Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“Weak, you think I am weak.” Zeph raised his head and looked back at his brothers.
“Not even for a second, brother.” River shook his head, and kneeled next to him. “I have always been level headed, focused, too focused you would say. Same with the others. We all have become so serious on this path, but you…You are still so bright, carefree, and fun. You blow in when we are at our darkest and you lift us up. You are the best of us, and the youngest.”
“One stinking day younger!”
Everyone laughed. “I will just miss you, and I won’t even remember why.” River’s voice broke before he leaned in and kissed Zeph on his forehead.
“I will miss you too River, but I have to do this. If this is the only way to save you, I will do it.”
“We will go over everything tomorrow morning after Jay and I finish outside. Everything will take place by the end of the moon cycle. River, I need you to go select one of the newest younglings, Warryn will know what I need and will guide you. Be back in three days. Zeph, I need you to prepare, okay?”
“Yes, Soren.” Zeph got off his knees and left the room, the others followed after.
“Are you sure?”
“It has to be him, River. Devlin always said he was weak. The rest of you are too strong for him, even in a hand to hand battle, but Zephyr always allowed him to win. Lulled him into believing he was stronger, better, then Zeph. I know in my heart of hearts he will try to corrupt one of you, and he will target Zeph. If there was any other way, I would choose it. But I know my mate, and I know his mind. He might think he is better than us, but he is mistaken.” River nodded and left.
Araiya slowly approached Soren, who was once again crying. “You must think me heartless.”
“No, I don’t. You are doing your very best with a situation out of your control. You are moving pieces into place for situations that won’t come to fruition for over a hundred years. My men don’t think you heartless either. I am just sad at the situation we are all in. I hate Zephyr, but I understand now.”
“Not yet, but you will. It will all come out in the end.” Soren wiped her face. “Are you coming to the Keep?”
“No one remembers the way. Your diary pointed our journey to Metal first.”
“Yes, that is the way. Be careful of the deep.”
“How do I find Metal’s Keep? There is no map.”
“Head north from Water’s Keep towards Earth. Once you cross the inlet, follow the coast until you spy a pointed rock formation coming out of the waves. Cross there. Once you have made it over the deep, you will spy a tiny island. That is the mark to turn north again. You will know you are on the right track when the sun comes up and you see something shining in the distance. The Keep is capped in silver to guide young dragons home.”
“Okay.” Araiya got up and Soren tugged her hand.
“Forgive, my darling girl, don’t forget to forgive. We are all victims to the manoeuvrings of the Darkness, and some don’t even realize.”
“I won’t.” Araiya kneeled and wrapped her arms around Soren. “You remind me of my mother.”
“Was she good to you?” Soren trailed her hands down Araiya back. “Your mother, was she good?”
“She was the best.”
“Good. Good.” Soren kissed Araiya’s head and then whispered something she couldn’t catch as the dream shattered and Araiya woke up.
“Is everything ready?” Araiya walked out of the bathing chamber braiding her hair over her shoulder.
“For the last time, yes lamb. Everything is ready. We will walk your sister to the gate that brings her to Chosen village, we have assigned a guard from each element to escort her and Ember there. They will stay with the village as extra guards until we come back.” River came over and kissed her. “Stop worrying.”
“I can’t help it, I can’t lose any more family. My mother and brother are missing, Korine is being left behind and the Darkness knows who she is to me. She is a sitting duck if he finds out I left her behind.”
“There is a chance that he thinks she is dead. Shavon, Zeph and Donal all escaped when you caught the world on fire and she died. There is a chance that he assumes she is dead and you blew because of it.” Mac came into the room, carrying more packs.
“He wouldn’t be wrong. Just that she is back, thank the Goddess for that.” Araiya kissed Korine’s head and she smiled. “How are you feeling, Kora?”
“Good, excited, and slightly nervous.”
“You will do amazing. Plus, Ember will be with you the entire time. I know I did better with Talon with me.” Talon snapped his head up at his name. “Talon was able to explain things better, plus, since you already know that dragons exist, they won’t have to give you half the information. You will be able to jump right in.”
“Yes. Chosen Korine will be great. I will make sure out it. And since we will be staying together, we can train longer and harder. That way she can come back to you faster.”
“What…?”
“Chosen training is supposed to take longer than one cycle. But I will accelerate your training so you are ready for Anointing at the next full moon. We can rejoin once you are blessed.”
“Normally, you’re supposed to tour the Elements and get their blessings and see who your mate is. But we spoke to our parents and we will bless you in their stead. When we meet next, we will bridge the Elements for you. We will skip the mate line, so you aren’t pressured into anything you don’t want.” Terran stopped packing the bag at his feet and stood to look at Korine. “You are our family now.”
Korine smiled while her eyes filled. “Thank you, for everything, and for keeping her safe while I am off training.”