Prologue: Once Upon a Time

Queen Perin stood at the window at the top of the tallest tower in her ancient castle, looking out over the kingdom that had once been hers, longing for the days when she was still Lady Raven to return. But her vanity would not allow her to take to the wing and fly away. She could see quite far and the sun set was almost capable of deceiving her into believing the land was a flame with more than just a revolt.

Magic was being tamed far too much. People were using it rather than simply becoming part of it. She could see what would come of such a practice. Magic would flee from humans, blossoming in only a few. And those few would retreat from most of the world and take it upon themselves to regulate all the world magic even though they had no right to it. Then they would become prejudice against those without magic and those born from the ones without magic. Many pointless wars would be fought from it. But worst of all they would forget their origins, and she would become nothing more than a story, a fable.

After all she had done for this world it was shrugging her off. She had shown them that magic was to be embraced not feared. She had ruled kindly with her husband. True she had gotten to be the Kings wife by rather unscrupulous means, but they had come to love each other over the years. They had two children. A beautiful girl, who she had to kill out of love and kindness, and a handsome boy who was now a handsome man. She had sent him away to another country now, to make his way in the world that was coming. And her husband? He died of old age some twelve years ago, she had never remarried.

Sighing and shaking her head she turned from the window, knowing that she would most likely be dead within the week. Her eyes landed on the glorious mirror that stood in the centre of the dimly lit room. As Lady Raven she had been called insane because of her many mirrors, but as she used them to gain the power she had craved she had become feared and admired for them. But this one that shared the small circular stone room with her now was her favourite. It stood taller than herself, which admittedly was not difficult, but it towered over her. Almost reaching the ceiling. It's frame was elaborately crafted tarnished silver. The mirror itself was dull and seemed to be covered in dust.

"Beautiful mirror, grand and tall, will I stand or from grace fall?" The only problem with it was that she had to ask her questions in rhyme. At times it was fun, but now she simply needed answers. The mirror cleared instantly. It did not reflect the room she was in, instead there was a library bathed in golden light and warmly furnished with rich reds and other earthy colours. On the other side of the looking glass was an attractive middle aged man dressed in casual hunting leathers, his chestnut hair carefully oiled back out of his way. His eyes were the deepest blue and seemed to hold more wisdom and knowledge than the library he stood in. He smiled at her softly.

"You know as well as I that you will meet your end before this week is out," he said softly. "But what you really want to know is if you will be remembered." She held her breath without realising it. "And you won't. Not in anything other than a children's story. And hardly even then. It will be distorted. Your name will be lost to time and you will be portrayed as an evil witch Queen who murdered her step daughter out of envy for her beauty. But what will become of Lady Raven?" He bowed his head in mourning as the Queen let out the breath she had held. "She will be lost forever, appearing not even in dreams." Her shoulders fell and her head bowed.

"I thought I might become a fable. Just another once upon a time." Then after a heavy sigh she looked back to her old friend. "Will my son live?"

"To tap into this knowledge of mine, you must ask your question in a rhyme." Rolling her eyes she thought of an appropriate limerick.

"Before my soul leaves to rest, tell me will my son survive long his quest?"

"From what I can tell he will become a merchant, a very successful one and live to a good age. He will have only one child but his line will live strong until you make your return to the world as yourself. After that I'm not sure what will happen. There are too many variables." She clenched her jaw together to stop herself from asking a question in haste, even though she longed to.

"For this knowledge I do yearn, to this land when will I return?" There was a long pause, during which her friend in the mirror closed his eyes in concentration.

"The date escapes me, but it is some thousands of years yet. You will be born many times, but when the world is ruled by humans and nature has almost no say you will be called back to us, your mirrors, to put the world right again and take your rightful place as Queen, as is your destiny. For your soul will never find peace until the land and ocean again hold dominance over its children. The natural order must be restored. And you will be the one to do it."

"I wish to ask this as a friend, will I ever reach this end?" He looked to her sadly before giving her the answer.

"I can't see or say. I am involved in that fate so it is blocked from me."

The image faded from the mirror, leaving only her dim reflection. The Queen smiled slightly at her appearance. She was almost seventy but she looked to be twenty five. Her skin was smooth and pale, her figure was still well toned, slim and curved, despite bearing two children and her lips were still blood red and full. Her raven black hair, the origins of her name, Lady Raven, was long but pinned into an elegant bun and her eyes were the most incredible shade of emerald green. Her black velvetdress hugged her frame in all the right places and became loose at her legs, leaving something at least to the imagination and giving her freedom to move. Her bust defiantly could not be described as modest, yet it was still firm regardless of her age. Her facial features were regal, well defined and often described as enchanting, with her high cheek bones but soft and feminine appearance.

The crown atop her head was delicate, solid gold with silver trimmings and many jewels of many colours. The collar of her dress was raised and arched around the back of her head. It was one of her simplest but it still let her intimidating stature shine through. This was not a woman to cross. She was ruthless and reveled in that simple fact. But she was also fair. The punishment would always fit the crime.

With a heavy sigh she turned away and set off for the door, mumbling what she thought her story would be. "Once upon a time there was an evil but powerful witch Queen. But despite all of her power and beauty she was very vain. She had a magical mirror that she kept hidden from the world. And every day she would stand before the mirror and say mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?" She closed the door behind her on her way and did not hear the forlorn reply of her mirror and friend who loved her oh so dearly.

"You are my Queen, my love. And you always will be. No matter what form you will take in your future lives."