Hello all. This is purely an experimental story. It's not a top priority. And the Moon Smiled is. So don't be surprised if I don't update that often.

This idea has been hanging around in my head for a while and it won't get out, so I decided to write it down. If I get good reviews, it will most definitaly become a top priority. So review, please!

Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable Circle of Magic Characters. I do not own the set of this story. I do not own the places in this story. I do, however, own Nenyethilen Andrylica and her sad little story, so don't you DARE steal it.

A longer summary: Nenyethilen Andrylica, recently-gotten-rid-of daughter of a wealthy merchant and also the victim physical abuse, thinks she's crazy. That is, until the strange dreams she has start coming true. Labeled a freak by those she loved, and even by those she didn't, Nenyethilen must learn to trust those around her if she wants to know what's going on with her confusing life. But most of all, she must learn to trust herself...

Chapter One: Night's Stranger

It was dark. Dark and stormy. But it was just the way Tris liked it. Reflected lightning flashed in her spectacles and lit up her face to reveal a half-crazed, gleeful smile.

"Tris, come away from that window. You're scaring me," said Sandry, the red-head's foster sister.

Tris scowled, but gave up her position at the window and treturned to the table where her three friends, Sandry, Daja, and Briar sat along with their teachers, Lark and Rosethorn.

They had finished dinner early, and were now sitting in silence, occupying themselves with various activities. Sandry was working on needle point, Daja was twisting wires into a design, and Briar was busy "finding out" what kind of food Tris' starling Shriek liked. Lark and Rosethorn read from leather-bound books and silently sipped their tea.

Suddenly, the huge white dog named Little Bear jumped up, his fur on end, and gave a low, menacing bark. The occupants of the room looked up as one, startled. With an abrupt change of mood, Little Bear wagged his tail and started jumping up and down at the door, barking as shrilly as a dog his size could.

There came a booming knock, and Lark jumped up and ran to the door, tugging it open. In her haste, she accidentally slammed the door in Little Bear's face.

A tall form filled up almost the entire doorway. Beside it, a small, hooded figure stood with its head bowed.

Upon seeing Lark, Niklaren Goldeye, better known as Niko, strode into the room, pushing his hood back impatiently. Rosethorn immediately rose from the table to make some more tea. Tris, Daja, and Sandry jumped up, smiles wide. Briar sauntered lazily over to the door, grinning. The small figure beside Niko raised its hood slowly and looked around the room with almond-shaped silver-gray eyes.

***

For the entire journey to Discipline, Niko had been trying to get me to talk to him. He kept asking me questions, like Did I know where we were going? How old was I? What were my brothers' names? Did I miss my family? but I don't tell him. Whenever I speak, people look at me strangely. I can feel their stares burning into me even now. Even now as I stand in this cheery, bright room.

The people here seem to like Niko. They're jumping all over him, asking him questions, and trying not to stare at me. But I know what they're thinking. I can see it.

Niko introduces me to them. "Nenyethilen Andrylica," he says. I almost laugh as they try to pronounce it. Almost.

Niko takes the two adults into another room, leaving me with the four other people. They look to be about my age; thirteen or so.

One of them walks up to me with her hand stretched out. I take it, just to be polite.

"My name is Sandry," she says. "These are my friends Tris, Daja, and Briar." She points to each person as she says their names. "And you're Nen-Neny-Nenyethilen?" I nod a little.

"So, where are you from?"

I try to speak. I really try. But my lips are stuck together. Instead, I answer her with my eyes. She doesn't seem to understand.

The girl named Daja breaks the silence. "Would you like to see your room?"

I shrug.

Sandry is completely unfazed and quickly leads me to one of the upstairs rooms, chattering the entire way. I wonder if she's always so happy.

Sandry leaves me to unpack and get settled. Not that I have much to unpack. Just a few tunics and dresses for special occasions.

After putting my things away, I gaze around my new prison. At least it has a window so I won't feel too trapped. There is a small dresser, a bed, and a desk with a chair. I go to the mirror over the dresser and stare at my reflection.

Some might consider me pretty, with black hair that brushes my shoulders in long waves, and my strange silver eyes. I consider it just one more unwanted reason for people to stare at me.

I reach up to touch a shadow of a bruise on my right cheek and a small scratch above my eyebrow. Remnants of my father's last beating.

Just thinking of him makes me want to vomit. What he did to us... No. I'm in a new place now. That's in my past. I can't let them know. I can't tell them anything. They'll just get rid of me like my father did. I don't want to leave. This house is so full of love. Every oak timber is saturated with it. It's a good feeling. Not one I've felt very often. But now that I have, I don't want to leave it.

***

Downstairs in Rosethorn's workroom, away from the questions of excited children, Niko told Lark and Rosethorn what he knew about Nenyethilen.

"I found her in the cellar of her house. It seems that her father decided to make her his slave. The cellar was her bedroom."

At this, Lark and Rosethorn frowned simultaneously. Even with her sharp tongue, she still had a kind and caring heart. She never like to hear stories like this.

Niko went on. "She has strange dreams. Since I met her, she has refused to say a word to me or anybody else, so I don't know what they are. But, whatever it is, it terrifies her. That's about all I know. If you can get her to talk, maybe she'll tell you." Niko shrugged. "Anyway, I must leave immediately. Dedicate Moonstream wishes to speak with me.

Lark and Rosethorn said hasty goodbyes to Niko before coming back into the dining room to send the children to bed.

Nenyethilen was just coming down the stairs when they entered the room. Lark smiled at her and asked if she was settled. She nodded, speaking silently with her peculiar eyes, thanking them.

"Well, I'm sure you're all tired," Lark said. "Why don't all of you go to bed? It's late enough already."

