And So It Begins 6

Dakran and Eisza were leading the charge. Even though the others, were perfectly capable of doing so, Dakran had the most limpid mind out of everyone.

He rarely let his emotions overcome his sense of duty. Most likely well aware of the cost involving letting his emotions run free.

One of the most surprising facts was that he'd brought Maya along this time around, and Haren was nowhere in sight. He was still alive when they left Ironstone.

Perhaps with the new babe, he'd been placed in charge. Iris scrunched her nose at that little thought. No one was insane enough to put Haren in charge, blood relations or not.

The shikari reprised paving the ground beneath his feet, along with the other one. The other didn't stop. Hive mind. So, if one of them saw something that meant that they all saw the same thing. They knew they were there. The young offspring that saw them in the forest.

" Wait," Iris whispered catching Corvin's attention, who frowned.

" You said they have a hive mind," Iris whispered, " The youngling that we saw in the forest. If he knows, that means that all of them know," Corvin opened his mouth to retort but nodded in agreement.

" She is right. We don't know how much they share. Could be everything, could be only certain things. We should find another way in," That didn't change the fact that they still knew they were in the forest.

" We are not backing down. We are here. I don't want to wait, looking over my shoulder wondering when they will attack us," Dakran sighed.

" It is quite difficult to sleep at night. Most of the time I just startle at the smallest noise, wondering if it's them who have come to end us," Eisza chimed in, her eyes fleeting left and right, scared. A difficult feat considering her staunch disposition.

" Can we just go somewhere else and debate this," Maya raised her hands trying to stop them from arguing just a few paces away from the hive.

Everyone nodded in agreement and began moving away from the castle walls, crouched to the ground, making as little noise as possible.

Reaching a clearing at the far end of the forest, everyone let out silent breaths of relief and looked at each other waiting for anyone to speak.

" They have a hive mind, so they already know we are in the forest," Corvin began with what they already knew, " They are protecting the Queen, the eggs that she has laid, and the hatchlings. That means that they will focus on what remains to protect. It will be easy to get in, but getting past the last barricade will be difficult. We would have an advantage if Edya would be here but she is not. So, we will have to make do with what we have," Corvin finished, rubbing his forehead.

" The flames that you summoned," Eisza trailed off looking at the others. Everyone knew. There was no secret anymore.

" It's, " Iris set her lips in thin lines, looking at everyone who waited for an answer," They are difficult to control," She took a deep breath," If I unleash the flames there is no guarantee that I would be able to contain them. It's getting rather difficult. I'm afraid that I might do more damage than help," She raised her eyes and watched everyone slump their shoulders, each trying to find another solution.

" I know that palace like the back of my hand," Dakran began," We sneak through the back of the palace. The climb is steep, but we can do it. No matter who you are, or what you are. Everyone ignores the back thinking that during an attack they would choose the easiest way in, which is the front. There are only two at the front, so I'm guessing once we get past them, within the confines of the wall you're done. Most likely the gardens are clear. I don't see any of them enjoying a stroll through the gardens," Eisza chuckled, smothering a smile with the back of her hand.

A pointed look from Dakran had that smirk vanish just as fast as it appeared.

Cedru sighed, " Eisza," He said in mirth, and it seemed that Eisza's giddiness was so infectious that more began to giggle. It was either the prospect of death or something else was affecting their general mood.

" Something is wrong," Corvin laughed, and the others did too. Laughing to death. That was a new one.

" Even on the brink of death, he is so charming," One of the sisters hummed, and sorrowfully sighed.

Iris looked around, if the shikari had the capability to affect mental capacities they were as good as dead. That wasn't it. They had been near them far too many times. They wouldn't have to fight if they could poke into someone else's head.

Iris looked around trees, and flowers, nothing dangerous enough to affect them in any way. The witch came to mind, but she was dead. She saw it with her own eyes.

A set of glowing eyes caught her attention. The shikari weren't capable of messing with one's mind, but their offspring were.

" How come I'm unaffected," Iris snapped at the sisters, as she drew on her sword.

" We are your shield sweetness. He can't get past us. Made of flesh and blood, alive. We are not," The quieter of the three replied, as she slowly drowned out their laughter, and jostled past Corvin and Dakran.

" Just by looking at him, I'm queasy. And I'm dead," One of the sisters cackled, and felt a hand wrap around her arm, jerking her back.

" Oh," The sisters laughed," He can do more than make them laugh," Her head snapped toward the person holding her arm. Blank, empty eyes looked back at her. There had been so much in them. The still brown sea, which once swirled with passion, love, and adoration was devoid of any emotion. A puppet and the beast was the puppeteer.