The Destiny of Evistus(the paragraphs are messed up, sorry!)

The Destiny of Evistus                              Chapter 1- Destiny’s call                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     “Artemis”, called the clear, gentle voice. Something of interest happened. Prince Apollo spoke with a very small amount of hesitation “There is someone outside of our gates and appears to be wounded.” Artemis looked out of the window, seeing nothing but heavy fog.                                                                                                    

He thought to himself “Of course Prince Apollo can see out of the fog… He can see the world outside.” At last, Artemis spoke” What do you want me to do, Sire?” Apollo turned to look at him and said “Bring this person inside and please don’t call me Sire….I do not deserve that title.” Apollo thought to himself “Whatever she went through, it won’t hurt her here…” Artemis’s eyes turned blue and thought” It’s not your fault, Sire…” He turned and went to the door.                                                                            When the door opened, the fog vanished for the first time in years. Artemis could see what the gates looked like. They were black and forked at the tips and the pillars were brown bricks. He opened the gates to see at the side, a girl with her back to the pillar. She seemed to have been sleeping, but, at the side of her arm was a gash from the tip of her elbow to near the top of her shoulder. It looked perhaps a few days old.                      Artemis alarmingly rushed towards her and picked her up with ease. As he went in, the heavy fog rolled in again. He went past the Great Hall and into the common room, Apollo’s usual spot. He set her down on the couch that was in the middle of the room and hurriedly went to a cabinet that was in the back. Apollo sat in a chair next to a window across the fireplace and looked at her curiously. He got up and strode to the couch.                                               He looked at her and from a single glance inferred her lineage. She had the pale skin and long black hair (common among her kind ) that reached the backs of her elbows. There were also tiny cuts here and there on her face. Artemis came back with the bandages and medicinal alcohol to clean the wound and tiny cuts. He lifted and dabbed her arm with the medicine and wound the bandage around her arm. He then, dabbed it on her face and she flinched a little. He finished the job and went to the closet that was near the entrance of the common room. He took a blanket and draped it over her.                                     Apollo was silent during all this and he pondered over how she got here without him noticing until now. He had been keeping an eye on the places near the mansion so…… how could he miss the arrival of this girl? He sighed when he realized that he wouldn’t get any answers out of her until she woke up, so he went back to his chair and continued to peer out the window. Artemis had settled for sitting down on the floor, in front of the couch and asked Apollo” What is happening outside, Prince Apollo?” He looked at him and replied” The Dralorians are getting stronger, day by day and Anamorideon is becoming desperate. Draloria’s resources are getting vast. They pillage and burn all of Anamorideon‘s allies. Its future looks dim. Our guest knows of this and may know more than we do. She just needs to wake.”

Artemis replied “You should be patient, Prince Apollo…It looks like our guest has been through quite an ordeal...” Apollo said “I know Artemis, I’m not asking you to wake her up.” Artemis yawned and said “Well, I’m going to sleep, so, good night, Prince Apollo.” “Good night, Artemis”, Apollo replied. Artemis went into the Great Hall and trudged up the stairs to his room. Apollo left for his room later in the night.  In the morning, instead of the light that should have been streaming in, there was the perpetual darkness that blended the day into night. Apollo came into the common room to check on the guest and sat in his chair.                                  A few hours later, her eyelids slowly opened to reveal deep burgundy eyes. Apollo noticed this and gently said” Welcome to my home, Anamoridian.” She slowly sat up on the couch and asked in fear “W-Who are you? Where am I?” Apollo said” I am not one of the people you fear. You are in a safe fortress that is impenetrable from the rest of the world and its terror.” He got up from his chair and sat next to her on the couch. Apollo asked “Would you like to tell me how you got that wound on your right arm?”  She looked at her arm in shock, when she saw that it was bandaged. She asked” Who bandaged my arm? Was it you?” Apollo smiled and his eyes turned into a hue of yellow. He replied “That wasn’t me; it was my butler, who’s currently sleeping. He thoughtfully stroked his shoulder length black hair.                 Artemis quickly and quietly came into the common room. He loudly said” Thank you so much for telling me that she had woken up!” Apollo looked at him, confused, and said “I didn’t tell you.” Artemis frowned at him and fumed “You have yet to master the subtle art of sarcasm, Prince Apollo.” Apollo said “Oh! So that’s what you meant! You know I don’t like it when you get like this, Artemis.” Artemis turned his attention to the poor girl caught in the middle of this and said” I’m sorry, but this RUDE man didn’t tell me you had woken up and now, he’s having a light conversation with you! The audacity of some people!” Apollo rolled his eyes and asked “Are you finished ranting?”                                   Artemis huffed and said” Yes, I’m finished. Now could you please continue whatever conversation I interrupted?” Apollo said” Glad that’s over .Now…. you were about to tell me how you got that cut on your arm.” She sighed and said” Well….I come from a village in Anamorideon that is near the Broken Mountain. A regiment of the Velcop Guard came to my village, demanding our surrender under the risk of brutal consequences.                                                      We refused and their leader commanded a horde of feline-like beasts with riders to attack us. The riders had spread across the village, burning as they went. I was running while two riders chased me, and suddenly they had me with my back against a wall. When I turned around, their hounds were snarling at me, but something unexpected happened. The riders were trying to control their beasts and while trying to do so, one of the beasts scratched my arm and gave me the tiny scratches on my face that you see now. The rider, who was on the beast that scratched me, apologized to me! They introduced themselves as Frievus and Jovus. The one named Frievus told me that they had just joined the Velcop Guard and they didn’t think it was right to force people under the Dralorian banner. Jovus put me on the beast and they both rode away to the forest at the border of Anamorideon. They left me in the forest, and rode back to the village. I went further into the forest until a heavy fog closed in around me, and I decided to lay on a tree trunk to rest, until I awoke to find myself here.” She sighed and laid back on the couch.                  