Mianda

In the beginning:


The long night was continuing. Heavy clouds swept over the dark skies bringing rain and storm. A tall man, travelling alone, made his way through the night sitting proudly on his white horse. He pulled the hood deeper down to protect his face from the cold. In the distance he could barely see the lights of Bendrill. Shortly before he reached the outskirts of the town, he pulled the reins to stop the animal, climbed down because from here he had to go on foot. So he left the animal under the shelter of some trees with wide leafy branches. “Take care my old friend. Be back a soon as I can”
He then made his way into town and entered an Inn he had seen in the distance. He looked around but the streets were empty. He entered the Inn, glanced around, seemed to be satisfied with what he saw and made his way to a table at the back wall. Two scruffy looking men, sitting at a table, talking about anything that came to mind, mostly they just stared into their drinks.
The traveler motioned the Innkeeper to bring him something to drink to ask him if he had anything to eat.
“Not much at this time of night” answered the man with a slightly sour look on his face “Just a bit of meat and some bread”
“Bread will do, thank you” He didn’t want to think from where the meat came from. Meat was difficult to come by since the darkness had set in, and cats and dogs had become just as rare as cattle or sheep.
“Right away”
The traveler had just finished eating his meal when two more men entered the Inn. The Innkeeper looked somewhat surprised and annoyed at having so many guests at this time of night. The men shook their heads after they were asked what they wanted to drink and made their way toward the traveler.
Glad to have found their friend, they pulled up some chairs and sat down.
“Gregorian” greeted the taller of the two.
Gregorian nodded graciously. “Alderan. Did you get it?” he asked curiously.
“Yes”. The smaller of the two answered with a satisfied tone in his voice. “Here it is”. He reached under his cape and pulled a long slim object wrapped in linen. Gregorian took hold of it, took a quick look what was inside, seemed satisfied and hid it under his cape.
“Wonderful” he exclaimed. “Now, nothing can go wrong.”
Alderan, who had given Gregorian the package, asked slightly uncertain “Are you certain that this is the place? And this is the right night?”
“Yes. Tonight’s the night. And we have to get to him before he completes his plan” answered Gregorian “If we don’t manage to stop him this night, well, I really don’t think I have to explain what comes next.”
They spoke quietly because they knew that walls could have ears. “Jan?” asked Gregorian “You do have the other item we need”
“Certainly” and Jan patted a lump under his cape. “Safe under here”
The three men sat in silence the next few minutes, each sunk deep in thought. Then Alderan looked at his companions and declared victoriously “We came this far and I know we can go the rest as well.”
Jan nodded his head and answered with a deep voice “Then let’s go. What are we waiting for?”
Gregorian took some coins out of his pocket and paid for the meal.
The men then left the Inn and after pulling their hoods deeper over their heads, they made their way along the dark and lonely street. They moved quickly and quietly down the long dark street. There were no street lights and no one dared leave a light burning in their houses.
Finally they reached the ruins of a large castle. All that was left of this once magnificent building was a heap of stones and ashes.
“We should spread out, that way we have more chances of finding the entrance.” Suggested Alderan quietly. They then spread out, picking their way through the rubble, rolling heavy stones and charred wood, searching for something hidden beneath. Then, after removing a heap of stones he found it. Alderan whistled softly and called out “I found it”
Gregorian and Jan dropped everything and quickly made their way to where Alderan was standing. He then bent down and opened a wooden trapdoor leading down into a dark tunnel in which they could barely make out a wooden ladder.
Gregorian went down first, followed by Alderan and Jan.
“Light” muttered Gregorian. And seemingly out of now where, a light appeared and they found themselves in a long tunnel leading to a closed door.
“Wait a second; let me look first if all is clear.”Gregorian silently opened the door and slipped inside. He listened carefully before lighting up the room. There was no one else here so he called out softly “Light” and the room became visible. The room was quite large with an altar standing in the center of it. The altar glowed slightly silver and a lone candle stood on it.
Gregorian silently called out and Alderan and Jan came in quietly. Gregorian called out softly and said “Out!” and the tunnel sunk in darkness. Alderan motioned to Jan to give him what he had hidden
under his cape. He pulled a small silver chest, delicately engraved with delicate letters. Gregorian placed it in a corner of the room.
“Gregorian?” Whispered Alderan. “Are you certain we are right here?”
Gregorian nodded and said in a whisper. “Yes I’m sure”.
“Now we wait.”
“Out” Called out Gregorian again and it became dark again.
After a short wait, the door opened and a small dark clothed man stepped in. He called out “Light”
Gregorian could see through the invisible curtain her had conjured up to hide them. Another man walked into the room. It was Baltevius. He was a tall man with long black hair. His face, once a good looking man, made hideous by a long scar, beginning above his eye, running down his face to his mouth and there continuing under his chin.
His dark eyes began searching the room.
“Leave” He ordered the man behind the altar.
“But I’m not…” stammered the man astonished. But before he could finish talking Baltevius once again ordered “Leave at once”
The man bowed and left.
Baltevius then made his way to the altar and exclaimed quite amused “Do come out, my dear friend Gregorian. I know you are here”
Gregorian put his finger to his lips to say not a sound and stepped out from behind the curtain.
“Yes, I could smell that you were here” remarked Baltevius “I had awaited you earlier. Welcome to my humble abode”
“I couldn’t come any earlier” Answered Gregorian in a friendly way “I had an appointment”
Then, Gregorian pulled the hood from his head and walked slowly toward the Altar. His blue eyes gleaming with determination.
“What can I do for you?” asked Baltevius “Oh, and by the way, your friends may come out as well. We are not in a kinder garden you know!”
Alderan and Jan stepped out from behind the invisible curtain. . Baltevius nodded slightly his head in greeting.
“I suppose you know why we are here?” Gregorian nodding his head towards his friends, and then back to Baltevius. “Your days of spreading chaos are over. So, I suggest you give up and we could be on our way home”
“Oh, really?” Answered the arrogant man “And how are you going to do that? Have you left your army outside? I can’t hear them.”Then Baltevius nodded and then said quite graciously “Go away and I just might forget that you were here.”
“Oh, don’t underestimate me. That is your problem you know. You just don’t know when to give up, my friend” Gregorian went on “Oh by the way; I have something here for you.” Chuckling delightedly “You’ll just love it, I’m sure of that”
He took the long in linen wrapped item and held it up for Baltevius to see.
“It took a while but I eventually found it. Well, a friend of mine did, and he gave it to me. Do you want to see it?” asked Gregorian Baltevius
“You know how I hate surprises.” Sighed Baltevius “Please, go ahead”
With that, he threw the linen onto the floor revealing a long silver sword, it too engraved with the same strange markings.
“Do you know what this is?” Asked Gregorian “It’s, as you can see a sword, but,” pausing dramatically “it’s not just any sword you know. It was made many hundred years ago. I must say, incredible workmanship. But then, somewhere along the line it got lost. But, thanks to my good friends, it was found again.”
And then, watching Baltevius carefully “What do you think of it? I bought it here just for you old friend”
“I don’t suppose you will let me take a closer look would you?” asked Baltevius with an evil grin on his face.
Gregorian lifted the sword over his head, held it with both hands and asked “Certainly, why not? Come on over and I will show it to you”
The man stared at the sword and laughed. He could see no threat here.
“Then show it to me” he urged, his eyes gleaming with hatred. “Show me what it can do”
Suddenly he cried out loud “To me” and it seemed as if the walls were coming to life. Insects of all kinds began crawling out of the cracks, growing in size. They shoved and pushed each other and one after they began filling the room with their presence and a horrible stench.
Alderan and Jan pulled out their own swords preparing themselves for a fight. They stood back to back with Gregorian between them.
Gregorian cried “Open” and the small chest opened with a brilliant white light, nearly blinding all in the room. After the light das disappeared the insects had vanished leaving Baltevius standing alone.
Baltevius noted this and for the first time this day a strong feeling of fear. “No” he thought “This can’t be.”
A loud cry escaped Gregorian because the sword in his hand began to glow and vibrate. It lifted him off his feet, so he let go and he landed back on his feet.The sword took on a horizontal position and began to rotate, getting faster and faster until only the pattern it made could be seen. A strong wind, forcing Baltevius off his feet, causing him to spin like a top, lifting him up into the air carrying him closer and closer to the small chest. He began dispersing in midair, and he began screaming in anger, while being slowly pulled into the open chest.
