chronicles of eden - act I (16 page)

“I won’t let you down, Daniel. I promise, I’ll be your proof,” she said gently.

“Thank you, Alyssa, and no matter what I won’t abandon you, I promise,” he assured her. She giggled and hopped up and down playfully.

“Good! Then let’s get going then!” Alyssa said as she looked to the carriage.

“Um… how are we getting that up the stairs through your home anyway?” he asked looking back to the house. Alyssa laughed and shook her head.

“You’re so silly, Daniel, it wouldn’t fit through there,” she said with an adorable smile at him. He nodded slowly then looked to the carriage.

“Then… how are you going to…” he asked puzzled.

*****

Triska was running down a hill towards the spot where Daniel and Alyssa had vanished into the witch’s home, and was being chased by a dark haired horse with red eyes and skeletal wings. The horse screeched at the girl as it charged after her, the frightened teen then dodging to the side and rolling away as the beast ran by. She rolled back onto her feet to see the horse turning around and staring her down with its red eyes.

“C’mon, Lucky… I didn’t mean it. Honest,” Triska said shakily as she backed up slowly. She tripped over a weed and dropped to the ground, staring with wide eyes as the monstrous horse slowly walked towards her.

“Easy boy, easy, Lucky. I’m a friend, really,” she said nervously. The horse screeched out at her with smoke coming from its mouth as she scooted back on her rear. She stared with wide eyes and trembled as the beast walked closer to her. After a pause she shakily grabbed the handle of her sword.

“Down boy… I mean it. Don’t… don’t make me…” she threatened weakly. Before she could unsheathe her blade the ground nearby started to rumble. She looked over to see large green vines erupting and swarming around a patch of dirt as a bright light seemed to shine up from the ground.

“What… what’s happening now?” Triska asked shakily.

She watched with wide eyes as the ground around the vines started to flicker a bright light. The green weeds were swarming about in a large circle with the vines covering the ground and slithering around wildly. Suddenly the round spot of ground covered by the vines seemed to break apart around the edges and lift up. Triska watched with shock as the ground appeared to flip around like a spinning lid, with the other side having a carriage secured to it with green vines. The ground flipped around and slammed down as light shined brightly from the edges while dust flew up around the area. Sitting on the front seat of the carriage were Alyssa and Daniel, with the boy looking around with shock while the witch was giggling happily.

“Daniel? Alyssa?” Triska asked in disbelief. The horse looked over to the carriage then calmly trotted over to it. Daniel looked around with wide eyes and an open mouth as he tried to comprehend what just happened, then jumped with a yell as he saw the demonic horse heading over to them.

“Ahhh! What is that?” he cried out.

“Lucky!” Alyssa said happily as she hopped off the carriage. The vines around the cart receded and sunk back into the ground as the witch giggled at the horse. Lucky headed over to her and nuzzled his nose against her cheek, the girl laughing and petting him playfully.

“There you are, Lucky. Hee hee, I’m glad to see you too boy,” she laughed as the animal nudged her with its nose.

“That’s… Lucky?” Daniel asked with wide eyes as he stared at the demonic horse, noticing the drastic change in appearance from the horse he saw the other day. Triska scrambled to her feet and looked with disbelief at the sight.

“How… what…” she said shaking her head.

Alyssa giggled and looked at the horse with a cheerful smile.

“Are you ok, Lucky? Did those bad men scare you? I’m so sorry,” she said sweetly while brushing his nose. Daniel slowly got off the carriage and stared at the sight with wonder as Triska ran over to him.

“Daniel, watch out, that horse is crazy!” she cried out. Alyssa laughed amusedly then glanced to the girl.

“You were rude to Lucky, weren’t you?” she asked with a knowing smile. Laughing again she looked back to the horse.

“He only changes into his demon form to scare away those that are mean to him. Was that human girl rude to you, Lucky? I’m so sorry, I told her to be nice to you and she just didn’t listen, did she?” she mused sweetly to the horse while nuzzling against his nose. The horse breathed out calmly as its flaming tail waved slightly behind it.

“What? Demon form?” Triska asked with surprise. Alyssa nodded then gently brushed the horse’s nose.

