Chapter 1: Alyssa
"Thump!" My arrow struck the target at a strange angle and was way off. "Man!" I said in disappointment. Usually it's my sister Alyssa who makes the target every time. In fact, Papa taught her how to catch arrows out of the air! What can I say, he is half crow.
"Alright, I think that's enough target practice for today," I said to myself. I mounted Freckle, my beautiful mare, and rode towards the beach.
Riding west, I ended up on one of the Copper Isles' most beautiful beaches. My brother and I had named it Star Beach when we were little, because of all the stars you could see at night. Being the oldest of three siblings, I often was my brother Namar's nursemaid. I took him everywhere and showed him the wonders of the Copper Isles. My mother Aly, the queen's spymaster, is often busy around court. My father Nawat mainly took care of us when we were little. But now that I'm 16, Alyssa's 14, and Namar's 12, we usually take care of ourselves.
At age sixteen Mother says I have become quite the beautiful young lady, but I have yet to see why. The only features I have are big lips that are always chapped and red, sunburned cheeks, and unruly red curls that always get in my way. I have a rare fondness for politics and often attend council meetings at the palace. Even if it seems a little odd, the council members sometimes listen to my ideas and turn them into action. That's something I'm proud of.
My sisterSofia is so modest about what she looks like and will never tell you so I'll describe her myself. She is the only one in the second generation of the Crow family that is part crow. She can change into one in a snap, with help from Aunt Diane the wildmage. Her sleek black hair and in-shape body makes her look a lot like a Yamani native. Sofia's odd purple eyes (inherited from my grandma Alanna the Lioness) look right into you and it is very hard to tell a lie with her around.
Dear brother Namar, like his mother and grandfather before him, is a very good liar, thief, and spy. He is the only one who can trick even Alyssa at times. His auburn locks are bleached almost blond from the sun, and he is surprisingly good looking for an adolescent.
That's enough describing. I see something along Star Beach that looks like driftwood. It just washed up on shore. Wait, that's not driftwood, that's moving!
As I ran across the beach the driftwood became what I dreaded it to be; a human body!
After getting closer to the body, I concluded that this was a sailor boy about my age, a finely dressed sailor boy. Using my medical skills I concluded that he was breathing. Oh yes, now I remember something I should also tell you. I have the gift.
I pushed on the boy's stomach and, sure enough, tons of seawater spewed out. He sat up, coughing. Gently, I said "Hello. Are you alright?"