Then, seeing no hope of escaping he cried in a loud and menacing voice “You may have won this time. But, hear my words, I will be back. When you least expect it, I will be back. And I will be stronger than ever before. You don’t think this will hold me forever do you” He cried out filled with anger and hate “When you least expect it, I will be back. And this time I will win.”
The hateful and menacing words were choked off as the chest closed. The sword fell on to the floor Gregorian, breathing heavy, walked over to the chest to pick it up. He bent down; Gregorian picked up the chest and gave it to Alderan. Then he picked up the sword and walked over to Jan. “Take this sword and put it back to where you found it. We might need it again”
“Let us leave this place and hope never to see it again”
The three men left the room, walked down the corridor, climbed up the steps and left the small house. A soft breeze stroked their faces and they all breathed deeply to smell the fresh air. The sun was setting, throwing first rays of light over the tortured country side, bringing with it the long awaited warmth.
Alderan put his hand on Gregorian’s shoulder and asked him “Will he be back?”
Gregorian looked at him for a moment before answering. “I don’t know.”
Chapter One:
***********
It was a hot night. Lightning slashed across the dark night sky, thunder could be heard in the distance. A storm was brewing after long hot days.
Midnight and very few lights could be seen. The town was sleeping, but in the castle, on a hill in the center of Bendrill, no one was sleeping.
Two nurses and a Midwife were preparing for the arrival of the heir to the throne. The mother to be was Aridne, the High Priestess and Queen of the Kingdom of Vanshee. She wasn’t all that young anymore but her beauty was legendary. Long black hair, deep blue eyes and cherry red lips. And she was a proud woman who knew how to get what she wanted.
Although she had never wanted children, she would soon give birth for the first time. She had sworn she would only be doing this once.
It was a large room with many small windows, and a large window open to a terrace. On the walls hung longs green drapes bound together with green cords. Several Oil Paintings of long forgotten Ancestors looking down on them from the walls. In a large fireplace, burned a crackling fire, throwing its long shadows throughout the room. The floor was of wooden panels, like all the rooms in this castle.
Every now and then flashes of lightning would lighten the dark night. And the faint sound of thunder could be heard. Many royal women had given birth to their children in this room. Now Aridne’s turn had come.
All was going well. The midwife, a tall dark haired woman with the name Raveni, brown eyes, filled with warmth was preparing the Queen for the birth of the first child. She was dressed in a wide black dress with a white overdress. She stood in beside the Queen, waiting for the child to come, murmuring silent words…. But Aridne could not hear them. The pain was becoming overwhelming.
“Breath, do not forget to breath” reminded Raveni her patient. “Good. Not long now”.
Something remarkable was happening. Aridne was quiet now; the pain had ebbed, leaving a sensation of well being; of floating on clouds high above the world. The nurses whispered to each other “It can only be magic. I have never seen a child be born this was.”
The storm outside seemed to be gaining in strength. The wind was howling and lightening flashed, thunder growled.
The Midwife, a woman named Raveni, a handsome person, with dark hair tied up in a knot so as not to hinder her. She had dark brown eyes and a very pretty face. Her lips pressed tightly together. This was the Queens first child even though she was not the youngest anymore.
“Soon, soon you will hold the prince in your arms. Just a short while now”
Even as she spoke the strange birth began. At first, a faint light could be seen coming out of the skin of the Queen. Then, the skin would start to rise, and like the opening of a flower after the morning light had touched it so opened the abdomen of the Queen. Slowly, petal like, opened, revealing its valuable content.
Instead of one baby, there were two. Raveni looked up at Aridne. How was she going to tell her this? Instead of one child, she would be having twins.
Looking down again, she carefully reached in and took hold of one of the babies. At first she had to separate the two gently. Doing so, she then lifted one of the children out of the womb. It was a little boy. The Crown Prince and heir to the throne.
She held him up and let Queen Aridne look for herself.
“Your son Your Majesty.” She said with a proud voice.
Aridne just took a short disgusted glance and turned her head away.
She was too tired. Her only thought was “Yes, I succeeded. The boy has been born. Now, that I have done my duty I may lead the life I choose”
Raveni gently gave the child to one of her nurses, who carefully took it to bath and dress it.
Then, very gently, Raveni lifted the second child out of the womb. It started closing. Soon, the skin had returned to how it was before the pregnancy, as if nothing had happened. The Queens abdomen was as flat and flawless as ever.
Raveni, looking a little nervous, held up the little girl to show her to the Queen. “Your Majesty?”
Aridne opened her eyes and was about to scold Raveni for disturbing her when her eyes fell on the second baby.
As she saw that Raveni was holding another child in her arms she cried out “What is that?”
Raveni looked at the Queen and said with fear in her heart “It is your daughter, Your Majesty. You have given birth to twins.”
Aridne’s eyes grew wide as she heard this. At first shock could be seen on her face, then anger.
“No,” she murmured.
She turned her head away from Raveni.
“No……. no……………….”
“Take her away. Take her away from me” cried Aridne out in an extremely angry voice. “And you with it. Get out of my sight”
Raveni, disgusted with Aridne, wrapped the child in a warm blanket and left the room with it, leaving the Queen with the two nurses.
She hastened down the long corridors of the Castle, down two flights of stairs, not really knowing what to do. Before she reached the bottom of the stairs she saw someone coming. As luck would have it, it was Gregorian.
He was a tall man with long flowing silver hair and beard. His eyes a steely blue, showing the wisdom of many lifetimes and there was warmth and kindness in his eyes.
He looked somewhat startled as he saw Raveni.
Raveni sighed with relief ………She knew he would know what to do.
“Gregorian……….please, I need your help. “ she stammered “The Queen has given birth to two children, a little boy and this one here, a girl. But I was told to take this child away from her mother. She does not want it. She told me to leave as well”
Gregorian took the child out of her arms and took a good look at it.
It was a beautiful baby girl, blond hair and green eyes. She looked at him with trusting eyes waiting for him to help her. Gregorian’s heart flew to her at once.
“What do you think I should do?” asked Gregorian determined to stay serious, but the child demanded a smile from him. “Hmmmmmm. Let me think”.
“Good” he said after a while “I will take care of this. And you leave this place right now and go to
Askabet. You will be safe there”.
“I will leave right away. Thank you Gregorian, I knew I could depend on you” relieved
“Now go” he urged her “Go”
With the small bundle in his arms he hurried down the corridor and disappeared.
Chapter Two:
Nearly 10 Years later.
Dawn was breaking and life on the little farm was beginning to wake up. It was still dark outside but a in the barn, in a corner, lying on a mound of hay, a small bundle began moving and giving tiny sounds from it. The sound of yawning could be heard and small arms reached up from under an old and patchy blanket, which was thrown aside and a little girl appeared struggling to get up. She was hungry because, as so often, she had to go to bed without any supper and breakfast was something she seldom got. “I have to save money somehow” he commented as an excuse “And I’m beginning with you” And that was that.
Her blond hair was a mess, in bad need of washing and her clothes were just rags. She got up to make her bed but decided against it. It was only an old blanket on a pile of straw. Not much to tidy up.
A huge white rat, with black fur shaped as a hood on its head raced up to her and called her name out loud “Mianda, good morning”
Mianda looked down to see where the rat was and smiled down at her friend.”Good morning to you too Boomer”
“Listen to me child” urged the rat “I once told you we would have to leave this farm one of these days, do you remember?”
“What are you mean Boomer?” answered the girl a little confused, but then she remembered “Oh yes, I remember. Why, do you want us to leave right now?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I want, right now” cried Boomer. “Just do as I say for once in your life. Take that pouch and that back pack, throw whatever you own and come with me. Your life depends upon you doing what I tell you to do”
“What? Who’d want to harm me? I don’t know anybody and I’m sure no one even knows I’m alive” asked Mianda now really confused.
“Just listen to me will you?” urged Boomer “Something is coming. Something terrible and I don’t want you to get hurt. It’s important you come with me, and I mean right now”
But Mianda just sat there and stared at him. She thought “I must be dreaming, this is nothing but a nightmare”. She pinched herself “Ouch. That hurt”
It was getting light outside and soon the farmer and his family would be up and about. A sound of thunder could be heard coming from the distance and soon it would be raining.
