Calogran, more commonly known as Cal, was swinging his sword around fiercely. He danced around the dummy as seriously as if it were a real person, even though it was only animated when his father was around to supervise. For safety reasons, his father wouldn't let him spar with a living opponent when there was no one around to watch.

Cal had built up quite a sweat, which made sense considering how hot it was out. It was like the sun had decided to suddenly move a lot closer to the earth. Finished practicing for the day, even though a real knight would probably never stop practicing, Cal sighed and walked back into the house.

It was a rather large place for a family of four, but that was because it had been a gift. While their father continued to be employed by the king, doing so much for the man, his family was in constant danger. That was why, back when Cal was born, his parents had decided that it would be best if they live somewhere outside of the busy city, and his father would just have to commute to work.

But apparently there had been some kind of emergency or something, so Cal's mom had left to go to the city for a fortnight to stay with her husband while everything was worked out. She left Cal with the strict instructions to not leave the grounds for any reason, and to watch over his younger sister, Elizalla, more commonly known as Eli.

Eli was already fifteen, and could easily take care of herself, but their mother was very protective of the girl, and unwilling to let any risk of harm ever be present. She loved Cal just as much, but Cal was nineteen, and he was a strong young man who had proven his worth with a blade more times than he could count. Eli, no matter what she said, would not be able to get herself out of any situation. She had a natural affinity for causing trouble, and more often than not, Cal found himself bailing her out.

But the boy didn't really mind, because he loved Eli, and he had been a faithful older brother to her for as long as anyone in the small family could remember. Eli bounced into the room, but she wasn't able to startle Cal, since the girl had been jumping out at him at every given opportunity since they were just small children.

She grinned regardless, and motioned for her brother to sit down. Eli put down a cup, then carefully poured some cool water in for him. She knew how tiring swordplay could be, since she had seen him go at it often enough. While Cal sipped his water, he tipped back his chair onto the two hind legs, and looked up at Eli.

The younger girl eagerly took the invitation to tell him all about her day. While Cal could still practice swordplay without their parents around, Eli wasn't supposed to practice her art for even a second without supervision. Magic could be dangerous, and Eli understood that as well as anyone.

The girl launched into a mindless chatter about every single thing that had occurred while Cal was out practicing. After a while, there was a knock at the door. Eli stopped midsentence, and peered up at her brother. "I thought Mother won't be back until next week?"

Cal looked equally confused. "That's what she said. And even if she was back early, she wouldn't need to knock." He motioned for Eli to step back, and he carefully drew out his sword, which he still had on him. Cal walked over to the door. "Who's there?"

There was a soft chuckle. "So much mistrust from the children of a man who is an open book." The voice was feminine and pretty sounding. "I'm a friend. I merely wish to talk."

Cal turned back to face his sister, and bit his lip contemplatively. He could ask her to use magic to see whether the person at the door was telling the truth, but she wasn't supposed to use magic when their parents weren't around. Oh well. He turned back to the door. "I'm sorry, but we're really not in any position to be receiving any guests at this time-" The door flew off its hinges, smashing right into Cal and dragging him across the room.

A beautiful woman stormed into the house, and her gaze passed over Cal, and landed on Eli. Eli ran over to try and pry the door off of her brother so he would be able to get up. The woman shook her head. "I don't know what you've been through, you poor girl. To think, that you were raised by vermin, and taught to love vermin. It sickens me how lost you are, but fear not. I promise to help you find your way."

Eli couldn't lift the door, it was too heavy, and she didn't want to use her magic now, and lose her element of surprise. She crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you talking about?"

The woman sighed. "Okay, here's the thing. When I said that I was a friend… yeah… that was a lie. I despise your father more than you could ever possibly imagine. I've been plotting various ways to hurt him for longer than you've even been alive. And then, just when I had given up all hope of ever being able to hurt that vile man, I got word from a little birdy that the most powerful sorcerer in all the lands has one weak spot: his family. So I figured that the easiest way to hurt that demon would be to get to him through his children. So I caused a distraction in the city, and came here."

Eli narrowed her eyes. "You can't hurt us. Our father will stop you-"

The woman laughed. "Oh, dear girl, I'm not here to hurt you. While that might hurt your father, it won't have the same lasting sting that betrayal would. I'm going to hurt that man by letting him watch his daughter join me."

The girl scoffed. "Yeah, right. Like that would ever happen."

The woman shrugged. "There is a very good reason that I detest the mere mention of your father. If you only knew… you would turn against him in a heartbeat. You would be willing to do anything to destroy that man, including turning to the darkness that's within every magical being."

Eli shook her head. "You must be mental. I would never turn against my own father, no matter what he's done."

The woman nodded. "Maybe. If you're so sure, then you wouldn't mind going through this trial anyways, would you?"

Cal spoke up from the floor, where he was starting to regain consciousness. "Don't do anything she says, Eli. She can't be trusted."

The girl sighed. "Why? Because she doesn't like our father? There are probably a million people out there that dislike our father."

Cal shook his head, but Eli ignored him. She wouldn't be able to free him from there unless she was able to keep the witch distracted. The woman shook her head as well, perfectly aware of what was going on. "I'm afraid you're not going to be able to free him. But… for the sake of preserving some sort of bond between us, I'll overlook the fact that he's vermin, just this once, and I'll let him live."

Suddenly, Eli felt strange, like every single drop of blood in her body was vibrating simultaneously. She screeched, and wanted desperately to curse the strange. "Who are you?!"

The woman sighed. "My name is Liviana. I'm only telling you that now so you'll be able to recognize me once you see me." She reached forward to press her hand against the girl's forehead. "You know you don't have to worry. It's all going to be okay, I promise."

Eli screamed as she felt like her entire body was being torn into every imaginable direction. Cal shoved desperately against the heavy door, then shouted at Liviana. "Whatever you're doing to her, just stop it!" There was a thick cloud of smoke building up around Eli, and a moment later, it cleared away, leaving nothing behind. It looked like the girl had never even been standing there. He turned to the sorceress angrily. "What did you do to her?!"

Liviana smiled. "I simply sent your sister somewhere she would be able to learn the truth for herself."

Cal gasped. "Why?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "Because I despise Merlin with every bone in my body, and my revenge won't be the same, until precious little Elizalla feels the same way!"