Chapter Three: Punishment (Halena Story)

Chapter Three

Punishment

I sat down on the grass in confusion. Why was nothing in my life making sense? Stonekin had only solved one problem but in his wake he had left even more uncertainty. How could I trust a man who I had just appeared out of nowhere?

A tear escaped my eyes as I thought about my father and his warm embrace. I imaged how he would cradle me in his arms and softly explain everything. All my worry would vanish sleep slowly crept up. I would feel myself nod off in his arms where no one could ever harm me. Wrapped in these thoughts I slowing felt myself falling into the arms slumber, the only arms that would hold me now.

There before my eyes I beheld a castle beyond the beauty anything I had previously seen. The castle shined as the stars in the heavens on a clear night. It glittered like it was made of glass. I was riding a unicorn across the plains towards it with no saddle and bridle. Every little movement I made the unicorn responded it in perfect harmony. As one we galloped toward the castle. When we were but a five hundred paces away out of the darkness cesium suddenly gaped before us, blocking our path. I leaned back and the unicorn stopped on a dime, rearing on its front legs. Looking down into the depths of the cesium, I saw a mirror to the right and a wolf on the left. Both of them started moving together, almost touching. Then an unknown force began tugging me pulling my away from the cesium and toward the sky.

I sat up abruptly drenched with sweat. Looking around I noticed Aren was staring down at me, while nudging my right leg with his hooves.

He spoke at once, We must leave here. It is not safe any more. Forget the saddle, someone will take it back to the castle. You will ride bareback. Hurry.

I had no idea what was happening but I hurried any way. The urgency in his voice scared me and I forgot about my dream and all other questions. I bridled him and jumped on finding it more comfortable than in a saddle. His back molded to my bottom perfectly.

Hold on, he said and I did. Without warning he shot out of a cannon and galloped as fast as he could in the dense woods. Wasting no time going around logs, he instead flew over them with superb form. At first I fought with all my might to stay on, but after a while I realized that the effort I was expending was unnecessary. I soon found out I was in no danger of falling off, because Aren’s every movement was furnished to keep me on his back.

Beginning to enjoy the ride I watched the trees streak past. The fast pace reminded my of the past couple days. Time had rushed past like the trees, and when I looked back everything began blur together. Memories that almost did not seem my own crowded me like the trees in this thick wood.

Finally we escaped the trees and began racing down the road. Dodging people that congested the streets we moved towards the castle walls. Entering though the stable gate, still cantering, I pulled back on his reigns urging him to slow down. Without slacking his pace Aren cantered towards his stall. Just before we where about to collide with the wall, Aren slid to an immediate halt.

“Was that really necessary?” I asked as I slipped off.

There was something evil coming towards the meadow. I could feel it. I knew we had to run away, so I did that. The safest places are with me, Stonekin, or here in this castle. I prefer the castle.

“Why do you trust Stonekin? How do you know him?” I asked changing subject.

Of course trust him or I would not have talked to him. How I know him is my business, but now he is your teacher. Then shaking his head he said, Can I have something to eat? I am starving.

Taking my time I went to go grab him a flake of hay. Throwing him the hay I said “Why don’t you ever get your own food, since you are so smart.” Aren snorted and then ignored me as he dug into his food.

I found a bench and sat down willing everything in my mind to make sence. Willing my mind to think through my troubles and sort out my questions. Nothing worked. The only thing my mind did was ache.

Soundly I heard voice. Just from the high tone alone I could tell it was my Aunt Rose. She burst in the stables, talking very loud, with the head horseman, Rick, at her heels. He followed the raging hyena, his long blond hair blown about by a soft breeze. I noticed he was taller than me, and had more legs than body. His eyes were brown with a black tint. He followed Rose hastily to keep in step with her. Rose’s face was livid as she stomped through the stables.

