FYI: This story starts in the 4th chapter of the book "Magyk" and continues on throughout the story. Some Material I put in will be directly from the book. Magyk is not owned by me, the author of "Magyk" is Angie Sage. I have not read any of the sequals so if there is some later information I might controdict please forgive me. Also, I am sorry to say I have abandoned this fic but you are free to read all I written of it. I kind of started this story on a whim before I'd read the second and third novels and now I'm onto new books/animes and don't have the time or passion for fanfiction anymore, because of this I'm mostly waiting to post my other stories until they're done or close to being done. (I'm really sorry those of you who reviewed! I love you people!) If you don't want to read a story that will probably never be finished turn back now, if you're curious and think 'Heck, why not, might as well' go on ahead! Hope you enjoy what I've written of it, after all that's why I left it up.
Chapter One
Ali knocked on Marcia Overstrand's door nervously; she didn't like bothering the ExtraOrdinary wizard so early in the morning. It usually meant extra Magyk homework for a week. But today was different, not only because it was her little sister's birthday but because she had seen Alther spiraling into the building last night, not just into the building, into Marcia's room and if she was correct Marcia liked being woken from her beauty sleep about as much as Ali liked turnips; her least favorite vegetable.
Something was going on, she could feel it, and when Ali had a gut instinct about something, she never ignored it.
Marcia opened the door with a scowl on her face and fire in her eyes.
Great, thought Ali, not only have I come early, which she hates, I've come when she's in a fowl mood.
Marcia only glared at her, "What have you come so early for? It's Saturday, no lessons. In fact, I was meaning to tell you I'll be gone all this week and possibly longer. I'm going to… well I have something very important to do."
Marcia was about to slam the door in her face when Alyssa spoke up, "It's about Jenna isn't it? If it is, Marcia, I'm going with you and you can't stop me." Marcia let out a sigh and Ali knew she would give in, early on she had discovered that she had a way with Marcia that other people didn't.
"Alyssa," Marcia was the only one who ever called Ali by her full name, "I'm afraid I can't let you. You'll be safer here and I told Alther to keep an eye on you for me so you won't be lonely. He might even give you Magyk lessons, as I can't."
"So it is about Jenna, I thought as much. And as much as I adore Alther I believe I'd rather go meet my sister. I haven't seen her since I was four and no amount of Enchantments you put on me can keep me from seeing her one way or another." Ali said catching Marcia as she started to murmur a spell that would prevent her from getting out of the tower.
"You're getting to smart for your own good, my dear," Marcia replied. "Now get some warmer clothes on and eat breakfast, if you're not in the lobby by 8:00 sharp I will leave without you."
With that Marcia closed the door and walked back to the kitchen, Ali could her stove frantically trying to light itself as she walked into the room, and by the sound of frustration she made the princess (Ali) assumed that it had failed miserably.
She smiled as she hopped down the steps two at a time to reach her room. The door leading into it was like any other in the wizard's tower, but it was much different on the inside. The first thing anyone would notice was the bookcase on one wall, huge and overflowing with Magyk texts as well as the many fiction novels Ali liked to read. The next thing someone would notice was the enormously high ceilings and the stairs and ladders on all sides of the room, in fact all of Ali's rooms were on a different level. Sometimes a bridge would connect one level to another, the next time there would be a spiral staircase, and in others there were ladders. There were five rooms in all; the first was the entrance hall, which was also the library and lounge. The next level was the kitchen, the next was the greenhouse (Ali loved plants almost as much as she loved books), the fourth was her bedroom and bathroom, and the final room was the room where Ali practiced Magyk. She kept all her most important possessions in there, including the small, sparkling, silver and amethyst tiara that she had worn everyday when she was small. It was enchanted so that it grew with her head, so it always fit perfectly. She also kept her Magyk notes there, especially the ones on the lost art of Flyte. Ever since Marcia had told her wizards used to be able to fly through the air like ghosts she had been trying to solve the puzzle, but had not yet succeeded.
Ali hopped up the stairs, ran across the bridge, and sprung up her ladder, into her room. She dressed in her favorite violet dress and put a black cloak over it, then thinking of how dangerous Marcia seemed to think this would be she put on some black hunting boots. All her clothes were Enchanted. The dress would never wrinkle, tear, or stain, the cloak would blend into her surroundings if she ever needed to hide, and the boots were so that her feet would never ache while in them thus they were perfect running shoes. Finally, she grabbed her tan rucksack and put a few healing salves in, then thinking of how long she's be gone she took her Flyte notes, three of her favorite books and her tiara. If the custodians were onto her she didn't want them getting their hands on that.
She ate a quick, but sustaining breakfast and galloped down the stairs, rather then ride down as most of the wizards did. She waited in the main entrance hall for a while, thinking about what had happened last night as she watched the Magykal images and letterings float idoly by her on the walls and ground.
Ali sat, staring out her window, eyes following the present she had sent to Jenna. Before, it had looked like any normal gift but since Ali needed a way to get it to her without rousing suspicion it had adopted a new form. She had made up a spell, not a particularly difficult one either. She wondered why no one had ever thought of it before.
It was an incantation that turned the said object into dust -well not dust really; it was almost like glitter, but with a different quality of shimmer- and transported it to a certain location which was specified by the wizard.
She had been doing this for years, ever since her 8th birthday (and Jenna's fourth) when she made up the spell. The gift would arrive on Jenna's lap in the morning. If it was opened at all, Ali didn't know. It could very well be that Jenna's 'parents' confiscated the present out of suspicion that it might be something to harm the young princess. That didn't matter though, as long as Ali got the satisfaction of being a part of her sister's life, small or not.
Suddenly, Althar came flying in at top speed toward Marcia's room. He had his arms spread wide and there was a light about him that always came into his eyes when he was flying, but it was diminished by a look of concern and hastiness. He immediately started to spin into the tower and Ali watched in amazement; no one ever woke Marcia up, not if they didn't want to be decapitated.
Something's wrong, she immediately thought.
That night when she went to bed, she had a million thoughts whirling around her head: thoughts about the custodians, thoughts about Marcia and Althar, thoughts about her mother, and most of all thoughts about Jenna.
My sister, she mused. Maybe I'll see her soon, although, I don't honestly know if I want to or not.
Danger was thick in the air when Ali finally drifted off to sleep.
Alyssa heard a commanding, "Down," and waited as Marcia impatiently rode the staircase, turning like a giant corkscrew. She walked deliberately toward Ali and said, "I hope you have everything you need. I don't know how long we'll be gone."
"I know," she replied, "and I'm prepared." Although the comment sounded innocent enough, Marcia knew what she meant. She was prepared not only physically but mentally as well. She was prepared for the worst.
"Good," she said briskly, and started off toward the solid silver doors that barred the way between the wizard tower and the rest of the world. Marcia spoke the password and both she and her violet-eyed charge walked out into the cold midwinter morning.
Just outside, there was a young guard who had been amusing himself by throwing snowballs at a stray cat. Suddenly a snowball flew through the air and hit Marcia's soft purple cloak. Ali had to suppress laughter as she wrinkled up her rather long, pointy nose and glared at the boy. Subconsciously, she prayed for his well-being.
"Don't do that!" Marcia snapped at him. This sent Ali off on another round of giggles and soon she was glaring at Ali instead of the sentry who had quickly jumped and stood at attention, obviously putting on a show for the ExtraOrdinary wizard and her apprentice. His strange attire made it hard to take him seriously though, with his pikestaff and floppy yellow hat. He looked more like a gardener with an oddly-shaped hoe than a threatening tower guard. He also looked absolutely terrified, and in all honesty why shouldn't he be? Marcia could be quite fierce when necessary. Or whenever she thought it was a good time to be so.
"How old are you?" She asked, harshly.
"T-ten, Madam," he said, again, sounding terrified.
"Then why aren't you in school?"
"I have no need of school, Madam," He said it with a hint of pride this time. "I am in the Young Army. We are the Pride of Today, Warriors of Tomorrow."
"Aren't you cold?" Ali asked, considerably worried. The small boy looked so frail and sickly; he shouldn't be out in this weather.
"N-no, young Madam. We are trained not to feel the cold." But he shivered as he spoke and his lips took on a bluish tinge.
Marcia turned with a, "Humph," and stomped off, but Ali refused to leave just yet. She hastily took out a small packet from her pocket. She picked up a handful of snow and sprinkled the contense of the package it in; the snow turned warm in her hands but still retained its texture and shape.
"Here," she said, "Eat it, like a snow cone, it'll warm you up."
The boy didn't seem to believe her but took a tentative bite and his eyes widened. He started to gulp it down as fast as he could and his rosy completion returned, his lips turning pink again as they were suppose to be. Ali smiled and, without a word jogged forward to catch up with Marcia.
"You're far to nice!" She grumbled. Ali just grinned, it felt good to be helping people, and even better to know that she'd see Jenna soon.
