Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
Jon’s face went a deep dark red, his eyes flashed towards Araiya, and they promised her untimely death. “Araiya, you will come home with us now if you know what is good for you. I will not let you leave here alive if you choose not to come.”
“Jon, you can try to kill me, but I doubt you could manage it. I won’t fucking go through with your deal. I am not under your rule any longer.” Araiya turned to her mother “Mom. I love you so much. Thank you for everything. I hope you understand.” Her mother nodded and hugged and kissed her. “Linc, you have been the best little brother, my best friend for years. Please don’t be mad.”
Linc looked startled. “Rai, I would never be mad. This is what you are meant to do. I love you. We both love you.” He gestured to their mom. “We are so happy for you, be safe.” Linc pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek. “I will watch your back until you leave, and I will watch over mother. Don’t worry about us. Jon won’t hurt us. He needs me. I won’t let anything happen to mother,” Linc whispered in her ear, and she sagged into his hug. Knowing Linc would keep their mother safe was one less thing to worry about. “Make sure to write us so mother does not fret over your absence too much. I love you, Araiya, and I am very proud of you. Years of planning actually paid off, huh.” She laughed. Araiya stepped back and kissed Linc and her mother, said her goodbyes and walked over to the Elders. She felt standing with those that upheld the laws in their village was probably a smarter bet than standing by herself.
Jon stood back, glaring at her, and then stomped away. Korine followed closely. Linc and their mother stood off to the side for a little while. Then her mother started to cry, and Linc led her away. Araiya turned away, her heart breaking just a little for leaving them, but she could not stay. Elder Tomas cleared his throat. “Araiya, why is your father so angry?”
“He is my stepfather. I never knew my father. He made a deal with a Fire province magistrate for my hand in marriage. I do not know the details of the bargain, but he informed me this morning as my birthday present. I was to leave first light to marry a man more than double my age and be a broodmare.” Araiya glanced at the Elder. Tomas’s face was a mask of serenity, but she could see a glimpse of disgust in his eyes. “The deal was for some contract, but to get the deal done, a daughter would have to be handed over. It won’t be me, so I guess it falls to Korine if Jon is still desperate enough for the cooperation.” Araiya took a breath. She looked away. She felt a tiny prick of worry for Korine.
She was ashamed of what her fate was to be if she was not Chosen. Becoming a Chosen had been her dream for as long as she could remember, but she never thought she would get it. Thank the Goddess she saw something in her of value, but Araiya had no clue what that could be for her life. Who could find worth or value in her? She had nothing. She was nothing. She jumped when a hand fell on her shoulder. Elder Tomas looked like he was going to say something like he could read her thoughts and the darkness that had taken root in her heart years ago.
“It is time to leave,” Shavon called. She waved everyone towards her with a smile.
Elder Tomas gave Araiya’s shoulder a squeeze. “Do not doubt the Goddess, Araiya. She makes no mistakes. Take that to heart in the coming days. I believe, without a doubt, you were chosen for a reason.” Araiya’s eyes widened, and Tomas smiled. He had to have read her mind. She swore it. How else could he have known? He walked away, leaving her even more confused. Shavon called her again, prompting Araiya to jog over to the group. Jack and the other girl Tamara were already waiting with Shavon.
“I am terribly sorry you do not get this last night with your families. Something hasn’t been sitting right since the Choosing, and I felt I was being pushed to leave early. I was going to ignore the feeling, but with how some reactions have played out tonight, I think it is best if we just go.” Araiya put her head down, but not before she caught Tamara’s dirty look, and Jack snickered. She huffed quietly. It wasn’t her fault Jon was insane. Shavon turned and led them towards the village stables. As they approached, a colossal man stepped out of the shadows. Araiya jumped and gasped. Shavon giggled. “Chosen, meet my bond-mate, Tal. Tal, meet the Chosen of this night. Araiya, Jack, and Tamara.” The man smiled down at the three of them. He had to be almost six and a half feet tall. His blond hair was bright white, even in the dim lighting. His eyes, a deep amber or a burnt golden color, glanced at each Chosen.
Tal raised one eyebrow. “Three Chosen, from this years ritual. That is unusual. We did not bring enough horses.”
“I know. I think I will ride with you while Araiya rides my mount.”
“I wouldn’t mind.” Tal winked at Shavon, who giggled again. Tal disappeared into the stables, led out a dappled mare, and gave her to Jack. He did the same with Tamara’s mare. Both were a chestnut brown. One had white hooves, the other black. When he came out once again, he was leading a pure white mare and led her over to Araiya. “This one is a little wild. It took Shavon ages to tame her, so be careful,” Tal warned, but she was already murmuring to the mare.
“You are beautiful. What is your name?” Araiya walked towards the horse with her hand held out. She paused to let the mare get her scent and stepped towards her. She slid her hand up the horse’s nose and stroked between her eyes. The mare stared at Araiya and then stepped toward her. She let her hand fall to the mare’s cheek, and her other hand stroked her neck. Tal and Shavon were staring at the encounter, jaws open. “What is your mare’s name? She is amazing.” She continued to stroke the horse’s neck and glanced back at Shavon.
