A/N: This is going to be the only author's note I give. This is my first story, and I've tried my best so far. If you like it, don't care, or hate it, just make me happy and review, okay? Thanks. I would really like to see where I could improve upon my writing skills. I hope you all like my story, although this first chapter is kinda short. Also, if you know of any good authors, or any good stories, please send an email to me, I would be pleased to see what other people are interested in. Thanks! Remember, please REAED AND REVIEW!! ... please?? ...

“Carola! Wait up!” her best friend in the French speaking part of the world, Amitee, screamed.

“Hurry Amitee! You know I can’t wait up! I can’t be late!”

“But Aubine has fallen! She isn’t a runner! You know that!” Aubine was another one of Carola’s friends in this country. But I can’t stop! I have to get there on time!

“Fine Carola! Run away! You always do! But maybe this time, when you’re done with your ‘mission,’ you won’t have friends to come back to!”

Now that hurt… Carola thought. I have to get somewhere quickly, they decide they want to tag along, and now I may loose both of my friends. How did I get here??

FLASHBACK

“Come on Aubine!” Carola said, exasperated. “If you want to come with me, you must be quick! I cannot afford to loose even one second! This is important!”

Although most of the girls on Shutora take lessons on fighting and self-defense, and all of that other warrior stuff (the women on this planet made up the armies of the countries), Carola took lessons on how to defend a country, how to take over another country, and how to blend in with other ‘kids.’ Sure, every great ruler should know those things, but at fourteen years of age?

“But Carola, you always say that! Perhaps I should just go to my training lesson, and ask my teacher what your teacher is teaching you. In fact, I may do that right now!”

With that, Amitee stormed towards the door, putting her hand on the handle, slowly, slowly turning it; until the door was open just a crack.

“FINE! I’ll let you come with me! But only if you don’t tell anybody what I’m learning or practicing! Okay?”

“Thanks Rola! You’re such a great friend! Hurry up now Aubine! We don’t want our Rola late for class!” and off Amitee went to help Aubine get her tack onto her horse (Aubine was only ten years old).

When they were both ready, Carola asked the same question she had asked a million times, “And, If I let you come next time, will you please stop calling me Rola? That is the worst nickname I’ve ever heard of!” But she left it at that, because they countered that nickname with the name Car, the worst nickname is Rola, although it comes close to Car. Perhaps Car actually is the worst nickname; it is the name of an appliance. I don’t want to become an appliance.

“Do you want us to call you Car? Oh, we won’t torture you so! We’ll call you Carola next time, if you invite us first! Before we beg you, or even start to threaten you!”

END OF FLASHBACK

Well… it wasn’t the memory I was hoping for… but it will do. When Carola remembered why she took her friends, she laughed silently to herself. Her friends didn’t really know how fast and how far she could travel in one day. She was hoping it would stay like that.