I wrote this a long time ago, but I liked the idea behind it. I'm only posting it to see if there's some interest in it.

Mage Princess

Shana took one final glance at the roots of the tree where she stood. She was leaving her home now, and knowing she would never see it again, her heart ached. Hot tears welled up behind her eyes, and yet she knew there was nothing more for her in this place. With a heavy heart and feet that weighed like lead, she cast her final glance at the crypt where her mother lay, and turned toward the setting sun. The orange glow cemented the powerful memory of her last moments as one of her clan. She now took her father's name; Jolimes; to be her traveling companion. She would not see anyone she knew from this place ever again, and after the orientation loss all she would have would be her father's name. The last legacy of the powerful wizard she had never known, was all she could take with her. It was said that one day, if someone trained hard enough, they could remove the orientation loss from their minds, and return to the former glory, but only then could they remember the way home. She walked, silhouetted by the mocking glory of the setting sun.

Her mind wandered to the times she and her mother had played and frolicked in the same sun, higher themselves than even the sun could ever hope to be. Ah, such was that gory of the former princess, yet now more than ever, she wished she had been a normal child. To just play with her friends and laugh and smile, rolling in the sweet smelling grass, climbing the majestic trees that stretched to the sky itself. Looking up at her world's failing atmosphere, she sighed.

The topple of the royal family had been brought about from the inside, her own expatriated uncle had become the new king staling the throne from her mother, and causing the loss of her own preponderate in her kingdom. Now the chance to live a normal life was even out of the question. Fearing her return to the rights to the throne, her uncle, now King Connimn (Conn for short ) was having her memory taken from her and she was being sent out in the world she had been destined to defend. Sighing heavily, she threw herself face down and buried her face in her arms. Her world was being torn apart, and she could do nothing to defend herself. Her father, for all his renowned magical abilities had left her with nothing to help her. Her mother had no magic, and only the royal family had known Sir Jolimes was a mage. Scorned as they were around these parts, the stories she had heard about him, though sometimes fanatical, were captivating and breathtaking. He had truly been the greatest, and yet, because of what he was, her mother could never admit she loved a magic born. So she had carried on, under the crushing weight of the crown and court alone, head held high, ready to admit her love, but not willing to lose her parents respect by throwing off the crown of the royal family. Shana herself had known, and though she was bursting to tell someone, she kept her head up, an hoped she would be able to endure any hardships for her family, her crown, her mother, and most of all, her father.

There was an unappealing ringing of the massive bell that hung in the tower followed by the most harmonious sound ever heard. Shana felt a burst of pride, for now, she alone knew the true story of the hanging of the tiny bell and the bell itself. Try as the new king might, he couldn't take the old bell down.

Morning dawned on the kingdom of Iskimlk, bringing with it the smell of coffee and tea, the sounds of people waking, and shop doors opening. Morning came early to the Iskimlkes, yet this morning was to be different. A buzz fluttered through out the city. A princess was to be born this day, and by the full rise of the next morning's sun, she would be christened with the moon's water. Many high ranking people had gone to many lengths to obtain the tiny princess's moon water, also known to the peasants as Moon's Dew or Lady's Tears. The villagers, when born, were bathed in a diluted moon water, known as Queens Dew. While less potent, the Queen's Dew had the same effect to them. Lady's Tears were used to keep a babe in good health and ward off evil spirits till the child was old enough to fend for itself. But when used on a mage, it stopped all magical activity that may have happened before the child was ready to handle it's power. Only the queen's mother and father knew that babe was mage born, and in bathing her, they protected her from herself.

When her mind reached maturity the effect of the Lady Tears would loosen its grip on the person. Yet there were some mages who came into their magic at the age of six, and there were rumors of 80 year olds who would never find the magic. If the magic was left unused for too long, then it simply died, and while the queen mother and her husband did not approve of magic, they felt it pointless to waste a gift from the Lady. And so the baby was christened Shana, as when she touched the Lady's Tears a magnificent blue fiery bird swept a gust up, around the room, and flew out the window. This was something that was unheard of before, and no one wanted the little Shana to be thought weird, so simply put no one was told. The Sir Jolimes had been present at the birth, yet had missed the christening, and when told of the blue Phoenix, he grinned slyly and kissed his love, new mother of the mage born baby. Confused by his reaction, she simply smiled and put it out of her mind. One week after the christening of the new princess, news of a war impending another world came through Sir Jolimes' mage communicator. Hearing the news the queen fell horribly ill, for she knew the man she loved must leave to protect HIS people, and she may never see him again. He made a promise to her that he would return to be with her, yet she fell sicker still. Still, he had made a promise to her, and wanted her to have something to remind her and her daughter of him always. He went to the greatest bell maker in all the kingdom and asked him to make the most beautiful sounding bell that anyone would ever hear, heaven to the ears, a song hidden deep within its chimes. The bell maker heard the man's story, but felt it impossible to create the item he asked.

