He couldn't sleep. Every time he shut his eyes he had an overwhelming desire to open them again. Bren had ended up sitting at his window overlooking the town and port. High up on the mountain side he had a clear view across the land. He had spent the past few hours staring out to sea lost in his thoughts.

The last time the King had come to God's land he had been eight- and the Princess had stayed home.

Smirking, he remembered the look of utter fury the Princess had shown towards Eboni, when she had stepped in to prevent the Temple from burning to the ground.

He could have kissed his friend when she created a light show. A completely unnecessary show of power, but what an amazing show it was. The look of horror on the Princess's face and the smug smirk that had been wiped off the Kings pudgy lips had brought a flickering smile to every Brother and Sister in the Temple- Everyone apart from the High Priestess and himself who had both blatantly grinned.

He scowled as he recalled the Princess's distain at becoming a member of whatever team was being formed here. Not that he or Eboni relished the thought of being in her company either.

There was no denying that the Princess was beautiful. Her tanned skin, long blonde hair and blue eyes was typical of the people in Rolezal, especially in royalty. She was completely different to Eboni in every way.

Eboni too was strikingly beautiful, with pale white skin, long raven black hair and bright light green eyes. But she was kind, loving, generous and thoughtful. Plus, she could actually control her power. The many lessons with the High Priest and Priestess growing up had contributed to that fact. Hours upon hours of meditation, control and physical exercises- the latter of which he had enjoyed more than her- had formed a bond between the two of them no man could break. Though he had no power of his own, he had done the lessons with Eboni, staying by her side for support.

A wave of uneasiness swept over him as he glanced up to the sky. The moon was hidden behind a never-ending cloud. It was dark. Too dark.

Looking back down to the port he watched curiously as a black mist crept across the shore and up through the city. The hair on his arms stood to attention.

Something wasn't right.

Sure enough, one by one the lights in the city below flickered out, leaving the land completely shrouded in darkness.

The only light was a solitary dot moving closer and closer to the port as though following the mist that was now beginning to wrap around the mountain.

Jumping out of his chair he raced to his trunk and pulled out a telescope.

After positioning it on the windows ledge he peered through, aiming the lens on the ball of light now stationary on the dock.

It was a small boat, carrying twelve hooded figures, all whom swiftly climbed out of the boat before sweeping up the dock.

Why wasn't anyone stopping them? He wondered, watching as the glided past a group young men who didn't even give them a second glance- They were all too busy grabbing at their eyes and walking, their hands outstretched as though they were blind. They didn't notice the mist that had wrapped around them and then proceeded through the streets.

They can't see it- or anything.

The though occurred to him as he followed the cloaked figured with his lens.

Magic.

He sucked in a sharp breath. Dark magic. Without a second thought, he grabbed his white priests cloak and sprinted through the halls. There was only one group of people he knew about that could perform such dark magic.

The Dark ones had come, he had to warn the temple.

Eboni.

He froze. They were here for Eboni- and Iasa he reminded himself.

Changing direction, he ran quickly to Eboni's bedroom, slamming into the door not giving her time to wake up.

"Eboni!" he shouted waking her from her slumber.

"Bren?" she murmured groggily, turning over in her bed, her black hair sprawling out across the white pillows.

"Eboni!" he rushed to her side, shaking her awake. "The Dark Ones are here, wake up! Please you have to wake up!"

"The Dark Ones?!" She squeaked, her eyes flying open, now wide eyed and awake.

"Get dressed, we have to leave." He grabbed her Sisters cloak throwing it to her as she pulled on her boots.

"Leave?" she replied finishing the laces "Where?"

"I don't know, somewhere safe." He turned to look out of the window, the black mist now almost at the temple.

"I don't see anything." Eboni whispered questioningly, joining him at the window, tying her hair up securely on top of her head.

"You don't see the black mist?" he turned to stare at her wide eyed and confused. Looking back out, he noticed it rising over the temple as though an invisible shield was stopping it from getting any further. There was no way she could miss seeing it!

"But I trust you." She whispered again, squeezing his hand in reassurance.

The call to arms bell sounded in the courtyard, it had never been rung before in the temples entire history, built, he had thought, for decoration. Now the structure made sense. They sucked in sharp breath.

"We have to go to Princess Iasa. Now we're together it would be foolish to lose her." Eboni opened her trunk, hauling out a small white satchel and slung it over her shoulders, he looked at her questioningly. "It's my 'in case of an emergency' bag." She said answering his silent question.

He walked forward grabbing her hand tightly.

"Stay near me." He ordered

"I'm right behind you- always." she smiled squeezing his hand reassuringly before following him out into the hallway.

It was pandemonium, he felt Eboni quiver next to him, pulling her thorough the hallway and out into the gardens he tried to think about what to do.

As they reached the courtyard the High Priestess came running out of the Temple, nearing her for instructions they heard her chanting an old prayer under her breath. Coming closer she grabbed them both into a tight hug before ushering them into the temple.

Though this building was only used for prayer, right now it was filled with Brothers, Sisters and Rolezal soldiers all getting ready for a fight. It was a sight to behold and had he not been in a rush would have spent more time taking in the scene around him.

"The barrier is up for now. It will protect us from the mist, but not from the Dark Ones. It is time, you must go get Iasa and run."

Eboni nervously bit her lip "You can see the mist too? Why can't I?"

