Hmm...Nasty images... There was a sudden screech behind him; a leathery abnormally large bat was zooming right towards him. In front of him was a gigantic sized monster, with grey legs and head but a golden lion's body. It was charging right at him. He had a split-second decision. Before the two beasts could slaughter him, he summoned the winds and shot straight into the air. The two monsters collided with each other, each screaming at about two hundred decibels.
The withered old bat shriveled up like a prune and turned into a nasty looking splodge on the ground. The ugly hybrid monster looked up at Ben, with his mashed-up face in rage. Ben let go of the winds and he shot straight back down to earth, performing a full backwards somersault and landed on the creatures' hairy backside. It roared in fury. It obviously wasn't used to being ridden on like a horse. Ah well...better late than never. The monster unexpectedly started charging towards a tree, Ben shot out a hand and the tree burst in water, giving the hybrid horse an unanticipated shower. It started screaming and legged it towards the nearest monster it could find.
A fully grown, fire breathing, leather winged dragon. The crowd was screaming in excitement. Although Ben didn't really understand what the exciting part was. A dragon? Couldn't the King have come up with something less stereotypical to fight? He already knew the dragon's weakness, since he had defeated its kin countless amounts of time. He lifted his new hybrid into the air with him and catapulted them both straight into the dragon's mouth. He heard screaming in the distance, but the dragon had already closed his mouth. It was just like he had remembered. The throat was a dark unwelcoming purple, but he needed to go down there... He discarded his new horse and sent it tumbling down the giant esophagus and then slid down the gut like it was a slide. He was covered in blood, but he could deal with that later. Ben timed the seconds...one...two...three...four...five...now!
He stabbed his dagger at the side of the gut and hung from the momentum of the fall. He sliced through the sinews and tissue; a rush of blood started pouring out of the gap. Ben climbed up; he could see the enormous ribs that were at least ten times bigger than him. He cast a spell to shield the blood from his eyes and then...he started climbing.
Alyssa's hands were over clasped around her mouth in horror. Panic flooded into her; butterflies started in her stomach. Ben had been in the dragon far too long. There was no way he could've survived. The spectators were muttering to each in doubt, they didn't know what to make of this. Most of them were shaking their heads in disappointment. No one in the history of the Millay had survived the dragon; there was no reason why it should be different this time. The contestants didn't have to defeat the dragon; it was there for bonus points for the competition and an obstacle to make fighting the other monsters more of a challenge.
The last contestant's both had been defeated and knocked out by the dragon even though they had put up a good fight. Each monster had a weakness and so far, nobody knew what these gigantic winged creatures were. Her gaze drifted to Prince Tristan, her fiancé. He was in a bad condition with numerous cuts and scrapes all over his body; he looked up at the dragon with a look of repulsion. He was in the middle of fighting a three-headed mastiff that was currently drooling a river of saliva on top of him. Alyssa didn't think she'd look at him the same way again. Absent-minded, she started counting the seconds...one...two...three...four...five......Six.
The sixth rib. He could see the heart now, golden and pumping; its massive arteries were the size of Ben. They were diminutive in comparison to the dragon. Ben leaned inwards; he plunged his dagger right inside the heart. He pressed deeper, the dragon was roaring louder and louder. Ben twisted the dagger sharply and withdrew it. The rib cage started shaking, he held on to the sixth rib as cracks suddenly raced up the cage and organs. Blood was gushing heavily done upon him; he held his breath for the smell was overwhelming. The dragon was roaring from the outside in complete and utter agony. Brilliant. Then everything burst apart, he was thrown into the air – for a split second he felt a sense of freedom, every worry and care was left behind on the ground. He loved every moment...until he started falling. The grounds rushed towards him; every single pair of eyes were on him. He was heading straight into...a pond. NO! He maneuvered to the left, but it wouldn't work – he couldn't fall into a full body of water, not here, not now.
