I woke from a dreamless restful sleep, and had almost forgotten that I was in Iisilo. I sat up in the gigantic squishy bed to see that there was a breakfast waiting for me on the side table with a small note next to it. I unfolded this small bit of paper and read as I sipped the cool water.

                I hope this breakfast finds you in a good mood. Feel free to wander down whenever you’re ready to talk. If I’m not at the bar, you can find me at the lake just to the west of town.

                                                                                                                                                                -Carson

                He made me breakfast in bed? Talk about hospitality. I set the note aside and began to eat, he’d made a normal breakfast of eggs and toast but the flavors and spices he used made it taste so much more complex, I felt like I’d never eaten breakfast before in my life.  I finished and set the tray back on the side table and sat up stretching my sore legs.  I found my belt hanging on the chair’s back where my satchel had been tossed. I quickly fastened it and glanced in the mirror over a dresser to be sure I didn’t look like a mess. Once all my hair was in place, I grabbed my bag and the tray and headed toward the bar.

                Of course, he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I set the tray on the back bar and walked outside. The sun was blazing high in the sky and I greeted the warmth once again.  I looked around the small town before heading towards the lake, as his note had instructed. There really wasn’t much to it, one main street and that was about it. A few homes of workers were assembled behind most of the business, but hidden by the forest for the most part. What caught my eye was cellar that didn’t particularly seem to belong to any one business. Just a door in the ground, but it looked well traversed.

                Only a few people were walking around town; most of them selling food, or setting up their stalls for hopeful travelers. Beaumuse had only one road in and out, and that road led straight here. If Andrev was going to pursue me, it would be all too easy to find me. I should have been a bit more creative with my escape.  I stared at the compass and strode to the west past the blacksmith’s shop.  There was a small trail leading into the forest, so naturally I followed it and eventually walked up to the banks of a lake.

                Carson was just to my left a few paces. He was perched on an old tree root, wielding a fishing pole. I stared at the lake glistening in the sunlight, all the licks of light glittering off the busy water. It reminded me of the pond in my yard at home. I suddenly thought of the cold looking man from my dream yesterday.  His horse black as night, his long black cloak billowing in little gust, it was all haunting me.

                “I said, ‘did you find your way well enough?’” Carson called, apparently for the second time.

                “What? Oh, I’m sorry.  I got—“He cut me off.

                “Distracted? You seem to do that a lot. You have a short attention span don’t you? How’s that affect your magic making?” He asked teasingly.

                “Well as a matter of fact, that isn’t something I’m very good with.” I admitted. Why did I just do that?

                “Well not all of us are. I don’t do that magic stuff either. I just try to help people, and steer clear of any trouble.” He reeled in his bait and recast to a good distance in the lake.

                “Well I’m glad I’m not the only magically disinclined person.” I said guarded. “So what did you ask me out here for?” I had my arms wrapped around myself, nervously fiddling with my elbows.

                “I figured you’d like the lake. Being that you’re still covered in dirt, I was going to ask if you’d like to go swimming.” He set his fishing pole handle deep in a fixture of rocks, and slid off his shirt. Holy Jesus, why did he do that? My knees turned to jelly at the sight of his amazing chest.

                “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I said to myself quietly.

                “What was that?” He asked, already knowing full well what I’d said.

                “You’re so not for real. I’m still asleep aren’t I?” I asked bewildered.

                “No, you’re here at the lake with me. I’d still like to know your name if that’s at all possible?”

                “Oh, sorry. I’ve forgotten my manners I guess.  I’m Raeyla.” I tried to walk over to shake his hand, but my legs wouldn’t move.

                “Well Raeyla, it’s nice to meet you. I guess you could tell from my note that my name is Carson. I run the Inn and do odd jobs around town for everyone. For now however; I’m hoping a pretty girl will come swim with me.” He slowly advanced toward me.

