Before her standing tall and casting a shadow over her was a large, turgid stone arch. She stared up at it trying to understand its meaning and purpose. What was it doing here? What did it mean? Did it have a purpose? “Do I have a purpose?” She whispered the words out loud and shuddered when they seemed to echo back at her. The arch, with all its grandiose, seemed to stand for everything and yet, given its location of a remote area of the woods and island, it also se... [More]

Joseph stared at the maps before him. The land structure had been heavily edited on the paper to the point he had difficulty telling what was what. With all the changes to the land it made the maps look like a child of three had decided to color—there were no patterns, nothing made sense. It was just a bunch of random lines in a variety of colors. He swore and sat back in his chair with a sigh of frustration. “Markus, find me a damn map maker. I cannot make sense of this mess.&... [More]

The crackle of the fire invaded Jayar’s ears as he sat staring at the orange flames as they kissed and licked the wood. The day had finally come to an end and the camp had pretty much all settled down for the night. Most soldiers had retired to their tents, but some remained away either on guard duty or in whispered conversation. Behind him, hidden behind the cloth of her tent, he knew Adrienne would be fast asleep. He couldn’t understand why she constantly occupied his mind a... [More]

The clashing of metal echoed through out the woods, mixing in with the trickling of the waterfall and the chirping of birds. “Ouch!” Adrienne’s voice added to the sounds of the forest as she tripped backwards over a stone and her elbow collided with rock when she landed on her back. Her practice sword clattered as it fell from her hands. Jayar stooped next to her, cradling her arm in his hands as he observed her elbow. “Don’t touch it, it hurts!” Sh... [More]

Dominic crept through the camp, being careful not to stir the sleeping soldiers. He had been placed on guard duty for the night, one among three. Every thing was going according to plan. He glanced over his shoulder at the camp, with its fires glowing their final goodbyes, knowing full well he was about to betray every single soul on that beach. With a smirk, and a feeling of satisfaction, Dominic crept on through the bushes and proceeded west towards the Cliffside beach. He walked silently t... [More]

Adrienne slumped onto the ground heavily, her tired body aching and sweaty. She let out a puff of air that blew her hair out of her face. “I’m tired.” She moaned and reached out to rub her aching feet. Jayar stopped a few feet in front of her, hands on his hips, and breathing heavily. His shirt was soaked with sweat and she looked up just in time to see him strip it off and tie it around the loop of his belt. Adrienne forgot about the pain and stopped rubbing her foo... [More]

“Adrienne!” Jayar’s voice was beginning to crack as he yelled her name for the hundredth time. She had disappeared when he came back from relieving himself. He knew she had wandered into the cave alone and it made his temper flare. He’d managed to make a torch within a few minutes before entering the cave. Occasionally he’d find her footprint where she had stepped in the mud or a wet spot. How had she traveled through here without light? A sick feel... [More]

“Hello Adrienne, I see you found me without problem.” Adrienne stared up at the raven in confusion. “Raven? What do you mean?” “I told you that you were about to embark upon your destiny. Do you believe me now?” “I don’t understand.” “Look around you, Adrienne. Do you think you are here by mistake? Do you think you just happened to find this place? Do you think you would be talking to me otherwise?” The raven did... [More]

Captain Andrews chuckled at the crumbled heap on the ground before him. He’d witnessed a good beating on the man, his stripping and being shaved, and finally his shackling. It was amazing the sense of satisfaction he got from witnessing that. “Joseph.” He didn’t move, didn’t even flinch, and just remained as he was: motionless. “Joseph, don’t you recognize me?” He couldn’t help but smile as he tormented the man. Brune trotted ... [More]

Jayar leaned heavily against the arch, sighing out his frustration and disbelief. His mind was in such disarray with all that Adrienne had told him. In the beginning, he hadn’t believed a word she said. She sounded like a three year old obsessed with fairy tales and making up her own. But… He sighed again, tilted his head back, and closed his eyes as a cool breeze drifted through the night. His hand curled around the hilt of his sword as he tried to understand. The only thin... [More]

“Steven?” The sound of his best friend and captain calling his name brought Steven into action immediately. He about-faced and marched into the tent. Andrews sat on a chair lazily slouched. One hand was on his head the other held onto the end of a rope that Brune was playing tug-o-war with. “Yes sir?” He could see that Andrews was not in a playful mood and brooded over something. “Find Dominic, he and I need to have a chat.” “Aye, sir.... [More]

“Good morning Dominic.” His voice and the pain slowly washed over Dominic simultaneously. His head felt like it might explode with pain and his body ached from the beating. A sharp kick was delivered to his stomach, forcing him to roll over onto his back with a groan. “How long did you think you could keep this up?” “Keep what up, my lord?” Another blow. “Don’t play games with me, Dominic. I am in no mood. Brune will tell you th... [More]

Adrienne was surprised at how warm the water was. The cave itself was cold, dark, and damp. But the ocean water was rather warm around her legs as they dangled over the edge of the opening in the floor of the cave. She stared down past her legs to the foundation below. She could just barely see the outline of the tower. It seemed to be still intact, nothing destroyed or damaged. She wondered what else lie beneath these warm waters. Her hand closed upon the key around her neck. “... [More]

