Io was woken up by the creaking sounds of the window. Its bolt was broken. The garrulous wind ambushed the room. The lantern died and the table screeched. Again, Io heard the enigmatic murmurs all around her as if they tried to lift her up in the air. Io grabbed her archery and swiftly run to the door. She saw Illario snoozed in the floor bed.
“Illario, wake up! Something is wrong! “Io shook his body but he seemed buried in deep slumber. Io darted outside to find Aiden and Hydra.
“Master Aiden? Hydra? Where are you?” Io screamed loudly. It was their first round guard but they seemed vanished without a trace. The snow was so cold. It had turned all around into huge white wide carpet. The iron lanterns outside did not provide much light for her to see. The wind blew ruthlessly and made the trees squeaking. The enigmatic murmurs wrapped her around and made her walk towards the forests. She tried hard to escape from the spell but she felt herself powerless. The force was too strong. It dragged her way down to thorny vine and scrub that instantly marred her hands that tried to shield her face and body. With some stings from nettles and pricks from thorns, she struggled out of the thicket. From a far, she heard Argo neighed noisily as if trying to wake up the others. He was kicking and thumping to get loose from the stable. Io wanted to cry his name aloud but her mouth was sealed.
After a few yards away, the murmurs faded away and she regained her self control. All around her the trees and shrubs swung fiercely. Io held her breath and tried to discern all. A deep growl broke her stillness. Coming from the dense trees and shrubs ahead was a dark shadow with glowing eyes. It walked unhurriedly towards her. After about twenty meters away, Io saw a huge lion with his huge black shadow underneath him. White foam rolled from his mouth, his eyes glistened red like fire, and he roared so fiercely that the woods and hills echoed with fearful sounds. He gazed at her with lustful hunger. Io’s body trembled almost violently as she stared before him. Her hazel green eyes were wide and filled with glistening tears. A sense of helplessness passed through her and turned to dread. The beast proceeded further, ripping out shrubs out with horrendous strength to get to his prey. Io waited for her death. Suddenly, a flash of King Orestes’ shadow passed before her as if giving her courage to defend her life. “Be not frightened because you are the daughter of Navarro”, she heard him spoke the words clearly.
Regaining her strength and courage, Io drew the shaft to her ear. She aimed her arrow through the lion’s heart. The beast proceeded further. Io strengthened her grip at the bowstring, waiting for the beast to make the leap. Then, the beast struck her with mighty force. Io rolled with her back pressed on the ground and shot him at the heart. A great stream of blood gushed out from his wound. A long shrieking moan was echoed and he fell into Io’s body.
“Io? Illario screamed and run towards her. Then, Illario rushed up and pierced the lion’s back with his dagger. The next moment Jato came to help him. They removed the death lion from Io’s body. Her body lay unconscious in a pool of blood. Her stunning red hair was drained in red and covered her face. Her clothes were torn. The horror had drained her energy. Jato examined her and found nothing serious except the minor scars over her uncovered skin from the prickly thorns. He lifted her back to the house.
“Hydra, clean up her wounds! She was lucky she’s still alive while you two were tricked with Demonthin’s sorcery. I should have known I could not trust her safety to you!” stormed Jato with anger. “Now, Skydra is no longer a safe haven. His dark army of the black riders will soon siege this place.” Jato restlessly walked to and fro.
“Demonthin’s power is getting stronger and stronger. My power is no adversary for him now. I see there will be darkness and blood in Navarro. We must send her to Cayledon fast before it’s too late. Our only hope is to find the silver dragon stone to imprison Demonthin in the Hellion dungeon.” Said Aiden.
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