You are Made of Magic

Rest, rest your weary head.
The day is long and never ends.
Mornings filled with dread,
But if you sleep then dream,
Of places old and magic.
Go, dear one, to the place of dragons.
The waking world is cold and cruel,
people in it lie.
Sleep and dream of fantastic things
Where pterasaurs still fly.
There you’re free of worldly care
To play in fields of flowers.
Yes there you can wile away the hours
Sleep and dream of happy things,
forget for now the misery,
for there Lady Aldra sings,
That you are filled with magic!

To Anika Sora – A Letter

Dear Aniya,

I see you in ever dream, my thoughts always of you. I love you and wish only your utmost happiness. I delight in the softness of your emery black waves; they frame your small round face with delicate curls. The way your lips, ruby painted, frown in disdain at me, or laugh when I tell a story. The confused look your cinnamon brown eyes get when I say the wrong things.
Lately those eyes are drowned in despairs, your slim shoulders have heaved in my arms. You leaned against me weeping and I stroked your hair in comfort. I have clasped your slim hands, perfectly manicured with delicate nails, in my own rough hands and assured you of my devotions.
Yet, how can I save you from your pain, how can I find you? I cannot even save myself. Last night I dreamt once more. Folding laundry on the line, you wore a simple cotton dress, light blue. Your hair pinned up, I watched from the window. Your mother, hair streaked with silver, helped place clothes out, I could hear the bubble of conversation but not the words.

Aniya, nay Anika Sora, Lady of dreams, I would plead you stay with me. Always at my side. That the moments I dream of a normal life, you and I, sitting on the bed chatting. The tv in the living area playing local news. The conversations, talking of the children, enjoying a happy life. The illusion always shattered when you realise I must go again. The tears as I tell you I am leaving, waking from the dream. Last night it happened too. I knew I had to go and held you tight, kissed you, and said goodbye. I will go mad, one day I may wish to remain in dream forever, never to wake again.

-Koraki
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Chapter Eight: A Question of Character Final Draft

“Hate me.

I love when things are complicated.”

Koraki to Anika

Arajuan did not have the luxury to stop. A tight schedule meant he had to push on. He could still smell her blood on him, feel her heartbeat against him. His own heart pounded against his ribcage. He knew this feeling, a roar in his chest from a time before he was Arajuan. She was the lady of shadows; how could he do this to her?

Arajuan had to shake this off, aloof, wicked, heartless. This is war, the price of war is death. He would laugh but it was not funny. The men followed him, orcs were the core group, from the same tribe Tsuke and Tuk hailed. The others were victims of towns he decimated. He relished in their fear when new towns he conquered saw his necromantic arts. It was a delight when they knew they bound their fate to him.

The war drums played as they marched. Socrates landed on his shoulder. He knew his master better than anyone; they were bonded as brothers. Socrates sensed Arajuan’s troubled heart.

