Fire

(kw7) Fire Always Wins- Hi name is Kellan, I am the god of nightmares. yeah, yeah I know you would think that I would be the bad guy, but I'm not. Im the good guy, I warn people before they die. If they listen and heed my warning then they live, if not, then they die. So here's where the story starts. It's the 1500's, 1569 to be exact. I live on the world called Gar'nyse. It translates into "the land of old magic". Now, let's take a look at my favorite mortal's life, Catherine. " Catherine, the princess needs you", the maid Polly screamed. yes, I know I sound pathetic but I'm the lady in waiting. The princess, Melinda, is such a snob. shhh, don't let her hear what I've told you. I walked to my dressing room and put on my uniform. I went down stairs and ate my breakfast. "yes miss Melinda?", I asked " I need you to set the tea room for guests", she said. as I cleaned out the tea room, Polly watched me closely. don't ask me why, I mean I've been here since before the queen died. I missed the queen sometimes, she used to give me animals to sacrifice to Kellan. Kellan has always required sacrifices once a month. when you don't sacrifice an animal he plauges you with bad dreams. that happened to me before Queen Loi took me in. my parents died two years ago. lost to the yellow fever. in 1564 the yellow fever hit London. sadly my parents were taken by it. I am 16 now and a lady in waiting. right as I got done Melinda called and told me to make plum cakes. I made them and served them to her guests. I made each one a present box and passed them out. What's the surprise? You"ll never know till the next time I update. Kellan- So, how do you like her? Isn't she funny. Not the part where her parents died of course. Melinda sounds brutal! Glad I don't work with her. To bad she makes her monthly sacrifice or I'd send some bad dreams her way. They'd probably be about her losing all her money. a guy can wish can't he? to be continued.... (KW1)* (SM) My name's Ian. Right now i am in my shop. I work as a baker at "Bone Appetite", my great uncle used to own the place, until he passed away in late December last year. In his will he handed down the shop to my mother. I fear my mother will die any day now. She's been struggling with getting out of bed, walking up and down the stairs, and sometimes she even almost falls asleep while she's making bread. It gives me pain watching her each day, suffering as bad as she is. This morning I went out to the Souths Kingdom, to where Madelin, the Goddess of Peace lives. Every month every citizen has to sacrifice an animal. When I'm not on duty at the store, in my spare time, a great pleasure of mine is definitely hunting. I know it may sound cruel to hunt for fun, but for my family it needs to be done. I may work at a bake shop, but we also need some meat. We have a hard time making money in the winter, not a lot of people like to come in the cold all the way to the far side of the land to get bread and such. So in the winter I hunt for my family. Its hard to feed six other people. I'm the one always hunting, because I'm the oldest of 5. I have 4 younger brothers, and it gets pretty hectic in our small little cabin. I also have to take care of my mother; its hard enough to live with 5 boys, but to be single is even harder. I respect her a lot for that, she deserves the best, and I'll do anything to keep it that way. Well, as I said this morning I gave a sacrifice to Madelin. Your family has to give at least one sacrifice a month to her, in order to keep your home. We don't pay money or anything, just sacrifice an animal is all. It doesn't matter who in your family sacrifices, as long as someone in your household does.As usual I always do it, the oldest may be hard pressed, but i'll do it for my mother. Our father was a very abusive man, my mother kicked him out after she found out he used to abuse us. It was a very hard decision to make, because without him we would have to take care of ourselves, and she knew that but she cared too much about us, and now that she's sick, I will repay her and help her out as much as I can. The Southern's Goddess, Madelin has the ability to read peoples dreams, control medicines and potions, and the power over the farmers and the elderly. She a very powerful woman, she may look skinny and weak, but she has way more power than any of us men. I'm only 18, but man she's strong. But she also notices people, she's not like other God's or Goddess's, she notices the good other people do. She once gave me a horse. I named him Willow, I ride him when I hunt, he can always sense when there's an animal near by, and I would take a bullet for him. It's like he's real, and that's what I cherish most about Willow. I was so thankful for my horse I gave 4 sacrifices that month. The nice part was, I didn't even know what I did that was so "good"! I cherish my Madelin, and I would do anything for her. I would fight in war for her, since I'm 18 now, if she needed me and I was allowed. Right now I'm on my way to the house. Lately on my way home from work or hunting I always stop midway from the yard, and I just stare at my old wooden cabin, and think of how one day I wish to change my life. I wish to leave home for awhile, and do something. Do something that will change how my family and I live. get the right medicine for my mother, and change our life style. I stare in the window, and I see my youngest brother Sam setting up for supper. He also helps around the house, I am so thankful for all I have, but one day, it will be even better. (SZM1)* (SZM2) I have a plan. So recently I've heard a lot about the Western lands. I've heard that the Goddess of the Western Lands is looking for a man to retrieve a lady names Kylee to come to our land. But she can't get here on foot, Madelin is taking interviews on who should go to the Western lands to retrieve her. She wants to come to our land to see new things, I don't really understand that, since she has all the land and money she can get. Why would a young girl, a young girl who has everything she could possibly want, want to come to our land. The land in which all we have are farms, miniature shops, and forests? I don't necessarily understand, but I'm willing to give her a try. There's only one reason why I want to go retrieve her. She has money. Madelin says that she won't tell the reward until after I have retrieved her. I don't really like that answer, but I'm willing to try anything to help my mother out. If I helped the girl, Kylee, than maybe she could help my mother. My mother is getting sicker by the second. It hurts me to watch her suffer as much as she is. Two days later... Madelin sent me a letter. She wrote that I was to retrieve the girl. Believe it or not, but I was kind of nervous. What if she didn't like me? I mean I guess it wouldn't matter to me, considering I don't like her necessarily, but still it would be awkward. Well, anyways I am setting off to the Western lands in approximately 72 hours. Madelin says not to worry, and everything will be fine. I mean I guess I believe her, since she's my goddess and all, but still a guy can get nervous. Right? I've been getting prepared for my adventure. It's only been one day, and I've got enough food to last the long journey to and back from our lands. It takes approximately a day to reach the Western lands. I've sharpened all my swords, put bullets in my guns, and gathered all my bows. It could get a little hectic on the journey there, you never know what could happen. I'm always prepared, well mostly anyways... Well, I just got finished my daily hunt. I was riding Willow when I saw a deer. Deer are always my favorite things to shoot. I always only use my bow and arrow, it makes me feel more like a pro using them. Willow and I stepped close enough for the deer not to hear us... and "POWW"! I shot the deer right in the side of its face. It's times like these I feel like everything is alright, and the world is just GREAT! Well it isn't, and I'm going to fix it, by curing my mother and changing our lives forever. (SZM2)* kyrston- "Surprise!" Melinda screamed. They had just opened their baskets to see the French chocolate I gave them as well as 15 gold coins. This month I had missed my sacrifice. Last night I had terrible dreams. Dreams where demons have been taking over; slowly sucking all purity out of my life. Demons are always haunting my dreams, always telling me how ignorant I am. trying to dig up past secrets. oh why oh why, does this spiteful princess hate me. Why can't