“After all I have done for that girl this is how she repays me, running away. I want every horseman looking for her. She flowed blue yesterday morning, according to Saga. I also received reports from frightened villagers conforming that. If she is still blue than don’t touch her. You never know what evil spell a witch could have cast on her, or if she is a witch herself.” She spat out the word witch as if she wanted to kill every witch it existence.

“No need to send out a search party, unless you do not know your way through the stables,” I spat out, knowing there was no point in hiding. Rose choked on her words as she tried to think of a come back. I stood there smiling knowing Rose was going to let me have it eventually, but for now I enjoyed her spurting. Planting my feet in determination I waited for her to recover.

“Where on earth have you been? I nearly tore the castle apart looking for you. This is not the way a servant is expected to behave. You will regret your sarcastic comment and everything else that has come out of your mouth. I will have no more of this nonsense in my house. Thank you very much. Now explain yourself? You were gone all yesterday and all night.” She paused, waiting for an answer, and when none was forthcoming she demanded, “Well!”

I took a deep breath and finally answered, “I went on a ride into the woods and got lost. It was dark after a few hours, and I did not want get hurt, so I went to sleep in a grove. I found the road this morning and came back as quickly as I could.” It all was a lie but she did not need to know that. I also did not want to remind her of my magic’s strange appearance. That would be impossible to lie about or even explain. “I will go to work once I change and clean up.” My clothes were in the most frightful mess. Mud and twigs littered my once clean skirt and cotton blouse.

“Before you go, you will explain to me the blue glow that Saga witnessed. She has not stopped talking about it and would not calm down for five whole hours.” Her face was purple and her voice high and threatening.

So much for hoping to keep that quiet, I thought. Aloud I said, “That is one thing I will not explain. I will not tell you what is none of your affair. Now if you will excuse my I have things to do.” Getting up off the bench, I moved forward to walk past Rose. I wanted to be alone, and I was done listening to Rose.

“No, you will not. You have no right to speak to me that way. With no title... Rick I will write a note and you will deliver it and this servant to the head servant.” Rose went into the tack room to grab parchment.

Taking the opportunity I started to walk briskly away. Before I got ten steps I heard Rose yell, “Rick bring her back.”

Without turning around I kept walking toward the stable doors. A firm hand gripped my arm before I made it to the door. I looked back to see Rick behind me. “Come with me,” he said pulling my arm back. Reluctantly I followed him to Rose were rose was waiting impatiently.

“You are truly foolish.” Then while handing a folded parchment to Rick she said, “Hopefully this will solve that.” Before I could say anything Rick pulled me away.

After we exited the stables I tried to pull away from Rick, but he kept his grip and turned his head to frown at me. I knew he was only following Rose’s orders but I still loathed him for what he was doing. As he led me into the castle I started imagining what could happen. I know Aunt Rose was mad, but what she would do was another thing. We passed one door after another, winding through the castle. My mind raced as I wrestled with the truth. I had got myself into trouble. All I could hope know was that I would not be severely punished.

Finally we stopped in first of a brown door with HEAD SERVANT carved into the wood. I guessed that servants reported here for work assignments and punishments. I stood at the doorway not wanting to enter as Rick swung the door open. Gently he pushed me in ahead of him.

The room was dwarfed by a large orderly desk in the middle. Cabinets cluttered the side of the walls pinning me into the small space. A man about thirty years old stood beside the desk. He nodded at Rick and then turned his attention to me. Looking up and down he seemed to be sizing me up. I sifted under his gaze. His unforgiving eyes then searched my face, and by the time I was done I felt he knew all my secrets. I could tell that I would have a hard time ever liking him.

Rick cutting through the tension walked to the man giving him the folded parchment. “This is from Rose. It should explain things. I need to go so I trust you can take care of this.” Turning he gave me a small smile than quickly left. Even though I did not care for Rick, I felt abandoned. I was left with this man who had no heart. This was not going to go well.

“My name is Frans and you are?” His voice startled me and I looked at him. There was still mistaking the cold feeling in his eyes.

“Halena,” I answered.

