Ashes of Revenge

Fire encased and burned Raven’s body.

She wanted to get out.

Run-

Scream-

Escape-

But she couldn’t.

The voice resonated through the air.

That voice that she now knew.

Heat-

Pain-

Death-

***

Raven jerked and sat up, trying her hardest to get air into her lungs. She could feel her sweat making her body hot and yet cold at the same time.

Death was standing in front of her, and he simply pointed behind her. She turned around and immediately became confused. Richard was flying outside of her window, tapping his knuckle against the glass.

She groggily stood up and opened the window. A pounding headache had decided to appear, and she didn’t know if it was because she was hungover or if it was the nightmare.

“What?” she asked as she rubbed her head.

“Get yer things.”

“Why?”

“To earn back what yeh lost last night.”

“I have a headache,” Raven groaned.

“I don’t bloody care. Yeh were tha one that chose to get wasted off yer arse.”

Raven groaned and walked to the small pile of clothes, putting on her boots before throwing her cloak over her. She bent down and picked up her sword from the ground and slid it into the sheath. She walked to the window and began to climb out of it, guessing that if Richard was flying outside, he didn’t want them to be seen by the Knights. Sitting on the window sill, she saw that the sun hadn’t even fully risen, and with that recognition, she wanted to cry.

Richard placed his hands under her armpits, and they floated down to the ground where Colt was.

Colt’s arms were crossed over his chest, and a mad and tired expression rested on his face. His hood was over his head, but it was still clear that he was hungover as well.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Death falling from the window while . . . saluting her? He shot into the ground and disappeared.

“Go,” Richard said.

Raven threw her hood on and walked away.

Colt went his own way.

Richard walked in another.

***

Fernando walked down the hallway and tapped his knuckle against Raven’s door. His mouth opened, and her old name tried to form on his lips, but he forced her new one to come out, “Raven?” Fernando asked. “The Queen and Prince are eating breakfast, and they have invited you and your friends to join them.”

No answer.

“Raven?” he asked as he slowly opened the door. His heart skipped a beat when he saw an empty room.

He went to Colt’s room and opened the door: nothing.

Then to Richard’s: nothing.

He cursed under his breath and walked out of the building and to the Tavern, where Dara and Victor were eating. They were both wearing new, elegant, expensive clothing that was, of course, green.

When he entered, he walked up to the heavily guarded table, bowed, and rose again.

“Will they not be joining us for breakfast?” Dara asked.

“They are not there, my Queen. If you wish, I can go search the town?” Dara nodded, and Fernando bowed again before he began to walk out.

“Actually,” Dara said. Fernando froze and turned around. “What was Elizabeth like before she disappeared?”

Fernando gave an almost sad smile at the memory. “She was one of the happiest little girls ever. She always had a smile on her face.” He paused. “She also had a knack for getting herself into trouble with her father, but it never seemed to bother her. Her mother was by far her favorite person . . . her face would always light up when she was with her. But her love also extended to animals. There was this one horse she loved. He was a foal when she gave him a name and made him go with her everywhere she went. . . . He went with her when she and her mother disappeared.” He stopped himself. “I’m sorry, my Queen, I believe I’ve been rambling.”

“It’s fine. She seemed lovely.”

“She was, my Queen.” He gave a sad smile, which Dara returned.

“Go, find her.”

Fernando bowed and walked out.

Once outside, he was met with small masses of people, sellers, cart vendors, tired farmers, and poor people who filled the streets. Looking around, his eyes finally landed on a hooded figure, which he somehow knew was Raven. She sidestepped into an alley, and he followed, entering shortly after; however, he immediately became confused.

Raven was leaning against the wall with her hand in her cloak pocket. When she pulled it out, a money bag was grasped in her hands. Opening it, a broad smile fell upon her face, and with that, Fernando knew it wasn’t hers.

Raven placed the money back in her pocket and pushed off the wall, still smiling. The smile Fernando saw wasn’t the friendly, kind, and warm one she had when she was younger, but rather a poor imitation of one. It seemed to twist her features into intimidation and slyness.

Turning to the side, Raven saw Fernando. She brushed her hand against her nose. “What are yeh doin’ here?”

“Looking for you.” Raven looked confused. “The Queen has invited you to breakfast.”

“Was I invited or commanded?”

