In Dexera, a small town by the borders of Elian a buzzing yet quiet city. Snowflakes drop from the sky, filling roof cracks and the roads. As quiet as the snowfall it was dangerous as it never stopped.
Like a quiet rain it fell heavier until it blocked the homes of the sweet residents home and drowned the homeless in a deadly cold soft blanket. The old residents knew to expect this so preparation had been made those who were buried were rescued before death took them away.
Laying on the floor, the young Aliza listened to the story being told by her mentor Miss Margaret.
For as long as the girl can remember Miss Margaret was the only one in her life. She sometimes wished for her mother and father seeing other kids play around but at least she had Miss Margaret.
Miss Margaret told her that some kids do not have anyone to take care of them and the one's who do may not love them.
"The Prince did try to hurt the princess so why did she forgive him. " Aliza asked.
"Maybe she loved him to much. " Miss Margaret answered.
"Well she is stupid. How can she go back to him. " she frowned; sighing loudly she looked at Miss Margaret who seemed lost in thoughts.
"Off to bed, it's late. " Miss Margaret reminded taking her to her room. Leaving to her own.
Aliza sat down thinking of the story. It was about a young lady who was hurt by the Prince because he could not bear her ugliness after which he made her suffer before throwing her out of the palace. The lady almost died before she found enyca a flower that which saved her life and also got rid of her ugliness.
The lady became the most beautiful lady everyone fell at her feet. Finding out the prince begged her and the lady never thought twice before accepting him.
Aliza felt the story was stupid how can a lady forgive a douche bag.
Suppressing her emotions, she fell asleep watching the snow fall.
Deep within the night 7 year old Aliza stared at the beautiful sky. The sky was sparking, melody rang through her ears as they seemed to play a song.
A little tanned hand stretched into the sky giving off the illusion of picking stars from the sky.
It seemed so ethereal but it felt like the world was at those finger tips all she had to do was grab and all would be hers.
With a little sigh the illusion was broken. Leaving the stars hopeless, looking up she noticed how far it was for something she thought she could pick.
Rushing into the house with a book in her hand she remembered the book was to be delivered at least 30 minutes ago.
"Aliza dear, it seems like you forgot I needed the book. " Miss Margaret joked.
"Sorry" she croaked; her braided hair fell in her face as she awaited for Miss Margaret forgiveness.
Miss Margaret laughed at the little naughty girl, she always had a way of looking wronged. She was about to speak to her when the door opened.
"You " fear seized Margaret as she never expected to see them.
"Aliza go into your room. " she ordered her eyes never leaving the figures who walked in.
Aliza went out of the room wondering why Miss Margaret would be so scared of the visitors.
'I will hide and listen so I can protect her. ' She thought sitting by the flower pot beside the visitors room.
"What are you doing here. " Margaret asked.
"Actually your brother sent us here, we are looking for the remaining part of the map. " the old man said.
"Nice to meet you Miss Margaret, I am Dina a disciple of Rain clove. " the young lady in blue introduced herself.
"Might I ask what you need from me. " Miss Margaret asked Dina.
"Your brother says your are good at reading maps and you once located the totem of Xaca. We would love to work with you, if you agree I can give you the half map to interpret to avoid a delay in time and about the reward I promised your family ten treasures. " She said pulling out a scroll; placing it on the table in front of Miss Margaret.
Dina leaned back releasing an aura of confidence as she never thought she could be rejected.
"No, I have nothing to do with my brother so I don't care what the reward promised to them, we are not related again. " she rejected coldly.
Dina loomed at the old man who was shocked that miss Margaret didn't agree like he thought.
"uhm.....Miss Margaret sir said to tell you that he would release your mothers belongings. " the old man said.
"Old man Bane, he seems your sir only knows trick. Fine I will agree but I receive 4 treasures and my apprentice who left will follow me. " Miss Margaret agreed; not leaving room for argument she stood up dismissing them.
Leaving Dina threw a token on the table before walking out tired Margaret slumped on the chair, thinking of why they could not leave her alone.
"Aliza can you come out now they are gone. " she chuckled looking at the flower pot which her apprentice hid behind.
Aliza came out from behind the pot wondering how her teacher knew where she was hiding.
"Miss Margaret are we leaving really following them. " Aliza asked ; she noticed how sad her mentor looked once they left. It seemed that their life would no longer be the same once they leave with them.
Little Aliza had no idea how right she was. In the Bulsei Sir John had received the message of her refusal and demands.
Furious he was as he never expected her to give him no respect in the presence of Miss Dina, thankfully he has what she wants or else the trip would have ended futile and he would have offended the Rain clove.
Putting his thoughts aside he sends a letter to the old man Bana to arrange the best carriage for his sister and to give her and her apprentice the a thousand meter cube space bracelet. It was the least he could do to tell her not to give outrageous demands.
