A Banished Land: Fall of the Sovereign

By Jake Jauch

After a few close brushes with death, young Ivan was turnedinto a vampire. Caught up in the eternal battle between vampires and werewolves, the young vampire must find his way in an inexplicable new world. Older, wiser, and a veteran of the war, Ivan has gained a more worldly and mature view of the realities of lifeand the afterlife.

Everything has a cause and an effect, hes learned. Sometimes, as in Ivans case, circumstance itself defines a persons future. Other times, those circumstances force the unprepared into situations outside of their control. You can crumble, or you can change.

Ivan changed.

He always thought he would have more time with his family and friends, more time to keep the many promises he made when he was mortal. But war is coming, the pieces are in motion, and somewhere on the battlefield is a promise he cant escape. Ivan has vowed to kill the man who tried to kill him. Hell do whatever it takes to reunite a mother and daughter. Nothing and no onemortal or otherwisecan stop him. No sacrifice is too great for his cause.

Its time for Ivan to keep his promises and break his enemies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbott Press
• Release date: Jul 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781458216847

Jake Jauch

Jake Jauch’s love of fantasy and science fiction inspired to take up writing at an early age. In 2009, he published his first novel, A Banished Land, when he was seventeen, followed by 2012’s A Banished Land: The Turning. He lives with his family in Alabama, where he still writes.

Book preview

1

S NOW GENTLY FALLS AROUND ME as I focus on my opponent. I grip my sword and grin at the sound of my leather gloves as they crunch in the cold. I exhale slowly, watching my breath in the cold winter air. I breathe in slowly, feeling the icy sting of the cold. I lunge at my opponent and slash downwards. He narrowly dodges my blade as it cuts a path in the snow. He quickly counters and brings his double edge long sword up. I lean back and can feel the rush of air from his blade as it sings by. Before I can react he brings his sword back down and I block his attack with the flat of my b lade.

I push against my sword and cause my adversary to stumble back. I dash forward and stab straight at his chest. He knocks my blade aside and spins, slashing out as he does. My sword has been knocked too far to the left to counter in time. I move my sword back to the right, even though I know I won’t be able to block. His sword digs into the upper part of my right arm and I grit my teeth as his blade cuts into me. I jump back and glance at my arm. The wound doesn’t appear to be very serious; his blade only grazed my arm.

I look back up at my opponent and he rushes towards me before I even retake a fighting stance. He stabs at me and I deflect his blade with my sword, just as he did to me a moment before. Instead of spinning into a slash this as he did, I rush forward and hit his blade again. His sword flies out of his hand and skids across the snow covered ground. I bring my sword up, the tip of the blade at his throat.

You’re getting a lot better, I say with a grin.

Yeah, but I still lost, John sighs.

John is my older brother, and unfortunately he’s been pulled into the same world that I now call home. He’s accepted that he’s never going to return home, but he’s still adjusting to a lifestyle of constant fighting. He’s had a difficult time controlling his rare ability as a berserker, which is an ability known only to a few humans. I used to have the same ability, but it has been lost to me now for quite some time.

After a close brush with death, I was turned into a vampire. Now I too am coping with change. Now when I am fighting, my vision no longer changes and my strength no longer increases. But it’s a small price to pay to be alive and with the person I have come to care deeply about. I have become very close to the vampire that turned me and those same feelings were her reason for turning me. One of the rules of being a vampire is that if a vampire turns someone that person must wish to be turned with their dying breath. Luna, the vampire that turned me, never asked me if I wanted to be turned. I also never asked her to turn me.

Luna broke one of the most sacred rules to the vampires. She turned me without asking me for my permission. Fortunately her father, Marcus, allowed the matter to resolve itself. Luna was worried that I would not forgive her for her actions, but in the end I thanked her.

I think you’re getting faster, John says picking his sword and brushing snow from the hilt.

Maybe, I sigh as I look at my arm. You still managed to score a hit on my arm though. You’re definitely getting better.

You going to be all right, John asks as he sheathes his sword.

Yeah, I’ll be fine, I say sheathing my sword as well.

