Visions

Chapter 2

      The fire sputted out with the quick stamps of black boots. I awoke, light blinding my eyes. Reality snapped me back, and I realized where exactly I was and what had happened the previous night. "Good morning nightshade." Jacob said starkly. "I... Uh... Good morning Jacob.." I said quietly. "Well, I suppose there is no need to introduce myself, seeings how you already know my name." Jacob said, smiling. "And I expect you know my brother Sebastian by now?" I nodded. "You could say that.." He laughed. I pushed myself up and began gathering my bedding, folding and adjusting each fabric, finally placing the pillow-like bundle on top of the small stack.

      "I'll take those." The older man that had spoken to me last night said, grabbing the bedding. "My name is Nolic, I hear yours is Rayea. Am I right princess?" I nod. "Bash wishes to speak with you whenever he returns from his hunt." He says, nodding back to me. "Hunt?" I inquire. "Like, finding and killing animals?" I say. "Yes," Nolic laughs, "I forgot you aren't from Avalonia." He says then turns from me and begins walking to another small cot-like place. Before I could observe anymore of my surroundings, something caught my attention. Between the tree lines, was a horse. It was large in stature, with big plodding hooves, that were covered by a tri-layer of fur. It was a deep black, almost silky in appearance. It was strong and beautiful, almost mesmerizing. On top of the horse sat it's rider, whom of which was equal in attributes, both beautiful and mysterious. The rider had a haircut that only rich boys could afford to get back in England. It was a sandy shade of auburn. He had eyes of a milky purple-blue, bordered by an elegant gold. Paired together they were the kind of picture perfect reflection on humanity that people would kill to have.

Then it hit me; the man I was looking at was none other than Sebastian. I felt an overabundance of stupidity wash over my very being. Bash's horse sped up slightly, and then slowed down as he reached our (hopefully) make-shift campsite. Him and his horse stopped abruptly. He got off and wrapped the reins around the tree that was directly in front of him. "Bash!" A young boy, one of the five, said as he rushed up to Sebastian. "Leo," The boy smiled. "Did you get anything today?!" The boy almost pleaded. "No, nothing today, hopefully we will have better luck in our next site." Sebastian replied kindly.

     As I went to walk forward a noise snapped my head around, alerting not just me, but the others as well. The horse started to rear up, pulling and jerking at the bit to get free from its tied predicament. Two of the men (Nolic, and one whom of which was still unrecognizable to me) hunched down, drawing long knight-like blades from a sling that rested against their legs. They backed up slowly at first then fast, pushing Jacob and Leo behind them. Leo rammed into me, causing me to fall back, hitting the ground, and reopening both wounds on my hands. I looked up, just in time to see an arrow flying above Nolic's head. "Sebastian! Get her to safety!" Nolic's old voice gruffly yelled out. With a quick swoop, Sebastian had me in one arm, almost effortlessly, and in the other a large blade similar to the ones the others carried. For some peculiar reason, I wasn't afraid.

       Another arrow whizzed past, hitting a tree behind Bash and I. Then another, and another. Soon we were being ambushed from every angle the forest held. Husky male voices mixed with screams of battle cries. The once silent scenery was now filled with anger and blood... So much blood. The men advanced, then I was pulled away. Thick hands were wrapped around my waist, lifting me up and away from the scene that played out in front of my eyes. I could hear the vivid sounds of a horse rearing and nehing. Metal clashed and the men were surrounded by animalistic beings. I could feel myself being pulled against my will, up and onto something. I struggled, trying to break free and help them, but before I could, the same thick hands had not just my waist, but now my hands. "Rayea!!! Stop!" I looked up. There Sebastian sat in front of me. I hadn't realized until now, but he had pulled me up onto the saddle, and we were about to take off. "Hold on and don't look back." He said louder than he should have. A man came from behind Sebastian and I, bow aimed directly for Bash. With a quick flick of his fingers, the arrow shot forwards, spinning, curving and dipping, straight for Sebastian. "Sebastian! Watch out!" I screamed, gripping onto his shirt and pulling him to the side with me. The arrow whipped past us barely missing me. He pulled both of us back up, grabbing the reigns and slapping them against the horses back side. The horse took off, me barely having time to grab back on to Bash's shirt.

       I could see the riders following behind us, gaining ground with each step. I closed my eyes, clenching onto him as though my life depended on it. Fear was making itself a permanent resident in my very being. Movements jeered me left and right, but I kept hold of him. I could feel the blood from my hands seep through my bandages and onto his shirt. "Give the girl to us!" An unfamiliar voice echoed. Memories of my past filled my head; A man stood over my father, dressed in a bobby uniform, pulling me away from my father's death-bound arms. My father let go as his last breath echoed from his blood soaked lips. Sebastian whipped the reigns, causing me to regain my senses. Tears began to stream down my face, mangling with my blood soaked hands. The horse sped up, dipping and turning. The faint sound of water filled my senses, but I did not dare to lift my head from the safety of Bash. The horse neighed and for a moment I felt as though we were airborne. The horse hit something hard, knocking me forward a tad, then quickly regaining its balance. I found some sort of courage and looked up, just in time to see the men stopping at the edge of a creek. I looked beneath us. River rocks and sandstone covered the ground. "Wha..." My mouth fell agape. The riders on the other side of the creek, turned around, yelling and shouting profane remarks, swearing to find us again.

    Bash made the horse move forward. Time passed and soon we were under a canopy of trees and shrubbery. The colors of autumn surrounded every inch of branching there was. I held tightly onto Bash. I was not scared, but rather shocked.

    The horse stopped and Sebastian rustled forward, stepping off the horse and leaving me slanting forwards, butt plastered against the horn of the saddle. His feet hit the ground with a clad. My eyes opened and I took in where we were; a large tree stood in front of us. It's branches towered over us. At the midsection of it was what seemed to be a deck-like structure, with large lights and banners that hung like snow on the eyelashes of millionaires walking down the busy streets of London. It was beautiful in ways that I have never seen, such as an unfamiliar territory, so undiscovered that it was an adventure to even glance at.

The horse shook its mane causing me to startle from my view. Strong hands grabbed me, pulling me off the saddle and onto the slightly damp ground. Bash pulled his hands away from me as soon as I hit the ground. He turned and began to walk.

"Follow me," he said, walking out of sight.