she be like her mother. Her mother would never have let this happen. I really do hope Kellan has mercy on me. I mean it's not my fault that I'm too poor to pay my monthly dues. Kellan- Haha. isn't it hilarious. Well, not really, but I'll just skip to the point. she can't tell that these dreams are minor compared to my other dreams. I really like her, I mean in a friend kind of way at least. So anyway, back to the story. Since she is only 16 I still can help her. I am the deity of girls coming of age. just like Cathrine. I think I will send a celebration her way. What is that? No, not the party, that! It's the north, wait! There are people there? I guess so. They're attacking the other lands. Not if I can help it, at least. I travel over to the other land and meet the other Gods and Goddess. Well, that's all I'm gonna say now, so I don't ruin the story. "Cathrine!", the princess screamed. I rushed into the princesses room and said,"Yes ma'am." (KW2)* (smd 1) My name is Kylee, and I am 17 years of age, and live in the western lands. I am Lord Bentley, and Madam Kenna's 3rd child and only daughter. My oldest sibling's name is Duke Marley; he is 25 years of age. My middle sibling is Mason, who is 19 years of age. Since our family has loyalty we live in the western kingdom. Our family lives in the Eastern part of the kingdom, and the other families live in the rest of the kingdom. Since our family has royalty in it, we have been blessed by Calithia, the Goddess of the western lands. Calithia means the Goddess of Beauty, and so she has blessed our family with the privilege of beauty. Calithia is also the Goddess of Marriage, Goddess of Travelers, and she takes an interest in boys coming age(16-20). I always pray to Calithia, asking that one day I can leave my kingdom, find true love and settle down in a different kingdom with a man of whom I choose, worthy of a husband. She's sent me to the Eastern lands to find true love, but no one there pleased me. Both of my siblings have been blessed by Calithia, she has found both of them wonderful wives and happiness. I pray when I leave the western kingdom that I will make it in the other land, and find true love and happiness there. Calithia tells me every night "Your day will come, you just have to be patient". It's 2 months before I turn 18, 2 months before I can leave this kingdom. I've been in this kingdom my whole entire life, only once have I left. My father doesn't want a beautiful woman like me to wonder off into the villages. Since Calithia blessed me with beauty, my father doesn't want anybody to see me. He's scared ill find love with somebody that he didn't choose for me to marry. Every morning before sunrise I take my spirit animal, Layla out on a run through all the land in our kingdom. Layla got sacrificed when she was 1 years of age to Calithia. Calithia gave Layla to me as a gift. I've had Layla ever since. Layla is a Chas, a horse and a cheetah mixed. Its about 5:00 in the morning, and im about to get on Layla. As were riding into the sunrise I feel my long blond hair whipping with the wind, my blue eyes and tan skin shinning like the sun, and my straight white teeth smiling as the sun creeps up along the tops of the trees. (SD1)* (kw) Cathrine- i walked out to the stable to feed Ageip, my griffon. Ageip and i are on our way to the Western lands. We're going to visit Kylee. Last night in my dream Kellan told me about her. she is the daughter of a duke. I'm hoping i can become her lady i waiting. Anybody would be better than princess Melinda.(KW3)* (smd 2) Once the sun has risen over the trees I know that I've been out for to long. Its almost breakfast time and I haven't cleaned up or gotten dressed. As I put layla away I try to sneak into the Eastern part of the kingdom, but Mason grabs me by the shirt and pulls me away into the flower gardens. He knew I was riding Layla. I tried to tell him I wasn't on her, but he told me he didn't care that I was. He came to tell me that father was looking for me, and father was getting very impatient. Once I walked into the castle mother grabbed me and took me to the dressing room. She said to me in an impatient tone, " We are having very important guests for you, so get dressed nicely." Once I put on my pink dress, and pinned my hair into a messy bun, I ran downstairs. Father was waiting for me at the steps and Madelin, the goddess of the southern lands was there waiting for me. I bowed to her, in complete shock of why she was here for me. No God or Goddess besides Calithia has ever came to see me. Calithia didn't warn me about this, I had no notice. After about 5 minutes of me just staring at Madelin she said something. At first I was so shocked that I didn't notice she had spoken. I knew better than say "pardon"? Within 10 more minutes Madelin left. I wasn't paying much attention to what she was saying, from what I heard there was something about the eastern god. It will soon to be supper and I haven't gotten dressed yet. I've been too curious as to why Madelin came here to talk to me. As im getting my makeup and hair done im asking Calithia why Madelin came here. No answer. It's been 10 hours since she's spoken to me, im starting to get impatient. As im walking down the stairs I hear Calithia talking. It sounds so real that I wonder if she's her to. (Sof D.2)* (SZM3) I heard that she doesn't even know I'm coming. I mean that will kinda be awkward considering I'm just going to show up, and she won't even know why I'm there. Madelin says its a surprise, for her 18th birthday. I still don't understand why she would want to come to the Southern lands. Theres nothing special about it. Why not stay were she is, shes rich and she has everything she wants. But its none of my business, i don't care, I'm just trying to help my mother. I still haven't told my mother i was leaving for a little while. but i plan on telling her at dinner. I feel scared that she will be frightened for me. Mother gets that way a lot, since our father left, she gets scared that if one of us kids leaves, that we wont come back. I understand how she feels, but sometimes i just wish she could trust us. The days pass on, and she gets sicker and sicker. I'm on my way to get the girl in a couple of hours. I plan on leaving at midnight, when nobody will notice I'm gone. Right now i am on my way for dinner. As i jump on Willow i think of how dangerous this journey might be. I think of how i need to do this though, and if i don't, mother will die. As i ride Willow i feel the wind blowing in face. When I'm hunting, and riding on Willow all the bad and dread drifts away for awhile. My shaggy dark black hair whips away from my eyes, i see all the trees blowing in the wind. Willow snorts. Whenever Willow snorts you know there's something out there. We look around, and hear some bushes brush against each other... and that's when we see it, its a deer. I take my bow and arrow out from behind my back, and load it up. I line it up straight for the deers eye. Its looking straight up at me, and "POWWOW!" it hits right on target. After my daily hunt i head straight for home, i get to the beginning of my drive-way. I look in my window, i see everyone setting up for dinner. This is the part i dread all day, i hate having to look inside my house from a different angel. Looking at my home from the outside, is so much different from the inside. I wonder what other people think when they walk by my house, from the outside everything looks so perfect, and wonderful. You see a whole family sitting around a table, eating together, laughing, and enjoying the time they have together. Looking from my angle is different though, because i know whats really going on. There is so much dread, and concern inside that home. I wish one day to be in this exact spot, but have a smile on my face, and know everything is going to be alright, and we are actually that great looking family that everybody else see's. (SM 3)* (SZM4) I told my mom at dinner about how i was going leaving for a little while. I didn't necessarily tell her i was going to go pick up a girl, but i did tell her i was leaving for a couple of days. I told her i was going on a long hunting. I feel bad about that, but i know it was the right thing to do. I am going to tell her the truth once i come back. Its midnight, and i am on my way down the stairs to leave my house. I walk on my tippie-toes so no-one will awaken from noises I might make. I already packed all my gear and belongings on Willow earlier today. I am prepared and ready