The Thief, The Beggar, and the Dragonstone

Prologue

 "You're not roaming with those unruly kids!" E's dad scolded.

  "Can't I have friends?" E spat, storming up the stairs. On the landing she spun around, "you can't protect me forever."

 Dad, at the bottom step, said, "I know," his voice less angry.

  E's face contorted. "I can take care of myself!"

 "I know you can," Dad said softly.

  Jerking her bedroom door open, she heard Dad call up the stairs, "I love you."

 "I HATE YOU!" She slammed the door. Throwing herself onto her bed, or so she thought.

  Crashing onto the ground, E looked around, disoriented. Swirling colors floated through the air. 

 Every color she could imagine mixed around her. The colors were dull and flat, as if made from clay.

  E's bedroom was gone. Her dresser, with all her gymnastics trophies, metals and ribbons from wrestling tournaments, had vanished. All furnishings dissolved. Even her posters of cherished superheroes were non-existent. No ceiling or floor. All directions went on forever. Feeling solid ground, she slowly rose. Her feet looked as if they were floating.

  Scared and confused, she tried to run. There was no movement. The colors didn't blur or shift as she expected them to. It was like she was running in place. 

  "E!" a strong voice boomed. Did she hear or feel it? It was a vibration that penetrated her body, her soul.

  Being brought up to believe in God, this is the judgment!

  Throwing herself back to the floor, "forgive me Most High!" Her face pressed to a floor that didn't exist.

 "DO NOT BOW TO ME!" The voice jolted through E.

"I AM NOT THE MOST HIGH GOD, STAND!"

  E trembled as she climbed to her feet.

 In a less threatening voice, though still vibrating through E, "I am a created being like you."

 E stuttered, "who are you?" Her stomach was queasy, the vibrations made her head feel strange.

 The voice communicated directly to her mind, "I'm called the Time Mage. I have slated  you to be a Time Warden."

  Confused and not sure what was going on. I'm just thirteen years old. Was this some kind of demonic attack? E's father, being a preacher, always talked about demons and deliverance. She had never believed in any of it, but now. E wished her dad was here.

  The Time Mage continued, "I will give you assignments that will direct history in my desired course."

  E decided she would not cower before this being. Straightening her back, she said, "why do you need me? I'm just a kid."

 Reverberating through E's mind, the Time Mage said, "you have special skills and abilities which are needed. Your training will be extensive. You will also continue your education. There are others that will be part of your team." 

"Your first and main assignment is to keep Jack Stonewell alive at all costs."

E was still trying to process everything that had just happened. The Time Mage? Time Warden? Keeping Jack alive at all costs? It all sounded like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. But the seriousness of the situation was not lost on her.

"Why Jack Stonewell?" E asked the Time Mage.

"He is a key figure in history, and his survival is crucial for the future," the Time Mage replied.

E nodded slowly, still feeling overwhelmed. "Okay, but...how am I supposed to do this? And who are the others that will be on my team?"

"All will be revealed in due time," the Time Mage said. "For now, know that you have been chosen for a great purpose. Your training will begin immediately."

E gulped, wondering what she had gotten herself into. But there was also a sense of excitement and curiosity building within her.

"Okay," she said, determination in her voice. "I'm ready."