Phases | Chapter 12

234 9 2
                                    

Anne and Alex were riding to the druid paddock, they were crossing a beautiful green field. The sun was out, the birds singing. But Anne spotted dark storm clouds in the faraway distance.

Looking ahead she saw movement and a brown horse with a cloaked rider was riding along the edge of the forest.

"Alex, look." Anne motioned her head forward, Alex looked ahead. Anne thought they were going to turn around but Alex rode towards the mysterious person. Anne sighed uncomfortably as she followed. 

The mysterious rider saw Alex coming closer and started riding away into the forest. Alex now intent on catching this person started galloping behind them into the forest. She felt the energy rising in her with her adrenaline and before she knew what she was doing she struck the rider. Anne gasped as she rode behind her.

"Was it a dark rider?" Anne said quietly.

"I don't think so," Alex said hesitantly. She examined the horse and noticed it had a star on its head. She also thought it was too easy. 

She dismounted Tin-Can and approached the person. They were lying face down on the forest floor. She grabbed their shoulders and rolled them over. "Definitely not a dark rider," Alex said as she looked at the face of the woman. She guessed she was in her thirties. 

"Get the horse, let's bring them to Avalon."

"Aren't you worried he will get mad, after all it looks like you just struck a woman riding in the forest." Anne said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Well she was watching us, so I believe she has some explaining to do."

Alex rode with the woman sloped over Tin-Can while Anne held on to the reins of the dark brown horse.

Once at Avalon's they placed the woman in the cellar, which was pretty much a jail cell. Steel bars separated the room in half. She was still knocked out from the strike, Alex decided on returning later to interrogate her. So, they left to train in the paddock.

><

Hours had passed since the imprisonment of the woman. Anne was curious to see what Alex would make of it. She and Concorde were riding beside the Silversong River in the afternoon light. Suddenly she heard noises coming from up ahead, a faint shout for help in the distance reached her. She urged Concorde on to see what was happening. She was racing up the trail and pulled on the reins. She saw a frail old women lying on the ground. She was wearing druid accessories, Anne quickly went down to help her. She was kneeling beside the woman when she felt like someone was watching her. She turned around and saw Nicole glaring at her with two dark riders beside her. Nicole quickly turned to mount her midnight black horse and took off followed by what looked like Jessica. One stayed behind and rode closer to Anne. It was Katja her white blond her spilling over her cloak. Anne got ready to make a portal while Katja came closer.

"I hope this is good proof of what she can do," Katja said slowly as she looked down at the victim.

"Because targeting an old women makes a statement of power?" Anne said sarcastically.

"That was nothing. Nicole will destroy the keepers of Aideen and everything they stand for. Your sisterhood with the soul riders will be as good as gone. The only riders left will be us!" She said proudly.

"You speak no truth, the light will always win!" Anne shot back.

"We have seen the future Anne, I suggest you take my advice."

"What advice? That the sisterhood will be gone? It won't happen."

Katja went on, "Nicole is a powerhouse, I will admit... She is stronger than the dark riders times two, she is a weapon that we have full control over. And you and your little friends won't stand a chance." She said with confidence.

Anne shivered. "No, I won't let that happen." 

"We have received an enlightening vision from Garnok, the power of evil himself rejoiced at this. The soul riders will be no longer, the soul riders will be dead!" She said with a twisted smile on her lips.

"Your lying!" Anne yelled at her.

"Am I? But if you would want to protect your sisterhood... I have an idea of what you could do..." 

"Why would I listen to you, of all people?" 

"We could make a deal. If you want to protect your sisterhood so badly, you could..." She trailed off before speaking again. "You could give yourself up, we would call everything off."

"Why would you do that?" Anne asked.

"Because ever since you escaped Pandoria, Garnok has been raging, If you handed yourself in it would calm the waters.... call it a truce." Katja said coldly.

Anne started creating the portal, she had to go.

"If you make a decision be at the Fort Pinta dock, 30 mins after sunset tomorrow night." Anne was stepping into the portal as she heard Katja say, "The sisterhood depends on it."  

><

Rhiannon was guiding Lisa through a book of abilities when they were interrupted from a portal opening up and disappearing just as fast. Anne and her horse appeared in Avalon's living room, Anne was supporting what looked like an injured druid. Rhiannon and Lisa helped the druid over to the sofa while Concorde knocked things off the table with his head. Lisa began healing the druid immediately with Rhiannon observing. 

Lisa hummed a soft tune, she felt warmth flow from her hands into the woman. Rhiannon nudged her. Lisa quickly stopped. "Remember to use what you have to, stay focused. Don't get distracted. Your ability is already strengthening." Rhiannon said quietly to her as she observed.

Anne sat down in a wooden chair. Lisa and Rhiannon sat down across from her.

"What happened?" Lisa asked.

Anne tried to feel for words. She was still shocked after what Katja had told her. Should she tell them? Was it true?

"Nicole ... She attacked, I saw her flee with two dark riders when I arrived."

"She did this?" Lisa asked stunned.

Anne nodded her head.

Rhiannon and Lisa's faces drooped. Rhiannon quickly stood up and walked out of the room, petting Concorde before she stepped out. 

Lisa looked at her watch, it was 5:30. She would have to conform to her dads strict standards to make peace. She didn't think he would hold her up to it for long, but she was disappointed in him as well. For his lack of trust in her. 

Lisa said a goodbye to Anne before stepping out, Anne portaled  herself and Concorde out of the house. She didn't even notice that someone saw her appear out of thin air. Her mind was resting on Katja's words. She didn't know what to do. 

Her best friends lives rested in her hands. The people she loved most in the world. She discovered herself along with them, she learned what real friendship was. Friends who would do anything for each other. They risked their lives to get her out of Pandoria. When Anne was trapped she wondered if they would even bother rescuing her after what felt like an eternity. But they did and she owed them for it. She felt so conflicted, wishing she could tell someone, but if she told them they wouldn't let her choose. She decided to sleep on it, maybe something would change by morning, she thought.


Soul Riders | Star StableWhere stories live. Discover now