She stood there. In the meantime Boomer had dragged a pair of shoes from under the hay and told Mianda to put them on. “But, they are not mine” she cried “I don’t have any shoes”
“Just put them on” ordered Boomer He then told her to grab her bag and her small water bag.
Once finished Boomer motioned her to move and hurry outside.
The two of them left the barn and hurried towards the woods near the small farm.
Mianda looked up at the cloudy sky because there was a totally different sound. Nothing like she had ever heard before. It sounded like the beating of huge wings. It was quickly coming closer.
“What’s that sound?” she asked Boomer frightened
Something dark and dangerous was coming closer and closer. The farmer and his wife had stuck their noses out of their window to find out what was going on and who could be causing that terrible sound. The wife, seeing Mianda running away, shouted to her husband “Look, it’s that girl. She must be making that noise and is now trying to run away. After her”
“What do you think you’re doing and why are you making such a noise” he yelled at her “Wait till I get my hands on you. Come here at once you ungrateful wretch”
He raced out of the house to run after her still wearing his pyjamas. But he didn’t get far. The creature spat fire and the house started to burn.
Frightened, Mianda turned on her heels and ran for the safety of the dark woods.
She ran as far and as fast as she could till she ran out of breath.
She tried to shut out the cries coming from behind her. Something terrible was happening there now. Something terrible had happened to the farmer and his family.
“Run as fast as your legs can carry you” shouted Boomer at the top of his lungs
It started to rain heavily, drowning out most of the screams.
Mianda ran as fast as she could carry her. Boomer was in a pouch around her neck and here he held on for dear life.
“Don’t stop. Keep running, no matter what, just keep running.”
After a while Mianda stopped running because she was out of breath so crouched down between some huge roots of a large tree. The rain was quite heavy now. She cowered down and tried to protect herself and Boomer from the rain.
The sound of the rain and thunder drowned out the screams coming from the farm. The fires must be out now; the rain would have taken care of that.
A few tense minutes passed before Mianda could speak.
“Boomer, what is going on? What was that thing?” shivering either for fright or because it had gotten quite cold.
Boomer stuck his head out of his pouch and looked at Mianda with his small black eyes. He waited a few moment before answering her.
“Mianda, I really don’t know. I just know we have to keep moving, away from here. You’re not safe here anymore” answered Boomer truthfully.
“You said that before. But why?” She asked again feeling helpless, “It’s just that nobody deserves anything like that, no matter what they did. Even if I had to work all day, this was still my home”.
She thought back. All the times where she went hungry to bed because she wasn’t finished with her chores, because she did something wrong. For the beatings she received when things went wrong.
“Okay, I don’t think they liked me much but they still gave me food, well, sometimes at least”.
She remembered the times where she would go to bed hungry, like last night. The times when the children would laugh at her, play jokes on her.
She sat there and thought back at her life on the farm. It hadn’t been easy. Then she shrugged her shoulders and got up on her feet and said to Boomer with more confidence now.
“Okay, then let’s go before that thing finds us”
Mianda got on her feet and continued through the woods. It was light now and the rain had stopped and the clouds were moving on. The sun was coming through now, high above their heads. They needed some place where they could hide for a while, until they could be sure that creature was gone. They walked on till late in the afternoon and soon they came to a small brook, where they sat down to rest a while.
Mianda was feeling very hungry; she hadn’t eaten for nearly two days so she began searching for something to eat. Not far from the brook she found some wild strawberries. She picked some and ate them and she also gave some to Boomer.
They didn’t eat all, but saved some for later. “Who knows if we find any more” explained Mianda, carefully putting them in her back pack.
A couple of hours later they came to a small clearing in the woods.
“Be careful, open ground.” warned Boomer “Let me take a look first if everything is clear”.
“Ok” whispered Mianda. Boomer sprang out of the pouch and ran towards the clearing.
Standing in the long grass, looking to see if the area was clear, he noticed a horse not far from the edge of the clearing.
Mianda, having crept up behind Boomer exclaimed with joy. “Oh, a horse. We could use it go help us on our way”
Boomer looked at her somewhat annoyed. He had told her to wait till he said it was ok.
“Children” shaking his head annoyed “Never listen to anyone”
Slowly, not wanting to frighten the horse, Mianda tiptoed up through the grass. She got closer and said gently “Hey, nice horse, don’t be afraid, we won’t hurt you” The horse lifted its head startled at hearing a voice. Mianda gave a cry and fell on her behind. “Ouch, that hurts” This was no horse. At least, it wasn’t just a horse. The bottom half was a horse and the top half was a man. The Halfling was as much surprised to see the girl and Mianda were startled to see that it wasn’t a horse but a Halfling.
Boomer, thinking she had been hurt, raced over to her, jumping through the grass wanting to help her. He too was surprised to see the so called horse.
Mianda just stared at the Halfling in front of her, never before had she seen such a being.
“It’s rude to stare” said the half man grumpily. “Didn’t your mother tell you that?”
“And it’s rude to frighten anybody” Stammered Mianda bewildered “And, I don’t have a mother”
“Well, that explains everything, and you startled me first. By the way, why did you creep up on me like that” asked the Halfling angrily.
“We thought you were a horse” answered Mianda softly “And I like horses even though I have never rode on one”.
“We?” asked the Halfling. “Who else is here? Come out and show yourself you coward. Letting a child, and a girl at that, to do your dirty work”
Slowly Boomer lifted his head out of the grass. He looked up and said “Here I am. Down here”
The Halfling looked around upon hearing the voice. Then looking down he saw the rat.
The Centaur asked him slightly shocked at seeing a rat down by his hoofs. “Who are you? And what are you two doing here in my woods?”
“”We didn’t know it was your woods.” Responded Mianda “Even if we had known that we would have come through here. It would take too long to go around the woods”
The Halfling looked down on her “Do you have a name child? I can’t always say child you know”
“My name is Mianda and that there is my friend Boomer.”
“Well, Mianda and Boomer, I suggest you be on your way. I have other things to do, so, run along, that way” pointing away from him, “Will take you out of my woods.”
Mianda picked up Boomer and she began walking in the direction the Halfling has pointed to.
Then the Halfling said to Mianda “And by the way, I’m a Centaur, and my name is Firehoof.”
Firehoof started making his way through the woods, not further interested in the two.
Suddenly the centaur cried out in pain. He was careless and hadn’t looked where he was going. His front leg was caught in a trap.
Upon hearing him cry, Mianda quickly turned around to see what had happened. She saw the centaur break down in pain so she hurried over to see if she could help him. Boomer, back in his pouch, stuck his head out and cried out. “No, don’t go back, he didn’t want anything to do with us, so let’s just keep going”
“No, I can’t just leave him, what if that thing comes and he can’t run away?”
Mianda looked down at Firehoof’s front leg and saw the trap.
Quickly Mianda freed the centaur of the trap and took a look the wound. It didn’t look to bad. She tore off a piece of her dress, wet it with some water out of her water bag, and cleaned the wound as carefully as she could. Then she tore off another piece of her dress and carefully wrapped it around the wounded front leg.
The Centaur watched her carefully to see she did it right.
“Thank you Mianda” said the Centaur gratefully.
Just at that moment, Mianda heard a familiar sound. It was the same creature that had attacked the farm.
“It’s coming …………quickly, we must hide” cried Boomer in panic.
Firehoof looked up to see somewhat startled. What was coming? Then, he too heard the sound and with a frown on his face, he looked at Mianda standing in front of him.
“What’s coming?” he asked curios.
“We don’t know what it is but it just destroyed the farm I had lived on this morning.” Answered Mianda filled with fear. “It looks like it killed everyone there and I don’t know why, but Boomer seems to think it’s after me”
Firehoofs listened to the nearer coming sound. Then he made his decision.
“Climb up on my back; we will be quicker this way.”
Quickly she climbed up on Firehoofs back and he ran towards the trees away from the clearing. Here they took cover under the low hanging branches several large trees.
Then, the sky darkened. A shadow fell over them.
Firehoof put a finger to his lips and motioned Mianda and Boomer not to make a sound. Time passed. Carefully Firehoof lifted his head and looked up and saw the dark shadow slowly moving above them as if it knew that they were down there hiding. It was becoming cold and Mianda began shivering in her thin rags. Firehoof noticed this and wondered why she was dressed in such torn clothing.
