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Kids

Leah watched the antelope bound across the snowy hills of Idaho. Slowly, she raised a hand to the frost-covered window pane of her apartment.

The graceful animals seemed so free and wild as they swooped across the plains.

“What are you doing?” asked her father from the doorway.

She looked down at the rusted kitchen sink. “Nothing.”

Her father smiled faintly. On his hollowed-out face, the expression made her want to cry. Her father limped over to the sink, leaning heavily against his dark wood walking stick. “The antelope are truly beautiful, aren’t they?”

Leah looked away, trying to push the growing pallor of his skin or the increasingly haunted look his eyes held.

But there was no denying that her father was getting sicker. Since he’d had to quit his job the year before, his health had been on a rapid decline. And the doctors had no idea what was wrong with him.

“Leah, have I ever told you about the Shadow Riders?”

”Sit down, father, before you tire yourself out.” she said hurriedly.

Reluctantly, her father sat down in their ancient wooden chair. “Now, the Shadow Riders... They were the bravest warriors in all the land of Morgat, clever and dangerou. It was their job to deliver messages and help the people of the land who were in need. And they are said to be more courageous than any other to ever walk the earth.”

Leah set a piece of toast on a plate for her father, then turned and started gathering up her worn hand-me-down textbooks from off the unwashed counter. “Sorry dad, I’ve got to get to school. I’ll see you tonight, hopefully before midnight.”

And with that, she took off across their cluttered trailer house, grabbing her threadbare coat and homemade backpack as she went.

When she stepped outside, she was greeted by a fancy-looking red car parked outside her house.

Inwardly, she groaned as the window rolled down to reveal the hottest boy in her school and a blomd cheerleader who could only be Adaline Hartsworth.

“Hey sweetheart, having a bad day?” she called with mock sweetness.

Leah pushed a curl of unruly dark hair out of her face. “Don’t you have anything better to do except bother me?”

“Oh honey, I just want to be friends.” poured the cheerleader, making her boyfriend laugh.

Leah ignored then both and stalked off towards school, trying not to shiver under her too-thin coat. Unfortunately, Adeline wasn’t done.

“I heard your father was still laying around, and that maybe he didn’t have long to live.”

Leah gritted her teeth against the bully’s words. She’d learned years before to never let people know that they got to her. But it was so hard when all she wanted to do was deck the idiot.

“It really is such a shame that your mother ran away and left you, isn’t it.” continued Adaline casually.

Finally, Leah couldn’t take it any more. She whirled around, her dark eyes glowing with fury. “She didn’t leave us because she wanted to.”

”Did your daddy tell you that?” asked the blond sarcastically. “Because he probably just didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

Leah’s fingers tightened into fists. For a moment, all of her senses sharpened miraculously to the point that she could hear the cheerleader’s heartbeat, mingled with the roaring thrum of a car engine. A tear of anger slipped down her cheek, making the bully laugh harder.

And that was when something came whistling through the sky in a flare of golden light, crashing somewhere in the wild hills behind her home.

“If you’d excuse me, I need to go grab something.” growled Leah coldly, turning on her heels and jogging toward the trailer house, her tangled dark hair blowing behind her.

When she ducked back into the house, she was greeted by the sight of her father facing a bodybuilder dressed in white and gold armor.

Their entire living room was in ruins. Her father’s favorite chair lay smashed to pieces. The piece of toast she’d made for him lay discarded in a corner.

“Alderlane, you’re finished!” said the man in an eerily emotionless voice.

In response, her father swung his walking stick in an arc, sending a burst of forest-green light rocketing through the air.

His attacker made a strange sign with his hands, deflecting the burst of light easily.

Leah stared in disbelief at her father. She had no idea what was going on, but she did know that her father wasn't going to be able to keep doing it for long. Already sweat beaded his forehead, dripping down into his eyes.

Then he looked up and saw his daughter standing in the doorway.

At the same time, his attacker caught sight of her. When the man looked at her, she realized his eyes were milky white, and his teeth, sharp and pointed like some kind of cat. A forked young slipped out of his mouth, making her freeze in fear.

“Don’t move, Leah!” shouted her father, frantically pulling something out of his pocket. She realized that it was a single gold coin. Quickly he tossed it into the air, shouting something that sounded like a different language. The coin dissolved into the air, flashing brightly as it vanished. The creature whipped around to face him, growling in anger.

“You’ll regret that.”

And that was when the doorbell rang loudly.

“Who the heck is that?” demanded her father softly.

But before Leah could answer, the door opened to reveal the ever-idiotic Adalian. “Hey Leah, did you get your....” she trailed off when she saw the white-eyed man.

The man tasted the air with his forked tongue. “Human...” He dropped down to all fours, making a strange chirping sound.

Her father shouted something, waving his walking stick. Something bright red came streaking through the air, slamming into the creature. Much to Leah’s shock and horror, the thing dissolved into a pile of dust, leaving behind a white-and-gold shield.

