THE NEWEST ADVENTURE - CHAPTER 1

It's been a year, well almost, since the Bloodrose clan incident. Devlin and I have been on a few missions for Valek but not before mother threw the biggest (2nd) wedding I've ever seen. Devlin looked more than handsome as always. The dress mother had made me was perfect, embroidered at the neck and hemline with opal of all colours. They shone like a rainbow in the twilight but none as brightly as the fire opal that now and forever sits on my finger.

Things have been quiet for a while now but I knew before long things would start to heat up again. It did. Only three months had gone by but it seemed like a flash when suddenly a message arrived with a representative from a country neither Sitia nor Ixia had heard of before. The country of Namia announced their existence in a simple calm manner the representative was thoroughly questioned but everything seemed to be in order when Valek and a representative went over the sunset ocean to check it out. The Namians made it clear they only wanted an alliance with the other nations.

The talks went on for another 9 months with delegations going back and forth trying to smooth out trading rights and migration treaties. After the almost year was almost done the negotiations were almost finished, all that remained was for the respective leaders of the three countries to sign the final peace agreement.

I was getting a little nervous as the days got fewer before the meeting. I studiously avoided the keep and commander (whenever I was in ixia) especially when the Namian liaisons where around. Which brings us to today, halfway through the cooling season and everyone seems to get along well. Not a bad word about the Namians but a few rumours were starting to spread, I planned to stop them before it damaged the alliance too badly.

In two weeks the Namian king and his delegation was scheduled to arrive in the Krystal Clan's main harbour. The keep was abuzz with all the excitement of new magic and culture. Of course Namian magic was entirely different from Sitian glass magic. They could control the elements; the very wind, earth, sea themselves. The culture was so different that even Ixian soldiers bounced around impatiently waiting to try sparring with the Namian warriors.

Some people actually found out they had relatives from Namia, Master Jewelrose was one of them. I had had more than a few letters from relatives regarding the situation, Said letters leading to more than one family feud between myself, father and sometimes Mara. Then it was as if Booruby was in a constant state of bad weather, not all that unusual given the time of the year.

After a few weeks (surprise, surprise) I received a letter of summons to the magicians keep. No doubt the master Magicians, Yelena, the commander and Valek would all be there. Nothing would be the same after this last meeting; I knew that with utter certainty. The keep, since I'd lost my magic, had become a freaky place. All the magic around made even walking like trying to go against a wall of wind. Janco called it the Creepy Keepy and I tented to agree with him.

And now I was walking down the halls towards the meeting hall where they waited. I could see it now all of them sitting along the wooden U-shaped table. Except Valek of course, he'd be standing alert for threats to the commander and Yelena as always.

As I got to the door I heard first magician Bloodgood call "Come in Opal" so opening one of the two great wooden doors I strode inside to the middle of the floor. The Commander was seated on the right of First Magician Bloodgood at the top of the U table. To the First's left was Second Magician Jewelrose; to the Commanders left was Yelena the soul finder and Liaison to both Ixia and Sitia. I stood straight with my chin high, bowing in greeting to the powerful, respected people before me. What was a surprising was that Devlin was standing at the end of the room. Although he'd come with me to the keep, he said he'd had to do something important today and left early that morning. I didn't think this 'something' had anything to do with the Masters or the commander let alone both. This gave me a brilliant idea.

Smiling I stood a little taller I was on the short side but It had never really bothered me that much. Then Master Jewelrose asked the question I had long since dreaded answering "opal, we called you here today to ask you if you'd like to accompany the Sitian and Ixian delegations to the Namian meeting in the next fortnight." She smiled but I remained silent for a second as Yelena added "I hope you do Opal, it'll be fun and we both have a lot of catching up to do!" she smiled at me and I returned it but then came the inevitable.

"I thank you masters, Commander for the honour but," the formality of my answer seemed to shock them a bit, I'd always acted immature and informal with them but now things had changed. "I'm afraid I have a prior commitment that is rather important and I must attend to it first, I'm very sorry to decline such a great honour." I bowed to them in apology as everyone in the rooms mouth sweat dropped. "What?" they all chorused, even Valek was amazed at this development.

Schooling my features into a solemn, regretful expression and keeping my hands relaxed at my sides. I was never one for lying and I tried my hardest to avoid it but with Valek training from last year I had gotten much better at it (not that I was pleased about it), it had been necessary at the time. "I have a prior commitment," I firmly stated "but may I suggest taking Devlin in my stead, he is the much more democratic of us and has gift with words which will be of more help in a debate than my magical immunity." Despite their shock my suggested solution seemed to make sense to them, it most likely saved my hide from a hard Q&A session from Valek.

Of course there were still going to be some questions. "what is this prior commitment?" Commander Ambrose asked looking as curious as a kitten with its first ball of string. "I am not at liberty to say sir, I'm sorry I cannot provide more information than it will most likely take me away from Sitia for more than a fortnight." That certainly raised a few eyebrows. Before he could ask more about the subject I dismissed myself. "If that is all, I still need to pack some things as I will be leaving tomorrow." With a nod from Yelena I saluted her and the Commander and bowed respectfully to the Master Magicians. I turned on my heel and left the room without another word, or question for that matter.

On my way back down the hall I wondered if I should give my relatives a call.

"Valek," the Commander whispered over his shoulder.

"Yes sir?"

"I want you to find out as much as you can about this prior commitment" the last part of his sentence held a completive note, just what is that girl up to this time?.

By now Devlin had been brief and question but he didn't have a clue about it either. The meeting was adjourned and the man had run after his heart mate.