Then, after nerve wracking minutes, the creature was gone. Mianda was shivering, not just because she was frightened but also because she was freezing. Firehoof decided to wait for a while, just to be sure. Then, with Mianda on his back, he hurried as fast as he could to his home.
“You should be safe there for a while.” Promised the Centaur. “At least for a while. And you’ll get a chance to warm up a bit”
Mianda had to hold on tightly, she didn’t want to fall off so she grabbed hold of his mane for dear life. Boomer rolled up in his pouch and fell asleep.
After a while they arrived at another clearing. There were several large and tall trees in the center of the clearing.”The tree in the middle, go there and wait for me.” Firehoof begged Mianda to get down and go right on in. He would follow as soon as he able to.
Mianda jumped off his back and ran to the trees. To her surprise, the largest tree in the middle had a door leading into it.
She could see as she looked through one of the small windows small fireplace in which a fire was burning and she could imagine how comfortable it must be in there.
Firehoof came up behind her with Boomer on his shoulder and he opened the door and motioned her to follow him.
At first, the room was somewhat dark after the bright sunlight. But soon, her eyes got used to the semi dark and she could see the comfortable living quarters, with an old but comfortable looking sofa. A small fireplace, in which a fire was burning, and over which hung a small iron pot with a delicious smelling soup cooking in it.
“Make yourselves comfortable.” Urged Firehoof. “, I will be back in a few moments .We’ll be needing more wood for tonight.”
With that, Firehoof went outside, closing the door behind him.
Mianda, leaving Boomer in front of the fireplace, decided to take a look around. In the far corner she could found a large mirror, which stood at the back of what seemed to be a bedroom, but instead of a bed, there was a heap of straw lying on the ground. On it was a sheet and a blanket carefully folded together.
“Well” she thought “After all, he is more horse than human”
She had never had the chance of looking into a real mirror before so she decided to go over and see what she looked like. What she saw was a thin, pale little girl in shoes that were much too large and a dress that had seen better days. She could use a wash as well. Mianda was surprised at how green her eyes were. The farmer had always said her eyes would make him nervous, as green as they were. Mianda tried to see her image in a bucket of water but that didn’t work to well. Now, she had the chance to look into a mirror.
Then, instead of seeing herself; she saw someone completely different. And the room was not the one she was standing in. There was a small boy standing there and staring at her. A boy dressed in smart grey clothes. Even though she had never seen him before, she knew him. Mianda didn’t hear how Firehoofs had come back and after having put the wood into the basket beside the fireplace and how he looked around the corner of the room to see what she was up to.
He too saw the boy in the mirror and that the children were staring at each other. Slowly and without making a sound, he walked backwards, took a piece of wood out of the basket and then, a bit louder than usual, threw it back in.
“Ok you two, I hope you’re hungry because I certainly am” he spoke out somewhat loud.
Mianda, startled by the noise, turned to check if Firehoofs had seen anything.
She turned back toward the mirror but she only saw her own image. She stepped closer but all she saw was the room she was in.
Her head was spinning. Who could that have been? Then, shrugging her shoulders, she put it down to the fact that she was hungry and tired. It had been a long day and she really needed some food and rest. Firehoof was standing slightly bent over, stirring the soup in the pot.
“Is anyone hungry?” he asked looking at Mianda.
He noticed that her face was even paler than before. “Are you alright? Did anything happen while I was outside?” He asked, watching her closely
Quickly she banished everything out of her mind.
“I’m fine. But I’m starving” Mianda answered. She hadn’t eaten much since leaving the farm, just a few wild strawberries.
“Ok” watching her closely “But first, young lady, you could use a bath. I have heated up some water and in there is a bathtub.”
Firehoof picked up a bucket of water, disappeared into another room. Then he called her in, gave her a piece of soap and told her to climb into the tub and wash herself. To his surprise, she was about to climb in with her clothes on.
“No, no, not with your clothes on.” He muttered. “You have to take them off before you step into the water. Wait a minute, I’ll be right back”
Quickly, he left the room, only to be back soon with some fresh clothes under his arm. “Here, after you have washed yourself, put these on. They belonged to my niece. The ones you have on, throw them out the window ok?”
Mianda looked at him with big green eyes. She nodded and began to undress. Firehoof turned on his heels and left the room. On his way out he said “Don’t forget your hair and when you are finished, then you can have some soup and get some sleep.”
Half an hour later, the door opened and a clean Mianda came out. She had on the clothing he had left there for her. Firehoof nodded, satisfied with what he saw.
“Here is a bowl of soup. Eat this and there is more where this came”
“Thank you” said Mianda politely.
Firehoof looked at her and remarked somewhat surprised “Well, you do seem to have some manners”
“Rat” he called “And what shall I give you? Cheese? Or what do rats eat?”
“Oh, soup would be great. Thanks” answered Boomer somewhat annoyed.”Why does everyone think rats only eat cheese? I love a good soup like anybody else here in this room”
Firehoof grabbed a small plate, put some soup on it and put it on the floor for Boomer.
“You can put it on the table too” growled Boomer “I’m quite civilized you know”
He climbed up onto the table and waited till Firehoof set the plate in front of him.
“Thank you” said Boomer
“Welcome” answered the centaur.
Boomer started eating. He quickly licked away the soup and found it delicious. Firehoof pressed his lips together so as not to say anything. “Civilized he calls that?” Then, will his stomach full, Boomer jumped off the table, ran over to where Mianda sat still eating, crawled under one of the pillows, and fell asleep.
Mianda smiled. She quickly finished eating, gave her plate to Firehoof and began yawning.
“Just a minute” Firehoof took a hair brush out of a small wooden chest and beckoned Mianda to sit down. He then brushed her hair till it shone like gold.
“You can take a nap here in front of the fireplace. It’s nice and warm.” He grabbed a pillow and a blanket from a cupboard, and gave them to Mianda. “I’ll be in there” pointing to his room “Sleep well”
“Thank you”
He waited until she had fallen asleep, then he went over to where Boomer was sleeping, lifted the pillow, grabbed him by the tail and carried him outside, quietly so as not to disturb Mianda.
He then dropped him onto the ground and asked “Now. Who is she and why is that thing after her?”
Boomer struggled to get back on his feet, looked up at the giant centaur standing over him. “It’s a long story”
“Well, go ahead, I’m not going anywhere and neither are you” answered Firehoof
Boomer stared up at him with his beady little eyes and began telling the story.
Chapter 3.
The room was dark as the servant entered the room. Jent pulled the heavy curtains aside letting in the morning sun, throwing its rays on the sleeping child. The suns warmth woke him up and he
looked around slightly disturbed. He turned his head from the light, closed his eyes and fell asleep again.
“Prince Mandolph. Good morning”.
Prince Mandolph stirred.
“Wake up Prince Mandolph. The new day has started”.
Mandolph slowly opened his eyes. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he looked up at the servant, he moaned.
“I don’t want get up yet. Just go away”.
“Sorry my Prince, but you have a long day today. Your Mother is waiting for you”. The servant explained.
Mandolph groaned. Nobody, not even he was able to say no to Queen Aridne. She had a vile temper and did not like to wait for anything and anyone.
Reluctantly he threw off the blankets, climbed out of bed to step on a small wooden dragon, carelessly thrown onto the floor. It was a typical boy’s room. Blue walls and dark blue drapes. A large wooden desk stood beneath the window and on it several books he had taken out of the castle library.
Once dressed, he ordered in an arrogant way. “Tidy this room before you do anything else today.”
Jent bowed humbly and simply said “Yes Your Highness”.
Mandolph looked into the mirror to see if everything was to his taste. But what he saw made him step back surprised, because he didn’t see himself but a small girl. A girl, his age, with long tangled blond hair, she was wearing a worn out dress and shoes on her feet at least 2 numbers too large. He stared at her. And she stared at him. He couldn’t explain it but somehow she seemed familiar. The girl turned around because of a noise somewhere behind her, then the image was gone and all he could see now was himself.
Mandolph cried out loud with a look of fear on his face.
Jent, having heard the cry, came running to see what had happened.
“Your Highness, what happened? Are you alright?” asked the startled servant.
