CHAPTER ONE II

My New Life. My Only Life. My Destined Life. I am known as Opal The Witch of Witches. As I am the most powerful being to live in these times. The Era of Empires. Not something that would sound familiar to you. As it is a time so far back no geologist could even dream of thinking about it. A time of hate , love , war, and confusion. A time where a constant battle rages on between the subjects of The King. And my subjects. I live in a swamp called Swamp of Secrets. No one dare enters these swamps of fear of the many creatures I have created to guard my many secrets and treasures which lie hidden in plain sight here. Only 2 villages live here. They are known to the people as Tribe of Waters and Tribe of Dragons. Two villages which I have made to train in the ways of Magic. Fighting. Warriors. Witches. Wizards. And ninjas. They were the only humans who ever had direct contact with me. I am but 17 years of age and already so famous. My closest friend Danny was kidnapped two weeks ago and I can not locate him in any if the dungeons of The King. This is my current greatest concern. I have agents of human and non searching for any sign of my greatest treasure. Even my right hand spy, Striker. Only I had mastered the art of training animals in order to be spies and warriors. So if someone saw a hawk to close to them they would not think for a second that it was any threat, Why of course Striker is a hawk. Dragons haunted every single one of The Kings Villages waiting for a tiny hint as to The Kings locations and plans, and even warriors in The Kings army were secretly on my side. I myself had been searching day and night as well. It was all in vain. And it tortured my nights so that I can not even sleep for more then a second. But I swear under The Great Lady and The Kings downfall that I will get him back, and if he is hurt in the slightest scratch I would kill all who were in my way and all who even dared look at me even with mercy filled eyes.

I walked through the trees which danced and sang against the wind in my Swamp of Secrets. Well not s much walked as rode on a magical enchanted flying broomstick. ANYWAY. Creatures of my creation pranced around below me 45 feet on the ground. There was only one way out of these woods and unless you could fly you weren't going to find it.

The sudden change in the grey clouds surrounding me was so sudden I had to stop and reconduct my vision. It went from relaxingly depressing to brightly painted blue. I knew I had left the Swamps but this was not the usual color of the sky in this country. It was always pink or some random color such as purple but never blue. And the most bizarre part. Silence, absolute silence. If there was one thing I could not stand was quietness. It scared me. No wind. No birds. No water. Nothing. Pure nothingness.

I sped up on my broom stick. The colors of the air blending together to make n big mess. Still as I

flew. My hair stayed in its place. No wind, still no wind. Thats not possible. I came upon The Kings palace. Yes I knew where he resided and lived. I did not come to his boarders often. As I did not wish to set eyes upon my foe. Ever. But after 17 years The King had managed to capture me only once and Danny three times exactly. Even when I had set Danny free and escaped myself. I had never even caught a glimpse of him. But now I had had enough, The King had rampaged my home. My friends. My creations. and now Danny. The King had been on a sage through my Swamp. He lost many many many men and people, he himself had escaped somehow. When I asked the villagers if they could give me a description of him I would not believe their words. They had all said The King was me as a man. Every single feature he looked like me. From the hair to the body figure. They said he was amazingly beautiful. His eyes were cold and hard. Yet some of the children had told me he was hiding how he really felt. I did not believe it then and I will not believe it now. I refused to think me and The King had ANYthing in common.

The palace was made of green and blue marble, not a rare material here. Guards surrounded every inch of the outside walls. A white dragon glided over the area of the castle. A dragon named Cloud. A dragon that I knew well and a dragon that would not make notice of my entrance. Ninjas prowled in the shadows below. They were nothing to handle though. My feet dangled in the air as i watched the ground looking for ways into the palace without causing hassle. To my displeasure I saw none. Cloud spotted me and maneuvered in graceful strokes over to my side he looked at me wit his pale pale pale blue eyes with intensity. I did not even shudder at his closeness.

" I simply wish to find my friend and I do not want to cause a fuss perchance can you help me?" I asked him with the usual steadiness in my tone of voice. Cloud let out a strong breath equivalent to that which would have been wind if there was any blowing.

" Very well Opal the Witch if you do not cause ruckus then I shall let you in go through the chimney over there there are no guards once you are in the room. " Cloud spoke in a loud whisper filled with wisdom and strength. I nodded and smiled.

" Thank you" was all I replied back and whizzed by him over top the marble chimney smog poured out. Forcing me to cover my nose and eyes. Water slipped down my cheek. " Come on down we go" I told my steed and I hopped down into the dark tube keeping my mouth as shut as possible it felt like an hour before I landed harshly on my bum. The coals were still burning and hot and I yelped to myself as I rushed out onto the cold stone floor. I looked up the chimney my broom waiting for its chance to come down However as enchanted as it may have been it was still not fire proof. " Go hide I will handle this" I whispered up to it the bristles went limp and Shy went away. That is what I named the broom. I brushed myself off creating a smoke screen from all the ashes on me. I coughed my throat felt immensely dry. I heard footsteps and looked around the room for a hiding spot. " Shit nothing!" I scolded in my head. It was just a stupid storage closet. Then I spotted it as the handle to the room clicked. Peasant clothes. Ragged and dirt stained. I thought as fast as I could manage and lunged for the clothes.

The door opened. I tossed my witches hat into a dusty corner and grabbed a broom. 2 men came in. Dressed in silver amour. They looked at me and I felt my stomach churn. Please do not let them see who I am.

" Hay there you are! where have you been?" one of them asked their voiced came out muffled and soft. I looked up at them not speaking. My voice would make them recognize me. The other one grabbed my arm I almost fought back but decided against it, to suspicious. " The King has been waiting for almost an hour for his food!" he added and they both lead me out of the room.