to

d the sounds of the forest, when my calm is disrupted by noises. At first I am close to cursing them off, thinkin

I freeze in my spot… just waiting... hoping they are farther away than they s

he legs…a young woman, bruised and battered, with streaks of blood and something else, that I do not wa

lot of trouble for the free City bringing her there, but I know

mall movement from the girl. I thought she was uncon

hits the monster holding her across the back. The second it lets her go

my senses are tuned… the blood is roaring in my ears. I know the

y, and before any of the creatures realise it, two of them are lying dead on the ground. The Le

animals, their first instinct to attack, but even if they are relatively fast the

both dead on

e girl, sending her tumbling. He is just about to throw himself at her, teeth bared, when I jump down, feel

ct fast, he is both bigger and stronger than me, no doubt… so before

god with violence at all, but these monster

dress has been ripped, revealing most of her porcelain skin and subtle c

ay this can be

t up, but all she manages is a stumbling half

re is. You are safe now”. She has tears streaming down her face and her body is co

y ass”. She sounds angry and panicked at the sam

t me carry you. W

ntly lift her. She weighs nothing really and she snug

ova

confused for a moment about what happened and where I am. The first thing I remember is

been paired up and I didn’t expect him to love me, but he didn’t even try to protect me. He sold me to a fate worse than

ently supports me and someone else puts a

ift my eyes to look at them.

ly at me. “You are in the free City of Amaranthine. I am

y friendly. He has such kind eyes. He is also very handsome, but a bit rugged compared to men in the Cit

, looking at Storm. “The snowy eagle on the new

r go get Sage. I think

ho is Sage ?” I grab Storm’s arm feeling panic rise wit

rious. “We have a prophecy here, given by our wise woman Sage ten years

I look up at him, there is something about his face

I couldn’t help seeing your birthmark. It’s

t is a coincidence. I am no one’s s

nd it is like a nice warmth is spreading up through my arm from his touch. “She can probably ex

ed here. I mean today has been… I am not even sure how to put it into wo

end.. part of me still wishes it had, being unsure how to move o

Storm doesn’t say anything, and I am happ

n colourful robes, who must be Sage. Cahira smiles at me. “Sage, this is

halfway toothless grin. “No to be rude,

howing the weirdly shaped birthmark I have always been so embar

have waited for. You are what we have been waiting for…

what I have gotten myself into and just