• Chapter 1-
    Sudden Death
    “Argh!!!” Eliza yelled, for the twentieth time, as the plates fell to the floor. Eliza was the heir to the throne of Vëca (a summer-locked kingdom bordered by the Forest of Endings - Az Kya) but any young girl in the streets would make a better princess than her. Clumsy and uncoordinated, she was just trying to carry plates across the room.
    Eliza was stunningly beautiful, with black tresses that fell past her waist, held back by a golden circlet. Her eyes were a startlingly bright shade of green, and her dress was of blue silk that wove elegantly into pink. A dark brown corset was tied around her slim waist, though she didn’t really need it. The Elder Council was there as well as Eliza and her teacher, they were cold cruel elders that had more influence on the Queen and Eliza that they would ever know. The Council practically ruled alongside the Queen… or the other way around.
    “Again” her teacher coolly stated. The council exchanged exasperated looks.
    It was with a huge sigh that Eliza rolled into her soft, violet bed that night. The Queen, Genvieve, had not been happy to hear that her daughter had not been able to carry plates and was in such a rage that she had the innocent messenger executed. Things were not about to get better.

    The next day Eliza woke to a very silent castle. If anyone had been crazy enough to try it, you could have heard a pin drop on the floor from two rooms down. It was cold to the point of freezing; Eliza hurriedly got changed and headed to her mother’s chambers knowing what she would find. Genvieve was lying in her bed when Eliza entered, surrounded by doctors. The Queen had looked exactly like Eliza, but with dark, fiery amber eyes… but somehow Eliza had always been more beautiful. But today the Queen was pale and clammy and her horribly sorrowful eyes tore Eliza’s heart apart. Then all of a sudden her eyes closed a look of peace settled upon her finely sculpted features. One of the nurses started toward her but, tears streaming from her eyes, she turned and ran out of the room.
    NO! Nonononono…. First Dad, then Mom… both from the same deadly disease… WHY?! Stifling a sob she threw herself onto her bed and slowly cried herself into a horrible fitful sleep. Halfway through the night, though, Eliza saw something clearer than even in real life, it said “Eliza, go away…. Let no one see… the forest… go…go…”
    Waking suddenly, she knew she had just had a vision, and immediately started packing. Grabbing her brown traveling dress and dark blue cloak, Eliza threw them over herself. Hesitating for a split second, she grabbed her green bag and threw some clothes in it. She put food and her circlet in, and slung her bow and quiver over her shoulder, her elegant red sword on her hip. Freezing at the slightest noise, Eliza made her swift escape of the castle. She heaved open the huge front doors and breathed in the cool night air. No one could stop her now. She was free. Heading down the hill on the cobblestone path the only thought in her head was To the Az Kya!

    Chapter 2-
    Left or right?
    Eliza crept into the ancient forest, wary, and walked through the trees. There was little underbrush and the trees were tall so she had no trouble walking. Every now and then a small critter skittered out of her way. Eventually, much to her surprise she came upon a clearing. It was dank and dreary, in contrast to the sunny path, and there were only small rays of light splashing through the think canopy overhead. The place looked as though no animal dared venture there, big or small. In the middle of the clearing there was a sign that looked, and Eliza desperately hoped she was wrong, as though it was written in blood. Its message sent a chill down her spine and a slow creeping tune into her head. It read,







    Look too the river,
    And you’ll see,
    Two stone bridgges.
    ‘Neath one is the riverr flowing simply,
    ‘Neath one…
    Mee.
    I have eyes like fire and skin like moss.
    WHAT AM I???





    …What the… a riddle? Here? Her mouth fell open as she solved it.
    An Ogre!?!
    Sure enough she followed a small path that led to a river, cool and trickling. It was clear, betraying the rivers depth. The two stone bridges were identical in every way except that one, as the sign stated, was home to an ogre. The only way to get the right one was to...take a chance. Eliza was just about to step onto the left bridge when a paper blew in front of her face. Grabbing it from the air she started when she saw her own handwriting!!! In awe, Eliza remembered that when she was ten she wrote a small piece of poetry for her mother, but as soon as her teacher had read it she tossed it into the forest never to be seen again. Until now. She smiled as she remembered writing it while singing. But now was no time for singing. The words on the paper were about choosing a path. Left or Right???

