Memory in the End

Chapter 41: The Dream

It would take us a couple days to get back to the kingdom ,and having to rescue the Five definitely pushed us behind. We were planning on going extra today so we can stay on track but unfortunately for us, the weather had a different plan. The sky was a dark gray as if it was ready to rain. We wanted to continue but eventually came to our senses that it wasn't the best idea. We stopped by a house in the closest town that had a couple rooms.

Unfortunately for us, the only available thing they had was a small country house with two bedrooms. Since it wasn't just a bedroom it would cost a bit more, but at least we'd be secluded from the rest of the people so we'd less likely be recognized. We decided to go with the small house. It was near the river that served as an official border between our kingdom and Arkade. Thankfully if we just follow this river we'd make it to the kingdom eventually.

The house was quaint with a gray stone exterior and flowers lining all along the front of the house. Inside there was a main sitting room with a small table and kitchen stocked with food. Aru made sure to check everything out so we wouldn't have to "waste" time looking. The first bedroom had a big bed with two little comfy chairs inside as well. The other bedroom had two small beds for one person as well as the sitting room had a big couch. The guys already made sure to tell me I'd get the big bed, Aru and Henry would get the two beds and Owyne would take the couch. As for Ivan and Michael, each of them would sleep on the chairs despite my protests.

The storm ended up rolling in; I heard the pattering of rain on the roof and the lightning lighting up the sky. We decided it was best to head to bed, that way we could be up bright and early to continue with our journey. We all turned in; Michael and Ivan said they'd keep watch since it didn't look like they'd get much sleep anyway. It was halfway through the night that I got the dream.

In the dream I was standing in the house except none of the Five were with me. Instead Victor stood looming over me with a creepy grin on his face. He looked much older, his face was more wrinkled, his hair was longer and his beard as well. He wore a dark cape that matched the darkness that loomed over his face and his dark beady eyes stared at me as if he was staring into my soul. I was frozen on the bed, I wasn't able to move, I wasn't sure if it was from fear or from the nightmare.

He grinned once more before speaking, "Princess, you're a hard one to find."

"Don't worry you'll see me soon enough when I take back my kingdom."

He chuckles, "Your rule will be a short one Princess."

"I wouldn't bet on it."

"I would. I know where you are right now, sleeping peacefully in your bed, but that won't be for long."

"What are you talking about?"

He smirks, "This short rule of yours will definitely be a fiery one 'til the end."

And just like that he disappeared. A loud burst of thunder woke me up, making me sit up in bed and looking around. Somehow Ivan and Michael managed to fall asleep and they looked really peaceful. I didn't want to wake them up for such a silly little thing such as a bad dream but my gut told me we were in danger. The storm outside raged on and we wouldn't be able to go anywhere tonight.

I slowly slipped out of bed, peering my head out to make sure everything was normal. The only sound I heard was Owyne's soft snoring and that was it. I went back to bed, laid down and tried to sleep but I couldn't. It wasn't until the next lightning strike that I realized what Victor's words meant. Those bolts were way too close for comfort and I realized why when one of them hit the tree and it caught on fire. Victor is controlling this storm and the lightning. He's going to cause the house to catch on fire.

I jumped out of bed, "Michael, Ivan, wake up!" Both of them jerk awake, dazed and confused.

"Arrabella, what's wrong?" A sleepy Michael asks.

"We have to get out of here, Victor's going to burn this house down."

"How do you know?"

I shake my head, "No time to explain, we have to get out now!"

I run into the living room, jolting Owyne awake and then proceed to wake up Henry and Aru. Aru was a bit reluctant, pushing his face back into the pillow every time I woke him up. Eventually Henry came up with the idea to soak him in water which definitely woke him up.

"Why did you do that?!" Aru shouts, dripping wet.

Henry smirked, "I'd love to say it was to save your life but I'd be lying."

"Guys we have to go!" I urge them.

"How do you even know it'll happen?" Ivan asks.

"I just do, please just trust me."

Before anyone can respond, we see the lightning hit again and then a sound. Before we know it, the whole house is engulfed in flames. A wooden beam from the ceiling falls in between us, separating Michael and I from the others. I see Henry try to stop the fire with his element but it's way too big and Ivan can only suppress it for so long.

"What do we do?" Aru shouts.

"Jump out the window, into the river," Owyne shouts back and Michael and I nod. It's what we have to do. I see them all jump out first and before we can, another beam falls, blocking the one window we planned to jump out of. We rush into the bedroom, breaking the window as best as we can and stand on the sill. Right below us is a rapid moving river and I'm pretty sure it's going to take us downstream. That will lead us right into Arkade which will be very bad but what other choice do we have.

Michael notices I'm hesitant and he grabs my hand, "We'll jump out together okay?"

I nod, "Together."

We each take a deep breath and before we let it out, we jump just as another bolt of lightning hits the house and the stone explodes everywhere. We manage to make it in the river and then we just let it carry us downstream. I lost Michael somehow but as I head down the streak, I grab onto a rock, pulling myself up and then onto the grass. I am starting to think similar to the Five because we all had the same idea.

Aru lays on the grass next to me, panting heavily, "Remind me to thank you."

I smile, "You're welcome."

Michael sits up, throwing the wet hair from his face, "We should continue our journey, no doubt it's going to take extra long."

Before I can respond, an Arkade soldier comes up behind Michael, a sword to his throat, before an army of them join that one. One of them looks at me and smiles, "Well if it isn't Arrabella, Queen of Isaigalla. King Philip will be very pleased. Come along now and we won't kill anyone."

I sigh, "Very well, let's go."