“Oh, the ladies niece is it?” I nodded as he continued. Slowly he opened the letter, and scrutinized its contents. “Well being related to her apparently is no protection from a punishment. Come with me now.”

Grabbing my arm harshly he pulled me to the door. He pulled me through corridors and down a flight of stars. My mind now was going a million miles a minute. What was happening? How could I escape this mysterious punishment? What was my punishment? We went down for what seemed like forever, passing three landings. Then we finally stopped, and entered a room almost empty except for a pallet and straw. It was made of stone with no windows with only a wood door that now was closing my in. In one corner I saw a red stain. With uneasiness crowding my mind I realized it was blood. My world started spinning but I stood tall. Looking up I saw two iron chains hanging on the wall.

It was beginning to sink in. I could now guess what was about to happen. Frans led me to the irons as if I was walking in a dream. Only when he yanked my arms up did I truly wake up. Before the thought of resisting entered my mind he had finish his task. The metal scraped against my skin as I pulled against them trying to gage their strength. There was no way to get out of it. Could hear him moving behind me, and all I could do was stare at the wall. By now I was terrified, I could feel my body trebling and I had no desire and more to stop it. Maybe the trebling would lesion the pain to come.

CRACK! My whole body jumped, but their was no pain. The whip had not touched me. Behind me I heard chuckling. “You won’t notice the sound in a moment just thought I would give it to you now.” I tensed for the next blow. He laughed again. “Relax, tensing only makes it worse. Just so you know. You will be given twenty whips, so there is no need to count. I can do that very well myself. This will not hurt, too much…” and without warning the whip hit my back, tearing through my clothes and flesh.

Pain assaulted my senses as I cried out. My locked hands were all that kept my knees from buckling. There was moments pause before the second strike came. Then the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. By that time I lost count I just tried to keep standing. With each blow I felt myself weakening, and the pain never left. I tried to keep my mind away from the pain, but my mind grew cloudy. After eternity the blows stopped.

My left iron was suddenly undone and I dropped still hanging from the other one. I barely felt the new pain as the iron cut into my skin as I hung. Then finally the other one was undone and I crashed to the floor unable to support myself. My head hit the wall on the way down and I slipped gladly into unconscious where pain could follow.

Chapter Two: Stonekin (Helena Story)

Chapter Two

Stonekin

I awoke with a start to water being thrown over me. Sitting up with a start I looked at my assailant. Standing above me was Saga with a unlit candle, her green eyes bright with fear and confused. She looked at me, horrified as if I had just come back from the dead. I tried to stand up to face her and find out what was wrong. Instantly the world started spinning and I laid back down letting the contents of my stomach spill onto the stone floor. Quickly stepping back from me she now looked like she wished I really were dead.

Finally Saga broke the silence, “You are...you’re glowing…and disgusting” she stammered looking from me to the floor. I reached out my hand to rob my eyes to see if I was awake, but I stopped midway. My hand was glowing. It was like there was a blue light escaping from every pore in my body. Even as I examined my hand Saga spoke, “A…A maid came to get you at…at about seven. She said…told me… that you had faint…fainted with flash of bl…blue light…and you’re…still glowing.”

Saga moved back another step, putting her face into shadow. I looked at the candle in Saga’s hand and wished it were lit so I could see her face. Something clicked inside my head and without thinking, something I was not doing a lot of lately, I felt energy leave me. Blue light shot from my fingers making a bridge between the candle and me. With a burst of light the candle lit and illuminated Saga’s face. I gasped and starred at the candle. Frightened Saga dropped the candle and ran out of the room slamming the door and locking it fast. The candle went out as it hit the floor. Slowly I crawled over to the candle, and picked it up.

I had lit it just by a simple thought. Did I really have magic now? Everything had happened so fast I had not been able to keep up with it. My hands were still blue and I could see a blue bathing the floor with it’s light. I really was glowing, and I really was magical. Following the now increasingly familiar path I looked in on the blue globe floated within me. Cautiously I touched it again, but nothing spectacular happened. I just felt the power surge within my minds hands. My weariness from the night before seemed to melt away as I touched the globe. Slowly I investigated every section of this new part of me. Finally I knew I had to pull away, and soon found it hard to do so. The power and feeling of being whole was difficult to leave, put as I opened my eyes I still had the memory.

