Staring at her he was surprised to hear Leaf say that about herself, he had expected her to get angry again like last night. Why was she okay with this? His master told him that it would be dangerous for her to have this power, and that anyone who truly understood it knew someone with it. They would be scared and sooner or later lose their sanity.

"Well that certainly is a surprise my Master had told me that you would loath and despise this inherited power of yours," he whispered shocked but yet understanding how she felt, "But how do you feel now? Knowing who your mother is and what you are?"

"What ever do you mean?" Leaf asked in a childlike tone, "What I am is an elf nothing of that has changed. Why I see no reason why it has changed after all I look like an elf and act like one so why would knowing my heritage change me at all?"

"Why is it that you never truly answer my questions but answer them with riddles that confound me and irate me," he said smiling at her even though he was getting just a bit frustrated with her that she was always making him feel insignificant.

"Never thought about that," she said grinning, "I guess that's why nobody at home really liked talking to me. But in answer to your question I feel happy actually. Its strange I know this power in me is dangerous but for some reason it makes me happy to have some connection with my mother, my real mother that is."

Getting to her feet she walked to one of the windows that were close to where they were seated. Looking out she once again saw the forest and was happy to see birds flying above.

"I know that my life from now on will be entirely different from now but I guess the word that describes me now would be giddy," she said smiling but still staring out the window.

"Giddy?" he said cocking his head to the side confounded by the word, "Interesting word choice I must say."

"Yeah well mystery man I don't see what's so wrong with the word," she stated turning to look at him narrowing her eyes, "Just cause I'm an elf doesn't mean I have to have grand and complicated words. Oh and by the way you still haven't told me your name! Its real weird and awkward calling you man."

"Well my name is Gabriel and as you already guess I've lived here awhile under study by my late Master," he said smiling at her.

"Well how interesting and it's a pleasure to meet you Gabriel," Leaf whispered, "But with that how about you start to actually teach me."

"Yes lets retreat to the laboratory upstairs where I will aid in showing you how to focus your power and teach you magical incantations," Gabriel said walking out of the garden.

Hurrying to follow Gabriel she barely listened as he was lecturing her on magic and explaining every little thing. While he talked on and on she was looking around her, the walls were covered with tapestries that were elaborate and very detailed. Amazed at how well kept the place was even though it seemed that her and Gabriel were the only ones here.

She wondered about what they were going to do in controlling ancient sort of magic. Why did this have to be so damn confusing to her? How stupid she must seem to Gabriel, she doesn't know anything about magic or its uses. Hopefully it wouldn't be to hard, though Leaf prided herself on her extensive knowledge of mostly everything she was never allowed to look at anything that would be used for combat. Elf women weren't allowed to learn broad knowledge about fighting whether it be for magic or sword-to-sword warfare.

Finally drawing her thoughts to the present and telling herself that she wasn't in her homeland anymore and once she realized that she'd be able to study with no guilt. Still she couldn't completely forget, but she had to try still.

"Gabriel what sort of things will we be doing at first?" Leaf asked her voice shivering, as the area grew steadily colder, "I'm guessing that it won't be like the teachings that I learned…well what will it be at first."

"Well your correct it won't be normal in other people's points of view," he whispered.

Glancing at her over his shoulder he saw that her head was lowered. He felt sorrow at seeing that beautiful elf feeling remorse and regret. Anger surged though him as he thought, why should it be her? Why not someone else who deserves to be hurt over and over? Why dose life have to be so unfair for one person? The gods be damned for setting this young girl who looks like she can't even harm a fly.

"For you though this is about as normal as it will ever be for you," he silently added blushing from his thoughts, "Your life can never be like it was before Leaf, this may seem harsh but your life will forever on be heart ache and tears."

Gasping at what she had heard she felt death come closer to her. Death creeping ever so closer shielding her away from the brilliant rays of the sun. No she couldn't let death come not yet, she has so much time. So much that I want to see, she thought vowing silently to herself that she would fight this new life till old age came to claim her.

"First you have one test Leaf," Gabriel said keeping his voice surprisingly clam.

"What?" Leaf exclaimed, "How can I be tested when I know nothing about this power you say I have? I do not even know that much about magic Gabriel."

"Calm down Leaf the test is just a test on yourself," he said stopping and turning to face her, "Don't worry so much Leaf, this is a simple test on who you are."

"But I already know who I am," she said her voice faltering over the words, "Gabriel do not make me do this I am really scared, please wait and let me take this test when I'm ready when I know more about….about…."

"Yourself," Gabriel stated finishing her sentence, "I know this is scary but you don't have to take the test till tomorrow evening when the three moons of the gods of magic are in the sky."

"Gabriel," she whispered shivering now uncontrollably.

