Age:
Late Elementary
Reading Level: 5.3
Chapter One
All across Lirana, faces turned to the broad, white sky as wind rippled across the hills and fields in a large gust. Babies ceased their crying and stared in wonderment, and young and old alike stopped what they were doing to drop their heads in prayer.
Magic weaved its way across the land in silver streaks, blurring across the sky in glowing knots. In temples and shrines across the land, locked boxes were opened and parcels taken out, half-remembered prayers spilling from withered lips.
"A girl," they whispered. "A daughter has been granted, glory be. The curse may finally be gone!"
And as the people celebrated, a tiny newborn with a tuft of downy white hair was wrapped in a soft white cloth and placed into her mother's arms. An exhausted smile rested on her face as she stroked her baby's cheek, clueless to the magic weaving itself around her daughter.
In the other room, her husband sat with his head in his hands as the midwife delivered the decree that sealed his fate.
"A daughter has been born to you, my lord. What do you want done with her?"
He looked up at the woman who had delivered his father and grandfather, with her mother before her doing the same service for his family. "What should be done?"
The woman lifted her shoulders and took an amulet from her neck. "I will give the child this," she said solemnly. "It will protect her for the first fifteen years of her life. Afterwards, I cannot say. Your family's curse is a dark and knotted thing, not even my magic can stop it all. Perhaps it can be undone, but until then, you must prepare for the worst."
He nodded and pressed two golden coins into her hand as he took the necklace. It was so small, barely the size of his little finger, a dull purple stone on a silver cord that gave off a faint silvery glow.
This was nothing new; the same gift had been bestowed to each girl in his family since they could remember, and they each died. He hoped beyond hope that his child would live, that perhaps the curse that had plagued his family for generations would finally, finally end, but until his daughter was grown, he would know no peace.
Quietly, he made his way to where his wife and child lay, staring down at their sleeping forms with love and sadness, pride and fear.
The child opened her clear blue eyes and whimpered softly. In a moment, she was in his arms, her warm, soft body tucked against his chest.
"It will all be fine, my sweet girl. My sweet Selene," he murmured, rubbing her back as she drifted back to sleep. "I will always protect you."
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Selene had dressed the part of what she hoped was a confident warrior, tying back her long, pale hair into a tight braid and tucking it under a scarf. She'd borrowed a pair of beaten but sturdy dark trousers and a loose tunic, tying it at the waist so it didn't restrict her movements too much. Her amulet was tucked out of sight.
Despite the curse that lingered over her, she was thrilled. To go beyond the castle walls! To see the world for the first time! She was bursting with excitement, but it was tempered with fear.
What if she failed? What if it couldn't be undone, and it was all for naught? Would she have to spend the rest of her days hiding away so she might live a few more miserable moments?
"Selene, darling?" her mother said, peering into the room. Selene spun and her heart tightened. "Are you almost ready?"
"Yes, Mother," she replied, swallowing. "Is it okay to be nervous?"
"Absolutely." Her mother wrapped her arms around her, rocking her gently. "Whatever happens, know that your father and I love you more than anything in this life. Promise me you'll be as safe as you can be."
"I will. I love you, Mother." She drew away and swiped her hands over her cheeks. "I'll come home as soon as the curse is broken."
"I know you will. Good luck."
She made her way to the courtyard quickly, pausing to smooth the lines of her clothes. The sunlight blinded her briefly, but then she could make out the individuals in the yard. Some were massive and terrifying, and others slight and sly looking.
Selene had decided on who was going to accompany her the moment she saw her.
The girl wore the traditional clothes of a hired knife, but she wasn't the usual brash and vulgar man that came immediately to mind. She was slender and small, with dark, unassuming features and intelligent eyes. She stayed apart from the other would-be heroes, opting to polish two wickedly sharp blades in the shadows while the others milled around and joked.
Selene made her way over to the girl and sat down beside her. The girl glanced at her then promptly ignored her presence.
"What brings you here?" Selene asked.
The girl snorted. "Money."
"You look prepared," Selene offered awkwardly. "Have you been doing this long?"
"Years."
"I'd like to travel with you," Selene said, deciding to stop dancing around the subject. She held out her hand.
The girl eyed her warily then extended her own hand, clasping Selene's hand briefly.
"My name is Sel. What's yours?" Selene asked.
"Spira."
No sooner had their introductions been made than Selene's father begin addressing the crowd. "Starting today, your journey begins. A quest to break a curse that has been on my family for generations will commence with you, and it is my sincerest hope that you succeed. My daughter's life, and the life of my family, rests with you."