I stood up finding my legs now had strength and walked towards the door. Looking at the doorknob and knowing it was locked I grabbed it and slowly savoring the feeling I let the blue magic flow into the doorknob. “Unlock,” I said finding it easier to say what I wanted. Immediately I heard a click as the lock slid away. The door opened easily on my touch, and I stepped into the corridor. I went down the stairs and started walking not knowing where I should go. I abruptly heard running footsteps coming my way. Instinctively I stepped aside in the shadow of the corridor, just in time to see Saga and Aunt Rose rushing past me. I heard a portion of their conversation. Saga was saying swiftly through soft breaths “She was glowing…really she was…and she lit the candle in my hand with a bl…blue spark. It was just like magic. I locked...” She walked out of earshot, and I could no longer hear anything. I knew I did not want to see them for a while, so I walked to the only place I could think of, the stables.

Aren was standing in his stall looking at me as if expecting a long ride. I decided would oblige him just to get away, to think, and then return after I sorted out everything cluttering my mind. I remembered a grove in the middle of the forest just outside the village that surrounded the castle, that would be perfect to sit, think, and be alone. I grabbed a brush and moved to start getting ready for the trip, hoping no one would stop me. I stopped for a moment and just looked at Aren. You could be a stead fit for a king, I thought as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

Thank you. Taking my hand off of Aren’s back I looked around to see who spoke. You found your magic. I turned around searching for someone. The voice seemed to resond in my head almost like me own thought, but with it’s own voice. Over here, Helena it is me who called you. It’s Ca… Aren. I looked at Aren flabbergasted, “You…you can talk?”

Of course I can talk, did you think all I could do was neigh. Aren gazed at me with his brown eyes, expressive eyes.

“But…but how?” I sputtered.

You couldn’t hear me before because I can only talk to those who are able to do magic.

“Can other’s talk.” I said allowing his voice to fill my mind.

Only u… gifted animals can talk to you. There are not lots of us here on earth. It was odd having a voice in my head and I did not know what to make of it. Everything was just so weird right now, and this was not different. I decided just to accept it along with everything else.

I walked to the tack room to get my saddle and bridle. Then for a moment I stood there not sure what to do. How did you go about tacking up a talking horse. What he would say or do? I had no idea. As if sensing my hesitation he said, Just tack me up and we’ll get out of here before you get stopped and then I won’t get my run. Quickly I did as I was told, just as eager as Aren to go, but took special care to not make him feel uncomfortable. At times I heard a rumbling in my head, almost like stifled laughter. Offended I suddenly yanked the girth too tight. The loud Umph in my head brought a smile to my face as I climbed onto Aren’s back. I had not known a horse could be annoying.

“Are you ready to go” I said addressing him before I used the traditional commands.

What speed would you like, a little fast, fast, or really fast. Aren said

“Let’s just get out of here,” I said. Okay I’ll take that as really fast, and with that we bounded out of the castle at a full Gallop, oblivious to the other people around.

We wound through the streets at a breakneck pace until we got to the forest road. Without prodding Aren charged into the trees and went right to the clearing I had previously designated. A mile from the road, away from prying eyes, the clearing was just wide enough to throw a rock across and not hit a tree on the other side. Here I would not be disturbed. The trees around seemed old, and testified of many strange happenings in the clearing. Each tree twisted and withered around almost making them look alive. When I found this grove four years ago, while visiting my uncle, I felt peace among the twisted trees. Since that time, I had made frequent visits here to think and contemplate life.