A million questions ran through Adrienne’s mind leaving her head dizzy and the world spinning. The shock from walking and breathing underwater had worn off and been replaced with a feeling of confusion. “Who are you? How do you know my name? Do I know you? Where am I? What do you mean we’ve been waiting—“ The man’s laughter brought her to a breathless stop. His laugh was warm and happy, something that calmed her. His eyes twinkled at her. “Adrie... [More]

The gray dog jogged happily through the waves coming in and out on the beach. When a wave would come close to his muzzle he’d try to catch it, receiving only a mouthful of bitter ocean water. Captain Andrews roared with laughter at the site. No matter what the situation he could always count on Brune to give him a good laugh. He knelt down, arms spread wide, and made ready to catch the dog headed straight for him. Like always, Brune hit with more force than one expected. He sent Andre... [More]

Floating, he was floating. That’s what it felt like. The cold of the water had numbed his body and his empty stomach left him aching for sustenance. He couldn’t feel his hands especially; they were tied above his head to a pole. They dangled him in the water, back against the stone, and was the only thing keeping him from drowning. If the water rose higher or he fell any lower he’d drown. And right now, that didn’t sound like a bad idea. Yet, the gentle rocking of ... [More]

The night was calm, everything silent and still as if it all was frozen, silently waiting for the outcome of one girl’s doing. Adrienne stood beneath the wide arch and great white oak, the chest was at her feet and a small fire burned in front of her. Jayar stood off to the side watching anxiously. In her hands she held three items: a bottle of sand in one and a black feather and a piece of cinder block. All had been inside the chest and at one point in time apart of the Castle. The ke... [More]

Andrews watched his men scurry around the beach like ants as they tried to rebuild the destroyed settlement. He could hear their voices coated with frustrations as they shouted orders at one another. He shook his head in disappointment, silently reprimanding himself for choosing such a poor crew. He watched a tall but slouching man approaching him at a steady jog and wondered what it was about. The man looked troubled and didn’t meet his eyes. “What is it, Erich?” ... [More]

Adrienne gaped at the Castle before her. The sheer size of it was astounding and baffled her when compared to the crevice it had come from. Her heart was racing with excitement and fear. “I can’t believe this worked, Jayar.” “Now what?” She looked at Jayar who had turned a bit pale and was staring at the Castle with wide eyes. She would have laughed but knew she looked the same. “I don’t know.” She shook her head in disbelief that it ... [More]

The Raven could feel the change coming. She had felt it since the morning began; her body had an elated feeling, like nothing could go wrong. All was going to be perfect tonight. She would return to her human form and to her husband, her king, Aspen. She thought about how the transformation would happen and how it would feel. When the Welcoming Ceremony was complete, and Aspen fired a Truth Arrow into the ocean she would be there to take the arrow in her heart. From there she would plummet i... [More]

Jayar stood near the entry way silently observing everyone in the great hall. After the arrow had been released, everyone had gathered inside to enjoy a meal, music, dancing, and chit-chat. Adrienne had become captive to the dance floor; many a men came and danced with her. He waited for her their eyes to meet, hers giving the silent plea that he should come rescue her, but he had yet to receive it. Regardless, he kept her in sights at all time. He allowed his gaze to sweep all over the hall,... [More]

So it was happening. Aspen watched his people celebrating their reincarnation, each other, their king. They celebrated everything and anything they could. Tonight was their night and it was about to be ruined. He hadn’t seen this coming. At least not so soon. Andrews wasn’t supposed to charge into the forest tonight but in three days. Perhaps he had underestimated the man’s desire for revenge. Regardless, the man had to be dealt with in an honest, gentle manner without en... [More]

“Aspen! Where is Aspen? I must speak to him!” Adrienne cried as she ran through the Castle in search of him. Guards stared at her as if confused and a few cooks that were exiting the party stopped to stare at the girl running. As she ran she heard someone say that he was in a private meeting in the library but she couldn’t go in. Not caring, she headed straight for the library. Flying around the corner, she saw a guard at the door of the library but didn’t slow do... [More]

Andrews stood before his crew. Each and every one of them had been given a weapon and some sort of armor to protect them. Now they stood staring at their captain for instruction. “I know when you joined my crew you were not expecting battle. But you signed to serve me for life.” Andrews paced back and forth slowly, watching the faces of his men. “Now it is time to put that oath to the test. I hereby give you each, each and every one of you, my word as a Captain and as a man&... [More]

***HARLEY! I didn't know how many more lessons I have left on WDC so I just posted the rest of the book here. I was breaking the chapters up by how I posted on WDC...Choose how to break this up into chapters and that's how I'll post itwhen it comes to doign my lessons. Just Break in here saying *chapter 26* or something like that****** The adrenaline pumped through Jayar’s body as he raced towards the battle, sword in hand. He kissed the emerald, promising to make his father... [More]