Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

The familiar border of the Elven territory was in front of Tatianna as Tyrion hoisted her onto a black stallion. Her feet hung on the same side due to the chains around her ankles which made her struggle even more to stay on the animal. Tyrion then got on behind her, grabbing the reins and preparing for the Queen’s next order. There ten guards travelling with them, each one carrying an abundance of supplies for the journey. On a white horse was the Queen, riding beside her Tatianna felt as if a hawk was constantly watching her.

Somehow Tyrion had convinced the Queen that Nylif was to travel with them. That if anything went wrong at the gathering, having a wolf may be advantageous. Tatianna gripped onto the horse’s body and hoped that everything for once would go smoothly. Every Elf that travelled with them on their shoulder or by their side walked some sort of creature. Ranging from birds to butterfly’s to even the smallest of ladybugs. Tatianna wondered how easy it would be to kill such small insects, why did Elves fuse with something that had such a short lifespan? She also once again noticed the variety of ages amongst the Elves in their travelling party despite supposably being unable to age.

The Queen raised her hand into the air signally it was time to move. Tyrion kicked into the horses side and off they went, starting slow before moving into a cantering pace through Lyracris’s vast oak tees until Lefernen was out of sight. Tatianna thought of Riley and Freya in those moments. Where they were, what they were doing, had they left Lyracris all together and are now back in Haveenté? If they were then maybe she would see them again, although she knew deep down that the chances, they would ever cross paths again were very slim.

“Isn’t the wastelands dangerous?” Tatianna asked, sceptical about their journey ahead.

“Yes,” Tyrion replied.

“So… why are we travelling though it?” She asked as in a very confused tone.

“It’s the quickest route,” Tyrion plainly responded.

She always believed in safety before efficiency, to not take risks due to impatience. If the Wastelands were more dangerous than the Hollow Plains, then what they were taking was a very large risk.

Yet she had no say. Unable to voice her opinions and make a difference, it was the Queen’s word that mattered not hers. She was to remain quiet and let such stupidity slide.

If it came down to it, she would gladly push one of the Elves in front of a blade to save her own life. They meant nothing to her, and with that bought her little comfort for the journey ahead.

The vast Oak tree’s thinned out and gradually got smaller till there was no greenery left. There was no grass. There was no life. Just dirt, sand and the fierce sun that Tatianna could feel cooking her skin with every passing minute.

Her legs grew stiff while the group travelled. Being immortal they did not take breaks to eat. They only stopped to sleep once the sun had fallen to the ground, which was more of a want than a necessity.

It was morning when they came. She saw the small group astride mighty horses galloping towards them. The guards raised their weapons, circling herself and the Queen. Then the Queen gave her order, loud and clear, “stand down.”

Tatianna squinted her eyes and took in the approaching travellers features. Pointed ears, more sculptured faces, they were Elves. They approached at an expeditious pace, bowing their heads in respect once they were close. It was a small group of five male Elves, the ages were unclear to her but on of them did look to be in his teens while the other maybe mid-thirties. Seeing the small group reminded her to ask Tyrion why that was.

“I was not expecting you for another week,” the Queen told the small group.

“My Queen, we would have come sooner had our mounts been able to withstand the ride,” one of the unfamiliar Elves responded.

“I take it did not go well then,” the Queen observed.

Tatianna watched silently as the Elf shook his head, a gesture that turned the Queen’s face grim. “Everyone leave us…except Tyrion,” the Queen commanded. “Grevain guard the Princess and ensure that no harm comes to her.”

Translation, Tatianna thought, Make sure she doesn’t run off. But the guard did not realise that was his true duty. It was only to serve.

She had no intention to run anyway. What was the point? The shackles that tied her feet together tied off any chance she had of being able to run. Although sometimes the reward far outweighed the risk. This was not one of those times, at least not yet.

Her ears strained as she tried to listen in to the Queens conversation with the guards but for some reason no sound was audible. Nothing. It was as if the sound waves had cease flowing, but their body movements were still decipherable.

The new scouting Elves were reluctant. The Queen was anxious. Tyrion was frustrated and…scared? Tatianna couldn’t quite tell the exact emotion.

The blue bird that sat a top the Queens shoulder lifted majestically into flight. Its small wings pounding against the air beneath its feathery stomach. Aerodynamics moving it further and further into the sky till it was a spec of blue against the white clouds.

She wondered what’s it destination was. What was its purpose?

When Tyrion returned she wished to thunder down upon him with so many questions that she knew he wouldn’t answer. Instead her body was smoothly lifted to the side of the black stallion with not a word in sight.

The scouting group headed towards Lyracris while they continued on their way North. When Tyrion wrapped an arm around her side to stabilise her, she felt nothing from his touch. No shiver through her limps. No jolt through her heart. They pressed forward.