When a young fishermen found the girl along the small pond he was shocked. Even more so when he brought the child with the things left there why she was supposedly there. Everyone else refused to take the child in fear that the fabled disease would spread. Therefore young Zavrean took the child in himself. He had been an outsider whose parents had died of disease so everyone understood why he kept the child, slowly learning what a great responsibility it was.
But Lanora was no more different from Zaria than marriage was politics. She still had her night black hair ( over time it had strains of blue hair growing ) and beautiful silver eyes. She was a quick learner for the things she didn't know and already knew the rest, obviously. It was like the spell she had cast then only took away her memories and not her training and skill. But she was faster, more light on her feet, and much stronger. She even taught Zavrean a few things in fighting. It was weird. Things got even worse when her magic finally kicked in. Physically she was almost ten years old.
Present time
"Come on Rylan. Ill race you there" I said to the young black haired, freckled faced boy. We both bolted to the lake at the back of the village behind the mayor's house. We both landed in the water at the same time and laughed.
"So. The mayor's daughter seems nice" he said scratching the back of his head.
"Don't tell me you like her. She's twicee our age man" I said. He turned as red as those red potions that taste terrible but heal better than anything else minus for poisons. "Oh my! You do like her" I said. I was just about to ask him what he found so intriguing about the girl when captain moron walked up.
"Hey puny. Hanging out with your girlfriend? Shouldn't he be courting you before you start screwing around? And Weres your other boyfriend Hu slut" Motrin said with his little herd behind him.
"I'm saying this once. That means you have one chance. Go. Away" I said firmly and angrily.
"How dare you command me so woman!" He shouted, coming at me. Me, being the top student in sword work, bow work, mace work, and second in hand to hand combat for our class here in Oakwood, could easily handle a fight against three or four people. Not seven. And no offence to Rylan but he didn't really help the odds much. He was the worst in our class unless it involved bow or mixes wether it be poison or potion. I slid to the side, causing him to punch the wall and fall over in agony from the pain. He didn't even scratch the pill of dirt. Literally on both levels. He didn't scratch it and it was a tall cliff of dirt. Not very impressive if you ask me. Then the apothecary teacher came up.
"What is going on here?" She demanded.
"Miss Lauren. She hit me!" Derek, one of Motrins little followers, lied.
"Were is the bruise" she demanded.
"There isn't one" he said, looking at the ground. Then she looked at Motrin.
"Every one of you boys are going to come with me to the school yard." She said, grabbing him by the ear. Rylan and I followed just to make sure she didn't want to talk to us.
After we got inside the school building we heard someone screaming. It sounded like the messenger for those between the city and our little town. I bolted out of the school, not realizing I didn't have any weapons but not caring. Josh was surrounded by monsters.
"Monsters" I shouted, hoping someone would hear me and bring someone with armor at the very least. One of them came at me and i dunk spinned, knocking it down from the knee and stealing its blade. Every person in this little town knew that if we were attacked, I wouldn't listen to anyone as I would fight. But this is what got me. The monsters surrounded me. There where nine on the ground and three or four in the trees. Josh was no we're in sight. I sighed. As long as they are safe. Wait! They aren't safe unless these things are dead. But we're is that danmed sword! I thought to myself realizing that I must have dropped it somewhere.
That was when I felt it. This surge of energy rushing through me. There was a bright light, and I looked around, seeing that the monsters were vaporized and the forest wasn't injured. Then I blacked out.
Rylan's point of view
She was surrounded. I didn't have a weapon to throw her, and I was no use in combat myself. Then there was the green light coming from her hand. Then suddenly a white light was everywhere and the monsters where vaporized. I looked at Lanora in amazement. Then she fell. I dove and caught her. "Lanora? Lanora! " I said, finding a very light pulse but it was fast. "Come on, quit screwing with me man" I said, feeling her soft breath.
"What the hell happened!?" Miss Lauren shouted.
"A big green light came out of her hand when those things surrounded her. Then the big white one. They were all vaporized" I said, trying to comprehend what had happened. Then her father came up.
"Rylan! Is she going to be okay!?" He said in a panic. Everyone knows that even though he acts tough, the only reason he has held himself together for the last four years is Lanora. After his wife died of birth herself everyone could understand the need to take care of Lanora.