Suddenly something swooped down and grabbed his body. Relief swept through Ben, he twisted out of the flying monsters' beak and snapped it in two. It screeched in pain and started plummeting to the ground. Ben leapt off just in time; he landed perfectly with both feet on the ground. The audience went crazy and applauded like mad. Everyone was up on their feet from their stone seats, cheering wildly. What was the big deal? All he had done was kill a dragon he had killed many times before. It wasn't like it was that hard. There was a sudden presence behind him, quick as a snake he slashed off its neck before he had the chance to see what it was. Thick red blood splattered on his already stained clothes and in his knotted hair. He lost track of time after that, he charged at every monster he faced and slaughtered it like a pig.
It was as though they weren't even trying to fight back, some even cowered under the tree at the sight of him. The small sign of humility made him feel slightly sorry for the beasts. Unlike Tristan who was screaming every possible insult at them between his labored breaths. The drums started banging again. The challenge was over. His adrenaline still pumped through his veins. Together, they had defeated every single monster, which was a new record for Mylvehil. Prince Tristan glared at him, his face was dripping with sweat and there was a nasty gash on his forehead.
"Well that was fun," Ben told him cheerfully. He briskly left the arena with a humiliated Prince lagging behind.
"Benjamin was like so incredible!" Azura gushed; she was in the middle of plaiting Alyssa's curly blonde hair.
"I know," Alyssa said dazedly. "He knew the dragons' weakness, no one; I mean literally no one has ever figured it out -"
"I know! Simply breathtaking - literally! I was holding my breath the entire time he was inside the dragon and then when he burst out of it – that was just...wow."
"He was covered in blood," Alyssa pointed out. The memory floated back in her mind.
"Aww, you're still squeamish about blood aren't you! I remember, even when it's only the littlest thing, you still cringe dramatically! Remember that time when I got a paper cut and the tiniest drop of blood dripped out – you like ran for miles," Azura laughed, she finished tying the plait with a silky red ribbon. "I was five at the time, that was when I was absolutely terrified of it. Anyway, you made it worse by trying to wipe it on my face – just ewwww!"
"I was five at the time as well – I think we were both a little crazy," Azura giggled. "You still are! I bet you've paired up every couple in Alltalos – you're mad about love, always have, always will." Azura considered. "I haven't paired up every couple, although that would be a dream come true, but now two hundred elves are in forever debt to me for sorting out their love lives."
"TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE? Is that like all you ever do?"
Azura looked shocked. "Of course not! I've set up one of my Dad's chocolate shops in one of the streets – you will not believe how many elves love chocolate!"
"Wow! That's amazing! My father hardly ever buys chocolate, it's so unfair."
Azura frowned. "You should definitely persuade him; chocolate is so nice! But enough about chocolate – we need to do wedding plans!" She opened her massive scrapbook on the inn bed.
"What flowers are we having? Katie's mother sells flowers, doesn't she? It will be nice to meet her again."
"Put down lilies, roses, tulips and we must have hydrangeas and peonies." Azura started writing speedily into the book. "Lilies, roses, tulips..."
"Hydrangeas and peonies," Alyssa prompted. "Got it. Now for the bridesmaids – there's so many I don't know who to choose!"
"Put down Hazel, you were her friend when you were younger, she'll remember you. She'll be what? Thirteen? Twelve?"
"Thirteen, her birthdays just passed," Azura said.
"How do you remember that? It's just strange," Alyssa replied in awe.
Azura shrugged. "I have no idea. Who else shall I put on the list?"
"Kelsie? You know her, don't you? She'll be delighted to be your bridesmaid," Although Alyssa wasn't sure what Kelsie would think when she would be forced to wear a dress. Her father, the duke didn't care what she wore, so Alyssa always saw her in her tomboy clothing. She wished her father would let her do the same.
"Ok, I'll put her down on the list – what about Katie? I've known her for ages; it would be mean if I didn't put her down."
Alyssa agreed with her. "Yeah, that's fine."
Azura printed Katie's name out in her small elegant handwriting. She stopped writing and studied Alyssa. There was a five-second silence. "What are you going to do about your arranged marriage?" She said it completely out of the blue.
Alyssa bit her lip nervously. "I don't know...I don't know what to do."
