A/N: Looking around, there's a few great stories about Elestra and some fantastic ones about Alaraec, but where's the story about Oria? Well, I decided to take my pen (or keyboard) in hand and write my own story about her adventures in the Dyranarya Academy. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Oria. I do not own her family. However,that whichyou do not recognize is all my work.

Chapter One

Attack

"Oria! Oria, wake up!"

I groaned and rolled onto my stomach, unwilling to relinquish my covers so early. "I won't be late to your engagement party, Elestra, I promise. Just let me sleep a little more."

"Oria! Wake up! Someone's initiated a magic attack on the academy and we've got to evacuate!"

I bolted straight up. I wasn't home; Elestra's party wasn't for another two months, and apparently, because of this attack, I wouldn't be able to leave today to be home in time for it.

I glanced at my roommate and best friend, Evijah, as I threw my tunic over my head and thrust my feet into boots. "By who? And what are we expected to do?"

Evijah grabbed her sack of books, her eyes darting from me to the door. "Us journey mages are supposed to lead the prentices and find Master Gil in the second basement. I guess he'll tell us what to do when we get there."

"Master Gil? The Master of teleporting? Most likely he wants to transfer us to 'safety'."

"The teachers are really worried, Oria. I think it's by someone they know and fear."

"Exactly." I snatched my own sack of books from my chair and pulled my arms through. "You go ahead to the basement."

"What are you going to do?"

"I want to find out something."

"Oria, you'll get hurt!"

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you really have that little faith in me and my magic? I'll be fine and you know it. What is it the prenties call me?"

Evijah gave me a small smile. "Renowned Rascal 'Ria."

I laughed. "They're all jealous because I should be a prentice with them and yet, here I am, the youngest journey mage in the history of Dyranarya Academy. Give them a hard time for me, will you?"

"Be careful, Oria."

"As much as I have to."

We parted at the door. I headed up while she went to warn more of the prentices.

Having lived at the academy for nearly four years, I knew a short cut to the tower with the best view. I had to know who was attacking us, and if I could help thwart them.

When I reached the top of the tower, I paused a minute to collect my breath – completely understandable after climbing the endless curved stairs. I turned my gaze to the horizon and frowned. The scent of magic lay heavy in the air. As if to agree with me, the vivid oranges, reds, and purples of the dawn was swallowed by a poof of dark clouds. Black magic, I realized with a shudder.

I shrugged away from the wall and dashed across the pathway that ran from one tower to the other. Mistress Jintella, Master Kuriel, and the head of the academy, Master Grenham stared over the wall. Masters Kuriel and Grenham mumbled a spell under their breaths. Probably trying to hold off any attacks by using a reinforced barrier.

Mistress Jintella, my favorite teacher, glanced behind and saw me. She frowned slightly.

I hurried to explain. "I want to help."

"Then go back and get the prentices to Master Gil. And then get yourself to safety."

"Who's attacking us?"

"Oria, this is no place for you."

I turned to face the speaker and saw Master Xerin.

"I think I can help." I glanced at Mistress Jintella. "Let me stay and help."

My answer was the firm shake of her head. "No, Oria. We are not allowing any journey mages to help us."

As soon as she finished speaking, the wall trembled and the air grew unbearably hot. I heard Master Kuriel curse.

Master Xerin joined in spell casting as Mistress Jintella guided me away from the edge of the wall. "Go, Oria. Warn everyone that Lord Duryis Laedin is attacking."

I gasped and backed away. Lord Duryis – a powerful king and sorcerer from far away Riebelheim. Why he would attack us, I didn't know, but I was now satisfied there was nothing I could do. I nodded briskly.

"We'll be along soon," Mistress Jintella promised. "As soon as everyone else has evacuated."

"And the academy?"

"It has enough magic in it that it should survive this attack. Don't worry about it."

One more look at the discolored sky then I turned and fled.

I reached the outskirts of the sleeping quarters when my skin prickled a warning. Someone used magic, very close.

"Who's there?" I demanded.

A tall, strapping young man appeared in front of me. An unfamiliar face peered back at me. The stranger's light blue eyes bore into me, his mouth slightly turned up in the beginning of a smirk. His fair hair swung loose around his shoulders, slightly tousled from his use of magic.