"Look you need food and sleep I will show you the laboratory tomorrow evening," he said laying his hands on her shoulders, "Now come lets go and get something for you to eat."

Leading her away from the way to the laboratory he took his cloak that he had been wearing and wrapped it around her. Smiling she nodded and muttered a thank you. Now walking behind him she had time to think. Creeping along the hallway Leaf still pondered about the Test to come. No matter what Gabriel said her fears could not be quenched. A Test designed to tell her about herself. But she knew who she was. Didn't she? Damn it she cursed why do I second-guess myself now? Is it because I really have no knowledge of magic?

"Leaf are you alright?" Gabriel asked curious as to why she wasn't talking.

"Oh yes I am fine just I can't stop thinking about this Test," she stated feeling somewhat ashamed.

"Come on in here Leaf," Gabriel said opening a door that she'd missed when they first came up, "Don't worry I'm not taking you anywhere dangerous. This is my Master's personal library. Only recently has it opened for me."

Walking on in Leaf was surprised to see so many books lining every inch of the walls. There were so many book that Leaf was surprised that there was any room to sit.

"Yes overwhelming isn't it?" Gabriel stated sitting himself in one of the armchairs.

Armchairs Leaf noticed were like the chair that she used to fall asleep in back t the Tower of the Sun. Feeling tears sting her eyes she looked at a map that was laid out on the desk in the center. Blinking away the tears she came and sat down beside Gabriel. No matter what had happened before she had left the Tower, it would always be a part of her. She missed her brothers and sister and their doings. Of course she wasn't allowed to play with them but she loved to hear them laugh and fight, she hadn't really cared for those things before. But she would give anything just to see them talking and laughing. Leaf used to hate them cause they were allowed outside while she was stuck inside. Maybe now with my knowledge would I still hate them? Leaf wondered her thoughts drifting to the beauty of her homeland.

"Leaf here read this," Gabriel whispered laying a book on the small table before her.

She hadn't even noticed that he had gone to get a book. To absorbed in her thoughts and her hatred towards her family. With that chapter gone in her life she had better get used to the fact that she didn't have a family anymore. They didn't want her so now she was with a complete stranger who was going to teach her magic. Grinning at the thought of her fathers outrage at her for knowing the arcane art. She picked up the book and looking at the cover was a bit surprised to see no title. There wasn't even an author written anywhere on it.

"Gabriel I don't understand," she whispered fear creeping once again into her frail body, "What's going on? Why is their no name or title on here?"

Looking up expecting to see Gabriel looking at her with the practiced patience he had been using with her ever since he told her the truth. Shocked to the core Leaf saw that Gabriel wasn't there. He had left her alone in this room. But she hadn't even heard him leave. Well he was a mage so he must have used magic, Leaf thought trying to keep her panic under control. She placed the book back on the table and getting to her feet went to the door. Trying to open it she was horrified to learn that the door was locked. She was trapped in here, just like she was trapped in the Tower. What was going on? Her panic was rising and running to the windows she tried opening them, to of no avail though. She was a prisoner again, her freedom stripped of her because once again she hadn't been paying anyone else attention because she was worried about herself. Was she truly this self-absorbed?

Calming down she sat once again in the chair and picked up the book. Before Gabriel made her a prisoner here he had told her to read this book. Would this quench her thirst for knowledge though? Feeling compelled to open the book to read its contents she saw her hand go to open it. Surprised to see her hand shaking she drew away from the book and put the book back on the table. Sitting their staring at the book she tried again and again to reach to the book, but each time she saw her hand shaking. So this was truly fear, was she afraid to learn the truth? The book might tell her why she was locked up here, and maybe explain to her what she was supposed to do.

After about an hour of just staring at the book Leaf mustered all the courage in her and dragged the table close to her. With her knees draw up around her she looked down at the book. Extending her hand she still saw that it was trembling. She forced her hand onto the book and with such ferocity opened the book. Closing her eyes and drawing her hand away from the book, expecting some monstrosity to come forth and tear her limb from limb. No monster came to kill her. Opening her eyes barely a sliver she saw the white pages of a the book laying their. They were waiting to be read. Feeling ashamed of her fear of a book she went closer to it and found herself becoming angry with Gabriel.

"Gabriel you tell me to read this book," Leaf stated sarcastically, "Read what? Nothing that's what I'm reading."

"No Gabriel wasn't completely wrong in you reading Leaf," a voice sounded from in front of her.

Shocked she jumped out of the chair and behind it. Hiding behind the chair she shivered cold and still shocked from the voice.

"Leaf come and sit in the chair where we talk face to face," the voice whispered sounding irate but trying to understand her, "Come on I can't harm you I'm dead."

