Unbreakable

by Naakaree Griffits

  “Listen, I would love to help you,” a small voice said from somewhere out of sight, “But the queen has this place well guarded. If I was to do anything to help you, she would know about it in an instant.”

  I looked for the voice, “Where are you?” I whispered. There was no reply. I waited a few more seconds before slumping back into my previous spot, a sigh threatening to escape my lips, just as a small figure crept around to the front of my cell. A small Faery. A child. She moved cautiously, looking around after each step she took nearing me. “I could get into a lot of trouble talking to you.” She neared a whisper. Her appearance gave me goosebumps. A feeling I wasn’t used to. Sure, I had seen Iris, a large and magnificent creature, I scrunched my nose at myself thinking those words, but this little faery was so peculiar with her little ears and strange shade of skin. Well, she was little in comparison to Iris, but really, this little Faery was about the size of me- though wider and bigger in her features, roughly the same height.

  “Listen,” I gestured for her to come closer, wiggling my pearlescent finger, “I need your help. My friend in the next cell over there is dying.” She looked over in his direction ever so cautiously before turning back to my insistent face. “I just need you to tell me how we can help him.

  She looked over at the little pond that lay not too far from where we were and pressed her face against the bars, causing me to pull mine away. “Your friend needs to drink from one of those flowers.”

  “Great! Can you get him one?” I almost yelled with excitement at how easy the solution had turned out to be.

  “No! I can’t just take one.” She cursed me under her breath. “They keep the babies safe. That is where baby faeries are put to grow and get nutrition until they are old enough to toddle around. I myself was placed in one.”

  I pulled back on the bars, lips pulled into a tight line and huffed. “So you can’t help me.”

  “Sorry.” She said and carried on her way, swinging her basket of flowers in her palm as she skipped off.

  CHAPTER Twenty

  Bear

  I watched Faery after Faery go by with no hope. How did I get here? The thought made tears well up in my eyes. The realisation of how far from home I now was had hit me. I was going to die in this cell and there was nothing I could do about it. I wondered if Iris had been able to get out and if she was following through on her promise to heal me and help us escape. Now that she was back home, I supposed she had no reason to help us any further.

  I suppose I could rest knowing that I have been the only viking to ever see what I had seen, the only man to travel to these depths, these realms and see such unworldly creatures. Never had anyone back home spoken of such creatures. Sure we had heard of mermaids and fairies, but most of us doubted their realness. I for one, kind of started to believe that they were a made up folks tale, and as for my memories of my mother, I started to believe that I had made it up in my mind. “A child’s imagination.” My father had mocked me every time I had brought it up. But now it was different. Now I knew it was real. And I had to live to defend my mother and see her legacy carried on.

  “Hey!” I yelled out to anyone that would listen. If no one would willingly give me attention, I would demand it. Take it. When no one came, I began banging on metal bars, shaking them, anything to get someone to take notice. Before long, I was making so much noise that the voice of another angrily replied.

  “Keep it down!” The voice hissed.

  “Why should I?” I spat back.

  “Because you will not have a voice much longer if you don’t.” This time a figure accompanied the sharp tone. A slender figure, a faery of course. But this one was different. His stature reminded me of my own. Tall, lean, muscular.

  I stumbled backward, not sure how to take him. “I’m going to die anyway. I may as well attempt to get what I want before I do.”

  He cocked an eyebrow, slightly interested. “And what is it that you want?”

  “I need healing. I’m dying. So you can help me or kindly point me in the direction of someone that will.” I tried my best to stand my ground as he came closer to me, rubbing his pointed chin between with his thumb and index fingers.

  “Well, well, well. Isn’t this an occurrence. You need my help or you are going to die. You are on the inside of a cage, where I am free and able to help if I choose.” He began circling as if pondering the choices, “Should I help you or leave you to die? hmm.”

