Araman

~ 2 ~

   Raliena sat up abruptly and threw her blankets off her body; as if it would rid her of the memory her dream had resurfaced. She stared down at her hands in the dim light. They looked the same as any others would, pale and elegant, absent of calluses, marks or scars.

It was a side effect to the healing ability the Unisayan's blood had given her. Her body was in a faultless condition, she never got ill, any scratches or cuts she gained healed much faster than ordinary people and all her senses were heightened. Her sight, hearing, smell and taste and her physical strength had improved dramatically over the years since. She could rival the might of any man in Verxia which she found difficult to hide.

It was how she had been able to ride for so long and travel the great distance to Attashar in such a small amount of time; without either her or Fahge collapsing from exhaustion.

Raliena hid her face in her hands. She had spent much time thinking about the first time she had seen a Unisayan and watched it come alive again beneath her fingertips. She had practiced her new power many times after that on animals and herself.

Since that day she had stowed away on every hunt, without fail, and healed the hunted Unisayan once the deed was done. It had been difficult at times and even dangerous if she had the misfortune of coming across bandits, but she could use a sword and had not lost a life yet, even if they remained mutilated, it was well worth the risk.

Her strength and will increased the more she used her healing but she dared not use it on another human for fear of exposure; until now.

Raliena turned her face to the sky; the obscuring mask that smothered the night had faded to a deep blue, its darkness retreating from the marching sunrise.

Wasting no more time, Raliena wrapped up the thick blankets and tied them together, then yanked the leather saddle bags towards her. Gripping the cold hilt of her sword that had been attached to it, she pulled the silver blade out halfway and watched the clean frost from the grass reflect off its surface.

It looked beautiful, despite its hideous purpose and Raliena couldn't help but admire in a cruel way how easily such a thin piece of metal could kill a man.

She looked up at Fahge who was staring back at her from the grass he was grazing on and then replaced the sword. It would not be a good idea to enter the castle heavily armed.

Raliena took out her dagger instead and slid the blade down the side of her lined boot, feeling its biting kiss against her fair skin.

Fahge took a step towards Raliena as she stood and brushed the dust off her dress.

She murmured to him in a soft voice and stroked his silky flank, allowing him to sniff her hair affectionately.

Raliena smiled and attached his saddle to his back, ready to leave as soon as she was finished. She was keen to get out of the woods and back to Verxia before anyone noticed. She didn't like being as close as she was to the castle, knowing that Attashar was prone to sending regular patrols into its surrounding woods.

Tying her blonde hair back in a loose bun, in the hope that she would be mistaken for a maid, Raliena made her way to the castle on foot.

The map she had studied of Attashar told her that it had four entrances, two of which led to the living chambers of the nobility. Coming from the direction of the woods meant that she would be led to the servants' entrance, which was exactly where she wanted to be.

Getting into the castle had been easier than Raliena imagined. There was only one guard on the door into the castle grounds who let her through without incident. He looked as if he had been up the whole night and waved her through before she had a chance to explain what she was there for.