Ambal faire méra
December slowly leaves the country. The frost is easing while more and more animals are slowly returning to their homes.
Alana can't remember how long she's been on the road, nor does she know how long she can go on. Her strength and her hope are quickly dwindling. She slowly begins to realize that the chances of escape are shrinking. Perhaps the king is out of her reach. Why did everything go so wrong? Sighing, she pulls the reins.
"What are we going to do, Daydream?" Her bright eyes are fixed on the heavy boulders. "Over there it is the stones of death. We must pass through it. We can go around, but then we will lose another two days." Daydream roars dissatisfied. "I'd rather do that extra time than enter that hellish place." "I don't like it either boy" she blows and rubs the horse's neck. "But we really can't get any more delays. Let's start by going down the hill first, right?" "Hopefully we don't run into anything at the bottom of the hill again. I hate hills from now on. They're so treacherous." Daydream neighs angrily and walks along the pebble path down the grassy hill.
Satisfied, Alana lifts her head. An abandoned villa rests at the foot of the hill. "If this isn't an omen, I don't know what is" Alana smiles with satisfaction and lowers her from the saddle. "Come on Daydream, if we are going to face the rocks, we must be well-rested. Carefully she releases Daydream from his saddle and strokes his strong neck. "Look hay, water. You're all set my friend. I'll see you tomorrow morning" she greets and kisses his soft nose. "Be sure of that little one" he grumbles, to which Alana chuckles.
Daydream neighs softly and makes a hungry attack on the haystack. With all her senses on sharp, Alana enters the villa. Peering into the darkness, she searches for danger. "Damn" she curses and lights a candle. The layers of dust on the expensive furniture and webs that have nestled against the finished walls reveal that no one has been there for some time. What happened here?
Starving, she searches the pantry until she finds some potatoes. With the help of a few carrots and onions left behind, she makes a simple meal that will temporarily satisfy her hungry stomach. The vegetables are old, but that doesn't matter to her. "I'm not far, little one," Daydream soothes as she pounces on the warm bed. Curious, Alana tries to guess why this villa has been abandoned. "A little bit closer Jaspar" she whispers and lets her eyes fall wearily shut.
Cursing hopelessly, Katinka tries to pry her wrists loose. The tight ropes that keep her arms on the wooden chair creak in protest. She gives up sadly. The dim light of the candle warms her face, colored by yellow and blue spots. She stares at the door suspiciously. Hate enters his room without saying a word. He slides a heavy ditch over the door. Blowing, he removes his weapon belt, followed by his surcoat and finally his chainmail. Nervously, Katinka bites her lip. Looking at the monster in front of her. A playful smile curls around his lips as he takes a chair and places it in front of her. He puts his arms on the top and stares patiently into her eyes. "You know what I'm going to ask" he finally says. Katinka stubbornly keeps her lips tight. Hate sniffs amusedly and rubs his dark hair. "Where did she go?" he asks. Arrogantly, Katinka spits in his face. Sighing, Hate rubs his jaw.
"Why does everyone keep doing that?" he roars and jumps up. Afraid, Katinka squeaks as he knocks the chair away. "Everyone expects me to stay calm while they continue to spit on me", he roars angrily and removes the ropes from her arms. "No" Katinka begs and tries to escape. Silently, Hate pushes Katinka onto his broad bed. Katinka hastily crawls away, but Hate is too fast. "Hate" Katinka begs. Hate growls and pushes Katinka under him. "If you don't tell me I'll find other things to do with you" he whispers. Whining, Katinka tries to keep him out. But Hate is too strong and she is too weak. She would eventually die here. She sure knows that now. "No" she begs. Hate growls and grabs her hair.
Suddenly Alana opened her eyes. Carelessly, the laces are tightened on her back. "What?" she stammers and stares into the standing mirror. Her long hair is gracefully held together by silver pearls. A flowy wedding dress adorns her slender body. The silk veil in her hair drags on the ground. "What the hell?" she mutters and stares at her hands, covered under silk gloves. The breathtaking bridal bouquet spreads a sweet scent. Distrustful, she walks into the empty chapel. White bouquets and tulle adorn the aisle. Nervously, she walks up to the young man. "No" she stammers as he turns around. Rodehanthe smiles. "Wow" he whispers. "This is... him" Alana whispers and pulls the veil from her hair. She tosses the bouquet and turns herself. "Alana" Rodehanthe shouts hopelessly.
Not listening, she lifts her dress and leaves the chapel. A heavy storm breaks over the dark chapel. She ends up moaning on the wet ground. Thick drops soak her long dress. Without looking up, she grabs the strong hand that is extended to her. "Ouch" she whispers when he helps her straight. Screaming, she steps back again. Hate laughs amused. "Come on Alana" he whispers and strokes her jaw. "Shouldn't your father walk next to you" he laughs meanly. "What a shame" he teases and grabs her hair. "Please" Alana begs. "Such a beautiful bride" he whispers and bites her neck open. "Hate" Alana yells loudly and opens her eyes.
