Chapter 1

The Yshari Sactum. The school of learning for mages. Only the best and the brightest of those tuned into the arcane could study there. It was not a place you requested to study at, but rather, you were invited. It was a beacon of hope for all near Caldeum as a sign that the mage clans could unite under one peaceful banner. With all the demons and monsters roaming the wilderness, who needed humans battling other humans?

A boy, only ten years old, stood in the center of the great hall, where all the mage teachers sat, reviewing their new students. Their seats were elevated and positioned in a great circle around the space at which the child stood. His big, soft eyes nervously darted from one intimidating, hooded mage to another. None of them smiled. None of them spoke pleasantries. Rather, they spoke frankly to one another as if the child was not even present.

One elderly man spoke loudly before the rest. "This child shows little talent in the arcane, yet we are bound." He sighed loudly. "One of our own gave her word that this boy would be taught here, so he shall."

Another man, whose face was concealed by his oversized hood argued. "Yet, Isendra is not even here to defend her foolish promise?" He looked around at the other elders before his eyes bore into the shaking child in the center of the massive room. "What need have we to keep her word for her?" He scoffed. "What does this child have to offer us?"

"We are mages." The first man, who seemed to be the leader of the elders, spoke again. "Whether or not Isendra's promise was foolish is of no consequence. Her word is our word. The boy studies here." His features relaxed a bit. "Besides, if you'd done your research, you'd know exactly what we're getting out of this."

"And what's that?" The man didn't sound convinced.

"This boy has a younger sister. Her power seems to rival even Isendra's." A smirk crossed his mouth. "Consider this boy the price for the sister."

"Isendra sure knows how to pick them." The other man chuckled humorlessly.

A third man spoke up. "Isendra's picks only bring doom." He looked nervously at the boy. "I hope we don't have another headache of a student like Li-Ming on our hands." He looked at his fellow elders. "Any more like her and the sanctum will surely not endure."

The boy stood in the center, eagerly waiting his opportunity to leave the presence of these men and return to the side of his little sister. He watched with worry as the elders proceeded to discuss things amongst themselves in hushed voices, as if they worried about this young child overhearing them.

After what felt like hours, but was in reality just a few short minutes, the elders addressed the boy. "Fan-Huang." The boy looked with terrified eyes at the old man speaking. He could think of nothing more he wanted than to be home with his parents and sister again. He wasn't even sure why he was here. Or even where here was. "By Grand Sorceress Isendra's word your parents were given an oath that you and your sister, Fan-Min, would be protected and taught here as a mage of the Yshari Sanctum. As mages, we are bound to our word, so despite your underwhelming potential in the powers of the arcane, we will be your shield and your education. You will do as you are told and your loyalty will be to nothing but the order of the Yshari Sanctum mages until the day you die." The head elder's face loosened into what almost resembled a smile. "Congratulations, boy. You are officially a mage."

Fan-Huang wasn't sure what he was supposed to say. He said what he wasn't really feeling, but it seemed to be the appropriate thing to end the conversation. "Thank you." His young, boyish voice echoed through the massive room.

"You may move into your quarters now." The elder instructed. "Follow the wisp." On cue, a small red orb floated near Fan-Huang's head. It emitted a pale red glow and began leading him out of the great hall and down narrow corridors. On both sides of him were walls lined with torches and various bookshelves. Despite the many libraries Fan-Huang knew were in the Sanctum just from his first arrival, it seems there still wasn't enough storage space for all the books and scrolls the Yshari had collected.

The wisp led him into the boys' quarters and stopped in front of an already occupied room. He walked in and found a room already made up for him. On one side of the room was his bed, a small plain one with a mage student's uniform lying on it. By the foot of the bed, against the wall of the tiny room were a small dresser and a mirror. In the center of the room, against the far wall was a window that looked into the inner courtyard where the sun shined down from the desert sky and brightened the quarters. On the opposite side of the room was an identical replica of his side of the room, only it belonged to his new roommate.

The wisp faded away and Fan-Huang sat on his bed and stared out the window. Where was Fan-Min? Was she going through the same introduction as he had? He longed to be beside her again.

His thoughts were interrupted as his new roommate returned. He was older, probably in his late teens. Fan-Huang had never had the opportunity to be around other boys. It was always just his sister and him. He wasn't sure exactly how to act. Fortunately, his roommate made the first move.

"Hello." It was a simple introduction, but somehow it made Fan-Huang feel so much more at ease. He couldn't handle any more of the uptight attitudes of the elders or the hushed secrets throughout the Sanctum. He hated the feeling of loneliness that accompanied him ever since he had arrived at the Sanctum and he was tired of the weight of all who wanted great things from him as a mage. Most of all, he hated being away from his little sister. Not because he thought she needed him. Quite the opposite, really. She was tough and independent. No, he needed her.

"Where's my sister?" Was all Fan-Huang could think to say.

The other boy laughed. Fan-Huang wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at his roommate. He was bigger than him. He was strong looking too. He wore just a loincloth and was wet like he just bathed. He was hairy and tall, but clearly young. He was intimidating, except that his face wore the calmest, most warming smile Fan-Huang had received in a long time. He addressed him in a kind, deep voice. "I don't know, little guy. I wish I did." He walked over to Fan-Huang and knelt in front of him. "She's probably with your family somewhere beyond the walls of the Yshari Sanctum."

"No, she's here." Fan-Huang whimpered. He just wanted his little sister back. "She's here like us."

"She's studying to be a mage?" He asked. "Under who? Do you know?"

Fan-Huang shook his head. "I just heard the old guys mention someone named Isendra a lot."

"Under Isendra?" He asked. "You and her must be powerful, then."

Fan-Huang just shrugged. "Where is she?"

"If she's here, then you'll see her again. But not now. During non-study times the boys and girls are separated." He gave Fan-Huang a reassuring smile. "But you'll see her." He placed a big hand on Fan-Huang's shoulder. "What's your name, anyway? My name is Kazur Tol."

"Fan-Huang."

"How old are you, Fan-Huang?"

"Ten."

"I'm 17." Kazur answered with a smile. "Tell you what. He stood up and threw his loincloth to the ground as he rummaged through his dresser, pulling out various articles of clothing. "I remember how scary it was when I first arrived here. You stick with me and I'll make sure you're okay."

Fan-Huang nodded his head. "Okay." Kazur dressed himself in complicated layers of eccentric, mystical looking garments. Once he was done he wore what looked like a long wizard's skirt from his waist down, another decorative cloth over the skirt that trailed on the ground, and a sash with tassels hanging from it, each with colored gems within their sockets. Over his stomach and chest he wore nothing except a golden amulet that nestled into his thick, dark chest hair, making it stand out quite a bit. On his arms, tied by sashes at his big biceps, were long pieces of fabric that acted as sleeves and hung to the ground, looking very ornate, but leaving his shoulders and hands exposed. His fingers were adorned by various rings of different designs and materials. He turned back to Fan-Huang and smiled. "Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine."