The Age of Magic

Prophecies, power, and princesses…That's what good stories are made of. Dive into this world of mystery, magic, and make-believe and perhaps…just maybe, you'll find the truth you seek.

The room vibrated with activity, servants bustling around carrying bed linins soaked with hours worth of sweat and blood. They laughed and sang soft little lullabies as they worked to clear the large room. People crowded the doorway trying to catch a glimpse into the chamber, trying to see the new child.

"She's beautiful," The King smiled at his bride. "A wonderful Princess, another magnificent child."

The Queen let out a sigh, her face pale and clammy. "I'm glad, so very glad." She leaned back against the pillows both exhausted from the birth and unwilling to sleep.

They both gazed at the tiny baby. "Do you remember when Touya was born?" he asked absently, counting the little girl's fingers. "The celebrations didn't end for weeks. Poor boy," he gave a hearty chuckle. "He didn't like the fussing then and still doesn't now."

She let out a soft giggle of her own. "Yes, but that's the only thing we have trouble with him over. Did you see his nursemaid running for him the other day?"

"Your majesties," A servant bowed as he entered. "The Seer has arrived and she says she can see the baby now."

"Bring her on in." The King nodded while handing his wife the baby. "And tell Prince Touya to come and meet his little sister."

Once again, the servant bowed and left.

"You know Touya will want to hold her." The Queen smiled as she gently rocked the sleepy baby. "He was so excited when we told him."

"Ah, so this is the young Princess. Finally I may see the vision that calls me." A wrinkled and grey haired woman leaned against the door and the small child started fussing. A sense of unease filled the room, but it seemed only the child noticed it.

"Please proceed." The King handed her his new daughter.

The old woman closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "Yes, a wonderful daughter for the King and Queen. Smiling, happy, jewel of the kingdom." The old Seer's face took on a serene look as the scenes passed through her mind. But then she frowned, her head bobbing with the movement of the vision. "I see a quest with many people…A man full of greed and wickedness…" She paused and opened her eyes, eyes full of fear. "No one should see this girl, not servants, not subjects, not even siblings!" She wailed.

The Queen grabbed her child, clutching the girl closer to her breast. "You can't ask us to give up our little girl!"

While the Queen fretted over her daughter, the king approached the seer. "What do you see?"

The seer did not smile or frown, only weariness showed on her face. "Your daughter, she has the gift; she is the one needed to find the Last Dragon Egg. The ultimate source of power. For her protection, no on must ever know she is the Princess."

"But how can we do that?" The Queen demanded outraged. "It's impossible! This is my daughter and I refuse to give her up!"

The Seer bowed her head in respect. "As your majesty commands…"

Chapter 1

"Princess Tomoyo!" The servant knocked hesitantly on the door. "Princess! Oh, you must get ready for the ball tonight! Oh!" The young girl began to panic and she gently pushed the door open.

In the light, the room did enough damage with its stark white walls and gold inlay that blinded, with the furniture that stuck out at odd angles and scratched anyone who got to close. And the Princess always left tiny bits of paper and cloth everywhere, the floor, the tables, her bed, making it difficult not to walk on her precious belongings. And that was during the day, in the light.

At night, in the dark, the room told a very different story. Strange shadows played on the walls like a collection of strange monsters all fighting with each other. And a girl often stood among them, her image serene and still while the others danced about like some satanic cult. The furniture, with its odd angles gained newer and sharper teeth with which to terrorize the innocent. This young made herself had miniature scars that covered her arms and legs, telltale signs of battles won and lost. And for some reason, in the dark, a light breeze bustled about the common room, casting everything into motion. Definitely more creepy at night.

A wisp of movement from the corner caught the girl's eye and she spun about. "Please come out?" her voice warbled as something else caught her eye."…please?"

"Lila!" The servant turned around to face her mistress in the doorway. All the panic drained her face, color returned to her checks and in general she looked healthy again. "Shall we get ready for the ball?" The Princess asked and Lila nodded submissively. "Good!"

