A/N: Anddd, here's an update! :D Thanks again for all the support, you guys! I thought I should make this one a bit longer than the other chapters (I think I definitely owe that to you guys), although it's a bit linear and mostly follows the events of the game. Next chapter will definitely have lots of changes and twists though, so keep an eye out for another update soon! (:

Chapter Five

"Waait, slow down! I can't write that fast!"

"And. Then. I. Was. Here. Geez Eddie, it's only five words!"

"Sorry, sorry! Okay, can you repeat everything one last time? Just to make sure I've got the story straight!"

"Sigh, okay. My name is Rhenalyn Darzon, and I'm sixteen-years-old. I used to live in a village called Clearwater with my ma and pa. One day, this weird, red-haired priestess came to us looking for help, and she asked me to wear this really pretty ring. The next day, I wandered into the caves outside our village and that stupid son-of-a—"

"That's not going into the report, you know."

"Okay, this man recognized the ring the priestess gave me, thought I was her, captured me, and then I was here."

Eddie stared at her for a second before returning to the piece of paper he had been furiously scribbling on for the past half hour. He quickly jotted down a few words here and there before snapping his head back up, eyes glowing with happiness.

"Thanks a lot, Rhen!" he exclaimed, but a few seconds later she could see his expression slowly worsening.

"Hey now, what's with that look all of a sudden?"

Eddie glanced at his paper one last time before looking up to meet her gaze. "As much as I wish it was so… do you think we'll ever truly be free, Rhen?"

Rhen smiled empathetically before getting down on one knee to get a better look at the young boy's face. His eyes, filled with hope and joy just moments ago, now threatened to release fresh tears forming at their base. She slowly lifted a hand and lightly ruffled his dark silver, bowl-cut hair before retreating down his chin to lift up his face towards hers. Eddie was captured and sold as a slave in Ghalarah about a year ago, only being eleven-years-old. Still, he had all the innocence and cheerfulness of any other child, reminding her so much of Lilly back at home. Rhen sighed sadly, pained at the misfortune of such a young boy.

"Of course we will, Eddie. That's why you're writing all these reports, right? To show everyone the horrors of slavery once it's been outlawed?"

"Yeah, but…"

"Hey," Rhen interrupted, holding his face up even higher. "I promise you that we'll both make it out of here someday."

Upon hearing those words, Eddie's expression brightened once more and he leapt towards her for a hug. Rhen smiled and wiped away his tears before getting back up on her feet.

"Yeah, you're right! We'll get out of here and go back to our families!"

"That's the spirit!"

"Hehe, thanks Rhen! Well, I better go back now before Mistress Jenna realizes I've broken into her drawer and stolen some of her paper and stuff. See ya tomorrow!"

Without waiting for a reply, Eddie scampered back into town while making sure to watch out for anyone passing by. Although it wasn't technically considered illegal, most citizens frowned upon communication between slaves and often resorted to flogging as their punishment in doing so. Even then, Rhen occasionally agreed to meet Eddie whenever he felt lonely or needed help—he was her first friend in Ghalarah after all.

Rhen sighed once more before getting back on her feet and retreating from the thick gathering of trees beside one of the manors at the edge of the city, their usual secret meeting spot.

It's almost morning. Guess I better head back and see what ridiculous chores that crazy blue-haired woman has for me today.

Rhen managed to arrive back at the manor just as Rona was descending from the intricately-carved mahogany stairway resting a mere few steps from the front door. Just as she reached the bottom step, Rona turned on her heel and strode into the dining area without so much as taking a glance at the weary, lilac-haired girl.

"Slave! Where is my tea!"

"I've placed it on the table, Mistress. As usual."

"I've clearly instructed you to ALWAYS place it one foot away from the edge of the table! And what is this! Only EIGHT inches away?"

…Shoot me now, Rhen thought exasperatedly, trying her best to not roll her eyes at the insane, control-freak woman. She was sure that these silly little rules were invented for nothing more than to try to annoy her or get her in trouble.

"Must I do everything myself around here?" Rona called out, rubbing her temple in (most likely fake) frustration. She took a seat at the head of the table and took a deep breath before opening her mouth to speak once more.

"Hmph, I shall let it pass for now as tomorrow is a special day, and not even YOU can ruin it for the both of us. My darling son got accepted into Shadwood Academy for the Gifted; he is to become a sorcerer."

