Crystal Dawn

Chapter 1-

A Meeting

The sunlight danced upon the surface of the pond and rippled through the water, which was crystal, as Kyrithin traced small patterns upon it.  Those patterns were actually runes of assorted magics that she new by heart, but without the words that accompanied the runes were useless.

She sighed sadly, for she did not want to leave this peaceful place, but she, and many others would die if she stayed.  She pushed her long black hair back over her shoulder and rose, not feeling the grass tickle the bottom of her bare, wet feet.  Pulling her black robes around her, Kyrithin slid her sandals back onto her wet feet.

She was on the run from the Imperial High Council, a group of people who ruled her land.  They recently had many of the older members replaced with newer ones, who also had different ideas on how to run things.  One of those ways was without her and her kind.

She was a Sorceress, the female equivalent of a Wizard.  Her kind was dying out, with the help of the new council.  The new council declared that magic was the “bane of all that is good.”  They then foolishly declared war on anyone who possessed magic.

Moving gracefully, she lifted her pack from the ground and swung it over her right shoulder and began walking forward, down the old and dusty road that lay ahead.

Her violet eyes easily adjusted to the fading evening light and she noticed a sudden movement to the right.  Making it almost seem casual, she pulled the twin-swords on her back free from their scabbards.

It was a double-bladed long sword with a golden hilt.  The hilt was shaped as a Phoenix, a great creature that was used to represent all magic.  It had a shinning blue jewel that was the color of the sky at dusk.  The blade supposedly had magic in it, but she had no way of telling without taking many hours, which she didn’t have.

The form slid toward her slowly, as if not to bring a threat. Kyrithin noted absently that he had a sword almost identical to hers.

When he was close enough so that they could talk in a normal tone, he smiled a smile that instantly made her heart ache.

“Greetings my fare lady,” he said in a cool and slightly assertive tone.  “Is there anyway that I could assist you are going?”

“I do not think so, my good Sir.  I travel far and do not have much time to travel in.”  Kyrithin replied with a slight smile of her own.

“I know these lands well, and could perhaps guide you if you wish.  Besides, I am lonely and desire someone to talk too.”  The man with black hair said.

“I too am lonely.  I have not had anyone to converse with for a long time.  But, I do not wish harm upon those I do not know nor disrupt their travels, even if I have no place to go.”  She said in an apologetic tone.

“Well, what dangers could a fine young women such as yourself bring harm to a person such as I.  I am in so much trouble right now, I do not believe having a companion can in anyway, manage to increase my danger,” he smiled a special smile that made Kyrithin want to melt on that very spot.

“In my heart, sir, I believe your intentions are good, but, you know what they say: “’The greatest harm can come from the best intentions,’ or so they say.”  The young one smiled as nicely as she could, though it was hard, because she hadn’t slept in days.

“Lady, if you really must know,” he resigned with a sigh, “ I am a Wizard.”

At that moment, Kyrithin thought she was more terrified than she had ever been before.  Her blood ran cold and she sunk to the ground, dropping the sword, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Well,” she stammered, “you have a right to know that I am a Sorceress.”

“I know,” he said softly, while squatting at her side, “we are both being hunted and must flee. I know a place where we can go for a temporary sanctuary.  And by the way, my name is Balthazar.”

“Kyrithin,” she said, staring straight ahead.

Twisting her to face him, he said, “Look, I can tell by your robes, which are trimmed gold, that you know as much as this situation as I do.  I believe that the Head Sorceress and the Head Wizard should be able to do something about this.”

Kyrithin looked at him with a somewhat dazed expression.  She hadn’t realized he was Head Wizard.  Still dazed, the Sorceress whispered, “Let’s go to this place you spoke of, I hope it isn’t far.”

Balthazar helped Kyrithin to her feet and they began walking side by side down the path.  It was then Kyrithin noticed that he had two swords just like hers; only the hilt jewel was a deeper blue, like his eyes.  She blushed at that thought.

He looked at her and put his left arm over her shoulder and pulled her a little closer and said, “Kyrithin, what are you afraid of?”

Blinking back tears, she said, “Right now, almost everything.  I mean, there are people trying to kill me just because I have magic.  I was born with it, had it all my life.  It’s something I can’t control whether I have or not.”

