The River of Gray

Prolougue

At dawn the sun rose, and at dusk it fell. They took note of this swiftly. Magic is only awarded to those worthy. They knew it was true. Good and evil needed to co-exist or the world will end. Their hand paused over the page. They knew more than anyone else this truth. For, it was they supposed, they had lived true the darkest of times. And as it seemed, Athera Everglade was a walking legacy themself.

In a small modest village there lived a girl. Dark hair pulled back as they shrieked in childish joy, sparkling brown eyes of innocence, but a troubling fate. She was the perfect child to build a fairytale upon.

Their feet grazed the grass as they flipped to the next page of the book. Sounds of distant childrens cries of joy filled the air. They stopped at a gate, glancing up at the dim yard, before placing their book in a brown leather satchel and hiking up the hill. "Hello mother." The figure placed a caring hand on the gray stone before ruffling through their bag. Before producing a bouquet of colorful succulent flowers. "You'll be happy to know my garden has been flourishing splendidly, mother." They placed the flowers against the grave stone with a soft sniffle. "Athera," A hand was placed on their shoulder. The figure looked up to see bright blue eyes and coppery hair. "Mother told you you're not stable enough to be visiting her." The handsome boy gestured to the grave. They stood up. "I need this, before I leave, my sanity relies on it." They replied, clasping the boy's hand tightly. "Going where?" He asked. They smiled ruefully at him. "Don't you know? I'm going to be taken to The School for Good and Evil, Rhian."