I sat down on a fallen tree at the edge of the clearing to think about everything that had happened to me within the past 24 hours. Sorting through each memory about the parchment, the barrier, and my magic, I tried to make some sense out of it all. Each event had become all jumbled together until I could hardly untangle the mess. I could not comprehend it all. Acting on impulses that now, as I look back, I can not explain or even begin to understand what I had done or why I had responded in such a way.

Questions also crowded in from every direction. I had broken the magical barrier, but how? Why had it been there in the first place, and why I had never noticed it before? What was I supposed to do with the magic I had found? How could I go back to a normal life, or would run off and not face life? I decided I would just follow what the parchment had said and see what would happened next. One solution could be to find the door hidden in my room and then I would find my fate. But what fate would that be? That was just another question and I had no answers.

Aren then butted into my thoughts, before you get to hasty I thought I’d tell you what is behind that door is like nothing you have ever seen. You need to prepare, before you can take on what’s hidden there. It will be a while before you are ready. I looked at Aren surprised. How did he know what I was thinking? But the real question I needed to answer was, what does he know about the door?

“What do know about that,” I snapped expressing my question.

Too much, but nothing that you need to know at the moment.

Glaring at him I blurted out, “When I get to control my magic I will turn you into a frog and then you will get to know how I feel right now!” All I heard from him was laughter ringing in my head. Changing my voice to a more soft tone I then said, “I want to learn how to direct the magic. I want to become a sorceress, magician, witch, or whatever you call it.”

Someday you will become… whatever you care to call it, but first you need to stop glowing like you are right now. Right now you just look like a blue blur. You need to hide your magic and control it which, at the moment you are doing neither. You have a lot to learn about your magic before you can even think about the what is behind any door.

“Okay, okay, I’ll try to take my magic in but it might take some thought” Reaching inside myself I found the globe and noticed that little string of blue were still escaping. I tried to pull the strands back in, but like a stubborn mare it resisted. Each strand was like a little kid ready to show itself of to the world. I then had the craziest thought. Maybe if I called my magic in it would like a child obey. Using my inner voice I called it and to my surprise it followed. For the first time I felt like my magic could by controlled. When all the magic was contained by the globe I pulled my inner mind out and smiled at Aren in triumph.

All of a sudden my ears picked up crashing through the woods. With a jolt I realized it was a horse and a horse in these parts always had a rider. Someone most have followed me, and I could only guess what they could want.

Get behind me! Aren called just as the horse and the rider burst out of the woods. Without pausing Aren charged toward them head down, then just before he reached them he reared up flashing his hooves.

“Calm down Caston, it is just me!” shouted the rider.

Aren stopped abruptly and then walked calmly towards the man who was now dismounting. He was a tall man with a wiry frame. Long black hair fell on his shoulders. His most striking feature was his unnaturally green eyes. They looked young and vibrant, which looked odd for a man that looked at least as old as my dad had been. At the same time he looked wise and serious, something only his age could give him. On his hip he wore a sword comfortably as if it were a normal part of his wardrobe. His horse was just as astonishing. The coat was red as flame that almost danced in the light of the clearing. Then its hair was whiter than hair I had ever seen. Together they looked like they had appeared out of a storybook.

I stood rooted to the spot starring that the man that had followed me here. Just the fact the Aren had obeyed him made him extraordinary, for Aren rarely obeyed anyone but me. I watched as the man put his hand on Aren muzzle, like they were old friends. Finally the stranger turned to me, after looking at me for a moment he spoke.

“Halena, it has been a long time. Your father stayed away from me so I did not see you grow up. Still without my supervision you have grown into a beautiful young lady. But what bring you here, surely you did come here hide.” He stared at me as if he knew all my secrets from the day I was born to now. I started when he started talking about my father, but by the time he accused me of hiding I was bristling.

She has just found her magic which took a lot longer than you first guessed. Aren spoke to the man, and when he nodded I realized he could hear him. Another question popped into my head, but I could sence now was not the time for stupid questions.

“You seem to have the advantage, because you know my name but I do not yet know yours.” All of a sudden he looked vaguely familiar. As if I had seen him in a dream. I brushed off the thought for dreams were just dreams.

