The Beginning of the Storm

Jacob shifts uncomfortably beside me. He never liked being summoned by my father since he knew Father didn’t care one wit about him. Jacob couldn’t understand why Father even summoned him anymore; the older he got the worst the animosity grew. I have tried to assure him it was caused only because of Father’s old age, but Jacob knows the truth. We both know it is because Jacob is an Elemental and the older he got the stronger he became. It was in the Elemental nature to want to destroy and recreate, but that was not what Jacob wanted or desired to do.

Late at night when everyone else is asleep, Jacob tends to tell me his dreams and desires. It makes me pity him, but it also causes me to rage on his behalf for the injustice of it all. Jacob has only ever wanted to live a normal life, to not be viewed or called a ‘weapon’. It seemed anymore that only his mother and father viewed him as just the child that he is and nothing more. We both know that even the Dark Mages had begun to fear him, the older he grows the worse their fear of him becomes.

Besides his parents, I am the only one who pays attention to him now. Jacob loves me as much as them because I listen to him and his fears and try to comfort him. Even with how young he is, he and I both know it’s corny, but he sees me as his light in the darkness. He calls me his beacon in the night and the only thing he has that frightens away his nightmares. Even his mother’s arms cannot do that any longer.

Jacob smiles slightly when I lick his fingertips, drawing his attention back to the present from whatever thoughts he was thinking, Father was staring at him expectantly. For several minutes, they stared mutely at each other. To the rest of the world, they would appear as though they were having a staring contest. Me however, I knew they were conversing mind to mind. Father despised speaking where everyone could hear his words; he preferred only speaking to one mind at a time.

Even with not hearing what they were discussing, I knew what was about to happen. Father had told me to expect a long journey shortly, one that involved just Jacob and me, before he began speaking to Jacob. My eyes closed, Lynnanna and Cliff were not going to accept this. They were going to want to go with us, but Father had said Jacob and I needed to do it alone or we would fail and the world would fall. He, however, was being secretive over when we would have to leave; only stating I would know when the time came.

Sighing softly, I open my eyes and stare up at the darkening sky. My left ear cocked back when a lightening bolt struck through the clouds. Jacob was afraid of storms, I assumed it is because of his being a fire Elemental, but am not truly sure. It is the only thing Jacob refuses to discuss with me. Lowering my gaze, I growl at Father. I want Jacob back and safe within his home before the storm gets worse. Father speaks to Jacob one more time, before turning his gaze to me. Confusion fills me as I turn around and begin to leave the Kingdom of the World with Jacob at my side. The image Father sent me was never to return here after tonight.

I ran ahead of Jacob as we rushed through the gates of the Seventh Kingdom. We hadn’t made it back before the storm had struck, but so far Jacob was holding up well. I slowed to a stop at the stables and waited expectantly for Jacob to catch up to me. I despised the fact of not being allowed to enter the castle with Jacob, especially when wet. I guess the servants thought I would ruin the nice, plush velvet carpets running through its entirety.

Which, truth be told, I would never do to the Seventh or Sixth Kingdoms, Lynnanna and Cliff did not deserve such a thing. The others though… My amusement rose, I would definitely destroy their nice carpets and statues and anything else I could get my teeth or claws on. The other heirs remind me of Carlino, all but Lace and her sister. Those two Dark Mages still treat Jacob friendly and care for him. The fear is still present within them, but they don’t allow it to consume them as all the rest of the Kingdoms had.

Jacob kneels before me, full of sorrow…and pain. My ear cocks back again, I know where the sorrow stems from but the pain? There is no reason for him to be in pain, rain never hurt him before and nothing had happened to him on our way to the Kingdom of the World or back here. Before I can ask him what is wrong, Jacob hugs me tightly then stands and runs to the entrance of the castle. I watch his retreating form for several minutes, even after the door closed behind him. Why was Jacob in pain? Was it caused by something Father had told him? Both ears lay flat against my skull as I turn and enter the stables in consternation.

Hours after the storm had stopped; I decided to patrol the Seventh Kingdom as I normally do every night. Being the Ruler of the World’s daughter, I really had no need to sleep and only did when Jacob was nestled against my side. Otherwise, I stalked the Kingdom the whole night through. Watching the people and beings sneaking about to meet their mistresses or secret lovers, the things such honest people would not attempt during the daylight hours. I also made sure there were no spies or assassins trying to break into the castle. This was my home and I would protect it to my dying breath.

Nearing the entrance to the Kingdom, I dodge into the tall wheat fields and lower myself close to the ground. Two people were arguing fiercely but quietly. Slowly, quietly, I crawled closer to the two figures. They stood just outside the gates and in the deep shadows of the castle’s walls. Being what I was and with lightning still lighting up the sky, I was able to easily discern the men’s appearances.

One wore the garb of a Dark Mage while the younger of the two wore just a simple dark brown cloak. The Mage was soft spoken, but definitely threatening the younger man. My ear flicked back, it sounded as though the younger man was some kind of a spy and the Mage was going to report him to the authorities. When the Mage was done with his rant, the young man smiled

“Joete, do you honestly think your threats mean anything to me? You are in no position to back them up. The other Mages will not take your word over mine.”

Joete snorted. “You’re wrong this time, Mykel. They will believe me this time and come after you.”

Mykel shrugged. “Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. Either way, the charade ends here tonight.”

Crawling closer, I noticed Joete smirk. “They are already nearing the Kingdom of the World. Your plan will not succeed.”

“Don’t fret, Joete. I’ll beat your buddies there. And nothing you can say or do will prevent that.”

Joete’s smirk widened into a full blown smile and his eyes glimmered. “You’re wrong again, Mykel. You will not reach them on time and I hold proof of your betrayal to us.”

“You should not have told me that, Joete.”

Joete’s smile slid away. “Why not? You going to kill me over it?”

I did not wait for whatever Mykel’s response was, my feet were already under me as I rushed into the night. Once again my father’s image passed before my eyes as I ran. He told me never to return, but by what those two men were saying, Father was in danger. I had to reach the Kingdom of the World before anyone else. I had to warn my father, if not he and the world may be destroyed tonight.