for this long journey ahead of me. As i walk outside my door, i step on something crumbly. I look down, and am FLABBERGASTED to see a note. As i pick up the note, the front of it reads " Ian". As i open the note, i wonder to myself what could this possibly be. I open the note, and it reads "Dear Ian, We are so glad you are coming to pick up Kylee . As i said she doesn't know you are coming, so be aware of that. We have arranged for her to meet you in the foyer of the kingdom. Thank you again for your act. Sincerely, Madelin." I was astonished to have received this note from my goddess. I mean, i already knew almost everything it read. But still, it was Madelin! My goddess, i have never received anything from her. Well anyways, i am on my way to Willow. I see he is in the exact same spot i left him. I hop on Willow and am ready for my journey. As Willow and I start trotting along the rode, i see an old raggedy house, it looked so DILAPIDATED i felt bad. I felt bad that people had to leave in a home like this. It makes me feel selfish for feeling bad about my home. I think about how once i help myself, i would love to help others in need. I know this may be strange, and weird, but I'm actually scared to go on this journey. I mean Ive never been to the Western lands, never met this girl, and have never been on this path i am taking right now before. A random bear could pop out of know nowhere! I'm prepared enough, but still, it's pretty scary, headed to a new kingdom. I'm really dreading this journey, it's going to be long and painful. All rich people are snobs, but here goes nothing...(SM4)* ( smd 3) Im running down the main hall hoping that Calithia will be here. I'm finally at the end of the hall, listening for any sign of her voice.I start panting and crying at the same time. I just wanted answers and help. About 2 hours more with me having my breakdown I got up and went to wash my face. Now that I don't look as if I had been crying I wonder downstairs to the kitchen. My family is sitting around the table and staring at me. They know something went wrong, they just don't know what. Father excuses mason and Marley from the table so he and mother can talk to me. Once my brothers were out of hearing range I started crying and said to father "im so sorry father", "you should be ashamed'. He acted as if nothing was wrong, as if I wasn't rood to Madelin. Mother was sobbing and muttering under her breath. she knew something I didn't, and she was trying to tell me without father hearing. Father looked into my eyes and said " Do not ever leave this kingdom again". He knew I was out on layla. After father excused me I walked up stairs and into my room and layed down. My maid fetched me a glass of water and left. It was late, and almost time for me to rest my eyes and sleep. I couldn't sleep considering what just happened. How did father know what I was up to, how did he know I had Layla? The only one who knows is Mother and Mason. Mother is to scared of what father would do to me, and Mason wouldn't do that to me. Eventually I gave it up and fell asleep. I started dreaming about a handsome boy who came to get me, and then he took me and was trying to sell me to the gods. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍I woke up with sweat ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍and my covers were disheveled, heaped all over the floor. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Kellan, the god of nightmares‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ must have visited me. Madelin must have been trying to warn me of this.(SMD 3)* (SZM5) My journey has begun. I’ve had been riding Willow for almost 8 hours now. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍got to admit, it’s pretty boring. The Western lands have a river dividing our land and theirs. Right now I am attempting to cross it. I’ve heard it can be deadly. I knew sooner or later I would run into their lake. During this journey so far, I have run into several things. I’ve come across a ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍black bear, a raddle snake, a hitch hiker, and a mountain lion‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍. I’ve handled all of them pretty well, but I must admit, it gave me a fright. I am completely tired, but I must go on. I told Madelin I would retrieve Kylee by tonight. As I get closer to the lake, Willow bends down and eats a ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍CHRYASANTHEMUM,‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ he loves them. Weird enough, he likes them more than grass. But he’s a great horse either way. Well, as I get closer I see the kingdom. I notice that there are a lot of guards around their kingdom, especially the Eastern part. I wonder if the guards know if I will be coming. I stop once I see there is a bridge from one end of the lake to the other. They must be for crossing, I suppose. I’ve never really seen a “bridge” before, we don’t have any in our land, ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍were‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ not as wealthy. I don’t know why, but the Western lands believe this lake is SACRED for some reason I don’t really know. I’ve heard it’s because once before there was great leader, from about 1,000 years ago, who drowned in it. I haven’t heard much about i‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍t so, I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍never know if it’s true or not. Willow and I trot along the ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍wooden cross-way;‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ we thought it might break, but believe it or not we stayed on and we are now officially in the Western lands. I look around to take a ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ginormous‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ glance at the Western lands. I gasp; I never really thought or imagined how beautiful a land could be. I’ve never heard of or seen anything like it. Willow and I take in the view one more time, I glance straight, and then I see it. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍I see there is a flower garden in the way, and a bunch of guard’s right behind it.‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ (SM5)* (SZM6) As I make my way through the flower patch, I am trying to decide what to say to the guards when I see them. I guess I will just tell them the truth. I don’t necessarily think the guards will know that I am here for Kylee, because not even she knows. But I will just make it up as I go, that’s what I usually do anyway. I kind of wonder what Kylee will do when she sees me. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍She doesn’t even know I’m coming.‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ As I make my way towards the guards, I can tell they know I was coming. I’m pretty relieved actually; I thought maybe ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍they would lock up‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ in their fancy jail of theirs. I make eye contact with one of the guards. I give them a head lift, as if ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍saying “You know why I’m here” look‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍. He greats me back with one. I eventually arrive at the guards; I give another head lift and walk on by. I thought they might have stopped me, but they didn’t, which is such a relief. I knock 4 times on the big wooden door. Probably triple the size of my door. After a brief moment, the door opens. Nobody was there to greet me, or welcome me, so I just walked in. There foyer was bigger than I expected, I’ve never seen something so magnificent in my life. I’ve heard Madelin’s was just the same, but a different color, ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍but ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍I’ve never actually been in her kingdom before. As I am glancing around I spot someone. I see a boy that looks around my age. I make eye contact with him; he maneuvers his arm in a motion that looks like it means “come this way”. I accept his offering, and walk‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ in his ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍motion. We eventually stop in a room that looks like an office/den type of room. It has a glass table, glass vases, flowers, mirrors everywhere, ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍it was so beautiful.‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ Once I stop to actually sit down, I spot another man sitting in the chair across from me. I can tell he is probably about 40 or 45 years of age. I look at him, and he smiles. He then glances at the other boy, and the boy turns around and closes the doors. He then walks over to the‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ other couch closest the other ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍man. He glances back over to me and says, “We’ve been waiting for you, just so you know, or if you didn’t know already, my daughter, Kylee doesn’t know you are here. Right at this moment, she is outside with her ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Chas‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍, Layla and is picking some flowers and such. Kylee isn’t in the mood as much, but I heard she had a nightmare of you…I am debating whether or not to leave my daughter with you. My daughter says she had a nightmare given to her by the Eastern’s ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍g‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍od. Apparently you are trying to sell my daughter to the gods. But then Madelin tells me otherwise. What do you have to say about this?” ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍(SM6)*‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ (kw) Kellan- I sent a nightmare to Kylee. I am trying to warn her about Ian. I don't trust that guy, he seems really sketchy. Madelin is just as much of snob. She's always asking me if I can do stuff for her and for some reason I always say yes. She was asking me to warn ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍her ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍about him. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Apparently he's is planning on selling her to the gods‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍. (smd 4) Once‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ i‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ calmed down it started to make more sense why Madelin came here. She was trying to warn me about my nightmare. Madelin must of wanted to warn me of the nightmare before it actually came true. If you have a nightmare sent from Kellan, then it must come true. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Its been about an hour after I woken up from my nightmare‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍, and the sun was almost rising. I've missed my only chance riding Layla today. It seems like I haven't rode Layla in a year, but in all reality its only been ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍an‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ day. I can hear her howls from a mile away. I've never felt a feeling like this before, It almost seems as if ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍im‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ scared or worried ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍for something that's going to happen‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ to me or Layla. "Kylee, what are you doing on the balcony?" "Your wearing your nightgown, not a dress!" mother says to me. I already knew I mustn't wear my nightgown unless ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍im‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ sleeping. Mother kept on asking me to get in the house and clean up. But I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍dint‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ feel like talking to anybody right now. " Kylee ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍im‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ not going to leave until you come in and get dressed". Eventually I came in. Since it was a Sunday, mother brought me Pineapple fresh from our garden. On Sunday our family all has‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ a‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ fresh fruit to eat for breakfast, instead of eating a full meal. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Its‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ a strange tradition, but I usually have more time to ride Layla before Mother brings me my breakfast.. "When your done eating please put on something nice, and fix your hair". Mother says in a nervous tone. I put on my yellow sundress, my white sun shoes, curled my hair, and went to get my makeup done. Now that ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍im‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ all cleaned up im ready to go down stairs. I look over the stair railings and I see Mother and Father ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍on a walk‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ through the flower gardens, and Mason and his wife talking to the family in the northern part of the kingdom. I couldn't see Marley anywhere in sight, until I turned around to walk to my room to grab my sun hat.‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ He whispered to me‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍. " In 2 hours get Layla, your bow and arrows, then meet me in the far left corner of the land". ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍(SD 4)*‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ (SZM7) I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The eastern god is a fraud! He only said that because he hates my goddess. She didn’t do anything wrong, but he thinks she’s a snob. “I don’t need this! I rode all the way here to retrieve your daughter, and to make her happy, and to help my mother! The only reason, your daughter got that nightmare is because the Eastern’s god hates Madelin. I don’t really care what anybody else thinks, whether or not you like it, I will be taking your daughter, and helping her. I don’t care what ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍there‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ god thinks or anything, I know why I am here, and I know that Madelin is way more trust worth‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ier‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ than their god! I would never disobey you or your daughter or Madelin! Nor my mother that way!” I couldn’t believe how I just blurted that out! I was so surprised with myself. Kylee’s father ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍gives‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ me a look. A look I couldn’t even describe this time. He opened his mouth to say something and then shut it. He glance‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍s‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ back at the other boy, than said “I’ve never, once in my days before, heard anything as stunning ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍as you‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ just explained. I am very interested in you Ian, very. I am very intrigued how well you explained that, and how eager you were to show you are better, and how eager you were to show how ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍much trust worthier ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍you are than the Eastern’s God. I believe you, 100%. There’s no doubt in my mind that you are telling the truth, and you have passed the test as well. I knew from the minute I laid eyes on you that the Eastern’s God sent that nightmare to my daughter to frighten her away from you. I will now lead you to where my daughter is.” I didn’t even know what to say. So I just nodded and followed him out. “May I ask who you are?” I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍asked the‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ other boy. “Oh, yes I am Mason; I am Kylee’s older brother. I help my father around here a lot, so I came to the foyer to retrieve you, sorry for not introducing myself.” He ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍holds ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍out his hand for me to shake. I shook his hand back and ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍say‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍, “Nice to meet you Mason, names Ian if you didn’t already know” Than I smile. It’s great to ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍know you are welcomed‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍. I was beginning to get worried they were going to banish me or something. We walk around the rest of the kingdom to the other side. I see way more guards than I did when I was outside. I am so surprised ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍on how much‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ security they have. I never would have thought it was possible. In our land, there is barely a hundred! I should let Madelin know, so we can get more security. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Well all i got to say is wow‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍, this land is FANCY! We soon ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍reach‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ a giant wooden door. We opened it, and I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍spot‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ someone. I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍spot‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ the back of a young woman’s head. Her hair was as long as my mothers, blonder and brighter than the sun, her skin was as tan as anyone ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍if‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ ever seen before, even tanner than ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍my own‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍. Kylee’s father says “Kylee we have a special guest for you, now I don’t want you to worry, the nightmare you had was all a misunderstanding, I will explain later, but for now here’s Ian.” He extended his arm in my direction to show me. Kylee, I suppose, turned around, in a motion that seemed so slow I wish it would last forever. Her body was as slim as a fox, I will forevermore hold that pose of hers in my mind. When she ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍turns around I see s‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍he is with her Chas, and is holding a bow and arrow. She locked eyes with me; I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as beautiful as her.(SM 7)* (kw4) Cathrine- Kellan's here, like in my dream. He's saying to go to Kylee's castle to visit her. Its excruciating how I'm so close yet so far. I'm afraid I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍can't‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ go on this journey by myself. I have been praying to Kellan, asking him to help me on my long journey. I hope he comes like I've been asking him to. I keep walking though, onward bound. I walked down this quaint path ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍and‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ notice an old lady. "You‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍," ‍‍‍‍she screeched, "your the cursed one that Kellan loves, beware gods are no fun to play with". What was she talking about? Was Kellan in love with me? I had no idea, but if that was true then this journey just got way more complicated. I continued walking to Kylee's castle. I was walking along a quaint little path when a guy jumped out, not just any guy, it was Kellan. I couldn't believe my eyes, one of the gods was visiting me, of all people. "‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Hi,im‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ Kellan, you probably know me but ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍im‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ here to help you on your journey", he said. "‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍u‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍m yeah, im Cathrine, I guess im the damsel in distress in this story", I said. We started walking again, awkwardly I must add. I had to ask him if what the old lady had said was true. If I didn't this journey would be very difficult and awkward. "So...", I said. he started to explain why he was here and what he was doing. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍I found out‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ that he had heard my prayer, and that he was here to help. I told him that I was eternally grateful. he said ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍no problem‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ and we continued walking in silence. "Are you in love with me", I blurted out. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍o‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍h crud monkeys, what did I just say? "Maybe", was his only reply. I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍started blushing‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ until I thought my face would melt. "Look, I am, but im not going to let that interfere with our mission." he said quickly. I gasped, like out loud. I ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍could'nt‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ believe‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ it, why ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍would a god like Kellan be in love with me? I mean im just a lady in waiting, nothing important. Oh well, Im sure it will solve itself, at least I hope it does. I sighed and said "‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ok, i think i'll ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍go sleep over there for tonight." he nodded his agreement. It was a terse nod and it kinda hurt to see that his barriers were up. Am i falling in love with him? Oh no, this can't be happening to me. i tried to stop thinking about it and go to sleep, but sleep wouldnt come. Kellan- Holy crudmonkeys, how'd she find out. I couldn't believe what I was hearing when she said it. She acted indifferent about it, I mean besides gasping. I don't know who told her, but when I find out, that persons going to be in trouble. I'll talk to her in the morning. Hopefully she'll get my innuendo. ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍(KW 4)*‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ Cathrine-I woke up with a jolt. No nightmares! It was a miracle. I whistled and saw Ageip fly through the trees. I laughed and got on him. We walked to where Kellan was sitting and I told him to get on. We packed all our gear on to him and started to fly. Yeah, I’m pretty ‍‍‍‍awesome. Considering‍‍‍‍ the fact that I’m a griffon rider. (smd 5) I rub my eyes wondering if what I just saw was real. I'm assuming it's real, I can hear Ian's footsteps walking down to the foyer. I'm still in shock,"‍‍‍‍why‍‍‍‍ must I meet him?" It makes no sense. I haven't used my archery in what feels like months. I can still remember the day when I was riding on Layla in the ‍‍‍‍eastern‍‍‍‍ lands. I was about to shoot a target right before I was sent to go home. Those were the old days, now that ‍‍‍‍im‍‍‍‍ a lady I mustn't use my archery, or it'll be considered a sin. I start to get my sun hat. ‍‍‍‍as im‍‍‍‍ walking down the hall I think to myself " how am I supposed to sneak my archery past father without him noticing?" Once I grab my white sun hat I head towards the foyer. I say hello to mason and his wife as I make my way to the foyer. I am hoping that Ian will be there waiting for me. I know that it's a very slim chance, but it's worth a try. I can finally see the staircase leading to the foyer. I want to run to the stairwell, I know better than to run in a sun dress though. It takes me every ‍‍‍‍erg‍‍‍‍ not to run to the stairwell. It would make no sense for me to run, ‍‍‍‍im‍‍‍‍ only 5 feet from the stairwell. I look over the stairwell and see nothing. Nothing but the tile floor, and our maids. I ‍‍‍‍get‍‍‍‍ disappointed and walk down the stairs into the foyer. ‍‍‍‍(sarcastically)‍‍‍‍I only have 2 more steps .I finally made it! woohoo....