Artemis spoke with wonder, “So there are Dralorians who want peace!” Apollo was more skeptical, “If they had wanted peace, then, why did they join the Velcop Guard?” She looked at him and replied “It doesn’t matter, they saved my life!” Apollo snorted “Oh? So what do you think happened to the rest of the villagers when they came back? They can’t put all of the villagers on the beasts back and ride them to this forest! Look, just because they saved your life, doesn’t mean that they didn’t end others. I’m not trying to say that what they did was wrong, but, one good deed doesn’t erase the hundreds of terrible deeds that they may have committed.” She frowned at him and asked him “How would you know if they committed those “terrible deeds” or not? You shouldn’t jump to conclusions like that! Who are you to judge?” Apollo’s eyes turned red, he stood up and he stated “You are so naïve…. I have seen the world and its people. I have seen the cruel intentions of people and how they inflict it on others… This war tears apart families and takes lives, without a second thought. And why? Just because a few individuals wanted power! The world of Evistus is going to destroy itself at this rate!” The Anamorideon shrunk away and Artemis stepped in between them, worried “Sire! Please calm down!”               Apollo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, they went back to a deep black color. He bowed to the Anamorideon and said “My deepest apologies, I couldn’t control my anger…” He paused for a moment and turned around to face the window, saying, “Artemis, please take our guest up to a room of her choosing and I bid you good night.” Artemis led her past the Great Hall and up the stairs, he went into the first room on the right. The room had a canopy bed with a dresser and a mirror on top. There was a balcony with white curtains. Artemis quietly said” This room used to belong to Prince Apollo’s older sister, Lady Hemera. Is it to your liking?” She looked at it and said “Yes…but I have a question, could you tell me how his eyes changed color like that?“ Artemis looked at her and said “Does it matter? I don’t even know your name and yet you want to know more about us.” She exclaimed “Oh! I’m so sorry! My name is Eris and I’m sorry that I made your master angry.” Artemis smiled and said “Don’t fret!  I’ll take my leave now, good night!” He left Eris and went back to the common room and sat on the couch. Apollo was sitting in his chair and asked “Did she notice anything?” Artemis said “Yes. She asked me about how your eyes changed color…we are going to have to be careful around her. Also, her name is Eris.”                               Apollo looked at Artemis and said “It’s good that she only noticed my eye color…. I revealed too much when I was talking to her.” Artemis got up and said “Good night, Prince Apollo.” Apollo replied “Good night.” When he stared out of the window, his eyes pierced through the fog and saw burning houses and Dralorians riding away. He then saw, SheerLake, Draloria’s capital, shining and clear. There was a beautiful tall castle with large spires and a town at its base. He searched the world and saw nothing different as when he saw it the night before. He got up and went to his room for the night.              Morning came and Eris was the first to wake. She got up and went to the balcony doors. She opened them and stepped out. All she could see was fog, it closed in around her. She heard a timid knock on the door and she immediately went back in. She closed the balcony doors and went to open the door’s room. Apollo was waiting outside and when she saw that it was him, she apologized for the night before. “It’s okay, Eris”, he replied. “I should have controlled my anger.”  She questioned him, “How do you know my name?” He smiled at her and said, “Artemis told me. How else did you think I’d learn your name?” She looked at him sheepishly and said, “Oh…..Right….”                                            He looked at her, amused, and asked her” Do you want me to give you a tour of the mansion?” Eris smiled and said “Sure!” He motioned her to come with him and they went down the stairs to the Great Hall. There were black and white tiles on the floor and a soft blue carpet. There were giant portraits on both sides of the walls. Apollo pointed to one big family portrait and said” This was painted by Artemis, believe it or not, he’s a world class artist. The man that is sitting down with a stern expression was my father, King Erebus and the woman that is standing next to the chair was my beautiful and loving mother, Queen Hestia. The young woman that is next to my mother was my older sister, Hemera and the young man on the left hand side of the chair, is me from ten years ago.” They were all dressed in the finest cloth: the women in red silk gowns and the men in black armor, swords at their sides. The king was wearing a cape and a crown with wondrous jewels.                                        

Eris looked at them in wonder and asked” What happened to your family members?” Apollo looked down from the painting and said “The story is too long. I will tell you later. Let’s move on.”  He led her past the common room and into the dining hall. There was a great oak table in the middle of the room and more paintings but they just showed landscapes. There were ten chairs, four on either side and one on both ends of the table. The silverware was already on the table with the plates. There was a blue carpet and the walls were white. There was a door and there was a clattering noise behind it. Apollo sighed “Artemis is already at it and it’s so early.....…” Artemis kicked the door open and said “Breakfast is served!!” He was carrying two metal trays on each arm and he set it down on the middle of the table with a grand flourish. Artemis had a dimpled smile as he said to Apollo “I made your favorite!!” Apollo smiled too and said “That’s nice…..but I have one question… What about our guest’s favorite breakfast?” Artemis’s mouth flew open and was thrown into a pit of despair with that one question. He groaned” Oh no! I didn’t make her favorite! I’m such a terrible host!!” She looked at him, worried, and said” Oh, no! It’s okay! You don’t have to make my favorite!” Apollo laughed and said “Artemis, calm down. Why don’t you make it now while I give her the tour of the rest of mansion?”                                                                                                                   