“The girl, was she the wyrmling?” Socrates asked

Chapter One: Beginning of The End- Final Draft

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Prologue- Final Draft

Rekindled: An Aldaria Journal

By Damien Knight

Anika walked through the shopping mall. It had been weeks since her and Koraki spoke. The argument was over a simple cup of coffee, but Anika had built rage and stored it. She left distancing herself from him and her handmaiden, Sallandra.
Anika wondered if Koraki was with another woman now? Her stomach turned. The idea of someone else in his arms made her sick with jealousy but she didn’t dare tell him these thoughts.
Anika wandered into a store that carried dark clothes and odd jewellery. She glanced at a red and black corset dress. Maybe this would keep her mind off him. She then heard a cashier talk to another costumer.
“Can I help you today?”
Anika panicked when a familiar baritone replied. Why was he here? He pointed to tongue rings in the case.
“Oh! Yes, I would like the purple ones there please.” He said, “And the black brow ring too.”
“Let me get those out for you.” She answered.
The cashier went to get the key to unlock it. Anika hid in the clearance area her heart pound. She wasn’t sure she was ready to confront Koraki yet. She wasn’t sure she could look him in the eye. A brow ring, she thought, He pierced his brow? She wanted to see if it looked good, to touch it. Just then the voice interrupted her thoughts.
“I know you are there Anika,” He said.
Anika stepped out and gave a shy wave. Koraki smiled as the lady unlocked the case and retrieved the jewellery. Koraki pointed to his brow.
“Come, look at what I did,” He laughed.
“Did it hurt Koraki?” She whispered.
Anika crept closer and placed a finger on it. Koraki’s behaviour perplexed her. He acted like nothing was wrong. How did he forgive so easy?
“Yeah, a bit. I mean they shoved a needle in my eye. I missed you, Princess. What you been up too?”
Anika followed him as he went to the cash register to pay.
“Watching the kids, shopping, talking to Mum.”
Koraki nodded, then turned to look at her. His blue eyes warmed to her. Without saying a thing, he hugged her and let go.
“That’s fantastic! Seems like things are going good then for you?” He grinned.
“No, No Koraki they aren’t.” She blurted, “I don’t want to be alone to be without you.”
“You left on your own and whenever you feel ready, I am always there for you. Now come if you choose, I am going to the food court for a bite to eat.”
Anika nodded and followed. He was so confident she did not understand that as he spoke he doubted that she would come back to him. She didn’t know how much he missed her. Koraki sat down and she sat next to him.
“So, um, yeah I am not great at this but Anika…” He trailed.
“Yes.”
“Sora, I,” He blushed, “I would like to ask you out on a date. What do you think?”
Koraki had brushed her hair from her face. Anika gazed back confused, he even called her Sora.
“What do you mean a date? What do you do on dates?”
“Well when a guy likes a girl, he’s supposed to ask her out. Like, take her to movie or go to dinner. Um, I never was good at that though, asking a girl. Guess I don’t like hearing no. But I will take the chance with you. I love you.”
“A movie sounds nice. I would love to see the next “Harry Potter” movie. Do you want to see it?”
He nodded, “Actually, I wanted to see the new Pirates movie. Want to go this Friday?”
Anika squealed in surprise at this and threw her arms around him.
“Yes, oh Yes! I can’t wait.”
“Perfect so see you Friday then? You know you can call me anytime you want right?”
Anika’s face dropped, and an air of seriousness filled them. She lowered her head and spoke with soft hesitance.
“Koraki, should we stay, um, separate then for a while?”
“Oh, living arrangements. Um, yes prolly. We have smothered each other, Anika. I apologize for expecting too much of you. Now,” He stood up, “Give me a hug.”
Anika hugged him tight, and she looked up into his eyes. Koraki smiled, a grin so evil, so corrupted, and yet that jagged gleam brought her comfort. He pulled her in and she kissed those dark lips. He had forgiven her and still loved her. They could make this right, she could be his again.
“I love you, Koraki,” She whispered.
“I know.”
Koraki vanished from her arms. Anika’s heart pounded as her the emptiness once more filling her. No, she had to think positive. She was still his after all.

A Troubled Romance : An Aldaria Journal

By Damien Knight

Anika woke in the morning to make a pot of coffee. She slammed the pot into the coffee maker. Her brow furrowed, things between her and Koraki had become strained. She sighed. She loved Koraki but she couldn’t take the pressure anymore. She turned on the radio and a Lady Gaga song just cut off and the radio announcer spoke. He gave the daily traffic report. His voice drowned out her own thoughts.

Preparing For The Party: An Aldaria Journal

By Damien Knight

Anika stood in the doorway a drink in her right hand. She leaned her left arm against the frame and licked white wine off her lush red lips. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but this was a joyous occasion. The King’s son had just come home from battle, the crown prince, it was a long year.

Anika sighed, court life bored her to tears. She sipped again and watched Koraki prepare himself. His deep voice broke the silence as he gazed in the mirror.

“Milady come help me get this armor on” he said.

He pointed to the royal armor. It was Greek style armor with silver chest plate and a blue leather war kilt. Blue and Silver were the national colours of Aldaria. She heaved and stepped forward.

“Can’t you magic it on milord?” she groaned.

“I could but then I wouldn’t have you helping me would I. Don’t ask just do.” he commanded.

Anika understood now, this was a way to be in touch with him. He could do it himself, but he wanted her to do it. She felt content. Anika placed her glass of wine down on the side table. She walked over to the armour on the bed and picked it up. Koraki grinned, his black teeth like jagged jaws of a shark. His sinister smile pleased Anika. She adjusted his war kilt, her hands slid along the leather and as she did her mind slid along memories.

Anika thought on how she met him the first time. How he knew who she was, and she knew in her heart who he was. The fear could be felt in her heart and the pain in her legs as if it was yesterday. The dragon princess, strong and mouthy, brought to her knees by his blade. She could feel the blood down the back of her legs the pain of the spear in her stomach. Was the war really over now?

“Anika?” he whispered.

She snapped out of her trance.

“Anika, my helmet.”

“Yes sir,” she replied.

She reached to comb out his hair first. He swatted it away with a scowl.

“My helmet” he repeated.

She placed it on him. He looked strong, commanding, like a king.

“Arajuan?” she whispered “what is my role tonight.”

He laughed, “You are my queen. Go get properly dressed and my dear.”

She gazed at him. What did he mean properly?

“Oh and no more wine for you tonight.” He laughed.

With that he took her wine and drank it down.