Episode20-Antigon and back at Rayvin Academy
2116 Words
A boy peeps from behind a tree before waving the girl over. She finds her way up the hilly path covered with trees and bushes.
"Thank you," she says to the boy.
"You are welcome. But don't make the mistake of using magic or been seen. You know that they would not hesitate to hurt you."
"I was only looking for what to eat. My mother is sick and we haven't eaten for days."
"I can spare you some of my supplies. I still have things left. Queen Evalon and her warriors have made it difficult for us to live. She hits people especially if you come from a kingdom that once stood up to her." Clearing a path for them to walk through behind a very thick bush, "she killed my parents and siblings. I was the only one that survived." The boy says, his voice sad
"I am Amor," she says with a smile on her face.
"I am Hughes," the boy says.
"I am sorry about your family. I can't do much but I can do this," the girl throws her cloak into midair and it turns to all sorts of beautiful birds, flapping around them.
"Wow, that is beautiful."
"Am glad you like it."
"Come on. Let us keep walking we need to get back to the village before the guards return to their posts."
They walk and talk until they get to Hughes small hideout. It is a hut with mostly every part burnt out. Happily, he drags the girl by the hand and walks in.
"Here," he takes out few fruits, wraps them in a clothe and hands it over to Amor.
"Thank you."
"It is nothing. Come. Let me walk you back to the village."
They take the path that they took to come to them but avoid where they had seen the warriors earlier. Getting to the Village, every part is going up in flame. Smoke hanging over most of the buildings. It is so bad that Hughes and Amor are coughing in discomfort. They blinding search for their way to Amor's house, covering their nose and mouth with their hands while their eyes water due to the intense smoke. Amor trips on a large rock and falls. Hughes reaches for her hand and helps her up.
"Nooooooo!" she screams, trying to run into her burning house.
"You can't go in there," Hughes says, holding her back by the waist.
"My mum! She's in there! Mum!" Thrashing and fighting to get free from Hughes.
"Let's go. They are coming back."
Amor keeps fighting but Hughes overpowers her, dragging her out there. As soon as they get behind a wall, hidden, a group of warriors arrive on horses.
"Check for survivors!" An ugly looking one barks. His men dispense into the different houses, breaking doors down and scattering whatever is left of the place.
"Let's go," Hughes whispers into Amor's ear who is crying silently.
"You killed my mum!" She screamed, coming out from where they are hiding.
"You are going to get us killed," Hughes whispers but Amor isn't stopping. Instead, she commands a log of wood with magic and it hits the ugly looking man, knocking him off his horseback.
"Oh, boy!" Hughes charges towards one of the guards knocking him off with a nearby stone. From afar, the warriors are approaching in large numbers.
"Let's go, Amor. We can't beat them all." Hughes drags a very angry Amor out of the place.
Amor is very quiet, crying and wiping her tears with the back of her hand. As they reach a different part of the village, the entire buildings have been lowered to the ground, covered with arrows and spears everywhere. One side of a house is going up in flame but faintly. Nothing but ashes is in the village. They make for a move for stops.
"What is that awful smell?" Amor speaks for the first time.
"You wouldn't want to know," Hughes says with a sad face.
"It smells so bad." She tries to walk towards the pungent stench. "Queen Evalon has really done her worst."
"I told you not to look for it!" Hughes snap. "I told you not to." He becomes angry. His eyes turning bloodshot, fangs drawing out.
"You are a vampire!" Amor trembles.
"They killed my whole family! That is how I found them," pointing at the large pile of bodies, "the did that to them."
"I know, Hughes. They killed mine too."
The pile of bodies are covered in ashes. You can barely recognise what they look like. They've lost the recognition of humans and looks more like rocks with blackened faces. Amor turns her eyes, throwing up on the ground.
"Are you okay, Hughes," Amor asks after emptying whatever contains she has left in her system.
"Yes," taking a deep breath and returning to normal. "Let's keep walking. We need to get back to my hut before Night Falls. They will be looking for you for using magic and me for being a vampire." Hughes continues walking while Amor runs after him.
They hurry past lots and lots of villages until they return to the small hurt that Hughes had earlier taken Amor to.
"We will rest here. Hungry?"
"Yes, please," she takes a piece of torn clothes tossed to the side and covers herself with it.
"Here," Hughes hands her over fresh grapes which she devours hungrily.
**********
Back at the palace, everywhere is looking dark and lonely. The once glorious and glamorous city is down to ruins. The golden reflection and beautiful flowers are all covered with cobwebs. The entire place looks spooky. Outside of the main castle is heavily guarded with zombies controlled by Nimshi. Everyone around the palace is trembling and looks awful. Princess Evalon now Queen Evalon is wearing a black floor-length ball gown with the crown on her head. By her side is Nimshi wearing a red gown with a black cape. Six warriors are on their kneels while twenty warriors surround them.
"Why is it difficult to find a mere bit? It has been eighteen years and there is still no news about him or Amara!" She screams. Using dark powers she snaps the head of the messengers.
"My Queen, do not forget that he is no mere boy. He is more than mere," Nimshi says mischievously.
