The blood she discovered, was not hers. A helpless lump  blocked the forest pathway.

“We are gathered here today…”

She knelt over the body, it was a girl. The girl was breathing very faintly, irregularly. She climbed over her and looked her in the face. “What’s your name? Can you hear me?”

“To witness the passing of…”

She asked again, and got a surprising answer.

“...Taryn”

“Taryn Ash; granddaughter and friend-” Silence broke the ceremony when the coffin rattled. Dean squeezed Katherine’s hand as if to say; “Am I hearing things?” but she squeezed back, “No, I heard it too. Do you think?”

“Yeah, it has to be the crystal.”

The rattling grew louder and the front of the coffin crack finely. A small bulge omitted from the lid and the orange quartz crystal erupted out and landed a few feet away from the grave. Dean bolted over to it, Katherine followed suit and they both knelt to pick it up.

“It’s hot.” Katherine yelped with a burnt hand. The crystal released a puff of steam and turned a violent grey. The wind swirled around them, like water around a plughole, pulling them down. The grave swallowed them. Everything burned white.

                                                       ***

It was colder than any day before it. Grayer too. The grass in the cemetery was an artificial green, and over groomed. The whole graveyard was too immaculate. Taryn’s Gran sobbed, as she had done since the day. Her brother held her hand, they stood next to each other well aware of the growing gap surrounding them, all other attendees where opposite them on the other side of the empty grave. It was a ceremonial burial. Taryn was never found. Taryn’s Gran looked around, Dean and Katherine should have been here.

                                                        ***

She reached the palace doors. Carrying a limp body. Bloodied. Jarod was holding fort again, she let a sigh escape. “Jarod I must speak with Her immediately, I bring the Taryn.”

“You’ll have to wait, like us normal folk. Speaking of normal folk, when does the royal princess announce she will marry?”

“I have no intention to marry you Jarod, mark these lips.”

“I am next in line to wed a daughter, and what are you?”

“Next in line to be married…”

“Unless-”

“What?”

“Are you barren? Is that why you do not wish to wed?”

“In the name of all that good! How dare you insult royal blood! I would never marry scum like you Jarod, is all! Now let me in at once!”

“Many a decent female would dream to wed me, that is all.” He went inside to announce her arrival. She lay Taryn down, softly and sat on the steps of her home to see if she was welcome. She looked up and Rebecca’s room, her sister, Rebecca had the biggest room in the palace. The light was on. She looked away, out at the cold dark. Something in the dark blinked.

“Did you tell her I was busy?”

“Yes, royal mistress Carolina. She said she brings The Taryn.”

“She does, does she?” She laughed, “let her in.”

The Grand doors opened. She stood on the steps. Like a puppet. Then she fell. Like her strings were cut. A flash of black escaped down the stairs. “Annaleigh?” She stood up and went over to the heap on the floor, her first daughter lay dying but her eyes remained dry. “Someone check on Rebecca!” She ordered, and then turned to Annaleigh. “Stay with me it’s going to be all all right.”

“Rebecca. You send to check on Rebecca, but none such safety is placed on me out in the forest.” Her voice was so faint, Carolina strained to listen. “Why would I stay with you?”

“No darling.” She frowned sadly, “I love you.”

Annaleigh spat. “If you love me, cry for my death.” Carolina couldn’t. “Cry!” Annaleigh shouted, then her eyes glazed over. Carolina knew all the servants and maids were watching. She put her hands to her face and secretly pushed her fingers into her eyes. The tears dripped down her cheeks. Annaleighs’ dead gaze looked back, abhorred.