A Toran's Tale

Chapter 1

A Dream, a Wish, and a Blessing

The night sky shone all black and blue

No moon shone, its gentle hew.

On an island bloomed flowers red

Another shone white, the Isle of the Dead.

Amongst the red a diamond white

Yet not a stone, still glorious sight.

FIND ME!

Orion woke as if he had a terrible nightmare. Breathing hard and wide eyed he recalled the dream and the words spoken to him. He covered his eyes to gather himself but it was doing little good. The dream was intense even for himself. Then he felt the magic of Tora wash over him. Calming, soothing, and making him relax in his bed.

He looked around his room with walls made of marble like every other building in Tora. He had a desk to his left and a night stand to his right. A wardrobe stood in the corner of his room opposite of the door, leading to the living room of his house. He didn't have many decorations. It was a simple room to most. But life is easy when you live in Tora.

Orion looked out his window at the sun just beginning to rise. The city looked grey in the shadow of Tora's walls. The sky was a contrast to the dullness of the shadowed city. Red, orange and yellow shone like fire over the walls. And a pale velvet sky looking as calming as the magic of Tora. He looked in awe at the sunrise, rarely had he seen such beauty. But then again when you live in a city of beauty, you grow accustomed to the sight. Yet this sunrise, this moment, it had taken his breath away.

The waking bell had not rung yet, but he knew he could not go back to sleep. Sighing he got out of bed and undressed out of his bed shirt. He went to the bath to wash himself. The magic allowed many people to live in comfort, so he did not have to worry for heating the water or draining it. He dressed into his robes and looked into a giant mirror beside his wardrobe.

His black silky hair flowed to the small of his back. Eyes, violet as any amethyst, stood on his smooth face. His robes were not like others in Tora. They were long and brushed the marble which they stood. Yet he had chosen different clothing. Orion wore a red shirt with long sleeves, black trousers, and cuffed boots underneath a purple robe with darker trimming. The robe reached his knees and the sleeves were short, reaching for the elbows. A similar sash was tied around his waist, and a silver amulet with a topaz hung from his neck.

Orion looked to his staff which he had rarely needed. Most people did not require such an item, for the people of Tora can do magic without one. Yet he still had the desire for one. The shaft was made from a boolong tree branch, stained red. He had heard that the boolong tree was the strongest of all woods in Deltora. An orb of amethyst rested at the top in a gold setting. It was like most crafts in Tora, simple but elegant.

Then he heard the morning bell ring and looked at the window again. The sun had fully risen and the sky was no longer a flame on the walls. He looked onto the streets seeing other Torans looking out their own windows and tending their pots and plants.

Then he thought of his dream again. All Orion had looked at was stone and clay. Yet he knew what he saw was the sea and islands. Never had he seen such things before. It was not forbidden to leave, they were allowed to walk on the walls, but why would they? The city provided everything and saw to every need. It was interesting to Orion. He was thinking, what could be out there? What wonders, what terrors, beasts that ran in the forests and fields. The only animals he had seen were birds, butterflies, and a mouse he had caught by the tail once.

A smile crept onto his lips, excitement bubbling inside him like a cauldron. Then he thought of his father. What would he say? How would his brothers think? His little sister? The smile faded as he thought of his family. He was the eldest of four, his brothers each a year younger then the other. The youngest of his siblings was his sister, Ann who was eight. To tell one Toran was to tell all. What would others think? He was to turn seventeen today.

Orion looked up with an idea. "That's it." His father had always said that he could receive one wish for his birthday. Now he was certain what he wanted. When his father would ask what he wanted, he would ask to travel Deltora. Orion grabbed his staff and walked out to see his family.

The day had gone by without incident. And after supper did his family give their gifts. First to give his gift was his little sister Ann. She was dressed in purple robes, in Toran fashion. Her eyes were violet, like his, and she was often spoilt by his brothers. Ann had gave Orion a crown of flowers with little daisies. He had laughed, put it on, and thanked Leean with a hug, saying he loved it. Next was the youngest brother, Perseus. His eyes were dark, like their fathers, and wore robes of a lighter blue. Perseus had given him a dagger, a strange gift to be given in Tora, but it was none the less welcome. He wore the dagger on his sash and smiled at the weapon, thinking of its usefulness. The last gift from his siblings was from Cepheus, the second eldest. His robes were a deep green and also wore an amulet but had a ruby. He had given him a circlet with an opal set in it. He made the flower crown into a bracelet and adorned the bronze circlet. Now Orion faced his father and his Harin looked at him sternly. He was an intimidating man, with his black beard and blue Toran robes. "You know, that my gift is a wish from me. What is it that you want?"

Orion looked down thinking, making sure he was not backing down from his decision. "Father. My wish is to explore Deltora." His brothers looked at him in surprise then to each other. Ann just looked at her family wonder why they looked surprised. His father remained stoic.

"And why do you wish to explore Deltora?" Harin always did ask why he wanted what he wished. He even did this to his other children, his siblings. If you did not have a reason, you do not receive.

"Last night I had a dream. I dreamt of two islands and a diamond. Words spoke to me telling me to find it. The dream scared me, I admit it. I saw the sea, islands, and I felt that I was actually there. I was called to it. But what confirmed that I should go was the sunrise. Have you ever seen the sunrise?" Harin nodded, closing his eyes. Orion explained to his siblings. "The sky looked like fire along the walls, and the sky was velvet. It was beautiful. That was when I realized that I've never seen the outside world. All I've seen is clay and stone. I want to see beyond that. Will you allow me to travel farther?"

"Can I go too, father?" Ann asked. The males all chuckled at the youngest child's question. She had asked so innocently, it was cute. But she clearly did not understand the whole situation. "No, you cannot Ann." Said Harin. "Orion. You know that your mother left to a calling and she has not returned. How can you expect me to let you go like your mother did?" The boys all flinched at that.

Orion had hoped to avoid that question. When their mother, Cass, had left because of a dream and a feeling it had left the boys heartbroken. She had worn robes similar to what Orion wore now, but they were a deep scarlet, and she wore a pink dress underneath. Cass had told them that she had a dream the night before. She did not go into detail, and Harin had refused to tell them any details. Cass had told her husband the dream, but not their children.

"Orion I fear that if I let you go, we will never see you again. What possible assurance can you possibly give me that you will come back?" Orion thought about that for a moment.

"I only plan to travel to the place in my dream and then come back. I know where the Isle of the Dead is, so I can only assume that the other isle is Blood Lily Island." The males all widened their eyes at this realization. Ann only frowned, not liking the name. "Please father, I know it may be dangerous, but I have to do this!"

Harin stared at his eldest intently. The stare was piercing to Orion but he did not back down. Harin relented. "You will go even if I say no, aren't you?" His voice was hallow and his body slumped looking down at floor.

"…I wish to go. You know I would ask permission first, before to do anything. And I would rather much having your blessing. But father, I will go with or without it."

"…Very well. But you will leave at sunrise tomorrow. Tonight you pack and stay the night."

"Thank you, father."

Hello Fanfiction. I'm writing again and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you have read my other stories, and are following them, I am sorry for not updating them. My life is sort of in a rough patch right now and I hope you understand when I say that nothing feels right in the world. My plan right now is to write and finish the fic first then I will get back to my other stories. Please review, and thanks for reading.