Descent from Anwyn

ter

r saying farewell to her child for the last time. Suddenly the wind blew so defiantly that it made the trees dance, and the birds sing. In the distance, the lake rose and fell. Alizeh watched as the crystal water became splattered with blue an

o strong. The bird was not discouraged, though; it was simply enjoying the moment. Alizeh longed to be that bird. To fly away, to be happy and free. She knew these birds held t

torm roll in. Storms had always amazed her despite the devastation that lay in their wake. The beauty they possessed

gain, and that always meant trouble. She decided t

izeh rummaged through the small amount of food that was left, ate her small rations, and then prepared herself f

to sleep. If only things were different. The whole realm was missing the point, and there was nothing to be done. One person could never wi

to fall freely. It was cathartic as the tears started to flow, still waiting, knowing, without a doubt, it would come. As expected, the so

were together was the first time they ever even hinted at the feelings they both had been hiding. They were too young to really understand and appreciate the

and maybe I could feel whole again. It had been two years since that night. She was a wanderer now, a gypsy, a vagabond, never stopping in one place for long, and avo

falling asleep, the same dream played in her head. The details never quite came to mind while in a conscious state. They were always on the tip of her memory, but she was never able to recall them, not even the

from Anwyn. It seemed obvious that this would give them the advantage of being the mo

ey were blessed with this precious gift. Magic had no room to grow here. It was blocked by the negative energy that permeated the air. Hypatia had the potential to

een different. Instead, people had questions about their existence. They were desperate for a purp

ly, the rules soon became stricter, and kindness slowly left the equation. People became so hyper-focused on their god's ideology, they lost everything good and right within

people's misfortunes. Good deeds were no longer based on what was good for the community

eed. Not all councils behaved this way; some were still good people trying to do the right thing, but mo

ughter reached the age of 14, their virtue was to be sold to the highest bidder

believed in anything else, they did so behind closed doors–in silence and in fear. The council members were very proud of th

and acknowledge that things were not right. These were the healers, horticulturists, animal

and be free from the constant fear. If so many people didn't need her protection, it may have been worth it–to risk it all and try to go home. But for now, running was the best course of ac

il when they turned 18, but her father had joined by choice when he was only 16. Her mother, Gwendolyn, was the town healer. She went to church with her husband because it was required, but she practiced her ow

e lived. As a devout man of god, he would see the whole family burned at the stake rather than be embarrassed by their heat

ive, she saw a little boy on the other side of their land, only a fence separating them. The littl

r name, girl?" the boy had a

come over and play with me," Aliz

ng the day, they lived in a magical world of make-believe, and at

tience and quiet strength. He was happiest among animals

sidered an adult, and he wanted her to start earning her keep. Alizeh would not hav

out which local shop would hire a 14-year-old girl, she

church. You know that the dowry the church receives for the arranged marriage of everyone's firstborn daughter is what ke

r. Don't you see this plan is sick and perverted? What kind of god r

heard her mother weeping quietly. She wanted to go to her, to help her get out, but she knew she would just make it worse. Her father had the town on his side, and she was just a child. After the initial shock came a fury that

words she had written

save my mother. Please remember m

dn't have the courag

e overgrown grass. She decided she would try to get some rest. Once inside the sweltering barn, Alizeh realized that it had not been used for many years; the tools were rusted, and there were no signs of animals ever having inhabited the stalls. Then she looked far off