Chapter Thirteen
Disturbance

Crystal let out a sigh and opened her eyes. A sense of overwhelming peace was held within her. She turned over and noticed that Aiden was lying with one arm wrapped around her in a very gentle way. She smiles and put her head against his chest. His steady and relaxed heartbeat was calming. She closed her eyes again to try and sleep.

As soon as she did so, there came a loud noise from outside.

Alarmed and very concerned, she rushed to the window. In doing so, Aiden sturred and squinted his eyes for the lights of the open window shone in his face.

"What is it?" Aiden said while rubbing his eyes vigorously.

Crystal was not content with what lay before her. The sight sent a shudder down her spine. She pointed to the looming sight.

Aiden rose from the bed and slowly walked over to the window. Before he reached the window, he could see it and stopped short.

"There is no way! How could they?" Aiden asked but no one standing theree had the answers.

Far out in the distance was a sky full of storm clouds carrying all the rain, sleet and hail that it could. This was no ordinary storm cloud they realized. Before them marched an army of every cruel thing that could possibly side with Sinister.

Aiden went back to his bedside and began to put his clothes on. Crystal stood near the window for a moment or so dumbfounded by what she saw. Then she turned to face Aiden.

"It would take all the good creatures of both our worlds to defeat an army of that size! We do not have enough men to fight!" Crystal panicked.

"Our bravest men have been called to fight a while ago and have been training since we sent the alarm. Even if our numbers do not equal theirs." Aiden said confidently.

"But it is only the King's alliance! That is what? Just men and elves? Certainly that could not be enough!" Crystal replied.

"Do not fear, me lady. We will go out there with whatever our alliance can muster."

Crystal sent a determined look his way. Quickly, she moved to the bed to dress.

"What are you doing?" inquired Aiden.

"I am going to fight," Crystal stated plainly and in a very matter-of-fact way.

Aiden, who was tying his belt at the time, stopped and looked up at her. "Crystal, there is no place for a woman in the war against Sinister."

Crystal stopped and send a look of daggers towards him. "You are not going to make me stay here to wait and pray for your safe return. You are not going to make me wait and wonder if you will ever return! I am going to fight alongside you!" Crystal insisted.

Aiden went over to her and put his arms around her. "It is the duty of the women of our kindom to stay home and out of the way of the dangers of warfare."

Crystal pulled away from him and gave him a look of utter disbelief.

"If you remember correctly, Aiden, I am not from this kingdom and therefore, I will not be forced to follow the rules!"

"I just don't want you to be hurt," Aiden said and put his hand on her cheek.

A tear ran down Crystal's face and she added, "If you want to keep me safe you would not keep me here where some goblins or orcs could come and take me away to suffer torture and death!" Crystal pushed Aiden away completely and ran out of the door.

Aiden was left alone again, a scowl on his face. "Fine," he shouted after her although she was clearly well out of earshot, "Run away! I don't care! Get captured by goblins or orcs while you are running around for all I care! I hope it happens!"

Aiden's eyebrows straightened. His scowl disappeared completely. He walked over to the window and peering out of it, he could see no trace of her.

Back