Chapter 3: Sometime later…

And the day that the Charr torched every last mile of Ascalon was forever known as the Searing. The trees were dead and scorched. Almost every kind of plant became extinct thanks to the Charrs' love of destroying anything that gets in their way. Ascalon's sparkling lakes and calm rivers turned into bubbling tar pits and putrid rivers of sludge. The formerly blue sky turned into an evil scarlet hue and the clouds rained ash. All that was left of Ascalon's former glory was the Great Northern Wall-- the impermeable barrier that no Charr could destroy…at least not yet, anyway. A lot happened since the Searing:

Half of the Ascalonians were dead, including Prince Rurik's beloved Althea. She was a famous mesmer and actress; the whole kingdom was distraught over her death. Rurik swore revenge on the Charr.

Cecilia and George became master mesmers. All the experience they were getting in the war helped with that, and Bethany couldn't have been more jealous. They were always too busy killing Charr in the war, so they could not return home.

Leo had not come back yet, for the fight to keep the Charr from demolishing what was left of Ascalon had not ended. In fact, the fighting with the Charr turned into a full-fledged war! He couldn't communicate with Bethany since there wasn't a messenger brave enough to ride through the land knowing that Charr were out there. He wanted to part from the army ever since the Searing, but he couldn't bear to abandon Ascalon in its time of need. He thought of Bethany every waking moment in the midst of all the bloodshed in the Searing and he hadn't stopped yet.

Bethany missed Leo dreadfully: her heart ached, she could not smile, and tears fell from her eyes every other night. Worry consumed Bethany's every aching thought.

Bethany was nineteen now, and she didn't even get to start her mesmer training in the past year because Ascalon's hands were full fighting off Charr. After sometime had passed, Bethany finally had her chance…

Things were still terrible in Ascalon, but things were a little more calm lately thanks to the devotion of the king's army. That meant that there was finally a mesmer available to teach Bethany their ways .


"Really? A teacher is finally available? Yes! This is truly wonderful news! I've waited so long, I was about to go crazy!" Bethany screamed. Bethany's father replied, "I know my dear, I know…he says he can start mentoring you tomorrow." "That's great! I can't wait to finally start making a difference in the world, Father. Oh--by the way--what's his name?" Bethany's mother answered this time, "His name is Sebedoh. He and your father are old friends. He trained your brother and sister as well. He really is the best man for the job." "Yeah, Sebedoh and I go way back. Saved my life once he did," said Bethany's father. "Oh great! Do I have to hear this story again? He pushed you out of the way of an arrow; the end!" sneered Bethany's mother. Bethany's father pouted, "Fine, I won't tell it! Your loss, Florence!" Bethany cleared her throat to get their attention back. "Anyway! This teacher sounds amazing, and I can't wait to get started tomorrow. Now finally! I have the chance to show Cecilia and George I am just as good as they are." "I just hope you'll be able to take on the Charr soon enough. I fear that battle might disturb you and your mind." "Oh please, Mother! I'm not the delicate little girl you make me out to be! I am a fully grown woman, and I can handle it! I can kill Charr without a second thought! They all must die for what they did to Ascalon…every last one…"

Bethany's tirade made Florence's face turn a sickly white, but Bethany's father was actually smiling at her words. "That's the spirit! Sharp as a tack you are, Bethany! You always had more potential for greatness than your siblings. Cecilia is a brilliant girl, but sometimes her temper makes her skull thick as a warrior's. George is incredibly wise indeed, but his obsession with wooing young ladies clouds his judgment. I'm sure you'll be the best mesmer in this family yet!" "Gregory! How could you say such things? Is that favoritism I'm hearing?" Florence barked with venom. "Of course not, my lovely flower--I love all my children deeply and equally. But when it comes to the mind of a scholar, the heart of an enchantress, the love of chaos, and the desire for complete control that a mesmer needs, Bethany shines bright with talent! Don't get me wrong, Florence, Bethany-- George and Cecilia are both wonderful mesmers and they are talented in their own right. I just feel like there is something special and rare about you, Bethany…but I don't know what."

Florence stayed silent, for she could just not respond to her husband's outrageous boldness. Bethany blushed at her father's words and said, "Thank you, Father. It warms my heart to know that you support me, but you're really exaggerating quite a bit. George and Cecilia are amazing. I don't even know how to use magic yet and…" Bethany's mother burst into tears and said, "Oh Bethany, it's my fault you have not learned the arts of chaos and you know it! I've held the truth from you for a long year…I can't take it anymore! I didn't send you to that Balthazar-blasted farm because of my worry that you'd be killed…I know you can handle Charr just fine! I forced you to go because I'm…" she started to bawl louder, "…worried of your sanity. I can't stand being a woman too senile too use magic anymore! I can't remember how to do anything because of my illness…" Bethany interrupted with, "Illness! My Gods, are you going to be alright, Mother?" "Physically, Yes. Mentally, no. I never told anyone this, but all those years of war are messing with the sacred confines of my mind. I started going mad after my retirement, and I was afraid it would happen to my children too. It was too late to stop Cecilia and George, but I still had hope for you. Now I realize that you won't end up like me…because you are more strong of mind than I could ever hope for myself. So go ahead, my sweet daughter: become the excellent caster you are meant to be."

Gregory held Florence in his arms crying loudly, "Darling…I didn't know any of that! I could've found help for you! We could've let Bethany be a mesmer!" Florence kissed Gregory lightly and gently replied, "I'm incredibly sorry…to the both of you…to everyone." "I forgive you," Bethany croaked as she tried to blink back her own tears as the drama in the room grew more intense with every second. Gregory was comforting his wife as he ordered, "Bethany, it's late and you have a big day ahead of you. Please, go to bed, you'll need all the rest you can get. I need to help your mother." Bethany merely nodded and ambled to her room, to tired to protest the way her father was trying to get rid of her.

She undressed and slipped under the warm, inviting covers. She then shut her eyes and let her dreams take over.