“My name is Stonekin, I was a friend of your fathers. He wanted you to grow up with a normal life and so he kept me away. Maybe if he had not died he would have succeeded.” Smiling he went on, “Know that you have found your magic it will be impossible to have a normal. I will help you find your magic.”

All at once understanding flooded me. Stonekin could teach me to use my magic. Overjoyed I forgot that he still was a stranger and blurted out, “Can you help me with my magic?” I asked.

“Yes, you will come to this grove in one week, choose any time, I will know you are coming. You must promise me that you will tell no one where you are going when you leave. No more using your magic, until give my permission. You understand these conditions?” he asked.

“Yes, bu...”

“Good.” This was all he had to say, and without another word he hopped on his horse and rode off, before I could say anything more.

My story

Below is the first chapter of the story I have been working on for a few years. I edited it and revised this part and am still working on the rest of the story. I will publish the rest as I edit it.

Chapter One: Magic (Halena Story)

In a far off land so far and so distant it is only now told about in legends and myths of long ago. Even now those tales would have almost been forgotten, if not for a girl only seventeen years of age that changed it all.

The room was pitiful. Coming from my father’s manor, to live in the lower attic of my aunt’s castle, was not how I had planned to live my life. The corners of the room were hidden in shadow, and only one candle illuminated the dismal scene. This was the room that my aunt had given me with all the charity in her heart. Looking at her satisfied face I could tell she thought this was exactly what I disserved. Cobwebs filled the rafters and dust blanketed everything. I wondered if anyone before had been privileged to occupy this room. My aunt would call me lucky, but I was thinking of all the sleepless nights I would have to spend on the pallet she had called a nice comfortable bed. It would not have been very hard to find a better room in this castle she lived in. My aunt would not ever try anyway; this room reflected the dark events that led up to this day. The parallel between the two was so stark that I had to suppress a shiver.

“I hope this room is good enough for you. It’s not much but you should be grateful that I was kind enough to let you stay with me after your father died. It’s a pity you are now orphaned. You’ll like it here Halena,” Aunt Rose said with a smirk. I knew she did not mean one word she said; just one glance and I could tell she still did not like me. Ever since she married my father’s brother Carlous, I had heard my father talk about what I horrible match it was. Carlous would be gone for six to ten months at a time trading and it was rumored he did it to get away from his wife.

In was full of dust, bugs, and sounds of other occupants, and they are just a few of its less appealing features. The only window had curtains that looked as if they had been eaten and spit out. Just one piece of furniture filled the room, and was so old and beaten up I had to do a double take to realize it was a wardrobe. In the corner there was a stairway to the attic. At the top was a door under lock and key.

I thought about what had happened in the last month. It had never been in any of my wildest dreams for it to turn out the way it did. The past was filled with of trails and disappointments. My mother, Jayla, died the day after my twin sister Lianna and I were born. I had never known her, but just thinking about her brought pain of longing into my heart. Later as if to tell me that my life was doomed, Lianna died at the age six from a horrible illness. We had been inseparable. I can remember her smiling face as we planed our next trick on our father. We never could fool him but we loved to try. I can remember her face lined with pain as she breathed her last breath. The look on my father’s face as the nurse carried her limp body was more than any six-year-old should have to see.

None of that compared to what happened on my sixteenth birthday. That was the day my dad, my best friend left me forever. After all the tragedy in our lives we had grown closer then any other father and daughter ever had. He always called us the inseparable pair of jokers. Spoiling me at every opportunity, hiding from me the truth of this cruel world, he made sure I would grow safe and secure in his love. Even though he spoiled me, he taught me the importance of hard work and diligence. After a long day of working he would sit on the chair by the fireplace. I would sit cross-legged and listen to the fantastic stories of the legendary knights and their brave steeds, and stories about dragons and unicorns that were hard. When I questioned the truth of these stories he would just look at me as if to say just-because-you-cannot-see-it-does-not-make-it-false. Oh, how I missed him.