"I haven't forgotten for even a second, Nimshi." Drumming her fingers on her cheeks, "what news do we have about the boy?"
"Patience, my Queen. Patience, that is what has brought us this far. We always wait for their mistakes. Already they've made one. I just need confirmation and the good news will get to you."
"I trust your judgment, Nimshi." Turning to her warriors, "continue spreading fear throughout the Kingdoms. Until someone comes forth with news about Amara or the boy, do not stop. As for these useless imbeciles, have them executed! Commander!"
"My Queen, you just asked for the commander to be executed," one of the guards whisper into her ears.
"Then you are now in charge. Be useful or else you will be next." She waves them off.
Hurriedly, the six warriors get dragged away. Queen Evalon frustratedly sits.
"I'm going to show no mercy when I find them. They've put me through a lot. I should have killed them when I had the opportunity but no, I was showing mercy."
"It is that slim mercy that you showed that put you on the throne. Now that you have the opportunity, we will seize it. If you had killed him, the people would have been against it and you never would have had the throne. I told you, patience, my Queen."
"Yes, Nimshi. It is only a matter of time before I crush them. And this time, there is no going back."
"Yes, my Queen."
********************
BACK AT RAYVIN ACADEMY
Filled with doubt, "do you think that is the only reason why those huge changes were effected all of a sudden?" Mael asks Duke, who seem to snooze off. Duke doesn't answer because he has completely slept off.
Mael's messenger out of nowhere uses a block of ice cream to wake Duke by allowing it to melt and drop on his lips.
"Mael, what the hell are you doing?"
Giggling a bit, "nothing. I didn't do anything." Looking around, "it was Eugene. Ah, swear, he was here seconds ago. He just vanished." Looking confused he tries to explain.
Now awake, " he vanished because he knows that I'll kill him!" Duke mumbles. "It happened because you thought of it."
"Really? I barely imagined anything."
"You didn't need to. You've connected with Eugene. Whatever you think even when you are not admitting to being doing so, he will do it for you."
"I'll bear that in mind not to think about something that will put me in trouble."
"Better not. Or else, you will be sent packing. The school doesn't like rule-breakers."
"Why we're you even disturbing me?"
"Look, I know that you are tired and it's late but I have got a question."
"Can't it wait till tomorrow?"
"It could but I am so curious."
"Whatever. Just ask so that I can have peace."
"What is the major reason why so many changes were effected all of a sudden. I am not satisfied with the explanation you gave."
"That is a very good question. Why don't you go over there and ask them?" He says sarcastically?
"I thought that prefects should be equally aware of what is going on."
"Well, we are told only necessary information and nothing more. In fact, most of the teachers do not even know the full details of what is happening."
"Aren't they being a little secretive?"
"You should really go ask Rabbi Humbledore or Vice-Principal Mackenzie if you are concerned. See I don't know what is really going on. Allow me to sleep."
"Okay. Sorry."
Just as Duke is about to return to sleeping, the school bell goes off.
"Everyone return to your dormitory," Vice Principal Mackenzie says.
All the teachers leave while the prefects guide the students back to their different dormitories.
Melody sneaks out of line and wakes towards Harry and Marl."Hi, boys," tapping both of them on the shoulder.
Melody has equally been curious since the new changes were effected. In as much as Mael wants to know what is going on, Melody wants to find out more. She plots and finds a way to sneak out of line, hiding from Hunters and all the prefects until she gets to where Harry and Mael are.
"What are you doing here, Melody?" HarryWWhisperss, trying to not draw attention to them.
"Trying to get us in trouble," she jokes.
"I like the sound of that," Mael concurs.
Harry shakes his head in disappointment. Too angry to say anything, he keeps quiet.
"I heard that something is wrong here that is why we are being kept away from different activities. But no one wants to talk about it. It is as if they are hiding something."
"I thought so too," Mael drags them to a corner somewhat hidden.
"Whatever the both of you have in mind, count me out. If it is not enough to freak you out, bear in mind that I am a commoner. It freaks me out. You are a vampire and a lot of things," he says, pointing at Mael. "And you, you are, well, something," pointing at Melody.
"Ice." Melody mumbles.
"What?" Harry asks.
"I have Ice power but I still need to practice a lot because I suck."
"See," Harry says, "you've powers and I am what? Powerless."
"No one is getting hurt. Don't worry." Mael courageously says.
"When we get caught..." Harry tries to say but Melody cuts him out.
"If we get caught." She corrects.
"If we get caught, I am so dumping the blame on you both. You know that both of you are dragging me along against my will. I'll tell whosoever that gets us that I was compelled. And I am not kidding about that. Better reconsider."
"You are such a baby, Harry."
"We're going," Mael says.
"We're seriously doing this?" Harry pleads.
"You're the one always talking about how this place is boring and you will like to do something different," Mael says.
True. But that is under supervised authorities who wouldn't get us killed. And besides, I want to get a good night sleep because tomorrow might be a busy day," faking a yawn and stretching himself.
"Right, 'cause you haven't been doing a lot of that, sleeping beauty," Melody teased.
"Let's just go," Harry says.
"That is the spirit." Mael concurs.
- Writer
