A young sorceress crept along the corridor of the castle. She was one of magic who had been studying at the castle. She had recently brought a child into this world and left her in the care of her teacher and friend Razul. Looking into the room she could see a figure in a dark robe keeping watch over a large wooden chest. Anyone who was sensitive to magic could sense the power in the box. When the figure walked out for a moment she ran over to the chest. It seemed to exude a power that was ancient. Waving her hand over the lock it snapped open revealing four colored crystals.

She breathed in were the crystals of power. They were created by the first humans who could utilize magic. Their purpose was to preserve that which created life. However, if they fell into the wrong hands they could cripple Ghaleon. They were supposed to be guarded in a cave by dragons. Apparently someone had a dark purpose for them. Picking up the crystals they glowed at her touch and whispered the oldest magic. Taking the crystals she knew what she had to do.

* * * In the throne room two dark figures approached the King.

"My lord I bring you a message from your brother."

"What? My brother? He has been banished from Ghaleon for many years now."

"Precisely sir," the figure clad in armor drew his sword.

"Guards!"

A darker figure stabbed the King from behind. The queen screamed in terror but was silenced by the sword. Picking up the crown he placed it on his own head.

The two dark figures kneeled.

" the crystals of power have been taken."

"Gather the troops we shall retrieve them."

* * *

Oriana stood atop the mountain surveying the scene below her. Alastair's troops were closing in. A feeling of dread washed over her, but her amethyst eyes glinted in determination. The fate of Ghaleon lay in her hands. King Cedric Dahlanor was overthrown by his brother Alastair who was banished from the kingdom for breaking the laws of high magic.

Oriana reached the summit brushing her hair aside. Her hair, orange as fire whipped, around her face. Placing her hand on a rock face she chanted an opening spell. The rocks opened revealing a cave of ice. Reaching into a leather pouch she took out four crystals and placed them in front of her.

She picked up each of the crystals, "purple for the one who is raised by magic. Red for the one who is contained by fire. Blue for the one who is tranquil as the sea. Green for the one who is the hope of the earth."

She proceeded to chant a spell, which had not been heard in Ghaleon since the beginning of time. Concentrating all her power the crystals disappeared to go to the chosen ones.

A loud bang startled her. The hidden doorway had been completely destroyed. Three dark figures entered. The figure to the left was clad in dark armor, a sword hung at his side. Its age foretold how many lives it had taken. The figure on the right wore a black robe; though his face was covered Oriana could feel his penetrating gaze and magic. The figure in the middle exuded the most power. His jewel encrusted sword hung loosely at his side in an ornately designed scabbard. His smile looked that of smugness, but was a sneer of triumph.

"Where are the crystals of power Sorceress?" Alastair asked.

Oriana refused to answer. The figure in armor drew his sword but Alastair held him back.

"Be patient Devic."

"Yes my King," Devic replied lowering his sword.

"I asked you a question sorceress. Where are the crystals of power?"

"She does not have them," the robed figure said suddenly.

"What did she do with them Myrstad?"

The robed figure proceeded to walk toward Oriana. She attempted to stop him with magic, but with a wave of his hand all the magic abruptly stopped. Placing his hand on her head he retrieved the information he wanted ignoring her cries of pain.

"Do not resist Oriana, the pain will only worsen." She cried out louder in pain. "Fool." Releasing his hand she fell to the ground, "my lord the crystals of power have changed form."

"Changed? How so?" Alastair demanded.

"They have been destroyed, but their influence and power lie in four individuals who reside in Ghaleon."

"Who?"

"Their faces are cloudy, I do not know. In time though my king you will know their names," he bowed humbly hands outstretched indicating his humility.

Devic gestured with his sword to Oriana, "what of this traitor?"

"I will deal with her personally," Alastair said drawing his jeweled sword.

"You will not triumph Alastair," Oriana said defiantly. "You can end my life but remember you are not truly king!"

"Myrstad," Alastair said handing his sword to him, "make her suffer before she dies."

"With pleasure."

Oriana's screams echoed through the cadences of time.

* * *

Asha awoke suddenly; the dream had become more vivid with each passing day. Her mother was killed years ago. She usually dreamt parts of the dream never getting to the end. Tonight was different. She walked to the tent of the Elders.

"Is something troubling you Asha?" an aged man asked concerned.

"I have seen my mother."

"How?"

"In a had the crystals of power."

Asha had been told the story of the crystals. It was a bedtime story for children of magic. Most common people dispelled it as a myth, but those of magic knew the truth. The Elders talked among themselves in hushed whispers.

"Silence," Razul said. "She has been chosen to gather the crystals together once more. Alastair has been suppressing our kind for far too long. Asha, you must rely on your magic to find those who possess the power. You are one facet of that power; together you can defeat be at his side. Do not succumb to his will. Do you accept this task?"

"I do not think that I am worthy. Why can't another sorcerer or sorceress with more experience than I in magic accept the task?"

"Asha the crystals have chosen you for this task. I beg you to reconsider and to think about what your mother would do. I ask you again, do you accept this task?"

"Yes," she said slowly. She knew that not accepting the Elder's plea would deplete her status in society. "But how am I to accomplish this?"

"You may take a horse from the village but you must walk your journey alone," Razul said.

"Fine," Asha said. "I'm already alone anyway."

"Then may the power of magic protect you and the others on your journey. You must defeat Alastair," Razul said as she stormed out of the tent.

Asha walked out of the tent shocked at the offer she herself just accepted. What did they mean that she was one facet of that power? Why were they so cryptic? She did have a way of controlling the weather, but then again she did have knowledge of magic. But there were others with more experience. She saddled a chestnut horse and rode out of the hidden village. Those of magic had to hide or risk being controlled by Alastair's oracle Myrstad. They had lost too many to him. The words she heard her mother say echoed in her head, 'purple for the one who is raised by magic.'

* * *

In the darkest part of Alastair's castle Myrstad stood hunched over an old well. He saw the reflection of Asha riding the horse. He nodded knowingly to himself. He had foreseen this long ago.

Going to Alastair's throne room he said, "the crystals of power are making themselves known."

"So it has begun," Alastair stated. "When they are all gathered we will make our move."

Author's Note: Well, here's a start to yet another short story. I wrote it for creative writing and decided to share it online. Ghaleon is my own fantasy world and I made up the characters, there are more to come. I hope you like what I've written so far; I've added some more detail to the beginning and changed Asha's reaction a little. Please review.