by A. D. Duling
Chapter 4
He guided the horse along the trail, while she leaned against his back sleepily. It was late into the night now and they had been traveling through the forest for hours. The rocking from the horse’s movement soothed her, helping the drowsiness along. She was just about to doze off when he pulled the horse to a stop.
She sat up; “Why have we stopped?” she inquired.
He pointed ahead of them and she looked over his shoulder; ahead of them sat a cave. He dismounted the horse and helped her down. He led the horse over to the entrance and she followed him. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a tiny object. He opened his palm; what lay inside it, looked like a flat golden stone.
“What is that?”
“Watch,” He then lifted his palm up to his mouth and whispered “Illuminate.” Then he blew softly on it causing it to glow; illuminating a bright light around them! “This is our light.”
She smiled, “That is amazing! You are definitely going to have to explain how it does that later!”
He laughed, “I am guessing things are a lot different here than from where you are from?”
She nodded; “At home we use something called a flash light, it’s ingenious on its own, but nothing compared to this!”
They continued on inside. From the outside the cave had looked threatening, but on the inside it was beautiful! As they walked along, the orb’s light would illuminate off the tiny crystals in the stone walls, creating a beautiful effect.
A little stream ran along the path they were following and when there was no light shining upon it; it would glow a soft hue of blue! They continued to follow it down until they came to a large pool, where it poured into and stopped. Their path forked around it, but it wasn’t very wide.
“We will have to take it slow, you can go on the left side and I will guide Thunder around the right.” He told her and led the horse over to the other side.
She walked over to the other side and carefully continued along; as she went she noticed a change in the water. The more she walked along, the more the water changed. It appeared to be solidifying into ice! And by the time they met up, it was apparently frozen!
“Hayden, look.” She pointed to it.
He nodded, “I just noticed. I was too busy with the horse to notice; how long has it been like this?” he asked her.
“It has been slowly doing this as we went along.” She walked over and knelt down; she reached out to touch it.
“Wait Anna… doesn’t touch anything!”
“It’s just ice!” She stated and touched it with her finger.
Then suddenly she was in the water trapped beneath the icy wall! Hayden was already beating on the ice from above with a large rock! He was yelling something to her, but she could not hear him! Her lungs burned and she was running out of air! Panicked she started pounding back on the ice!
Hayden continued to strike the rock as hard as he could against the ice, but it would not break! Lungs now bursting, instinctively she took a breath; sucking in the cold water! “Anna.” said a voice.
She frantically started flailing around. “Anna, you are breathing.” It said to her and she suddenly stopped. She was breathing!
A soft glow illuminated beneath her; “Hold your hand out and let me pull you along.” It told her. She looked around for someone, but saw nothing; only the glowing light beneath.
“Trust me and hold your hand out.” It spoke again.
She did as it instructed and held her hand out. Suddenly her hand started to tingle and it grew stronger until suddenly she felt a tug and was pulled along, down towards the light. As she got closer, she could see that the light was actually coming from a glass structure! How it remained solid beneath the heavy weight of the water, she could not fathom!
The invisible force pulled her towards the opening until her foot touched floor and she was able to pass through the large bubble keeping the water and air separated. She took in a breath of the air and coughed the water out of her lungs. They burned from the transition and she rubbed her throat, looking around. In front of her stood rows and rows of bookshelves filled to the brim with books!
It obviously appeared to be a library. At the end of the center row, she saw a light appear. She followed it down. “Hello!” she called out; causing an echo which was surprising since the room was so full of books.
“Hello!” a voice called back to her, sounding very much like the one she had heard in the water. “I’m coming!” It called again.
She reached the end and turned to head down another row, but collided into a small man instead.She shrieked, startled and he tumbled back, landing on his bottom.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” She apologized and helped him up.
He laughed, “Don’t be, nothing broken!” He grabbed her hand and shook it, “I’ve been expecting you Anna Kippling!” He shook it vigorously; shaking her whole body along with it.
“You have?” She asked surprised. “Wait! How do you know who I am?” she asked right after.
“I know when each visitor is due to visit!” He let go of her hand and pulled out his watch; “And you are right on schedule!” He looked at it. “Well… maybe just a few minutes late, but you did panic up there for a bit!” he chuckled.
He put his watch away and walked away,” Follow me! I’ve already pulled your book and it’s waiting for you on my desk!” He yelled back to her. For a little man he walked very fast and she almost had to jog to keep up!
“My book?” she asked him.
“Yes, you’re book! You are definitely going want that, because you certainly have a lot of questions to ask!” he answered back.
They came to an opening with a large desk sitting in the center of it. He walked over and sat down in the large leather chair behind it. He motioned for her to take a seat across from him and she did so.
“Anna, everyone has a book… however the duty of it depends entirely on its owner’s needs!” He explained; “You need answers.
He reached down and grabbed a tiny white book off the top of one of the many stacks that covered his desk.
