The Dark Princess

Brooke

Yes! I said. I found the spell to make you breathe underwater!

Milo and I had been at the beach about a mile away from Caenon since about noon. Milo hadn't said much. I think he was disappointed in me. I didn't quite know why yet, but that made me a little sad.

I was just getting ready to do the spell when I heard footsteps behind me. I whirled around, ready for an attack, but found . . . Figi? But she was supposed to be with Mary. She finally caught up with us and doubled over, panting for breath. A few minutes later, she stood back up and opened her mouth to say something. Instead, her eyes widened.

She dove on top of me, and I fell just as an arrow whizzed by my face. My turn to widen my eyes. I looked up. There were four villagers behind Milo. He whirled around, dark plumes of magic billowing out from his fingers. Only one villager was hit by this. The villager immediately fell to the ground, unconscious. A battle commenced. I climbed to my feet and joined Milo, Figi by my side.

Figi had nothing but her fists. Milo and I, however, had magic. We used it wisely, while Figi's true skill was revealed. Her punches all landed in effective areas, her fingernails used when necessary. The battle was over in seconds. I turned to Figi. I wished I could tell her just how amazing she was, but I didn't have a voice. Then, I heard a groan behind me.

"Curse . . . you!"

I turned around just as an arrow whizzed by my face . . . again. The first villager that Milo had knocked out was on his knees, his bow up. He had shot the arrow. I sent a quick burst of energy at him, and he fell down, lifeless. I turned back around and froze. The arrow may have missed me, but I hadn't been the intended target. Figi fell to her knees, the arrow protruding from her heart. I rushed forward, catching her before she fell to the ground. I wished I knew a healing spell. Instead, I laid her gently on her back, tears pricking at my eyes.

"Mary . . ." Figi croaked. "Mary . . . in trouble . . . at the village."

I could see tears welling up in her own eyes. There was fear in them, something I'd never seen in them before.

"Brooke . . . Milo . . . save Mary . . . save Mary"

The last words came out a whisper, and then she was gone.

What would we tell Mary?

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I wanted to save Mary. That had been Figi's last dying wish. Of course I wanted to save Mary. But Milo had other plans.

'But Figi said she was in trouble!' I said.

Milo's resolve only stiffened. 'But if you don't do this, we may not have another chance! Think about it, Brooke. If you were to get in danger yourself trying to save Mary, it may be too late by the time you got out of trouble!'

'But it could also be our last chance to save Mary! She could be gone by the time we finished! We can't risk that!'

'Brooke!' Milo said. 'We need the tentacle to stop the demon! If we don't do this, you could be the cause of Mary's death!'

I couldn't argue with that. At least, not very well. I reluctantly agreed to get the tentacle. He was right, after all.

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I said the spell . . . in my mind, at least. Milo could breathe underwater until the spell was lifted. We dove into the ocean. Figi's death was distracting me. I seemed weighed down with grief. She had been a friend. Mary would be devastated if we ever found her.