Elemental Thief Part I : Child of Calamity

Uncertain Beginnings

Treasa wasn't near the coast anymore.

She couldn't smell the sea, though she had never thought about the fact that most of her painful memories had involved a nearness to the ocean that she could smell in the surrounding humidity. She had always lived near enough to the salt water and coast that she could smell it on the air, feel the humidity from it in the summer.

But now, she was so far within the mountains of Rulin that the air was thin and crisp with the smell of stone, forests, and a hint of winter, though the temperature was warm enough.

She patted the neck of the large brown, winged horse who had agreed to take her this far, gently running her fingers through his mane before sliding down off his back and looking up at the large, foreboding stone fortress they called the Royal Palace, then out across the manicured lawns towards the large set of walls that separated the palace grounds from everything else.

She had seen the layout while flying over the capital, and knew that beyond the walls she saw was the city itself, and then more walls, much like the Palace and capital in Clairval, though Rulin's was older, darker, and far more battle hardened.

"Thanks for the ride, buddy." Treasa whispered before taking a step back from the winged horse.

She squinted against the rush of wind as the animal leapt into the air and flew off over the wall and to freedom. It left her feeling oddly alone, as if the creature had been her friend, or even companion.

The soldiers who had flown with her had already made their way around to the far side of the fortress, and so she uncertainly followed behind them, not sure where exactly she was expected, or if she was expected at all.

Luckily, they walked, and though their legs were longer than hers, she could keep up, though at a distance, moving as quietly as possible, not wanting to deal with their odd formality and brusque soldier-like efficiency. It had not been an unpleasant journey, but they had treated her professionally, and with an aloofness that she couldn't read. They didn't truly know how to deal with her any more than she knew how to deal with them, and though they had been polite, it made her feel alone.

If she could follow them, perhaps she could explore without being stopped, understand this place, before she was directed to whatever orphanage she was really supposed to go to for the next three years.

This side of the palace opened up into an extensive set of training grounds, lined with various fighting and training implements as well as a large, low building that was nestled under the wall, displaying the same colours and crests that the Royal Guard wore on their uniforms.

It was midday, but there were men... and women, training and fighting in the yards, their long, serrated blades flashing in the sunlight as they drilled or sparred against one another under the watchful eyes of one or two instructors or superiors. She took a seat off to the side, half hidden by the shadows of the buildings while she watched them move through the brutal, efficient looking fighting style.

She had been watching for a while, when one fighter sat down beside her, having approached unnoticed. "You interested in learning?"

Treasa calmed her surprise and looked over to the warrior, a woman, who wore only casual pants and a tunic, no uniform in itself, her hair braided back from her face, exposing pointed ears, blue eyes that remained focused on the fighting. "You... look like Princess Mireyana."

"I would expect I do, seeing as how she's my twin sister." The woman offered a quick smile, inclining her head as if she hadn't just said she was the heir to the crown of Rulin. "And you look like you have no idea why you're here, or what you should be doing." She held up a hand, stalling Treasa's sudden, panicked movements. "It's alright, I don't need you bowing and scraping to me. I'm just here for some practice. I need a break from all the formality every so often."