Note: I haven't written fantasy in a really long time so bare with me. I don't know if I'm going to stick with this because I have so many other stories that I need to finish. I hope that you enjoy this and critique hard please!
As always,
~Angel
Sterling
By Angel of Death
Chapter 1
The air smacked me in the face, freezing the tears that rolled down my cheeks. It had been a warm day, but now the wind was so chilly, the peaks of the castle were crystallizing. Roy stared at me, his eyes like stones being thrown at my head.
"Pull your shoulder up," he said, adjusting my stance.
The bow was warm in my hands, and anger was surging through my body. Rising up my neck and into my mind. It took all I had not to take my eyes off the target. He was so close. His heart beating inches away from my hands.
"I can do this myself, Roy." I spat.
"Your father wouldn't have asked me to do this if you could do this yourself." he muttered, stepping to the side. Ever since the Demons broke through the Gates, my father was intent on making all of his daughters take arrow lessons. The time for battle was near. It soared over us like the birds in the sky. Watching and waiting for the time when our guard was down.
"Ready, set, aim, and..." I didn't wait for Roy to give me permission to fire. Before his mouth could utter the word, the arrow was shooting from the bow, the air moving out of its path. My other attempts at hitting the bullseye had failed. Roy had all but strangled me when I didn't make it. He usually wasn't a mean guy but when it was time for a lesson, his manner became the epitome of my father. Harsh. The arrow veered to the side before sticking itself right in the center of the circle. I blew out a tiny breath of relief, thankful that my training was over.
"Good job, Kyra. But that's not good enough," Roy said, taking the bow from my hands.
"I'm trying my best."
"Well your 'best' isn't good enough. Tomorrow, same time." Roy walked over to the target and started to pull the arrows out, one by one. His blond hair curled at the ends as the wind combed through it. He was a very handsome man with his green eyes and strong features. All of my closest friends thought that we would be One soon because of the rumors that's been running around. It was just yesterday that Roy had asked me to walk with him out to the lake. The azure water sparkled in the blistering sun. Colors that hadn't been seen since the Summer were now out, becoming a portrait of beauty. Trees were their greenest and the sky was pink and orange and purple all at the same time. We were in a boat rolling down the stream. At first I thought the meeting was going to be casual, especially since we used to do this together as children. But when Roy got this gleam in his eye and took my hands into his, I knew right away that he wanted me to be Coveted by him. It was the law of the land. All women had to be Coveted by a man by their eighteenth birthday, and mines was almost here. I had loved Roy but not in the way he yearned for me. We were friends since childhood and nothing could break the sisterly affection I had for him. Not even my father's rules. He was upset when I refused him. I apologized a million times for not being able to return my feelings but he only said that it was alright and that I was forgiven. We fought constantly, after that. There was nothing particular that we argued over it sort of just happened. And now, when I was around him, I hated it. Especially since there was a flame for me still burning in his eyes.
Tiny crystals fell from the sky, disintegrating when they touched my skin. The anger that found solace in the pit of my soul, grew stronger. It wasn't my fault war was nearing. If only our ancestors would have took better care of the human race, maybe we wouldn't be in this predicament. Fighting like animals for our lives. The Angels were our only hope. They kept the darkness off for as long as they could. But Mongaria was devoured by most of the evil and now only a small amount of us remain.
"We should hurry up back. A storm is rolling in pretty fast. I can feel it." Roy said, coming towards me. Obeying I matched his quick pace, the snow that was sticking to the ground seeping into my boots. I was wearing layers of the kingdom's finest clothing but still I was cold. The wind whipped through my coat, scorching my skin with its icy splendor. It was unbearable weather. And yet it wasn't supposed to be like this. Fall wasn't even over yet, and already the grass was freezing over. As we walked through the Forest, I noticed that leaves on the trees were brown. And there was hardly an animal in sight. The birds that usually chirped their melodies were gone too. A howl broke free in the distance, making my feet plant into the ground. Fists formed, I looked around. Taking in everything around me. Roy stood protectively in front of me. His body so close to mine, that I could taste the scent of him. It was a minty smell. Almost like pine cones on a Summer day.
"Be very quiet," he whispered, taking me into his arms. I didn't like being this close to him but the warmth wasn't all that bad either. His heart was beating out of his chest. There was something hidden in the forest. By the sound of the howl, I could tell that it wasn't human. But what was it? And was it good or evil? If a Demon found us stranded in the woods, it would surely devour us whole, without letting us beg for mercy. They were everywhere nowadays. Prowling around in dark shadows. The Angels were able to get rid of some but there was no telling how many survived. My eyebrows furrowed as I continued to look around. The air was still and silent. Only the sounds of our hearts beating and our easy breaths could be heard. Something black soared over us. My gaze followed it and so did Roy's. The flying thing landed in the snow and slowly advanced towards us. It was short but as it got closer it grew taller and taller. We both let out sighs of relief when we realized who the dark creature was.
"Did I frighten you?" a soft voice asked. Before our eyes, the huge bird turned into a girl about my age with brown skin and long flowing black hair. Her eyes glittered orange in the fog, and then they returned to their usual brown.
"Raven." Roy breathed.
"Sorry 'bout that. I just thought y'all needed help getting back. Its getting pretty misty out here." she said, smiling.
"Thank you." I said, walking towards her.
Raven was an Angel and she's been with my family since the day I was born. She was assigned my Guardian by her King and now we've become inseparable. But the war is occupying her time more and more everyday. It worries me that she'll be injured or even worse, killed, in battle.
We continued our journey back towards the village. It was dark outside by the time we seen the campfires. The two guards that stood at the foot of the path to the castle bowed down before us. I blushed, hating that some people treated me differently just because I was royal.
"Princess Kyra," Igor said, smiling.
"Hello," I said, returning the smile.
Igor was a portly fellow with balding brown hair and round black eyes. He always smelled of smoke and burnt wood but it was a homey smell so I got used to it. Raven wrinkled her nose after we finished our greeting.
"Does that guy ever think about showering?" she asked, giggling.
"I don't know. I think he smells okay." I said, laughing.
Angels had a great sense of smell. Each time they shape-shifted their senses became more heightened and advanced. When they were wolves, powers beyond belief were given to them. They could see great distances and hear many things, even your thoughts if they were Bonded. Raven was not always near but when she was, I knew that she felt everything I felt. It was probably her howl we heard earlier. I sighed, happy to know that the Angels were always watching.
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That's all I have right now but what do you think? Is it good? Should I continue? Do I need more description because I know I didn't describe Roy too well. Sorry I just can't picture what he looks like in my head yet.
Thanks for reading.
~Angel
