Okey doke, here's Rowan's and Traven's prequel! And for anyone who hasn't read Chosen first, I highly recommend that you do. So, anyway, here we go!

Shadows of Darkness

Summary: Before Traven loved Nicole, he was involved with another woman. But he broke a promise to her. Then he became married to Arisa and the war between him and Ravaa started. Not only did it affect Traven, but his young nephew, Rowan, as well, who loses his father because of it.

Rating: PG-13 for violence/gore.

Genre: Fantasy/Drama

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Chapter One

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His silver eyes danced over the setting sun, the breeze ruffling his long silver hair. The sky was mixed with red and orange, the sun itself looking to be a dark orange. A few sparse clouds were scattered across the sky, lazily drifting along. A bird chirped happily as it flew by, twirling in the air.

Traven rested his head in his hands, the reflection of the sun sparkling in his eyes. "It's beautiful, isn't it, Ravaa?"

A gorgeous woman stepped onto the balcony, resting her head on his back and wrapping her arms around him. Her long dark hair was pulled back from her face, her dark brown eyes glittering with happiness. She was a beautiful woman, no other was as fair to look upon as her. "It is."

Traven sighed, then looked back at Ravaa, the first woman he had ever truly loved. "I must visit my sister today."

"But why? You see her enough as it is."

"Ravaa, let it be. I promise to return by nightfall."

She let go of him, standing back and sulking. "You always say that. Must you go today? Wait one more day, won't you?"

"I can't, Ravaa. This can't wait, it's important."

Ravaa sighed angrily. "Fine, just leave like you always do."

Traven's eyes saddened, his wings brushing against the ground. "I'll see you later tonight."

She turned her head, ignoring him. With one last glance at her, he flashed out from the room. Once she knew he was gone, she looked to where he had been standing, narrowing her eyes. "He always goes to see that sister of his. Is she more important than I am?" Her eyes were angry as she turned and looked at the wall behind the chair. A painting of a mountainside was hung there. Her fingers reached out and brushed along it as tears filled her eyes. "I can't take this anymore. Either he stops visiting her every day or I leave him."

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The large castle of Mystia twinkled in the dying sunlight, making it seem as though it was made from diamonds. The misty forest stood nearby, hollow calls of birds echoing in the air. A few grand torches were placed neatly along the outer walls of the castle to light up the darkness. Two guards stood near the set of double doors; one on each side.

The lord of Roena approached them slowly and they bowed, then stepped aside and pushed the doors open. He smiled warmly at the soldiers and then made his way into his sister's castle, stretching his large wings and then folding them behind him again.

As he entered, the doors were closed tightly behind him and all was silent. Suddenly a young boy burst into the main hall, screaming and laughing as he ran. His handsome face made him look to be no more than five or six. A pair of dark red feathered wings came from his back and he had them stretched out behind him as he ran. He quickly looked behind him, his pale blonde hair blowing over his blue eyes, and then squealed.

"Rowan, get back here!" a deep voice shouted after the child. Another person walked out quickly and then he paused when he saw Traven. The man's skin was darker than the other's own pale color and his hair was long and black, tied into a braid that hung to his waist. Bangs of the same color stopped just above deep red eyes. His pointed ears twitched slightly and his dragon tail swung behind him. "Traven, we weren't expecting you today." He looked out the window and saw the darkening sky, a frown playing over his handsome face. "Did Sala know?"

"No," Traven replied as he approached the demon. "I just needed to speak with her, that is all."

He nodded. "She should be in the piano room. I need to go get my son."

"Thank you, Mahtar," Traven said with a slight nod.

Mahtar studied him for a moment before taking off to find the young boy again. The lord of Roena waited until he had disappeared and then began making his way to where the piano room was. He knew his sister's castle as well as he knew his own; he was there practically every day.

The soft sound of a piano playing floated to his ears and he smiled. He made sure to quiet his footsteps as he approached an open door and looked in. His sister sat on the piano bench, her large white feathered wings folded behind her. The red color of her long hair spilled down her back and over the joints of her wings.

"My dear sister."

She jumped and hit the wrong keys, then turned to look back. When she saw who it was she immediately pulled her dress to cover as much of her legs as it could and then smiled. "Hello, Traven. What brings you here so late?"

"I missed you."

The smile on her face didn't die but the one in her golden eyes did. "Oh? I'm sorry, but you've caught me at a bad time. I was just getting ready to retire for the night."

"Surely you can spare some time for a sibling?" he asked with an elegant raised brow.

She would just have to put up with him until her husband came back. "Of course I can." With a deep breath she got off the bench and walked over to him. "How have you been?"

He pulled her into a tight hug, resting his head on her shoulder. She stiffly held him back. "Good for the time being." The silver of his eyes sparkled as he slid one hand down lower along his sister's back. "I've really missed you, Sala."

Sala immediately moved back and eyed him, then forced another smile. "You have Ravaa to keep you company."

"But she isn't anything like you." He reached out to touch her face.

"Is there something you needed, Traven?" came a harsh voice from behind him.

The lord of Roena immediately turned to see Mahtar standing in the doorway with his son in his arms. An angry looked was burning in his eyes.

"Nothing that can be done while you're here, I'm afraid," Traven muttered.

"What was that?" The demon's eyes shone. "Did you say something?"

"Uncle!" the young boy said and hopped down from his father's arms. He ran over to Traven and jumped on him. "Are you going to stay for a long time?"

Traven smiled and picked him up, holding him and smiling at him. "I'm afraid that I have things to do tonight, Rowan."

"Maybe tomorrow?"

"Your uncle is a very busy man, Rowan, he doesn't have time to play," Mahtar said sternly as he made his way over to Sala and wrapped a comforting arm around her waist. "He has matters to tend to."

"Nonsense. I could surely make time for my favorite nephew," Traven said with a smile and ruffled Rowan's hair.

Rowan laughed and grabbed his hand. "I'm your only nephew."

Traven chuckled and set the boy down, then looked over at Sala and Mahtar. "I could come by next week and spend some time with him, if it's all right with you two, of course."

Mahtar stiffly looked over at Sala, who looked down at her son. Rowan grabbed her hand. "Please, Mother! Please can Uncle come over and play with me?"

She closed her eyes tightly and nodded. "Of course he can."

"As long as he behaves," Mahtar growled, his red eyes dancing over the other man.

"Thank you, Papa!" Rowan said and then smiled over at his uncle. "See you next week!"

"Yes," Traven said with a nod, "you will." He looked at his sister for a moment and then vanished.

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Hee...Traven's naughty. *slaps Traven's hand*

Review please!