"No one can see it, but we know it's there because the barrier is up. Wait, who can see it?" she looked confused "No matter" She continued quickly before Bren could speak. "Go to Rolezal first, from there you must find the others. Be brave, be strong and be wise. When the time is right we will meet again."

She scooped Eboni into a quick hug and gave Bren a squeeze on the shoulder. At the sound of shouting and screaming from outside Bren puled Eboni from the temple towards the guest rooms where Iasa was sleeping.

Upon entering the rooms that had been given to the Princess, fifteen swords were drawn- and pointed directly at their throats. Bren froze and he felt Eboni do the same beside him.

Princess Iasa was cowering in the corner her blonde hair dishevelled from sleep, her blue eyes wide and fearful.

"Princess!" Eboni cried out as the swords were pressed harder to their throats.

Iasa's eyes snapped to his and then to Eboni's. Coming out of her daze she stood and put on her shoes and cloak while ordering her men to stand down.

"Princess?" One of the soldiers asked confused and wanting an order.

"They have come for us?" Iasa's voice was clear and crisp

"Yes" Eboni replied softly.

"Then we must leave." Iasa pulled the hood of her cloak around her face. "Orlan, come with me. The rest of you go and protect my father. The more of you around us the more attention we will attract."

This side of the Princess could be useful to us- Bren thought as he watched her walk and talk with authority you could only wield if you were royalty.

He nodded in agreement as the soldiers began to protest to the Princess's demand. Iasa firmly held up her hand. "Go" she ordered, sending them running from the room.

"Where do we go?" she asked, her strong façade melting away now she was without the large protection of her men.

"We need a boat, so the docks. We'll take the side mountain path, it's steep but quick. From there, Rolezal so your father knows your safe and so we can figure out where to go next." Bren asserted looking at Eboni who nodded in agreement to his plan, then to Iasa who too, nodded.

"Don't use your power Princess, unless you are set upon. We need to keep a low profile." Eboni asked, wrapping her cloak around her night robes.

"Unless you haven't noticed I can't always control it" Iasa scowled. "But I will try." She said after a moment's thought.

"Let's go. Princess behind me." Orlan instructed, gripping his sword tightly and after a signal from Iasa he made his way out of the guest rooms.

Once back outside they kept to the shadows, the Brothers and Sisters had picked up arms and were joining the Rolezal soldiers in a protective circle around the temple and its outer buildings. The black mist had now totally encased the domes protection, the only light coming from the torches now being lit around the courtyard.

"Through there" Bren ushered the group down a small corridor next to the cook house that came out on the side of the mountain.

They were now all nose to nose with the barrier, which occasionally flashed white as it kept the dark magic out.

"Do you think it's safe to go out?" Eboni turned to him raising an eyebrow "What do you think it does?"

"What does what do?" The Princess murmured, looking at them both like they were insane.

"The mist, Princess, has sent the City blind. The barrier activated as soon as they met."

"Well I can't see anything." She scoffed "It's just really dark."

"Its dark magic, no one is supposed to see it." Orlan answered her.

Eboni gave him another reassuring smile. Dark magic that no one was supposed to be able to see? Then what did that make him?

A blood curling scream made them all spin around. Through a large open window lining the courtyard they watched in horror as men dressed all in black suddenly appeared though the barrier and struck down everyone in their path.

Eboni had frozen again by his side, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Let's go!" he said pulling her through the barrier.

"We have to help" we have to save them!" She cried out burying her face in his chest.

"Eboni, we can't save anyone if you're dead" he pulled her closer to him, locking her in his arms.

"We're blind!" The Princess exclaimed behind them. She was clinging to Orlan who was tentatively feeling his way across the ground.

"You are?" Eboni asked, both her and Bren looking around to see if that was the case for them too.

The mist was thick and black but still thin enough to see through- for him at least.

Eboni slowly detached herself from his arms, her eyes growing wide before she grabbed his hand again.

"You're the antidote!" she whispered "Take Iasa's hand, I'll keep mine free in case I need to use my power, Orlan needs his hand free for his sword."

Slowly Bren nodded and upon taking the small quivering hand of Princess Iasa, Eboni's thoughts were proven correct.

Iasa's eyes focused on him, her eyes narrowing in fear and suspicion.

"Who are you?" she asked

"I don't know." He mumbled in reply as they began to make their way down the mountain path, taking care in his steps, conscious of the loose rocks, the steep edge, and the screams of their slain brothers and sisters he was trying to desperately block out.

Saving Eboni was all that mattered.

At the bottom of the mountain they crept through the silent market place, the screams from the temple barely audible.

Eboni stopped in front of him, looking to where she was pointing he saw three cloaked men guarding the entrance to the port.

Orlan stepped forward readying his sword, Eboni shook her head sending him back into the shadows where they stood.

"We have to presume they can see through the mist too, attacking them up close with a sword will only let the others know that we have snuck away. If Orlan loses his grip on Iasa he will be blind. Let me?" she whispered quietly raising her free hand. Orlan nodded, giving her the go ahead.

She made a fist, slowly and deliberately curling her fingers. All three soldiers stopped moving, frozen in their actions. As she uncurled her fingers they dropped to the ground unmoving.

"What did you do?" Iasa asked cowering backwards into Orlan.

"I stopped their spirit energy from reaching their heart." Eboni whispered, her voice cracking, she moved further into the protection of his arms and he felt a shiver running through her. Not from the cold, he suspected as he felt her shoulders shake from her silent tears.

What did you think about the shift in Point of View? An insight into the mind of Bren, what do you think of him?