On my sixteenth birthday he went to go get a horse he had promised me. When I saw him in the window riding his own mare and leading my horse behind him, I ran out to meet him. The new horse was a gorgeous black stallion with a star on his forehead. His step was regal and he held his head perfectly. As I was admiring my new horse, I saw a black wolf slink out of the woods. It looked almost starved and beaten with a scar under his left eye. Without warning the wolf let out an unrealistic howl. It sounded like a language I could not yet understand. My dad’s mare lost her head and reared back, with hooves flashing as is to protect her ears from the sound. She almost flipped over onto her back in her haste to protect herself. I cried out in fear, too far away to do anything. The outcome was suddenly as plain to me as if it had been written all out on paper before it happened. Quickly my dad, sensing the situation, jumped off the mare to avoid being crushed. Yet in his haste, he did not see how rocky it was on the side of the road. I watched scarcely breathing as he flew though the air, hit his head on a rock, never to wake again.

Immediately the stallion my father had been holding trotted over to me and circled me as if he were protecting me. With his hooves dancing he stood between the wolf and me. While circling around me protectively, he also had created a barrier between my father and me. I just stood there helpless, trying to process what had happened. Finally as if he was shoot out of a cannon the stallion bolted right at the wolf striking at it with his hooves. Ignoring anything else I took the opportunity, and ran straight to my father. Kneeling down I listened for a heartbeat, hoping more than anything else that he would still be alive, but there was nothing. With a sinking heart I knew he was . . . No, I could not say it or even think it. That terrible word had ruined my fantasy of how life should be. It meant I would never see my father again, never sit by the fire and listen to his voice. Dead. That stifling word symbolized the end, and I did not want that in my life. I sat there looking at his still face; too numb and over come with grief to cry.

I felt a light pressure on my shoulder. Looking back I saw the eyes of the stallion. They were comforting and soothing eyes yet mysterious. His face was so sweet yet firm it reminded me of whom I had just lost. It made me fell connected to him in an odd way. I did not know his previous name, but I had one that would fit better then anything else. Aren, would be his name. It had been my father’s name.

Aren was the only thing my aunt allowed me to keep, except my dirtiest cloths that I only used while cleaning the house. Secretly I had kept my most precious gown; which had been my mother’s. While packing up my cloths I packed it at the bottom of my bag, praying that Aunt Rose would not check it. All the rest of my mother’s things had been sold off, and I suspected Rose had bought must of them. The dress was now the only thing I had left of my mothers. I had never worn it for it was too big. It was mostly dark blue, like my eyes and my mother’s also. The bodice was adorned with purple embroidery that repeated itself on the sleeves and around the waistband. I thought it was beautiful enough to wear in front of a prince.

Thinking hard about the past, I did not notice Aunt Rose was asking me a question until she almost had to yell at me. “Do you find this room fitting?”

“I can’t believe you could not find a better one for me in your big castle.” I answered. “Though you never have done any better.” Aunt Rose bit the inside of her cheek. I know I was a stone in her shoe; my tongue was always harsh when I was around her and it infuriated her. The only reason she had taken me in was because her daughter Saga wanted another person around to take care of the castle, and bully. So that was why I was here, to do a servant work, not that there was not hundreds of servants here already.

“You will help our cook. Be down in the kitchen at seven, no later. Breakfast is at eight sharp. One second later and you will find out how nice I can be.” Aunt Rose threatened with a smile and turned to walk out. Before she left, she said one more thing without turning to face me, “Oh and by the way, if you give me too much trouble you’ll wish you were never born. So to break your spirit, which I shall do, I will leave you under lock and key.” she left and quickly shut the door as if I was a snake, and I heard a click.

It was locked.