Artemis looked at him in wonder and said “You are so brilliant, Sire!! I shall not waste any more time and make it the best thing she’s ever tasted in her life!!!” He victoriously dashed into the kitchen and the noise started again. Eris laughed and then abruptly stopped when she realized that she didn’t tell him her favorite food! She started to go into the kitchen when Apollo grabbed her arm, humor still in his eyes, saying” Where do you think your going? I still I have to give you the rest of the tour!” Eris quickly said” I have to go to tell him what my favorite foo—“Apollo interrupted” You don’t have to worry about that. He knows already. I won’t tell you now how he knows, okay? I’ll tell you later.” Eris grumbled” A lot of the things you say that you are going to explain to me are going to be said later.” Apollo chuckled and said” We just don’t have that much time to talk about it now. Let’s just continue the tour.” He led her away from the dining hall and into the common room. They went into the back to see a wide hallway, there was a single door and it opened to reveal a library. There was a grand chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling. The bookcases reached from the bottom of the floor to the ceiling. There were tables scattered across the floor and a few tall ladders in front of some of the bookcases. There were white pillars circling the room. Apollo looked at it and said “Beautiful, isn’t it? My father had valued education and books. We built this to honor his memory….” She nodded in wonder. He walked to the middle with Eris and pointed out what each bookcase held. He abruptly stopped and said “We should go now, or else Artemis will throw another fit…” Eris said “Good idea.” Apollo led her back to the dining hall and Artemis was sitting down on the chair with a big smile. There was one more metal tray on the table.                                                            He uncovered it, showing capon and rice. Eris gasped and said “My favorite food!” He smiled a toothy smile and said “Sit, eat, and enjoy! You too, Prince Apollo!” They went and sat down. When they finished the food, Artemis exclaimed “I’m such a wonderful cook!” Eris agreed and Apollo smiled. Apollo said “Stop gloating, Artemis. We have to tell her how you knew her favorite food…”                                                                                                  Artemis became serious and his eyes went back to their deep, black color. He hesitated “Are you sure that we can tell her?” Apollo said “Of course we can, its not that important.” Artemis took a deep breath and turned his attention to Eris, saying “We have been in this mansion for ten years…..In this mansion, every guest’s desires or intentions are laid bare. Prince Apollo and I can read that person’s mind only under those circumstances. We know if a person has ill intentions or not, only if they are near the mansion or in it. Eris looked at them in amazement and said “Is it you two that have this power or did the mansion give it to you?” Apollo spoke” The mansion gave it to us. I am very thankful for that because it’s necessary for our survival…” Artemis spoke once again” We should have known that you were coming, so, we could have been more prepared…but, something is happening or about to happen…..but enough of that! Did we answer your question?” Eris said “Yes….But I have one more question….” Apollo said” Oh right! You do know her question, right Artemis?” Artemis said” Yes, Prince Apollo. But it is not suited for this room. I think we should go into the common room to answer the question.” Apollo agreed and got up to go to the common room. They went past the Great Hall and into the common room. Apollo sat on the chair that was next to the couch, Artemis and Eris sat on the couch. Prince Apollo’s eyes turned blue and said “Before we came to this mansion, my family used to live in a castle. Only Hemera and I would visit this place, but only for a day or two…The mansion was to keep us safe. When the war had started and the Velcop Guard were heading for our castle, King Erebus and Queen Hestia had stayed, but, we were told to go to the mansion with Artemis. Hemera and I didn’t want to leave our parents, but, we were forced to. On our way over here, we were ambushed by a small regiment of the Velcop Guard. We managed to escape, but at the loss of my older sister…That is what happened to Artemis’s and my family members….”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

            Eris sadly looked at him and said “I’m so sorry… You didn’t have to tell me this if you didn’t want to.” Apollo said “You were the one who had asked me what had happened to our family members, but, it’s okay. You didn’t know. “He turned his attention to the window. Artemis looked at Eris and said” We told you about our family, how about you tell us about your family?” Eris said “I have an older brother and my parents owned a smithy… I don’t know what happened to them, so, that’s all I can tell you… I wish I knew more…”Eris looked away, deep in her own thoughts. Artemis looked at Apollo and knew at once what he was doing. A few moments later, Apollo turned to look at Eris and said” Your family members are fine, but, they are worried about you.”            ;                                                                                     Eris looked at Apollo and said “How do you know?” Apollo’s eyes turned into a light hue of yellow and said” Call it instincts.” He then looked at Artemis saying “Artemis, isn’t it time for brunch?” Artemis got up and exclaimed” Oh right! I completely forgot! I got to go now!” He hurried out of the room, past the Great Hall and into the kitchen. Eris looked out of the window and asked Apollo “How can you tell what time it is when there is such a heavy fog outside?” Apollo looked out of the window and replied” My eyes are different from your eyes. Yet at times, they are the same“ Eris frowned and assumed “And I’m not going to get a complete answer, am I?” Apollo said “That is a complete answer. You just need to think a little more.”  Eris grumbled “I’m horrible at figuring riddles out…” Apollo smirked and said” Then I guess you’ll be in the dark for a little more time. And anyway, I don’t want to give you so much information about us when it’s only been your second day here…” Eris was dumbfounded and gasped” It’s only been my SECOND day here?!” Apollo stared out of the window and said “It always feels like a lot more time has passed here than the outside world, doesn’t it?” Eris abruptly composed her face and agreed with him. Apollo laughed “You’re so funny, Eris! You were surprised in one moment and so composed the other!” Eris’s face lit up and joined in the laughter. Artemis casually strolled in the room and cleared his throat” Ahem!” (More laughter)  “Ahem!!” (More laughter until it finally died down to tiny chuckles)”Dinner is ready!” Apollo controlled his laughter and said “Artemis! Eris is so funny!” (Broke into another fit of laughter) He wiped his eyes and sighed “So…..what’s for brunch?                                                                                                        