6 Setup

Somewhere in the Dark Forest.

Three people, and a giant green snake were moving through the trees.

Two women were moving side by side, riding atop two white ethereal horses they looked similarly phantoms. The two steeds were created by one of the women using an incantation. She was the mother of the other girl, who was also her daughter, although, she was taller than her daughter they looked almost exactly alike.

The other person was a young boy. He was mounted atop the serpent moving a few feet behind the two women.

"Hey Oren, when we get to the city I will show you around." The daughter, a girl named Esholyn,

turned and spoke to the boy while the group advanced swiftly through the forest.

"Ok that's fine." He responded.

"Oren, first you will need to register with the city guards." The mother insisted. "Afterwards we will proceed to find you proper lodgings." The woman glanced down at the snake. "Ummm, Oren you said that creatures' name was Emera."

"Yes ma'am," Oren responded politefully.

"Ok then, It.. I mean, Emera will have to be registered as a mount. I'm sure that I will be able to convince the gate commander to allow her inside the city." The lady looked at Oren sternly. Then continued.

"However she will not be able to roam freely. She must be accompanied by you at all times. No exceptions!"

"No problem. I will keep close watch on her." Oren reassured, as he rubbed Emeras head scales.

Esholyn spoke up again. "Don't worry mother it will be fine. Right oren?" She was staring at Oren smiling wide.

Oren seeing this, couldn't help but feel a weird sensation and he said. "Ummm.. Yeah sure."

"Okay great." The girl blushed.

"Alright quiet. We have to be vigilant, enough chit-chat." The Woman suddenly interjected seemingly irritated.

"Yes miss"

"Yes Mom"

Oren and Esholyn spoke in unison.

Emera still being uncertain of these women reminding Oren, He should not be to friendly.

She also seemed a little irritated, by the two children's sudden closeness.

The group moved very quickly. The two women saddled upon their ghostly stallions,

and Oren sitting upon the back of Emera the dragon serpent. The horses set the pace, although they were galloping at full speed, they were by no means comparable to Emera. If she wanted to, she could easily pass them. However Oren had told her to stay behind them, as to be able to prevent oncoming attacks.

They traveled for about an hour.

During this time Emera had addressed Oren about why his body took so long to heal those seemingly simple bruises. Oren explained, He didn't really know, being that he's never had a bruise before, he just assumed it was normal at least for him. He had always been different than other humans. Hearing that, Emera had an idea, but she didn't speak on it. Normally all creatures even humans had the ability to almost instantly heal minor wounds, but Oren couldn't. It had taken nearly 10 minutes for just his bruises to heal.

Although, considering He did heal fast, but not immediately. Nonetheless, it wasn't a simple task to wound him.

The Mother suddenly spoke. "We shall be reaching the Gates in a few minutes."

Oren was confused, He didn't see anything up ahead just trees. They advanced for a few more minutes, when unexpectedly, the woman commanded the horses to halt.

Oren still couldn't see anything in front of them accept more forest.

Emera abruptly voiced. "There is some type Enchantment ahead of us, it is repelling me. I cannot go too much further."

Just as Oren was about to respond. Esholyn and her mother got down from their horses, right away the mother said a certain phrase, and the spectral steeds evaporated into thin air.

Then She said another word, and much to Orens surprise the forest ahead of him vanished.

Both him and Emera where astounded, 10 ft in front of them stood a massive wall hundreds of meters tall. In the center. There was a large gate 20 ft wide 20 ft high. Oren had no idea this enormous structure was hidden in the forest, although he knew there was a city somewhere. He was too young to remember where, and he definitely didn't remember it being enchanted.

On the Other side of the gate, were two armored men. One of them had a clean shaven face, but his body and head were completely covered in steel plated armor. The other was a slightly older looking man, he had a neat trimmed mustache on his face. He looked as if he had seen many battles, his face bore quite a few scars. The two men were suddenly startled when the spell lifted, but seeing the Woman and Her daughter the men straightened up.

Right before they were about to speak, they noticed Emera and Oren instantly their jaws dropped, they lost all sense of formality and drew their weapons. "Queen, 1st Princess. Quickly out of the way a beast has emerged from the forest." One of them immediately yelled. "Attack protect the Queen." The other screamed.

Instantaneously one person after another started popping up along the top of the wall, bows at the ready, the top of the wall was soon lined with no less then 100 people. "Nooooooo stooooooop" Esholyn yelled. But it was to late. Vooosh,.... Vooosh,...Vooosh,... arrows filled the air. The people up top all let loose. All of their attacks aimed at one target. Emera!