A dry cough tickles her throat. Fresh blood trickles down her chest. "Daydream" she yells. The dusty room is filled with smoke. Bright sunlight peeks through the holes in the roof. "What the hell is that smell?" Coughing, she rubs her dry throat. A loud thump resounds beneath her.
Slowly she opens the cracked door. A pair of bright eyes stare at her. "Heinrich" she whispers. She closes the door and makes her way to the broken window. Heinrich growls unintelligibly and kicks open the door. "I didn't think so", he orders and grabs Alana by the waist. "Let go" she yells and tries to take his hand off her arm. Angrily, Heinrich throws her down on the bed. "Heinrich" Alana squeaks as he bends his muscular body over her. Afraid, Alana stares into his deep eyes. "Stop it" growls Heinrich and places his hand on her mouth. "Stop fighting. Give it up. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of you. And when I'm tired of it...it's going to be dangerous," he threatens. Tears rolled down her face.
"Fantastic" sighs Heinrich when a crack reverberates through the corridors. He abruptly drags her against his chest. "Don't act weird", he orders, and pushes her down. A sea of flames spread through the house. "What happened?" she exclaims in surprise. Heinrich swears.
"Come with me" he orders and pushes her back. A thick beam rests against the front door. "There must be a back door!" "Come on" Godfrey growls and kicks loudly at the door. Thedon nervously plays with Daydream's reins. "Godfrey", Albrecht shouts. "I'm afraid it's too late. There's no way out." "That must be," he roars, letting his weight hit the door. "How can you say that?" he roars and stomps on the door again. "Try summoning Hate again," Wolfgang orders. Rogue sighs and grabs the mirror again. Red stains cover his vest.
"Watch out" Heinrich yells and pushes Alana aside. A thick beam ends up between them. "Okay" he asks, concerned. Alana nods, coughing. "There is no way out here" she whispers and remains broken. A sudden sadness reflected in Heinrich's eyes. "I'll do my best," he says and drags her up. "Alana" he roars but it's too late. The floor beneath Alana creaks creaking. Screaming, Alana tries to hold her to the breaking wood. "I have you" yells Heinrich and grabs her arms. "Come on, I got you" he repeats louder. Whining, Alana feels the heat sear her legs. "I won't let you go" Heinrich promises and tries to pull her up. "Aahh" he yells as he lifts her out of the gaping hole. They land on the warm floor with a loud thump. "I'm sorry" Heinrich coughs and rubs the hair from her face. "That direction," he coughs, pointing. Dazed, Alana crawls into the inviting daylight. She stops abruptly and turns herself around. "Come on" she whispers and helps Heinrich back on his feet. "Not far anymore" she suggests, and wraps his arm around her neck. "What the hell are you doing?" Heinrich asks confused. "Not everyone is like him" she answers and helps Heinrich to the balcony door. Heinrich nods gratefully.
"Watch out" Heinrich calls out, but it's too late. The broken door frame ends up on the two. "Ow" Alana whispers and opens her eyes again. The support beam fell relentlessly onto Heinrich's back, causing the latter to land on top of Alana. "Heinrich" she beeps scared. "Heinrich!" Cursing, Alana shakes her dizzy head. "Damn" she curses and tries hopelessly to lift Heinrich. "Come on" she exclaims loudly and slaps his jaw. Groaning, she tries to get away from him. When this hopelessly fails, she drops her arms back to the wooden floor. "Come on Heinrich" Alana yells. Crying through the warm fire that scorches her arm. It's hopeless. The boy is too heavy. After all, she'd been through, this was going to be her end.
"Little one where are you?" Daydream asks, concerned. "Little one don't give up yet. We're coming!" Searching for oxygen she closes her eyes, hoping it will be over soon.
"Alana" shouted a strong man's voice. Coughing, her lungs protest as Heinrich his weight removes from her. Coughing, she stares into Godfrey's soft eyes. "Come on", he whispers and helps Alana straight. Wolfgang hangs Heinrich's arm around his neck and beckons to the opening through which they have come. Godfrey coughs deeply and supports Alana's slender body. "How in Goddess name did you get here?" Alana coughs. "With the help of your unicorn" answers Godfrey and whistles between his teeth, whereupon Albrecht throws a rope up. "Tell Rogue to catch Heinrich" orders Godfrey and helps Alana climb down. "Rogue? Wasn't he?" "Long story" growls Godfrey. Alana nods and lowers herself. "Come on" Godfrey calls to Wolfgang. Wolfgang gently slides Heinrich over his shoulder to Godfrey.
