Fuocarde, East Province
Marisa sat on her bed, staring at the sun as it slowly rose in the west. She had barely gotten any sleep last night and was rather grumpy as a result.
She was leaving the only home she had ever known, and the thought of not seeing her father again scared her. After her mother had died from a sudden illness, Marisa had made sure to always be near her father. Though she never admitted it aloud, she was afraid he would die and leave her alone.
To have him just give her away hurt a lot. Had she not been a good daughter? Had she done something wrong? She hesitated to ask, not certain if she wanted to hear his response.
The hard knock on her door startled her out of her racing thoughts and back to the present. After a second knock, she shouted, "One moment, please."
She left her window seat and opened the door. Her father stood there, his calloused fingers running up and down the strap of the pack he held in his hands.
"Marisa, I packed food and some waterskins for you."
She stared at the pack as if it were poison. If she took it, everything would become real. She wanted this nightmare to end. She wanted, needed, her Father to tell her it was just a joke.
He thrust the pack into her arms. "Mistress Melena is waiting for you downstairs."
She clutched the pack to her chest. This was really happening. A sob lodged in her throat. It burned there, that lump of rage, fear and sorrow. So many words she wanted to express, but none made it past her lips. She simply nodded and watched him walk away.
She whirled and threw the pack at the wall. The food and some other wrapped things spilled out on to the floor. She didn't care. She felt heat fill her and she could hear it bubbling, eager for an outlet. With a snarl, she punched the door and yelped when a scorched imprint of her knuckles was left behind.
Marisa recalled Mistress Melena's words from the day before about having power. Dazed, she scooped up the food and packages into the pack, grabbed the one with her clothes in it and ran downstairs. She went to the kitchen and found Melena sipping from a mug. The two of them stared at each other for a while before Marisa looked away first.
"Are you ready now?"
"No, but I have no choice, right? You and Father already decided for me."
Melena's piercing golden eyes studied her. "Your fire is of the simmering kind. Once it peaks, you will be an unstoppable force."
Marisa glared at her. Melena's words didn't make her feel any better.
"Come, Apprentice, we must take our leave."
She couldn't think of any way to stall for more time. This was it. She glanced behind her at the closed kitchen door. She dropped her head. Papa would not be coming to say good-bye. It was not his way. He was a man of few words. He always said one's actions would prove their feelings. And he hated the words 'good-bye.' He would say, "good journey" because it meant you would return. It wasn't final. There was always hope.
She raised her head. She would come back. This was her home after all.
Melena nodded approval and headed for the door. The two of them left the house. In the yard were two beautiful horses. Melena pointed to the chestnut one and Marisa swung up into the saddle. She kept her gaze forward as they took the path back to the city's entrance. She would make her father proud.
***
Kimaapallon, West Province
Tamara slowly opened her eyes and lay unmoving as she watched a pair of birds flitting about above her. The events of the previous day came slowly back to her and she sat up with a start. The remains of the campfire smoldered in the early morning light. Belena was nowhere to be seen. She sighed. Sitting around wouldn't get anything done.
She took a moment to stretch and laughed when her back popped and cracked. Yes, she felt stronger and ready for anything. She left the warmth of the bedroll Belena had given her and neatly folded it. She left it by the pack next to the tree stump. She checked one more time to see if her soon-to-be teacher was around. When nothing happened besides the chirping of birds, she shrugged and followed the path back home.
As she neared the house, she could hear loud voices and shouting. She frowned and broke into a run. She cleared the edge of the forest and skidded to a halt. Most of her father's workers were gathered in the yard and carried various weapons. All of them looked angry.
"...we must rescue Tamara from that witch! She means to corrupt my precious daughter!"
The men all shouted denial and brandished their weapons about. Tamara couldn't believe how silly all the adults were being. She straightened up, schooled her features and marched up the path which would take her before her father.
A hush fell as the men at the back of the group spotted her first and stepped aside to let her through. By the time she reached the front, silence was the only thing that filled the air. She dropped into a curtsy.
"Father, I'm home. I'm sorry to have worried you."
She felt his gaze take in her dirty gown and messy hair. She also knew she had dirt smudges on her face. It had been a long time since she'd come home in such a state.
He snorted and then, in a loud voice, ordered his men to leave. Tamara patiently waited until they were all gone before standing up. She took note of her father's furious expression. Let him be angry. It was only going to get worse when she told him her plans.