Tomoyo walked farther into the room as id unaware of the demonic furniture or hell-like darkness. "We'll need some more light for this. "And she threw open the curtains, throwing out the darkness and shadows. Suddenly it became a much more hospitable room, although still daunting. "That's much better. Now, Lila, what did you have in mind for tonight?" She asked her rather tall and skinny maid.

Immediately at ease, the young maid walked over to the closet. "I thought lavender would be nice. You do have that new dress and it matches so well with your—"

"Amethyst eyes, raven black hair, and pearly white skin, I know." Tomoyo finished the all too common compliment.

"Actually I was going to say your personality. Lavender is such a gentle color."

A small blush appeared over Tomoyo's nose and cheeks. "Oh Lilia, You're too good to me. Now, let's put that dress on before I'm late." She giggled.

Lila pulled the full length gown out of the wardrobe. It had a trim waist with little white flowers stitched into the sash and a lightly embroidered, flowing train. "This is it. The seamstress made it exactly as you drew it. She certainly has some skills; anyone who can follow your sketches would have to."

The curtains rustled and Lila shivered, remembering the room before the light and her mistress had entered.

"What?" Tomoyo asked.

"The rumors say your rooms are haunted." She shivered again. "People have seen things, heard whispers. Some are even afraid to come down this hall."

"But you do." Tomoyo prompted, anxious to hear the gossip.

"Well," Lila puffed out her chest no longer fearful. "Someone has to clean these rooms and if I believed everything the servants said then I wouldn't get out of bed in the morning." She did up the buttons in the back as she talked. "Some people even claim there's someone living in these walls."

Tomoyo grinned. "Well, you know servants and their superstitions." Her voice floated across the air easily, but her eyes darted around to ever slight movement in the room.

"Shall I do your hair?"

Standing in the dress, Tomoyo swished her way over to the mirror. "Umm, no, I think we can leave it down for tonight." She twirled causing the dress and her long hair to spin gracefully with her. "Come on!" She giggled betraying her young age of sixteen and pulling Lila with her.

Inside the dark room the drapes fluttered aside, revealing a pair of serious eyes. Watching, always watching.

In the occupied kitchen, cooks, maids, and butlers alike, all prepared for the eleven course midnight feast. They rushed to and for putting pans on burners, removing pots, slicing and dicing. Different smells of spiced bread, sweet meats, and exotic fruits all bombarded the senses, but these servants didn't even seem to notice them. From dawn until well after dusk, such was the life of the kitchens.

And they had only one law of the kitchen, obey the Cook or suffer the consequences. Maira, head cook, stood before her pot of bellowing orders louder then a drill sergeant and everyone rushed around hurrying to follow her orders. No one crossed Maira, not if they wanted anything decent to eat.

"Did someone get those spices? I need those spices now! If one of you—" She called and the whole kitchen froze.

"Fresh from the market."

Maira looked down, her small eyes narrowed as she inspected the little munchkin behind her. And then she laughed. "I should have expected you would get them Sakura. Only you know the best spices from my home planet. Let's see, cinnamon, dried basil—" She noticed the lack of movement around her. "What're all you looking at? Get back to work!" And the whole kitchen rushed to fulfill her orders.

"Got them trained well, even the little ones." The girl's small voice crept over the normal din, but just barely.

"Hump! Got to get them there, how else they gonna last?"

Sakura shook her head, her brown curls escaping their restraints. "Have you heard the rumors?" She stuck a finger in the pot and tasted the creamy soup.

"What rumors?" Maira dropped her voice as well as the spoon and saw the hesitation in Sakura's clear green eyes.

"If you haven't heard…"

"Girl, I've known you since you were born, maybe you can fool the Big People and the other servants, maybe the other believe that sweet little face o' yours. But I can read those eyes just like the old lady could. What rumors?"

"Prince Sal might be coming to the ball."

"But he was sent away in disgrace years ago by his family. Where did you hear this?"

The young girl looked around hesitantly and then whispered. "The docks."

"Stop being so shy girl, ain't nobody here gonna turn you in. at least not if they want to eat for the rest of their lives." Sakura smiled. "Now there's that smile I love. Now scat, I got work." She skipped happily away and Maira watched. "Prince Sal, now that's bad news."