“Ah! Here it is! He handed it to her. “I’m sure you will find what you need inside.” He said.
She noticed a lock on it, “Where is the key that opens it?” she asked him.
He smiled, “You have it of course!”
She went to shake her head; but stopped remembering her grandmother’s key.
He interrupted her thoughts; “Your friend is calling for you Anna. He is very worried and I’ve kept you long enough anyway!” He stood up and walked around the desk; holding his arm out to her.
She tucked the book inside her pocket and took his arm. He quickly led her back to the entrance and shook her hand again; “It was very nice to meet you Anna Kippling, good luck on your journey!” He then turned around and headed back.
“Wait, how do I get past the ice?” she called out to him.
“Just reach your hand out!” He hollered back.
She turned to the bubble door and reached her hand through; the tingling came again and then the gentle tug. Her body passed through the bubble and the water surrounded her again.
She took a breath and tried not to panic making the transition easier this time around. She could see the light of the surface above her; as she neared, it grew brighter and blinded her.
The grip on her hand became tighter and then suddenly she was being pulled out and dragged onto the cave floor. Hayden pounded on her back and she coughed up the water.
“You were under there for a long time! I kept pounding on the ice trying to break it!” he stammered. He ran over to the horse, grabbed a blanket and came back. He wrapped it around her, which she was thankful for since she was now shivering uncontrollably. He pulled her close to him and started rubbing her arms, trying to get the warmth back into her.
“You disappeared, I thought you had drowned and then suddenly the ice was gone and I saw your hand!” he went on.
She buried he
r head into his chest, slowly warming. He pulled her closer; “I pulled you out thinking you had drowned, yet you were still alive!” he said astonished.
She leaned her head back to look at him, “I was drowning, but then I heard a voice and it told me to breathe and I could!”
He shook his head, “I think you’re in shock; just try to relax so we can get you warmed up.”
“No! I’m not Hayden!” She reached inside her pocket and pulled out the tiny book.
He looked at it, “What is this?”
“There was this glass building down there… it was like a library, but the books it held belong to people! Then there was this little man and he knew I was coming…. he gave me this book, saying it was mine!” she excitedly explained.
He quietly listened as she told him about the rest of her experience, when she finished he sat quiet for a while; absorbing it in.
“It has a lock.” He finally commented.
She nodded, “It does, but I have this key that was my grandmother’s; maybe it will open it!”
He stood; “Damn it Anna! What you did was stupid! You have no idea what you are up against; our world is very different than yours!” he yelled at her.
She lowered her head; “I know and I am sorry.” She looked back up at him, “Hayden, I’m very sorry.”
He knelt down, “From now on, you have to listen to me and never do anything as stupid as that again!” he demanded of her.
She nodded and tried to stifle a smile, “I promise.”
“It’s not funny Anna, I’m serious!” he stressed and reached over and picked up the book. “Now let’s see if your key will open this.”
She got the key out and handed it to him. “I can already tell, it’s too big, Anna.”
She frowned, “He said I had the key; this is the only key I have Hayden!” She looked at him for an answer, but he had nothing and gave her back the book.
“So if this isn’t the one; then where is the right one?”
Chapter 5
Neither got any sleep that night. They slept in the cave, but far away from the pool. The following morning, Hayden made sure she stayed very close by and she was too tired to argue. When they finally reached the other side and stepped out, she was grateful for the warmth of the sun and instantly felt rejuvenated!
She spent the remainder of their journey soaking in her surroundings. It seemed that this world wasn’t entirely that far different than hers. Soon the trees started to spread out more until finally they rode out across open fields filled with the same wild flowers she had seen before.
“It’s so beautiful!” She shared with him.
He pointed out across the field ahead of them and she spotted an animal resembling a deer grazing. “What is that?” she asked him.
“It’s a Denhorn.” He answered; “It’s harmless, but will defend itself with its large horn if threatened.”
“That is a very strange looking animal, in my world it looks like a deer with a rhino’s horn.” She laughed. “I’m surprised it can hold its head up with such a large horn!” The animal looked up over at them as if it knew they were talking about it.
“You will have to explain to me what a deer and a rhino is.” He inquired back.
“Well a deer looks like that, but no horn.” She explained; “Wait!” she interrupted herself. “The males do have antlers that do get pretty big, so I guess it makes sense why that one can lift its head up!”
He laughed at her reasoning. “Well, thank you for clearing that up for me!” he jested.
“Anyways…” she continued; ignoring his comment, “A rhino is a very large and sometimes mean four legged animal that has a horn like that in the center of its head.”
He laughed, “Well, that sounds like a rather strange looking animal too.”
“I guess it could be.” She agreed.
She yawned and leaned her head against his back. She stared out at the bouncing horizon and allowed the rocking of the horse’s to lull her to sleep again. Suddenly, what seemed like only a minute later; she felt herself falling forward and tumbling down onto the ground. Stunned she sloppily got back up to her feet and looked for Hayden; who was nowhere in sight!