"Care to explain to me, where you were? Your mother and I were worried sick that something bad had happened to you."
"Like me being taken away by Belena?"
He flinched and frowned. "That was one possibility. That woman is dangerous." He sighed. "I don't care where you were, just that you are home safe. Go inside and let your mother know you are all right and then get cleaned up. We have a busy workday ahead of us."
He turned away to leave. Tamara decided it was now or never. Pulling together all her nerve, she responded with a simple, "No."
Her father halted. "What did you say?"
"I said, 'no.' I cannot stay. I came back to get my things. Mistress Belena asked me to accompany her and that is what I'm going to do."
He swung around and she flinched. The expression on his face....
His hand lashed out and she backed up. She couldn't avoid his fingers that wrapped around her arm, rooting her in place.
"You will stop this nonsense immediately. We are going home!"
"No, Father. I have taken an oath before the First Ones to follow Mistress Belena. I cannot break it."
His hold tightened and then abruptly released. "Tamara, what have you done?"
"I knew that you would try to keep me here, Father, even though it was wrong. You made a promise to Miss Belena that, when she came for me, I would go. Did you not teach me that, if I gave my word, I should never break it? That I should do my best to fulfill it?"
He flushed and scowled. "Aye, I did say that. Never did I think you would throw my words back at me. You disappoint me, Tamara."
"Then you are disappointed with yourself as well, since I'm only following the example you have set."
He laughed, the sound harsh. "Go, then, with that witch. Do not come back here. I will have no part of such things in my household."
She felt her heart squeeze and the pain from her father's words dug at her. She shoved it away. She could not be weak. Father had taught her that only the one with the stronger bargaining skills was the winner in the end. She must stay her course and show by her actions that her reasoning was the correct. She dropped into a curtsy.
"Thank you, Father, for hearing me out. I shall get my things and tell Mother good-bye." She rose and hurried to the house.
Her mother ran from the house and met her halfway, enveloping her in a hug while crying tears of relief. Tamara felt a small twinge of guilt at what she was about to tell her mother. It would upset her, but there was no help for it.
"Mother, please, let me go for a moment. There is something I must say."
"My precious child, are you all right? Are you injured?" Her hands ran over Tamara's arms and checked her face. "No scratches or cuts, though your clothes and hair are a mess."
"Mother!" Tamara placed her hand against her mother's cheek. "Please, listen."
Her mother's gaze focused on her and then a gasp escaped her lips. Tamara took a slow breath.
"I am leaving with Mistress Belena. I will honor the vow Father made to her."
"I forbid it! You are my only child and heir to the Wayland dynasty. You must continue your studies here and take your place as head when you become an adult."
"Mother, I am sorry but that is something I cannot do. You and Father taught me the importance of honoring my vows. To break a vow is to make one a worthless person. That is what you both taught me. I refuse to have our family seen as worthless because you are afraid to keep the vow to Mistress Belena."
Her mother stepped back, her hand going to her heart. She gave Tamara a very hurt look. "What did your father have to say?"
"He told me to leave. And so I shall."
She stared at her mother for a long moment and glanced away when she caught sight of the tears that were forming. She had to do this. She had to stay firm.
She jerked in surprise when her mother's arms wrapped around her in a fierce hug. "Then go, my daughter, and follow your dreams. Remember that you will always have a home here."
"Thank you, Mother, for understanding." She returned the hug and hurried past her mother and into the house. She quickly packed her bags and went back outside. No one was around and she bowed low. Her path was clear. It was time to follow her dreams. She felt the earth tremble in happiness beneath her feet. She smiled and headed into the woods where her teacher awaited.
***
Mangevind, South Province
"Jazmine? Honey, wake up."
She could hear that familiar, soothing voice calling to her. She really wanted to answer but knew if she opened her eyes, only nightmares awaited her. It was safer to stay asleep, where nothing could bring her sadness.
"If you don't wake up, I will force you awake. Trust me, you don't want me to do that."
That other voice she remembered, too. The sternness behind the threat scared Jazmine into opening her eyes. Standing above her was her mother and the strange woman from the day before.
"You're awake. Get up. We need to leave within the hour." She turned to Jazmine's mother. "Make sure she brings three changes of clothes and winter underclothes. It will be cold where we are going."
"Yes, Mistress Yelena."