  I rolled my eyes at his ultimatum. “Look, if you're not going to help me, then just go away because I need to find someone that will, and I’m not going to do that with you lingering around.”

  “Okay sure.” he started walking off but paused suddenly, “But, did you know that I am the son of the great queens sister and the cousin of your friend Iris over there...” He gestured toward my right. “So, I am probably your best bed right now. No one else around here wants to upset the queen, but me on the other hand,” A wicked grin crept up his cheeks, “Well I would like to stir things up. It gets pretty boring around here.”, “So what do you say? and what do I call you? If we are going to be working together, I should know you by name.”

  “It’s Bear.” I said reluctantly.

  “Bear? Ha. What an odd name.”

  “What’s yours?” I despised him more by the moment.

  “Jameson.” He said proudly.

  CHAPTER Twenty One

  Sage

  We had travelled from dusk to dawn, following the directions I had taken from the map that was hidden inside my bag. When someone asked how I knew the direction, I had told him I had been given instructions from Bear’s father back home. In reality, he had told me I was in search of a lost cause, and couldn’t possibly lead an army on my own, hence his absence. However, the men seemed to believe me non the less. I was on edge, waiting for Aalton to return. I knew I shouldn’t but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Bear was all I usually thought of when it came to desire, but Aalton was sure changing my plans, and I wasn’t sure why.

  I wanted to see him again. I wanted to grab his brunette curls in my fingers and smash my lips into his. I wanted him to wrap his arms around my body and hold me tight. I wondered what Islanda was like, how much it differed to my own home’s barren land. I bet it was laced with treasures and stalactites that danced like diamonds from old shipwrecks and blue coral that glowed a majestic tone at the bottom on the sea, where he would take me and place me on the soft sand bed.

  He had his grip on my mind so tightly and I couldn’t escape the strong grasp. I looked at my men and wondered if he had put some kind of spell on me. I could usually contain my lust, but Aalton had me so tempted to vanish into the deep that I would risk abandoning my army and the search for Bear, all to see him again. I looked back at the ones rowing the boat as I contemplated my decision. Would he come back for me or was he sending me a signal to come in search of him in Islanda? “Are you okay girl?” One of my men looked at me with suspicion. He had made it very clear with his body language the entirety of the trip so far, that he didn’t think I could do it. “Yes. Just thinking about what our next step should be.” I kept rowing to throw off any further questions.

  I would wait for the last man to fall asleep and then I would make my move. It took a few hours but sure enough the last of my army fell peacefully asleep on the mildly rough waters. I stood, bag in hand and jumped off the edge of the boat.

  CHAPTER Twenty Two

  Iris

  I sighed against the vine covered brick, letting my back relax into it when I heard the jiggle of keys. I stiffened. It couldn't be Gerry... but it was. “Gerry...” the words almost didn’t leave my mouth from my disbelief holding them back.

  “I have lived long enough under this sentence. May the queen do as she will.” he stuck a large key into the lock and jiggled it. “But,” I protested,

  “No, don’t.” He hushed me. “I am fine. Go, save the others.” He said, taking the key off the large hoop it lived on. I wrapped my arms aro
und his neck, ducking slightly to get to his low level. Once I had given my thanks, I stood tall and looked out to the other cells, sucking in fresh air, “It’s time to free the convicts.” I marched over to Voilet’s cell first, sliding the key into the lock and turning it. The rusty metal anchors churned as it clicked free. She pushed it open and rushed out, nearly knocking me out of my stance. “Well, that’s one way to thank me.” I rolled my eyes, to which she simply patted down her body, dusting off the remains of the ‘repugnant faerie remains’ as she called it.

  I turned toward the direction of Bear’s cell, Violet following close behind, stepping on my heel more than once. I snapped my head toward her, ready to warn her to stay in her lane, when I heard a familiar voice. “Jamerson...” I gnarled under my breath. His head turned toward me with such sarcasm painted on his face, it made me writhe in anger. Just thinking about his presence was churning me up so much I felt as though I was going to burst into flames. He was my sworn enemy since birth. Always one step behind me, antagonizing and making my life a living hell. My mother had always joked that even when we were in the bellies of our mothers, we were at each other's throats, always kicking one another away when they would put their stomachs together.