Alyssa walked along the snow-covered path out of the tower and toward the Ramblings, where most of the population of the kingdom lived. She stayed silent as Marcia slipped off into her own world, probably remembering herself as a child, as she did on an occasion.
Marcia had told her once that as a hopeful she never gave up until she got what she wanted, namely an apprenticeship with an ExtraOrdinary wizard, which she was herself now in place of her mentor, Althar Mella. She had always told Ali what a wonderful teacher he had been, and Ali believed her whole-heartedly. Who couldn't like the old man? He was kind and funny and even as a ghost seemed very much alive, despite his transparency. Marcia had also told her once that she wished she could be the teacher that he was. Ali had replied that she was just as good a teacher as anyone, including Althar Mella, and Marcia of course said that she was much to nice and had continued the lesson.
Ali noticed that they were heading the fast way to the 'East side' as the custodians called it. This worried her some; Marcia almost always took the long way to avoid traffic. Or she had before they stopped going. The last time she had been here was when she was five; just a year after her mother's death.
They finally got to the top of the steps and up to a door, Marcia took a deep breath and was just about to shove it open when it opened itself and she ran into the rather slimy wall opposite. Alyssa burst out laughing, then caught her mistake and tried to suppress her giggles. She didn't do so well.
Just then the door slammed shut in front of her and she frowned. She took a step forward and it sprung open again. On the other side Marcia stood there tapping her foot, impatiently. "Took you long enough; we don't have much time, let's go!"
Ali could tell something was wrong almost as soon as she started down the hallway with Marcia, who had furrowed her brow in a manner of worry and disgust. She had used that face once when she looked in girl's refrigerator the day before she cleaned it. She had been looking for one of the salves Ali was supposed to make for homework. In fact this hallway smelled something close to what her refrigerator had smelled like. The walls were slimy with mold and it seemed as if it hadn't been cleaned in months, perhaps years.
But Marcia was always telling what a nice place the Ramblings was! She looked at her teacher who was in a state of shock at the poor condition of the building. Ali tried to conjure up a picture of her own version of the ramblings but couldn't come up with much. It'd been such a long time ago and Ali had more or less tried to forget that part of her life in the first place.
I hope that Jen's room is cleaner then this, she thought. After all she is royalty.
After thinking this though, Alyssa wanted to take it back. She absolutely hated it when Marcia or Althar called her 'princess' or 'young queen'. They only used it when they were teasing, but still, it got on her nerves. Ali had never really wanted to be a princess even before her mother died. She hated all the restrictions and obligations, she had always wanted to be a wizard. She got her chance when Marcia took her in, but it came at a high price: the death of someone she loved and the separation of another. Given the choice, she would have chosen her mother over Magyk but she hadn't had the choice. The decision had already been made.
Ali noticed the worried expression on her teacher's face and began to get a bit concerned herself. She also wondered how Marcia would handle so many children, she'd heard Jen's family was full to the brim with them. One of the older Ordinary wizards had taken care of her for the majority of her childhood up until the point where she could learn Magyk seriously.
Even so, she had always been mature for her age, though she didn't look it; she had a very small frame. Her raven-black hair came down to her mid-back, making her look shorter then she was. She had soft features and rather unnaturally long-lashes and she was thin and flat as a bean-stalk, though there was a roundness and glow to her face that assured she was well-fed and healthy. Perhaps what was most captivating about her appearance was her eyes, violet, but with green flecks.
It was said that no matter how much Magyk someone of the royal family learned their eyes stayed the same color; this was apparently true considering that her eyes never turned completely green. It was also a proven fact that once an Ordinary Wizard turned ExtraOrdinary their eyes turned from the normal forest green into a piercing green/gold and if they get good enough they might turn completely gold. So far, Ali's eyes had gotten lighter, but still had yet to take a golden tinge.
She snapped out of her daze and blushed slightly as everyone turned to stare at her –no Marcia- as they walked through rush-hour. Ali pulled the cloak tighter around her and shrunk back into her hood, it was better if no one was able to see her, they might recognize her as who she really was. Though, she doubted anyone was paying much attention to her, they were all to busy gawking at Marcia.
People gasped and some shrank away.
Why are they all so nervous...? It's not that big a deal is it? Ali couldn't quite comprehend why people seemed in such great awe and fear of the ExtraOrdinary wizard, as she had grown up with her since she was quite young.
Ali's eyes darted nervously from door to door. Finally they stopped at one, painted black by the paint patrol. Jenna's door, her sister's door, a door that one she opened she could never close again. Her eyes widened and gulped, finally the day Marcia had put off for so long, had come.