Title: Lighting a Path
Author: ThePenMage
Author's Email: lilacfairy101@yahoo.com
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A/N: Welcome. Some of you are familiar with this story; the completed version was up some months ago. Now, it's back up revised and edited for your reading pleasure. However, due to the lapse, this fic is slightly outdated. It takes place after Squire. Sounds like a long time ago, but the story's pretty good once you get into it. Lots of thanks to Katie (Lady Katherine Heartspark) for her diligent beta-ing of this fic.
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Chapter One: The Insolent Chairman
"–very nice person… great sorrow… will always be remembered…"
Jocel stood quietly, listening to the chairman drone on. She had no interest whatsoever in speeches, especially none lamenting the death of Baron Thomas.
"–left no real heir… would Jocel please…"
Jocel didn't wait to hear the rest – she was already striding up to where the chairman stood. A hundred beady eyes watched as the young girl clattered to the front in a dark blue frock. She wore her coal black hair severely pinned. The preteen stood in front of the chairman and watched him evenly with her dark brown eyes.
The chairman suddenly frowned. He had heard of the girl's impudence and had no wish to deal with it at that moment. He steered her to one side and continued what he had about to say.
"As Baron Thomas's villa is in ruins, there are no accounts of his last will. By custom, all the inheritance usually goes to his heir. Baron Thomas had no heir, only a daughter."
It was all Jocel could do to keep from saying, "So I'm a heiress." However, she couldn't stop herself from sending an evil look to the chairman. He pretended not to have seen her and continued.
"Sadly, much of what Baron Thomas possessed was consumed in the fire. There is very little of his fortune left. What little there is will go to Jocel to help her begin her life in the stree–" The chairman broke off as he caught himself. "To help her begin her new life in Corus. Jocel, you will have until tomorrow to pack your belongings, upon which time a carriage will take you to Corus."
He turned to the audience. "Meeting adjourned."
The audience left slowly, chatting amongst themselves. The few that had caught the real words of the chairman glanced over their shoulders at Jocel, looks of sympathy on their faces.
Jocel ignored them; she didn't care for their sympathy. Her mother had died during childbirth, and her father, constantly traveling, had had no time for her. She never had much money, so she wasn't spoiled, but she had turned into a haughty, aloof girl who didn't make friends easily and gave the impression of not caring for anybody or anything.
As for living in the streets of Corus, Jocel took it as an adventure of her own. Finally, the freedom to do what she wanted!
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A/N: Reviews and/or emails are greatly appreciated!