                “I uhm, I don’t swim that well actually. I’m more of an on land or in the air type girl.” Climbing trees was something I excelled in, holding my breath? Not so much.

                “I won’t let go, I promise.” He held out his hand.

I walked into the building and glanced around. It was cozy on the first floor, fireplace was burning, and various chairs were set up in the waiting area. However; there was no one at the bar. There was no one anywhere.

                “Hello?” I called out. “Hello!” I said a bit louder and drawn out. “HEL—“

                “I hear ya, I hear ya. No need to shout.” The voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw the young man from before.

                “Oh, hi. Is anybody working here? This place is a ghost town.” I tried to seem nonchalant. I’d never been anywhere other than Beaumuse, much less sleep in a bed that wasn’t my own.

                “Yeah, the owner is here. He just stepped out for a minute. He’ll be back soon though.” He walked by me, his hands and face were clean now.

                “Well when do you think he’ll be getting back, I’m pretty exhausted.” I sighed.

                “Beaumuse girl, you said? Can’t handle a little ten mile hike?” He was talking to the fire place now.

                “I’d had some issues before my little hike. Personal, I’d just like to sleep on it really if you don’t mind. Can you at least find the manager for me so I can get some rest?” I was beginning to get impatient now.

                “Well you are talking to him. All you have to do is say please, and my master suite is yours.” He turned to smile at me over his shoulder. It caught me off guard and nearly knocked me breathless. Again, all I could do was stare at him with a glossed expression. “Well?”

                “Ple—-puh—-pla….Please?” was all I managed to stutter out. Moron, I cursed myself.

                “Now see, that wasn’t so hard.” He smiled. “Ma’lady, I’d be happy to show you to your room.” He held his arm out, and wrapped my arm around it for me. Apparently he has no problem invading personal space. I probably should mind, but I’m so tired that I just don’t care. He led me up the stairs to the second level of the inn and down a long hallway.

                “Normally, we save this room for people of the royal guard, or fancy city folk from Velynthia, but I can make an exception. Seeing as you had a rough day and all. I do expect to hear about it in the morning. For now just get some rest. “He unlocked the door for me and then walked back down the hall and off to the stairs. I was stunned for a couple more seconds then regained my cognitive thought.

                I slowly pushed the door to my room open and was greeted with a huge comfy looking bed; much better than I’d expected.  I unfastened my belt and let it drop to the floor with my claymore still hooked to it. I tossed my bag onto a nearby chair and flung myself into the big squishy mattress, immediately passing out.

A shiver runs throughout my body as I adjust to the cold of night. My path only illuminated by the light of the moon. I can see torches burning in the distance, only about a half a mile now I’d say. Iisilo isn’t far off now. I feel like I’ve been walking for ages. I hear my stomach let out a loud grumble of discontent.  I pick up the pace and start walking faster, if I wasn’t already so exhausted I’d continue at the jog I had going earlier. I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten. Every time I’d try to have breakfast this morning I was told to leave the kitchen, so much cooking going on for Karina’s party. I wonder if they went through with those plans, if they’re looking for me at all.

                My mind wandered relentlessly until I was snapped back to reality by tripping over a tree root. I fell down onto my knees, bracing myself with my hands. I was right at the little community’s limits, and my cry of pain must have grabbed someone’s attention because I heard a muffled gasp.

                “Jesus, are you alright?” a dirt covered young man walked up to me, kneeling down to where I’d fallen.

                “Yeah, peachy.  Just got a bit distracted is all.” I leaned up brushing the dirt from my hands off on my pants when I looked up and saw his beautiful chiseled face. Even in the moonlight, he was the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.  My eyes glossed over and I was stunned on the spot.

                “Let me help you up, I insist.” He said holding his hand out to me. I was still shocked by his beauty and could only manage to stare at him like a moron. Luckily for me, he had a sense of humor. “What happen? You smack your noggin?” he asked with a laugh as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet.