Eris had finished laughing shortly before Apollo had stopped. Her stomach grumbled and Artemis said” Sounds like Eris is hungry! I’m SO happy that you have such a huge appetite, Eris!” Eris gave him an awkward smile and said” Thanks….I guess…” Apollo snickered and said “Artemis… just tell us what’s for brunch before she decides to leave!” He looked at Eris and shrugged” We never act like madmen…usually.” Apollo and Eris got up and followed Artemis to the dining hall. Artemis walked in front of them and said” For brunch, we have chicken flambé and apple turnover for dessert. Apollo looked alarmed and said” Don’t you think that’s a bit much for only three people?” Artemis dramatically said” We can pull through this meal! I won’t go down without a fight!!” Eris said” You are so overdramatic, Artemis.” Apollo said to Eris ”You are going to have to get used to that. He acts like that a lot. ” They all sat down in the chairs and with a grand flourish, Artemis picked up the metal covers. Artemis gravely looked at Apollo and Eris, saying” Ready your forks and knives…”                                             They started to eat with all the speed that they could muster and finished soon after. Artemis leaned against the chair he was sitting in and announced” WE ARE VICTORIOUS!! ugh…..Maybe you were right, Prince Apollo…” Apollo groaned” You realize this after we finish the meal….. I don’t think we should have dinner…..Unless you want to throw up….” Eris mumbled” That was good, Artemis….But I agree with Prince Apollo……ugh…..I don’t think I have the strength to get up…” They just sat there without speaking for ten minutes, holding their stomachs and groaning every now and then. Eris was the first to get up, followed by Apollo, then Artemis. They stumbled into the common room, Eris dropped onto the couch, Apollo dropped onto his chair, and Artemis dropped on the floor in front of the couch. They fell asleep, one by one.                                       Apollo was the first to wake up and he stretched his arms. When he put his arms down, he was immensely aware of his surroundings. Eris was gently snoring and Artemis was breathing in and out. Apollo thought” Something is happening …. I feel a presence outside….” He went to the window and his eyes turned into a gray color as he looked outside……                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Outside of the mansion, was a huge regiment of the Velcop Guard. Thankfully, they weren’t facing the mansion, but, Apollo was waiting for the leader to say something. He was a tall man dressed in white armor; he had a white cape and had long, pulled back, indigo colored hair. There was a magnificent sword at his side, but, Apollo could not see his face. There was a hound-like beast waiting at his side as he called for his troop’s attention. His powerful voice rang out of the forest and every troop turned his/her attention to him. He said “Fellow Dralorians, We have nearly conquered all of the lands that have stood in Draloria’s way to make the world a better place. We have one more remaining nation to conquer. ANAMORIDEON!!” The troops jeered at the name and the commander put up his hand to silence them. He put his hand down and resumed speaking” We will treat no disrespect to that name…For they have been worthy adversaries… But their time is now OVER!! We will show them absolutely no mercy!!!” The Velcop Guard cheered as if they had won the war.  He smiled while turning his head towards the mansion, quietly saying “Absolutely no mercy…” His yellow eyes seemed to have pierced the fog. Apollo’s heart skipped a beat.  He looked straight at Apollo and said “I can see you… I will not let you live through the night.”  Apollo gasped in shock and his cruel smile grew. He turned his head and told one of the lower officers “We will stay here for the night and leave for SheerLake in the morning. The king will be awaiting us…” The officer said “Yes, Sire “He bowed and left to spread the order. He inclined his head at Apollo and left.

            Apollo dropped to the floor, out of sight from the window and his eyes were purple. He frantically thought “H-How could he see me from the outside?! ”Artemis awoke to find his master panicked and true fear in his eyes. He rushed over to Apollo’s side and asked “What happened, Prince Apollo?” Apollo seemed to finally be aware of Artemis’s presence and replied in a shaky voice “HE SAW ME!! His eyes penetrated the fog that was supposed to protect us, Artemis! THAT is what HAPPENED!!” Artemis looked at him, worried and asked in an effort to calm him down, “Who is he, Prince Apollo?” Apollo looked out of the window in fear and said “He is a Dralorian prince. His name is Prince Castor….” Artemis repeated in shock “Prince CASTOR?!” He thought to himself “What is he doing here?” Eris awoke and saw Artemis’s hand on Prince Apollo’s shoulder, whispering.   Eris was alarmed and asked “What happened to Prince Apollo?” Artemis looked grave and his eyes were a deep purple color. He gulped “Prince….Castor is outside of the mansion and he saw Prince Apollo from the outside!” She gasped “PRINCE CASTOR?! Are you sure that it is him?” She saw the pure fear in Apollo’s eyes and knew that it was true. Artemis confirmed her fears and turned his attention back to Apollo.                                                                                                                                                      He calmly said “Did Castor say anything to you?” Apollo stuttered “H-He had said that he will not let us live through the night.” Apollo put his face in his hands and Artemis gently patted his shoulder. Eris thought to herself “Castor is here and a whole regiment of the Velcop Guard. We couldn’t get out of here, even if we wanted to. And since Castor can see through the fog, he can lead the Guard right here, if he wants to… Everything is in Castor’s advantage…”She bit her lip in thought and sat down. Artemis sat down next to Apollo and sighed. He thought out loud “What do we do now?” Eris looked at him and said “We have to leave…but…. I don’t know how….” Apollo snapped out of the state of panic and said “We are going to have to surrender….” Eris got up and exclaimed “Surrender?! We can’t surrender!” His red eyes flashed to her and asked “Do you see any other way out of this? If we jus t stay here, then Castor will lead the Guard to this mansion and will probably want us dead, then.” Artemis asked “So it’s decided, then?” Apollo icily replied “If our guest doesn’t have any complaints.” Eris said “Let’s go then…”                                                                                                                 Apollo got up and turned towards the window and said “Castor…. You have forced me out of my home as your father did… you will regret this decision….” Castor walked out of his tent and looked towards Apollo again. He said with a confident grin “So I see a decision has been made…. I hope that for your sake, it is the right one…” Apollo turned from the window and said to Artemis “Give me my armor and sword; I don’t want to look helpless… ” Artemis sighed “I hoped that you wouldn’t have had to wear your armor…” He went up to Apollo’s room to get the things he had requested. It was the same black armor and cape from the portrait and the long, pointed sword. It had a leather black sheath with tiny jewels scattered around it. Apollo went into his room and Artemis came out. Apollo wore the armor and it matched his black hair. His sword glittered at his side and his eyes were coal-black.                                                                     