I focus on the wound and it slowly begins to heal. After a few seconds there is no trace of the cut at all, except for the blood and the cut on my sleeve.

I still wish that you would agree to use training swords, John says as we walk towards a fallen tree.

Our enemies aren’t going to use training swords, I say brushing the snow off a section of the tree. I need to be ready when I go to Citadel to rescue Luna’s mother. If that means I get cut a hundred times in order to be prepared then I’ll do it.

Ivan, you really need to stop being so hard on yourself, John says standing next to me. It’s been almost three months since we got here and you’ve done nothing but train.

Because I want to be ready, I say sitting down and kicking the snow in front of me. I would leave right now if I could.

What about the rest of us then, John asks.

You’d be here, I say bluntly.

You can’t be the hero all the time, John says.

It’s not about being a hero, I say. It’s about doing what’s right, Victor has Luna’s mother imprisoned.

That’s no reason to rush off alone, John says crossing his arms.

You just don’t get it, I sigh. Luna has thought her mother was dead for years, I can’t imagine how painful that must have been. Her entire family has thought she was dead.

And the fact that it’s Luna too, right, John asks with a grin.

What’s that suppose to mean, I ask.

Come on, John says grinning a little wider. I know that you like her.

Yes, I do, I say standing up. But I’m not doing this to impress her.

Are you sure about that, John presses.

I turn and walk to a nearby tree without saying a single word. I lean against it and stare down at the snow. I don’t want to wait for Marcus to give us the go ahead to rescue Elaina. I understand that he wants to minimize the bloodshed, but not letting us go is driving me crazy. I wonder if I could sneak out without anyone knowing or following me.

You still didn’t answer my question, John says walking up to me.

I know, I say still staring at the snow. If you want to keep pressing on the subject of my intentions and Luna, then you probably aren’t going to get an answer.

I don’t like seeing you like this, John says. You’re not yourself lately.

If by, myself, you mean the person that you knew before I disappeared, then yeah I’m not myself, I say without looking up.

John stands by me for a moment and then walks back to the training grounds. I understood exactly what he meant by not being myself lately, but I just don’t like talking about Luna or her mother to him, or too much of anyone about anything lately. I know that it will be at least another two weeks or more before Marcus will allow us to travel back to Citadel to rescue his wife. I know that I could sneak out of here unnoticed, but what about several people? Luna will want to go, I’m sure of it. Scott will probably go with, just like all of our adventures. A sudden rustling noise above me causes me to look up. A large black dragon lands near the tree that I’m leaning on shaking snow loose from its branches.

I thought that I might find you here, he says folding his wings.

Arrok is the dragon that I have a pact with. We will protect each other to the death if necessary. Although in a world that is as unstable as this, it pays to have someone that will watch your back, especially if that someone is a dragon.

How did you know that I would be here, I ask.

Because this is where you have been everyday for the last few months, Arrok says. You are rarely seen at the palace and you are neglecting your urge to feed, this is not healthy for you.

Yeah, I sigh. I just don’t know what’s going on with me lately. I just feel numb all of the time.

That’s because of training in the snow for months on end, Arrok chuckles. Come on.

Where are we going, I ask as I climb onto Arrok’s shoulders.

We are going to go to someone that will help you with your poor outlook of things, Arrok says as he launches us into the air.

We quickly level off and fly towards the opening to the enormous cavern that leads to the city of Haven. A blast of icy wind tears past me and I shiver. I pull my jacket tighter around me and pull the collar up to protect some of my face against the wind. We fly into the spacious cavern and the wind lessens. As we fly over the city only a portion of it has snow covering it. Only the buildings that are a certain distance within the wall have snow gently being blown onto them. The rest of the city is free of snow, but is just as cold I’m sure.

So who are we going to see, I ask.

You’ll see, Arrok says.

It’s Luna isn’t it, I ask as we pass over the center of the city.

I never said that, Arrok says glancing back at me.

But I think that it is, I say flexing my achy fingers.

I am not going to say, Arrok says. They will give you a good talking to though I’m sure.

So it’s Marcus then, I say. He seems more likely to lecture me than Luna.

Marcus is the ruler of this city, and the very person that appointed me Luna’s Guardian.