The moment had passed. Ashamed at having cried out he did not answer. He scowled at Jent, turned around and left him standing there. He made his way down the long corridor filled with Paintings and suits of polished Armor. The deep red carpet swallowed the sound of his footsteps. He walked down a flight of stairs, turned left and finally came to the dining room. He knocked politely and went inside. He found his mother sitting at a long wooden waiting for him to turn up. She scowled as she saw him.
“Good morning Mother” said Mandolph politely “I hope you are feeling well this morning?”
Aridne looked up and saw the boy. But she did not answer at once. She still did not like children. She looked at him for a moment and then she said “Come, sit down and eat your breakfast. Gregorian will be here soon.”
Mandolph did not really like this Magician. He was afraid of him.
“Why is he coming here? You know I don’t like him” said Mandolph upset“He makes me nervous”
Aridne just shook her head and said nothing to the matter. But, after seeing how pale her son was, she decided to play her role as a mother, even if it disgusted her.
“You look pale, did you not sleep well?”
Mandolph was surprised that his mother should even take notice him. He played it down and said that he had a slight headache
“I’m okay. It’s just that…..no, everything is okay”
“Tell me, why do you have headaches, a boy of your age” The voice from the other end of the room. It was Gregorian; he had come into the room unnoticed.
“It is nothing of concern to you” said Mandolph annoyed “So, please leave me alone”
Gregorian, dressed in a white robe, decorated tastefully with silver patterns, came over to Mandolph and said in a soothing voice “I know how headaches can be of a nuisance. If you need anything, just let me know”
Mandolph looked at his mother but she showed no interest.
“Thank you” answered the boy a little overwhelmed.
The Wizard looked at Mandolph with his steely blue eyes.
“Do tell me what’s bothering you?” Asked Gregorian
“I have nothing to tell you so just leave me alone” cried the boy. Upon that, he went back to the table, sat down to eat his breakfast.
Shrugging his shoulders, Gregorian walked to the Queen, knelt and took her hand and kissed her ring.
“Your son is old enough now. He must undergo the ritual to see if he is worthy of Askabet. There he will learn to channel his strength and talents.” Explained Gregorian. “Everyone must undergo this ritual, but I don’t think that that would be too difficult for him” he continued with a grin on his face.
“Good. I will hold you responsible if anything goes wrong. He must build his character to become the king this Kingdom needs. He should be respected by everyone.” She said .
Aridne’s thoughts were somewhere else. She saw herself as Queen of a much greater Land than now. She saw her sitting next to a strong dark man, the King and her as his First Lady and High Priestess. There were no more small Kingdoms, just one large one and she and her husband ruled with firm hand. There was no room for children in her life. Whatever happened to Mandolph, she didn’t care.
But she kept her thoughts to herself. She did not really trust Gregorian. He was a silent man and it was difficult for her to read him and she could not define who he really was.
“Your Royal Highness” interrupted Gregorian her thoughts “I must take leave of you for a while. Important matters are calling”
“What is more important than my son” asked the Queen angrily “His future is what is important here and nothing else. How dare you leave just now?”
“Your Highness” answered the wizard quietly, with the usual smile on his lips. “It has to do with the future of your son and the Kingdom of Vanshee. I must prepare everything for him and the others.”
With these words, he bowed deeply. “Your Majesty”. Turned around and left the Queen sitting on her Throne. She stared after him with deep anger in her eyes.
“Leave me” ordered the Queen her son.
Mandolph rose from the table and muttering under his breath how mistreated he was, he left the room.
After her son had left the room, and she was sure she was alone, she went to the large fireplace to warm her hands. Then she took a close look at the stones used for the walls. She counted three stones from the left, two down and one to the right, she presses her hand against it and it gave way, opening a secret entrance through which Aridne disappeared. The Fireplace sunk back in its place as if nothing had happened.
Every now and then his eyes would stray over to where Mianda was sleeping.
“If only I could believe this” he said. “Are you sure? How long have you been with her?”
“All her life” answered Boomer.
Firehoof looked at Boomer and there was a look of doubt on his face. “Rats do not live that long. What are you really?”
“I am a rat, but someone put a spell on me. I was to stay with her as long as possible but things just didn’t go right. The family that had taken her in, well, they lost their own daughter and couldn’t bear to see Mianda so they took her to an orphanage. She hadn’t been there long when this farmer came and adopted her.” Explained Boomer in is squeaky voice “But all they needed was a cheap farm help. And that is what she did since now.”
Firehoof was deeply moved. This little girl has never learned what it was like to be a normal child, to play, to run around wild and just be a little girl.
Firehoof then said something that made Boomer stare at him.
“You are going to have to trust me now.” Said the centaur “And don’t say or do anything. And do not follow her. Whatever you do, do not follow her. Do you understand me?”
Boomer just stared at him.
“Do you understand me?” asked him Firehoof again with emphasis.
“Yes”. Stammered the rat confused.
Firehoof nodded slightly. Closed his eyes for a few seconds then he hurried over to where Mianda
was sleeping.
“Mianda, child, quickly…….you must hide. We have to get you someplace safe so please wake up and come with me”.
Mianda woke up startled and still half asleep looked at the centaur and then looked for Boomer.
“What’s happening? Boomer, are you coming?” she asked bewildered
“No, Boomer cannot go with you. Come here.” Firehoof took her by the hand and led her outside. He led her to a large tree under which a deep hole could be seen. “I want you to go down there that is a secret tunnel leading to a cave in which you will be safe for a while. I want you to wait there for a while and then you are to find your way through it ok? And whatever you should find on your way, just take it with you, could be useful for you. Ok, we can’t go with you because we have to take care of things here, so, go now. And take care”.
Firehoof pushed her gently toward the hole. Mianda looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Why can’t Boomer come with me? I’ve never been anywhere without him.”
“No, as I said, he and I must take care of things here, so go now. Quickly, I don’t how long it will take, but we’ll try and meet you at other end”
He watched her with an aching heart as she made her way down the hole into the tunnel then Firehoof returned to his home.
He grabbed hold of Boomer and said to him “Let’s go”.
And the two of them left the tree house without looking back.
It was dark and damp and Mianda was frightened. She tried to listen as to what was going on, if that monster had turned up again, but she heard nothing. All was silent. She hoped that nothing would happen to the two of them. Her eyes, beginning to get used to the dark, saw steps leading downwards. She waited and waited but it seemed as if no one was following her. She took the first step, a second and suddenly the steps were gone and she slid rapidly down the slippery tunnel.
She screamed with fright, not knowing where she would land. Then the slide came to an end and she landed heavily on her behind.
“Ouch” she moaned “That hurt”
She slowly got up rubbing her behind. Wincing as she touched it. No matter, nothing seemed to be broken. She was okay. Her eyes were getting more and more used to the dark and too her surprise,
she found herself in a huge underground cavern, with large stalactites hanging down from the ceiling and slowly dripping on stalagmites. Stones all sizes laying around, it looked as if a giant had been playing marbles with them. Mianda was going to have to find a way out so she can find her friends.
It was extremely quiet except for the dripping of water coming from all around. Mianda began searching a way between the boulders and loose rubble. She struggled on, climbing over boulders and stones, looking for a way out. After she had been down here for a while she did hear something.
“Hallo is anyone there?” she called quietly “Boomer? Firehoof? Where are you?”
No-one answered. The sound began to get louder. Slowly, she moved closer to where she thought she had heard it. Then, still quite some distance in front of her, she thought she could see something. It was huge and seemed to be breathing. “Mountains do not breathe” she muttered to herself. “If that is not a mountain, then what can it be?” She decided to take a closer look. The closer she came the louder the breathing. Then, she saw what it was, it wasn’t a mountain, it was an animal.
“Oh, what are you?” Stumbling back in surprise. She had never seen such an animal before, it had dark blue eyes and green scales; and huge wings were folded together on its back. The animal lay on its side breathing heavily. She could see that it was badly hurt, blood coming out of its nose and a deep, open wound just below its neck.
The dragon opened its eyes and was surprised to see an open mouthed little girl standing not far from him.
“Haven’t you ever seen a dragon before? You have no idea what you have missed out on.” Looking at her closer, “And not even worth the effort eating.” Mumbled the dragon. “Go away and leave me be”.
“A dragon? And you can speak?” asked Mianda
The dragon looked at her. “Did you not hear me just then? Silly child, certainly I can speak. What did you think I would do? Growl or bark at you?”
