Writing Resources from Fifteen Minutes of Fiction

A Draken Rising; 23

Most people have a party every year to celebrate their birthday. Most people look forward to the day. Most people. Rafael did not. That afternoon as he entered the gates of Caligo, a sense of gloom settled over him. He walked slowly, his mind deep in thoughts. How long had he known Ellius? Less than a week? He had learned so much already…

Rafael stopped in front of the palace doors, and took a deep breath before walking in through those great, looming doors.

Twenty minutes later, the palace doors slammed open as Rafael stormed outside. His eyes shone a fire red, and his shirt was torn open, showing the deep gashes on his back that were sluggishly bleeding. Everyone stepped to the side as he walked pass. Finally he passed through the main gate, and stumbled into the surrounding forest.

Coming to a stop in a thickly wooded area, he leaned up against a tree, and took a deep breath. All right, where am I going now? Not the oasis… I can’t let them see me like this. I will not make Ellius worry. Hmm. Well, no one will be in Osadious, I could rest there a few days before going back to the oasis. Yeah, that is what I’ll do. A few days, and I will not be bleeding.

Rafael lifted his hand, and formed a warp panel. Slowly he stumbled through, leaving the gloomy woods around Caligo to find himself in that old, empty city- in Osadious.

Rafael stumbled over to the great fountain in the town square, and took a seat. He slowly lowered his hands into the cool water, and watched as the fresh blood was washed away.

Blood. Covered in blood. His father wanted him to hate, to feel anger. Rafael just wanted to be able to have friends, to be able to trust, but how could he trust? He could not even trust himself. Once again his father had proven that.

Rafael could feel the furry and anger rising again. He could feel the hate. He hated the cruelty he constantly saw, he hated what he was put through each year.

Rafael stumbled down one of Osadious’s back allies. Once he came to a dead end, he stopped, and stared at the wall for a moment.

“A dead end.” Rafael muttered, “a dead end, just like my life. A trap. Something that cannot be escaped. I am a Cimmerii, heir to the Wyrien throne. That is where my life leads, but that is not what I want…”

Rafael pointed towards the wall, “Perhaps a different path, a new path, can be found.”

A billowing flame shot out from Rafael’s hand, and slammed into the wall. The wall shook, and some of the loose stones tumbled to the ground.

“Even dead ends have a way out.” Rafael shouted, as he threw another ball of fire at the wall, then another. Again and again he threw fire at the wall, and finally it began to crumble.

Rafael sank to the ground as he gazed out across the dessert through the gap in the wall. “But where do the openings lead?” He mumbled.

“Rafael?”

Rafael turned his head to look at the speaker. Mounted on a chestnut stallion, was
Ellius.

“Go away Ellius. Please…” Rafael turned his head away.

“Rafael, your hurt.” Ellius dismounted, “Let me take you back to the oasis.”

“No Ellius.” Rafael stood slowly, and shook his head, “I can’t let them see me like this.”

“You need help, and I can help you.”

“No Ellius.”

“Just trust me.” Ellius stepped forward.

“Trust? How can I trust? I cannot even trust myself.” Rafael turned his head away from Ellius to hide his tears.

“I am your friend Rafael, and so is Horatio. You can trust us.” Ellius held out a hand.

“Trust. Friends.” Rafael muttered as he turned to face Ellius. “Yes, I can trust you. You and Horatio.”

Rafael could suddenly feel his strength leaving. His face turned a pale white.
“Ellius, help me.” He stepped towards Ellius before collapsing in a dead faint.
Ellius stepped forward quickly, and caught Rafael’s limp form before he hit the ground.

“Let’s get back to the oasis.”

Ellius gently lifted Rafael onto the horse before mounting. Quickly directing the horse out of the ruins, he set off towards the oasis at a gallop.

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