He's not adept at teleporting. Remember that!

"Who are you?" I demanded. "You're one of the invaders!" I readied myself to … do what? Protect myself? Attack him? Although we had been taught to defend ourselves, we were schooled to stay out of trouble by using our wit. Still, I refreshed two spells in my mind, ready to use if I had to.

The stranger smiled. The smile was too handsome to be a smirk. "Are you Oria Renselaeus?" His tone, meant to please me and put me off guard with its melodic tilting, only made me more suspicious.

"Tell me who wants to know and maybe I'll answer your question."

He bowed low. "Oria Renselaeus, I am Lord Felix Laedin."

I stiffened, but Father's training kept my face from revealing anything. "Laedin," I repeated, keeping my voice flat.

"Yes. Son of Lord Duryis Laedin. Surely you've heard of him of late?" His smile grew.

"Ha. Ha. What do you want?"

"To meet the daughter of the infamous Queen Meliara. Even from as far removed as I am from this part of the world, I know of her heritage and the powerful magic passed down that line."

"So all this," I waved my hand to indicate the school, "was done because you wanted to meet me?"

"Don't flatter yourself. Of course not."

"Then why are you here? Why are you attacking us?"

"As I said, I had to see the tantalizing figure that came from such prominent ancestors myself. As for what my father wants …" He lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug.

"The only tantalizing thing you'll get is my boot in your mouth if you don't leave."

"A boot? You have magic as your resource and you'd resort to physical work?"

"Unlike you," I said patiently, "I know that magic is not something to be used foolishly. And why waste the energy for it, when kicking you would be easier and more fun? Besides," I added as an afterthought, "a boot in the mouth would be better than a barefoot." I must really be homesick. I'm thinking like Mom.

He stared at me, aghast. "A what?"

I shook my head. "Never mind. Family joke."

"My father knows Master Grenham. They have a long history together, including a rather … nasty occurrence. I wouldn't want to offend your ladyship by giving you the gruesome details. But my father wants revenge."

"So he attacks the academy? Where's the sense in that?"

A loud crash and another tremor interrupted us. This time, the tremor was worse and I staggered. When I regained my balance, I glared at Felix.

"All right. You've seen me. Now run along before I get angry and show you some of that power."

Felix shook his head, although the smile still remained plastered on his face. "Why don't you come with me? There's something I'd like to show you, something I think you'd enjoy."

Another tremor. This time, it knocked me off my feet. I frowned as I realized Felix still stood, seemingly unfazed. I realized he hovered above the ground and I glanced up at him, curious. "Doesn't that tire you out?" I asked as I stood. "Using magic needlessly like that?"

"Do you tire out?" Felix retorted. "You only ask because you've heard from your teachers that magic is supposed to tire you. But it doesn't. You use it all the time and you never feel the effects. Just like me."

"Well, what about that," I said sarcastically. "We have something in common."

Felix laughed. "Come with me, Oria. You can learn so much from me. You have the potential. Don't throw it away."

"I won't have anything to do with you or your father! Now leave me or I'll -" My threat was rendered unintelligible as once more, the ground shook. The quake lasted longer, and I stumbled for something to hold to keep from falling. Feeling Felix's gaze, I glared at him, then muttered a few words to myself. I hovered over the ground as he did.

Felix smiled. He opened his mouth to yell something over the rumbling noise, but then he shrugged and disappeared.

The quake ended and I cut off the spell. I readied myself to run to the basement, afraid that by now, everyone was gone.

"Oria!" I turned and saw Mistress Jintella bustle next to me. "You were supposed to -"

"I know, I'm sorry. I got a little sidetracked."

Mistress Jintella raised an eyebrow. As another tremor ripped the ceiling above us apart, Mistress Jintella grabbed my arm and murmured the transportation spell.

To my surprise, she conducted us to the door outside the throne room in Remalna.

Post A/N:

Not much so far, I know. And it's not much of a cliffie. But come back soon, as I promise to update ASAP.

And, while I'm not going to scream at you to review, some feedback would be nice so I know whether or not you like it and I should continue.