Chapter 1

She rummaged through the treasure box in the corner of the dirty attic. Dust and moth-eaten chunks of wood flew everywhere. 'Aha,' she thought to herself, 'Found it.' Pulling out the old book, she blew hard at the cover, which was thick with dirt. She tugged the bottom of her shirt up and wiped at the front cover. There it was. Emblazoned in gold lettering with dull red patterning around it, the words shined up at her:

She recognised this as 'Faerie' in an ancient language. Tucking the heavy book under her arm, she traipsed back downstairs towards the study. In a cloud of dust, she dumped the book on the paper-littered desk. Carefully, so as not to tear the delicate pages, she opened the book. Turning over the first two pages, she stared down at the inscription, which bore her name on top:
Cerys.

You are at your point of knowing
You have reached your point of growing
Your past is a great realm of immortality
You are ready to know your true nationality
This book may guide you on your way
Now wrote in history on this day
On your 16th birthday may you find out
Who you are and what you are all about.

~Iambini~

She gazed down at the confusing inscription, holding her breath as she dared to turn the next page. A light, brighter than the brightest, shot out of the middle of the page. She recoiled back and stared. The light split into a fountain at the top and small beads of light emerged from it and floated around her. As the other beads died away, one particular bead danced in front of her, the most beautiful song emerged and found its way to her ears. The song was so soft; she couldn't make out the words. Cerys closed her eyes and she swayed to the music, unaware of her own actions. To her dissatisfaction, the music stopped. Looking down at the desk, she jumped, startled at what she saw. Sitting on the edge of the chestnut wood desk, was a little woman. She couldn't have been more than 3 inches high, with the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. Her hair was long and red and she had the most stunning clothes on. Her shirt was cropped so short it showed her elusive waist. Her shorts were the same as the top, but barely came down her legs. Cerys noticed a small badge with a miniature twister decorated on it. She wore no shoes on her feet. Cerys stared, mouthing wordlessly at her. When she had sat into the seat behind her, the little lady stood up. She gracefully skipped a couple of steps before she stood and giggled softly. "My name is Nia." She said lightly. Cerys opened her mouth to speak, but Nia continued. "I am from Iambini Forest. Which is situated in Northwood. You wouldn't know it because it is not visible to the human kind. I live in a very small hut next to the great Fountain, Aranosia. Okay. I am here to tell you that your destiny has changed." Nia took a deep breath, and then furrowed her eyebrow at Cerys. Cerys sighed. "I don't get it. What do you mean my destiny has changed? What was it before?" Nia looked at her and smiled before answering. "You were going to be going to the Water Nymphs Realm to help them, but now you are to be coming with me to Iambini Forest to help us." Nia spoke as one commenting on the weather! Cerys ran her hand through her long black hair. "How am I supposed to do that? I'm just a normal, 16 year old girl. I'm going to be an accountant!" Nia giggled and shook her head. "You will be coming with me like your Mother did before you." Cerys' head snapped up at those words and she became angry. "My mother died ten years ago. Don't talk about her. I never knew her and she was never around anyway." Nia frowned at her. "Dead? Why no! Elaina is up at the hand of my Father. It was her destiny to join us too. She has been with us for ten wonderfully long years and now she has given me instructions to bring you to her this day." Nia looked at Cerys meaningfully. Cerys gawped back her mouth wide open in shock. "My - hang on, are you telling me my mother is alive and with your Father in this Aranosia place? You are crazy." Cerys turned away from her and pulled at her hair trying to make sense of it. Nia cocked her head to one side, watching Cerys. "Cerys, do you even know what I am? Do you even understand why we need you?" Cerys turned around to look at her, shaking her head slowly. "We are Iambini. Faeries of the Elements; Water, Earth, Air and Fire. I am a faerie of the Element Air. 100 years ago, I was destined to serve and guide your family. I go from generation to generation of the Matthews women. I wrote this book to tell you all you need to know and do." Nia sat with her feet tucked underneath her. "Are you telling me that you are an Element faerie from Aranosia who has guided my mother and you are now guiding me? Why me, what can I do?" Nia looked a little uncomfortable at these words. Cerys felt angry, confused and guilty all at once. "Aranosia is under threat. Someone is after our treasured Emerald Amulet and take over Aranosia. Our Queen is in distress." Cerys leaned heavily against the wall and stared disbelievingly at Nia. "Who is the Queen?" Cerys dreaded the answer. "Elaina." Nia whispered. "And why do they want the Amulet?" Nia jumped up. "The Amulet holds the faeries song. It gives you immortality and a power." Cerys felt interested now and was eager to know more. "What kind of power?" "That all depends. Here is mine." Nia rose up into the air and sprinkled what looked like silver dust all around the desk. She spiralled one hand around and a small twister emerged. Cerys gasped delightedly. This was no ordinary twister because it was gold, silver lights danced from the centre.
Stepping slightly towards Nia, Cerys held out a quivering hand. Nia pushed her hands slowly outwards. The twister glided into Cerys' hands. It felt warm and ticklish. Nia blew air gently from her mouth until it disappeared. "I possess the Element Air. So you see, I am genuine." Cerys smiled and nodded. Nia beckoned to Cerys to follow her. A light opened up in the book. Nia jumped in and Cerys followed suit. She blacked out.