The Blue Moon by Madeline Gottlieb (top 10 ebook reader TXT) 📖

whole realm," John said, looking out the window. "The Warriors from hundreds of years ago protected the crystal, making sure it didn't fall into the wrong hands. But a hundred years ago, the Warrior Rei, used the crystal for his own good. The balance between light and dark was ruined and soon all of Aulinaber was swallowed by darkness. Slowly, all the Warriors joined Rei, all but one."

Chris nodded. "Darek, the last Warrior to stay on the side of Light, brought everyone who didn't want the darkness to his side and they fought together."

"They won, too, and Darek got the crystal back and returned it to King Darius., who in return passed it to me." Garret finished with his hand around the crystal. As everyone stared, the crystal lit up, as if summoned by its story, and the air around them got cold.

"Warrior and Protectors, the danger is coming." The voice was soft, and a transparent girl appeared out of the crystal. Her black hair was cut short and she was wearing clothes like the sky pirates. "You must go to the Forest of Valor and leave the crystal there."

The transparent woman disappeared and the crystal dimmed. "When do you plan to head to the Forest of Valor?" Garret asked with his eyes on Cara.

"We need to go now; Christian doesn't have much time." She whispered. Cara knew now that Garret had done only what he had to do not die, but she wouldn't forgive him until Christian was healed.

Zach turned around and walked to the rail by the window. "How are we supposed to get to the Forest of Valor from here?"

"Horses," John answered, walking out the door. Everyone stared at each other before Zach nodded and they were all following John out of the inn and to the stables.

--
Zach rode by Cara’s side, Teriha and Garret took up the front, while everyone else stayed behind them. Christian sat in front of Cara, his eyes barely open, but holding on.

“How much longer?” John called, fighting to stay awake.

With once glance to the sky, Teriha shrugged. "Not too much longer, hopefully very soon," She said, with a look at Christian.

Garret was silent; he had been since they left the inn. His hair was messy and sticking up everywhere; his eyes dim. The rest looked the same, except for Christian, who looked much worse. His face was pale and his eyes were almost shut, despite trying to keep them open.

The trail to the Forest of Valor led directly from the city and just to the left. From the city to where they were, there was nothing: no trees, no bushes, and no sign of any life. The sun was setting, and Cara turned her horse so it was beside Garret’s. “I won’t forgive you for what you did to Christian.” She whispered, turning her gaze to him. “But, I am still your friend.”

Before Cara and Eiko had left Aulinaber, Cara and Garret were close. The two were always together and did everything together, another reason Cara wasn’t banished out of Ahuson; she was the Prince’s best friend. Garret nodded and wiped a hand across his face. “I wouldn’t forgive myself either, Cara. Christian was a friend to me as well.”

“We’re here!” Teriha cried, clicking her tongue and holding on as her horse took off into the woods. With one glance at Garret, Cara smiled and dug her heel into the horse’s side and took off after Teriha, everyone following behind her.

The forest looked like any other, except for the way there were no leaves on the ground and those in the trees remained green. Zach slowed his horse after he’d come to the front of the group. His eyes darted around the forest, making sure there was no one else there. “Teriha, where to now?”

“I’m not sure.” She replied, turning her horse around a few times. Letting out a sigh, she hopped down and looked around. “Like I said before, I’ve never been here.”

“Get back on your horse.” Garret’s sudden command made her stop and look at him. “Now, Teriha, please,” She could hear the worry in his voice and she jumped back on, grabbing the reigns. Garret felt something vibrate and he looked down, pulling the chain out of his shirt. “The crystal…” he whispered, staring at it as it glowed.

As if it was alive, it floated out of his hand and started to head down on of the trails. Not hesitating, everyone followed with Garret and Teriha at the front. Zach watched closely as the two rode next to each other, jealously swelling up inside him.

They rode silently for a while, following the crystal the whole time until it stopped in the middle of some trees and just floated there. Garret hopped off his horse and grabbed it, looking around.

Who has entered this sacred land?

Cara, Teriha, and Zach shared a knowing look as they remembered the other forest where Elders had spoken to them. “The last Warrior of Light and two High Elves and their protectors have come.” Zach said, his eyes darting everywhere.

Who is the sick one?

“A protector,” Cara said, slipping off her horse and helping Christian down, “of the last warrior and someone I love very much.”

You think he is worthy?

“Everyone here is worthy,” Chris said, nodding at Garret. “There is not a single person with us now that is not worthy of being saved.”

But even those of worthy must die sometimes, correct?

