Past is Prologue: Chapter 2

Carla meets a handsome stranger

"For the most part, the reign of Queen Shuriki actually opened up opportunities for Norberg sailors. The Avaloran City Port tripled in size, and the port district became a haven for immigrants throughout the Everrealm, provided, of course, that we didn't use magic. That was dealt with swiftly and harshly no matter where one had been born. But those willing to work and increase the prosperity of Avalor were welcomed at the port. For me, personally, it meant that I was perfectly suited to help my friend Rafa (Note: Rafaela Hechicero de Alva, leader of the Night Singers, an Avaloran resistance group) smuggle out those who needed to flee Avalor. As a Norberg sailor, no one suspected me." – Scarlett Turner née Bonny, admiral of the Avaloran Royal Navy under Queen Elena Castillo Flores, A People's History of the Reign of Queen Shuriki, compiled by Professor Catalina de Torres

Carla Delgado strolled along the Promenade, free for the day after that little adventure with the duendes. Well, technically, she should have been cleaning the laboratory, but she knew Olivia would cover for her. Such a sweet kid. Maybe Carla should pick up something for her. A shiny necklace caught Carla's eye…But no, her thieving days were behind her. She was a respectable wizard-in-training now. And if magic wasn't truly her passion, if it was simply what was expected of her in the moment, Carla didn't complain…much, and then only to her father. For when had her life been anything else but doing what was expected of her in the moment? And life was better than it had ever been. The twenty-three-year-old's face was no longer on wanted posters; she could wander the marketplace freely, and was even regarded as a hero in some circles. Most importantly, she and her father finally had a home and were safe and together. The queen had gifted them a sweet little house right in the Capital City in payment for the Delgados' help in the war against Carla's mother and the Shades. While Elena was sketchy with the details, Carla knew the queen had slain her mother. Queen Elena had expressed her regrets, but Carla didn't blame her. One of the two women had to die that day, and Carla was glad Queen Elena had survived. If she mourned her cold, confusing mother, it was only in private. The last mental image she had of the malvaga was when Ash had lowered her tamborita rather than strike down her own daughter. Carla had hesitated, unable to attack her mother. That brief look of joy and gratitude on her villainous mother's face broke Carla's heart. There was no goodness in the ruthless Ash, but Carla alone knew there had been love. Still, that was not an observation she shared with anyone, least of all her papi.

Carla shook her head, unwilling to dwell on such dark thoughts on such a beautiful day. What mattered was the present, and she was happy now.

A young man caught her attention. With his dark hair, slender build, and tall stature he was strikingly handsome, but incongruously his movements were hesitant, almost fearful. He looked lost. Carla wondered if she should approach him to see if he needed help when he unexpectedly collapsed on the ground. Carla ran over, as did a few other bystanders.

When she got closer, Carla noticed that while the young man appeared Avaloran, he was dressed as a Norberg sailor. A boy from the Port, most likely. A man from a nearby stall was fanning him, and he opened his eyes. Such a deep green! The young man looked confused.

"Are you all right?" the wizard-in-training asked. "I-I think so," he responded. "I just felt dizzy…"

"Too much to drink?" the man asked gruffly.

"Certainly not!" the young man sounded affronted. He definitely spoke with a Norberg accent, much thicker than Naomi's (which to be fair was almost non-existent.)

"I don't smell alcohol," Carla said, glaring at the vendor.

"I'm terribly sorry," the boy from the port said. "I haven't eaten all day, and didn't realize…"

"Oh, that's easily fixed," Carla declared brightly. "It's all right, I've got this," she said to the onlookers. The young man stood up, looking embarrassed. "Come on," she said. "Let's get you to a bench in the shade." She took his hand to lead the way. Nonplussed, he followed. "I'm Carla Delgado, by the way. Royal Wizard-in-Training." So that wasn't her actual title. But she was being trained by the Royal Wizard, so it was kind of true.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Delgado," he replied, sitting down where she indicated. "My name is David Fisher."

"Encantada, señor Fisher," she said, shaking his hand. "Now you said you hadn't had anything to eat. Let's fix that." She turned to go.

"Wait, I have money. I was just rowing all night…"

"I'll be right back." Carla was gone before he could press coin into her hand. She'd been on the run half her life, and knew desperation when she saw it. She quickly returned with food, and when he insisted on paying, she graciously accepted and then slipped the money back into his pocket with David none the wiser.

"Thank you, Miss Delgado. You are very kind." He looked at her with those brilliant green eyes.

She let him get some food into him before asking, "So why were you rowing all night?"

He turned away. "To get away from my mother," he said bitterly. Carla gasped. She knew that pain. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't burden you with my troubles."

"No, it's all right," the apprentice wizard said, taking his hand in hers. "I've been where you are."

"You lost your whole family and learned your mother lied about everything?" David didn't take his hand from hers.

"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up." The young man's eyes widened.

"That's terrible! How did you cope?"

"It's a very, very long story. But why would rowing get you away from your mother? Aren't you from the Port?"

"The port here? No, this is my first time in Avalor City. I only arrived in Avalor kingdom two months ago." That really surprised Carla. Avaloran in appearance, Norberg clothing, and not from the Port? Who was this David Fisher?

"Then, Sr. Fisher, let me be the first one to welcome you to Avalor City! If you like I can show you around."

"I…you would do that for me?" the young man seemed bewildered by Carla's change in mood. But she was used to that. Carla felt there was a mystery here to be solved, and for some reason she wanted to be the one to solve it.

"Sure," she answered. "It will give us a chance to talk. Besides, it's my duty as a royal wizard-in-training."

"Thank you," David answered softly. "I would like that."

"Come on, then, Sr. Fisher. Let me show you the wonders of Avalor City."

AN: A story cannot contain a song, of course. But if you would like one, imagine this: a Pop Latino song of Carla showing David the sights of Avalor City. As the song progresses, David and Carla seem increasingly enchanted with one another.