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Prhopet Destiny:
The Daily Life
The capitol city of Arvol is bustling with business and conversation. Many arrive here with their own agenda, seeking fortune, success, fulfillment, or simply to get done with part of their life Many towering, extravagant buildings surround the conversing residents. It is truly the ideal gathering for merchants, scholars, and nobility.
Out of all the townsfolk, one lone girls wanders around in a panic amongst the crowd. She is a petite young girl with shoulder-length dirty blonde hair curving upward at the ends. She has bright, big brown eyes and a small nose. She is clothed in a fancy, short-sleeved red dress of some noble design, with matching red shoes and small rose earrings. She somehow manages incredible mobility in her outfit.
Chapter 1: The Maiden and the Wizard
"Ah! Great! I first loose sight of that mysterious boy, and then I loose my friends altogether! This is just perfect!" She continued to wander around frantically in her search, somehow evading crowded groups. "Where is he? Where are they? Oh no... I'm going to be in so much trouble if I cannot join my friends and reach the Castle in time... and all because I was curious!"
She continued moving around helplessly until she spotted a lone boy. He has short, raven black hair and ruby eyes. He wears distinct, dark blue robes held on by a ruby broach. In his right hand, he wields a rod with a shiny blue orb at the top. He is casually wandering around the marketplace with a cheerful grin.
"Well, at the very least, I found that boy", the young girl thought to herself. "Excuse me, sir! Sir!” she shouted towards the boy.
The ruby-eyed boy turned to look at that the spirited young lady. "Oh, hello milady? Such a nice day outside today, isn't it?".
The young girl rushed toward the ruby-eyed boy to meet him. She was a little tired after finally reaching him, and took some time to catch her breath.
"It's a pleasure to meet you! So then, milady... was there something you wished to talk about?", he answered politely.
"You're a wizard, aren't you?", she said excitedly. "You have robes and a shiny staff, and I assumed you were a magic user!".
"Yes, you're absolutely right", responded the boy in a calm manner, "do you require my services for something?".
"Well...ummm..." the girl answered in a more quelled tone, "Can you show me magic?!". The girl had an earnest expression in her bright brown eyes.
"My magic? You want me to show it off to you?" the boy responded.
"You see...I've usually stayed in my own home for a very long time, and I've read so much about magic while not seeing the outside world... I've yet to seen magic in person.... even with the request of my father, noting how dangerous it can be... or how busy the magic guild is to grant me a display... so... I would appreciate it if you could just show me some in action, please?" The young girl pouted in anticipation.
The ruby-eyed wizard rubbed his headed bashfully. "It seems I have a nobleman's daughter right here! Well, I've never really done a show for the upper class before, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea to start now! Aristocracy can be a little... stingy sometimes..." he thought to himself.
The girl inched ever closer the ruby-eyed boy and brought her hands close together to her chest, then slowly her head away fro him. Her eyes narrowed with a distressed expression. The ruby-eyed boy simply paused in uncertainty.
"I.... I am serious. I've... always wanted to see real working magic", she explained quietly, " but I understand you could have more important business right now... I risked getting in trouble trying to find you anyway. This was a simple wish, and yet simply running off was a bad thing to do, wasn't it? I'm... just being selfish again". Her entire body then turned away. " I'm sorry for wasting your time. You were going to turn me down, anyway, huh? Well then, just forget that I even asked. I should have never pursued you in the first place. Farewell."
She was just about to flee, when the ruby-eyed wizard grabbed her swiftly by the arm.
"Hold on a second, milady! You didn't even give me time to answer you! Of course I'll show you! It'll be good practice for me, anyway!", he exclaimed.
The young girl smiled widely. "Oh... okay! Thank you good sir!"
The ruby-eyed wizard calmly escorted the excited little girl to a nearby marble bench, then both took a seat.
"So.. you want to see the wonders of magic, do you, fair lady?" he announced with a cheerful grin. Gades extended his left hand out, exposing his palm. "The concepts of magic is very intriguing to understand and utilize..." he explained. "The essence of magic is actually everywhere. You just have to harness it in order to feel its existence". His palm suddenly glowed with a bluish light.
"Oh... what is this? Is this what magic looks like?" the young girl asked excitedly.
The young boy chuckled. "Not quite..." he explained, "Right now I'm just channeling the energy to unleash a spell. The energy can be derived from numerous sources, depending on the type and purpose of the spell". Colorful sparks began to form in the boy's hand. "It could simply be from simple mana, the "mystical source"; or from the holy realm for white magic like healing spells; or from the four elements of fire, earth, wind, and water for anima magic and basic offensive magic".