Everyone was silent. Cara had her mouth open, but nothing came out. “Please, he means much to us, and he is one that is helping the realm of Aulinaber.” Teriha spoke up, and Zach saw her take hands with Garret.

You have the crystal as well?

Garret nodded. “I have had it since I was a boy, and I was told to bring it here.”

It does not belong to you; you are not the true holder.

“Then who is?” Cara asked, remembering the prophecy she’d heard before she left Aulinaber. Out of nowhere, leaves began to swirl around Teriha, lifting her hair up.

Teriha of Ceruhia is the true holder of the crystal. It has been that way since she was born. Return it, Prince of Ahuson.

Garret turned his gaze to his friend and held out the crystal. Cara wanted to stop them and tell them of the prophecy, but she knew better. As Teriha took the crystal in her hand, a bright light flashed and the crystal disappeared, but left a burning mark on her hand.

It has been returned to its true master. Leave the boy and be on with your quest.

“Just leave him?” Cara asked, confusion written all over her face; everyone knew she wouldn’t do that if her life depended on it.

Yes, warrior. He will be healed and he will leave the forest and return to Ceruhia when he is fine once more.

There was a pause and a new voice spoke up. The prophecies can be changed; it does not have to happen, Cara.

Everybody’s attention turned to the red head as the voices faded away. The leaves fell to the ground as they were drowned in the silence. Cara’s eyes found Teriha’s and motioned for her to come with her. No one stopped the two as they walked away from them, side by side.

“What prophecy, Cara?” Teriha asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

The blonde’s eyes were more silver than Cara had ever seen them, and she shifted her feet. “Before I left Aulinaber, I was told of a prophecy. I was told that ‘there will be one, the true holder of the crystal, which will join the Light. But as the blood continues to drown the rivers, the Light will have to destroy the crystal to bring peace.’”

The two stood there, silently staring at each other. Teriha shook her head. “There’s got to be some mistake, Cara! How am I the true holder of a crystal I’ve never seen before in my life?”

Cara had never seen her friend this scared. When she’d left Aulinaber, she left thinking it would be Garret the prophecy was talking about, but now she knew it was Teriha. “What about the ‘Light’?”

Silver found blue and the moonlight gazed down on them just in the right place so it looked like a spotlight. When Teriha spoke, her whispered voice cracked and the pain stood out. “It means Zach…”


Our Choices?

Stay or Die.

Teriha and Cara returned to the others and Zach watched closely as Teriha stood next to Garret and leaned into him. Chris coughed from on top of his horse. “So what now?”

Leave our forest and fight the war that threatens.

The voice returned and everyone looked at each other. Zach knew what he had to do, but he’d rather do it alone than have any of his friends die. His brown eyes found Garret and he frowned, wondering what Teriha could see inside him; after all, he had tried to kill Christian. “Let’s return to Ceruhia. There,” he stared gravely at Garret, “the prince can tell us what he knows.”

Disgusted with Garret, Zach clicked his tongue and his horse started to walk off. Teriha rolled her eyes and climbed on top of her horse, giving a smile to Garret. Soon, they were all following Zach out of the forest.

Teriha’s thoughts went to the burning mark on her hand, where the crystal had disappeared. She was aware the crystal was now inside her, no matter how idiotic it sounded; it was true. She stared at the back of Zach, wondering if the prophecy would come true. After all, she was now the crystal and he was the Light; it was only a matter of time.

Garret stayed close to Teriha as they silent rode back to Ceruhia, lost in his own thoughts. He’d loved her since the day they met in the lower town; there was no doubt about it. He would’ve given anything to make sure she was safe, and he still would. The only thing Garret wanted after the war ended was to be with her, possibly marry her even, but he knew the law. It was more than forbidden for them to be together, and it broke his heart; she would have a better chance with Zach.

“We’re here,” Cara whispered, her ice blue eyes glazed with emotions Garret couldn’t decipher. Coming to a halt beside the inn, they all got off their horses and gave them over to the stable boy.

As everyone started to walk into the inn, Zach grabbed Teriha’s arm and gently pulled her back. “I need to speak with you.”

“Speak,” she ordered, crossing her arms over her chest.

Zach took a deep breath. “I know now that you and Garret were friends, Teriha, but he is a traitor to the king, a traitor to us.”

Teriha stared at him. “And yet, he has helped us this far and you still accuse him?”

She watched as Zach rolled his eyes. “You love him, don’t you?” He asked, cocking his eyebrows. “But you can never be together for the