Chapter 9

Though she still feels pain with every movement that she makes, Accashia follows Luntian without any protest or objections. The Shaman leads her to the bonfire, and when they are seated comfortably on the log, Luntian throws a mix of salt and zirconium at the fire.

It made a sizzling noise, the minerals cracking until it turned to smoke.

As the smoke rose to the sky, Luntian stood up, raising her hands. And when she did, the smoke formed a castle. A fortress, strong. Sturdy and the castle walls are high.

Accashia sat with lips parted from awe. Her eyes twinkled along with the embers of fire that danced with every whirl and twirl of Luntian’s hands.

And so, she begins to tell the tale of how the Kingdom of Shaldan fell from its glory.

“In an ancient Kingdom, a Beast of black and white reigned . He was sovereign, graceful. And with his Queen, the Luna named Galathea, they were undefeatable. The were-people loved them. For they were kind, gentle and benevolent. His army consisted of