as always a big thanks to my editor and to you the reader.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Twelve: Melissa's Diary
I followed mothers path for a few days there was no sign of Alexander or the others I had no idea where the path would take me I was having a different vision each day as if someone wanted me to follow this path.
On the third day I stopped for rest at the foot of a mountain. I decided to take mother's book out and read it. The first few pages didn't make any sense.
It was only when I got to the fourth or fifth page that I began to understand what was being said. I didn't believe it at first but then things began to make sense it said,
"They came in the middle of the night. We don't know where they came from. Father was taken along with Philip. General Lucifer is certain that we will get them back. He's so kind and caring. I just hope he knows how I feel about him because he is the one I want to marry."
I read it a few times "she must be talking about father" I thought to my self. I read on,
"Lucifer returned today with my father. Philip was killed in the fighting. Father is devastated as I'm I. He was my big brother after all. Lucifer comforted me and gave me a kiss. It was the happiest I'd ever been. I just hope it doesn't end."
I heard footsteps coming from behind me. I put the book back into my pocket and ran as I didn't want anyone to find me. I hid behind some trees and spied on who was following me, it was father!
"I thought you said she came this way Alexander." father said.
"She did, my lord. I spoke to her my self. James said she threatened him at his work." Alexander said.
"But I don't understand why she's doing this. Didn't she think that we would follow her?" father said.
I could see the tears running down his face.
"Don't worry, my lord; we will find her we will never give up until we find her!" Alexander said.
"I just want to know why she ran away; I'm I that bad of a father Alexander?" father asked.
"No, my lord, your not. She said that she needed to find something. Then she will come back. Maybe we should go back and wait for her." Alexander said.
"What on earth would she need to find so urgently that it would cause her to leave the castle?" father asked.
"It's just a thought my lord, what if she overheard what we talked about at council?" Alexander said.
"But she doesn't know anything about that." father said.
"My lord, remember what happened the last time you underestimated your daughter?"
"True, but she's my daughter. I should be protecting her!"
"I know my lord, but maybe you should trust her. I'm certain that she would never betray you. She loves you and you're all she has."
Father nodded, Alexander put his arm around father and led him off towards James and Sarah's.
I continued on towards the mountain. This time I didn't stop at all. My mother was leading me this way. Why, I didn't know but I trusted my mother. I passed a small stream so I stopped to get a drink of water.
I took mothers diary out I and skimmed through it. Most of it was about how she felt about father but one page caught my eye.
"Gabriel had attacked father again. Luckily, Lucifer intercepted the attack. I went to the library to try and find a way to kill him once and for all but I haven't found anything yet."
I read on,
"Finally I found out how to kill him you need to pierce him through the heart with the sword of shadows. The legendary sword that Alexander himself used to kill the first king of the light raiders.
If Gabriel ever came to the throne of the light raiders and conceived an heir, the only person that could kill him is the master of the shadows; the only person on our side to be able to handle the shadow. If Gabriel killed us before this person came we would all be destroyed. I told father this and he has sent people to look for the sword of shadows, and Lucifer proposed to me! I couldn't believe it I'm going to marry the sexiest guy in our clan."
It was then I knew what mother was trying to show me. She must have known the location of this sword. This is what mother wanted me to know, and this is what I needed to find. I read the last entry of her diary,
"To my darling daughter, if you're reading this it means that Gabriel has taken over. To kill him you need to find the sword of shadows, and kill him with it. I love you deeply. Please tell your father I love him with all my heart, and I always will love him. Good luck my daughter! May the gods speed you on your way.
Your mother"
I was crying when I finished reading it. This made me even more determined to get rid of the light raiders.
I set off again and reached the foot of the mountain by night time. I could see a footpath heading up the mountain face. I dug my fingers in and started to climb the path. Half way up there was a cave. I pulled my self into the cave because it was starting to get dark. I decided to rest.
When I woke the sun was shining high in the sky. I started to explore the cave. At the very back there was the marking of snakes with orbs on the wall. I drew blood and smeared the orbs with my blood. The cave wall slid away revealing a corridor lined with lit torches.
I grabbed one and started to walk down the corridor. The wall closed behind me. As reached the end of the corridor it opened up to a large circular room. In that room was a large table that had papers all over it.
I was grabbed from behind. I dropped the torch. My hands were bound behind my back, a blindfold was placed over my eyes, and I was gagged. The person that grabbed me threw me over their shoulder and took me somewhere.
I had no idea who these people were. I started to panic! If these people were loyal to the light raiders, I was in deep trouble. I started to hear voices.
The man carrying me said, "My lady, I apologise for the interruption of your dinner but I caught someone snooping about the council hall."
"Who is it Drake?", a female voice said.
"I don't know my lady." Drake said.
"Untie the prisoner and let her speak." the female voice said.
The man known as Drake set me down and untied me. I looked around the room it was filled with people I'd never seen before.
The only way I was going to get out of this was to fight. I quickly drew my sword and challenged Drake! I lunged at him he was a little taken back he stumbled and fell to the ground. As he did, more guards surrounded me. I threw my cloak off and turned face the rest of the guards. I was about to engage them when the female screamed at them to stop. They backed off.
"Since when did we become barbarians?" she shouted at them.
"She attacked us my lady." one of the men said.
"You gave her reason to, what would you do if someone bound and gagged you?" she said back.
"But she was the one snooping about!" Drake said.
"Has anyone asked her why she's here?" the female asked.
Everyone shook their heads. The female looked at me. I saw her for the first time. She was tall, very thin, with long black hair and her eyes were black as night.
"Who are you, and why are you here?" she asked me.
"My name is Alexandria I'm looking for something. I came across you by accident. I didn't mean to intrude." I said.
"What are you looking for?" she asked me.
"That depends. What side are you on?" I asked.
"Why do you ask that?"
"Well I don't know you and for all I know you could be my enemy looking for information."
She nodded. "True, we are shadow raiders. The last in fact. Lucifer was my husband"
I nearly feinted! I couldn't believe it.
"What do you mean by 'was your husband'?" I asked.
"Lucifer was executed along with the council members over eighteen years ago.", mother said.
"And what about your daughter?" I asked.
"How do you know about her?"
"I know about the shadow raiders history." I said.
"I tied to save her, but they caught her before I could get her here." she said.
"You left her in the graveyard along with your diary yes?" I asked.
"Yes, but I can't get to the diary because if we leave the light raiders will kill us and we have no where to go with my husband dead." mother said.
"Lucifer isn't dead, we have the castle back, I have your diary!" I picked up my coat and showed her the book.
"But I don't understand, only a member of the royal family can open the grave and I'm the last member." she said.
"No, I'm the last member mother!" I said.
