Prologue
During the onset of the Fifteenth century, somewhere in the centre of modern day England, a beautiful village named Ravenfield, mostly surrounded by dense layers of greenery and millions of different species, was progressing day by day.
On that one magical night, all the existing entities were about to witness the beginning of a wizard's tale of love and fight.
Slow and cautious steps were making their presence known through thick and dark forest. A young girl of about fifteen years old, clutching her surcoat tightly by one hand, was trying to find a way out of those tangled branches of wood. Other hand was busy holding the basket of herbs.
She never thought that one day, she actually has to pass through the woodland famous for inhabiting magical creatures.
Apparently Destiny had its own ways.
She was silently walking while looking down, when a heart piercing sound striked her tympanum. She looked here and there on the dirt road and trees but could not have found anything suspicious. After looking one more time she continued her journey.
She heard a sound again and this time she was certain that it's an aching moan coming from behind a big banyan tree.
She carefully walked towards the tree. She bit her lip nervously before peeking towards the source of voice.
A person was lying on his back taking the support of a large banyan. He was clutching one of the hangings from the tree. His uneven and loud ventilation was clearly indicating how much pain he was bearing.
She took one more step towards him. His frame was covered in dark blue or maybe black cloak and connected hood covering his eyes. He was dressed in black or dark blue.
Out of her worry for a stranger, she put down her basket and touched his shoulder. At this time, he jerked his head in her direction and their eyes met.
A surprising gasp freed itself from her lips. She had never seen this much sparkling blue eyes. Those bright blue eyes were almost glowing in the contrasting dark background.
Although, it was difficult to make out his features with the help of moon goddess only, But he must not be older than sixteen or seventeen years old. There were those boyish vibes any young man would emit.
"What's wrong ? Are you hurt ?" She didn't want to stare in his orbs so long, and asking about his condition was the most appropriate thing to do.
He hesitantly nodded.
"Tell me, Sir. Maybe I can help." She politely asked.
He looked at her for a moment to search for any hidden intentions. Except for genuine care, he didn't find anything.
"Th-There's s-something in m-my sole. Would you please remove it ?" His voice was barely a whisper but she understood in one go.
She carefully lifted his bare foot and put it in her lap. A thorn was piercing his sole through the pinkish white flower petals.
"You were in so much pain because of a thorn ?" Small smile invaded her lips. He nodded.
"Please remove it." He pleaded with a trembling voice. His entire frame was shivering with the surge of continuous waves of pain.
She frowned but immediately removed the cause of his pain. His body instantly relaxed. He closed his eyes and took a breath.
She was tracing his every move with her eyes. Her tender mind did not know why she was so worried about a stranger.
She was always taught to never be alone in a strange man's presence. No girl with a good character would like to be with a man alone who is not her brother, father or husband.
And here she was helping a stranger and now staring at him in a dark and dense jungle.
He stood up which took her out of her trance. She stood up too. His eyes, now again, were covered under his hood as he was looking down. Now when she looked at it, his tunic was also black.
"Is it black or dark blue ?" She asked while looking at his cloak.
He again looked into her eyes with his blazing blue orbs.
"Blue." He replied but still in a whisper.
She was contemplating what to do next. Decision to head back to her home was the most appealing call and she was about to work on that when his voice hit her gently again.
"What are-" He stopped midway by listening to his hoarse and raspy voice due to lack of use. He cleared his throat. "What are you doing in this forest alone ?"
His voice was now more clear and smooth. It was as boyish as she imagined.
"I went to town to buy some herbs but got late on my way back. I am on my return trip." She was not surprised that she broke one more rule to be a 'good character girl' by telling a stranger about her plans.
He nodded but didn't say anything.
"Your eyes are beautiful." She stated and this time, she was surprised. She was not supposed to compliment any unknown man.
"Be-Beautiful ? I thought they were scary…" He mumbled while looking down to hide his slight blush under his hood.
"They are not scary. They are different because they glow like little blue fire balls. But nonetheless, they are beautiful, almost… almost enchanting." She convinced him with a smile and he was looking at her like she was herself a supernatural creature, a magical form.
"Are you fine now, Sir ?" He nodded slowly.
"Then I should leave. I have to reach home before sunrise." She smiled with clear innocence, lacing her voice.
He just nodded again. She bowed her head slightly out of courtesy. He didn't bow in return. She picked her basket up and walked past him.
At that exact moment, under the moonlight, she unintentionally gave a taste of companionship to a longing lonely heart for centuries.
That night, without knowing that she was being watched, she was happy not to feel scared during the rest of the journey.
That night, without knowing that it was belmia flower, which was about to kill the person she saved, and not the thorn, she laughed lightly while entering her small house.
That night, without knowing that her own essence connected itself to a certain wizard, she wished to meet that handsome stranger again.
And this was the beginning of a magical, and somewhat tragic love story.
