Excerpt: The child without a name (Subject to change)

You’re not the one; you’re not supposed to be there. You’re not the one; you’re not supposed to be there. You’re not the one; you’re not supposed to be there. The words spun through his head like a mantra, unrelenting pelting him as if it were pebbles thrown at his head as he walked through the small mountain village. This is where you belong! The message seemed to brand itself into his brain like a hot searing pain. He felt a deep dark force surge beneath his feet and as if in a daze he looked down at his feet, seeing nothing but the downtrodden dirt of the road he was walking down, yet it felt as if he was standing on a moving, brewing, living thing. A shot of a screeching beast filled his head, taking his breath away and soon after fire shot up all around him. The town burned and while he’d seen no one around him he could hear the screams of people all through the village. It was as if they were burning alive, every single one of them. He stepped forward, trying to see through the sputtering flames, hoping there was at least someone he could see, someone he could help escape from the fire. He could almost feel the heat of the flames scorch his skin with every step he took closer to the burning buildings. He legs felt like lead and his head spun. The warmth of the flames pricked his eyes making them water and blurring his vision. The smoke filled his lungs and he felt as if he was choking. He staggered back and crumbled, going down on hands and knees. He could feel the ground under his hands vibrate as if it was alive with SOMETHING. You’ll be too late! A new voice hissed at him. He gasped and gagged trying to get the smoke out of his lungs when all of a suddenly his mind went black, the flames and the heat disappeared and he became acutely aware of a familiar presence sitting next to him in the darkness that ensued. He tried to look over even though he couldn’t even see his own hands anymore. A sudden indignity filled him almost making him snarl. It seemed to race up from the ground and lash out at whoever was next to him. He gasped, feeling a force that couldn’t possibly be his own rip through his body painfully and he leapt sideways, afraid of the feeling of uncontrolled power running through his veins. With a loud gasp he woke up, struggling for air that seemed to have inexplicably left his lungs. He thought he could feel a thrum in the air like a whole colony of angry bees but it was gone before he could think about it.

“Still having nightmares then?”A familiar voice asked him, making his head reel.
“What?” He asked breathlessly, looking over at Cedric sitting next to him. That hadn’t been a dream? He wondered, completely disoriented.
“You seemed restless… Are you alright?” Cedric asked, offering him a glass of water. Senna sat up, pushing the sheets down around his waist and nodded slowly, rubbing his head which throbbed with a terrible headache. A faint wave of nausea washed over him when he took the glass of water from Cedric and their fingers brushed. He almost dropped the glass at the strange sensation but managed to grip it firmer.
“I… yes… a nightmare…” He muttered, taking a sip of the water. “I’ll be fine… it was just weird.” He said softly. “Why’re you up?” He mumbled, then changing his mind. “What time is it?” Had he overslept perhaps.
“It’s early in the morning… the sun isn’t up yet, don’t worry. I just couldn’t sleep.” Cedric confessed with a slight shrug.
Senna groaned a little trying to ban the headache from his head as it only seemed to get worse.
“… Are you really alright?” The prince asked concern evident in his voice. “You’re not getting sick are you?” He continued, feeling gingerly at Senna’s face for a fever however as soon as his hand connected with Senna’s cheek he snapped t back, staring a bit wide-eyed at him. Senna stared back at him, bringing a hand up to his cheek and felt it himself, wondering what on earth was going on.
“… I … what was that?” Cedric asked, startled.
“I don’t know…” Senna confessed, finding his voice unsteady and shaky. “You felt it too then, it was like… a… a… “ he couldn’t find a word for it.
“Like a stab from a dagger…!” Cedric finished for him, looking from his hand to Senna’s cheek and back.

For a moment they both stared at each other in quiet awe and horror before Cedric extended his hand again.
“No!” Senna tried interrupting him but before he could move the warm hand of Cedric was on his cheek. He froze but nothing happened and Cedric looked puzzled.
“… That was weird.” He concluded. “But you don’t seem to have a fever…”
he was too astonished to say or do anything and just sat there, staring at Cedric for a while longer.
“I think I should call a doctor…” Cedric said shortly, giving him a good long look.
“No.” Senna said again, shaking his head, noticing the headache was receding fast. “No… I’m fine… Really. What did you want? Do you need anything?” He went on to the order of the day, hoping to sway Cedric’s mind.
The prince gave him a last skeptical look before letting his hand drop and nodding.
“Okay… if you say so… I just… I was wondering.” Cedric responded to his question, dropping the awkward subject.

“About what…?” he asked, taking another deep breath and trying to get his bearings back while encouraging Cedric to come out with whatever was troubling him.
“You would do anything for me if I asked you, right?” Cedric asked a bit awkwardly, avoiding his eyes. Senna frowned a little and nodded.
“Yes, of course… That’s… why I was born.” He answered simply.
“You would kill for me?” Cedric finally asked the big one.
“Of course.” He replied without hesitation. The reply seemed to ease Cedric’s mind and he smiled a little.
“There isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for me, isn’t there…?” He continued.
“I don’t think so…” Senna shrugged. “I’m here for you, Cedric, no matter what it is, I’ll do it.”
The prince nodded again and got up off the bed.
“Thank you Senna, you’re a good friend… and a good bond. Sorry for keeping you up.” The man said quietly while shuffling back to the door that separated their quarters. Senna watched as he went, puzzled by the change in attitude of the young man who was usually always easy go lucky and not one to second guess things or doubt his loyalty.