It lifted its head to take a closer look at Mianda.
“Well, you don’t look stupid, so stop pretending to be stupid”. He said. “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh…….”
Its head fell down again. The dragon was very weak. Slowly Mianda moved closer to the dragon, frightened the dragon could change its mind and decide to eat her after all.
“Is there something I can do for you” asked Mianda timidly.
“No”. The dragon mumbled. “There is nothing you can do for me. I was wounded in a fight, oh, but you should see the other one” Laughing softly which ended in a coughing fit. Blood shot out of its mouth. The animal rang for air.
Mianda tore off some more of her dress, and wet it in a puddle of water. She carefully tried to clean the wound but it was much too deep. She could see splinters of bones, torn flesh and muscle. She bowed her head in sorrow because there was nothing she could do to help it.
The dragon closed its eyes for a moment, and then it looked at Mianda. “Oh, are you sad because of me?” It’s voice sounding gentle now.
Mianda just looked at him, her eyes filled with tears.
“No, don’t be. But it does good to know this. Yes it does…….now, let me sleep a while. So tired. ” The dragon’s voice petered out.
It closed its eyes and fell asleep. After a while, the dragon woke up and was surprised the Mianda would still be there.
“Still here?”
The dragon reached out with its claw, opened it and a small green egg lay in it.
“I have something for you. Take this egg. I have no idea what it is, I found it back there somewhere. Its nest was destroyed and this was the only one not broken. Please, take good care of it; it might become quite useful one of these days”
Carefully, Mianda took the warm egg and carefully placed it into the pouch she still had around her neck.
Then the dragon closed his eyes and fell asleep. Its breathing became shallow and soon it stopped altogether. He was dead. Mianda began to cry.
Mianda bowed her head, feeling sad at seeing such a marvelous creature die.
She went up to the dragon and kissed him gently on its cheek. Her tears running down her face falling on the dragons face. The tears on the dragons face turned to ice, glistening like crystals.
“Good bye dear dragon”. She said “Don’t worry; I will take good care of this one here”.
With that she slowly got up and made her way away from the dead dragon. She stopped and turned around to take one last look. The air was still and everything was silent again. Hardly a sound could be heard.
She must have been walking for hours but still no way out. The cavern was getting smaller and soon it was so small she had to crawl through it. Then, the tunnel ended in another underground cavern, a lot smaller but at least she was able to stand up now. Her knees were quite sore and bleeding and somewhere up ahead she could see a faint light.
“Oh” she thought filled with joy “That must be the way out” She made her way through the cavern. But instead of a way out, she found a large body of dark water, the middle of which glowing, pulsing rhythmically. She looked around to see if there was a way to get there without getting wet.
She sat down on a rock to think about if she should risk going into the water and a few minutes later she stood up again, looked in to see how deep it was and if anything was swimming in it. Maybe snakes, she hated snakes. But she saw nothing.
Carefully she took the pouch with the egg from around her neck and put it gently onto the ground.
“You wait here. I won’t be long...” she spoke to it. “I hope”
She took off her shoes and put a foot into the water, waiting for it to be ice cold but to her surprise, it was quite warm. She let her foot right in and found it was not too deep. The she climbed in and waded over to the pulsating light. The closer she got, the warmer it got. Mianda looked down into the water and was astonished to see two Swords. She reached in and picked up one of them. It was a beautiful sword with intricate markings on it and its grip was studded with diamonds and pearls. Then she reached in and picked up the second sword and it too had the same intricate markings on it, but it did not have diamonds and pearls on its grip. This one she liked more so very carefully she put the sword with the precious stones back in its place.
She decided to keep it the other one. “Firehoof did say I should keep whatever I found and he’s right, who knows, I might need it yet. Let’s see what else is here in this cave”.
Slowly, enjoying the warm water, she made her way back to the shore.
Satisfied with what she had found, she put on her shoes, put the pouch around her neck, and made her way further into the cavern.
A deep dark chasm was in her way. Carefully she neared the edge to take a look at how deep it was. She picked up a stone and threw it into the abyss and it seemed to take forever before it hit the ground.
It was very very deep and no there was no way to cross over. “I have to get over some her” she thought.
She stared at the dark chasm. Feeling down, Mianda began throwing stones into it. The stones were swallowed up by the darkness and then; one or two stones seemed to float. She went closer to take a better look and threw some more stones. They did not fall down.
“Strange” she thought so she grabbed another handful of stones and began throwing them at the same region. And they did not fall into the darkness.
There was a narrow stone bridge, and it had the same colour as the walls of the chasm, and that made it invisible to the naked eye.
“Well” she said trying to sound confident “Let’s go”.
It took all her courage to step onto the stone bridge but she just had to reach the other side so, carefully, she put one foot after the other, trying not to look down. Small pieces broke off with every step she took. She hardly dared to breathe for fear it would cause the bridge to collapse. Struggling to keep her balance she continued to walk across.
“Oh, it’s so far away, but I have to take this slow and easy”
She looked up and could see the end of the bridge. She was going to make it. Yes….the other side of the chasm was getting closer, five, four, three more steps, two more. One step……….yes, she had made it.
She fell down on her shaking knees. Suddenly, she remembered the little egg. It nestled safely in the pouch. She sighed with relief and wondered over her own courage. Then, there was a growling sound, loud and gurgling. What was it?
It was her stomach that had growled. She had only eaten soup before she had fallen asleep but that was hours ago and now she was feeling very hungry and very tired. Still carrying the sword, she looked for a way to get out.
“I’m so dreadfully tired.” She argued with herself. “But I have to find a way out of here first”.
She was so tired she did not watch were she was going. She stumbled against something and fell on her knees, the sword flying out of her hand. Annoyed she picked herself up, grabbed hold of the sword, and went back to see what it was.
It was a large wooden chest partly hidden beneath a heap of stones. Clearing away some of them she saw that the lock on it was rusty and easy to open so she picked up a stone and smashed the lock with it to open it. Curios as she was, she knelt down on her knees to see if anything useful.
Inside were some interesting looking pieces of clothing. Mianda picked one out and tried it on and she found it fitted quite well, so she decided to keep it. She put it aside and checked out what else could be of use. She found a cape, transparent and extremely light in weight and felt soft and warm. She tried it on as well but it was way too big. But that didn’t matter. It still could come of use someday.
“Yes” she breathed. “I’ll keep this. Be a shame to leave something a lovely as this here”.
There was also a shoulder bag in there so she stowed the two pieces of clothing in it. She tried to put the sword in as well and to her surprise, she could slip it in.
“Great, seems bigger inside than it looks, now that will really come in handy” She felt good at having found such useful items so she looked into the chest to see if there might be anything else she could use but there was nothing else. “Ok,” she said out loud. “I suppose this is enough for now”
She checked on the egg in the pouch, gently she stowed it in the shoulder bag as well, then she continued on her way through the cave. After a while of stumbling over rocks and rubble she made out a light way up in the distance. Hurrying as fast as she could because she wanted to get out to get some fresh air. At first she was blended by the bright sun light but it take long before she could see properly again.
Her heart sank as she saw that she was on a narrow ledge and upon looking down she could see the woods, and from up here she could way in the distance, a mountain range known as Heads Mountains.
Tired and hungry, she sat down on the edge of the ledge.
“Oh Boomer,” she sighed bitterly and with a heavy heart “Where are you?”
Chapter 4
Quickly and quietly she made her way down the long corridor until she came to a large sparsely furnished room. The only furniture in here were two chairs and a table and on the other side of the
room there was a large object covered by a dark cloth. Aridne went over to the mirror and pulled away the cloth revealing a large mirror with a silver frame
“Show me mirror, show me what is hidden to me.”
The mirror began glowing, and at first there was a thick swirling fog. Then, the fog began lifting to show the entrance to a large cave somewhere in the mountains.
“Show me inside”.
But nothing else happened. She could not get a look in.
She took a deep breath.
“Why can I not look in?” looking annoyed at the mirror so Aridne waved her hand and the mirror darkened. She looked into it again and ordered the mirror “Mirror, awaken” The mirror began glowing, once again showing thick swirling fog and then to become translucent. This time she stepped through and reappeared in a small chamber deep under the Castle. Sitting on a wooden chair was a tall dark man, apparently waiting impatiently for her because he stood up and asked her “What news have you for me?”
