Prologue
Life asked death
"Death, why do people love me but hate you?"
Death responded,"because you are a beautiful lie and I am a painful truth"
-unknown
~~
It was a cold winter evening the dry air whipping against the thick oak trees causing a banging on the window of the small lit cabin. Inside sits a young child with hair as white as snow, playing with the old, wool doll her mother worked tirelessly on. Her mother's soft voice echoed through the creaky wooden house. “Alphonsa!” her mother calls. Upon hearing her name the effervescent child jumps up, quickly making her way towards her mother but while she was leaving her dark brown, cloth dress gets snagged on the chipped door causing the young Alpohonsa to trip and fall.
Her mother hearing the commotion hurriedly makes her way to her daughter. “Are you alright’’ she said worriedly. Her mother eyes the gash on her lower leg with a perturbed expression. “I’ll get the liniment,” she said hastily, “No, it's okay mommy, watch this.’’ Alphonsa presses her small hands on the gash, closing her eyes willing her magic to heal her wound. Within seconds the wound vanished, her mother still in shock, falls to her knees with incredulity. Alphonsas face held dejection “Mom….did...I...uhh”, she pawed at the hem of her dress “ do something wrong.’’ her mother who is now standing “No, of course not” she whispered. " your so young, it is quite unusual for kids your age to be able to use magic let alone heal themselves."
A warm smile graces her face as she picks up her daughter, trying to console the sullen child. Her mother stroked her soft white hair “ But it's expected from the women of the ellenher lineage, we come from a long line of powerful witches” she says. “Witches?’’ Alphonsa asks, with curiosity dancing in her eyes. “Yes, witches,’’ her mother responds. "Witches are creatures who can control magic, you, I, and all the creatures in The House of Magic. Magic is constantly circulating and is essential for The House of Magic to survive. In a sense, if we lost our magic we would lose a part of ourselves." Her mother's voice held wisdom and pride. "It is said to have been a gift bestowed upon us from the gods, but I've never been much of a believer." "Why?" The frown on Alphonsa face and scrunched eyebrows emphasized her young mind was pondering on her mother's statement. Her mother inhales."If gods do exist why do they never answer the prayers of the broken souls? Why do they not come when they are needed the most?". Her face was clouded with sadness."Even when I needed the gods...they were nowhere to be found."
Celia, Alphonsa's mother was an impulsive woman with a sharp-tongue often speaking the first thing that came to her mind. Coming from a family of nobility she was often ridiculed because of her unrefined behavior but she prospered becoming an indomitable force to be reckoned with. Celia had been able to create a reputation without the help of her family. By 20 she had created a coven powerful enough to protect Crestruvia. She had gained the respect and acknowledgment of Crestruvia, she finally felt accepted. With a reputable name and the respect of her people, she had everything she desired...all except one. This notion was something only to be found once, it could cause catastrophic destruction it could bring life back even in the darkest of souls. Love, it is said to have turned sinners into saints suddenly the irredeemable was saved. Maybe they were gods because Celia had found love.
Celia was shaken out of her thoughts by her young daughter's growling stomach. "Looks like you're hungry." Celia's motherly instincts began to take over, she picks up Alphonsa carrying her to the den placing her on the rickety wooden chair. "Let's get you ready for supper, shall we?" Alphonsa nods her head excitedly. Celia grabs the clay bowl out the cupboard she began pouring the porridge when a knock on the door interrupts. Celia careened towards the door, wariness in her steps. "Who would be here late in the evening especially in this type of weather?" She muses.
Opening the door stood a tall man with a stocky build with a scar across his left eye. The man's uniform consisted of a long-sleeved black coat detailed with silver shoulder epaulettes, The Sam Brown Belt placed diagonally across his chest. The gold aiguillettes on his right shoulder signified his high rank. "Are you Celia Aldridge" the condensation of his breath billowing in the frosty air. "Yes, who's- wait I recognize that uniform, you're with the crestruvian army". She blanched "where's my husband. Is he alright?" Celia's voice was now frantic and unstable. The soldier's eyes were dull, his voice was monotonous " I'm here to report the death of Mage Ruthford Alderidge." Celia was numb,disassociated from the world. "Yes" her voice barely a whisper. He continued "In three days an official will escort you the mainland where you will be able to get his remaining things." The soldier with robotic movements turns and disappears only leaving a cloud of smoke which was the only indicator he was there.
Celia stood frozen in her doorway, tears running down her cheeks. The pitter-patter of small feet could be heard. "Mommy are you okay? why are you crying?" Alphonsa's tiny voice rang in Celia's head. The frosty air blowing her dress.
The young alphonsa couldn't understand why her mommy was crying. Celia finally closes the cabin door. She gets on her knees "daddy died" she clutches onto alphonsa hugging her tightly "mommy's so sorry" she sobbed. "It's okay mommy we'll see daddy again" her eyes held innocence, not grasping the concept of death. Celia looks at her daughter "yes..we will I promise." Celia's voice was taut a dangerous glint in her eye." we will."
Three days passed, the official had arrived but the cabin was abandoned. Celia and Alphonsa's presence vanished.
No one knew of the wreckage to come or the unforeseen events that would occur in the future.
-L
