Revenge and Regret

Chapter One-Lost

Chapter One

Ow! The stabing pain in my side comes again, like someone poking me with a sharpened stick. I can hear voices. They sound faraway, their words lost in the sound of rushing water. Water? I think to myself, Last time I checked I was at home. In Arizona. That's not the only werid thing. I don't even remember what I was doing at home today. Or this week. I must have a concussion or something.

The pain comes again. Okay someone is definatly poking me. I open my eyes and as my vision adjusts, I start to see blobs of green and brown. Wow, my head must be really messed up, because I could swear that I'm in a forest.

Someone is looking down at me, his expression impassive. "She's awake," he says plainly. He looks in his early twenties with a scruffy black beard. But that's not the interesting part. His clothes look like something pulled directly out of Robin Hood. The cloth is red and blue and there is a golden Eagle on the silver breast plate. He turns to his right. "What should we do with her?" A few seconds later, an older man with a gray beard, obviously his superior, kneals down next to him and looks me over with thoughtful blue eyes.

The man sighs. "I suppose we could turn around and-"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your little Role Playing game," I say, as I struggle to sit up. "But I really have to get back home-"

"Listen child," the younger man snaps. "I don't know who you are, what you are wearing, or what this 'Role Playing' is that you speak of, but you do not, under any circumstances, inturrupt your elder when he is speaking!"

"Maleth," the older man puts a hand on his shoulder. "Do not let your anger get the best of you."

Maleth looks down, embarressed. "Excuse my insolece, sir." For a second I'm confused. Then I realize that they're not supposed to break character. I guess I'll have to go along with it if I want to get home.

The older man looks at me and smiles, making his eyes crinkle. "Excuse him. Anger has always been his greatest foe." Maleth's cheeks redden. "My name is Arner. I am the one in charge here. We will take you back where you come from, but first, might I ask your name and where you are from?"

"My name is Luna Dreygon. I'm from Arizona."

My answer seems to have pleased him. "Arizona! I have never heard of it. How unique!" He seems genuinely pleased, like Arizona is the new Disney World. "Come with me, Luna," he reaches out a hand. "Me and my men will take you home." I take his hand. He pulls me up with ease and leads me towards a dirt road that cuts through the forest. Maleth follows behind at a distance. Waiting on the road are multiple carriages, each the same red and blue with the Eagle on it, and each led by a white stallion. The men all have the same colors and crest as well. Wow, I think, They really went all out.

Arner leads me to the biggest carriage. He opens the door and motions for me to step inside. I step in and take a seat on the right side. Maleth sits next to me, but he goes out of his way to avoid eye contact. Outside, I hear Arner barking orders to his men. One word pops out: Miswen. That must be code for the exit.

As I wait on us to move, I stare out the window to my right. They must have some really good prop people beacuse this forest looks real, complete with flora and fauna. I catch a grey rabbit dart between two trees out of the corner of my eye. Then I have a terrifying thought:

What if this is real?

I quickly dismiss the thought as crazy, but it still looms in the corner of my mind. If this is real then where am I? More importantly, when am I?

No. It's not possible.

I snap back to attention as Arner steps into the carriage, ducking his head. He sits across from me. "We'll be back in Miswen momentarily." I nod, but now I'm lost in my thoughts again. I double check every city, state, or country that I can think of. I've never heard of a place called Miswen. I really hope he means Arizona.