[Saphire Reign]

Later in the day, around 5:00pm, I started making supper. Alec had gone out for some wood and Lecto had gone to the river for water. I decided to make the rice balls Lecto had given me. The rain I had smelled yesterday still hadn’t come. I glanced up into the sky, the cloud cover had increased. Alec’s voice startled me “It’s going to rain tomorrow.” He dumped the wood by the fire “Tomorrow will be a better day thou.” He sat close to the fire and warmed his hands, I glanced at him “Can I ask you something?” He nodded so I continued, “What did the peeping tom mean by Alec the Eastra?”
“Eastra is a slang name for half breed.”
“So he was really saying Alec the half breed?”
“Yes.”
“Well, why did he call you that?”
“My mother was human but my father was from the royal line of the Argyll.”
“So you’re half human and half Argyll?” He nodded “So is Raco.” I nodded “And I am assuming that you and he don’t get along?” Alec shrugged “We’ve never gotten into it but we’ve just never seen eye-to-eye, if you get my meaning.” Lecto came running through the trees “Master, the river changed to the black goop as I was filling up the water!” Alec didn’t even stand up “And what does that have to do with me?” Lecto shrugged his shoulders “OK, master.” I stood up “I’m going to go check it out.” Alec shook his head “No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.” I started toward the water, Alec jumped up “Fine, I’m coming.” I smiled as he followed me.

We came to the water and I knelt down to touch it but Alec grabbed my arm “Don’t touch it.”
“Why not?”
“This smells different then the other river.” I thought for a second “Is it because the other one wasn’t a real river and this is?” He sighed, “We need to leave this area, now!” Lecto glanced at Alec “Why?” Alec picked me up, in a princess hold, and started running. Lecto freaked and followed.