The Broken Rules

Chapter 12: Kingdom of Ragdos

*Luna's perspective, leaving Yazralon city with Jania, her four warriors and Gwaine*

           A bit of sunlight started to peek out from behind the grand mountain where the people of Yazralon had built their stronghold. The sunrise was near. We all had a long journey ahead of us, a journey into unknown territory for Gwaine and I, plus his life was truly at risk. The people were all peacefully sleeping as we slowly rode off into the dark forests, Saphire flew above us slowly in silence, Jania and two men were in front, whilst a man and a woman rode behind Gwaine and I.

           He looked a little tired, I had guessed he didn't sleep much, I admitted that I hadn't rested well either: thoughts had travelled in my mind which gave me little time to sleep. The previous day, I was told that I wasn't ready, that I needed to practise more yet here I was, on my way to the Kingdom of Ragdos. As soon as we had reached a flatter area and Yazralon castle was no longer in sight, we set off to a canter. There wasn't much light since the trees created a thick layer of leaves making it hard for any light source to pierce through, so it wasn't easy to see where we were going but we stayed together tightly to avoid having someone go off track.

           We galloped most of the morning and took short breaks for the horses near rivers, this was also to replenish our water supplies. We took a short lunch break and continued forward, we repeated our short breaks throughout the afternoon until nightfall. We prepared a small camp while Jania and her protectors would take turns in watching over us all while we slept. Jania and I would train a little near the campsite to prepare me more for future battles. Then, we would discuss a few things around the fire as we ate, laughed and listened to each other's stories. It was a good way to get our minds off of the future event.

           We repeated this process for days: some days were cold and others warm, some had a clear sky while others were cloudy. Luckily enough we hadn't had any rain or thunderstorm for five days or so, we were in summer after all. On the sixth day, we arrived in the Lost City of Yazralon, the original home that had been destroyed during the previous war. The place was deserted and nature took everything over, covering the proof of a previous civilisation. We were going to stay there for the rest of the afternoon and camp overnight.

           Unfortunate storm clouds were brewing above us and we had all agreed that it would have been wiser to wait it out. When Jania spoke of the coming thunderstorm, I had noticed that Gwaine seemed a little uneasy. I wondered why but decided to pay no attention to it. I also realised that I mostly paid no attention to him if a subject came around him. We had all found a small place to camp where enemy eyes would not be able to pry on us. We ate a little and Jania went off to duel with me, Saphire rested in the ruins of the castle. She had been flying ahead and back to us to notify us of any coming dangers or obstacles. She also needed to do it with discretion. Gwaine on the other hand looked a little more restless than usual.

-Concentrate, Luna.

-Yes, sorry Jania!

*Gwaine's perspective, pacing around at the campsite while Luna and Jania are duelling*

           I needed to stop worrying and pacing, there hadn't been a single sign of Claribelian knights or forces, this place was completely deserted... Besides a thunderstorm was about to hit. There were a few raindrops that came down already, even the sky was going darker because of the clouds. I really hated thunderstorms... Maybe I should have asked one of the warriors Jania brought along to duel me. I looked around, two were on guarding duty, one was busy with setting up the site a little more all while the last one seemed to relax a little. I didn't want to disturb him but I really needed to fight a little to get rid of my nerves so I asked. He happily agreed, thus we duelled a little but I put him down with ease multiple times without noticing until Luna came over and urged me to stop. I didn't even notice the rain pouring down.