The journey to Norvalys was long, and very tiring. It felt like years not months.

"Sy! Can we please rest or find a horse or something to help us go faster. My feet hurt so much."

"Dru you are the one that wanted to go with me. Are you not the one that dreams of becoming an adventurer? Shouldn't you be enjoying this practice of endurance for when you travel the world?" Sylas said in a teasing tone, nudging her a bit.

"You are right Sylas I need to keep going," I say with my two fist clenched up to my torso looking at the sky.

"You really are a special one aren't you Dru. Now we have a days travel left then we will get th-"

All the sudden Sylas stops talking to see a couple on the side of the road looking at their wagon.

"Hey! Is everything ok over here," Sylas says with a friends concerned tone.

"Oh thank goodness someone is here. Our wagons wheel broke off, and we have no way of knowing how to fix it. We are heading to Norvalys, and we have to be there today," an older woman said with sweat running on her forehead with much concern, and nerves in her voice.

"Let me take a look at that for you. I might be able to fix it."

As Sylas looks over the wheel he nods his head, pulls out a knife, and some other tools.

"There you go all fixed," he says with a big smile

"Oh thank you kind sir how can we ever repay you?" says the womans husband

"Well actually we are going to Norvalys as well. It would be really helpful if you could give us a ride," I say peeking out from the horse I was caring for while they fixed the wagon.

"Oh of course get in! Get in!" said the couple excited to help.

As the wagon trucks along I enjoy the scenery of the forest around us. It is hard to enjoy things like this when you are so busy walking around, and trying to get to one location in a hurry. Feeling the slight breeze was refreshing from the heat of the sun. I really should have brought a hat to wear. I will have to buy one when I can.

"Dru," my brother said in a deadpan tone.

"Yes Sylas?" I ask not sure what he was going to say

"When we get to Norvalys we have a lot more work to do. We need to buy a place to stay, and you will need to get a job for now. You understand this right?"

"I am not dumb brother I know I will find a job as soon as we get settled. No worries," I say with a smile on my face.

It was odd he said this out of nowhere acting like I had no idea what we needed to do when we arrived. Not much was said for a long time after that. That is when we heard the couple shout to us.

"We are here! Get ready to get off. Make sure to have all your things," they say in sync like they could not wait to get us off their wagon.

We both get off at the entrance of the city, and thank them a bunch for their help. They told us to keep and eye on our stuff, and be careful about getting swindled by thieves. After that they just vanished into the crowds of people.

See I read up on Norvalys before heading here so I would know what to expect. I believe the book said this.

Norvalys

Nestled in the heart of the windswept Argent Vale, Norvalys is a beautiful sprawling city-state that is home to thousands of individuals. Clustered neighborhoods radiate from the beautiful White Heart district that stands in the center of the city-state, so named for its uniformed white mortared residential buildings topped by red tile roofs. Plazas within the White Heart feature ornate fountains, beautiful public parks, preserved groves of ancient trees and painstakingly-manicured gardens. Bells toll at every hour from the Tower of Gond, a gleaming metallic cathedral and clocktower dedicated to the patron deity of the city. Neighborhoods beyond the White Heart are arrayed around the walled inner city like spokes on a wheel. Norvalys is a city of innovation and invention. The Tower of Gond is a hub for creative and industrious minds and Gond's church is one of the major powers in Norvalys. Inventions from the Tower of Gond have benefited the entire city-state though their creation and duplication are limited to those who are legally permitted to do so by the church of Gond. The clean and orderly appearance of the city-state conceals a thriving criminal underworld. It's said that the Peddlers, a collection of thieves, assassins and spies, have a major base of operations somewhere within the city. The clergy of Gond have worked tirelessly to extirpate the Peddlers and other criminals from Norvalys, but the rogues have cunningly evaded these attempts. All of Norvalys is dedicated to progress, which has caused them to shun the concept of tradition. As such, many races that hold to traditional beliefs.

So I knew it would be somewhat of a dangerous place to live. It holds a reputation. Even if someone did not read about it.

As we walk into the city I am mesmerized by the whole place. There are so many different races, stores, merchant stands, places to eat, and most importantly cute clothes! I have never seen something so crazy busy, but exciting. My heart was racing like nuts as we walked past performers, and shoppers. Everyone looked like they were having the time of their lives.

