A beginning
The village was under siege… her mother grabbed her by her arm and started dragging her into the forest… her father lying lifelessly, eyes turned to the heavens. She was crying… there was fire… her mother pressed something into her hand and told her to run… not to look back. She said no… she wouldn’t run… but her mother made her promise… to run and not look back…
~ ~ ~
Cassandra blinks, awaking from her daze. The only memory of her childhood haunts her still. The raid on her village when she was young left her without any family. She looks around the temple of Ehlonna, deep in the forest of Qualinesti – the only home she can remember.
Today her 126th birthday and Cass finds herself reflecting on her life up to this point in time. It seems like just yesterday that Quarion said he was leaving. At this memory, a tear rolls down her slender face. Her dark teal eyes look up into the stars, looking for answers… and not finding any.
Quarion Laidon, the powerful yet reclusive sorcerer… her mentor at the temple… the only family she has had for most of her life… and he left her alone. She remembers that day – her 90th birthday… he said that she must now find her own way through life. Her hand moves to the side of her head, remembering the feel of his hand running through her navy hair, the tears in his eyes as he kissed her gently on the forehead and turned to leave.
It was here on this very rock where she sat and cried for days after he left. How could she go on without him? He was a father to Cass… he taught her all she knows - how to nurture her gift… and how to respect the deep and powerful beauty of nature. He fed her knowledge about the dragons that she was so curious about. Helped her to start discovering who she really is.
As she sits on that rock once again, the tears welling in her eyes, she holds the ring in her hand – the ring that her mother pressed into her hands before leaving her. The only thing she has to remember her parents by. A silver band with a turquoise gem and in the middle of the gem a draconic symbol etched in silver. She has searched libraries for a clue to what this symbol means, but has been unsuccessful thus far.
Cass places the ring gingerly back onto her finger and wipes the tears away. As she looks up to the stars, a small shape flutters into view. As it grows larger, a small smile comes to Cassandra’s face. A small hawk swoops down and lands on the young elf’s shoulder. Her only other friend besides Quarion, Eilonwy has been by Cass’ side for the past eight years. While meditating in Cass’ favorite grove, Eilonwy seemed to find her and they have been inseparable ever since. Her closest friend, and a true link to the beauty of nature.
The years spent in the temple, away from the hustle of city life, taught Cassandra a lot about the world around her. She learned to take a step back and observe whatever situation she might find herself in; to look for all possible solutions to a problem and not to panic no matter what the odds. She also learned much about the magic that flows through her veins, how to control the power and when to let it flow through her – a part of her.
But now it is time to begin another phase in her life - time to leave the sanctuary that the temple has provided for her for all these years. If she is to grow into what she could be, then she must stretch her wings and learn to fly on her own.
~ ~ ~
Cassandra blinks, awaking from her daze. The only memory of her childhood haunts her still. The raid on her village when she was young left her without any family. She looks around the temple of Ehlonna, deep in the forest of Qualinesti – the only home she can remember.
Today her 126th birthday and Cass finds herself reflecting on her life up to this point in time. It seems like just yesterday that Quarion said he was leaving. At this memory, a tear rolls down her slender face. Her dark teal eyes look up into the stars, looking for answers… and not finding any.
Quarion Laidon, the powerful yet reclusive sorcerer… her mentor at the temple… the only family she has had for most of her life… and he left her alone. She remembers that day – her 90th birthday… he said that she must now find her own way through life. Her hand moves to the side of her head, remembering the feel of his hand running through her navy hair, the tears in his eyes as he kissed her gently on the forehead and turned to leave.
It was here on this very rock where she sat and cried for days after he left. How could she go on without him? He was a father to Cass… he taught her all she knows - how to nurture her gift… and how to respect the deep and powerful beauty of nature. He fed her knowledge about the dragons that she was so curious about. Helped her to start discovering who she really is.
As she sits on that rock once again, the tears welling in her eyes, she holds the ring in her hand – the ring that her mother pressed into her hands before leaving her. The only thing she has to remember her parents by. A silver band with a turquoise gem and in the middle of the gem a draconic symbol etched in silver. She has searched libraries for a clue to what this symbol means, but has been unsuccessful thus far.
Cass places the ring gingerly back onto her finger and wipes the tears away. As she looks up to the stars, a small shape flutters into view. As it grows larger, a small smile comes to Cassandra’s face. A small hawk swoops down and lands on the young elf’s shoulder. Her only other friend besides Quarion, Eilonwy has been by Cass’ side for the past eight years. While meditating in Cass’ favorite grove, Eilonwy seemed to find her and they have been inseparable ever since. Her closest friend, and a true link to the beauty of nature.
The years spent in the temple, away from the hustle of city life, taught Cassandra a lot about the world around her. She learned to take a step back and observe whatever situation she might find herself in; to look for all possible solutions to a problem and not to panic no matter what the odds. She also learned much about the magic that flows through her veins, how to control the power and when to let it flow through her – a part of her.
But now it is time to begin another phase in her life - time to leave the sanctuary that the temple has provided for her for all these years. If she is to grow into what she could be, then she must stretch her wings and learn to fly on her own.
posted by Lotus Blossom at 9:15 PM
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