The next morning, Kelanar gets up and helps George make breakfast, all the while thinking, what could Master need help with? He wants me to stay away from his boys.Once the food is ready, she turns to George.“I will be back. Master John wants me to meet him in his office this morning.”“Umm, ok you better go then. I'll take care of serving the food.”She nods and heads to Master John’s office and knocks.“Enter,” orders Master John.She goes into the office and sees just Master John sitting in his chair.“Good morning, Master John. You wished to see me,” says Kelanar.“Yes, sit.”Kelanar sits. She is nervous and won’t look him directly in the eye..“Now, girl, are you sure you didn’t see anybody outside last night?”“Like I said, Sir I didn’t see anyone. I was in the shed doing my duty and then came back to go shower.”“I know what you told me. The thing is, I don’t believe you. I was told differently. I know you and Henry were outside together.”He goes to say more when there is a
Skorn heads to his study where he finds the wolf ambassador waiting for him.“Hello again Ellie, it is good to see you again. How is your father?” asks Skorn.She turns and sees him enter the room.“He is well and sends his well wishes, but you know why I am here,” says Ellie.“Yes, you’re not happy with the new terms, I take it, and want to discuss it.”“Yes, this doesn’t work for us. We have been trading partners for years and now we find out you’re working with others as well as moving in on some of our land as if it were your own.” yells Ellie.“I have a few other trading partners, but you’re still my main one. What land are you referring to?”“The one that your demons moved in on to the north. It's clearly our land. So, I need you to remove them and then we'll consider renewing our treaty with you. I expect you to get this done before our next meeting and next time it is on my land we are having a party in honor of my father in three days. Come or send your own ambassador. Eithe
Hector woke up in the morning, his head killing him.Too much blood, thinks Hector.Hector looks over and spies Ruby laying on his bed beside him.Hector kisses her neck and nudges her awake.“I could get used to waking up next to you Hector,” yawns Ruby.“I could as well. Maybe now that we have passed, we'll get a day off.”“I doubt it. They said the work had just begun. I am supposed to go and see Skorn in his office this morning,” says Hector.“Well, go see what he wants and maybe then we can do other activities,” whispers Ruby in his ear.“Ok, I better clean up and go.”Hector gets a shower, trying to wake up. He dresses and kisses Ruby on the lips. Hector grabs a bag of blood to eat in hopes that he feels better. It makes him feel worse.Hector sees Rex smile at him.“Too much to drink last night, Hector?” asks Rex.“Yeah, I guess so, but I know I need to report to Skorn. Do you know if he is in his office or throne room ?” asks Hector.“It's early, so most likely he will be i
Kelanar is a fast runner. She has been racing the boys in her town since she could run. She keeps up with Henry and the others well. They all run, she keeps between second and third with Henry in the lead. They all get back to Master John with Kelanar in second and Henry in first.“Well, this girl might survive training, just maybe. Well, as the rule states, the leader will choose the amount of miles you all must run. So, Henry, how many? No less than three. Choose,” orders Master John.“Four, sir,” says Henry.Henry knows he could choose the minimum, but he also knows the master expects more out of a leader, which he wants to be one day.“Very well, four it is,” orders Master John.The group runs. Kelanar keeps up, but she is not sure if she could do all four at the same pace. She gives it her all.They all run. The positions change, all through the four laps around the compound. All but Henry, he stays in the lead until the end. Kelanar falls back to fourth or fifth place. She hears
Hector's group arrive in the Kingdom of Mystic Forest. Hector notices the cooler temperatures as soon as they cross the border.There is so much green compared to what they see in Ember. They stop at a small clearing where there is a camp and Hector notices demons and other vampires.“We will camp tonight and go the rest of the way in the morning,” orders Rex.“Are these the ones the wolves are mad about on their land?” asks Hector.“Yes, and you're going to tell them we are moving them out once we are done with our business with them,” says Rex.Hector, Ruby, and Ash get off their horses and set up bedrolls on the ground. They sit by a fire, drink some blood and watch the sky when Rex calls it a night.“Get some rest Hector, we will leave at dawn. The rest of you will stay here and wait for our signal if we need you. If we don’t, you will meet us on the way to the next castle."“Rex, why can’t they come with us?” asks Hector.“Most royals don’t like one to allow, let alone four peopl
Kelanar spies George on the meat, so she grabs the potatoes and peels them.“You look dirty and exhausted, girl,” says George.“Yeah, rough first day of drills with Master John,” says Kelanar, yawning as she peels.“Yeah, you’re the first woman for many things around here. I am sure he won’t make you do it for long,” says George.“That's the thing. If I want to work with Henry so I can defend myself, he is going to make me do it and it is not a bad idea. I want to be able to handle myself. All girls should be able to.”“This is true. Girls need to be able to defend themselves, but the guard training isn’t for everyone and he has no intention of taking it easy on you. He wants you and all those boys to understand what he says, goes. You wouldn’t stay away from the boys now. He is going to keep you in his sights, so they know to leave you alone.”“I understand what he is doing, but I am going to use it to my advantage and learn all I can. No matter how tired I will be from the training
The group rides until they are over the border as they know that there could be a group coming for them. While they ride, Hector is lost in his thoughts.I'm sure Ellie hates me now, but I didn’t have a choice. I'm glad Kelanar will never know the monster I have become. It would have been better if I had her father just kill us, but Kelanar would be in danger, and I can’t allow that to happen, thinks Hector.Soon Rex calls for a break once they cross over into the witches' border.“We will rest here for the night. Men, set up camp and get a fire started. We have much to celebrate. Hector has completed his first assignment,” orders Rex.The men get to work. They tie the horses, gather wood and pitch tents. Hector walks around, looking back toward Mystic Forest Kingdom. Rex comes up to him.“Look, I know this wasn’t easy for you, but I told you not to get attached to her. That we belong to Lord Skorn, and we do whatever we are ordered to, no matter what it is,” says Rex.Hector sig
Kelanar glares at Henry and Master John. The shame that fills her is like nothing she has ever felt before.Henry puts away his sword.Kelanar steps away from him and picks up all the swords the boys left behind and takes them to the shed. Kelanar grabs polish and polishes the dull metal.Henry goes over to Kelanar and sits.Kelanar is tired and hurt from all the blows and getting knocked on her ass.Kelanar refused to acknowledge Henry's presence until after she gets a few swords polished.“That was uncalled for, Henry. I understand you must knock me on my ass, but why did you have to expose me like that to the other guys? It is bad enough that I am the only girl, and they won’t stop looking at me like I am a piece of meat. Now, they got a look see.” Yells Kelanar while polishing the swords.Henry grabs her hand. “Stop for a second and look at me.”She pulls away from him and looks him in the eyes.“You exposed me when you did the shirt move,” says Kelanar, with tears in her eyes.He