7-year-old Zhanna Godkova rode on a palamino through a drear country side. The road was dry and dusty. The air was dry. Even the few plants that were alive were dry, more teal in color than green. Not for the first time, she thought 'this is insane, what am I doing? I'm 7-years-old and already leaving home.' 'I mean, I can't fight, and I don't have the gift, at least I don't think so.' Zhanna had many doubts rushiong through her head. If banits attacked, she would make it through the fight. By this time she was thinking she was quiet an idiot. 'Oh well, to late to turn back now' she thought as she stopped and set camp to eat lunch. The place she had stopped seemed nicer than every other place around her. Birds sang and the trees were vibrant green. Bright soft moss covered the ground. Berries and fruit were everywhere. It was beatiful, yet creepy. 'Scanra never looks like this, never.' 'It always is sparse of food and all around drab.' This clearing looked like the Divine Realms to her. 'Might as well make the best of it', she thought as she got up to pick the fruit. She ate a good amount, and stored the rest in her pack. She took one of the apples she found and gave it to her horse, Sunshine. Sitting down, she decided to rest. 'No hurry, it's not like I have anywhere to go.' She fell asleep the second she closed her eyes. When she woke, it was dark. There was a fire going. 'Wait, a fire!' She got up, panicked.

"Who's there?" she yelled

"Only I, a poor traveler." Came a voice

"How do I know that?" she asked, suspicous

"You don't, I only can rely on your trust." The voice answered

"Show yourself!" yelled Zhanna

At that, a woman appeared. She had waist-length soft brown hair and bright green eyes. She was wearing a simple green dress, with only a emerald at the waist to show that this woman wasn't just a poor traveler. The cloak she wore was also simple, with another emerald at the neck. She was strikingly beautiful, at least to Zhanna, who had short blond hair and blue- eyes, like any other Scanran.

"Hello, Zhanna Godkova, I am Ilusen." Said the woman, Ilusen

"How did you know my name?" asked Zhanna, trying to think of where she had heard the name Ilusen before.

"I know many things, Zhanna Godkova." Replied Ilusen

'Wait, Ilusen! Now she remembered where she had heard Ilusen before. Ilusen was the Goddess of the woods. People were have said to meet her only in one place, a thriving area with fuits and berries called Ilusen's Glade. This must be Ilusen's Glade!'

"You are Ilusen, the Goddess of the wood?" asked Zhanna, astonished

"I am she." Replied Ilusen

"I am sorry for being rude, but why visit me?" questioned Zhanna

"Because your quest is a noble one, and I wish to help you. You will trek for two years in the wilderness, and a the end you will meet to people who will be good to you. They are Jasson and Melanie, prince and thief. You will be great friends with them. Then with them you will wander through through the wilderness for 5 years, finally going to Tortall." Said Ilusen

"Wow. Me though, why me?" Zhanna wondered out loud

"Because you are like Zhanna Godkin, and I helped her to unite Scanra, so I will help you. I am giving you the Gift, it will help you greatly on Journey." Said Ilusen, and with that, she left.

"That was very strange." Zhanna told Sunshine (her horse), who just neighed in reply.

"Oh well, we had best get going." Said Zhanna, who then started to pack up to leave the beautiful glade.