Artemis got ready with his gray armor and gray sheath. His sheath was like Apollo’s and his eyes were light blue. Artemis took a black cloak that had a silver lining and a black silk gown from Lady Hemera’s belongings for Eris. It fit her and she walked down the steps to the Great Hall. Artemis and Apollo were waiting for her and together, they walked to the door in silence. Artemis opened the door and Apollo took a deep breath of fresh air that came flooding in. They walked to the black and forked gates of the mansion. Apollo took one last look at the mansion and the fog. Artemis opened the gates. The fog cleared out… Castor was standing in front of the gates and saw them.                         Castor said with a triumphant grin “Good choice. I didn’t want to “lay siege” to your mansion… I might’ve had some casualties if I had tried. Maybe. ” Apollo stated “We surrender.” Castor rolled his eyes and said “That much is obvious, but, what I want to know is why you have an Anamoridian in your midst.” Artemis got alarmed “He noticed that quickly?”  Prince Apollo said “She came to us, wounded, a few days ago. We tended to her wounds and let her rest.” Prince Castor looked annoyed and said “I want to hear it from the Anamoridian.”  Apollo looked at Eris and nodded towards Castor. She spoke “I was hurt, like he had said. I had got scratched from one of your beasts and I came into this forest. When the fog closed in around me, I had decided to rest on a tree trunk that was there and when I awoke, I found myself inside a mansion.”                    Castor waved his two guards to him saying “That’s enough.” He turned his attention to the two guards and said “Make sure they get to the tent, unharmed. Let no one touch them. I will come into the tent later.” The two guards bowed and said in unison “Yes, Sire.” They stood by the three captives and led them to the white tent. They both stood guard at the entrance of the tent, swords at the ready. Some of the troops were uneasy. Questions arose that nobody wanted to ask. One troop thought “How could Prince Castor see through this fog and where did those three people come from?” Others were more ignorant. Another troop thought “The one that is hooded is an Anamoridian, so, shouldn’t we kill her? It is war. Maybe the Prince has something in store for her and her company….”                                                                         Castor called on his troops’ attention and spoke “No one shall harm our three guests. Whoever takes it upon themselves to even scratch one of them; they will meet the sharp end of my blade… Do I make myself clear?” The troops’ replied in unison “Yes, Sire!” He folded his arms behind his back and said “Very good….”  He turned around and ordered the two guards to move aside and to continue guarding the entrance when he went in. Two troops started talking among themselves, one troop said “Don’t you think Prince Castor is being a bit protective of those three? They are our enemies, so why should we take care of them?”  The other troop replied “He is probably going to use them for something…interrogation, maybe…” They stopped talking and resumed their duties.                     Prince Castor strolled in and sat in a grand chair in front of an oak desk and his captives sat in three chairs across from him. Apollo looked around his surroundings and Castor said “You won’t find a way out of here, you know….. First of all, I’m here and even if I left, there are two guards at the entrance. And second of all, you are in a camp with a whole regiment of the Velcop Guards. I highly doubt that you three could fight your way out of here…” Apollo spoke “That wasn’t what I was thinking about. I have one question, though. What is your regiment doing here?” Castor smiled and replied “I don’t think that you are in the position to be asking questions. You have to answer some of mine. For example, How long have you been in that mansion?” Apollo said “Me and my butler, Artemis have been in that mansion for ten years, until now. We were for-”Castor held up his hand, silencing him and he said “Just answer the question I ask you. No background information. Why did you take the Anamoridian in when you obviously knew that she was part of the warfare? Why couldn’t you have just let her be, so, you could continue hiding as you did for ten years?” Artemis cut in, saying “She was dying! We are not as selfish as you think we are!” He looked furious and answered “Did I say you could speak, servant?! I was talking to your master!” Apollo said “Artemis is my friend! Do not speak to him like that!” Castor controlled his anger and said “My apologies… Could you answer my questions? I will address someone when I want to speak to them.” He motioned towards Apollo to answer those questions. Apollo answered “We didn’t want her to die…” Castor nodded and asked “What are your names?” Apollo answered “My name is Apollo. The one in the grey is Artemis and the one in the black cloak is named Eris…”   Castor smiled and said “Apollo….Are you royalty?” Apollo answered “Yes, I am.” Castor questioned further “Of what lineage?” Apollo replied “Of Albadian lineage.” That surprised him “Albadian? I thought that kingdom died ten years ago…. I see Father didn’t finish the job…. But I won’t finish it for him... That is enough questioning, for now… You will each get your own separate tent and a guard at the entrance. You will not be allowed to leave until I summon you and nobody will go in your tent, unless I order them to” He rose and went to the guards and repeated the order. He motioned for them to get up and to come to him. The two guards stood by him and when they came, the guards led them out of the tent to go to three separate tents near Prince Castor’s.                                                                                      

            Prince Castor walked out of the tent and everyone stopped what they were doing. He said “Our guests will be staying with us for a while. No one will go into the tents, unless I order them to and they won’t come out of their tents, unless I tell them to. Resume your duties.”  A messenger came, holding a Dralorian banner and he went straight to Prince Castor. He stood in front of him and Castor asked “What are you doing?  I thought I ordered you to resume your duties.” The messenger replied “I am a messenger, Prince Castor. Your older brother, Prince Pollux will be arriving here at midnight.” Prince Castor withheld a groan and asked “Will you send him a message from me, then?” The messenger said “Of course, Sire.” Castor said “Tell him that I am elated to hear that he is coming here, but, I am coming to the capital tomorrow and I can see him then.” The messenger said “Prince Pollux told me to say that he misses his younger brother and can’t bear to wait any longer than he had to. So, he’s coming at midnight.” Prince Castor sighed and said “Fine, then. You can go now.” When the messenger left, Castor hung his head in despair and went back into his tent.                                                               Apollo’s tent was luxurious just like the Prince’s. Apollo sat on the bed with his face in his hands and tried to think about what he should do. Artemis sat with his hands folded together in his tent and wondered what Castor might do with them. Eris thought about how it was a bad idea to surrender to Castor.  