“None I’m afraid, it couldn’t be found, but, I have found a cave.” She explained “I tried to look inside with the mirror but it wasn’t possible so” she paused “There must be something in there, maybe you should go and take a look”
“That farm you sent me, I arrived too late. She was already gone.” He said angry. “What makes you think there is something in there?”
“I know this is a special place but just what it is I don’t know. I will send my men out at once.” Suggested the Queen “Whatever it is, they will bring it back to me. It just might be what we are looking for”
“No, I will leave for this place myself. I feel a presence there.” The man began changing his form becoming a big black bird “I must leave now.” But before he left, he said to Aridne. “But you had better be right this time and I get there on time.”
The cold threat in his voice made Aridne feel a shiver running down her spine. She bowed her head, but before she could answer, he began changing his form. His head began getting larger, his nose began pulling back and his mouth pointy, turning into a beak. He eyes getting rounder and his arms growing longer, feathers began growing out of his skin. Soon his entire body began sprouting black feathers and his legs longer and thinner to become bird feet.
A large black bird stood there now, flapping its wings, screeching. Aridne waved with her hand and the big black bird vanished. A sigh of relief escaped her after he had gone. “That was close” She thought “If I don’t find what he is looking for he will be more than just angry and yell at me”
Aridne returned to the mirror and stepped back into the room she had come from. After having covered the mirror again with the large cloth she then made her way back to the throne room but she thought she had heard a noise so she stopped and listened but the sound did not repeat itself.
Satisfied that no one else was there she carefully opened the secret door, by pressing on a stone and the fireplace lifted again letting her through.
Feeling satisfied with herself, she called for a servant to bring her some fruit to eat. She was feeling a little hungry.
Mianda sat on the ledge, with the cave entrance behind her, feeling very sorry for herself, not really knowing what to do next. The sun would be going down in about an hour or so and she really didn’t want to spend the night on this ledge. Maybe she should go back into the cave and try and find another way out. Firehoof had said they would be waiting for her at the other side. And he and Boomer weren’t here, so this must be the wrong place. While staring at the sun, she saw a dark spot appeared in the light of the sun. She didn’t take much notice of it though. “Must be a bird” she thought.
Mianda looked down at the forest wishing she could be down there right now, instead of being stuck here on this ledge. Then, the sound of wings tore her out of her contemplation, making her look up because the sound was somehow familiar.
Her heart skipped a beat. Was it the same creature that had attacked the farm? She looked around for a place to hide. She knew that the cave entrance was behind her so she turned to run into it as the bird landed behind her. It screeched and tried to grab Mianda with its beak, but she managed to dodge it. Suddenly something huge flew out of the cave, grabbing hold of her, knocking the large bird off its feet. Mianda looked up and to her surprise, it was the dragon, alive and well.
The dragon flew up high and over Cave Mountain in order to shake off the black bird. But, the creature had recovered quickly and has taken on the chase.
The dragon flew down and tried to fly between the trees but he was just too big so all he could do was to fly above the trees. He flew as fast as he could but the bird came closer and closer.
Then, something strange happened. The air in front of the dragon began to glow with a white light. Pulsating and throbbing, and the atmosphere began splitting open, like a rip going through cloth. And it sounded that was as well. Without hesitating, the dragon, with Mianda in his claws, flew through this rip in the air and as soon as they were through the opening closed.
The dragon turned around to see what had happened but he could see nothing. The rip was gone and so was that bird. He began losing height and soon the ground had them back. The dragon set Mianda down gently and landed beside her. Both were still quite shaken after what had happened.
“By the way” said the dragon politely. “My name is Mew. Could you please explain to me what happened back there? How did you do that?”
“How did I do what?” asked Mianda
“That rip in the air. I have never seen anything like that in my whole life, and I’m not that young anymore,” he grinned “Not that I’m that old.” Laughing then becoming serious again “ I can’t have caused that because I don’t have any magic powers. So, that just leaves you, doesn’t it?” answered Mew.
Mianda looked up at Mew and didn’t know quite what to think. All she knew was that it had been a close call. It had nearly caught hold of them. It was strange but she had no answer for Mew. She looked up at him and sighed, while he was staring at her.
“I don’t remember doing anything. I just thought it would be great if the air would just tear open and we could fly to safety.” She explained “But, do you really think I did that? Wow, not bad.”The thought made her head spin. Magic powers, she should have known that while she was still on the farm, things would have been somewhat different for her. Even though she was still shaken after that adventure she couldn’t help thinking about what had happened. If she had really done that, then what else was she able to do? “How exiting!” she thought. But then, another thought crossed her mind. With a frown on her face. “I saw you die. How is it you are alive and here?”
Mew looked at her with his large blue eyes. “Someone was very sad after I had died.” He replied softly, with a slight tremor in his voice. “Someone cried. And those tears fell onto my face, and these tears were full of love and magic. These two powerful elements put together…strong magic.”
He thought for a moment before he continued. “Yes, very strong magic. Your tears brought me back from the dead and I must say, your magic is strong. And I will never forget that. No matter where you go or what you do, I will always be there to help you whenever you need me.”
He went on “And that is what happened back there. Now, you have saved us both. I bow to you”.
With that, the dragon bowed his head in front of her showing her his respect for her. Mianda jumped up and tried to push his head up. “No, that’s not right, don’t do that.” She cried out. “You saved me” She put her arms around Mews head and held him tight. They stayed this was for a couple of minutes. Then Mew pushed her away gently and said “You wait here, I’ll be back in few minutes. I just want to see where we are”. Mianda stepped aside and let Mew take off.
Mianda looked for a place to sit down and rest awhile. It was quite dark now and she was extremely tired and very hungry and thirsty. And it was getting cold so he took out the cape she had found and covered herself with it. She curled up and fell asleep. She had been so tired she didn’t hear how Mew came back and began looking for her. He couldn’t find her so he took off again, thinking she might have gotten lost.
Several hours later, Mianda woke up to find herself alone. She looked around and called out but Mew was not there
She folded the cape and put it back in her shoulder bag.
She waited another 10 minutes, she thought Mew might just be looking for something to eat and he would be back soon. But, he stayed away.
“So much for always being here when I need him” mumbled Mianda more than just upset.
Mianda decided to move on. She wasn’t sure which direction she should take so she decided to climb a tree and take a look around. She quickly found a suitable one and began climbing. About half way up, she held her hands in front of her eyes and she saw what looked to be a deep valley in the distance. “Ok, that is where I’m heading” and climbed back down. She walked all day before coming to a clearing, through which a small creek made its way. It was getting dark so she began searching for berries to eat. Then she found a place to lie down and fell asleep.
She took nearly 3 days to find her way through the forest. Every now and then, Mianda was able to find berries and fruit trees with interesting fruit. She felt terribly left alone. Once or twice she would find a dead rabbit or a small bird, but Mianda didn’t much like the idea of eating meat, let alone eat it raw.
At last, she arrived at the valley she had seen in the distance. But, what was this? Small fires were burning everywhere and streams of lava and thick smoke. Why hadn’t she seen this from the distance? She would have taken a different route instead of this valley. Now, it was too late, it would take her days to find a way around it. It was steamy and hot and the thought of having to go through there was frightening.
Mianda sat down on a stone and thought about what she should do.
Fire Valley, a fairly wide valley filled with everything that reminded of the crater of a volcano thinking of erupting. The strong smell of sulphur filled the air, making it difficult to breath and the heat was nearly unbearable.
“Do I have to go through that?” asked Mianda herself in a frightened voice. She then checked her water bag, was satisfied she had enough water.
“Ok” talking to the egg she had taken out, she had wanted to check if it had hatched yet. Luckily it hadn’t so she carefully put it back in her shoulder bag where she hoped it would stay safe and sound. Then, with mixed feelings and speaking to the unhatched egg “I suppose this is the only way to get across. We’ll have to try it on our own, Mew is gone, I don’t know where but don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you. Just hurry and hatch so I can see what you are.” But before she left to try walk through her thoughts went back to Mew.
“I’m afraid so” answered Mew apologizing “It‘s the shortest way to go. If we were to go around it could take weeks. And we don’t have weeks. I have to get you to Ask abet, there you will be safe”
“Why do I have to go there? I don’t know anyone there. I don’t even know what that place is” She exclaimed rather upset. “I’ve spent all my life on this farm and hadn’t spoken to anyone other than those that lived there. And I am being chased by I don’t know what, I lost my best friend and I’m here, goodness knows where. Could you please tell me what is going on?”