She was answered by various groans and excuses to which she simply smiled, shepherding the children to their rooms. She noticed without surprise that Nenyethilen went wordlessly to her room, obeying without question. *I wonder if she'll have any strange dreams tonight,* Lark thought.

***

She didn't, as it turned out. Or, no one knew if she did. The night was relatively quiet, except for the creak of wooden timbers straining against the wind and the huge droplets of rain that came down on the roof in sheets.

***

The next morning, Lark rose early to set about making breakfast. About half an hour later, Nenyethilen came so silently down the stairs--fully dressed as she was--that Lark jumped when she suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision.

The girl cringed as Lark looked around at her, but looked up once more shen she saw the smile on her face.

"You're up early," Lark said. "If you want to help, the plates and glasses are over there, and the silverware is in that drawer." Lark pointed to the different cabinets and drawers as she spoke.

Nenyethilen nodded and immediately began to set the table with silent efficiency. When she was done, she looked back up at Lark with questioning eyes. Lark motioned to the empty tea kettle and showed her where the tea was kept. In this way of wordess inquiries, Lark and Nenyethilen had breakfast ready by the time the first sleepy heads poked out of their doors.

When everyone was seated at the table, the food was passed around until everyone had something. At the first bite of his omelette, Briar, who was always the one to appreciate good food, widened his eyes and asked Lark who had made it. Lark nodded at Nenyethilen.

"You can really cook! This is the best omelette I've ever had! Other than Rosethorn's, of course," he added after seeing Rosethorn's glare.

Nenyethilen stared at her lap, a blush slowly creeping up her neck. No one had ever complemented her before. She didn't know how to respond.

By the time every one ahd eaten their fill, Nenyethilen had gotten more compliments that she knew what to do with. Eventually, she managed a small half-smile that she was using more and more. She like to smile. It seemed to fit in with this happy environment.

When the dishes had been cleared and Tris, Sandry, Daja, and Briar went off to do their chores, Lark pulled Nenyethilen aside and said, "Since you're new, you can have a day off. How would you like to explore? I'll ask Frostpine if Daja can go with you." Nenyethilen said nothing, but the corners of her mouth twitched. Lark took that as a yes.

While Daja finished her chores, Lark took Nenyethilen to see Frostpine. She stared around the shop, marveling at the many tools and the hot cherry-red metal heating in the fires. Suddenly, she stopped. Her eyes went wide with fear and her jaw clenched. She balled her hands into fists so tight they started shaking. The fire roared to life, searing hot, and Nenyethilen, eyes blazing silver, stared into it's heart.

After about five seconds, she jumped as if just realizing where she was. She was still trembling slightly, and her nostrils were flared as she breathed hard through them.

She looked around her quickly to see if anyone had been watching. When she saw Lark and Frostpine conversing at the other side of the shop, she breathed a sigh of relief. No one else was there.

Just as she reached Lark's side to wait by her, Daja dashed in, breathless. Lark smiled upon seeing her and told her not to worry, that she was to show Nenyethilen around Winding Circle.

Daja smiled at Nenyethilen and asked her where she wanted to go first. She looked down and shrugged. Daja decided for her.

"Let's go to the Hub. That way you can see all the different mages at work."

Nenyethilen thought for a moment, then slowly nodded her head.

Daja's smile expanded to her sparkling eyes. "Great!" She then proceeded to drag Nenyethilen all around the winding streets that gave Winding Circle its name, pointing out the different buildings until they finally came to the enormous tower that made up the Hub.

After hours of flitting from room to room, they arrived at the seeing room. Daja was explaining what everything was and what the mages did to see things with them. But Nenyethilen was only half listening. She stared wide-eyed at the many crystals, mirrors, and ornately carved bowls filled with water. She longed to touch the sparkling objects, to caress their smooth surfaces and stare into their depths, but she had a feeling the mages wouldn't like some scrawny little cellar-scum (as her father often referred to her) dirtying their water and putting fingerprints on their crystals and mirrors. Instead, she gazed hungrily at them, wishing in hopeful desperation that someone would invite her to look. Of course, no one did.

Daja's lilting voice brought her out of her reverie. "It's getting late. How about we come back tomorrow and I'll show tyo the clock tower?" Nenyethilen nodded and tore her eyes away from the sky-blue crystal she was studying.

***

An excerpt from the diary of Nenyethilen Andrylica:

This day was...interesting. Yes, that's the word. Interesting. Not exactly fun, but it wasn't horrible either. Except when we went into the seeing room. I can't explain what I felt there, but it was almost like I felt I belonged. It felt like this house does. Like I don't want to leave.

Everyone's trying to get me to talk to them. They do what Niko did on the way here: asking me questions that I can't answer with a simple yes or no. Instead of answering, I just stare at them until they look away. It's funny.

I know I have to talk eventually, but whenever I try, it feels liek something's squeezing my throat, and my hands start shaking. It's like a really bad case of nerves. Maybe that's what it is.

I Saw something today. In the fire, at the forge. There were people running and screaming, and their village was on fire. If that had been a dream I think I would have screamed with them.

What do these visions mean? Every day I find myself questioning my sanity. Maybe my father was right. Maybe I am crazy.

***

Wow. That was a long chapter. Don't expect the others to be that long. I just couldn't find a good place to end this one. So, what do you think? Should I continue? I've started the next chapter, so you'll at least get one more. But, as always, please review.

I know there aren't enough rooms at Discipline for Nenyethilen to stay, but oh well. I made a new one. So don't yell at me for that. Nenyethilen's magic is a little obvious right now. If I get any reviews asking what it is, I'm going to hit you up side the head and knock some sense into you. Actually though, that would be killing your brain cells, so maybe hitting you wouldn't be such a good idea after all. Oh well. I'll do it because I feel like it.

I gotta go. Bye.

-littlehorse :)