The ruby-eyed wizard threw the mystic sparks in the air, creating miniature fireworks in mid-air. "In this case... I used simple lighting magic with some fire and color effects to create this. It was a really fun and easy spell to use!"
The young noble girl applauded in delight. "Wow! Amazing!"
The ruby-eyed wizard clenched his hand, and the fireworks disappeared in a light blue vapor. He then calmly waved his hand, and a cool breeze came in.
"A refreshing wind...", the young girl said. She closed her eyes, stretched out her arms, and accepted the breeze.
"Magic can bring out either the gentle or harsh natures of the elements... it is the perfect medium to express them with", he continued to explain. "The experimentation can be fun and rewarding... you can actually learn a lot about the world itself if you can harness it properly...". He again clenched his hand to halt the breeze, then unclenched it once more. He then uttered some mysterious tongue in a very quelled tone, lighting his hand with a glow. His hand then held a simple flame.
"T-that's... fire", the young girl responded with concern. “It’s quite interesting... but shouldn't you be careful with that?"
The young wizard had an impish grin and casually tossed the ball of flame in the air repeatedly. "As I said, magic can bring out either the gentle or harsh natures of the elements". He brought the flame close to his nose, and then held it out toward the shaky young girl. "Do you see this as a danger?" he questioned in a teasing tone.
The young girl nodded quickly.
"I see..." he responded. "Well then... why don't you see for yourself? Go on! Touch it!". He urged her to feel the flames enthusiastically, but the girl hesitated. She carefully examined any sign that he could be joking, but he retained a straight face. "Are you afraid?" he asked. "Do you not trust it?".
The girl quickly shot her hand through the flame, but felt nothing. She then rested her hand slowly on the flame. Surprisingly, it was very warm and soothing. The warmth flowed through her body.
"The gentle nature of flame is easily disregarded in the common mind, it seems...", the young wizard expressed in a disappointed tone. "Fire helps us so often in this world. It brings light in the darkness, it brings warmth, it cooks our food, it fuels some of the tools we have to use... and yet, because we must be so careful because how quickly it can consume... it is a great gift, and it's also a terrible curse".
The young boy gazed at the flame with a strong focus. The young girl simply gazed at the flame in wonder, fascinated also by the young wizard's words.
Her gaze averted slightly to the young wizard. "He seems very worldly and knowledgeable for a boy", she thought to herself, “I mean, even for one who works in an intellectually demeaning ability. Is this a quality of most wizards? But... I feel as if he's unique in a way. He seems to have a lot on his mind. I guess... he really must have a lot on his mind. I hope it isn't so stressful for him. He's really been so kind to me right now".
"Uh, sir?", she called to the boy. "Do really like to work with fire magic?". The young wizard closed his eyes, then shifted his face to see the young girl. "Very much, actually... I think I feel a certain affinity towards fire, a bond if you will. Somehow, I think I relate to fire... and so... I can control it very well... and even understand it more". He paused for a second. "But, it's not like I just set things on fire recklessly!" he exclaimed.
The young girl shook her head. "No, I understand! Everything you said earlier suggests that! To be honest, you seem very wise and smart for your age".
The young wizard laughed heartily, and somewhat bashful. "Is that so? I don't get a comment like that from my peers that forward and often, but thanks!".
He then clenched his hand one more time to extinguish the flame. “Well then, I hope you enjoyed the show! There are a few more things I could show you, but you seem to be in a hurry, and anything further I could do would be too dangerous for you to see--".
"-Actually", the young girl interrupted, "I have one more I want to see". She noticed a blade hilt underneath the robe, and then lowered her head in humility. "I... saw you have a weapon would you, so.... would you please spar with me?".
The young wizard stared at her confusion. He covered the weapon with his robe, then took a moment to look around. "Are you serious?", he asked with uncertainty.
She raised her head to look at the young wizard, but tried very hard not to look very demanding. "I sometimes practice in the manse, and I just want to know if I have any real skill. I fear I'm already late enough as it is so... I just thought that since you casually carry a blade, that I might practice sparring with you".
The young wizard again rubbed his head, then frantically looked around. He conveniently found a pile of sticks lying about, and grabbed two of them. "To be honest, most of my skills are self-taught, and lack some proficiency. I'm not as got as a properly-trained swordsman, but I would still suggest against doing this actually. Even something as simple as sparring shouldn't be treated like a simple game!". He then tossed one to the serious young girl, who caught it with good precision. "But... I can tell you're very serious. If you really insist on this contest, please don't treat this so lightly!".