Back in her room, the weakened queen rose from her bed and carried herself to the window. She stared up into the sky and she noticed the Lady moon did not show. Praying to her goddess, she asked for a sign that her love would be true to her forever. For many long moments, nothing happened, no one stirred, and the sounds of everything stopped. Peculiar was the soundlessness in itself, the queen didn't seem to notice and hung her head. The beauty's golden hair fell over her face, covering the tears streaking down her face, when the most miraculous sound sounded across the plains. Looking to the east where the sound had come from, she saw the Lady moon rise out of the pale glimmering pond, to settle just out her window. Her tears were happy now, and she felt her strength returning, even though she thought that impossible in such a short time. There was the sound of a door opening and closing somewhere downstairs, and she rushed to her bedroom door. The sound of feet echoed up the stairs, and her lover soon appeared at the top landing. She threw her arms around Sir Jolimes, and he carried her back into her room. They both leaned out the window as he lifted the bell up with his magic, and as they watched, it attached itself into the bell tower then rang out, clear as a chorus, singing it's song only for them. He turned to his queen, and leaned down and kissed her. He then told her that, so long as that bell tolled its beautiful song, he would always love her and Shana.

Shana smiled up at the bell tower, when she heard shouts coming from down the hill, where the town sat. Four guards came rushing at her, swords drawn, spears at the ready. Shana wished she had any way to defend herself, but seeing as she didn't, she turned and ran back up the hill. She came to the old house on the hill, and hoping the guards didn't know about all the hiding spots, she opened the loose boards that served as a door to the underground tunnels, and jumped in. the sound of foot steps could be heard above her, and the sound of many things being strewn about the room forcefully. Then silence. Seems they had left and it was safe to come out. But one thing that she had learned from being on the run, was nothing was ever what it seemed. Shana's instinct was right, as soon enough, there was the sound of someone growing impatient, and he shuffled his feet. Shana turned and walked down the familiar tunnel, toward the town. Her feet led her down corridors and twists, leading her into a cavern she did not recognize.

As she entered the cavern bright blue lights flashed, blinding her darkness adjusted eyes for a moment. Her eyes accommodated to the light and she saw the most intriguing sight. Carved throughout the cavern were runic letters, writing of the old language, describing the many homes and places in the village. Soon enough, Shana realized these were more than carvings; they were a map of the village. Squealing with joy she rushed forward to inspect the design. "But I've been through these tunnels a million times, and never have I found this map." she spoke aloud, awed. Turning slightly, she realized that the map not only told of her village, but many more nearby. "Whoever drew this had way too much time on their hands, but I must thank them if I ever find them." Shana turned in time to see another figure step into the light and head toward the farthest map.

She stepped into a deep shadow and watched him from the dark. His silver eyes shifted suspiciously, as if he were doing something illegal. Light brown hair cut to just above his ears bobbed with his every movement, and his light, yet ample frame swayed ever slightly under a cloak. Taking a silver cased pen from his silver colored hooded cloak, which appeared blue in the blue light, he traced a sign over the map at which he stood and stood back and watched. Sterling ribbon-like vines shot from the symbol and covered the right corner of the map, smothering it. 'This guy has a serious affliction with silver.' thought Shana, eyes glued to the silver tracings, stretching across the wall. A new piece of the map appeared, runic writing labeling the places that had just appeared. A small gasp escaped Shana's lips, causing the cloaked man to turn to her hiding place.

He stalked toward her, fire in his eyes, causing her to gasp again. There was no way he could miss her now, so she took a fighting stance and stepped into the light. This 'man' she faced appeared to be young, maybe in his late teens, early twenties. His reaction when he saw her surprised her greatly. His eyes flew wide, and he threw himself to the ground, arms spread, muttering profuse apologies.

"Please stand up sir, I don't understand why you are doing this, I wouldn't mind if you would stop." she blushed.

"Milady, you must be shown the proper respect you deserve, as one of your stature, my princess."

Shana blushed a deep crimson, and shaded her blue eyes. This young man had to know what was supposed to happen to her, everyone knew. She nudged him with her foot, causing him to rise. "Why are you down here writing these maps on the walls?" she asked him through her embarrassment. "And how did you do that?"

He regarded her as if she had just grown a third eye."You don't know how to do simple runic? Lady, that is unorthodox for one born to the greatest mage ever." he told her, as if he had known it his whole life.

"Yeah, well... I asked you a question and if I'm such a high mage, you should answer me." she glowered at her feet. She had been so sheltered she didn't even know any magic, now when it would be the most useful.

"This," he replied slowly, testing her, "Is my magic wand, of sorts. In this age we mages aren't aloud to carry blatant wands, so we all disguise ours. If I recall correctly from school, your father hid his in his hands. That actually takes a lot of practice, which we don't get the chance to do much in the open." he sighed thinking of days gone past. Suddenly he returned to his original expression. "Follow me." he grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the entrance he had come in. "If you know how to read them right, the runes tell you which tunnels to take to get to any of the mapped cities." he pointed at the nearest map. Still holding her arm, he walked down one tunnel, off to the left, and covered her eyes. "All of us were instructed how to lead you into this place, and I'm honored it can be me."

The tunnel led to another, slightly smaller than the last, cavern, which light up in a fiery red light. "The color of your father's magic." The young man explained.

"What is you name anyway? I can't keep calling you ... nothing..." Shana pointed out awkwardly.