"She'll be fine. She just needs some rest. Zavrean, did you know?" Miss Lauren asked.
"No. I didn't either. I don't think she did herself" I said.
"Why do you say that Rylan" the priest, Miss Liliana said.
"Because, she would have the over depth thing fixed by now and wouldn't be so worn out from a single spell" I said, remembering what Miss Aracnea, our one and only magical mischief teacher said.
"Very well. Pick her up boy. I'd like to see for myself. Bring her to the apothecary" miss Lauren said. I did as I was told, laying Lanora down on the table.
Flashback six and a half years ago
"Hey Rylan, can I ask you something" she said. We were laying down on the beach part of the pond she had been found on. She had her hands behind her head as always, but she was staring at me with those big silver eyes of hers.
"That hasn't stopped you before" I said with a light chuckle.
"Why does Miss Lauren need that table?" She asked.
"So if need be, she can do an operation. Like if part of an arrow or sword got ledged inside someone she would have to pull it out" I said.
"Gee thanks. That makes me feel better" she said, rolling her eyes.
"Wait, why?" I asked, curious.
"Its just a little creepy. Not the lady running it but the apothecary itself is a little creepy for my taste" she said.
"Creepy?! I thought you were fearless! Speaking of fearless why do you keep helping me?" I asked. She kept saving my AsS from those bullies and she keeps me practicing with weapons after school.
"I don't know. Probably because it's the right thing to do. As much as Motrin is a huge enormous a-hole I'd probably help him to" she said.
"A short tempered nice person. What next, am I to find out you're a princess" I said sarcastically. She didn't get a chance to give a sarcastic remark because it suddenly started raining.
Present Zaria/Lanora's point of view
I awoke on a wooden floor. I definitely wasn't home. At least at Zavreans the wood fluffy stuff made the shape your back did. This, this is ridiculous. Then I heard the priest, archanist, and Rylan talking.
"-so I'm thinking she is" the archanist said.
"Can anyone even cast such a spell!?" Rylan said in shock.
"The princess died and her body disappeared two almost three weeks before the girl appeared. The queen is missing and her sister had that very same mark on her hand. When she comes of age, we will tell her but not a word before. Understand boy" the priest said.
"But I - I understand. Why am I even involved in this conversation anyway?" Rylan asked, curiosity edging his voice.
"Because your teacher is all gossip. You want to protect your friend don't you" the archanist said. I wanted to run over and ask what the hell was going on but i resisted the urge. Patients is key. Wait, were the hell did that come from? I've never been patient enough to even hunt a deer in my life! I thought.
Then I yawned. Shit, I thought. "Morning sleepy head" Rylan said smiling.
"Yeah, you to. Am I allowed out of this prison now?" I said, sternly, not realizing that my feelings to Rylan, what little there are, changed after hearing that.
"Yeah, of course you are. Why wouldn't you be?" He said.
"Never mind" I said and walked away. He followed. I didn't turn around but I could hear his footsteps, his ragged breathing, and his heartbeat. I don't know what happened but it really tuned up my sences. I saw the water behind the mayor's house and jumped, swimming all the way to that little slab there that only me and him know about. I looked around. Just me, him, and the forest.
"Mind telling me what the hell all of that was about?" I asked, quite but angry.
"What?" He answered dumbfounded.
"What you, the priest, and the archanist were talking about. It sounded like you were talking about me" I said, hurt but we were whispering so hopefully he didn't hear.
"They think that you are princess Zaria. You bare her mark in your hand. But they are waiting until you turn 14 or another war to unleash an ancient demon starts again. Then they will summon you to the castle and-" he trailed off.
"Earth to Rylan, come in Rylan" I said, punching him playfully on the shoulder.
"Sorry. It's just. Nothing, never mind" he said turning away from me, but not before the blush hit his face. Just a little to slow. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders while I was behind him like I always do when he is distressed.
"You are such a thorn in my side sometimes, you know that" I said.
"Yep. That's what I'm here for. To complain, nag, heal, and be a pain in the ass" he said.
"That's the Rylan we all know and love." I said getting off of him and pushing him into the lake.
"Hey!" He shouted, but then he blushed. I mean, what is with that anyway? The blushing. I don't get it. Ah. Oh well. I'm sure ill figure it out one day.