                “What? Oh sorry, like I said, distracted.” I mumbled brokenly. So stupid.

                “I don’t mean to pry, but, what’s a pretty little thing like you doing walking through this forest at night alone?” He was leading me into town now. I had to look away for my brain to reconnect.

                “I’m coming from Beaumuse, maybe to find some work. I left kind of late.” I trailed off.

                “You got a plan of where you’re going to stay?” we were stopped at the wheel barrow he was pushing before he saw me.

                “There’s an inn here right? I’ve heard this was a traveler’s town?” I looked in his barrow and saw various tools and scrap metal. “What’s all that for?” I sounded rude on accident. Jesus…

                He smirked at me, flashing a brilliant set of teeth dazzling me again.

                “I’m helping a friend. He’s a blacksmith and he needed me to pick these up for him. I’ll be done in a minute. I can show you to the inn if you like.” He offered, but I was exhausted and wanted to sleep now.

                “No, that’s okay. Just point me in the direction and I can find it thanks. “I tried to smile but I think it came off as a confused expression.

                “If you’re sure you’re okay, its right past this building here on the left. Can’t miss it. They should have beds available.” He smiled wryly once again and started off the opposite direction.

                “Thanks.” I said quietly and strode the direction in which he had pointed. As he had said, there was a big sign hanging just above the door that said, ‘Iisilo Inn.’ How original.

“What the heck is wrong with you?” Karina was saying as I walked up. “You could have drowned! What were you thinking? Do you know how this could have ruined my party?” She stomped into the house fuming. I walked straight to the basement door and went down into my shelter. I changed my clothes and laid back on my bed thinking about what I’d just seen in my dream. I sat up very quickly and pulled my sketch pad out of my bedside table. I quickly scribbled the map to the best of my ability with the path that I was shown, and then on the next page began drawing the man and his horse.

                Before I could finish there was a yell from the top of my stairs.

                “Raeyla, get your ass upstairs right now! We have to talk!” Does Andrev think he runs this household now? I continued to draw when I heard my mother say passively, ‘right now young lady.’ As if she agreed with anything Andrev decided. I wouldn’t put it past her.

                I returned the book to its place and headed upstairs. My hair was still wet and was dripping down my back, gave me the chills. I reached the top of my stairs and walked out into the main area once again blinded by the light intruding the house.

                “What were you doing by the pond?” Andrev asked me with an acid tongue.

                “Thinking, why does it matter?” I spat back at him.

                “Don’t use that tone with him, he is the only thing that is going to keep this family afloat now! You know your father was called away! As it turns out, he won’t be returning as soon as we’d hoped. The King wants to keep him for a new assignment.” My mother was treating him like the new head of the household already. What a joke.

                “All Andy does is sit at that stupid pub, and drink to his heart’s content. Scamming some unwilling person or fucking the closest woman to him. It’s pathetic; you really think he will be the one taking care of this family?” I eyed him up and down the way you would any derelict from the street.

                “How dare you! You think all I do is Scam people?! I happen to be the next in line to be a teacher at the academy for the magically gifted! Karina here is going to be my Professor’s aide. Unlike you, she actually has a talent.”

                Karina was always fantastically gifted with magic, she was casting before she could walk, and was in a charms class by 6 years old. Charms were a talent most people couldn’t learn until they were 17 at least.

                “You teach others how to succeed?” I laughed, “That should be an interesting sight.”

                “You mock me, sister?” He always called me ‘sister’ as if it were an insult. I guess to him it was.

                “Why yes sir, I do mock you!” I answered sarcastically. I turned away from him and headed back toward my room when I heard him grab something off the counter and throw it toward my back. I jumped forward into a roll missing the blade by an inch. I looked at him half in shock and the other half enraged. After a moment, I collected myself and stood up with a calm expression. Karina at this point was nearly bawling into my mother’s shoulder, complaining about her stupid party.