Kelsie sighed. All her efforts to unveil Mr. Wright's secret were for nothing. She hadn't noticed anything else suspicious about him. His recent trips to the forest could just mean he was collecting herbs as Travis said. She felt slightly foolish for leading herself on like that. Kelsie didn't know what to think now. Was he really up to something? Or not? She rested her head on her hand and flicked through the pages in her scrapbook. She read and re-read all the information she had written down. ...was extremely mad and kept muttering random words.
I couldn't make any sense of it, it's like he's in his own dream world. I don't get how heartbreak can turn you insane – it's creepy but I... Kelsie stopped reading. Leo had confused her an incredible amount. She secrets wondered who he really is or where he came from. He couldn't have lived in that underground lair all his life and that goblin had told him about his heartbreak. Leo must've been somewhere different to experience it. This was driving her insane, just like Leo. The constant thinking about the mystery was hurting her head. Even if Mr. Wright was up to nothing, she had to prove that first before she made any judgment. Guilty until proven innocent. She re-read another diary entry.
Mr. Wright carried a book in his hand as he walked through the courtyard... It must be another clue. But to Kelsie, it led nowhere. She carried on reading, hoping to find an answer to this messed up jigsaw puzzle. ...never seen her perform magic before, it was the biggest sleeping enchantment I have ever seen... How had Alyssa harnessed her power so early? She wasn't even sixteen. Kelsie's first spell was lighting a fire and even that drained a lot of energy from her. Jealously started to build up inside her, but she tried to push it back down. Sighing, she shut the scrapbook shut and placed it back in her secret compartment. She shut the long black curtains that contrasted with the pale white room. She swiftly changed into her nightgown; it was the only dress she ever allowed herself to wear. She flung her day clothes on the floor of her bedroom chambers; she wasn't bothered to put them neatly in the cupboards.
She lifted the duvet of her bed...and jumped back in horror. Any other person would've screamed but Kelsie glared at the figure in irritation. "Luke, just what do you think you're doing?"
"Sleeping...Mmmhmm..." he started snoring, how had she not noticed him before?
"Get. Out. Of. My. Bed." She growled. A streak of black snot trailed down her pillow. Urggh. Maybe it was better to sleep on the floor tonight. Kelsie got a spare blanket and pillow out of her wardrobe and curled up on her mat next to the fire. An owl hooted outside as the kingdom of Mylvehil fell asleep. Little did they know what troubles were lying in wait for them.
Chapter Ten
The bulky muscular man was at least twice her size. He towered over her, making her feel small and insignificant. He wore light armor that looked good for blocking arrows and moving quickly. On the other hand, it looked several sizes too small for him, which must have been exceptionally painful. His black military cut hairstyle was short and intimidating, a nasty scar trailed up his forehead. To everyone else, his eyes appeared a murky brown, but whenever his eyes reflected the light of something, they swirled into a ferocious red. Alyssa stood as tall as she could in front of him, trying not to look helpless and frightened. She lifted her chin in a cliché princess manner. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, Alyssa stiffened. Slowly and cautiously he finger by finger released the handle. It was as if to say 'I'm the boss, you can't order me around'
King Frederic stepped forward; his eyes were sharp and serious. An aura of red outlined his body, how had no one ever noticed that? Maybe it was Alyssa's imagination. "This is your new bodyguard, Ares. You are not allowed to harass him, pester him and you must always follow his orders – since his orders are from me. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, Father."
"Excellent. Today you are not allowed to go out of the castle; Ares will be monitoring that for me. You will go to you lessons and then attend the court room with me this afternoon, four o'clock sharp."
Alyssa nodded; she gritted her teeth. "Yes, Father."