Oren and Emera tried to react but suddenly a barrier of light arose enshrouding and trapping, Emera and Oren. They couldn't move! When the arrows reached them, Oren and Emera struggled to move but they couldn't even wriggle.

They were completely immobilized. Oren didn't care to much about the arrows. He knew the attacks of normal people couldn't hurt him, but Emera was different. She was a Beast although her scales and defenses were tough, and her healing ability was superb. He knew if the arrows penetrated her head she would die. But right now he couldn't help her. Oren grew angry. He thought to himself. If Emera dies, I will kill every human in that city starting with that woman. He was upset with himself that he trusted these women. He felt betrayed. He wished now more than ever, that he never brung Emera with him. He had grown a connection with her. He didn't want to be the reason she died. Seconds before the arrows made contact. He heard Emeras scared voice, "Oren, Im stuck help me."

"I cant." he said back frantically. "Emera... I'm sorry."

At that moment the arrows struck. CLANG, CLANG, CLANG. The arrows that hit the light barrier shattered. Oren and Emera, were completely unharmed. They had thought they were being setup, but in reality. When the arrows were fired, the queen immediately, cast a spell on them locking them in place, but also thoroughly protecting them from any outside attacks.

In her mind she also had a thought. These arrows although sufficient to kill the snake if they strike it in the brain. They will not be able to harm Oren at all, unless She enchanted every last one of them and still, there was no guarantee He would die. What then? She shuddered, at the thought of Oren going on a killing spree.

"Halt, Cease fire." The Queen yelled, before the soldiers could get another volley off. Immediately they all lowered their aim, all of them saw the light that encapsulated Emera and Oren. Of course these archers knew that the Queen had protected them. Which one of them would dare, to kill someone that the Queen was trying to keep alive. They'd be signing their own lives away. They all knew, very well how powerful their queen was and, no one ever dared to anger her.

"You fools! Are you imbeciles or...what!" Using a magical technique to amplify her voice. The queen started to curse her guards. "These are my honored Guests, how dare you attack when I arrive. Do you think I would lead a beast to my city and lift my barrier."

The Queen was livid. "I will deduct the pay of every archer assigned to today's shift. Also Harold and Fernando," She looked directly at the two men manning the gate. "You two buffoons are being reassigned, Harold you from now on, you will be personally assisting Esholyn with her weapon classes. Do I make myself clear!?" The clean shaved man had a look on his face, as if his world had just collapsed. "Secondly, Fernand you will assist in her Magic dueling classes." upon hearing this the scarred faced man fell to his knees and cried out. "Please Queen Abigaile, anything but that!"

"So in that case you want to switch places with Harold?" The Queen snapped back at him.

The man rubbed his face clearly feelings his scars. "No my Queen". He immediately relented.

"Well then open the gates."

The two gate guards quickly reacted, they did not want to make their punishment worse. They each hit a lever on opposite sides of each other.Instantly the gate started to rise, but they only raised the gate half way. Giving the group more than enough room to come through. When the gate stopped rising, the Queen again started speaking. "From now on" She glanced at Oren and Emera, motioning them to come forward. "This child here, His name is Oren. From now on." she repeated. "He is under my care. Treat him as you would my children. Furthermore, this serpent is His mount Emera. Make sure you remember them." The Queen stopped projecting her voice, afterwards she faced and commanded her daughter. "Esholyn, go to Fernand to retrieve an Illusion band."

"Yes mother" She nodded then walked towards the gate.

The Queen then looked towards Emera "for you" She said with a smile. She starting mouthing a spell. When she finished. She looked at Oren. "Emera can now enter the city." By that time Esholyn had already walked back. In her hand was a small ring, she handed it over to her mother. The Queen then gestured to Oren. Who quickly hopping off of Emeras back, proceeded to walk over. She handed him the ring and he put it on.

"Oren, this ring will allow you to see through the enchantment on the city. If you want to leave and enter the forest, with this ring you can get back into the city, I will explain the details later, for now just bind the ring. Once binded you will not be able to unbind it, additionally it will not work for another person unless you die. Do you understand?"

"Yes" Oren answered.

"Alright everything's in order, let's go inside." The Queen Spoke once more.

Right away, Esholyn ran up to Oren, grabbing his arm she said. "Come on Oren, your gonna love it."