Anger seized John has he knew he would lose four treasures just to demand for her help.
Miss Dina frowned has she was handed the reply from the superior. Scared by its contents she asked her maid to read it out for her.
"Dina we are proud that you could draw Margaret to your side do not forget the purpose of your trip, as you know the map is incomplete it only shows the first mystic treasure.
The remaining was lost in battle. Margaret is a genius of the scholar heart but retired years ago, make her help you find the treasure and also leave her be if she insists on bringing her apprentice. The parcel contains two two thousand space rings pass it over to her as a gift for the future. "
Thinking of the days that might come she knew her powers where to weak in comparison to theirs. It was wishful to think her life would be forever peaceful.
Looking at the young girl standing with her mop haired hair bowed she laughed remembering how little she was when she carried her into the hut.
Her big brown eyes darted round the room in confusion as it was dark and misty, silent as ever she grabbed her hand smiling.
"Aliza, I am going to teach you magic. You have to promise not to tell anyone or use it in front of anyone. " Margaret told her apprentice.
"Ma... Mag... Magiic. Oh my so I can fly like the stories. Miss Margaret, I promise I promise. " Aliza jumped with excitement as she held Margaret hand.
"So I can call you teacher or mistress, yes mistress. " she kept murmuring excitedly.
"First thing is calm down. " Margaret ordered looking at the pure joy on her face. "Here it teaches you how to draw energy or I call it mana into your body. You can practice as soon as you understand it." she said
Leaving the girl to her thoughts Margaret was happy the girl had such a wide imagination, it would help a lot. How she wished she did not have to teach the girl so soon but she never expected her brother to blackmail her for help after everything.
It should be expected as he was shameless.
Aliza was beaming with joy when the scroll caught her eyes. Taking it with her she knew it must be treated with care or her teacher would be in trouble.
Margaret woke up early to check her students progress not that she expected much. The little girl might not have much potential for magic.
Walking into the room she noticed the girl asleep by the window side. Chuckling she knew this as to expected how could she bare the knowledge of magic. Moving towards her she felt herself hit by a wave of weak magic.
Shock ran through her core, as she wondered when magic became so simple. How could it be studied in one night even for sick little sensation the best was a week in a case of geniuses.
She never wanted to check her potential. The result always had a negative effect on the students.
Lost in her thoughts she did not notice the little girl had woken up. "Mistress " the voice broke her thoughts.
Looking at her she noticed her eyes had a deeper shade of brown. "Aliza how was your progress" she asked.
"I am not sure, the book said to relax and feel the magic around. So I closed it and stared at the sky till I forgot everything. Hmm... I don't think I can explain it properly. " Aliza answered lost in thoughts.
She wasn't sure if what she did was wrong but it seemed right, it felt like she got the push she needed to fly to the stars.
Staring at her teacher with her watery brown eyes. She prayed she didn't make a mistake.
"It is good you should continue. I will teach you how to draw the power. So are you with the map. " Margaret felt something was wrong with her students. Dismissing the thought she asked for her map which she left to translate.
Aliza suddenly remembered she forgot to tell her teacher she had kept a copy of the map. Knowing she would be busy the little girl decided to forget about it and keep practicing.
In the afternoon, when the sun was at its meanest hour. Two parcels came in each containing a storage space. One from Lady Dina and Sir John , both of them seemed to have the same idea of persuading her to join them.
Laughing she picked one of the bracelet and ring leaving the remaining for Aliza. This would make carrying of their luggage easier.
"Teacher hmm... the book said to store magic in us, how do I do it? " Aliza came asking.
"Aliza before I answer your question, here " she said happy that Aliza came out at the right time; passing the jewelry to her she noticed the girl quickly said on the jewelry which almost fell of her hand.
"It's too big. " Aliza pouted.
"This is a magical item, it stores any non living objects. It is called a space ring and bracelets. All magical object must be marked by dropping blood on the surface or injecting magic into it to draw an inscription. "
"Is it set "
"Yes Mistress Mina, the evil has been found so as lady Margaret. " a shadow bowed at the middle aged lady sitting behind the high mahogany brown wood.
"Make sure she does not found out we know where she is. " the lady ordered moving her mouth slightly.
The sun was still quiet has little harmless rays shone upon them. Dina and Margaret fight a silent war of eyes as they waited for who willingly give in.
Knowing that it was hopeless they both looked away from each other.
"Aliza come here we need to get on the carriage. " Margaret sighed; pulling her away from their home.
Setting off Aliza looked back watching their house distance away from them, she did not like it as it was like she would never see it again.
If only she knew how right she was that moment the sun ray hit their house emphasizing its age might be the last time she might see it.
Sniffling she asked "Teacher will I see the house again. "
"Of course we are coming back. "