                “You have terrible aim, Andy. Perhaps you should practice a little more with a bow or daggers, and a little less with the bottle.” I smirked.

                “You will address me as Andrev!” He threw is entire body forward in a large step thrusting a gust of powerful air in my direction knocking me back into the living area.

                Once on my feet I ducked behind the couch and crawled to the other side of the room near a very fine display of weaponry. I grabbed a dagger off the wall and as soon as Andrev came huffing around the corner I threw with precision locking his arm against the wall behind him by his sleeve.  With him distracted I pulled a large Claymore off the wall and readied myself in a basic battle stance. He drew his sword from his side and advanced on me.

                Our blades clashed together loudly as I defended against his poorly administered attacks. Dodging his jabs, and delivering a hard kick in his ribs when he was unprotected.

                “Treasonous Cwom! You don’t deserve to call yourself our blood!” He raised him blade above him, and brought it down hard. I quickly moved aside and slit his cheek with the tip of my claymore. He dropped him sword gasping in agony.

                “Don’t be such a pussy, Andy. It’s just a little cut.” I scoffed at him.

                Andrev, clutching his gashed cheek, started growling. His lips pulled back over his teeth instinctively like an animal. This was bad. With his intense rage, who knows what he could be capable of. His magic was never the most controlled. Our eyes connected and I knew I either had to get out of there or strike before he did. His growling began to get louder; his breathing was broken and labored.

                I slowly began to back away; I didn’t want to be responsible for killing my own blood. Apparently he didn’t feel the same way. As I neared my stairs, claymore erect in front of me, he started violently hurling fire spells my way. His accuracy was terrible for my sake. He lit the tapestries, the walls, the carpets, all aflame. He was roaring now with rage, his eyes glowing a horrendous dark red. I ducked into my room and locked my door behind me. I flew down the stairs and grabbed all I could shoving it all into my satchel.

                I wrapped my belt tightly around my waist and secured my claymore into the holster attached, and threw my satchel over my shoulder. As I was about to make my way through a tunnel I’d dug to just outside the house grounds, I remembered the map from my dream. I jumped to my bedside table and feverishly flew through the pages landing on it. All the while there were thunderous poundings on my door coupled with screams and pleads. Just then the door burst off its hinges and crashed down the stairs. I ripped the map from its binding and shoved it into my bag and disappeared into my burrow.  I could hear his angry bellowing nearly half way through the tunnel. He’d filled my room with his fiery rage, burning everything in sight.

                I could not bemoan my lost sketches and personal items at this time, I pressed forward until I was sure I was safely away from the house and Andrev’s crazed rage. I emerged from the small hole just outside my family’s estate, and continued to the outskirts of town. I couldn’t stay there any longer, it wasn’t safe. I only made one stop on my way out of town at the local shop near the boundaries of the city to pick up a decent map.

                I stayed on the road heading north and kept walking until my muscles couldn’t bare it any longer. I saw a stream and plunked down on a rock just next to it, pulling out both my map and sketch. Withdrawing a pencil from my bag, I refined my drawing and saw that the first town on my stop was to be Iisilo. I’d only heard of the place, small, not very wealthy. I only knew that it was a town for travelers. There was an inn that I knew I’d be able to rest my head for the night at least. Unfortunately for me it was a 10 mile hike, and nightfall was less than an hour away. I rested a few more minutes and began making my way once more.

I walked lazily to the kitchen to find my mother preparing what looked like a feast. I sat at the counter and began to gnaw on a bit of a bread roll. I was trying to remember what the occasion was that had my mother preparing such a mass quantity of food. I gave up trying to remember and walked toward the back door. Maybe if I lay out in the sun for a little bit I could calm down from the frustrating thoughts creeping into my brain. What was going to happen to Ben? Would he find the gold? I couldn’t imagine Andrev in charge of anyone else’s life. I gazed upon our luscious yard, all the trees were in season with their baby pink pedals, all the roses were in bloom, and even the koi pond seemed to be teaming with life.

