CHAPTER 26: SHIPPED

The air thickened with an almost tangible energy as the Raizard stepped closer. Its golden eyes locked onto Lauren's, their glow casting faint reflections on her dark skin. It radiated an aura of power and timeless wisdom, its voice resonating not in the air but deep within her mind.

"We meet again, Lauren Esmond," the Raizard said, its tone calm yet commanding. "You have grown stronger, but the road ahead will demand more of you. What you face will test every part of who you are—your spirit, your will, your heart."

Lauren's throat tightened, but she held the creature's gaze. "Why me?" she asked, her voice a whisper edged with defiance. "Why am I the one to face this?"

The Raizard's expression softened, almost imperceptibly. "Because you are marked by a purpose greater than yourself. The time for you to fulfill the ancient prophecy is nigh. It has awaited you for centuries, hidden in the folds of time. You must be ready, Lauren. This journey will shape you—forge you into who you are meant to be. No matter how harsh the trials, they are not meant to break you. They will prepare you."

Lauren felt a shiver crawl down her spine, the weight of its words settling in her chest. "I don't even know who I am," she admitted, her voice cracking.

The Raizard lowered its massive head, its golden eyes never leaving hers. "You will, child. And when the time comes, you must embrace it. Do not fear what lies ahead, for I will be watching over you. You are never truly alone."

The Raizard's form began to shimmer, its edges blurring into the darkness like a fading star. Its parting words lingered, heavy with both warning and promise.

"Be strong, Lauren Esmond. The journey begins now."

Lauren awoke to the sound of hurried footsteps outside her hut. Her heart still raced from the Raizard's visit, the echoes of its voice ringing in her ears. But there was no time to dwell on it. The door to her small quarters was flung open, and two overseers stormed in, their expressions grim.

"You're being moved," one barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"What? Moved where?" Lauren asked, rising to her feet.

The overseer sneered. "You think we owe you an explanation? Gather your things—what little you have. You leave at dawn."

Before she could respond, they were gone, leaving the door ajar. Lauren stared at the empty doorway, her mind spinning. The Raizard's words came rushing back: "The journey begins now."

The gates of the camp groaned as they opened. The slaves were gathered, shackled and silent, eyes filled with fear. Lauren stood at the back, watching as they were pushed forward, their feet heavy with dread. Today felt different. The air was thick with unease, and the wind carried a sense of something about to happen.

The Lord, the cruel ruler of the camp, had given no explanation, but Lauren could feel it—something was changing. Whispers had been circulating for days, murmurs of a royal investigation, of spies in the villages, and of secrets being uncovered. The Lord had moved quickly, calling for the relocation of everyone here. There was no question—it was to cover up something dangerous.

Lauren didn't know exactly what the Lord had done, but she knew enough. The Kingdom of Aslan, with all its power, was watching. The truth was getting too close, and the Lord needed to move his people before the Kingdom could expose him.

Lauren's heart raced. She had been through relocations before, but this one felt different. It was more than just moving to another camp. The Lord wasn't just protecting himself. He was hiding something, and it had something to do with his illegal practices of slavery—and possibly something worse, though only he knew the full extent.

As the guards herded them forward, something stirred deep inside her. A voice, familiar but distant, echoed in her mind. The Raizard's voice, the one from her dreams. The words rang clear in her head:

"Be ready for what is coming. Do not fear, for I am watching over you. The time has come for you to fulfill the prophecy. The time has come for you to rise."

Lauren's breath caught in her throat. The prophecy. She had heard about it before, but now, it felt real. Whatever was happening, whatever was coming for her, it had begun. She didn't know what her role would be, but she knew it was something she couldn't avoid. The prophecy wasn't just a story—it was her future.

The camp was alive with movement, the sound of shackles scraping against stone, the guards shouting orders. They were being herded into wagons, each group separated by gender. Lauren felt the weight of the chains on her wrists, but her mind was elsewhere, focused on the Raizard's words.

The guards seemed more nervous than usual, their eyes darting around, constantly scanning for any signs of trouble. But one guard stood out to Lauren. He was taller than the others, his dark eyes always moving over the group, but there was something about him—something familiar.

He didn't belong with the other guards. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, a kind of purpose that made Lauren uneasy. He wasn't just watching. He was studying, calculating.

She didn't know why, but her heart beat faster every time their eyes met. Something about him felt different, like he knew more than he was letting on. But what?

The wagon creaked as they were all pushed inside, the metal clanging against the wood. It was the same as every other relocation, but Lauren couldn't shake the feeling that this time, everything was different. This time, it wasn't just a change of place. It was something more. Something that would change everything.

As the wagon jolted forward, the guard who had been watching her moved to the front, taking command of the others. His presence felt commanding, but there was something else—something hidden beneath his exterior. Lauren didn't know who he was, but she knew he wasn't just a simple guard. She didn't know what he was, but she would find out.

The camp faded behind her as the wagon traveled farther into the unknown. The road was rough, and Lauren could feel the weight of the coming days pressing down on her. She didn't know where she was being taken, but she knew it was a place that would change everything. She had no choice but to go, but a strange part of her wondered if this journey would finally lead her to the answers she had been searching for all her life.