“I think you’d better come inside, both of you. I’ve got a lot to explain, haven’t I.”

And that was when a black blur swooped down from the skies, landing lightly in their tiny yard. Only then did Leah realize that it was a black pegasus with a tall rider wearing a mask and long, fluttering cloak. Leah’s heart leaped up into her throat. The rider had to been about 17 or 18 with dark hair that hung to his shoulders. At his waist, an assortment of weapons hung. She caught sight of two swords, a dagger and a bow (the bow was left with his mount.)

When approached them, he dropped into a low bowLeah watched the antelope bound across the snowy hills of Idaho. Slowly, she raised a hand to the frost-covered window pane of her apartment.

The antelope seemed so free and wild as they swooped across the plains.

“What are you doing?” asked her father from the doorway.

She looked down at the rusted kitchen sink. “Nothing.”

Her father smiled faintly. On his hollowed-out face, the expression made her want to cry. Her father limped over to the sink, leaning heavily against his dark wood walking stick. “The antelope are truly beautiful, aren’t they?”

Leah looked away, trying to push the growing pallor of his skin or the increasingly haunted look his eyes held.

But there was no denying that her father was getting sicker. Since he’d had to quit his job the year before, his health had been on a rapid decline. And the doctors had no idea what was wrong with him.

“Leah, have I ever told you about the Shadow Runners?”

”Sit down, father, before you tire yourself out.” she said hurriedly.

Reluctantly, her father sat down in their ancient wooden chair. “Now, the Shadow Runners...”

Leah set a piece of toast on a plate for her father, then turned and started gathering up her worn hand-me-down textbooks from off the unwashed counter. “Sorry dad, I’ve got to get to school. I’ll see you tonight, hopefully before midnight.”

And with that, she took off across their cluttered trailer house, grabbing her threadbare coat and homemade backpack as she went.

When she stepped outside, she was greeted by a fancy-looking red car parked outside her house.

Inwardly, she groaned as the window rolled down to reveal the hottest boy in her school and a blomd cheerleader who could only be Adaline Hartsworth.

“Hey sweetheart, having a bad day?” she called with mock sweetness.

Leah pushed a curl of unruly dark hair out of her face. “Don’t you have anything better to do except bother me?”

“Oh honey, I just want to be friends.” poured the cheerleader, making her boyfriend laugh.

Leah ignored then both and stalked off towards school, trying not to shiver under her too-thin coat. Unfortunately, Adeline wasn’t done.

“I heard your father was still laying around, and that maybe he didn’t have long to live.”

Leah gritted her teeth against the bully’s words. She’d learned years before to never let people know that they got to her. But it was so hard when all she wanted to do was deck the idiot.

“It really is such a shame that your mother ran away and left you, isn’t it.” continued Adaline casually.

Finally, Leah couldn’t take it any more. She whirled around, her dark eyes glowing with fury. “She didn’t leave us because she wanted to.”

”Did your daddy tell you that?” asked the blond sarcastically. “Because he probably just didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

Leah’s fingers tightened into fists. For a moment, all of her senses sharpened miraculously to the point that she could hear the cheerleader’s heartbeat, mingled with the roaring thrum of a car engine. A tear of anger slipped down her cheek, making the bully laugh harder.

And that was when something came whistling through the sky in a flare of golden light, crashing somewhere in the wild hills behind her home.

“If you’d excuse me, I need to go grab something.” growled Leah coldly, turning on her heels and jogging toward the trailer house, her tangled dark hair blowing behind her.

When she ducked back into the house, she was greeted by the sight of her father facing a bodybuilder dressed in white and gold armor.

Their entire living room was in ruins. Her father’s favorite chair lay smashed to pieces. The piece of toast she’d made for him lay discarded in a corner.

“Alderlane, you’re finished!” said the man in an eerily emotionless voice.

In response, her father swung his walking stick in an arc, sending a burst of forest-green light rocketing through the air.

His attacker made a strange sign with his hands, deflecting the burst of light easily.

Leah stared in disbelief at her father. She had no idea what was going on, but she did know that her father wasn't going to be able to keep doing it for long. Already sweat beaded his forehead, dripping down into his eyes.

Then he looked up and saw his daughter standing in the doorway.

At the same time, his attacker caught sight of her. When he looked at her, she realized his eyes were milky white, and his teeth, sharp and pointed like some kind of cat. A forked young slipped out of his mouth, making her freeze in fear.

“Don’t move, Leah!” shouted her father, frantically pulling something out of his pocket. She realized that it was a single gold coin. Quickly he tossed it into the air, shouting something that sounded like a different language. The coin dissolved into the air, flashing brightly as it vanished. The creature whipped around to face him, growling in anger.

“You’ll regret that.”

And that was when the doorbell rang loudly.

“Who the heck is that?” demanded her father softly.

But before Leah could answer, the door opened to reveal the ever-idiotic Adalian. “Hey Leah, did you get your....” she trailed off when she saw the white-eyed man.