You will see when we arrive at the palace, Arrok chuckles. You also seem to be rather impatient lately as well.

I don’t reply to Arrok’s last comment, I don’t feel like talking or exchanging barbs with him. We fly over the last few groups of buildings and over the small wall that separates the palace from the rest of the city. I quickly spot the balcony that leads to our room. Arrok pulls up and beats his wings. He flies past the balcony and continues around the palace.

You missed our room, I say. The balcony was back there.

I never said that I was going to land on that balcony, Arrok says landing on a balcony. Here we are.

I jump off of Arrok’s back and land on the cold marble floor. The larges drapes that lead to the room are pulled shut, probably to keep some measure of heat inside the room. I slip into the room and instantly feel the warmth overtake me. I take my jacket off and hold it over my shoulder. A sudden movement to my right causes me to jump. A dragon with crimson red scales sits on a large mat staring at me. Iris is the dragon that Luna had chosen to make a pact with, like Arrok and I.

This is an unexpected visit, Iris says. Are you here to see Luna?

Kind of, I say. Arrok brought me here. He said that I needed to speak with her.

I am sorry, but she just left a few minutes ago, Iris says. You can wait for her here if you wish.

Do you know where she went, I ask.

I believe that Marcus summoned her, Iris says laying her head back down.

Thank you, I say. I think I’ll go look for her.

I walk across the room and open the door. As I step into the hallway I glance at Iris, I half expected her to say something about my poor mood lately like Arrok has. I quietly shut the door behind me and the heat of the hallway is greater than Luna’s room. I stop walking and take the thin leather gloves off and stuff them into one of the pockets of my jacket. I continue walking down the hallway towards Marcus’s room.

It only takes a few minutes for me to reach his room and I notice that something isn’t right. His door is slightly ajar and I can hear him talking with someone. Whoever replies sounds irritated and Marcus’s response is less than friendly. I gently push the door open with a light creak. I slowly step into the room and set my hand on my sword. I partially draw my sword and press my back against the wall next to the door to Marcus’s study.

It is not going to matter, Marcus says. You are not going and that is final.

She is my mother, Luna shouts. Why will you not let me take part in her rescue?

I let out a sigh and sheathe my sword. I reach out and knock on the door. There is a silence in the room.

You may enter, Marcus says.

I walk through into the small book cluttered room.

I did not mean to eavesdrop, I say. The door was open and I heard an argument, and with all of the recent events I didn’t want to take any chances. I am sorry to have entered without permission.

It is all right, Marcus says. Is there something that you needed?

I wanted to speak with Luna, I say glancing at her. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.

It does not matter, Luna says glaring at Marcus. This conversation is over anyway.

Luna, Marcus says.

Luna turns and walks out of the room without another word. I turn and start to follow her.

Ivan, Marcus says. May I speak with you for a moment?

Certainly, I say stopping and turning to face him.

I know that you have become a member of our kind now, Marcus says.

Yes, I say slowly.

Yet I do not believe that you understand the severity of your new abilities, Marcus says sternly. I am sure that you have noticed that you no longer have to eat as often as when you were human.

Yes, I say. I went almost three months without feeding, when I was imprisoned at Citadel.

Yes, I am aware, Marcus says. It is also because of that, that I believe you don’t feed when you feel the urge to.

I have too many other things to worry about, I say. If I’m not ready, I won’t be of any use when I have to rescue Luna’s mother.

You forget that Elaina is my wife, Marcus says dangerously. I want her to be here and safe just as much as you or Luna.

I understand, I say.

Now back to the matter of your hunger, Marcus says. How you did not attack the first person that opened that cell door, is beyond me.

What do you mean, I ask.

Normally a vampire cannot control his or her cravings once a long period of time has passed like that, Marcus explains. You experienced pains, did you not?

Yes, I say. Linn said that it was my body beginning to feed on itself.

Precisely, Marcus says. In most cases like that, the vampire will lose all control. Many have attacked friends and foe alike to curb their hunger.

Then why didn’t I, I ask.

I do not know, Marcus says shaking his head.

Are you suggesting that I will attack someone if I don’t feed soon, I ask.

