Rolan grabbed my hand and ran to a circular staircase, Flame hopping around excitedly and making noises. I looked at Rolan indignantly, I was about to scold him when suddenly a group of people wearing odd outfits appeared. An old man sat in the centre near a big bunch of straws and wood. What are they up to? When everyone took their respective seats, the man struck a few stones near the straw structure causing a few sparks to fly. Flame rushed down to the old man who welcomed her warmly with a giant smile. She made some weird noise, unlike the ones she made earlier, this was like a powerful shriek. Everyone closed their eyes and bowed, I didn't...I had to know what was happening to Flame. Rolan placed his hand over mine assuring me that Flame isn't in any trouble. Her tail caught fire sending a jolt of shock down my spine, she then lowered her tail setting the bundle of straw and wood alight. The old man petted her head and sent her back to Rolan. Flame rushed into Rolan's arms which were open for her. He whispered something in her ear and she fell asleep on his lap. The old man watched as she fell asleep and nodded his head in approval before pulling out a book and reciting some chant. I shot Rolan a quick glance, he owed me tons of explanations after this. A weird girl kept looking at me and whispering something to her friend. I smiled at them as they glared at me. The old man addressed the crowd, his voice monotonous and boring. It wasn't until he mentioned the name of his village that I started paying attention, this was Diagona, North Seas...home of the Solitaires. I was in the enemy's territory, no wonder Rolan was so scared. I noticed that all of them had a mark similar to mine, all in different spots, but one thing was certain...members of a family had the mark in the exact same spot. I wondered where Rolan's mark was.

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  "Dear Solitaires, our queen is arriving soon," the old man exclaimed, "Queen Selvise." The crowd cheered, everyone except Rolan who had his gaze fixated on the fire, his fingers tangled in Flame's fur, fury flashing in his gaze. "As a welcome, one lucky member has to be sacrificed." he continued. The crowd looked at each other, until the weird girl's friend stood up and volunteered. Everyone clapped furiously. "Fantastic! This years witch's eclipse marks her arrival," he spoke distracted, "Felisha come here!" he beckoned. The girl walked to the centre, her heels clicking ominously in the silence. Everyone looked deeply stunned, Ms. Weird had tears in her eyes. Felisha stood beside the old man who gave her a bowl. She slit her wrist, taking exactly three drops in the bowl and handing it back to the old man. Strangely this reminded me of East Wood, fine, Alyssa!. She might be wreaking havoc back home, I haven't fed her today. Wait a minute, Selvise was a witch, how could she gain powers under the witch's eclipse? Only the Solitaires could rule according to Alyssa...Selvise might be their leader but she's a witch. The old man poured the blood in the fire, the fire crackled sending sparks through the air. This woke Flame up, she looked up at Rolan, her eyes fill of pain and weakness. I placed my hand on her head, she gave a weak growl looking at me. I shot an angry side glance at Rolan. The old man noticed me, his face pale as he quickly dismissed the meeting. I looked him directly in the eye, I could tell he wanted to talk to me. I walked up to him which had him trembling and backing away in fear. "What happened?" I asked calmly. "You-you you w-w-were s-s-supposed t-t-to..." he stuttered. "I what?" "You y-you are alive?" his eyes widened. "Of course I am alive," I replied which had him trembling in fear. It wasn't long before his gaze fell on my mark, he fainted.

  Silence!