Chapter Two

I make my way through the woods, back to the path, from there I make my way to the manor. As I approach the gate I spot three familiar men nearby. It takes me a moment to realize that they had been my attackers. Just as I turn to go around in order to warn the people staying at the manor, the head butler, who I had learned to know as Edmond, steps out of the gate. “How did it go?” He asks.

“It’s done.” The middle, and taller of the three responds. Edmond nods, and hands the man a small envelope, “thank you.” He goes back inside leaving the men alone.

“Why didn't you tell him about the girl?” The right man asks.

“It isn't our problem, and besides she wont make it far in those woods.”

I slowly back away, I hide behind a wall and wait for the men to leave. Once they do, I sprint back down the path, and into the woods.

I run through the woods, and back to the women's cottage, where she is outside waiting for me. “Was it not what you had hoped?” She asks, already knowing the answer. She stands up from her rocking chair and motions for me to follow. “Come child.”

I follow her inside the cottage. “How did you know?” I ask.

“The same way I knew that you needed help.” She pours a green liquid onto a decrepit plant, before turning to me. The plant begins to sprout back to life. “Magic.”

"M-Magic?!" I stepped back, bewildered. Magic was a thing of fairy tales. It couldn't possibly be real, could it?

"Opal, I sense magic in you. You have the potential to be spectacular-" I cut her off, "This is crazy! I must've hit my head too hard. Assassins? Magic? Witches? It's all madness."

The woman grabs my hand, and a sudden feeling of tranquility flows through my body. "Child," she looks me in the eyes, "you must calm yourself. You've had a long day, once you have settled it will all become clear."