The Fall Of Imbria (The Fendara Series. Book One)

Part One: To Kill A Village

I  begin to wake from my cot to what can only be the sound of my father already hard at work outside chopping wood. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I rise from the warmth of my covers and make my way towards my wardrobe. Opening it up to see the usual work pants and blouses hanging above my few pairs of boots gathered at the bottom of the dusty oak shelf. Pushing through the few light colored articles of clothing, to grab my normal attire of black and greys.

    After dressing and lacing up my calf length boots, I pulled my ash brown hair back into a low braided bun and walk out of my room to go find a source of protein, before starting my day of training.
    My two brothers and sister already sitting at the table eating their porridge, toast and fresh cooked eggs my mother had gathered from the chickens found clucking outside, I take my seat in the chair beside my sister Beatrice. I look to my mother who lays my plate and bowl in front of me, contents of which are the same of my siblings.

     My eldest brother Cassius had already devoured his food in a matter of minutes.

     "Hurry up, I am not to wait all day on you, Victoria"  Cassius says shoving in his chair to meet the table, but not without roughing up my youngest brother Augustine's hair and planting a kiss upon moms cheek, thanking her for the meal, then excusing himself from the house.

       I roll my eyes and rush to finish my food. Beatrice looks over to me.
     "How long are you going to be today? I wanted you to go with me to pick flowers, over near the masons cottage later."

     With how fast Samhain is approaching, I know Cassius will be drawing training and spell casting out, just to make sure we're ready in time.
      I shrug "Probably till mid day. Maybe later." She begins frowning at me, giving me sorrow filled eyes.

      If only she knew the weight us as the eldest bare. Some days it just work and work till the calluses on my fingers bleed from the labor of helping everyone in this town keep our small community tucked in and far out of sight from the king.

      Then there are days...days where I see that shaggy brown haired boy with eyes that of molten chocolate. He's shown up so very little through out my life, on my hikes through-out the forest to bring home fish. Each time it surprises me. A lone human boy in our realm of magic. I wish I could've gotten to understand why he was there. Every moment a mystery, leaving me curious. I haven't seen him in a little over two years, now I'm twenty-three and part of me misses it, that mystery of who he was.  Theodore was his name, but the conversation was so brief, It would be the only thing I remembered from that intense interaction, if it wasn't for that stolen kiss a few summers back.

     Realizing my mind had gone astray, I snap back to reality and say " Sorry B." I tell her with a genuine smile "Auggie can take you if I'm not done before sundown." Gesturing to my brother as I stand to go find Cassius. Faintly hearing them bickering to my mother, I open our big pine door to meet the cool autumn air.

       The breeze rouges my cheeks as I see my older brother, sword drawn and sparring with our friend Simon. It's been a few seasons since he was last in this realm, he seems to stand taller. His jaw sharper and body more toned with age. For him to only be three years older, I wouldn't have known it. He's always carried himself in a strong manner, spoken as if he was the wisest of us all but with considerate understanding. Plus it doesn't help that he's always been...well, handsome. Probably why I have and always will hold a soft spot for him whenever he comes to visit the cottage.

      Sweat starts rolling off their brows as Simon summons light magic from the palm of his hand, blinding Cassius and knocking him on his ass. Trying not to laugh I walk over "And here I thought being older you'd be wiser than to bring a sword to a sparring match with a warlock." the look of distain in my brothers eyes as he's grimacing at me and Simon smiling with enjoyment.