The young girl held out the stick in front of her in a readied position with a focused look on her place. "Please consider this a real match. Don't go easy on me, and don't just stay in defense. Come at me", she instructed in a commanding tone.
"She wants this to be a test of her abilities", he thinks to himself. "I can't risk hurting my opponent in any case, though. She is a noble's daughter, after all, and that could get me in trouble. Putting in force shouldn't be necessary. I should just go for the point".
"Please take me seriously, Sir", thought the young girl. "I want to know if I can take care of myself. If I can become dependable, and not have to be a constant liability. My instructor and servant tries to work with me, little by little, with the sword, however, he flatters me. I doubt that he actually sees any potential in me".
The two quickly thrust their sticks towards each other and slide against each other. They then retreat quickly with a back step. The girl then advanced on the ruby-eyed boy, constantly thrusting and slashing at him with great intensity. The boy blocked each strike with perfect precision and a cool exterior. After a spending a few more moments of being on the defense, the boy slightly looses his balance. The girl does not hesitate to take advantage and makes her swiftest thrust, only to be thwarted by another immediate block, followed up by a counter-thrust, which caught the girl by surprise. The young wizard swiftly taps his opponent's stick, and then strongly swings at it to knock it aside. He thrusts to the left side, but the girl quickly gains momentum to block. He feints right, fooling the girl into blocking, then thrusts left again, but the girl quickly responds and blocks once more. He then swings again at the stick to knock it aside once more, catching the girl off-guard again, but this time, transitions into another, faster thrust to the mid-section. The girl somehow draws back her stick quickly enough to block her opponent's, then quickly counters with a thrust of her own and makes contact.
"Point!" she shouted. She then dropped her stick, made a big sigh, and shook in frustration. The young boy looked upon her in some wonder.
"That... was a pretty good match....", he said in amazement. "You gave me quite a struggle back there", he admitted.
The young girl shook her head. "That... wasn't everything, was it?", she asked in disappointment. "That wasn't all you had".
The young boy stood there silently, looking regretful.
"I could feel it in your strikes. You pulled back your strength right before each attack, so I wouldn't be overwhelmed. You even left yourself open sometimes to give me some opportunities to win". She lowered her head in strong regret.
"My instructor does the same thing. He says I do a really good job, that I can actually excel at swordsmanship one day, and yet.... it just feels like he's just flattering me. I've actually started claiming some victories against him, but it just feels like he's letting me win. He must be doing that so he doesn't hurt the feelings of her lady, isn't he?".
The young wizard looked shocked. "But her instinct is amazing", he thought to himself. "She could feel the strength in my strikes, and that alone was amazing intuition. She even gained some strong offensive ground to keep me from attacking back. And I never intended to let my guard down. She ruthlessly responded to my every opening! Maybe her instructor wasn't lying.... if she continues at her pace; she could actually become a renowned sword wielder one day. It all just depends on how strong her motivation is. She could have a very interesting future ahead of her in the practice".
The young wizard was about to open his mouth, but the swiftly interrupts him.
"Can you please say no more? I mean it, I would prefer it if you not give me more false praise. You should know, though, that I will still keep on trying! I am going to continue trying my best until I grow up, and if I am still inadequate, despite everything, I will be glad to know that I at least gave it my devotion!". She stopped and briefly smiled to herself. "I am so grateful of everything you showed me, however. That exhibition of magic really means much to me, and at the very least, you did give me a good match". She took a brief moment to curtsy.
The young wizard smiled. "I am glad you are satisfied. It has been a pleasure, milady". He respectfully bowed in response.
"I mean it. Thank you for everything you've done for me. You're a very kind person, and I really appreciated that", she said with a very earnest smile.
The young wizard's cheeks turned red for a moment.
"I hope you don't loose that part of yourself. I'm certain you can make so many people happy that way", she called out. "You're actually quite charming... I actually think that I might even..."
The young wizard's entire face then lit up in the same red shade.
"Oh, I'm sorry. We never even introduced ourselves, yet! How discourteous of me! My name is Castella Knoewling! A maiden of Arvol!".
The young wizard's face turned its normal color, then again rubbed his head in embarrassment. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Castella! I am Gades Rubiss, 5th Year Elite Class Wizard!" He slowly approached Lady Castella and bowed once more. "May you live out your life in happiness", he calmly announces.
"And may you as well", she cheerfully responds. "Master Gades, I am very thankful for meeting you". She then wasted no time to embrace him. Gades blushed once more.