Shavon, startled at her horse’s behavior, took a moment before she answered. “Her name is Gale, and I am utterly surprised she let you touch her. I was worried that she wouldn’t let you near her.”
Araiya turned back to Gale. “Is it okay if I ride you, Gale? I won’t unless you are okay with it. I do not mind walking.” Jack snorted from behind her. Gale whipped her head towards Jack like she understood and took a step forward. Jack’s mare pranced back, and Jack had to calm her down. Araiya laughed. “Gale.” She stroked her neck and went around to stand in front of her. “Gale, would it be okay if I rode you? As I said, I will not unless you show me it is okay.” The mare looked at her, then glanced over at Shavon and looked back. Gale dipped her head as if she was giving her permission and walked a little so that she was even with her saddle. Araiya stroked her neck once more, put her foot in the stirrup, and settled into the saddle. While Araiya had been getting permission from Gale, Tal had brought out his black stallion. He was already sitting in the saddle and was lifting Shavon behind him.
“It took me forever to get Gale to let me get into her saddle without her trying to run. I am so very confused.” Shavon looked over at Araiya, and Tal laughed.
“Maybe this Chosen just has a way with horses, Von. You had no experience with them when you came to us, do not read into the situation more than needed, my love.” Tal reached around and patted Shavon on her lower back. “We must be off.”
“Wait!” someone called from behind. Everyone turned to see Lincoln calling. “Rai, please, god, don’t forget Hellion.” The horse in question was following behind Lincoln’s other horse, Geralt.
Araiya patted Gale on her neck once more. “Thank you for the chance to ride you, Gale, but my brother seems to have brought me my horse to ride.” Araiya slid out of the saddle and handed her back to Shavon.
Lincoln stopped next to her and slid out of his saddle, with Hellion coming to a halt beside them. “Did you forget that he’s your horse? I rushed home to grab him for you before you left. Here.” Lincoln handed her the reins. “Did you know how much I had to convince him to follow me? I told him you would leave without him if he didn’t follow.” Lincoln hugged her once more. “I will miss you, sister. I packed your other gifts, extra clothes, and some food in his saddle bags. I have to get back before father blows up.” Lincoln kissed her and then got back onto his horse and rode away.
Araiya patted Hellion and walked around him to get into the saddle. Before she was up, he whipped around, nipped at her shoulder, and bumped her head. She laughed. “Hellion don’t be upset. I didn’t mean to leave you.” She settled in the saddle and nodded to the others that she was ready.
Tal turned his stallion and started down the road. Everyone followed his lead. The two dapple mares stayed far away, no matter what urging their riders gave, but Hellion followed no one. He pulled up next to Shavon and Tal. Araiya laughed as she watched Gale rode close to Tal’s horse. Every time he swerved away; she would follow.
“I do not mean to intrude. Hellion does not follow, especially when I am in the saddle. He does not take kindly to being behind other stallions. Gale seems pretty taken with your boy, Tal.” Araiya smiled as she gestured toward the mare. Tal laughed, and Shavon just giggled and shook her head.
“Yes, Gale is quite taken with Rome. She always rides next to him, tries to get his attention.” Tal laughed again. He patted Rome’s neck. “Rome is a war horse, like your Hellion, so when he’s on duty, he’s on. Rome is just as taken with Gale but will only show affection when he’s not being ridden, and Gale takes offense to that. She feels she should always get attention, she is gorgeous enough, but she is still young. She will learn and not take it to heart so much.” Again, Gale snorted as if she could understand, and they all broke into laughter. “So, Araiya, what color were your flames?” Tal looked over at her.
“My flames?”
“Ah-ha, yes, when you were Chosen. The flames are important, the height and color. I can’t explain why, but I was just curious.” Tal turned back to the front while explaining to watch where they were going.
“Oh, um, purple.” Tal whipped his head back. “Is that bad? Oh god, I was Chosen last. Does that mean something too?”
“No Araiya,” Shavon started, “Tal was just surprised. I hadn’t had time to speak to him yet, so he didn’t know.” Tal looked over his shoulder at Shavon, a look Araiya couldn’t decipher. “Araiya’s flames were a deep violet and were twenty feet in the air.” Tal turned back to Araiya with wide eyes.
“There is something I wanted to ask about when I was Chosen. When you called my name, why did you call me Araiya Hill-Stormbourne? My name is just Araiya Hill.” Tal’s eyes widened even further before he turned back to the road.
“That was the name the Goddess gave, so that was the name I said. I honestly do not know why she would add any name but make no mistake. The answer will come.” Shavon smiled softly. “Let us just get to where we need to be.”
“How long will we be riding?” Jack called from behind them.
“We will ride for a couple of hours to reach the first camp. We can rest there and grab supplies. First light, we will have to set off and ride all day to make it to the second camp before nightfall. On the third day, we should reach our destination,” Shavon called back.
“Where is our destination?” Tamara yelled up from the rear.
“We are headed to the Misted Forest.”