The Rise of a Hero & The Garnet Nightshade (Book 1)

Prologue

When I woke up it wasn't the room I had been sleeping in the night before, if it had been only a day ago. I don't even know how long I've been here. I sit up and make my way to one side of the bed and notice the floor was made from polished marble, as well as the few pillars that lined the room. The bed I was laying on had fine furnishings adorned along the headboard as well as the privacy curtain that surrounded it. I looked around the room to see if anyone else was around. While I was taking in my new surroundings a soft knock sounded at the door right across from where I was laying moments ago.

A soft voice from the other side of the door asks: "Miss, are you awake?"

Trying to find my voice was rather difficult. I had never had someone treat me so formally, so it was odd.

The young woman asks again "Are you awake?"

"C... come in!" I say nervously.

Thinking the door would creak loudly, I instinctively winced. But the door opened with little noise at all. But, what surprised me the most was the beautiful young lady before me. Her long dark brown hair, silver-colored eyes, and elegant Moon-Silver gown matched her eyes and make-up perfectly. She wore a cheerful smile with her thin lips that had a light rose color to them.

As I stand there dumbfounded, the woman does a once over and says: "You seem to have healed nicely. Do you remember anything?"

Holding my right hand to my head I try to think back to what happened, but my mind is blank.

"If you can't remember it's fine, don't force yourself. And my, where are my manners? You don't even know my name." States the woman.

Giving a formal bow, the woman says: "I am the current ruler of Garnet Nightshade domain, and as for my name, It is Mira Lis'ra."

"One would think everything would be the color Garnet since it's the domain of Garnet Nightshade." I blurt out without thinking.

Trying to hide her amusement, Mira says: "Yes, you would think. But it is our family crest colors that represent our domain and our family's strength."

I ask out of curiosity: "What is your family known for if I might ask?"

"Either mages or hero's." States Mira.

"I see. One more question if I may?"

"Go ahead and ask."

"What is the purpose of me being here?"

"You are very true to your nature, and for that I'm thankful. You have the potential to be a hero, which right now my domain needs one. I was meant to be wed but I have declined every offer. If I take you in as my retainer then the marriage proposals will cease until you've been trained to my domain's standards, but, if you fail the trials you will be killed."

"You want me as your retainer so you don't have to get married?"

"I want you as my retainer because you are something I can never have."

"What do you...?!"

Mira cuts me off in mid-sentence saying she will give me a couple of days to think it over. I had an inkling as to what she meant in that last part. But I put that to the side and focused on the main goal, and that was deciding whether or not to become her retainer. I don't know if I ran after Mira due to obligation or the fear of never seeing her again, but when she turned and faced me her face and eyes said everything she couldn't vocalize due to her position.

Kneeling before her I ask loud and clear: "Mira, will you take me as your retainer?!"

"I Mira Lis'ra, take you as my retainer."

After hearing those words I had the sudden urge to hug her. But that thought was gone almost as fast as it appeared.

"I've only just noticed, I don't know your name."

"I was a commoner who was turned into a slave, so I no longer have a name."

"Tell me, what domain are you from if you can?"

"Faus'Latia"

Mira begins to pace the room when she comes to a sudden stop and turns towards me.

"Faus'Latia is the domain to the north of here. I had heard it was winter there all year."

I mutter to myself: "Winter?"

A sudden pain ignited in my head as flashes of images flooded in. Some were foggy or faded, while some were vivid. Some had people, others had animals, some mixed with buildings and finally, the last one had a man protecting a little girl who was kneeling over a woman, possibly her mother. The woman hands the little girl a pendant with an insignia on it before she was lifeless. Burying her face in the woman's chest the little girl screams in despair. The man tells the little girl to run.

Wiping the steady tears from her eyes the girl does as she's told and runs. On the way she trips and drops the pendant popping it open. The name written on the inside is "Elise Saura Latia."

A voice asks "Hey, are you alright?