                I turned to my mother with another thing nagging my mind. “Mom, what’s a Cwom?” I asked trying to sound as innocent as possible.

                “Raeyla, can’t you see I’m busy!” She snapped. “‘Cwom’ is a term that uneducated people use to describe non magical people. ‘Citizen without magic’ is what it is supposed to stand for. A load of rubbish if you ask me. Now get out of here, I’m cooking for your sister’s party.” I nodded once and walked back out to the patio and sat in the grass near the pond.

                Non magic people, was I really never going to learn spells? I hugged my knees to my chest as I stared into the water. My mind began to wander to faraway places. Places I remember only hearing about in bedtime stories and mythology. I wanted so badly to be a heroin, saving townsfolk from danger, and standing up for what was righteous.  

                I laid back and let the sun drench me in its warmth. I could hear birds chattering to one another and even fish swimming around causing the water to break on the rocks to my right.  Before I knew it, I’d fallen asleep and was wandering around in a dark place I hadn’t recognized.  It felt damp and fog covered the ground. The tree’s bent over folding in on them as if they were remarkably heavy, more than their boughs could hold. I saw a glint of light in the distance and began to walk slowly toward it.

“It’s probably a trap” I thought to myself, thinking of how I would get so angry and the main character in stories I loved. They always did the obvious thing and run right into a bad guy. But then I realized that, I wanted to run into the bad guy, to display my skill. To my dismay, when I got to the light all I found was a lantern on the ground.  It was what the lantern held in place that caught my eye. A folded piece of paper lay beneath it gently blowing in the wind. I slowly lifted the lantern off the ground and set it to the side, catching the parchment before it blew away in the gust.

                It was miraculously glowing on its edges.  As I unfolded the paper, I could begin to see the picture moving slightly on the page, as if it were drawn in water.  I recognized it as a map of my country, Zanderth’Ra. Shining in the heart of Beaumuse, where I lived, was a tiny speckle. From that speckle there was a glowing line that ventured across the paper through towns, and forests, and caves until eventually it landed right in main city where the king and queen lived. I’d always wondered if I’d ever get to see the great city, and I felt as though now I knew I would. As if this dream confirmed that one day I’d be in Velynthia City.

                Just then the Lantern blew out and I heard a voice in the distance calling my name. I shoved the map into my satchel, looking around for the face that was calling to me. I began walking toward the voice that sounded so distant. Everything started getting blurry, my heart was racing. I couldn’t see anymore, the fog thickened up making it hard to breathe. I felt drenched with water from the air. I heard the sneer of a horse rearing behind me. I spun around and all I saw was a black horse and the man that mounted it. There was no face, just eyes. Cold, dark, piercing eyes. I fell to the ground and began coughing.

                I was awake now, on my hands and knees halfway in the pond in our backyard. I’d inhaled water in my sleep and was now trying to recover, that explained the wet feeling. Karina was calling to me from the deck, which explained the voice. The map however, and the man, those I would be thinking about for a long time.  I slowly got to my feet and walked forward toward the house, brushing the dirt and mud off me.

Staring at the ceiling, I wonder if I can live up to the hype. The thunderous shuffle of footsteps burdens my concentration from the floor above. Andrev has company again; my older brother never ceases to impress me with how pompous he can be at times. No doubt he has another Beaumuse bimbo in the training room, tutoring her on spell technique. God forbid he should ever offer to help his magically retarded sister learn her form.

                Karina, my sister about to turn 16 has already mastered spells far beyond her age level, and here I am not even able to produce more than a spark. Despite my efforts, I just can’t find the source of my power. Not enough to channel any kind of focus. Three years ago I found my calling when I’d been cornered by a group of thugs that roamed into town. My reflexes were sharp, and remarkably powerful. I’d executed the most forceful upper cut I’d ever dealt knocking the fully grown man to floor, without so much as a flinch. It was then that I began training in melee. Perhaps I’ve spent too much time on physical training.  Meh.