She was amazed by her mother's respectful tone. Just who was this Mistress Yelena anyway? She glared at the woman as she left the room. She turned to gaze at her mother and felt her chest hurt. Her mother's look of sadness was unnerving.
"Mama?"
"Well, today is going to be beautiful."
"Mama? This is a joke, right? I'm not really going with that stranger, am I?"
"We have to make sure we pack exactly the things she told us to. She knows best what you will need for the trip."
"Wait! Mama!"
Jazmine threw aside the thin blanket and slid from the bed. She hurried over to the closet and flung herself in front of it.
"Mama! Please, look at me!"
Her mother's tears were her undoing. She stood frozen, unable to do anything. What could she do? In that moment, she knew that this nightmare, that had started yesterday, was all too real. She was being sent away from her family. She didn't want to go with that cold stranger.
She stepped aside and numbly watched as her mother packed her clothes. She took the pack and felt a coldness seeping into her. Obediently, she followed her mother through the house and outside. In the yard, stood Mistress Yelena and that other girl, Celena.
Celena smiled. "Good morn, Jazmine. I'm Celena. I'm an apprentice like you. I hope we can be friends."
"Um, yes," she mumbled, her gaze sliding to the stony features of Mistress Yelena.
She was enveloped in a tight hug from her mother.
"We all love you, Jazmine. Be safe and when you're done, come back home. We'll be waiting."
A sob escaped her lips. "Mama!" She turned, wrapping her arms around her mother and clinging to her. "Please, let me stay!"
"You have to go. Keep us in your heart and we'll always be near."
She clung desperately to her mother and let out a yelp of outrage when she was hauled backwards. She felt fingers wrap around her arm, shackling her in their hold as she was dragged farther from her mother.
"Enough of this babyish behavior. You are a young lady and will behave in a manner suitable for an Elemental apprentice. We are leaving now. Celena, take lead."
"Yes, Mistress Yelena."
Jazmine struggled, but Mistress Yelena's grip did not change. She glanced behind her and the only thing she could see as they rounded the bend was the thin curl of smoke from the chimney as she was forced from the only life she'd ever known.
***
Eipaikka, North Province
She was floating in a sea of warmth. She liked being in this place where she felt most welcome. Where no one bothered her or looked down on her. Here she could dream undisturbed. It was a great feeling. A comforting feeling.
Alea. Heed my words. You are a wave that will change the face of the Second Continent. You must rage forth and free the hidden truths.
That soothing voice that always spoke to her in the water, washed over her, filling her with its love. Love. The only thing that she thought of when she heard that word was water. In the water, all people were equal.
You must wake, Child of Water. Wake and become my messenger.
Yes, that she could do. For the water that was her life, she could and would do anything….
The first thing she noticed was the bars of the cell. Alea sighed. The one place she didn't want to be and yet here she was.
"You're awake. Do you know the quickest way to catch a thief?"
Alea kept her features schooled and sat up to study her captor. It was the woman she had tried to rob earlier in the day.
"You drown them like a rat." The woman cackled at her own joke, stood and dusted off her gown.
"Did you need something from me?"
"Straight to the point. Just like a thief."
"If you don't need anything, you need to set me free. You have nothing that can keep me in here."
"True, I don't, but the officials do. However, since you are my responsibility, you can't stay here. I have a job for you, the best one you'll ever get."
"Really? How much you paying me?" Alea scratched at her side, her mind already imagining the money she would make.
"You don't get paid until the end of the job."
"Uh, uh. I don't work that way. You pay half now and the rest at the end."
"I get you out of prison and pay you at the end. That's the deal. Take it or leave it."
"Fine. I was ready to move on anyway. So get me out of here."
The woman grinned and came closer. "It's going to be fun working with you."
A shiver of fear raced through Alea. She had to tread carefully. No person was trustworthy. But she could pretend to go along with this woman and, when the moment came, make her escape.
The woman motioned a guard over and he unlocked the door, swinging it open.
Alea gave him a smirk and slid past him. She spit in her hand and held it out. "I'm Alea and I'll be happy to take this job."
The woman spit in her hand and clasped it to Alea's.
"I am Mistress Telena and, my dear girl, you are now my Apprentice."
"What?"
"Your oath is binding. Now let's go."
Alea wanted to protest but then she heard the singing of the water in her mind. Yes, she could do anything as long as the water was with her. She grinned and scampered after Telena. Yes, she was going to have fun.