Prolog
I stood before a large tree. I hoped it would help me understand what I was to do. An Indian boy was supposed to be trapped inside, a friend of the Order's new Priestess, but I was lucky. Being who I am, I could communicate with him like he was sitting right before me.
"Excuse me, sir?" I placed my hand on the trunk and felt it shutter under my touch. That's when I saw him.
The Indian boy was a few years older than myself. He stood strong and proud, but it was clear in his eyes how much pain he had been through.
"Sir?" I asked again and his eyes focused on me.
"Can I help you?" his voice was strong, be I could tell he had just seen a glimpse of the girl he loved. I nodded, twirling a strand of hair around my finger in my nervous habit.
"Yes, I have heard you know the story of the Order's new Priestess. I was only wondering if you would…" My voice faltered at the sadness on his face.
"If I would tell you it?" He finished for me. I could only nod, but I found my voice again.
"That is, if it doesn't bother you." My voice cracked as I spoke. There were many reasons why I should and shouldn't be here. It only depended on who found me. If Grandfather found me, I would be in huge trouble.
The boy nodded, "That's fine, but first you must answer my question." My throat was dry as I nodded. This was a very dangerous game I was playing, but it must be played.
"Why?" The word was so simple, and yet the answer so hard to explain. I laughed slightly, but this was hardly a humorous time.
"If I only knew where to begin, but Philon told me that you could help. I have yet to figure out if I work for good or evil, but I hope to work for the good of the Realms." The boy nodded at this, he seemed to understand what I said even if I didn't always.
"There are rumors spreading throughout the Realms and from what Philon explained, he said if it is to stop, I must work with the Priestess. Now, the group I work for told me that the Priestess is possibly the one bringing these changes on by giving the magic back to the Realms. Either way I must see the Priestess and I do not want to seem naïve and uneducated." The boy nodded again.
"Come with me," I felt myself being moved away from the tree and to a large meadow I had never seen before. It looked like somewhere in the other world. I could see the boy better now. He strode up to be and gestured to a soft blanket on the ground. He sat down next to me and smiled.
"My name is Kartrik, and the Priestess was the kindest person I knew."