Oh, I didn't know that… I mean you've only told me EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS I'VE BEEN HERE.

"The emissaries are coming to pick him up tomorrow. That said, Lars' clothes must be picked up from the tailor and I've spotted numerous spiders in the attic. Dratted things."

"Yes, Mistress," Rhen responded nonchalantly, itching to get away from the situation.

"After you have finished those, be sure to call Lars in for supper. He has been out training since dawn."

Phew, good thing I didn't run into him then, Rhen thought before curtsying slightly and exiting the room.

She picked up a long, sturdy stick hanging by a hook in the hallway before slowly climbing up the stairs in despair. Even as a child, Rhen was never afraid of spiders. Clearwater was host to a good number of them , especially in the meadow. She never thought of them as anything more than "cute, little innocent creatures"—until now.

The spiders in Ghalarah were much different than the ones back at home. In fact, they were nothing alike. For one, these were abnormally huge—probably the size of her head. These in particular were a purplish color with tints of white layered across their hairy backs, and had eightr red legs that were half as long as their bodies, two on each side, two in the front, and two in the back.

Rhen gave each and every spider a look of disgust before charging into the center of the attic with her signature battle cry of "Time to die, spiders!"

Minutes later, Rhen found herself with a cloth and large sack in hand, filled with nothing but spider remains and juices. (A/N: I figured describing a battle scene with spiders wouldn't be very exciting :P) She quickly tossed the bag into the trash bin before retreating downstairs to cleanse the filth off her hands and legs. Mistress Rona was still at the dining table, reading what most likely appeared to be a letter from Shadwood Academy. She didn't understand why the woman was so obsessed with Lars getting into that school.

Guess it's more prestigious than I imagined, Rhen thought while quietly exiting the main door and heading down to the tailor's.

She deeply inhaled the cool, morning air before making her way past the gate and onto the main road of the city. After having lived here for three months, Ghalarah no longer seemed like the majestic and glorious place that initially caught her eye. Instead, she came to know it as a horrible, slave-keeping prison. Everywhere she turned there were children either dressed in silken, noble clothing or the "customary" rag outfit of slaves. It seemed like the entire city prided itself on slaves, and anyone who didn't own a slave or WAS a slave for that matter was harshly looked down upon.

Rhen entered the first building that she came across to her right and was greeted with a warm smile.

"Hello Rhen, what can I do for you?" a young, brown-haired lady dressed in a modest pink garment inquired.

"Good morning, Terlin. I've come to pick up Lars' travel clothes for Mistress Rona. Are they ready?" Rhen replied with an equally welcoming smile. Although Terlin was a well-known tailor in several cities, she refused to look down on anyone since she used to be a slave herself.

"Oh yes!" Terlin exclaimed enthusiastically, picking out a medium-sized package at the back of the store. It was clear that she put a lot of effort into it.

"Here you are, dear."

"Thanks," Rhen responded, tucking the package under her right arm.

"So, Lars is leaving tomorrow for Shadwood Academy?"

"Yes, because he has the gift of sorcery."

"Oh, I see," Terlin commented nonchalantly. "To be honest, I don't think he needs any more reasons to think himself superior to the rest of us. Do you?"

"I guess."

"Oh, don't be humble! That boy treats you terribly! Every girl deserves respect, slave or not slave."

Rhen laughed lightly while shaking her head. "Thanks, Terlin, but I don't think Lars could care any less."

Terlin shrugged.

"Well, I'm just looking out for you. Make sure to visit me again soon, okay?"

"Sure, if I ever get a free moment away from that mad woman and her obnoxious son."

Terlin chuckled and waved as Rhen left the shop without saying another word. She wandered around the city for a couple of minutes, checking every shop and garden looking for Lars. Although Rona mentioned that he left early to practice his sorcery, Rhen figured that he was out causing trouble with his friends by now. He mostly spent his time with two other noble kids, Ylitta and Hector. Rhen overheard that once Ylitta had even asked for his hand in marriage, but continued to follow him around even when Lars refused.

"I don't even know what those girls see in that guy," Rhen mumbled to herself as she finally spotted him in the usually isolated field at the southern part of the city. Sure, he has the money, and maybe even the looks, but his rotten personality ruins it all!