Suddenly, a cold, peculiar feeling ran down through Gades' body. "What? Is that... danger? Is there a grim occurrence in her future? But... no... that can't be right! If there is something to happen to her, I'm sure it'll be easily taken care of! If her attendants manage to fail in protecting her, she's a surprising strong young girl! She... she should be fine!".
"Please take care of yourself, Master Gades. I sincerely hope that you may grow to extend your cherished kindness to others", Lady Castella said quietly.
"And please take care of yourself as well, Lady Castella. I'm sure you'll grow up to be a fine lady for your domain", Gades said in a serene matter.
From embracing the young wizard, Lady Castella spotted Castle Arvol fro behind his back. "Ah! There it is! The castle! Oh, thank goodness! Maybe I can still make it!". She then slowly loosened herself from Gades, then started heading off toward the castle. "I'm sorry for being in such a rush, but goodbye, Master Gades!'.
"Goodbye, milady!" The two children waved each other goodbye, and then Castella rushed straight towards Castle Arvol.
As Gades started walking away from the great white castle, he turned toward the lively Lady. "It seems human nobility is becoming... more... "considerate" as of late. That young girl... "Lady Castella"... she's quite pure... unspoiled the extravagant upbringing of the castle. It's a shame how the great castle life can ruin people sometimes, seeing people like her can be a miracle sometimes. She has a genuine curiosity and concern of the lives of her subjects. She's a compassionate young girl, and I'm sure she could inspire people into the same greatness she herself is so capable of. I... don't think we'll actually ever meet again, at least for a very long time. Somehow, I feel this is the only necessary meeting, anyway. I think I managed to confirm some things for her. Heck, I even learned much from her myself. I suppose... I actually gained some more hope for the future of our world. And for showing me this delightful sign, I sincerely thank you, Lady Castella".
The young wizard walked off into the sunset, satisfied with his discovery. Everyday seems to show him something new in his everlasting pursuit of knowledge. Unfortunately, the danger that he had seen for the young lady is something that would later prove to be a grave wound to all that will become close to her....
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Two other young girls were waiting by the gate.
One was standing very patiently. She had long, flowing burnet hair, calm narrow hazelnut eyes, and a calm smile. She was clothed in a fancy blue dress of similar design to Casttela's, and blue flower earrings.
The other stood restlessly. Her light blonde hair was fixed in a ponytail, with loose bangs. She also had big, sky-blue eyes. Her similarly-designed dress was yellow, and she also wore daisy earrings.
:"Hey! Castella, where have you been all this time? You said you were just going to go out for a bit, and then you get yourself lost! You worried us, you know?" the maiden in yellow shouted shamelessly.
"Please don't pull something like that again! I realize how much you wanted to going exploring, we both do. It's just that we worry when you're suddenly gone like that! We're friends, Castella. Don't you ever forget that", the maiden in blue addressed Castella in a more concerned tone.
"I'm sorry that I worried you both. I really am. Brianna, Danielle, I'll try not to worry you like that again." Castella said.
"Good! We'll hold you accountable for that just to make sure!" the maiden in yellow announced. "Let's hurry up! We mustn't keep everyone waiting!”
"She's right", said the maiden in blue, "our attendance is very important. This concerns our very futures, after all".
"Agreed", Castella responded. "We shouldn't keep the court waiting on us forever. Let's go". While approaching the front door, Castella was deep in thought of what is to come.
"This is one of the most important ceremonies for Arvol's heir. A significant tradition that is held before his coronation. The three of us have chosen to be Prince Cedric's possible fiancés, and he himself must decide upon one of us. So we must be presentable. Only one of our houses will be united from that moment with the royal court. Still, this is rushing things quite a bit, isn't it? We are supposed to be of higher place than the others, but we're still growing up, right? I don't even know our Prince, and yet the marriage has to be arranged at that moment! I wonder, is it wrong just to want to know him? I just want to make a new friend, if they'll allow it! I just want to be free with this and have fun! But what if he does choose me after all? .... I shouldn't care who he decides to chose in the end, when looks at all of us. I just want to make a new friend so I can be there to make him happy... like how that Wizard boy treated me with such kindness. Yes, at the very least... no matter what happens in the end... I should at least be kind to him".
And so the three young maidens, Castella in red, Brianna in yellow, and Danielle in blue, head straight into White Castle Arvol...[
 Chicken Yuki · Fri Jul 21, 2006 @ 11:07pm · 5 Comments |
