Disclaimer: Of course I'm not Chrstopher Poalini! I'm only a girl who has decided to wreak havoc upon Alagaësia by changing the books...So read on!

Prologue:

Finding Stones

Adurna walked through the forest outside the city of Teirm, treading carefully so as to not alert the herd of deer she was stalking. She had followed them through the woods for the better part of the day and had finally tracked the herd to a secluded meadow, where the deer now grazed lazily.

She brushed a long strand of black hair out of her crystal blue eyes. She, herself was very attractive, with pale skin and a tall, lithe composer. It was one of the reasons that Telnir, the owner of the tavern she worked at, allowed her to work and stay there. She attracted more customers when she was on duty, enough so that she could buy herself a horse with the tips they left after a few years of saving, for when Telnir sent her on a trip to Narda or Kuasta for business. In fact she was returning from one now, and was only a day or so from Teirm. But her food had run out, so she was forced to hunt out in the wilderness so close to home, lest she starve.

She started to walk towards them, preparing to shoot a small buck with her bow. Out of nowhere, a large stone, that Adurna had not noticed before, tripped her; causing her to sprawl face first into the meadow. The startled deer took off into the trees and by the time Adurna had spit out the mouth full of dirt and wild grass that was still there, despite the winter, the herd was long gone.

She cursed, looking at the stone she had tripped over. She glared at it, before she felt her heart soften. Adurna dug it out of the ground, holding it in her long fingered, and delicate hands. It was magnificent. It was about a foot long, and was white in color with lines of gold spiraling across it. At first she thought that maybe she could sell it. Leave the tavern and make a home for herself where there wasn't men that often became drunk and went to far, getting themselves thrown out of the tavern by Telnir. But as soon as she thought of it, she balked at the idea. The stone was simply too beautiful to sell. She set the stone in her pack, and then called to a pure white hawk that flew above her with her mind. You can come down now, Evandar. Immediately, the bird dove out of the sky and alighted on her arm.

Did you shoot anything? Evandar asked her.

No. I tripped over something and startled the deer. But you wouldn't believe what I tripped over. Adurna showed him the stone. Isn't it the most beautiful thing you ever saw?

Evandar looked between her and the stone, then said, Yes, myself not included, of course.

Adurna rolled her eyes at the hawk's statement. He always prided himself for his white coat, something that had been given to him, along with his intelligence, by her mother when she was still alive. Yes, yes, of course. She told him sarcastically, and he gazed at her indignantly before nibbling her ear.

Shouldn't we start moving again before the sun sets? The white hawk asked the fifteen year old girl after a moments pause.

You're right. But there is no way that we are going to reach Teirm before night fall. Adurna said, and then she left the meadow and proceeded to find the trail and travel along it before turning off it and heading down a side path. At last, she reached her destination. It was a small clearing that had an old, abandoned cottage in the center. Her true home. The home where her heart lie. She approached the cottage and went inside, depositing her pack before going outside again to check on her horse, Shadowstar. He was a solid black horse that she had bought for traveling a few years back. Evandar stared at the horse in disgust.

I still don't see why you insist on riding that over sized deer. He said, the distain clear in his voice.

As I have told you before, Shadowstar is a horse. And you will treat him with respect. You and him have both been my traveling companions, you know. Not all of us can fly. Then softer, she added. Still, you are a great companion to have.

He stared indignantly again. Better than most. He said hotly. Adurna only chuckled at this.

The next morning, Adurna woke early and rode Shadowstar while Evandar flew overhead. It was only a few hours later when she reached the walls of Teirm. To soldiers stood guard at the entrance, and lowered their spears to block the way. One said in a husky voice, "What's yer business here in Teirm ma'am?"

"I'm returning from a business trip to Narda."