“It will be alright.  You’ll see.”

Suddenly happy, Kyrithin sprinted ahead a bit and smiled.  “You’re right, Balthazar.  Let’s go!” she said happily.

Surprised by Kyrithin’s sudden change in attitude, Balthazar looked absolutely dumbfound.  He then followed her, matching her energetic pace.

The two made great progress in the next two days and reached their destination, The Crystal Inn of Hope.  It was a brightly light place and had a sign in the shape of a crystal formation.

“The Crystal Inn of Hope, eh?” said Kyrithin in her gloomy mood that she had settled into in the last two days.

“Yes.  It is actually a secret hideout for Wizards and Sorceresses.  We’ll be safe here.”  Balthazar sighed.  “And we can finally sleep.”

“Tell me, Balthazar, where is it we are actually going?  I’ve been with you two days and I still don’t know.”

Sighing, he replied, “We shall first go to Crystiana’s Tomb.  It is a sacred place where our type go to pray to the spirits of Crystiana and Cyrus.”

“Really? I’ve never heard of it.”

Glancing at her he mumbled, “That’s because those Council jerks wanted a Sorceress they could manipulate, so they refused to tell you anything about your magic.”

“Oh.  Let’s go in now.”

They walked in, side by side, and together were quite something.  The two of them, black and gold robes, with twin swords on their backs, were not questioned of their presence.  They made their way to the counter.

“Hello, young ones.  How might I serve you?” the bartender asked.

“We’d like a room.” Balthazar said flatly.

The bartender thought for a second, “Just one, eh?  I have just the one with a fine bed too.  All yours for one gold piece.”

Handing him the gold piece, Balthazar grabbed his hand.  “I’d prefer if you never knew we were here.”

“Understood my good sir.  Here is the key to your room.  Have a nice stay!”

The unblinking pair slowly down the left hallway, being sore form travel and all.  The Wizard, with the Sorceress on his heels, found their room.  Only there was one problem.

Balthazar blinked.  “There’s only one bed,” he stated flatly.

“Well,” Kyrithin said with a smile, “it looks like you’re going to be sleeping on the floor tonight!”

“What?!  No way!”

“Oh yes you are, it’s only fair.”

“How’s it fair?”

“I’m a lady, that’s why.”

The two continued arguing in this fashion until they made a decision.  That was, when Balthazar gave in, under the condition that she allowed him to create a mind link.

He sat on the end of the bed and faced the front while instructing, “Sit in front of me, Kyrithin.”

She did so.  The bed was small enough that if one of them stretched their arms forward, they would touch the other.

Balthazar reached up and placed his right hand on her forehead.  Kyrithin, unsure of what to do, followed suit.  The wizard began chanting in a language that the sorceress had never heard, although it seemed familiar.

Suddenly, Kyrithin felt dizzy, like her head was spinning.  Her mind seemed foggy, and she only dimly recalled what they were doing.  A feeling of peacefulness overtook her and, for once, she forgot the recent tragedies.  Then, the sorceress felt another presence in her head, even if distantly.

Recognition flew into her mind, along with the thought, Balthazar?!

Even though she couldn’t see him, she could have sworn he smiled.  That I am, was his reply.

So this is a mind link.  I just relay my thoughts to you?

Not exactly.  I know what you wish, no matter the distance.  You can also project images, memories, and emotions.

Oh, hang on.

As soon as she said that, and image appeared in his mind.  It was of when they first met.

Did you see that?

Yes, just as if I were there.

Oh, like I felt you smile earlier.

Breaking the link, Kyrithin yawned, and pushed back her hair, only to stop at the odd rune on her forehead.

“That’s your link rune.  I have one as well,” Balthazar informed her.  Nodding, she felt the sudden lack of strength that is usually associated with the link.

Rising, the wizard went and flopped in a nearby chair.  Kyrithin yawned, rolled over, and fell asleep.

Balthazar, on the other hand, sat there watching her sleep, until he could remain asleep no longer.  Then, he let the darkness take him.

AN: Hi everyone!!  So, how do you like it?  Please Review it and tell me what you think. ^-^