                Restlessness has gotten the best of me; I noticed my foot shaking so rapidly that it pulled me out of my haze. I trudge over to the stairs with as much enthusiasm as a cat being tossed into a pool. With each step I’d thought about what I was to meet when I entered the main area of the house. Is Andrev really in the training room with another various woman from town. He was unfortunately good looking, and I’d love nothing more than fuck up his pretty little face. Was this girl the usual blond? Did she find him at the local Tavern where he had been spending all his time since he’d finished his training, drinking and starting fights? Boasting about his prowess and claiming invincibility. I managed to stomach one trip into the bar to try the scene out, but it was gut wrenchingly pathetic.

                I pushed open the door at the top of the stairs and stepped into the blazing light that filtered through the windows. I made my way through the hall to the grand living room that was centered just above the basement that I’d turned into my cave. On the couch were Andrev and a nervous looking shrimp of a man. He gripped and tugged at the hat that he held. I usually don’t interfere with Andrev’s escapades but this looked like a bad situation.

                “Who’s this guy, another crony of yours?” I sarcastically asked, trying to sound casual.

                “Good afternoon my dear Sister.” He smiled antagonistically. “This is Ben. We were spending good quality time together at Fargrin’s Tavern when we made a bet. He believed that his Parrot companion could draw the first blood against Rebecca’s Mongoose.” Rebecca being his fling a few months ago, naturally he would want to put it into peril.

                “Was this Ben’s idea or yours?” I asked already knowing the answer.

                “Ok, you caught me. I thought some healthy competition would be good for him. However; it would seem that he could have had some more practice training his pathetic excuse for a bird. The mongoose is well fed.” Andrev smiled maniacally. “Turns out that Ben here also can’t pay his Debt. So we’re working out a deal. Ben, do you agree to the circumstances of our contract?” Andrev glowered in Ben’s direction. His eyes were tearing up as he looked from Andrev to me and then to the floor fumbling his hat more fervently now.

                “What deal?” I asked. I could tell this was bad; Andrev was never a fair player.

                “What business is it of yours? Shouldn’t you be practicing your spells? Or are you still incapable of doing what five year olds can do?” Andrev spat.

                “Fuck off Andy, this is my house too and this poor guy looks like he’s about to shit himself. Therefor it’s my business too.” He sneered at me. Then his face grew calm and all his anger lines smoothed out making him look young again.

                “Fair enough, since Ben here can’t pay me the 500 gold we bet, he has two choices. He can give me his daughter as a bounty. Or he can give me the deed to his home and be my worker along with his whole family.” He smiled menacingly.

                “For five hundred gold? I think that is a bit harsh. I’m sure his home is worth more than 500 gold. Just let him get out of here. That amount is nothing to you and you know it!” I could feel my face turning red. He was so disgusting, exploiting the poor. “You’re just a pathetic asshole who has nothing better to do than ruin other people’s lives! Get over yourself you pompous prick!”

                Andrev’s anger was showing in his face again, he’d flushed passed his cheeks and it seemed his whole body was burning with rage.  I could see in his eyes he was thinking of the most harmful spell he could when Ben piped in.

                “Sir, please. Give me just one day, and I’ll have your money, I promise! Just don’t hurt this young lady.” Ben had dropped to his hands and knees at Andrev’s feet. Was my big brother really that scary to others? I suppose I just couldn’t see it, he was still my older brother who happened to be an asshole.

                “Fine. You have until dusk tomorrow to bring it to me in full.” He kept his eye on me the whole time. “This—is not a lady. She is a filthy Cwom, and should be put to death with the rest of them. Disgusting creatures.” Andrev looked down at the pathetic man at his feet. He smirked to himself and delivered a swift kick in his ribs before he stalked out of the house. I’m sure he was headed back to the tavern, Ben trailing after him.