"DRU! You have to keep up, stop lingering behind or we will lose each other. I have to go to the Church of Gond so keep up."

"Yes brother, but look how amazing things are here! It is so magical nothing I have ever seen before. I think we will be so happy here."

"Do not let this city life get to your head Dru, everything here is amazing, but with amazing comes the other side of unamazing. This place still has high crimes, and dangers. So be careful walking around looking like a child. That is how people get you," he said with a stern attitude in his voice.

I held onto his arm after that as to show him I would not leave his side or get distracted by anything. As we walked forward I saw a large building with a giant clock tower. It is the Church of Gond. I look at its star struck by its beauty, the closer we get. There are tons of fancy designs around the building, and it is gold, and bronze colors. Not my kind of colors but still classy looking I presume. We enter through the front gate to a man standing there.

"Hello sir I am here to talk to the master inventor here. I have a job offer to start working here, and need to talk to him about housing, and work start time," Sylas says with a professionalism in his voice.

"Oh sure right this way sir. I am Victonus Frankengrimble one of the top inventors here. I help make, and look over the Automaton here." he says while pointing over to these large metal things that were working in the yards or cleaning around the church.

"Oh wow so interesting! I have only seen these in books, but never in person!," Sylas says with the most excitement I have seen him since we got here.

"Oh why yes they are amazing let me tell you what goes into making them, and their inner workings since you are now a member here."

They go on their banter about inventions, that starts to make my brain hurt as I have no idea what they are even saying. My stomach starts to rumble as my mind drifts into thoughts of food. Oh food how i want some yummy grapes, and vegetables cooked, and flavored. As I snap out of my day dream I realize that Sylas, and the man are nowhere to be found. I cannot believe I lost them. I guess I will just walk around the gardens, and see the flowers till he shows up.

As I walked the gardens I noticed some of the flowers looking a little sad so using one of my spells druid craft to help them look healthy, and better. So much better. These plants definitely needed some more love then they were being given.

"Ah you did that so well with little effort! How did you do that, please show me?!" a young human girl with red hair to her jawline asked me with a mezmorized look.

"Oh um it is just a normal spell I cast for the gardens at my home. It is called the druid craft spell. Sorry but who are you exactly? Am I in trouble?" I asked a little nervous.

"Haha not at all. On the contrary actually. Would you like a job where you help with the gardens around the churches in the cities? It is a big job for me to do alone as you can tell." she laughs as she scratches her head.

"Oh my gosh yes I would love a job. My name is Drusillia. I can also predict the weather for the next day so it helps when caring for the plants as well. Omg I cannot believe I ran into you so quickly it is like fate!"

"Dru there you are! I have been looking all over for you. What have you been doing out here?" says Sylas with an anger in his voice.

"Sy I got a job to help with the gardens around the churches in Norvalys. Isn't that exciting now we both have jobs! This is um sorry who are you exactly?"

"My name is Mary. It is very nice to meet you Sylas. I help with the gardens around the city, saw your sister do some amazing things with the garden, and offered her a job. I hope that is ok?"

"Thank you Mary. That is sweet of you. It is more then ok. Her being a druid will be helpful actually. Her magic is great with the outdoors. Thank you so much for hiring her. Hopefully she will not be to much of a bother." He looks over at me with eyes that could pierce a hole into my soul.

"Well we better get moving Dru we have to get to our new home it is a few blocks from here. So if you do not mind we will be leaving now. Thank you for your help sir, and thank you for your help as well Mary." He takes my arm as we start to our new home.

The next few months felt like they went by in a rush. I helped decorate the house. Even made a garden of our own. My job was great Mary and I became best of friends. She came over a lot to the point that it almost felt like she lived with us at times. Sylas would have his friends over but they would always have meetings in his room. I do not know what they talked about, and he kept it hush hush from me all the time telling me I would not understand. Either way things were going so well. Nothing seemed off or bad. I do not know what mama and papa were so concerned about this whole time. I can take care of myself clearly haha!

I decided to take a walk into the nicer area of the city after I was done work. I had been saving up a lot of my money because I wanted to buy something really nice for myself. A girl has to look nice especially if she is going to find the right guy. I decided to buy some books from an herb store to keep up on my potion making, along with a medical book, some spell books, and of course so romance books. Gosh I could not wait to read them. As I walked I passed by a store with gorgeous gowns, and dresses. As I take a quick glance into the window I suddenly stop. Is that who I think it is! I fling open the door immediately.

