Chapter 1. A New Year

It was a beautiful morning. The sun shone brightly from the cloudless sky above, somehow finding a way through the many trees of the forest, and piercing any shadows which lay below. It was the start of spring, and for Kira Lawrence, the start of a new year. She had never considered the first months as the New Year- they were no different from the months that had preceded them. Spring was a time for change, the environment of the forest which surrounded her began to once again become familiar with the sense of life that winter so simply seemed to neglect.

For Kira, there was suddenly so much to see, hear and feel. She sensed in the distance a deer, trotting peacefully along, and like her, experiencing the world which seemed to have been lost for such a long time. Kira ambled slowly across a worn dirt path, her keen eyes observing all that surrounded her. She smiled to herself and sighed quietly, grateful for the serenity that she had found. She could wander like this forever, she thought, without a trouble or care in the world. It was truly a perfect day, and one which, it seemed, could not be spoiled. The freshness of the grass and the flowers lifted Kira's spirits tremendously, and she allowed her thoughts to be fully occupied with the beauty of the world around her.

Suddenly she felt a person's weight drop onto her back, and she lay, stunned on the ground, with a much closer view of the grass she had moments ago been admiring than she would like. She had been, rather effectively, pinned to the forest floor. Her arms were held tightly by her head, and despite struggling to escape her attacker's grasp, she found she could not break loose. She gave in to their force and lay defeated beneath them; she had realised long before that there had been no use in struggling, but it had at least been worth a try.

"That," spoke the attacker teasingly, "was far too easy." The weight shifted from her back as she heard them get to their feet behind her. She turned onto her back, propped herself up with her elbows, and steadily met the gaze of a familiar friend. He smiled at her as he offered a hand, which she gratefully accepted. "You were not concentrating," he remarked as he watched her begin to brush off the litter of leaves and grass that her dress had accumulated. "In all honesty Connor," she spoke, "I'd quite forgotten about our game."

"Our game? It is much more than that."

"Then I'm sorry to have spoiled such an important training exercise for you. I'll pay more attention next time, if that's what you wish." She spoke good-naturedly and yet somewhat irritably, and he couldn't help but be amused by her tone. Satisfied that she had restored her dress, Kira allowed the young man a genuine smile, before beginning to continue her walk, this time with someone to share it with. Connor walked alongside her quietly, respectful of the fact she did not wish for conversation.

They wandered for what felt like hours, and before long, were both greeted by a familiar building standing before them. They stopped to consider the manor, before Connor turned to his companion and spoke for the first time since they had initially met that morning. "I wonder if it will be time for breakfast yet." He paused to study the position of the sun. "I'd say it is."

"Yes." Kira agreed. "Most probably. I hope Achilles will be there to enjoy it with us. Did he say if he was going out?"

"No, but I do not think that he would be anywhere else than at home at such an hour." Connor replied. In agreement of this assumption, they both headed towards the building. Before they had reached the door to open it though, it opened for them and they were met by the figure of the man that had been the subject of their recent conversation. "Good morning Achilles," Kira chimed pleasantly, and Connor likewise greeted his mentor. The old man nodded to both, before smiling warmly. "Connor," he said, "Come. I have something to show you."

Kira watched her friend follow him obediently, and presuming it was some attack or defence method that Achilles intended to teach him, decided she was not needed. She had learnt it all before, she thought to herself, and, noting that breakfast was obviously out of the question, headed into the house and to the kitchen in order to prepare something for herself. She reckoned it would be an hour, at least, until Connor would join her again, and she had no doubt he would be eager to demonstrate some new learnt skill. She sighed, deciding to abandon breakfast to instead head outside and train herself. After all, she couldn't let Connor get ahead of her. He had beaten her once already today, and she wouldn't allow that to happen again.

Author notes:

Hi, everyone. Thanks for taking the time to read my story so far. Please review, follow, or favourite my story, as I appreciate all feedback, and I'd love to hear what you think. :)

Thanks again,

kittycat312