“He’s such a sensitive horse, I told you didn’t I? If he doesn’t like somebody he’ll change into his demon form to scare them away. Don’t worry though; he wouldn’t have done anything to you. He’s actually a very shy and timid horse, all show and no bite,” she explained calmly while she pet the demonic horse’s nose. After a moment its hair shifted back to white as its wings retracted back. His tail’s fire extinguished as his eyes returned to a normal black color. Alyssa giggled and looked to Triska with a smirk.

“You scared him didn’t you? Naughty,” she said shaking her head.

“Scared
him
? He scared me!” Triska yelled out.

“I warned you,” Alyssa pointed out.

“Why didn’t he scare off those villagers then?” Triska asked with bewilderment.

“I told you he’s all show and no bite. He saw their torches and pitchforks and got scared,” Alyssa said simply. Daniel and Triska just looked at the witch with wide eyes then to the horse that, a few moments ago, scared the hell out of Triska. Alyssa calmed her horse down then gently grabbed the straps around him.

“Ok, Lucky, we’re going for a ride now. Be good, ok?” she asked sweetly. Lucky licked her face and nodded with a small snort. She laughed then walked the horse over to the carriage, glancing to Triska with a smirk on the way.

“Be nice to Lucky from now on,” she warned. Triska nodded then looked to the horse worriedly. She then shook her head with disbelief then looked to the carriage that seemed to have come up from underground out of nowhere.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding about the carriage. But… how did you… and the ground… it’s…” she said in bewilderment. Alyssa giggled then looked to Daniel.

“I’ll do anything for Daniel,” she said softly. He jumped a bit then smiled nervously at the witch while Triska glanced to her with a dull expression. Alyssa laughed then playfully skipped towards the carriage with Lucky following after. Daniel smiled at the horse then looked to see Triska staring at him with discontent.

“What?” he asked.

“What was that about? Did she do anything to you?” she asked as she leaned in closer to him. Daniel laughed and shook his head.

“Nope, smooth sailing,” he said weakly. Triska narrowed her eyes at him then looked to the witch. Alyssa sat at the front of the carriage with the reins in her hands, with Lucky set to pull them on their journey. She had her staff sitting next to her as she waved to Daniel.

“C’mon, Daniel, let’s go,” she said happily. Daniel nodded then headed towards the carriage with a curious smile. Triska growled then picked up her duffel bag, then followed after her friend.

*****

The sun continued to shine down on the travelers as they started again towards their destination of Ashwood. Running along the dirt road Lucky was moving at a brisk pace while pulling the carriage, with Alyssa at the reins and Daniel sitting next to her. The witch was humming a happy tune while he was looking through his book of monsters. Inside the carriage Triska was sitting against her duffel bag and looking at the witch with narrowed eyes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse like that in my books. And I thought all monsters were female too,” Daniel said scratching his head. Alyssa giggled and smiled at him.

“Lucky wasn’t born a monster. He was a normal horse my mom enchanted to be our protector. He scared off all those wolves that lived around our house,” she said happily. Daniel nodded then looked ahead at the horse that, if provoked, would show itself to be a terrifying monster in its own right. However it was all for show as the horse itself was rather timid and scared easily just like a normal horse. Daniel smiled at the new travel companion then looked to Alyssa curiously.

“Say, Alyssa, I’ve been wondering. Why did you need me to go with you to your home? You managed to bring the carriage out all on your own with your magic. You didn’t need me for anything,” he pointed out. Triska looked at him with a raised eyebrow then to Alyssa with a dull glare. The witch nodded and glanced back to Triska.

“I just didn’t want you all alone with her is all,” she said simply.

“What?” Triska barked out. Alyssa laughed a bit then looked to Daniel with dreamy eyes.

“Besides, I wanted just some quality time with you, you know, so we could get to know each other more,” she said gently.

“What? Are you kidding me? You had me chase after your demon horse just so you could have Daniel all alone with you?” Triska yelled out. Alyssa laughed then looked back to her.

“That surprises you? Really? I thought you would have expected that,” she said playfully. Triska growled then grabbed her handle to her sword. Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word Alyssa held her staff back at the girl and caused the sword, along with the furious teen, to fly out the back of the carriage and crash into the ground. Alyssa watched Triska roll to a stop with a smug grin while Daniel sighed tiredly.