At night, Castor went into each of their tents to give them food and to tell them of the danger. He went into Apollo’s tent with a tray of food and said “Here is your dinner. You can eat it, I didn’t poison it.” He sighed and sat down on a chair. He turned to face Apollo and said “My older twin brother, Pollux, is going to be here soon. Do not leave this tent. My older brother is different from me. He’s more sadistic and is not kind like I have been. Do not speak unless spoken to. He gets insulted quite easily. Finish your food, quickly.” Apollo took his word for it. Castor gave Eris and Artemis the same warning and food. He stressed the warning to Artemis because of his last outburst.                                                A white carriage came rattling through the forest and into the Velcop Guard camp. The carriage came to a complete halt and a foot solider went to open the door. Prince Castor was waiting outside of the carriage, the wind blowing through his cape and hair. He took a deep sigh and the foot solider opened the door. A man stepped out of the carriage, with the same thin face and narrow eyes, except for the fact that his eyes were red and his indigo hair wasn’t slicked back. He smiled and said “Little brother, I am so glad to see you! It has been long since I saw you last!” Prince Pollux embraced Prince Castor and a few moments later, he let go of Castor. Castor said “It has only been a week, big brother…” Pollux replied “That week was so long!! I thought that it would never end!! Didn’t you miss me?” Castor replied mechanically “Of course I did. What sort of question is that for your loving little brother?” Pollux said “Oh, right! I forgot who I was talking to for a moment! So… how is everything, Castor?” Castor replied “Everything is fine.” They walked to Castor’s tent.                          Pollux took the seat behind Castor’s desk and Castor reluctantly sat on the couch, muttering under his breath. “So! What news have you?” exclaimed Pollux.  “My regiment conquered the lands that had stood in rebellion to Draloria’s will and we will be returning home tomorrow.” replied Castor. Pollux said “Of course I know that! I want to know if you have any captives…” Castor said “I do, but, I like to think of them as guests. They were in this very forest, hiding in a mansion that was unseen to others’ eyes, except for my eyes, of course… Didn’t you see it already?” Pollux replied “Of course I did! I was just about to ask you if there were any people in that mansion. Castor! I want to see your guests!”                                                                                                                                             Castor said “All right. They are in the tents near this one.” Castor led Pollux to Apollo’s tent.  Apollo got up when they arrived and Pollux said “So your guest knows about manners! Impressive! ” Castor said “This man’s name is Apollo and he was the master of the mansion you saw earlier.” Pollux asked “Can Apollo speak?”  Castor replied “Of course he can.” “Then I would like to hear him speak for himself, Castor!” Pollux exclaimed. Apollo said “Greetings, Prince Pollux.” Pollux replied “Greetings! I have one question, Apollo. If you had a mansion that was supposed to be invisible, why could Castor and I see it?” Apollo replied “The mansion’s power is waning, but, not enough so regular people could see it. It might be soon when it is completely visible…Prince Pollux.” Pollux looked at Castor and said “Who are your two other guests?” Castor replied “One of them is Apollo’s butler, Artemis, and the other is an Anamoridian girl named Eris…” He waited for Pollux’s reaction. Pollux replied “You have very interesting guests…..Lead me to the tent of the one called Artemis!” Castor stepped out of the tent and led him to Artemis’s tent. They walked into the tent and Artemis stood up to face them. His wide eyes were orange and he looked grim.                                 Pollux innocently looked at him and asked “Why do you look so tense, dear butler?”  He looked at him with distaste and replied “Wouldn’t you be tense if you were in an enemy camp?” “Oh, don’t think of us as your enemies! Think of us as your friends! I see you misunderstand Draloria’s goal…..What a pity… Draloria wants to make the world a better place!” He exclaimed. Artemis’s eyes turned red and he said “So the reason the whole world is at war is because Draloria wants to make the world a better place? Not because Draloria is power hungry, greedy and doesn’t care about how many lives are being lost, just so they can attain that power?! It is going to take a lot more than that tiny speech to convince me!” Castor internally groaned and thought “I gave him that warning, twice! Why does he get angry so easily? Now, thanks to his little outburst, Pollux is going to get so angry!” He worriedly looked over at Pollux and saw that his fists were clenched. “Oh, no.” He thought. Pollux looked agitated and said “I will not take this from a lowly servant…..” In a flash, he drew his sword and had it inches from Artemis’s neck. He growled “Just give me one reason, one reason why I shouldn’t slit your throat and end your life where you are standing now….” Artemis smirked and said “If you do end my life now, then you would prove yourself wrong of what you had just said about Draloria.” Pollux said “And who exactly is around to hear this? Who knows of this conversation other than me, Castor, and you?” Artemis gulped. Pollux smirked “Lost all of your courage, servant?” Castor exclaimed “Stop, big brother, please!” Pollux looked over at Castor and withdrew his sword away from Artemis’s neck. He icily said “You are lucky, servant, that my little brother is here…”             

            He strode out, closely followed by Castor. Pollux took a deep breath and Castor warily approached him. Pollux’s back was facing Castor and he said “I’m sorry, Castor, I didn’t mean to lose my composure in there.” He looked down and said “Where is your third and final guest?” Castor led Pollux to Eris’s tent. Eris was looking straight at the tent entrance. Pollux gasped in shock as he entered. He exclaimed “You almost gave me a heart attack!” Eris said “If I did, I’d be doing the world a favor…” Castor put his face in his hands and he thought “If she gets Pollux angry, then he might really hurt her. She is worse than the butler!” Pollux said “That is so harsh!” he turned his attention to Castor and said “Why do these two have no manners?” Castor replied “They might think us to be their enemies or they just don’t like us…” Pollux expectantly looked over at Eris and said “So? Which one is it?” Eris thought for a while and said “Both.”  Pollux said “Oh.” He drew his sword, it had engravings on it and he said “Do you know what is written on my sword? You probably don’t know how to read, so, I will tell you, myself. It says “Do not hesitate to cut down your enemies, for they will not hesitate either.” He put it under the tip of her chin and said “It would be a pity if you were my enemy because I follow that saying and it would mean your death right here.                 