(SMD 5)* (SZM8) “WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?!” yells Kylee, “HE IS FORBIDDEN!” I didn’t know what to say, I couldn’t speak. I feel so ashamed of myself; I don’t understand why the goddess would do that to me. I know she doesn’t like my goddess, but I never did anything to her. She‍‍‍‍ hates me, when I first glanced‍‍‍‍ at her, it seems as if she liked me, but nope I stand corrected. I look to my right, I thought Kylee’s father would be next to me, but ‍‍‍‍she‍‍‍‍ walked over to his daughter. Mason just looks at me and shrugs. I guess I could have seen something like this coming. If I were her I wouldn’t want some stranger taking me along on a long journey. I start walking over to where Kylee and her father are. On my way over I hear slight whispering, “But dad, he’s horrid”, and “Honey, I know you think so, but,” and “I AM NOT GOING WITH HIM!” As I get over there they stop talking. I walk up to Kylee and extend my hand and say, “Hello, I’m Ian, pleased to meet you.” And I smile. She gives me a look over, and walks all around me, as if saying “I hate you, and I’m going to prove you’re as bad as I thought” I’m pretty nervous right now, I know I need to make a good impression for her, and show I’m trustworthy. I need to earn this money for my mother, before it is too late. She finally walks in front of me and extends her hand, “‍‍‍‍pleased‍‍‍‍ to meet you to, sorry for my rude behavior earlier, I know you didn’t deserve it.” And squeezes my hand so hard I‍‍‍‍ thought ‍‍‍‍it might explode, and gives me a smirky smile. I know this is going to be as long a journey as ‍‍‍‍a dreaded for‍‍‍‍. After our “little handshake”, she trots off to her father and I hear him ‍‍‍‍say‍‍‍‍ to go to her room and get ready to leave. Shortly after he walks over to where I am, and gives me a nod as if to ‍‍‍‍say it’s on.‍‍‍‍ I smile and give a small nod ‍‍‍‍bad‍‍‍‍ as if saying here we go. I know I shouldn’t stress about this, because I know when I’m done I won’t ever see her again, but another part of me says I don’t want to let his girl out of my life. ‍‍‍‍Even if she is a total brat, there’s something about her that I need to reach.‍‍‍‍ After 45 minutes of waiting in the foyer for Kylee, she finally comes down. She has a small duffel and looks likes she’s ready. Even from afar I still admire her beauty, I never would have guessed she ‍‍‍‍was ‍‍‍‍this pretty. Once she meets me in the foyer, she looks at me and then her father, and smiles. I guess she had a change of heart? Who knows? But all I know is everything about her is amazing. Once we get outside Kylee tells me she needs to get her ‍‍‍‍chaos‍‍‍‍ and then she’ll be ready. We walk around the Kingdom and get her ‍‍‍‍chaos‍‍‍‍. After that, we get my belongings and head off for this long journey that awaits us. (SM8)* (SZM9) After a short while of riding along, she says she’s tired and hungry. I couldn’t agree more, we’ve been riding for about 5 hours, with no stops. I say, “Okay, do you want to sleep here tonight; it gets pretty freaky here at night.” She says yes, and we make a fire, and I go hunting. On my way hunting ‍‍‍‍I start to think, I think about‍‍‍‍ how awesome it would be to finally have my mother healed, I don’t even remember my life without her‍‍‍‍ sick, it’s a‍‍‍‍ pretty sad thought. I walk around for a while, and still don’t see anything to hunt for… and then I spot it. It’s a squirrel, not the best thing I was hoping for, but good enough to hold us over for the night. Hopefully she likes squirrel. After I catch my squirrel I head back to the camp site. When I arrive back she smiles, I guess she’s pretty hungry. I walk over to the fire, and ask her to hold the squirrel for me. She glances at me and then the squirrel multiple times, and then finally takes it. I go around the camp site, and find three sticks; I set them up so I can twirl the squirrel around to cook it. I take the squirrel back from ‍‍‍‍Kylee and stark cooking‍‍‍‍. Thirty long quiet minutes later, I see the squirrel is ready to eat. We eat the squirrel in silence, and ‍‍‍‍when I finished told her I am‍‍‍‍ going to set up the sleeping arrangements. I set up one mat and the other mat on ‍‍‍‍opposites o‍‍‍‍f the fire; I mean does that seem rude? I didn’t want her to think I’m hitting on her, but I also don’t want her to think I’m being rude. I move them closer, close enough it’s not rude, but far enough it’s not ‍‍‍‍to ‍‍‍‍weird. I see her get up and throw her bone in the bushes, and walk over to one of the mats. She mumbles good- night and crawls in the mat, and sleeping bag. I guess I know how she feels, it’s pretty scary and different, to sleep in the woods with someone you barely know. I crouch down and climb into my mat and sleeping bag, and try to go to sleep. As I’m falling asleep, I think of what my life would have been if I ‍‍‍‍never brought Kylee with me and never have ‍‍‍‍gone to get her. I decided it’s just too ‍‍‍‍bad‍‍‍‍ of a thought, and to drop it. Eight hours later, I wake up and see Kylee about 2 inches away from me; I guess we rolled over in our sleep. I get up and go hunting again; I leave Kylee a note telling her so. About twenty minutes later I come back with another squirrel, it’s bigger this time. When I get back to the camp site I see she made a new fire, and is huddled over it in a ball shape. I walk over, and start roasting the squirrel. About an hour later, we are packed back up, ‍‍‍‍and are finishing our long ‍‍‍‍journey ahead.(SM9)* (kw5) Kellan- “Good morning Cathrine,” I said with the nicest tone possible. She muttered a good morning back and I went ‍‍‍‍on my way ‍‍‍‍cooking breakfast. After breakfast, we pack up camp and put everything in Agieps travel bags; I got on with ease and helped her‍‍‍‍ clamber ‍‍‍‍up. Once we were all situated on Ageip, we took off. ‍‍‍‍The whole time I felt her face pushed into my back. I loved the feeling.‍‍‍‍ She soon fell asleep so I moved her ‍‍‍‍up front‍‍‍‍ so she wouldn’t fall. When she woke up she looked around and smiled, then she paled. I had forgotten she was afraid of heights.“Um… Kellan, I’m afraid of heights”, she squeaked out. I had a brilliant thought! I would stand her up, so she’d be more comfortable flying. “Then why do you have a griffon?” I asked. “It was a gift from my parents, I’ve never flown on him before, though”, she said while giving me a sheepish grin. I grabbed her hips and pulled her up. She laughed and gave me a huge hug. “I thought you were scared of heights”, I said with a questioning glance. “I am but with you make me feel safe”’ she said. I felt my heart throb. We talked for a couple minutes before an understanding silence passed between us. Before I know it my lips were smashed against hers. I pulled myself back and looked away. I can’t believe I’m falling for a mortal. Anyway, she looked at me and started to cry. I pulled her close to my chest; I could feel her uneven breathing and her tears absorbing into my shirt. “It’s ok, what’s wrong?”, I asked ‍well‍ looking in her eyes. Between sobs she managed to choke out “‍you‍ don’t love me like I love you. I mean you kissed me and then looked away in shame”. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, I loved her. I can’t believe I was admitting this, but I loved her… After she calmed down I explained to her why I looked away. She understood and smiled,” ‍is‍ that why you’ve never kissed me before, because you were in denial. Sounds like someone needs a therapist.” She said jokingly. We talked until nightfall and then we found a place to camp. ‍After we did, I fell asleep with her in my arms…‍ (KW 5)* (SZM8) “WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?!” yells Kylee, “HE IS FORBIDDEN!” I didn’t know what to say, I couldn’t speak. I felt so ashamed of myself; I don’t understand why the goddess would do that to me. I know she doesn’t like my goddess, but I never did anything to her. She hates me. ‍when I first glanced at her, it seems as if she liked me,‍ but nope I stand corrected. ‍I look to my right, I thought‍ Kylee’s father would be next to me, but she walks over to his daughter. Mason just looks at me and shrugs. I guess I could have seen something like this coming. If I were her I wouldn’t want some stranger taking me along on a long journey. I ‍start walking‍ over to where Kylee and her father are. On my way over I hear slight whispering, “But dad, he’s horrid”, and “Honey, I know you think so but,”, and “I AM NOT GOING WITH HIM!” As I get over there they stop talking. I walk up to Kylee and extend my hand out and say, “Hello, I’m Ian, pleased to meet you.” And I smile. She gives me a look over, and walks all around me, as if saying “I hate you, and I’m going to prove you’re as bad as I thought” I’m pretty nervous right now, I know I need to make a good impression on her, and show I’m trustworthy.