Once Aunt Rose’s footsteps had faded away, I broke down for the first time since my dad had died. I felt the shameful tears that I had kept at bay for so long, run down my cheeks. I’d lost everything, and now I was living in a nightmare. I sat down on the scratching wool blanket, which was supposed to be my protection from the cold, as my eye’s welled up in tears. It did not comfort me to fell the stone floor underneath the straw in my bad. For the first time my thoughts were not positive as I felt despair close its hands around me. No one cared about me in this retched castle. My troubles came flowing out through my tears.

After I could cry no more, I looked around my room that was now my prison. Out of the corner of my eye something caught my attention that had not been there before. A yellow parchment, all wrinkled from age was right by the candle on the floor. It looked like it was waiting to be read. The letters on the parchment looked like a master in penmanship wrote them. I read it slowly surprised at what it contained. It said:

In this chamber lies your fate.

Few have found it,

But few will try.

Use the strength that is hidden within,

To find the magic in your heart.

Through a door that none have seen

But those that have read these words.

Over to country that is hard to find,

Where the people dream of better days,

And creatures have a voice to raise,

But know not that it is there.

Unicorns and fairies are caged,

While dragons and giants roam free.

Danger lies on this great quest,

That is meant only for the brave at heart.

If you go and venture far,

Legends will unfold before your very eyes.

There you will find the truth,

That only you can uncover.

But a warning to you and all that follow.

For the Paw is strong and watchful.

Do not venture to the castle across the field.

Until you free the lost.

The parchment created its own light, and as I looked at it more carefully I felt the presence of a new empty space inside me. As I thought about the empty place seemed familiar, but I was only know aware of it. I yearned to fill it, and had no explanations for any feelings I was having. It was like I was being guided. The emptiness was new and foreign to me. My unknown guide led my mind, until it hit against something solid. Cracks formed and I felt a force trapped behind the wall. Without stopping I moved back and hit the barrier with a strength I had never used before, or had thought I processed. Dizziness clouded my inner vision for a second, but I stayed on my feet. The cracks had become bigger, but the task was not done. I started smacking the wall like I was mad. A need consumed me that was unexplainable, and I ignored the dizziness in my quest for what I wanted. Suddenly I needle tip hole formed, and I saw a blue drop form around it. As soon as it separated from the wall, the world exploded into blue light. It felt glorious.

After what seemed like a lifetime I opened my physical eyes to find myself lying on the floor. Looking around my room, I saw that everything had a blue tint, almost like a dream. Closing my eyes I looked into myself, and immediately I saw a blue ball revolving in the place that had once been empty. Sparks flew off the living sun as it spun to the quiet beating of my heart. It was strange yet soothing. When I open my eyes again I realized I felt bone tired. Slowly I dragged myself onto my straw bed and was asleep without another thought.

Light touched my face and my eyes fluttered open. Morning rays slipped though the rag curtains. Remembering last night I looked around the room for the parchment I had read. Nothing was there. Maybe it had been a dream. Following my feelings, I used my inner eye to look within myself, and there was the blue sun. It had been real and my life was now changed, but I had no idea how or why. The night was starting to feel so foreign, and unreal.

Slowly I dressed into the first dress I set my hand on. Ready to get on with life I walked to the door and it opened with a tiny click. I walked through without a thought. After ten steps I stopped in my tracks.

The door had been locked.

Thinking I was going crazy I quickly dismissed it. Someone must have already unlocked it. Looking around I saw a clock ahead. Curious about the time, I read it to be six o’clock. Why would someone open my door so early? Why had the door opened if it was still looked? There was only one way to know so I tried opening it again. This time I marked the resistance the handle gave when I opened it. It almost felt for a second as if the door was locked, but then a click sounded and the door opened. I went inside my room and shut the door thinking, did it have anything to do with last nights experience.

I gazed inward at the blue sun within myself I tried to touch it with my mind. Instantly I felt an unknown power consume me. Through the blue haze one word escaped Magic? I knew now what it was, but the questions did not stop flowing. There was magic inside of me now? HOW? My life turned upside down as I felt my body side and I melted to the floor. Right before I hit the ground I heard a click and a door swung upon.