            He turned around and said “I will not take any lives today, but, your guests are tempting me to break the promise I made to myself.” Castor said “Then it would be a good idea to leave this tent, right?”  Pollux replied “Yes.” and he turned around and left. Castor followed him out and Pollux said “We are leaving for the capital, tomorrow, aren’t we?” Castor replied “Yes…” Pollux said “I have a question to ask of you…. What are you going to do with your guests, Castor?”  Castor replied “I am going to hand them over to Father. Apollo, the guest you saw first, is an Albadian prince. Father is going to decide what to do with them.” Pollux exclaimed “Look at my little baby brother all grown up! He even controls his own regiment! Big brother is so proud of you!!” Castor rolled his eyes and said “I was born only ten minutes after you. I was a baby when you were a baby.” Pollux said “So what? I was still born earlier than you! That is why you should give me utmost respect!” Castor replied “Who said I wasn’t giving you utmost respect? I hate to change the subject, but, we will need our rest. It’s going to be a long march to SheerLake. Your tent is over there. Good night.” He pointed across the fireplace and quickly strode away to his tent. Pollux replied “Good night!” and went to his tent.                               As soon as Castor came into his tent, he sighed and said “I am so glad that’s over!” He went to his bed and fell face-first into it. Pollux took off his cape and went into bed. He thought “That is very interesting… Castor has an Albadian prince, an arrogant butler and an Anamoridian girl in custody…..  I wonder what Father is going to do….”  He shrugged and fell asleep. Castor went into bed and thought “This is not good…. The way things went tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to try to run away from the camp…” He fell into a deep and uneasy slumber.                                                                        Apollo was sitting on the couch and thought “Everybody should be asleep by now…” he quietly drew his sword and crept up to the entrance of the tent. He plunged his sword into the guard’s heart and Apollo quickly covered the guard’s mouth, so, nobody would be aware. He dragged the motionless body to the couch and put it on there. The guards of Artemis’s and Eris’s tents realized that the guard for Apollo’s tent was missing. They warily went into Apollo’s tent and it was dark. When they went further in, Apollo moved like a shadow and slashed one guard. He put his hand over that guard to conceal his cry and gently set him down. The other guard was starting to panic and he exclaimed “Where are you, prisoner?!”  Apollo put his hand over the guard’s mouth, he struggled a little, but, Apollo stabbed him.                                                      He wiped his sword on the bed’s linen and he looked out of his tent. He quietly went to get Eris and Artemis. They were going by Castor’s tent when Artemis noticed a pair of narrow, yellow eyes glowing in the darkness, it froze him in place and Apollo urgently whispered “Artemis! What happened? Artemis!” He looked at what Artemis was looking at and his blood ran cold. Eris was looking in the opposite direction and she saw a pair of narrow, glowing, blood-red eyes staring back at her. The yellow eyes moved and got closer and closer to where Apollo was standing. Castor stood towering over them and said “Big brother….You can go back to sleep… I’ll take care of this….” The red eyes nodded and closed. Eris snapped out of the red eyes gaze and looked behind her to see Castor. Apollo and Artemis drew their swords. Castor calmly said “And what are you trying to do here, hmm? I would like an answer now, please.” Apollo said “We will get out of here. We will take your life if we have to.” Castor smirked and said “I would love to see you try!” He drew his sword and said “If you can even touch me with your sword, I will let you go. If not, and I touch you, then you will stay here under the supervision of twenty guardsmen.” Apollo started off with a horizontal slash and Castor stepped back. Artemis jumped into the air and went down with his sword pointed at Castor, while Apollo ran and did a horizontal slash once again. Castor quickly jumped back and they crashed into each other. Castor tapped both of them with his sword and said “You lose. What a complete waste of time…” Eris said “I want to try. One on one.” Castor sighed and said “Fine. But, what makes you think that you won’t have the same fate as those two?” She was silent as she took Apollo’s sword. Eris ran ahead at Castor, sword directed at him and Castor swung a powerful swing that had flung Eris’s sword away from her hand and she tripped. He tapped her with his sword and said “Like I said, a complete waste of time…” The sun rose and a troop came out of his tent to wake up the rest of the troops.                                    

