| The speeding horse slowed down to a trot once he was sure he had lost the palace guards in the intricate forest. Warrior's heart pounded loudly in his chest. It had been a long time since he had participated in such excitment. His head whirled, the thrill was becoming very addictive. Twisting his ears back and forth, he listened intently for sounds of the enemy. Tad felt the horse's heavy breathing as he rode adriotly on the worn saddle. The midnight black ears twitched back and forth in front of him. They gleamed healthily against the dull brown of the trees. If this were a time of idlenss, Tad would have soaked in all the beauty surrounding him, but since time is crucial, he ignored the bursting life of the forest. Sitting as still as he can on Warrior, he extended his senses-powers- cautiously, not sure of the kind of experience and ability he was up against. The young man stretched his powers at first with a radius of five miiks. Not feeling any humans around, he slowly lengthened his range. If they were to be caught, death was most likely their future. That wasn't an option. He and Warrior had to live to save the suicidal nation. Tad wasn't about to give up and let everyone die, especially since he had a sliver of a chance to help the kingdom. His radius was now thirty miiks. Satisfied and suspicious with the outcome, he squeezed Warrior's sides lightly, telling him that they were out of danger for the moment. Tad didn't know why he couldn't find any trace of the soldiers within his survellience circle, but he wasn't about to let that miracle go to waste. Urging his friend to go faster, Tad focused on getting as much distance between him and the castle. As the pair rode through the ever darkening forest, they kept their guards up. It was very unusual for the palace guards, the best of the knights in the entire kingdom, to stop their pursuit. Tad was very suspicious and hoped that he and Warrior wasn't heading straight for a trap. As they passed under a patch of silvery moonlight, a chill spread throughout Tad's body. Instinctively, he "reached" out to find what caused it. Warrior, feeling a tingle of Tad's power, stopped in his tracks. He trusted the young man's instincts, they had always helped them in situations far worse than this. He felt an uneasiness emanating from his friend and strained his ears for signs of danger. "I don't think we really have to get out of here," Tad whispered into Warrior's twitching ear, startling the stallion. Not only was Warrior suprised at Tad's voice, he also heard something he didn't like in it. It had become a rule long ago that they should not speak during times of danger just in case someone with extreme powers was eavesdropping. Only in times of emergency should they speak, but Warrior hadn't sensed any trouble. He wasn't sure that they had to leave as immediately as Tad hinted. A small breeze stirred up, rustling the leaves and branches on the surrounding leaves. It brought to Warrior's nose the smell of Tad's fear. It was a rare scent that forced a decision from the horse. They had to exit the forest now. Through the darkness, Tad saw the nod of agreement from the horse. Pursing his lips in concentration and grimness, he began to recite the transportation spell. He closed his eyes to exclude any distractions and concentrated only on the spell. It was a difficult one and took a lot of energy. Only a few magicians had ever mastered the spell, and Tad had only used it once in his life. It was a few years ago, when he and Warrior had just begun their journey around the kingdom. They happened to trespass in the land of a greedy, power hungry magician who was about to kill them. Desperate and out of ideas, the words of the spell sped through his mind as he recited it. Not knowing what it was or what will happen, Tad put all of his faith and energy into that recitation and it took them into enemy territory. He was lucky that time. There were rumors and stories of magicians using that spell only to end up dying in some horrible place. Praying to whoever would be watching over them, Tad clasped his hands together near his chest to concentrate his power in a small area. "Aliman youl er aei twali powy-" Tad chanted softly but was abrublty interrupted by stabbing pain throughout his body. He felt as if his entire body was being subjected to the worse pain there was to man. He could barely breathe and was seeing stars. The pain threw off his concentration, the spell would be broken if he doesn't gather himself together soon. Gasping for air, Tad couldn't remember what he was doing or where he was. All he could feel and think was the pain, the searing death eating away at his nerves. He opened and closed his mouth, nothing came out. He couldn't even scream the pain was so horrible. "Tad! What's wrong?" Warrior asked anxiously when he heard Tad stop his chanting. The only answer he got was the sound of Tad gasping for air. A feeling of eminant danger spread through Warrior. "Snap out of it Tad! Get yourself together and cast that spell!" He yelled, not caring who heard him. The sound of Warrior's voice cut through the haze Tad fell into. His words woke some part of his brain up. Breathing regularly, he closed his eyes agains the pain and began to concentrate again. The pain was making it incredibly hard to speak, but Tad forced himself to. If he was going to die, he could at least save Warrior, that way the kingdom could still survive the war. "O-li tran i-ko-yn a-a-asi aei," Tad muttered the rest of the spell and collapsed on the saddle from over-exertion. A circle of light surrounded the companions. Warm, blinding, safe. The forest before them faded away into nothingness. For a split second, as Warrior was staring into the darkness, he thought that the incantation had been altered and that it wasn't going to work. Before he could do anything, another scenery appeared. Grassy, windy. The brightness disappeared. Looking around, he mentally kicked himself for not believing in his friend. Tad is very reliable, he would do anything to save his friend. Warrior found himself on some mountain trail. Still feeling the weight of his unconscious friend on his back, he looked down the road. Something that looked like a house could be seen. Warrior was hesitant. They could be in enemy territory, and without Tad's powers, there was no way to find out. There weren't any animals around to ask, either. Even if it could be dangerous, he had to help his friend. Not many things could hurt the boy, evidence was in their past. And if Tad did die, where would the kingdom be? What about all those living in it? Taking a deep breath, Warrior made up his mind and walked down the trail toward the house, careful not to make Tad fall. Whatever was waiting for them there had to be faced one way or another. Their journey isn't over yet. |