“Invited.”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“The Queen would like to get to know you and your friends.”

“Why?”

“That’s something you’ll have to ask her.” Raven slowly nodded. “Where are your friends?”

“Explorin’.” It almost sounded like a question. “I’ll go find ’em.” She began to walk past him, but his hand grasped her arm. She shoved away from him, and when she did, Fernando held up her money bag.

“Is this yours?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“You stole it.”

“What do yeh care?” Raven asked.

“Why are you stealing?”

“Why do yeh care? I’m an independent person an’ can do what I bloody want,” she said as she tried to grab the money bag. He grabbed her wrist in a vice grip. “Let. Go,” Raven said between clenched teeth. She barely allowed Richard and Colt to touch her. What gave him the right to do such a thing?! She wanted him off!

“I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“Oh! Is that what yeh are callin’ it?!” Fernando was taken aback slightly. “Now yeh try to take care of me?” Raven finally managed to shove herself away from him as she grabbed the money bag. “I don’t understand why yeh care now!” All Fernando could do was stand there and listen to her. “Go concern yerself with Victor an’ leave me alone!” Raven stated as she roughly shoved past him and walked back into the street.

Raven spotted Colt and Richard near the Inn and walked to them, still more than mad.

Fernando stayed where Raven had left him as he tried to decipher her words.

When Raven reached them, they began to talk about their winnings. After a few seconds, they all looked at Fernando, talked more, then walked to him.

“The Queen would like to invite us to breakfast?” Richard questioned.

“Yes, she would also like to get to know you more.”

“Why?” Colt asked.

“You’ll have to ask the Queen that.”

They all stood in silence before they awkwardly proceeded to the Tavern and walked in.

Dara and Victor looked up, and both gave a faint smile. Richard, Colt, and Raven sat down at a table next to the pair.

“I’m glad you could join us,” Dara said.

“Why did yeh invite us?” Raven asked.

“I want to get to know you and your friends better. It makes for less awkwardness while traveling.”

Richard and Colt leaned their arms against the table and raised their eyebrows. Neither seemed particularly bothered that Royalty was sitting less than five feet away from them.

“What would yeh like to know?” Colt asked.

“Maybe how you met Elizabeth?” Raven’s hands twitched at the name.

The three looked at each other and read one another’s expressions.

“Jail,” Richard said.

Dara looked at Raven and saw that she was staring at her. One of Raven’s gloved hands tapped against the table.

The guards placed plates in front of the three, and all they could do was stare at it. From what they could tell, it was roasted venison, white bread, and fruit. They hadn’t eaten this well and clean in so long they felt as though they might get sick from the richness. Colt and Raven were still too hungover to even look at food the same way again, and Richard just wanted something sweeter.

Raven began to rub her temple with her hands as Colt closed his eyes and tried not to breathe in the smell of the meat.

“You ok?” Victor asked as he looked at the pair.

“Nah,” Raven murmured, “I have a bloody headache that won’t go away.” Screaming at Fernando had made it worse.

“It’s yer own fault for gettin’ wasted,” Richard commented.

“We know!” Colt groaned out in misery. Richard held up his hands and leaned back as he began to pick at his food.

“You’re a Farian?” Victor asked. Richard froze for a second at the sudden change of subject before he nodded. “And he’s a Shifter?” Victor asked as he pointed to Colt. Richard nodded.

Victor could believe that Raven and Richard would have met in the Farian Kingdom, but he couldn’t even think of a reason as to why Colt had been there. It was such an odd pairing, and none of them seemed to care about species.

Victor’s eyes made their way to Richards’s hands and arms, where his markings were. The designs that were forever on Farians’ skin were truly something to behold and marvel at because they essentially encased the Farian Kingdom, beautiful, elegant, and enchanting. But that all stopped when it reached his knuckles, which were covered in faded scars. A red circular scar was also on the bottom of his wrist. Victor had seen something similar on others, but he couldn’t pinpoint where.

However, he was glad a Farian finally wasn’t hiding behind the beauty and enchantment their Kingdom and markings offered. But he couldn’t deny Richard didn’t seem too bad; he had even become friends with Raven, something Victor thought was next to impossible between the two species.

When Richard saw Victor looking at the forgotten scars, he pulled his sleeves down.