  After that, it was our magical exploring sessions out on the grass, where he would follow me the entirety of the lesson and snatch whatever item I had right out of my hand. Moving into more formal classes, he would taunt me by sending telepathic messages when I was in my zone, forcing me to drop whatever spell I was working on as soon as the teacher would come around and due to his craftyness, fail me. If I ever tried to do it back, he would find a way to block my magic. He was the epitome of evil and he was standing in front of Bear’s cell, no doubt making some sort of deal to try and beat me yet again.

  “Well, well. Look who has graced us with her magical presence.” He smirked at me, through smiling eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” I gritted my teeth, to hold myself back from spitting in his face. His very presence irked me beyond belief.

  “I was just making myself acquainted with your good friend Bear, here. It seems as though you have put him in quite an unfortunate position. And who is this lovely creature?” He smiled past me at Voilet before I could reply.

  “I’m Voilet.” she extended a pale hand to him. Instead of shaking it, he took it to his mouth and kissed it tenderly. I gagged as I felt bile come up into my throat.

  I decided to push past my disgust to interrogate him further, “What are you doing trying to help Bear? You’re not a helpful person, so what’s in it for you?”

  He let go of Violet's hand and put his own to his chest. “You bruise my ego. I simply wanted to help.”

  Not satisfied with his answer, I hoped Bear would provide more clarity. “What did he say to you?”

  Both Bear and Jamison looked at each other as if bargaining on what to tell me. “Go ahead.” Jameron cleared the path for him to speak.

  “He just told me he would free me and that his only wish is to antaginate the queen.”

  Jamerson shrugged at Bear’s confession.

  “Well, for once I don’t detest your intentions.” I cleared my throat before continuing, “Very well then, let him free.” I tilted my head at Bear, who was cracking his neck and loosening his stiff frame, no doubt in preparation for the big escape. Once he was free to step outside the metal cage restraining him, he took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. “it’s time to heal me and get out of here.”

  “Not so fast.” Jamerson interjected, “I would like to take the lovely lady for a walk around the premises.” He held a bent arm out the Violet who linked her own in his and giggled with glee.

  “Absolutely not. That is out of the question.” I stood in front of them, crossing my arms.

  “I’m afraid that is not up to you.” Jameron pushed past me with violet who looked back in triumph.”

  “Well this is just great.” I slumped down to sit on the grass, Bear taking a moment before joining me on the grass.

  “Maybe I, too, will have a look around.” He looked out into the distance. “Seems there is a lot to see around here.”

  “No, you won’t.” I pulled him back down to the grass.

  “You’re no fun.” He teased, poking me with an elbow.

  “Well, someone has to be the sensible one.” I looked at him stiffly.

  CHAPTER Twenty Three

  Voilet

  I looked up at the sparkly-eyed gentleman that had his lean but muscular arm intertwined with mine. He was just the right height, his shoulder coming in line with the top of my head - I liked them tall. His hair was a nice shade of chestnut and his eyes matched it perfectly. Perhaps he could be my prince. I had thought Bear was just that, but after the chain of events that had unfolded and his personality being revealed, he was just a bit too naive to the world to be what I needed. I looked at the muscled arm bent around mine and beamed.

  When I looked up a magnificent dark haired woman was walking toward us. I looked at Jamerson who smirked proudly. I was confused but matched his stride regardless. “Mrs *insert name here*” he introduced me proudly to her, “This is my new friend Violet.”

  “You mean the prisoner you have around your arm?” She scoffed in return, “Leave her and return to your quarters at once.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” He insisted, locking me in tighter.

  “And why not?” Her voice was growing more melancholy by the second.