The soldiers allowed her entrance and she made her way to the tavern. Once there, she took Shadowstar to the stable and left him there as Evandar flew into her room on the second story through an open window. Adurna opened the door to the tavern and entered. Several people were there, sitting at tables, eating and drinking ale. She made her way to the counter, were the unmistakable form of Telnir was standing. He was a tall, broad shouldered man, who never took kindly to the bold men that came in and tried to make an advance on his waitresses. He had thrown out at lease a quarter of the population the came into his tavern and went too far. He was a very stern man, but was kind to Adurna and the two other waitresses that worked for him, though Adurna was the only one that he sent out on trips to the other cities because of two reasons. First, she was trustworthy, and second, she was the daughter of the woman who had died so many years ago who had saved his life.

"Ah, Adurna! Nice ta see ya. What news?" he asked in a warm voice.

Adurna deposited a bag of coins in front of him, and said, "Nothing much. The Urgals are around and about, but seem to be heading south, for what ever reason. Finn says to tell you hello from him."

"Good, good. If you could go upstairs an' clean yourself up, then come back down to work. Normally, I'd let ya go to bed, but Anaissa's been sick." He said good naturedly.

Adurna nodded to show that she had heard him, and then walked quickly past him and up the stairs that lead to the second level. She turned right, and then opened the door to her bedroom. It was a smallish, simple room with a bed and night stand in one corner, by the window, and a dresser in the other. There was a wash closet on the other side of the room, which she went to and filled with hot water. Then she put down her pack, taking the stone out, and sat down on the bed. Evandar swooped down beside her and watched her carefully. You're not thinking of selling it, are you? He asked, still watching her movements.

No, of course not. It is to beautiful for me to even consider doing such a thing. She answered, appalled.

Good. You should keep it.

Adurna stared at him thoughtfully, her curiosity aroused. Why? What is so important about it?

Evandar bristled, fanning out his broad wings and waving his tail. Nothing, of course.

Ah, but say that in the ancient language, my friend. When he remained silent, she pressed, Come on, I know mother taught you it, as she did me. Say it. He continued his stately silence. Deciding she would wrestle it out of the self-dignified bird later, she slipped out of her tunic and leather boots, sliding herself into the steaming water. She sighed, and for a moment, the outside world didn't exist. But then she reached a hand out and grasped the soap. Washing her hair with it, she felt clean and unsoiled.

For some reason or another, she had always been very particular about making sure that she was clean. It didn't feel right to be even slightly dirty or have unclean and messy hair. She didn't know why she had always liked being fresh and clean smelling. Maybe it was because of her mother. Adurna couldn't remember much about her. She had only been five or six when she had died. The only true memory of her mother was when she had told her to go to Telnir as she lay, dying on the ground. A sword wound was what had made the woman die. Many years later, Adurna had journeyed with the white hawk, Evandar, to the cottage and had found her mothers sword. She had taken it, training herself how to use it. Now that Adurna had to go on trips to Narda and Kuasta, she carried the sword in her saddle bags, and in doing so, the spectacular light blue blade, that her mother had named Aiedail, had saved her life on multiple occasions.

At last, she drained the basin, and dried herself before dressing in a clean tunic and wandering down the stairs. She was meet by the loud chatter of men and the clanking of mugs being set on tables. She saw Nayda, the other girl that worked there at the tavern and was only a year or so younger than herself, rushing about, filling orders and bringing fresh food and drink around the tables. Adurna joined her, and till well into the night, she continued to hurry about the tavern, serving the occupants and collecting a few very large tips.

When she finally trudged up the stairs and to her room, she was so exhausted that she didn't even bother to pull down the covers of the bed and instead flopped onto it fully clothed, falling asleep immediately. Unknown to her though, Evandar was still watching her, perched on the bed post. The egg lay next to the tall form of the sleeping girl, though she did not know it. In time, Adurna. In time you will know all. And one day you will be one of the most powerful warriors to ever walk Alagaësia. Just you wait. The hawk, white as snow, said to her, though she did not hear it.

So what do you think? Don't be shy. Do you think it is good or bad? I promise that I won't hate you if you don' like it. Best wishes,

Signed,

V.H.