Chapter One

To Battle

Cara stared at the men from inside the tent. Many looked concerned and most looked like they had no idea what they were doing.

“Mistress Cara.”

Cara turned to look at Lord Jian; he was the leader and Lord of Shokjn.

“Yes My Lord?” she asked.

“How did you find out about all this?” he enquired.

Cara smiled, “I had help, a group of Islanders told me.”

“Which Islanders?”

“I met them on NefQymata, but not all of them were from there,” Cara replied.

Jian nodded and glanced to Ariella who sat in the corner watching him carefully, and innocently while the great lion lay at her feet twitching his tail.

“Well, we are just waiting for the rest to come,” Jian said.

“The rest?” Cara asked.

“Yes, the Lords, and Lady, of the island, they are coming.”

“I see,” Cara replied.

“They should not take long,” Jian said and then turned to chat with his advisors.

Cara went out the tent and watched the men walking about. It did not take long for Kade to appear by her side.

“How are you?” Cara asked.

Kade smiled, “I’m good.”

Cara turned to look at him, she smiled slightly, “we’ll get home soon,” she said.

“How long has it been?” Kade asked, “three months?”

“Almost,” Cara replied, she giggled slightly.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

She turned to him, “you missed the summatives, you might have to do grade eight over again.”

“Oh,” Kade leaning back, “well that would be… horrible.”

“At least its only a second time, not a third,” Cara said and she rested her head against his shoulder.

“Imagine that, I think I would be the oldest person in grade eight,” Kade replied.

Cara laughed, “that would be amusing.”

“But you’d follow me there as well,” Kade said, Cara sat up, looking confused, “well you missed them too, I wouldn’t be the only one staying behind.”

Cara sighed, “oh well. I’d gladly take another year of being in grade eight, if it means that I got to come here.”

Kade smiled, “me too.”

The flap opened up and Ariella and the Lion came out. Kade and Cara sat up looking expectant.

“I believe that it might be a good idea that you come now,” she said delicately, “the other Lords are coming.”

“Alright,” Cara said and she stood walking back into the tent.

It was not too much later when the rest of the Lords came in. Kavaghn was the first to come and he went straight to Cara engulfing her in a giant hug then looking carefully at her to make sure that she was whole.

Danot came with Iah, and Caius came guiding the arm of Ayako, who still looked like a precious doll. Caius on the other hand looked like an excited child.

The Lord of Abaki however did not appear. Cara looked to Ariella and she shook her head, he would not be coming at all.

“Welcome,” Jian said glancing at all the faces, “I know this is short notice but we have a troubling matter ahead of us.”

The Lords and Lady were quiet.

“I am afraid that the location of our Isles have been betrayed to Bäldassare,” Jian said.

The leaders glanced at each other.

“It was for this reason that the location was lost,” Ayako spoke up, “who would give it away?”

“Possibly a visiting merchant or one of our own,” Jian said, “what matters is that we defend ourselves. Bäldassare has already moved on Abaki, and so their representation can not be here.”

Caius looked to see Cara standing in the corner.

“Mistress Cara,” he said, “how do you think this has happened? Seven days after you have arrived here and Bäldassare has taken Abaki.”

His eyes bored into her, Cara shrugged.

“I do not know, Sir,” she replied. “But I am certain that even though we are here, Bäldassare would have come, when we are here or when we were not.”

Kavaghn spoke up, “Surely Lord Caius you do not mean to accuse Lady Cara and her friends for being the reason why this has happened?”

Caius glanced around and encountered Ayako’s harsh glare.

“No, of course not,” he said, “it was a foolish thing to say.”

“Well, my good Lords and Ladies,” Jian said, “are you willing to fight along side me? Bäldassare has masses in the north of my country. If we ride out now, we can keep him away from the southern border and my cities there. Do you agree?”

Ariella spoke up before anyone else said a word, “Bäldassare does not know that you have united, his plan is to catch all unaware. Land his entire troops one island at a time, better not to divide his advantage.”

They all looked to Ariella for a moment and she spoke again.

“Your homes will be safe while you fight here.”

One by one all the rulers of the islands nodded and there was a sense of something decided in the air. There was a pause.

“Well,” Jian said, “I guess we are heading for war.”

The troop piled out, all going to their individual tents to get ready, they were to ride out in an hour.

Cara found herself already ready, glarter out and armour on.

Kip was the one who appeared with a horse ready for her.

“We are not leaving yet,” Cara said taking the reins from him anyways.

“I know,” Kip replied. He was quiet for a moment then spoke, “do you have anymore fairy tales?”

“Fairy tales?”

“Yes, like the ones you told me on the crossing over here,” Kip said.

“I have many.”

“Would you tell me one? Before we go?” Kip asked. Cara smiled.

“Sure.”

The hour went quickly and the rest of their group joined them, and the Lords and Lady were not far behind them. Kip helped Cara onto her horse then got on his own.

Ayako was the one who rode up to Cara, she was dressed in leather armour and the lack of her usual large kimono made her look even smaller.

“Cara, we have a favour to ask of you,” she said quietly.

“Whatever I can do to help,” Cara replied.

“We are in a debate about who leads,” Ayako said.

“Well, shouldn’t Jian? Because he is Lord of this country?” Cara said frowning.

“Yes, that is most of our opinion, but Caius and Danot have the largest armies,” Ayako said.

“Then everyone leads their own armies,” Cara said.

“But who is too lead the leaders?” Ayako asked with a little smile.

Cara suddenly came to a realisation, “you want me to lead them?”

“I am sure that you will do fine,” Ayako said.

Cara looked to Kade he was listening to their conversation and when he caught her eye he nodded encouragingly.

“Alright, I will,” Cara said.

“Thank you,” Ayako said.

Cara took a breath and looked far ahead. They were crossing a large hill and the far reaches of Shokjn could be seen.

Ariella came up next too her, Rjardín walking beside the horse.

“Do you see that mass?” Ariella asked, “that great darkness on the edges of the island?”

“Yes,” Cara said.

“Well, that is the army,” Ariella said, “and soon we fight.”

Cara nodded and in just under an hour they had reached the great flat plains of Shokjn. Cara took a deep breath and looked back. There was a mass of Calvary and Infantry.

Jian rode forward as they aligned themselves.

“Sons of the Islands!” he called. “This morning you were naught but farmers and craftsmen, few among you soldiers. But now you are all soldiers, soldiers fighting for your family and your life. Before you stands a great foe, one from the mainland that it’s fear has travelled even to us.”

Jian looked to Cara, and continued, “fate is on our side, we were warned of this coming battle and there are spirits among even now that will ensure our victory.”

Cara leaned on her saddle to Kade. “I wish I could speak like that.”

He smiled, but said nothing.

“Men of the Isles! Are you ready to fight and win?” Jian shouted and the entire mass of men let out an enormous yell. Cara turned her horse round to face the enemy before her.

There were nearly twenty thousand and more still docking. The front lines were ready and waiting for them.

“Mistress Cara!” Jian called from where he sat in the line.

Kade leaned over.

“This is a dangerous game your playing Cara,” he whispered.

“I know,” she replied and urged her horse forward.