Rising cautiously from her hiding place she peeked over the chair and saw sitting opposite the chair she was hiding from a man. A man that glowed a sort of soothing glow. Who this man was and where he came from scared Leaf witless.

"Ah there you are now come on," the man gestured for her to come and sit in the chair, "I seem to repeat myself I'm not here to harm you just here to talk."

Sensing that his words were genuine that he didn't want to hurt her only talk. Leaf came up and sat down opposite him. Keeping her eyes on him she examined him for any sort of threat. Seeing that all her was; was an old man in white robes that sparkled, as did his white hair. His eyes were deep blue, probably a bright blue when he was alive. Now though they were weary and looked knowledgeable as though he knew some heinous plan was soon to be acted upon.

"That's it good," he stated his eyes watching her every movement, "Well you're a pretty one I'll give you that lassie. Next time don't get so shocked about voices. You'll find that with your unique abilities that your going to have many encounters that will scare you mind ya. But that doesn't mean that you have to listen to those voices. The voices you hear have a right to tell you their story and impart to you knowledge."

"Knowledge of what?" Leaf said her voice stammering over the words.

"Oh stop being so scared watch this," the old man snapped at her.

Watching the old man he placed his hand withered and white on the table. Stunned to see the old mans hand go right through the table.

"See even if I wanted to harm you I can't," he whispered, "My kind can only scare you or impart knowledge as I said before."

"Okay I'll calm down or try to," Leaf said, "Well it seems that as you say you aren't hear to scare me, then I assume that you have some knowledge to impart. I would also like to venture a guess as to your identity, if you approve that is."

"Approve I do," he said smiling at her, "Guess away young one."

"Yes well as I have not seen you ever before and you appear to be human I would have to presume that you would be Gabriel's late Master," Leaf whispered keeping her voice in check and speaking with respect to him.

"Good guess young one," the old man said delighted, "You are right and that was an exceptionally good for an elf who hasn't even passed through her father's court."

"Yes well it was simple I suppose," she whispered tears burning her eyes, "I'm sorry I'm still not used to well my family…"

"Oh dear I'm sorry," he whispered soothingly, "I did not mean to bring up old wounds. I knew your father and I must say I'm still quite surprised that he let such a jewel as you go. Don't give him another thought. He isn't worth the pain and heart ache my dear."

Nodding her head she wiped the tears from her eyes and gestured for him to continue to talk, as there was a lump in her throat preventing her.

"I'd also like to apologize for not being here in living form to teach you," he said, "Gabriel I'm sure will teach you well. This upcoming Test that you're going to be taking, don't worry about it. I promise and this is a promise from an old man so it's authentic, you there is nothing and I repeat nothing that will or could harm you in this Test."

"How can you be sure?" she asked her voice back, "The Test must be different for everyone who is qualified to take it."

"Oh yes it is but the Test was formatted by the most powerful of wizards," he whispered, "No wizard today has the power of those long been dead. Kith Kan was one of the first to exhibit and show others this power but there were others. Some hid from all kept to the wilderness where they could roam free, some tried to become godly and had people fear them. But of all them there was one single woman who had beseeched the mages of her time and begged them to form a Test. A Test that would show what would happen if these people kept on with their ways. Somewhat like the Test at the Towers of High Sorcery they teach and helped the people learn how their power was hurting the world. Mountains turning to rubble, Rivers flooding with grief, Volcanoes erupting with anger, all of these were of nature yes. Still though the gods had created nature. Some were angry and wanted these people to be destroyed. Few gods wanted to destroy them."

The old man paused in his tale and sighed his tears now brimming with sorrow.

"Is that why there are so few with this power cause the gods hate them?" Leaf asked her voice soft.

"I'm afraid so Leaf," the old man whispered with renewed sorrow, "The gods hated them so much that they called them Solana, I will not translate the word I will leave that to you. As the Solana grew with power each day the gods began to detest them more and more. This hatred led to the utter destruction of anyone with the power of the Solana."

With that horrid fact in Leaf's head she could understand why her father wanted to get rid of her. If she turned out to be as horrible as those in the past, she was no better than a goblin. Shuddering she wrapped her arms around her feeling ashamed and terrified of herself.

"I'm sorry Leaf," Gabriel whispered laying a hand on her shoulder.

Surprised to here him she looked up and the old man was gone. Feeling Gabriel gather her small body in his arms the two of them walked out of the room. Leaf was in a somewhat trance with the knowledge she had learned. Taking on last look at the chair that had held the old man she saw a shimmering figure. The figure turned into an old man and Leaf could plainly see him mouthing the words "I'm sorry".

"Its not your fault it never was," she whispered falling asleep as she watched the last shimmering figure depart for rest.