Call to Battle Chapter 1

The tall, willowy girl leaned against the oak tree and let out a sigh of relief. The Wise Ones would not find her here, so deep in the forest. The sunlight bathed her face as she sank onto the moss and pulled out a book. 1

She called herself Sapphire, and for good reason. Her dark gold hair set off her odd eyes, framed in curly lashes. The left being an intense brown/green, and the right a vivid blue, she was susceptible to much ridicule and slander. Many of her type were these days, but she was a lucky one that appeared more mortal than elvish. A quick fix by the Wise Ones created a shield of blue to cover the color for whenever she had to enter the mortal world. That was why she was called Sapphire, the blue shield making her eyes an irresistible blue. 2

"Sapphire!" 3

The call split the air like a knife, and even as absorbed in the book as she is was, it automatically caused her shoulders to flinch. Sighing the sigh of surrender, she gracefully picked herself up off the moss and grabbed the book in time to see her year-mate, Tanis appear over the rise.4

Long, strawberry-blond hair back in a braid with delicate pointed ears, Tanis was the perfect example of an elf. Body tight with muscle, he moved with the grace of a cat, seeming to barely skim the earth beneath. Although she wanted to be alone still, the sight of Tanis brought out a tiny smile. He had that effect on everyone. 5

"Want some company?"6

Smiling at the taller elf, Sapphire bit back the denial forming in her mouth and nodded.7

"Great. . . you know everyone is looking for you, right?"8

"Yes, Tanis. That's why I had to get away. The Wise One's have some crazy idea in their heads that they need their apprentice at all times. . . I was just sitting there on a stool all morning!"9

"The warriors used to be like that too, but now that I'm a Dedicate I get some free time."10

"I wish I had free time. . . When I do, which is once a Rotation for only a few hours, my father has me in the shop working on my new bow. . . "11

Sapphire's voice trailed away as her keen ears heard the sound of approaching footsteps.12