The year I turned eight was when I began my basic magical training. Most children began at age eleven, but since I was princess I received special treatment. I was to begin advanced magic at age eleven. Then when I finished that I would then receive my political training whenever or if ever I became queen. I had my own personal professor; my father handpicked him. Professor Glandhill had the reputation around the South to be the best of the best, but he was also known as a slave driver. "Now there are three stages in the development of magic, incantation, hand magic, and pure thought magic." I quickly bent down over my piece of parchment, writing down all of which he said, so I would not forget. We were seated comfortably outside next to the stables. I was sitting on a hay loaf, while he stood above me, pacing. Two guards were stationed ahead of us. "Incantation magic, is the most basic form of magic, and it is the form most human wizards and witches use. Words such as Abra Kadabra, Alakazam, hocus-pocus, prio incanto, and many more. Now the next level of magic is hand magic. Instead of words, hands indicate what to do. Now the last and final stage, the most supreme stage is using pure thought alone to perform magic. Any questions?" We worked from morning to dusk, only taking breaks for lunch, and ending when it was dinnertime. Everyone who called him a slave driver gave him no credit. He was much worse than a slave driver. He was much more like the devil trying to suck all the fun out of life and wear me down till I was skin and bones. Before the week was out, I had taken more notes than I believe there were pages in a wizard's spell book. I had just become a hand witch, and I was incredibly thankful that I was too. I felt incredibly stupid saying nonsense words under my breath. "Concentrate now, concentrate. Make the vine grow." We sat in the rain today. Normally on a day like this we would have studied indoors. But Glandhill seemed to think I needed to go outdoors and make a stupid vine grow. "What if I don't want to make the vine grow?" I told him. Even though he had cast water repellant charms on our bodies. It was still cold and the bench I was sitting on was muddy. "You will make the vine grow Highness." " Make me." I knew I was acting like a two year old, but it was cold and this was ridiculous, I could make a vine grow on any other sunny day I wanted too. "You are a spoiled brat your highness, and we will sit out here, until you make the vine grow, even if we sit out here till midnight." I scowled and weighed my chances. I could make the vine grow, and get out of here. Or I could not do what he asks and sit out here till he loses his patience. I sighed. I looked out to where the vine lay. It was a stranded one that Glandhill cut. I reached out my hand, and concentrated. "Grow" I whispered. Then I flicked my fingers upward. Nothing happened. I frowned and tried it again. Still nothing. Did my hand suddenly go defective? I tried again. Again nothing. I gave a sound of frustration. Why wasn't this working! I looked at Glandhill. His face held no expression. But I believe he was fighting a mad desire to laugh at me. "Well," I asked him, agitated. "Well, what?" "Well why isn't it growing?" "You tell me why it isn't growing." "You're the professor you're supposed to know!" "You're right I am the professor and I do know." "Then tell me!" "Figure it out highness." "I COMMAND YOU TO TELL ME!" "I won't obey your command."

I shrieked at him. Causing my locket around my neck to jingle. He was the most insufferable, hardheaded lump I'd ever known. "I'm leaving." I was sick and tired of his insubordination I was his Princess not some mere student, He had to obey me, He would have to catch me if he wanted me back. "Over my dead bleeding corpse." "Good if you wish that to happen, then so be it." I knew he would block my way back to the castle, so instead I decided to go the opposite way, into the forest. I ran towards the stables. The fence was smaller over there. The running footsteps behind me signaled that Glandhill was after him. I quickly latched my foot onto the first loose piece of wood on the fence and started to climb. I quickly scrambled up the remaining part of the fence, catching a glimpse of my teachers' red hair as he climbed up after me. He was too close to just climb down the other side of the fence; I jumped, ripping a whole in my gown as I fell. Beyond the fence lay a crossroad. One path was to the village. The other was into the forest. The village would be much safer, but I would be easier to catch. The forest would be a little more dangerous, but much easier to lose the spawn of Satan in. I took the right road and ran towards the forest. Damn, he's a fast runner! I thought. I had just arrived at the forest, as I saw him bounding over a small hill in the road after me. Without a second thought, I bounded straight into the heart of the forest. The rain was still pouring, making it quite hard to see. For some reason it seemed as if I was running for my life, instead of running away from studies. I looked around behind me, and noticed he was no longer behind me. I had lost him. I sat down on the damp earth, exhausted. Breathing rather hard, I looked about me. A sudden fear slipped down my throat. I had no longer any idea where I was.