I am not saying that, Marcus says. But you cannot overlook the fact that it is possiblity if you continue to press yourself like this.

I understand, I say. I thank you for your concern.

That is not the only thing that I am concerned about at the moment, Marcus says.

Such as, I ask.

Do not worry about it, Marcus says waving his hand.

Well, then I’ll be going then, I say turning to leave the room.

There is one more thing, Marcus says opening a drawer of his desk. This is a gift from me to you.

Marcus holds out a silver object about the size of his hand.

What is it, I ask as I reach for it.

It is a flask, Marcus says.

Thank you, I say curiously as I take the flask.

Use it when your need for blood becomes too strong, Marcus says.

So this is a last resort, I say looking down at the small silver flask in my hand.

Indeed, Marcus says. Now you may go, and please think about what I have said.

Thank you, I say as I walk from the room.

I walk through Marcus’s room and out into the hallway. Luna is leaning against the wall across from the doorway.

What did he wish to speak with you about, Luna asks.

He’s concerned about me not having fed recently, I say. So he gave me this.

I hold out the silver flask so Luna can see it.

I see, Luna says looking up at me. You should know that I am concerned about you as well.

What do you mean, I ask as we walk down the hallway.

While you are able to heal and to withstand more strenuous tasks that you were not able to when you were human, you are vulnerable in other ways, Luna says.

Like what, I ask.

When you were human if you didn’t eat you would become hungry, maybe get a slight pain in your stomach, right, Luna asks.

Yes, I say. But what does that have to do with me being a vampire now?

You may be able to go longer without feeding, but unlike when you were human, this is dangerous, Luna says stopping and grabbing my hand. Ivan when is the last time that you have fed?

A few weeks, I say looking into Luna’s eyes. I’ll be all right, I promise.

I hope so, Luna says in a worried tone. Because I have been counting, it has been over a month.

So what were you and Marcus arguing about, I ask, trying to change the subject.

He disapproves of me going to Citadel, Luna sighs. In fact he says that I am not going at all for that matter.

But he said that I could pick who I wanted to go, I say glancing down at my hand.

Since Luna still hasn’t let go of my hand I can see just how much lighter my skin is much than hers. I hope that she doesn’t notice it too.

Perhaps he will change his mind, Luna says squeezing my hand lightly.

Maybe, I say looking back up at Luna. The reason that I want you to go is because you seem to have suffered more than Marcus or Lilith.

I appreciate your concern, Luna says with a smile. But we have all suffered.

Then let me ask you, why do you want to go, I ask.

She’s my mother, Luna says staring at me with her sapphire eyes. I spent years thinking that she was dead, I want to see her again so badly. I cannot even remember what her face looks like.

I let go of Luna’s hand and hug her.

That’s why I think you have suffered more, I say quietly. No one should ever forget their family.

Luna hugs me tighter and lets out a sigh.

I have to see her again, Luna whispers.

You will, I say. Remember, I promised you that I would get her back, I’m not going to break that promise to you.

Thank you, Luna says quietly.

Don’t thank me yet, I laugh.

Why is that, Luna asks.

Well, I have an idea, I say with a grin. But Marcus might not like it.

What might that be, Luna asks as she looks up at me and smiles.

We leave for Citadel, I say. And we leave tonight.

2

I  TELL LUNA OF MY plan and she readily agrees. She merely has to go about her daily routine while I make the preparations for us to leave. No one else has to know about it. All I have to do is find two packs of provisions and maybe a few extra weapons if needed. I walk quietly down the hallway towards the infirmary. I know that Tori, the head doctor of the infirmary at the palace, will likely have several bags of provisions for emergencies.

I slowly open the door to the infirmary and peek inside. I can see someone moving inside and I recognize Tori’s long black hair. So how do I sneak out two packs full of provisions with her still around? I close the door and stand near the doorway for a moment. What should I do? The less people that know the better, but I have no reason to lie to her. I don’t have to lie, but I don’t have to tell the truth either. I open the door again and step into the infirmary. Tori quickly notices me and sets a bottle into a nearby cabinet.

What are you doing here, Tori asks. "You are not hurt are you?

