Artemis and Caspian: The Awakening

Chapter Six

Douj Arioch held his hand up to stop the convoy. He stared into the dark, massive forest before him and narrowed his eyes. He had never been to Celestia, but this did not look like a realm Lord Cerberus would send him to. Huge trees loomed above him, with curled branches and trunks that twisted into shapes resembling faces in pain. Even though it was midday, Douj Arioch couldn't see into the forest, it was pitch black. He looked back and saw his men with eyes glazing over in fear. Even some of the horses began to whinny uneasily as they shifted their weight and took a few steps back.

"What are you so afraid of?" Douj Arioch shouted sternly, demanding the attention of the convoy. "It's just a realm." Some of the soldiers muttered amongst themselves about the power of Celestian shamen.

Douj Arioch snorted, "Any person afraid of old Celestian wives tales can turn back now." Each group memeber whispered a no and Douj Arioch shook his head in approval. "Didn't think so." He singled with his hand for the men to follow and the convoy headed into the forest.

Douj Arioch looked around unnerved as the convoy headed deeper into the depths of the forest. Every so often he swore the trees were whispering to him. Shaking his head, he convinced himself it was a trick of the imagination and pushed forward, but even he couldn't deny there was something amiss in the forest. Darkness engulfed the group with only an eerie, dim violet light to guide them. Shadows seemed to run beside them disappearing as fast as they had come. Ignoring the nervous murmurs from his convoy, Arioch kept going until he found the place he was looking for. In a small clearing, four trees created a circle with a stream of violet light brightening the center. The trees all swayed in a slight wind like a tribal hymn as whispers amongst the forest grew louder. Gathering his courage, Douj Arioch dismounted his horse and screamed into the wind. "Lady Azura, if you can hear me, show yourself!"

As if out of nowhere, dozens of Celestians crept out of the bushes, surrounding the group. Douj Arioch unsheathed his sword and whirled around, expecting the worst. His soilders followed his example and unsheathed their swords looking wearily at the approaching Celestians.

"Yes?" came an unamused voice from behind the douj, scaring the crap out of him. Arioch spun around and came face to face with Lady Azura who stared him down, arms crossed over her chest. Arioch forced away an instinct that wanted to place a hand over his beating heart. She nearly gave him a gods damn heart attack. Gathering his courage, he held her gaze and prayed to the gods his voice would come out steady.

"Lady Azura," he began, puffing out his chest slightly to show dominance. He was met with her steely glare which seemed to look through him, like she was looking at his very soul. Remembering his place, the douj bowed slightly before continuing. "Lord Cerberus from the Guilamount realm has requested I speak with you on his behalf."

"About what?" Lady Azura answered coldly and curtly, raising one eyebrow with interest.

"My Lord is starting a revolution, one that will change this land for the better and ensure that all realms remain at peace as equals until the end of time." Lady Azura narrowed her eyes slightly, processing his declaration. Her silence willed the douj to explain himself. "For centuries all the realms have been ruled with an iron fist. My Lord would like to recruit you and your realm as our brethren in a battle to obliterate the kingdom of Meridan."

The Celestian citizens muttered amongst themselves as Lady Azura cracked a knowing smile. "I knew you would come to me, my shamen read our confrontation in the stars a fortnight ago."

"Then you know your answer?" the douj asked hopeful.

"I do," she nodded simply before looking into the sky. A gust of wind shook trees violently in the circle and rustled through Lady Azura's hair as she turned her icy glare to the soldiers behind Douj Arioch. "The gods have spoken and given my shamen a glimpse of our future." The wind grew louder as several Celestian shamen emerged from the crowd with staffs that they banged against the hard earth. They all hummed in a deep, eerie rhythm against the stark call of a raven and Celestian citizens whispering their prayers. The men's horses began to neigh loudly, panicking. Lady Azura's eyes turned a deeper shade of purple as she commanded over the commotion.

"Heed my words. This war is futile, it will be stopped by those the sun god and the moon goddess have created to keep peace in our realms, our saviors."

The wind came to an abrupt stop and the clearing became quiet once more. Lady Azura turned her sharp eyes on Douj Arioch "I will not join you. I'd rather die." Douj Arioch angrily stepped towards Lady Azua until he was inches away from her face.

"So be it then," he seethed. "Believing in fairy tales will be your undoing. Have your armies ready, Guilamount marches at dawn." With that he spun around and mounted his horse, signaling his convoy to do the same. As he turned to leave, the douj heard faint whispers echo through the forest. When he looked behind him, the Celestians were gone.