Sam meets Celeana.
Sunlight crept through the curtains, dancing of his face as Sam rolled over. It had been another nightmare. The same one as always: the grotesque face of Arobynn leering up at him as he fondled Sam's mother into his private quarters, the blank look in her eyes later when she tucked him into bed. At least she was free now. It had been 3 years since she had passed. 3 since that awful day when he realised he was alone in the world. 3 years since something had snapped inside of him. He had drowned himself in his training. Stab, slash, flip, roll. Day in day out he distracted himself from the harsh truth of reality, but for how much longer? Stretching, he stood and padded lightly across to the wash basin in the corner, splashing the refreshing water over his sweaty skin. Just one day at a time, that was all he had to do.
Ten minutes later, dressed in his usual nondescript brown tunic and soft doe boots, Sam headed downstairs for breakfast. But something wasn't right. He turned in time to see Arobynn emerge from the grand doors that guarded his office, and following him. Sam could only gawk at the girl that followed. Her hair was shiny and golden, cascading around a mischievous yet striking face in a waterfall of pure sunlight. And those eyes…. Realising he was staring, he quickly shut his mouth but he was too late. The girl glared at him and strutted off towards the dining room. No inclined to follow, Sam decided he would get in some early morning training and forget all about that mysterious girl. Anyway, she was probably being looked after by Arobynn until Clarisse stopped by that afternoon…
Sam worked harder than usual that morning until he was dripping sweat all over the training floor. But try as he might he couldn't stop thinking about her. "Give it a few days," he thought, "she will soon be gone and you won't ever have to see her again." Sam turned round. And stopped dead. There she was, the she-angel herself, waltzing into the training room. She caught his eye and made a vulgar gesture. Sam felt himself blushing. What was that wild cat doing here? Sam turned as he heard his name being called from behind him. It was Arobynn, looking surprisingly pleased with himself. "Ah, Sam, I see you have spotted my new Protégé? Please say hello to Celeana."