Most children enjoyed a fresh sweet every once in a while, or a new toy. Most children found themselves getting into trouble on a daily basis. Most children had big bright eyes, rosy cheeks and scrapped knees. Neria Surana wasn't like most children.
She was nine years old when she first arrived at the Circle. When Irving had first introduced himself she had refused all their little gifts and attempts at friendship. It wasn't until later when he had found her buried in an old and rather dull tome that Irving realized this child wouldn't be one over by feeble gifts and halfhearted compliments.
As she grew accustomed to the Circle he noticed she never played with the other children. Instead, she would follow Irving around like a shadow, constantly asking questions and demanding answers. At lunch she would eat with Wynne and a few of the other older enchanters. It got to a point where the other children would make fun of her for it. Of course the next morning these same children would wake up to find all their socks had been frozen solid.
Neria was wise beyond her years and Irving thought of her as one of his star pupils. However, he did worry about her. She was only a child after all. But she refused to interact with the other children, only speaking to them when she needed to in classes.
One day a Templar had asked her about it in the library. "Why don't you ever play with the other kids Neria? I'm sure you all have a lot in common."
Neria had looked up at this man and given him the worst glower a nine year old could muster. Her eyes were like ice and with a condescending tone she asked, "Do you think me a fool, Templar?"
The Templar had blinked in surprise.
"Oh, how I wish I had the free time you simpletons do." She sighed and got up from her seat on the windowsill and left.
The other students had found it hilarious. Of course Irving had to get on to her for it later.
As time passed more students joined the circle and more took notice of Neria. She was an exotic sight to say the least. With long, snow white hair and cold blue eyes. She was a beautiful child indeed. However, when new students would try to speak to her they were met by her cold and uncaring attitude. Older students would laugh and roll their eyes. "That's just Neria." They would say.
Even though her reputation made her seem like an ice queen, the people of the Circle never held it against her. Most of them had grown up together after all. And all the teachers adored her.
But the older she grew the milder her temper became. She wouldn't call out a student's idiocy unless they really worked on it. She had good friends. Not many, mainly it was just Jowan, but she had them none the less.
She was one of the brightest apprentices of her time and everyone agreed her future was bright. She had any number of possibilities. Irving could ever see as a court mage.
Then her life was turned upside down when the wardens came to the Circle.
Irving watched as his best student was thrown into the chaos that Jowan had brought with him. There was nothing he could do for her and he watched with heavy heart as Knight Commander Gregor confronted her. Though, even as he stood her down Neria's gaze never faltered. She faced the Commander with her head held high.
That was when the Warden Commander had interrupted them and claimed the right of conscription.
Irving watched her leave with a small smile on his face. He had thought she would have made a wonderful court mage, but she would make a genius Warden.
He had never been more proud.
