The Hidden Princess and the Sword

Chapter 6

Once out of sight of the dwarves, Annika collapsed against Matrix’s mane. “Where now?” she murmured. Honestly, the attention was a little overbearing and she missed her place in the shadows at home.

Then she remembered the Wizard. Stretching her mind out as far as possible, she thought, “Where now?”

The response was immediate. “One moment, Annika.” The Wizard’s voice was horribly familiar, and she ached to see her home again.

His presence disappeared and reappeared in her mind. “This book says the stars shine brightest at the Starloch. It’s on the highest mountain. You shouldn’t be too far.”

“Thank you,” she thought back, breaking the connection. The highest mountain - and where she assumed the Starloch was - was less than a day away on a swift mount, and there was no doubt in her mind of Matrix’s strength.

She whispered her destination in Matrix’s ear. “You think you can do that, buddy?”

His slim ears perked up.

She blinked. They were in a fire-filled landscape of lava and fire and black rock, and then -

She blinked again. Now they were at the top of a valley. In the bottom was a small silver pool surrounded by thick trees and a thin band of grass.

“Is this the Starloch?” she asked, rubbing her eyes. Annika felt gritty and dirty, covered in sweat and exhausted.

Matrix gave an almost imperceptible nod and Annika dismounted. “Wait here,” she mumbled.

Annika took off down the slope, dodging trees and brush as she ran. The Starloch pulled her closer, drawing her in with every step.

She burst into the strip of grass and sun. The pond glimmered in the sun.

“Matrix!” she called.

The black stallion stopped just short of the grass.

“C’mon, you chicken. It’s just water, it won’t hurt you.”

Matrix shook his head and nudged an invisible barrier. There was no passing it for a devil’s horse.

Annika grabbed the sword and the food and leaned against a tree.

“I guess we’ll be waiting for the stars,” she said, and dug in.

She woke up to the glare of a full moon. Matrix lay sleeping beside her in the shaded forest.

Annika seized the sword and walked into the clearing. She held it out.

“Stars of heaven,” she said. “I ask you now to bless this blade.”

The silvery, twinkling specks in the sky swirled together and formed into the loose shape of a woman. She had no face, was completely made up of the ghost-like material, and only her torso, upper arms, head, and the top of her hair were distinct. Her aura was pulsing gray, white, gray again.

We do not bless the weapons of the blind, said the woman darkly.

“But I am not blind,” she said. “I can see your fear. Did someone use your powers against you?”

The woman practically chuckled. The blade grew too bright to see, yet Annika could not blink.

The glow dimmed, leaving only a pale shadow behind. Annika turned it over in her hands, smiling to herself. “Stars,” she said. “I thank you.” Then she ran into the forest.

“Matrix! Matrix!” she called. The horse woke up, his head lifting at her voice. “We did it!”

Matrix whinnied happily and she sheathed the sword on his back.

“Where’s the Sword now?” she thought at the Wizard.

Ten minutes passed, and there was no answer.

“Ooo-kay,” she said nervously. “Matrix, let’s go home.”

Matrix neighed and bolted off.

Annika was surprised that he wasn’t flashing through space and time like the last time, but nevertheless, she appreciated his speed. They rode off and on for several hours without seeing anything familiar.

“Hmm,” she said, looking around. Up ahead there was a glimmer of light. “Ooh! Up there!”

Annika nudged Matrix and he trotted tiredly through the trees and onto a wide band of green grass. The glimmer?

A lake as wide and long as the eye could see.

Happy Memorial Day, peoples! Sorry for the really short chapter! I'm really tired (-_-)ZZZ and unproductive. I'll get more later, I promise.

Vote, comment, follow, sleep - wait, what? Anyways, I haven't edited this chapter yet (see aforementioned sleepiness) so feel free to point out mistakes. And whatever else I'm supposed to put here.

I'm dedicating this chapter to William Carter for being awesome and loving the world :)

Hugs (and pillows!),

Redde