The Sapphire of Ismira

We are home.

****A huge thanks to all the people who have read and voted and left their comments! You guys are absolutely awesome! A shout out to everyone who has fanned me as well. Means a hell lot! Finally hit 1000 reads day before yesterday! Now help me hit 1500 reads will you. ;) . This time I'm looking for 10 votes before I update the next chapter.

This chapter is extra long. And includes the introduction of the Neitherian language. Princess Ismira is finally introduced and so are two other characters. For all those who think something's going on between Aldrien and Sapphira, think again. A certain character in this chapter might be her pair instead. ;) :D.

Next chapter is going to be very very different and entirely shocking. ****

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SAPPHIRA

I slumped out of bed and looked out of the window. The sun hadn't risen yet but there was a faint trace of light coming from the horizon. It was nearly dawn. Today was the day I was finally going to leave home. Once and for all.

I got out of bed stifling a yawn. The house was quiet and I knew that my mom wouldn't have gotten out of bed yet. I dragged myself to the bathroom and had a quick shower and dressed myself up. I'd better leave the house before my mother wakes up and drowns me in tears. The last time she had to face such emotions was when her brother had been selected to go the Neither world as Princess Ismira's personal guard.

I know it isn't fair to leave without a proper good bye to my mother but I had no other choice. When I had come home last night, my mother was almost in a demented state. Lord Ramon had made the mistake of telling her about my destiny. And you can guess what had happened after that!

I scribbled a note and pushed it under the door to my mother's room. As I quietly headed towards the stairs, the door opened and I heard my mother's quivering voice.

"I know that's you Sapphira." she said in an unstable voice from within the room.

I whipped around and groaned. I didn't want to make this any worse. I was scared and sad, yes, but I knew the separation would be harder on my mother than it would be on me. Dad was out on patrol and he would find a way to bring things back to normal around the house.

I made an attempt to go inside her room but my mother spoke again before I could do so.

"Don't come in. Just leave. I know you have to do this. Coming in would only make things worse." she said quivering.

"Give my love to your brother." she added and shut the door.

I sighed and remained rooted to the spot for many minutes. Tons of mixed emotions were flowing through my mind and I knew this wasn't the time for such feelings.

I swiveled around at the spot and marched to the front door. I stepped out into the morning chillness and before I closed the door behind me, I looked back in and whispered, "Goodbye."

It was a short walk to my brother's old cabin. I tried knocking on the door but there was no answer. I opened the door and stepped in. On the bed was Aldrien, snoring loudly and not caring about the fact that they were running late.

I went up to the bed and poked his arm and hissed, "Wake up already! We're going to be late!"

He stirred for a moment and then turned to the other side and continued snoring.

Time for drastic measures!

I walked into the bathroom and filled a bucket with water. I heaved the bucket out into the room and stood beside the bed, right next to Aldrien.