"You may leave now, I have more important things to be present at," Alyssa wanted to scream. Was she not important to him? She was his only child, why did he make her feel like an outcast or stranger. It was like he hated her; it was like he never wanted her as a child. Maybe he wanted a son. All she wanted now was her mother. She had always imagined her mother to be warm, kind and loving. The complete opposite of her father. She wanted someone to go to in times of hurt or pain, someone she could trust and tell all her inner thoughts and emotions to. Instead the emotions stayed locked inside of her. They weren't going to be relieved any time soon. Her father hadn't told her anything about her mother, maybe she wasn't even dead...or maybe she was. When Alyssa was younger, she thought that elves were indestructible. They were unable to be harmed or killed or die of old age. But now she had grown up, she realized that maybe she didn't want to live in this world forever, stuck with an arrogant prince for company. Alyssa curtsied politely for her father and left the stunning grand hall; she could hear her bodyguards' heavy footsteps behind her.
It made her feel her feel protected...more like stalked. Alyssa resisted the urge to start running, it was unnerving having a massive skilled man walk in her footsteps and she didn't like it one bit. She jogged faster than usual up the curved broad staircase and into her tutor room. She opened the door and saw Kelsie leaning back in her seat like usual – but something was wrong with her expression. Her eyes seemed guarded as if she were suspicious of every single thing in the small room. Alyssa caught her gaze and felt like a rabbit being caught in a snare. Kelsie stared at her with such suspicion it made her feel self-conscious.
Kelsie was almost certainly overreacting about something; she'd get over it...probably. Ares, Alyssa's bodyguard followed her into the room and stood at the door; part of her felt sorry for him, to have to spend every single second of the day with her. And today was not going to be interesting for him...at all. The next Millay tournament started next week, so there was going to be absolutely nothing for him to look forward too. Oh well, it's only for three months until Alyssa turns sixteen. Before this arranged marriage had started, Alyssa had been looking forward to her sixteenth and most important birthday. She'd rather live without magic than live with Prince Tristan.
Alyssa sat gracefully down on her wooden chair and placed her pencils and notebook on her desk. The texture of the wood had been drawn countless amounts of times with random scribbles and shapes etched permanently into the table. She opened her notebook and tried not to feel intimidated by the huge bodyguard that stood about two meters away... Kelsie leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I see you've got new company, what have you done now?" Alyssa looked hesitantly at Mr. Wright who was writing the task for today on the board.
"Father assigned me a bodyguard – he doesn't want me to get into any trouble, how annoying is that?" Kelsie wrinkled her nose, as if she were imagining having a bodyguard watching her every move.
/> "That's stupid, what sort of things does he think you'll do. It's not like you're trying to start a rebellion or anything like that." There was a hidden meaning under her words. Alyssa detected it straight away, though she wasn't sure what Kelsie was insinuating. She noticed that her aura was a suspicious orange that mixed contrastingly with her natural dark blue glow.
"No, he's just being paranoid," Alyssa didn't think it was safe to tell her the truth now. What with her bodyguard being here listening to every word she said. There was no way she was going to survive these next few months.
"Ok class, open up your books and write the heading mermaids."
Kelsie looked skeptically at Mr. Wright. "Mermaids? There's no such thing as mermaids, they're just myths from your mythology books...aren't they Alyssa?" Alyssa bit her lip. "Alyssa?" Kelsie said again, her aura started glowing a stronger orange.
"Yes, they're completely made up," Alyssa said vaguely, though it sounded like she was lying. Mr. Wright looked at them both calmly, not deterred by their opinions.
"Can you prove that Alyssa? Kelsie?" he said seriously.
Kelsie gaped at him. "You don't seriously think they actually are real? They're just legends that have been passed down for centuries and centuries." Alyssa nodded, though she wasn't sure why. Maybe she didn't want any of them to find out that she had seen one in real life.
"Or so people think," Mr. Wright said. "We're going to look into a study of mermaids and at the end of the topic, then you can decide whether they exist or not."
"This is ridiculous," Kelsie groaned. Mr. Wright ignored her.
"Now can any of you tell me anything you already know about mermaids?"
Kelsie put her hand in the air. "Yes?"
"They don't exist."
"That's an opinion, Kelsie, not a fact," Mr. Wright sighed. Alyssa put her hand up, she remembered the mermaid as if she had just seen it yesterday. "Yes, Alyssa?"
Dark Oceans (Ocean Series Book 1) Page 6