Realizing he had been caught, Victor looked over at Colt and saw that he was talking to Raven. Colt’s sleeves were pushed back, and scars could be seen on his skin, specifically, four pieces that looked like they had been scraped off.

Raven’s head fell on the table, causing Colt’s fork to clatter to the floor. Colt returned the favor by shoving her head away, to which she immediately sat up, fully awake and angry. She lunged her hand for his head, but he managed to grab her wrist, mere centimeters from his face.

The two continued to struggle and fight one another as Richard watched on in pure disappointment and annoyance.

Raven reached over and took a piece of Colt’s fruit. He looked surprised and then angry. His knife dove into the untouched venison, and it quickly landed on his plate.

“Now that’s just greedy,” Raven said.

“Yeh took my food first.”

“Yeh can shove yer food-”

“Shut up,” Richard said.

“I’m goin’ to kill yeh,” Raven gritted out.

“No, yeh won’t,” Colt said.

“I shall.”

“I mean yeh can try, but I’m tha better fighter.” Colt smiled.

The door opened, interrupting their conversation. Raven looked up and imminently looked down at the table again. She hid part of her face.

“Yeh did it, didn’t yeh?!” Colt asked in a hushed tone.

“Yeh can’t be that stupid?” Richard asked.

The man walked to Fernando. “Captain Fernando,” the man said, “I must warn you that there is a thief in this town. I have been recently robbed.”

“We haven’t been met with such unfortunate events. Thank you for informing us.”

The man bowed and walked out again.

“Yeh are that stupid!” Colt said as he began to laugh as quietly as he could. Richard placed his face in his hand in regret and pain of her stupidity. The least she could have done was made sure he didn’t notice for a few hours!

“I couldn’t help myself!”

A cold hand fell on Raven’s shoulder. Scrunching her eyebrows together, she turned to look at the hand. The black fingers gripped her shoulder tighter, and Raven looked back, as not to allow people to see her staring at nothing.

Death had left her alone the entire morning, and now that he was back, Raven was more than upset.

“You know that little surprise I told you about last night?” Death asked. “Well, it’s here!” Raven’s heart felt like it stopped. “Don’t worry, my dear. It’s not bad.”

“Elizabeth?” Dara asked. Raven quickly turned to face her. “Would you and your friends like some new clothes?”

Raven looked down at her clothes and saw that the creatures’ grey blood was staining parts of her white undershirt. She knew there must have been an odor from all three of them. Raven was still unsure if Dara was trying to manipulate her in some way or if she was genuinely nice.

“Um, I guess that would be nice,” Raven said.

“Are you done eating?” Dara asked. They all nodded and stood up. On their way out of the Tavern, Fernando began to walk next to Raven.

“You stole the Official’s money.”

“Look around, tha majority of tha population are peasants; it could have been anyone.” Before Fernando could rebuttal, Raven slipped away from him and joined Colt and Richard.

Fernando watched her and noticed that she grew more uncomfortable the closer they got to the mass of people.

She grabbed her hood and threw it over her head, Colt and Richard doing the same.

Richard pulled down the sleeves of his shirt more to hide the markings of his wings. Colt’s smile fell, and he looked straight ahead. Fernando could slightly understand why Richard and Colt changed in the Mundus village, but he found it sad that Raven, a Mundus, had to hide as well.

The group bowed their heads and kept their gazes down, and to anyone else, they looked like innocent beggars. But to Fernando - someone who had seen them fight and kill and steal - that wasn’t the case. They were like vultures, watching, observing, and waiting until it was time for them to make a move.

Death appeared in front of Raven, and she purposely walked through him.

“I guess my surprise will have to wait,” Death said.

She glanced up at Death and noticed an emotion he had yet to show: disgust. His smile faded, eyes darkened, muscles tensed, and finally hate resonated off of him as he looked at the crowd. Why so biased towards Mundus’? she thought, keeping the smirk from her face.

Before she could think of any reasons, their party stopped walking. The three became painfully aware of how many people were staring at them. They knew it was because of the Royal entourage, but they still disliked it.

“My Queen, my Prince,” the Merchant said. He bowed deeply before he slowly rose. “How may I help yeh today?” His accent was similar to that of Raven’s.

