The year 1709.
"For old time's sake Theo, please help us. You are our old hope". The king pleaded.
The fire crackled.
The king stood beside the seated queen with his hands resting on her shoulders comforting her.
"I have told you, hand over the girl to be my bride and you'll have my protection". A man wearing a long black coat and a hat that casted a shadow on his face.
"She's just a kid Theo", the queen finally voiced her opinion.
The strange looking man chuckled. Baring his fangs.
"You should know jasmine, that night creatures don't do things for free", the strange man said stalking towards the fireplace, he threw a piece of paper into the raging fire. The paper burnt without leaving a remains.
"Don't worry Theo we will surely...",
Clash!
A vase fell outside the door. The adults turned towards the door.
A young girl was seen peeping at the adults.
"Penny dear, it is impolite to peep at adults when they are conversing", Jasmine said softly. Penny batted her lashes. She slowly pushed the door opened, the glow from the fireplace made her Amber eyes glow more.
She walked in dragging her ragged doll.
She headed straight to the strange men she has never see around in the castle before.
He stared at her amused.
"Who are you?", She looked straight to his face. Squinting her eyes to have a better look at his face.
The strange man smirked, revealing his fangs. Deep red eyes staring back at her.
"A friend of your parents", He replied.
Penny stared at him, not believing what the strange man said. The man smirked and nodded his head knowingly.
He avert his gaze to her parents. "She's a smart one". He grin.
"Penny why are you out from your bed late ?", The king, Phil referred to his only child.
"Mr Huggins is thirsty", She said hugging her doll. "He had a nightmare also", She whispered which the strange man heard clearly.
"Come let's get him a glass of water". Jasmine reached for her daughter. They both walked out.
Not without penny sparing a sideways glance at the strange man. Her long silver hair bounced as she walked hand in hand with her mother.
The door shut.
"She's brave too", the strange man chuckled darkly.
Phil sighed. "We can't win against the Black mages, they are multiplying as time passes", Phil slumped on a couch.
"What about the sages?", The strange man asked still staring at the door.
"We keep loosing them. The number of sages has reduced dramatically", Phil said. His dark eyes clearly showing how tired he was.
"And the girl?".
"She's showing signs of being a sage. We are sending her to the great temple tomorrow, the castle isn't safe for her anymore". Phil sighed.
"The black mages would soon come for her", The strange man reasoned and chuckled again. "So the legend is real... A great sage with silver hair born once every thousand centuries. I am indeed fortunate to meet one in my lifetime". The man laughed out.
"How much time do you have left", the strange man turned to stare at Phil.
"The card reader predicted ten years", Phil ran his right hand through his hair.
"That is a whole lot of time king Phil", The man smirked. "Till then", The man tilt his hat and disappeared into thin air... like he wasn't there in the first place.
***Year 1719***
"Wake up Penelope", The same voice kept repeating the same words.
"Ah!". Penny jerked out from her nightmares. She breathed out, relieved that it was a Nun and not the monster haunting her dreams.
"Good morning sister", Penny smiled.
"Good morning Penelope", The sister tried to return her smile.
"Uhm sister, is anything wrong?, why the solemn mood?", Penny held the nun's hands in her hands.
The nun shook her head and redrew her hands away from Penny's. Penny looked worried.
"The great prophet asked for your audience" the nun forced a smile.
"Me?". Penny mumbled to herself wondering what she did wrong again. She stood up, stalking to the mirror.
"I look horrible", She mumbled rolling her eyes.
"Do you think he would mind me having a few minutes to freshen up?", Penny turned to the nun.
"Take your time", the nun excused herself before leaving penny to change.
*uhm*
Penny quickly freshen up and rushed to the temple where the Great prophet usually spends his time. Seeing the back of the great prophet, Penny hastened her footsteps.
"Good morning great prophet", She bowed slightly to show respect to the elderly prophet.
The prophet turned to face her slowly with a letter in his hands. He nodded acknowledging her presence.
"Words got to me from the castle today princess". Penny eyes sparkled.
"Has my parents finally decided to grant me my request to visit the castle?". She asked curiously.
"Unfortunately that wasn't the news". He said.
The smile on her face faded. "Then what's this big news about".
"I am sorry your parents were killed in war". The prophet headed straight to the point.
Penny looked confused. "Haha great joke as always Great prophet", she laughed out.
The Great prophet had a serious expression on his face.
Deep down Penny knows He would never joke about such news.
The great prophet passed the letter with him to her.
It has the royal seal.
After reading the letter. The light in her eyes faded. She looked up at the prophet with disbelief.
"This is not true. This is false. The kingdom went into war and no one told me?", She shook her head in disbelief.
Tears brimming in her eyes as she turned turned and dashed towards the quarters she lived in.
Pushing the door, she slammed the door shut sobbing.
She buried her face in her pillow, crying her eyes out.
Memories of her parents kept flashing as she cried harder.