She hurried and ran up and grabbed the reins of the nervous horse; he jerked, but she managed to keep her grip. Above them a loud screech came and she quickly looked up. She found a very large Falcon-like bird flying towards her; a very large bird!
It screeched again and the horse finally jerked out of her grasp and ran off. She looked back up at the Falcon which was now diving straight towards her and she quickly dropped to the ground.
“Anna! Grab my sword!” Hayden’s voice yelled out from above her. She quickly jumped up to her feet and looked up; she could see him dangling from one of the bird’s talons, trying to wiggle free.
She looked around for the horse, but the animal was nowhere in sight. She then remembered her dagger and pulled it out. The loud screech came again; the Falcon had already circled around. As it neared she could see that both talons were now empty.
“Hayden!” She screamed and quickly looked around for him, but he she couldn’t find him! The bird screeched again and dived.
Without any hesitation she charged towards the bird with her dagger raised and leapt into the air. She screamed and the birds grab her. A faint cry came from behind her, but she never heard it!
The bird’s claws clenched tightly around her midsection, her side burned from where its nails cut into it. She stabbed the dagger into its leg and the bird shrilled in pain; slightly releasing its hold on her. She quickly grabbed onto its leg and climbed up it; pulling her dagger out as she did. She grabbed a fist full of its feathers and climbed up to its front. She thrust the dagger deep into the breast of the bird and the creature screeched again! Then both hurtled back down towards the ground.
Before they slammed into the surface, she leapt off and tucked herself into a roll. She tumbled away from it and rolled to her side. She sat up and looked over at the bird; it lay a few yards away, apparent of no life. She slowly got to her feet and walked over to it.
Hayden rode up behind her and dismounted the horse. He walked over and stood next to her; looking at the bird.
“Are you alright?” he asked calmly. She nodded. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her towards him. “Where did that come from?” He asked amazed!
She said nothing and reached down and pulled the dagger from the animal’s chest. She grabbed the corner of her dress and wiped it off.
He silently watched her put it away; she looked back up at him. “Are you alright Anna?” he asked her again.
She at first nodded, but then shook her head. “I thought you were dead…” she whimpered.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. The adrenaline had worn off and reality was now sinking in; she started to tremble and sobs quickly followed. He gently rubbed her back as she cried; to comfort her.
Chapter 6
Hayden guided the horse along and searched for a secluded area to make camp for the night. Just beyond, he spotted a grove of trees and directed them towards it. He climbed down and grabbed the reign and tied it to a nearby tree branch. Anna climbed down and untied the blanket. She carried it over to a tree and laid it out. She sat down and leaned back against the tree.
Hayden dug inside the saddle bag and pulled out a jug of water and a satchel. He then walked over and joined her on the blanket. He untied the satchel and pulled out a few slices of bread and some jerky for them.
She grabbed the jug and pulled out the cork; she took a big gulp of it and handed it over to him.
“Wait until we get to my home, the food is definitely better than this!” He took a drink from it.
She nodded and took another bite from her bread. A light breeze mussed her hair, blowing a strand of it into her face. She reached up and softly brushed it away.
“Anna, what made you go after that Falcon like that?” he asked her.
She shru
gged her shoulders, “I don’t know. I guess when it came back and I didn’t see you and thought you were dead.” She looked over at him, “I wanted to kill it!” She looked down at her dress and wiped the crumbs off it, “I wasn’t even afraid; I don’t even know how I did what I did!”
He leaned over and lifted her chin with his fingers, tears were in her eyes. “No one really knows their true potential, until it is challenged. Anna this is just a glimpse of what you are capable of!”
“I only came here because of my grandmother’s journals…I only wanted to ask a few questions! I don’t know why this Chancellor wants to kill me! I am not here to test my potential! I don’t even know why I did what!” She babbled on.
His eyes searched hers, “Why do you think you did it?” he asked her.
She wiped her eyes, “I guess maybe because I couldn’t bear to think that you had died all because of me.” She suggested.
He rubbed her cheek with his fingers, “Anna, you don’t know it yet, but you are very important to Tatania. I know my saying this only confuses you more, but you will get your answers and very soon. I chose to be your protector; if I should die it’s a sacrifice worth making.” He smiled, “But it’s going to take a lot more than a giant bird to do that!”
They both laughed. He then leaned in and gently kissed her.
She smiled, “Why did you do that?”
He sheepishly smiled back, “You looked like you needed one.” he teased. She punched his arm and shyly went back to her meal.
Hayden slept close to Anna that night; and even after she had long fallen asleep; he remained awake, watching her. He knew what he had volunteered for, he already predicted the risk, but what he had not predicted was falling in love. She was a complete stranger to him, but yet he strangely felt connected to her. There was so much to learn about this girl and he wanted to learn it all.
He was told she would be young and she was… yet what she did today was far from what a child would do!