Tomoyo laughed as partner after partner twirled her across the floor. She smiled gaily at each dip, twist, and turn, her happiness boiling over. And she sighed heavily at the end of each song. As well she should, everyone had gathered together to celebrate her birth.

Pompous aristocrats filled the large ballroom, each trying to out do the last in expensive costume, hair, and perfume. Bright, almost gaudy colors, swishy costly fabrics, and stunning jewels adorned each pathetic noble. None could shine more vividly then Princess Tomoyo and her luminous smile, although they certainly did try.

Rejoicing in the occasion almost as much as his daughter, the King took the hand of his dear wife. He pulled her swiftly from the seat sending her silver dress atwitter with light. Slipping a hand about her waist, he pulled his beloved close. And together they watched happily as their son approached their daughter for the traditional brother/sister dance. Touya bowed and Tomoyo curtsied as the music started. Another perfect evening.

Of course everyone watched, but only three sets of eyes attentively. Aramos, captain of the guard, the only one of the three with real reason, took his work very seriously and dared anyone to try something on his watch. Nothing had gotten by him so far. Over in the corner, a young man, as handsome as they come, watched with eyes unseen except by the third pair. He sided board by the tedium of the tradition, but watched nonetheless, his brown hair falling in his eyes. Standing among the nobles, unnoticed by all, a young woman watched. She herself noticed that neither of the other watchers would be able to prevent a catastrophe.

As the two siblings danced, the crowd parted for a late arrival. It was not a normal reaction to a tardy person, but then this was no normal person. The King stood his displeasure at the insult obvious. When the music halted, the poor man became the object of quite a few dirty looks. Dressed in a savvy black suit and looking as debonair as any man alive, the stranger melted the hearts of most of the women in the room. And he chose to walk straight up to Princess Tomoyo.

"Forgive my tardiness, Princess Tomoyo. "I am Prince Sal of Bet." He scanned the crowds and signaled the orchestra to play. "May I have this dance?" Sal bowed with grace and refinement.

Faced with such stunning beauty, Tomoyo could not say no. Sal took her hand in his and began the scandalous waltz. Together they flowed across the floor, rising and falling like the waves on a beach.

People stared in awe, unable to contain their astonishment. Hand in hand, it was a dance like no other and yet the difference refused to make itself known. Perhaps it was the music and the way the notes floated across the room. Or maybe it had something to do with the way Sal led the dance and how he stepped. But then again, perhaps not. Something in those few minutes held the audience captive, unable to move or speak.

Except for one. One person alone, in the room of hundreds, stepped deftly through the crowd, called forth by unheard words in the song. Only this person realized what had happened while everyone else stared in horror. But she could not prevent it.

A thick cloud of smoke filled the room, choking all the occupants. And when it disappeared, so too had Sal and the Princess.

Touya, the first to recover from the shock, charged the lingering smoke, but arrived too late. Panic, chaos, disorder ran through the nobles as the ran fearing for their rather pathetic lives. The Queen burst into tears, sobbing horribly as the King tried to comfort her and called the Royal Guards.

In mere minutes, a Royal council had been called for.

"Captain Aramos, what happened? Where is my daughter? The King demanded while still holding his wife's trembling body.

"I'm sorry sir; the best I can say is that Princess Tomoyo has been abducted." Aramos knelt before the Royal family. "I have failed in my mission."

Touya yanked him up by the collar. "We know that! Who took her and where? We have to get her back!"

"Enough Touya!" The King shouted at his son. "We can't act rashly at the moment; we need information. Captain Aramos, I put you in charge of that. Gather a team and find my daughter. I want her back, now."

"Your Majesty!" Aramos bowed so low his nose practically brushed the floor. "Right away." He hurried from the room and Touya followed in hot pursuit.

No one noticed the eyes in the corner.

Allychik6: Hello all, so glad you've decided to read my next story. Okay, so I know a lot of you have to be confused...let me just say that it does all get explained...eventually. So just go with the flow for a while and everything will sort itself out. R&R!!! luv y'all lots!!