"SAPPHIRE!" I shout in an excited but also confused tone.

"DRU!" he said back rushing over to me.

"OMG! What are you doing here?" he says

"I live here now with my brother. He got a job at the church of Gond, and I work with keeping the gardens up, and beautiful outside the Churches with my friend Mary. I had no idea you ended up here. Is this your shop? How long have you been here? How come you never said where you were going?" I ask in a breathless speed.

"I have been here for a little over a year, and yes this is my shop. I wanted to open a gorgeous clothing store for high end customers. It runs quite well actually. Maybe someday you can afford to buy something haha."

I just look at him then at myself in the mirror. My clothes have not looked the best and I felt like I have not been keeping my look up as well as I thought. I look over at him with a smile.

"Well we should get a drink sometime so we can catch up on our lives!"

"For sure how about tonight? I am free after this design is done. We can go to Fae Dust Tavern. It is really fun, lots of good drinks, and dancing. You will love it. Also lots, and lots of cute boys…" he says in a sing song voice.

"Done deal! I will be there at like 9 ok?" I was excited mostly to catch up but also the boy watching.

"Yep see you then darling!"

I rush home to tell Sylas everything. I stop by Mary's first to let her know I will be out for a bit. Then I run home and rushed to my room looking for my finest looking clothes. I put my hair up in a cute braid. I druid craft some flowers throughout my hair. I look myself over one more time. A cute green short skirt, a silvery top, with beige knee boots with a nice size heel. I felt so pretty. I go out my room to the front door. I explain to Sylas where I am going. He seems very tired, and perplexed. I ask him if everything is ok. He just nods no expression.

"OK," I say then leave.

The night was magical. The city really came alive at night. So many beautiful street performances, and music being played it was honestly so amazing, and nothing I have ever experienced before. The bar I met Sapphire at was even more exquisite. It was fancy, with lots of gorgeous people, and outfits. Everyone danced with each other, the food, and wine were so good. I had hoped the night would never end.

As I walked through the door sleepy, but happy Sylas was walking to his room. He is still strange. I just ignored it as he did me clearly, and walked into my room to get ready for bed.

Time passed when all the sudden I heard a loud bang. I get scared, and go into cat form to sneak out to see what is going on. I see a group of individuals standing in our kitchen. I look down the hallway to see Sylas staring at me with a finger to his mouth. He had a dagger in his hand. I knew this was going to be a fight possibly. I never really saw my brother fight muc. He trained with papa in hand to hand combat along with how to use daggers. He was a good fighter, but there were more of them than us. I watched as he rushed into the kitchen in a battle ready stance.

The enemy was a giant man, a slender guy, and a woman cloaked along with a tinier girl. She looked like a child. I was scared looking at them all. I do not think this will end well. I watch as my brother charges at the giant man. The giant man grabbed him, slamming him into the ground. I look in fear as I see the breath escape his mouth, and his eyes roll in the back of his head.

Scared I knew I would need to fight to get him out of that man's arms. I turn back into my human form, and fling a whip made of thorns out at him. The man looked stunned as I stood in the hallway entrance with a glare of fight in my eyes.

"Let my brother go now!" I say in an agery, and threatening as I could get it voice.

"Little girl you do not want to fight me. You would be foolish," the large man snarled.

I knew I would not be able to fully beat him, but if I could get him tired out I could maybe run with Sylas somehow. Then there would be the others though. I eyed them thinking of a fight plan while they all stared back at me.

I start flinging my whip rapidly at him one slash after another. It did not seem to be doing much of anything. Why was he not going down! Getting frustrated more, and more I flung my whip as hard as I could at him. He catched it in his hand as he flung the whip towards him. I looked scared as my whole body flew into him. He grabs me with a smile as he slams me into the table. It breaks with the force the wind almost fully knocks out of me. I try to get up, but he picks me up by the leg, and like a rag doll slams me into the wall then throws me into the ground. I lay there bruised and battered. He laughs, looking down at me. "Pathetic," he says as he picks my brother up, and they all exit the front.

Get up you idiot you have to get up. I try to convince myself as I see them walking away with Sylas still knocked out over his shoulder. I have to fight, I can still fight. I left my arm out to try, and grab them. I hear a soft giggle as the little girl is standing over me. "Night night," she says then wacks me over the head as everything goes dark.