“Alyssa…” he said weakly. Alyssa nodded and snapped the reins to get Lucky to stop, then looked to Daniel with a warm smile. He looked at her then back towards where his friend had gotten up and was now dashing towards the carriage with fire in her eyes and her sword drawn out.

“Please try to get along with her, Alyssa, she’s my friend,” he said tiredly.

“Whatever you wish, Daniel,” Alyssa said softly. Daniel looked to her as she smiled bashfully, batting her eyelashes as she leaned closer to him.

“Whatever it takes for you to consider me.”

In the world of Eden, women were faced with the danger of their men being taken away by the monsters that roamed the lands. These dark beings used trickery, allure, force, and other methods to capture and take the human males away to mate with. That being the case, the women of the world have been known to take up the roles of fighters in effort to stave off these threats to humanity. Swords, arrows, spears, and even magic if it could be controlled properly were used by the women of the world when defending their men. When it came to dealing with a monster that had its sights set on the ones they loved, there was one mentality for the women that took up the blade.

Over my dead body.

*****

High up in the night sky stars were faintly seen as a few clouds gently rolled by. Moving along on a dirt road through the rolling plains a white top carriage was being pulled by a single white horse, the wooden ride moving along at a calm pace. At the reins Triska was looking ahead with a dull expression as she watched the horse in front of her trot along towards their destination. Her trusty sword was in its sheath behind her while she yawned and blinked a few times to clear her vision.

"Why did I get stuck with the night driving? Seriously," she muttered. Looking up she watched a few stars twinkle amongst the dark sky. Sighing she looked around then glanced back into the carriage with a tired expression.

"Hey, Alyssa, isn't it your turn to-" she started before stopping instantly, her jaw dropping as she stared with shock.

In the back of the carriage she saw Daniel lying down with Alyssa straddling him, the witch looking back to Triska with a coy smile as she and the boy were both completely naked. He was lying back in a daze, his eyes seeming unfocused, as she held onto his chest tightly, her legs holding onto his waist as she rode on top of him. Alyssa's purple eyes glowed as she arched back, stifling a moan before smiling smugly at the Triska.

"Got him," she said with a wink.

"ALYSSA!" Triska yelled as she shot up, waking from her dream with a jump. She looked around quickly, the girl sitting in the back of the carriage against her duffel bag. At the front seat Alyssa and Daniel were looking back to her as the carriage was traveling under the night sky.

"What?" Alyssa asked simply.

"What's wrong, Triska?" Daniel asked curiously. Triska looked between them for a moment then leaned back against her bag with a sigh.

"Nothing… just a bad dream," she said shaking her head and rubbing her eyes.

"About me?" Alyssa asked raising an eyebrow. Triska glanced to her with a glare then looked away.

"Does that surprise you?" she muttered. Alyssa shot her with a dull glare then looked forward again while Daniel watched his friend with a worried expression. He sighed then looked back ahead as they continued on their trip to Ashwood.

"I get you this carriage and horse to help with the journey and you still act like I'm a bad girl here," Alyssa said while shaking her head.

"Act like it? Excuse me, but who was the one that nearly raped and killed Daniel?" Triska yelled out.

"I said I was sorry," Alyssa muttered with narrowed eyes.

"Oh, you're sorry, well I guess that makes everything just fine between us then. As long as you’re sorry then I guess all is forgiven," Triska said flatly. She sat against her bag with her arms crossed, glaring at the witch still. Alyssa rolled her eyes then glanced to Daniel, his gaze looking up at the stars with a blank expression while the carriage bounced a bit on the road. He glanced to her and smiled softly, the witch then smiling softly back. Triska looked between the two carefully then growled loudly.

"Something happened between you two didn't it?" she accused sharply.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alyssa said happily as she looked ahead again. Triska grinded her teeth with frustration then looked to Daniel with worry.

‘He's not safe with this monster nearby, doesn't see that she's going to turn on us. He's in great danger.’

Triska looked down with saddened eyes, a few strands of hair dropping in front of her face. Brushing them aside she glanced back up at Daniel while he continued to watch the sky above.