Mew looked at her and shook his mighty head.
“I’m afraid I can’t help you there. I just know you were there for me, you gave me my life back and I am really grateful. I will do anything for you; even give up this life again.” Replied Mew. “I don’t know who you are but I know that you are special. And worth saving. That is why I am taking you to Askabet, no matter what it takes.” He watched her closely. He could see that there were many questions there. But he also saw there was something else. Mianda looked at Mew sadly. Tears running down her face.
“I’m nobody. The only good thing that ever happened to me was Boomer” she tried to explain to Mew. “But he is gone and I don’t know where. Then, you came into my life. A real life dragon and you now, you are my friend. And I love you for that. You helped me more than I helped you, and you
know that.” She went on “But I’ve been thinking and I don’t know why this is happening to me but I don’t want to see anything happen to you. I mean, even if you are a dragon and can spit fire”
Mianda stood up, took a deep breath and made her way down into the valley of fire. The closer she came the hotter it got. Smoke and flames shot out of tiny craters and out of some others lava would shoot up. Carefully, so as not to be burned, she made her way through them. The air was hot causing her to cough, and every now and then she was took a small sip of water to wet her dry throat.
Mianda turned her head to see how far away she was from the forest she had just left but then, she shook her head. “No chickening out” she told herself trying to encourage herself. “I’m going to make it. Just like I made it across that stone bridge in that cave without any help.” Several hours passed and she still had quite a long way to go. Several times she slipped out and hurt herself. And it was extremely hot. She knew, if she stopped to rest, she could get hurt, so she kept moving. Every now and then she would look around to see if Mew had found her and would come down to be with her, but he was gone. “Good” she thought “He doesn’t have to risk his life for me. That’s not right. He now has a new chance so he should take it. I’ll manage somehow.” But she really didn’t know how.
Heartbroken, but still thinking she had done the right thing, she went on. Nightfall was setting in but it wasn’t getting any cooler. Even though darkness was setting in, there was more than enough light to see where she was going. But, she was getting tired but she also knew, here was no place to rest. Then, she saw something that looked like a cave in a small mound. Maybe she could stay there for the night. She went over to take a look, but before she could go in several pairs of glowing eyes glared at her, forcing her to step back. That anything could survive let alone live here was a mystery to her.
Filled with despair, she began looking for another place where she could lie down for a few minutes. Just a few minutes, and then she would go on. The wind began to freshen bringing some fresh air, but she felt hot and tired. She took off her top but quickly put it back on because she could feel her skin burning.
Pulling herself together, she decided not to rest but keep going. It took a lot of mind power to continue even now, now that it was getting dark.
“No. No, I am not going to burn” She told herself. “I don’t want to die here.” She cried out loud. “I don’t want to die at all”
“Don’t want to die at all” Startled at hearing an echo, she looked around but couldn’t see anything.
“Don’t want to die at all” The words were repeated again. The voice was high pitched and loud in the silence of the night. Another voice began screeching the same words and then a whole chorus of voices started repeating those words. Mianda held her ears closed with her hands but it still got louder and louder. A tiny head appeared, peaking from behind a small lava crater. It had long pointed ears, beady eyes and a long snout with sharp teeth. Several more of these creatures stuck their heads up now, all looking at her with their beady little eyes. Their fur had the colour of fire, and seemed to be burning.
A loud cracking behind her startled her. Quickly she turned around to see that two of them had jumped out and were slowly coming closer. Mianda picked up a handful of ashes and threw it at one of them. It sprang aside quite swift and bared its teeth and growled. The other one crouched to spring on her. Mianda ran up to it and kicked it away, and then she reached out and grabbed the first on by the ears and threw it into the others, now moving in on her. She felt sharp teeth boring into her shoulder. She screamed in pain. She reached back with her hand and grabbed the animal and threw it with all her might into one of the lava craters. Mianda grabbed her sword and began whirling around to try and ward off the attacking animals. Screaming and yelling at them to leave her alone and for a while she managed to keep them at bay, but her arms were getting tired and starting to hurt and she was running out of breath. Every bone in her body was beginning to ache when all of a sudden a huge shadow came swooping out of the sky. It took hold of Mianda and lifted her up and carried her away. One creature decided it really did not want to lose such an easy prey so it jumped onto her back and sunk its teeth into her neck. She screamed in pain. Another managed to sink its teeth into her shoe, causing it to fall off her foot. Mianda screamed at it for having made her lose one of her shoes. She felt warm blood running down her back as the creature bit deeper, causing terrible pain. Suddenly the animal let go and fell off. Something had grabbed it and pulled its head off. Strong claws grabbed hold and lifted her up into the sky. It carried her across the burning valley to safety. Gently she was set down on the grass where she just lay down and lost consciousness.
Mianda came to and moaned. Every bone in her body hurt. But something was different, it wasn’t hot anymore and the ground was grassy and not rocky and hot. She opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Mew.
He laws watching over her with a worried look on his face. “That was close. A few more minutes and their supper would have been served. How are you feeling?”
He then gently cleaned the wounds and helped her bind the bites on her legs and arms and the deep one at her neck. “What were those creatures” asked Mianda while her leg.
“Those things a fire fox, small but extremely dangerous. They only come out at night, which is when they go hunting, but don’t worry; they never leave their valley”
Mianda nodded tiredly “I hope so. I’m too tired to fight any more off.” Then, looking around for a place to sleep, she saw a large hollow tree. Giving Mew a small kiss on his nose and after saying thank you and good night, curled up and fell asleep. Mew lay down in front of the tree and kept watch.
“Where did that dragon come from? I thought it had been killed. I nearly had the girl. I nearly had her.” In his anger he nearly smashed his fists against the wall. A female voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
“I’m sorry”
“She was there, just as I had known, and I nearly had her in my arms. I nearly had her but this blasted Dragon came soaring out of that cave and snapped her away from me” Then, turning toward the Mirror and Aridne “Did you men enter the cave at least and was it in there?”
The man then looked at Aridne, who stood before her mirror in her secret room. “Yes, my men could enter it but no, they couldn’t find anything. It must be somewhere else.”
He looked at her and his anger grew. “Once again you have failed me.”Angrily watching her with his black eyes. “If you don’t find that chest soon, someone will have to pay. With their lives and nobody has failed me as often as you have woman.”
Aridne, in an effort to appease him said weakly “I know where you can find this child. She’s heading for Askabet. You can catch her before she reaches this valley.” Her voice coming over somewhat stronger now. “I promise, I will not fail you again, my Lord. Before you get back I will have found what you are looking for. ”
The man looked at her but didn’t say anything. He changed back into the black bird and disappeared.
Aridne knew how powerful this man really was. The long years of captivity had taken its toll. But, as soon as he has the chest and the girl, his strength will be as strong as ever and the Kingdom will have its rightful ruler back, with her on his side.
She then left the room and went back to her thrown room. Carefully she once again pressed the stone and the fireplace lifted, letting her through. Silently, it settled back into its place.
On the small table next to her throne stood a small decanter with ruby red wine and a crystal wine glass. She poured herself a glass of wine to settle her nerves.
Before she could set the glass down onto the table she could hear someone coming.
“Your Majesty, I hope I am not disturbing you” She heard the deep gentle voice of Gregorian.
She looked up somewhat startled to see him standing in the doorway.
“What is it you want at this time of night” She asked angry.
“It is difficult to talk to you so I decided to come later at night. Your son has passed and will be allowed to enter Askabet” Explained the Wizard patiently. “We will let you know when everything is ready.”
“Good” answered Aridne “Now leave; I am tired and wish to retire.”
“Good night Your Highness” wished her Gregorian.
Aridne then stood up and walked passed him to make her way to her chambers. Gregorian watched her for a while till she closed the door behind her.
He looked around the room with a deep frown on his face.
He knew Aridne was planning something evil. She must know that her daughter was still alive and well, and she must see her as a threat to her future. And she would be right. The child could be dangerous for her.
He quickly left the throne room



Copyright by Brigitte Stotzka

Coming soon:

Mianda and the Crystal Portal

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 05.11.2010

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