1 In The Beginning

Every morning Shandra played in a small creek with jasmine bushes and juniper trees on the creek side. Splashing and playing when she should be bathing and washing her dress. The creek was nice and cool with the sun out to warm the air it was the best day. She loved this creek the sound was so soothing and it went though the forest with all the animals she befriended in her 6 short years. She jumped and spun her long red hair was all over her sun kissed face as she played in the water. She knew every bush, tree, stream, and creek. She loved her freedom.

This particular morning she played as usual but something caught her emerald green eyes. A flash of light or more like a shimmer of the edge of Avalon. Shandra was always getting in 'trouble' not like she could help herself. She was naturally curious. She had to go investigate.

She ran from the creek and into the forest hair whipping around as she ran. She only stopped to listen for a couple seconds to see if there was a sound that went with that shimmer. She did this every couple of minutes, at last she did hear something. It sounded like a boy. Running up the closest tree to get a better look and to hide since she was not supposed to be this far from the castle. But she had to see. She stooped on a high branch and willed the tree branch to move ever so slightly so she could have a good look.

It was a boy! He had shaggy dark chestnut hair that sparkles in the sun. His skin was a bit darker than hers. 'I wonder if he works in the farms over the mountain. But why would he be here.' Shandra said to herself. He was in a clearing with a taller man. Walking around then the taller man jabbed at the boy. She was terrified, she started sweating and panic coursed though her veins. Then she heard it. He was laughing the man was laughing. She would help the boy. Right before she jumped from the tree the boy hopped up and started chasing the man. " I'm going to get you for that Dad."

She was bewildered he had just been playing. It had looked like he was hitting him, but he did nothing wrong. So she thought about leveling the playing field. She closed her eyes and calmed her thoughts and cleared her mind. Stretching her though out to the field she sensed both man and boy. She could feel their happiness, This put a smile on her face. She willed a root to grow and grow and to poke out of the ground right after the boy ran past. Her eyes flew open in time to see the man trip and fall. She let out an audible laugh. Her hand flew over her mouth and the boy looked her way. She panicked and ran. Her feet did not stop until she reached the castle. Out of breath and scared that the boy followed.

She was in training to be the next high priestess of Avalon. She trained everyday be it physical lessons or just studying from books. She like the physical lessons the best. Actually testing her strengths and magic. She could already commune with animals and had control over the earth and fire.

She did not know her birth mother or father. At times that fact made her look in the archives nights on end just trying to find something anything that could help her know where she is from and maybe find out who her parents are and why they left her here in Avalon. The priestesses have found found her in the middle of a field under a full moon with fireflies all around her.

The same field she just saw the boy in...