    LEFT OR RIGHT?
    Left or right?
    Well that is a simple question!
    Left or right?
    There’s no simple answer!
    Left or right?
    Right is right!
    Left is wrong!
    Right is right!
    But the right one for who?
    Who?
    Right is right for you!

    Was this a coincidence? Thought Eliza, or fates doing? Did the thing in Az Kya cause this to appear? I think so… should I take the right bridge? Hmmmmm… taking a deep breath she stepped off the bridge and turned right. Slowly walking to the bridge the only thought going through her head was…please! She was in front of the bridge. She took another step. And another. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”





    Chapter 3
    A Woman

    A scream pierced the air, coming from the west (judging by the position of the sun). He had heard similar screams throughout his life, hunting rabbits and deer but Cody had never heard a scream like that! It was always more of a terrified shriek from the mouth of moose or foxes, the poor animals. The ogre had always liked to play with its food before it feasted. This scream was different. It was like the animal that had ventured into the ogres waiting hands had never seen one! (Very uncommon) Cody veered left, toward the sound, and started running. He didn’t know why the scream terrified him so but he was determined to stop it. Every step he took brought him closer to the sound until he came to the ogres clearing. It was a sight like nothing he had ever seen before. A woman garbed in a dark blue cloak was on all fours in the middle of the ogre’s bridge. The bridge was ten feet in the air held up by hands the size of dustbins. The hands were attached to grostegue arms and the ogre. Eight feet tall and covered with moss and lichen, the arms usually hung down to its huge flippers. Its maroon eyes were fixed upon its prey.
    Without stopping to think of the consequences, Cody hopped upon the stone ledge right beside the river then onto the ogre itself. Not even feeling the tall man on its shoulder the ogre lifted one arm from underneath the bridge to lift it and grab the woman. She fainted. Cody knew of only one way to kill an ogre, so he lifted his bow and shot it inside its ear.
    Howling with pain the ogre flailed its arms, the bridge smashing on the ground. Almost as if in slow motion the woman began to fall and with amazing speed, Cody jumped off the howling, dying monster and caught the woman.

    A mile away, Cody found a small river and set the woman next to it. Pulling off her cloak he saw the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Her dark, flowing black hair fell unbound to her hips, her features delicately, beautifully made. He drank some of the cold, bitter water than squeezed some between her chapped lips before picking her up and continuing on his way.
    Hours later he came to his cottage and heaved a sigh. Home. Going past the creaking door, and the dirty old kitchen he came to his simple little room, looked once more at the woman and set her on the small bed.

    The first thing Eliza noticed was that she was still alive. Which was good. The second was that she was lying on a soft straw bed, which confused her…what the…opening her eyes and sitting up straight she saw that she was in a bright, sunny room with pale blue walls, a small mirror, a red dresser and a window with quaint little beige curtains made of what looked like straw bound together with rope! It was a nice room but a little too simple for her. Throwing off the covers of the bed Eliza stood and swayed, a little unsteady on her feet. Afraid of what she would find, her hand shaking, Eliza opened the door.
    “Well look at that, she’s alive!!! My name is Cody and this is my house! If you’ll believe it or not you’ve been sleeping for two days! I was beginning to worry. What is your name?”
    Eliza had stayed completely and utterly quiet during this narraration, shocked as she was, but she mustered up the strength to say, “E-Eliza…what happened to the ogre…?”
    “Oh. I shot it in the ear. It’s probably dead by now. I wrapped up your arm the best I could but you shouldn’t move it anytime soon. You should stay here until it heals.” He said this in a matter of fact tone. Only then did Eliza notice that her arm was wrapped up tightly in a splint and it hurt.
    “You must be starving. I cooked myself an omelette but you can have it,” he offered, then added, “I’ll make another for myself.”
    “Thank you.” Eliza felt she should help out to show her thanks but she didn’t know if that would offend Cody so she was silent.
    Cody was tall and muscular, and had light brown, slightly curly hair. He had long legs and bright sparkling blue eyes. He wore leather that looked very old, and had a belt with bright silver buckle. A bow was on his back, and an oak staff leaned against the door.
    He sat down with a fresh omelette and grinned ruefully.
    “You don’t have to be so shy!” Eliza smiled delicately and said, “thank you for the omelette, it’s my favourite. Would you like me to wash the dishes?”
    “No, just put your dish in the sink. You need to rest. If you can’t rest and want something to do, bring this grain to the chickens.”
    “Okay…Cody”



