* Prologue

She was all of nine years and the storm brewing outside Oraeyn Castle walls did not allow her sleep, so she crept downstairs to find her Father. He could always calm her troubled heart. As she entered the Great Hall, she found her Father pacing ‘round the room, deep in thought, as her Mother watched him intently, the firelight in the hearth dancing across their faces. Aria sensed she should not disturb him now and hid in the shadows, listening. Her mother spoke, breaking the silence that seemed an eternity long. 1

“Owane, what need you worry for? The battle is not for a fortnight yet. Your plans are very cunning, and your army will surely prevail.” She gave him a knowing smile, her eyes flooded with warmth. 2

He strolled over to the hearth and leaned on the mantle, gazing mindlessly into the flames. He stood there for several moments, saying nothing. She watched him, and worry found its way into her heart. She had never seen him like this. Finally, he spoke, his eyes never leaving their place. 3

“That is not what troubles me, Rhianna.” 4

“Then what does, dear husband?” She asked, swallowing the worry that slowly bombarded her. “Tell me, so I can help you through.” 5

Slowly, Owane turned his head to gaze at his wife, his eyes reflecting the firelight, and yet helplessness seemed to dominate. Quietly, he whispered the words of a desperate man: “No one can help me now.” 6

Aria stifled a cry, and continued to eavesdrop, hoping to hear of what ails her beloved Father. She has never known him to fear. 7

“Don’t talk such nonsense.” Rhianna tried to keep her voice from shaking, but to no avail. She only hoped he wouldn’t notice. “Surely there is something we can do.” 8

“Nothing.” He said flatly. 9

“Well, if you will not let me help, at least tell me how you came to believe this conclusion.” She patiently awaited his response. 10

Sighing heavily, he walked over and clasped his wife’s hand. “It is time I told you. No more secrets.” 11

“Do you remember Shardoyis Machrenah?” He paused, raising an eyebrow. 12

Fiona cringed at the thought of him. That evil man had not cast his wizardry on Durauntaia ground since Aria’s birth. He was banished, how could he be… 13

“ARIA!?” She gasped. 14

Owane simply nodded. Rhianna grew hysterical. “Owane, how has he come back? You banished him!! And if he has, you’re not going to just let him TAKE her, ARE YOU!? How could you have not told me this until now!? I could have done something!” 15

Amid, her Mother’s ravings, Aria pondered her Father's words. She remembered Shardoyis, but only through stories that her best friend Shiah’s Mother told her. What connection did she have with him? As her Father tried to calm her Mother, Aria again listened in, more interested now than ever before. 16

“Rhianna please! Let me continue. On the night of Aria’s birth, he came to me with a proposal. I was given the chance, through his magic, to rule with unlimited wisdom and power in exchange for naming him my successor. Which I refused. Furious at my decision, he spoke a prophecy: “At Midnight, on the eve before the day of your daughter’s tenth year, I will return. I will return to claim both her and your Kingdom. You will be powerless to stop me, and it is futile to try. At the stroke of midnight, everything you own, everything you love, WILL BE MINE!” 17

He paused, reflecting on that horrible night. When he turned to his wife, tears were streaking down his regal face. Aria was heartsick. He has never looked so helpless, she thought, I have to go to him. 18

She emerged from the shadows and ran to her Father. He embraced her in a fierce, yet gentle hug. He held onto her as if he would never let go. After several minutes, she pulled away and looked up at him, with loving eyes. “Father, I…” Her voiced trailed off as a thought hit her. TOMORROW IS MY TENTH BIRTHDAY!! Her eyes flew to the clock. 11:59. 19

“Oh, Father!!” She cried and clung to him tightly. He held her and helplessly met his wife’s gaze. She went to his side and took his hand. Together, they counted down the seconds until Shardoyis would arrive and tear their lives apart. 20

The mantle clock slowly chimed the hour, and the family filled with dread. As the last chime sounded, the room slowly filled with a dull, gray smoke. Thunder clapped and lightning struck outside the castle, which only added to the ominous turn of events. When the smoke cleared, Shardoyis stood in the centre of the hall, arms extended towards the frightened child. 21

He was a frightful sight: A tall, bony figure, clothed in a long black cloak. His fingers were long and spindly, almost eerie. He spoke, in a raspy voice that sent chills down Owane’s spine. 22

“We meet again, Sir. I’ve come to claim what’s mine.” He gestured towards Aria. She watched him silently, with fear in her eyes, and only clung to her Father tighter. Owane patted her head and whispered, “Don’t worry Darling. I’ll protect you.” 23

He glared at Shardoyis, keeping his daughter and wife behind him. “You can’t have her, Shardoyis. I won’t let you.” He advanced toward him, and drew his sword. 24

The wizard showed no fear, but looked Owane straight in the eye, threw his head back and laughed. Then he spoke, scolding the King. “Stupid fool! You honestly thought you stop me!? How pitiful. You’ve had your chance, now I will prove that no one crosses me.” 25

He slowly closed his fingers into a fist, and an unknown force drew Aria to his side. She struggled, still clutching her Mother by the hand. In one final attempt, he threw his hand to the side, and again, that force wrenched the two apart. Terrified and weeping, Aria screamed for her parents, and they ran toward her, but Shardoyis just yawned at their attempt to regain possession of their daughter. Then, snapping his fingers, he froze her Mother in place, inches from Aria’s outstretched fingers. Aria fought against him with all her strength, screaming for her Mother and pleading for her to wake up. Having succeeded in stopping Rhianna, Shardoyis turned towards Owane, dragging a hysterical Aria with him. 26

This time, she said nothing, for she did not want her Father to live her Mother’s fate. Instead, she just met his gaze, eyes filled with fear, silently pleading with him to save her. He heard her prayer, and raising his sword again, he charged at the wizard, screaming the Royal battle cry, “FOR THE SAFETY OF DURAUNTAIA!” 27

Shardoyis did nothing to escape the charging King’s wrath until the last possible moment, when he raised his free hand and flexed his fingers, causing a glowing ball of orange light to form at his fingertips. Before Aria could stop him, Shardoyis threw his hand forward, thrusting the orb directly at Owane, causing him to soar backwards, smashing into the wall, and slipping to the floor, unconscious. 28

As she watched him crumple, Aria became even more frantic and hysterical, weeping hard and clawing at the sorcerer, then smoke surrounded them both. As her vision clouded, and the room faded to darkness, she screamed one last word… “FATHER!”29