No, not at all, I say. I was just passing by and thought I would say hi.

Oh, well hi, Tori says with a smile. Are you sure that you are all right?

Yeah, why, I ask.

The right sleeve of your shirt has blood on it, Tori says pointing at my sleeve.

Yeah, that’s my blood, I say glancing at my arm. John and I were training; I got a little too close.

Even as a vampire you should still be careful, Tori says.

I’m trying, I laugh. But it’s still difficult for me to make the adjustment of fighting as a vampire and not a berserker.

How is that going, Tori asks.

I’m improving, I say with a shrug. It’s strange though, nothing slows down like before, yet I am able to move faster than when I was human.

That is odd, Tori says. But I’m sure that you will learn to understand it.

I suppose, I sigh.

I am sorry to cut this conversation short, but I have a patient that I need to attend to, Tori says. A newly turned half breed, he’s experiencing odd pains.

All right, I say. Be careful then.

I will, Tori says cheerfully.

I walk out into the hallway with Tori and glance around the empty hallway. How late is it anyway? When I woke up I headed straight to the training grounds. I know that I at least trained for three to four hour, so it’s at least midday. Yet there are not very many people in the halls or anywhere else for that matter.

Well I’ll see you later, I say as I turn and walk in the opposite direction as Tori.

When I reach the staircase I glance over my shoulder and Tori is gone. I quickly turn back towards the infirmary and run to the door. I hurry into the infirmary and rush to the haversacks of provisions that Tori has placed near her other medical instruments. I pick up one and shoulder it, I then pick up another and hold it under my arm. I make my way back out of the infirmary and shut the door behind me. As I jog down the hallway, a large man with a black hair and a long scar running down his neck walks around the corner. I stop and he glares down at me with emerald eyes. Simon and I have never really seen eye to eye on things, probably because I destroyed his favorite spear twice in less than a few days. But that’s all in the past, for me anyway.

Where are you going in such a hurry, Simon asks in his usual irritated tone.

Something has come up, I say, shifting my feet under the weight of the haversacks. I have to get these provisions to a few people that are about to leave on a reconnaissance mission.

Technically I didn’t lie. My answer was simply a vague truth at best. Simon pushes past me, even though there is plenty of room for him to go around me. I almost lose my grip on one of the haversacks, but I catch it at the last second. I turn and hurry towards the staircase and make my way back to the floor that Luna’s room is on. It only takes a few minutes to get to her room. Luna opens the door before I even stop to knock. I look at her quizzically before entering the room.

What, Luna asks.

How did you know that I was at the door, I ask. Was I that loud or something?

No, Luna replies shortly. I could smell you.

What do you mean you could smell me, I ask.

Oh, no one ever told you, Luna asks quickly.

Told me what, I ask as I set the haversacks down on the floor.

Each vampire is born with a sense that is stronger than the other four, Luna explains.

Really, I ask in amazement. And yours is your sense of smell?

Yes, Luna says sitting down on the edge of her bed.

But what about vampires that were turned, I ask. What about me?

Well that depends, Luna says shrugs. You were once a human, but I believe that the principle remains the same.

I wonder which one it is, I muse.

Well there is only one way to find out, Luna says standing up and walking up to me.

She takes my hand in hers and with her other hand she touches the back of my hand.

Does your skin feel more sensitive, Luna asks.

No, I say looking at her.

Are you able to smell me from where you are, Luna asks letting go of my hand and taking a few steps back. Does the scent of my blood smell as though I am closer than I really am?

I take a deep breath and the smell of fresh rain and roses fill the air, yet it doesn’t smell any different than usual.

Not really, I say with a shrug.

Luna snaps her fingers and looks at me.

What about this, she asks. Any louder than it should be?

Nope, I say.

I look down at the floor and sigh. That only leaves taste and eyesight, so which of the two is it? Suddenly something moves towards me, fast. I look up and a blur of blue flies straight at me. I raise my hand just in time to catch a thick sapphire ring. It’s the ring that Luna has kept at the end of her hair, to keep it in place. I look up at Luna and her hair is no longer pulled back, she smiles at me and I smile back.