"You go first" begins Godfrey and beckons to Wolfgang but his sentence is interrupted by the creaking wood under Wolfgang's feet. Wolfgang hastily balances himself in an effort to keep his balance. "Wolf" shouts Godfrey loudly and dives towards his brother who falls through the broken floor. "Wolf!!" "Rogue get over here" he yells whereupon Rogue hastily climbs up.
"Something is wrong" Albrecht grumbles to Thedon and grabs the rope. He quickly climbs up. "Use the baby," Daydream commands. Alana gives Thedon a mean look and takes a step toward the boy. Nervously, he takes a step back and pulls up his pants. "Please don't hurt me" he squeaks and pulls his mouth cloth up while tears are beading in his eyes. "The reins" Alana orders. Thedon shudders and looks at the attic window. "But... Reins" Alana repeats impatiently. Trembling, hands Thedon the reins and dodges in fear. Jaspar was right. Thedon is the easiest, she thinks smugly as she flees the burning villa. Actually, that was mean. Abusing a child but what else did she had to do. She can hardly sit and wait for the robbers to hand her over to Hate. "Cunning and mean, I knew we were destined for each other" mocks Daydream. Alana smiles contentedly. "Come on Daydream, between the rocks they won't follow us" she exclaims enthusiastically as the gray formation approaches. "This is it, after this it's only a four-day journey said Mauger" Alana tells and leads Daydream through the rock formations.
"Come on we can do it" she whispers as she stares at the white stones. "Together" Daydream solemnly promises. "Together" Alana promises. Brave they walk into the narrow gap between the white rocks. The large stone blocks seemed to swallow them up in the chilly labyrinth of stone. Deep in thought, Alana steers Daydream through the narrow passages and narrow curves. "Everything looks the same", Alana grumbles. Towering white rock walls take the sun away from the narrow passage. Now and then the sound of breaking stones resounds. There is not a whiff of wind nor any sound of birdsong. "I'm sorry little one, but I don't think this is the right path. We're going in circles." "We're lost, daydream" Alana blows. "I have no idea where we are going" she shouts and stares at the three different corridors in front of her. "I am so sorry". Hopelessly, she sinks herself into the horse's neck and lets her tears run down her cheeks. "Well, well little one. Not so desperate. Take your time and we'll try again." Daydream waits patiently for its rider to calm down. A black butterfly flutters down on the leather bridle. "Hey who do you think you are" growls Daydream. "I thought there was no life here," Alana murmurs with tears in her eyes. The butterfly flies in front of the horse's nose and whirls around. "Shoo!" Daydream swears. "Daydream, I think he wants to lead the way". Daydream snorts and follows the mysterious animal suspiciously. "If you say" Alana grips tightly at the saddle knob. She feels a rock wall rip open her arm as Daydream makes a sharp turn. It seems as if the animal leads them endlessly through the maze, one path after another. Alana closes her eyes softly as Daydream quickens his pace. "Hold on, little one," Daydream orders hastily. A fresh breeze blows into Alana's face. "You can open your eyes little one" whispers Daydream. She opens her eyes cautiously and gazes at the sun sinking behind the hill. "Incredible" she laughs and stares at the rock formation behind them. "We made it," she smiles happily. "Come on Daydream, it can't be far" Alana whispers hopefully and gives Daydream a pat on the back. "Together we achieve everything," says Daydream satisfied.
Katinka shivers when Hate silently walks into his room again. Without looking up, he slid the heavy sliding lock over the door. Angry, Hate walks over to Katinka and grabs her throat. Katinka squeaks softly and stares into his dark eyes. Tears roll down her cheeks as he squeezes her throat. "You won't get your breath back until you finally open your mouth understood" he growls and squeezes harder. Katinka nods hastily as she desperately searches for air. Hate growls softly and releases her abruptly. "I swear" he growls and continues; "This time I'm going to pull your heart out of your chest. Talk!" Katinka looks at him with a cough. "Katara" she finally is knocked down. Hate looks at her with amusement. "Really now" he laughs. "Professor said when you come, she should go to the dark forest and find Katara". She looks at him panting. Hate smiles amusedly and loosens her wrists. "Do you think I'm stupid" he laughs and drags Katinka straight. "No please" Katinka beeps. Hate grips her throat roughly and pushes her into the hallway. "Oh yes," he grumbles and pushes her further. "Vengeance!!" Vengeance looks up in surprise. "Here, she's all yours". Vengeance smiles and takes Katinka's arm. "No" she begs hopelessly and lowers herself through her legs. Hate smiles and silently walks away. Not listening to Katinka's crying pleas.