The King’s Obsession

A horrid, foul smell rouses me. For a long moment, it's like I'm submerged, fighting desperately to reach the surface. And then consciousness knocks me square in the chest, and I'm sitting up, gasping for air. Violently coughing, I lean over, overwhelmed by the smell shrouding me, by the bitter taste rising up from the back of my throat. My body aches, muscles weak as I finally allow my eyes to crack open, bracing my arm up against the shadowy light. Looking up, I realise I'm in some kind of shallow hole. Trees surround it, roots creeping down through the dirt and into the hole I'm in, protruding unnaturally from the ground...Wait, are those really roots?

~Akara Shivering, I push the front door open with my shoulder, struggling not to make any noise and I move my stuff out to the carriage outside. I said my goodbyes to my family last night, who seemed reluctant at my idea to go to the Azure Province by myself, considering the last time I was there I got kidnapped. But I know I need to go, even if this early hour in the morning is somewhat painful. Marek doesn't know I'm alive, and I have a digging need within me to find him, and let him know what happened to me. Even if I'm still not exactly sure what's going on myself... 

~Akara Snow laced wind whips against my face, as I nudge my horse on. It took me a day to prepare. Fran pointed me in the direction of someone who could lend us horses and enough gear to take us partially up the mountain. We also attained a map, which thankfully highlights that the Snow Demon territory is relatively close to the base of the mountain. Marek should be there. He will be there. "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is," Nakoa yells over the wind as we c

~Akara  No one spoke the entire way down the mountain.  By the time we made it back down to the Inn, we were all equally exhausted, and rattled after what happened with the Snow Demon. Nakoa nodded at us once we stepped inside, before slipping into her room. I don’t stop her, knowing she needs some time to decompress and come to terms with the fact that she nearly became a victim to an ancient Tani.  With legs like lead, I drag myself into my room, collapsing into the chair next to the bed. Marek lingers at the doorway. When Ms Grier sees him, she’s going to be in for a surprise.  "I can't believe you're alive,” he murmurs, resting against the doorframe. &nbs

~Akara I stare coldly at the door I once never thought twice about. Months ago, I never insisted on going into Tai's workshop. It wasn't because I wasn't interested in what he was doing, I just wanted him to have a place where he could be alone and do what he was best at. At that time, I never knew he could be hiding something from me in there. "Ready to go in?" Marek asks. He stands quietly beside me, having let stand and stare wordlessly at the door for the past couple minutes. Not once has he pushed me, knowing this is a process.