The man tasted the air with his forked tongue. “Human...” He dropped down to all fours, making a strange chirping sound.

Her father shouted something, waving his walking stick. Something bright red came streaking through the air, slamming into the creature. Much to Leah’s shock and horror, the thing dissolved into a pile of dust, leaving behind a white-and-gold shield.

“I think you’d better come inside, both of you. I’ve got a lot to explain, haven’t I.”

And that was when a black blur swooped down from the skies, landing lightly in their tiny yard. Only then did Leah realize that it was a black pegasus with a tall rider wearing a mask and long, fluttering cloak. Leah’s heart leaped up into her throat. The rider had to been about 17 or 18 with dark hair that hung to his shoulders. At his waist, an assortment of weapons hung. She caught sight of two swords, a dagger and a bow (the bow was left with his mount.)

When approached them, he dropped into a low bow. “Princess, it is good to see you safe and well.”

It took Leah a moment to realize that he was talking to her. “Um, I’m no princess.”

The man’s eyes widened. “How is it that...”

“For now, just assume that my daughter knows nothing of our world.” interjected her father.

Leah turned to look at him. And that was when she realized just how bad he looked. Her father kept swaying dangerously and his skin was a yellowish-white.

“You mean to tell me, Garith, that you have told her nothing?!” demanded the man angrily.

In response, her father coughed weakly. “I did what I thought was best for the girl, Robin.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “And might I ask who the blond one is?”

“Adaline Burgesses.” responded the cheerleader with slight blush. “And, by the way, she’s no princess. She’s the town freak, the one who’s got nothing going for her at all. So if you’re looking for a princes, you’ve come to the wrong place.”

The man waved his hand, throwing Adaline clear off the porch. She landed in a crumpled heap in the frozen snow.

“If you dare to insult the princess who I’ve spent my entire life defending, then I’m sure that Rynala could use more human potion ingredients. In fact she was complaining just yesterday about a shortage of human spleens.” he snarled fiercely.

Adaline managed to scramble to her feet, a look of pure terror on her face. As if in agreement, his pegasus snorted and tossed its long mane.

“Get out of here, human. And if you ever lay another finger on the princess, I swear you’ll answer to the blades of a Shadow Rider.”

Adaline took off running, obviously too scared to say anything.

Leah stared at her father. “He said he was a Shadow Rider, just like the ones from your stories. And that creature... that was from your stories too. They’re all real, aren’t they dad.”

Her father winced. “I’m not your father. Your real father died in battle two days before you were born. I’m actually your uncle, the man who was supposed to guard you in the strange world you were sent to for your own protection. My real name is Garith.“

Leah blinked slowly at him. “If what you're saying is true... then why am I here?”

This time, it was the Shadow Rider who answered. “In Morgat, there is a wicked king who rules everything. About sixty years ago, he, the younger prince, used forbidden dark magic to kill off his entire family and take the kingdom of Oran. Then, using powerful, ancient dark magic, he made himself invincible. And from that day onward, he has destroyed kingdom after kingdom.” interjected her uncle/father.

“But all was not lost, for a phrophesy was given shortly after his rise to power that a child born the night of a great eclipse with midnight hair and eyes was going to defeat the Wicked One and restore peace and bounty to Morgat.” continued the Shadow Rider in a deep, rich voice.

Leah pinched herself a few times to make sure she wasn’t dreaming before answering. “But...I’m just...me. I’m a nobody, a weirdo. I’m not heroic or incredible or anything. I’m just ordinary old me. There’s no way this prophesy thing can be about me. Shucks, I’m not even magical like you two.”

The Shadow Rider dropped down to his knees. The cloak folded over his powerful figure. “Please, princess. Everyday in Morgat hundreds are dying an being enslaved. The Shadow Rider numbers have never been lower, and their have never been fewer fighters for Prince Jeron. We need a savior.”

“Not to interrupt of anything, but it’s time to escape before more Screeches come.” said her father/uncle/Garith. “The only place you’ll be safe is Morgat.”

“Fine!” shouted Leah furiously. “And don’t try to tell me that you’re not coming, Garith.”

Garith chuckled. “Not to worry, Leah. I’m a wizard. I’ll be alright.”

After glancing doubtfully at the man who’d raised her, she followed the Shadow Rider to his pegasus.

As the handsome stranger helped her into the fantastic creature, a small smile touching her lips. It seemed so strange that everything had happened because of a magical monster’s visit. And now she was being swooped away by a cute guy to a magical land that she was supposed to save from an evil prince.

And with any luck, she’d never have to worry about math assignments again.

May 28, 2020 23:23

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2 comments

Whitney Trang
16:44 Jun 05, 2020

Wonderful story! I wish I could know more about Morgat.

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Raven Car
18:54 Jun 05, 2020

Thanks! I’m thinking about doing another story, but I’m not sure if it’d be allowed.

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