It would seem that your eyes are what are stronger, Luna says.

I guess, I say as I walk to her and hand her the ring. So what is our next move then?

Why are you asking me, Luna asks with a grin. This is your plan, remember?

Well I thought you might have something to add, I say.

Nothing at the moment, Luna says placing the sapphire ring back at the end of her ponytail. So what is our next move?

We need to get out of here as soon as we can, I say.

Why the rush, Luna asks.

Simon spotted me when I was leaving the infirmary, I say. I don’t want to risk him getting in the way.

You seem to have a knack for stirring up trouble with him, Luna says thoughtfully. He really does not like you very much.

You’re right, I say. Let’s wait a while before we leave then, that way we will avoid suspicion.

Then when would you like to leave, Luna asks.

Let’s wait until about midnight, I say picking up one of the haversacks. Do you want me to meet you here or do you think that it will be safer somewhere else?

I believe that if Simon interferes that we will need to find a place other than here to meet, Luna says.

Very well, I say. Let’s meet at the hill where you told me why I’m a vampire.

All right, Luna says looking down at the floor.

She seems as though something is bothering her.

Are you all right, I ask.

Yes, Luna says looking up at me quickly. I am just wondering what I will say to her, once we rescue her.

I walk over to Luna and hug her.

I’m sure that you’ll find the right thing to say, I whisper. But first we’re going to have to get there.

I know, Luna sighs. I have thought that she was dead for so long, will she even recognize me?

Don’t talk like that, I say. Of course she’ll recognize you.

I hope so, Luna whispers.

Luna lets go of me and opens the drapes to the balcony. The cold winter air moves into the room and I fight off a shiver. Luna walks out onto the balcony and leans on the rail as she looks out over the city.

How long will it take to reach Citadel, Luna asks.

It took about two weeks when I traveled by foot, I say. So I don’t know long it will take traveling by air.

It may take three or four days, Luna says. That is if the weather permits us to.

Are the winters here harsh, I ask as I walk out onto the balcony.

At times, Luna says. We have had blizzards that could cause the strongest of dragons to land and seek shelter.

Then let’s hope that doesn’t happen, I say looking out over the city. We should get some rest.

I turn and walk away, putting my jacket back on and picking up one of the haversacks. I make my way across the room and open the door and step into the hallway.

Ivan, Luna says before I close the door.

Yes, I ask stepping back into the room.

Thank you for what you are doing, Luna says. And for all that you have done.

Think nothing of it, I say. I’m just trying to do what’s right.

I smile at Luna and she smiles back as I shut the door. I adjust the haversack on my shoulder and begin walking down the hallway. For once things seem to be going the way that they are planned, although it never seems to take long for something to go wrong. I walk down the nearest staircase and in a matter of minutes I’m on the floor that my room is on. I open the door to my room and Arrok is lying on his mat. He appears to be asleep, but I know better than to think that.

Aren’t you going to ask what I’m up to, I ask Arrok.

I have given up on that, Arrok chuckles. I trust you, if you wish to tell me what you are planning then you will tell me.

What do you mean by me, I ask. You should know by now that if it involves one of us, then it involves both of us. We have a pact, and I have no need to keep secrets from you.

Then what are, we planning, Arrok asks, raising his head and looking at me.

I shut the door and set the haversack down at the foot of the bed. I walk around and sit down on the bed near Arrok.

Well, we’re going to get Luna’s mother back, I say. We’re leaving tonight and no one seems to notice what we’re planning at the moment.

Did not Marcus say that we would rescue her in time, Arrok asks.

Yes, I say with a yawn. But he failed to mention whose time. His time is taking too much time. My time is simply accomplishing the same goal at a faster rate.

Somehow I know he will fail to see it the same way as you, Arrok says laying his head back down. Wait, the way you said, we. How many of us are going this time?

Just the four of us, I say. You and I, Luna and Iris, this time it doesn’t really concern anyone else.

I understand, Arrok says. You feel very strongly about this do you not?

Yes, I say. Luna feels even more strongly about it.

I imagine so, Arrok says. So when do we leave?

We leave tonight, I say stretching and yawning again. We are going to meet at the hill that Luna and I talked at after I returned from Citadel.