As Rhen approached him, and the group that she figured he'd be with, she could distinctly hear Lars boasting about the wild animals that he encountered and defeated in the woods.

"There were chickens, but nothing like the ones which are raised in farms! These had insanely sharp claws and were almost as tall as I am!"

"Really? That is so cool! I would love to see it for myself, but mother would kill me if I ventured into the woods on my own," Ylitta exclaimed, with sparkling eyes locked on Lars.

"Heh, maybe if you two were to become sorcerers like ME someday, it may be possible."

Hector scoffed. "As strange as those chickens may be, they are not brag-worthy. I am sure there are more notably strange creatures out there in the world."

"Like that?" Lars snickered, pointing at the approaching Rhen.

Rhen rolled her eyes before stopping to stand before the group.

"Hey slave, I'M going to Shadwood Academy to become a sorcerer. Aren't you jealous?"

"Um, whatever, Lars."

Lars' expression quickly dropped at her remark and he strode forward to stare her down.

"Doesn't my mother have chores for you to do, slave girl?"

"Your mother said for you to come home for supper," Rhen stated nonchalantly, staring up at him with equal ferocity. Noble or not, she had no tolerance for rude, spoiled brats like him.

"Hah, was that a command?" Lars snorted, defiantly crossing his arms in front of her. "I'll go when I feel like going. No slave is going to tell ME what to do."

"After all these months, the girl is still too dumb to understand her place. Look how she talks to you!" Ylitta chimed in, stepping up beside Lars.

"Hey, what is that thing on her wrist?" Hector inquired, peering over the other two's shoulders.

"Her bracelet, I guess," Lars replied coolly.

"Hah! My mother would never let one of our slave girls wear something so nice!"

"Shut up, Hector! The only reason she still wears the stupid thing is because we can't get it off of her."

"Well c'mon, let's pry it off her then!"

Didn't he just say that they COULDN'T get it off me? Rhen thought exasperatedly, rolling her eyes at the braided, pig-tailed hair brunette.

"No, wait, I have a better idea," Lars interrupted calmly, a smirk slowly forming on his lips. "Stay there, slave girl."

"Why? What do you want, Lars?"

"I want to show my friends a little magic trick I've learned."

"Magic? Please, even I know that you're forbidden from publicly using magic till the emissaries from Shadwood Academy take you away."

"And who is going to tell them? You? I'll have you flogged for a day straight!"

"Whatever," Rhen sighed before turning to walk away, but Ylitta and Hector suddenly grabbed her by the arms. "Hey! Let me go, you ugly lugs!"

Lugs? Is that really the best she could think of? Lars mused.

Ugh, I should've come up with something better…

But before Rhen could say anything else, a shock suddenly hit her wrist, completely snapping the bracelet in half.

Rhen stumbled back, staring incredulously at the green-haired (soon-to-be) sorcerer.

"You… You could have killed me!"

"But I did not. Anyway, you're but a lazy slave girl. Who would care?"

"Ugh, stop calling me that! My name is RHEN!" Rhen retorted, causing Lars and his friends to laugh amongst themselves.

"She reminds me of a foolish puppy I used to own whose name was Peta," Ylitta commented. "She seems to want a name, Lars. Why don't you give her one?"

"Peta, huh?"

"Don't you dare—"

"WELL, if it is good enough for a dog, it is good enough for her. Slave girl, I hereby name you Peta."

"…Whatever. Just get yourself home already," Rhen grunted, briskly walking away from the group.

"I suppose I'll be taking my leave now," Lars stated, mockingly bowing towards Ylitta and Hector as if he had just presented an incredible display of sorcery. "I'll be leaving early for Veldarah tomorrow, so I probably will not have the chance to say farewell then."

"That's fine, Lars, but be sure to write to us!" Ylitta chirped happily.

"Heh, I'll see you next time, then. Don't forget to say goodbye to your new puppy too."

Lars chuckled. "I'll be sure of that, Hector. Goodbye now!" Lars shouted as he jogged towards the direction Rhen went.

"You sicken me, you know that?" Rhen spat, noticing the young boy catch up a few feet behind her.

"I could say the same for you, Peta."

Rhen rolled her eyes once more and hastened her pace towards the manor, not paying any mind to the tiny shocks that the young sorcerer playfully casted on her back.