Prologue
Three figures stood around a table, each wearing an expression of confusion and anger. A man with shaggy gray hair and striking blue eyes held his face.
"If we let her in, she could be a danger to us all!" Next to him, a woman floating on what looked like a bingo raised her hand.
"Yes I agree. But she had nowhere else to go. And who knows. Perhaps she's not a danger, but simply another teenager in search of her destiny." Across the table, a girl with long, curly blonde hair huffed.
"That's just the thing though. No one knows who her parents are...not even her. So her destiny is completely out of the question. She's an open book." They were silent for a few moments. The man inhaled deeply then sighed.
"We will accept her. But we will watch her with caution", he nodded his head slightly,"With this mystery archer on the loose, the last thing we need is another danger to our students." The others nodded their heads in agreement.
Chapter One
She sat at the dinner table, fork in hand and a mouth full of pancakes. The little cabin was quiet. The windows had been opened and every nook and cranny was gladly soaking up the morning sun. There was the sound of footsteps coming from behind her.
"So, are you excited to be going to this new school?" She looked over her shoulder to see her grandmother dressed in a simple gown and slippers.
"I guess." She mumbled. The old woman twisted her lips and set her hand on her hip.
"Now Nora, this is a new adventure! You've got to be at least a little excited." Nora swallowed her bite, feeling the warm pancake(now mush) run down her throat. Pulling her plaid shirt down, she slouched in her chair.
"Why should I be excited? All it is a new school. Big whoop." Taking another heaping nite of her food, she closed her eyes. She could see the fields upon fields of wild flowers. She could hear the satisfying cluck of her grandmother's chickens. Nothing could compare the simple life on the farm.
"Well then, you better get excited. We leave in an hour. So go pack your bags and I'll clean up."
"Whatever you say grandma."
xXx_xXx
Clunk. Her suitcase slammed shut. With ten minutes to go, she gazed around her bedroom one last time. The light yellow walls practically inhaled the sunlight. Reaching out, she let her thin fingers run along the pictures on her wall. One of some random flowers, one of her as a child, and the other...the other of her grandmother. Nora's heart was suddenly wrenched with sadness. Her grandmother looked so happy in the picture. She had just received the greatest the news in the world...she was to be a grandmother. Oh how her smile could light up a room. The only con her grandmother had...was that Nora was to never know her parents personally...or even know who they were.
"Nora, let's go!" Snapping back into reality, Nora drew her hand back. These pictures would stay here for the rest of eternity. She slipped her arm around the suitcase and held it under her armpit.
"Goodbye room. It was nice knowing you." Turning, she walked out of her room. In the kitchen, her grandmother stood with a small bag in hand. And of course, she was smiling. Without warning, she took her into her embrace. Speaking into her ear, she placed a kiss on her cheek.
"I'm sure you'll do just fine at your new school. Listen to your higher authorities and be a friend." She nodded.
"I love you, Grandma."
"I love you too."
xXx_xXx
The carriage ride there was bumpy and rough and highly uncomfortable. She had been silent for the whole ride, anxious about the future. What if the students didn't like her? What if she couldn't keep her grades up? Her head feel into her hands. So many what ifs. A hand grabbed her arm and shook her.
"Oh! We're here Nora, we're here!" She forced her head up and looked through the small carriage window. Her eyes widened. In front of them was a huge castle. Vines and various flowers grew up and down the outside walls. People of every color warring every kind of clothing imaginable we're out and about. Suddenly self conscious about her own clothing, she glanced down at her plain jeans and plaid shirt. She suddenly began to notice every little detail about herself. Her ginger locks were frizzy and unkept. There were dirt and grease smudges along her cheeks. Her boots were old and worn out. What a great first impression. Screeech! The carriage came to a halt. This was it. She was about to embarrass herself in front of the whole school. This was going to be interesting.