Very well, Arrok says. You had best get some rest, among other things.

What does that mean, I ask.

Ivan, Arrok says sternly. I know that you are busy training and planning a rescue, but that is no reason to ignore your need for blood.

Don’t worry, I say. I’ve got it under control.

Is there some reason that you do not wish to feed, Arrok asks. You have no trouble consuming rare meat at meals, why do you not drink blood?

Because I know what it was like to be human, I say looking down at my hands. I guess drinking blood isn’t something I’ve gotten used to yet. I’ve drank it a few times and it tasted wonderful, but it still feels odd.

Whatever the reason, you need to overcome it, Arrok says. If you cannot, you may hurt more than just yourself.

You really think I would attack someone that’s my friend, I ask.

That may not be up to you, Arrok says. What will you do if you lose control?

I won’t, I say quickly.

You do realize that it is a possibility, Arrok warns. What if you were to attack Luna?

No, I say. I’m not going to let that happen, ever.

I truly hope that you are right, Arrok says closing his eyes.

Me too, I say falling back on the bed. If I did, I couldn’t live with myself.

I stare up at the canopy of the bed and my eyes slowly begin to feel heavier. I fight to stay awake, but my eyes slowly close and sleep takes over.

3

I   OPEN MY EYES AND glance around my room. Tonight has been the first night in months that I actually slept on the bed. Ever since I was imprisoned at Citadel I’ve slept on the floor. I slowly stand up and stretch and then walk to the drapes, peeking through them. It’s dark outside. I hope that if Luna is waiting already that she hasn’t had to wait for very long in the cold. I look over at Arrok and he is already awake and staring at me.

Are you ready, I ask.

Certainly, Arrok says standing and walking towards the balcony.

I open the drapes so Arrok can take flight more easily. I pick up my haversack as Arrok moves out onto the balcony. I climb onto Arrok’s back and he launches us into the cold winter night. As he levels off and flies toward the mouth of the cave a blast of wind tears through us. I shiver and reach into my pockets, pulling my gloves out and quickly putting them on. I pull my collar up to protect my face as best I can.

Are you all right, Arrok asks.

Yeah, I say shivering. It’s just a little colder than I thought it would be. Doesn’t this weather bother you?

Not much, Arrok says thoughtfully. We dragons are very resilient creatures when it comes to the weather.

We fly out over the farmlands of Haven and I look up at the star filled sky. There’s no moon tonight, but the stars illuminate enough of my surroundings for me to see. When I was human, if there was no moon I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I look down at the snowy farmlands and frozen streams. The trees of the orchards are bare and skeletal in the cold night. I suddenly realize that it’s no longer snowing. I look back up at the clear night sky. There are some clouds to the north, but in all other directions there isn’t a single cloud to be seen.

Arrok flies over the outer wall that protects the farmlands and veers north. He flies out over the snow covered hills and I soon spot the hill that Luna and I met on months ago. It was there that she confessed her reasons for turning me, and I promised to reunited her with her mother. As we fly closer I can see that there is no one there. Arrok flies lower and lands with a soft crunch on the snow.

It looks like we’re early, I say looking around. I hope that we don’t have to wait long.

I do believe that this winter is one of the colder ones that we have endured, Arrok says. We may have to stop often to keep the two of you from becoming ill.

No, I say. We’re not stopping on my account, if Luna needs to then so be it. I’m going to make sure that we get there as fast as we can. We’ve put off this rescue for too long already.

Arrok suddenly looks up at the sky and I follow his gaze. A dragon and a rider are quickly approaching us. Iris skids across the snow and stops a few yards from us.

Have you been waiting long, Iris asks.

Not very, I say. We just landed a few minutes ago.

Good, Luna says quickly. We need to go, my father visited me earlier. He said that he was worried about me; I believe that he knew we were going to leave.

How could he, I ask. Simon is the only one that could have guessed that I was up to something.

I do not think that it was Simon, Luna says looking around. Can we continue this conversation in the air?

Certainly, Arrok and I say together.

Iris launches herself into the air with Arrok a fraction of a second behind her. They fly up into