18. After the Storm

somewhere in the Harponlands

The night was young as the shattered retreat continued through the rivers and marshes of the Harponlands.

Tyris, Mexym and Oliver led the army

for the norther road again.

Nobody wanted to ask the question they all wished to know, but Oliver pulled togather his broken bravery.

-Our losses?- he asked with pure fear in his voice because of the answer.

-Thousand common soldiers, Thomas Gard his sister is his heir and she is with us but she is ten years old- Mexym said sounding disapointed.

-And John- Tyris finished what his brother started.

-He probably died- Mexym said it but he instantly regreted the fact.

-No he is not- Tyris said disbelief and trembling just from the thought of John's death.

-Let's not guess until we are in the possesion of more information- he quickly tried to close the argument.

It was not an easy situation, but one thing was sure they have to inform Mason Maybe's group and get to the north as fast as they could, or another battle will happen.

Despite the loss of John and casualities Tyris were glad because of the return of Tyranea. If her dragon wouldn't be there she would probably die from the pain she felt for her people. The people she supposed to save and protect. Who lied on a battlefield tied up with the cold cuffs of death. Tyranea pulled back her from the cliff's edge. Not a normal and common thing to be a part of a prophecy, it was a lot of pressure on the Meagir siblings. This whole situation was the challange of their life. Tyris thought back about the isle and what would happen if they did not came here but is was not all bad, she met with John and got a powerful bond with Tyranea. She has to accept there are no just good things in life because everything has to have a negative side and it will backfire to someone else.

-So what do we act now?- Oliver's voice pulled her out of her thoughts

-If he is alive he is at Goldencastle that is for sure but we can't just walk in-

-We did sneak in once I think we can repeat it- Mexym stated looking at Tyris.

Somewhere

John's eyes slowly opened, and he instantly spotted a shape of a human in front of him but it everything was a blur. -So you are awake finally- but the owner of the voice was a women and not Ethan who John would guessed. -My name is Yasmin Sandshyne and whats yours good sir?- she asked with pure sarcasm and the blur started to go away. He found himself in a dirty and messy prison cell limited by steel bars. Across the room a women sat, leaning to the wall, she has got brown skin, dark mysterious eyes and hair. She wore a strange kind of armor, John found it similiar to the sthalman light armour.

-Where am I?- John asked but he already remembered the scene before he fell unconscious.

-The deepest arena of Sunstone's cell-

She said with a bored tone, John shocked at the sound of the name, that means he is in the south.

He started to scan his enviorment, looking for weak points, there was no window, no bed, not a single furniture which can be used as a weapon.

-Ah you are a soldier- She stated looking at his movements.

-Why do you think that?- John asked.

-When you awoken your first movement was moving your hand to your hips for your weapon I assmue

and now you are probably want to you something else as a weapon- She stated dead calm still looking to her hands.

-Yasmin that is a sthalman name-

-Yes I am a sthalman but I do not know you so who the hell are you?- she asked a little threarening.

-My name is John- he said it finally but he knew that if he says out loud his family name they probably going to kill him instantly. If he is in arena then he has to fight for his freedom.

He enlightened in the moment when he thought about her family name Sandshyne that is a noble house in the south why would a noble women end up in the place of a slave. That means she probably got martial education but she did not participate in a fight where one her relative died. It was a traditional and religious ritual in the south, he knew a lot of these thing because when he led the campagin to the south he called masters to inform about sthalman habits.

-What are you thinking of, wolf?- she asked and she looked up to him.

-Wolf?- he asked back.

-Indeed the guards talked that you came from the north because of some military alliance- she nodded towards the door of their cell. John started to think again.

-You are not really a good talk partner- she said but before she could make another comment some guards opened the door.

-Wolf come with us now- one of the guards grabbed him by the shoulder and led him out.

As they walked through the corridors

the rays of sun touched his skin for the first time again. The whole place looked like a palace. Gold and silk covered every inch of the rooms they walked by. The went across felt like the whole palace they reached the huge doors of the throne room John assumed.

The large gates move and again he spotted tons of gold and silk.

At the back of the hall a golden throne took place, as they closed up he spotted a women on the throne eyeing them and he knew they have to aproach the throne bowing. He did that with the exact time with the guards who were suprised that he was well informed.

-You are the northern who Ethan Everheart gave me in exchange the alliance- she said without greeting and John alredy knew what kind of conversation it is going to be.

-May I ask who are you?- she leaned forward, and John recognised the similiarities between her and Yasmin

she was probably the her sister.

-I am John Wyncester- he said and in that tense moment every guard started to whisper. The sthalman guards where ready to fight. She raised her hand to warn her men to stop and silence ruled again in the hall. -The hero of Scorpion Pass...- wanted to continue but John interpted her even if it was a forbidden thing to do. -I am not a hero I murdered- he said staring at the ground.

First she was looking angry because of the interuption but when she heard his sentence and processed it. She looked quite impressed.

-You are in the possesion of our traditions but you broke it just to say out of your opinion- she smiled at him which was suprising because of the situation -None of these coward men was brave enough to do that- she stood up and started to walk to him.

She walked closer, the guatds instantly stepped to defend her but she did not care and kept walking closer. She wore a decorated dress and had the same characteristics as Yasmin. She untied his cuff which was more,

-With respect your highness I am do not understand...- he said looking confused

-I am not afraid of you, your garce- she said with a kind smile.

-But I killed...- he tried to express his thoughts.

-But you do not even know me- he lowered his vocie.

-Sometimes there are moments when people show you their real self in just one sentence- she aaid looking to his eyes.

-Welcome to Sunstone- she said stepping back from him.

-Now we can talk- she stated.

He knew he have to sway her somehow to join their cause.

He looked at her but her kind smile disapeared and got replaced by a cold expression.

-I am serving Mexym Meagir as you know...- he could not continue because she interupted

-You want convince me but why would I join their cause Ethan Everheart kept his promise and you are suggesting that I broke mine- she stated while turning back to her throne. -First it is not a logical thing to do second what can Mexym Meagir give me that Ethan Everheart cannot?- she raised her brow waiting for an answer but he was in silence.

-That is what I thought you are going to fight in the arena for your freedom may your gods protect you-