7/4/3028

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After all the banter about taking the safe route, it was decided that we would take the quicker road through Possen Valley after all. It was imperative that we reach a safe zone as soon as possible. We had barely minutes to change into more suitable travel attire—for me, a forest green tunic, leather pants, light chain armor and sturdy boots.

Two soldiers guarded a heavy-duty metal blast gate at the fort exit. It was reinforced to the thick stone wall with three massive deadbolts that the soldiers rolled back by turning a giant ironclad rotor. The soldiers continued to turn the rotor which pulled the gate open with a system of chains and gears.

“Who’s this Hidelvus guy?” Martin asked.

“He’s the one behind this chaos,” Ilta answered just as we stepped out into the sun. “Hidelvus and his army. Hurry, choose a horse for yourselves.”

I looked up at the majestic creatures before us. These horses were not what I imagined. They were taller and had more muscle mass. Their cropped ears perked up straight like those of a Doberman and their necks were far longer, well-supported with muscle. The eyes of these horses were blue in color and twice the size of a normal horse.

Soldiers standing on the wooden steps were checking to make sure the stirrups and saddlebags were securely attached.

“I’m supposed to ride on that thing?” I blurted out.

Ilta handed me a black helmet with a chin strap. “Yes.”

“Let us make haste.” Stanjah was already mounted on her horse.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s no way I can ride that thing by myself.” I shook my head.

“May I ride with her then, Sorceress?” asked Elossai. “I won’t slow her down; I am quite light.”

“Very well then, so long as we can get moving.”

As I secured the helmet strap to my chin, Elossai grabbed my horse’s saddle and crouched down low before leaping up sideways with extraordinary strength and finess to mount him. I clambered up clumsily behind her with Jarek’s help.

Keiran spoke from behind, surprising me with the force and authority of his voice. “Soldiers of Ankinia, you need to stand your ground and defend the Fort. The enemy cannot advance. You know your duty.” Turning to us, he said in a more subdued manner, “Jarek, ride behind Ellis and Elossai. Let’s move out.”

I clung on to Elossai’s tiny waist for support, fearful that I might fall off and drag her down with me.

“Is everything all right?” Elossai asked.

I nodded then realized right after that she couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I just wish that I didn’t bounce around so much.”

“You will get used to it in time,” she giggled.

I was still amazed that Elossai was able to land on the horse with a single jump. It was impossible. “Elossai, can you… fly?”

“No, of course not,” she called back. “I leapt.”

“But it’s impossible to jump that high.”

“Not for an Elos it isn’t.”

“Is it magic? I mean… Earlier on you revived Martin, too.”

“There is no magic. We have either corin or powers. I leapt using my powers.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Power is produced naturally, unaided, and internally, from within the conjurer, whereas corin is the manipulation of energy from the corin stone to produce an intended result. I can use corin as well, if I choose.”

“The corin stone—is that the gem on your forehead?”

“No. Corin is mined, while my gemstone is unique to Elos.”

“Does everyone in Eloria have powers?”

“No. Most races, such as humans, do not have powers; however, with diligence, they can learn how to use corin.”

That’s awesome.

I looked out before me at the endless range of green mountains that surrounded us below. We appeared to be on the tallest one. There were no trees for shade on our mountain—just rubble and dirt. I was glad that it was late afternoon so that it wasn’t sweltering hot. The air smelled as if the dirt had been baked and sizzling for a while. Had we left a few hours earlier, the heat would’ve been unbearable.

A considerable distance below us were tall trees with deep green leaves. Those trees must have stood untouched for hundreds of years, completely untouched.

My silent admiration for the beauty of Possen Fort was suddenly pierced by the horns that blared in a low ominous tone. The blare shook me to my bones.

“What’s going on?” I asked in an unsteady voice.

Keiran turned around sharply, his expression set with grave concern. “We must hurry.”