‍ I need to earn this money for my mother, before it is too late. ‍She finally walks in front of me and extends her hand, “‍pleased ‍to meet you ‍to‍, sorry for my rude behavior earlier, I know you didn’t deserve it.” And squeezes my hand so hard I ‍thought‍ it might explode, and gives me a smirky smile. I know this is going to be ‍as long a journey as a dreaded for‍. After our “little handshake”, she trots off to her father and I hear him ‍say to go to her room‍ and get ready to leave. Shortly after he walks over to where I am, and gives me a nod as if to say it’s on. I smile and give a small nod ‍bad‍ as if saying here we go. I know I shouldn’t stress about this, because I know when I’m done I won’t ever see her again, but another part of me says I don’t want to let his girl out of my life.‍ Even if she is a total brat, there’s something about her that I need to reach‍. After 45 minutes of waiting in the foyer for Kylee, she finally comes down. She has a small duffel and looks likes she’s ready. Even from a far I admire her beauty, I never would have guessed she‍ was this pretty‍. Once she meets me in the foyer, she looks at me and then her father, and smiles. I guess she had a change of heart? Who knows, but all I know is everything about her is amazing. Once we get outside Kylee tells me she needs to get her‍ chaos‍ and then she’ll be ready. We walk around the Kingdom and get her chaos. After that, we get my belongings and head off for this long journey that awaits us.(SM 8)* (SZM9) After a short while of riding along, she says she’s tired and hungry. I couldn’t agree more, we’ve been riding for about 5 hours, with no stops. I say, “Okay, ‍do want‍ to sleep here tonight; it gets pretty freaky here at night.” She says yes, and we make a fire, then I go hunting. On my way hunting I start to think, I think about how awesome it would be to finally have my mother healed, I don’t even remember my life without her ‍sick, it’s‍ a pretty sad thought. I walk around for a while, and still don’t see anything to hunt … and then I spot it. It’s a squirrel, not the best thing I was ‍looking ‍for, but good enough to hold us over for the night. Hopefully she likes squirrel. After I catch my squirrel I head back to the camp site. When I arrive back she smiles, I guess she’s pretty hungry. I walk over to the fire, and ask her to hold the squirrel for me. She glances at me and then the squirrel multiple times, and then finally takes it. I go around the camp site, and find three sticks; I set them up so I can twirl the squirrel around to cook it. I take the squirrel back from ‍Kylee and stark cooking‍. ‍Thirty long quiet minutes later‍, I see the squirrel is ready to eat. We eat in silence, and when I finish I tell her I am going to set up the sleeping arrangements. I set up one mat and the other mat on opposites of the fire; I mean does that seem rude? I ‍didn’t‍ want her to think I’m hitting on her, but I also don’t want her to think I’m being rude. I move them closer, close enough it’s not rude, but far enough it’s not too weird. I see her get up and throw her bones in the bushes, and walk over to one of the mats. She mumbles good- night and crawls in‍ the mat, and sleeping bag‍. I guess I know how she feels, it’s pretty scary and different, to sleep in the woods with someone you barely know. I crouch down and climb ‍into my mat and sleeping bag‍, and try to go to sleep. As I’m falling asleep, I think of what my life would have been if ‍I never‍ brought Kylee with me ‍and never‍ have gone to get her. I decided it’s just too bad of a thought, and to drop it. Eight hours later, I wake up and see Kylee about 2 inches away from me; I guess we rolled over in our sleep. I get up and go hunting again; I leave Kylee a note telling her so. About twenty minutes later I come back with another squirrel, it’s bigger this time. When I get back to the camp site I see she has made a new fire, and is huddled over it in a ball shape. I walk over, and start roasting the squirrel. About an hour later, we are packed back up, ‍and are finishing ‍our long journey ahead. (SM 9)* (smd 6 ) ‍Im‍ stumbling around the foyer wondering where my archery tools are. Of course I ‍cant‍ remember where they are. Nothing ever goes my flipping way. Ever since I went to the ‍eastern lands‍, I have had no good luck at all. As ‍im‍ feeling bad for myself I see father walking to the doors that lead inside. I want to hide so I ‍wont‍ have to deal with him, it sucks that there's absolutely nowhere for me to go. I turn around and face the staircase hoping father ‍wont ‍try to talk to me. Once again no luck. "Kylee, will you please join me outside for a few minutes?". ‍My face crinkles up with disappointment and anger as I turn around to face him‍. "Sure thing father, nothing brings me more pleasure". He holds the door open for me as I walk outside. Before I get a chance to ask him a question he closes the door and says, " follow me". I have no choice ‍but to follow, but‍ every step is torture. It's not that easy never knowing where ‍your ‍going, or what ‍your‍ doing. It actually gets pretty annoying after‍ some quite of time‍. " Father, father," FATHER"! He turns around in complete shock. that's the first time I've yelled in 6 years. It felt good, I finally had a chance to let all those years of holding it in loose. "I'll answer your questions when we get there". I don't respond with words, instead I just walk. (smd 7)* (kw6) Kellan- I awoke with a jolt, she was gone. I had no idea where she went. ‍She had disappeared; I had no idea where she went‍. I looked over and saw her swimming with Agiep. Ageip was rolling in the watering hole and getting wet. Everytime he would shake off she would giggle as water rained down on her. She was beautiful at times like this. She was always beautiful, but these were the things that made me love her. When she saw me watching her she turned red. I smiled back at her and said, “‍good‍ morning, would you like some breakfast “. She laughed and said “‍oh I ‍already ate, I mean I know how to catch and gut a ‍fish, my‍ father taught me.” Her laugh was like music, it was beautiful. I blushed as I thought that, I mean she was mortal and I was a god, they don’t integrate. After she was done swimming, she climbed out and went to the tent to put on dry clothes.(KW 6)* (SZM10) After about 10 more hours of trucking along in the forest, we finally arrive. Apparently she’s staying with me in my home. We never really made arrangements, but she says, and I quote “I don’t care what you say, but I’m staying with you. I’m not strolling around in these woods alone.” So, I said okay, and we were silent again. It feels kind of good having company and just being silent. Even if it’s not the ‍best‍ company I was looking for… it’s still something. I’ve never really been on a journey with others. We ‍soon later ‍reach my home. I’m in the same spot as usual, looking at my window and seeing my whole family. As usual they look happy from the outside, but deep down we ‍really know what’s really ‍going on. I look at Kylee and say, “I just want you to know, my home isn’t as nice and clean as yours, so don’t freak out.” She looks shocked when I ‍said‍ that, even frightened maybe. She stares at me and replies “I would never; I’m not as shallow as you think I am.” Then turns away and walks to the door of my old rugged house. As I’m fidgeting with my keys, trying to find the right one, boom! My mother ‍opens the door wide open‍ and pulls us in with a great big hug. I’m glad to know she’s happy to see us. ‍Kylee looks at me through our big giant hug and smiles‍. My mother pulls away and looks at Kylee, than at me multiple times with a smile on her face. “I’m so happy to see you!” she has the hugest smile I’ve ever seen, “I’ve been waiting for days now. We’ve made you youngling’s dinner, ‍now don’t ya sit down now‍.” She points do the dining room dinner, and their they are, all my siblings sitting around the table. They all jump out of their seats and run ‍towards and me‍. They tackle me to the ground, and start tousling me around like an old used doll. Soon after all the tousling, they get up and brush off; ‍they later‍ notice Kylee and just stare. I guess they’ve never seen someone so beautiful, she is pretty… I snap myself out of ‍the daze of Kylee‍, and slap one of my brothers on the leg. ‍They look‍ at me and nod; it’s pretty hard not to think of Kylee. But then we all sit back down and serve each other up and eat. It’s amazing to have real food, and I’m pretty sure Kylee agrees.