    Chapter 4
    A Strangers House
    Instead of going directly to feed the chickens, Eliza decided to look around the house first. The kitchen was filthy, covered with a thick layer of dust on all but the wood-burning stove, the sink, and the small round table. The walls were beige and spoons and forks, bent and broken covered them. Just above the table was a large window that watched over a green hill. Leaving the kitchen and entering the living room, Eliza saw a large straw thing that covered two of the walls.
    “It’s my couch,” he said answering the unasked question. “You like this place? It’s not much, but it’s home!”
    “I love it. By the way, where have you been sleeping these past two days?”
    “Oh I’ve just been sleeping here, on the couch! You going to go look around outside?”
    “Yes, thank you. Where is the grain for the chickens?” Eliza asked.
    “It’s in the corner of the kitchen. I’m going to go catch some deer. Stay close to the house. You never know what might be out there.” He grinned. “But maybe I’m just being paranoid. Anyway, bye!”
    He strode off. Going outside straight after Cody, Eliza immediately spotted the chicken coop as a small building made of brick. It was beside a small barn and a horse, a cow, and a sheep grazed outside. Striding through the door she spotted three chickens and a feeder. Pouring the grain in, she thought how wonderful it was to be back feeling great. And Cody is very… nice… She felt her cheeks burn at the thought.

    Chapter 5-
    A Compliment
    And so it was that the hot summer slowly faded into fall and fall melded into warm winter days. With each passing day, however frustrating, Eliza and Cody grew closer and closer together. Eliza’s own personality slowly wormed its way into Cody’s house. The bedroom now had a vase of violets on the windowsill, adding its soft fragrance to the room. The kitchen was no longer dirty and always had the smell of something freshly baked. The couch actually had the shape of a couch and was covered in a soft wool sheet.
    One night, Eliza and Cody were sitting by a fire outside watching the sky. Its inky blackness seemed to press down on them punctured by the million tiny sparks of radiant light.
    “Wow… its so beautiful” Eliza sighed. “Can you think of anything else you’d rather look at?”
    Cody’s heart skipped a beat. Spurred forward by sudden instinct, Cody said slowly “yes…………… you”
    Eliza turned her head sharply and stared at Cody with unreadable eyes. Eventually he was forced to turn away from her stare. Eliza smiled “why thank you…”
    She knew his compliment meant more than the ones that friends sometimes gave to each other so she was nervous, almost scared. Cody had turned back to her so she said slowly “Ummm… I think I am going to go to bed now. See you tomorrow.”
    Slowly making her way back to her bed she thought, we’ve grown close. I’d stay here if I could but what about the being in Az Kya? If it has enough energy to contact me in my dreams, what all can it do? Will I be endangering Cody to it? Anyhow I’ve stayed here far too long. My arm is healed now…I’ll leave in the morning.
    With this unhappy prospect in mind she lowered herself into her bed and pulled up the covers. I cannot say goodbye. He might stop me from going. Or it might just be too much. She was startled to find tears welling up inside her eyes and she hiccoughed. Does he mean that much to me?
    When Eliza woke early the next morning, everything was quiet except the gentle snoring coming from Cody’s room. Taking a deep breath she grabbed the same green carpet bag and started packing it, once again, with her dresses, food, her circlet and everything else she needed for her upcoming journey.
    Then she headed into the kitchen and scribbled a simple word on a small slate. Goodbye. Eliza walked out the door and shivered. It was cold in the crisp morning air. The green grass was slick with dew and the trees looked extra green. Petting Charcoal (Cody’s horse) one last time she headed for the path in the pine trees that led further into the forest. Tears wet her eyes and streamed down her face as she looked one last time at the house she now loved. At the place where Cody slept, undisturbed by her distress. She turned and walked inside the trees.
    “WAIT!!!
    TO BE CONTINUED biggrin