Swords of Stealth - Chapter Two

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Swords of Stealth - Chapter Two2

I lay still, aware that I had woken but too afraid to open my eyes. I could still hear whispers though they were too soft to understand, the hands were still wrapped tightly around my throat, I could no longer breathe. I tried to slowly open my eyes, I was going to imprint every image before my mind was blank forever. There was no man, no trees, no clearing in fact there was nothing but the ceiling. The soft white fingers tightly around my neck were in fact my own, I was never going to die yet I knew that somehow the old man still held all my memories. 3

Releasing my grasp I tried not to gasp for air unwilling to make my presence known to the shadows by the door, but to no avail the first tendril of air sent my lungs gasping for more. My skin prickled and fear settled into my stomach, the room surrounding me was not familiar and I had no idea who these shadows were. 4

Within seconds they had reached me, all of them unfamiliar. I searched their faces yet found only relief and curiosity. I sat myself up ignoring the protest from every muscle in my body and wondered if I should speak first. Just as I began to open my mouth two more rushed in through the door on the far side of the room. Their long boots and tight pants showing off the muscle in their legs yet the loose linen shirts brought a slight smirk to my face, they looked as though they had just walked out of Robin Hood, complete with swords by their hips. Then I saw him, the lopsided grin as he met his friends and the piercing green eyes as he noticed me, where am I? 5

Still cautious and unaware of my whereabouts I stayed silent, somewhat dismayed by my appearance with my sweat pants and tatty save the planet Elmo shirt. Unable to hold back any longer I turned to the girl seated to my left, 6

“Where am I ?” she turned toward me 7

“Now is not the time for questions” Puzzled I studied the others in the room surprised to find that the girl to my left was the only female. Two men remained a little ways back seated to my right either side of an empty chair, the third was right next to me on the sofa. 8

I turned back to the girl “will you at least tell me your name?” she gave a slight nod and the man furthest to my right spoke first. 9

“I am Theodore, Son of Magda and Lucias.” I stifled a smile when I noted the sincerity on his face.10

“I am Simon, Son of Lucandra and Narcius, cousin to Theodore.” 11

Sitting to my right so close I could smell his cologne was one of the most mysterious men I had met his hair as white as snow and eyes a hypnotizing green. Something about him seemed familiar. 12

“I am Sheldon, Son of Esmerelda.” I could not take my eyes away from his, the color and the expression leading me to places I never wanted to leave “and protector of the Chosen.” Knowing I should turn to the girl for her reply I couldn’t take my eyes from Sheldon’s face feeling a slight color creep up my cheeks I forced myself to look to my left. 13

“I am Olivia, Daughter of none and servant to the Chosen.” I smiled politely aware that all had seen the moment between Sheldon and I. 14

The scrape of a chair brought my attention back to the group, I turned toward the sound and found the girl who had been troubling my dreams. A large braid coiled upon her head, her beauty stunned me.15

“I am Esmerelda, Ruler of the Elves and mother to Sheldon. I believe you had a dream that brought you here to us, tell me what happened.” 16

Then I realized what she had said before. 17

“Elves, did Julia put you up to this” I laughed, there was no recognition. Julia was my partner in art class, I tried to paint a face from my dream once she has since believed I am obsessed with elves. Then it dawned the Mc Clarens lived up the road in a mansion, as far as anyone knows no-one has actually seen their faces. 18

“You’re the Mc Clarens then” I tried, still no recognition. 19

I began to feel the heat rise in my chest, this was never a good sign. My mop of dull red hair lit up like a fire truck and my eyes looked as though a fire was burning from within. I stumbled to my feet and tried to catch my balance. Sheldon put his hand out to steady me, and the heat began to burn as the windows rattled in their frame. The light flicked and tables began to shake. I caught my reflection in the mirror just as a brilliant light shone from my hands and well apparently all hell broke loose, books flew from the shelf, vases toppled of tables and windows flew open. I was frozen, in disbelief, this hadn’t happened before, just the hair and the eyes, not the magic tricks. I I looked back to my reflection in the mirror and the wind stopped, everything lay still. I moved closer scared of what I saw there was something different about me I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, then I realised I was old I was only 17 yesterday but now, well now I was all womanly and at least 25. What the hell was going on. 20