  “Because I made Iris a promise you see.” His smile widened. I was completely confused now. Why was his tone not matching his expressions? Could he be lying?

  “Son, I urge you to let go of the prisoner now. You may be my best friend's offspring but I swear I will smite you right now.” Her voice boomed through the premises. I clutched my fingers around his elbow, hoping it would somehow protect me from this frightening turn of events. He stood unwavering, so confident in his stance, though I was becoming weak at the knees from her stern nature.

  “Queen, be reasonable.” He taunted. He was pushing her to her breaking point. I could see it in the way the vein popped out on her ashen forehead. It created a lump the size of the one that was forming in my throat.

  CHAPTER Twenty Three

  Bear

  “What was that?” I stood up from the lush grass to investigate the noise. Iris matched my stance, pulling me toward the water nearby. “That’s my mother. I knew Jamerson was storing up some kind of trouble. Hurry. We need to heal you before we are locked up again, or worse.” She leaned swiftly into the water, dipping her hand in just enough to pluck a lotus from its root. “Drink this.'' She urged, shoving it toward my lips, “Hurry.”

  The first drop that rolled off my lip and onto my tongue, instantly had an impact. I felt the dehydration ease up just a bit. I drank more, each sip of this precious dew easing the pain, one ailment at a time.

  “Quick. My mother... the queen would have found them by now. God only knows what she has planned for them. I knew I shouldn't have let that damned Jamerson take Violet.”

  NOTES:

  Together all three elements come up with a plan of attack together and war breaks out with giant squids and creatures.

  They attack sugar land with plans to invade after war breaks out and elf recognises Sage and educates her on her history.

  Sage is torn between her elf heritage and fighting with her tribe. Decides to become queen.

  They go to other countries to fight also such as fairies in Switzerland

  Big butterflies the size of a huge hand in fairy castle

  The king shaman or what ever someone who performs dark crafts lives in a hut built from preostoric bones and ancient rocks with magic coursing through them like bright veins. The hut is open at the top and in the middle of the floor is a hole leading to the core of the earth. Every so often (maybe 1000 turns of the moon) he performs a great and ancient summoning where he levitates above the hole and rises to the sky. Then draws energy from a star
. Pulling it to pass through him and fall into the core of the world to keep its magic in the land and power. While the star is being pulled it glitters the night sky. This practice kills the shaman and his taken over by the next in line.

  Poison garden- lure people in to kill them with poison plants -beautiful place

  Add something about gypsys

  Creature that looks half ape or human/ half bear grey shaggy hair walks hunched over

  About size of elephant

  WAR SCENE: Bear felt a huge strike of pain in the back of his head. As he opened his eyes to a blured world, he started to make out "his mate" padding flames off him.

  "You were stuck with golems flaming rock, bear snap out of it. BEAR GET uuuh"...

  The words failed "his mate" as a spear of solid rock shot through his face.

  Stumbling to his feet all he could hear was a ring, an eary sound drowning out the blood drenched screams all around. Watching in slow motion golems squish people below there boulder feet, fairys have there wings burned then hacked to death....

  He picked his axe back up and stared ahead blurry visions for a moment when "someone" dove infront of him to block a lightning flash which blew the warriorsTheir legs off.

  Bear looked at his brethren, and charged forward in a blind rage. He became a madman wildly slashing his axe across the battle field like lightning strike through the clouds. Blood turned his hands red and made it hard to grip.

  -path 1.

  So he put his axe down into the face of a cowering enemy and found another with a bow and arrow faced at him. They let loose 3 quivers as he charged tagging his thigh, hand and chest. It wasn't enough, bear was lost in the gears of war. He lifted the bowman off the ground and rammed his back into a moss covered boulder, winding him. Jumped atop him while he took his fist and brang it down to the bowmans face. The face was opening beneath his knuckles. The blood splatter felt cold on his face. Until something struck him and he woke somewhere a captive or something.