Prologue
Born out of the desperation from a dying clan, three sisters came to live in a dark world. Banished and forgotten by their Goddess, the Vile Tribe placed their hopes on these daughters to lead them back into the beautiful world blessed by the Goddess, Althena. To achieve this, each child was given gifts of beauty, whit, and skill. Each had her own talent setting her aside from the others.
The eldest child had the ability to change appearance, assuming any position she desired. The middle child was given great compassion, along with the ability to convince one of an alternate reality. The youngest had the gift of foresight. A seer, she saw how people and events twined. She was able to tweak the threads of time, manipulating events to happen as she pleased.
These children of the Vile Tribe sought Lord Ghaleon. He promised to lead their people into the beautiful world beyond the dying frontier. His leadership, backed by the three sisters, would lead the Vile Tribe to overpower the very Goddess whose love created them, and disgust banished them.
This is the story of the youngest sister. The seer who failed to read the signs of Lord Ghaleon's betrayal.
Chapter 1
Tempting Engagements
Nash sat cross-legged against one of the scores of bookshelves in Vane's extensive library, back uncomfortably wedged against odd shaped volumes protruding from the shelf. Beside him rose a tower of references on the blue star and the solar system. Nash was assigned a report on astronomy, which he personally found to be a very dull topic. Who cared about a bunch of suns and planets billions of miles away? Nash would much rather be out perfecting his lightening magic, or at least studying new spells. Vane's students could even be looking into why Guildmaster Lemia had been acting to strange of late. Of course, this report wasn't due until next week and he had the whole weekend ahead of him, but he prided himself on being one step ahead of the rest of his class.
"Hello, Nash," whispered a husky voice. Startled, Nash looked up to see a young woman sitting, also cross-legged, in front of him. He stared at her, blinking. Where did she come from? How had she been so silent that he had not noticed her? The woman wore a black robe; hood draped over her fair-skinned heart-shaped face and dark blond hair that hung freely just past her chin. A blue tattoo of a lightening bolt covered the left half of her face. Her thin lips were thin pressed, covered in black lipstick. Nash shivered as he stared into her red—yes, red—eyes. Still, she was very attractive. Not a beautiful image of purity like Mia Ausa, but definitely sexy with an edge. Nash confirmed that fact with a quick glance downward, scanning a curved body for one so thin.
"Um … uh, hi," he stumbled over his words. He felt like an idiot, so intimidated by this strange woman he didn't bother to wonder how she'd known his name.
"I've been watching you," she smiled coyly as she looked him up and down.
Nash slapped on his best cocky grin. "Now have you?" he said, trying to make his voice sound deep and masculine. Could this woman really have noticed and been attracted to his charm that Mia failed to see? He'd been on dates with girls before, but never had anyone come on to him. He'd enjoyed dating, but he always lost interest and returned to pursue Mia, the guildmaster's daughter. He glanced nervously left and right to confirm that no one else was in this vicinity of the library.
The woman placed a hand on Nash's knee and leaned forward until her face was just an inch from his. She began to caress his cheek softly. "I like you, Nash."
"Who are you?"
"I am called Royce," she breathed. She leaned closer until their mouths met. Nash shuddered with surprise and mixed emotions, enjoying and loathing the feeling of her cold lips against his. Mia would not approve! But yet, it felt … nice.
Royce pulled back after a few moments when they heard someone approaching. The librarian walked past, clearing his throat and giving them both a dirty look. Royce's eyes followed him until he was gone, then she turned back to Nash.
"Can I see you again?" Nash pleaded. What was he doing?
"Tomorrow at the shop on the end of Black Rose Street," she stated in a tone Nash wouldn't dare disobey.
"I will be there," Nash replied quietly, "but tell me, how do you know who I…" Nash didn't finish his sentence as Royce leapt to her feet, turned her back, and briskly marched around the corner. Nash promptly leaped up to follow, but found she had hastily departed the library.
Nash stared at the random patterns left by the paint on the ceiling of his dorm. He'd abandoned his studies to return to the quiet of his room he shared with Lark, the laid-back, carefree student who was out at the time. Those enrolled in Vane's magic school attended class in the morning had an hour lunch break, then returned to their studies until class was dismissed in early afternoon. The rest of the day was free time. Normally, Nash would be out with his peers competing in target practice, or studying.
However, tonight he lay sprawled upon his bed, lost in thought. Who was Royce? He'd seen her somewhere before, but where? She wasn't from Vane; he knew the names and faces of all the students enrolled there. Maybe he had seen her at Black Rose Street? Egotistical as he was, he liked to think of himself as fairly well known. Perhaps Royce had heard of Ghaleon's favorite pupil?
Nash loved Mia Ausa, he was sure of that. He pulled out her bromide, tattered from being carried everywhere with him. Holding it above his head, Nash sighed as he admired her beauty. He dreamed of holding her innocent body in his arms, stroking her luxurious black curls. If only she weren't so absorbed in her worries! Mia spent so much time dwelling on her doubts that she failed to see how Nash felt about her.
Would Mia be disgusted if she knew Nash was actually considering meeting Royce tomorrow? He couldn't go through with it! Yet, the youngest Ausa showed no hint of being romantically interested in him. ARGH! Nash thought, being an adolescent is so difficult!
Nash sat up as he heard the door open. Like a tantrum, Lark stormed into the room and leaped onto his unmade bed. Slob and flirt, Lark spent more time wooing women or drinking with his friends than actually improving his skills as a magician. Although Nash got along with his roommate, he regretted how unappreciative Lark was. He didn't realize how fortunate he was to be enrolled in Vane's school of magic!
"Yo, Nash!" Lark greeted, running his hand through his spiked red hair. "I gotta date tonight, so if you don't mind me getting ready while you're here—hey, why the glum face? Girl trouble?"
"You could say that," Nash sighed, shoulders slumped. He still held Mia's bromide in his hand as he gazed at it, a melancholy look on his face. Lark always was going on dates. Nash suspected he often brought girlfriends back to their room when Nash was away on errands.
"What's bothering you, bro?"
"Lark, if the girl you cared about acted as if you didn't even exist—"
"I'd move on, pal, no use wastin' your youth gawking over some babe who isn't in to you. You know you're hotstuff. Find yourself a new chick, you know? I thought I was head over heels for this one gal …"
Lark went on, ranting about his past girlfriends. Nash didn't listen, returning to his thoughts. There was no class tomorrow, and students often traveled to Meribia. It wasn't more than a half a days walk, quicker on horseback. Nash smiled, finally deciding he would meet Royce.