(SM 10)* ‍(Smd 7)‍ I ran into Father’s back. He came to a sudden stop, almost as if he forgot I was behind him. “Father, what is it?” “Sshhhh, we must not speak.” He turns around to face me, as he’s saying this. I look at him in his eyes and nod with dissatisfaction. Father reaches into his pocket and pulls out a cloth. “What are doing with that father?” I try to say in a whisper. Instead of answering he walks behind me and ties the cloth around my head. I’m walking blinded through the forest in the kingdom. I have almost no clue to where he is leading me. Why can’t I see anything, why mustn’t I talk? These bothersome questions keep popping into my head. We slow down at ease as were approaching what sounds like where the river is. In the distance I hear Marley talking to our guards. “I’ll distract Kylee while you and Father go get Ian.” With anxiety and confusion testing my nerves I come to a dead stop and remove my blind fold. “Who’s Ian Father?” He locks eyes with me, lets me free of my right hand and says, "Follow me and you’ll see.” I make my legs move as we walk towards Marley’s voice. I turn around to ask father a question, but he’s not there, he left me. I turn around again and see Marley 10 feet away.(SMD 7)* (Smd 8) I gasp and yell “You scared me half to death!” He doesn’t respond, but he walks forward instead. I start walking to him, my first step I tripped over a stick and fell down. My face starts to turn red with embarrassment. Marley jogs over while laughing at me. I look down so I don’t have to look at him. I see a huge rip in my sun dress, now it ends 4 inches below my butt. “HAHAHAHAHAHA, you even ripped your dress, HAHAHAH!” Marley says to me as he’s looking down over me. “HAHAAAHA, give me your HAHAHA hand Kylee, HAHAHA.” My face is bright red with not only embarrassment, but also anger. I give Marley my hand as he helps me up. I say in the lowest, angriest voice, “Thank you Marley.” I brush the dirt off my dress as I stand up. Marley finally stopped laughing; he still has a smile on his face though. “Where are we going Marley?” His smile fades as he says “Down by the castle.” I start to get angry as I think about where were going. “Didn’t I just walk all the way here from the castle?” I stare at him waiting for an answer. He nods in response, grabs my hand and starts walking. I decide there’s no use in arguing, so I just follow along. He starts to slow down until he’s at a complete stop. “Kylee, will you come here please?” says Father. I turn to see where Father's voice came from. I turn around to see a young handsome gentleman instead. (SMD 8)* (Smd 9) I study every little detail of this boy. How he is very tall, strong, and very handsome. As I make my way up to his eyes, something hits me. This is the boy from my dreams; the one who sold me to the gods. I turn the color of snow knowing that this “thing” has found me. I’m so caught up in my mind that I didn’t hear what the boy asked me. I look at him in the eyes and say in the rudest tone “Pardon?” “I’m Ian, I got sent here from the Southern lands to retrieve you.” “Am I a dog now?” I say quietly to myself. “Kylee we are sending you away with Ian, this is in orders of Medellin and Calithia.” Father says to me in an attempt of a soft tone. I know that I cannot refuse to go, especially if it’s the god’s orders. Ian starts walking towards me with a disgusted look on his face. Every step he takes I try to take a step back, but Marley is right behind me. Ian is holding his hand out for me to grab, as if he thinks I’ll grab it. “I’m sorry Ian, I don’t touch peasants.” I say with a smirk. “Suit yourself me Lady.” Ian says in an almost joyful voice. He turns around and starts walking away. Marley grabs my hand and makes me walk with him. I see Ian on this huge horse like thing. Marley gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and says “Goodbye Kylee, wish you shall return soon, I love you.”(SMD 9)* (SMD 10) I hug Marley back and say my goodbyes. Ian helps me get on his horse, and then were off. I can’t stop thinking about Layla, how I wish I could be riding her instead of this creature. Once were out of the kingdom grounds I let out a huge sigh. Ian turns around and asks me “Is everything ok back there?” I respond in a happy voice “Yea, I’m fine; it’s just been so long since I’ve been out of the kingdom. It feels so good to be free.” He starts laughing and says “hahhha okaay.” I start to think about Ian. He’s not who I thought he was, he’s actually really sweet and caring. I don’t want to admit it, but I think I might actually like this guy. After a long night of traveling we stop in a little town not too far from the southern entrance. We set up a tent and fall right asleep. It’s my first time sleeping outside, so I move close to Ian. We wake up 2 inches from each other, which doesn’t bother me that much. On the way to the southern kingdom we talk a lot. We found out a lot of different things about each other, like; he really likes to hunt, and he really likes to listen to the stories I tell. We’re having a lot of good laughs with each other. I think that I’m starting to like Ian in ways I would have never imagined.(SMD 10)* (SMD 11) I really do hope that he’s starting to feel the same way about me, considering that he didn’t necessarily like me when we first met. “Ian? I’m sorry how I treated you when we first met, I didn’t mean to be rude.” “Everybody makes mistakes Kylee, so just forget about it okay?” Once Ian was done saying this I felt so much guilt leave me. Were only 3 miles away from the Southern kingdom, only 3 more miles I get to be with Ian. I might as well make it worth wild. He says “Hold on tight, Willow doesn’t have good stops.” I finally had an excuse to hold on tightly to Ian. He seemed to like when I was holding on to him, he took longer to stop Willow than usual. I didn’t mind at all. Willow came to a stop, and then Ian got off and helped me down. We got my things off Willow and started toward the entrance to the kingdom. We were walking into the garden and then out of nowhere a guard said “Hello Kylee, the queen sent me to tell you you’ll be staying with Ian instead.” Ian had a smile on his face and said to the guard “Thank you for the message.” I couldn’t help but smile myself. Ian doesn’t live far from the kingdom so we got back on Willow and started towards the village. We rode in complete silence, it wasn’t even awkward. We were finally at Ian’s house, so he let Willow free, and grabbed my hand and walked me to his door. Before he opened it he said to me “Look my house isn’t the biggest so please don’t complain. I don’t think you will, just to make sure, though.” (SMD 11)* (SZM11) Once we finish our meal we head off to the kitchen. Kylee was super generous and brought her plate to the sink, grabbed a dish towel and said “okay I’m ready, lets clean” with a huge smile on her face. I was pretty impressed on how well she handled living in a cabin for a while. I think I’m going to like this girl more than I ever imagined. After sweeping the floors, cleaning the dishes, wiping off the table, and taking the trashes out we were all exhausted. Kylee went up to the upstairs bathroom and took a shower. While she was taking a shower I headed outside to go hunting for tomorrow’s meal. As I’m heading outside I find Willow on the other side of the rode eating grass. I hop on him, give him a quick pat, and off we go to the woods. Once I finished hunting we headed back home. Willow and I caught a deer. I was pretty excited, haven’t caught one of those in a while. When I get home I hopped of Willow and let him free. I walked inside to see Kylee sitting on the couch looking more beautiful than ever. Her long blonde hair is shining brighter than the sun. I show Kylee where she will be sleeping, (which is across the hall from me) and send her my goodnights and sweet dreams and head to sleep. I change into some pajamas and walk to my bed. I make some prayers for my mother and close my eyes and wait for the next morning to come. … The next morning I wake up to see a fresh pair of clothes folded on the end of my bed. I grab them, run to the bathroom, get ready, and clean up. I walk downstairs to find Kylee who looks flawless by the way, and see she has made pancakes, eggs, toast, bacon, and etc. Everything you could imagine for a breakfast. I also see my whole family, sitting around the table laughing and having a great time. It planted a great big smile on my face when I saw Kylee serving everyone. I walk over to the table and sit down, I give Kylee a big smile, and she returns it. I soon later find out by my brother, Jackson, that she made the massive breakfast I enjoyed so much. I never would have believed, even 3 days ago, Kylee would have ever done something like this. I guess it proves me right, to not judge a book by its cover. (SM 11)*