The Grand Mage
By dragonlady
Chapter One: Beginnings
Ileana Melinsere was totally normal. She had friends, went to middle school, and, of course, was addicted to all things Tortall. Ileana Melinsere was an ordinary girl-except for one thing.
It had all started on her thirteenth birthday. It was just after midnight when Ileana had a dream. The Goddess had come to her, and she had said a great many things.
"Ileana, my daughter," said the Mother. "I have come to offer you a choice. You are one of my Chosen, greater than all that have come before you. That is, you will be, if you accept my offer. War is coming to the worlds. Only one can stop it-you. You will go into Tortall, and do as I bid you-if you pass the initial test. If all goes well, you will receive power, love, and great happiness. But if you fail, the light of the worlds, Tortall and your world, will go out. And even if all does go well, there will be a price to pay. What is your decision?"
Ileana was stunned. Tortall? Go into Tortall? The potential for great happiness? This mysterious price worried her, true, but what would happen if she refused? If what the Goddess said was true, this war would come no matter what, and if she was not there, then disaster would strike. For Ileana, that settled it. "I accept, my Mother."
"Good," the Goddess said. "This is what will happen. Every night I will come to you like this, and educate you in the ways of our world. After a time, you will go into Tortall, but as someone who already exists. If that works, you will go as yourself."
To Ileana, that made no sense. The Goddess seemed to sense this, and said. "Do not worry, I will explain when the time comes. I must go, but I will be back tomorrow at the stroke of midnight."
A green nimbus illumined the room, and then she was gone. Ileana sat up, blinking. Was the whole thing just a dream? But then, it seemed that her bookshelf suddenly flashed in an emerald glow. That settled it. Happy, but more than a little shaken, Ileana fell asleep.
For the next few weeks, Ileana's friends noticed that she was behaving oddly. She was more aloof, and grew preoccupied quite easily. Luckily for Ileana, they all shrugged it off as stress. However normal her outward life appeared, Ileana's night life was very interesting. She learned more and more of the customs of Tortall, and delighted in each and every tidbit. And then came a night when something different happened.
"Ileana," said the Goddess, "you are ready."
"Ready to do what?"
"To go into Tortall, of course."
Wow. I've been wanting to do this for a long time. However boring this may have seemed, it gets better, I promise. Review!
Dragonlady