            He played the morning reveille on his trumpet, right next to Castor. Castor plugged his ears and glared at the soldier.  Apollo, Artemis, and Eris stood up. Pollux stretched and came out of his tent. He said “Good job, Castor! It would be pretty humiliating if you lost! Now, what do we do about your guests?” Castor looked at them and said “They will ride with three of our riders until we get to Sheer Lake and then they will be out of our hands.” Pollux sighed “Such a pity, isn’t it? I will miss you three so much! These guests were so nice!” Castor rolled his eyes and “Brother, we have to get ready to go.” Pollux said “Very well.” Castor called three riders “Frievus! Jovus! Zephyr!” The riders came and Castor said “You three will bear our guests on your mentries! Do not let them out of your sight!” They stepped off of their beasts and Castor left with Pollux.                                                                                                                   The one with cropped red hair and broad face exclaimed “Eris! You’re okay!” His eyes were wide and green. He smiled “You don’t remember me? Or Jovus?” He pointed to a man around his age, with the same cropped, red hair and the broad face except his eyes were blue and narrow. Eris exclaimed “Oh, right! It has been a while, hasn’t it?” Frievus said “Yes, it has! This is Zephyr!” He pointed to a man with long brown hair and a thin face. His eyes were almond shaped and dark brown. Zephyr smiled and said “Nice to meet you. Any friend of Frievus and Jovus is my friend.”                                        Eris said “These are my two new friends, Apollo and Artemis!” Jovus said “Sorry to interrupt, but, can’t we catch up later?”  Eris said “Right… For a moment, I forgot where we were!” Frievus helped her up on his mentry, Apollo was on Zephyr’s mentry and Artemis was on Jovus’s mentry. Castor got his troops’ attention and said “We ride for SheerLake!” Frievus told Eris “It’s going to be a long ride… two days to SheerLake.” Pollux went to his carriage and Castor rode on his mentry. They started to run and the three=2 0riders were behind Castor. There were 20 rows of five riders behind them and countless rows of riders behind them. They rode out of the forest and the scene changed to a wide plain with very few trees. The sun shone as if it had a new strength and it was particularly hard on Apollo and Artemis. They squinted in the sudden heat and light. Apollo thought “Maybe I was better off in the mansion….It is so hot here!  ” Artemis exclaimed to Jovus “How can you stand all of this heat?!  Ugh….” Jovus smiled and said “You’ll get used to it. You spent all of your time in that forest, so, you’re not used to the sun.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Eris was in a much better condition then they were, but, still exclaimed “Wow! It’s so hot here! How can you bear it?” Frievus said “I don’t think all that black you are wearing is particularly helpful. I’m used to this heat, anyway.” Pollux rode along Castor and Castor thought “Good thing I’m on my mentry, otherwise, Pollux would be chattering like an insane baboon if I was there!” “Frievus?” Eris asked. “Hmmm?” Frievus replied. “I have a question to ask you… After you dropped me off in the forest, what did you do when you came back to my village?” “Well…. We came back when everybody else had…..umm…..finished. Our general noticed that we were gone and demanded to know where we had been. We told him that our mentries had gone berserk and they rode us out of the village, but, we controlled them once again when we reached the outskirts of the village. Then we rode back. The general accepted that excuse and we rode back to join the rest of Prince Castor’s regiment…. I have one question too… Where did you meet those two?”                                                                                                    Eris said “I didn’t really meet those two until I woke up. I went further into the forest you dropped me off at and decided to rest because there was a heavy fog all around me. I rested on a tree trunk and woke up on a couch with a blanket on me. I had a bandage on my arm and saw Apollo sitting in a chair.” Frievus said “That was really nice of them!” Eris agreed and looked around.  The plain was a blur and the sun followed them. Eris asked “What is the name of this field?”  “These plains used to go by a different name, but, now it’s named Tartarus Plains. It used to be called Argos Plains. I don’t know why they changed it, though…” “We changed it because we want no traces of rebel forces. And yes, I could hear you, ” Castor’s voice said.  Frievus gasped in shock. “Don’t worry, though. You are not in trouble. Or Jovus. ” Castor said. Frievus stuttered “Umm….Thank you, Sire…” The mentries paws thundered on and Jovus thought “Nice move, Frievus! We are right behind Prince Castor and Prince Pollux and you decide to tell them what we really did! But, still.  How could Prince Castor hear them with all of this commotion? I couldn’t hear them at all and I’m right next to them!…”                                                    Zephyr shook his head, smiling, and then concentrated on riding again. He wasn’t as good a rider as Frievus was to multitask. Those three were still the best riders in the regiment. After Castor’s interruption, there were no more conversations until perhaps, a few hours later. Eris looked at the mentries around her. They had plain white fur and had sharp fangs that protruded all the way to their chins. They were feline-like and their eyes were blue. They were just below the carriage that Pollux was riding in. They had reins and saddles for the riders. On the side, attached to the saddle, was a sheath for the riders’ swords.                                    The scenery slowly started to change again, this time there were more trees, but they were still in Tartarus Plains. The sun was setting in the horizon, it lit up the sky with a beautiful red-orange and the clouds were a light tint of pink. As the sun was going down, it tried to rebel against the sky, by spreading its light once more before it finally surrendered. The sky turned dark and the moon slowly rose up. The stars blinked and   glittered in the sky, like embroidery that can only be seen in the dark. The pale moon’s light shone in the plains and shared its light with all.            Eris looked at all this like it was something she had never seen before. She did see the moon and stars, but, not of this magnitude. The moon seemed like a great wheel, but, without the spokes. Eris realized that no matter what happens in the world of Evistus, the moon, sky, sun, and stars will always be the same. Frievus quietly said “Beautiful, isn’t it? I am so lucky. I get to see this every night.” “I am really happy I got the chance to see something like this.  Maybe under the wrong circumstances, but, happy nonetheless.” Eris softly laughed. Frievus smiled.                                                                                                   Castor looked over at Pollux’s carriage and saw through the window that he was asleep, sprawled across the