“Not for us,” Dara said. “For them.” She pointed to the group. All three of them were standing there, somewhat awkwardly as they whispered amongst themselves.

“Very well, my Queen. Follow me,” he said to the three. They looked at him before hesitantly walking into the shop. Fabrics and clothes covered the walls.

“Yeh can pick out what yeh want, or I can help yeh.” They knew he was kind to them because the Queen and Prince were with them. Usually, when they tried to shop, they were asked their species and kicked out.

Raven’s gloved hand pulled the cloak closer to her face. She grabbed a white undershirt that looked like the one she was currently wearing and walked to the clerk, where Richard and Colt were. Richard had a white undershirt, and so did Colt - no overshirts, pants, or boots. They didn’t particularly like the idea of entertaining Dara’s act of kindness, and the fact the mass majority of overshirts were green didn’t help.

“Is this oll?” The Merchant asked. They all nodded and handed him the clothes. They began to pull out their money when Dara gave the clerk her livre pouch. The Queen warmly smiled at the three of them, and they barely smiled back.

“I’m sorry, my Queen, I have a new policy,” the merchant continued, “I charge an extra four coins for other species.” He had glimpsed the faint silver on Colt’s hand, and for him, that was enough. As Dara placed more coins in his hand, he looked to the trio and warmly smiled.

“Follow me,” Death said. “Bring your friends as well.”

The clerk handed them their clothes, and Raven gently nudged Colt and Richard before she walked away. They followed.

Victor was quick to pursue them in confusion, causing the Knights to follow the Prince.

The three of them seemed to move amongst the crowd in perfect unison. Many times, Victor found himself losing sight of one, if not all three, for a split second before he saw them again. It was as if they became one with the shadows and masses and simply ceased to exist. They were no longer a burned Mundus or a Shifter or Farian. Fernando was hastily following the Prince, determined not to lose him.

“Where are we goin’?” Colt asked.

“I don’t know,” Raven said.

“Why are we leaving?”

“I don’t know.”

They shoved past more people, exiting the town and entering the farming industry. Huge fields of crops spanned vast amounts of land, every one being attended to workers with defensive towers in the distance. Despite the productivity, this village was being starved - the very crops that were meant to protect and help the people was the very thing that was slowly strangling them.

The Kingdoms only needed so many Mundus crops, leaving the rest in the Kingdom. However, the amount had to be maintained so the majority wouldn’t be left jobless; but that meant the crops’ price would rise, and the wages remained the same, solving and doing absolutely nothing for the Kingdom or its people. And the Mundus King did nothing to fix it. The burned side of Raven’s mouth twitch - that would change.

The trio looked away from the workers and found something none of them thought they would see again: their horses.

All of them confusingly walked to the stallions.

Victor and the rest finally emerged from the crowd and looked at the group.

Smiles encased the small groups’ faces, Raven more than anyone. She ran her hand up and down Herbert’s nose, and he, in return, leaned into her touch.

“Do you like it?” Death asked. Raven didn’t respond, trying her best to not allow Death to ruin the moment. “Watching you guys trudge along yesterday was torture. Besides, I want our deal to be completed as soon as possible.”

She shoved her clothes into the saddlebag. Colt and Richard did the same.

“Are those horses theirs?” Victor asked.

“Yes,” Fernando said.

“How do you know?”

“You know that horse that I was telling you about this morning, my Prince?” Victor nodded. “That’s the horse.” He couldn’t believe Herbert was still alive.

The three mounted their horses and rode towards Fernando, Victor, and Dara.

“We are goin’ to venture around tha town,” Raven informed.

Everyone turned and looked at Dara.

“Ok,” Dara said, “be safe.”

“I’m glad you found your horse again,” Fernando said. Raven gave an acknowledging nod. She looked down at Dara and sarcastically saluted her before she slapped the reins against Herbert.

The group rode away from the town.

Leaving Fernando with a faint, sad smile on his face - barely showcasing his dimples - happy that Raven was delighted once more but heartbroken that the little girl he knew was gone.

Leaving Dara slightly confused at the entire group but feeling sorry for all of them.

Leaving Victor amused with the entire situation and wanting to understand the dynamics of a Mundus, Shifter, and Farian.

VP IS NOW PUBLISHED SO GO BUY AND REVIEW IT ON AMAZON AND GOODREADS!!!!