Talia

Cold, black figures dance on the ashes of a city carved in stone, the darkness consumes me, consumes everything around me. I run as fast as I can through shadowy passageways, everything is destroyed, large pieces of stone fall from the sky, ancient houses and fortresses are destroyed and collapse, the earth trembles and opens, large shadows come out from under the earth. Around me people scream and moan desperately, terror invades me, but I cannot stop running, I must arrive before it is too late, I must arrive before the shadows consume us all.

Talia woke up abruptly, with a strong pressure on her chest, the urge to scream overcoming her as she woke up.

What a horrible dream, I keep dreaming the same thing and I don't understand, what is happening, why do I keep dreaming the same thing? where do I want to go? Why don't I ever arrive? Where do all those shadows and darkness that fill me with fear come from? – Talia thought every morning, after dreaming the same thing, always the same unanswered questions.

The faint rays of morning came through the curtain of her room, while she lay between the sheets trying to clear her mind from the remains of the nightmare. Her room was filled with books, gold flower prints adorned the walls, and in one corner of her room. In front of the window, there was a large wooden desk, where some books were open, some on fantasies and myths that he enjoyed in his free time, and others on history and mathematics, which he had to learn out of obligation to prepare for the possibility of governing the kingdom, or of helping her brother as an advisor.

Slowly Talia stood up, the floor carpet was white and soft, made of fine bison wool. As she walked to get ready, she thought about her dream again – I better take a bath, that will surely take away the rest of the nightmare, I need to concentrate on my lessons for the day, Antioch will surely have more exercises and readings for me – Talia thought as she walked to the bathroom.

Now I feel better – Talia thought as she sat at the desk and looked at the books she had there. What a mess, all this is full of books and papers – she exclaimed as she took "Ancient Myths: Elementals of Light and Darkness" and she placed it on a shelf next to the desk, along with the rest of her fantasy books. . If Antioch sees these books, he will surely give me a five-sunset sermon – Talia thought, laughing to herself.

I think I should review my history lessons; Antioch loves to ask dates and facts – Talia thought as she took out a large book "History of the Kingdoms: Imgnar and Esra". It was a large book, with few graphics and many dates and names, next to the book was a notebook with all the class notes, Talia did not dare to write in the books, they were too precious to spoil with her notes.

Talia! Talia!!!!What happened?! It can't be, I fell asleep! – Talia shouted as she ran to open the door for her brother.

Antioch has been waiting for ten minutes, you know how he is with time, did you fall asleep again? – Marius said, frowning, he was very similar to Antioch in that sense, he always liked to follow the rules to the letter.

I'm sorry - Talia said - I got up early now, but when I started studying, I think I fell asleep, I didn't rest well last night.

That nightmare again? – Marius asked worried, it's been several months now with that dream, and they are getting more and more frequent, you should tell someone. Why don't you ask Antioch now? Maybe if you tell him the reason for your tardiness, he will be more kind to you.

Do you really think he'll take pity and give me less homework as punishment? – Talia asked as she picked up the books from her.

No, but who knows. – Marius responded, walking to the door, with a mocking look.

I hope I'm lucky – Talia said, closing the door to his room.

And to think that the heirs of the exalted Albardk family, the future rulers of the great kingdom of Imgnar cannot even be ready for a simple history class!

Antioch, I think you're just referring to my sister – said Marius, as he sat in his usual place, on the right side of the large table that was located in the middle of the library.

The library was Talia's favorite place, but for very different reasons than his teacher Antioch would have liked; she could spend hours hidden in the corners of the library reading books of mystery and fantasy, the myths of past ages fascinated her, of course, for Antioch, all that was nothing more than nonsense and a waste of time, but for Talia it was the opportunity to travel to other worlds.

"Antioch, I'm sorry, I promise you that he won't happen again," Talia said sadly.

Hmmm, open her books on page 338, let's start with the lesson of the magnificent Dameon Albardk and the victory and conquest over the nomads of Tabassum. – Antioch said, turning his back on Talia and writing nimbly on the board.